Biography: Cathy Cochran Smith was born on January 16, 1951 to David (deceased) and Lois Cochran.  Cathy died unexpectedly on August 1, 2022.
 
Following graduation from high school in West Memphis, Arkansas, she attended college at the University of Central Arkansas (UCA) where she was a member of the Tri Sigma Sorority.  After graduating from UCA in 1973, Cathy worked for the Blanchard Tual Law Firm in Memphis, TN, before joining the Wright, Lindsey & Jennings Law Firm in Little Rock as a paralegal.  Cathy was a natural organizer which lent itself to her chosen profession. She loved setting up systems to organize and retrieve information gathered during litigation, and it showed in the quality of her work. In 1984, Cathy moved to Philadelphia, PA, to expand her paralegal skills at the Pepper, Hamilton & Scheetz Law Firm. Eventually, she moved back to Little Rock to serve as a case coordinator for Judge Annabelle Imber Tuck in the Pulaski County Courthouse (1989-96). In that position, Cathy set up an efficient case processing system which led to great statistical reports for the 6th Div. Pulaski County Chancery and Probate Court! Beginning in 1997, Cathy resumed her work as a paralegal with the late Tim Boe at the Rose Law Firm where she became an expert in labor law. She promoted the paralegal profession as an officer in the National Federation of Paralegals. At the Pulaski County Bar Association’s Annual Meeting in 2017, Cathy was recognized as the Legal Support Professional of the Year. The award was recognition for both her excellence and commitment to her work. 
 
Loyalty and Commitment were the hallmark of Cathy’s life.  She was a devoted member of the Second Presbyterian Church where she was an ordained Deacon and served in the Fellowship Ministry.    True to Cathy’s nature, she often gave more than she received, and always found time to support her family and friends.  She did not, however, limit her giving to her personal relationships.  She showed favor to many causes and organizations which she supported both financially and through her volunteerism.  Causes dear to her heart were those supporting the victims of domestic abuse, animal shelters, and political campaigns (especially when her late husband Vann ran for reelection).  She also supported the Little Rock Altrusa Club and was active in the Heights’ Property Owner’s Association where she served as an officer.
 
To know Cathy was to know a woman who loved hard and played even harder.  She was an avid reader who loved wine nights with her friends and having a good laugh. Cathy also loved being active.  She took up walking after a doctors told her she could no longer run.  She could be seen fast-walking with her dear friend each morning. It was said that they walked so fast, they may as well have been running.  She also loved traveling and finding new adventures.  Put simply, Cathy had a zest for life that rubbed off on all those around her.  
 
Cathy was predeceased by her husband Judge H. Vann Smith; her father, David Cochran; her brother-in-law, Mac Holmes; and her grandparents, Hal and Mildred Cochran and Sherman and Lee Dawson. She is survived by her mother, Lois Cochran; her sisters, Debbie Holmes and Cindy (Steve) Werner; her niece, Kim (Ronnie) Sturch; her nephews, Jeff (Patty) Holmes, Patrick (Bradley) Werner, and Phillip (Valerie) Werner; her great-nieces and nephews, who Cathy considered her "grandchildren", Simon and Henry Mulder, Tyler and Ashley Holmes, Claire and John David Werner, and Calvin Werner; and others who loved and cared for her. Last, but not least, Cathy is survived by her beloved dog and greatest companion, Sox, who she doted on daily and for whom she cooked specialty meals and doted on daily.
 
 
A celebration of life service will be on Thursday, August 11, 2022, at 10:00 a.m. at Second Presbyterian Church. For those who are unable to attend, the service will be livestreamed.  The family requests that, in lieu of flowers, memorials be made to Second Presbyterian Church, 600 Pleasant Valley Dr., Little Rock, AR, 72227; the Humane Society of Pulaski County, 14600 Colonel Glenn Rd., Little Rock, AR 72210; the Pulaski County Bar Association (Designate the donation to be used for the upkeep of the Children’s Room at the Pulaski County Courthouse), 1201 McMath Avenue, Little Rock, AR 72202, or a charity of your choice. Arrangements are under the direction of RuebelFuneralHome.com