of Houston, AR

December 2, 1943 - June 16, 2024

Willeen (Gibbs Maxwell) Yielding, the eighth child of Jack and Ruth (Hurley) Gibbs, was born on December 2, 1943. She passed away peacefully on June 16, 2024 after a long and courageous battle with Alzheimer's Disease. Affectionately known as "Mom, Mawmaw, William, Willie and Hollywood'', left an indelible mark on all who knew her.

In 1960, Willeen earned the title of Miss Searcy County, a testament to her grace and charm. She graduated from Leslie High School in 1962 and went on to complete her education at Tulsa Beauty School in 1963. Willeen was a passionate Arkansas Razorbacks fan, enthusiastically supporting both the football and basketball teams. Her family fondly remembers her as the best armchair coach and cheerleader, always radiating love and encouragement at her daughters' and grandchildren's events.

For over 35 years, she worked as a hairstylist, helping many individuals launch their careers in the industry. Despite her passion for hairstyling, she had to leave the profession due to carpal tunnel syndrome in both hands. Though initially disheartened, she discovered a new calling as a cafeteria food manager for the Pulaski County Special School District at Joe T. Robinson middle and high schools. There, she thrived by creatively enhancing recipes and inventing new dishes with the ingredients at hand. Her culinary talents were widely appreciated by students, teachers and management alike.

Willeen was preceded in death by her parents; her husband, Darral Yielding; her brother, Eugene Gibbs and her sisters, Vanita Gibbs, Sarah Gibbs, Kathy Long, Betty Calvert, Pat Kuykendall and Jackie Henry. She also faced the heartache of losing her granddaughter, Amanda Garvin; her great-grandson, Max Garvin and the father of her daughters, Mearl Maxwell.

She leaves behind her beloved daughters, Shelia Maxwell and Stephanie (Jason) Goodwin; her brother, Robert Gibbs and her sisters, Mary Jane Mayes, Charlene Dawson, Esther (Bob) Wimberly, Ann Koonce and Peggy (Larry) Sparks. Willeen is also survived by numerous grandchildren, their spouses; great-grandchildren and a large extended family of nieces and nephews.

The family would like to express their deep gratitude to the wonderful caregivers at Perry County Nursing and Rehab Center, who treated Willeen with the same love and care they would their own Mom or Mawmaw.

In lieu of food or flowers, donations can be made in Willeen's memory to the Arkansas Alzheimer's Association, located at 11300 N. Rodney Parham Rd, Suite 200, Little Rock, AR 72212 or to the Perry County Nursing and Rehab Center at 1321 Scenic Drive, Perryville, AR 72126.

Visitation will be held at 1:00 p.m. on Thursday, June 20th followed by funeral services beginning at 2:00 p.m. at Roller-McNutt Funeral Home in Conway, AR.

Willeen's legacy of love, cheerfulness and dedication will forever live on in the hearts of those she touched.

Pallbearers are nephews Bucky Bramlett and Tim Henry, and grandsons Jake Frith, Beau Hensley, Chad Quire and Colton Raper.

Obituary Provided By:
Roller-McNutt Funeral Home
650 Central Landing Blvd.
Conway, AR  72032
www.rollerfuneralhomes.com