Barbara Jean Waymack, age 87

On Saturday, November 23, 2024, Heaven shined a little brighter as Barbara Jean Waymack arrived on the wings of an angel to be reunited with the love of her life. Barbara died at the age of 87 in Cabot, Arkansas in the home of her youngest son and daughter-in-law where she had spent the last days of her life’s journey surrounded by many people who loved and cherished her. Barbara had been under the care of Arkansas Hospice since August and had flourished until the last week of her time on Earth. She passed peacefully in the quiet and stillness of the morning, with the warm rays of sunshine beaming through the window and surrounding her like a halo, while holding the hand of her son as Jesus reached out, took her by the other hand and gently led her home.

Barbara was born on June 20, 1937, in Little Rock, Arkansas at the home of her late parents, Perry Edward Harrison and Alta Johanna (Lovston) Harrison. She was born the fifth of six children.

Barbara was a self-proclaimed tomboy, and she liked to stay busy. She was an early riser who enjoyed being outside working in the yard and tending her flower beds. She had a great love for sports and played softball while in high school. She frequently recounted the fond memories of her softball days and how hard the position as a catcher was and how good she was at it. She carried that love of sports that was instilled in her at a young age by her Uncle Son, throughout her lifetime. She enjoyed watching the Razorbacks play, whether it was football or basketball. Her favorite baseball team was the St. Louis Cardinals. If you visited Barbara, depending on the time of the day, she would have the TV on sports of some kind, the news, Wheel of Fortune if it was 6:30 PM, or if it was back in the day, she might have been tuned into the QVC channel and was probably ordering everyone’s Christmas and Birthday gifts for the entire year, as she was one of their most loyal customers.

In 1955, right out of high school, Barbara began working in the AMF bicycle shop in Little Rock, where she met a tall, handsome fella named Odis. As fate would have it, they would spend the next 68 plus years together making memories and raising a family with three amazing sons. Exactly twelve weeks following the death of Odis, Barbara has reunited with him in Heaven.

Barbara was a homemaker and cared for her boys until they were all in school. Between the years of 1970 until the mid-90s, Barbara would hold positions doing factory work and run the office for the family businesses.

She never hesitated to roll up her sleeves and help the men with any type of job and can be credited with keeping the Waymack men, and any others working with them, in line over the years. She knew her way around the family shop as well as any of the men and she was constantly picking up and organizing the tools, in true Barbara fashion. Looking back, she was kind of like the job foreman, she just let the fellas think they were in charge.

She affectionately spoke often of the time that she and Odis spent living in Bermuda…of the friends they met, memories made, and of the birth of their first son, Steve in 1957. Her next two bundles of joy were both born in California. Kenny in 1962 and her baby boy, Ronnie, in 1964. She shared countless memories about raising her boys and of time spent with family members from both her side of the family and the Waymack side.

Family was so important and precious to her. She had a servant’s heart and found joy in helping others without ever expecting anything in return. She selflessly dedicated over 6 years of caring for her own mother and took the most excellent care of her until the end of her life. Barbara filled so many roles, and she filled each role with love and devotion. She found happiness, purpose, and laughter in day-to-day life, and she shared it with others. She had a lively sense of humor and a vibrant smile. She loved everyone and sought the good in each person as an individual, even when others were unable to see it. She was known as Mammaw to her adored grand, great grand, and great-great grandchildren and she cherished any time spent with them. She was able to attend baseball games, football games, and karate tournaments of her grands in the last couple of months of her life, leaving us with some vastly treasured memories. She also met and welcomed three of her great grands to the family in the year 2024. One of her recent favorite pastime activities was “being lazy” and a well-deserved nap in her recliner throughout the day.

Even as the end of her life drew near, her strong and spirited presence inspired others to embrace life’s challenges with courage. Her own journey with dementia, marked by resilience in the face of her diagnosis, was a beacon of hope for others. She continued to live life to the fullest of her abilities and she received each day as a gift. She continued to show care and compassion to those she loved in the small, yet beautiful and impactful ways that she was still able. Barbara was a true lover of life, and she never based her happiness on material possessions. Her legacy of love and compassion will live on in the hearts of those she touched throughout her life’s journey.

We will remember her for all the wonderful attributes that she embodied, for the love that she showered us with, and the laughs she brought us. She was as beautiful on the inside as she was on the outside. Barbara’s fighting and courageous spirit will serve as an inspiration to those lives that she has impacted in her 87 years of life. She was not just the glue to this family, she was the “SUPER” glue, and she will be forever missed and always loved. She may have been small, but she has left a MIGHTY impression ingrained on our hearts and in our lives and her absence is profoundly palpable during these tender moments, but we look forward to seeing her again one day. She can now enjoy endless “lazy days” and all the sports she desires.

Barbara was preceded in death by both her parents; her beloved husband: Odis Waymack; her favorite Uncle: Leon “Son” Lovston; one brother: Charles “Buddy” Harrison; three sisters: Patricia Reissman, Joan Allen, Mary Caroline Henson; her oldest son, Steve Waymack; and a granddaughter, Jacy Waymack.

Left to treasure her memory and carry on her legacy for the years to come are her loving sons: Kenny (Pam) Waymack of Velvet Ridge and Ronnie (Tracy) Waymack of Cabot; seven grandchildren: Jordan Victory, Josh (Kelly) Waymack, Ashley (Steven) Merrell, Seth Waymack, Bruce (Cindy) Waymack, Jacob (Sara) Waymack, Luke (Talon) Waymack; eight great grandchildren: Aubrey Victory, Finley Waymack, Hadlee Jo Waymack, Laken Merrell, Rachael Vickers, Brantley Waymack (Amy Brantley’s mom), Charlee Mae Waymack and Wylder Waymack, with an additional great grandson on the way; one great-great grandson: Maverick Goldman; her baby sister: Raynelle (Ron) Ogle and a host of nieces, nephews, cousins and other family members and friends that loved her deeply.

The Waymack family would like to express their heartfelt gratitude to our caregiver, Britney, from Seniors Serving Seniors and all the team from Arkansas Hospice, especially our nurses (Barbara, Erin and Alesia) and the certified nursing assistants (Michelle and Melissa) who have been so devoted and sweet with the care of Barbara. A whole lot of love and laughter were shared with all these ladies. We couldn’t have provided wonderful care for her at home without their help and we are forever grateful for their dedication to the calling of caring for others.

Visitation will be held on Wednesday, November 27, 2024 at 12:30pm with funeral service starting at 1:30pm in the chapel at A Natural State Funeral Service in Jacksonville, Arkansas. Burial will follow at Sumner Cemetery.

Arrangements by A Natural State Funeral Service 2620 West Main Street, Jacksonville, Arkansas 72076. 501-982-3400. Online guestbook available at www.anaturalstatefuneralservice.com