Thelma Jean Loyd

Thelma Jean Loyd, age 84, of Wynne, Arkansas, passed away peacefully at her home on Monday, April 13, 2026. She had lived in her home since 1980. Prior to that, she and her husband, Charles Roland Loyd, lived in Pinetree, Arkansas on Sonny Powell’s farm. She was born at her family home in the Ellis Community of Cross County, Arkansas—delivered by her father, Ben Moore—a story that perfectly reflected her lifelong spirit of doing things in her own time and her own way. She attended Fair Oaks School and later graduated from Wynne High School in 1959. On May 28, 1961, she married the love of her life, Charles Roland Loyd, and together they built a life centered around faith, family, and hard work. After his passing in 2003, she was reunited with a childhood family friend, Robert “Bud” Alberson, who remained by her side for over 21 years. Thelma devoted her life to raising her six children and caring for her family. While doing so, she also worked at Rainfair in Wynne and later at Halstead, which became Mueller Copper Industry, where she worked from 1978 until her retirement in 2006. She was a woman of strength and determination, known for her ability to care for her home, provide for her family, and still make time for the simple joys she loved. She had a true gift for making a house a home. Whether tending her garden, canning vegetables, sewing clothes, or filling her yard with beautiful flowers, she took pride in everything she did. She was well known for her cooking—especially her famous chicken & dumplings, pancakes made with WR self-rising flour, generously topped with butter, peanut butter, and Blackburn’s syrup. Thelma never met a stranger. Her home was always open, her back porch always welcoming, and there was always room for one more. She had a strong will, a loving heart, and a protective spirit when it came to her family. She could stretch a dollar, feed a crowd, and still make sure everyone felt loved and cared for. She loved country music, flowers, rummage sales, collecting antique glass, dolls, and treasured the beauty of old things. She especially loved family gatherings, often looking around in amazement at the large family that grew from such humble beginnings. Her life was rooted in a strong Christian foundation, and the faith instilled in her by her parents carried her through every season of life. She is survived by her devoted companion, Robert “Bud” Alberson; her children, Dianna Sisk (Lance) of Wynne, Tammy Goodman of Wynne, Sherry Patton (Chris) of Fayetteville, and Harold Roland Loyd (Sherry) of Wynne; her sister, Phyllis McKee of Wynne; and her grandchildren: Michelle McCormick (Michael), Stacie Jackson, Payton Sisk, April Seeley (Ben), Travis Loyd (Tiffany), Gayle Lafever (Matt), Zachary Denevan (Emily), Justin Denevan (Katie), Shana Davis (Kalinn), Brady Meeler (Alex), Benjamin Meeler (Karina), Madison Cousins (Jordan), Josie Taylor (Rusty), Jayvyn Fisher, Tori Lindsey (Colton), Tate Patton, Nicholas Andrews (Jessie), Kayla Loyd, and Courtney Walker; along with a host of great-grandchildren and great-great-grandchildren, family and friends. She was preceded in death by her parents, Benjamin and Clara Moore; her husband, Charles Roland Loyd; her sons, Daniel Wayne Loyd and Ricky Alan Loyd; her brothers, Benjamin Troy Moore and Raymond Moore, her grandchildren, Timothy Allen Loyd, and Trinity Angel Meeler. Visitation will be held at Kernodle Funeral Home on Sunday, April 19, 2026, from 1 PM until 2 PM, with funeral services following at 2 PM. Vonnie and Ken Goucher will officiate. Burial will be in Barnishaw Cemetery at Pine Tree. In lieu of flowers, the family requests donations to Barnishaw Cemetery or a charity of choice Kernodle Funeral Home is in charge of arrangements. You may sign an online guestbook at www.kernodlefh.com

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Thelma Jean Loyd

May 15, 1941 - April 13, 2026