Dr. Anita Joyce Boswell Williams, 79, of Arkadelphia, Arkansas, died on May 10, 2025 at Nightingale in Arkadelphia. She was born to William R. “Bill” and Joyce Boswell on November 10, 1945, in Big Spring, TX.
Dr. Williams was an avid reader her entire life. In her youth, she often fought off sleep to continue reading into the wee hours of the morning. So, it was no surprise that education and learning in general were always at the top of her priority list. She earned her BA in history with a minor in accounting from the University of Arkansas at Little Rock; her MBA from the University of Arkansas/Fayetteville where she subsequently completed her Ph.D. in Business Administration in 1985.
In 1988, following her 6 year teaching stint at Tennessee Technological University in Cookeville, TN she began a 25 year career as Professor of Marketing at Henderson State University in Arkadelphia, AR. In 2003, She joined the Lions Club as a faculty sponsor at Henderson State University. She later transferred her Lions membership to the Arkadelphia Lions Club. When Dr. Williams retired in 2013, in recognition of her dedication and excellence, she was honored with the title of Professor Emerita by the Board of Trustees.
Dr. Williams is survived by her dedicated and loving husband of 50 years, Dennis Williams; her daughter, Whitney Williams of Brooklyn, New York; her brother, William C. “Buddy” Boswell of Hahira, GA; nephew, Todd C. Boswell and his wife Megan, of North Little Rock, AR; and her niece, Kellie Clements and her husband, Richard, of Edmond OK.
A memorial service will be held with Rabbi Sheldon Kleinman officiating at Congregation House of Israel in Hot Springs. A private family grave side service will be held at Jewish Rest in Hot Springs, with Rabbi Sheldon Kleinman officiating. The date and time will be announced. The family would like to thank the staff of Nightingale Arkadelphia for their kind, loving and thoughtful care. In lieu of flowers, the family request that memorials be made to the Humane Society of Clark County, the Arkansas Food Bank, or the Arkadelphia Lions Club. Arrangements are by Welch Funeral Home.