Jimmy Dean Smith
Sep 28, 1955 – July 9, 2026
Jimmy Dean Smith, 70, of Powhatan, passed from this life on July 9, 2026, at his home. Born on September 28, 1955, in Walnut Ridge, he was the son of Dempsey and Alpha Hall Smith.
Known to everyone simply as Booger, he was truly one of a kind. He wore many hats throughout his life and was never one to sit still. In his youth, he worked at the Boy Scout Camp Cedar Valley and proudly earned the rank of Eagle Scout. He later worked at a local rock crusher and hauled cattle for various farms before transitioning into a dedicated career in law enforcement. Booger served as a police officer for both the City of Walnut Ridge and Arkansas State University, and he retired from the Arkansas State Police as an inspector in the used motor vehicle division.
Outside of his day jobs, you could usually find Booger raising cows, chickens, and rabbits, commercial fishing, tinkering with vehicles, gardening, working on carpentry projects, or just piddlin’. He was a member of Faith Worship Center, a former volunteer Boy Scout leader, and served as the Constable of Black River District.
He was a man who could strike up a conversation with anyone, building countless lasting friendships over the years. He cared deeply for his family and silently helped family, friends, and community members in ways he never spoke of.
Jimmy is survived by his wife, Leah Weld; four children, Shawn King and wife Tammi, Megan Foley and husband Shane, Nick Smith and wife Magan, and Allison Asher and husband Marcus; grandchildren, Cyrus, Dawson, and Roger King, Colby Clark, Chloe, Lillian, and Dylan Foley, Zak Peppers, Vivica and Paris Smith, and Dexter Phillips; great-grandchildren, Laney, Colson, Sunnie, Noah, Rylee, Hudson, and Tucker; his sister and brother-in-law, Debra and JR Hankins; sister-in-law, Kay Smith; and many nieces and nephews.
He was preceded in death by his parents; his siblings, Bobby Darrell Smith and Martha Wells; brother-in-law, Jerry Wells; nieces, Melissa and Bethany; and nephew, Trenton.
Services will be held Saturday, July 18, at Faith Worship Center in Portia. Visitation will take place from 10:00 a.m. to 12:00 p.m., with the service immediately following, officiated by Steve Alexander. Interment will be at Powhatan Cemetery. Honored to serve as pallbearers are Keith Aaron, Nathaniel Aaron, Jeremy Beary, Gary Blackburn, Gary Dennis, and Chris Hankins.