Vada Gladine Showalter

Vada Gladine Showalter, 89, of Jonesboro, entered into Heaven on October 22, 2022, at St. Bernards Medical Center. She was born August 12, 1933, to Gordon Watkins and Gladys Griffin Watkins in Jonesboro where she spent most of her life in the northeast Arkansas area.

Vada was a 1951 graduate of Nettleton High School. She worked briefly as a secretary at Nettleton Public Schools then went on to work General Electric of Jonesboro for 38 years.

Vada was a member of Nettleton Baptist Church where in her younger years taught Sunday school in the preschool department for 20 years. She was also the church training union secretary for 17 years.

Vada loved playing the piano and baking; and she was an avid reader. She loved reading novels and also enjoyed reading Little Golden Books to her children, grandchildren and great grandchildren. Her favorite topic her morning quiet time reading her Bible.

In addition to her parents, Vada was preceded in death by her husband of 62 years, Buddy Showalter, grandson Jeremy Rickard, and 3 brothers: James Watkins, Gerald Watkins and Earl Watkins. She is survived by daughter Sherry Rickard (Donnie) of Jonesboro; son Donald Showalter (Dana) of Jonesboro; grandson Jacob Showalter (Hannah); granddaughters Holly Rickard Ward (Troy) and Sarah Showalter; and 6 great grandchildren.

Visitation will be 5:00-7:00 p.m. Tuesday at Emerson Funeral Home. A Celebration of Life service will be at 10:30 a.m. on Wednesday, October 26 in Emerson Memorial Chapel with Mike Hart and Chris Ratley officiating. Burial will follow in Jonesboro Memorial Park Cemetery.

Honored to serve as pallbearers are Jacob Showalter, Donnie Rickard, Brent Watkins, Gerry Watkins, Victor Holt and David Onstead. Honorary pallbearers include the Station 3 staff of Craighead Nursing Center

For lasting memorials, the family asks that consideration be given to Nettleton Baptist Church, P.O. Box 2415, Jonesboro, AR 72402, or to Arkansas Alzheimer's Association, 11300 N. Rodney Parham Rd, Suite 200, Little Rock, AR 72212.