Dorothy Neeley (Yarnell) Warden

Dorothy Yarnell Warden, 83, of Searcy, died November 21, 2017 at Searcy Healthcare Center.  She was born May 4, 1934 at Searcy to the late John Harbin and Doris Neeley Yarnell.
Dorothy grew up in Searcy.  She went to Hendrix, where she met Frank Warden, and they were married August 14, 1954; he preceded her in death November 14, 2012.
Dorothy attended Peabody College in Nashville, graduating with an education degree, while her husband was attending law school at Vanderbilt.    After graduation they relocated to San Antonio and California where Dorothy taught school. They returned to Little Rock where Frank practiced law in Little Rock for the Friday firm until he heard the call to the ministry.  During this time they were charter members of Lakewood United Methodist church where Dorothy was active in the choir.
They then moved to Dallas (1969) so Frank could attend seminary.  After being ordained, he was assigned to Highland Park United Methodist Church.  Dorothy was very active in the life of the church during his pastorate there, serving as the wedding hostess for the Church, among other duties.
They wrote and published Trinity Bible Studies while in Dallas, traveling the world over teaching the methods and training other pastors.  Some years later they retired back to the Searcy area where both were involved at First United Methodist.
Dorothy was constantly giving to her community as a facilitator in cancer support groups, working with families of the addicted and alcoholic, and as a writer of a weekly column for the Searcy Daily Citizen in addition to her manifold work for the local churches.
Dorothy’s great love was music.  She was an accomplished soprano and a teacher of voice both in Searcy and in Dallas.  She was deeply committed to the music programs of every church they attended.
She is survived by one son, Clark Warden of Searcy; daughter, Elizabeth Warden of Dallas, Texas; and grandson, Matthew David Warden (Tiffany) of Mt. Vernon, Arkansas.
The family will have a memorial visitation 10:00 am until 12:00 pm Thursday, November 30, 2017 at First United Methodist Church in Searcy