March 8, 1914 in Hazen, Arkansas, she was the daughter of Cecil Ann and Fred K. Smith and sister to Jake C. Smith, who have preceded her in death.
Lou Ann was an accomplished dancer who taught children and adults ballet, tap and jazz in various studios over her 40 year teaching career. Prior to the death of her husband of 60 years, J. Henry Tisdale, in 1992, they enjoyed traveling, making many extensive trips to several foreign countries.
Following the death of their only daughter, Joy Ann Tisdale, in 1976, Lou Ann and Henry adopted and raised Joy's two children. She is survived by them: Deborah Tisdale Papaeconomou, husband Lambros, daughter Olga Anna and son Dimitrios of Athens, Greece, and William Lyon Grant, wife Cory, and sons, Liam and Fergus of Little Rock. Other survivors include nieces Deede Phelps and husband Robert, of Little Rock and Debbie Nichols and husband Clyde of Harrison; nephew John Tisdale and wife Cindy, also of Little Rock. Additionally, she is survived by ten great-grandnieces and nephews and many great-great-grand nieces and nephews. A host of loving friends from her home in Presbyterian Village, and her Church home, Second Presbyterian, both in Little Rock, also mourn her.
Lou Ann will be remembered as a cheerful, thoughtful and giving person whose faith sustained her through many health challenges. Her kindness and concern for others were admired by all who knew her; especially her caregivers and many devoted friends who were attracted by her gentle nature an unfailing positive attitude. She possessed an exceptional spirit for life, which she demonstrated through non-judgmental, unconditional love. She was greatly loved and admired and will be deeply missed by her family and friends.
A graveside service will be held at 11:30 A.M. on Wednesday, June 1, 2005, at Pinecrest Memorial Garden in Bryant. A memorial service will be held at 1:30 P.M. at Presbyterian Village followed by a reception.
In lieu of flowers, the family request donations be made in Lou Ann's name to the Second Presbyterian Church in Little Rock.
James K. Schmidt
James K. Schmidt, 59, of Little Rock, passed away Tuesday, May 24, 2005. He was born October 5, 1945 in Mineral Wells, Texas to the late Karl and Gerene Beck Schmidt of Rockford, Illinois. He graduated from Northern Illinois University and formed his own company, Process Controlled Components, Inc. He was a loving son, father, brother, and grandfather.
Survivors include his daughter, Carmen Kinzler, son-in-law Clark Kinzler, grandchildren, Chayton and Halle, all of Little Rock. He is also survived by a brother, Dr. Roger Schmidt, sister-in-law Dr. Pam Schmidt, and nieces Leslie, Stephanie, and Karla Schmidt, all of Rockford, Illinois; and another daughter, Maureen "Mo" Chavez.
A memorial service will be held at 10:00 a.m. on Saturday, May 28, 2005 in the Chapel of Ruebel Funeral Home. Cremation arrangements are by Ruebel Funeral Home.
Memorials may be made to Hospice Home Care, 1501 N. University, Suite 500, Little Rock, AR 72207.
Norma Jean Abernathy Rhyne
Norma Jean Abernathy Rhyne, of Little Rock, died Friday, May 27, 2005.
She was preceded in death by her parents Harry and Mae Griffin Abernathy, and her brother Harry Abernathy.
Survivors include her son, Jimmy Rhyne; her daughters, Susan Moore and Margina Rhyne; a sister Delores Moore; grandchildren, Daniel, Rachel, Benjamin, and Nicholis Barsi-Rhyne, Amy Stockton, and Leslie Dottori; and great-grandchildren Christopher and Benjamin Stockton, and Taylor and Lauren Dottori.
She was creative, generous, optimistic and feisty and always in good humor. She loved to golf with girlfriends and enjoyed horse-racing, even following it over the internet when her health didn't permit her to go to Oaklawn.
Memorial services will be 11:00 a.m. on Tuesday, May 31, 2005 at Saint Michael's Episcopal Church in Little Rock.
In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made to Arkansas Hospice, 5600 W. 12th Street, Little Rock, AR 72204.
Arrangements are by Ruebel Funeral Home.
Wietske H. Patrick
Wietske H. Patrick, 93, of Little Rock, passed away Saturday, May 28, 2005. She was born May 25, 1912, at Sweet Home, Arkansas the daughter of the late Tjeerd J. and Lillian Fullbright Hoekstra. Mrs. Patrick was marriage for over 44 years to the late R. M. Patrick. She was also preceded in death by five sisters and one brother.
She is survived by a son, Ralph K. Patrick and wife Martha, of Marietta, Georgia; a daughter, Mary and her husband John R. Green of Maumelle; granddaughters Victoria and Holly Patrick of Atlanta, Georgia, and grandsons James Green of Worcester, Massachusetts, John Green of Little Rock, and Charles Green of Cincinnati, Ohio.
Mrs. Patrick retired from the Pulaski County Department of Human Services in 1983. She had worked previously as a teacher and as a secretary of the Little Rock Chief of Police. A member of First Presbyterian Church of Little Rock for over 40 years, Mrs. Patrick was a member of the R.D. Adams Sunday School Class and had served as circle chairman and deacon.
The family wishes to thank the staffs of Presbyterian Village and Lakewood Nursing Center for their care for Mrs. Patrick during her last years.
There will be a funeral service Wednesday at 10am at the Ruebel Funeral Home Chapel officiated by Reverend Howard Gordon. Burial will follow at Oak Grove Cemetery, Conway. Arrangements are under the direction of Ruebel Funeral Home.
Memorials may be sent to First Presbyterian Church of Little Rock, 8th and Scott Streets.
Martha Ann Norton
Martha Ann (Wilson) Norton, 66, of Little Rock, died Saturday, May 21, 2005 at her home. She was born in Kaiser, Arkansas on January 1, 1939 to the late Harvey and Pearl McLain Wilson.
Martha Ann grew up in Conway and was a member of the First Baptist Church. She graduated from Conway High School, where she was active in student government and the band. She attended Ouachita Baptist College on a music scholarship.
In Texarkana, she taught the high school senior Sunday school class at Beech Street First Baptist Church for many years and was youth choir director. She held various leadership roles with the PTA, Cub Scouts and Junior League, and was on the board of the United Way. She was named the first president of AGATE, a state gifted and talented advocacy organization and helped bring the Odyssey of the Mind competition to Arkansas.
Martha Ann was appointed by Gov. Bill Clinton to the Advisory Board of the State Department of Education for Education of Gifted and Talented Students. As chairman, she helped establish the Arkansas Governor's School and the AEGIS Summer Program for Gifted Students.
After moving to Little Rock in the early 1980s, she became president of the Arkansas Community Foundation. She served as vice-chairman of the Science Information Liaison Office to the Arkansas Legislature and was appointed by Gov. Jim Guy Tucker to the Common Ground Commission to oversee a community grant program to reduce teen violence.
In 1983 she received the Community Spirit Award for volunteer service and was named Woman of the Year in 1986. She also was former director of the Capitol Zoning District Commission and was an active member of First United Methodist Church.
In recent years, she and her husband Dick have traveled to Russia, Norway, Albania and France. She also traveled with her grandchildren to a city of his or her choice when each turned 11-years-old. She enjoined painting, playing the piano and sitting with friends on her deck.
She is survived by her husband, Richard Norton, of Little Rock; three sons, Kevin Jones and wife Lori of Little Rock, Alan Jones and wife Ellen of Fayetteville, Tennessee, Chip Jones and wife Cynthia of Dallas, Texas, and their father Earl Jones, Jr. of Little Rock; a sister, Betty Wilson Terry of Decatur, Alabama; and nine grandchildren.
Memorial services will be held at 10:00 a.m. on Monday, May 23, 2005 at First United Methodist Church with inurnment to follow in the church columbarium. A reception will follow the services in the Fellowship Hall of the church.
In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made to Martha Ann's Scholarship Fund through the Arkansas Community Foundation, 700 S. Rock, Little Rock, AR 72202.
Cremation arrangements are by Ruebel Funeral Home of Little Rock.
