Marie Jacqueline Bullard Steele

MARIE JACQUELINE BULLARD STEELE, 101, of Little Rock, passed away Thursday, May 16, 2013. She was a resident of Little Rock for over 80 years. She was born Feb. 3, 1912 in Deckerville, Ark. (Poinsett County) to Emma Morelock Bullard and John Arthur Bullard. Mrs. Steele was preceded in death by her husband George Auburn Steele; her parents; one brother and five sisters. She is survived by two daughters, Patricia Ann Fulmer and Jennifer Lynn McKeller (John); four grandchildren, Darby Barton (Scott), Doyle Fulmer (Retta), Jackie McKeller Warren (David) and Jason McKeller (Shanna); two great-grandchildren, Alex Barton and Ashley Marie Fulmer; and one sister, Johnnye Bullard Seales of Memphis. Marie graduated from Marked Tree High School and moved to Little Rock to attend nursing school. She graduated from "General Hospital" in 1934, the year before it became a part of UAMS, as a registered nurse. She also received a certification from UAMS, under Dr. Rhinehart who founded Radiology Associates, as Registered X-Ray Technologist. She took a leave during WWII to live in Dalhart, Texas for a short time when her husband was moved there by the railroad. She also worked at the munitions factory in Jacksonville as an X-Ray tech. In 1961, she was asked to create the Operations Manual & Handbook for the original Little Rock Diagnostic Clinic. Her first retirement came in 1974, when she retired from UAMS. She was asked to come out of retirement to open the new Doctors Hospital Emergency Room. After her second retirement, she went back to work for a few days in a doctor's office that lasted 8 years. She finally retired for the third time and started volunteering more with her church. Marie was a member of Pulaski Heights United Methodist Church for over 54 years. She was also active in her circle and spent many years volunteering in the church's food bank. Marie loved all sports. In her youth she played basketball, tennis, and bowled on the women's city league. She loved the Razorbacks. A true fan that fell while walking from her home to a game at War Memorial, only revealing after the game, that she needed to go to the emergency room for her broken arm. She loved to read, cook, do embroidery, and spend time with her family. Marie was a member of many organizations during her life. She was president of the X-Ray Technicians, secretary of the Arkansas Nurses Association, and a member of the American Business Women's Association. Becoming a registered nurse was extremely important to her and she encouraged many others to do the same. There is no way to know how many patients and students that she may have helped over her more than 50 years of nursing. It did not matter your circumstance whether you were the munitions worker, the country singer's daughter, or her Daughter's Mother in Law, she was the nurse you wanted by your side. The family would like to thank the staff at St. Vincent's 7 East, Briarwood Rehab, Hospice Home Care, Dr. Morgan Sauer, Dr. Beck, and The LRFD. In lieu of flowers donations can be made to: Whitton Memorial Cemetery 7192 South State Hwy. 308 Tyronza, Ark. 72386, The Arkansas Food Bank, Pulaski Heights United Methodist Church, or PHUMC Cancer Friends. A memorial service will be held at 11 a.m. Monday at of Pulaski Heights United Methodist Church. Arrangements are by Griffin Leggett Healey & Roth, 501-661-9111. Online guestbook: www.griffinleggetthealeyroth.com.