Annie Pearl Fort Smith

Mrs. Annie Pearl Fort-Smith was born on October 28, 1945, in Stephens, Arkansas, located in Nevada County. Lovingly known as “Ann” by family and those closest to her, she was the seventh child and fourth daughter born to the union of Willie Fort and Pearl Hicks Fort. Annie Pearl grew up in Stephens, Arkansas, surrounded by a large and loving family. After graduating from high school in 1963, she moved to Dallas, Texas, joining several of her older siblings who had already relocated there. Dallas would become the place where she established her adult life, raised her family, built a career, served her church, and created countless treasured memories.

It was also in Dallas that Annie Pearl met Earlie Ray Smith of Waldo, Arkansas, the love of her life. On April 2, 1965, the two were united in marriage. Their union was blessed with three children: two daughters, Belvolyn and Doris, and one son, Allen.

Annie Pearl raised her three children in a Christian home, providing them with an abundance of love, support, guidance, and encouragement—and let's not forget, discipline when needed! She believed in loving her children enough to encourage them, correct them, pray for them, and prepare them for life. Her family always knew where they stood with her and, more importantly, they always knew they were loved.

Throughout her working years, Annie Pearl brought her intelligence, determination, and strong work ethic to several different fields. One career that brought her particular joy was working in the fashion industry, where she trained at El Centro College and worked as a pattern maker for a women's apparel manufacturing company. This work complemented her natural love and talent for sewing and allowed her creativity and passion to shine. She also made stylish clothing for her husband, school clothes for her children and others. She later entered the healthcare field and ultimately concluded her working career as a Patient Services Account Representative in the Business Office at Parkland Memorial Hospital, where she worked for approximately 15 years before retiring.

Anyone who met Annie Pearl—or had the privilege of truly knowing her—could sense that she was a God-fearing woman who genuinely wanted the best for her family, her friends, and those around her. She was caring, extremely intelligent, giving, sympathetic, and empathetic. She possessed a heart that could recognize the needs and feelings of others, and she did not hesitate to offer love, encouragement, or a helping hand.

Her Christian faith was not simply something she talked about; it was something she lived. Annie Pearl loved her church, Camp Wisdom UMC, and when there was a need, she stepped forward without reservation to serve. Over the years, she faithfully served as a Communion Steward, participated in the Food Pantry/Clothes Closet Ministry, and was a member of United Women in Faith. Serving God by serving others was simply a part of who she was.

Family held an especially treasured place in Annie Pearl's heart. She was blessed with one granddaughter, Allendra Yvette Smith, and one grandson, Allen “AJ” Dexter Smith, II. They never had to wonder whether their grandmother loved them or how special they were to her—they knew. Grandmother made sure of that! And they also knew that if correction was needed, their grandmother loved them enough to expeditiously provide to each of them if necessary! That was Annie Pearl: plenty of love, plenty of laughter, and enough discipline to keep everybody headed in the right direction. Nieces and nephews can attest to this fact as well.

Then came the latest addition to the family, her great-grandson, Kyson “Kydie” Dexter Woods. Kydie quickly became the apple of her eye and, in her words, was “just precious.” He brought a special joy and light into her life. The love she had for her grandchildren and great-grandson was unmistakable, and they will forever carry with them the assurance that they were deeply and completely loved by their grandmother.

Annie Pearl also knew how to enjoy life. She enjoyed perusing mail-order catalogs, watching TBN, wrestling, college and NBA basketball, and anyone who knew her well knew not to forget QVC and HSN! Whether watching television, sewing, spending time with family, serving her church, or simply enjoying the people she loved, Annie Pearl found pleasure in the familiar things that made life special and to ALL her sisters—she loved you dearly. The bonds of sisterhood, family, shared history, laughter, struggles, and memories occupied a special place in her heart that words alone cannot adequately describe.

Annie Pearl was preceded in death by her parents, Pearl Hicks Fort and Willie Fort; three brothers, Elze “Bo” Fort, James Fort, and Lee Otis Fort; and two sisters, Ollie May Fort and Thelma McClarron.

Those Who Will Cherish Her Memory

Annie Pearl leaves a beautiful legacy of love and devotion to be cherished by her husband of 61 years, Earlie Ray Smith; her daughters, Doris Smith of Dallas, TX and Belvolyn Smith of Round Rock, TX, Pearlene “Sue” Scales (niece) of The Colony; her son, Allen Dexter Smith of DeSoto, TX; her grandchildren, Allendra Yvette Smith and Allen “AJ” Dexter Smith II; and her beloved great-grandson, Kyson “Kydie” Dexter Woods of Cedar Hill, TX.

She is also lovingly remembered by her sisters, Dorothy Nell Willingham of DeSoto, TX and Martha Jean Hollins (Lindsey) of Cibolo, Texas; sisters-in-law, Dale Marie Criner of Dallas, TX, Daisy Curry of McNeil, AR, and Pearl Sutton of Inglewood, CA; as well as a host of beloved nieces, nephews, relatives, and friends whose lives were touched by her love, kindness, wisdom, and generous spirit.

While the family was coordinating arrangements for Annie Pearl's homegoing celebration, her grandson offered a description of his grandmother that beautifully captured the woman they knew and loved. He called her a:

“No Limit Soldier.”

And there could be no more fitting description.

She was a soldier through life's joys and disappointments. A soldier for her children. A soldier for her grandchildren. A soldier for her family. A soldier in service to others. And above all, a soldier for the Lord.

She kept moving forward. She kept loving. She kept giving. She kept serving. She kept believing. And when this earthly journey was nearing its end, Annie Pearl was eagerly awaiting what was next—and God was waiting with open arms.

The words of the Apostle Paul beautifully speak to the completion of such a journey:

“I have fought the good fight, I have finished the race, I have kept the faith. Henceforth there is laid up for me the crown of righteousness.” — 2 Timothy 4:7–8

The soldier has finished her assignment.

The race has been run.

The faith has been kept.

And now, Annie Pearl Fort-Smith—our beloved Ann—has gone from labor to reward.

Though our hearts are heavy, her family can celebrate knowing that the love she gave did not leave when she left. It remains in her children. It remains in her grandchildren. It remains in little Kydie. It remains in her sisters. It remains in her church family. And it remains in every life made better because Annie Pearl was here.

Her earthly journey has ended, but the legacy of this “No Limit Soldier” will march on through every generation blessed to call her their own.