Paulette Reap, 79, of Smackover, Arkansas, entered the arms of her Lord and Savior on Monday, October 16, 2023, at Hudson Memorial Nursing Home in El Dorado, Arkansas. Paulette was a member of Calvary Baptist Church in Smackover, Arkansas. Paulette was born in Magnolia, Arkansas, on July 12, 1944. Her parents were Fred and Fern Collins.
Paulette began her formal education in the Buckner Public Schools. Her family moved to Smackover, and she attended Smackover Public Schools and was a 1962 graduate of Smackover High School in Smackover.
In May 1973, Paulette began a 25-year career at Smackover State Bank in Smackover, Arkansas, where her first position was manager of the bookkeeping department. She quickly advanced to the position of Cashier and received another prestigious promotion, Vice President, before retiring on December 31, 1998, as Cashier and Vice President at Smackover State Bank.
Paulette was predeceased by her parents, her former husband and father of her daughter, Jerry Carver; her sister, LaDonna Collins; her great aunt, Iris Simpson; and her puppy Savanah #1.
Paulette is survived by her husband of 24 years, Mike Reap of Smackover; her only child, Sonya Carver Blann (Ricky) of Smackover; two grandsons, Blake Blann and Matthew Blann of Maine, and one great-granddaughter, Trinity Blann of Texarkana. She also leaves behind three special friends, Patsy Boone and Max Taylor, both of Smackover and Bob Willett of El Dorado, and her much-loved puppy, Savannah #2.
In addition, four stepsons survive her: Jeff Reap (Sondra) of Olathe, Kansas; Greg Reap (Monica) of Conway, Arkansas; Chris Reap (Tammy) of Parkers Chapel, Arkansas; and Brian Reap of Smackover. Three step-grandsons and four step granddaughters also survive Paulette, Drew Reap (Grace) of Kansas City, Missouri; Mitch Reap of Conway, Lindsey Ashcraft (Brent) of Little Rock, Arkansas; Cody Shipman
of Little Rock; Millicent Reap, Anna Kate Reap, and Zoey Reap, all of Parkers Chapel. Also among her survivors are two step great grandsons, Riggs and Rowan Ashcraft, both of Little Rock.
The family would like to acknowledge two exceptional physicians whose kind demeanor, love, and respect were consistently shown to Paulette: Dr. George W. Warren and Dr. Richard K. Davis (both deceased). Many healthcare workers have taken excellent care of Paulette and reassured us, supported us, and helped us through this challenging time with calmness, gentleness, and strength when needed. We are incredibly grateful to have had the support of Arkansas Hospice, Hudson Memorial Nursing Home, and other healthcare workers who went over and above for Paulette. They are Lisha Breggs, Jennifer Cantrell, Holland Carroll, Robert Ford, Penny Galbraith, Sheena Kimble, and Krista Ann Little. Also included are Paul Manning, Shanekwa Murphy, Juanita Norful, Sarah Lee Rhodes, Logan Shipp, Erica Spall, and Marqurica Talley.
Special friends who have blessed us and made this journey less painful are Patsy Boone, Paula Calvert, Tamra Coleman, Vicki and Gary de Yampert, Howard and Rita Halligan, and Lacy Humphreys. Also, Sheri Neely, Tiffany Neely, Rev. Ken Overton, and Bob Willett, of whom we also extend a very special thank you.
With Rev. Ken Overton officiating, a memorial service celebrating the life of Paulette Reap will be held at 11:00 a.m. on Friday, October 20, 2023, at First Baptist Church in Smackover, Arkansas. A burial service will immediately follow at Smackover Cemetery in Smackover, Arkansas.The family will receive visitors at First Baptist Church from 10:00 to 11:00 a.m. before the memorial celebration.
Paulette had a great love for animals, a special place in her heart for the armed services and was very appreciative of her medical care. For those reasons, the family requests that memorials be made to any of the three organizations listed below: Arkansas Hospice, 2301 Champagnolle Road, El Dorado,
Arkansas 71730, (870) 862-0337; Union County Animal Protection Society (UCAPS), P. O. Box 204
1000 Sunset Road, El Dorado, Arkansas 71730, (870) 866-3223; Wounded Warrior Project, P. O. Box 758516, Topeka, Kansas 66675,(855) 448-3997.
Condolences can be expressed online at
www.youngsfuneralhome.com for the Reap family.
