Nita Smith

Juanita Opal "Nita" Smith, 40, of New York City, passed away on Tuesday, May 16, 2017, in New York. She was a 1994 graduate of Pleasant Grove High School, and graduated with highest honors from the University of Texas, Austin. Juanita also attended the Fashion Institute of Technology, New York City, and received multiple certificates from Sorbonne University in Paris. She was a musician, artist and member of Pi Beta Phi sorority. She also worked in the Psychiatric Research Department at UCLA, and was a volunteer at CHRISTUS St. Michael Health System. She was preceded in death by her father, William T. "Bill" Smith Jr., and a cousin CPO SOC (SEAL) Adam Lee Brown. She is survived by her mother, Susie Smith; one brother, Trace Smith; nieces and nephews Will Smith, Jacob Smith, Bryce Smith, Jacklynn Smith, Kennadie Smith, Braylie Jo Durmon and Jaycee Pettigrew; cousins Shawn and Tina Brown, Manda and Jeremy Atkinson, Crystal Smith, Adam and Jamie Smith, Jill and Micheal Marchese, Sarah and Matt Foster, Christin DeVoss, Michele and Tim Kimball, Michael Edwards, Kenneth and Betty Geurin, Jack Geurin and Linda Parker; and special family friends, Amanda Guier, Anna Brown, Elizabeth Kirk and Stacie Olivella. The family will receive friends from 6 p.m. to 7:30 p.m. Tuesday, May 23, 2017, at Texarkana Funeral Home, Texas. Graveside services will be held at 3 p.m. Wednesday, May 24, 2017, in Oak Grove Cemetery, Royal, Ark., with Adam Smith officiating. After the graveside memorial, everyone is invited to join the family at the While We're Waiting Refuge, 1685 S. Moore Road, Hot Springs, Ark., for food and fellowship. Burial will be under the direction of Texarkana Funeral Home, Texas.