Paulette Reap

God is amazing and the Maker of all things exceptional. All His creations are unique, remarkable, and memorable in their own way. God created one little girl who grew up to be a woman loved and respected by everyone who knew her. She was a barrel of fun, a joy to be around, possessed a splendid work ethic, and was a leader in her chosen profession. And even so, being a wife, mother, and Me Me was the highlight of her life. Without a doubt, when she left this earth to meet her Lord and Savior, she was ecstatic to see her new Heavenly home! She will be missed here by all who knew and loved her.

Paulette Reap, 79, of Smackover, Arkansas, entered the arms of her Lord and Savior on Monday, October 16, 2023, at Hudson Memorial Nursing Home in El Dorado, Arkansas. Paulette was a member of Calvary Baptist Church in Smackover, Arkansas.

Paulette was born in Magnolia, Arkansas, on July 12, 1944. She was the first daughter of Fred and Fern Collins, who moved their family to Smackover when Paulette was a child. On December 28, 1959, Paulette received a late Christmas present: a little sister, LaDonna Collins, whom she loved and cared for like a second mother.

Paulette began her formal education in the Buckner Public Schools. When her parents moved the family to Smackover, she attended Smackover Public Schools and was a 1962 graduate of Smackover High School in Smackover. Following high school, she married Jerry Carver, and they lived in Pasadena, Texas. A few weeks after the birth of their daughter, Sonya, on June 17, 1963, Paulette felt it was essential for her and Jerry to move back home to Smackover. Paulette enjoyed being a stay-at-home mom until Sonya started school.

Being dynamic, driven, and genuinely loving people, Paulette began working at Sharp’s Hardware in Smackover, where she looked forward to seeing the people of her hometown every day. After several years at Sharp’s Hardware, an opportunity arose in May 1973. Paulette began a 25-year career at Smackover State Bank in Smackover, Arkansas, where her first position was manager of the bookkeeping department. She quickly advanced to the position of Cashier and received another prestigious promotion, Vice President, before retiring on December 31, 1998, as Cashier and Vice President at Smackover State Bank.

Paulette was a staple at Smackover State Bank and was known as a trustworthy employee with a remarkable work ethic. She was uniquely able to be a good leader and boss while always maintaining the invisible line necessary for successful employee and supervisor relationships. Paulette was known to be “to the point,” fun, caring, and loving while always maintaining her dedication to putting the customer first.

The late Dr. George W. Warren, a long-time, well-respected physician in Smackover, summed up Paulette best when he wrote a letter to the bank requesting to include it in her personnel file. Dr. Warren wrote, “There is one person about whom I want to heap some well-deserved praise, Paulette. For me, she has been a ray of sunshine whenever I have needed any help in any way. I am sure you and your Board of Directors are aware of her worth! Personally, I do not feel it ever hurts to heap praise where praise is deserved. I have the highest regard for Paulette and just wanted to take this opportunity to have this letter placed in her personnel file.”

Paulette had been retired a little over a year when she married Mike Reap on January 3, 1999, at the Willett House in Lisbon, Arkansas. This was the pinnacle of a love story that began several years earlier. Before their marriage, there was a running joke between Paulette and Mike, as he would ask her regularly, “Do you want to go to San Francisco or get married?” Paulette always answered with a resounding “Yes!” After they got married, they made the much looked forward to trip to San Francisco, and afterward, they built a life together and made many more precious memories. They enjoyed trips to Las Vegas, Nevada, New York, New York, and many trips to Branson, Missouri, one of Paulette’s favorite places, as well as other spur-of-the-moment destinations.

Paulette thoroughly enjoyed her retirement to the fullest! She has enjoyed traveling and spending precious time with family and friends. During Paulette’s 26 years of retirement, she made every day count! There has been a wide variety of fun, thrilling, and incredibly special times as she made lasting memories with her husband, daughter, grandsons, and great-granddaughter. She especially enjoyed having lemon parties with Trinity, her great-granddaughter. Paulette’s daughter, Sonya, said of her mother and Trinity, “They both loved eating lemons, and those two had so much fun together eating lemons!” Paulette loved the actor Doris Day, and it is doubtful she ever missed a movie starring her. Many days were filled with work in her yard, tending to her flowers, spending memorable time with her dear little sister, LaDonna, and playing with her two precious puppies, Savannah #1 and Savannah #2.

Paulette was predeceased by her parents, her former husband and father of her daughter, Jerry Carver; her sister, LaDonna Collins; her great aunt, Iris Simpson; and her puppy Savanah #1.

Paulette is survived by her husband of 24 years, Mike Reap of Smackover; her only child, Sonya Carver Blann (Ricky) of Smackover; two grandsons, Blake Blann and Matthew Blann of Maine, and one great-granddaughter, Trinity Blann of Texarkana. She also leaves behind three special friends, Patsy Boone and Max Taylor, both of Smackover and Bob Willett of El Dorado, and her much-loved puppy, Savannah #2.

In addition, four stepsons survive her: Jeff Reap (Sondra) of Olathe, Kansas; Greg Reap (Monica) of Conway, Arkansas; Chris Reap (Tammy) of Parkers Chapel, Arkansas; and Brian Reap of Smackover. Three step-grandsons and four step-granddaughters also survive Paulette, Drew Reap (Grace) of Kansas City, Missouri; Mitch Reap of Conway, Lindsey Ashcraft (Brent) of Little Rock, Arkansas; Cody Shipman of Little Rock; Millicent Reap, Anna Kate Reap, and Zoey Reap, all of Parkers Chapel. Also among her survivors are two step great grandsons, Riggs and Rowan Ashcraft, both of Little Rock.

The family would like to acknowledge two exceptional physicians whose kind demeanor, love, and respect were consistently shown to Paulette: Dr. George W. Warren and Dr. Richard K. Davis (both deceased). Many healthcare workers have taken excellent care of Paulette and reassured us, supported us, and helped us through this challenging time with calmness, gentleness, and strength when needed. We are incredibly grateful to have had the support of Arkansas Hospice, Hudson Memorial Nursing Home, and other healthcare workers who went over and above for Paulette. They are Lisha Breggs, Jennifer Cantrell, Holland Carroll, Robert Ford, Penny Galbraith, Sheena Kimble, and Krista Ann Little. Also included are Paul Manning, Shanekwa Murphy, Juanita Norful, Sarah Lee Rhodes, Logan Shipp, Erica Spall, and Marqurica Talley.

Special friends who have blessed us and made this journey less painful are Patsy Boone, Paula Calvert, Tamra Coleman, Vicki and Gary de Yampert, Howard and Rita Halligan, and Lacy Humphreys. Also, Sheri Neely, Tiffany Neely, Rev. Ken Overton, and Bob Willett, of whom we also extend a very special thank you.

With Rev. Ken Overton officiating, a memorial service celebrating the life of Paulette Reap will be held at 11:00 a.m. on Friday, October 20, 2023, at First Baptist Church in Smackover, Arkansas. A burial service will immediately follow at Smackover Cemetery in Smackover, Arkansas.

The family will receive visitors at Baptist Church from 10:00 to 11:00 a.m. before the memorial celebration.

Paulette had a great love for animals, a special place in her heart for the armed services and was very appreciative of her medical care. For those reasons, the family requests that memorials be made to any of the three organizations listed below:

Arkansas Hospice

14 Porkstone Circle

North Little Rock, Arkansas 72116

(501) 748-3333

www.arkansashospice.org

Union County Animal Protection Society (UCAPS)

P. O. Box 204

1000 Sunset Road

El Dorado, Arkansas 71730

(870) 866-3223

[email protected]

Wounded Warrior Project

P. O. Box 758516

Topeka, Kansas 66675

(855) 448-3997

A Memorial Form may be downloaded at www.woundedwarriorproject.org