Roberta Louise Stith

It is with heavy hearts that the family of Roberta Louise Croxton Stith announces her passing on August 31, 2018 at the age of 81. Just a few short weeks ago, Roberta said goodbye to her son, Kenneth Lloyd Stith. She has gone to join him and her husband of 53 years, Lonnie Dee Stith.

Honesty, kindness, generosity, unconditional love, forgiveness:  these are all qualities Roberta not only held in high esteem, but practiced every day while on this earth.

Roberta had a varied career, working as a RN at Springdale Memorial Hospital and working as the bookkeeper for her husband’s plumbing business. She also volunteered for several organizations, including the Extension Homemakers Club, Growing 59’ers. Roberta was a talented quilter and an accomplished cook. She created breathtaking needlework, and her garden was always lush and beautiful.

Roberta’s two main focuses in life were being a wife and a mother. She endeavored to do her best in everything she did. She far excelled greatness when it came to caring for her family.  Roberta never walked away from a problem. She would stop everything she was doing—no matter her schedule—and devote her undivided attention to whomever needed her counsel.  She would calmly listen, offer sage advice—which was always right—and then feed them.  

In her late seventies, Roberta decided she needed a new, simple project to keep her busy. It all started with a few chickens. It didn’t take long for the farm to explode into too much work for a team of ten, but she loved every minute of it. She especially enjoyed attending the Huntsville Farmers’ Market along with her son, Kenny.

No words have been created to express the heartache and loneliness in our lives. We will miss her quick wit and ready smile. Roberta was the center of our worlds. The only constant. No matter how difficult our lives became, we knew we were safe in her arms and in her heart.

Roberta was preceded in death by her husband, Lonnie Dee Stith, son, Kenneth Lloyd Stith, sister, Verna May Self, and her parents Omer and Florence Croxton.

Roberta will be lovingly remembered by her children; son Gary Stith and wife Wendy of Springdale, Arkansas; daughter Patty Stith and husband Kevin Early of Wasilla, Alaska; grandchildren Josh Brenaman and wife Lauren of Springdale, Arkansas; Becca Vest and husband Josh of Fayetteville; Zachary Stith of Springdale, Arkansas; Allison

Stith and husband Matt Phillips of Arlington, Texas; Meghan Wheeler and Brett Stith both of Fayetteville, Arkansas; four great grandchildren. 

She is survived by numerous nieces and nephews who were always treated as her own children.

Roberta will be remembered with love and joy by all who met her because she brought lightness and happiness into everyone’s lives.

Visitation will be held at the Backstrom-Pyeatte Funeral Homes in Springdale, Arkansas, Friday, September 7, 2018 from 5-7 PM. Funeral service will be held at the funeral home on Saturday, September 8, 2018 at 2 PM. Pastor David Dodson will officiate the service. Please visit www.backstrom-pyeatte.com to sign the online guest book.