Margaret Jean Smiley

Margaret Jean Smiley, 80, died peacefully on Thursday September 18, 2025, at her home. She was born on August 13, 1945, in Stuttgart, Arkansas to Mildred and Joe Smiley, Sr.

Margaret accepted Jesus Christ as her Lord and Savior at an early age, and began discipleship at the First Baptist Church in Stuttgart, Arkansas under Reverand Martin. Margaret joined the Bethel A.M.E. Church in Stuttgart as an adult and was a very active and devoted member for over 15 years, until she relocated to Little Rock, Arkansas. She loved her church and made sure that her child and grandchildren participated in church functions. While in Little Rock, Margaret joined Aglow ministries and was an active member for many years, where she worked diligently to help spread the word of Jesus to individuals incarcerated in Arkansas. She was known for her beautiful voice and often was called on to sing at various churches around the state. She loved crocheting and cooking for her family brought her the most joy. She enjoyed traveling and entertaining with friends and family as often as she could.

Margaret was educated in the Stuttgart School system. She was a proud member of the Holman High School graduating class of 1965. In high school, she was a member of the girl’s senior basketball team, band, school choir and various other clubs.

Margaret was united in matrimony to the late Thomas Hill Jr., and they had one child Tena Ellis. Margaret also raised her niece, Tanya, as her own. She was employed with the Kroger Company in Stuttgart, Arkansas and later relocated to the Little Rock area. Eventually retired from Kroger Company due to disability, and moved to Los Angeles, California to care for her ailing father, Joe Smiley Sr. After a long stay from home, she returned to Little Rock, where she showered her love on her daughter Tena, grandchildren Chris and Kayla and her great grandchildren; they were the greatest joys of her life.

Margaret is preceded in death by her parents, Joe Smiley, Sr., and mother, Mildred Smiley Timmons, and her one sister, JoAnn Smiley.

Margaret leaves a loving family to cherish her memory: daughter, Tena Ellis, Little Rock, Arkansas; grandchildren, Christopher Berry (Mariama), Dallas, Texas and Kayla Berry, Little Rock, Arkansas; four great-grandchildren, Christoper Michael Berry, Kaia Berry, Amirah Berry, and Khaza Berry; a niece whom she raised, Tanya Bivens (Joseph), Clarksville, Tennessee; siblings, Ronald Smiley (Jackie), North Little Rock, Arkansas and Joe Smiley Jr. (Vera), Chicago, Illinois, as well as a host of nieces, nephews, cousins, relatives and dear friends.