Carlena VanAusdall

1933 - 2024

HARRISBURG - Carlena Huffman VanAusdall of Harrisburg, died Saturday, April 20, 2024, of natural causes. She was 90 years old.

Born Oct. 3, 1933, in Weiner, to Lena and Carl B. Huffman, Carlena graduated from Weiner High School. She attended Phillips University in Enid, Okla., her freshman year of college, then transferred to Arkansas State College (now Arkansas State University) in Jonesboro where she earned her Bachelor of Arts in early childhood education.

She was a member of the Alpha Gamma Delta sorority, an honorary cadet of the campus ROTC, an Indian Beauty, a Dream Girl of Sigma Pi, and on the homecoming court.

Carlena married her college sweetheart and soulmate, Rice Lee VanAusdall, shortly after they graduated from college. They moved to Fort Campbell, Ky., where Rice was stationed in the Army. After Rice completed his military service, the couple and their two young children moved to Fayetteville for Rice to attend law school.

While Rice was in law school, Carlena supported their family by teaching school. In her spare time, she had the last two of the couple's four children. By the end of Rice and Carlena's tenure in Fayetteville, the couple had had their four children in less than four years, a fact which always made Carlena beam with pride. They then moved to Harrisburg to be near Carlena's mother, becoming lifelong residents and active members of the community.

As Rice would attest, Carlena kept the home fires burning during his busy legal career, successful run for judge, and during his time on the bench. When Rice ran for office, she campaigned over the six-county district shaking many hands and never meeting a stranger – she was instrumental in his victory. They were an inseparable team.

Carlena was a woman of deep religious faith who gave tirelessly of her time to her beloved First Christian Church of Weiner where she was a lifelong member. She adored her church family. Carlena was an avid participant in almost all church activities, teaching Sunday school, helping with vacation Bible school every summer, and serving as an elder and a board member for many years.

Throughout life, Carlena was said to be at church "whenever the doors were open." She also found time to contribute to the Progressive Century Club, the Garden Club, the Democratic Women of Poinsett County, the Harrisburg PTA and the Governor's Mansion Board.

Carlena's family was the center of her universe. She was happiest when surrounded by her children and grandchildren and even happier when they accompanied her to church. Simply put, she was a devoted mother and grandmother who selflessly devoted her time to her family.

There was never any doubt how much "grandmommy" loved and enjoyed spending time with them. Carlena exemplified Philippians 2:3, "Do nothing out of selfish ambition or vain conceit. Rather, in humility value others above yourselves."

Carlena was preceded in death by her husband, Rice, her parents, her brother, Donny Huffman, her grandson, Rice Lee VanAusdall III, and her son-in-law, Jeff Bell.

She is survived by her children and their spouses Tricia Bell of Little Rock, Stacy Grundfest of Little Rock, Rice Lee II and Jill VanAusdall of Nashville, Tenn., and Carla and Bill Latourette of Sarasota, Fla.

Her cherished grandchildren are Dave Grundfest IV, Luke Latourette, Gracen Grundfest, Anslee Lloyd, Jessie VanAusdall Alexis, John Bell, Emily Bell, Amanda Bell and Michael Bell. She is also survived by her four great-grandchildren, Eleena Alexis, Isabella Price, Emma-Grace Price and Julia Bell.

The family would like to extend their heartfelt thanks and deepest gratitude to Norma Rivera of Benton and Dr. Vonda Houchin of Harrisburg, for their friendship and tireless care over the years.

Visitation will be from 5 to 8 p.m. Friday at Jackson Funeral Home in Harrisburg, 103 W. Jackson St. The funeral will be the following day at 1 p.m. May 4 at the First Christian Church in Weiner, 223 Kingshighwy. The funeral will be officiated by Pam Hogue. There will be a burial to follow in Oak Grove Cemetery at Weiner.

Pallbearers will be Dave Grundfest IV, Luke Latourette, John Bell, Bill Latourette, Roger Bradley and Greg Jones.

Honorary pallbearers will be Bobby Lynn, Kenneth Branum, Charles Cooper and Jeffery Hogue.