Rayburn Smith

Rayburn Thurlo Smith, 83, of Austin passed away March 7, 2011. He was born May 12, 1927, in the Crossroads community in Prairie County and was a member of Baugh Chapel Baptist Church for 51 years. He worked at the Fort Roots VA Hospital for 35 years and also served in the Arkansas Army National Guard for 31 years.

He was preceded in death by his wife of 62 years, Lucille Smith, and his parents, Bill and Mabel Smith. Rayburn is survived by his children, Steve Smith of Austin, Dennis Smith (Melissa) of Cabot, and Sherry Berry (Lynn) of Austin; a brother, John Edward Smith of North Little Rock, and a sister, Patsy Southard of Benton; 5 grand children and 5 great-grandchildren.

Visitation will be at Westbrook Funeral Home in Beebe on Wednesday, March 9, from 6 p.m. to 8 p.m. Funeral service will be at 2 p.m. on Thursday, March 10, at Baugh Chapel Baptist Church 5570 Hwy 319 West, Austin, AR 72007. Burial will follow at Sixteenth Section Cemetery. Memorials may be made to Baugh Chapel Baptist Church.