RETHA S. BODDIE

Blessed are the pure in heart for they shall see God… Matthew 5:8

The Angels of the Lord ascended upon this earth and quietly and peacefully escorted Retha to Glory the afternoon of September 19, 2018 in Austin, Texas

Retha was born in Kiblah, Arkansas on January 1, 1932 to Charlie Smith and Lillie Kay Smith. She graduated for Kiblah High School and went on to attend Arkansas Baptist College in Little Rock where she completed her Associates Degree. After graduating from Arkansas Baptist she relocated to Washington D.C. where she began a career as a dental assistant with a prominent dentist in the heart of the district.

While in Washington, she met and married Arvis Thomas Boddie, a U.S. Navy serviceman from Rocky Mount, North Carolina. That union produced four boys; Dennis, Darryl, David and Dale. In 1972, the family decided to return to Retha’s home town to continue to raise the family and join her extended family. She remained in her hometown throughout the years until her illness required family to relocate her to Illinois and then Texas.

Retha accepted Christ into her life at a very early age and was baptized through the New Hope Baptist Church in Kiblah. Throughout all her years in New Hope she was served as a Sunday school teacher, Mission president and usher.

Outside the Church she served the community as a registrar at the local voting polls, volunteer food preparer at Bright Star High School, Bright Star school board, community health services coordinator and community commodities coordinator.

Retha enjoyed spending time with her family, raising a garden, being a friend to everyone and having a passion for her favorite hobby, fishing.

Retha is preceded in death by her parents; Charlie and Lillie Kay Smith, brother; Lell Smith, husband; Arvis Boddie and son; Dennis Boddie. She leaves her son; Darryl Boddie of Austin Texas, David Boddie of Fayetteville, Arkansas and Dale Boddie of Kiblah, Arkansas. One daughter in law; Jennifer Boddie of Little Rock, AR. Two grandchildren; Brandi Webb of Long Beach, California and Nicholas Boddie of Columbia, Missouri. She also departs a strong support group of sister in laws, nephews, nieces, cousins and friends.

As she transitions to her rightful place in heaven, we cherish great memories, encouragements, support, advice and friendship. We can hope to aspire to her level of faith in the Lord and faithfulness in the word of God.

Services will be held Saturday, October 6, 2018 at 11:00 A.M. at New Hope Missionary Baptist Church in Doddridge, Arkansas.