Brenda Dianne Halijan

Brenda Dianne Halijan, age 77, of Carlisle, Arkansas died Sunday, October 29, 2023.  She was born on April 20, 1946, to James and Evelyn White, and raised on a farm in the Plainview community in Lonoke County. She graduated from Carlisle High School in 1964, where she was Salutatorian of the graduating class. She married Frank Halijan on August 2, 1964, and they raised their three sons on the family rice and soybean farm near Carlisle. After her sons left for college, she also served as an office manager and bookkeeper for a local company in Carlisle until her retirement in 2008.

 She was a dedicated and devoted mother and wife. She was always present wherever her sons needed her to be, whether as a room mother, organizer, supporter in the stands, or when a watchful eye was needed. She considered the raising of her children to be her proudest accomplishment. She enjoyed family time more than anything and loved every moment she got to spend with her grandchildren and great-grandchildren.  She was also a woman of strong faith and a dedicated Christian. She was deeply involved in her church throughout her life, and took particular joy in church music, singing in her church choir and playing the piano for services.   

She is survived by her husband, Frank Halijan, of Carlisle; her sons, Doug Halijan of Memphis, Darin Halijan (Shannon) of Little Rock, and Dean Halijan (Christie) of Little Rock; her grandchildren Dara Halijan of Carlisle and Anna Underwood of Little Rock; and great-grandchildren Finley and Evelyn Kathleen Reneau. She was preceded in death by her parents, James and Evelyn White, and her brother, Larry White.

The funeral will be held at Hebron Methodist Church at 10:00 a.m. on Friday, November 3, with burial at Hebron Cemetery.  Visitation will be 5:00-7:00 p.m. Thursday, November 2, at Boyd Funeral Home Chapel in Lonoke, Arkansas.  Memorials may be made to Hebron Cemetery, 5720 AR-236, Carlisle, AR 72024.