Arkie Neal Remley celebrates 105-year life journey
Malvern, AR - Ms. Arkie Neal Remley will celebrate her 105 th birthday on Saturday, June 25, 2022 and becomes one of the most longtime residents of Malvern and Arkansas.
She will celebrate with family and friends from across Arkansas and the United States, including two daughters, one son, five grand-children and seven great-grand-children, as well as members of her Church Family at the Third Baptist Church of Malvern.
“Life is a beautiful journey and I am thankful and happy for the many wonderful years I have been able to enjoy with family and friends”’ reflects Arkie.
A life-long resident of Arkansas Ms. Remley was born to Brunce and Lucinda Williams, farmers in Seline County, AR in 1917. Married to Emerson Darrow Remley, a mason and a great family man for fifty years, she raised a great family of three in Malvern, where she has now been a resident for over 49 years.
For 37 years she was a dedicated elementary school teacher and has made a great impact on over one-thousand children. Most of current Malvern resident were at one time or another a student of hers.
She was and still is a distinguished member of Alpha Delta Kappa that honored her a couple of years ago for her longtime and dedicated service in education. A graduate and alumni of Henderson State University she has been a lifelong proponent of the importance of a solid and preparotary education that gives young people a firm and positive foundation for a successful career and a good family life.
Education and a balanced wholesome life are one of the important cornerstones that she promoted and the lifes of her children, grand children and great grand chidren reflect that. Her three children also attended and are alumni of Henderson State University.
Her daughter June lives in the northern subburbs of Atlanta, GA, is a retired creative arts teacher and now an accomplished artist. Her daughter Daria lives in Malvern with her husband Hamp , was a dedicated business and English middle-school teacher and is now an active community leader in her Church and Jon, who lives with his family in Birmingham, AL has a PH.D in Music and is a top music administrator for the Greater Birmingham School District.
Ms. Remley is a devoted member of her Church (where she has been an active member for 64 years), an avid gardner, a nature lover that has supported the Arkansas wildlife habitat and an advocate and protector of a healthy and natural environment.
“My mother alsways lived a simple life, easy-going and with a deep conviction that her life is truly and completey in God’s hands”, states her daughter Daria Williamson. “Mother allowed us to be who are today and encouraged us always to use and develop our God given talents. In so many ways she has been the inspiration to my art”, added June Remley-kleber. Jon Remley adds that “Mother was the cornerstone and shining example for me to pursue my career in the way that expresses her commitments, expressing mine to the beauty of music and the encouragement to my students to pursue a life of excellence.”
The Mayor of Malvern, the Honorable Brenda J. Weldon, has honored her with a special proclamation, calling her a “shining example of a beautiful life and a loving, inspiring and caring woman - with a positive attitude and good will towards all” and declared Saturday, June 25, 2022 ‘Arkie Neal Remley Day’ for the City.
The Governor, the Honorable Asa Hutchinson, in his congratulatory letter on behalf of the State of Arkansas to her said “I can only imagine the changes you have seen in this great state and in our nation over the past ten decades. I commend you for your faithful commitment to our community and for your sincere devotion to your faith, your family and you state.”