Biography:

Van David Privitt, 80, of Little Rock passed away peacefully on February 10, 2026 in Hospice Home Care only 44 days after losing his wife Mana after 58.5 years of marriage.  He bravely fought a five-month battle with lung cancer with tremendous courage and strength.

Van was born in Nashville, AR and was raised in a small community called Bingen between Nashville and Murfreesboro.  The community was very tight knit, more like family to one another.  His childhood education was spent in a picture perfect one room schoolhouse and he then went on to graduate from Nashville High School in 1963.   During those high school years is where he met Mana through a mutual friend and they both went on to attend Southern State College (now SAU) where they married June 11, 1967 just one month after Van’s graduation with a BBA and Mana’s two-year degree in Secretarial Science.  Van’s military obligations in the Air Force as a Radio Relay Repairman immediately followed where he so very proudly served our country. 

Following his honorable discharge Van and Mana lived in Texarkana and then moved to Little Rock where their daughter Melissa was born in 1975.  Life then took Van’s family to Magnolia, Arkansas where he worked as a Purchasing Agent for Elk Roofing in Stephens for many years until the company closed.  1986 began Van’s most treasured part of his professional career where he was hired as the department head of Purchasing to help start up a steel mill in Magnolia called SMI or Structural Metals, Incorporated.   The night the mill began running was one of the most fulfilling and joyous occasions Van ever experienced.  It was at SMI where he formed some of his most cherished bonds and lifelong friendships.  Van worked there 25 years and at the 20-year mark received the esteemed Bronze Steelman Award and retired in 2011.

Faith was high priority for Van and the church was an integral part of his life as a member of First United Methodist Church in Magnolia and Trinity UMC upon moving to Little Rock in 2012.  He was honored by FUMC in March 2012 for his 28 years of service to the Radio and TV Ministry.  He also loved his Trinity Bible Study group, his Sunday School and was a proud member of the Holy Smokers who smoked hams during the holidays raising money for the church.

Van had a way with people.  He was a good man.  Kind, humble, selfless, determined, gentle, caring, had a strong work ethic and was a terrific listener.  His greatest joys were found with Mana, his family, especially his grandchildren, friends and church.  He famously wore striped shirts with “everyday” or “dress” cowboy boots and could never resist a handful of whole pecans or chocolate covered raisins.   He attended every single activity for his grandchildren he could and to say he was unbelievably proud of them is an understatement.  His smile was infectious, his caring ways for others were like no other.   He was a good and faithful servant and has more than earned his right in God’s heavenly kingdom.

Van is survived by his daughter Melissa, her husband Brent, his grandchildren Mallory and Everett, his brother-in-law Rusty and wife Tracy of Magnolia and special nieces, cousins and treasured friends.  He was preceded in death by his parents Hiram and Blanch Privitt, his stillborn brother Larry, his brother-in-law Charles Everett Young and his wife Ruth.

Funeral services will be held at 1:00 p.m. on Monday, February 16, 2026 at Trinity United Methodist Church in Little Rock followed by a visitation and burial with military honors at Roselawn Memorial Park with Pastor Roy Smith officiating.

Memorials can be made to Trinity UMC at 1101 North Mississippi Street, Little Rock, AR  72207.  Arrangements are under the direction of RuebelFuneralHome.com.