of West Helena, AR

May 25, 1945 - March 3, 2025

Anita (Nita) Lorraine Dennis, age 79, of West Helena, Arkansas passed away March 3, 2025 at her sister, Jackye's residence in Conway. She was born May 25, 1945 the daughter(step) of the late Verlon Heathcock and Graple Heathcock of West Helena.

Nita was a long-time resident of West Helena making life-time friends in various positions with local companies such as Waters Lumber Company, Doughboy Pools and the Helena-West Helena Post Office.

She learned to be an independent-thinking woman and was head strong with the things and people she loved. She loved to collect tea pots and going to the beach in Biloxi. Every year her yard was overflowing with daylilies blooming and she always planned to make juice from the plenty of fresh tomatoes. She had great fun traveling with her bowling team and was quite a bowler. Later in years she may have had health and physical challenges, but her mind stayed sharp to near the end and her heart always kind. We celebrate her knowing she is with Mama; her dog, Bear and her long-missed son, Jeff now… probably eating some shrimp (her favorite).

Nita is preceded in death by her stepfather, Verlon Heathcock; her mother, Graple Heathcock; her son, Jeffrey (Jeff) Dennis and siblings, Jay Cheek, Jo James and half-siblings, Dorothy Parks and Trudy Depriest.

Survivors include her sisters, Jackye Wilder (Joe) of Conway, Arkansas; Cecilia Kerst (Paul) of Conway, Arkansas; Donna Anderson (Louie) of California; nieces and nephews, Laura, Kyle, Katie, Lou, Wayne, Perry, Scott, Kevin, Michelle, Meredith, Michael, Ivan and Timmy. Special thanks to James Box who was her companion and caretaker for many years.

Serving as pallbearers will be Paul Kerst, Lou Kerst, Ivan Crabtree and Kyle Wilder.

The funeral service for Anita will be held on Saturday, March 8, 2025 at 11:00 a.m. at Roller-Citizens Funeral Home Chapel in West Helena, Arkansas. A visitation will be held prior starting at 10:00 a.m. Interment will follow at Sunset Memorial Gardens in West Helena, Arkansas. Brother Bobbie Baker will officiate.

Services will be directed by Roller-Citizens Funeral Home, West Helena, Arkansas (870) 572-2571. Relatives and friends may sign the online guestbook at: www.rollerfuneralhomes.com/westhelena

Obituary Provided By:
Roller-Citizens Funeral Home
508 East Plaza Street
West Helena, AR  72390
www.rollerfuneralhomes.com