Dean Rudkin

Willa “Dean” Rudkin, 89, completed her journey to JESUS on March 1, 2024 with her precious daughter, Susan, by her side. She was affectionately known as “Queen Dean” by family who loved her dearly.

Dean was born on August 4,1934, in Bragg City Missouri to Sherman and Bama Morgan. She attended school in Wardell before graduating from Bragg City High School in 1955. She married LeDrew Rudkin on November 6,1955 in Hernando, Mississippi. Drew and Dean lived in St. Louis, Missouri, Memphis, Tennessee and Detroit, Michigan before moving to Jonesboro, in 1964.

What a legacy Dean leaves - She is survived by her daughter, Susan Glasgow (Terry) of Valley View, and son Steve Rudkin (Tracey) of McDonough, Georgia. Five treasured grandchildren: Bron Glasgow (Dr. Meriden) of Batesville; Tracie Fletcher (Clayton) and Morgan Wilson (Jonathan), both of Jonesboro; and Chase Rudkin (Courtney Guidry) of Forsyth, Georgia and Caden Rudkin (Allie Harris), of Hampton.   Eleven cherished great-grandchildren: Mason Fletcher (Emily), Camdan Wilson, Merrick Fletcher, Cashtan Wilson, Cate Wilson and Isac Compton all of Jonesboro, Aristyn Glasgow of Conway; Lance Corporal Maddax Fletcher (Emily) of Camp Lejeune, North Carolina; Brecken Glasgow and Cale Glasgow of Batesville; Adaline Rudkin of Forsyth, and one arriving in May 2024; and one great-great granddaughter arriving in August 2024. Two sisters-in-law, Gretchen Rudkin of Pelham, Alabama and Ganell Rudkin of Gautier, Mississippi. Six nieces and three nephews and their families, numerous cousins and a lifetime of special friends and extended family.

In addition to her parents, Dean was preceded in death by her husband of 66 years, LeDrew Rudkin; her daughter, Sherma Rudkin; her sisters and their spouses, Mary & Bill Cox and Esther & David McClanahan; brother-in-law, Carthyl Rudkin and sister-in-law, Carlene Henegar.

She was a homemaker for most of her married life. Dean never met a stranger, a trait which served her well as she worked outside the home for a few years with Dr. Webb and Utley, Clark’s Bridal and as a business owner.  She was co-owner of two gift shops, Home-A-Rama in Monette then later Country Accents, Etc. in Jonesboro with her daughter, Susan. Dean was a volunteer and past buyer for NEA Baptist gift shop and  past president and treasurer for the Preceptor Kappa chapter of Beta Sigma Phi sorority. She was a member of First Baptist Church, American Legion Post 21 women’s auxiliary; and Red Hat Society.  Dean also dutifully served as chairman of the Bragg City school reunions for 36 years before her health required her to step down.

Dean delighted in doing things with her friends, traveling, going to the casinos, collecting things, antiquing and decorating.  She enjoyed reading, watching games shows and HGTV. In her earlier years she was an accomplished seamstress and craftsperson.  Most of all Dean loved spending time with her beloved family.  She was honored to hold many titles throughout her life including wife, mother, memaw, daughter, sister, aunt, cousin, niece, classmate, sorority sister and friend. Dean’s life was marked by kindness, caring, dedication, talent, and the giving of her time.  She leaves a tremendous impact on her family, friends, and community. Dean will be dearly missed and fondly remembered by everyone who was blessed to know her.

Visitation will be held at Emerson Memorial Chapel on Saturday, March 16, 2024 at 1 PM.  A celebration of Dean's life will follow at 2 PM with Brother Keith Baker officiating.

The burial will be private on Monday, March 18, 2024 at 10:00 AM at the Arkansas Veteran’s Cemetery in Birdseye, Arkansas.  Pallbearers will be her great-grandchildren. Honorary Pallbearers will be Dean's sorority sisters of the Preceptor Kappa chapter of Beta Sigma Phi; the Bragg City High School Class of 1955; and the First Baptist Church Phebean Agnes Harrelson Sunday School Class.

The family would like to give a special thank you to: her wonderful neighbors, Harold & Wanda Ferguson and their son, Lee, Gary & Sara Gann, and Jack & Susan Jacobs for their incredible and loving support throughout the years; her amazing, attentive hospice aide, Edna Moore, a true angel, for the loving care she provided; her incredible nurses, Lindsay Hardin, Carrie Branch and Joyce Files; and her medical team consisting of Dr. Benjamin Mills, Dr. Stephen Woodruff, Dr. Ashley House, Dr. Kristi Wilson, Dr. David Pyle, Dr. Michael Isaacson, and Dr. Ben Owens. A big “BLESS you” to: her dedicated Sunday School teacher, Mrs. Jo Wheeler, whose steadfast faith shines bright to those she shepherds; Kathy Morrison, for going above and beyond in every sense of the word and loving son-in-law, Terry Glasgow, for his steadfast commitment to help his wife, Susan, provide 24/7care.

For lasting memorials honoring Dean Rudkin, the family asks consideration for Dementia Society Of America online - www.dementiasociety.org  or Arkansas Children’s Hospital - online at https://support.archildrens.org/give/280202/#!/donation.  For those who wish to express condolences or share memories, an online registry is available at www.emersonfuneralhome.com.