Leona Louise Yaeger

Leona Louise Yaeger joined the angels on Saturday, March 9, 2019. She died peacefully at Crestpark Retirement Inn in Stuttgart, where she has resided since 2013. She was born in Cotton Plant, Ark., on November 5, 1917, and was raised in Brinkley. She graduated from Brinkley High School and was the sole survivor of the class of 1936. Louise was predeceased by her mother Dolly Annette Henley, father John Hance and stepfather John Henley; older sister Elena Belle Haynie, twin sisters Elva Mae Friend and Essie Mae Sharp; nephew Lloyd Haynie, and niece Sherry Sharp Earney. Also, husbands John Lee Jones and Anton Eugene Yaeger. She outlived all six of her step brothers and sisters and many of their descendants. Survivors are nephew Melvin Haynie, nieces Barbara Friend Parks and Pamala Sharp Cook and 10 great nieces and nephews, 16 great great nieces and nephews and three great great great nieces and nephews. Louise's life in the work force was quite varied, she attended the Arkansas School of Cosmetology and after 600 hours of course work, became a licensed Electrologist. She stayed in that profession for several years until her eyes began causing her problems. Louise then became a volunteer in the Arkansas Literacy Program for Adults, tutoring reading and writing English. Her biggest and proudest accomplishment was completing 20 years of employment with Woodland Heights Retirement Center. During that entire time, she never missed one day of work. Other than her family, Louise's greatest joy was PEO. She so enjoyed attending state and national conventions. One of her proudest moments was being installed as Arkansas State President of PEO. She was so honored to receive her 50-year membership pin two years ago. One year after Uncle Gene's death in 2001, Louise decided to move to Stuttgart to be close to her niece, Sherry Earney and her family. She drove until almost 90 and lived independently until a broken hip required the move to Crestpark. Aunt Louise lived a life of grace, charm, compassion and gentleness. Always beautifully dressed she was the epitome of a true Southern Lady. She was loved and treasured by five generations of family and will be deeply missed by family and a multitude of friends. Viewing/visitation will be held from 5 to 7 p.m. on Monday, March 11, 2019. Funeral services will be held on Tuesday, March 12, 2019 at 10 a.m., both will be conducted at Turpin Funeral home in Stuttgart. Burial will be next to Uncle Gene in Little Rock at Roselawn Cemetery. Please go to www.turpin-co.com to sign the online guestbook.