Denver Ray Smith, of Jasper, Arkansas, went home to be with the Lord on Thursday, July 27, 2017 at the Newton County Nursing Home at the age of 82.

The son of Arvil and Della Mae (Bolin) Smith was born February 7, 1935 at Piercetown, Arkansas.

He was a lifelong resident of Newton County and had served in the US Army Reserve.  Denver accepted the Lord and the call to preach at an early age.  He married Fern Morgan in 1952 and remained by her side until her passing in 2008.  During their marriage, Denver pastored several Newton County Churches and they blessed many congregations with their gift of music and song, even making several gospel records.  Denver could play songs by ear and taught himself how to play instruments.  The last church Denver pastored was Gum Springs Pentecostal Church, and he gave his final sermon on January 22, 2017 at the Piercetown Community Church.

Although Denver and Fern never had any children, he considered his nieces and nephews like his own.  They all have fond memories of spending time at his house growing up, playing on the big rocks and listening to him sing and play music.  Denver was a man of God and firm in his beliefs, who had a strong love for his family.

He was preceded in death by his parents, his wife, Fern Smith; two brothers, Dallas L. Smith and Devoe Smith; a sister, Bertie Iris Smith and an infant sister; two brothers-in-law, Carl Gibson and Clyde Morgan; and three sisters-in-law, Florene Smith, Loydene Smith and Lois Wallace.

Denver is survived by his brother, Cornelious Smith of Piercetown, his sister, Niva Gibson of Western Grove; 11 nieces and nephews, Gary Smith, Della Darlene Trammell, Neal Gibson, Sheila Hurd, Judy Christie, Joe Bill Gibson, Doug Gibson, Rona Cross, Charles Rhoades, Homer Rhoades and Tanya Rhoades; two sisters-in-law, Opal Rhoades and husband Harry, and Magdaline Clayborn and husband Wallace; several great nieces and nephews and other relatives and friends.

Services will be at 10:00 AM, Monday, July 31 at Coffman Funeral Home in Jasper with Bro. Jimmy Bohannon officiating.  Burial will follow at Jasper Cemetery.

Visitation will be Sunday from 2-4 PM at the funeral home in Jasper.

Pallbearers are nephews and great nephews.

Honorary pallbearers are Joe Bill Gibson, Ernestine Myers and the staff of Newton County Nursing Home.

On-line condolences may be left at coffmanfh.com.