Oleta Scott Calhoun, 91, of Star City, passed from this life on Thursday, April 1, 2010, at Twin Rivers Health and Rehabilitation Center in Arkadelphia, where she had resided for the last year.

She was born Feb. 13,, 1919, at Garnett, near Star City, the 16th child of Jessie Levi and Lula Vick McGraw Scott. Oleta was a full-time homemaker until her sons were grown. She then worked as a home management aide through the Cooperative Extension Program out of the University of Arkansas at Pine Bluff for 14 years. She worked with families in Lincoln County teaching home management principles including finances, growing gardens, preserving food, sewing and upholstering. In 2006 Oleta was presented with the prestigious Builders Award at the 50th annual Rural Life Conference held at U.A.P.B..

Oleta was active for many years in Extension Homemakers Clubs serving as county president twice and also in several local club positions. During this time, she served in many capacities with the Lincoln County Fair and served as judge at several other county fairs in Southeast Arkansas. She enjoyed crochet, quilting, arts and crafts, working in her flower and vegetable gardens and preserving foods. Each year, she received a number of blue ribbons for her entries at the Lincoln County Fair .

For many years, Oleta served as an election official for both primary and general elections in Lincoln County. She was a member of Holly Springs Missionary Baptist Church at Garnett since July of 1930 and was the longest- standing member of the church. She and her late husband visited shut-in members, delivering tapes of church services.

Oleta is preceded in death by 15 brothers and sisters and her husband, James Shelby Calhoun, who was the love of her life.

Oleta is survived by three sons, the Rev. James Travis Calhoun and wife, Linda, of Arkadelphia, Jean Scott Calhoun and wife, Karen, of Camden, and Jerry Mack Calhoun and wife, Becky, of Star City; 10 grandchildren and 16 great-grandchildren.

Griffin Funeral Chapel in Star City is in charge of arrangements.

A celebration of the life of Oleta will be at 10 a.m. Tuesday at the funeral home with J. C. Patterson, James Calhoun and Mike Crane officiating.

Interment will follow at Holly Springs Cemetery.

Pallbearers will be Lamar Caldwell, Maurice Caldwell, Joe Backus, Raymond Stewart, Jody Calhoun, Jamie Calhoun and Jason Calhoun.

A gathering of family and friends will be from 5 until 8 p.m. today at the funeral home.

Memorials may be made to Holly Springs Cemetery Fund, Holly Springs Missionary Baptist Church Building Fund or Arkansas State Mission Project, P.O. Box 1500 Arkadelphia, AR 71923 .

An online obituary can be found at www.griffinfuneralservice.net.