Roberta L.(Rice) Harris

Roberta L. (Rice) Harris of Waldron died peacefully on January 29, 2016 in Fayetteville, Arkansas. Roberta was born November 28, 1930, in Waldron, Arkansas, the daughter of Jimmie and Hazel Rice of the Birdsview community.

Mrs. Harris graduated from Waldron High School in 1947. She worked in Scott County until moving to Fort Smith, Arkansas where she pursued a career in office management spanning several decades in fields of insurance, and oil and gas. In 1950 Roberta married Udell Harris and together they raised two children in Fort Smith. She was an avid Razorback fan and loved to watch sports, especially basketball. She loved dogs and cats and would never turn away a stray. Roberta never met a stranger and was well known for her Fort Smith home being a favorite hangout for all the neighborhood kids. After retiring, she returned to Waldron in 2003 where she lived on her parents' farm until her passing.

Mrs. Harris is survived by her son, Robert (Bob) Harris and wife Debbie of Prairie Grove, Arkansas. She also leaves two granddaughters: Audra Rogers and husband Aaron, and Shannon Harris all of northwest Arkansas; a brother, Ray Rice and wife Vestal of Waldron; nieces Sherry Plummer, Christy Rogers, Karen Johnson and a nephew Ralph Rice. A host of lifelong friends and extended family members also fondly remember Roberta.

Mrs. Harris was preceded in death by her husband Udell, a daughter Becky Harris Crouthers, a sister Claudine Rice and her parents.

A memorial service will be held at Birdsview Methodist Church in Waldron on Saturday, February 6th at 11:00 a.m. with the Rev. Pat Ray Biggs officiating. Final arrangements are being made by Heritage Memorial in Waldron and a private interment will be held at a later date. In lieu of flowers, memorial donations may be sent in her name to Birdsview Cemetery Fund, Waldron, AR.