Mrs. Helen Anita Belt

February 17, 1928 - October 10, 2020

Mrs. Helen Anita Barnett Belt, age 92, of Texarkana, Arkansas passed away Saturday, October 10, 2020 in Texarkana, Texas. Helen was born February 17, 1928 in Hatfield, Arkansas to the late Lee Preston Barnett and the late Adeline Ola Parham Barnett. She was married to John Thomas Belt, Jr. until his passing. Helen moved to Texarkana where she lived for the past 74 years. She attended Texarkana College, obtaining her degree and was a member of Phi Theta Kappa Fraternity and was on the Dean’s list as well. Helen retired from her career at Red River Army depot where she was a legal assistant. She traveled with concert ministries across the United States signing at gospel and patriotic venues. Helen was a member of Sugarhill Methodist Church in Texarkana and a lifetime member of the Ladies Auxiliary Post #4562 of the Veterans of Foreign Wars. One of the highlights of her life was being able to visit the Holy Land. Nita loved singing and would carry her special gift and her guitar to numerous family gatherings, senior dance centers, senior care facilities and just about anywhere she felt she could bring happiness into someone’s life. She was a people person and never met a stranger. Took pride in her yard and flowering plants. She enjoyed working with arts and crafts projects, winning many awards at the Four States Fair. Most of all she loved her children, grandchildren, great grandchildren, and her great, great grandchild as well as all her extended family unconditionally. Helen was a loving wife, mother, grandmother, great grandmother, great-great grandmother, sister, aunt, and friend and will be dearly missed by all those who knew her. She is survived by her son, John Thomas Belt, III and wife Sandra, daughter, Helen Janice Estes, grandchildren, Greg Estes and wife Meredith of Texarkana, TX, Angela Kinser and husband Troy of Fouke, AR, David Estes and wife Emily of Maud, TX, Alicia Estes Carver and husband Heath of Queen City, TX, Nathan Belt of Sandusky, OH. Great grandchildren, Marissa Keenan, Kelsie Good, Dakota Carver, Ryan Cline, Alex Carver, Will Estes, Jacob Keenan, Camryn Estes, Turner Estes, Clay Estes, Presley Belt, Ellie Estes, Wyatt Kinser, Laurel Estes, Greer Carver. One great-great grandchild, Whittlee Good. Sister, Linda Barnett Lance and husband Charles of Mena, AR. Sisters in law Rebecca Hampton Barnett, Edna Abbott Barnett. Incredibly special cousins Catherine Williams Taylor of Hatfield, AR and Delbert Langford and wife Sondra of KY. Numerous nieces and nephews whom she loved dearly. Nita was preceded in death by her parents, her husband John Thomas Belt, Jr., brothers, David “Buster” Barnett, Charles Barnett, Wayne Barnett; sisters, Erma Shaw, Mary Jo Rodgers, Norma Beauford, Mardell Hunter, Frances Barnett. Graveside service for Helen Belt will be held Thursday, October 15, 2020 at 2:30 p.m. at Pinecrest Memorial Park in Mena, Arkansas. Reverend Jack Smith will be officiating services. Visitation will be held Wednesday, October 14, 2020 at the Beasley Wood Chapel from 6:30 to 8:30 p.m. Honorary pallbearers will be Greg Estes, David Estes, Nathan Belt, Dakota Carver, Ryan Cline, Alex Carver, Will Estes, and Jacob Keenan.