of Benton, AR

August 17, 1923 - November 28, 2024

Era May Weeks stepped into her eternal rest on November 28, 2024. She was finally able to look upon the face of the Savior she loved. We know that Jesus welcomed her home with open arms and great celebration.

Era May was born on August 17, 1923 in Sheridan, AR where she was the second of seven children born to Davis and Tennie Wilson.

She was preceded in death by two sons who were reunited with Christ in Heaven days after their births, her husband of 48 years Dr. Foy Weeks and her siblings, Veo Wilson (Era Wilson), Therin Wilson (Abbie Wilson), Conrad Wilson (Ann Wilson), Dorothy Greene and Peggy Cusick (Clint Cusick).

She is survived by her son, Dr. K Brant Weeks and Jim Novak of Benton; her grandson, Weston Weeks (Lisa Weeks) of Little Rock; her granddaughter, Alexis Cauthen (Shane Cauthen) of Vilonia and her great grandchildren, Drake Cauthen, Casen Cauthen, Jay Rogers, Ava Rogers, Dean Jones, Alex Jones and Preston Jones and her last living sibling, Gean Simmons (Dr. Richard Simmons).

She was a devoted member of Spring Creek Baptist Church for over 50 years. She and Foy led both their grandchildren to the Lord under the covering of Spring Creek and its congregation.

Era May was an exceptionally talented woman who was prolific in the art of China painting, having created hundreds of beautiful pieces for countless individuals and family members. She made most of her dearest friends during hours of paint classes led by her beloved paint teacher, Linda Alexander.

She grew up on a farm in Sheridan, Arkansas and moved away from home to the big city of Little Rock at just under 18 years of age to go to work and earn money to help support her large family. Because she was under 18, she fibbed a little on her application to a soda shoppe that was inside a local drug store. Then, after applying to the soda shoppe with the date of 1922, she couldn't ever remember which year she was actually born, sometimes stating 1923 and sometimes1924. According to Ancestry.com, it was actually 1923 and not 1924 like we all thought when we celebrated her 100th birthday this past summer. She was actually 101.

The soda shoppe was the only paying job she ever held, but she never stopped working. She could always be found in the kitchen, in the garden, painting china, reading or mowing her own lawn until she was over 90 years old. Her grandchildren, who spent a large part of their childhood under her care, swear they never saw her sleep until she was over ninety. She made the work and privilege of homemaking an art form.

Anyone and everyone was welcome to walk in the back door of her rock home on West North Street where she lived for at least 71 years before moving in with her sons, Brant Weeks and Jim Novak for the last three years of her life. Everyone knew where the key was ''hidden'' on Aunt May's back porch, including all of her nieces and nephews. They will all fondly remember being greeted by the aroma of home cooking, a huge smile, a big hug and probably a dirty joke or two.

Era May held regular therapy sessions at her big table or in her loveseat long before therapy was ''trendy.'' She always gave the best advice and was an incredible listener. You could be sure that anything you told her would certainly be passed along to all the sisters, but none of them judged us in our mistakes and hurts. They just all loved us well.

She was the matriarch of a very large extended family. Having only one living son limited her to only two grandchildren, but she made the most of every moment with them. Their Meme, as they called her, showed them the world and made her house their home.

There are not enough words in the English language to do justice to her life that was so well lived.

Her faith and her legacy will live on for generations and all who love her are comforted by knowing that she knew Jesus Christ intimately and she has now fully received her salvation that was bought with His blood. As her great grandson Drake said, ''We know she is in the throne room now, probably trying to serve the King of Kings a piece of Meme cake.''

Visitation will be held at Roller Alcoa Funeral Home at 6700 Alcoa Rd in Benton from 11 AM-12 Noon on Friday, December 6th. Funeral Services will immediately follow. A private graveside ceremony will then take place at Smith Rosemont Cemetery on Military Road in Benton, AR.

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