Rita Jean Grable

Mrs. Rita Grable, age 78, was Promoted to Glory on Monday March 7, 2011. Born in Little Rock on January 24 1933, she was preceded in death by her parents Clifford and Mae Paris, her sister Wanda Olsen, as well as her loving husband Bob Grable. She is survived by her two daughters, Lesley and Al Taylor of Conway, Robin and Zak Zakrzewski of Little Rock. She has five grandchildren and tj=hree great-grandchildren. She was devoted to family, raising her girls and not working outside the home until they were grown and gone. She was an accomplished seamstress, creating and crafting beautiful clothing for herself and her girls. She loved cooking and baking, tempting the tastebuds of many a family and church member with her numerous potluck entrees. She was a faithful member of Markham St. Baptist Church since 1964. She loved to sing in the choir, and hundreds of people throughout the years have been brought to worship through her powerful rendition of "Sweet Little Jesus Boy". Her love for people was evident in the fact that she loved to entertain people in a variety of different venues--food, song, and joke-telling, the latter continuing up through the last months of her death. She lived the last 4 years of her life at Elmcroft Assisted Living in Maumelle. She grew to be a cherished and much-loved resident over the years there, regaling residents and staff alike with her jokes. She had a very special friend there, Mr. Nuckolls. Mr. Nuckolls was blind as well as having other health issues. Just prior to every meal, she would lean over and sing gently into his ear. I witnessed this myself--his countenance would immediately change, totally relaxed and at peace. She felt that this was God's purpose for her life while residing there, to live out her faith in Jesus, being a true witness of His love, mercy and grace. Visitation will be Wednesday March 9 from 6-8 p.m. at Griffin-Leggett Healey & Roth Funeral Home in Little Rock. Funeral will be Thursday March 10 at 1 p.m. at Markham Street Baptist Church in Little Rock. Burial will follow at Pinecrest Cemetery. Her faith in Jesus never waivered, with some of her last words reflecting that she wanted to go Home to be with Jesus. She was a faithful member of His Army, and this Promotion to Glory is a blessing as well as a testament to her faith. Mama--you are with Jesus now, we will join you tomorrow...