Aleta Eloise Bivens Newell

Aleta Eloise Bivens Newell of Little Rock, went to be with the Lord at Arkansas Hospice In-patient Center at St. Vincent Hospital on November 27, 2011. She was 90. Mrs. Newell was born November 17, 1921 near Quitman, Arkansas, in a house her grandfather, Elijah King Bivens homesteaded following the Civil War. Her parents were Ernest Bryan Bivens and Mabel Trawick Bivens. She attended Perkins and Guy-Perkins schools, graduating from Guy-Perkins in 1938. Mrs. Newell is survived by one brother, W.K. Bivens of Vilonia; three sons, James (Lucia) Oldham of Vilonia, Lonnie Oldham of North Little Rock, and Carl (Nita) Gardner of Little Rock; four grandchildren: Lonnie Oldham Jr. of North Little Rock, Willie James Oldham of Little Rock, Michael Oldham of North Little Rock, and Johnnie Oldham of Bryant; and three great-grandchildren: Brianna Oldham, Bryan Oldham, Bradley Oldham, all of Bryant. A psychiatric nurse at Community Mental Health Center in Little Rock, Mrs. Newell retired in 1984 after more than 33 years of service. Soon after retirement, she became involved in volunteer work with Pulaski County. She obtained Master Gardner certification in 1984 and was honored with a lifetime membership in 2009. Her favorite MG projects were landscaping the Information Center at Pinnacle Mountain, chairing the vegetable garden program at the Governor's Mansion for many years, and assisting with plant therapy for stroke patients at Baptist Hospital. Mrs. Newell was one of three founding members, along with life long friend Mildred Walton and Richard Wells, of the Central Arkansas Beekeepers Association. A member of American Business Women's Association, she was recognized as Woman of the Year. She also had been a member of Eastern Star. Mrs. Newell was a member of Lifeway Baptist Church, formerly Olivet Baptist Church, and a long-time member of the Reapers Class. The family will receive friends from 6 p.m. until 8 p.m., Wednesday, November 30, 2011 at Roller-Chenal Funeral Home, (501) 224-8300. Funeral services will be held 10 a.m., Thursday, December 1, 2011, at the funeral home, with Reverend Gene Davis and Reverend Willard A. Zeiser officiating. Pallbearerss will be Lonnie Oldham, Willie Oldham, Michael Oldham, Johnnie Oldham, Brian Oldham and Bradley Oldham. Alternate pallbearers will be Thomas Geaslin and Jack Storey. A graveside service will be held 12 noon, at Coppers Springs Cemetery in Guy, Arkansas. Flowers or donations in lieu of flowers to: Arkansas Hospice Center at St. Vincent Hospital, 14 Parkstone Circle, North Little Rock Arkansas 72116. Online guestbook: www.rollerfuneralhomes.com/chenal,