Alvin Ray Smith

Alvin Ray Smith "Big Al” was born on January 4,1960 in McNabb Arkansas to Abraham "Abe" Smith and Emma Lee Staggers Smith. Coming from a large family of 12, Alvin was the 8th child. Our family was always filled with love and laughter. He was a 1978 graduate of Glenwood High School in Glenwood Arkansas. He attended Henderson State University in 1978-79 in Arkadelphia, Arkansas. After his time at HSU he started working for (PCA) Photo Corporation of America. He became their top salesperson for that company. He later moved on to Olan Mills Photography and worked there for several years before starting his own business with his brother Gary (Smith and Smith Studios) in Santa Anna, California in the 1990's. Big Al as he was commonly known found his true passion when he started driving 18 wheelers across country for Star Trucking and Black Top Trucking for 20 years. He was known for having the cleanest Big Rig on the road and was a DJ on the side.

His likes were truck driving, cars, jet skiing, swimming, music and barbequing. His greatest joy was being a father and grandfather. Alvin really enjoyed the outdoors; being around family and friends talking about the good ole' days. He believed in the Golden Rule. To treat others like you would want to be treated. It didn't matter who or what time you needed help; Alvin was always up for the challenge. He never met a person he didn't like. He was always the life of the party. Fun to be around. People everywhere loved him, young and old. If you were blessed to have had Alvin in your life, then you knew you had a true friend.

He joined the church at an early age. He united with Mt. Canaan Baptist Church under the leadership of Rev. Johnny C. Harris. His favorite passage was the "The Lord’s Prayer” Matthew 6:9. He attended Mt. Canaan until his health started to fail him in 2018/2019.

Alvin passed away on Tuesday March 3,2020 at National Park Medical Hospital in Hot Springs, Arkansas. He was preceded in death by his parents Abraham Smith (D.1973) and Emma Smith (D.2012); five siblings, Charles Smith (D.2012), Tommy Smith (D.1971), James Pete Staggers (D.1968), Janice Smith (D.1966) and Darryl Smith (D.1966).

His life will forever be remembered in the hearts of his family: two sons, Brandon Smith of Shreveport, LA and Mackenzie Cory Bradley of Fredericksburg, VA; two daughters, Markalien Bevans (stepdaughter) of Sparkman AR and Genus  Asya Smith of Little Rock, AR; four granddaughters,  Niyana Smith, Nyomi Smith, Natoria Smith and  Ryzarya Bradley; two sisters, Yvonne Hunter and Deanice Delamar both of Arkadelphia, Arkansas; four brothers, Gary Eugene Smith of FT. Worth , TX  Abraham Steven Smith, Jr. (Leasha) of Atlanta GA, Kenneth Lee Smith (Toni) of Hot Springs AR and Joe Smith of Arkadelphia AR.

He also leaves to cherish his memories a host of nephews, nieces, cousins, friends and other family members.

The Smith Family would like to say a special thank you to Brother and Sister Simms; his close friends, Stanley, Randy, Eric, Bruce, Russell, Helene, Jimmy Tom, Mark, Tommy, Dennis and many more. His Arkadelphia Divata Family, Mt. Canaan Missionary Baptist Church and Williams Funeral Home.

We are comforted, first by God’s love and our memories. We are also comforted by the innumerable expressions of love many of you have extended to us in our time of bereavement. We cannot adequately express how deeply touched we are by your kindness. He loved his family dearly and would have appreciated all that has been done to make his passing rememberable. It is with the deepest sense of appreciation and great love we simply say, Thank you!

Submitted by the Smith Family