Ruby Willodine Peterson

Ruby Willodine Hopkins Williams Peterson, 83, departed this earthly life on Thursday, May 18, 2017, in El Dorado, AR. For the last eight years, she had resided in Bentonville, AR. Prior to this, she had lived extensively throughout Arkansas, Indiana, and California.

Willodine was born in Harrisburg, AR, to Willard and Ruby Hopkins on August 11, 1933. She is preceded in death by her parents, brother, Kenny, sisters Sheila Ann and Melba, and her husbands, V.L. Williams and LeRoy Peterson. She is survived by her brothers Ralph and Douglas Hopkins, half-brother David Hopkins, and half-sisters Kaye Simpson and Sheila Burke.

Having obtained a Bachelor’s and Master’s Degree in Biology in Education from Arkansas State University, Willodine was a beloved teacher at Clover Bend and Tuckerman public school districts, as well as Crowley’s Ridge Academy and Crowley’s Ridge College in Northeast AR. She then relocated to Southern California where she taught at Normandie Christian School and the Los Angeles Unified School District, while continuing her education at California State University and the University of California.

When Willodine retired from teaching, she pursued her dream of becoming a writer. She authored many books and loved ministering to women one-on-one, and speaking at workshops and retreats in the Church of Christ. Her greatest passion was the Lord. She used her gifts of teaching and evangelizing to reach people all over the world.

But beyond these accomplishments, her greatest fulfillment was being the matriarch of her family. She loved her family! Known as Mother, Mom, Nanny, and Grand-Nanny, she will be missed by her four children, eight grandchildren,15 great-grandchildren, related spouses, cousins, nieces, nephews, friends, students, and exchange students she considered her own. For Willodine, there were no strangers – she had an all-inclusive heart.

She is preceded in death by her granddaughter Shanna Wilson and her great-grandsons Robbie Seay and Jake Baker. She leaves behind her daughter and son-in-law, Paula and Roy Seay, of Bentonville, AR, daughter and son-in-law, Becky and Don Wilson of El Dorado, AR, son and daughter-in-law, Steve and Ruth Williams of Indianapolis, IN, and daughter Elizabeth Williams of San Jose, CA.

Grandchildren and great-grandchildren include Jeffrey Seay of Bentonville AR, Steve, Shannon, and Wrigley Seay of Centerton, AR, Greg, Danielle, Brody, and Vera Seay of Centerton, AR, Suzanne, Joe, Moye, Jody, and Hailey Hawkins of Pocahontas, AR, Cara, Kent, Derek, Austin, and Brylee Jobe of El Dorado, AR, Julie, Jason, Jarett, Joshua, Jaylee, and Joy Baker of El Dorado, AR, Justin and Allyson Williams of Camby, IN, Daniel, Ashley, Sadie, and Sutton Williams of Camby, IN.

A private memorial service will be held at a later date. In lieu of flowers, memorial donations may be made to Children’s Homes, Inc., 5515 Walcott Road, Paragould, AR, 72450, or online at http://www.childrenshomes.org/.

An online registry will be available at www.youngsfuneralhome.com.