Rita Emma Jane Hefley Paschal

RITA EMMA JANE HEFLEY PASCHAL, age 82, died peacefully Sept. 15 in Little Rock, Ark. She was born Feb. 27, 1935, to the late Lowell J. and Ruby Criner Hefley, in Mt. Judea, Ark., although her parents were living in Memphis at the time. Rita was preceded in death by her husband of 56 years, Vail Meek Paschal. Rita is survived by her daughters, Rita Paschal Wooley (Brad) and Ronda Paschal Dorchester (Charlie); her grandchildren, Elizabeth Dearing, Bradley Wooley (Lindsey), Ruby Dorchester, Leland Dorchester and Vail Dorchester; and one great-grandchild, Jack Wilson Wooley. She is also survived by her brother, Bill F. Hefley, Little Rock, and his family; and a close cousin, Jonijane Paxton, Little Rock. Fiercely independent, Rita was an elegant and stylish woman who lived a life filled with family, friends, and a wide variety of interests and activities. She graduated from Little Rock High School, where she played flute and piccolo in the marching and concert bands and was a member of the National Honor Society. She then graduated from Little Rock Junior College (now UALR) with an Associate's Degree in Home Economics. At LRJC, she was active in the theater and was a member of Delta Zeta Phi sorority. Rita was a talented gardener—flowers in particular—and belonged to several garden clubs. She was an excellent and competitive bridge player. Indeed, some of her closest and longest friendships started at the bridge table; she and her POTTS bridge club friends played, traveled and enjoyed each other for more than 61 years. During her daughters' school years, Rita was valued as a volunteer for Little Rock's public schools, serving as PTA president and a Girl Scout leader. Both in Little Rock and Springdale, where she and Vail lived for 17 years, Rita was active in P.E.O. and supported the educational philanthropies of that organization. She was employed for a number of years at the regional headquarters of World Book International in Little Rock, where she managed the office and was known as "the boss." Rita was a veteran, enthusiastic traveler, and she and Vail took many cruises together all over the world, often with friends. Rita was deeply spiritual. She and Vail were members of 2nd Presbyterian Church in Little Rock and 1st Presbyterian Church in Springdale. Rita played in the handbell choirs of both churches, and was also an ordained Elder, a Stephen leader and a Circle Leader. The family would like to thank special caregiver, Nancy Grinder, Brookdale at Chenal Heights Memory Care staff, and Hospice Home Care. Funeral services, officiated by Pastor Steve Hancock, will be held at 11 a.m., Friday, Sept. 29, at 2nd Presbyterian Church, Little Rock; a reception will follow at the church. In lieu of flowers, the family requests that memorials be made to 2nd Presbyterian Church, Alzheimer's Arkansas, the Alzheimer's Association or the Buffalo River Watershed Alliance. Arrangements are by Ruebel Funeral Home; the online guestbook can be signed at www.ruebelfuneralhome.com.