Ida V. (Hulen) Hartsell of Swifton, Arkansas, departed this life on Saturday, August 23, 2025, at the age of 98. She was born January 9, 1927, in Swifton, Arkansas, the daughter of George William and Francis Kathryn (VanWinkle) Hulen.
Miss Hulen was a 1945 graduate of Swifton High School. She married the love of her life, Otis James Hartsell, Sr. on July 4, 1945. They were happily married for forty-nine years. Mrs. Hartsell had many hobbies that included reading, playing word search, and traveling. In the summer, she would garden and can the vegetables. She loved cooking and was known for making a great pan of biscuits. She was a member of the Swifton Baptist Church. She helped with Vacation Bible School and was on the bereavement committee, where she would deliver food to those in need. One of her favorite activities was caring for her grandkids.
She was preceded in death by her husband, Otis James Hartsell, Sr.; four brothers, Audist Hulen, Wilburn Hulen, Mike Hulen, and Walter Hulen; three sisters, Mavis Worthington, Mabel Morton, and Norma Jean Hulen; and her parents.
Mrs. Hartsell is survived by one son, Otis James Hartsell, Jr. and wife, Sandee, of Swifton; two daughters, Nora Young and husband, James, of Tuckerman, and Joyce Ann Howard and husband, Jimmy, of Batesville; one sister, Gertrude Cumby of Grand Prairie, Texas; eight grandchildren, Jennifer Young Harding, James Young III and wife, Brandy, Thomas Howard, Kevin Howard, Calista Hartsell, Bryson Hartsell, Tammy Sandborn, and Billy Johnson; ten great grandchildren; numerous nieces and nephews; and a lifetime of friends.
Those honored to serve as pallbearers will be Jim Young, Thomas Howard, Bryson Hartsell, Addison Harding, Quade Young, and Noah Young. Honorary pallbearers will be Asher Young, Jennifer Harding, Kevin Howard, Calista Sinclair, Tammy Sandborn, and Billy Johnson.
The family would like to thank the staff of the Woodlawn Nursing Home in Batesville and Caring Hands Hospice of Batesville for their wonderful care of their mother.
Friends may visit the Swifton Baptist Church, Monday, August 25, at 12:30 p.m. until service time. Funeral services will begin at 2:00 p.m. with Brother Nathan Bentz officiating. Interment will be in Gracelawn Cemetery.
Arrangements by Jackson’s Funeral Home.
