Mary Darling “Doll” Ashby Wilkins, 77 of Little Rock, the perfect example of a devoted mother, grandmother, sister and friend, died Thursday, June 27, 2019 at her home following a courageous battle with cancer. Born October 1,1941 in Little Rock, she was the daughter of the late Dr. John W. Ashby and Mary Alice Hardin Ashby of Benton. 

Doll’s mother intended to call her “Darling” when she was born but her brother, just fifteen months older, could only say “Doll.” The name stuck, and she was lovingly known as “Doll” the remainder of her life.

Doll’s children were the center of her life. She devoted herself to being a loving mother, a job that she relished and for which she was without equal.

Doll was a lifelong learner who loved to travel, visit museums, eat good food, and, most importantly, enjoy time with her family and friends. She also devoted herself to volunteering for various organizations including the The Junior League of Little Rock, Arkansas Opera Theatre Guild, The Family Home of Little Rock, UAMS, Helping Hand of Greater Little Rock, and Arkansas Cancer Research Center (ACRC), where she was named Volunteer of the Year in 2003-04.

“Mama Doll” was a doting and loving grandmother who developed a unique and special bond with each of her seven grandchildren. She visited them often to attend birthdays, school plays, sporting events, and graduations. She was diligent about sending cards, letters, and texts to tell them she loved them and how proud she was of them. For many years, she took her whole family on an annual summer vacation to the beach. She meticulously planned each of those trips and delighted in being with her family.  

In her later years, Doll became an avid painter, filling up the walls of her home with beautiful artwork that she created. 

Doll was preceded in death by her parents; her two loving aunts, Lois Hardin Newbill and Helen Hardin Finkbeiner; and the father of her children, John Ridgeway Fletcher. She is survived by two daughters, Karen Fletcher Malloy (Mike) of Atlanta, GA, and Kristin Fletcher Litzinger (Steve) of Fayetteville; a son, William Ridgeway Fletcher (Dawn Bradley) of Little Rock; a brother, Dr. Robert Ashby (Carol Ann) of Benton; seven grandchildren, Fletcher, Ashby, and Katie Malloy of Atlanta, GA, Alexandra and Ridgeway Fletcher of Little Rock, and William and Grace Litzinger of Fayetteville; a nephew, John Ashby (Leah) of Conway, AR; a niece, Susan Ashby Reid (Rich) of Kansas City, MO; and a cousin, Dr. Brooks Newbill (Brenda) of St. Louis, MO. Doll is also survived by Louis Beck of Little Rock, her art instructor, loving companion and partner for the last years of her life.

In lieu of flowers, memorial donations may be made to one of the following organizations, or to a charity of your choice: Winthrop P. Rockefeller Cancer Institute Foundation Fund, 4301 W. Markham Street, #716, Little Rock, AR 72205; Trinity Episcopal Cathedral, 310 W. 17^th Street, Little Rock, AR 72206; or Pulaski Heights United Methodist Church, 4823 Woodlawn Drive, Little Rock, AR 72205.