Melba D Besancon

Melba Bowen Besancon, age 91, of Little Rock, Arkansas, passed peacefully in her sleep into the arms of her Lord and Savior on Saturday, July 21, 2018. She was born on December 6, 1926, to Clarence and Ethel Burris Bowen in Rover, Arkansas. She was a long time member of Life Line Baptist Church.

She taught school in a one-room schoolhouse in Rover and then moved to Little Rock to attend Draughon’s School of Business. She met and married her love, Raymond Besancon, on November 26, 1952. They had three children, Michael, Carolyn, and Richard. She was a homemaker for many years raising her children and in 1976 she went to work for Sam Walton. She retired as a department manager from Wal-Mart after 18 years. During her years, she was a Cub Scout den mother and a 4-H leader. She was a sports fan for Michael when he played baseball at Little Oaks Ball Park and for Richard during his many years of football at Cloverdale and McClellan. She cheered for Carolyn as she performed at football games and concerts. She loved to crochet and cross-stitch; she loved visiting with her family and friends; she loved to travel and camp; and she loved fishing and the outdoors. She and Raymond traveled with a group of friends and their large fifth-wheel campers throughout the United States and up through Canada to Alaska for weeks at a time. She was retired from Arkansas Good Sam’s Club (RAGS) after many years of travels. She also served with the local AARP Club.

She was predeceased by her parents, her husband, Raymond Besancon, sisters Mary Long and Ida Ann Knight Dean, brother Clarence Bowen, and granddaughter Sara Besancon.

She is survived by her sons, Michael Besancon and his wife, Marsha, of Little Rock; Richard Besancon and his wife, Jayne, of Bauxite; daughter, Carolyn Besancon Snider and her husband, Charles, of Benton; 8 grandchildren: Brandy Snider Cimino and her husband, Albert, of Benton, Elise Snider Adams and her husband, Brandon, of Haskell, Mary Besancon Hooks and her husband, Jason, of Hensley, Jeffrey Besancon of Little Rock, Hannah Besancon of Bryant, Tess Besancon of Bauxite, and Randie Bridges and her husband, Ryan, of Sheridan; 10 great-grandchildren: Hagen, Kestyn, Kamden, Mason, Ava, Madilynn, Hadley, Brayden, Braylee, and Charley; and many nieces and nephews.

Visitation will be at 9 a.m., with the memorial service to follow at 10 a.m. The services will be held on Wednesday, July 25, at Pinecrest Funeral Home & Memorial Park, 7401 Highway 5 N, Alexander, Arkansas 72002 with Bro. Jeff Dial of Life Line Baptist Church officiating the service. www.dignitymemorial.com