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Submitted: 7/22/16 • Approved: 7/30/16 • Last Updated: 8/2/16 • R1149732-G1149731-S3
Jan 7, 1940 - Oct 30, 2015
Eve Elizabeth "Bitsy" Torian, age 75, of Conway, passed away at home early October 3, 2015, surrounded by family. Born January 7, 1940, Bitsy was the fifth child born to parents Robert Orum Barrett and Fernande Vicknair Barrett in Montz, LA, St. Charles Parish.
In 1946, her family moved to Wilmot, AR, where she and her four brothers and four
sisters spent their childhood on a small family cotton farm. Upon graduating from Wilmot High School in 1957, Bitsy attended college at the University of Arkansas at Monticello ("UAM"), earning a bachelor of arts. As an English major, Bitsy's love for early American literature and joy of reading remained a constant throughout her life.
While attending UAM, Bitsy met her husband of 53 years, Emmet Putnam Torian, Jr. Working as a student in the college cafeteria, she first met Emmet serving him in the cafeteria line. She was known to say that "the first time he asked me out, I said no. I don't know why, but he was persistent!" Their first date was a movie at the old Monticello drive-in theater. Bitsy and Emmet married at the First Baptist Church of Carlisle, AR on August 31, 1962. After teaching high school English in Springdale and Carlisle, AR for several years, Bitsy and Emmet moved to Conway in December 1969, where they began farming rice and soybeans for the past 47 years. Soon after arriving in Conway, they joined the First Baptist Church of Conway and remained life-long members.
Bitsy's family, children and grandchildren were the love of her life. She was very active in her children's church, education and extracurricular activities. She was always proud to say "I seldom missed an activity or game!" Over the years she served as both the President and Fund Raiser for the Parent Teacher's Association, as a classroom mother, taught Sunday school and vacation bible school, and oversaw many of her children's activities. The consummate mother and homemaker, she shuffled her children and grandchildren to and from church activities, sporting events, and dance recitals, always finding time to cook three meals a day. But her love for reading was always present and she sought to impress the importance of reading on her children and grandchildren. For years, Saturday mornings were spent at the old green Faulkner County Public Library, where she allowed her children to explore and choose books each week.
Bitsy is survived by her husband Emmet Putnam Torian, Jr., children Joseph Garland Torian (Conway, AR), Mark Emmet Torian (Dallas, TX), and Sarah Putnam Torian (Conway, AR), and grandchildren, Joseph Collin Torian (Carlisle, AR), Caroline Elizabeth Torian (Conway, AR), Jacob Kyle Torian (Maumelle, AR), Haddox Tucker Torian (Dallas, TX), Noah Alfred Torian (Conway, AR), and Joseph Garland Torian, Jr. (Maumelle, AR). Bitsy was proceeded in death by her parents and brother Robert Orum Barrett, Jr. and is survived by siblings Lela Mae Pickett (Texarkana, AR), Mary Louise "Sister" Harp (Tyler, TX), Laura Sue Pasqua (Gonzales, LA), Gloria Ann "Goldie" Roebuck (Ruston, LA), Errol Lee Barrett (Portland, AR), James Kenneth Barrett (Hamburg, AR), and John Keith Barrett (Hot Springs).
Visitation will be held on Monday, October 5, from 6:00 p.m. to 8:00 p.m., at Roller McNutt Funeral Home. Funeral services will be held on Tuesday, October 6, at First Baptist Church of Conway, beginning at 11:00 a.m., followed by interment in Oak Grove Cemetery.
Contributed on 7/22/16 by hawkinsdonna
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Record #: 1149732