Harriet Riles Preston, 76, of Hot Springs, passed away on May 12, 2022, at CHI St. Vincent hospital, Hot Springs.
She was predeceased by her parents, her husband, Melvin "Dick" Preston; and she leaves behind her children, Allison Divine (Kevin), Alexandria Preston and Matt Preston, as well as nine grandchildren and two great-grandsons. The family will have a private memorial and thanks you for your condolences.
Harriet was born in Hot Springs to Joy Matlock and Luther Riles. Following her father's death, she was the stepdaughter of A.R. McCoy. She graduated from Hot Springs High School and took classes at Arkansas Tech University. She was married to Dick Preston over four decades until his passing. She was a pioneering entrepreneur who owned her own business, the Whatnot Shop on Central Avenue, in the early 1970s.
She will be remembered for her love of plants and animals, often nursing injured animals found by family and friends back to health. She will also be remembered for her artistic abilities as a musician able to play several instruments, particularly the piano, and as a painter, plus dabbling in cake decorating, carving and sculpture. Finally, we will continue to admire her strong commitment to her family and the ideals she believed in.
Online condolences at http://www.caruth-hale.com.