Don M. Schnipper
Don Martin Schnipper, of Hot Springs, Ark., departed his Earthly journey, on Monday, Jan. 4,
2021.
Don was born on Jan. 17, 1939, in Little Rock, Ark., to Dorothy and A.D. (Buddy) Schnipper, but quickly relocated to Texarkana, Ark., where he grew up and graduated from Arkansas High School in 1957.
During his youth, he worked at the family-owned, Schnipper Meat Market. After high school, he attended Tulane University and the University of Arkansas where he was an active and lifelong member of the Fabulous Xi Chapter of Kappa Sigma Fraternity.
At the University, he met and married the love of his life, Mary Ann Evans of North Little Rock, Ark. After their wedding on June
3, 1961, Don attended the University of Arkansas School of Law, while Mary Ann taught elementary school.
Upon his graduation from law school, they relocated in 1964 to Hot Springs to begin and establish his legal career and practice.
Schnipper, or Schnip to his legions of friends, was the consummate lawyer’s lawyer. He found his life’s calling when he joined Jim Chesnutt and Ray Smith in 1964 at the then Wood, Chesnutt and Smith Law Firm. He represented clients and tried cases in courtrooms throughout the state, region and nation. Smith, Schnipper, and ultimately Philip M. Clay, grew their practice at their decades-long offices located at 123 Market St., Hot Springs, Ark., where Schnipper represented clients such as Entergy, Weyerhaeuser, Hot Springs Village POA, National Park Medical Center, Oaklawn Jockey Club, the Miss Arkansas Pageant Organization, and hundreds of other individuals, groups and companies. Don proudly maintained an AV rating as an attorney throughout his long legal career.
While his law practice thrived, he also maintained a keen interest in community and statewide activities. He was a former president of the Arkansas Bar Association, a founding member of the Five States Past Presidents’ Bar Group, past president of the Greater Hot Springs Chamber of Commerce, past president of the Hot Springs Country Club, past president of the Arkansas Alumni Association, a founder of the original Magic Springs, served on numerous boards at the First United Methodist Church, and virtually every other civic or community organization in the area.
Don, Mary Ann and their entire family are and remain devout and ardent supporters of the University of Arkansas. Don loved nothing more than enjoying his Monday noon meal with his Lunch Bunch, his Thursday afternoon and Saturday morning golf outings at HSCC, or his favorite pastime, attending the live meet at Oaklawn Jockey Club where he proudly sat for decades in his box at the finish line. Don absolutely loved the horses and read and worked the Racing Form religiously to see if he could outsmart the experts and pick a winner.
In addition to his professional activities, Don was a warm and gracious husband, father and later grandfather. He is survived by his wife of nearly 60 years, Mary Ann Schnipper; his daughter and son-in-law, Caroline and Dr. Robert Muldoon of Hot Springs; his daughter and son-in-law, Libby and John Vines, of Hot Springs; his grandchildren, Carson Muldoon, Landon Muldoon, Reese Catherine Vines and Ellie Justice Vines; his brothers and sisters-inlaw, Travis and Anne Schnipper and Ken and Gwen Schnipper, all of Texarkana, Ark.; his sisterin-law and brother-in-law, Judi and James Dietz of North Little Rock; and numerous other nieces, nephews and extended family.
Due to the current COVID-19 pandemic, Don will be inurned during a private family gathering at the Columbarium at First United Methodist Church, Hot Springs, Ark.
In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made to First United Methodist Church, 1100 Central Ave., Hot Springs, AR 71901; or a charity of the donor’s choice.
Cremation arrangements entrusted to Arkansas Cremation, http://www.ArkansasCremation. com.
Melonie F. Smith
Melonie Faye Smith, 54, of Hot Springs, passed away on Thursday, Dec. 31, 2020.
Memorial service will be at 2 p.m. Saturday in the Hot Springs Funeral Home chapel with Brother Ricky Merryman officiating.
Honorary pallbearers are James Smith, Jason Curtis, Brandon McInroe, Austin Matthews, Monte Curtis, Jeff Curtis, Taylor Smith and Vance Long.
Arrangements are by Hot Springs Funeral Home.
Online condolences at http:// www.hotspringsfh.com.
Shaquilla Watts
Shaquilla Watts, age 21, passed away on Dec. 29, 2020.
She was born April 9, 1999, in Hot Springs, Ark., to Lether Ann Watts and raised by Billy and Bobbye Lynn Evans.
Shaquilla grew up in a Christian home, knowing the importance of God, family and school. She was educated in the Hot Springs School District, where she excelled in her studies and was a 2017 graduate of Hot Springs World Class High School. Her ambition was to become a registered nurse. However, before she would attend nursing school, she would put all her energies into being the “Best Mommy” to her beloved son Zay’vion. A private service was held. The guest registry a full obit is at http://www.carriganmemorial. com.
Arrangements are entrusted to Carrigan Memorial Funeral Services.
Zay’vion Watts
Zay’vion Watts, age 5, passed away on Dec. 29, 2020 . Even though death came far too soon, his life impacted not only his immediate family, but community that will never forget him.
Zay’vion was born to Shaquilla Watts and Khory Lemons on Dec. 2, 2015.
Zay’vion was a very smart, bright, clever, happy, loving, caring and respectful little boy. He had his own style and it was different from other children. He was his Mommy’s twin. He loved to come to his cousin’s house to play Roblox, which was his favorite game to play on the Play Station, he liked his teacher, school, friends, but most of all, he loved spending time with his Mommy and getting to make new memories with his dad.
A private service was held. The guest registry and full obit at http://www.carriganmemorial.com.
Arrangements are entrusted to Carrigan Memorial Funeral Services.