Doretha Faye Bays-Harrell

Doretha Faye Bays-Harrell “Dottie & Nana”, 88 years of age, of Bentonville, Arkansas passed away May 1, 2024, with her family by her side.

Dottie was born July 7, 1935, in Sparks, Oklahoma and was the youngest of seven children. Her parents were Lula Mae and Ellis Eskil Bays. She graduated from Shawnee High School in Shawnee Oklahoma. She met the love of her life A.G. Harrell Jr. whom she was married to for 42 years in Shawnee. A.G. and Dottie had two daughters; Susan Harrell-Kitsinger and Robyn Harrell-Owens that they raised in Oklahoma, New Mexico and Arkansas.

Dottie was a skilled and creative cook and caterer. She relished in creating memories for her clients with her successful catering business. She and A.G. also owned a restaurant in Red River, New Mexico. When they were not working at the restaurant they were enjoying being outdoors in the mountains. Later in life she and A.G. relocated to Bentonville, Arkansas where she worked with a title company and continued serving a few catering clients. Dottie loved giving back to her community through her volunteerism with the Lions Club of Bentonville.

The lights in Dottie’s life were her grandchildren and she went overboard to ensure that all their holidays were memorable. Nothing brought her more joy than being their Nana.

Dottie was preceded in death by her husband A.G. Harrell, Jr., her parents Lula and Ellis Bays, her brothers Lloyd Bays, Bill Bays, Floyd Bays, Don Bays and his wife Joanna and her son-in-law Joey Owens.

Dottie is survived by her daughter Robyn Owens of Centerton Arkansas and Susan Kitsinger of Memphis, Tennessee, her sisters Eva Bays Rogers and Lucille Farrell of Oklahoma, her son-in-law Andy Kitsinger and her grandchildren Jamie Owens, Joseph Owens and Sam Kitsinger and many nieces and nephews.

A graveside service will take place at 1:00 p.m. on Saturday, May 11, 2024, at the White Dove Cemetery in Sparks, Oklahoma. Flowers may be sent to the Epting Funeral Home at 709 Walton Blvd, Bentonville, Arkansas 72712 prior to May 11, 2024.

The family wishes to extend a special thank you to the physicians, nurses, CNA’s and staff of Apple Creek Nursing Home in Centerton, Arkansas and Mercy Hospital in Rogers, Arkansas. The support and gentle care of these teams provided loving guidance and treated our Nana with dignity and respect. We will be forever grateful.