Verna Lea Bluhm

Verna Lea Bluhm of Stuttgart, Arkansas, passed away peacefully on Sunday, June 15, 2025, at the age of 103.

Born on May 9, 1922, in Almyra, Arkansas, Verna was the daughter of William Nelson and Lula Carnes Rogers. She graduated from Stuttgart High School and furthered her education at Central Baptist College in Conway and Draughan’s Business College in Little Rock.

Following her studies, Verna worked for four years at the University of Arkansas Rice Experiment Station, where she built a foundation of hard work and dedication that would define her life.

On August 31, 1947, she married Donover Bluhm in Dunkerton, Iowa. Shortly after, the couple moved to Waterloo, Iowa, where they lived for 18 months before moving back to Stuttgart. After their first daughter was born, they relocated to Oakland, California, in 1950 where Donover served in the U.S. Navy. In 1952, they returned home to Stuttgart where they built their life together and raised their family.

Verna’s faith in Jesus shaped how she invested her life. A lifelong member of First Baptist Church in Stuttgart, she faithfully served in countless roles-including as a first-grade Sunday School teacher for 49 years, Sunbeam worker, GA leader and director, Baptist Women’s president, WMU Director, a member of three pulpit committees as well as several other committees. She also helped form the 50-plus ministry at her church. Remarkably, she continued serving on the church’s prayer committee team until her passing.

An avid Arkansas Razorback fan, Verna rarely missed a football, basketball or baseball game, faithfully listing to every play on the radio. Her resilience was unmatched-she survived two bouts with COVID-19, a testament to her enduring strength and spirit.

Verna Bluhm’s life was a shining example of faithfulness, perseverance, and love. Her steady presence, her unshakable faith, and her deep investment in others will be profoundly missed.

She was preceded in death by her parents; her beloved husband, Donover; her daughter, Vicki Bull; her great-grandson, Duke Elliot Johnson; and her sisters and brothers-in-law, Donna Marie (Orville) Bluhm, Virgie Ruth (Douglas) Lefler and Bona Jean (Robert) Bauman.

Verna is survived by her daughters, Beverly (Wayne) Johnson of Benton and Brenda (Randy) Wilhite of Stuttgart; her son-in-law, Milton Bull of Conway; her grandchildren, Jennifer (Stuart) Goudy, Brad (Hannah) Johnson, Amy (David) Manning, Jonathan (Leah) Bull, Ryan (Traci) Wilhite and Katie (Russ) Brewer; her 13 great-grandchildren; and a host of nephews and nieces.

A celebration of Verna’s life will be at 2 p.m. Thursday, June 19, at First Baptist Church with visitation following. Burial will be private.

Verna requested that memorials be made to First Baptist Church or The Lighthouse Church of Stuttgart.

The family would like to extend their appreciation and gratefulness to the staff at Crestpark of Stuttgart and also to Karen Chappell, Verna’s devoted caregiver for the last two months.