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Don Newcombe Wiley, 68, died April 9th, 2018 at the Veterans hospital in Little Rock, AR after a long battle with cancer. He professed his faith in Christ at a young age in Lambert, MS and was a member of First Baptist Eastside in Monticello, AR. Don was a retired Drew County Extension Agent and high school educator.
Don is a veteran that served his country in the Vietnam War. He attended Coahoma County Community College and he continued his studies at Alcorn State University. He graduated in 1976 with a Bachelor’s degree in Agriculture. A few years later, he received his Master’s degree in agriculture from the University of Arkansas at Fayetteville.
He worked over 30 years as a county agent and he was a pioneer in this field by being one of the few African American agents in the area. He made it his mission to advocate for minority farmers. He was the leader of the 4-H division in Drew County where he supervised and taught gun safety, fish and wildlife education, archery, and other various activities. He hosted a local radio program on KHBM for a number of years to give horticulture tips to people in his community and he also held a position on the Mt. Zion Water Association board. He was a deacon at Morning Star Missionary Baptist Church for nearly two decades, where he was dedicated to the pastor and members. He was an efficacious member of different organizations within southeast Arkansas.
He was a community leader and he influenced many lives. He never met a stranger and you can say he was a “social butterfly.” He had a natural talent of connecting and forming relationships with people from all backgrounds. He devoted time selflessly to others by teaching, mentoring, and motivating others to excel in life. He also was a supporter for others to advance in life by completing a higher education or career training program. In his spare time, Don loved to fish, hunt, garden, cook, listen to music, play baseball, and watch his Alcorn Braves play ANY sport! Don was a lover of life, a conversationalist, and a true Alcornite. His family and friends will truly miss him.
He was preceded in death by his mother, Ruth Wiley; father, D.C. Wiley; four brothers- Gene Wiley, D.C. Wiley, James Wiley, and Charles Wiley; three sisters-Irma Jean Wiley, June Williams, and Marva Montgomery.
Don is survived by his wife of 40 years-Vera Wiley; children-Michael Binns, Kimberly Davis (Tony), Don Conley, and Gemekia Conley; siblings-Sonny Wiley (Jean), Calvin Wiley, Fabian Wiley (Crystal), Annie Ruth Wiley, and Margaret Wiley: nine grandchildren- Shawn Binns, Mercedes Binns, Dylan Binns, Michaela Binns, Alexia Davis, Solie Conley, Essence Conley, Kaige Conley, and Brooklynn Hallmon. He also leaves behind a host of nephews, nieces, cousins, and friends.
Funeral Services will be 1:00 p.m. Friday, April 13, 2018 at First Baptist Eastside on Hwy 138, Monticello. Burial will follow with Military Honors in Oakland Cemetery. Online guestbook www.stephensondearman.com.
Don is a veteran that served his country in the Vietnam War. He attended Coahoma County Community College and he continued his studies at Alcorn State University. He graduated in 1976 with a Bachelor’s degree in Agriculture. A few years later, he received his Master’s degree in agriculture from the University of Arkansas at Fayetteville.
He worked over 30 years as a county agent and he was a pioneer in this field by being one of the few African American agents in the area. He made it his mission to advocate for minority farmers. He was the leader of the 4-H division in Drew County where he supervised and taught gun safety, fish and wildlife education, archery, and other various activities. He hosted a local radio program on KHBM for a number of years to give horticulture tips to people in his community and he also held a position on the Mt. Zion Water Association board. He was a deacon at Morning Star Missionary Baptist Church for nearly two decades, where he was dedicated to the pastor and members. He was an efficacious member of different organizations within southeast Arkansas.
He was a community leader and he influenced many lives. He never met a stranger and you can say he was a “social butterfly.” He had a natural talent of connecting and forming relationships with people from all backgrounds. He devoted time selflessly to others by teaching, mentoring, and motivating others to excel in life. He also was a supporter for others to advance in life by completing a higher education or career training program. In his spare time, Don loved to fish, hunt, garden, cook, listen to music, play baseball, and watch his Alcorn Braves play ANY sport! Don was a lover of life, a conversationalist, and a true Alcornite. His family and friends will truly miss him.
He was preceded in death by his mother, Ruth Wiley; father, D.C. Wiley; four brothers- Gene Wiley, D.C. Wiley, James Wiley, and Charles Wiley; three sisters-Irma Jean Wiley, June Williams, and Marva Montgomery.
Don is survived by his wife of 40 years-Vera Wiley; children-Michael Binns, Kimberly Davis (Tony), Don Conley, and Gemekia Conley; siblings-Sonny Wiley (Jean), Calvin Wiley, Fabian Wiley (Crystal), Annie Ruth Wiley, and Margaret Wiley: nine grandchildren- Shawn Binns, Mercedes Binns, Dylan Binns, Michaela Binns, Alexia Davis, Solie Conley, Essence Conley, Kaige Conley, and Brooklynn Hallmon. He also leaves behind a host of nephews, nieces, cousins, and friends.
Funeral Services will be 1:00 p.m. Friday, April 13, 2018 at First Baptist Eastside on Hwy 138, Monticello. Burial will follow with Military Honors in Oakland Cemetery. Online guestbook www.stephensondearman.com.