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Beatrice Velma Bolinger Hargis was surrounded by family and love as she completed her life’s journey in Huntsville, Arkansas, on August 2, 2023. What a journey it was, spanning 103 years! She was born at home in the Whorton Creek community on a frigid February 18, 1920, and was the 12th child of Aura Fowler and Sam Bolinger who would go on to have three more children for a total of 15. Beatrice weighed 2 ½ pounds and was given little chance of survival so she was wrapped in a blanket, placed in a shoe box, and set on the fireplace hearth while the family waited. Her strength and determination led her to survive and outlive her 14 siblings. She treasured the close-knit family and loved her seven brothers and seven sisters. When she was 16, Beatrice married Willis Perry Hargis and moved a few miles down the road to his family farm which was her home for the next 87 years. Her life revolved around church, family, home, and community. After being a full-time wife, mother, and caregiver, she went to town and spent 20 years working in a garment factory. Even though she was working full time, she still kept up with crafts, cooking, and flowers both in her yard and the road banks between her house and Marble. She gathered iris at night, stashed them in her car trunk, and then planted them on road banks on her way home from work. Those irises grace the road banks today and will bring smiles and pleasant memories for years to come. The Marble Community benefitted from Beatrice Hargis’ volunteer efforts and participation. Both she and her daughter, Mary Ellen DuVall, were charter members of the Marble Volunteer Fire Department where she served on the board of directors for many years. She was also a charter member of Marble Extension Homemakers where she learned new skills and made lasting friendships. She was the driving force behind the “Marble EHC Style Show” which was a comedy group entertaining at senior centers, nursing homes, and other EHC meetings. She designed and stitched all the costumes. Beatrice Hargis was an 80-year member of Marble United Baptist Church where she taught Sunday School and served as the Church Clerk for over 50 years. When all of her family including her grandchildren joined in for Sunday Worship service, her smile and happiness lit up the church. Even though her life was spent within a six-mile radius of where she was born, Beatrice Hargis traveled from coast to coast, both north and south, satisfying her curiosity to explore. Some of her siblings settled in Idaho and Wyoming where she loved to visit. Yet she was happiest when she was home and surrounded by family. Beatrice is survived by her sons, Freddie Hargis and Joyce Parker, of Huntsville; Eddie Hargis, of Huntsville and Miami, Florida; and Jerry (Carolyn) Hargis of Huntsville; and one daughter-in-law, Diann Hargis, of Hot Springs. She is also survived by eight grandchildren: Brent Hargis (Betty Jo), Angela Hargis, Michelle Hargis, Megan Hargis Villines (Craig), Aaron Hargis (Kate), Jerod Hargis, Dustin Hargis (Cassidy), Amy Hargis (Imro). She is also survived by 19 great-grandchildren, 9 great-great-grandchildren, and dozens of nieces and nephews. She was preceded in death by her husband of 65 years, Willis Perry Hargis; one son, James Hargis; one daughter and son-in-law, Mary Ellen and Harold DuVall; and one grandson, Mike Hargis. The family will receive friends 5:00 PM-7:00 PM, Friday, August 4, 2023, at Brashears Funeral Home. Funeral services will be 2:00 PM, Saturday, August 5, 2023, at Brashears Funeral Home with Eldon Bagwell, Coy Siegrist, and Craig Villines officiating. Pallbearers will be Brent Hargis, Aaron Hargis, Jerod Hargis, Dustin Hargis, Jason Hargis, and Richard Coger III, Kenton Yarbrough, and Chandler Hargis. Honorary pallbearers will be members of the Marble Volunteer Fire Department and members of the Marble United Baptist Church. Interment will immediately follow services at Huntsville Cemetery. Services are entrusted to Brashears Funeral Home of Huntsville.

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Beatrice Hargis

February 18, 1920 - August 2, 2023