Anita Gay, 86, of Batesville passed away Tuesday, May 9, 2023.
She was born on April 15, 1937, in Wolf Bayou and was the daughter of Velma (Landrum) and Charles Johnson, one of eleven children and the last remaining sibling.
She married O.L. Gay on June 22, 1954, in Floral and together they saw the world since he was in the Armed Forces. Living in Bermuda was one of her most memorable times. Her happiest time was when she gave birth to their only son, Russell Dean.
She was a long-time member of Calvary Baptist Church, where she taught Sunday School for over 30 years. She retired from the Clinic Drug Store after 29 years.
She was an excellent cook but was best known by everyone for her awesome cakes, especially wedding cakes. She could sew, quilt, knit and crochet anything. If you were lucky enough, her famous white kitchen dish clothes were her specialty and given as gifts.
She is survived by many, many nieces and nephews as well as grand and great-grand ones.
Anita was preceded in death by her parents, her husband, O.L. and her son, Rusty, and brothers, Harold, Loyd, Gerald, Jack, Raymond, Stanley and Luther and sisters, Allene, Marilyn and Marlene.
Visitation will be Sunday, May 14, 2023, from 5:00-7:00 at Roller-Crouch Funeral Home, Batesville. Graveside services will be Monday, May 15, 2023, 2:00 pm at Cedar Grove Cemetery, Floral, officiated by Bro. Larry Sellers.
The family would like to thank the staff at White River Medical Center and Woodlawn Nursing Facility for all the care they provided the last several years.
The Johnson family wants to express our heartfelt gratitude to Ronnie, Wesley and Wayne Gay for filling the role of ”sons” to our special aunt. Thank you.
Memorials may be made in her honor to Cedar Grove Cemetery, 1220 Wagon Wheel Rd, Floral, AR, 72534.
