Evelyn Houston Wheatley, a woman of deep faith and devotion to her family, passed
away peacefully on January 7, 2026, at Viva Senior Living in Fayetteville, TN, at the age
of 99½.
Born in Trumann, Arkansas, to Osa and Eva Houston, Evelyn spent nearly a century
building a legacy of kindness. A devout Christian, she was a lifelong member of the First
Christian Church (Disciples of Christ) in Kennett, MO. She found great joy in the simple
pleasures of life, most notably sewing for her loved ones and sharing her love through
her cooking.
She is survived by her son, Al (Kay) Wheatley of Taft, TN; her grandchildren, Alex (Tina)
Wheatley and Ben (Jane) Wheatley; her great-grandchildren, Cyrus, Sloane, Anna, and
Graham Wheatley; and numerous nieces and nephews. Evelyn was preceded in death
by her husband, Donald Archer Wheatley; her son, Donald Wheatley; and seven
siblings.
A graveside service will be held at 2:00 PM on Wednesday, January 14, 2026, at Oak
Ridge Cemetery in Kennett, MO, with Pastor Terryl Almond officiating.
In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made to the First Christian Church, 105 W.
Washington St., Kennett, MO 63857.
Higgins Funeral Home of Fayetteville and McDaniel Funeral Home of Kennett is
honored to be serving the Wheatley family.