Beulah "Bootsie" Irene Rebsamen

She was born July 6th, 1925, in Fort Smith, Arkansas to the late Elbert Ward and Veva Lucille (Lowrance) Sawyer. She attended Duval Elementary and Northside High School, formerly known as Fort Smith High School, graduating class of 1943. She married Maj. Pierce W. McKennon on May 13th, 1946 and was married until his untimely death on June 18th, 1947. She returned to Fort Smith a widow at 21 where she rekindled her childhood friendship with Dr. Robert D. Rebsamen. They married on December 29th, 1950.

She was crowned the first ‘Miss Fort Smith’ in 1945.

For many years she enjoyed giving art and drawing classes on Fridays at Howard Elementary and later at the Fort Smith Girls Club. In the 1960’s she was asked by the city to paint a commissioned piece for the Old Fort Museum.

Irene is survived by her son, Pierce W. Rebsamen of Fort Smith, AR, her daughter, Tracie Rebsamen of Fayetteville, AR, and son Raymond D. Rebsamen of Atlanta, GA; three grandchildren, Sean Savitt of Miami, FL, Brooke (Joshua) Rebsamen-Green of Atlanta, GA, and R. Zachary Williams of Fayetteville, AR; two great-grandchildren, Mia and Elliot Green of Atlanta, GA. She is further survived by nieces, nephews, other relatives and many friends. In addition to her parents, she was preceded in death by her husband, Dr. Robert Daniel Rebsamen, brother, Elbert ‘Bub’ Lowrance Sawyer, and sister, Dorthea ‘Ginger’ Lucille (John) Eskoff.

She will be buried at the Fort Smith National Cemetery following a private service. Arrangements are under the direction of Fentress Mortuary of Ft. Smith. Visitation will be 10:00 AM to 12:00 PM Thursday, May 31st at the funeral home.

Per Irene’s wishes, in lieu of flowers, please make a kind donation in her name to the Sebastian County Humane Society P.O. Box 10953 Ft. Smith, AR 72917.

The family would like to thank all the staff of Chapel Ridge Health and Rehab for their help and support.