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Cleva Susan Nancy Ann Smith, wonderful wife, amazing mom and awesome granny departed her life here on earth on August 15, 2022, at the age of 104 in her home of Berryville, Arkansas.
Cleva was the daughter and fifth child of Fred and Bertha “Summers” Smith, born on June 1, 1918, in Carroll County, Arkansas. She had nine siblings whom all have preceded her in death Rena, Bill, Short, Dee, Carm, Buge, Genivieve, and twins that passed at birth.
On October 10, 1936, Cleva married a “squint eyed” boy by the name of Andy Smith. He was the lucky gent that caught Miss Cleva’s eye.
Andy and Cleva started their lives together in 1936 in Bull Holler, Arkansas on Kings River working at various jobs such as milking cows and farming. Soon in August 1937 Andy and Cleva started their family and were blessed with five children and nine grandchildren. Sammy and wife Darlene and son Greg, Jimmy and wife Jean and daughters Natalie and Nanette, Ralph and wife Marian and son Kevin T and daughter Leah, Larania (Smith) Reagan and son Michael and daughter Michelle, David and wife Leigh Smith and son Andrew and daughter Emily. Her son Jimmy has preceded her in death.
After the kids were raised and later in life Andy and Cleva loved to travel visiting many states and Canada. She also enjoyed quilting and participating in a quilting club at Hoodie and at Living Faith Church of which she is a member. Until the age of 103 she loved making quilts on her Treadle sewing machine. She enjoyed sharing these quilts not only with her family, but also to newborn babies and families in need. Cleva enjoyed writing local items for the North Polo Section of the Star Progress Newspaper and participating in fundraisers for neighbors and friends in the community. Then in 2004 she wrote a book about the story of her life.
One last thing about Cleva, she was a great prankster… and we will end that story right there…
Living on Hwy 221 N for many years in the North Polo area Cleva has been able to raise her family and watch her grandchildren grow. Andy passed away on July 27, 1996. Cleva sold the farm and bought a house in Berryville. They were married for almost 60 years. In the last few years of her life, she has enjoyed the many visitors and living in this great community of Berryville.
Here while living in Berryville, she has continued to watch her family grow and flourish to 9 grandkids, 19 great grandkids, and 7 great great grandkids.
Cleva has lived her whole life in the way in which our country was made of… hard work, honest living, wonderful family, and a great community. We thank each and every one of you who have been a part of her wonderful life. She would encourage each and every one of you if you have not accepted Jesus Christ as your personal Lord and Savior to do so. He has graciously provided her with not only a very blessed life here on earth, but also everlasting life in Heaven.
Visitation will be 5:00 p.m. till 7:00 p.m., Friday, August 19, 2022, at the Charles M. Nelson Memorial Chapel. Funeral service will be 10:00 a.m., Saturday, August 20, 2022, at the Charles M. Nelson Memorial Chapel with Pastor Jon Cornell and Rev. Wayne Writer officiating. Interment will follow at the Berryville Memorial Park Cemetery. Memorial donations may be made to Gideon’s International, PO Box 362, Berryville, AR 72616 Arrangements are under the direction of Nelson Funeral Service. Online condolences may be sent to the family at nelsonfuneral.com.
