Ruth Reed Whitaker

Ruth Reed Whitaker, age 77, passed away Monday November 10, 2014 in Fayetteville. She was born December 13, 1936 in Blytheville, Arkansas the daughter of Judge Lawrence Neill and Ruth Weidemyer Reed. She was preceded in death by both of her parents; her husband; one son Mark Reed Whitaker; two brothers Lt. Col. Phillip Reed and Ancil Reed; and one sister Phyllis Reed. She was a graduate of Heber Springs High School and Hendrix College. She was married to Dr. Thomas J. Whitaker Jr. and lived in Fort Smith, Arkansas for many years. After relocating to Cedarville, Arkansas, she was elected to the Arkansas State Senate in 2000. Ruth served as a State Senator until 2012 and was the ranking senator at the end of her term in office. She is survived by a daughter Alicia Whitaker Viers and husband Ron of Cedarville, Arkansas; a son Dr. Bryan Whitaker and wife Carol of Fayetteville, Arkansas; a brother George Reed of Little Rock, Arkansas; three granddaughters, Emily Zantow and husband Aric of St. Louis, Madeline Whitaker of Tuscaloosa, Alabama, and Amelia Whitaker of Fayetteville, Arkansas and several nieces and nephews. Memorial Service will be 11 a.m. Monday November 17, 2014 at First Presbyterian Church, 116 North 12th Street, Fort Smith, Arkansas. Private burial will be at Rose Lawn-Holy Cross Cemetery under the direction of Nelson-Berna Funeral Home. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made in Senator Whitaker's memory to the Humane Society of the Ozarks, 1020 S. One Mile Road, Fayetteville, Arkansas 72704 or the Arkansas Alzheimer's Association, 210 N Walton Blvd., Suite 25, Bentonville, Arkansas 72712. To sign the online guestbook visit www.nelsonberna.com.