Elta Marie Loetscher

She was a small town girl who grew up not the most fortunate - yet so abundantly loved - she didn't know the difference. Elta's parents converted a barn into their home for her and her siblings when she was very young. She would tell stories of her mother hanging wallpaper on the walls to make their dwelling feel more like a home.

They were a farming family who rode their wagon to town only for items like flour, sugar and coffee. She fondly shared stories with children and grandchildren about the importance of hard work and appreciating the little things. She would tell of the Great Depression, of things like her mother making her dresses from flour sacks, only receiving grapes once a year and her father making her a doll bed out of the left over fruit basket.

She walked a mile back and forth to school with her siblings Jake, Shelby and Clemma to a one room schoolhouse that supported 1st-8th grade students. After school, they would pick cotton, work the farm, and do whatever it took to help take care of her family. She also helped her aunt at a local boarding house feeding and taking care of travelers passing through.

While a small town life molded her, she had hopes and dreams of something more, and that led her to Little Rock.

Her first job in LR was making dresses for Oppenheimer Manufacturing Co. and JCPenney. She met and fell in love with Charles (Charlie) Loetscher. Together, they built many successful businesses. Elta was an intelligent businesswoman and self-made accountant.

They shared 3 children: Charles (Chuck) Loetscher Jr., Rita Bates and Christa Thompson.

One of her greatest enjoyments was traveling the world. Her hard work and success led her to be able to travel to 13 different countries, several islands, and many states in the U.S.

She also was able to give to many different organizations and charities that she believed in, including Little Rock Compassion Center, Disabled American Veterans, AR Sheriff's Youth Ranch and more.

She was a long-standing member and Sunday School Secretary at Baseline Missionary Baptist Church and recently a member of Ironton Baptist Church.

Elta was preceded in death by her husband of 48 years, Charles Loetscher, Sr. Her mother Dora Cover, father Eugene Cover, brother Shelby Cover, sister Clemma Tolbert and brother Jake Cover. She is survived by a son, Charles Henry Loetscher, Jr., two daughters, Rita Lynn Bates and Christa Dawn Thompson, three grandchildren Micheal Miller, Lisa Rodgers and Charles Loetscher, III, eight great-grandchildren Austin Miller, Mason Parker, Annalise Thompson, Fischer Thompson, Aaliyah Loetscher, Kadence Miller, Peyton Loetscher and Dylan Loetscher and two great-great grandchildren Gunner Miller and Grayson Parker along with many nieces, nephews, family and friends.

Visitation will be held Sunday, April 2nd, at Ironton Baptist Church at 14718 Ironton Cut-Off Road, Little Rock, Arkansas 72206 from 5:00 p.m.-7:00 p.m.

Funeral services will be held Monday, April 3rd, at Ironton Baptist Church at 11:00 a.m.

Procession to follow at Pinecrest Cemetery at 7401 AR-5, Alexander, AR 72002

Pallbearers will be Charles Loetscher, III, Fischer Thompson, Mark Cover, Ashley Thompson, Kain Long, and Mason Parker. Honorary Pallbearer is Ray Loetscher.

Fond memories and expressions of sympathy may be shared at www.griffinleggetthealeyroth.com for the Loetscher family.