Briley Rose Waddill

Briley Rose Waddill, 23, of Searcy, Arkansas, passed away on the evening of February 2, 2026 after a valiant battle with osteosarcoma. She was born on September 12, 2002 in Houston, Texas, to Doug and Rochelle Waddill. Briley was a student at Harding University, and she was one semester from completing her Bachelor of Business Administration degree in management and was a member of the Ko Jo Kai social club. Her bright spirit, infectious laugh, valor, warmth, and courageous strength touched the lives of all who knew her. She was known for her grit, fierceness, bravery, and contagious joy during her life and years of battling cancer. She moved to Arkansas the summer before 8th grade and attended Harding Academy in Searcy where she played golf, sang with the choir and small singing group, was a manager of the girls soccer team, participated in drama and theater productions, and was a member of several clubs, as well as a member of the youth group at Downtown Church of Christ. She worked at Sonic, 7 Brew, Sunny Day Inflatables and for a brief time, before her third fight with cancer, at PrimeCare Medical Clinic. She loved each of those workplaces and cherished the relationships she built. Prior to her time in Searcy, her childhood years were spent in the Houston area, where she learned about culture, great food (especially queso!!!), and the importance of family and community. Her early years of faith were deeply impacted by the loving community at First Colony Church of Christ. She is survived by her parents, Doug and Rochelle Waddill; her brothers, Braden Waddill, 21 and Blake Waddill, 18; loving grandparents Jim and Eva Rose of Searcy and Sandy Waddill and John Waddill of Richmond, Texas. She is also survived by 12 amazing cousins, several aunts and uncles, and a loving extended family and community of friends that reaches far and wide who will cherish her forever. Briley’s life, though far too short, was filled with joy, laughter, and unwavering pursuit of better things to come, while reminding others to capture the joy of the here and now. She will be deeply missed by all who had the privilege of being touched by her radiant spirit. She is now free from pain, cancer, and her daily earthy battle while being held tightly by her Father in Heaven. In Lieu of flowers, please send a donation to “Arkansas Children’s Hospital: Hematology/Oncology” on her behalf Visitation will be held on Friday, February 6, 2026, from 5:00pm – 7:00pm at Powell Funeral Home in Searcy. Funeral services will be conducted on Saturday, February 7, 2026, at 2:00pm, at Downtown Church of Christ. Funeral services will be livestreamed from https://www.powellfuneralhome.net/obituaries/briley-waddill/#!/TributeWall Arrangements are entrusted to Powell Funeral Home of Searcy.

Briley Rose Waddill

September 12, 2002 - February 2, 2026