Alice Rumph Smith

Unknown - Dec 17th, 2006
  • Birth Date: Unknown
  • Death Date: Dec 17, 2006
  • Funeral Date: Unknown
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Biography: Alice Rumph Smith, of Little Rock died December 17, 2006. She was born February 7, 1953 in Camden and was the daughter of the late James Harvey and Alice Chandler Rumph. After graduation from the University of Arkansas in 1975, Alice worked in Washington, D. C. for Congressman Ray Thornton and eventually transferred to his Pine Bluff office. Alice worked for USTEL in Dallas, Texas from 1979 until moving back to Little Rock in 1983 where she was the first executive director for the Arkansas Science and Technology Authority under Governor Bill Clinton. In 1991 Alice began a new career at the University of Arkansas for Medical Sciences. UAMS says that Alice contributed greatly to the University of Arkansas for Medical Sciences and to Arkansas in her work for the UAMS College of Medicine from November 1991 to July 2004. She was at first special assistant to the College of Medicine dean, and later director of special projects for the dean's office, as well as a legislative community liaison for the college. At the same time, she was associate director for communication outreach for UAMS BioVentures, a business incubator for biotechnology, and was the UAMS representative to the Biotechnology Industry Organization in San Diego, Calif. In those roles, Alice was greatly responsible for identifying all the biotechnology throughout the state and helped plan the UAMS Biotech Center. She also worked closely with state and federal lawmakers in advocating for medical services for UAMS patients and all Arkansans. She brought not only her work ethic and professional manner to the dean's office, but her humor as one of the “Comdean” comic players who entertained the staff at holiday functions. Alice will be missed by all her friends in the College of Medicine. Alice was a member of Pulaski Heights United Methodist Church for 23 years. Her church activities included being a former chair and active member of Cancer friends; chair and long-standing member of Food Pantry Board; graduate of Bible Studies, Disciple I through IV. She was a member of “Bible and More” study group, Ernestine McKinney United Methodist Women, Argue Sunday School Class, and Biloxi Mission trip. In addition to volunteering in children and youth ministries, she was an active participant in the Joyful Noise Choir. Alice was musically talented and played piano and flute. Joy and love of life were expressed through her faith and her music. Alice is survived by her son James Preston Smith of Little Rock; sisters Julia Hughes Jones of Jacksonville, Florida and Dottie Rumph Lindsey (Carl) of Searcy; her brother James G. Rumph (Linda) of Marco Island, Florida; her sister-cousin Elise Ann Smith Daniel (Ted) of Dallas, Texas; and numerous nieces, nephews, grand-nieces, and grand-nephews. Funeral services will be held at 10:00 AM on Thursday at Pulaski Heights United Methodist Church. Burial in the Rumph Family Plot will follow at 1:30 PM at Greenwood Cemetery in Camden, AR. In lieu of flowers, please make memorials to Arkansas Cancer Research Center, 4301 W. Markham Slot #623, Little Rock, AR 72205, the Susan G. Komen Breast Cancer Foundation, 904 Autumn Road, Little Rock, AR 72211, or the American Cancer Society, 901 North University, Little Rock, AR 72203. Funeral Arrangements by Ruebel Funeral Home, www.ruebelfuneralhome.com

Condolences(28)
Diane Everett Greem
#28
Mar 15th, 2019 11:44 am
Alice always lived life to the fullest. My thoughts and prayers are with her family. Class of '72.
Karen Clark Dye
#27
Mar 15th, 2019 11:44 am
Dottie, Julia & Jim,
I was really saddened to hear of your loss. It is so difficult to loose someone so young who had given so much of her life to help others.
Our prayers are with you.
Kimberly Smith Gnat
#26
Mar 15th, 2019 11:44 am
I have a childhood memory of going to Six Flags with "Little Alice" in the late 60s or early 70s (looooooong ago). We rode the log ride and when we got off at the end, Alice discovered that she had torn her pants open at the back seam. She had to pull her shirt down to cover up. I just remember that she laughed and thought it was as funny as we all did. Had that happened to me, I'm not so sure I would have been able to take it in stride like she did. That's how I remember her, as a smiling cousin.
Love to all that knew and loved her.
Kimberly (James Walker "Jimmy" Smith's youngest daughter)
Joy Anderson Lewis
#25
Mar 15th, 2019 11:44 am
I graduated with Alice in 1971. She was a sweet and caring person. She always had a smile for everyone. She will be deeply missed by all who knew her. You all are in our prayers and thoughts. May God bless each of you who knew and loved her.
Pamela Haring
#24
Mar 15th, 2019 11:44 am
Dear Cousin, I will miss you so! (Although, energetic soul that you are, you seem to have a strong presence even now.) Preston, your mom and I were friends as well as cousins. She was a flurry of a bridesmaid, swirling into my little apartment eons ago, bringing joy and excitement and the newness of life. She turned a nerve-wracking time into a funny one. We lost touch throughout busy lives, but resumed contact several years ago. She helped me once again, as both of us were single-parenting our very special sons, but she had the advantage of being a few years ahead of me in that process. Preston, your mom has been so proud of you! I'm sorry you have to be without her physical self now. ... Julia, Jim, Elise and Dottie, I'm so so sorry all of you have lost your sister. I hope you can feel the calmness she is sending, even in this busy, sad and stressful time for all of you. I'm glad Preston has a large kind family to help him cope with the changes in life now. You are all amazing people. With Love, Pamela
Patsy H. Rivers
#23
Mar 15th, 2019 11:44 am
Dear Dottie, Julia Mae, and Jim,
What a lady! I remember your sister as 'Little Alice' all these years still. She leaves such a wonderful legacy and so many people who loved her.
My deepest sympathy,
Patsy
Julia Hughes Jones
#22
Mar 15th, 2019 11:44 am
My dearest Alice! You have brought so much joy to our family during your life that it is difficult to give you up. Your faith has been a beacon to all of us. You fought hard, you lived joyously, and you continued to smile no matter the physical distress. Your stamina and determination throughout the last 12 years signify your uniqueness as an individual. Your son Preston will always be cherished by our family because he is just like you Alice. We love you.
Julia
Sandra Cromer Hunton
#21
Mar 15th, 2019 11:44 am
I didn't realize she was so active and alive. She was a very strong woman to go through all her illnesses. She wrote me several times when I had breast cancer. It was a comfort. AS I read her bio I was so impressed by her accomplishments in her life. I wish I had gotten to know her as an adult. The last time I talked to Little Alice was at Pam's wedding when we were attendants. We had alot of fun during that week. I won't forget. May God be with you and comfort you in your loss.
Sylvia Crumbly and Judi Estes
#20
Mar 15th, 2019 11:44 am
So glad we got to spend time with Alice last year, It was such a nice visit of rembering our younger visits together.
Paul and Diane Thorne
#19
Mar 15th, 2019 11:44 am
Paul and I are so sorry to hear about the passing of Alice. We have such fond memories of our high school days together. Our thoughts and prayers are with her family during this time.
Anna Wagnon Jones
#18
Mar 15th, 2019 11:44 am
May God be with you, my deepest sympathy to your family during this time of sadness.
Kathy Wright Halligan
#17
Mar 15th, 2019 11:44 am
After all these years, I can still remember Alice's laugh - it makes me smile just thinking about it. What a special person she always was, and I know heaven will liven up a little more now that Alice is there. On behalf of my family, you have our sincerest sympathy - we know she will be greatly missed.
Flave J. Carpenter, Jr.
#16
Mar 15th, 2019 11:44 am
Alice will be sorely missed. She was truly a joy to work with and was always dedicated to whatever she was working on.
Tracy Noble
#15
Mar 15th, 2019 11:44 am
I will always remember Alice's beautiful smile, and the joy that was so characteristic of her life. She inspired and challenged me to find the blessing in every circumstance, and I will be forever grateful for her wonderful example. I had the privilege of being in a very special Bible Study with Alice for about 3 years before I relocated to Georgia. We were truly a "sisterhood" and I thank God for the time He gave us on this earth together. Her family and friends are in my prayers, as we all grieve her loss but rejoice in the marvelous gift of her remarkable life.
Claire Bailey
#14
Mar 15th, 2019 11:44 am
Preston, I am Keith Grayson's mother. Please know that you are in our prayers. I also know that you are a wonderful son. Even though I am much older than you, I took care of my mother who also had cancer. I know how difficult it is to loose a battle with cancer. Please find comfort in knowing that your mother is still with you...she is in Heaven. She will watch over you and love you and be there with you in every part of your life. She will live on through you, too. If you ever need anything or just want to talk, I am always here for you. Keith wishes he could be here for the services, but he could not. I will be there in his abscence. He enjoyed your last visit and is looking forward to you coming to see him again as soon as you can find time. Always know you are loved, and that as God called another Angel home, your mother will always be looking down from Heaven and with you every step you take.
Rolf & Ceri Wilkin
#13
Mar 15th, 2019 11:44 am
Preston, you have our warmest sympathies. It is hard to imagine the pain of losing one's mother. Alice passing at such a young age cannot be understood. Death is as much a part of the divine plan as birth. The heavenly father overcomes evil with good. We're all lucky to have known Alice and she is certainly now in a wonderful, wonderful place.
Kathryn Walton, RN
#12
Mar 15th, 2019 11:44 am
I had the pleasure of taking care of Alice through many of her chemotherapy treatments. She was a joy to be around and talk to. We will truly miss her.
Ruthie (Foster) Holman
#11
Mar 15th, 2019 11:44 am
Love you so much,
your Alpha Chi Daughter - Ruthie
Eddie and Barbara Cromer
#10
Mar 15th, 2019 11:44 am
Our family joins you in celebrating Alice's life as she was a very special person. She will be missed, and our sincerest condolences. Love to all.
Carolyn and Judson Hout
#9
Mar 15th, 2019 11:44 am
We are thinking of the family at this time.
Angela Strickland Moser, class of 1971
#8
Mar 15th, 2019 11:44 am
My prayers and thoughts are with you at this time. I first met Alice when I was in the first grade in Camden, AR, Jr.as well as Sr.High with her. Many times went on band trips, she was a very wonderful person and funny in her own crazy way. She will be truly missed and loved by many. I am glad to have shared some of my best memories with her throughout my life. God Bless you all.
Susan Lancaster
#7
Mar 15th, 2019 11:44 am
I will always remember Alice's wonderful smile and how she could light up a room when she walked in. She was such a good friend and a great co-worker on Congressman Thornton's staff. When I was diagnosed with breast cancer in 1997, Alice was one of the first people to come visit with a plate of brownies and lots of hugs. I will miss her.
Janet Chavis
#6
Mar 15th, 2019 11:44 am
I am so heartsick to hear that Alice died. Alice and I worked together for several years during the annual Christmas party for the Dean's office starring the COMDean Comics. We even played a piano duet together one year.

I always had a special place in my heart for Alice, especially when I learned that she was born in Camden like I was -- I in 1951 and she in 1953. We remembered some of the same people there.

Please know that my deepest sympathies are with the family and that I pray for God to strengthen you during your time of grief. God bless Alice and all of us who were fortunate enough to cross paths with her in this life.
Nita Risher McGlawn
#5
Mar 15th, 2019 11:44 am
Alice was always fun to be around. My thoughts and prayers are with your family.
Marcy Pendleton Callaway
#4
Mar 15th, 2019 11:44 am
Alice and I were sorority sisters and friends at UofA and I also had the pleasure of her friendship when she lived in Dallas. She and I were looking forward to getting tegether the next time she came to visit Elise and her children. Alice will be greatly missed.
Joe, Lori, Josiah, David and James Harvey Barnes
#3
Mar 15th, 2019 11:44 am
Dear Aunt Alice, We will miss you so much. But we know that you are in a better place. We loved your visit with us last New Year's Eve in Florida! You had said that you had never had a greeting from anyone like you did from the Barnes Boys when you got to our house! I am sure you received the same greeting in Heaven! We will look after Preston and let him know he can come see us and call us anytime. And that we will be checking in on him! We love you!
Charlotte Kilgore Bull
#2
Mar 15th, 2019 11:44 am
You will be truly missed, I will forever remember her smile at the Alpha Chi house, whether she was upstairs with all the girls or in the dining room at the typewriter working on Bill Clinton's first campaign.
Margaret Adcock
#1
Mar 15th, 2019 11:44 am
I am so sorry for the loss of Alice. She was such a good friend in high school and always a joy to be around. Your family and Alice are in my prayers. Thinking of you.

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