Gloria Arthur

Gloria Mae Walker Arthur, 89, a longtime resident of Fort Smith passed away on October 5, 2021, at her home, surrounded by her husband and daughters. Gloria was a loving companion to Jimmie Joe Arthur for over 70 years. She was a devoted and loving mother to Sharon Arthur of New York City and Karen Arthur of Fort Smith.

She is survived by her husband and daughters as well as her sisters Marlene Pinkstaff of Tulsa, Oklahoma and Carol Meadows of Atkins, Arkansas. Gloria was the beloved “Mama” to her grandson Nick Barnes and his wife Dixie, her granddaughter Bobbie Lamb and her husband Billy, and her great-grandchildren Jonathan, Allison, Asher, Emily, and Leilani.

Gloria was born on June 19, 1932, in Tupelo, Oklahoma and graduated from Springdale High School in Springdale, Arkansas. Jimmy and Gloria were married in 1951 and moved to Los Angeles, California where they lived until 1963 when they returned to Fort Smith. Jimmy and Gloria were avid RVers, enthusiastic fans of the University of Arkansas Razorbacks, and members of the Roadhogs. They traveled to many football, basketball, and bowl games; through every state on the mainland from Alaska to Florida, across Canada, and wintered for many years in the Rio Grande Valley venturing often across the border into Mexico.

Gloria was retired from Edwards-Fentress Funeral Home. During her life, she was a past President and Director of the West Central District of the Business and Professional Women’s Club, past Matron of the Liberty Chapter of the Order of the Eastern Star #402. She was a Brownie and Girl Scout Troop Leader. As a member of Goddard Memorial United Methodist Church for over 50 years, she was active with the Adventurers Sunday School Class, Circle #8, and volunteered with the Food Pantry.

Funeral Service will be held at 2:00 P.M. on Saturday, October 9 at Edwards Funeral Home, 201 North 12th Street, Fort Smith, AR 72901. Visitation will be held at 1:00 P.M prior to the service.

Masks will be required for attendance at the request of the family.

Honorary pallbearers will be the members of the Adventures Sunday School Class.

A private committal service will be held at Grace Lawn Cemetery.

In lieu of flowers, please send donations to the Food Pantry of Goddard United Methodist Church, 1922 Dodson Avenue, Fort Smith, AR 72901 or visit www.goddardumc.org.