Phanita Rae Williams

Phanita Rae Williams, 83, passed away Saturday, July 29, 2017 in Fort Smith. She was born July 14, 1934 to parents Ina and Ray Glover and was a lifelong resident of Fort Smith. She was formerly married to Billy Bob Williams and had two children, Lisa and Danny. She was a member of the Jaycee Wives, Sparks Guild, and Jr. Civic League; was active in the Fort Smith Little Theater, and worked with many of the fund raising “Red Stocking Revue” programs. She was a member of First Lutheran Church in Fort Smith.

She worked for the Sebastian County Juvenile in administration, as an intake officer and later as a Juvenile Probation Officer for almost 30 years. She received the Jimmy Joyce Memorial Award, as well as accolade from the Arkansas Juvenile Officer’s Association in 2003.

She is survived by her son, Danny and his wife Connie; granddaughter, Shelby Hughes (Blake), all of Park City, Utah; sister in law, Janie Glover; niece, Sara Latta (Todd); great niece, Regan Christian, all of Fort Smith; sister in law, Barbara Glover; nieces and nephews, Scott, Christy, Bubba, Greg and Cindy, all of Mississippi.

She was preceded in death by her daughter, Lisa; and brothers, George and Jim Glover and former husband, Billy Bob Williams.

Funeral service will be Wednesday, August 2, 2017 at 11:00 am at First Lutheran Church in Fort Smith under the direction of Edwards Funeral Home. A private family burial will be at Roselawn Cemetery.

Pallbearers will be Jerry Carson, John Ayers, Winston Humphreys, Pat Stanton, Mark Hewett, Sarah Meek Howe and Butch Edwards.

Family will visit with friends, Tuesday, August 1, 2017 from 5-7pm at Edwards Funeral Home in Fort Smith.

In lieu of flowers, a Memorial Fund has been set up for the Fort Smith Little Theater.