LITTLE ROCK— Mayor Frank Scott, Jr. and City Manager Bruce Moore released the following statements on the passing of Ward 1 Director Erma Hendrix:

“Today, along with the City Manager Bruce Moore and the Little Rock Board of Directors, I mourn the passing of Director Erma Hendrix. Director Hendrix passed away peacefully at her home Wednesday evening. I will always remember and be thankful for Director Hendrix’s passion for equity and justice and her love for serving the residents of Ward One for fifteen years. I know that it was a highlight of her life’s work to be the voice for the residents of Little Rock; I can remember her saying, ‘I’m not here for myself. I’m here for the people.’ She was a giant of a lady and one of our city’s pillars. Director Hendrix was like a grandmother to me, one of only a few people in my life to step in and provide the type of support a loving grandmother would. I’ll miss our talks and the sage advice she always offered. Please join me in praying for the Hendrix family’s strength and comfort during this time. The City of Little Rock flag will be flown at half-staff in her honor.”- Mayor Frank Scott, Jr. 

“I was a young intern when I first met Director Hendrix. Over the years, I have admired her passion and dedication in representing the residents of Ward 1. Her voice will truly be missed.”- City Manager Bruce Moore

Director Hendrix first served on the Little Rock City Board of Directors from November 1993 to December 1994. She currently was serving her fourth term, after being reelected in 2006, 2010, 2014, and 2018. Hendrix also served as commissioner on the Arkansas Parole Board and as Community Development Block Grant Chair for the City of Little Rock.

Director Hendrix was a graduate of Little Rock public schools and earned a Bachelor of Science degree from Arkansas Baptist College and a Master’s degree in Urban Planning and Development from St. Louis University. She worked as a psychiatric nurse at Fort Roots Veterans Hospital and was administrator of the Anti-Poverty Program at the Metropolitan Housing Alliance.

A long-serving member of St. John Missionary Baptist Church, Director Hendrix was active in a variety of community organizations in Little Rock, including the National Council of Negro Women, and was a charter member of the Downtown Neighborhood Association, Martin Luther King Neighborhood Association and Martin Luther King Heritage Center. She was President of the Arkansas Conference of Branches of the NAACP and served as Arkansas Youth Director of the NAACP. Director Hendrix was the mother of six adult children. 

###