Elisabeth Rider

Elisabeth Fry (Canerday-Womack-Kimball) Rider died on September 17, 2026 at the Circle of Life in Springdale, Arkansas at the age of 92. Elisabeth was born on December 12, 1933 in Russellville, Arkansas to Lonus Boyd and Hester Elizabeth Canerday.
Elisabeth was preceded in death by her father and mother, her late husband Bobby Rider, brother Jerry Canerday, sister-in-law Ruby Kuykendall, her paternal grandparents Ira and Pearl Canderday, her maternal grandparents Charles and Jennie Fry, her uncle and aunt Paul and Maizie Fry, her son-in-law Tom Fortune, her daughter-in-law Terri Womack, stepchildren Bobby Rider Jr., Vicki Leary, and Mickey Brown, brother-in-law Bill Luce and wife Sue, Sally Talmadge, and former husband Allen Kimball.

Elisabeth was born and raised in Russellville Arkansas where she graduated Russellville High School. She was chosen as “Miss Russellville” in 1950. She and others were very instrumental in getting girls slow pitch softball going in Russellville. She was active in the Scouting program, serving as Den Leader and Pack Chairman at Oakland Heights School. While living in Missouri, she was a Blue Bird and Campfire Girls Leader. She was very active in various community activities. Elisabeth was chosen as “Woman of the Year” in Moberly Missouri and was also the “Citizen of the Year” by ABWA.
Serving in the American Legion Auxiliary was a passion for Elisabeth both locally and in the state. She was a past Department President of the Arkansas American Legion Auxiliary, Northwest Divisional Vice President, and State Chairman of the Legislative Committee. She served Russellville as the Girls State liaison, poppy distribution and Scholarship Chairman. She worked with the Quilts of Valor program that provided quilts for veterans. Elisabeth was very active in her local churches, serving as President and Vice-Chairman of the United Methodist Women, singing in the choir and organizing blood drives She was a past member of the Wesley Methodist Church, Oakley Methodist Church, Pleasant Grove Community Church and was a current member of Sunnyside Baptist Church in Rogers.

Elisabeth loved being with her family and always looked forward to hosting, cooking and playing cards. She loved plants and landscaping where she lived. She had a passion for those who served in our military and was very proud of her family that served. She loved everyone and was ready to be at home with her gracious Savior and Lord Jesus Christ and reunited with loved ones.

Elisabeth is survived by her former husband, James Kermit Womack and her seven children. James K Womack, Jr. and wife Sherry Lynn, Kathy Fortune, Steve Womack, Susie Daugherty and husband Ed, Linda Cook and husband Ray, Margaret Robinson, and Christopher Womack.
Her surviving grandchildren are Alexander and wife, Schylar, Tivis, Jamie, and Burl Womack, Sarah Mente and husband Coby, William Owen, Phillip and Bradley Womack, Scott Churchill and wife Krissy Missy Tillman and husband Jaymi Tillman, Ben Cook and wife Jamie, Nick Cook, Carson, Corbin, and Averi Womack, Shane Robinson, Todd Robinson and wife Sarah, Blake Robinson and wife Millie, Austin Robinson and wife Carlie, Samantha Womack, Morgan Hodge Cook and husband Joe as well as 23 great grandchildren and 1 great-great grandchild.

She is also survived by children from her late husband Bobby Rider. Stephen Rider and wife Sena, grandchildren Corban, Skyler, Steven Jr., Mikey and Kristina, and Sonny Rider and wife Lorri.

Elisabeth’s surviving siblings are sister Jo Barton of Russellville and brother Charles “Butch” Canderday and wife Betty of Little Rock, sister-in-law Nancy Canerday of Hot Springs, brother-in-law Leroy Kuykendall, brother-in-law Elmer Rider and wife Linda of Russellville.

Celebration of life for Elisabeth will be at Humphrey Funeral home on Tuesday, September 22. Visitation will be at 1:00 with the service following at 2:00. Private burial will be held at a later date at Rest Haven Cemetery in Russellville.