Darby LaRue Blair

Darby LaRue Blair, 81, of North Little Rock, Arkansas, passed away on May 20, 2025. She was born on May 6, 1944, in San Diego, California, to the late John and LaRue Cook.

Darby moved with her family to North Little Rock at the age of five, where she spent most of her life. She attended Park Hill Elementary and Jeff Davis Junior High, and graduated from North Little Rock High School in 1962.

On December 1, 1961, she married the love of her life, Carl “Dudley” Blair. Together, they shared almost 60 wonderful years of marriage—a bond that continues now and forever in Heaven.

Darby worked alongside her husband and family at Argenta Drug Store, and in 1978, she and Dudley opened Blair’s Pharmacy, where she was an integral part of the business and the community it served. Later in life, she also enjoyed working at Tipton & Hurst and June’s Hallmark. Though her time at those stores was brief, she found great joy in being part of their teams and was a loyal customer and admirer even beyond her time there.

Darby is lovingly remembered by her children, John Blair and Valli Lanning; her grandchildren, Maddie, Erica, Justin, Lauren, Alex, Beau, and Josh; and eight cherished great-grandchildren. She also leaves behind a host of extended family and dear friends who will miss her deeply.

Visitation will be held on Tuesday, May 27, from 1:00 to 2:00 PM at Smith-North Little Rock Funeral Home (1921 Main Street), followed by a funeral service at 2:00 PM.