05/28/2026
Willa Dean Teegarden Parker 57 of Conway passed away on May 25, 2026. Born on May 24, 1969 she was the daughter of Noel (Shorty) and Wilma Teegarden. Willa was united in marriage to Kevin Parker on July 28th 1990 in Norfork, AR. Willa and Kevin moved to Conway in 1995 where they made a life and raised their children. Willa kept close ties to her family and friends in the Norfork area and visited often. Willa earned a degree in early childhood education from Arkansas State University, Beebe, and spent the past nineteen years as a preschool teacher at Vilonia Early Learning Center.
While her time on Earth felt much too short, Willa spent those years living life to the fullest as a faithful wife, devoted mother, loving daughter, cherished sister, beloved aunt, treasured niece, fun loving cousin and genuine friend. Willa’s days were spent shaping young minds, and not a day went by that she did not have her students on her mind and in her heart. The care she had for her littles went far beyond the classroom, which was so evident in the lasting relationships she built with her coworkers and the families she taught. Willa was a member of the Old Liberty Baptist Church and even in her darkest days she was a steadfast Christian, confidently assuring everyone around her that Heaven would soon be her home. Willa’s life was filled with kindness and empathy to others, joy in the little things, incredible strength in the face of adversity, and an unequivocal love for the people in her life. Willa’s love for her children unmatched and her devotion to them was an example to all. Willa gave endlessly, loved deeply, and made everyone around her feel special and seen. She was truly a light to others and will be incredibly missed.
Willa is survived by husband Kevin, two children, Jansyn and Logan both of the home, Mother, WIlma Teegarden of Norfork, two siblings Jeff Teegarden (Angie) of Norfork and Leanna Martin (Richard) of Calico Rock, mother in law Connie Parker and sister in law Denise Ladyman (Gary Knott) of Kell, IL, nieces Nichole Hixon (Jonathon), Mandy Ladyman (Travis Roberg),and Lindsay Dwyer (Cameron), nephews Jordan Teegarden, Will Martin, and Jamey Martin, aunts Betty Teague (Barton), Maxine Coggins, and Lena Parnell, uncle Keith Southard, numerous great nieces and nephews, cousins, and many dear friends. Willa was preceded in death by her father, Noel (Shorty) Teegarden, father in law Frank Parker, maternal and paternal grandparents, and several aunts, uncles, and cousins.
A service for Conway/Vilonia friends and family will be held Saturday May 30th at 9:30 AM at Old Liberty Baptist Church in Conway with Jeff Ashley officiating. A service for Norfork area family and friends will be held at 3:30 PM at Galatia Assembly of God Church in Norfork with burial to follow at Galatia Cemetery. Pallbearers will include Bobby Hicks, Richard Martin, Jonathan Hixon, Logan Parker, Cameron Dwyer, and Will Martin. Honorary pallbearers will include Mike Garrett, Randy Bone, Larry Green, Jeffery Teegarden, Bill Wright, and Barton Teague.
Willa’s family would like to thank their church family at Old Liberty Baptist Church and the staff at Conway Carti for all the love and support of sweet Willa. Willa loved flowers in bright, vibrant colors with her favorites being carnations and roses, or a donation in her memory can be made to Old Liberty Baptist Church.