February 6, 1944

Willie Kavanaugh Hocker—a schoolteacher, poet, and active member of civic groups such as the Daughters of the American Revolution (DAR), the United Daughters of the Confederacy, and the Colonial Dames Society—died at her home in Wabbaseka (Jefferson County). She was also the designer of the Arkansas state flag, one of only two women in the United States who have had state flag designs adopted. A historical marker was placed by the Wabbaseka United Methodist Church in June 2005 to honor her for her life as a teacher, churchwoman, and designer of the Arkansas state flag.