LITTLE FLOCK — Mackie Doreen Reed Chesnutt,

age 69, of Little Flock, Ark., died Aug. 29, 2020, surrounded by family at her home. She was born Oct. 15, 1950, in Corsicana, Texas, to Robert and Maxine Reed.

She married Jackie Chesnutt June 6, 1969, in Deer Park, Texas. Their 51-year journey was amazing!

Mackie contracted polio as a small child. She was provided medical treatment and surgeries through Shriners International. Her mother maintained 16 years of daily exercises to strengthen Mackie’s legs, enabling her to walk. That determination would lead her to overcome many obstacles in life.

Mackie played fast-pitch softball in Deer Park, Texas. She was chosen most valuable player in the league her senior year. She graduated high school on a Friday night and married Jackie the following Friday night.

In 1977, they accepted a job with Southside Church of Christ and moved to Rogers, Ark., to work with the Children’s and Joy Bus Ministries. Mackie taught on buses and in classrooms, as well as in seminars and workshops in nine states. She co-authored several books on teaching children. She created scores of unique teaching aids, as well as designing classroom settings for large groups of children.

She worked part-time at the Hi-D-Ho Drive-Inn, created framed stain-glass art, ran a snow-cone truck, and even

tually purchased The Crumpet Tea Room in downtown Rogers. After several years, she opened The Crumpet Tea Room Express in Bentonville. The Crumpet Tea Rooms became Northwest Arkansas landmarks.

Mackie loved to fish, regularly out-fishing Jackie. She loved card games, regularly beating Jackie. She loved gardening, cooking, entertaining, NCIS, spending time with family, especially her grandchildren. She cared for Jackie’s dad in their home from 1969-1982 and cared for Jackie’s mom and stepdad from 2001-2006. In between, the Chesnutt home was opened to 29 people who needed a temporary place to stay. She was the consummate hostess and the perfect minister’s wife.

Mackie was stricken with post-polio syndrome in the late 1990s, rendering her weak and unable to run her restaurants. After selling both locations, she concentrated on her teaching ministries.

After several years of regaining her health, Mackie decided to host small weddings at their home in Little Flock. That business led to Country Manor Chapel, a full-service wedding venue. She and her granddaughter, Madison Gainey, operated the chapel until Mackie was diagnosed with cancer.

The pandemic that soon followed forced a shutdown.

Mackie underwent treatment at Highlands Oncology, surgery at Mayo Clinic, and continued treatments at Highlands. When her weakened body could no longer handle treatments, she stopped in hopes of gaining more quality of life.

Her family wishes to thank the excellent staffs at Downtown Mercy Clinic, Highlands Oncology, Mayo Clinic, Mercy Home Health and Circle of Life Hospice.

Mackie was preceded in death by her parents and brother Robert E. Reed.

She is survived by husband Jackie of Rogers; son David and wife Kerri of Cave Springs; daughter Tammy Wortham and husband Jason of Garfield; grandchildren Madison Gainey, Jackson Gainey, Greyson Gainey, Bella Chesnutt, Abigail Chesnutt, Reid Chesnutt and Cade Chesnutt; sister Diana Dutton and husband George of New Caney, Texas; brother Tom Reed and wife Tina of Lakehills, Texas; seven nieces and nephews; and a multitude of friends, many of whom she considered ‘her kids.’

Her visitation will be 9 a.m. to 11 a.m. and a celebration of life at 11:30 a.m. Saturday, Sept. 5, 2020, at Botanical Gardens of the Ozarks, 4703 N. Crossover Road, Fayetteville, Ark. Everyone, adults, teens, and children, are invited to come. Private interment will follow at Benton County Memorial Park in Rogers.

In lieu of flowers, the family asks that donations be made to Heart Connexion Ministries, P.O. Box 4197, Olathe, Kan., 66063, www.flipcause.com/hosted_widget/hostedWidgetHome/Njk0ODM= .

Arrangements by Benton County Funeral Home, 306 N. 4th, Rogers. Online condolences to www.bentoncountyfuneralhome.com