Bertha Marie Smith

Bertha Marie Fitzpatrick was born on October 29, 1940, in DeWitt, Arkansas, to the late Earnest and Julia Templeton Fitzpatrick. She departed this life on March 13, 2025.

Bertha attended Immanuel School in Almyra, Arkansas. On September 9, 1958, she married the love of her life, the late L.C. Smith, and together they shared sixty-four years of marriage. Their union was blessed with four children: Lenord Carroll Smith, Deborah Lynn Smith, Ricky Mariece Smith, and Ken Lemont Smith.

In 1968, Bertha began working in the Physical Therapy Department at DeWitt City Hospital. Later, she pursued a career as a licensed beautician, running her own beauty shop, which was built by her husband, L.C. Smith.

Bertha accepted Christ and was filled with the Holy Ghost. She joined Greater New Jerusalem Church of God in Christ in DeWitt. Later she became a member of Mt. Calvary Church of God in Christ in Casscoe, Arkansas. There, she served as one of the church mothers under Elder Guydon, Elder Davis, and the current Pastor, Elder Fredrick Jeffery.

Bertha loved serving the Lord. She also enjoyed growing flowers and working in her yard. Her passion for gospel music was evident as she often lifted up the Lord through song.

Bertha was preceded in death by her parents Earnest and Julia Templeton Fitzpatrick; husband L.C. Smith; sons Lenord Carroll Smith and Ken Lemont Smith; brothers Early Fitzpatrick, Andrew Fitzpatrick, Clarance Fitzpatrick, Emory Fitzpatrick, and Andrew Jasper Fitzpatrick; sisters Grace Campbell, Olivia Fitzpatrick, Ressie Strivers, Elizabeth Nelson, Gerladine Stovall, Estella Fitzpatrick, Willow Owens, and Artie Robinson; and aunt Nelia Walker.

Bertha leaves to cherish her loving, precious memories her daughter Deborah Smith Woods of DeWitt, AR; son Ricky Mariece Smith of DeWitt, AR; daughters-in-law Betty Joyce Smith and Helen Smith, both of DeWitt, AR; brother Ree (Bennie) Fitzpatrick of Jacksonville, AR; sisters Ethel ( Robert ‘Jackle’) Gamble and Bessie Adams, both of Tulsa, OK, and Sarah (Arlyn) Fuller of Flint, MI; sisters-in-law Odella May Smith of Casscoe, AR, Mae Smith of Little Rock, AR, Laura Weems and Gladys Smith, both of Detroit, MI; brother-in-law Mike (M.C.) Smith of Detroit, MI; grandchildren Alexis Smith, Crystal (Chad) Poole, Julie Smith, Jeremy London Smith, Kyler Smith, Holly Smith, and Heidi Smith; thirteen great-grandchildren; and a host of family and friends who loved her dearly.

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