Candice Eileen Oaks

Candice Eileen Oaks, 65 years old of Morrilton, passed away Tuesday, October 19, 2022, at Baptist
Memorial Hospital in Little Rock as a result of injuries sustained during a tragic car accident that occurred in Bigelow, AR Monday evening. Candice “Candy” Oaks was born September 15, 1957, in Morrilton, AR to Leo Clayton Oaks, Sr. and Janet Eileen Oaks.

Candy grew up in West Little Rock where she graduated from Parkview High School in 1975. Candy was always known for her undeniable character and unique presentation. It was that limitless spirit that led her into the lesser traveled paths of life. From working in construction with the “Manhole Team” building the under-level bridge structures in Little Rock to becoming the only female deckhand on the Southeast coast upon a beloved shrimp boat, The Cody Nicole to becoming a talented Pet Groomer in Corsicana,Texas there was not an abnormal challenge that she would not happily receive. Candy was a force of life that left an unforgettable impression on the hearts of everyone she drifted into throughout her journey. It was that very forcefulness for which she imprinted on this world during her life that makes the absence of her just as impactive. Candy lived a life most could not imagine and even fewer could have survived which serves as testimony to her unwavering belief that God would call her home when He was ready so until then, she would not be missing any opportunities to experience it all and at maximum capacity.

Candy is survived by her daughter, Nikki Oaks Thomas, of Corsicana, Texas and her son, Cody Lee
Oaks Dowd, of Gaston, South Carolina. To know Candy was to know the irrefutable love she carried for her children. Candy also was survived by her most cherished humans, her grandchildren: Sierra
Elizabeth Thomas (19), Sadie Monroe Thomas (13), and Peyton Olivia Thomas (23) all of Corsicana and Autumn Lee Dowd (11) of Gaston, South Carolina. She also had one great-grandson, Elijah Kade Pruitt, (6) of Corsicana, Texas. Candy is also survived by her mother, Janet Eileen Oaks of Mayflower, her grandfather, Johnnie Ray Campbell of Bogota, Texas and her three remaining siblings; Tony Clayton Oaks (65) of Bigelow, Tammy Lynn Wilson (63), and Leo Clayton Oaks, Jr (53) both of Mayflower, AR. Candy also was survived by her adored and cherished nieces and nephews; Cherie Renee Wilson (51) of Harrison, AR; Bradley Clayton Oaks (45), Clint Wayne Oaks (41), and Autumn Rachelle Reeves (35) all of Conway, Arkansas; River Payton Oaks Jones (25) of Mayflower, AR. She also had 9 great nieces and nephews whom she delighted in being a part of as well as a multitude of, aunts, uncles, and cousins she treasured some as much as siblings.
In the spirit of childlike innocence, Candy carried the promise of reunion to those we have loved that
went before us like a winning lottery ticket on its way to the bank. She was preceded in death by her
father, Leo Clayton Oaks, Sr.; her baby sister, Meloney Rachelle Oaks Kristofik; her paternal
grandparents, Paul Clayton Oaks and Esta Lee Oaks, both of Bigelow; and her maternal grandmother, Wilma Jean Campbell of Mayflower.

In consideration of the sheer variety and multitude of people that were touched and loved by Candy, two memorial events were arranged. Saturday, October 29, 2022, at 10am-1pm in the Bigelow Baptist Church in Bigelow, AR. Candy’s siblings arranged a traditional church oriented memorial service beginning in the Chapel of the Bigelow Baptist and will be followed by a graveside tribute at their family plot in Volman Cemetery where memories are encouraged to be shared as the prelude to her ashes being buried within the family roots. The color within many lives grew a little dimmer the night Candice Eileen Oaks took her leave from this life to join the many others she loved in the next. To quote the epithet Candy lived her remaining laurels on “As I Am Now, You Soon Shall Be, So Follow The Lord and Follow Me” In lieu of flowers or gifts, the family is asking that donations be made to her daughter, Nikki Oaks, to support her in her solitary position in having to mainly stay in Arkansas for the undetermined amount of time needed to close and empty her mother's home and affairs while simultaneously having to drive back and forth to Texas to prepare Candy's second home and additional family and friends for the memorial and celebration of life. All donations are appreciated and if there are any further details or questions, please call Nikki Oaks at 469-951-6101. The following online accounts are Active and open: Venmo: @CandiceBogle; CashApp: $nikkioaksthomas;