Maridel S. Hefner

Maridel Hefner, 80, of Paragould passed away Monday at Greene Acres Nursing Home. She was born September 6, 1935 in Strawberry, AR to the late Marvin and Audrey Smithee.

Maridel graduated from Tuckerman High School in the class of 1953. She was very active in assisting with the planning and decorating for class reunions. She was also a member of the Business and Professional Women's Club. Upon moving to Blytheville, she began working for Life of Georgia Insurance Company. She became active in the Jaycettes and assisting her husband in directing the Miss Blytheville Pagent and the National Cotton Picking Contest for several years.

She continued her employment with Life of Georgia in Forrest City and then in Jonesboro after moving to Paragould and later worked for the Jonesboro Human Services Department.

While living in Paragould, Maridel became an avid Greene County Tech Eagles fan. She was also always cheering for her beloved Razorbacks in the stands and on tv. She was known for her cakes and pies by the Greene County Tech faculty and the members of New Haven Baptist Church. Maridel always enjoyed listening to Brother Ron's messages while attending New Haven Baptist.

Maridel will always be remembered for her great love and devotion to her family, especially her grandchildren and great-grandchildren.

Maridel married the love of her life, Dick Hefner, at the Tuckerman First Baptist Church in 1956.

She was preceded in death by her parents and brother, W. S. Smithee.

Maridel is survived by her husband of 59 years, Dick Hefner; son, Stephen Van and wife Sandy, Jonesboro; grandchildren, Amanda Anders (David), Hot Springs, Trey Metzger (Sarah), Newport, Tracey Renard (Ryan), Fayetteville; great-grandchildren, Gavin and Dylan Anders, Rhett Hunter, and Rex Metzger; best friend, Nona Lalbaugh, South Bend, IN.

Visitation will be Thursday from 6:00-8:00 at Heath Funeral Home. The funeral service will be Friday at 11:00 at Heath Colonial Chapel with Brother Ron Pickney officiating along with Charles Lancaster from the class of '53. Burial will be at 3:30 at Antioch Cemetery in Beebe, four miles north of Beebe on State Highway 31. Pallbearers will be Roy Davenport, Dale Hefner, Greg Smithee, Phillip Kirkpatrick, Al Cothern, and Charles Lancaster. Honorary pallbearers will be Ben Hefner, Bob Smith, Dewayne Kirby, Rus Cole, J. R. Gore, Barney Reed, Robbie Robinson, Larry Dowler and J. B. Huffmaster.

Memorials may be made to New Haven Baptist Church or P. A. W. S. 1103 East Kingshighway, Paragould, AR 72450.

The family would like to express their gratitude and appreciation to Greene Acres Nursing Home management, physicians, assistants and nurses, especially Monnie Edgar, Jason Warren and Crystal Fletcher for their love and care and Jamie Brown for her many visits.