Toni Beauford Smith

Toni Ella Natt was born on May 6, 1962, in Arkadelphia, AR to the late Theodore and Ruby Lee Natt. She was one of four children who grew up in the Natt household. Her early childhood was full of wonder and adventure. Her parents instilled in her the values of life at an early age. She grew up in a home filled with four qualities that would ultimately define Toni throughout her entire life: Loyalty; Love; Dedication; and Cheer.  Toni also grew to be a God-fearing Christian, her spiritual journey started at an early age with her joining Holly Grove Baptist Church with her family.

Toni was a phenomenal woman who always, smiled and was so loving and friendly with everyone. Her charming personality and good looks caught the eye of Jeffery Beauford, Sr.  In May of 1981, Jeff and Toni were married and three children were born: Skye, Rico, and Jeffery II. In 1991, The Beauford Family relocated to Hot Springs, AR. Family was everything to Toni and she loved her family with her whole heart. Education was important to Toni as well. She attended Ouachita Baptist University, and later National Park College (formerly Garland County Community College). Education, knowledge, and skill development were necessary for her to be the best in every occupation she pursued and opportunity she embraced. In November 1992, Toni’s life was changed after the tragic passing of her husband. During this time of grief, she met a member of Eureka Baptist Church who invited her and her family to attend. The Beauford family eventually joined the church and Toni became a very active, and faithful member for many years.

After many years of loving God, her family, and herself, she met and fell in love with Kenneth Smith.  On July 13, 1996, Kent and Toni were married at Eureka Baptist Church. After many years of wedded bliss, turmoil found the Beauford-Smith family. On January 27, 2007, Skye Renee Beauford, tragically passed away. She left Toni a gift of love in the form of a 6-year-old baby girl. Toni cherished this gift. She assumed guardianship, and by the grace of God, she and her family reared and raised her granddaughter.

Toni lived life to the fullest. After her children were grown and living a life of their own, she started enjoying her hobbies of traveling, reading, and socializing. Toni never met a stranger, and everyone would agree that Toni gave the best hugs, had the most unusual laugh, and had the coolest phrases of things she would often say.   In July 2013 her second granddaughter was born. This gave Toni even more reason to travel. She would often visit her granddaughter in TX where they would hang out creating many fun memories as the cool grandma she was. In 2015, she realized her true calling and passion was caring for children.  She opened Skye’s the Limit Daycare in Hot Springs, AR where she cared for and loved children of all ages, race, and backgrounds.  

In 2022, she joined Cottrell Chapel CME. She quickly made her mark at Cottrell serving as a Missionary, Sunday School Teacher, and Stewardess in Training. Toni was also a member of Order of the Eastern Star and gave back to the community of Hot Springs through The Giving Team, Inc., a non-profit whose mission is to provide equal access to all citizens of Hot Springs. She believed strongly in providing equal access to the marginalized, underserved, under sheltered, homeless, and seniors in her community. Her volunteerism at Food for Thought on the 4th Saturday of each month made a difference.

On March 5, 2024, in a twinkling of an eye, Toni Beauford-Smith slipped into eternal rest. She is preceded in death by her above-mentioned parents, Charles Natt (brother), Alice Faye Edson (sister), Skye Renee Beauford (daughter), and Jeffery Beauford Sr. (the father of her children).

Left to cherish her legacy is, her husband, Kenneth Smith, of Hot Springs, AR; two sons, Rico (Nadia) Beauford, of Prosper, TX, and Jeffery Beauford II, of Hot Springs, AR; 2 Granddaughters, Kiah Beauford, of Little Rock, AR and Leilah Beauford, of Prosper, TX; ten sisters,  Ella Mary Jackson, of California, Shelia Middleton of Hot Springs, AR, Beverly (Julian) Flowers, of Las Vegas, NV, Belinda (Delton) Sanders of Little Rock, AR, Stephanie (Harold) Bailey, of Arkadelphia, AR, Selena (Jana) Middleton, of Little Rock, AR, Etta (Ricky) McGhee, of Olive Branch, MS, Tanika (James) Flannigan, of Arkadelphia, AR, Teresa (Mitch) Davis, of Benton, AR, and Frances J. Middleton, of Little Rock, AR;  five brothers, James (Trudy) Middleton, of Little Rock, AR, Frederick (Angela) Middleton of Arkadelphia, AR, Charles (Diedra) Middleton, of Arkadelphia, AR, Darrell (Nicole) Middleton of Arkadelphia, AR,  Kelvin Middleton, of Hot Springs, AR; Granddaughters, Kiah Beauford, of Little Rock, AR and Leilah Beauford, of Prosper, TX, numerous nieces, nephews, cousins, extended family, and friends.  .  

Visitation will be Friday, March 15, 2024, at Mitchell Funeral Home in Arkadelphia, from 12 noon to 6:00 P.M. Funeral services will be Saturday, March 16, 2024, at Cottrell Chapel CME Church in Hot Springs, AR at 11:00 A.M. Toni will lie in state for viewing at the church 1 hour prior to service time. Burial will be at Holly Grove Cemetery in Okolona, AR. Dinner will be served in the Cottrell Chapel Fellowship Hall following interment. 

To send flowers to the family or plant a tree in memory of Toni Beauford Smith, please visit our floral store.