Rose Ella (Giacopazzi) Worthey
by January 28, 2026 1:08 pm 42 views
Rose Ella (Giacopazzi) Worthey, age 86, of Van Buren, Arkansas, passed away on Wednesday, January 22, 2026. She was born on June 7, 1939, in Sonoma, California, to Giovanni and Eunice (Porter) Giacopazzi.
Rose devoted her life to education and the care of children. She retired as an educator after serving as Director of Elite Kids Academy and previously at Heritage Methodist Church Day Care. She was a member of Lee Creek Baptist Church.
She was preceded in death by her beloved husband, Melvin Daniel Worthey, and her daughter, Cynthia Parsons.
Rose is survived by her daughters, Dora Jean Baker and husband Rick of Oklahoma City, Oklahoma, and Janell Staggs and husband Jerry of Fort Smith, Arkansas. She also leaves behind four grandchildren: Clayton Law and wife Savannah of Little Rock, AR; Dusty Baker and wife Belinda of Edmond, Oklahoma; Bryant Law of Denver, Colorado; and Kevin Staggs of Springdale, Arkansas. Rose was further blessed with seven great-grandchildren: Brayden Law, Gavin Sokolnicki, Kimber Baker, Augustus “Gus” Law, Henry Law, Clark Law, and Rhett Baker.
Funeral services will be held at 2:00 p.m. on Thursday, January 29, 2026, by nephew Tommy Stringfellow at Ocker-Putman Funeral Home in Fort Smith, Arkansas. Pall bearers: Clayton Law, Dusty Baker, Bryant Law, Kevin Staggs, Brayden Law, Gavin Sokolnicki.
A private family burial will take place on February 2, 2026, in the U.S. National Cemetery, under the direction of Ocker-Putman Funeral Home.
Visitation with family and friends will be held from 3:30 pm to 6:00 p.m. on Wednesday, January 28, 2026, at Ocker-Putman Funeral Home, 4500 Jenny Lind Road, Fort Smith, Arkansas 72901.