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In Celebration of Reita Walker Miller

Arkansas artist, Reita Walker Miller, of Little Rock, died peacefully July 2, 2024, surrounded by family, following an unexpectedly short battle with pancreatic cancer. Reita Ann Walker was born August 12, 1946, in Springhill, Louisiana, to Rosalie and Hewie Walker.

From a young age, Reita was fascinated with colors, lines, and shapes. As one dear friend noted, “Reita was an artist before she was ever a painter.” It was an English teacher at Mabelvale High School who first recognized Reita’s artistic inclination and “opened up the world of art” by introducing books on artists like Van Gogh and Matisse, but the Little Rock girl didn’t see art as a practical career. 

Reita's curiosity, passion for learning and dedication to her craft earned her numerous awards and recognition from peers and collectors. She was an early member, past president and signature member of the Mid-Southern Watercolorists (MSW). She was in the Watercolor USA Honor Society, a signature member of the American Watercolor Society (AWS) in New York, the Rocky Mountain Watercolor Society and the National Watercolor Society (NWS) in California. Though her paintings are included in over 350 museum, corporate and private collections, “One of the most fulfilling things about my work is when it takes on a new life and becomes a part of a family.”

Reita was an educator, connector of people and passionate supporter of unsung Arkansas artists. She was appointed the first Arkansas Art Coordinator for the Butler Center for the Arts (created to help protect and preserve the artistic heritage of the state). During her tenure, Reita helped facilitate a powerful exhibit of never-before-seen images of Arkansas photographer Paul Faris featuring renowned Japanese American artist, Henry Sugimoto during his family’s confinement at the Rohwer internment camp in southeast Arkansas.

Reita will be remembered for her deep empathy, loyal friendship, silliness and great emotional investment in Razorback basketball. Reita was greeted in heaven by her mother, Rosalie, her father, Hewie, and younger brother, Rob. She is survived by daughter Amy Reinhold (and husband, Judge); daughter Maria Brannon (and husband, Beau); and beloved granddaughter of Chacha, Haley Rose.

A celebration of Reita's life will be held Sunday, August 11 at 2pm in the Great Hall at The Clinton Presidential Center – light, bright, summer colors encouraged. In lieu of flowers, the family requests donations be made in Reita's memory to Mid-Southern Watercolorists, reflecting her love for art and beauty.