Today the Heavens rejoice as our congregation mourns, for the passing of our dearest and best, Dena Michelle Whitley. She escaped her earthly bonds and made her journey to paradise on Friday, February 19, 2010 at her home in the arms of her family in Lonsdale, Arkansas.
Dena is remembered as the beloved wife to Pastor Jerry P. Whitley of Lonsdale, loving mother of her sons; Jordan, Seth and Curtis Whitley and her daughter, Kendra Bledsoe and husband, Joel of Haskell. She also leaves behind her parents R.J. "Joe" and Diane Wooten of Port Lavaca, Texas, her sister Amanda Hanson and husband Brandon of Jonesboro, Arkansas, brother s and sisters-in-law, Jim and Tammy Whitley of Benton, Rev. Danny and Margaret Whitley of Searcy, Arkansas and Todd Dotey of Salem, Arkansas. She is also survived by her two grandchildren, Noah Whitley and Caden Bledsoe along with her nieces and nephews; Logan, Lukas, Joel, Erin and Gracie Whitley, Dylan Despain and McKenzie Wooten. She was also the Mother of the First United Pentecostal Church of Bryant, where her presence will always be felt.
She is preceded in death by her father, Jerry Doty.
A celebration of her home going, for Sister Whitley, will be held at 11:00 a.m. on Tuesday February 23, 2010 at the First United Pentecostal Church of Bryant, with Bro. Dennis Anderson, Bro. B.J. Thomas and Bro. Bill Harden officiating. Burial will follow at Fowler Cemetery in Paron.
Visitation will be held from 6-9 p.m. on Monday night at the First United Pentecostal Church of Bryant.
Dena was a Holy and righteous example for all and a guiding light that illuminated God's love and grace in this earth. She was a model of virtue and purity of the heart that all women should strive to emulate. She was a living Epistle, a warrior for the Gospel, and a witness to the mercy of Jesus to all that knew her. She kept the faith and finished the course, and therefore there is a crown of righteousness laid up for her in Heaven.
Although our hearts are broken, we are comforted to know that Dena now sings among the heavenly host, rejoicing in the suffering she endured in this world for Christ's Sake.
Pallbearers will be Joel Whitley, Garland Honeycutt, Brandon Hanson, J.E. Curtis, Carl Wells, Jim Whitley, Dr. Greg Mitchell and Brent Davenport. Honorary pallbearers will be Richard Hester, Jerry K. Whitley, Larry Gann, Loy Reece, Logan Whitley, Lukas Whitley, Dylan Despain and McKenzie Wooten.
Arrangements provided by Dial and Dudley Funeral Home 4212 Hwy 5 North, Bryant 501-847-9099. In lieu of flowers memorials may be made to First Pentecostal Church Building Fund. To sign Sister Whitley's online guest book visit www.dialanddudleyfuneralhome.com.