Jimmie Lee Close Smith, 1942-2024
Jimmie Lee Smith, 82, of North Little Rock, Ark., passed away Monday, June 17, 2024. Born in El Dorado, Kansas, in 1942, the oldest child of James and Norma Close, Jimmie attended school in Wichita and graduated from East High in 1960.
Jimmie was living in Wichita, Kansas, when she met and married the love of her life, Newbern
“Buzz” Smith in 1962. Jimmie spent the next two decades in Texas, Nebraska, Tennessee, Hawaii, and Arkansas as the wife of an Air Force pilot and mother to daughter Susan and son James. Buzz and Jimmie eventually retired in North Little Rock and were very active in Arkansas Bikers Aiming Towards Education (ABATE), the Christian Motorcycle Association, and the Central Arkansas Corvette Club.
Jimmie was a woman of strong faith and enjoyed being active in church, but she lived her faith by reaching out to those in need and trying to help whenever she could; she believed in mercy and forgiveness, and she loved sharing her belief of salvation through Christ with those she met in the secular motorcycle world and beyond. She spent many years visiting residents of various nursing homes who didn’t otherwise have visitors and she supported organizations that help the homeless.
Jimmie also rescued kitties; sometimes she found them, sometimes people brought them to her, but she would socialize them, get them vetted, and find them homes. She also helped people who could ill afford it to get their pets spayed/neutered.
Once her grandson Jackson arrived on the scene, Jimmie cared for him weekdays while his mom worked. She loved to read to him and teach him about Jesus, while Buzz got to be a great playmate. She loved talking to Jackson, and they often ended up in giggling fits! That boy was well prepared when he arrived in kindergarten! Jimmie’s indulgence was dolls, and she did amass quite a collection over the years.
Jimmie was preceded in death by her parents; sister, Connie; and brother, Chuck. She is survived by her husband, daughter, son, and grandson.
Services for Jimmie will be held at Central Baptist Church in North Little Rock Monday, June 24, at 11:30 a.m., with visitation at 10:30 a.m. Jimmie will be interred at the Arkansas State Veterans Cemetery. Online guestbook at www.smithfamilycares.com.
In lieu of flowers, memorials can be made to an animal rescue or homeless services organization of your choice.
