08/04/2026
D.R. Smith, 91, passed from this life on Saturday, August 1, 2026, at his home in Paragould, AR. D.R., the 9th of 10 children, was born on his mother’s 40th birthday on September 18, 1934. He was born in Jackson County, Arkansas, to the late E.F. and Hester Grady Smith. As an avid outdoorsman, D.R. enjoyed both hunting and fishing. He was a retired school administrator and custom harvester. He was a long-time member of the Walcott Church of Christ.
In addition to his parents, he was preceded in death by his wife of 61 years, Mary Langley Smith; one grandson, Corey Wells; two great grandsons, Carter and Caleb Wells; six brothers, O.N., J.C., Emmett, Bill, Charles, and Keith; and one sister, Metta Dean Moore.
D.R. is survived by his wife, Diana Manthey Smith; one daughter, Kay Wells and her husband, Steve, of Ravenden, AR; two sons, Monte Smith and his wife, Debbie, of Paragould and Steve Smith and his wife, Valerie, of Kennett, MO; one step-son, Gannen Manthey and his wife, Laura, of Rector, AR; six grandchildren, Casey Wells and his wife, Carrie, Krista Springfield, and her husband, John, Jake Smith, Kirsten Johnson, Ashley Detweiler and her husband, Jason, and Angie Baioni and her husband, Michael; fourteen great grandchildren, Keely, Kyler, Chloe, Keegan, Kohlton, Korynne, Kason, Luke, Anna, Olivia, Jack, Campbell, Rhodes, and Rush; two sisters, Jessie Fondren of Northwest AR, and Marilyn Smith of Troy, AL; as well as numerous other relatives and friends.
Friends and family may gather at Phillips Funeral Home at 1:00 p.m. Tuesday, August 4, to join the procession to the graveside service at the Dail Cemetery at Ravenden, AR. The graveside service will begin at 3:00 p.m. with Harrell Austin officiating. The songs will be led by D.R.'s grandson, Casey Wells. The grandsons and nephews will serve as pallbearers.
Lasting memorials may be made to the Children's Homes of Paragould.
