of Bigelow, AR
March 18, 1943 - September 24, 2021
Maurice Best (Mom, Grandmama, Grandma, Aunt Reese, Reese), 78, of Bigelow, passed away on Friday, September 24, 2021. She was born to the late Morris and Esther Landers on March 18, 1943, in England, Arkansas.
Maurice left her biggest legacy as a lifetime member of First Assembly of God in North Little Rock. She was a lifelong cosmetologist and instructor as well.
She will be loved and missed by all the lives she has touched.
She is survived by her son, Jerry W. Best (Linda); sister, Linda Nichols (Jay); brother, Morris Landers; grandchildren, Brittany Best-Highfill (Kenny), Claudia Martin (Lucas), Ashley Baldwin (Jeffrey), Michael Mosely, Austin Best (Stephanie), and Garrett Best (Rachel); 13 great-grandchildren; and many nieces, nephews, and friends.
She is preceded in death by her husband, Jerry L. Best.
Visitation will be held on Tuesday, September 28, from 6-8 P.M., at Roller-Owens Funeral Home in North Little Rock.
Services will be held on Wednesday, September 29, at 9:00 A.M., at First Assembly of God in North Little Rock.
A Graveside service will be held after at Rest Hills Memorial Park.
Maurice, Jerry and I graduated together from NLR High School and went to church together. I always thought she was a nice person. I live close to where the accident occurred. My thoughts and prayers are with her family. I will let our class of '61 know about her homegoing,
We found out late last week that Mrs. Best passed away. i am so sad we were unable to pay our respects. We will all miss her, she was a treasure, exhibiting salt & light everywhere she went, I'll miss chatting with her and her wonderful, cheery self. A few years ago she brought us a blanket she'd made for my son, Rece, his given name Maurice IV and delighted in the fact that he was also named Maurice! She was always so very kind and thoughtful. I look forward to seeing her again someday soon, I know she is enjoying her time with our precious bridegroom and savior!!
Maurice and Jerry were the nicest people. I'm very sad to read that both are gone. I lived on West 16th St., about a block away from them.
I cannot tell you how sad I was to read of your precious Mom's passing. I met her through a longtime friend. We instantly connected and we could go for periods of time and not speak, then pick right up where we left off the next time we connected. She was so bubbly, caring, kind and giving. She will always hold a special place in my heart. I'm so thankful to know exactly where she is and that I will see her again someday. May God give you and your family comfort and peace as you go through this difficult time.
Dear sweet family of Maurice ~ My heart & prayers are with each and everyone of you ~ The sudden death of this precious lady has truly left me and so many heartbroken ~ She was such a joy to be around and always had the love of The Lord upon her ~ I didn't she her often but when she would come into the main office of Weight Watchers she was always happy and soooo very sweet ~ Please know that we adored and appreciated sweet Maurice sooo very much!!! I will not be able to attend her service but will be praying for her family today as you say your goodbyes but we will see her again ~ That is our Hope in Jesus ~ absent from the body and present with the Lord ~ May God comfort you and your broken hearts ~ xoxox Love, Sheryl New
I am so thankful that I got to speak with and hug on Maurice on Sunday, September 12th. I didn't realize that would be the last time I would see her here on earth because I was out of town the next Sunday, September 19th and didn't learn of her passing until this past Sunday, September 26th. She was a very beautiful lady inside and out. She was always talking about her family and you could tell they all had a very special place in her heart. I attended church with Linda, Jay and their 3 boys in the 80's and then had the privilege of attending church with Maurice for 21 years. I watched the beautiful service online and wanted to express that I am praying for all of you. May God comfort you and give great peace during this time. With love, Kim Kirkpatrick-Jewell
I met Maurice several years ago in Gulf Shores, Alabama. There’s no doubt God allowed our paths to cross. She quickly grabbed a big piece of mine and my son’s heart. We will always cherish the blankets she made for us. I can’t imagine not seeing her in her yearly beach trip. We shared lots of laughs and fun times. My prayers are for her family and friends that will miss her greatly.
Dear Jerry Wayne - I am so sorry to hear about your mother. A flood of nice memories come back to me as I think about the pretty young girl that my brother Jerry brought to see us for the first time. She got him involved in her church and I can still see him on the stage plunking that big bass guitar that I didn't even know he could play. And the year she was in the top of the church's "Living Christmas Tree" was extra special - the angel over it all. Our family from here to Lake Charles all have you and your loved ones in our prayers, asking our Lord to give you comfort and relief soon from your sadness. I'm sorry i am unable to be with you for her service. Love, Uncle Eddie
Maurice Was a wonderful woman. She cut the hair for my whole Family. She Gave both of my boys their first hair cuts. She went to school & church with my Mom (Pat Duff Summers). She will truly be missed and I guarantee you she is not missing us because she is dancing before our Lord Jesus Christ. My condolences to the family.
Jerry Wayne & family:
I’m so sorry to learn of your Mom’s passing.
She has always been a part of our families (Mitchells & Stricklins) - I have so many memories of her singing in the choir with Mom & Daddy, and all the hugs every time I’d see her at church or at Aunt Betty’s house💕
Heaven has definitely gained another angel! My thoughts and prayers are with you all.
Lisa
So sorry for your loss! Mrs. Best always wore the biggest and friendliest smile. Your family is in my thoughts and prayers.
Christy Stepp
Sorry to hear about your mother. Prayers sent your way.
Love Carl and Pat
Jerry and family, I didn't know your mom well but she wore a smile for everyone. I enjoyed visiting with her and always watched for her to pick up her paper. She will be missed by us. If we can do anything anytime please let us know. Heaven has a new angel.
Miss Maurice will be missed dearly, I worked with her for a time at Roller-Owens. Maurice was an amazing hair stylist and woman. She is loved and prayers to the family.
Sorry for your loss, will keep you in my prayers.
I pray for everyone that has lost this amazing woman. This has taken a toll on our family loosing someone so special to us. Ms. Best has been a part of our weekly routine for many years now. She was so warm and welcoming and we looked forward to seeing her every Sunday in our same section. No matter what type of week you had it was guaranteed that as soon as we got up those stairs her bubbly personality and big smile was there to make everything ok (lets not forget ALL the HUGS that came with it!!!). Over time we became so close she began calling us her "church children" and that made us feel so proud. We found every reason to bring her a gift or a card to show how much we appreciated her and attempt to repay what she had no idea she continued to bless us with every week. I am grateful she is in a better place, but selfish not to have her uplifting presence for the days moving forward. We will carry you, Ms. Best, in our hearts forever. We Love & Miss you dearly! Jesus said to her, “I am the resurrection and the life. The one who believes in me will live, even though they die; and whoever lives by believing in me will never die. Do you believe thisâ€
John 11:25-26
~The Johnsons
Her family and my family lived near each other in north little rock.what a great lady
Please accept my sympathy at the death of Maurice. She was truly a nice lady, and will be missed.
Sincere condolences to the family. Praying that our Father’s peace and comfort will sustain your hearts.
Me and my wife Ray Dell have known maurice for a long time, Also gone to church at first Assembly with her for several years. In my younger days Maurice cut my hair at her shop in No. little Rock,She was really a good barber. We will miss her smiling face at the church. She was always smiling and was a very friendly person.We Love you maurice. Enjoy Heaven . Your friends, Paul and Ray Dell Stricklin.
Maurice we loved you so much and always enjoyed visiting with you at First NLR.You will be missed by so many! You will always have a special place in our hearts! We will never forget all the good times we shared together in Larry’s Sunday School class and in the halls at First NLR! You were an AWESOME GODLY LADY!! You will never be forgotten!!â¤ï¸
A wonderful woman who blessed many with her life and service to God.
A Lifetime love.
Maurice will be missed by many including myself. She was a great friend to me and was always there when I she was needed her.
I'm sure she is in heaven and greatdul to be reunited with her loving husband.
May God bless the family and comfort them.
Miss you.
Maurice was a good friend and so compassionate about helping her friends like Pauline Helton. I always admired her willingness to go above and beyond in helping them. Jerry loved having her cut his hair and always enjoyed their teasing back and forth. Maurice was a committed, dedicated worker and gave 110% to everything she did. I so enjoyed getting to know her when I was in the choir.
We have truly lost a wonderful lady. We will miss her smile! Heaven is even a better place now that she is there. Our prayers are with all of the family. May God give you comfort and strength!
Mattie Ruth Tipton
NLR 1st Assembly
Maurice was a true friend. We had many fun times traveling together, singing in the choir, laughing, crying and solving the world’s problems. (She was way better at that than me). So many beautiful memories. Reese, look for me for I will be there, too!
Prayers in your time of grief
I worked with Miss Maurice at Roller-Owens for 5 years. I always enjoyed when she would come to do people's hair. We would have some coffee together and she would talk about her grandchildren and how she was proud of them. Her laugh was so great to hear echoing through the funeral home, I will cherish that laughter in my memories.
Maurice was my friend of many years. We spent a lot of time working together in the nursery at NLR First Assembly, attended the same Sunday school class and women’s ministries. My condolences to her family.
So sorry to hear of Maurice passing. She was a kind person and will be missed.
My condolences to all of Maurice’s Family. She and Jerry were classmates of mine at NLRHS. May she Rest In Peace with Jerry , the love of her life.
Jerry,
We are so sorry to hear about the loss of your mom. Dan & I were both very close to her in different ways. We have so many fond memories of her. She will be missed so much by those who knew her.
Please know we are praying for you and keeping you in our thoughts and prayers.
We love you,
Dan & Cheri Rolett
My dear cousin, I will miss our talks as cousins and widows. We shared a history only we can remember. You, Gloria Ann and I were born the same year in the same location, now only I am left, and it is lonely without you two. I am sure you were welcomed by God, wait for me there. Love Pat