Gloria Lee Counts

GLORIA LEE MILLER COUNTS, 89, died peacefully early August 3, 2013 in her home at Stonehaven Assisted Living in Maumelle, Arkansas after a brief illness. Gloria was born July 23, 1924 in El, Dorado Arkansas. She was the oldest of eight children of the late James Arthur Miller and Sceleta Caroline Smith Miller. Gloria is preceded in death by her husband William Henry Counts, and son James Warren Counts, two brothers Asa Miller and Johnny Miller, two sisters Dorothy Jean Miller Kanakis and Alice Miller Denson of North Little Rock. She is survived by two sons, William Henry Counts (Tammy), of North Little Rock, Richard Lee Counts (Charlotte) of Cabot, two brothers, Arthur Odwin Miller of Little Rock, Fred Robert Miller of Davenport Iowa, One sister, Jane Miller Barnes of Camden six grandsons William Henry Counts III of Lindale, Texas, James Jarrett Counts of Lindale, Texas, Richard James Counts of North Little Rock, Michael Joseph Counts of North Little Rock, Matthew Aaron Counts of North Little Rock, and Mark Andrew Counts. She is also survived by numerous nieces and nephews and much loved family from all over Arkansas and the nation; of which is her niece Martha Dale Lester-Colby of Conway and "Dolly" Carol Rudder – first cousin of Maumelle. Gloria Counts served as (DAR) Arkansas State National Daughters of the American Revolution Organizing Secretary in 1984 through 1986. She is a former Regent, current Vice Regent and Founding Member of the Captain Robert Abernethy DAR Chapter of Warren. Gloria joined the Centennial Chapter of the National Society of the Daughters of the American Revolution. in Little Rock Arkansas. The Daughters of the American Revolution is the oldest and one of the largest and most prestigious woman's groups in the world today. Gloria has been a member of the DAR for fifty two years. Upon entering the DAR she immediately became active in lineage research on both the chapter and state levels. In 1963 she became an Organizing Member of the new Prudence Hall Chapter in North Little Rock, and helped a number of the prospective members complete their applications. She soon developed as not only a very capable researcher but as a teacher of research as well. In 1966 she edited the well received "Arkansas Genealogical Research Aide". Around 1977 she organized the Heritage Seekers geneology club for those interested in learning more about research and this group still meets once each month at the Laman Library. As a help for those members, she reprinted and improved "Learn by Doing: a Beginners Guide to Genealogical Research". About this time she also published "A Compendium of Arkansas Genealogy". She was largely responsible for the publishing of a list of burials in the Oakland Cemetery, which was established before the Civil War and is the second oldest cemetery in Little Rock. Much of her DAR involvement on the state level had to do with the genealogical records committee, which compiled previously unpublished records for the DAR Library in Washington D.C., with copies placed at the Arkansas History Commission Library and the Butler Center of the Little Rock Library. Mrs. Counts served as a delegate to the DAR Continental Congress in Washington D.C. on numerous occasions the last time in 2004. Her family considers one of her greatest achievements to be the compiling and writing of the three volume book, Abernethy/Smith The Ancestors and Descendants of Asa Andrew and Sceleta Caroline (Abernethy Smith. Gloria traveled to England, Scotland, New York, Virginia, North Carolina, South Carolina, Texas, Oklahoma and all over Arkansas, collecting information for over twenty five years to complete this collection. She wrote over three hundred letters to verify dates, visited hundreds of cemetery, court house, etc long before the age of internet. During World War II, Gloria went to work in a factory, the Arkansas Ordinance Plant. The Love of Gloria's life was her husband – Bill Counts who was a B-24 bomber pilot. They met during this time and insantly fell in love. The two loved to dance and they had a wonderful life together that included three sons and six grandsons, who lovingly called her Nanny. After the death of her husband, she started writing songs. Gloria loved to write poems, songs, and do the geneology work. She was a woman of many talents. Gloria, 78 at the time, penned a patriotic song titled "While They're Away". She connected with a musician named Doug Deforest who recorded this song. Many radio stations have played this patriotic song, a tribute to those who fight for our freedom. Gloria wrote many other songs and truly enjoyed the music industry and working with Doug Deforest and the musicians who recorded her songs. The Counts family would like to give special thanks to Stonehaven, Jim and Lou Thomas and all the staff for their love and care for our mom. She enjoyed her years at Stonehaven and loved all of the staff who listened to her many stories and danced with her. Thanks Stonehaven for loving our Mom. Also special thanks to Arkansas Hospice. In lieu of flowers, please donate to the DAR Daughters of the American Revolution, Captain Robert Abernethy Chapter DAR, c/o Jennita Peek, 621 Bradley 7 South, Warren, Ark. 71671 Graveside service will be at 10 a.m. Tuesday, August 6, 2013, at Mt. Holly Cemetery in Little Rock with Brother James Smith officiating. The family will receive friends from 6 to 8 p.m. Monday, at Roller-Owens Funeral Home, 5509 John F. Kennedy Blvd, North Little Rock, Arkansas (501-791-7400). Online guestbook: www.rollerfuneralhomes.com/owens.