Cortess "Buddy" Smith

Cortess “Buddy” Smith, 78, of Van Buren, passed away Friday, December 1, 2017 in Fort Smith. He was born August 22, 1939 in Paris, AR to the late Dick and Gracie Smith. He retired from Riverside Furniture after 41 years of being a plant manager.

He is survived by his daughter, Valorie Freeman and husband Daniel of Russellville; a son, Stephen Smith and his wife Lisa of Alma; two sisters, Genelda Smith Dickerson, and Lacretica Smith Harris and husband Don, all of Sherwood, AR; a brother, James Earl Smith and wife Karen of Van Buren; and ten grandchildren.

Funeral service will be 1:00 p.m. Tuesday, December 5, 2017 at Edwards Van-Alma Funeral Chapel with burial to follow at Morrison Cemetery near Rudy, under the direction of Edwards Van-Alma Funeral Home of Van Buren, AR.

Pallbearers will be Stephen Smith, Jr., Ben Harris, Stacy Dickerson, Jay Dickerson, Danny Gray, and Chester Koprovic. Honorary pallbearers will be Mitchell Freeman, Regan Freeman, Abigail Smith, Joshua Smith, Caleb Work, Dillon Work, Parker Work, and Aimee Smith

The family will visit with friends from 6:00 p.m. to 8:00 p.m. Monday, December 4, 2017, at Edwards Van-Alma Funeral Home, 4100 Alma Highway, Van Buren, AR.

Memorial contributions may be made to Paris Logan County Coal Miners Memorial at 804 South Elm Street, Paris, AR 72855 or www.parislogancoalminersmemorial.myevent.com.