Laverne Ragsdale

Laverne Ragsdale, age 85, of Hot Springs, passed away Sunday, Dec. 5, 2021.

She was born on Jan. 6, 1936, in Pearcy, the daughter of Fred Eugene Burks and Opal Marie Tankersley Burks. On Feb. 26, 1952, she married Don Mann, who preceded her in death, and then, on May 23, 1995, she married Willard Ragsdale, who also preceded her in death. She was also preceded in death by one granddaughter, Bobbi Jo Mann; and one sister, Thelma Tucker.

Laverne was a devoted Christian and member of Center Fork Missionary Baptist Church, who was always at the church when the doors were open. She was a member of the Sunshine Circle, the Primetimers at Center Fork Church and a children’s Sunday school teacher for many years. Laverne always made God first. She was the most selfless, caring, loving, dependable, silly, helpful mom, nana, great-nana and friend. She always said how blessed she was that God gave her two wonderful husbands. She was a wonderful role model, teacher and an angel on earth, that will be greatly missed by all that knew and loved her.

She is survived by four sons and three daughters-inlaw, Dwight Mann, Randy and Connie Mann, David and Vickie Ragsdale, and Steve and Rhonda Ragsdale, all of Hot Springs; 14 grandchildren, Mellissa Mann, Mandi Robertson, Tiffany Mann, Aaron Mann, J.R. Reynolds, Woody Reynolds, Heather Arcos, Crystal Mann, Kayla Dauber, Sarah Smith, Ricky Kennedy, Nikkie Cooper, Mikkie Kennedy and Kikkie York; 36 great-grandchildren; one great-great-grandchild; two brothers and sisters-in-law, Ben and Pat Burks and Royce and Ruth Burks; one sister, Dorothy Sanders; one sister-in-law, Kate Lindley; her special friend, Jerri Harrison; several nieces, nephews, extended family members and a host of wonderful friends.

Funeral services are 10 a.m. Thursday, Dec. 9, 2021, in the Center Fork Missionary Baptist Church, with Brother Scott Bates and Brother Bill Chesshir officiating.

Interment in the Memorial Gardens Cemetery.

Visitation is 6-8 p.m. today in the Davis-smith Funeral Home