Arvie Haley Conaway was born March 12, 1934, in Blytheville, Arkansas, the beloved daughter of Vordie Haley and Romayer Blackburn Haley. Arvie was a graduate of Richard B. Harrison High School, and continued her education at Arkansas Baptist College, later earning her degree from AM&N, now the University of Arkansas at Pine Bluff. She shaped and molded young minds as an educator for the Blytheville School District for thirty years. Arvie was a dedicated member of Pilgrim Rest Missionary Baptist Church, serving faithfully for many years, as the President of the Adult Choir, Adult Sunday School Teacher, Secretary of the church’s building fund and second vice president of the Women’s Missionary Society. She also served as a member of Christ Temple Baptist Church under the leadership of Reverend Lawrence Haley, and New Faith Baptist Church under the pastorage of Reverend Laddie Whaley. Arvie was active in her community serving as Worthy Matron of Eastern Star Chapter # 347, Secretary of the Mississippi County Valley Baptist Union, the Director of MVBU Youth Department, and a member of Zeta Phi Beta Sorority.

She was united in marriage to Lonzell Mathis, Sr., on March 3, 1959, and later with W.M. Heard, Sr., on January 1, 1968. In later years, she was blessed to share her life with her husband, Reverend George Conaway.

She was preceded in death by her parents, Vordie and Romayer Haley, her husband, Reverend George Conaway, former husbands, Lonzell Mathis, Sr., and W.M. Heard, Sr., her brothers, Jaffus Haley and Floydel Haley, her sister Arizona Haley Morris and a bonus daughter, Carnetta Heard.

She leaves to cherish her memory four children, Vordie Mathis and Lonzell (Bernice) Mathis, Jr both of Blytheville, Arkansas; Lorece Montgomery of Little Rock, Arkansas and W.M. (Tamika) Heard also of Little Rock, Arkansas; bonus children, Robert Taylor, Donna Pankey Garcia, Reginald Heard, Katrina Heard, and Jeremy Heard, thirteen grandchildren, eighteen great grandchildren, and a host of Favorite nieces, nephews, each of whom held a special place in her heart.

Visitation will be held on Saturday, December 20, 2025, beginning at 10:00 am at Pilgrim Rest Missionary Baptist Church, 809 East Main Street, Blytheville, Arkansas where Reverend Rickey Everett is the pastor.

Celebration of Life Services will be conducted at 11:00 a.m. Reverend Lawrence Haley will deliver the eulogy with interment to follow in Memory Gardens Cemetery.

Condolences may be conveyed to the family online at www.mhfuneralhomeinc.com or through our Facebook page McDonald-Horne Funeral Home.

Professional services and arrangements are under the care and direction of McDonald-Horne Funeral Home.