of Batesville, AR

October 12, 1925 - May 5, 2025

Emma Lou (Jones) Hedden, age 99, of Batesville passed away May 5, 2025. She was born in Batesville on October 12, 1925, the daughter of Arch and Cecil (McMillan) Jones. Emma Lou lived in West Batesville all of her life. She was a 1943 graduate of Batesville High School and a 1947 graduate of Arkansas College. She married her high school sweetheart, Donald Hedden, in 1949 and they had been married almost 69 years at the time of his death in 2018. She was proud of their 3 sons, 4 grandchildren, and 9 great-grandchildren.

After college, Emma Lou kept the books for her father's construction company, then worked at the telephone company in the early 50's. She became a fulltime homemaker when her first son was born until her youngest started to school. Deciding to start a new career in the mid-60's, she took courses at Arkansas College and obtained her teaching certificate. Emma Lou substitute taught for several years before teaching math fulltime at BJHS until her retirement.

In her retirement years, Emma Lou volunteered many hours. She volunteered at Help & Hope for over 25 years, worked with the WRMC Auxiliary, visited shut-ins, and cared for many people. She was in her element if she was helping another person (and almost always behind the scenes). She also loved to watch the Arkansas Razorbacks.

Emma Lou was a faithful and life-long member of Central Avenue United Methodist Church where she served in many capacities. Over the years, she taught Sunday School, chaperoned youth trips, worked in the church women's group, helped with the after-school program, and helped in the church office. She helped with Vacation Bible School for over 80 years. The church was very important in the life of her family from her childhood, throughout her days raising her family, and into her golden years.

She is preceded in death by her parents; her husband, Donald Hedden; two brothers, Ernest and Gregory Jones, one sister, Mary Lee McCown, and a niece, Suzanne Jones Ortt.

Survivors include sons Sparky Hedden (Cindy) of Sheridan, Benny Hedden (Jean) of O'Fallon, Missouri, and Terry Hedden (Vicki) of Fayetteville; grandchildren Mandy Hedden Deckard (Justin) of Little Rock, Nathan Hedden (Auburn) of Del Rio, TX, Casey Hedden (Kathryn) of Sheridan, and Kayla Hedden Wagner (Chris) of Lake St. Louis, Missouri; great-grandchildren Levi Hedden, Makia Hedden, Emily Hedden, Emma Wagner, Henry Hedden, Clara Wagner, Teagan Wagner, Hattie Deckard, and Wilson Deckard; brother-in-law Bobby Hedden of Cape Girardeau Missouri; and many nieces and nephews.

A Celebration of Life will be held at Central Avenue United Methodist Church on Saturday, May 10, 2025 at 2 pm. Burial will follow at Oaklawn Cemetery. Visitation will be held at Roller Crouch Funeral Home on Friday, May 9 from 5 - 7 pm.

Pallbearers will be Nathan Hedden, Casey Hedden, Justin Deckard, Chris Wagner, Archie Jones, Michael Jones, Scott Hedden, Coleman Hedden, and Eric Hogan.

In lieu of flowers, the family requests that memorials be made to Central Avenue United Methodist Church, 1205 N. Central Ave., Batesville, AR 72501.

Obituary Provided By:
Roller-Crouch Funeral Home
510 College Avenue
Batesville, AR  72501
www.rollerfuneralhomes.com