Diane Smithson

Diane Smithson met her Lord and Savior on March 8, 2022, after a courageous three-year battle with ovarian cancer. She was 58 years old. Diane was a lifelong resident of Bryant, Arkansas, with the love of her life and high school sweetheart, Dennis. Diane was committed to her family, her church, and her work. She loved nothing more than to spend time with family including her husband Dennis, daughters Rachel Morrow and Rebecca Moll, sons-in-law Ryan Morrow and Bailey Moll, and two grandchildren William and Charlie Morrow.

Diane was born to Jimmy Lee and Annette Stanton on August 26, 1963. She had a strong bond with her siblings and their spouses Gayla (Steve) Hodges and Barry (Tonyia) Stanton. During her childhood, Diane loved playing outside with her siblings and was an active member of the Bryant Drill Team. Later in life, Diane and Dennis were very involved in church, where they met in 1979, and later exchanged vows. Nearly 39 years of marriage later, they were still cheering on the Razorbacks, supporting their church community, and spoiling their grandsons.

Diane’s commitment to her family and friends was her top priority. She expressed that through crafting with Gayla, gathering with the whole family, including her beloved nieces and nephews, at Barry’s, sibling fishing trips, and long talks with her brother-in-law Larry Smithson. Diane’s most cherished role was that of a mother. She supported her daughters through all of their activities and adventures. After many years being a girl mom, Diane switched to playing with trains, tractors, and dinosaurs with her beloved grandsons as “DeDe.”

To know Diane was to have a loyal friend in your corner. She possessed a true servant’s heart and showed her love through countless acts of kindness. Diane was always prepared to make a casserole, cake, or gallon of sweet tea for anyone at a moment’s notice. She lived to serve her God and His people. Even as she fought her illness in recent years, her focus remained on what she could do for others. Diane’s life of service also shined through her career. After working at the Arkansas Department of Health for decades, in recent years she worked at the Department of Human Services, specifically with the Children and Family Services Division, where she supported the state’s foster children programs as chief financial officer.

Diane is preceded in death by her two parents, her beloved brother-in-law Greg Moore, and fellow grandparent John Morrow. She leaves behind her spouse, Dennis; children, Rachel (Ryan) Morrow and Rebecca (Bailey) Moll; grandsons, William and Charlie Morrow; siblings and in-laws, Gayla (Steve) Hodges, Barry (Tonyia) Stanton, Larry Smithson, Debra Riner; and numerous nieces and nephews.

The Smithson family would like to say a special thank you to the cancer care teams at UAMS and MD Anderson, especially Dr. Analiz Rodriguez, Dr. John Savage, and their incredible nurses. There are many others too numerous to mention – Diane and her family received countless acts of kindness during her battle. Please know that the family remembers and appreciates each and every one of them. They are comforted in knowing that Diane was strong in her faith and is now fully healed and resting peacefully in Heaven.

Visitation will be held Tuesday, March 15, at 11:00 AM at Antioch Baptist Church, 5300 Stagecoach Road, Little Rock, Arkansas, 72204. Services will immediately follow beginning at 12:00 PM. Pallbearers will be Brad Bainter, Paul Cunningham, Scott Grable, Chris Hooten, Lee Miller and Rick Sanders. The service to celebrate her life will be conducted by Brother Carroll Koon.

Diane wanted everyone, especially children, to feel loved. Please help us honor her life’s work by making a memorial gift to Project Zero. Donations can be made online at theprojectzero.org or by mail P.O. Box 25436, Little Rock, AR 72221.

Fond memories and expressions of sympathy may be shared at www.pinecrestfh.com for the Smithson family.