Bonnie Jean Elrod of Alexander, died December 24, 2022, at the Arkansas Heart Hospital in Little Rock. She was 83 years old. Bonnie was born October 27, 1939, in Plum Bayou, Arkansas to the late Donelson Flynn Pitts, Sr. and Edith Rosabelle Hobson Pitts. She was preceded in death by her parents; her brother, Donelson Flynn Pitts, Jr. (Mattie); and her infant sister, Rose Pitts. Bonnie was married for 61 years to her loving husband, Donald Lee Elrod.
Survivors include her husband, Donald Lee Elrod of Alexander; son, Douglas Elrod (Diana) of Denton, Texas; daughter, Donna Elrod (Kristen) of Little Rock, Arkansas; sister, Linda Kitchen (Harry) of Highland Village, Texas; grandson, Alex Garland (Jessica) of Seattle, Washington; sister-in-law, Peggy Bengtson of Bryant; a host of nieces and nephews; her beloved dog Trixie Blue, and very special neighbors John and Evelyn Cathcart.
Bonnie was born in Plum Bayou, Arkansas and was a proud Plum Bayou Polar Bear basketball standout. After high school, she graduated from Capitol City Business College. Bonnie made a lifelong career as a payroll specialist and bookkeeper for various John Deere dealerships and trucking companies in Central Arkansas and the Saline County Clerks’ office. Her bookkeeping skills led her to become an official scorekeeper for her children’s baseball and softball teams. She remained dismayed that her children did not inherit her bookkeeping skills as neither child could keep their checkbooks correctly.
Profoundly spiritual, Bonnie was a member of Bryant First United Methodist Church for over 50 years. Her activities in the church included teaching the Spiritual Seekers Sunday School class, being a member of the United Methodist Women, leading the meal support for bereaved families, and being a member of the Shepard’s Program.
Above all, Bonnie was a caretaker. She cared for her husband for 61 years and cared for her children and their families and friends, her extended family, her friends, her church family, her coworkers, stray dogs and cats, and, well, everyone and everything. No one ever, ever left her house hungry.
Visitation with the family will be Thursday December 29, 2022 at 1pm at Bryant First United Methodist Church. Her celebration of life will follow visitation at 2pm at the church with the Reverend Susan Ledbetter officiating. Burial will be at Pinecrest Cemetery at 3:30pm.
The Pallbearers will be Alex Garland, Jason Kitchen, David Pitts, Andy Solomon, David Howard, David Bengtson, Stan Elrod, and Tim Elrod.
In lieu of flowers, please make donations to: Bryant First United Methodist Church, Arkansas Children’s Hospital, St. Jude Children’s Hospital, or a charity of your choice.
The family would like to thank the staff at Arkansas Heart Hospital, Dr. Rollefson, Dr. Beaux, and Dr. Card for their excellent care.
Online guest book at www.ashbyfuneralhome.com
Samuel Franklin Critser, 80, of Benton, Arkansas passed away December 23, 2022. He was born May 18, 1942 in Keo, Arkansas to the late James Critser and Lillie Mae Finnell.
Sam was the owner and president of Southern Fire Alarm of Little Rock and Burgular Alarms of Arkansas. He was a Mason. Sam enjoyed going fishing and pressing his luck at the casino. He was always on the go and stayed busy all the time. Sam was very funny and loveable. He was a “One of a Kind” man.
Preceding Sam in death are his parents; James Critser and Lillie Mae Finnell; sister, Emma Jean Steward; and nephew, Freddie Steward.
Sam leaves behind to cherish his memory his loving wife, Suzanne Critser of Benton, Arkansas; daughers: Ginger Schrader and husband Alan of Alexander, Arkansas and Sarah Red and husband Schantz of Benton, Arkansas; grandchildren: Haley, Hayden, and Heidi Schrader, Whitten Maness, Steven Hudson, and Whitleigh and Avery Red; great niece, Amanda Wooten; and many family members and friends who love Sam and will miss him always.
Graveside service, officiated by Bro. Hart Moore, will be held at 11:00 AM, Thursday, December 29, at Pinecrest Memorial Park in Alexander, Arkansas.
Memorials may be made to Cystic Fibrosis Foundation at https://give.cff.org/donate.
Services entrusted to Smith-Benton Funeral Home. Online guestbook: www.SmithFamilyCares.com.
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