Helping Families and Friends Honor Their Loved One

Tommy Doyle Smith, age 67

“Ask, and it shall be given to you.”  Matthew 7:7

Tommy Doyle Smith asked, “Lord, please let me come home”.

On Wednesday morning, July 8, 2020, the Lord answered.

Tommy Doyle’s life here began 67 years ago in Little Rock, when he was born to Tommy H and Helen (Bridges) Smith. His paternal grandparents were Harry B and Lillie (Lockert) Smith of North Little Rock; his maternal grandparents were Matthew and Eva (Stahl) Bridges of Plainview.

Doyle’s younger days were spent in Little Rock, growing up with his older sister, Sharlene (husband: Tim Richardson) and his younger brother, Travis (wife: Debby).  He graduated Hall High School and attended several semesters at UA at Little Rock (UALR) where he interned as a coach at Henderson Junior High before becoming a full-time electrician.  According to Doyle, he had been working as a part-time electrician since he entered kindergarten.

Before Doyle’s birth, his parents started Tommy Smith Electric, with his father as Master Electrician and his mother running the office.  It was no surprise that Tommy Doyle followed in his Dad’s footsteps working for the company and, at the age of 28, getting his Master Electrician license.

In 1976, he wed Nancy (Andrews) Smith and soon afterwards moved to Hilldale Road in the Collegeville community of Saline County.  Doyle and Nancy’s marriage were blessed with two daughters, Jamie and Jennifer.  While their mother was potty training and teaching the girls to talk, Doyle was training his daughters to run wire and the correct names and usage of tools.

Tommy Doyle enjoyed the company of his four grandchildren.  One of his last activities before entering the hospital was to plant a patio garden with his favorite (and only) granddaughter.  Doyle’s daughter Jamie (husband: Kevin) Rumenapp has a son and a daughter: Dakota and Ayla.  His daughter Jennifer (husband: John) Harrison has two sons: Jase and Jaxson.

Tommy Doyle also enjoyed deer camps, which included the nightly domino games.  There were fishing trips and the fish dinners that that resulted.  He enjoyed watching sport events, especially the ones in which family participated.  A lot of these activities included nephews: Tanner, Tad, Steven and Derrell, Aaron and Adam and nieces: Sharon, Susan and Pam.

A member of New Beginnings Church, Doyle also enjoyed visiting with members of the congregation.  He especially enjoyed the good singing at the church.

From his youngest days to his most recent days, there were always canine companions as part of Doyle’s family.  He grew up with dog-siblings like Debbie the Collie, he had his own four-legged children like Rufus, and played with grand-dogs like Max, Tito, Momo, Princess, Copper, and Bo.  If anyone would want to make a contribution in his memory, Doyle would have appreciated it made to any Humane Society.

His family request is, if you send flowers, send potted plants, which can be planted and enjoyed for years to come.

For anyone that knew Doyle, he was seldom ever seen without wearing one of his ball caps!  Nancy wants to make a display of all Doyle’s caps and she would be pleased to add any caps she receives at the drop-in service to the display.

Doyle will be missed – but not forgotten.  We have many stories and pictures with which to keep his memory alive but we always would love more.  If you have any pictures or stories, please share them with his family.

On July 18th, from 3:30 to 6:30, please join his wife, Nancy, and daughters, Jamie and Jennifer, along with the rest of his family to celebrate Tommy Doyle’s life and provide a rotating homegoing at New Beginnings Christian Church 7728 Highway 5 N, Alexander AR 72002. There will not be a traditional service, however the family wanted to be available for condolences and open microphone to share stories at a drop in homegoing celebration for any guests. Masks will be available for those entering the sanctuary. To accommodate social distancing if anyone wanted to remain outside or in the parking area, the family will be notified of guests outside.

Arrangements are entrusted to A Natural State Funeral Service, 2620 West Main Street, Jacksonville, Arkansas.  501-982-3400

 

 

 

 

 

 

17 Comments

  • Melissa McKinney Posted July 11, 2020 9:40 AM

    I am so sorry, he will be greatly missed, I wish we could be there.

  • Julie Watson Posted July 11, 2020 10:12 AM

    What a beautiful tribute to a wonderful man. We were blessed to know him for a short time and adore his family. I know he will be missed but there is comfort in knowing that he knew our Lord and savior, Jesus Christ, and has a home in heaven now. Praying for God to comfort all family.

  • Janet and Kenneth Brady Posted July 11, 2020 1:12 PM

    We are going to miss our friend.
    I will miss my dish washing buddy .
    Our prayers are with the family.

  • Bob &Carol Rumenapp Posted July 11, 2020 2:46 PM

    We will truly miss Doyle. Everytime we were able to visit our son Kevin and his wonderful family Doyle always made a point of taking us to the best places to visit. In Arkansas like Hot Springs, a beautiful park in Little Rock that had something to do with “Gone With the Wind” and several other places including taking us to visit family in Mountain View. Also loved playing “Screw Your Neighbor ” (it’s a card game). We will miss you Doyle

  • Susan Walsh Posted July 11, 2020 4:39 PM

    Doyle had a lot of ball caps! He would still have those had he not donated them to our joint yard sale. “Where are my caps?” *fist in palm* “I can’t believe you sold my caps!!” Just one of the millions of hilarious and joyful memories that are flooding my mind. I love you, Nancy, and I am with you from afar.

  • Bruce Waller Posted July 12, 2020 2:10 PM

    For Nancy and her family, please accept my deepest condolences for your loss. May peace and comfort find all of you during this difficult time.

  • Larry and Rita Scooter Layne Posted July 12, 2020 10:30 PM

    We have good memories of Doyle at deer camp, at Scooters ordering his jeans, and at our home a few years ago doing electrical work. Thank God for memories, not to be forgotten, and good memories to remember! God Bless all of you in these trying and difficult times, and may each memory comfort you and bring you peace.

  • Pat Chaloner Posted July 13, 2020 11:12 AM

    Sharlene, we’re so sorry to hear about Doyle. Our prayers and condolences.
    Love, Roy and Pat

  • Judy & Sara Chastain Posted July 14, 2020 8:27 AM

    We are so sorry that this has happened. Let us know if you need anything. Doyle was a good man.

  • Jean Ann Bridges Fleming Posted July 14, 2020 3:13 PM

    So sorry to hear of your loss. I remember cousins gathering at Plainview. One time we all got on a hay truck and went to the lake. I also remember coming to visit in little rock. My dad, Aunt Hellen’s brother loved having family over for fish fries. Doyle was a pillar of his community and I know you are thankful he was in your lives.

  • Charles and Anne Hart Allen Posted July 14, 2020 9:17 PM

    Sharlene and Tim, We are so saddened to learn of our loss of Doyle. You and your family are in our thoughts and prayers. Please remember that your Faith, your Family, and your Friends are your sources of Peace, Strength, and Comfort. Please take care. With love, Charles and Anne

  • DEBRAH J BROWNING Posted July 15, 2020 3:14 AM

    Boyce and I are very sorry for the loss your whole family is experiencing! We hope your many happy memories will ease your pain! Doyle will be missed, but never forgotten! God, please, ease their pain and bless them one and all. AMEN

  • Amy Bridges (Bob’s daughter) Posted July 15, 2020 9:09 AM

    What a great tribute to a sweet man. He’ll surely be missed by all who loved him. May his memory forever be a blessing.

  • Don Lewis Posted July 15, 2020 10:52 AM

    In the recent years, I have had the pleasure of being invited to go to deer camp with the Smiths. Even though I was invited by Tim, Doyle didn’t seem to hold that against me. We really got along well because we both liked to fish. I sometimes wondered If Doyle liked to fish more than hunt but he seemed to be good at both.
    I remember one time, Doyle and I went out fishing in Trav’s boat. The fish did not co-operate;
    we couldn’t catch anything. We even checked someone else’s trot line! We fished all over that lake, and yes, we ran out of gas. That was the time I learned all about the Smiths (some true, some denied) as we waited for what seemed like hours for Travis, Tim and Company to take
    us back to camp.
    Most nights at camp ended with playing dominoes. I always tried to get Doyle as my partner because he was a good player.

  • june taylor Posted July 16, 2020 12:39 AM

    Prayers for you Nancy.

  • Harlan Brown Posted July 17, 2020 2:55 PM

    I have good memories of Doyle at deer camp from year to year. Sitting around during the day and around the fire at night, then inside the tent, under lantern lite for dominoes, they got kinda intense.things would get quite when they were trying to figure what domino to play to block the other team from playing. Always good breakfasts and supper around the fire. Us seniors usually sat around all day in camp; deer hunting was a little too strenuous for us, leave the hunting for the young folks.

  • Cami Rivera Posted August 3, 2020 1:27 PM

    I’m so sorry for your loss. Doyle was such a fun loving person. I have many fond memories that I will always cherish with the family. You are all in my thoughts and prayers.

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