Nella Marie Cepeda

Nella Marie Cepeda, 94, of Hartford, Arkansas passed away Thursday, October 1, 2026 in Fayetteville, Arkansas. She was born February 11, 1932 in Nicut, Oklahoma to Albert and Nora (Casey) Smith. She was a homemaker, past employee of Southern Steel and Wire, former owner of a cafe in Hartford, she also did homecare for residents of Hartford. She was a member of the Hartford Assembly of God Church and loved cooking and taking care of her home and yard.

She is survived by her son, Pete Cepeda of Poteau; three daughters, Ina Jean Layne of Hartford, Pam Carter of Fort Smith and Lisa Kay of Galveston, TX; two brothers, Jim Smith and wife, Wanda of Morrilton, AR and Jackie Smith and wife, Anna Joe of Waldron; three sisters, Ruby Hamlin of Quinton, OK, Glenna Essex of Hartford and Lottie Keel and husband, Richard of Fort Smith; five grandchildren, Brent Patton and wife, Toni of Navarre, FL, Jimmy Metcalf and wife, Karissa of Orrington, ME, Natalie Cepeda of Oklahoma City, Braeden Cepeda of Calhoun, OK and Erin Yarbrough and husband, Beau of Galveston, TX and seven great grandchildren, Gabriel Patton, Bella Patton, Aidan Patton, Lily Yarbrough, Ella Yarbrough, Poppy Yarbrough and Goldie Yarbrough. In addition to her parents, she was preceded in death by her husband and one son, Marty Carter.

Funeral service will be 2 p.m., Saturday, October 3 at McConnell Funeral Home Chapel in Greenwood with burial at Hartford Memorial Park. Viewing will begin at 1 p.m. on Saturday, before the service.

Pallbearers will be Brent Patton, Jimmy Metcalf, Braeden Cepeda, Gabriel Patton, Aidan Patton and Pete Cepeda.

To share a memory or leave a message for the family, please visit www.mcconnellfh.com.