Obituary of Arnold Dean Wooten

Arnold Dean “Bunk” Wooten, 85, of Talladega, AL passed away at his home on Friday, March 28, 2025. A funeral ceremony will be held in his honor at 2:00 P.M. on Tuesday, April 01, 2025 at Usrey Funeral Home of Talladega with Stephen Collins officiating. His family will receive friends at the funeral home for one hour prior to the service. Interment will follow directly after the ceremony at Midway Memory Gardens. Mr. Wooten was a native and lifelong resident of Talladega County and attended Lincoln High School. He was very active in his community where he coached girls’ and women’s softball along with peewee football for most of his adult life. He also served in the Alabama National Guard and was a proud member of Immanuel Baptist Church who loved the Lord greatly. Mr. Wooten worked at the Anniston Army Depot—often travelling around the country—before retiring after over 30 years of service. He had a deep love for the beach and Lake Logan Martin where he enjoyed going out on the boat, skiing, and swimming with his family. However, nothing gave him more joy than cheering on his grandchildren at their various sporting events—his coaching spirit never dimming for a second. Mr. Wooten was an avid University of Alabama fan, and he had an exceptionally soft spot for animals. He could always be found hauling his dogs around in his truck. Affectionately known as “Pop” to his family, he was a very loving husband, father, and grandfather who will be missed greatly. He was preceded in death by his parents, J.B. and Mildred Wooten, and sisters, Judy Bates and Helen Jones. Mr. Wooten is survived by his wife of 41 years, Doris M. Wooten; daughters, Denise Sawyer (Patrick), Becky Jenkins (Ken), Lesa Griffin (Robert), Belinda Maddox (Bruce), and Shelly Pruitt (Shane); son, Chase Simpson; grandchildren, Joseph Whitehead, Lexie Pruitt, Tanner Griffin, Jaxton Simpson, Maelynn Simpson, and Calvary Simpson; great-grandchild, Cohen Whitehead; sisters, Jeanette Gambrell and Joyce Looney; brothers, Jerry Wooten and Larry Wooten (Laurie); a host of nieces and nephews, and his beloved pets, Gabby and Spot. Joseph Whitehead, Tanner Griffin, Ethan Armstrong, Ken Jenkins, Bruce Maddox, Patrick Sawyer, and Shane Pruitt will serve as pallbearers. Chase Simpson, Jaxton Simpson, and Cohen Whitehead will serve as honorary pallbearers. In lieu of flowers, Mr. Wooten’s family asks that donations be made in his honor to Immanuel Baptist Church, 66471 AL Highway 21, Talladega, AL 35160. Online condolences may be offered at www.usreyfuneralhome.com. Usrey Funeral Home of Talladega is directing the services.