Cover photo for Nola Smith's Obituary

Nola Smith

September 4, 1944 — April 1, 2021

Nola Smith

Nola Jane Shaddox Smith, age 76, of Sherwood, Arkansas, saw her Savior’s face on April 1, 2021.

Nola was born on September 4, 1944, in Louisville, Kentucky.  Nola’s father, Thomas Nelson Shaddox, was a chaplain in the Air Force, allowing her the opportunity to live in places like England, Guam, Washington and New York.  Nola graduated from Harrison High School and then attended Ouachita Baptist University.  After marrying her husband, Ken Smith, she graduated from the University of Arkansas with a bachelor's degree in elementary education and library science.

Nola and her husband Ken were married for 55 years. After graduating from college, they moved to Baytown, Texas, where they had their daughter Tonya.  Nola and her family later moved to Westerville, Ohio, where she was very active in her church Sharon Woods.  Nola served as church secretary, sang in the choir, taught bed babies and Mission Friends.

As part of their journey back to Arkansas, Nola and her family lived in Joplin, Missouri, and Independence, Kansas.  In 1986 Nola and Ken settled in North Little Rock, Arkansas, where they joined Park Hill Baptist Church.  Nola continued her ministry and served as the church youth secretary, sang in the choir, served with the deacons’ wives, was director of 2’s & 3’s Sunday School, taught G.A.s, youth Sunday School, played in the handball choir and was an active part of WMU.

Nola was a very active part of her grandchildren, Aly, JT and Timothy’s lives.  Nola served as Mimi’s Taxi Service, rhinestoned and sewed dance costumes, traveled to all dance and cheer competitions, cheered at soccer, baseball, basketball and football games.  Nola attended numerous plays, musical performances, helped with homework, projects and dried tears.  Nola even volunteered in the library at Victory Baptist Elementary where her grandchildren attended school.

Nola and Ken loved to travel and camp in their RV.  Nola would often go with Ken on business that would extend into trips to see extended family and friends.  They traveled all over the United States and she was proud that she had been to all but 5 of the states.  Nola's favorite place to travel was Maumelle Park where they would camp for weeks at a time.

Nola was survived by her husband, John Kenyon Smith of Sherwood; daughter, Tonya Deloras Smith; grandchildren, Aly Smith, JT Espejo (Rachel Espejo) and Timothy Espejo; her sister, Tommie Smith (Steve Smith); three nieces, two nephews and nine great nieces and nephews.  Nola was proceeded in death by her father, Thomas Nelson Shaddox; mother, Alta Delores Brogden Shaddox; father-in-law, Hubert Onis Smith; mother-in-law, Violet Ima Roberts Smith; and sister, Kathryn Ann Shaddox Kelley (Ben Kelley).

A celebration of life will be held at 1:00PM Saturday, April 17 at Maumelle Park (Group Site #2).  Please feel free to contact the family for more details.

To order memorial trees or send flowers to the family in memory of Nola Smith, please visit our flower store.

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