Tina Mayfield

Fort Smith February 14, 1931 – November 15, 2016 Tina Mayfield, passed away peacefully on November 15, 2016 surrounded by love and her family. The world has lost a person full of love after a long journey of faith. Her indomitable, determined spirit will be with us always.

Tina was born on Valentine’s Day, 1931 in Scottsboro, Alabama to Clara Blanche (Travis) and Ernest Claytor. She was a graduate and Salutatorian of Pisgah High School in Pisgah, AL. Tina later went on to earn a nursing degree from Westark Community College and a Bachelor’s in Education from the University of Arkansas – Fayetteville.

In addition to her husband Jim, Tina was preceded in death by her son, James “Beau” and daughter Patricia, her sisters Mildred Ragan and Marlene Arblaster and her brother Rex Claytor and son-in-law Stuart Crews.

Jim and Tina had traveled and lived abroad in Venezuela during the 1950’s and had endless tales to tell of their adventures together. They returned to Jim’s family farm where they worked to establish a loving home. They raised their children to be caring people in the Fort Smith community.

After staying home with her children until the last started school, Tina headed back to the classroom herself. She began as a kindergarten teacher and later as a nursing instructor where she was recognized as an exceptional performer for the State of Arkansas while at St. Edward’s Mercy Hospital.

Tina was an extraordinarily good listener, and she was completely nonjudgmental. When her nursing students came with their problems, she gave them sound advice to try and ease their struggle and find a way to move ahead. Counselor to all, Tina urged that one should; “start that job, take that trip, read that book, enroll in that class” with a decisive nod, she’d say; “you can do it.”

Tina volunteered her time and counsel to the Immaculate Conception Church and the greater Catholic Diocese. She was a lay assistant in the annulment process and she served as Eucharistic Minister. She believed in forgiveness and mercy.

Tina embraced her family and friends with her arms opened wide. She always gave the best of hugs. Her home was open to family at gatherings and celebrations, but it was well known that any and all were welcomed at her table.

With loved ones, she cherished a glass of merlot with dinner, a day at the beach, a lazy afternoon reading a book or discussing the next project (yours or hers). Tina was your best audience for a good story or joke and was easily tickled leading to full laughter in the room.

Tina is survived by three of her children, Mary Ann Klefisch (Terry) of Ft. Smith, John Mayfield (Julie) of Yukon, OK and Jane Smart (Allen) of Winston-Salem, NC as well as five grandsons, James, Nathan, Stuart, and Will Mayfield, Trent Smart, and beloved sister Bobbie Claytor Tidwell.

Tina and her family would like to send a sincere and heart felt thank you to the doctors, chaplains and incredible nurses and CNA’s at Mercy Hospice; as well as a very special thank you to Tina’s sitters for their duty, devotion, and love.

Rosary to be held at Fentress Funeral Home Sunday, November 20th at 5:30 P.M. A funeral Mass will be held on Monday, November 21st at 11:00 AM at Immaculate Conception Catholic Church. Interment will be at Roland City Cemetery in Roland, OK. There will be a reception at St. Anne’s Hall of Immaculate Conception Catholic Church, following the committal service at the cemetery.

Memorials may be made to Immaculate Conception Church or to the Immaculate Conception School, PO Box 1866 Ft. Smith, AR 72902.