Syble Everee Whitworth Gwatney

Syble Everee Gwatney, passed away peacefully in her sleep on June 14, 2021, having lived 90 amazing years. She was born November 7th, 1930 in North Little Rock, Arkansas to Everee Whitworth and Earl Watkins. Most of us know her through the amazing love story she had for 75 years with her beloved husband Harold Gwatney. They met in high school. She was a hall monitor and when Harold first saw her, he knew right away he wanted to meet her. The story of their first date is just the beginning of the amazing life they shared together. Harold’s car broke down on the Broadway bridge on their first date and Harold was late taking Syble home. Harold was so happy he was allowed to continue to date Syble and two years later they married on December 16, 1948.

Syble while small in stature was a bold trailblazer throughout her life where she was fully committed to serving her community and government. She was involved in the Women’s Auxiliary with the Arkansas National Guard; Foreign Visitors Association with UALR; The Governor’s Office of Volunteering Citizens Participation, and Clerk in the Arkansas State Senate where her son Bill would later serve as a Senator. She was a very active person and enjoyed many interests. She enjoyed the arts and was a gifted artist herself.

Syble was beautiful, elegant, and truly special to everyone. She loved life and lived life well along the side of her loving husband who together they shared one of the most amazing love stories. Harold still referred to Syble as his girlfriend and together they accomplished so many incredible things. With all the things they did, all the places they traveled, and that they accomplished – what was always important to Syble was her family. She was a devoted and loving friend, wife, mother, grandmother, and great grandmother. She said she adopted her sons’ friends who needed an extra mom and because of the love she shared there are many that considered her their mother throughout her life. She truly loved people and in turn she was much loved. Together Harold and Syble had two sons, John Russell Gwatney and William Alan (Bill) Gwatney, 6 grandchildren and 11 great grandchildren. She loved all of them and spending time with her family brought her great joy. She had an incredible smile and loved to be on the floor playing with her great grandchildren. The love she shared and gave will leave a lasting impression for her family and friends. She loved the beach and putting her feet in the sand was one of her favorite things. Sharing time with her family at the beach was special to her and we will all have cherished memories from time spent together.

Syble was preceded in death, by her son Bill Gwatney, who died tragically in 2008 as well as her parents. Today, because of God’s amazing Grace, we know they are reunited. She is survived by her beloved husband Harold Gwatney; son John “Rusty” Gwatney and his wife Lisa Gwatney and their four children, John Gwatney (Wendy), David Gwatney (Susan), Megan Gwatney, and Joe Albanese; Bill Gwatney’s daughters Christian Baker (Chris); Chase Gwatney, and their 11 great grandchildren, Mary-Caryl and Jacqueline Gwatney; Peyton, Whitt, and Chandler Baker; Elaine, Amelia, David Harold Gwatney; William, Elliot Katherine, and Pierce McKay.

The family would like to thank all the people who cared for her over the last few years. Your devotion and love is a blessing and will not be forgotten.

Family and friends are invited to join us in a celebration of her life Sunday June 20, 2021, at the Griffin Leggett Funeral home in North Little Rock from 3-5 p.m. A funeral service will be held Monday June 21st at 10 a.m. at Lakewood Methodist Church in North Little Rock.

In lieu of flowers the family request memorials be to the American Parkinson Disease Association, Arkansas Arts Center, or St. Jude’s Children’s Hospital.