Mildred Odell Lott

Mildred Odell Lott, 87, of Jonesboro, formerly of Blytheville, died Saturday, Sept. 28, 2024 at the Flo & Phil Jones Hospice House at St. Bernards.

Born near Dell, she was the daughter of the late Phea Hampton and Lela Finn Austin. She attended school in Dell and later moved to Gosnell with her family. She was employed as a longtime bookkeeper for E.B. Gee Cotton Co. and worked as the veteran’s clerk at Mississippi County Community College (now Arkansas Northeastern College). After raising her three children, she returned to college, earning a Bachelor of Science degree in Elementary Education at Arkansas State University in 1988. She loved teaching and taught second grade at Franklin Elementary School in Blytheville until her retirement.

She was a longtime member of Trinity Baptist Church in Blytheville and joined Walnut Street Baptist Church after moving to Jonesboro in 1996 to be closer to her children and grandchildren. After retiring, she enjoyed teaching her grandchildren during their preschool years, playing the piano and learning to play the violin with her granddaughters. She and her husband enjoyed watching their grandchildren play sports, perform in concerts and in theater productions. They also enjoyed traveling and made frequent trips to Blytheville to visit friends and family, accompanied by their beloved dog, Princess.

She is survived by her son, Solan Lott Jr., (Leslie) and daughter, Audrey Lott Poff, (Rodney), all of Jonesboro; three grandsons, Austin Lott of Nashville, Tenn., Adam Watkins (Morgan) of Little Rock and Eric Poff (Samantha) of Choctaw, Okla.; four granddaughters, Becca Bess Sutton (Tony) of Gaithersburg, Md., Leah Bess Myers (Ross) of Hampstead, N.C., Emma Watkins Nix (Ryan) of Fayetteville, and Sophie Watkins Roberts (Reid) of Jonesboro; five great-grandsons, Riley and Zack Sutton and Mason, Ashton and Jackson Poff; and two great-granddaughters, Stella and Charlotte Myers. She is also survived by her son-in-law, Greg Bess of Hardy; her sister-in-law, Mary Lott Battles of Blytheville; her friend of 80 years, Patsy Southard of Gosnell; and a host of nieces and nephews.

In addition to her parents, she was preceded in death by her husband, Solan Lott Sr.; a daughter, JaNoel Lott Bess; four brothers, Bertram, Elkin, Leon and Ruble Austin; and four sisters, Anna Lou O’Connell; Walterene Forshee, Lorene Sykes and Jean Kay.

A memorial service to celebrate her life will be held Wednesday, Oct. 2, at 2 p.m. at Cobb Funeral Home in Blytheville with Rev. Mike Welch officiating. Entombment will follow in Dogwood Mausoleum in Blytheville. The family will receive visitors from 1 p.m. until time of service.

Pallbearers will be Austin Lott, Adam Watkins, Ryan Nix, Reid Roberts, Rodney Poff and Don White.

The family would like to thank Dr. Scott Hoke of Jonesboro, the staff of Liberty Park Senior Living Center and the staff of Flo & Phil Jones Hospice House for their devoted care and service. Condolences may be offered at www.cobbfuneralhome.com. The family requests that anyone wishing to leave a lasting memorial consider Trinity Baptist Church, 918 E. Main St., Blytheville, AR 72315 or the Northeast Arkansas Humane Society.