Wofford Chapel Cemetery
Board of Directors
Shirley Gunnell-Jones
Shirley Ann Gunnell-Jones was born in Keaton Township October 13, 1934. After graduating from Immanuel School in 1952, she managed her Uncle Gronee Gunnell’s general store for five years. This experience began preparing Shirley for numerous leadership roles including chairing the Arkansas Picnic Committee and beautifying Wofford Chapel Cemetery. Shirley lives in Chicago. She is married to Jesse Jones and is also an avid flower gardener. Shirley credits her loving family and community for molding her into a community leader.
Luster Belle Jeffrey-Allen
Luster B Jeffrey Allen is the widow of Roy L. Allen. She is a lifelong member of Wofford Chapel, where she is currently the "Mother" of the church. Mother Luster served as Usher and Church Secretary. She attended the Blue Wing, Wofford Chapel, and Immanuel schools.
Mary Allen
Mary Allen is the daughter of Luster B Allen and the late Roy L. Allen. Mary is a graduate of the University of Arkansas at Little Rock. She is a member of the Greater Second Baptist Church. She is now retired.
Shirlene Keaton-Cokes
Shirlene Keaton Cokes was born to James and Queen Ester (Honey) Keaton of Casscoe, AR. She and her husband, Jewel Cokes, Jr., reside in Casscoe, AR. The couple has one son, Dwayne Glover. Shirlene has worked with Stuttgart Public School District for over 32 years. Additionally, she is a licensed funeral director at Relerford Funeral Home. Shirlene is an active member of Wofford Chapel Church. She serves as a board member of Wofford Chapel Cemetery Organization and works tirelessly as a community volunteer.
Elfreda Virjena(Jena) Oates-Henry
was born in Stuttgart and raised in Casscoe, Arkansas beginning at the age of eight. She was baptized at Wofford Chapel Baptist Church at the age of 12. She graduated from DeWitt High School In 1971, then earned a Bachelor of Science in Business Education from Henderson State University in Arkadelphia, Arkansas in May 1975. After graduation, she worked for Riceland Foods in Stuttgart for three years. In 1978, she and her husband Sylvester (married May 1974) moved to the Houston, Texas area where she worked for various companies in downtown Houston until she retired in 2016. She has two sons. Her parents were Leroy and Elfreda Montgomery Oates.
Deara Geans-Threet
Deara Geans Threet is a proud resident of southwest Little Rock, AR. Born in Stuttgart. At the age of two her father joined the military. As a result, the family lived across the United States including Hawaii. Deara and her family moved from San Jose, CA to Little Rock in 1991. She worked at the non-profit agency, New Futures for Youth, Inc. in Little Rock for over twenty years; and at Arkansas Children's Hospital Little Rock for 15 years. Deara earned an Associate of Arts Degree from Monterey Peninsula Junior College in Monterey, CA., and a Bachelor of Arts Degree from Philander Smith College. Now semi-retired, she works as the Family Life Ministry director at Longley Baptist Church in Little Rock. Married to her high school sweetheart, Leo, they are the proud parents of two and grandparents of five. She is the daughter of the late Leslie O.C. Geans and Fragelia Gunnell Geans
Annette Wofford- Bufford
Annette Wofford-Bufford is the daughter of the late Thelma Montgomery Wofford and Scipio Wofford. She was raised in Casscoe, AR and attended Wofford Chapel Missionary Baptist Church. For eleven years, Annette attended the Immanuel School in Amyra, AR and graduated from Holman High School in Stuttgart, AR. Annette earned a BS in Education from the University of Arkansas at Pine Bluff (Arkansas Agricultural, Mechanical & Normal College (Arkansas AM&N), a Master's Degree in Education from National Louis University in Evanston, IL and a Special Education License from Cardinal Stritch College, Milwaukee, WS. In 1970 she moved to Milwaukee, WI, and started her teaching career with the Milwaukee Public School System. After 35 years of public school service, Annette retired in 2006. She resides in Stuttgart, Arkansas.
