Vertie Jean Bullock - Yarber

As we retrace the footprints of Vertie Jean Yarber we can only give thanks for the many lives she touched and enriched along life’s journey. A bold and self confident woman, she was blessed to enjoy many of God’s blessings as a child, a sister, a wife, a mother, and a friend. Vertie Jean Bullock began her journey of life on May 8, 1935, at Arkadelphia, AR – the Manchester Comunity, as the daughter of Alfred and Ora Daniel Bullock. She accepted Christ as her personal Lord and Savior at a tender age at Piney Grove A.M.E. Church. Vertie was educated in Arkadelphia and was a 1954 graduate of Peake High School where she excelled as a student. On March 22, 1954, she became Mrs. Vertie J. Yarber when she married Lewis Edward Yarber, her sweetheart and one true love; and together they laid a solid foundation for family life based on love, commitment, and Christian values. They later became proud parents of four caring, and devoted children; Donnie, Jennifer, Kimberly, and Angelia. “Dea” as she was affectionatley called was a part of that generation that counted motherhood as a virtue because mothers knew the difference between a house and home. So Dea’s golden accomplishment in life was to make a loving home that would produce a tapestry of memories her family would forever cherish. She was that warm hand on a cold morning; that voice of wisdom and reason when the world was upside-down; that vessel of hope that carried loved ones and friends safely across rivers of change in their lives and that prayerful servant who blessed the Lord at all times, and through her ministry of song. To celebrate the Bullock family’s traditions and heritage, Dea worked enthusiastically as a coordinator of the Bullock family reunion. She was a member of the Manchester Extension Homemakers Club and was a proud Razorback fan. Dea was known throughout the community as a friendly and Godly woman. For Dea, being a daughter, sister, wife, mother, grandmother, homemaker, friend, aunt, matriarch, mentor, neighbor, confidante and servant were all honorable callings. She took great pride in the Millcreek community and was rightfully known as the “Governor of Millcreek”. Her faith always presented a bright lighthouse in her life and the life of her family. Vertie Jean was a faithful member Piney Grove A.M.E. Church where she served dutifully with the Zenobia Jones missionary society, as a class leader, a choir member, the choir president for several years, program committee, kitchen committee, and as a steward. Her sense of style and elegance could illuminate any eye. She was most noted not only for her melodious voice, but her fashionable Sunday’s Best. Every Sunday she wore her crown and wouldn’t dare be caught in church without it. In her 74th season of life, Dea received her blessing of immortality on Saturday, August 22, 2009, at her home in Millcreek. Dea was welcomed home by her loving husband, Lewis Edward Yarber, her siblings, V. L. Bullock, Thomas (Big Daddy) G. Bullock, Dewey Bullock, David Bullock, Venetta Bullock and Eva Mae Williams, and a granddaughter, Romykia Hill. She leaves to celebrate and honor her life’s journey: son, Donnie (Cynthia) Yarber of Arkadelphia; daughters, Jennifer Hill, Kimberly Yarber of Arkadelphia and Angelia Yarber of Arkadelphia and Nashville; one brother, Joe Ed (Thelma) Bullock of San Francisco, CA; and one sister, Vera McCullough of Denver, CO; one brother in-law, B. D. Williams and two sisters-in-law, Bennie Bullock and Celestine Bullock; three very close friends, Mozell Browning, Shevie Quarles and Amboline House. She also leaves six grandchildren: Ambra Yarber, Jerel Yarber, Michael Yarber, Zachery Hill, Keenen Yarber, Ebony Hill; two great grandchildren, Atlantis Yarber and Hunter Yarber and a multitude of nieces, nephews, cousins, countless friends, and the Piney Grove A.M.E. Church family. Many lives have been made brighter and more enriched because of Vertie Jean Yarber. Her legacy will live on. Mrs. Yarber will lie in state on Friday, August 28, 2009, from 1:00 p.m. until 7:00 p.m. and the family will receive friends and share the Iamges of Life DVD from 6:00 p.m. until 7:00 p.m. at the funeral home. The Yarber family has planned a Homegoing Celebration for Dea on Saturday, August 29, 2009, at 12 noon in the sancutary of Piney Grove A.M.E. Church where Rev. G. E. Guinn is the pastor. Rev. Dr. Christopher Alan Bullock, her nephew and pastor of Canaan Baptist Church in New Castle, Delaware will inspire the spoken word. The commital service and final resting place will be in Piney Grove A.M.E. Church cemetery where she will be laid to rest next to her beloved Lewis Yarber.