Wilma Alline Samuel's Obituary
Wilma Alline Samuel of Butterfield Trail Village in Fayetteville, AR went to be with her Lord on March 25, 2023. Wilma was born to Joe and Ethel Sharp Webb on November 9, 1920 in Springdale, Arkansas. She and her husband Clifford Samuel were constant loving partners for over 57 years.
Wilma graduated from Springdale High School in 1938 and completed Fayetteville Business College in 1940. She began her professional career in banking with what was then First State Bank and steadily rose in the ranks to become the first female vice president of that bank. Wilma was active in national and state banking associations, local philanthropic organizations, volunteer organizations, and especially active in her church. Wilma enjoyed people, needlework, reading, collecting cut glass, dinner parties, and travelling all over the world with her husband and friends. She was a gregarious extrovert who never met a stranger. When Wilma made a friend, it was for life. She was ever ready to share her time, energy and compassion. She will be fondly remembered for her generous spirit, kind heart and positive attitude. Wilma was one of the oldest continuous members of Cross Church where she warmly welcomed guests at the entrance door for several decades.
Wilma was preceded in death by her parents, grandmother, husband, and sister. Wilma is survived by nieces, Rita Marlene Samuel and husband Cary Haramoto of Fayetteville, Arkansas; Lea Ann Kirby and husband Jim Kirby of Denton, Texas; and nephew Richard (Dick) Harris of Fayetteville, Arkansas; great nephew Scott Samuel Jeffus and wife Shaunna of Bentonville, Arkansas; great niece Laura Elizabeth Zeitz and husband Pete of Colorado Springs, Colorado; and great nephew Kirk Miller and wife Rachel of Iowa. Great-great nieces and nephews include: Alexa Jeffus, Samuel Jeffus, Ellie Zeitz, Violet Miller, and McCoy Miller, Iowa.
Friends and acquaintances whose lives she touched are invited to celebrate Wilma’s life at 10:00 a.m. prior to the 11:00 a.m. service in the chapel at Cross Church, Johnson Road, Springdale, AR on Friday, March 31,2023. Private burial will be at Bluff Cemetery in Springdale, Arkansas Saturday. Memorial donations may be made to the Shiloh Museum in Springdale, Arkansas or any charity of your choice in her name. Honorary pall bearers include: Dick Harris, Cary Haramoto, Jim Kirby, Scott Jeffus, Sam Jeffus Pete Zeitz, Kirk Miller.
The family wishes to express deep gratitude to the Butterfield Trail Village Health Care team for the love, devotion, and care given to Wilma. Also thanks to special friends Marilyn and Derl Horn.
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