Gwendolyn “Sue” Chastain

Our precious mother, Gwendolyn “Sue” Chastain, passed through heaven’s pearly gates on Wednesday, May 6th, in Fort Smith, Arkansas after a courageous battle with natural causes. Sue was born to Norma Nell (Whitman) Law and Elton Leonard Law, of Caulksville, Arkansas, the firstborn of three children, on July 20th of 1946. Sue was a graduate of County Line High School, class of 1963, and obtained her beautician’s license while simultaneously attending high school. Sue was known for her left-handed hook shot and was quite the presence on the basketball court.

While at County Line, Sue met the love of her life, Jerry Roy Chastain. The two dated and were married September 5th, 1963. The high school sweethearts became parents to a daughter and a son, and raised them both with a love of nature and sports in Barling, Arkansas, where they lived until 1994. They bought their dream home on acreage in Bonanza so they could have horses and raise a garden. They shared a wonderful life together there.

Being raised on a farm, Sue was an excellent, fearless rider of horses and could often be found riding with her brother “Buddy” while performing tricks or sneaking into neighbors’ gardens to steal watermelons! She was also very proud of her Native American Cherokee heritage and decorated her home in anything cowboy or native American. Sue’s favorite things to do were spending time playing silly games with her grandchildren and great-grandchildren, listening to Kenny Rogers, and going to Lake Ouachita with her sister and their families.

Sue was diagnosed with Multiple Sclerosis in 2001, and though she did experience some complications, it never got her down. If you knew Sue, nothing did. She was on the go constantly and was working in her yard for hours a day when she had to enter long-term care in 2023. She was preceded in death by her parents, her husband of 53 years, Jerry Roy Chastain, her brother William “Buddy” Law, and her sister Delores “Dee” Reames. She leaves behind her children, Stephanie Chastain Wideman (& Brett), Jerry “Darren” Chastain (& Stacey), and five grandchildren, Ashley Wideman Canterbury (& Blake), Chelsea Wideman, Garrett Chastain, Caroline Chastain, and Ben Chastain. Sue was also a great-grandmother to Emmrie, Grayson, Caden, and Colton Canterbury.

A memorial graveside service will be held at 1:00 p.m., Thursday, May 14th at Caulksville Cemetery in Caulksville, with Pastor Jackie Flake officiating. Cremation and services are under the direction of Brotherton Brothers Funeral Home and Flower Shop in Charleston.

Special thanks to Fianna Hills Nursing and Rehabilitation for their tenderness and kindness in caring for our mom. In lieu of flowers, contributions can be made to Manes and Miracles, PO Box 11828, Ft. Smith, AR 72917.

The family will visit with friends from 5:00 p.m. to 7:00 p.m. Wednesday at the funeral home in Charleston.

To place an online tribute, please visit www.brothertonbrothersfuneralhomes.com.