With heavy hearts, we announce the passing of our beloved 84-year-old mother, La Khamsomphou, who left this world on Monday, February 24, 2025, at Mercy Hospital in Rogers, Arkansas. Our mother was born on March 10, 1939, in the breathtaking province of Salavan, Laos, a land known for its stunning natural beauty, rich cultural traditions, and deep historical significance. Growing up amidst towering waterfalls, lush highlands, and a close-knit community, she carried with her a profound sense of resilience, generosity, and perseverance throughout her life.

In 1980, she bravely immigrated to the United States seeking assurance and peace for her children and despite the challenges of starting anew in a foreign land, she continued to embody the strength and determination that had defined her from the very beginning. We love and admire Mom's strength, and authenticity she showed everyone around her. She found joy in life's simple pleasures—tending to her garden with care and sharing its bounty with neighbors. She had a playful spirit, delighting in frogging adventures with us kids when we were young, and she cherished long phone conversations with her family. But above all, her greatest joy was spending time with her grandchildren, capturing precious moments through photographs and filling their lives with love.

Mom will be missed and like the revered elephant in Lao culture—symbolizing strength and resilience—she carried the weight of life's challenges with grace and dignity for many years while she worked and simultaneously raised a family. Her passing leaves an immeasurable void in the hearts of those who knew and loved her. However, the essence of her spirit will live forever in the lives she touched.

She was preceded in death by her parents and her husband, Meon Khamsomphou. Survivors include her children, Phone Khamsomphou, Vohn Khamsomphou, Jeff Chay Khamsomphou (Nang), Tony Phay Khamsomphou (Imelda), Boualay Khamsomphou-Villanueva (Milenko), Boyd Khamsomphou (Ana); nineteen grandchildren; four great grandchildren and several nieces and nephews.

In the spirit of her heritage and what she embodied throughout her life, we remember her as the heart of our family. Mom, we kindly leave you with the sweet words of ancient Lao poems that speak to the enduring strength of the human spirit, much like what you carried with you every day.

ເຮົາແມ່ນຫົວໃຈຂອງພວກເຮົາ
(We Are the Heart of Our People)

ຫົົວໃຈຂອງພວກເຮົາ ກາຍກັບປາງຂອງຫາມ
(Our hearts are like the mountain peaks)

ລະດູບຸນຫົົວໃຈຈະຢູ່ບົດຕະຫຼອດ
(Through the seasons, our hearts stay strong, unshaken)

ຫຼາຍໄປຂອງຮູບແບບຂອງຊີວິດຕິກັບດິນ
(Lives are shaped by the soil of the land, yet we remain)

ຮູບແບບມິງສາມາດຈະໄດ້ຢ່າງຄັກ
(We are like the river that carves its path across the stone)

Arrangements by Cornwell Funeral Home and River Valley Cremations in Dardanelle. Online Guest Book and Condolences at www.cornwellfuneralhomes.com