Lonia Colen

At age 98, Lonia Mack Colen passed away peacefully on March 8, 2018 at Crestpark Retirement Center in Stuttgart, Arkansas. She was born in Humphrey, Arkansas on September 17, 1919 to the late Luevenia Dillard and Mack Smith.

Sis. Lonia grew up in Humphrey, Arkansas and attended Humphrey Public School. In 1934, she became a member of First Missionary Baptist Church in Humphrey, Arkansas under the leadership of Reverend I.J. Ross. She remained a faithful member until she was unable to attend due to her decline in health.

 Sis. Lonia worked as a Dietician for Stuttgart Memorial Hospital and later retired after 25 years of dedicated employment. She was very passionate about the preparation of food in order to ensure that patients received proper nutrition, while being treated in the hospital. That being said, she was truly concerned about the welfare of others. She was a caring individual who was determined to assist those in need. Throughout her life she provided help to many generations of families and will be truly remembered for having such a genuine, giving spirit.

Sis. Lonia enjoyed several hobbies such as fishing and gardening. Her love for planting flowers, fresh fruits and vegetables would often keep her outdoors for long hours during the day. She went fishing as often as she could with close friends, mostly on early Saturday mornings if the weather permitted. Being outdoors was more than enough for her as she would sit in her chair and listen to the various sounds of nature. She also loved feeding the birds from her back door with her dried bread crumbs. She was even concerned about the animals having food to eat. 

Sis. Lonia was very strong-willed and faithful in the Lord. Her love of gospel music could be heard all through her house as she played numerous songs, while she started many Sunday mornings on her way to church. She instilled in her grandchildren to stay active in church and never part from the Lord.

Sis. Lonia was the last living matriarch of her family and leaves a strong foundational legacy of strength, wisdom and love. She believed that she lived a long time because she was obedient to her mother and father. She often expressed to her grandchildren to do right and if someone asked you to doing something, always do it the right way. Her faith in the Lord was strong and she never doubted His ability to take care of her and all things.

She is preceded in death by her husband Elmer Colen; parents Luevenia Dillard and Mack Smith; son Charlie Higgins; brother Wilson Smith; sisters Nancy Combs and Ida Lee Thomson; and granddaughter Linda Kay Guydon. She leaves to cherish her memories: brothers Robert (Patricia) Smith (Pine Bluff, AR), Calvin Smith (Stuttgart, AR), Elvin Smith (Stuttgart, AR), Melvin Smith (Detroit, MI), and Floyd (Shena) Combs (Pine Bluff, AR); sister Tilda Mae Reeves (Stuttgart, AR); daughter-in-law Ollie Higgins (Stuttgart, AR); granddaughters Laneisha Higgins (Stuttgart, AR) and Charlene Roberts (Stuttgart, AR); a special nephew  Herbert Colen (Copperas Cove, TX), and a host of nieces, nephews, cousins, great grandchildren, great-great grandchildren, and great-great-great grandchildren.

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