Glenda Nell Smith Arledge

Glenda Nell Smith Arledge, 84, of Little Rock, met Jesus on October 23, 2019 surrounded by family at her home at 10:05 p.m. Born April 9, 1935 to Berniece Adeline and Joe T. Smith in Star City, Arkansas, Glenda was the oldest of three. As a young girl she enjoyed helping her parents in the garden and spending time with her cousins and friends. Glenda was a cheerleader, played on the basketball team, was a Football Maid and one of the Homecoming Queens of Gould High where she graduated in 1953. While in high school, she was a member of the 4-H Club, FHA, G-Club and the Library Club. She acted in the Senior Play and was also the editor of the yearbook and school newspaper. She went on to work in sales at Baumans Men's Store in Little Rock where she met her husband of over sixty years, E.R. Arledge. They settled down in Little Rock and created a beautiful life for their daughter, Petitia (Titia). Glenda was a lifetime volunteer at CHI St. Vincent, an instructor at the Reynolds Center Senior Net, retail sales chairman, and a member of the Ladies' Auxiliary with Juanita Arnold. Within the community, she could often be found lending a hand. She was an esteemed member of the Pulaski County Master Gardeners and the Pulaski County Herb Society, creating beautiful flowerbeds around the state. She was most proud of her work in the herb garden at the Governor's Mansion. To many who loved her most, she was Nana, and spending time with her grandchildren was a source of great joy for her. She is survived by her husband of 63 years, E.R. Arledge II of Little Rock, Arkansas, her daughter, Petitia Rhea Arledge Califano and husband, Allan Califano of Salado, Texas; her brother, Michael Lynn Smith of Roland; grandchildren, Joshua Dunn, Emily Dunn, Anna Reynolds, Amie Castillo, Jocelyn Dunn, Todd Dunn, Joseph Califano, Kris Califano and Katie Carter; great-grandchildren, Alixandria Horsley, Alyssa Wilson, Hailey Wilson, Dustin Wilson, Isabella Dunn, Chanse Dunn, Cain Dunn, Arya Califano, Everly Califano, Addi Califano, Gracie Califano, Kelli Califano, Brady and Blake Carter; cousins, Nedra Marsh, Julie Bradley and Jeff Allen, Ernest "Sonny" and wife, Carolyn Dodds; as well as many nieces and nephews and other family and friends. She was preceded in death by her parents, Berniece Smith and Joe T. Smith, brother, Joe Smith, and children, Glenn and Michelle Arledge. All her life, Glenda declared Jesus her Savior. Her steadfast love for the Lord brought her through the hardest of battles with Non-Hodgkin's Lymphoma and Dementia. Today she is healed and whole, praising alongside the angels in Heaven with her King. The legacy of a warrior, the heart of a volunteer, and the unconditional love of a Nana. Visitation will take place from 6-8 p.m. Friday, November 1, at Little Rock Funeral Home, 8801 Knoedl Ct. (NW corner I-630 and Barrow Rd.). Services will be November 2 at 11 a.m. at the funeral home, followed by graveside services at Forest Hills Cemetery. In lieu of flowers, please honor Glenda by donating towards the tuition of her great-granddaughter, Alixandria Horsley at Central Texas Christian School, 4141 W. Hwy 93, Temple, Texas 76502. Arrangements by Little Rock Funeral Home, (501) 224-2200. Glenda's online guestbook may be signed at www.littlerockfuneralhome.com.