of Little Rock, AR

December 2, 1930 - October 21, 2021

Eva Grace Kelley, 90, of Parkway Village in Little Rock, Arkansas, went home peacefully to be with Jesus on October 21, 2021, surrounded by members of her immediate family listening to the hymns of faith that she loved. She was born on December 2, 1930, to Arch Long and Maudie Mae (Bledsoe) Long in Coxton, Kentucky. Eva graduated from South High School in Lima, Ohio (1949) and earned her Cosmetology licenses in Ohio, Maine, and Florida. She married Dale E. Smith from Leetonia, Ohio, on June 17, 1953, and moved to Caribou, Maine, in 1954. They had five children Melanie (Eric) Stockholm of Maumelle, Arkansas; Douglas (Karen) Smith of Indianapolis, Indiana; Dennis (Jane) Smith of North Hampton, New Hampshire; Jeffrey (Janice) Smith of Brunswick, Maine; and Timothy (Joan) Smith of Limerick, Maine. She was also proud of her 15 grandchildren and 16 great-grandchildren who lovingly caller her ''Glitter Grammie.''

Eva was hard working and a self-made woman..from lowly beginnings as a coal miner's daughter to a successful business woman owning her own ''Gold-Medallion'' Merle Norman Cosmetic Studio and a five-chair beauty salon in Portland, Maine. She passed on her love for ''decorating'' the people and the world around her..making her family and everyone she met feel better about themselves. She loved planning and serving family and friends in her home with over-the-top decorations, food and love. Everyone felt better after being with Eva. She was always cheerful and encouraging sending notes and thoughtful little gestures to those who needed a little extra attention.

After living in Portland, Maine, for over 25 years, she moved to Dowling Park, Florida, where she continued her hair business and (as her family nicknamed her) the ''mayor'' of the village. She was famous for planning birthday parties each month with decorations, a program, and refreshments for scores of residents.

When her health declined, Eva and her beloved Shih Tzu, Abbey, moved to Little Rock to be close to her daughter, Melanie. Her residence was Parkway Village where she participated in skits and other planned activities. With her love for plants and decorating, her home and yard became a focal point of the neighborhood with flowers and seasonal decorations cheering everyone who walked or drove by.

Eva's life left us with fond memories in so many ways. For the family our New Year's celebrations, Memorial Day garage sales and BBQ, birthday parties, Sunday noon pot roasts, motor coach trips, friendly cheating at card games, cinnamon rolls, golf cart rides with Abbey and many more. Others will remember her for her welcoming hospitality, a ready smile, encouraging words, cards and phone calls, and of course her holiday pecan sales. Wherever she went, she made a lasting positive impression on everyone
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There will be a celebration of Eva's life on Wednesday, November 3, 2021, at 11:00am in the chapel of First Baptist Little Rock with a luncheon to follow. If you are unable to attend, you can view the service with this link which will be archived and available on our church website. www.fblr.org/evakelley

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