Wanda Jean Norred

Wanda Jean Norred, 85, of Piggott passed away January 2, 2016 at home. She was born February 19, 1930 to Claude Elbert and Gladies Parrish Wiley in Crockett, Arkansas. She attended Palestine School and was a 1947 graduate of Piggott High School. She was very proud of her upbringing in the hills of Crockett and published a book "Gully Jumpin'"of short stories of memories from her youth of the stump sittin' and gully jumpin' she did as youngster. Wanda was married to Kenneth Harris Norred December 5, 1948 for 53 years. To that union two children were born: Larry Ross Norred and Lisa Ann Whittley both of Piggott. She joined the First Baptist Church shortly after she was married and has been a lifelong member of that congregation for over 65 years where she served as church librarian for 40 years. In high school she was very active as a cheerleader, a snare drummer in the first "all girl" drum line of the Piggott Marching Band and she also played on the first girls basketball team. She was a very creative flower arranger and one of the first members of Piggott's Garden Club. She was heavily involved in the interior decoration of the new hospital when it was designed. One of her first jobs was at Roeder's Dimestore before she was married. Soon after she was married she was hired as the tax collection secretary by Burnis Dalton at the old courthouse on the square. She was known for her penmanship and hand copied all the tax books every year into the permanent record. She was the tax collection secretary for the St. Francis Drainage District for 35 years until she retired. She and her husband Kenneth were avid travelers and she most enjoyed travelling in this great country where she had been to every state but Alaska. Her favorite trips were the ones when they went overseas to the Orient as ambassadors for People to People International and their European trip to Germany and several other countries. She was known as an immaculate housekeeper, a sensational cook and a wonderful homemaker. Her children rise each day and call her blessed. She is survived by her son, Larry Ross and wife Cathy Jane Norred of Piggott; her daughter, Lisa Ann Whittley of Piggott and grandsons, Geoffrey Ross and wife Missy Norred of Piggott, Jordan Norred (USAF-Belgium) and Kenneth Lee and wife Rebekah Hope Whittley of Shell Lake, Arkansas. Great-grandchildren, Macey Haygood, Harleigh Caroline Speer, "Cottin" Kenneth Lee Whittley, Jevan Michael Whittley, Jahvid Wiley Ross Whittley, Keaton Speer and Tyler Haygood. She was preceded in death by her husband Kenneth Norred, one brother, Junior L. Wiley, her sister Berniece Stewart and granddaughter, Rebecca Lynn Whittley. The funeral arrangements are being handled by Hoggard and Sons Funeral Home in Piggott and officiated by Bro. Rondal Richardson. Visitation will be available to the public from 6-8 p.m. Monday January 4, 2016. The memorial service will be held at the First Baptist Church, Piggott, Arkansas, at 10 a.m. Tuesday January 5, 2016. Pallbearers are Geoffrey Ross Norred, Kenneth Lee Whittley, Vance Whaley, Mike Cook, Drew Woolverton, and Kaleb Beutel. Honorary pallbearers are Jordan Norred (USAF-Belgium), "Cottin" Kenneth Lee Whittley, Jevan Michael Whittley, Jahvid Wiley Ross Whittley, Keaton Speer, Tyler Haygood, and James Beaver. The family suggest memorials be sent to Restoration House Ministries, 801 N. Illinois St., Harrisburg, Arkansas, 72432, or John 3:16 Ministries, 75 Holmes Road, Charlotte, Arkansas, 72522.