Dana Goff Loyd

Dana Goff Loyd, a vivacious Little Rock native known by many from her long career in local retail, died on Sunday, August 16. She was 71.

Dana had a quick wit and a ready laugh. She loved the beach, Mexican food and a good margarita. She was the consummate hostess, gathering friends and family in her home for holidays, Razorback games, birthdays, a long-running Christmas Eve party--basically any excuse for a celebration. She made the best cheesecake you've ever had.

Born on April 25, 1955, Dana was blessed with a big personality, the gift of gab and a fierce work ethic. She began working as soon as she turned 16 and worked the rest of her life, pausing only when raising her children.

She was a Class of 1973 graduate of Hall High, where she met her future husband, W.B. Loyd. They married in 1974, had four children together and launched two popular retail clothing stores in the 1980s and 90s, W.B. Loyd & Company, located in the Heights, and Partners, at Pavillion in the Park. Despite divorcing later, they remained close, transitioning into a successfully blended family.

As a mother, Dana was devoted not only to her kids, she was a second mom to many of their friends. When any of them needed a helping hand, she'd invite them to move in until things were better for them. Everyone was welcome to stay. Her house was the social hub for kith and kin.

That was especially true at Christmas, her favorite holiday. She loved decorating the house and was an avid collector of Hallmark ornaments. She gifted special series marking each passing year to her kids, sister, parents and others, and for all who received them they are cherished collections. Plus, she cooked: Chex mix from her grandmother's recipe; frosted sugar cookies decorated by the kids and, later, the grandkids too; Dutch apple pies and Texas sheet cakes; and enough food on the Christmas table to feed a small army.

In her career, Dana consistently worked for independent, local businesses, with a notable tenure at children's clothing store The Toggery and, for the last 27 years, at Townley Pool and Spa.

For her, working at Townley was working with family. She was close friends with the Townleys before they launched the store, and she joined their team in the store's early years. In a fitting tribute to her on Facebook, David Townley wrote that Dana was "an important part of what made Townley feel like Townley."

"Dana had a gift for knowing everyone who walked through our doors," he continued. "And if she didn't know you personally, chances are she knew your parents, your kids, your dentist, your teacher — or someone else in your family. She had an incredible way of making connections, remembering people, and making everyone feel like they belonged."

At the time of her passing, Dana was looking forward to the birth of her first great-grandchild and her annual family vacation to the Gulf Coast, her "happy place."

She was preceded in death by parents John and Sammie Goff; brother Ron Pendleton; her children's father, W.B. Loyd; and his sister Liz Ransom. She is survived by children Abby Youngbauer, Amy Loyd, Gregory Loyd and Mary Loyd; son-in-law Andrew Youngbauer; grandchildren Annabel Bethell (Jett), Lily Loyd, Mason Kissinger and Stella Youngbauer; great-granddaughter Baker Elizabeth Bethell, due later this month; sister Leslie Jaye Goff; two sisters-in-law; numerous nieces and nephews; and a group of lifelong friends with whom she maintained close relationships.

A visitation will be held at 12:00 p.m. on Thursday, August 20, 2026, at Trinity United Methodist Church (1101 N. Mississippi) with a memorial service following at 1:00 p.m.

In lieu of flowers the family suggests remembrances in the form of charitable donations to Arkansas Food Bank, Shriner’s Hospital for Children or Trinity United Methodist Church.