01/17/2026
With profound reverence and heartfelt sorrow, Mr. J. Morrill Gray and the devoted staff of Paradise Funeral Home humbly announce the homegoing of our beloved Mrs. Brenet Evelyn Smith.
Though the shadow of death has passed over, we stand firm in the eternal promise that death does not have the final word. For the Word declares, “O death, where is thy sting? O grave, where is thy victory?” (1 Corinthians 15:55). Mrs. Smith has not been lost to us but has been received into the everlasting arms of our Lord, where there is no more pain, no more sorrow, and no more tears.
While our hearts grieve her physical departure, our spirits rejoice in the blessed assurance that she now rests in the presence of the Almighty. Love endures beyond the veil of mortality, and Mrs. Smith's spirit lives on—radiant and free—having exchanged her earthly tent for a heavenly dwelling.
Brenet Smith was born April 6, 1957 in Pine Bluff, Arkansas.
She was proceeded in death by her grandparents Cleveland (Papa) & Mable Lewis (Big Momma), Henrietta Trouser, her brothers – Rickey Bailey, Michael (Curlee) Payton, and Clarence DeVose Jr., her great uncle she cared for until his death Ellsworth Pennington and one of her closest friends Denise Whitaker.
Brenet leaves to cherish her , three daughters Shardina Reams (Joseph) Onohwo, Mechell Smith both of Plano, Texas, and SheTha Smith Whitmore of Pine Bluff, Arkansas. Eight grandchildren, Chandler Bishop, Tyra Reams, Jaden Smith, and Ny’Ala Smith of Plano, Texas. Jabari Smith, Jordyn and JaKari Whitmore of Bryant, Arkansas and Deshawn Lewis of Jacksonville, Arkansas and one great-granddaughter Ava Smith of Garland, Texas.
Three brothers Anthony DeVose Sr. of Wills Point, Texas, John (Rose) DeVose and Jason DeVose of Omaha, Nebraska. Three sisters Jackie (John) Stokes of Pine Bluff, Arkansas, Sonya (Delvon) Skinner of Hampton, Virgina, and Barbara Currie of Memphis, Tennessee. Two Sister-in-Law’s Leola Jones of Houston, Texas and Barbara Williams of Chicago, Illinois. Two aunts whom she was raised with as sisters– Rubbie Lewis of Little Rock, Arkansas and Gloria Lewis of Pine Bluff, Arkansas. One Great-Aunt Mattie Steward of Illinois and One Great-Uncle Antar Baree of Kentucky, two close friends Ferdinada Daniels –Shepherd of Pine Bluff, Arkansas and Nona Scoggins of Little Rock, Arkansas, one special daughter Vianca Lewis-Smith of Bryant, Arkansas and one god-daughter Dr. Dinah Marshall of Memphis, Tennessee and a host of special aunts, uncles, nieces, nephews, cousins, and friends whom she loved dearly.
Funeral Services will be 10:30 a.m. on Saturday, January 17, 2026, at New Community Church with Bishop Dr. Hank Wilkins IV eulogist. Interment will be in Graceland Cemetery by Paradise Funeral Home of Pine Bluff.