Zella Cleo Schmidt

Zella "Cleo" Schmidt, age 91, of Floral, AR passed away peacefully on Wednesday, December 20th, 2017 in Batesville, AR.
She was born September 19, 1926 to the parents of Samuel Robert and Nancy Rosetta (Fuller) Wilson. She was a member of the Floral Baptist Church for most of her life (over 70 years). She was a lifelong musician (first being taught piano by her father at a very young age and then attending a music school in Little Rock, AR in her early teens). She was the soloist at her church and served as music director, pianist, and organist for over 50 years. She also served as a Sunday School teacher for many years. She loved to sing and play the piano and on numerous occasions would perform at many of the surrounding churches and nursing homes. She was a devout Christian that faithfully served the Lord through her musical talents.
She worked for White Rodgers in Batesville, AR for over 30 years. After her retirement, she worked part-time at the Exxon Station in Pleasant Plains for several years. She would wake most mornings by 3:00 AM (well into her 80's) in order to prepare breakfast each morning. She was known to her customers and co-workers as "Aunt Cleo". Her most popular dish was her famous chocolate gravy which is still talked about to this day. She took great pride in taking care of her home and cooking for her family. In 2007, she received an Amazing Spirit Award from Baptist Health. The purpose of the award was to honor people age 55 or older who were active in their community through work, volunteer services, and/or hobbies because of a healthy lifestyle and who served as an inspiration to others. This was a great honor to her.
Cleo was preceded in death by her parents; her husband of nearly 59 years and the love of her life, George Christian Schmidt Jr.; and eight brothers and sisters, Leslie Aaron Wilson, Gertrude Victoria (Wilson) Ransom, Hermon Jacob Wilson, Thurman Woodrow Wilson, Allen Andrew Wilson, Hattie Mae (Wilson) Finley, Alvie Edwin Wilson, and Nancy Lou (Wilson) McDougal. She was the last surviving sibling of her family.
She is survived by her son, Russell Keith Schmidt and his wife, Amber; her daughter, Patricia Gayle Schmidt Edwards; four grandchildren, Christian Wayne Edwards, Caleb Wilson Edwards, Ashton Brooke Schmidt Gipson, and Madeline Leigh Schmidt; four great grandchildren, Gabriel Christian Clay Edwards, Addison Brooke Gipson, Griffin Lynn Gipson, and Leif Arden Weil Edwards; and a multitude of biological and non-biological nieces and nephews, cousins, her church family, and a host of extended relatives and friends.
Funeral Services will be Saturday, December 30th, 2017 at 2 PM at the Floral Baptist Church in Floral, AR with Brother Mike Todd (her great nephew) officiating. Burial will follow at the Cedar Grove Cemetery with arrangements by Willis Funeral Service.
Visitation will be prior to the funeral service, Saturday December 30th, 2017 from 12:00 PM and will last until service time.
Pallbearers are Doug Wilson, John Ransom, Jarrod Frazier, James Finley, Sammy Wilson, and Kirk McDougal.
Honorary Pallbearers are Christian Edwards, Caleb Edwards, Chad Gipson, James Schmidt, B.L. Brown, Gary Goodman, Brandon Sharp, Glenn Fuller, Lynn Fuller, Lanny Frazier, Darrell Brown, Denny Brown, Bo Harsson, Forrest Harsson, Gary Harsson, Mike Tharp, Keith Tharp, Freddie Tharp, Randy Sample, R.L. Smith, Evon Sharp, Don Sharp, and Maurice Cox.
In lieu of flowers, the family asks that donations be made to the Wilson Scholarship Fund at the University of Arkansas Community College at Batesville in Cleo's memory.

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