Freda Florence Hots Metheny passed peacefully in her sleep at her home at Harding Place Christian Retirement Village on March 17, 2025, at the age of 99, and was welcomed into the arms of Jesus.
Mrs. Metheny was born December 5, 1925, to John and Ella Clifton Hots at home in Beech Grove, Arkansas. She married Wilfred A. Metheny on September 20, 1947, after he returned from serving in the Navy during WWII.
Her daughter survives her, Rita Lynne Jones (Francis) of Newport, two sons, Kim Metheny (Lynee) of Centerton, AR, and Rex Metheny (Gina) of Birmingham, AL; three grandsons, Parker Jones (Samantha) of Benton, AR, Andrew Jones (Priscilla) of Memphis, TN, and Josh Metheny (Amy) of Bella Vista, AR; one step-grandson, Kyle Harsley of Jackson, MS; one step-granddaughter, Brittany Collins of Dallas TX; one great-grandson, PJ Jones of Benton, AR; five beautiful great-granddaughters, Amelia and Marigold Jones of Benton, AR, Julianna and Neely Parker Jones of Memphis, TN, and Brylee and Macy Grace Metheny of Bella Vista, AR; several nieces and nephews, and a host of friends.
She was preceded in death by her husband, Wilfred A. Metheny in 1988, her grandson, Matthew Metheny in 2008, great-grandson Peyton Matthew Metheny in 2020, her parents, two brothers, Ellis Hots and Kenneth Hots; and five sisters, Clara Pigue Swafford, Edna Hallis, Eula Arnhart, Lillian Smith, and Mary Aletta Hantke.
Mrs. Metheny was a longtime faithful member of the Monette Church of Christ where Mr. Metheny served as an Elder before his passing. Mrs. Metheny served beside him attending singings, funerals, visiting hospitals, teaching children’s Bible classes, serving meals to bereaved families, and extending hospitality in her home for Sunday night meals which always included singing. She loved this church and her family dearly.
Mrs. Metheny began teaching school immediately after graduating high school at the age of 18. She continued her education earning her BSE from ASU after attending many summer and night classes while continuing to teach. She taught for 36 years before retiring the summer before her first grandson was born in 1981. She lived in her home in Monette until the age of 95 and has called Harding Place home for the last four years, a place that she loved and had many friends.
The Family would like to thank Harding Place Staff, especially Sandy, and Julie, for their continued love and care and for making it the “Happy Place” and to Jerrica who “fixed” her hair every week. We would also like to thank Arkansas Hospice and especially Keeley, Renee, and Jake for guiding us through the last days with such respect and tenderness. And the many staff of Southern Care of Searcy especially Debbie, Jennifer and Noah who loved her as their family while caring for her.
Those honored to serve as pallbearers are Kim Metheny, Rex Metheny, Parker Jones, Andrew Jones, Josh Metheny, and P.J. Jones.
Honorary pallbearers are Nancy Banta, Kay Gowan, and the Ladies of the Monette Church of Christ.
A Celebration of Life will be held at 1:00 p.m. Saturday, March 22, 2024, at Monette Church of Christ with interment following at Greene County Memorial Gardens at Paragould. Friends may visit on Saturday, from noon until service time at the church.
Arrangements by Jackson’s Newport Funeral Home.
