Julia "Marian" Tootsie Schmidt

JULIA MARIAN (TOOTSIE) SCHMIDT, 92, formerly of Magnolia, died on January 18, 2021, in Little Rock after a long illness. She was born on October 12, 1928, to Homer Floyd and Julia Powledge Greer in Magnolia, where she resided her entire life until relocating to Woodland Heights in Little Rock in 2014 to be near her children. Tootsie was a 1946 graduate of Magnolia High School and attended Magnolia A and M College, now Southern Arkansas University. She was a talented musician and accomplished pianist, having studied piano all her growing-up years and during college, and she could play beautifully by ear as well as by reading music. She was in great demand as an accompanist for receptions, parties and style shows, as well as in Sunday School. She and her dear friend, the late Glo Atkinson, served as pianists for the Magnolia Junior Charity League Follies for many years. And she and her nephew and gifted pianist, Mike Epley, spent many hours entertaining family and friends with their playing, either on one piano or two. In her last years she often entertained on the piano for her new friends at Woodland Heights. Tootsie's early employment was as secretary for Magnolia oilman Dick Lawton, and the dexterity of her fingers made her an excellent typist as well as a wonderful pianist. She was known for the speed and accuracy of her typing. Later she became a court reporter for Judge Harry Crumpler and Judge Jack Graves, judges of the Thirteenth Judicial District. In that capacity she travelled through six counties in South Arkansas and was highly regarded by all the court and law enforcement personnel with whom she came in contact. Tootsie was known for her beauty, charm, wit, and sense of humor, and especially for her positive, upbeat personality. She spread joy wherever she went and was a delight to all her family and friends. She was a self-professed "choc-a-holic" and frequently made world-renowned fudge. Tootsie was a lifelong member of First United Methodist Church in Magnolia, where she was active in the Leland Clegg Sunday School Class. She was also a member of the PEO sisterhood, chapter AN, as well as the Magnolia Junior Charity League. In 1949 Tootsie married W.C. (Pete) Schmidt, who predeceased her in 2012, and they had two children, who survive: a daughter, Nancy Culbertson and husband Charlie of Little Rock, and a son, Phil Schmidt and wife Paula, also of Little Rock. She is also survived by five grandchildren whom she dearly loved: Dr. Bennett Schmidt of New Orleans; Philip Schmidt and wife Mary Catherine of Fayetteville; Thomas Schmidt and wife Anna of Little Rock; and Greer Culbertson and Brooke Culbertson, both of Austin, Texas; and one great-grandchild, her namesake, Marian Schmidt. She was so proud of each of them. Tootsie was part of a close-knit family. She is also survived by a much-loved brother and sister, Homer F. (Sonny) Greer Jr. of Magnolia, and Lois Gene Russell, of Conway, as well as cherished nieces and nephews, and great-nieces and great-nephews. Tootsie was preceded in death by her parents and two sisters, Margaret Reagan and Mildred Ruff. Interment will be in Magnolia City Cemetery with arrangements to be announced at a later date. The family requests memorials to be sent to First United Methodist Church in Magnolia, or to ALS Association of Arkansas, Suite 2406-08, Rogers, Ark., 72756 or online at als-arkansas.org. The family extends heartfelt thanks to the staff at Hospice Home Care, led by Dr. Jennifer Casey, for their outstanding, dedicated, and compassionate care of Tootsie during her illness, and especially to Beverly White, Stacy Wiley, and Richema Genus for their "above and beyond" care. Also many thanks to Elle Hogan and Art and Zina Horne for their care and kindness to Tootsie at Woodland Heights, as well as to Verna and Lynda Frierson, for providing loving companionship and support to Tootsie, in Magnolia and in Little Rock. Arrangements are under the direction of Ruebel Funeral Home, sign an online guestbook at www.RuebelFuneralHome.com.