Thomas Earl Willingham

Thomas Earl Willingham, 70, passed away on Tuesday, April 19, 2011 at his home in Marianna. Tom was born on September 17, 1940 in Mobile, Ala. to the late Ruble Willingham and Zora Estes Willingham. He earned his PhD at the University of Mississippi, and worked as a Pharmacist, owning and operating Thrifty Drug for some years, prior to selling to Fred's. Tom was not only a Christian in name, but lived out his Christianity as a Deacon and later, Yoke-Fellow at First Baptist Church of Marianna, where he sang in the choir, and was part of the prison ministry, the mission ministry, and Crestpark Ministry. He was a member of Gideon's International, unselfishly giving his time. He loved to travel, enjoying his RV with the license plate "Tom's Toy"; he loved football, and anything "Ole Miss". He is survived by his wife Barbara Willingham of Marianna; son Tracy Wooten and wife Yvonne of Lexa, Ark.; daughters Donna Fellows and husband Glenn of Jonesboro, Ark.; and Dena Pickle and husband Greg of Little Rock, Ark.; grandchildren Whitney and Price Wooten, Grace and Grant Pickle, Anthony and Nicholas Fellows, Taryn Douglas and Dalton and Hannah Kelley; great-grandchildren Acacia and Aisley Fellows and Trake and Aubrie Douglas; sister Janice Wilbourn of Kansas City, Kan.; other relatives and many friends. Tom was preceded in death by his parents, and one daughter, Laura Willingham. Services will be held at 2 p.m Thursday, April 21 at First Baptist Church in Marianna, with burial following in Marianna Memorial Park. Visitation will be at 1 p.m. Thursday, also at the Church. In lieu of flowers, the family requests that donations be made to the First Baptist Church at 47 West Main, Marianna, Ark. 72360. Online guestbook www.rollerfuneralhomes.com.