of Little Rock, AR

January 24, 1940 - July 27, 2021

Mary Lou Ford Minton, 81, of Little Rock, Arkansas, passed away peacefully on July 27, 2021 after a wonderful life full of family, friends, and faith.

She was surrounded at life's end with love from her husband, Scott Leland Minton and their five children, Cindy Minton Smith, (Wade Adams Smith), of Memphis, Tennessee, Kelly Minton Matthews, (Stephen James Matthews, M.D.), of Columbus, Indiana, Gregory Scott Minton, (Lisa Troutman Minton), of Little Rock, Arkansas, Carol Minton Harvey, (Raymond Chesterfield Harvey III), of Dallas, Texas, and Cheryl Minton Cooper-Palmese, (Nicholas Palmese), of Hot Springs.

Mary was born in Bono, Arkansas on January 24, 1940. After graduation, she married Scott Minton, her high school sweetheart, in San Diego, California on March 23, 1958 during his service in the United States Navy. They were married over 63 years.

Mary had many accomplishments, but she always considered her greatest successes by far to be her long happy marriage, being a wonderful mother and grandmother to thirteen, and her extensive love of travel. She was at heart, an encourager, a peacemaker, and a calm voice behind a sweet and joyful demeanor. She always had time to listen and was always up for fun. As a stay-at-home mom, Mary put her family first and her children consider her steady presence to have been the key to any success. She made the special people in her life feel limitless.

Her grandchildren brought her special joy. She took great pride in giving every one of them their first bath in the kitchen sink! Patrick, Alex, and Lainey Smith, Erika and Mary Matthews, Caroline and Abagail Minton, Grace, Harrison, and Hallie Harvey, and E.P. Cooper, will miss her beyond measure as will Edward Perry Cooper III, her great-grandson. She was thrilled to welcome James Harreld and Carolina Cooper into the family through marriage.

Mary was pre-deceased by her parents, Alta Lee Sullins Ford and William Pernell Ford, her brother, Don Wallace Ford, and her sister, Alice Fay Ford Delatorre, two granddaughters, Mary Catherine Cooper and Elizabeth Minton Cooper, and her son in law, Dr. Edward Perry Cooper.

We will always remember Mary's smile, her can-do attitude, her love for family and fun, and her strong support of those lucky enough to have shared her life. We will never forget her ferocious fight with Alzheimer's disease. Her bravery at the end of her struggle was something to behold. Special thanks to Hospice Home Health and Nicolette Sparks of Favor Home Health Care, who gave so much gentle care and comfort throughout tough days and nights. The family will never forget the many kindnesses.

Visitation will be from 5-7 on July 29, 2021, at Roller-Chenal Funeral Home, 13801 Chenal Parkway, Little Rock. Mary's funeral service will take place at 10 AM Friday, July 30, 2021, at Pleasant Valley Church of Christ, 10900 North Rodney Parham Road in Little Rock, and a graveside service will be held Friday afternoon at 3:30 at Old Enterprise Cemetery, 407 CR 348 in Jonesboro, Arkansas.

To honor Mary Minton in a special way, donations to ''Cure Alzheimers Association'' or the Paragould Children's Home would be greatly appreciated by the family.

In our grief, we take faith from John 11:25, ''I am the resurrection and the life. Whoever believes in me, though he dies, yet shall he live.''

Obituary Provided By:
Roller-Chenal Funeral Home
13801 Chenal Parkway
Little Rock, AR  72211
www.rollerfuneralhomes.com