of Little Rock, AR
February 28, 1936 - September 2, 2021
Wilma Qualls Holleman Graham's spirit left her body and went to her eternal home in heaven by the grace of the one, true, and proven Savior- her Lord, Jesus Christ on September 2, 2021, after years of a courageous fight against cancer.
She was preceded in death by her parents, Pauline and Claude Brown, brother- Bill, sister-Marvalene McAlister, and husbands-Marvin Holleman and Leo Graham.
She leaves to carry on her love and kindness; 4 children: Randy Qualls (Barbara), Susie Thompson (Reed), Rick Qualls, Ronnie Qualls (Brenda), their father- Frank Qualls, 8 grandchildren: Sarah, Andy, Spencer, Connor, Elaine, Lindsey, Lauren and Robert, 5 amazing great- grandchildren, a host of extended relatives and her friends who were family to her.
Wilma was born in a real log cabin in the woods at Minnow Creek on Feb. 28, 1936. As a young girl, her family moved closer to town (Lamar and Clarksville) onto a farm and into a house that her dad built by hand. She always loved animals, especially horses and dogs. Over her lifetime she had more dogs than we can name. She even sent a picture of her Springers to President and Barbara Bush and they reciprocated with an autographed picture of their Springers. So here's a good place to say that she's also survived by the canine member of the family, RALPHIE.
While attending Lamar high school and working in town, she would go to the drug store soda fountain where at age 16 she met and married the dashing, Frank Qualls. After brief stays in various college town pharmacy schools, they had 4 children and lived in Russellville and later, Camden. No matter where she lived, she loved the towns and the people.
She was the type who had never met a stranger and we were always amazed that everywhere we went she would meet someone who she could connect somehow to Camden, Russellville, Lamar, or Clarksville.
Growing up, she was raised on the truth of the Bible from the day she was born. She heard it at church, since her mother taught Sunday school every week of her life, and in their home, since the traveling preachers stayed with them when they came to town.
Next to God, her family was the most important thing in the world to her. She lived in Camden for over 40 years, where she loved being active in her kids' lives and being a mom to their friends too.
She loved her home on Maul Rd and pruning all those gorgeous flowers that covered her yard. Her grandkids have so many memories of staying and playing at Nannies house. ''Nanny'' as we all called her, always found fun adventures for them to do. And Christmas, wow. Her house won multiple Christmas decor awards. On one occasion a car ran off the road into a ditch as they passed while looking at the 20 foot angel in the yard. She made Christmas magical each year for the whole extended family.
As the kids became adults, she went to work decorating for the furniture stores in Camden. There she made even more best friends and stories to recant even as recent as last week. She loved decorating and was a natural at it. She was also blessed to spend several years married to 2 different amazing widowers. She loved their families and was loved by them.
She retired and moved to Little Rock a few years after she was widowed and had her first bout with lung cancer in 2006. She beat it but it returned 5 years ago. Thanks to Dr. Mendelson and Carti, she had many more years of good life than one would expect. She was able to share so many memories with us, holidays, trips, life events and fun with her Aberdeen ladies' group.
She especially loved her church families through the years, and currently the Pinnacle Church of Christ family. She has passed on her spiritual legacy and as Proverbs 31 says of the virtuous woman, ''Her children rise up and call her blessed''
Family and friends know that because of her walk with the Lord and obedience to God's word that she was welcomed into heaven hearing God say, ''Well done, my good and faithful servant''.
Wilma's celebration service will be Tuesday, Sept. 7 at 11:00 am, with a visitation the night before (Sept. 6) from 5-7 pm. Both of these will be at the Roller-Chenal Funeral Home, 13801 Chenal Pkwy in Little Rock, 72211.
Her body will be buried at Minnow Creek Cemetery in Lamar AR. at 3:00 pm, Tuesday. Her first burial was as a teen when she was ''buried in baptism into Christ and raised from the waters of baptism to walk in newness of life'' Romans 6:4 (The Holy Bible)
The family requests that you please wear masks if unvaccinated. Guest book at www.rollerfuneralhomes.com/chenal
Memorials in Wilma's honor may be made to the Pinnacle Church of Christ Missionary Fund, 11801 Fairview Rd. Little Rock 72212.
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13 Condolence(s)
Phillip McCarter
Friday, September 10, 2021
Sorry for your loss Randy and family
Calvin and Tammy Fogle
Monday, September 6, 2021
Ronnie, Susie, Randy and Ricky,
So sorry for your loss. Wilma was always a joy to be around and treated me so well. She will be missed but i know you all have so many wonderful memories to hold on to. I am so glad i was able to know her and will be praying for comfort for her family in the days to come.
Garth & Vickie Smith
Sunday, September 5, 2021
Susie, Ricky, Randy and Ronnie… We are so sorry to hear about Wilma … she was always such a joy and so much fun to be around. I remember so well the many laughs we had at Dixon Furniture. Know that you all are in our prayers!!
Bill Russell
Sunday, September 5, 2021
Words hardly do justice to honor the joy, compassion, wit, authenticity, strength, and pure love of this beautiful Lady. I never left her presence without feeling uplifted and sensing that here might yet be hope for this old world.
Cynthia Gaddy Almodóvar
Sunday, September 5, 2021
I am so sorry for your loss. Wilma was a special lady. I loved going to your house as a kid. I would ride my bike there and talk with her when she was tending her flowers. Always smiling!! Prayers of comfort for you all in the days ahead.
JO ASHLEY
Sunday, September 5, 2021
RICK, YOUR MOM WAS THE SWEETEST LADY. SHE ALWAYS HAD A SMILE AND SWEETNESS YOU COULD FEEL. EVEN THOUGH SHE WAS GOING THROUGH HER TREATENTS SHE NEVER COMPLAINED AND AS I SAID ALWAYS HAD A SMILE,, THANK YOU FOR BRINGING HER TO SEE ME, IT WAS A TRUE HONOR TO MEET SUCH A COURAGEOUS WOMAN. I JUST WISH I HAD KNOWN HER LONGER.. MY PRAYERS AND THOUGHTS ARE WITH YOU RICK AND THE REST OF YOUR FAMILY. LOVE YOU BUNCHES!
JO ASHLEY
Renae Abbott Willis
Sunday, September 5, 2021
To all the Qualls family, I was fortunate to be one of those friends who Wilma mothered. She was kind, loving, and funny. I always looked forward to seeing what fabulous Christmas decorations she would have in her house and yard. I have tried in vain to put as many lights on my Christmas tree as Wilma could, but never succeeded. She was a joy to know and I feel so very lucky to have known and loved her. God Bless!
Michelle and Mark Mann
Sunday, September 5, 2021
We are so sorry for your loss and pray for peace and strength for all of you. She was a very special lady. You wrote a wonderful obituary in her memory! I’ll always remember her smile. Love and hugs,
Cherel Branyan Chilton
Saturday, September 4, 2021
Randy, Susie, Ricky and Ronnie…… thank you for sharing you mom with us. I have so many fun memories of being at your house starting all the way back in grade school. I hope happy memories are flooding your thoughts in the days ahead. Love to your family……..
Lisa D Ring
Saturday, September 4, 2021
My mother loved Miss Wilma like a sister and we are so happy to have had the opportunity to spend some time with this wonderful lady. It broke my heart to hear she had passed, but I know in my heart that she is up in heaven with mom and all the others singing.
I pray for peace for you, Rick, and all the other family who are grieving your sweet mother.
Truman and Mary Gosvenor
Saturday, September 4, 2021
Wilma was a beautiful Christian woman. She treated us like we were part of her family. Prayers for her family.
Jason Anders
Saturday, September 4, 2021
People too often look for angels in the sky, when they would sooner find them next door. Wilma was unquestionably God's messenger.
She spread love, laughter, song, and good food everywhere she was sent.
We were all blessed to have her for this many years.
Knowing she is waiting for us in glory will strengthen us to carry on doing the same work she taught us.
Thank you, Wilma, for being authentic and loving.
Sherron & Rudy Shuffield
Friday, September 3, 2021
Wilma we loved you so much , Thank You for always treating Rudy and I as part of your family. We will miss you but I know you are already singing with the angels. Hug my Mom and Dad for me.