Tracy Renee Otwell

With heavy hearts, but also with countless memories and smiles, we celebrate the life of Tracy Renee Otwell, maiden name Hardwick, who passed away on November 1, 2026, at the age of 58.

Born on July 13, 1968, in California, Tracy eventually made her way to Arkansas, where she built a life centered around family, love, laughter, and caring for others.

Tracy was a woman with a heart bigger than words could ever describe. She was funny, compassionate, strong, selfless, and incredibly goofy. She had a way of bringing laughter into a room and making people feel loved and welcomed. She was the kind of person who would drop everything to help someone else, always putting others before herself. Whether someone needed a helping hand, a shoulder to lean on, or simply someone to make them laugh, Tracy was there.

Above all else, Tracy’s greatest joy in life was her children. They were her world, her pride, and her biggest accomplishment. Being a mother was one of the most important parts of who she was, and her love for her family knew no bounds. She poured her heart into making sure the people she loved were happy, safe, and taken care of. Her family was everything to her, and she never missed an opportunity to remind them how much they meant to her.

Tracy had a natural gift for caring for others, especially children. She successfully owned and operated her own daycare business for approximately ten years, dedicating herself to nurturing, teaching, and loving the many children who came through her doors. It was more than just a business; it was something she truly loved. Her compassion, patience, and genuine love for children made a lasting difference in the lives of countless families.

Outside of caring for others, she loved painting, shopping, and traveling. She enjoyed life’s little adventures and had a special love for elephants. She was always down for shopping the sale racks or a chance to explore somewhere new. Cooking, on the other hand, was definitely not her love language. She would much rather be shopping, traveling, painting, or doing just about anything else than spending her day cooking.

Tracy was preceded by her sister Melissa Gilbert and her brother Dwain Hardwick. She leaves behind her parents, John and Virginia Harper; her loving husband, David Otwell; her daughters, Kailey Kelley-Haworth and Braydee Gunther; and her stepson, Michael Otwell and her brother, Chris Hardwick.

Her passing leaves a void in the hearts of those who loved her, but the memories she created, the lives she touched, and the love she gave will never be forgotten. Her laughter, her goofy personality, her strength, and her selflessness will live on through her family and everyone fortunate enough to have known her.

We imagine Tracy in Heaven, surrounded by elephants, enjoying an endless shopping spree, planning her next adventure, and thankfully never having to cook another meal.

Tracy was deeply loved, one of a kind, and impossible to replace. She lived with a big heart, loved with everything she had, and left behind a legacy of kindness, laughter, and unconditional love.

A Celebration of Life will be Friday, November 6, 2026, beginning at 3:00 p.m. in the Chapel of Doty Southside Funeral Service, 2180 Batesville Blvd, in Southside.

In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to the Tee 1 Diabetes Foundation in Springfield, Missouri, or the Dementia Society of America, P O Box 600, Doylestown, Pennsylvania 18901, or online at www.dementiasociety.org/donate.