Alda Juanita Hastings

 Alda Juanita Hastings, 93, of Judsonia passed away at Unity Health Hospital in Searcy on
Thursday, June 29, 2023, after a prolonged illness. She was born January 23, 1930, in the Dripping
Springs area of White County to Willie Martin Sterling and Mary Ella Cox-Sterling. She spent a very
happy childhood there among her large and loving family which included her parents, twelve siblings,
and many uncles, aunts, and cousins. She moved near the Plainview area of White County when she
married the love of her life, Dan Louis Hastings, in May of 1946. Dan was a Baptist minister and
missionary, and they, along with their two much loved daughters, spent time ministering in various
areas of Arkansas, as well as Owasso and Wewoka, Oklahoma, until making Plainview their permanent
home in the early 1960s. Alda was a member of the Berea Missionary Baptist Church in Judsonia, where
she worked alongside her husband as he pastored the church for many, many years. Alda was a strong
matriarch who always made sure her family and friends knew they were loved. She was the best Granny,
and leaves behind innumerable memories of fun and silliness, as well as a legacy of faith in the Lord she
loved so much.
She was preceded in death by her parents, her husband, and one daughter, Juanita Powell.
Siblings that passed before her were brothers Gene, Evert, Clarence, Harold, and Steve, and sisters Mary
Landis, Clara Watkins, Pauline Watkins, Evelyn Roberts, Louise Cranford, and Alpha Sterling. She is
survived by one daughter, Judy Vandiver (Ray), of Judsonia, one son-in-law, Rod Powell of Judsonia, and
one sister, Kuanita Ellison of Judsonia. She also leaves behind five grandchildren: Kristi Feagin (Lynn) of
Bourbonnais, IL; Dana Johnson (Hunter) of Little Dixie; Matt Vandiver (Melissa) of Judsonia; Rachel
Powell (Nathaniel Cowan) of Judsonia; Cathy Marsée (Chris) of Judsonia; nine great-grandchildren: Zach
Feagin (Jessica) of Jonesboro; Lauren Feagin of Petal, MS; Devon VanWinkle (Katie) of Searcy; Drake and
Cache Vandiver of Judsonia; Donavon Boyd of Chesnee, SC; Jesse Johnson (Mandi) of Caruthersville, MO;
Draik Marsée (Amanda) of Pea Ridge; Sydney Butler (Cole) of Searcy; and five great-great-
grandchildren: Finn, Hallie, and Haven Feagin of Jonesboro; Kensleigh Stokes of Searcy; Margo Marsée of
Pea Ridge; Jett Brotz and Coleman and Brooks Johnson of Caruthersville, MO.
The family would like to thank the nurses and aids at Unity Health Hospital who cared not only
for our loved one, but also our family as we kept vigil around the clock; their compassion and support
helped us get through each difficult day as we were slowly saying goodbye to the Granny we loved so
much. We would also like to thank the nurses from Arkansas Hospice who walked us through the
process, making sure Granny was comfortable and had everything she needed. We will never forget
these wonderful caregivers.