LaVeta Janice Henley

LaVeta Janice Harrell Henley passed into the loving arms of her Savior on January 17, 2025. She was born at Cato, Faulkner Gap, Arkansas, June 16, 1933, as the seventh of nine children to the late Niler Wilber and Iva Orene Boyd Harrell. She was also preceded in death by her siblings Hulon Ray Harrell, Leona Estelle Henley (David), Zora Annaleen Johnson (Tom), Clarence Harrell, Clara Nell Tucker (Troy), Floy Lorene Jackson (Lavon), and her husband, Franklin Augustus Henley.

She is survived by two sisters, Carolyn Jean Hale (Billy, deceased) and Anita Faye Donahue (Albert, deceased) of Springdale. She leaves behind two loving sons, Roger Frank Henley (Barbie) of Roland and Dennis Ray Henley (Linda) of Carlisle. She adored her four grandchildren Scott Harrell Henley (Amber) of Austin, Erin Paige Maes (Brandon) of Little Rock, Shelly Wade of Hot Springs, and Mike Wade (Tiffanie) of Little Rock. She was Blessed with five great-grandchildren, Morgan Jo Henley, Haley Christine Wade, Belle Wade, Evan Wade and Jacob Wade. She was lovingly known as Aunt Beebee to three nieces Aletha Piker (Gary) of Springdale, LaNae Ward (Bobby) of North Little Rock and Brenda Henley of Sherwood, eight nephews, Michael Lynn Henley (deceased), Robert Wayne Tucker of Illinois, Jerry Johnson (Joyce) of Quitman, Tommy Johnson of Quitman, Allan Wade Donahue (deceased), Keith Hale of Sherwood, James Hale (Rheanna) of Sherwood, and Stephen Hale (Andi) of Vine Grove, Kentucky as well as many cherished great nieces, nephews and a host of other family and friends.

Jesus and her family were the most important things in her life. Her favorite hobbies were reading, gardening, traveling, and singing, especially singing with some of her sisters. She loved to read her Bible and various books until her eyesight made it impossible. Her favorite author was Louis Lamore, who she met in 1980. They discussed LaVeta Pass from his 1967 novel, The Skyliners. She cherished her autographed copy of his novel, The Yondering. The entries to her front and back door were always ablaze with gorgeous blooming flowers every spring and summer. A lot of peaceful hours were spent sitting among her flowers visiting her neighbors at Tree Hill in Sherwood. She developed lasting friendships with wonderful people at the Senior Citizens Center in Sherwood. She participated in Bean-Bag Baseball, "Make Your Own Easter Bonnet", skits, including "Hee Haw" and lots of potlucks, but Wednesdays were special days because it was Bingo Day. She loved to spend her Bingo Bucks! She enjoyed several senior citizen trips with her friends to Yellowstone, the Oklahoma Indian Reservations and lots of day trips to Arkansas landmarks. She and her sisters hosted monthly Saturday night

"Singings" at The Little Church at Faulkner Gap for years which was well attended by the community. When she moved to Roland with her oldest son Roger and his wife, her health prevented her from participating in these activities, but sitting on the deck looking at the garden, watching the birds and wildlife and feeling the warmth of the sun was a wonderful day for her.

She was a faithful member of Baring Cross Baptist Church. After the COVID lockdown in 2020, she dearly missed the worship services and sharing the gospel with her Sunday school class. She listened to the services, but it was different from being there. She watched or listened to various Christian programs and could often be heard singing along with the music.

LaVeta had a long and fulfilling life. She will be dearly missed by her family and all who had the pleasure of sharing special moments of her life with her. She left her imprint on the hearts of each of us.

Visitation service will be held at 1:00PM with a funeral service following at 2:00PM on Tuesday, January 28, 2025, at Baring Cross Baptist Church, 3501 Baring Cross Road, Sherwood, Arkansas 72120. Interment will be at Harmony Cemetery, 865 Highway 89 South, Sherwood, Arkansas. 

In lieu of flowers, please consider a memorial donation to Baring Cross Baptist Church or Harmony Cemetery, P.O. Box 6586, Sherwood, AR 72124.