Biography: Jayme Lee (Smith) Dissly, 84, passed on April 5, 2024, in hospice care after a traumatic brain injury due to a fall. Born in Searcy in her grandparents’ home in 1939, she was the daughter of B. Roy Smith and Willard Allbright. She grew up in Bauxite, benefiting from a close-knit community and great friends whom she cherished throughout her life.

She attended the University of Arkansas and majored in art history. She was involved in student leadership, pledged Chi Omega and graduated Phi Beta Kappa in 1961. She gained a master’s degree in art history from the University of Iowa in 1962. As a divorced mom, while working and raising her kids, she attended law school at the University of Texas, graduating in 1976.

She practiced family law at Legal Services in Little Rock, became Managing Attorney there, then Director of Legal Services in Fayetteville. She was passionate about access to legal assistance for domestic violence survivors, regardless of income, and invested her personal time on the boards of non-profits such as Advocates for Children and Families. She was honored to serve as Special Assistant overseeing reform to the juvenile justice system and to programs for children and families under Governor Bill Clinton.

She is survived by her partner Mary Lou King, of Little Rock; daughter Catherine Ann (Dissly) Ryan and son Richard Dissly, both of Boulder, Colorado; and grandchildren Laura Dissly, Caroline Dissly, Olivia Ryan, Ling-Ling Ryan, Benjamin Carano, Jackson Carano, Camryn Gray and Turner Gray.

A memorial service will be scheduled at a future date. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to Paws in Prison, 1302 Pike Ave, Suite C, North Little Rock, 72114. Arrangements are under the direction of RuebelFuneralHome.com