Neva Janet Brown Castleman, age 85, of North Little Rock went to be with her Lord on Sept. 25, 2023. She was born Aug. 31, 1938 in Nashville, Ark., to the late Elbert Brown and Lora Jones Brown Dowdy.
When Janet was only five years old her father died, she then was raised by her step dad, Louie Dowdy, who also preceded her in death.
Janet was a devoted member of the Church of Christ. She attended elementary school and junior high in Camden. Her family moved to Murfreesboro, where she graduated salutatorian in her 1956 high school class.
Janet attended Southern State College in Magnolia. It was there she met her husband, Billy Michael Castleman.
Throughout her 45 year professional career she served as a legal secretary in various capacities, including the 9th Circuit court.
She also held positions with the Arkansas Highway Department, Arkansas Real Estate Commission and the University of Arkansas Agriculture Department. In 1986, Janet was elected to the Howard County Quorum Court.
Janet was blessed with a loving marriage and two boys. Janet’s spare time consisted of watching her beloved St. Louis Cardinals baseball team. She would often remind the men in her house of her athletic prowess as a youngster. Janet took great pride in being the fastest third grade student in Camden, outrunning a close classmate, who would later become an All-SWC running back for the Arkansas Razorbacks.
She is survived by her husband, Billy Michael Castleman of 63 years; son Chris Castleman both of North Little Rock; son Mark Castleman and his wife Gretchen of Fayetteville; grandchildren Lora Castleman of Fayetteville, Kate Castleman of Dallas, Texas, and Carsyn Castleman of Maumelle.
Visitation will be 1:00 until 2:00, Monday Oct. 2, at Latimer Funeral Home in Nashville.
Graveside services will be 2:30 p.m., Monday, Oct. 2, at Ozan Cemetery at Bingen, under the direction of Latimer Funeral Home in Nashville.
You may send an online sympathy message at www.latimerfuneralhome.com.
