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Wilma Rae Ham Heflin died Saturday, April 6, 2019, at the Elaine Center in Hadley, Massachusetts, after a long battle with health problems. Wilma was born in Strong, Arkansas on November 10, 1942, to Sallie Calloway Ham and Grady Henry Ham.
When she was six Wilma’s family moved to Monticello and Wilma grew up there. She finished elementary school, junior high, high school, and university all in Monticello. She graduated from the University of Arkansas, Monticello with a major in Elementary Education in 1964 and began her teaching career. While in university she married James “Jimmy” Heflin of Monticello (who survives her) on June 16, 1962. She and Jimmy have one son, James David, who also survives her. He and his wife, Amy, have a 10-year-old daughter, Stella. James and his family live in South Deerfield, Massachusetts.
Other survivors include a sister, Frances Marvelle Fipppen of Little Rock, and a brother, Grady Ronald “Ronnie” Ham of Little Rock, two nieces, two nephews, and a host of aunts, uncles, and cousins. Two brothers, her father, and her mother preceded Wilma in death.
After some years as a teacher, Wilma attended theological seminary and earned a master’s degree and a PhD to begin a new chapter in her life as a minister to families and children. She and Jim served from 1996 to 2001 as leaders of the European Baptist Convention, with offices in Wiesbaden, Germany. Upon their return to America in 2001, Wilma continued to serve as a minister to children and families and published articles, including a chapter in a volume on helping children understand Christian discipleship.
Visitation will take place at Stephenson-Dearman Funeral Home in Monticello on Friday, April 12, 2019 from 6 to 8 p.m.
Funeral services will be held on Saturday, April 13, 2019 at 11 a.m. at Stephenson-Dearman Funeral Home. Ministers officiating: Pastor Ray Hearron of Second Baptist Church in Monticello, retired pastor Harold Cantley, and pastor Gene Gregory. Burial will follow in Oakland Cemetery in Monticello. Online guestbook www.stephensondearman.com.
When she was six Wilma’s family moved to Monticello and Wilma grew up there. She finished elementary school, junior high, high school, and university all in Monticello. She graduated from the University of Arkansas, Monticello with a major in Elementary Education in 1964 and began her teaching career. While in university she married James “Jimmy” Heflin of Monticello (who survives her) on June 16, 1962. She and Jimmy have one son, James David, who also survives her. He and his wife, Amy, have a 10-year-old daughter, Stella. James and his family live in South Deerfield, Massachusetts.
Other survivors include a sister, Frances Marvelle Fipppen of Little Rock, and a brother, Grady Ronald “Ronnie” Ham of Little Rock, two nieces, two nephews, and a host of aunts, uncles, and cousins. Two brothers, her father, and her mother preceded Wilma in death.
After some years as a teacher, Wilma attended theological seminary and earned a master’s degree and a PhD to begin a new chapter in her life as a minister to families and children. She and Jim served from 1996 to 2001 as leaders of the European Baptist Convention, with offices in Wiesbaden, Germany. Upon their return to America in 2001, Wilma continued to serve as a minister to children and families and published articles, including a chapter in a volume on helping children understand Christian discipleship.
Visitation will take place at Stephenson-Dearman Funeral Home in Monticello on Friday, April 12, 2019 from 6 to 8 p.m.
Funeral services will be held on Saturday, April 13, 2019 at 11 a.m. at Stephenson-Dearman Funeral Home. Ministers officiating: Pastor Ray Hearron of Second Baptist Church in Monticello, retired pastor Harold Cantley, and pastor Gene Gregory. Burial will follow in Oakland Cemetery in Monticello. Online guestbook www.stephensondearman.com.