Biography: Dr. Norman Keith Smith of Little Rock died peacefully December 28, 2008 at his home surrounded by his family. He was born on May 24, 1918 in Reyno, Arkansas, the younger son of Dr. James Erksine Smith and Thelma Brawley Smith. He graduated from Harding College in 1939, where he lettered in baseball, and received his Doctor of Medicine degree from the University of Arkansas in December, 1944. During World War II he served as a medical officer in the U.S. Army’s 5th Air Force where he was assigned to the occupation of Japan. He was one of several medical officers assigned to the quarantine of returning Japanese Troop Ships. Norman married Jane Lee Bankson of Little Rock on May 15, 1948 and began his medical practice in Pocahontas that lasted until his retirement in 1985. He was a dearly loved physician. Norman was the third generation of his family to practice medicine in Northeast Arkansas, and together they provided over 180 years of medical service to the citizens of Randolph and Clay Counties. Norman will be remembered first and foremost as a loving husband, father, and grandfather, and he will be missed by all who knew him. He is survived by his wife of 60 years, Jane Lee Smith, his daughter, Melinda Raley, and her husband Steve and their daughter Robin of Little Rock, and by his son Norman Keith Smith, Jr., and his wife Ann and her daughter Allison Abdias of Brownwood, Texas. He was preceded in death by his parents and by his brother, Dr. Reginald Smith. He was a member of the Arkansas Medical Society, the Country Club of Little Rock, and the Harding University Athletic Hall of Fame. In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made to the Harding University Scholarship fund, c/o the Advancement office, Harding University, 915 E. Market Street, Searcy, AR 72149, or to a charity of your choice. The family would like to thank his caregivers who helped to make his last days so comfortable. Visitation will be from 5:00. to 7:00 p.m. on Tuesday, December 30th, 2008 at Ruebel Funeral Home in Little Rock. A memorial service will be held at Second Presbyterian Church on Wednesday, December 31, 2008 at 11:00 AM following a private burial service. Funeral arrangements by Ruebel Funeral Home, www.ruebelfuneralhome.com