Obituaries

Dorothy Marie Serio

Photo of Dorothy Marie Serio
Dorothy Marie Serio 09/23/1926 - 1/26/2012 (Australia Day). Dorothy Marie Serio of Eudora, Arkansas entered into eternal life on January 26, 2012 at the age of 85. She was born September 23, 1926 in Willoughby, Sydney, New South Wales, Australia, to Alfred Horace Hinkley and Laura J. Hinkley, both of whom preceded her in death. She came to the United States as a war bride in 1946 with her husband John J. Serio who had served in the U.S. Army in the New Guinea campaign against the Japanese. They were married June 3, 1944 at St. Stephens Church of England in Willoughby. Their wedding story was a feature of the Arkansas Democrat-Gazette in June 2011. When they came to the U.S., they brought their young son Robert. Dorothy, affectionately known as Dot by friends and family and "Nanny" by her grandchildren, was proud of her homeland and her heritage and chose to retain her Australian citizenship throughout her life. She, John and Robert returned to Australia in 1948 with the intent to settle there but changed their minds and returned to the United States with baby daughter Keryn. Dorothy was a descendant of "Australian Royalty;" her great-great grandmother Hannah was sent to Australia by the English justice system in 1810 for committing a minor offense. Her great-great grandparents were some of the original homesteaders in Windsor and Sutton Forest, New South Wales; the life of Hannah can be found in the book "Hannah." She was very proud of her new home Eudora, Arkansas, and was always a fan of the Arkansas Razorbacks. On numerous occasions, she wrote to the "Our Town" column in the Arkansas Gazette to defend her town, state or the University when disparaging comments had been made. She also had a love for the English language and did not hesitate to point out its misuse through more letters to "Our Town." Dorothy and Johnnie were the owners and operators of Serio's Grocery until they retired. Through the business they became beloved by the citizens of Eudora. Dorothy was an active member of the Eudora Presbyterian Church for many years and later the Lake Village Presbyterian Church, serving as Elder and Historian in the Eudora church for many years. During the years her children attended Eudora Public Schools; she served as a substitute teacher and was an active member of the PTA, serving as President. She is survived by her husband John J. Serio, of Eudora, her son Robert G. Serio and his wife Angie of Clarendon, her daughter Keryn Cantrell and her husband, William "Bubba" Cantrell of Wright. She is also survived by three grandchildren, Gina Simpson of Bryant, Brian Cantrell of Hernando, Mississippi, and Rob Serio of Springdale, and six great-grandchildren: Sydney Harrell, Anna Simpson, Kyra Serio, Ian Serio, Caroline Cantrell, and Will Cantrell. She is also survived by her older sister, Olive Browning, of Brighton le Sands, Sydney, Australia. Funeral services will be held Sunday, January 29, 2012 at 2 p.m. at the Eudora Methodist Church under the direction of Griffin-Culpepper Funeral Service with Rev. Lauren Moore officiating. Burial will follow at Mt. Carmel Cemetery in Eudora. Visitation will be at Griffin-Culpepper Funeral Service in Eudora Saturday, January 28 from 4-6 p.m. The family desires that in lieu of flowers, memorials be made to the Haiti Education Foundation, P.O. Box 10775, El Dorado, Ark. 71730; Arkansas Children's Hospital, P. O. Box 2222, Little Rock, Ark. 72203-2222, or Arkansas Hospice Foundation, 5600 W. 12th St., Little Rock, Ark. 72204. Arrangements by Griffin-Culpepper Funeral Service of Eudora, AR. Online guestbook: www.griffinculpepper.com.

Published January 28, 2012

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