Elizabeth Cire Bays

Elizabeth Cire Bays, age 90, of Little Rock, Arkansas, passed away on August 8, 2026. Born in Alexandria, Louisiana on September 13, 1935 to Leonce Benoit Cire and Mathilde Marshall Cire, she was the youngest of three children. 

Elizabeth was raised in Alexandria and graduated from Bolton High School with honors. She attended Sophie Newcomb College (now part of Tulane University) in New Orleans where she studied Art and English. After her return to Alexandria, she worked in the administrative offices of Mobil Oil Company and also assisted her father in his pharmacy business.

In September 1956, Elizabeth married Robert Roy Bays in Alexandria. In the years that followed, she became an invaluable helpmate to Robert as he grew his rising career with CLECO (Central Louisiana Electric Company). While he was working in corporate and industrial development for CLECO, she supported him at each of several Louisiana cities where he was assigned. Together, they made many lifelong friends all over the state. 

While living in Alexandria, Elizabeth and Robert welcomed their two daughters, Eris and Catherine. Elizabeth was a devoted mother who always put her family first. She taught her daughters many valuable life skills and ensured that they received a thorough and well-rounded education. She also provided many opportunities for them to explore the performing and fine arts and other life-enhancing experiences. She was a great “ballet and dance Mom” and an active PTA volunteer.

In 1975, Robert accepted a job opportunity in Little Rock, Arkansas. After moving to their new hometown, Elizabeth and Robert became members of Christ the King Catholic Church where they made many meaningful connections over the years. Elizabeth also enjoyed a fulfilling career spanning more than 30 years at the University of Arkansas for Medical Sciences (UAMS), where she served in a variety of administrative roles. In her final years there, she worked closely with the College of Medicine's clinical affairs team, a position she found deeply rewarding.

Elizabeth loved music, the fine and performing arts and fashion. She was a highly skilled seamstress and made beautiful clothing for her “girls” over the years. In fact, the clothing she made was so well crafted and perfectly finished that most items could be worn inside out. Elizabeth also created many beautiful art pieces including paintings, hand crafted pottery and other items. She was an avid reader and crossword puzzle solver (which she always completed in ink) and had a keen interest in ancestry and the history of Louisiana. 

As a devoted grandmother, Elizabeth cherished her role as “Nan” to her lovely granddaughter and namesake Elizabeth who brought so much joy to her life. Some of their sweetest memories were simple ones… afternoons spent playing with Barbies and playing house, just the two Elizabeths creating a world of their own. 

Elizabeth is survived by her daughters Eris and Catherine, granddaughter Elizabeth Kyle Belto (Alexander), and son-in-law Terry L. Allen. She is also survived by several nieces, nephews and cousins. Elizabeth was preceded in death by her parents, her husband Robert, her brothers L. Marshall Cire and Richard C. Cire, and relatives from the Cire, Bays and Broussard families. For those wishing to remember Elizabeth in a special way, please take time to do something that she loved…visit an art gallery or museum, attend a musical event, live ballet or theatre performance, enjoy a favorite vacation spot or read a book. In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to an organization of your choice. 

Elizabeth’s family would like to thank the staff at The Green House Cottages of Poplar Grove in Little Rock for the loving care and support she received during her final years. 

A Visitation will take place on 5:00 – 7:00 pm on August 18th, 2026 at Smith Little Rock Funeral Home, 8801 Knoedl Ct., Little Rock. A holy Mass celebrating Elizabeth’s life will be held in Alexandria, Louisiana at a later date with a private interment service at Greenwood Memorial Park Cemetery in Pineville, Louisiana afterward.