Melba Jean Smith, age 96, of Arkadelphia, passed from this life on Sunday, October 18, 2026, at Nightingale Health and Rehabilitation Center in Arkadelphia. She was born April 8, 1930, in Shiloh the daughter of the late Oscar and Annie Lee Franklin Malcom.
Melba was a graduate of Gurdon High School. She was a skilled seamstress and retired from Levi’s and Value Line Furniture Co. Melba attended Shiloh Baptist Church. She enjoyed sewing, cooking, gardening and spending time with her grandchildren.
Melba was preceded in death by her parents, her husband, Sam Smith, children, Sharon McKin, Sammie Hutchison and Dale Smith, one grandson, Jeremy McKin, siblings, Opal Faye Arnold, Herman, Wilbert and Raymond Malcom.
Survivors are one daughter, Sheila White (Billy) of Arkadelphia, eight grandchildren, Kerri, Shari, Heath, Chad, Paul, Shane, Al and Ashley, fourteen great-grandchildren, Kristen, Brady, Taylor, Ellie, Mackenzie, Ryan, Tyler, Kyle, Karson, Kara, Harleigh, Gavin, Hayden and Kaia, and four great-great grandchildren. She spent her entire life ensuring everyone around her was safe, fed and deeply loved.
Funeral services will be held at 2:00 PM Wednesday, October 21, 2026, at Welch Funeral Home with Bro. Greg Lathem officiating
Visitation will be held from 1:00 PM until service time Wednesday at the funeral home.
Interment will be in Shiloh Cemetery.
Pallbearers are Brady Curtis, Gavin Smith, Hayden Smith, Ryan White, Paul McMillan and Chris Echols.
Memorials may be made to Humane Society of Clark County, P.O. Box 435, Arkadelphia, AR 71923 or Third Street Baptist Church, P.O. Box 763, Arkadelphia, AR 71923.
Final arrangements are entrusted to The Welch Funeral Home of Arkadelphia. Visit http://www.welchfh.net to sign the guest book.
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