Wilma Meeker Grear

Wilma Ann Meeker Grear, 92, of Bono passed from this life on Friday, April 14, 2017 at St. Bernards Medical Center. She was born to the late John and Maude Meeker on July 17, 1924 in Cushman, Arkansas.

Wilma lived and worked in Washington D.C. before meeting her future husband, Robert “Bob” Grear. They were married on June 23, 1951 and had two children, Robert and Gayle. Wilma worked for the US Department of Treasury until the birth of Robert, after which she was a housewife and mother. After retirement in 1981, Wilma and Bob moved to Bono and found numerous organizations to donate their time to. They spent time volunteering for First United Methodist Church and the local Democratic Party representatives. They were also members of the National Association of Retired Federal Employees (NARFE) Chapter 535 where Wilma served as President, Vice President, and Secretary.

Wilma also felt that education was extremely important and never stopped learning. She learned how to use a computer at the age of 80 and had many friends that she communicated with regularly via eMail. Wilma and her husband also started the Meeker-Grear Scholarship at Arkansas State University.

Wilma was very active at First United Methodist Church of Jonesboro, where she was a member of the Friendship Sunday School Class, took part in the Prayer Shawl Ministry and sang in the choir. She also sang with the FUMC Fourth Quarter Singers and they would visit nursing homes, senior centers, and hospitals. Wilma enjoyed crocheting, quilting, gardening, canning and working around the house. In addition to her parents, Wilma is preceded in death by six siblings.

Wilma is survived by her son, Robert “Bob” Grear (Christine) of Bono; daughter, Gayle Wied (Frederick Wied IV) of Somerville, New Jersey; sister, Ruth LaNelle Broadway (John) of Jonesboro; grandchildren, Frederick Wied V, Alexander Robert Wied, and Brian Sipler.

A memorial service will be held at 11:00 am on Wednesday, April 19, 2017 at First United Methodist Church, Jonesboro, with Rev. John Miles and Rev. Patty Soward officiating. Private burial, for family members only, will be at Union Grove Cemetery at 9:30 am.

The visitation will be held from 5-7 pm at Emerson Funeral Home on Tuesday, April 18, 2017.