Julia Rosetta Altom

"Rose" Julia Rosetta (Smith) Altom, 86, passed away on December 3, 2025. She was born on September 2, 1939, in the family's log home in Wilburn, Arkansas, the fourth of seven children born to Arvel and Paralee (Staggs) Smith.
Rose graduated from Wilburn High School in 1957 and married her high school sweetheart, Kenneth Randolph Altom, in 1958. Together they built a beautiful life filled with faith, family, and service. Rose and Kenneth lived in Kansas, New Jersey, and Florida before eventually settling in Houston, where Kenneth worked at NASA in the aerospace industry.
During those years Rose poured herself into raising their family and serving faithfully in the Sagemont Baptist Church, where she taught Sunday School and led mission-focused classes. Her heart for ministry was evident in everything she did.
In 1988, Rose and Kenneth relocated to Sherwood, Arkansas, as Kenneth continued his career with the U.S. Air Force in Jacksonville. When they later moved back to Wilburn, they lovingly restored Rose's childhood home. Rose continued teaching Sunday School and stepped in to help wherever she was needed. She was also active in cancer research fundraising through the local Relay for Life and was a proud member of the Women's Auxiliary of The Gideons International.
Rose earned her associate degree from San Jacinto Community College and later used her degree to work as a substitute teacher in both Houston and Sherwood. She was a talented seamstress and was well known for making the beloved "Mama Blankets" gifted to so many new babies. Her gentle spirit and generosity blessed everyone fortunate enough to know her.
Rose was preceded in death by her husband of 60 years, Kenneth; her parents; brothers Retis Arvel Smith (infant) and Donive Smith; sister Claudia Southerland and daughter Karon Peryam.
She is survived by her sisters Dorothy (Doyle) Ball and Ella Higgs; brother Bill (Margaret) Smith; brother-in-law Lindell Southerland; sister-in-law Kathy (Jerry) Carr; daughters Vonda (Randy) Wall, Renee (John) Lyons, and Kaye (Randy) Boelsche; son-in-law Jimmy Peryam; grandchildren James (Crystal) Hall, Michael (Alex) Lyons, Jacob (Laura) Boelsche, Grace Boelsche, Christopher Lyons, Amy Peryam, Emily Peryam, and Samantha (Christian) Barbery; and great-grandchildren Beau Hall, Noah Boelsche, Jaxson Hall, and Elle Boelsche.
Visitation will be held on Sunday, December 7, 2025, from 1:00pm–2:00pm at Olmstead Funeral Home, followed by funeral services at 2:00pm with Pastor Doug Lynn officiating. Pallbearers will be James Hall, Michael Lyons, Jacob Boelsche, Christopher Lyons, Asa Carr, and Christian Barbery. Interment will follow at Pleasant Ridge Union Church.
In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to The Gideons International or The Other Side, P.O. Box 1142, Heber Springs, AR 72543.