Patricia Nell Kent's Obituary
Patricia Nell Kent, age 80, of Fayetteville, Arkansas, Ozark Society member, environmentalist and Buffalo River Warrior Patti Kent passed away suddenly on Wednesday, November 12, 2025. For more than 20 years, many of us have had the pleasure of spending time with Patti laughing, hiking trails, and paddling the Buffalo. She was born to Derr Reynolds and Beaulah Shelton on August 12, 1945, Patricia dedicated her life to helping others as an occupational therapist. She was deeply passionate about nature, loved hiking and kayaking, and was a proud Buffalo River naturalist. Patti, an avid hiker and kayaker on the Buffalo River had a special place in her heart for Buffalo River country and the Buffalo National River; her grandparents ran the Parthenon general store when she was a child.
When Patti heard about the 6,500-hog confined animal feeding operation (CAFO) planned for Buffalo's watershed, she was among the first to act to protect the river. She teamed up with local Newton County women like Pam Fowler to warn the community about the risks of industrialized swine facilities.
In 2014, she helped establish Ozark River Stewards, an organization made up of people from various backgrounds who were motivated to protect the Buffalo River from hog factory farms.
Patti helped organize multiple events to highlight threats to the Buffalo River. These included statewide letter writing parties, protest flotillas on the river, educational events, and musical fundraisers. For five years Patti and several other women tabled at the Fayetteville Farmers Market every week. Patti’s ability to talk to just about anyone garnered many supporters.
Her hard work paid off: the hog farm closed in 2019, and by 2025, a permanent ban on hog CAFOs in the watershed had been put in place.
Patti was a true daughter of the Ozarks and a daughter true to the river.
Patricia is survived by her son, Zack Kent, and his wife, Darci, of Fayetteville; her brother, Larry Reynolds, and his wife, Claudia, of Little Rock; her niece, Michelle Salmon; great-niece, Maury Maxwell; and granddaughter, Carson Kent. She will be remembered for her adventurous spirit, her kindness, and her unwavering love for family and nature.
Visitation will be 1:00 pm – 2:00 Friday December 5, 2025 at Moore’s Chapel. Memorial service will be held 2:00 pm at Moore’s Funeral Chapel following the visitation. The burial of ashes will be at Union Hill Cemetery at a later date.
Memorial contributions may be made to Buffalo River Watershed Alliance, https://buffaloriveralliance.org/Donate-to-the-BRWA
The Ozark Society, http://ozarksociety.net
To place an online tribute, please visit www.bernafuneralhomes.com
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