Maka Ann Parnell

MAKA ANN PARNELL, 73, of Little Rock, Ark., passed away peacefully, surrounded by her family on July 26th, 2018 after a courageous battle with cancer. Maka was born to the late Hubert and Anne Parnell in Warren, Ark., on April 10, 1945. In 1962, she was elected Lt. Gov. of Arkansas Girls' State and in 1963, she was selected Homecoming Queen at Warren High School. After graduating from Warren High School in 1963, she attended the University of Arkansas at Monticello and graduated from the University of Arkansas at Fayetteville, where she was a member of Kappa Kappa Gamma, with a Bachelor of Science degree in Education in 1967. She received a Master's Degree in Social Work from the University of Arkansas at Little Rock, while working multiple jobs and while being a single mother. Maka was a beloved friend, daughter, mother and grandmother. Her passions included traveling, painting, gardening and spending time with her friends and family. She spent more than 40 years working as a social worker, working for EasterSeals Arkansas, Dallas Rehabilitation Institute, Arkansas Advocates for Children and Families, Stepping Stones and most recently for Arkansas Children's Hospital before her retirement in 2012. She devoted her entire career to protecting vulnerable children and supporting families in need of care and assistance. She had a unique ability of helping people solve and cope with problems in their everyday lives. She brought peace and comfort to so many. She was a compassionate advocate for those who often times had no one else to turn to. Maka was a brilliant, independent and strong-willed woman who believed in hard work and loving people and children unconditionally. She was a 27-year breast cancer survivor. She was a member of the Pulaski County Master Gardeners Program and a proud member of Trinity United Methodist Church in Little Rock. She is preceded in death by her parents. Maka is survived by her two sons and their spouses: Amanda and Tyler Denton of Little Rock and Jennifer and Jason Denton of McKinney, Texas. She is also survived by her four grandchildren: Wilson and Jack Denton of Little Rock and Merritt and Sydney Denton of McKinney, Texas. A joyous celebration of Maka's life on Wednesday, Aug. 8th at 11 a.m. at Trinity United Methodist Church, 1101 North Mississippi St., Little Rock, 72207. In lieu of flowers, the family asks that donations be made to the Pulaski County Master Gardners Program, 501-340-6650, 2901 West Roosevelt Road, Little Rock, 72204 or Trinity United Methodist Church of Little Rock, 501-666-2813. Praise be to God for Maka Ann Parnell!! Online guestbook at www.smithfamilycares.com.