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Submitted: 9/16/14 • Approved: 9/16/14 • Last Updated: 9/19/14 • R1038700-G1038698-S3
Rufo Berry
1919 - 2008
Modean
1926 - 2005
*Obituary - Rufo Berry
Rufo Berry Martin of Heber Springs, Arkansas, passed away Friday, January 18, 2008, at the age of 88. He was born March 20, 1919, to the late P. M. and Dussie (White) Martin at Ida, Arkansas.
He lived and worked his whole life in the Heber Springs area. He continually worked to build a better community and spent many hours on city and community projects. After retirement, he continued this dedication by welcoming new businesses to the area on behalf of the Heber Springs Chamber of Commerce. Over the last several years he loved riding around with his close friend, Jerome Johnson, visiting their customers in the county, and eating at McPherson's Restaurant every Friday to visit with old friends and new ones.
Rufo was a member of the First General Baptist Church for almost 60 years and served as Sunday School Superintendent 28 years. He served in the U.S. Navy. He was a charter member of the Heber Springs Lions Club and past president, Heber Springs Chamber of Commerce past president and served on the board of directors, and Saratoma Club. He served on the Heber Springs City Council for 12 years, and Selective Service
Board for 29 years. He was a Mason, past president of the Atoka Shrine Club, and attained the 33rd degree Scottish Rite. He along with other retail merchants was instrumental in getting the Greers Ferry Dam in the area and the first section of the Cleburne County Industrial Park. He and his wife owned and operated the Rufo Martin Furniture Company for over 30 years.
He is preceded in death by his wife Modean Jernigan Martin; a daughter, Dolias Marie Martin; brothers, Frank, Ezra, Charley, Leo, and Earl Martin; and sisters, Mary Phillips and Mae Williams.
He is survived by two daughters, Angeline (Gene) Fisher of Memphis, TN, and Pat Clay of Heber Springs, AR; two brothers, Loy (Geletta) Martin and Ray (Willene) Martin of Benton Harbor, MI. He is also survived by four grandchildren, Kim (Kevin) Newbill of Lucedale, MS, Tommy Long of Hermiston, OR, Lance (Jeanie) Long of Memphis, TN, and Jennifer (Blake) Pannell of Searcy, AR; nine great-grandchildren, Derrick, Kristine, and Devin Newbill, Paige and Aaron Long, Britney and Dakota Long, Adrian Manor, and Jake Pannell, and many nieces and nephews.
Obituary - Modean
Modean Martin, age 78, of Heber Springs, Arkansas, passed away Monday, January 31, 2005, at White County Medical Center in Searcy. Born in Des Arc on June 23, 1926, she is the daughter of the late James and Carrie (Oliver) Jernigan.
Modean, with her husband, was in the furniture business for over 30 years. She is Past Matron of the Eastern Star and has received her 50 year pin. She was a member of the First General Baptist Church in Heber Springs for over 50 years, where she taught Sunday School for the past 30 years.
She is survived by her loving husband of 57 years, Rufo Martin; two sisters, Marie Daniel of Memphis and Mary Stanley of Port St. Lucia, Florida; two daughters, Angie Fisher of Atoka, Tennessee, and Pat Clay of Heber Springs; four grandchildren, Kim Newbill of Lucedale, Mississippi, Tommy Long of Hermiston, Oregon, Lance Long of Memphis, and Jennifer Pannell of Searcy; nine great-grandchildren, Derrick, Kristine, Devin, Paige, Aaron, Britney, Dakota, Adrian, and Jake.
She is preceded in death by her daughter, Dolias Martin; two brothers, Tip Jernigan and Oliver Jernigan; and two sisters, Dissie Mae Bell and Willodean McGee.
Visitation is from 6:00 p.m. to 8:00 p.m., Tuesday, February 1, at Olmstead Funeral Home. Funeral will be Wednesday, February 2, at 2:00 p.m. at First General Baptist Church in Heber Springs with Dr. Dennis Powell and Rev. Grant Vannatter officiating. Interment will follow in Cleburne County Memorial Gardens. Pallbearers will be Kelly Hays, Danny Martin, Russell Martin, Eddie Lacy, Greg Allen, and Nicky Stover.
Memorials may be made to the First General Baptist Church Steeple Fund.
Contributed on 9/16/14 by hawkinsdonna
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Record #: 1038700