Mary Louisa Vanlandingham Smith of Cedar Branch Community was born March 19, 1933 at Redfield, Arkansas, the daughter of the late Bruce and Rosa Mae Kelly Vanlandingham.

Mrs. Smith worked in the accounting office at Sears in Pine Bluff and later went to work for the Jefferson County Circuit Clerk's office where she retired in August of 1993.

For years she was a member of Unity Missionary Baptist Church where she raised her children and later First Immanuel Missionary Baptist Church in Pine Bluff. Her ministry was cooking for church functions and was always ready to help out with food when someone was ill or passed away.  She also loved to cook for, and make sweet memories with her family anytime she could.

She loved her Lord and Savior first and foremost and then the family He blessed her with.  She was there for them no matter what.  She and Bonnie enjoyed several years of retirement together and being able to be back out in the country surrounded by family.  As Bro. Robert Cossey calls it, the "Smith Compound".  Her greatest highlight and joy was seeing her grandchildren and great grandchildren.

Mrs. Smith died Tuesday, January 16, 2024 at her home surrounded by her family, at the age of 90. In addition to her parents, she was preceded in death by the love of her life, her husband Bonnie H. Smith and a brother, Herbert Vanlandingham.

Survivors include her daughter and son-in-law, Mildred and Paul Drake; son and daughter-in-law, Billy and Mary Lou Smith; brothers, T.D. (Pat) Vanlandingham, Doyle (Pat) Vanlandingham; sisters, Daisy Price Greeson, Ava (Johnny) Keen; grandchildren, Amanda (Russ) Bray, Lance (Samantha) Smith, Melissa (Robert) Drake-Rowe, Lindsey (Tim) White, Tricia (John) Graham; great grandchildren, Drake Wolfenden, Mason Wolfenden, Hannah Bray, Mallory Bray, Hayden Bray, Andy Rowe, Lane Bickford, Bella Bickford, Ivy Rowe, Emma Graham, Hanna Graham., Naomi Smith, Dylan Smith, Weston White, Scarlett Smith, Ruston White.  She is also survived by a host of extended family, Church family, and friends.

Funeral services will be held at 12:00 P.M., Saturday, January 20, 2024 at First Immanuel Missionary Baptist Church in Pine Bluff with Bro. Robert Cossey and Bro. Terry Williams officiating.  Burial will be in Cedar Branch Cemetery.  Visitation is also Saturday, from 11:00 A.M. until service time.

Memorials may be made to First Immanuel Missionary Baptist Church, 1500 West 73rd Ave., Pine Bluff, AR  71603.

Serving as pallbearers: Lance Smith, Tim White, Mason Wolfenden, Drake Wolfenden, Lane Bickford, David Eason; Honorary Pallbearers are: Russ Bray, Robert Rowe, John Graham, Dylan Smith, Weston White, Ruston White, Hayden Bray.