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Wanda Sue Hartness, age 80 of Monticello, AR, passed away Wednesday, March 6, 2024, at her home. She was born October 21, 1943, in Monticello, AR to the late Zerl Zelva Cox and Ritchie Modelle Rash Cox.
Sue graduated from the University of Arkansas at Monticello with a Bachelor of Education. She began her career as a health and physical education teacher in Louisiana. Later, she spent the majority of her career working for Child Support Enforcement for the State of Arkansas, helping secure child support for many single mothers in the area. Sue had a lifelong passion for animals and was an avid horseman. In her younger years, she barrel raced at local and state rodeos. In later years, she developed a passion for donkeys that started with her beloved donkey, Lilly. Her donkey family grew with the addition of Rosie and the surprise of her son, Ziggy. Sue spent endless hours at the barn connecting with her donkeys and helper, Melvin. She had many lifelong friends and numerous cousins in the area. Some of Sue’s other passions included reading, gardening, and spending time with friends and family. She was quick-witted and had a great sense of humor. Sue was active within her church, First Baptist of Monticello, and served on the bereavement committee for many years. She also was a member of the Night Owls Extension Club. In addition to her parents, Sue was also preceded in death by her son, Jason Hartness; and a sister, Nona Ellen Wood.
She is survived by a grandson, Alex Parson and his wife Veronica, and their daughter Josie from Texarkana, AR; a niece, Jerri Lynn Whiting and her 3 children Zoey, Gabrielle, and Christian from Lee’s Summit, MO; a nephew, James A Wood, III and Jacee from Rolla, MO and their 3 children Jessica, Jaime and her son James, and Jacee.
Memorial services will be held 2:00 p.m. Monday, March 11, 2024, at Stephenson-Dearman Funeral Chapel with Rev. Billy Collins officiating. There will be a visitation from 1:00-2:00 p.m. preceding the service. Memorials may be made to Peaceful Valley Donkey Rescue or First Baptist Church of Monticello. You can sign Sue’s guestbook registry on this page.
Sue graduated from the University of Arkansas at Monticello with a Bachelor of Education. She began her career as a health and physical education teacher in Louisiana. Later, she spent the majority of her career working for Child Support Enforcement for the State of Arkansas, helping secure child support for many single mothers in the area. Sue had a lifelong passion for animals and was an avid horseman. In her younger years, she barrel raced at local and state rodeos. In later years, she developed a passion for donkeys that started with her beloved donkey, Lilly. Her donkey family grew with the addition of Rosie and the surprise of her son, Ziggy. Sue spent endless hours at the barn connecting with her donkeys and helper, Melvin. She had many lifelong friends and numerous cousins in the area. Some of Sue’s other passions included reading, gardening, and spending time with friends and family. She was quick-witted and had a great sense of humor. Sue was active within her church, First Baptist of Monticello, and served on the bereavement committee for many years. She also was a member of the Night Owls Extension Club. In addition to her parents, Sue was also preceded in death by her son, Jason Hartness; and a sister, Nona Ellen Wood.
She is survived by a grandson, Alex Parson and his wife Veronica, and their daughter Josie from Texarkana, AR; a niece, Jerri Lynn Whiting and her 3 children Zoey, Gabrielle, and Christian from Lee’s Summit, MO; a nephew, James A Wood, III and Jacee from Rolla, MO and their 3 children Jessica, Jaime and her son James, and Jacee.
Memorial services will be held 2:00 p.m. Monday, March 11, 2024, at Stephenson-Dearman Funeral Chapel with Rev. Billy Collins officiating. There will be a visitation from 1:00-2:00 p.m. preceding the service. Memorials may be made to Peaceful Valley Donkey Rescue or First Baptist Church of Monticello. You can sign Sue’s guestbook registry on this page.