Rev. R.J. Wooten Obituary

Rev. R.J. Wooten, 75, of Jonesboro passed away Saturday, March 21, 2026, at the Flo and Phil Jones Hospice House. He was born March 22, 1950, in Jonesboro to the late Tommy and Maurine Wooten.

R.J. had been a member of the UPC Church since 1973 and pastored a church in Port Lavaca, Texas for 24 years. He also owned and operated a painting company in Port Lavaca, Texas for 41 years before retiring and moving back to Jonesboro. He enjoyed sports cars, making everyone laugh, and spending time with his family, especially his children and grandchildren.

In addition to his parents, he was preceded in death by his daughter, Dena Whitley; and three sisters, Diane Jones, Donna Clippard, and Martha Andrews.

Survivors include his wife of 53 years, Diann Wooten of the home; one daughter, Amanda Hanson and her fiancé, Brad Sharp of Jonesboro; one brother, Tommy Wooten of Louisville, Kentucky; two sisters, Helen Price of Brookland and Sue Gilbert of Paragould; seven grandchildren: Jordan (Katie) Whitley of Bryant, Seth Whitley of Bryant, Curtis Whitley of Dallas, Kendra (Joel) Bledsoe of Benton, Dylan (Autumn) Despain of Jonesboro, McKenzie Hanson of Jonesboro, and Layken Hanson of Jonesboro; seven great-grandchildren; and numerous nieces and nephews.

Funeral service will be Tuesday, March 24, 2026, at 1:00 p.m. at Sanctuary Church with Reverends Bill O’Connell, Andrew Sanders, and Eddie Jones officiating. Burial will follow at Union Grove Cemetery in Bono.

Visitation will be Monday, March 23, 2026, from 5:00–7:00 p.m. at Sanctuary Church.

R.J.’s wife, Diann, became his caregiver in 2019 until his passing due to Dementia Disease. The family would also like to honor special mentors and friends: Reverends Alvin Kight, B.J. Thomas, Bill John Harris, James Warbington, and Charles Fisher.