Willa Dean Hefley Carter was born March 31, 1934 at Mt. Judea, Arkansas, the daughter of Arvil Earl Hefley and Vadie Cross Hefley. She passed from this life Sunday, February 17, 2013 at her home in Drexel, Missouri.

On December 26, 1952 she married Tony Thedoria Carter in Harrison, Arkansas. Tony enjoyed farming and worked for GM in Detroit, Michigan, IMCO Container in Kansas City, Missouri, and at Flexsteel in Harrison, Arkansas. He passed away December 24, 1982.

Willa Dean was a homemaker, private caregiver, and craftsperson. She enjoyed cooking, baking, sewing, growing flowers, and collecting cookbooks. Her love for her family was second only to her love for Jesus. She read and studied the Bible daily and looked forward to going to church. Willa Dean was of the Pentecostal faith and a member of the New Life Assembly of God in Archie, Missouri.

In addition to her husband, she was preceded in death by her parents; her son, Ricky Carl Carter; her sisters, Janie Hefley Carter and Johnnie Hefley Hart; also by her mother and father-in-law, Betty Kuykendal Carter and James Harvey Carter.

She is survived by her sons, Terry Farron Carter and wife Jessie of Freeman, Missouri, Steve Allen Carter and wife Julie of Leawood, Kansas, and Mike Anthony Carter of Drexel, Missouri. Survivors also include her 8 grandchildren; 6 great-grandchildren; and her sister, Villea Wise of Pleasant Hill, Missouri.

Willa Dean had a host of family, friends, and neighbors who loved her and mourn her loss.

Visitation will be at 1:00 P.M. Friday, February 22, 2013 with the service following at 2 P.M. Friday, February 22, 2013, both at Coffman Funeral Home in Harrison. Burial will follow in Sand Hill Cemetery at Yardell, Arkansas.

Online condolences may be left at www.coffmanfh.com.