Dorothy Jean Darr Martinous

Dorothy Jean Darr Martinous was born October 10, 1915 in Springfield, Mo. to Jean Paul and Fahy Fuzzell Darr. Her father and mother died when she was five years old. She and her sister grew up in the home of a great aunt. Dorothy lived a few blocks from a college, and its campus was Greenwood, a private school that she and her sister attended. The coach of the college was a neighbor, and taught tennis. So at the age of 16, Dorothy played tennis, and continued to play in later years. She took Latin, French, and Spanish in her high school years, and was at the top of her class. She inherited her love for much from her father; took piano lessons, and loved to play popular music. She continued to play the piano for the rest of her life. After graduation from school, Dorothy entered the world of employment. She held many good jobs, but at the age of 19, she was in a bad car wreck, that took the life of her girlfriend and her date. Dorothy suffered a broken back, and was in the hospital for two months. She had to learn to walk again, and her recovery was slow. In 1939 Dorothy married Carl J. Martinous, the oldest brother of four that operated an Oriental Rug Company in Springfield, Mo. World War II had started and Carl decided to open a rug company in Fort Smith, Ark. Dorothy worked with her husband in the business, and during this time they became parents of two sons, and one daughter. During World War II, the Army put out bids for cleaning mattresses for what was then Camp Chaffee, and her husband formed a company to clean 25000 mattresses and was awarded the contract. This was the beginning of a many military contracts and Dorothy kept the books on all of them. In 1945, her husband built a new building and opened a rug company in Little Rock, Ark. He also built three duplexes and Dorothy handled the rentals in Fort Smith. Dorothy and her husband were members of St. Boniface Catholic Church. Dorothy was Secretary of the Home School Society, and in 1956 was a Delegate to the National Catholic Women's Convention in Texas. She was active in political drives. She was always a "block captain" for charities such as Cancer, Heart, March of Dimes, Etc. Dorothy and her husband were "Mother & Father" for a high school fraternity known as Kappa Alpha Phi. They sponsored the boys for years. In 1957 her husband became ill, and Dorothy had to take over the management of the two rug companies and the rental properties. Her husband died in 1958. Dorothy continued to operate both rug companies and the rental properties, and the raising of her three small children. She was a fierce "tiger" when it came to caring for and protecting her children. She raised them alone, and educated them. In 1965 Dorothy and her son David met with Danny Thomas and promised to raise money for St. Jude Children's Research Hospital that he was starting. For over 25 years Dorothy directed Bike-A-thons, Cut-a-thons, and local Telethons on Channel 5. In 1966 she was appointed to the Arkansas State Democratic Committee for a two-year term. She was offered the opportunity to serve as an alternate delegate to the National Democratic Convention in 1968, but she declined. For several years Dorothy operated both rug companies and when her son David was ready, he took over the rug company in Little Rock and finished his college in Little Rock. Dorothy then closed the Fort Smith Plant and sold the building to her great nephew. After a short retirement, and when she saw that J.C. Penney was opening a new store in the Central Mall, she decided to accept an offer to manage their new Bridal Salon. For over five years she also handled Wedding Receptions. Dorothy was one of the hostesses at a Reception given for the Vice-President, Hubert Humphrey, who gave the Commencement Speech at the University of Arkansas. In 1982 she had her heart broken again when her beloved son, Carl Jene died. He had lived his whole life (40 years) with a heart that couldn't be fixed. In 1985 Dorothy suffered a heart attack. Three months later her only sister, Leah died in Springfield, Mo. She had her sister's body brought to Ft. Smith for services and burial after Dorothy recovered from her attack on July 1st. Danny Thomas made a trip to Fort Smith to celebrate a dinner at Fianna Hills Country Club to honor Dorothy and the ALSAC volunteers who helped raise money for St. Jude Hospital. Dorothy still played a little tennis and stepped on the court for the last time when she and a guest took some visitors from Cisterna, Italy to play at the Fort Smith Racquet Club. In 2005 Dorothy and her daughter sold their homes and moved into a home together. Dorothy gave up a home she had lived in for over 63 years. But she looked forward to living with her daughter. She and her daughter joined the Razorback Corvette Club, and Dorothy enjoyed the activities of the club. Dorothy remained active as she grew older. Read books, played the piano and made scarfs for the entire family. She enjoyed making hand-made cards for her family and friends. When she was reminded by a friend of everything that she had done, she said to her, "did I do all that?" Dorothy was a charter member of the "Friends of the Carousel", a former member of the local chapter of the International Altrusa Club, a former member of the Professional Business & Women's Club of Fort Smith, former member of the G.C. Hardin Society, a member of the Arkansas Democratic Club, former director of fundraising in Fort Smith for St. Jude Children's Hospital, former member of the Beauty Counselor Club of Fort Smith, and Member of the Razorback Corvette Club of Fort Smith. In 1978's Dorothy went to Dallas, Texas and represented the Beauty Counselor Club in a "Charleston" Dance contest and won a prize. She also danced on local television with the local Arthur Murray dance instructor to announce the opening of the new studio. Dorothy is survived by her daughter; Jacquelyne Martinous Parker of Fort Smith, her son David and his wife Cynthia Martinous of Little Rock, her daughter-in-law Sandra Martinous of Fort Smith, five grandchildren; Randolph Kemal Parker of Little Rock, David Shamel Martinous of Little Rock, Carl Martinous, III of Little Rock, Sabrina Martinous Slate of Barling, and Elizabeth Clare Martinous of Little Rock; and five great-grandchildren; Alexis Isabella Martinous, Grace Leila Riordan, Christian Slate, Isisah Phillips and Ezra Phillips. Rosary will be said at 6 p.m. Sunday, August 24, 2014 at Fentress Mortuary Chapel. Funeral Mass will be celebrated 10 a.m. Monday, August 25, 2014 at St. Boniface Catholic Church with burial to follow at Holy Cross Cemetery. Arrangements are under the direction of Fentress Mortuary. Pallbearers will be Randolph Kemal Parker, David Shemel Martinous, Brandon Croom, Vircy Williams, John Lumpkin, Carl John Martinous, and Mike Elliott. Honorary pallbearers will be members of the Razorback Corvette Club. Memorials may be sent to St. Jude's Children's Hospital 539 Lane Avenue Memphis, Tenn. 38105. To sign the online guest book please visit www.fentressmortuary.com.