Freda Maxine Wilmoth

Peacefully and surrounded by her loved ones at her home, Freda Maxine Wilmoth, resident of Gentry, Arkansas, went to be with her Heavenly Father on November 7, 2023. She was born on August 9, 1934 in Prairie Grove, Arkansas. She was the second of three daughters born to Louis Alanzo and Beulah Mae (Luther) Luttrell.
Freda was married to Ross, the love of her life and a World War II veteran, for 53 years. They began their family north of Gentry on a dairy farm. They later were able to buy the Compton farm, one mile west of the dairy farm, which is now known as the Safari. Ross and Freda continued farming, raising beef cattle, and had two poultry farms.
Ross and Freda had a mutual love for nature and animals. It all began with three buffalo, and from there they were able to create a farm with native and exotic animals. In the mid '70s, they established Wild Wilderness Drive Through Safari. They provided an educational and family-oriented park for visitors from all states and many countries. Freda loved greeting visitors at the ticket office and smiling and handing out peacock feathers as they left.
Freda is preceded in death by her parents, her husband Ross Leon Wilmoth, her sister Marjorie Lawson Hart, and her grandson Jarod Clint Hook.
Freda is survived by her eight children: Linda Hook & husband Floyd, Ross Leon Wilmoth Jr & wife Gayla, Lewis Wilmoth, Freddy Wilmoth & wife Patricia (Sissy), Sheva Thompson & husband Butch, Lisa King & husband Bobby, Charles Wilmoth & wife Kathy, and Chana Kooistra & husband Aaron. All eight children still live within ten miles of the home place. Nana Freda loved her many grandchildren: Jason, Kristen, Trey, Josh, Harry, Angela, Jessica, Casey, Freddy Mack, Jaiden, Branton, Sara, Megan, Meranda, Abigail, Jaxon, and Gavin, and also a host of great grandchildren. She also is survived by her youngest sister, Betty Nance Thurman of Siloam Springs, numerous nieces, nephews, and friends whom she loved and loved her very much.
Visitation will be from 6:00-8:00 p.m., Friday, November 10, 2023, at Wasson Funeral Home, Siloam Springs, Arkansas. Funeral services will be at 2:00 p.m., Saturday, November 11, 2023, at First Baptist Church, Gentry, Arkansas, followed by a procession to Falling Springs Cemetery in Decatur, Arkansas.
In lieu of flowers please consider donations to the Falling Springs Cemetery Association at 8901 Iva Rd, Decatur, AR 72722 or White Oak Cemetery Association at P.O. Box 622, Tontitown, AR 72770.