Laura Faust Deitz

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Service Schedule
Celebration of Life
First United Methodist Church
502 Porter St.
Helena, AR  72342
Saturday, April 24, 2021
10:30 a.m.

Laura Faust Deitz

of West Helena, AR

October 12, 1932 - April 17, 2021

Alma Laura Faust Deitz
October 12, 1932 '''' April 17, 2021

Alma Laura Faust (Deitz) passed away peacefully at her home in West Helena on April 17, 2021. She was the only daughter and youngest child of Alma Ewart Faust and Fred A. Faust, two of the founding citizens of West Helena, AR. Her father founded Faust Band Sawmill in West Helena in 1932. Her brothers, the late Fred A Faust Jr. (Ann) and the late Tom (Betty) Faust later joined their father in the family lumber business. Her mother was the first female bank vice president in the state of Arkansas, retiring from Phillips County National Bank after 50 years.

Laura graduated from Helena High School in 1948, entering college at 16. She graduated from the University of Arkansas with a Bachelor of Arts degree. While at U of A, she was a member of Delta Delta Delta sorority, continuing service to her sorority in an alumna capacity after graduation. She joined the Helena-West Helena School District in 1966 as a speech pathologist, a position she held for 27 years. The recipient of a Rotary Foundation scholarship, Laura earned a Master of Education degree from the University of Virginia. After leaving the school district, Laura joined Great Rivers Educational Co-operative as a speech pathologist, until her retirement at age 80. She was immensely proud of having sent two daughters to Vanderbilt, Hendrix, and Southern Methodist University on an Arkansas schoolteacher's salary. Throughout her career, she helped countless people of all ages and abilities learn to manage and overcome various speech challenges, including both genetic and injury related.

Devoted to both her church and community, she was a member of the First United Methodist Church of Helena, where she served as church librarian for many years and loved singing in the choir. She served on the Boards of the Phillips County Library Foundation, Helena Little Theatre, Delta Kappa Gamma, and the Current Topic Club. An avid reader, she enjoyed the Marvell Book Club and several bible studies groups. She was a skilled seamstress and interior designer, creating masterful pallets of color and design in her century-old home, which is on National Register of Historic Places and has been the focus of Faust family events for more than 70 years.

She nurtured her lifelong passion of travel and learning through numerous international trips with her daughters, son-in-law and grandsons to Greece, Italy, England, Scotland, France, Germany, Mexico and South Africa and domestic adventures in Alaska, New York, Connecticut, California, Idaho, Texas, and Ohio. When standing at the Oracle at Delphi at the Temple of Apollo in Greece, she often mused ''how did a girl from West Helena get here?'' Laura loved knowledge and the power of learning.

She is survived by her daughter Diane Deitz Welborn and son-in-law Larry L. Welborn of Dayton, OH; grandsons Locke (Natasha) Welborn and great-granddaughter Anna Valentina of Norwich, England; Mark Welborn of Los Angeles, CA; and daughter Laura Anne Deitz Goodsell of Austin, TX. She is also survived by a host of nieces and nephews.

A Celebration of Life Service will be held Saturday, April 24 at 10:30 a.m. at the First United Methodist Church, Helena, AR. COVID precautions must be adhered with masks and social distancing required.

Memorials may be sent to the First United Methodist Church Choir Fund, 502 Porter Street, Helena, AR 72342.


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20 Condolence(s)
Royce Claxton McSpadden
Little Rock, AR
Liked
Thursday, May 6, 2021

I am so sorry for the loss of this beautiful lady.

Jimmie Ruth Taylor
Bryant, AR
Liked
Sunday, May 2, 2021

I was so sorry to hear of the passing of Ms Laura. She was was a precious lady who I love to talk to when I worked with her at the Co-Op. Thoughts and prayers for her family.

Deborah King
Helena, AR
Liked
Tuesday, April 27, 2021

Laura was such a friendly and loving person. She was the kind of person I wish I had spent more time with but never seemed to be able to do that. She was humorous and fun spirited. If I saw her in a store or another place she always greeted me with a smile and a kind inquiry about how I was doing. She was always pleasant. Having been in Delta Kappa Gamma with her for several years, I know that she was civic minded and felt strongly about education. She is already missed by many.

Evelyn Griffin
Helena, AR
Liked
Monday, April 26, 2021

Laura was a sweet and loving lady. She will surely be missed.

Beverly Baltes
Versailles, OH
Liked
Monday, April 26, 2021

So sorry for your loss. Prayers for peace and comfort during this difficult time.

Kathy Snyder
Lexa, AR
Liked
Sunday, April 25, 2021

So sorry for the passing of one who meant so much to many. She was my friend. God’s comfort for her family.

Mr. and Mrs. Robert Kraft
Union Grove, WI
Liked
Saturday, April 24, 2021

We are so sorry for the loss of your Mother. We enjoyed her company at Jordan and Patrick’s wedding.

Joyce Mitchell
Helena, AR
Liked
Saturday, April 24, 2021

I had the privilege of being her HHA Aide a lovely lady indeed she was.. always the same each time I saw her and special thanks to Mrs. Diane her husband Mr. Larry and Ms. Laura for a job well done

Joyce Mitchell
Helena, AR
Liked
Saturday, April 24, 2021

I had the privilege of being her HHA Aide a lovely lady indeed she was.. always the same each time I saw her and special thanks to Mrs. Diane her husband Mr. Larry and Ms. Laura for a job well done

Allison Ledford
Beavercreek, OH
Liked
Friday, April 23, 2021

So sorry for your loss. God bless you and your family.

Kimberly Conner
Dayton, OH
Liked
Friday, April 23, 2021

It is with heartfelt expression of sorrow of the passing of your mother. Keeping you and the entire family in my deepest thoughts and prayers. Peace and Grace.

Sandy Snyder
Fayetteville, AR
Liked
Friday, April 23, 2021

Laura, I am so sorry for the loss of your Mother. I pray for God’s comfort and strength for you in this time of your grief. Remember that God is always beside you. Trust in him and I promise that you will get through this time of sorrow.

Alfred and Dee Davis
West Helena, AR
Liked
Friday, April 23, 2021

Miss Laura was a lovely lady. I loved her dearly. Alfred enjoyed taking care of her yard. Our thoughts and prayers are with her family. With deepest sympathy, Alfred and Dee Davis

Brenda Freeman Murray
Little Rock, AR
Liked
Friday, April 23, 2021

Diane: So sorry to learn of your mother's passing. I will be keeping your family in my thoughts and prayers.

Laura was a lady of class and beauty. In her presence, she made you feel special.
Heber Springs, AR
Liked
Friday, April 23, 2021

Prayers for family and friends of Laura. This family is an amazing asset to their community.

Charlotte McCarty
Hot Springs Village, AR
Liked
Wednesday, April 21, 2021

I was privileged to get to sing with Laura in the choir for many years. She was a true southern lady.

Penelope Culver
FAYETTEVILLE, AR
Liked
Wednesday, April 21, 2021

I have many fond memories of Laura and her mother, and their home, and our time together in Current Topic. Please accept my condolences for your loss.
Penny Culver

Trudy Pearson
Prairie Grove, AR
Liked
Wednesday, April 21, 2021

So very sorry to learn of Laura's passing. We shared our profession as well as friendship. RIP, Laura.

jim mayer
Baton Rouge, LA
Liked
Wednesday, April 21, 2021

Laura was a very special lady and like the whole Faust Family Helena's finest. You are in our thoughts and prayers. Jim & Diane Mayer

Laura Anne Deitz Goodsell
Pflugerville, TX
Liked
Wednesday, April 21, 2021

It was an honor and a privilege to be your daughter. I love you, Mother. Laura Anne