Arah Laughter-Griffin, 83, of the Maples at Har-ber Meadows in Springdale, Arkansas, passed away on Sunday, August 30, 2026. She was born on October 17, 1942 to Clyde and Edith Scott Laughter. Arah was of eight children with two older brothers and five younger siblings.
Her mother passed away when she was thirteen years old. Arah became a mother figure to her younger siblings, remaining so for the rest of her life and always advocating for them. She was a hard worker who loved gardening, her flowers, cooking, and mostly crocheting beautiful flowers and gifts for her loved ones. She worked as a dietitian at the VA hospital for several years. Arah graduated valedictorian of her high school in Deer, Arkansas.
Arah was preceded in death by both her parents; her husband Hubert Griffin; her infant son Joseph Griffin; her father-in-law and mother-in-law Joe and Arkie Griffin; her four brothers, James Fred, Mark, Eunic Carney- Laughter, and William (Wash) Laughter; one sister Mary Laughter-Murrelli; and her brother-in-law Ed Murrell.
Arah is survived by her daughter and son-in-law Martha and Dwayne Jones; her granddaughter and grandson-in-law Bridget and Mitchell Hollingsworth; great-granddaughters Maryjane and Nancy Hollingsworth; her grandson Brian Jones; and great-granddaughters McKenzie Thomas and Krista Jones; her three sisters, Pansy and Benny Smith, Sharron Murrell, and Sarah Hittison; and many nieces, nephews, friends, and loved ones.
Funeral services will be officiated by Justin Harris at Beard’s Funeral Chapel, 855 S Happy Hollow Rd in Fayetteville, Arkansas on Tuesday, September 8, 2026 at 12:30 PM.
The family will receive friends from 11:30 AM until service-time at the funeral home on Tuesday.
Burial will follow at the Fayetteville National Cemetery in Fayetteville, Arkansas.
Pallbearers will be: Mitchell Hollingsworth, Richard Hutchinson, K-Roy Murrell, John Jacob Murrell, Brantley Walker, John Eager Kaye, Markise Kaye, and James Laughter.
Honorary pallbearers: Aaron Laughter, John Laughter, Fred Laughter, and Brian Jones.
I will always think of you when I give a bear hug, or bake cookies, or when im gardening. You will always be though of gently and with love. You were a light in my life when I had no adult looking out for me.
Youre with papa now, give him a hug for me♡♡
She’s in the sun,the wind,the rain,
She’s in the air you breathe with every breath you take.
She sings a song of hope and cheer,
There’s no more pain,no more fear.
You’ll see her in the clouds above hear her whisper words of love,
You’ll be together before to long,until then listen to her song.
Author unknown