Mildred Splawn

A Life of Laughter, Lakes and Love

Last Tuesday, Mildred Celeste Splawn looked at her daughter Sue and said, “Get my red shoes and put

them in the suitcase.” No one had any idea what she was talking about until someone remembered the

story from the last time she wore red shoes, over 77 years ago.

In March, 1944 Mildred Thomas was dating a man named Roy Splawn who was then serving as a B-17

bomber instructor in Pratt, Kansas. One day she went to her best friend and told her come with her. “I

got my red shoes, red hat; we’re going to Pratt and I’m going to marry Roy.” On February 2 nd , 2021

Mildred ascended to heaven to see Roy again.

After the war they built a business together, Splawn Marine, initially selling outboard motors out of the

back of her father’s liquor store in Levy, Arkansas.

They built a house together in Park Hill where they lived until the day of her passing.

They built a life together with two loving daughters, Ann and Sue, later three grandchildren, Todd, Allen

and Carrie, and six great grandchildren, Tristan, Jackson, Tori, Mason, Zachary and Sam.

They worked hard at “The Shop” Monday through Saturdays at noon, then would take off to the lake. In

the early 60s they were one of the first customers at Mountain Harbor Resort on Lake Ouachita, and

helped the founder, Hal Barns, finance the newly established resort by lending them rental boats for the

season. For themselves, they found a half sunken houseboat, bought it for $100 and spent the next two

winters renovating it. It was a boat that provided priceless memories for the family for decades. She

loved to sit on the deck of the boat soaking up the sun, reading romance novels and drinking watered

down beer. On Sunday mornings the grandchildren would come over for “Granny’s special breakfast”.

For their lifelong devotion to Mountain Harbor, they were honored by the naming of Splawn Dock in

2003. But more important to Mildred is the continuing legacy of the lake to the family, who is currently

on its fourth generation at Mountain Harbor.

When she wasn’t at the lake, she loved having the grandchildren at their house. She would make them

cheese toast, serve them ice cream sandwiches with plenty of lemon drops always nearby. They would

make mud pies in the back yard and she always gave them a bath without complaint. Some of their

earliest memories were her singing them to sleep with lullabies, and later gathered around their player

piano, which the kids thought was magic. Tristan and Tori loved to come by for “Tuesday meals” with

her.

In the later years she was able to continue to live in her house thanks to the tireless devotion of her

caregivers, who loved her dearly. Her family is deeply grateful for these “adopted sisters and brother”.

Mildred’s generosity and unconditional love for family was remarkable. She and Roy worked hard and

sacrificed to give their daughters a perfect childhood. She was truly a mother to all who knew her, in

particular the in-laws of the family, Bruce, Robert, Tara, Scott and Ashley.

She and Roy could have lived “high on the hog” but she didn’t believe in that. She was a diligent saver

and successfully funded college educations not only for the two children, but also three grandchildren

and six great grandchildren. She also helped fund three other family businesses that have flourished

with her support and provide incomes for nearly a hundred people.

Mildred was one-of-a-kind. She loved to laugh. She was sassy, unpretentious and did not shy from

letting her opinions fly. The two grand boys admit they should have listened to her every time she said

she disliked Allen’s mullet and Todd’s earring.

Mildred served as a guide to us all on how to live a good life. She created a legacy out of laughter, lakes

and love.

“I thank my God every time I remember you.” - Phillipians 1:3

In lieu of flowers, please send donations to:

St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital

donors@stjude.org

501 St. Jude Place, Memphis, TN 38105

Or

Arkansas Hospice

14 Parkstone, North Little Rock, AR 72116

Arrangements by Smith North Little Rock Funeral Home , 1921 Main St, North Little Rock, AR 72114, 501-758-1170.