Ona Rae was born in Russellville Arkansas on October 10th, 1950 to Ray and Lilac (McCutcheon) Waters. She passed away at home surrounded by her loving family on January 1, 2026. Those that knew her would probably be surprised to learn that she grew up running wild on a farm with her sister Dona, riding her horse Misty bareback, carrying a pet snake she had caught around her neck, and falling off the ladder in the barn trying to get away from a mama pig she had been bothering. Ona Rae began studying the bible with Jehovah's Witnesses when she was only 9 years old. She developed a lifelong love of the truth and was baptized in Lake Texarkana when she was 13 years old
in 1963. Ona Rae moved to Fort Smith on her own when she was 16 years old and began regular pioneering. It was also at this time that she started working the orthopedics department at Holt Krock Clinic. She married her husband Dennis in April of 1971. Ona Rae and Dennis were regular pioneers together for several years in the 1970s. In 1982 she had their first child, Beth, followed by another daughter, Rebecca, in 1985.

Ona Rae was a patient, kind, and loving mother who spent many hours hand sewing many of her daughters dresses when they were young. Over the years, Ona Rae helped many bible students come to know Jehovah, patiently teaching them the truth found in God's word. She was an accomplished artist who loved to paint scenes found in nature and animals. She enjoyed taking painting lessons with her mother. Many of her paintings she gave to others to have as gifts. She continued working at her job in the orthopedic clinic, retiring in 2017 after 50 years of employment. Following her retirement she once again began regular pioneering with Dennis, doing so until her illness prevented her from continuing. Ona Rae was known for her calm presence, her her humble spirit, her graceful manner, and the polite kindness she showed to
everyone. She handled her battle with cancer with the same strength and dignity that she was so well known for.  She was preceded in death by her parents, Ray and Lilac.

She is survived by her husband of 54 years, Dennis, her daughter Beth and husband Jeff, her daughter Rebecca and husband Isaac, 6 grand-
children, Grant and Keith Davis, Jett and Ruth Janisch, and Iris and Ada Barcz, her Sister Dona and husband Ben, and many nieces and nephews. She had a firm, unshakeable faith in the bible's promise of a resurrection to a perfect, eternal life on an earth restored to a beautiful paradise. She fell asleep in death knowing that the next time she opened her eyes, that is where she would be. She would want all who are sorrowed by her loss to find comfort in the promise that the time they will see her again, will not be late and is just around the corner. In lieu of flowers the family asks that donations be made to JW.Org.

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