Paula (Smith) Davis, age 72, of Vendor, Arkansas.

Paula (Smith) Davis, age 72, of Vendor, Arkansas, passed away November 3, 2024, with family by her side. She entered this life on July 23, 1952, the daughter of J.W. and Betty (Gilmore) Smith in Harrison, Arkansas. Paula was joined in marriage to James Donald Davis on August 25, 2000.

Being a sharp-witted individual, Paula earned her doctorate. She started her career at Western Grove High School in Arkansas and retired in 2014 from Trinidad State Junior College in Trinidad, Colorado, where she worked as an administrator. She held many prominent positions along the way, among them Vice President of Academic Affairs and School Dean. But the memories and moments created over a lifetime will be cherished most by her family and all who knew her.

Paula is survived by her husband of twenty-four years, James Davis; three sisters: Julene Roebke, Rita Smith, and Abbie Tomlinson; one son, James Douglas Tennison; one stepdaughter, Alexandra Reed; grandchildren: Alexis Davis, Riley Labelle, and Aydenn Reed; one niece, Kayla Matthews; two nephews, Jered Tomlinson and Jesse Otis Sells; and many other extended family, new and old, who will mourn her passing.

She is preceded in death by her father, J.W. Smith; her mother, Betty Smith; and grandson Kingston Labelle.

A celebration of life will be held on Smith Hill, Sunday, December 8, 2024, starting at 1pm. It will be a potluck dinner with food and music, as per Smith family tradition. Arrangements and cremation are under the direction of Cremations of the Ozarks. To leave an online condolence or share a memory, please visit www.cremationsoftheozarks.com.