Willene Irene Kuykendall

Willene Kuykendall, 90, of Fort Smith, went to sleep in Jesus May 19, 2014 awaiting the Great Resurrection. Born in Hope, Arkansas August 15, 1923 to the late Fred and Melcena Miller, she was baptized into the Seventh-day Adventist church at the age of 13 and remained a faithful and active member until illness prevented her from attending. In addition to her parents, she is preceded in death by her sisters Augusta (Howard) Parrish of Mesquite, TX and Helen (Ned) Stokes of Butler, PA. She is survived by her beloved and committed husband and the love of her life for over 73 years, Gene; son Lee and his wife Martha of Fort Smith; son Fred and his wife Angela of Chattanooga, TN; grandchildren Malia Behm (Dave) of Las Vegas, NV; Brandee Lighthall (Christian) of Berrien Springs, MI; Kyle Kuykendall (Stevi) of Springdale, AR; Andrea Vessels (Clay) of Murfreesboro, TN; Freddy Kuykendall (Kaitlyn) of Chattanooga, TN; 4 great grandchildren; and nieces Evelyn Skinner (Roy) of Texas; Shirley Gaston of Texas and Carole Holliday of Pittsburgh, PA; and nephew Billy Waugh of Florida. A funeral service will be held at 1 pm, Tuesday, May 27, at the Seventh-day Adventist Church at 4321 Jenny Lind Rd, Fort Smith, with burial at 2 pm at the Fort Smith National Cemetery with dear friend and Pastor Burnham Rand officiating. Funeral arrangements are under the direction of Edwards Funeral Home. The family will receive friends, Monday, May 26, from 5:00 PM-7:00 PM at Edwards Funeral Home.

Pallbearers will be David Behm, Kyle Kuykendall, Christian Lighthall, Don Maxwell, Jim Pettijohn and Bill Roberts. The family would like to especially thank the entire staff of Quinton Manor in Quinton, OK for all their love, support, and extraordinary care.