Grace Hurlocker Napier, 84, of Greenwood, went to be with her Lord and Savior June 29, 2018. She was born January 15, 1934, in Monroe, Oklahoma. She married Welza Napier in 1948. They eventually made their home outside of Hartford, where they raised their family and lived for over 50 years. After Welza passed, she made her home with son, Jesse and Pam in Greenwood.
Grace was a devoted follower of Christ and a member of the Church of Christ in Monroe, Oklahoma. She was a member for over 50 years in the Eastern Star, serving as Secretary at the Hartford Chapter and as the Grand Representative of Nova Scotia & Prince Edward Island for Arkansas. She was also very active at the Hartford Senior Citizens’ Center, where she and her friends made countless quilts to raise money for the Center. She enjoyed sewing, quilting, and crocheting.
Grace was a devoted wife, mother and grandmother. She was known for her always present smile and pleasant disposition. She loved people and was always ready to go somewhere. Grace worked outside the home, working as a seamstress for Hamlin’s Manufacturing Company in Poteau, Oklahoma, at Southwest Rebuilders in Fort Smith, and her favorite, as a housekeeper in the nursery at Sparks Hospital in Fort Smith. She was also a selfless caregiver for her husband, Welza, for several years.
Grace was preceded in death by her husband of 57 years, Welza Napier; a son, Claude (C.M.) Napier; her parents, Claude and Rethel Sykes Hurlocker; a brother, J.B. Hurlocker and a sister, Jean Shelton.
Grace is survived by two sons, John and Dixie Napier of Colorado Springs, Colorado and Jesse and Pam Napier of Greenwood; five grandsons, Mark and Liz Napier of San Antonio, Texas, Jeff Napier and Warren Napier of Little Elm, Texas, Ryan Napier of Greenwood and Garrett and Sierra Napier of Russellville, Arkansas; two granddaughters, Janna Napier of San Antonio, Texas and Heather and Vadim McCormick of Oak Creek, Wisconsin; six great grandsons, Alex, Justin and Joe Napier, Carter Napier, Aiden and Liam Zachar and four great granddaughters, Sara Napier, Jade Napier, Bella Napier and Emma Zachar. She is also survived by two brothers, Richard Hurlocker of Wister, Oklahoma and Jim and Fran Hurlocker of Fort Smith; one sister, Sybil Earnhart of Poteau, Oklahoma and a host of nephews and nieces.
Visitation will be Monday from 4 to 8 p.m. (family present from 5 to 7 p.m.), and the funeral service will be 1 p.m. Tuesday, July 3 both at McConnell Funeral Home Chapel in Greenwood, with interment (but no service) following at Hartford Memorial Park Cemetery in Hartford, Arkansas, all under the direction of McConnell Funeral Home of Greenwood.
Pallbearers will be grandsons.
In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made to Gideons International through the Greenwood Camp, or to Southern Christian Children’s Home in Morrilton, Arkansas.
