Viva Jean Chaffin, age 85, of Arkadelphia, passed from this life on Thursday, February 19, 2026, at Baptist Medical Center in Arkadelphia. She was born June 19, 1940, in Trumann, the daughter of the late Jesse James and Mary Upton Penter.
Viva was a retired Wal-Mart Associate of twenty-five years. She was a member of Faith Missionary Baptist Church. Viva enjoyed her church work, gardening and most of all spending time with her grandchildren.
She was preceded in death by her parents, three brothers, Sammy, JP and ZC, four sisters, Bertha, Alice, Rosalee and Lorene.
Survivors are her husband of sixty-five years, Billy Chaffin, Sr. of Arkadelphia, three sons, Barry Chaffin (Diane) of Austin, TX, Kenny Chaffin (LeAnna) of Caddo, OK, and Bill Chaffin, Jr. (Monika) of Huntsville, AL., seven grandchildren, Barry Chaffin, Jr., Jason Chaffin, Kenna Lee Smith, Micah Chaffin, Andy Goodman, Jeanette McWhorter and Zack Chaffin, thirteen great-grandchildren and one great-great-grandchild.
Funeral services will be held at 11:00 AM Wednesday, February 25, 2026, at Faith Missionary Baptist Church with Pastor Robbie Horn officiating.
Visitation will be from 10:00 AM until service time on Wednesday at the church.
Interment will be in Rest Haven Memorial Gardens.
Memorials may be made to Faith Missionary Baptist Church or St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital.
Pallbearers will be her grandsons.
Final arrangements are entrusted to The Welch Funeral Home of Arkadelphia. Visit http://www.welchfh.net to sign the guest book.
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