Jacqulene Noel Gibbs, (Jackie), formerly of Holly Grove, Clarendon and Lewisville, passed away December 11, 2024, in Little Rock, Arkansas.  She was born on March 21, 1937, in Viann, Oklahoma to Jackson Haskel and Audie Columbia Hankins Noel. She was the fourth of seven children.

Jackie moved to Holly Grove at a young age. The daughter of sharecroppers; they lived on a farm south of Holly Grove. She would tell the story of how they moved from Oklahoma to Holly Grove in a bob truck and what a long bumpy ride that was.

On December 5, 1953, Jackie married Joe E. Gibbs, at the Brinkley Assembly of God Church.  Joe and Jackie made their home in Holly Grove, raising three girls, Diane, Judy and Laura Janine.

Jackie worked may jobs in her life, from Quality Control in the Sanyo factory in Forrest City to a baker.  She and Joe owned the Kountry Kitchen in Holly Grove, where you could always get a good home cooked meal. After the cafe, she was a stay-at-home mom for many years during which time, she began to decorate cakes with her daughter, Diane.

What she and Diane began doing as a hobby together, became a beautiful profession for Jackie.  They attended Wilton's cake decorating classes in Helena, learning various techniques and new ways to hone their craft. She became known as the Cake Lady, creating beautiful and delicious cakes and treats for many occasions, helping so many in the area celebrate everything from weddings to birthdays for over 30 years.

In 1986, she and Joe opened the Starlight Donut Shop in Clarendon, where she worked with her sister Joan serving fried catfish, pizza, BBQ, pies and of course, donuts.

She passed her talent down to her youngest daughter, Laura Janine and together they continued to create wonderful treats until her retirement in 2000.

Jackie moved to Lewisville, AR with her daughter, Judy. Together, they raised two gardens and canned every year. Her favorite was the okra.  she put up enough okra to last until the next harvest.

She is preceded in death by her husband of 56 years, Joe; a grandson, Spencer Moye; her parents, one brother, Hurchel and his wife, Glo, three sisters, Virginia, Mary and Joan (Bill).

Jackie will be missed by her daughters; Diane Bailey of Little Rock, Judy and David Beatty of Lewisville, and Laura and Bob Swihart of Little Rock, grandchildren; Jennifer Burchfield (Chase), Joey Lamb (Brooke), Shannon Collier (Joe), Tracy Haley (Travis), Morgan Howland (Michael), Dave Beatty, Bert McKenzie, Jr. (Paige), Jackson McKenzie (Tori), Kaylie Swihart, Karlee Smith (Austin). Great-Grandchildren, Adeleigh, Brady and Carleigh Collier, Wilder and Worth William Lamb, Spencer Haley, Jack and Will Howland, Gray, Parker and Hallie McKenzie, EmberLynn and Warren McKenzie and Weston Smith. Two brother, AC (Rose) and Tommy (Shirley) Noel, and sister, Linda Owens (Bobby).