HOT SPRINGS — Beth Rhiddlehoover Mitchell Haville,
age 88, passed away peacefully on August 11, 2021. Beth was born August 15, 1932, in Hot Springs, Ark, to Loyd Perkins and Esther (nee Disheroon) Rhiddlehoover. Beth grew up in Hot Springs and graduated from Hot Springs High School in 1950. She attended Hendrix College in Conway, Ark., where she was a member of the Hendrix Choir. Beth graduated from Hendrix with a degree in Education in 1954, after which she taught first grade for several years. Beth married Dr. George Mitchell in 1954 and had two children from that marriage.
In 1973 Beth attended a Parents Without Partners meeting where she was fortunate to meet Douglas Haville. Their love grew, and they were married in 1982. She and Doug were the love of each other’s lives, and were married for 39 wonderful years, during which time they lived in Little Rock, Ark., and Santa Barbara and Oceanside, Calif., before settling back in Hot Springs. Through the years, she and Doug wandered near and far in their RV, an activity she loved. Beth was a long-time and active member of the P.E.O. She was a lifelong Methodist who found great comfort and strength in her church. After her return to Hot Springs, she and Doug became members of First United Methodist Church, where she was an active member of the Genesis Sunday School Class and sang in the choir. Beth also loved to help out as a volunteer at The Caring Place of Hot Springs. Beth was full of love, life, and caring for others; she never met a stranger! She was a loving wife, mother, grandmother, and great-grandmother, who made spending time with family a priority. She was an elegant woman all-around, who was deeply loved, and will be deeply missed.
Beth was predeceased by her parents Loyd P. and Esther Rhiddlehoover, and her brother, Brigadier General (retired) Loyd P. Rhiddlehoover II, and sisterin-law Elizabeth (nee Dawson) Rhiddlehoover. She is survived by her husband, Douglas, daughter Lee Ellen Carroll (Chuck) of Little Rock, Ark., son Loyd Mitchell (Kim) of Burnsville, Minn.; grandsons Chad Carroll and Andrew Carroll (Amanda) of Little Rock, Loyd Mitchell Jr. of Saint Paul, Minn. and his fiancé Jessica, Daniel Mitchell (Karen) of Faribault, Minn., and Alex Mitchell of Burnsville, Minn.; niece Sarah Beth Cliatt (Steve), and nephew Loyd P. Rhiddlehoover III; great-grandson Cooper Carroll; step-daughters Susan Mumford (Bryan) of Santa Barbara, Calif., Cindy Haville of Santa Barbara, Calif., Dr. Laurel Wright (Curtis) of Santa Fe, N.M., Nancy Cameron of Portland, Ore., Jennifer Wilkerson (Kevin) of Lee’s Summit, Mo., and Pamela Bissing (Mark) of Des Moines, Iowa; and 17 step-grandchildren and spouses, and 13 step-great-grandchildren.
The family extends their heartfelt thanks to the doctors, nurses, and staff of Genesis Cancer Center, CHI Saint Vincent Hospital (Hot Springs), and Arkansas Hospice for their care and attention to Beth during her illness.
A memorial service will be held at 10 a.m., Wednesday, Aug. 18, 2021, at First United Methodist Church, Hot Springs, Ark. The service will also be livestreamed; click on the link that will be posted on the church web site (www.fumchs.com) immediately prior to the service. In lieu of flowers, the family designates First United Methodist Church or the charity of your choice.
Arrangements are by Hot Springs Funeral Home. Online condolences at www.hotspringsfh.com.