Doris Hodges Cruce

Doris Hodges Cruce, 95, passed away peacefully on July 12, 2025 in Fort Smith, Arkansas. She was born on September 22, 1929 in North Little Rock, Arkansas to Herman and Ila (Bentley) Hodges.

Doris graduated from Arkansas State Teachers College (now UCA) with a degree in Education and taught elementary school for 2 years before she married.

Doris married Rev. Pryor Cruce on May 31, 1953 in North Little Rock, and embraced her role as a preacher’s wife. She was actively involved in each of the churches they served and worked hard to make each appointment a success. Together they served churches in Swifton, Newport, North Little Rock, Dequeen, Texarkana, Fort Smith, Fayetteville, Jonesboro and West Helena before retiring and moving back to Fort Smith. She loved singing in the choir and ringing handbells. Doris was a devoted member of Wesley United Methodist Church and participated in the Young at Heart group. She was also deeply involved in the United Methodist Women organization, holding various offices both locally and at the state level.

Throughout her life, Doris worked as a teacher, secretary, and homemaker. She especially enjoyed spending time in her yard and tending to her flower beds.

Doris and Pryor had five children: Martin (Nancy) of Little Rock, Dan (Laura) of Fort Smith, Steven (Karen) of Dewey, OK, Pam of Alma, and Ken (Lisa) of Bella Vista.

They were blessed with nine grandchildren: April, Rachel, Logan, Amy, Jesse, Amanda, AJ, Josh, and Taylor; and nine great-grandchildren: Paxson, Sarah, Joey, Emma, Marley, Evran, Caelan, Theo, and Edison.

Doris cherished every moment with her family and always hoped to have as many gathered together as possible. She often said, “There’s always room for one more.”

She was preceded in death by her parents, her husband, Pryor, and her sisters: Leta, Carra Nell, and Louise.

Doris was a loving and caring person who will be deeply missed by all who knew her.

Memorials may be made to Wesley United Methodist Church, 2200 Phoenix Rd. Fort Smith, AR.

Funeral services are 10:00AM, Wednesday, July 16, 2025 at Wesley United Methodist Church with burial to follow in Oak Cemetery. The family will visit with friends from 5-7PM on Tuesday at Ocker-Putman Funeral Home 4500 Jenny Lind Road, Fort Smith, AR 72901.

Pallbearers are April Sprague, Rachel Smith, Logan Cruce, Amy Clark, Jesse Cruce, Amanda Cruce, A.J. Cruce, Josh Burkhart and Taylor Cruce.