Doris Elaine Smith Beeson Faulkner, age 97, of El Dorado, formerly of Camden, passed peacefully from this life into the presence of her Lord and Savior Jesus Christ on Saturday, January 27, 2024. Doris was born on November 6, 1926, to Rev. Ray M. Smith and Essie Jane Jones Smith in Jacinto (Dallas County), Arkansas.
Doris is survived by her daughter, Bobbie Beeson Shepherd (Judge Bobby) of El Dorado, and her son Travis Gordon Beeson (Gayle) of Sherwood, five grandchildren Matthew J. Shepherd (Alie) of El Dorado, Sarah Shepherd Rainwater (John) of Little Rock, John Thomas Shepherd (Molly) of El Dorado, Megan Beeson Turner (Cale) of Little Rock, and Anna Beeson Cook (David) of North Little Rock, and thirteen great grandchildren, Eli Shepherd, Mary Kate Shepherd, Libby Shepherd, Shepherd Rainwater, Rebecca Rainwater, John Robert Rainwater, Tommy Shepherd, Roe Shepherd, Will Henry Shepherd, Jarrett Turner, Travis Cook, Vivienne Cook, and Lindy Cook, her sister-in-law Bonnie Smith of Mountain Home, and brother-in-law Edward Parham of Fordyce.
Doris was preceded in death by her husband of forty-five years, Travis N. Beeson, and her second husband of seven years, Everett Faulkner, her parents, her brother Rev. Randolph M. Smith, sister Rosie Jane Jones, brother-in-law Rex D. Jones, and sister Clora Parham.
Doris attended school at Jacinto and finished high school at Princeton (Dallas County). At the age of sixteen she enrolled with her sister Rosie Jane in Southern State College in Magnolia, then a two-year college. After completion of her studies in Magnolia she enrolled in Ouachita Baptist University graduating in 1948. Upon graduation she taught school in Princeton, Sparkman, Bearden, at Fred Whiteside Elementary in Camden, and for a short time at Romine Elementary in Little Rock. She retired from teaching after approximately forty years. She was a favorite teacher of many of her third and fifth grade students and heard from them throughout the remainder of her life. She loved teaching and her quiet, calm demeanor made her the perfect educator.
Doris was an accomplished pianist and organist and played the organ at Hillside Baptist Church in Camden for a total of 60 years. She enjoyed being a member of Chicot Trace Chapter Daughters of the American Revolution and the Mayflower Society. She enjoyed genealogy and was the family's go to source for information concerning family history.
Doris had a life-long interest in politics and current events and with her husband Travis she was active in the local, state, and national Republican Party, going back to a time when there were few Republicans in Arkansas. She was by his side as he campaigned for State Senate, and for Lieutenant Governor on the ticket with Winthrop Rockefeller in 1964. While that campaign was not successful it helped pave the way for Governor Rockefeller's election in 1966 and the eventual emergence of a vibrant Republican Party in Arkansas. Through this involvement she had the opportunity to meet many people in leadership including spending time with President Dwight Eisenhower at his farm at Gettysburg, PA, meeting President Richard Nixon on numerous occasions, and also meeting Presidents Ronald Reagan, George H.W. Bush, and George W. Bush.
She was a member of Cullendale First Baptist Church of Camden where she was a member of the Adult 5 Ladies Sunday School class.
Above all of her accomplishments and life experiences her favorite titles were Mother and Mom to her children and Mema to her grandchildren and great grandchildren. They loved the cards she sent for special holidays with her added artwork and comments in her "teacher-perfect" handwriting. She was their biggest cheerleader in all of their activities from preschool to adulthood and she attended as many of their special events as she could manage. Her calls and cards of encouragement sent to her extended family and friends made a lasting impression on them all.
Funeral services will be conducted on Friday, February 2, 2024 at 11 a.m. at Cullendale First Baptist Church in Camden, Reverend Willis Moore officiating. Burial will follow in Memorial Park Cemetery in Camden. The family will receive visitors at the church one hour before the Service. Proctor Funeral Home is in charge of arrangements.
Memorials may be made to the Travis and Doris Beeson Scholarship fund at Ouachita Baptist University, 410 Ouachita St., Arkadelphia, AR 71998 and online at obu.edu/give.
The family would like to thank Doris' neighbors and friends, Dave and Kathy Webb of Camden, whose love and care enabled Doris to remain independent for many additional years, as well as Ms. Diane Lovett for her care and companionship over the past year, and more recently the staff at Courtyard Rehabilitation and Health Center in El Dorado for their expert care and compassion.
Doris is survived by her daughter, Bobbie Beeson Shepherd (Judge Bobby) of El Dorado, and her son Travis Gordon Beeson (Gayle) of Sherwood, five grandchildren Matthew J. Shepherd (Alie) of El Dorado, Sarah Shepherd Rainwater (John) of Little Rock, John Thomas Shepherd (Molly) of El Dorado, Megan Beeson Turner (Cale) of Little Rock, and Anna Beeson Cook (David) of North Little Rock, and thirteen great grandchildren, Eli Shepherd, Mary Kate Shepherd, Libby Shepherd, Shepherd Rainwater, Rebecca Rainwater, John Robert Rainwater, Tommy Shepherd, Roe Shepherd, Will Henry Shepherd, Jarrett Turner, Travis Cook, Vivienne Cook, and Lindy Cook, her sister-in-law Bonnie Smith of Mountain Home, and brother-in-law Edward Parham of Fordyce.
Doris was preceded in death by her husband of forty-five years, Travis N. Beeson, and her second husband of seven years, Everett Faulkner, her parents, her brother Rev. Randolph M. Smith, sister Rosie Jane Jones, brother-in-law Rex D. Jones, and sister Clora Parham.
Doris attended school at Jacinto and finished high school at Princeton (Dallas County). At the age of sixteen she enrolled with her sister Rosie Jane in Southern State College in Magnolia, then a two-year college. After completion of her studies in Magnolia she enrolled in Ouachita Baptist University graduating in 1948. Upon graduation she taught school in Princeton, Sparkman, Bearden, at Fred Whiteside Elementary in Camden, and for a short time at Romine Elementary in Little Rock. She retired from teaching after approximately forty years. She was a favorite teacher of many of her third and fifth grade students and heard from them throughout the remainder of her life. She loved teaching and her quiet, calm demeanor made her the perfect educator.
Doris was an accomplished pianist and organist and played the organ at Hillside Baptist Church in Camden for a total of 60 years. She enjoyed being a member of Chicot Trace Chapter Daughters of the American Revolution and the Mayflower Society. She enjoyed genealogy and was the family's go to source for information concerning family history.
Doris had a life-long interest in politics and current events and with her husband Travis she was active in the local, state, and national Republican Party, going back to a time when there were few Republicans in Arkansas. She was by his side as he campaigned for State Senate, and for Lieutenant Governor on the ticket with Winthrop Rockefeller in 1964. While that campaign was not successful it helped pave the way for Governor Rockefeller's election in 1966 and the eventual emergence of a vibrant Republican Party in Arkansas. Through this involvement she had the opportunity to meet many people in leadership including spending time with President Dwight Eisenhower at his farm at Gettysburg, PA, meeting President Richard Nixon on numerous occasions, and also meeting Presidents Ronald Reagan, George H.W. Bush, and George W. Bush.
She was a member of Cullendale First Baptist Church of Camden where she was a member of the Adult 5 Ladies Sunday School class.
Above all of her accomplishments and life experiences her favorite titles were Mother and Mom to her children and Mema to her grandchildren and great grandchildren. They loved the cards she sent for special holidays with her added artwork and comments in her "teacher-perfect" handwriting. She was their biggest cheerleader in all of their activities from preschool to adulthood and she attended as many of their special events as she could manage. Her calls and cards of encouragement sent to her extended family and friends made a lasting impression on them all.
Funeral services will be conducted on Friday, February 2, 2024 at 11 a.m. at Cullendale First Baptist Church in Camden, Reverend Willis Moore officiating. Burial will follow in Memorial Park Cemetery in Camden. The family will receive visitors at the church one hour before the Service. Proctor Funeral Home is in charge of arrangements.
Memorials may be made to the Travis and Doris Beeson Scholarship fund at Ouachita Baptist University, 410 Ouachita St., Arkadelphia, AR 71998 and online at obu.edu/give.
The family would like to thank Doris' neighbors and friends, Dave and Kathy Webb of Camden, whose love and care enabled Doris to remain independent for many additional years, as well as Ms. Diane Lovett for her care and companionship over the past year, and more recently the staff at Courtyard Rehabilitation and Health Center in El Dorado for their expert care and compassion.
Doris Elaine Smith Beeson Faulkner, age 97, of El Dorado, formerly of Camden, passed peacefully from this life into the presence of her Lord and Savior Jesus Christ on Saturday, January 27, 2024. Doris was born on November 6, 1926, to Rev. Ray M. Smith and Essie Jane Jones Smith in Jacinto (Dallas County), Arkansas.
Doris is survived by her daughter, Bobbie Beeson Shepherd (Judge Bobby) of El Dorado, and her son Travis Gordon Beeson (Gayle) of Sherwood, five grandchildren Matthew J. Shepherd (Alie) of El Dorado, Sarah Shepherd Rainwater (John) of Little Rock, John Thomas Shepherd (Molly) of El Dorado, Megan Beeson Turner (Cale) of Little Rock, and Anna Beeson Cook (David) of North Little Rock, and thirteen great grandchildren, Eli Shepherd, Mary Kate Shepherd, Libby Shepherd, Shepherd Rainwater, Rebecca Rainwater, John Robert Rainwater, Tommy Shepherd, Roe Shepherd, Will Henry Shepherd, Jarrett Turner, Travis Cook, Vivienne Cook, and Lindy Cook, her sister-in-law Bonnie Smith of Mountain Home, and brother-in-law Edward Parham of Fordyce.
Doris was preceded in death by her husband of forty-five years, Travis N. Beeson, and her second husband of seven years, Everett Faulkner, her parents, her brother Rev. Randolph M. Smith, sister Rosie Jane Jones, brother-in-law Rex D. Jones, and sister Clora Parham.
Doris attended school at Jacinto and finished high school at Princeton (Dallas County). At the age of sixteen she enrolled with her sister Rosie Jane in Southern State College in Magnolia, then a two-year college. After completion of her studies in Magnolia she enrolled in Ouachita Baptist University graduating in 1948. Upon graduation she taught school in Princeton, Sparkman, Bearden, at Fred Whiteside Elementary in Camden, and for a short time at Romine Elementary in Little Rock. She retired from teaching after approximately forty years. She was a favorite teacher of many of her third and fifth grade students and heard from them throughout the remainder of her life. She loved teaching and her quiet, calm demeanor made her the perfect educator.
Doris was an accomplished pianist and organist and played the organ at Hillside Baptist Church in Camden for a total of 60 years. She enjoyed being a member of Chicot Trace Chapter Daughters of the American Revolution and the Mayflower Society. She enjoyed genealogy and was the family's go to source for information concerning family history.
Doris had a life-long interest in politics and current events and with her husband Travis she was active in the local, state, and national Republican Party, going back to a time when there were few Republicans in Arkansas. She was by his side as he campaigned for State Senate, and for Lieutenant Governor on the ticket with Winthrop Rockefeller in 1964. While that campaign was not successful it helped pave the way for Governor Rockefeller's election in 1966 and the eventual emergence of a vibrant Republican Party in Arkansas. Through this involvement she had the opportunity to meet many people in leadership including spending time with President Dwight Eisenhower at his farm at Gettysburg, PA, meeting President Richard Nixon on numerous occasions, and also meeting Presidents Ronald Reagan, George H.W. Bush, and George W. Bush.
She was a member of Cullendale First Baptist Church of Camden where she was a member of the Adult 5 Ladies Sunday School class.
Above all of her accomplishments and life experiences her favorite titles were Mother and Mom to her children and Mema to her grandchildren and great grandchildren. They loved the cards she sent for special holidays with her added artwork and comments in her "teacher-perfect" handwriting. She was their biggest cheerleader in all of their activities from preschool to adulthood and she attended as many of their special events as she could manage. Her calls and cards of encouragement sent to her extended family and friends made a lasting impression on them all.
Funeral services will be conducted on Friday, February 2, 2024 at 11 a.m. at Cullendale First Baptist Church in Camden, Reverend Willis Moore officiating. Burial will follow in Memorial Park Cemetery in Camden. The family will receive visitors at the church one hour before the Service. Proctor Funeral Home is in charge of arrangements.
Memorials may be made to the Travis and Doris Beeson Scholarship fund at Ouachita Baptist University, 410 Ouachita St., Arkadelphia, AR 71998 and online at obu.edu/give.
The family would like to thank Doris' neighbors and friends, Dave and Kathy Webb of Camden, whose love and care enabled Doris to remain independent for many additional years, as well as Ms. Diane Lovett for her care and companionship over the past year, and more recently the staff at Courtyard Rehabilitation and Health Center in El Dorado for their expert care and compassion.
Doris is survived by her daughter, Bobbie Beeson Shepherd (Judge Bobby) of El Dorado, and her son Travis Gordon Beeson (Gayle) of Sherwood, five grandchildren Matthew J. Shepherd (Alie) of El Dorado, Sarah Shepherd Rainwater (John) of Little Rock, John Thomas Shepherd (Molly) of El Dorado, Megan Beeson Turner (Cale) of Little Rock, and Anna Beeson Cook (David) of North Little Rock, and thirteen great grandchildren, Eli Shepherd, Mary Kate Shepherd, Libby Shepherd, Shepherd Rainwater, Rebecca Rainwater, John Robert Rainwater, Tommy Shepherd, Roe Shepherd, Will Henry Shepherd, Jarrett Turner, Travis Cook, Vivienne Cook, and Lindy Cook, her sister-in-law Bonnie Smith of Mountain Home, and brother-in-law Edward Parham of Fordyce.
Doris was preceded in death by her husband of forty-five years, Travis N. Beeson, and her second husband of seven years, Everett Faulkner, her parents, her brother Rev. Randolph M. Smith, sister Rosie Jane Jones, brother-in-law Rex D. Jones, and sister Clora Parham.
Doris attended school at Jacinto and finished high school at Princeton (Dallas County). At the age of sixteen she enrolled with her sister Rosie Jane in Southern State College in Magnolia, then a two-year college. After completion of her studies in Magnolia she enrolled in Ouachita Baptist University graduating in 1948. Upon graduation she taught school in Princeton, Sparkman, Bearden, at Fred Whiteside Elementary in Camden, and for a short time at Romine Elementary in Little Rock. She retired from teaching after approximately forty years. She was a favorite teacher of many of her third and fifth grade students and heard from them throughout the remainder of her life. She loved teaching and her quiet, calm demeanor made her the perfect educator.
Doris was an accomplished pianist and organist and played the organ at Hillside Baptist Church in Camden for a total of 60 years. She enjoyed being a member of Chicot Trace Chapter Daughters of the American Revolution and the Mayflower Society. She enjoyed genealogy and was the family's go to source for information concerning family history.
Doris had a life-long interest in politics and current events and with her husband Travis she was active in the local, state, and national Republican Party, going back to a time when there were few Republicans in Arkansas. She was by his side as he campaigned for State Senate, and for Lieutenant Governor on the ticket with Winthrop Rockefeller in 1964. While that campaign was not successful it helped pave the way for Governor Rockefeller's election in 1966 and the eventual emergence of a vibrant Republican Party in Arkansas. Through this involvement she had the opportunity to meet many people in leadership including spending time with President Dwight Eisenhower at his farm at Gettysburg, PA, meeting President Richard Nixon on numerous occasions, and also meeting Presidents Ronald Reagan, George H.W. Bush, and George W. Bush.
She was a member of Cullendale First Baptist Church of Camden where she was a member of the Adult 5 Ladies Sunday School class.
Above all of her accomplishments and life experiences her favorite titles were Mother and Mom to her children and Mema to her grandchildren and great grandchildren. They loved the cards she sent for special holidays with her added artwork and comments in her "teacher-perfect" handwriting. She was their biggest cheerleader in all of their activities from preschool to adulthood and she attended as many of their special events as she could manage. Her calls and cards of encouragement sent to her extended family and friends made a lasting impression on them all.
Funeral services will be conducted on Friday, February 2, 2024 at 11 a.m. at Cullendale First Baptist Church in Camden, Reverend Willis Moore officiating. Burial will follow in Memorial Park Cemetery in Camden. The family will receive visitors at the church one hour before the Service. Proctor Funeral Home is in charge of arrangements.
Memorials may be made to the Travis and Doris Beeson Scholarship fund at Ouachita Baptist University, 410 Ouachita St., Arkadelphia, AR 71998 and online at obu.edu/give.
The family would like to thank Doris' neighbors and friends, Dave and Kathy Webb of Camden, whose love and care enabled Doris to remain independent for many additional years, as well as Ms. Diane Lovett for her care and companionship over the past year, and more recently the staff at Courtyard Rehabilitation and Health Center in El Dorado for their expert care and compassion.
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