MARGARET BITTICK

Margaret Ann Bittick, 84, was born in Mccaskill, Arkansas. She traveled widely, both domestically and internationally, but was most at home in Washington, Arkansas where she lived, worked, created, and volunteered for many years. She was preceded in death by her parents, Cloid Sykes Bittick and Helen Marie Long Bittick.

She is survived by her children Smaiyra Million, Kaethe Hoehling, Annaliese Hoehling, and Maria Mckeehan and her grandchildren, Olivia, Alexandria, Madeline, and Polyanna.

Ann was a member of St. Mark's Episcopal Church of Hope, Arkansas where she enjoyed services, fellowship, and reading scripture. Ann loved the wonder of nature and animals. Ann completed her bachelor's degree in international relations from American University. She went on to complete her master of fine arts degree from Henderson State University and later to teach fine arts at Southern Arkansas University. She loved supporting students through her work as an instructor at SAU and providing private art lessons at her home as well. Ann was an active artist all her life, having had her art displayed at the Arkansas State Capitol, SAU, UACCH, TRAHC, Historic Washington State Park, and the Bronx Museum of Art Library, to name a few. Ann also loved to write and direct for community theater as well as create art and stories for children. She once stated that her life goal was to “break through the silence of art in the southwest Arkansas area, dance under the moon, and celebrate human expression beyond the ordinary.” Ann saw beauty and the sacred everywhere and will be remembered for her visionary, joyful, passionate, loving, inclusive, and kind ways.

Ann lived her final years in Clarksville, Arkansas and passed her final days at Mercy Hospital in Fort Smith. Her family is grateful to the many medical professionals who showed her kindness, skilled attention, and compassionate care in the ICU and LTAC of Mercy and to the friends in the Clarksville community who helped her feel at home.

Arrangements are made by the Latimer Funeral Home of Nashville, Arkansas. Instead of flowers, please make donations to the Hope Animal Shelter, 1211 Jones Street, Hope, Arkansas or the Southwest Arkansas Arts Council, 200 East Division, Hope, Arkansas.

Some of Mrs. Bittick's artwork is on display at Historic Washington State Park. Information regarding this may be found at

https://www.arkansas.com/washington/events/brushstrokes-heart-women-art-hempstead-county-exhibit

You may send an online sympathy message at www.latimerfuneralhome.com