Oma Dean Whitehead

Oma Dean “Brownie’’ Whitehead, 92, of Elizabeth, Arkansas went home to heaven to be with her Lord and Savior and reunited with family on Thursday, October 10th. She was a faithful wife, beloved mother and loving grandmother and great-grandmother.

Oma Dean was born May 17th, 1932 in Palatka, Arkansas. As a young girl, she worked at Olivers Dry Goods in Corning and spent many hours picking cotton in Northeast Arkansas.

On July 5, 1950, she married Billy Joe Whitehead. They moved to Rockford where she worked for General Electric for over 20 years and was a member of Berean Baptist Church. She returned to Arkansas in 1972 where they owned and operated Hand Cove Resort until 1978. Numerous returning guests and lifelong friends were a testament to her dedication and strong work ethic. Upon retiring from resort ownership, she worked at Baxter Lab in Mountain Home for 10 years. She was also a current member of the First Baptist Church of Mountain Home.

Most importantly and known to all, her favorite place was in the kitchen. If you were hungry, she would feed you. She sent Bill on countless neighborhood deliveries when she’d made a little extra of anything and she always did. She always had a fresh baked good on hand for anyone that stopped by. Her specialties were chicken & dumplings, biscuits and gravy, apple and pecan pie or a fish fry. If you were lucky enough to have been fed by Brownie, you were truly blessed.

Survivors include her daughter Patricia (Richard) of Stillman Valley, IL; grandchildren Chris (Stephanie) Swanson of Plymouth, MA and Heidi (Blake) Bradle of Stillman Valley, IL; great-grandchildren Blake and Anna Bradle and Chase Swanson; sister Maxine Hahs.

She was predeceased in death by her parents Morris and Gusta Brown, brothers Roy, Aubrey (Buddy), Loren, Harvey and sisters Juanita Simlar and Barbara Rapp.

Ermert Funeral Home will conduct a private graveside service. Burial will be at Black Cemetery in Success. The family will hold a memorial service at a later date.

Online condolences: www.ermertfuneralhome.com