Clara Reidhar Metcalf, 85, of Hensley, Arkansas, passed away October 22, 2026, in Benton, Arkansas. She was born January 15, 1941, in Ulm, Arkansas, to Robert Charles Reidhar, Sr. and Mary Viola Reidhar.

At the age of sixteen, she married the love of her life, James O. Metcalf, Sr. while he was still in the military and they were stationed in Lawton, Oklahoma, for about a year. They welcomed their daughter, Diana, and then two and a half years later, they welcomed a son, Jim Metcalf. They were married almost sixty years and were farmers primarily in the Palestine and Brinkley areas for many years.

Clara’s faith in Jesus was the center of her life, and she lived it out every single day. A longtime member of Brinkley Missionary Baptist Church, she also served faithfully as church secretary, but her truest ministry happened in her own kitchen. She loved to cook and bake, and her home was always open to family, friends, or someone who just needed a place to be for the holidays or a good, hot meal. If she knew you had nowhere to go, you had a seat at her table. Through her example, she taught all of us the importance of serving others. A dedicated farmer’s wife, Clara made the farm a magical place for her grandkids. There were always crafts to make, cookies to bake, and every holiday was something special, but Christmas was her favorite, and she decorated every corner to prove it. She loved a lively game of chicken or dominos, and in quieter moments you’d find her crafting or piecing together her next quilt. Above all, she doted on her kids, grandkids, nieces, and nephews, and every one of them knew how deeply they were loved.

She is preceded in death by her parents, Robert Charles Reidhar, Sr. and Mary Viola Reidhar; her loving spouse of almost sixty years, James O. Metcalf, Sr; siblings: Bobby Reidhar, Billy Reidhar and Karen Reidhar; and a special nephew, Ashley Campbell. 

She is survived by one daughter, Diana Thomas (Steve) of Bryant; one son, James O. Metcalf, Jr. (Tina) of East End; four grandchildren, Kristen McCrary (Mark) of Bryant; Randi Metcalf of North Little Rock; Courtney Jones (Ryan) of Bryant; and James Robert Metcalf of Springdale, Arkansas; five great grandchildren, Evan Neil McCrary, Ella Michelle McCrary, Cash James McCrary, Edie Marcella Jones and Annie Ryan Jones, all of Bryant. She is also survived by siblings Mary Ellen DeVore (Donald); John Reidhar (Christine), Gayle Guess (Owen), all of Des Arc; Susan Richardson (Jim) of Benton; and Dolores Reidhar of Cabot. Her love extended to countless nieces and nephews, each one cherished and loved as part of her beautiful, ever-growing family.

Memorial contributions may be made to CareLink, a cause that is special to our family, in memory of Clara Metcalf. Donations can be made online at www.carelink.org/give/ or mailed to: CareLink, P.O. Box 3140, Little Rock, AR 72203