Lota Ellen Helm Muncy passed away on Monday, March 22, 2021, in Fayetteville, Ark. at the age of 91.
Lota was born near Melbourne on Dec. 19, 1929, to Orgil and Ella Blevens Helm. She attended Melbourne Schools and graduated in 1947. After graduation, she worked as a secretary for the Agricultural Extension Service in Melbourne.
On May 25, 1950, she married Henry R. Muncy, Jr. of Melbourne. They moved to Fayetteville, where she attended the University of Arkansas. Lota lived all of her life in Arkansas. In 1979, Lota moved back to Fayetteville and worked for the Department of Human Services in Washington County and retired in April1995.
Lota loved to read her Bible and sing hymns. She was a member of the Church of Christ for all her adult life. One of the things she was most proud of was being a Mother. In her younger days, she was a talented seamstress and excellent cook.
Lota was preceded in death by her husband and her parents. She was also preceded in death by three brothers, Odean Helm, Jim Helm and Charles Helm all of Broken Arrow, Okla., and a sister, Jaunice Yancey of Searcy, Ark.
Lota is survived by three children, Connie Townsley (Jerry) of Batesville; Loye Muncy (Linda) of Charlotte, Ark.; and Rheta Howard (Jim) of Fayetteville, Ark. She is also survived by four grandchildren and three great-grandchildren.
A graveside service will be held on Saturday, March 27, 2021, at 2 p.m. at the Roselawn Memorial Gardens in Batesville with arrangements by Qualls Batesville Funeral Service of Batesville.
COVID-19 guidelines will be observed.
To honor Lota’s generous heart, the family asks that donations be made to Children’s Home of Arkansas, 5515 Walcott Road, Paragould, AR 72450 or the charity of your choice.
