Cala Denise McCool, 37, beloved wife, mother, daughter, and sister passed away Jan. 16, 2026, surrounded by love at her home in Texarkana, Ark.
Cala was born May 17, 1988, in Little Rock, Ark., to Darby Neaves and Glena Neaves. She arrived 10 minutes earlier than her twin sister, Camelia. She spent most of her childhood in Ogden, Ark., where she loved playing outdoors and spending time at her Aunt Kita and Uncle Robert’s house with her cousins Madi and Micahla. She moved to Nashville, Ark., when she was 16 where she graduated high school in 2006.
Cala shared a once-in-a-lifetime bond with her twin sister Cami. They were connected in a way only twins can understand, an unspoken language, and a closeness that never wavered. Alike in some ways and complete opposites in others, they shared laughter, honesty, and even the ups and downs of their journey together. Through every season of life they were each other’s anchor, finding strength and comfort in their shared faith in the Lord. The love that they had for each other will remain within Cami always.
Cala would say her life truly began in 2012 when her father introduced her to the love of her life Jesse McCool. They fell in love immediately and eloped just 9 weeks later, despite both families thinking it was a little crazy. They were confident in the love God had placed between them. Jesse loved Cala with unwavering devotion, especially through her illness, caring for her, and waiting on her hand and foot. She bragged about Jesse every time his name came up in conversation. He rarely called her Cala. She was always his “Gorgeous.” Cala would often say that Jesse loved her the way Jesus loves the Church and she lived securely in that love everyday of their 13 years together.
In 2015, the blueberry of her eye, Malakai Aaron (Kai) was born. He was her pride and joy. Nothing brought her more happiness than being his Momma. Cala chose to leave her job at Farmers Bank so she could homeschool Kai, and she treasured that time they spent learning together side by side. They made many friends through homeschooling. They were active in TEACH and TRACE and enjoyed going on many field trips and adventures. Art museums were one of their favorite places to go. She loved watching him build his Lego collection piece by piece and proudly displayed them all over their living room. She encouraged his love of art and was so proud that he is extremely gifted in playing the piano, a gift that runs deep in both sides of Cala’s family. Her love and prayers for Kai will follow him all the days of his life.
Cala was a member of Providence Baptist Church where she volunteered as their bookkeeper for many years. She loved her church family deeply, especially her Pastor, Jeff and his wife Jenny. Cala’s love and dedication to her church were evident to everyone that knew her. Her faith was a guiding light in her life and Providence Baptist is where she found truth, joy, and spiritual growth.
She loved her nieces and nephews dearly and enjoyed watching them in all their activities. When she left her job at Farmer’s she loved that six of her nieces and nephews got off the school bus at her house every single day. That little bit of time spent with them each day meant so much to her and she cherished it greatly.
Cala enjoyed many things such as playing cards, hosting Bible studies, watching movies, and cooking for her family and friends. Especially if she could host them at her home. She loved junking, going to garage sales, and spending time in the kitchen with her mom baking all the special family recipes. She had a passion for music like her Dad and they went to many concerts together. She loved traveling with friends and the many trips taken with her sisters.
She was preceded in death by her grandparents, Glen and Donna White, Bill Neaves, and Ardis Hayes; her brother, Atticus Neaves; and her uncle, Micah Neaves.
She is survived by her loving husband, Jesse McCool; her son, Malakai; her father, Darby Neaves, and his wife Patti of Ogden, Ark.; her mother, Glena Neaves of Nashville, Ark.; and her grandmother, Charlotte Neaves of Ogden, Ark. She is also survived by her twin sister, Camelia Neaves of Seabrook, Texas; her sister, Shana Smith of Hot Springs, Ark.; brothers Trey Smith (Courtney) of Hot Springs, Ark., Matt Smith (Laura) of Texarkana, Ark., Dylan Davis (Jamie) of Red Lick,Texas, and Naaman Neaves of Ogden, Ark.
Additional survivors include her father-in-law, Mark McCool of Texarkana, Ark.; her mother-in-law, Virginia MacGregor, and her husband Don of Texarkana, Ark.; her sisters-in-law Naomi Whittingham (Doug), Rebecca Willis (Calvin), and Grace Olvera, all of Texarkana; Sarah Mauldin (Shane) of Little Rock, Ark.; and Anna Vermillion (Lance) of Nacogdoches, Texas; and her brother-in-law Jacob McCool (Sarah) of Moscow, Ida. She is also survived by many treasured aunts, uncles, nieces, nephews, cousins, and dear friends.
Cala lived with a great faith and longed for every person she encountered to know the hope and joy she found in Christ. She loved the Lord with all her heart. Her life was a true testament to her unwavering faith and strength. Now, she has gone Home where she is finally face to face with the source of all her strength, joy, and peace.
A funeral service is scheduled for Friday, Jan. 23, 2026, at 2 p.m. at Fellowship Bible Church in Texarkana, Texas. Burial to follow at Shiloh Cemetery in Texarkana, Ark., with Jeff Allen officiating.
