Altha Margaret DeFries

Altha Margaret DeFries, 96 of Tulsa, Oklahoma (formerly of Batesville) went to be with our Lord on Saturday, March 6, 2021.  She was born November 29, 1924 in rural Izard County to Russell C. Stice and Mildred Hurst Stice.   She was married to Fax Jeffery DeFries on January 4, 1941.

 She was a long-time employee of International Shoe Factory in Batesville before retiring.  After her husband’s death, she babysat in the home for several children and then became a “Granny” for West Side School.  The kids all adored her.  Altha loved her grandkids and enjoyed their visits.  She even got a few of them hooked on her soap operas.  She and Fax enjoyed boating on the White River when they were younger and Altha loved to shop.  She was a member of the West Baptist Church in Batesville. 

Altha died of natural causes in Tulsa, Oklahoma at the home of a very dear loved one, Bernie Simpson.  He and his family became her extended family over the past several years.  Their devotion to her will be cherished forever.

She was preceded in death by her parents; her husband of 53 years, Fax DeFries; one granddaughter, Leigh Ann DeFries; three sisters and one brother.

Survivors include two sons, Ron DeFries of Searcy and Rick DeFries (Carolyn) of Batesville: three grandchildren, Lance Burns (Betty), Allison Shuttleworth (Tim) and Trey DeFries (Wendy); five great grandchildren, Sydnye Shuttleworth, Laine Shuttleworth, Shelby Burns, Alex Burns and Nathan DeFries; and a host of other relatives and friends.

Funeral services will be held Thursday, March 11, 2021 at 2:00 p.m at the Qualls Batesville Funeral Service Chapel with Bro. Bobby Sanders officiating.  Burial will be in the Barnes Cemetery in Batesville.

In lieu of flowers memorials may be made to the Multiple Myeloma Research Foundation, P.O. Box 414238, Boston, MA  02241-4238 or by phone or on-line or to the National Kidney Foundation at Kidney.org/donation.