CELIA ALTA HASKINS FAUBUS
Wife of Orval Eugene Faubus, 36th Governor (1955-1967)

Born: August 31, 1912
Died: August 2002
Children: one son
Original Home: Madison County, Arkansas

Celia Alta Haskins met Orval Eugene Faubus in Fayetteville when they were attending a meeting. After marrying him she finished high school and became a teacher. The couple eventually made their home in Huntsville, Arkansas, and added a son to the family.

Faubus gained his first public office as circuit clerk and recorder. He interrupted his term to join the army during World War II. Alta assumed his duties until the term ended. After the war the couple bought the Madison County Record. Alta worked as the postmaster while Orval ran the paper. Alta was left in charge of the newspaper and post office when Orval moved to Little Rock to take a position as administrative assistant to Governor McMath.

As First Lady, Alta became involved with numerous organizations and activities. She volunteered at the Arkansas Training School for girls and a recreation building there was named after her. She assisted the Board of Mental Health in an advisory position for the construction of community health centers. She developed the Arkansas Head Start Program and made it into the top program in the nation.