Mrs. Dorothy Wooden Kinnard

A Life Well Lived — In Her Own Words: I am Dorothy Wooden Kinnard. I was born on November 25, 1942, in Mississippi to my parents, Susie Parchman Wooden and Anderson Wooden, who both preceded me in death. I was just a baby when my family moved to the lower part of Arkansas and settled in the Shady Grove Community of Forrest City, Arkansas, and that is where I made my name and lived my life. I was raised in the faith at Mount Olive Missionary Baptist Church, where I was baptized and began my walk with the Lord. One thing about me, I kept God first, no matter what life brought my way. I attended school in Forrest City, going to Evans School and later Lincoln High School, where I graduated in 1960. I handled my business then, just like I did all my life. After high school, I married Wilbert Hall in the early 1960s, and from that union, I was blessed with children. I experienced both joy and sorrow in motherhood. My son, Wilbert Hall, Jr., my baby boy, Renard, and my son, Dyrello, all preceded me in death. I leave to cherish my memory my two sons, Kevin Hall and Lazarick Hall, who I love dearly. I later moved to Chicago, Illinois, where I lived for 38 years. I worked, I provided, and I took care of mine. I was employed at Walter Fields Catalog, Spiegel, and later at a television plant. I did not mind working because I believed in standing on my own two feet. When I returned home to Forrest City around 1998, I joined First Baptist Church under the leadership of Pastor S. W. Baker, and I remained faithful. I also worked at the Holiday Inn, because I have never been one to sit around and depend on anybody. Later in life, I married Champagne, on January 23, 2006, better known as Robert Kinnard, and we remained united in marriage. Now let me tell you this, I was a strong woman. I stood my ground, and I did not take anything off anyone. If I said it, I meant it. If I stood on it, I was not moving. But through it all, I loved the Lord, and my faith never left me. I enjoyed going to church, staying busy, watching television, and spending time at the Senior Citizen Center with Sweet Lucy Fryer and many others, where I kept up with others and stayed connected. I was preceded in death by my parents, Anderson Wooden and Susie Parchman Wooden; my children, Wilbert Hall, Jr., Renard, and Dyrello; and my brothers, Ivory Wooden, Alvin Wooden, Ruben Wooden, Lonnie Wooden, O.C. Wooden, Andrew Wooden, and George Wooden. I leave behind my sons, Kevin Hall of Hillsboro, Illinois, and Lazarick Hall of Houston, Texas; my daughter-in-law, Rachelle of Chicago, Illinois; eight grandchildren: Shanika Smith-Hall of Houston, Texas; Angela Childs of Louisville, Kentucky; Kevin Hall of Spring, Texas; Dyrello Hall, Jr., of Chicago, Illinois; Daryl Hall of Louisville, Kentucky; Melissa Hall of Chicago, Illinois; Tnahleg Hall of Chicago, Illinois; and Deray Hall of Chicago, Illinois; thirty great-grandchildren; my sisters, Delores Cummings of Marianna, Arkansas, and Odessa Johnson of Chicago, Illinois; my sisters-in-law, Lillie Anderson of Forrest City, Arkansas, and Joyce Price Wooden of Memphis, Tennessee; my special nephew, Miles J. Kimble; my special friend, Al Boles of Forrest City, Arkansas; and a host of nieces, nephews, cousins, other relatives, and friends. I peacefully transitioned from this life on March 18, 2026, at River Ridge Rehab & Care Center. I lived my life my way. I stood strong, I spoke my mind, and I trusted God through it all. And if you knew me, then you already know I did not fold, I did not bend, and I did not back down. My legacy speaks for itself. This obituary was written on November 27, 2024, by Mrs. Dorothy Kinnard and later updated by the family.

Mrs. Dorothy Wooden Kinnard

November 25, 1942 - March 18, 2026