Eleanor Jane Holt Smitherman

Eleanor Jane Holt Smitherman, 88, of Springdale passed away May 9, 2016 at her home. She was born October 22, 1927 in Bismarck, North Dakota to James Dewey Beals and Gladys Richards Beals. Eleanor was a multi-talented woman. She earned a Master's Degree in Special Education. Eleanor was a well-respected Special Education teacher in Mitchell, South Dakota and Springdale, Arkansas. She loved her students and went above and beyond her regular work commitments to advocate for them. She was also very musical. Eleanor and her first husband, Carroll “Chuck” Holt, were known for their folk singing get-togethers, with Chuck playing guitar, Eleanor playing the piano and both of them harmonizing. She sang with a women’s a cappella group, Sweet Adelines, for many years. In her earlier years, she played the violin and viola for the former Rapid City, South Dakota Orchestra. Eleanor was multi-lingual, learning Spanish in her youth in Texas and continuing to speak it throughout her life. Eleanor was also an expert bridge player and was a member of a senior bridge club in Springdale for many years. As part of this club, Eleanor met her second husband, Bob Smitherman. She was also a master Scrabble player and was known for being able to create multiple seven letter word plays in a single game- a very difficult feat! Eleanor was an amazing dancer and loved to travel. She and her husband, Bob, combined these two loves by traveling around the world on cruise ships, while dancing ballroom with many well-known orchestras and swing bands. Eleanor is preceded in death by two husbands, Carroll Beverly Holt and Bob Smitherman; her daughter, Laurie Keitzer; her grandson, Austin Holt, brother in law, George McDonald, sister in law, Barbara Beals She is survived by her son, Brad Holt and wife Mary, her daughters, Dr. Jennifer Holt and Cheri Holt; two brothers, Duane Beals and wife Melva Pownell and Varner Beals, two sisters, Idel McDonald and Judy Coralyn Harder, five grandchildren, Theresa Holt, Natalie Pettigrew, Bethany Keitzer, Jason Keitzer, and Caleb Keitzer, eight great grandchildren, Brook and Dakota Pettigrew, Ezekiel, Azariah, Lorelei, Malachi, Isabel and Isaac Keitzer; and one son-in-law, Dennis Keitzer. Memorial service will be Tuesday, May 17, 2016 at 3pm at The Gardens at Arkanshire in Springdale. Services are entrusted to Sisco Funeral Chapel of Springdale. You may leave online condolences at www.siscofuneral.com

Eleanor Jane Holt Smitherman

October 22, 1927 - May 9, 2016