On September 12, 1938, in Jonesboro, Arkansas, Harold Minton Smith, Sr ("Roachie") and his wife, Leota Carr Smith, presented his mother, Margie Annice Minton Smith, with a truly remarkable birthday gift: her first grandchild, a daughter named Margie Ann after her "Mama Smith."

Margie graduated from Jonesboro High School in 1956. During her long life, she excelled at many interesting careers. But the job that changed her life was that of proofreader at the Jonesboro Sun newspaper, where she met a paperboy named Kenneth Luster. He was the love of her life, and her husband of 49 years, when his death "did them part."

They married in 1961 and had a daughter, Deanna Lynn, and welcomed a son, Samuel Dale, in 1962, and another son, Charles Dalton, in 1963. They read to their children from the time they were born and encouraged in them a lifelong love of reading and learning. They built two homes together, and wherever they lived, their homes were full of books, music, wonderful food, many beloved pets, and always, family and friends.

They worked together at several jobs, including GE, where she served as Shop Steward of their electrical workers' union; and at Holy Angels Convent in Jonesboro, where she was Cook and he was Maintenance Supervisor. They retired together to enjoy their dream of living in the country, in the beautiful house that Kenneth built for them.

Margie was a woman of many talents, most notably as a cook; her famous Chocolate Sheath Cake recipe is part of family lore. She was a skilled embroiderer. She was a Master Solver of crossword puzzles, "Cryptoquote" puzzles, and jigsaw puzzles. She read a book every week.

Margie passed away peacefully early on the morning of August 1, 2023, at The Springs Nursing Home in Jonesboro, after a long struggle with multiple illnesses.

Margie was preceded in death by her parents; her husband, Kenneth Luster; her son, Sam Luster and his long-time love, Trish; her son, Charles Luster; and her brother, Harold M. Smith, Jr.

She is survived by her daughter, Deanna Luster of Jonesboro; her brother, Jim R. Smith (Doreen) of San Angelo, Texas; her sister, Sarah Green (Don) of Little Rock; her sister-in-law, Robin Smith of Oakland, TN; several brothers-in-law and sisters-in-law; many cousins, and countless nieces and nephews, and even more grandnieces and grandnephews.

Her daughter will host a visitation at Gregg-Langford Bookout Funeral Home in Jonesboro on Saturday, August 12, 2023, from 4 pm - 6 pm. This will be an informal gathering where everyone is welcome to come and share their memories of Margie.

Per Margie's wishes, she will be cremated, and there will be no funeral service.

In lieu of flowers, please consider a donation to research for a cure for Parkinson's disease, or to any charity of your choice.

A special thank you to the nurses and staff of The Springs and of Dierksen Hospice for their particular care of Margie in her final days.