Mr. Nathaniel Smith III was born June 7, 1950, in Little Rock, AR to the late Nathaniel Smith Jr and Sadie L Smith. In November of 1967, he became father to a bouncing baby girl, Alicia Days. He received his high school diploma from Horace Mann High School and a few weeks after his 18th birthday, he joined the United States Marine Corps, where he served from June 20,1968 to December 23, 1969.

During his military service, his MOS was infantry. He received the Vietnam Service Medal with 1 device (VSM), Vietnam Campaign Medal with device (VCM), National Defense Service Medal, Combat Action Ribbon, and the Rifle Marksman Badge.

In the Spring of 1972, he met Linda Laws and they were later married on October 29, 1973. To this union four beautiful children were born. Natasha, Nathaniel IV, Natalin and Natalie. However, Natalin preceded him in death.

In 1977, Nathaniel, along with his mother, father and siblings were baptized in the name of Jesus at the Gospel Lighthouse Pentecostal Church under the leadership of Elder Donald Lee Thomas.

Nathaniel worked for many years as a youth psychologist assistant helping at risk kids. In 1978, he decided to further his education. He received his Bachelor of Arts in Social Science from Arkansas Baptist College in 1980. He continued working with at-risk children and in 1986, he went back to school and received his master’s degree in child psychology. As a psychologist, the ability to help those in need was one of the areas that really motivated him.

Whether you called him Nathaniel, Nate, Thickhead or June, he was a kind and loving son, brother, nephew, husband, a dedicated and supporting family man. He loved his family and enjoyed joking with the younger generation, while giving them a word or two from the bible and teaching them about life’s bumps in the road. He had a smile that would light up the room, but don’t get it twisted, he was also the one that was called upon to handle business. Whether it be a relationship gone wrong with his sisters or daughters, he was ready and rolling.

Nathaniel loved to travel and read. He also enjoyed the great outdoors. You could always find him either outdoors hanging with his favorite dogs, Dutch and Mr. Rufus or doing things such as: fishing, renovating homes, or tinkering with vehicles, or hanging with his girls. He had a personal relationship with his children, grandchildren, and great grandchildren and they loved their grandpa.

During his recovery phase at the VA hospital, daddy continued to give out instructions and teach on life’s lessons. However, on August 2nd, 2022, he answered his greatest calling and went home to be with the Lord.

He was preceded in death by Two children, Natalin Nicole Smith, and Darrell Winfrey Sr. His parents, Mr. Nathaniel Smith Jr and Sadie Smith, a sister, Tammy Smith Ray, and one brother, Larry James Smith.

He leaves to cherish his memories, four daughters, Alicia Days, VonShelia Laws, Natasha (Robert) Lewis, Natalie (Derrick) Arnold, and Logan Whitsitt all of Little Rock, AR. One son, Nathaniel Smith IV of Little Rock, AR, a special son/ grandson Nathaniel Smith V of Little Rock, AR. Five sisters, Linda (James) Scott, Cynthia Smith, Shannon (Willie) Robinson, Jennifer Smith all of Little Rock, AR, and Tonette Smith of Oklahoma City, Ar. Four brothers, Michael (Joyce) Smith, Waymon Smith, Morris (Edna) Smith, all of Little Rock, AR, and Terry Smith, of Las Vegas, NV. Eighteen grandchildren, Carrie Days, Kayla Days and Shayla Days, Darrell Winfrey Jr, Darrell Winfrey III, Dillion Winfrey, Deanna Winfrey, Rai Raybon, Lynardia Withers, Gabrielle Peterson, Te’darian Mitchell, Hallie Johnson, Haniyah Johnson, Nakyla Smith, Naziah Smith, Natajah Smith, Ramya Johnson, Nathaniel Smith V all of Little Rock, AR. Ten great grandchildren, and a host of other relatives and friends.

Funeral services will be held Friday August 12, 2022, ACTS Church 1224 Franklin Street in North Little Rock, Arkansas. The family will receive friends Thursday August 11, 2022 from 5-7pm in the Hardy Funeral Home Memorial Chapel.