Anita F. Elliott

Anita Elliott, 92, of Searcy departed this life on Friday, July 11, 2014. She was born January 20, 1922 in Anadarko, Oklahoma to the late Lemuel and Cessa Taylor.

After living in Oklahoma for many years, she moved with her family to Searcy, Arkansas in 1958. She was a marvelous seamstress who began making draperies while working for a fabric store in Searcy and began her own drapery business. Over the years, she made many of her family's clothes. She worked for the Harding University Post Office for many years.

Her family, traveling, and many church activities made Anita's life full. She attended and taught ladies' classes, taught children's classes, and graded Bible courses for World Bible School until her sight began to fail. She loved reading the Bible and had read the Bible through several times. She had a keen interest in and provided support for mission work. Having not finished High School, she valued education for her children and encouraged them diligently to reach their goals.

She also provided spiritual guidance for her children until they were adults. She was an avid bird watcher and found great pleasure in sharing "her birds" with every visitor.
She and her husband, Merle found Searcy to be a place were she could realize the goals she had for her children. She was a member of the Church of Christ and attended the College Church since 1958 until moving to Harding Place in 2011.

She is survived by one daughter, Judith Outlaw and husband, Morgan of Washougal, Washington, and two sons, Phillip Elliott and wife, Jamie of Lebanon, Connecticut; Gary Elliott and wife, Cheryl of Searcy, Arkansas; six granddaughters and one grandson, eighteen great grandchildren and two great, great grandchildren; one brother-in-law, Melvin Elliott of Kokomo, Indiana; and one sister-in-law, Madelyn Smith of Searcy, Arkansas; and a large number of nieces and nephews.

In addition to her parents she was preceded in death by her husband of 70 years, Merle Elliott; infant twin daughters; three brothers and five sisters.
In lieu of flowers the family request that donations be made to charities of the donor's choice. The family wishes to express gratitude to Arkansas Hospice for their loving care of Anita. With deep appreciation the family expresses thanks to the staff and residence of Harding Place for creating a wonderful living experience for Anita.
Visitation will be from 12:30-2:00 p.m. Wednesday, July 16, 2014 at Searcy-McEuen Funeral Home. Funeral services are 2:00 p.m. Wednesday, July 16, 2014 in the funeral home chapel with interment following at Gum Springs Cemetery.

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