Delois Jean Carley was born November 25, 1946, in Hensley, Arkansas, to Trulite and Clara Mae (Williams) Vandergrift. She lived a life centered around the people she loved most, and there was nothing in this world more important to her than her family. 

On March 12, 1965, Delois married the love of her life, Pettie Joe Carley. They shared 55 years of marriage before his passing in 2020. Their life together created a family and a legacy of love that will continue for generations. After years apart, there is comfort in knowing they are together again. 

Delois was the proud mother of two daughters, Julie Carley (Katie) and Sandy Herring (Les), but her greatest joy may very well have been watching her family grow. She was blessed with five granddaughters: Sara Carley, Talasi Herring, Carley McCuan, Riley McCuan, and Avery McCuan; and two great-granddaughters, Jordan Hill and Dylan Carley. Her girls were her world!

Delois loved nothing more than digging in the dirt and piddling in her yard. She had the most beautiful flowers and tending to them brought her so much joy. She loved the beach, sunshine, margaritas, and a good cold Jamaican Me Happy on occasion. She also was an amazing cook. Her food was one of the many ways she loved people.But the thing she did better than anything else was love.

She loved deeply, completely, and unconditionally. She had a beautiful heart and a gentle spirit, and she had a way of making the people around her feel cared for. To know her was to love her. To be loved by her was one of life’s greatest gifts.She was the heart of our family. She was home. She was loved beyond measure and will be missed beyond words. Her absence leaves a space that can never be filled. She gave so much of herself toher family that she will remain a part of them forever.If love alone could have kept her here, she would have lived forever.

A private Celebration of Life will be held Saturday, September 26, from 1:00-4:00 p.m. at her home, 209 Washington St., Clarendon, AR 72029, where family and close friends will gather to honor and celebrate her beautiful life.