Anita J. Dobbins

Anita J. Dobbins, 81 of Fort Smith passed away Wednesday, July 16, 2025 at Fianna Hills Nursing Home. She was a member of Barling Methodist Church. She was preceded in death by her daughter, Debra Bader, her son, Tim Dobbins; both of her parents Norlan Ray Morris and Ethel Fay (Quisenberry) Morris; a sister Gail Phillips, and one grandson, John Bader.

She is survived by her daughter, Lisa Leonard of Fort Smith; six grandchildren and twelve great grandchildren.

Anita was not your typical mother or grandmother. Dubbed “Crazy Mimi” by her grandchildren, she was always up to mischief & ready for an adventure. She was spunky, fun, and super outgoing with her own style, the more bling, the better. Flying down the highway in her Chevy Cavalier convertible with not a care in the world, she’d have her foot to the floor, top down, radio blaring, & singing at the top of her lungs. Speed limits were more of a suggestion. She never met a rule she didn’t want to break, taking it as a personal challenge to see how far she could push the envelope.

She loved going to the casino & never met a stranger. She would start up a conversation with anyone. Her love of animals knew no bounds. At one point she even adopted a feral squirrel and a feral cat. She was blessed with a talent for gardening & loved working outside tending flowers and plants. Some of her other hobbies included square dancing & singing. When her kids were little, she went to Dallas to audition to be a recorded singing artist, singing “Rose Garden” by Lynn Anderson. They offered her a contract starting out as a night club singer, but she turned it down.

She loved her family & spent her life working as a caregiver. The last years of her life were devoted to caring for her sister, Gail. If there is one piece of advice she would give, it would be to do something you love, stir up a little trouble, & don’t take life too seriously. She will be missed.

There will be a family held celebration of life at 10:00am, Friday, July 25, 2025, at Calvary Missionary Baptist Church, 2117 Alma Blvd., Van Buren, Arkansas.