Stephen Ray Smith, 84, of Springdale, Arkansas, was born on June 27, 1941, in Kewanna, Indiana. He went to be with the Lord on March 3, 2026.

Steve is survived by his wife of 65 years, Carole Elaine (nee Sprouse) Smith; three children, Bryan Eugene Smith, of Springdale; David Alan Smith and his wife Nicole, of Farmington; and Stephanie Carole Williams and her husband Charlie (Chip) Williams, of Prairie Grove; nineteen grandchildren; 28 great grandchildren; and one sister, Marilyn Saracoff, of Torrance, California.

He was preceded in death by one sister, Susan Friberg.

Steve graduated from Rancho Alamitos High School, Garden Grove, California, in June, 1959, where he and Carole had met at 14 and 15 years of age in Concert Choir. After school, Steve joined the U.S. Navy, and was stationed in Oakland, California, where he served as Corpsman. He and Carole were married August 6, 1960, in Garden Grove, and made their home in Oakland.

Steve and Carole, with their three children, moved to Fayetteville, Arkansas, in May, 1974, where Steve joined the then MFA Insurance, which later became Shelter Insurance, and established Steve Smith Shelter Insurance agency on North College Avenue in Fayetteville where he was an agent for 47 years.

Steve and Carole were crafters together with Steve's woodworking and Carole's sewing, quilt making and painting crafts, which were bought by Silver Dollar City in Branson, Missouri, and Dollywood in Pigeon Forge, Tennessee, for many years. Their family and extended families have received countless exquisite gifts from their beautiful handiwork.

Steve is well known for the many years he sang tenor in the quartet known as The Gospel Echoes. Their group had performances all over Northwest Arkansas and recorded several CDs.

He served the Lord with his gift of music and beautiful voice as music director for several local churches through the years.

Steve was also a prolific knitter. As a crocheter, Carole never had to say twice that they needed to go to Hobby Lobby for yarn. He loved to pick out yarn for one of his favorite things to make, knitted hats. His family knew that there would be a huge basket of hats to choose from every Christmas, in every color combination imaginable. He also made baskets of hats every year for Arkansas Children's hospital and North Hills Rehab Hospital in Fayetteville. They are treasured by young and old.

He will be missed by so many. Steve, you brought joy to all who you touched in this life.

A visitation will be 10 am Friday, March 6, 2026, at Bella Vista Funeral Home, followed by a funeral service at 11 am at the funeral home.