Dec. 22, 1955 – Dec. 30, 2024
Funeral services for Niva Nell Hefton, 69, were held at 10:30 a.m. on Friday, Jan. 3, 2025, at Agent Mallory Martin Chapel in Sallisaw. Burial followed at Round Mountain Cemetery in Vian, under the direction of Agent Mallory Martin Funeral Service, Inc.
She was born on Dec. 22, 1955, in Sallisaw, to O.L. “Dink” and Niva Iona (Vessell) Hefton. She died on Monday, Dec. 30, 2024, in Gentry, Ark.
She found joy in the simplest of things—cats, ice cream, pictures and painting, and once won an award for her painting. She also had a love for traveling, keeping secrets, and being the boss of Hefton Hill. She enjoyed attending church services, where she delighted in singing hymns.
Survivors are two brothers, Dale Hefton and Sharon of Thomaston, Ga., and Wendell Hefton and Sharron of Kingwood, Texas; and other relatives and friends.
She was preceded in death by her parents; five sisters, Lois McCauley, Reba Lindsey, Willene Lipe, Wanda Young and Melba Baker; and a brother, Bill Hefton.
Pallbearers were Phil Lindsey, Carol Lipe, Hefton Young, Josh Hefton, George McCauley, and Kevin Baker.
In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made to Round Mountain Cemetery or Down Syndrome Association (www.dsaco.org).
