Verna Lou Roark Wright

Verna Lou Roark Wright passed into eternal rest at Russellville Nursing and Rehabilitation Center in Russellville, Arkansas September 9, 2008.
Verna was born January 11, 1918 on a farm near Bergman, Arkansas. Her parents William Parker Roark and Emma Elizabeth (Bryan) Roark; her brothers, Virgil Hugh Roark, Merl Elmus Roark; and her sister Iona Mae (Roark) Owen preceded her in death. She is survived by one daughter and son-in-law, Mary Elizabeth Cohoon and Richard Cohoon; one son, William Thomas Wright II (Billy) and wife Joy Wright of Orlando, FL; two grand daughters, Kelly Ann Cohoon and Lisa Marie Cochran and Lisas children, Joshua David Perks and Haley Marie Perks; one niece, Mary Ruth Roark of Little Rock; and one nephew, Tommy Roark Owen of Marshfield, Missouri.
Verna spent her young years as a farm girl, enjoying the outdoors and helping with the farm chores. Perhaps it was during these years that she developed her commitment to hard work and a life long love of animals and plants. Her family was deeply religious and she carried her faith in Jesus Christ throughout her life.
She attended Arkansas Polytechnic College, earned a BA degree at Oklahoma A&M College, and a Masters degree in Secondary Education at the University of Arkansas. She worked as a schoolteacher in California and Oklahoma before coming to Russellville High School as the Home Economics teacher in 1954, where she taught for 29 years, retiring in 1983. Verna was very committed to and interested in her students.
In her retirement she continued to enjoy children, animals, and the outdoors, spending time with her grand children and great grand children, taking in stray animals and working in her yard. She pursued her artistic interests in drawing, painting, pottery and making interesting baskets from material, most of which came from her yard. She also volunteered for the Salvation Army and Hospice.
Verna was a member of the First Baptist Church and for several years attended the Salvation Army Chapel.
A memorial service will be held at 2PM at Humphrey Funeral Service Chapel in Russellville Thursday, September 25, 2008. Private burial in Russellvilles Oakland Cemetery will be at a later date. The family will greet friends after the service at the Chapel.
Memorials may be made to the Salvation Army, P.O. Box 2075, Russellville, AR 72811; Russellville Animal Shelter 3115 S. Mobile, Russellville, AR 72802 or Central Presbyterian Church, 400 West Main St., Russellville, AR 72801.

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