Kitty Mantooth

Kitty was born December 9, 1934 in Jenny, Arkansas to Harvey and Mary Jane Maddox McWilliams. She was the second youngest of 8 children. Her parents were hard workers and instilled their values in Kitty. She grew up helping them on the farm and in their store in Lake Village, Arkansas.

After graduating high school in Lake Village, Kitty moved to Little Rock, attended business college, and met the love of her life, Airman Bill Mantooth. They married and lived in many different places, from Puerto Rico, to Maine, raising their two daughters, Gail and Alyce. Kitty was known for her sewing skills and always having a beautiful dress for the girls to wear.

Kitty and Bill settled and retired in Sherwood, Arkansas, in the dream home they built on a lake. In Sherwood, they were realtors and were quite trusted for their sound, honest advice in the field. They were both avid gardeners and enjoyed their seasonal fresh vegetables grown in their backyard.

Kitty’s talents were many. She participated and was recognized in her area’s Garden Club for her beautiful floral arrangements. She was known for her intricate cake decorating, to which she blamed the arthritis in her hard working hands. Kitty enjoyed golfing, bowling and fishing with her grandchildren. She even played the drums, bongos, and glockenspiel! She was an avid bird watcher, made homemade bird food for her cardinals and eastern bluebirds, and talked to them often.

Kitty was once an active member of the Central Baptist Church, Sherwood First Baptist Church and Community Bible Study. Her friends from both of these were many and very dear to her. Next to God, Kitty’s family was the most important part of her life. She cherished family coming to visit and loved going to visit them! She enjoyed cooking for family and was well known for her homemade rolls, lemon apricot cake, ice cream, and many other dishes.

She leaves behind a legacy of love, wonderful memories and hard-working values. She was preceded in death by her husband, Bill Mantooth. Kitty is survived by daughters Gail Mantooth, and Alyce Wagner (Mike), grandchildren Allison Wesson (Jason), Chrissy Jennings, and Collin Wagner (Caitlin), Emily Wilson (Andrew) and Adam Wilson, great grandchildren Hannah Wesson and Maddie Wesson

Funeral services will be 11:30 a.m., Wednesday, February 28, 2024 at Griffin-Leggett Rest Hills Funeral Home.

In lieu of flowers, donations can be made to the Arkansas Audubon Society (P. O. Box 241421 Little Rock, AR 72223)