Vonnie Louise Philyaw, of Wesson, formerly of Earle, Arkansas, died Saturday, Oct. 1, 2016, at her residence. She was 73. Riverwood Family Funeral Service is in charge of arrangements.

Mrs. Philyaw was born Nov. 6, 1942, to J.C. “Ollie” Leonard and Vonnie Louise Nee Heran Leonard.

She lived in Wesson for 30 years. She was a homemaker and worked as a bank teller.

She was a member of Little Bahala Baptist Church in Wesson. She played high school basketball, was in drama club.

She loved to read and play bingo and worked at Wesson Attendance Center cafeteria from 1992-1994. She was co-owner of ShipZalou Art school in Wesson from 1998-2005 and a Navy military wife from 1961-1982.

Preceding her in death were her parents; brothers, Wallace Leonard and wife, Mamie, J.W. Leonard and wife, Peggy.

Survivors include her husband, George Philyaw; William Dale Philyaw and wife, Brenda Kay; daughter, Pamela Louise Philyaw Whitaker and husband, John Franklin; five grandchildren, Parisa and husband, Jeremy, Charlie, Murphy and wife, Haleigh, William and John III; great-grandchildren, Clark and Owen; nieces, Connie Turpin, Cindy Boivin, Cathy Hasenstab, Debbie Leonard Newingham, Jana Kay Leonard Harrison; and nephews, Jerry Leonard and Jim Leonard.

In lieu of flowers, memorials can be made to the Berean Children’s Home, 1180 Berea Trail SE, Bogue Chitto, MS 29629

To express your thoughts to the family, you may visit riverwoodfamily.com and click on her name to leave a comment.