of England, AR

October 20, 1939 - June 24, 2025

Retha Watson Hankins, 85, of England, Arkansas, passed away peacefully at home on Tuesday, June 24, 2025, surrounded by her family.

Retha was born on October 20, 1939, in Yorkville, Tennessee, and was raised in nearby Dyer, where she graduated from high school. She went on to attend Christian Baptist College in Missouri before moving to Arkansas in 1961. She began her career in the securities industry, working for Dean Witter Reynolds and other firms in Pine Bluff for over 15 years. Later, she continued her career at Stephens Inc. in Little Rock, where she worked until her retirement in 2020. Even after retirement, Retha remained part of the Stephens family, serving in the PRN pool until her passing-she truly never stopped working.

Retha loved life on the water and cherished her home on the Arkansas River, where she lived for over 40 years. A lover of dance, she was a longtime student at Dorothy Soto's in Pine Bluff and especially treasured her trip to Spain with the dance school.

Affectionately known as "Nana," Retha was rarely seen without her camcorder, always recording precious family moments and taking joy in reliving them through home videos. She was deeply involved in the lives of her grandchildren and great-grandchildren, never missing a school event, sports game, or celebration. She believed the way to her family's heart was through their stomachs, and her famous brownies were a family favorite that could draw a crowd.

Retha was an adventurer at heart, taking trips with her grandchildren that spanned from Tennessee to Australia. She shared her love of music by taking them to countless concerts-moments that shaped them and remain treasured memories. She was always ready to travel, attend, and celebrate-bag packed and smile on her face.

She was preceded in death by her father, Andrew Clark Watson, and her mother, Anne Watson Needham. She is survived by her son, David Hankins of England, Arkansas; her grandchildren Katie Marchese, Hollis Hankins, and Samantha Lemaster; and three great-grandchildren.

Per her wishes, there will be no formal services. She will be interred at Mulberry Cemetery during a private family service. In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made to Arkansas Children's Hospital, 1 Children's Way, Little Rock, Arkansas, 72202.

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