Services for Oveta Pledger are as follows: Friday November 19, 2021: Family Hour at Ashby Funeral Home 108 W Narroway St, Benton, AR 72015 6-8pm. Saturday November 20, 2021: First Baptist Church 211 S Market St, Benton, AR 72015 Service at 1pm. Viewing 11am-1pm.
Oveta Vernae Pledger, 60, of Benton passed away peacefully from this life on earth the morning of November 9, 2021 in her home. She was born in Benton AR, November 9, 1961 to Ollie M. Canady Pledger and the late George Watson Pledger.
She accepted Christ at an early age under the leadership of Rev. M.L. Youngblood at St. Paul Baptist Church, Benton AR, where she remained a faithful member for many years. Later joining St. Paul Baptist Church, Little Rock AR under the leadership of Rev R. DeShun Coates where she remained a member until being called home.
Oveta attended Benton Public School District graduating from Benton High School class of 1980. After high school she attended the Beauty Academy in Little Rock, earning her cosmetologist license in 1981, a lifelong profession she maintained. She and her mother became one of the many minority women entrepreneurs in the community and opened Pledger’s Shear Perfection beauty salon. They provided beauty services for several members of the Ralph Bunche Community for decades.
After moving to Kansas City, MO in 1997 and later returning to Benton she began a mission to honor her late father. She decided community service, specifically serving the Ralph Bunche Community would be the way to continue her father’s legacy of service. In 2003 she developed the vision of a back to school picnic while incorporating a school supply drive to reach those underserved in the community. This mission led on a journey of nearly 20 years of service to her community. Later creating committees of others willing to serve, the Annual Ralph Bunche Back to School Picnic became a community staple. “Leveling the Playing Field” was her motto, which was achieved by serving thousands of students over the years in the Benton School District. Her many years of service gained several well deserved awards including being an avid member and leader of The Ralph Bunche Community Action Committee, Wilma Stewart Garden Club Citizen of the Year, Benton Chamber of Commerce Citizen of the Year, Ralph Bunche Outstanding Community Service award, she was inducted into the 2011 class of the Benton High School Wall of Honor for Exemplary Service, a recipient of the 34th Annual Community Service award presented by former AR Governor Mike Beebe and first lady Ginger Beebe and countless other awards and recognition.
Never meeting a stranger, she left a lasting impact on every person she met. Her love for Christ and family were things she held close with great pride. Being a mother to her son Rickey was a role in which she held in the highest regard. Her infectious smile and witty sense of humor were beacons of light for many. She will be deeply missed by all who knew and loved her.
She is preceded in death by her father and both maternal and paternal grandparents.
She leaves to cherish her love and precious memories, husband of 25 years Rickey Jermaine Gipson and beloved son Rickey J. Gipson both of Benton, AR. Sister; Cheryl Washington of Little Rock, AR. Brothers; George W. (Delisa) Pledger of Kansas City, MO and Kinnis Pledger of Orlando, FL. Nieces; Monique (Corey) Smith, Kendis Pledger, Simona Wallace and Day’Sha Pledger. Nephews; Brandon Washington, Dennis (Elisha) Pledger, and George Pledger Jr. Four great nieces, 5 great nephews and a host of aunts, uncles, first cousins, relatives, extended family and close friends.