Zelma Mae Eubanks

Mrs. Zelma Mae Curtis Eubanks, age 84, of Ash Flat, Ark., entered into eternal rest at her home surrounded by loved ones on Tuesday December 8, 2015 as the hymn "In the Garden" was playing. She came into the world during a winter's storm on December 9, 1930 in Wheeling, Kan., to the late Alvus and Martha Curtis. She was the fifth of six children: Opal, Roy, Helen, Dan, Zelma, and George. All five siblings preceded her in death. Zelma grew up during the difficult years of The Great Depression and WWII, where luxury was non-existent and hardship was plentiful. She moved several times as a child, having lived in Kansas, Oklahoma, Louisiana, Mississippi, Texas, and Arkansas before the age of 13. Often there was no electricity or running water. She shared a bed or a floor pallet with her sister, Helen. Often a burlap sack served as a room divider, and they used tomato crates for dressers. Zelma jumped from school to school, which were mostly small one room buildings with a single teacher for each grade level. There were times where she had to walk at least two miles to be there. She attended school when possible, but also had to work to help out the family. She worked on a peanut farm and picked cotton. The family was not able to buy many toys or board games, but the children kept themselves entertained with marbles, jump rope, a tire swing, and riding downhill in a homemade wagon. What was lacking in wealth was made up for by her mother's love, from which Zelma inherited her generous spirit and caring heart. She is from the generation that did not know how to quit, and she overcame much in her life. Zelma was united in marriage to her husband of 61 years, the late Jesse F. Eubanks, a WWII Army Veteran. Jesse met Zelma, or Zel, as he would always call her, while she was working at White's Café in Huntsville, Ark., in 1947 and thought she was cute. They married on New Year's Day in 1948, settled in Springdale, Ark., raised their children, and retired before moving to Ash Flat, Ark., in 1987. Zelma would always refer to those first years of marriage as lean, saying; "We didn't have two nickels to rub together." From their union, two children were born: Jimmy Ray on July 6, 1948, and Judy Louise on September 18, 1952. Zelma greatly loved her family and devoted herself as a mother. Despite the heartbreaking loss of her firstborn, PFC U.S. Marine Jimmy Ray Eubanks on December 25, 1967, Zelma remained committed to loving and raising her surviving child, Judy, or Jude as she called her. Zelma ran a tight ship, but still maintained a gentle touch. She made sure her daughter and friends made it to any extra-curricular activities or social events. She would often drive Judy and her best friend Susie to FHA meetings, the local swimming pool, or roller skating. With much effort and perseverance, Zelma managed to create a caring home for her only daughter. Judy remained in the home until her marriage to Michael A. Statler on June 6, 1970. Judy and Michael provided Zelma with three grandchildren, Tiffany, Michelle, and Amanda, to whom she dedicated much of her time and energy. When Tiffany was a little girl, she called out, "Hey Granny Gooseneck!" and the nickname stuck. She would twirl the girls around and around when they were little singing, "Swing around, swing around, Jimmy, Jimmy John…" Whether it was clapping along with the cheerleaders, hollering at a basketball game, or watching cattle shows, Granny Gooseneck was there to support her granddaughters. Granddaughter Michelle privileged her with two great-grandchildren, Chandler Terrell Vance and Carrigon Delaney Vance. Zelma was also delighted to gain a step-great-granddaughter, Presli Autumn Bay through Tiffany's marriage to Joe, whom she was also very fond of because he was handy around the house and always willing to complete her honey-do list while on their many visits to Grandma's house. Her smile was never brighter than when she saw her grandchildren. She was tickled pink that Chandler is attending college and doing so well, that Carrigon has good grades, and that Presli called her Grandma without hesitation. She also has a granddog named Molly she considered to be "a good dog" and great-granddog, Walter, who she said "was so ugly, he was cute." Zelma worked many jobs throughout her life, including waitressing at The Chicken House (now AQ Chicken House) in Springdale, Ark., as a Rodeo of the Ozarks Queen. Zelma had a 30-plus-year career at Oberman/Levi-Strauss and Co. in Fayetteville, Ark. She served as Union Officer for Levi's, promoting increased wages and an improved working environment and accomplished many goals set by Union 650. Having never had the opportunity as a youth to finish school, Zelma completed her GED in 1981, and was very proud of her accomplishment; education was very important to her. She worked tirelessly to help provide for her family until her retirement in 1987. Zelma also had many hobbies and interests that kept her busy. An avid seamstress, she made most of her children's garments, and would later sew clothing and quilts for her grandchildren. She also used her sewing skills to create lap blankets for the elderly in nursing homes. Zelma made one of Judy's prom dresses and 30 years later, sewed a prom dress for her granddaughter Amanda. The many crafts she created throughout the years decorate her home, along with her many collected trinkets that she referred to as her "pretties." She also loved flower and vegetable gardening, and was known for her beautiful roses and homegrown strawberries. Zelma was very involved with many church activities and belonged to the Baptist Faith. She was very patriotic and proud to be from a family with members serving in the Air Force, Army, Navy, and Marines. Much of her time was devoted to volunteer work with teaching Sunday school, participating in the American Legion Women's Auxiliary, leading the Boy Scouts, and dedicating years to her beloved Girl Scout Troop, along with her granddaughter, Amanda. Zelma worked diligently creating activities at weekly Girl Scout meetings, she helped her scouts earn new badges, and she peddled Girl Scout cookies with the best of them. With Senior Troop 52, Zelma assisted in obtaining the Silver and Gold Award, the highest achievement in Girl Scouting. Zelma was full of wanderlust and would break into singing "On the Road Again" on her many trips. She traveled all over the country to visit family, perform Union duties, for leisure, as a chauffeur on Girl Scout trips, and to spend time with her sister-in-law and best friend, Theresa Eubanks. Zelma visited 48 of the 50 states, having driven through most of them with one foot on the gas and the other on the brake, giving her passengers a slight case of whiplash; but everyone always arrived in one piece. Unfortunately, she never made it to Alaska or Hawaii (or Huh-Y-Ya, as she pronounced it) and wished for her daughter and grandchildren to make the trip for her someday. Zelma read through the Bible several times and believed in the Lord with all her heart. The Book of Esther was her favorite, because she admired the intelligence and strength of Queen Esther. On the morning of her passing, Zelma listened to her granddaughter read from the book of Esther and she was comforted. Zelma believed in being charitable and in helping those in need. Her favorite organizations to which she made contributable donations include: Arkansas Children's Home, Arkansas Sheriff's Youth Ranch, Saint Jude, and various Veterans' charities. She prided herself on her appearance and in being presentable. She liked to look "shnazzy." Zelma loved jewelry, hats, and the color red. In fact, she had three bedroom closets and dressers full of her shnazzy clothes and shoes. She had no tolerance for tardiness and was a very punctual person, despite Judy's attempt to convert her into a procrastinator. Zelma would respond with, "Hey Jude! Hurry up! You've only got four minutes." She enjoyed a hot cup of coffee and a good conversation. Zelma could strike up a chat with anyone and did not know a stranger. For her, photographs equaled a captured memory, and she has created an abundance of photo albums filled with pictures of family and her travels. Zelma scrapbooked every newspaper article that included someone she knew and every invitation, announcement, obituary, thank you note, letter, and picture she ever received. Zelma was an advocate for women's rights and equality, and was a proud registered voter. She had a "dust yourself off and get back up" mentality. She had a signature dance move: The Zelma Twist. If you ever have ridden in a car with her, you have heard her say to the other vehicle, "Watch it boobalinker!" And if she scolded you, she would say, "Sit down on your rimplerumpskin!" She liked Wheel of Fortune, but loved Jeopardy; and if the category was "The Bible," she slayed it. A good card game with her husband, daughter, siblings and in-laws, particularly Pitch, was a favorite pastime. She was an avid sports fan, and especially loved hollering for her Arkansas Razorbacks. There was never a doubt if a game was on because she could be heard a mile away yelling "Woo Pig Sooie!" Many friends and family have preceded her in death, and she always knew she would see them again someday. Zelma leaves behind countless loved ones; she is survived by her daughter, Judy; grandchildren Tiffany and husband Joseph Bay, Michelle Vance, Amanda Statler; great grandchildren Chandler Vance, Carrigon Vance, Presli Bay; sister-in-law and best friend, Theresa Eubanks; numerous nieces and nephews, family, and friends. Visitation and services were held Friday, December 11, 2015 at 12 p.m. at Wortham Oak Hill Chapel in Hardy, Ark. Graveside services were held Saturday, December 12, 2015 at Bluff Cemetery in Springdale, Ark. with Brother Terry Latham officiating. In Zelma's final years, her daughter "Jude" cared for her with undying love and loyalty. And while Zelma may have been aggravated at times with her daughter for not being as punctual as she would have preferred, she was forever grateful for having a daughter who put her life on hold to take such good care of her mommy. Zelma's family would like to express their sincerest thanks to the numerous friends, family, neighbors, and health care staff (including Amy, Alex, and especially her "Little Jessie") who provided her with unconditional love, support, encouragement, and care. Words cannot begin to express our gratitude for your kindness. Zelma lived a full and meaningful life. She loved deeply, was deeply loved, and will be greatly missed by many. There will only ever be one Zelma, one mom, one grandma, one Granny Gooseneck. She left this world as she lived it: With Grace and Dignity.