wanetta irene (brannon) Smitherman
Wanetta Irene Smitherman passed away January 8, 2015 in North Little Rock, Arkansas at the age of 79. Wanetta is survived by her son, Mark Smitherman, and his wife, Susan, of Sherwood; two granddaughters, Sonet Weed and Shelby Ragland, of North Little Rock; and long-time friend Charles Bridges, of Orange, California, as well as many other nieces, nephews, and cousins. She was preceded in death by her mother, Maude Simpson, and her father, Leslie Brannon, both of Rector, Arkansas.
Wanetta was born June 16, 1935 in Rector, Arkansas, the seventh of seven children. She graduated Rector High School in 1955. After marrying Ulysses “Bodie” Smitherman in 1957, the family moved to North Little Rock, Arkansas in 1960 where she worked in insurance for over 40 years. While she lived in North Little Rock, she was devoted to the preservation of her hometown of Rector and the area she referred to as the “North-east Corner”, frequently visiting for family reunions and Labor Day picnics.
She was a dedicated, strong-willed individual who was devoted to her family and friends. A loving mother and grandmother, she will be missed.
A visitation is scheduled for Monday, January 12, 2015 from 6 to 8 pm, with the funeral service scheduled for Tuesday, January 13, 2015 at 11am, with Preacher John Vaprezsan officiating. Both the visitation and funeral service will be held at North Little Rock Funeral Home. All are welcome to attend and celebrate Wanetta’s life. The family respectfully requests that in lieu of flowers, donations be made to Rector High School Helping Hands Foundation (RHSHelpingHands.org). Lastly, the family would like to thank Drs. Nosheen Mian and David Greenwood, who selflessly cared for her during the last years of her life, and the wonderful staff of Baptist Springhill ICU, who made her last days with us as comfortable as possible.