Erma Vent

Erma Jean Rhinehart Vent, 81, of Carlisle passed away quietly in her home the morning of Saturday, November 5, 2022.

She was preceded in death by her parents, Hurshel and Polly Rhinehart, her sister Bertie Sue (Susan) Nixon and her grandson, Jeffery David Baker, Jr.  She is survived by her husband of 58 years, Paul Vent; her daughters, Paula (Brian) Cogburn of Malvern with grandson Caleb; Tonya (Jeff) Baker of Snake Island with granddaughter, Aspen (Jacob Hanks); her sister, Sammie JoAnn (Roger) Roach of Petersburg, Michigan; and a host of nieces, nephews, and a community that she loved as much as family.

Jean’s life was filled with caring for others, something she was so very passionate about.  She was a nurse at Stuttgart Memorial Hospital, Zimmerman’s Nursing Home, and for Dr. Jack Pritchard early in life.  Paul and Jean bought the “jot’em down” store in 1970 where they spent 20 blessed years tending to the store, their daughters, and the community.  They lived in the store’s apartment while Paul farmed and, together with the communities’ help, built their forever home, completed in 1975.  Having the house and store together on the same 2 acres, afforded the family to stay together allowing the girls to grow up knowing the priceless value of love and friendship that dwelt in the community. These values were what Paul and Jean wanted instilled into their lives.  Jean was one anyone could reach out to in times of need for any reason where she gladly answered and helped with all she had.  People would come to the store just to ask Jean for advice on anything from how to cook something, to patching a skinned knee, to piercing ears and cutting hair.  Needed your tie tied?  She was there.  She took care of anyone and everyone who walked in the door.  She loved her family, friends, and community with unmatched passion and sincerity.  If you were lucky enough to come to the store for lunch, she’d whip you up a sandwich made-to-order and visit with you while you ate, making it all the better.  She was the definition of a true southern matriarch ensuring no one left her presence hungry, sad, or feeling unloved.  Soon after she and Paul closed the store in the spring of 1991, her life was further blessed with the arrival of Jeffery in 1991, Aspen in 1995, and Caleb in 2003.  She loved and took care of her grandchildren for Tonya and Paula while they worked. This was the greatest time of her life.  The memories she made with her grandchildren is what she held to the most.

We’d like to specially thank Gentiva Hospice and Jennifer Baker-Tew for taking such good care of Momma the last few weeks of her life.  Our family has been truly blessed by your presence.

In lieu of flowers, we’d love for you to donate to either the Flynn Cemetery or the Hamilton Cemetery.

A graveside service will be held at 2:00PM on Wednesday, November 9, 2022, at Flynn Cemetery. A visitation will be held from 5:00-7:00PM on Tuesday, November 8, 2022 at Boyd Funeral Home, Lonoke, Arkansas.