Barbara J. Wheatley

Barbara J. Wheatley, age 79, of New DeRoche, died Monday, September 11, 2017 in Hot Springs. A sharecropper's daughter, she was born on a cotton plantation near Parkdale, Arkansas, on July 15, 1938, the youngest of seven children. Her parents were the late James William Thomas Cason and Lucy Viola Laird Cason. Reared and educated in Star City, she moved to Malvern in 1951, and also lived at Butterfield and Social Hill prior to settling in New DeRoche. She married Leo Wheatley on November 8, 1958. He preceded her in death in May of 2016. Barbara loved Bluegrass Gospel and Southern Gospel music, and loved to sing at various churches and Bluegrass festivals. Well known for writing poetry and songs, she had many of her works published. She was equally famous for her love of cooking for large family groups and church dinners, and she collected cookbooks from all over the United States. A member since 1970 of Antioch Missionary Baptist Church, over the years she served as church clerk, music director, youth music director, Sunday School teacher, and Sunday School secretary. A loving mother to Wayne Wheatley of Hot Springs, Darryl Wheatley of New DeRoche, and Debbie Goodwin and her husband George of Hickory Grove, she also leaves behind four grandchildren: Ian Jenkins, Logan Jenkins, Rachel Ray, and Abby Wheatley, as well as a sister, Flossie Ozee Cox of Russellville, Arkansas. Barbara was also preceded in death by two brothers, Roland Cason, and William W. Cason, and by three sisters, Evelyn Onita Lynn, Ophia Ozella Crouch, and Helen Odessa Craig. Her funeral will be at 11 a.m. Saturday morning, September 16, 2017 in the chapel of J.A. Funk Funeral Home with Brothers Doyle Caldwell and Alan Cansler officiating. Interment will follow in the Prairie Bayou Cemetery. A visitation will precede the service, beginning at 10 a.m. Pallbearers are: George Goodwin, Scott Efird, Bradley Hardin, Johnny Bolts, Odell Travis, and Jeff Crow. Honorary pallbearers are: Ronald Crouch and Tommy Cason. Online condolences may be sent via jafunkfuneralhome.com.