Chita R. Salazar

Chita R. Salazar, 83, was born in Aparri Cagayan, Philippines on Thursday, March 9, 1939.  She is the 10^th child of 11 brothers and sisters by Ignacio M. Reyes and Remedios B. Reyes

Shortly after her birth, Japanese invaded the Philippines on Dec 10, 1941.  Her home and land were taken over by the Japanese and eventually burned it to the ground.  Forcing her and her family to flee and seek shelter from neighbor to neighbor.  

She graduated from nursing school as a registered nurse at University of The Philippines General Hospital class of 1962.  While in nursing school she met the love of her life, Alfred Salazar and were married on Dec 15, 1964.  They moved to Okinawa, Japan and gave birth to her daughter, Mia and son, John.  Her youngest daughter, Jean, was born in Quezon City, Philippines. 

On Feb 17, 1975, Chita moved to Little Rock, AR as one of the Filipino nurses that were petitioned by Baptist Hospital – Little Rock.  She worked in Self Care Medical Towers, Medical-Surgical Unit and Baptist Rehab and retired after 31 years at BMC.  She had also worked as a pool nurse at St. Vincent’s and Doctor’s Hospital. 

She remained in Little Rock and helped formed the Arkansas Philippine Association.  Over the years as an active member, she chaired and co-chaired many activities, volunteered in medical mission trips to the Philippines and cooked at the Arkansas Riverfest for APA.  All the while owned and operated C&F Jewelry store in Little Rock. 

With her already busy schedule of having a full-time job and running a jewelry store, as a devout Catholic, she also started a rosary group within the Filipino community.  She was instrumental in teaching the Rosary and many novenas.  They held weekly Rosary followed by a potluck lunch or dinner.  She also sponsored several weddings and had numerous God children.

Chita enjoyed cooking, crocheting, entertaining, and traveling.  She has shown unconditional love, and no one was a stranger after meeting her.  If you asked her to give you one sentence about her life, she would say “It’s been a BLESSING”.

Her greatest joy in life was the family she and her husband of 58 years created.  Her daughters Mia (Lisa Hall) and Jean (Jeff Longworth); and son John (Lisa Barborek).  Her grandchildren Trevor, Christian, Simon, Sophia, Ian, Isaac and Maggie.  She is also survived by her sister Helen Mangotara (Philippines) and brother, Ernie Reyes (Lita) of New York; numerous nieces and nephews around the world

The family would like to thank all her doctors, nurses, and staff at UAMS, Elite Home Health and Arkansas Hospice.  Also, all the sisters at Discalced Carmelites of St Teresa of Jesus.

Mass of Christian Burial will be 10:00am, Tuesday, April 5, 2022 at Our Lady of Good Counsel Catholic Church. Interment will follow at Roselawn Memorial Park. Rosary service will be 6:00pm, Monday, April 4, 2022 at Smith Little Rock Funeral Home chapel with visitation following until 9:00pm.