Jamie Sue Hartley

Jamie Sue Hartley, 85, of Van Buren, AR, was born in Birmingham, AL on April 23, 1940, and passed from this life to her eternal rest on August 13, 2025. She possessed a gift for serving and showing compassion. When her children were all in school, she went back to school too. At age 30 she enrolled in nursing school at O.T. Autry Vo-Tech and received her LPN license. At age 50 she enrolled at Northern Oklahoma College and graduated in 1995 with honors (Phi Theta Kappa) and became an RN. She retired from 40 years of nursing at the age of 72 from St. Mary’s Hospital in Enid, OK.

During her years in Van Buren, she kept active as a faithful member of Heritage Church, a greeter at Walmart, and a substitute teacher in elementary schools.

Jamie was a special mother to four rambunctious boys. She was their personal nurse, wise counselor, constructive critic and ever-present confidant. She will be dearly missed.

She was preceded in death by a son, William “Billy” Royo; a brother, Jim “Buddy” Turner (a.k.a., Tom Dooley); and her husband of 31-years, Charles Hartley.

Jamie is survived by her sons and daughters-in-law: Michael Royo, Miami, FL; Tony & Linda Royo, Miami, FL; Noel & Lael Whitlock, Searcy, AR; Richard & Carla Whitlock, Van Buren, AR; Dean & Lisa Whitlock, Reno, NV; George Michael “Mickey” & Paula, Wichita Falls, TX; Chuck & Linda Hartley, Harrah, OK; and daughter, Leigh Boggs, Haslet, TX; a brother-in-law and sister, Paul & Mary Ann Hall, CO; 23 grandchildren and 14 great-grandchildren spread throughout AR, OK, TX, MO and TN.

Her family wishes to express genuine gratitude to the wonderful servants of Heart of Hospice for ministering to their mother during her illness, and the Nurses Honor Guard of the River Valley Community for their living tribute of her career on April 26, 2025. (It’s on Facebook!)

In lieu of flowers, the family suggests donations may be made to Heart of Hospice Fort Smith, and Nurses Honor Guard of the River Valley Community.

Interment will follow at the Gracelawn Cemetery under the direction of Ocker Funeral Home in Van Buren.

Visitation will be held Saturday, August 16th, 2025 from 1:00 PM to 2:00 PM at Heritage Church, 1604 E Pointer Trail, Van Buren, AR 72956.

Service will be held Saturday, August 16th, 2025 at 2:00 PM at Heritage Church, 1604 E Pointer Trail, Van Buren, AR 72956.

Interment will be at Gracelawn Cemetery, 3003 Oak Lane, Van Buren, AR 72956.