Ophelia Mae (Lanford) Ison

Ophelia Mae (Lanford) Ison, 91, of Sherwood, Ark., went to be with her heavenly Father on Wednesday, March 18, 2015. She was born in North Little Rock, Ark., on January 2, 1924, to Pearly and Albert Lanford. Ophelia was a founding and charter member of Runyan Baptist Church and worked in Sylvan Hills Elementary School lunch room. She was a loving wife and mother; her life revolved around her family, who was her greatest joy in life. She and her husband Tom were avid gardeners. She also took pride in her many beautiful flower gardens. She was preceded in death by her beloved husband of 69 years, John (Tom) Ison, her parents, Pearlie & Albert Lanford, step-father, John Martin, and sister Phyllis Martin. She is survived by her three children, John Jerry Ison (Lynn), Judy Ison Harlan (Dale), and Randy Ison (Marie), her sister, Juanita Mathis, five grandchildren, ten great-grandchildren, one great-great-grandchild and numerous friends and extended family. Visitation will be held on Sunday from 2 to 4 p.m. at Smith-North Little Rock Funeral Home. Funeral service will be Monday at 11 a.m. at Gravel Ridge Cemetery, officiated by Tim Reed, Pastor of First Baptist Church of Gravel Ridge. Pallbearers will be John Jerry Ison, Randy Ison, Dale Harlan, Kevin Ison, Brian Ison, Gary Harlan, and Martin Burnett. Ophelia lived her life with determination, grace and dignity, and she left this earth exactly the same way. Her light will truly be missed. The family would like to extend their love, appreciation and gratitude to a special caretaker, Ashley Ragland and to Little Rock Baptist Hospice members Brenda Cothren, Gena Shearer, Janie Southerland, Judy "Rita" Bury. Arrangements by Smith-North Little Rock Funeral Home. Online obituary at www.SmithFamilyCares.com.