FORT SMITH — Iris Hightower,

87, of Fort Smith, passed away Friday, Aug. 28, 2020. Iris, the daughter of Burdette and Lois (Reed) Bell was born on Aug. 28, 1932, in Clarion, Iowa. She grew up on a farm near Woolstock, Iowa, graduating from Woolstock High School.

She attended National College in Kansas City, after which she was assigned as a Methodist Deaconess in Northeastern Arkansas, where she met Bedell Hightower, who she later married. She helped to found and run Interfaith Community Center in Fort Smith and in her later years provided comfort by volunteering for Peachtree Hospice.

She is preceded in death by her brothers and sisters, Don Bell, Leona Gastor, Eleanor Gray, Veta Hartman and Burdette Bell.

She is survived by her children, Roger and Daryl; a daughter-in-law, Lisa; granddaughter, Sarah and her husband Robbie; and a great-grandson, Malcolm.

Funeral service will be 11:30 a.m. Tuesday, Sept. 1, 2020, at Wesley United Methodist Church, with a private interment at the Fort Smith National Cemetery.

Arrangements are under the direction of Edwards Funeral Home in Fort Smith.

Pallbearers will be Curt, Clint and Kip Ledbetter, Jeff Harris, Hoyle Wayne and Brian Hightower.

Public viewing will be from 10 a.m.-5 p.m. Monday at the funeral home.

Memorial contributions may be made to Wesley United Methodist Church, 2200 Phoenix Avenue, Fort Smith, Ark., 72901, or the Fort Smith Boys & Girls Club, 4905 North “O” Street, Fort Smith, Ark., 72904.

To view the online guest book, go to www.edwardsfuneralhome.com.