Cleda Mae (Thomas) Faulkner

Cleda Mae Thomas Faulker, or as many knew her, Butter, passed away in her home Sunday, April 5, 2026 at the age of 93. Cleda was born on December 19, 1932 in Amity, Arkansas to Florence and Temple Thomas.

She was preceded in death by two husbands, John J. Rittermann and J. Don Faulker, her parents and all five siblings. She is survived by three children, Leslie A. Urban (Paul), of Bismarck, Nathaniel D. Rittermann (Vicky) of Sparkman, and Nancy L. Wilson of Arkadelphia, five grandchildren, Michael Paul Urban, Meagan Mejia, Jonathan Rittermann, Joshua Rittermann and Sara Wilson, five great-grandchildren, Gavin Urban, Gabriel Urban, Gauge Urban, Pablo Mejia and Rohan Rittermann, sister-in-law, Mary J. Faulker of Conway and by numerous nieces and nephews.

Cleda was an avid reader and loved to quilt and crochet. Many of her family and friends were gifted beautiful pieces that she hand made with love over the years. She loved being a Granny to her grand and great grandchildren. She also loved to travel and over her lifetime she lived in many different places. She was very outgoing and loved meeting new people. She loved her Beehive family and getting to dig though treasures everyday alongside the clients. She loved writing letters to her friends and family as a way of keeping in touch, even if it was just a simple thank you card with a line or two.

There will be a celebration of life on April 16, 2026 from 5pm-7pm at the Arkadelphia Community Family Enrichment Building located at 301 N. 23rd Street. The family would like to extend a warm invitation to anyone who would like to honor Cleda’s memory. Coffee and sweets will be provided by the family. In lieu of flowers, donations can be made in her name to St. Jude’s Children Hospital. We would like to express our gratitude to the kind nurses of Gentiva Hospice who helped us honor her wish to stay in her home until the end. Thank you from the bottom of our hearts.

Arrangements are by Smith Family Funeral Home-Arkadelphia/Ruggles-Wilcox Chapel, www.smithfamilycares.com.