Nita "Miss Nita" Eldridge

NITA “Miss Nita” ELDRIDGE Nita “Miss Nita” Eldridge died at the age of 98 on October 30, 2024 at River Ridge Rehab and Care Center in Wynne, AR. She was born on February 14, 1926 in Vernon, Texas to Emil R. Haseloff and Hattie Droigk Haseloff, both of whom predecease her. She is also predeceased by her step-mother Mary Belle Haseloff and her sister, Arcine Griggs. Her husband of 63 years, Mr. Fred Eldridge Jr., died on March 14, 2017. Nita served honorably in the United States Navy from 1951 to 1954, during which time she met the love of her life, Fred Eldridge Jr, while serving at the Naval Air Station in Alameda, California. Mrs. Nita and Mr. Fred married in 1954, and started a business together in Forrest City in 1959. For 53 years they worked and played together at Eldridge Tire & Wheel until their retirement in 2012. They were lifetime members of the Arkansas Independent Tire Dealers Association. Nita was a past president of the Crowley’s Ridge Girl Scout Council as well as a troop leader and co-leader with Mr. Fred of Explorer Post 202 in Forrest City. She was a past president of the United Methodist Women and a tutor with the Literacy Council of St. Francis County. Together with Mr. Fred, she enjoyed a 40 year “obsession” with antique and elegant glassware and traveled the country to various shows and museums, developing many friendships along the way. Survivors include 2 daughters: Barbara Davis of Alma, Arkansas and Elaine Hunthrop (Ted) of Sherwood, Arkansas. She is preceded in death by her middle daughter Beverly Todd who died in 2015 and her son-in-law Wayne Davis who died in 2018. She is also survived by her niece Brenda Hall in Rockwall, Texas, nieces Eugenia Gray, Debra Evanoff, Julie Dye, Mary Belle Downing, Betty Sessum and Patricia Henley, and nephew Michael Eldridge along with many great-nieces and great-nephews. Nita requested that all please dress comfotably and casually for the service and visitation. Services for Nita will be held Graveside, 11:00 A.M., Saturday, November 2, 2024, at the Lindsey Cemetery in Forrest City. Visitation will be Friday, 5:00 till 7:00 P.M., at Stevens Funeral Home, with Stevens Funeral Home in charge of arrangements. Rev. Beth Perdue will peform the service. In lieu of flowers, please send memorials to the Forrest City Public Library, 421 S. Washington, Forrest City, Arkansas, 72335 or the National Glass Museum, P.O. Box 156, Wellington, KS 67152. You may log on to stevensfuneralhome.net for the online registry.

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Nita "Miss Nita" Eldridge

February 14, 1926 - October 30, 2024