Trustees Cathy & Mike Mayton
Renowned for her love of music and the arts, the legacy of Stella Boyle Smith continues to impact countless Arkansans. Perhaps, most notable – she was instrumental in organizing what would become the Arkansas Symphony Orchestra. While she lived to be 100 years old, her contributions through the Stella Boyle Smith Trust continue and include measurable improvements to the arts, healthcare and education across the state. Trust President Mike Mayton adds, “Stella’s commitments were to those who worked to create a better world for her fellow man. She was like Cathy’s surrogate grandmother and became one of my best friends. Our mission to is to keep Stella’s name alive.”
Throughout her life, her presence as a volunteer and advocate were impressive. “Back in the day, Stella was known for personally scrubbing the floors of the surgery rooms at AR Children’s Hospital every Thursday morning as well as rocking babies in the hospital.” She also championed often overlooked constituents. “Stella invested in nursing education and scholarships. Stella was known to say with a smile that if she became ill to forget calling the doctors but to send her a nurse and she would be just fine.”
The Maytons elaborate, “We try to ensure her legacy lives on long after the two of us are gone by placing her name on important places such as the concert halls at the University of Arkansas at Fayetteville and the University of Arkansas at Little Rock as well as the new Stella Boyle Smith Music Center.” These concert halls on each campus represent her commitment to the arts and education. “After purchasing a Steinway concert grand piano for UA Little Rock, Stella purchased a second Steinway concert grand piano for herself. She became the only individual to purchase two Steinway concert grand pianos on the same day in the history of the Steinway company.” Today, at UA Little Rock – the pair of pianos are fondly referred to as Stella and George, in loving memory of the couple. This generosity extends to other universities including Hendrix College, the University of Central Arkansas, Arkansas State University and Pulaski Technical College. Additional support includes Access, Arkansas Children’s Hospital, Ballet Arkansas, Clinton School of Public Service, Easterseals Arkansas and Wildwood Park for the Arts – among many other organizations.
This Arkansas icon remains a visionary. “Today when a non-profit contacts the trust and asks if we think Stella would be interested in their project, we smile because it is like she is still alive, and the legacy of her good work continues. Stella made a difference during her lifetime and continues to make one today.”
