of Bentonville, AR
July 16, 1929 - July 22, 2025
Doris Ann Williams Sibley passed away peacefully on Tuesday, July 22, 2025, just days after celebrating her 96th birthday. Born on July 16, 1929 to Nathan and Myrtle Williams of Huntington, Tennessee, Doris was raised in Memphis alongside her beloved sisters, Lea Williams Calhoun and Brooxie Williams Newcomb. She attended Messick High School, where she met and married her high school sweetheart and the love of her life, Charles Ernest Sibley. After Charles completed his service in the Panama Canal Zone, the young couple returned to Memphis and started their family. They soon relocated to Helena, Arkansas where they built a new business and new life together. Doris often reflected on that move as one of their best decisions, remembering how Helena welcomed them with open arms.
Doris and Charles had three children, Cathy, Ernie and Lea and quickly became very active in the Helena community. Doris's life focused mainly on her children, their activities, public school events/organizations, sports, dance, church and ways to help her community and those who lived there. The Helena First United Methodist Church was a true blessing to Doris from the start, offering her many opportunities to serve. One of her greatest joys was her involvement with The United Methodist Women (UMW), whose fellowship and mission work deeply inspired her. Doris was also a committed community leader. In 1991, she became the first woman to serve as Chair of the Helena Regional Medical Center Board. She was honored as Phillips County Chamber of Commerce "Citizen of the Year" in 1993. Doris was a longstanding local Chairwoman of Reach for Recovery and enthusiastic fundraiser for Relay for Life. Through her volunteer work, Doris dedicated her life to supporting women in need of assistance after her own mastectomy.
Doris was a great mix of work and fun! The couple's early days in Helena were spent with a special group of friends called 'The Bunch', whose family bonds live on through their children. Her 'Ladies of the Lake' weekends full of good food, fellowship and matching nightgowns, was a big treat for her. The children who knew ''Mrs. Sibley'' looked forward to her themed-birthday parties, fun Halloween parties, great meals and her legendary homemade desserts; including decorated cakes, ice cream, chocolate sauce, cowboy cookies, special sweet tea - just to name a few. She was a cheerful and energetic mom, who cooked most days, loved dressing up in silly costumes, welcomed sleepovers, traveled as often as possible, gladly hosted parties and holiday events and played a fierce game of tennis. She always had a big smile on her face and sparkle in her blue eyes.
When asked about her life, 'love' was always the theme. She lived the command to 'love one another'. She found many small ways to show great love; no one was a stranger to her. She was a 2nd mom to many, listening and guiding. For her family, Doris's greatest legacy was in the example of the life she led: a strong and steadfast marriage of 71 years to Charles; her unwavering devotion to her family; her close relationship with her sisters; her selfless caregiving for her father and mother-in-law; her vision of a Williams' Family Siesta Key, Florida annual vacation, now going on 40 years; her cherished visits, letters and poems and her commitment to a holy life lived out in the everyday details. She was the glue that held the Sibley Family together. We know she will continue to nudge us in the right direction, even now.
Doris was the last surviving family member of her generation and was preceded in death by her husband, Charles. She is survived by her children, Cathy Sibley Campbell (Rick) of Bentonville, Arkansas; Charles Ernie Sibley Jr. (Cindy) of Helena, Arkansas and Lea Sibley Nugent (Greg) of Lexington, Kentucky. Her eight grandchildren include Jenny Campbell (Lucas) of Fayetteville, Arkansas; Dorry Lea Davis (Darren) of Rogers, Arkansas; Turner Sibley (Caitlyn) of Conway, Arkansas; Callie Phillips (Matt) of Helena, Arkansas; Ian Campbell (Sophie) of Pella, Iowa; Allison Geisler (Tyler) of Olathe, Kansas; Alex Nugent (fiancée Sydney) of Lexington, Kentucky and Elizabeth Morrow (Darnell) of Washington, D.C. Doris was also blessed with fourteen great-grandchildren (at latest count), Abbi, Kylie, Khloe, Beck, Jaylin, Darian, Sophie Cate, Jase, Beau, Maverick, Liam, Charlee, Oakland and Maeve.
The family would like to thank Doris's devoted caregiver, Alberta Weaver, and her many friends at The Manor, Helena for several great years, fun happy hours and their caring spirit of community. We are also grateful to the staff at The Village on the Park, Bentonville who provided excellent, loving care during her final years. Your kindness will never be forgotten.
A Celebration of Life will be held on Saturday, August 2, 2025 at 11:00am at the Helena First United Methodist Church, 502 Porter Street, Helena, AR 72342. Memorials may be made to the Helena First United Methodist Church and we invite you to sign the online guest book at: www.rollerfuneralhomes.com/westhelena.
Dear Cathy, Earnie and Lea,
I'm so sorry for your loss. I always thought your mom was so sweet and such a beautiful lady! I always thought a lot of your family and have good memories of growing up in the neighborhood with you all. May God give you peace and comfort in knowing you will see her again some day.
Cathy and family:
I am so sorry to hear of Mrs. Sibley's passing. She was such a kind and humble lady. You are each in my thoughts and prayers. Love to each of you.
Cathy, Ernie and Lea thinking of y'all .
Miss Doris was an angelic bright light in growing up in Helena .. Her smile and greeting when she saw you is what I will remember the most ! She was a Grand Lady !
Marty
So sorry for your loss, loved Mrs. Doris was a special lady.
Doris was such a special lady she will be missed by all who met her. You are in our thoughts and prayers. Jim,Diane & Mayer family
God rest her soul and what a long beautiful life.
Ms. Doris was such a beautiful person inside and out. Her radiant smile and clear blue eyes reflected her kind, caring spirit. It was an honor to know her.
Mrs. Doris, was a delight to anyone that met her. So sorry for your loss. Sending hugs and prayers for all of you. She was a sweet lady inside and out.
Dear Cathy, Ernie, and Lea, Mrs. Sibley was one of the nicest people I have ever know. I loved both of your parents. I have peace knowing that they are both in Heaven now. Loads of love and prayers to you all. Love, Linda Moneymaker
My deepest condolences to you and your family. Thinking of you and your family during this difficult time love Darnell grandma and family
Please accept our deepest condolences and prayers during this difficult time.
Ms Doris was a kind and beautiful woman. I loved her! Peace be with the family during this time. Thoughts and prayers are with you.
Such a sweet lady. I'm so sorry for y'all's loss. My prayers are with you all.
Cathy & family, I'm so deeply sorry for the loss of such a sweet & wonderful woman. I remember how good she was to all us cheerleaders our senior year.
She was a blessing to all who knew her.
So sorry to hear of Doris' death. She was a bright positive spirit every time I ran into her. She always made life more joyful for those of us who were in her presence. She was definitely a spunky woman who lived a full and joyful life. She will be missed, but I know she is at peace now.
Dear Sibleys
I'm so sorry to hear about your mom's passing. She was a wonderful lady and so kind to everyone! Prayers for you all!
Roxanne Smithson
Our deepest sympathies to the families. May her memory be eternal!
An inspirational life and one well lived! Thoughts and prayers 🙏 with all of the family.
May the love of our Lord God bring you peace & comfort during this difficult time - 🙏🏻
So sorry to hear this. She was beautiful inside and out. Praying for family! RIP sweet lady!
I am so sorry for your family's loss of a wonderful matriarch. She was a true Steel Magnolia that will be missed by all who knew her. You all are in our thoughts and prayers
.
My deepest condolences to the Sibley family. Miss Doris was such a bright spot while growing up in Helena. She consistently showed Jesus' love to everyone and was a blessing to so many. My prayers go out to the whole family. May God comfort and strengthen you all.
She was a lovely lady. I count myself blessed to have know and worked with her during my years in Helena.
I'm so sorry to hear of Ms. Doris's passing, she was truly a Southern lady. I'm proud to have had her as a friend for the 22 years I worked at HUMC, her kindness and love for everyone was amazing.
My thoughts and prayers are with all of you. God bless you all and give you His peace
Your mama was one of the last of her generation. They lived in the best generation we have had, and Doris Sibley could have been the poster woman of her generation with her beautiful smile and her shiny blue eyes. I loved her, and I know her family will miss her. God Bless!
Jeannie
Mrs. Doris was a very nice person the first time I met her at the Freemyer home. She will be missed and praying for the family.
I am so sorry to hear about the passing of Mrs. Doris. She was such a sweet lady. Prayers for your family.