Purcell Smith

Doctor Purcell Smith, Jr. died peacefully October 27th, at Mercy Hospital in Rogers Arkansas
following challenges with prostate cancer, lung problems and age related difficulties. Despite
undergoing numerous treatments for cancer and other health problems for the past 15 years,
his recent days have been calm, comfortable, and full of loving family. He had recently
celebrated his 63rd wedding anniversary with his beloved wife Joan. They lived in Rogers
Arkansas for the last 2 years. He enjoyed an afternoon with a good book, Joan's delicious
cooking, visiting his family just down the street, hearing from family near and far, an evening
martini, and a good game of gin rummy.

He was born in Little Rock Arkansas to Purcell Sr. and Adelaide (Corley) Smith on Christmas
Day 1928. He attended Forest Park Elementary, where he made lifelong friends. He graduated
from Little Rock (Central) HS in 1946, Hendrix College in 1949 with a BA in Chemistry, and had
been president of his senior class, ranking second scholastically. He attended U of A Medical
School, obtaining his Medical Degree in 1953. He entered the Air Force and did his internship at
City Hospital in St Louis, Missouri, where he met and married Joan Alexander of Appleton City,
Missouri and became beloved by her farming family. He then reported for active duty and they
were stationed at a base outside Fairbanks, Alaska for 2 years where his son Purcell III, was
born. He then completed a residency in Internal Medicine and a Fellowship in Allergy and
Immunology in Ann Arbor, Michigan in 1960. His daughter Cynthia Ann was born while there.
They then moved back to Little Rock where he joined his mentor Dr Alan Cazort (who had
treated him for his own allergies as a child), in the Arkansas Allergy Clinic where he practiced
for the next 35 years.

His professional life was marked by his love for and service to his patients. He also served his
professional peers with his leadership activities. He was a member of the Pulaski County
Medical Society, acting as president in 1974. He was a long time member of the American
Medical Association (AMA) and was a 12 year Arkansas delegate to the national AMA
Organizational meetings, and was president of the Arkansas Medical Society for 1981. He was
also a president of the UAMS Caduceus Club. He was a fellow of the American Academy of
Allergy, Asthma and Immunology, and was a member of the American College of Allergy,
Asthma and Immunology.

He and Joan were long time members of Second Presbyterian Church in Little Rock where they
had served as Elder and Deacon. They volunteered in public schools, at The Stewpot, and The
Rice Depot. They were members of the Country Club of Little Rock and were avidly interested in
golf. He never played as well as he would have liked, but enjoyed the good walks nevertheless.
He also enjoyed wine, and smoked an occasional cigar until it became clear that they were not
helping his health.

They enjoyed traveling, often to AMA meetings, as well as to the beach, or skiing with family.
They also traveled extensively with their son, daughter in law, and friends. He was affectionately
known as Dandy to his Grandchildren, one of those mispronunciations of Grandy.

He was preceded in death by his parents, and is survived by his wife Joan; his children Dr.
Purcell, III and wife Susan; Daughter Cynthia, and husband Dr. Thomas Youngblood; 2
grandchildren: Joan (Youngblood) Dorsey and husband Mike, of Palo Alto California, and
Matthew Youngblood of Oakland California, as well as 2 great grandchildren: Nora and Ella
Dorsey. He is also survived by his brother Morgan, and nephews Mark and Morgan Jr. Smith of
Little Rock. Additionally, he will be missed by Dr Gustavo Zubieta, his exchange student ‘son' of
La Paz, Bolivia.

He will be cremated, and a memorial service will be held at First Presbyterian Church of Rogers
at 1901 S. 26th Street, Rogers AR, 72758, at 2:00 PM on Tuesday, October 31st.

In Lieu of flowers, the family requests donations be made to The First Presbyterian Church of
Rogers Foundation, or to Presbyterian Disaster Assistance at pda.pcusa.org.

Arrangements by Little Rock Funeral Home, (501)224-2200. Dr. Smith's online guestbook may be signed at www.littlerockfuneralhome.com.

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Funeral Service

OCT 31. 2:00 PM (CDT)

First Presbyterian Church
1901 S. 26th Street
Rogers, AR, 72758