Biography:

Devoted wife, proud mother, adored sister, gifted teacher, and talented artist, Lee Williams Salazar passed away on the morning of January 31st, 2026.

Born June 20th, 1954, Lee was the youngest of five children. As the baby of the family, she was treasured by her parents and older siblings alike. Growing up in Little Rock, she spent her summers swimming at the Cammack Pool and working at her family’s State Farm Insurance agency. She quickly learned office life was not for her and decided to major in Art Education, earning degrees from Cottey and Hendrix Colleges.

Known to her students as Ms. Feild, Lee spent 40 years teaching thousands of children elementary art at Pulaski Academy. She was recognized twice as Arkansas Art Educator of the Year, received multiple accolades in national publications, and built a successful docent program so her students could learn about history’s most famous artists. Lee, however, rarely mentioned these accomplishments. Instead, she lit up when she spoke of her students, her colleagues and fellow teachers, and her next classroom project. Everywhere Lee went she ran into current and former students, never forgetting their names or their favorite art projects. In her final years of teaching, Lee was honored with a donation to name her classroom the “Lee Feild Art Room,” with a plaque that remains to this day.

After retiring, Lee traveled the world with her husband, Rick. Together they sipped Port in Portugal, saw penguins in Antarctica, rode camels in Cairo, ventured by train to the top of Machu Picchu, and walked the Great Wall of China hand in hand. While she loved traveling, Lee was always happiest laughing and hosting family and friends on the back deck of her and Rick’s home overlooking the Little Red River.


She cherished her friendships, regularly seeing her Bridge Club of more than 40 years just to visit (and sometimes play Bridge), always reserved Tuesday nights for her and Rick's dinner group, loved reminiscing with other retired teachers from PA over lunch, and was a member of the PEO Sisterhood.


Lee was a devoted and proud mother to her three children, Stuart, Mary, and Helen. A constant advocate, cheerleader, and confidant, she never missed a chance to call just to say a quick hello and “I love you.”

Her genuine smile, sweet demeanor, and quick laugh will be deeply missed by her adoring husband, Rick Salazar; her children, Stuart Feild (Breyanne Yuskus), Mary Feild (Zachary Michalka), and Helen Petticord (Lars); her stepdaughter, Jennifer Alaquinez; her sister, Ellen Williams Williams; her brother, Lewin Williams; and her five grandchildren, Alexa, Finley, Max, Franklin, and Everett Lee. Loved ones who passed before her include her parents, Phillip and Virginia Williams; her brothers, Phillip Williams Jr. and Rufus Williams; her stepson, Thomas Salazar; and her lifelong best friend, Kathy Gravis.

The family will hold a celebration of life on Thursday, February 26th, at 1 p.m. at Ruebel Funeral Home. A reception with refreshments will immediately follow. All who wish to say goodbye are welcome to attend and share stories of remembrance.

 In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to the Ellen and Lee Williams Art Scholarship at Cottey College.