COLLEEN CART KNIPPING,
passed away December 31, 2021. Colleen was born September 22, 1926, in Conway, Ark., to the late Lewis Earl “Bud” and Knoweline Simmons Cart. She is preceded in death by her husband, Howard Knipping. Survivors include her sister, Barbara Cart Wucherpfennig of Albuquerque, New Mexico; daughters, Deborah King Rudolph (Jim), Christy McNutt Johnson, and Cathy McNutt Rogers (Dudley); grandchildren, Zoe Brisco of New Orleans, Louisiana, Steve Leon Jones, Jr. of Little Rock; three great-grandchildren, three great-great-grandchildren, and one niece, Elizabeth Dodson of Albuquerque, New Mexico.
Colleen was born with the gift of music and sang before she could walk. As a child, she won several talent contests and while in elementary school, sang for KLRA”s Saturday morning, Brother Booster Club. At age ten, she also announced and sang on her own radio program three times a week for KARK, which she continued for seven years. As a child, she was featured singing in Arkansas’ movie take off of the “Our Gang Comedy” which was distributed statewide. In her preteen years, Colleen began singing with Happy Jack and the Ozark Ramblers on KARK and at statewide functions. Her first big band experience was at age fifteen years with Bugs Thurman’s Band at the Skylark Supper Club. This was followed by engagements with Jimmy Rita’s Band, Jim Hewlitt’s Shipyard Band in Beaumont and Houston, Texas, and with the Ellington Field Air Force Band which entertained across Texas.
During World War II, she sang for troops at Camp Robinson and in 1945, joined Tommy Scott on radio as well as at Hilltop Night Club. From 1954 to 1974, Colleen sang with Bill Fortson’s Band. During this period, she joined Charlie Drake’s band in Tennessee and Texas and recorded several songs, including, “Please Believe in Me”, which reached number one in Memphis. She recorded, “North Little Rock:, the city’s official song, at that time, and “Sing Arkansas Sing” which was mailed to persons requesting information about Arkansas. As local television emerged, she often sang for Arkansas’ first live telecasts. In retirement, she continued to use her gift of song in church and at “The Shepherd Senior Citizen Center” with friends, Becky Brazil and Betty Fowler.
Outside of music, one of Colleen’s first jobs was at Campbell’s Studio where she modeled and quickly learned the operation of cameras, lighting, and film development. When her girls began to leave home, she continued to excel at every job she tried, which led to opening her own shoe store in the Market Place, “Colleen’s Corner”. Whether singing, conducting business, or just meeting someone for the first time, Colleen had a gift for making people feel encouraged and loved. She cherished her time with family and friends, especially the ladies of Amboy Baptist and First Baptist Church of Maumelle. Her love, joy, and generous spirit will be missed by all who knew her.
A private family graveside service will be held at Pinecrest Memorial Park. In lieu of flowers, an act of kindness will honor her memory. To sign the online guest book, please visit: www.rollerfuneralhomes.com/chenal