of Little Rock, AR

June 3, 1947 - September 25, 2021

Alice Ann Hendrix Straughn passed away peacefully at her home surrounded by family and friends on September 25, 2021. Born to Earl and Mattie Hendrix on June 3, 1947, she lived an idyllic life in Ward, AR, where her mother was the postmaster and her father was an entrepreneurial businessman and farmer. She graduated from Cabot High School in 1965 and enrolled at Harding College, taking pre-nursing classes that prepared her to complete her nursing degree at UAMS in 1970. It was at Harding that she met Keith, and they married in 1967.

After being hired at UAMS to be charge nurse on the pediatric floor, she was soon recruited to be part of the first nurse practitioner program in Arkansas. Those experiences would shape her later career, and after some time off to raise two sons, she began teaching in the LPN program at St. Vincent Infirmary. In the mid-1980s, she began working on her MSN at the University of Central Arkansas, where she joined the faculty upon completing her degree.

She joined the faculty at UALR in 1991, teaching pediatrics and medical surgical nursing and especially enjoyed clinical practice, where she was able to use her past nursing experience to enrich the hands-on training for students. She inspired hundreds of nurses during her 30+year teaching career and stayed in touch with many former students on Facebook.

During retirement she enjoyed hosting family gatherings, gardening on her deck (and admiring the view), and traveling with Keith from coast to coast and border to border. However, at the top of her list of enjoyment was being with her three granddaughters, especially reading to them and having them help in the kitchen.

Left to mourn her passing is her husband of 54 years, Keith, son Greg and his wife, Marcia and their daughters, Eva, Anna, and Mattye Straughn of Abilene, Texas; son Matt and his wife Amber of Glenn Dale, Maryland; nephew Keith Morrison and his wife, Lynn of Fayetteville, Arkansas; niece Dana Morgan and husband, Joe of Melbourne, Florida, and a host of nieces, great nieces, nephews, and great nephews. Preceding her in death were her parents and sister, Earlene Wilson and her husband Kenny of Cabot, Arkansas.

A service of remembrance will be held on September 30 at 11:00 a.m. at The Little Rock Church (10701 Baseline Road, Little Rock, AR 72209); masks and social distancing recommend. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made in her honor to Arkansas Children's Hospital 1 Children's Way LR, AR 72202 or www.archildrens.org/giving.

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