Arthur Francis Smith

As a 1950 graduate of Murphy High School, he was Senior Class Treasurer and Vice President of the Student Representative Government Association. In 1954 he graduated from Alabama Polytechnic Institute, now Auburn University with a degree in Business Administration. He was President of Theta Chi Social Fraternity and Senior Senator of the Student Government Association. He was employed by First Federal Savings and Loan Association from 1954 until 1960 serving as Assistant Cashier, a similar position he held for Home Savings and Loan for one year.

From 1961 until 1998 he was self-employed in the real estate and insurance profession. In 1998 he formed Arthur Smith Real Estate, and was self-employed there until the time of his death. He had a lifetime of involvement with numerous civic and charitable organizations. He was Treasurer of the Mobile Azalea Trail, President and Board Chair of the Greater Gulf State Fair, President of the Mobile Junior Chamber of Commerce, Treasurer of the America’s Junior Miss Program, President of the Mobile Tree Commission, Treasurer and Director Emeritus of the Metropolitan YMCA of Mobile, President of the Mobile Pre School for the Deaf, President of the Child Day Care Association of Mobile, President and Director Emeritus of the Mobile Chapter of the American Red Cross, a member of the Board for Easter Operations for the American National Red Cross, a member of the Advisory Board, Mobile Area Command of The Salvation Army for a number of years, President of the Mobile Chapter of the March of Dimes and Christmas Seal Chairman for the TB and Health Association. He was a member of several mystic societies and a founding member of the Saint Michael – Joachim Street Betterment Association. He was a lifelong supporter of Auburn University. He was a member of Saint Paul’s Episcopal Church.

Arthur was preceded in death by his mother, Lucille Tyler Smith; his father, Arthur Francis Smith, Jr.; his only sister, June Delores Smith Steber.

Surviving are his wife of 63 years, Iras Nell Arden Fearn Smith; his only child a daughter, Tyler Smith Jackson and her husband Robert Alan Jackson, Jr.; granddaughters, Francis Arden Jackson (Daniel) Purvis and Caroline Alan Jackson (Christopher) Bush.

In lieu of flowers his family requests that donations in his name be made to the Minister’s Discretionary Fund, Saint Paul’s Episcopal Church.

A memorial service of Mr. Smith’s life will be held on Saturday, December 16, 2017, at 11:00 a.m. at St. Paul’s Episcopal Church. The family will receive friends an hour prior to the service.

Fond memories and expressions of sympathy may be shared at www.radneyfuneralhome-mobile.com for the Smith family.