Mildred Eleanor Schneider Becker, 95, beloved mother, passed away Monday, August 17, in Fort Smith. Born on March 1, 1920, she was originally from Prairie View, Arkansas, but resided most of her life in Fort Smith. Mildred spent the last few years in Barling at Mercy Crest. For over two decades she proudly worked in the shoe department at Hunt's Department Store on Grand Avenue. After retiring, Mildred and her husband Herbert became the gatekeepers at Lake Wister State Park in Oklahoma, where they spent several months every year fishing for crappie and enjoying lake life. Mildred was interested in politics and, along with her sisters, manned the voting booth at Fianna Hills Baptist Church for years. She loved visiting with family and friends, writing in her diary, and monitoring the weather. In her latter years she became a formidable bingo player. A devout Catholic, Mildred was a practicing member of St. Boniface Church for over 50 years.
She was preceded in death by her husband Herbert Becker, her father and mother Ernest and Katie Schneider, her sister Louise Ervin, and her brothers C.W. Schneider and Gilbert Schneider.
She is survived by a host of family members who loved her dearly, including daughters Pat Schaap and her husband Johnny, Donna Stephens, Charlotte Brown and her husband Johnny, and Karen Adams. Mildred also leaves behind sisters Olivia Neuman and Betty Sprick and her husband Frank, brother-in-law Bobby Becker and his wife Vi, and sisters-in-law Pat Becker and Carolyn Schneider.
Her surviving grandchildren, who affectionately called her "Mimi," include Greg Duvall, Lori Newell and husband Allan, Michele Walker and husband Bryant, Douglas Stephens and wife Stacey, Kristi Pugh and husband Mark, Johnny Brown and wife Tina, Jason Becker, Justin Adams, and Anna Nelson and husband James. She leaves behind sixteen great-grandchildren: Ashley Thompson, Alyssia Barton, Dyllan Newell, Brett Sparkman, Grace Walker, Faith Mildred Walker, Matthew Stephens, Natalie Stephens, Amber Pugh, Cody Pugh, Makaia Brown, Trevor Brown, Brittany Becker, Jacob Becker, Brinnley Adams, and Jax Nelson. Her legacy also includes two great-great-grandsons, Stetson Taylor and Will Thompson. Numerous nieces and nephews also survive her.
Pallbearers will be Greg Duvall, Douglas Stephens, Johnny Brown, Justin Adams, Allan Newell, and Bryant Walker.
The celebration of Mildred's long and happy life will begin this Friday with visitation at Fentress Mortuary from 5:00 to 7:00 p.m. and rosary service immediately afterwards. Funeral services are planned for 10:00 a.m Saturday at Saint Boniface Catholic Church with graveside services at Holy Cross Cemetery to follow.
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