Marie Louise Smith Archer, 88, a resident of Bergman, Arkansas, passed away Friday, October 5, 2018 at Hillcrest Home in Harrison. She was born September 6, 1930 in Llano, Texas to Clark and Maudy Ratliff Smith. Raised in Corpus Christi, Texas, Marie met her husband Paul Raymond Archer and was married on December 17, 1949 and he preceded her in death in 2011.

She was also preceded in death by her parents, her brother Col. Charlie Smith of VA, her sister Kizetta Black and her twin brothers Carl and Carol Smith of South Texas.

Marie is survived by a son Tracy and his wife Myra Vickroy and their children Jordan, Chyanne, and Zachary of Monett, MO, a son Mitchell and his wife Michele Atkinson and their children Grace and Paul Brayden of Bergman, AR, a daughter K'dora and her husband Kenny Couch and their children Olivia and Kenna of Elkins, AR, a brother in law Dale Archer and his wife Glenda of Owassa, OK, a sister in law Mary Ingram of Harrison, and many nieces, nephews, great nieces and nephews, and other family and many many friends and neighbors.

Marie spent her life caring for others including not only her children but her parents, her mother in law, Paul, and took special joy in helping care for her grandchildren. Marie considered herself a transplanted "native," she knew more about the history of the Harrison area and the families here because she loved to visit and was never afraid to ask questions, because if "you don't ask questions you'll never learn anything."

To facilitate her love for visiting, Marie was a great cook and baker and always had something for you to eat and a glass of sweet ice tea. You knew when you came over there was no point in refusing her hospitality because she was going to feed you and it seems like many people came just for that treat. There was always a warm fire to rock by in the winter and a porch swing in the shade to rock in in the summer. She was a master of "keeping the peace" which was another reason that she was such a good friend and neighbor. She loved to laugh and if a person wasn't laughing when they walked in, they were guaranteed to laugh before they left (sometimes the whole small living room would be laughing to the point of tears).

Marie's greatest joy was her family and she was never far from Paul except during deer season. When asked recently if she could pick any vacation or any place to travel to where it would be she said, "any lake would work," which would probably be with a bucket of KFC. She loved to sing, read stories, and listen to the KHOZ "Party Line." This love for simple things assured that she always enjoyed life.

Marie spent her last couple of years in Hillcrest Home where she also made many new friends with the wonderful group that cared for her. Although this was never her home she made the most of visiting with neighbors that stopped by and called and she loved the new sidewalk and enjoyed daily walks.

A celebration of Marie's life will be held at Coffman's Funeral Home on Saturday, October 13 ^th at 2 PM. You are welcome to visit with her family and friends starting a 1 PM. A private interment at York Cemetery will be held at a later date. In lieu of flowers, Marie would have liked for you to send flowers to a loved one, or donations to the Bergman Volunteer Fire Department in Paul & Marie's memory are appreciated (PO Box 36, Bergman, AR, 72615).