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 1968, 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, 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; and 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.