Heather Anne Rhodes Pagan
Apr 9th, 1948 - Jul 26th, 2025- Birth Date: Apr 9, 1948
- Death Date: Jul 26, 2025
- Funeral Date: Aug 22, 2025 at 1:00 pm
- Location: Christ Episcopal Church, followed by interment at Rhodes Cemetery in Sheridan, Arkansas.
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Biography:
It is with deep love and sorrow that we announce the passing of Heather Anne Rhodes Pagan, age 77, on July 26, 2025.Heather was the daughter of Moffett R. Rhodes of Sheridan, Arkansas, and Joyce E. Brady of Australia. As the daughter of a U.S. Air Force officer, Heather lived in Australia, France, and the Philippines during her early years before her family returned to the United States in 1959. The family settled near Little Rock Air Force Base, where Heather later graduated from Sylvan Hills High School.
Heather pursued her education at Ouachita, Little Rock University, and ultimately graduated from the University of Arkansas Medical Sciences in December 1969 as part of the first class of Dental Hygiene. That same year, she was among the first group of debutantes presented at the Officers Club at the base.
Throughout her life, Heather was involved in many heritage and service organizations. She was an active member and Regent of the Daughters of the American Revolution—first for the Centennial Chapter, and later for the Little Rock-Centennial Chapter after the merger. She was also a proud member of The Family of Bruce, Americans of Royal Descent, and Magna Charta Dames and Barons.
Heather was married to the love of her life, John C. Pagan of Scotland. The two shared a deep love of travel and enjoyed many journeys together, including memorable trips to Scotland and Australia.
She was passionate about the game of bridge, enjoying countless matches on Bridge Base Online with friends across the globe, and treasured traveling independently to meet many of those players in person.
Her professional career as a dental hygienist included many years with Dr. Doyle Wright in Little Rock and Dr. Dave Ouellette in North Little Rock, retiring in 1995 due to kidney failure. In 2011, she received the gift of a kidney transplant, extending the years she cherished with family and friends.
Heather is survived by her sister, Dr. Elizabeth (Libby) Rhodes of Rogers, Arkansas, and cousins in Australia, Ireland, Scotland, Little Rock, and North Little Rock. A heartfelt thank-you to John and Barbara Rhodes, whose love and support meant so much.
A funeral service will be held on Friday, August 22, 2025, at 1:00 PM CST at Christ Episcopal Church, followed by interment at Rhodes Cemetery in Sheridan, Arkansas.
In lieu of flowers, memorial donations may be made to:
Arkansas Kidney Foundation – 1 Lile Ct., #201, Little Rock, AR 72205
Arkansas Juvenile Diabetic Association – 1732 Moberly Lane, Ste B, Bentonville, AR 72712
Arkansas Arts Center – P.O. Box 2137, Little Rock, AR 72203
Christ Episcopal Church – 509 Scott Street, Little Rock, AR 72201
Arrangements are under the direction of Ruebel Funeral Home
www.ruebelfuneralhome.com
AND WILL ALWAYS BE
HUG
During a business trip to the USA in Yr2000 I had the privilege of staying with them in Little Rock for a weekend. Heather cleared a space for me, in their ‘spare room’, by moving some of her amazing collection of teddy bears. I also met Heather’s parents and was entertained by “an English Tea”. We viewed some of the many family albums showing Heather abroad in earlier days.
Christmas Cards were exchanged each year until fairly recently. Heather was assiduous in asking how everyone was in our family. She seldom discussed, and never dwelt on, her own health situation until only a week or so before her death. An unanticipated newsy e-mail arrived - but Heather intimated that her health was sadly failing: what a brave lady!
Heather she was always warm hearted and good company when we met. She will surely be missed greatly by all who had the privilege to know her.
Graham Cumming
Heather was stricken with illnesses of all sorts but was so stoic with all. She was so lucky and so proud when she received a kidney donation, at the last moment. That was a great life extension experience.
At the time of our Little Rock visit Heather’s parents were alive and we were invited to their house on Sundays where we played bridge. So, when Heather and John next came here to UK off we went to the local bridge club and did very well.
Of late, Heather being too unwell to travel, we were still much in touch on Skype and later on Microsoft Teams. Heather was assiduous in keeping her bridge players together on the on-line platform Bridge Base Online. and I was one of them. There were quite a few others too from around the globe.
Heather was great fun and she’ll be missed dreadfully.
lit a candle
I will miss you so. You were such a caring, loyal person to all. You kept family informed and connected. My husband Colin is your first cousin so I became your friend through family. I met you on your visits to Mackay Australia. I will always cherish those emails that I received from you. We so enjoyed receiving these funny emails also and they always brightened up our days. I really knew very little of your life and by reading these condolences I see that you were an avid bridge player. I recently just starting learning to play bridge at the beginning of this year. I wished I had known that as I would have enjoyed chatting to you about bridge too.
Head, you were there to chat to me in my darkest hours at night after I lost my son. I thank you for that. I will always think of you very fondly. My dear friend, I miss you Head. My deepest condolences to all that knew her. Love Christina xxoo