Finding a specific name in the Thompson Wilson funeral home obituaries shouldn't feel like a chore. Honestly, when you’re dealing with the loss of a friend or a family member in Eastern Arkansas, the last thing you want is a clunky website or a confusing search bar. Whether you are looking for someone in Wynne or McCrory, these records are the heartbeat of the community.
They aren't just names on a screen.
For over a hundred years, this funeral home has been the go-to for Woodruff and Cross Counties. If you've lived in this part of the state for any length of time, you know the names. You know the families. The obituaries hosted here serve as a digital archive for a century of Arkansas history.
Why the Online Search is Kinda Tricky
Most people head straight to Google and type in a name followed by "obituary." Sometimes it works. Often, it doesn't.
The Thompson-Wilson website actually maintains two distinct portals because they have two primary locations: Wynne and McCrory. If you are looking for a service held at the 2642 Hwy 64 W location in Wynne, the records might appear slightly different than those from the 304 East Third Street office in McCrory.
Basically, the "Book of Memories" is their flagship feature. It’s more than a paragraph of text. It’s a full interactive site for the deceased. You can light virtual candles, which sounds a bit old-school, but people really do use it to show they're thinking of the family.
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What You'll Find in a Standard Listing
Don't expect just a date of birth and death. The staff here tends to write fairly detailed accounts. You’ll usually see:
- Detailed Survivor Lists: They are very thorough about listing nieces, nephews, and even "honorary" family members.
- Specific Service Times: This is crucial because many services happen at the Thompson-Wilson Chapel, while others go straight to local spots like Lewis Cemetery or Cogbill Cemetery.
- Pallbearer Recognition: It’s a local tradition to list both active and honorary pallbearers.
- Flower Shop Links: They often link directly to local florists like the McCrory Flower Shop or Eva’s in Wynne to make it easier for out-of-towners.
The Local Paper vs. The Website
Here is a mistake a lot of folks make. They wait for the Woodruff County Monitor or the Wynne Progress to come out.
While those papers are great, they have strict deadlines. For example, the Woodruff County Monitor usually hits the digital stands on Wednesdays, but the deadline is Monday morning. If someone passes away on a Tuesday, you won't see that obituary in the paper for over a week.
The Thompson Wilson funeral home obituaries website is updated much faster. Usually, within hours of the family approving the draft, it’s live. If you’re trying to plan travel for a funeral, check the funeral home site first, not the newspaper.
Real Examples of How Families Use the Portal
Take the recent listing for Carolyn Searcy or Amber "Punkin" Colquitt. These weren't just "born and died" notices. They included stories about being a talented cook or a devoted sister.
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Families often upload "Photographic Memories." This is a section where anyone can add photos from their own archives. It’s a bit of a crowdsourced eulogy. You might see a photo of the deceased from a high school football game in 1974 that the immediate family didn't even know existed.
Pricing and Logistics (The Part No One Likes to Talk About)
Obituaries aren't always free, especially in the newspapers. The Wynne Progress charges around $50 for the first 170 words. If you go over that, the price climbs.
However, the online version on the Thompson-Wilson site is typically included in the service package. This allows families to write 1,000 words if they want to without worrying about the "per-line" charge that print media enforces.
Pro Tip: If you are writing an obituary for a loved one, write the long version for the website and a "condensed" version for the Arkansas Democrat-Gazette or the Times Herald to save on costs.
How to Find Older Records
Looking for someone from ten years ago? The "Tribute Archive" section on their site is your best bet.
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If the person passed away before the early 2000s, you might hit a wall. Digital records weren't really a thing back then. For those, you’ll likely need to contact the Cross County Historical Society or look through physical microfilm at the local libraries. The funeral home staff is helpful, but they aren't librarians—their primary job is the living families they are currently serving.
Navigating the Tribute Wall
When you land on a specific obituary page, you'll see a tab for "Condolences and Tributes."
This is where the community really shows up. You'll see messages from people who haven't lived in Arkansas in thirty years. It’s a way for the "diaspora" of Wynne and McCrory residents to stay connected.
- Search by Name: Use the search bar on the "Obituary Listing" page.
- Filter by Location: Make sure you're looking at the right branch (Wynne vs. McCrory).
- Sign the Guestbook: Even a simple "Thinking of you" matters more than you think.
- Check for Livestreams: Occasionally, for larger services, there may be links for video feeds if the family requests it.
What's Next?
If you're currently trying to find information or plan a service, your first move is to visit the official Thompson-Wilson Funeral Home website rather than third-party obituary aggregators which often contain errors or outdated times.
For those looking to submit a tribute, have your photos ready in a digital format (JPG or PNG) before you start the upload process to ensure the "Book of Memories" saves your progress correctly. If you need to verify a service time that seems to have changed, calling the Wynne office at 870-238-9400 or the McCrory office at 870-731-2551 is the only way to get a 100% confirmed answer.
Keep a copy of the digital obituary saved as a PDF. Websites change and links break over the years, but a saved file ensures your family history stays intact for the next generation.