of Bee Branch, AR
January 11, 1926 - February 20, 2018
Jerry Eades was born January 11, 1926 near Center Ridge, Arkansas. He was the second of eight children born to James Irven and Lula May Barnes Eades. Jerry entered into rest on February 20, 2018 at his home with his family at his side.
He was preceded in death by his parents; brothers, Herbert and Warren Eades; and sister, Helen Eades Poppell.
He is survived by his wife, Evelyn Hardester Eades; two brothers, Windell Eades of Clinton and Tom (Martha) Eades of Center Ridge; two sisters, Mary Lou Jennings and Marie (Glenn) George of Center Ridge; four children, Keith (Cynthia) Eades of Ontario, California, Ann (Michael) Roberson of Heber Springs, Robert (Sylvia) Eades of Bee Branch, and David (Lula) Eades of Heber Springs; six grandchildren, Katie (James) Fenter, Andrew (Maranda) Roberson, Clifton, Mason, and Harrison Eades, and Micheal Evans; two great grandchildren, Hilton Andrew Roberson and Eve Elizabeth Kyle; many nieces, nephews, cousins, and wonderful friends and neighbors.
Mr. Eades served as a Water Tender Third Class in a SeaBee unit in the United States Navy during World War II. When he returned from military service, he assisted with the construction of a new home for his parents. He then began working his way through college. He completed a bachelors degree in education from Arkansas State Teachers College (UCA) in Conway, and a masters degree in Industrial Arts at Oklahoma A & M (OSU) in Stillwater. He taught 2 years in northern California and 35 years in Arkansas schools in Sydney, Alread, and finally spent the last years of his teaching career at South Side in Bee Branch. Among his many other duties at South Side, he operated the time clock for home basketball games until his retirement in 1985.
Mr. Eades farmed 265 acres along with his wife and children from the time they moved to their Bee Branch farm in 1960 until he put out his last bale of hay in February 2017. The family undertook a number of farming ventures including okra, cotton, cucumbers and sugar cane, before finally settling on a combination of raising broiler chickens and beef cattle. The Eades family was recognized as Van Buren County Farm Family of the year in 1990, and by Tyson as broiler growers of the year in 1994. Mr. Eades served many years on the board for Van Buren County Farm Bureau, including terms as board president. He was an active member of the Van Buren County Cattlemen's association. He was a member of the hospital auxiliary of Ozark Health Medical Center in Clinton. He called bingo at the skilled nursing facility for many years on Thursday mornings until he reluctantly resigned from that service two months prior to his 92nd birthday.
Mr. Eades was ordained as a deacon of Pleasant Hill General Baptist church in 1960. He was a faithful member of the Post Oak Grove Presbytery, acting as presbytery clerk from 1973 to 2005. He was a member of the Gideons and visited many area churches as a Gideon lay speaker. He began foreign mission work in 2007 at age 80 when he went to Honduras to serve on a medical mission team. He returned every year thereafter through 2017, for a total of 12 medical missions. He loved Honduras and its people and was never happier than when he was there. The desire of his heart was to go back one more time.
Jerry Eades loved God, his family, his country and his fellow man. Work and serving others were among his highest values. He received his deepest satisfaction when he was able to help someone. He loved to laugh and to make others laugh. He did not give up on any endeavor until long after he probably should have, and saw usefulness and value in things when those around him did not. He did not know the meaning of the words ''quit,'' ''give up,'' or ''rest.'' He often quoted the words of an old hymn, ''we'll work ''˜til Jesus comes.'' He believed that was the way to live, and he lived just as he believed.
In lieu of flowers, our family requests donations to the Gideon's International (donation envelopes will be available at both the visitation Friday and the celebration of life service on Saturday) or General Baptist International Missions, 100 Stinson Drive, Poplar Bluff, MO 63901, designated for Faith Home in honor of Jerry Eades.
We invite you to join us in honoring Daddy by wearing red to his celebration of life service. "If you want to look good, it needs to be red."
Visitation will be at Roller McNutt in Clinton on Friday, February 23 from 4 to 6 pm. A celebration of life will be conducted at 10 am on Saturday, February 24 at the Fine Arts Center at South Side High School in Bee Branch Arkansas. Burial will follow at Halbrook Cemetery in Center Ridge, Arkansas.
For online guestbook, www.rollerfuneralhomes.com/clinton
Sign Guestbook
22 Condolence(s)
Diana Byrd
Friday, February 23, 2018
My thoughts and prayers are with your family during this time of loss. It is evident that Mr. Eades was loved and respected by so many in the community and most importantly was a good and faithful servant of our Lord. What a time of rejoicing and celebrating his eternal reward! Love to you all.
Susan Depner Hall
Friday, February 23, 2018
I'm so sorry for your loss. I believe we are all better people for having known Mr. Eades and experienced first-hand the great example he set for us as a wise, gentle, caring, christian man. I know he will be sorely missed by all. My thoughts and prayers are with your family. May God bless and sustain you through your loss .
Loretta Mahan Burgess
Thursday, February 22, 2018
I have a lot of good memories of Mr. Eades from 6th grade. He was a great person and teacher. I always loved his smile. He was a "gentle" man. I know you will miss him but you will have a lot of great memories to sustain you. Prayers for all of you.
Loretta Mahan Burgess and family
Ruby Hudson
Thursday, February 22, 2018
I am so sorry for your loss Evelyn. You and your family will be in my prayers. Ruby Hudson, Fellow Quilter
Bill Bramlett
Wednesday, February 21, 2018
Tommy and Martha and the rest of the family. I am sorry for the loss of your loved one. If you need anything let me know.
Rev. and Mrs. Wayne Rowland
Wednesday, February 21, 2018
We grew to love Jerry, Evelyn and all the Eades family when we were pastor of Pleasant Hill GB Church. What a fine example of Christianity and love for his fellow man. We remember many happy times in worship, in fellowship, and working for the Lord! He will be greatly missed by all who have come to love him. May God place His hand of comfort on Evelyn and the family as they lay this great man to rest and sendhim on flight to His Lord!
Cyndi Berryhill
Wednesday, February 21, 2018
I'm sorry for your loss. My heart goes out to you all. I'm praying for peace and comfort for you all.
Jeff stafford
Wednesday, February 21, 2018
I’m sorry for your loss, he was a great example to look up to. I had him as a friend and my 6 grade teacher, thankful to have the memories of a great man.
Crystal (Parish) Ragland
Wednesday, February 21, 2018
Mr. Eades was my 6th grade teacher and a very nice and patient man. My favorite memories include his keeping the clock at all of the basketball games. His dependability and fairness were evident to all. I also vividly remember a year that the LA Lakers and Boston Celtics were playing each other. Mr. Eades and all of the other boys were for LA and I was for the Celtics. My parents let me stay up to watch the game, which the Celtics ultimately won. The next day I took Mr. Eades an Alka Seltzer because I was sure he was "sick" about the outcome. Of course, he chuckled but then we were back to the business of school!
I am sure that his family is so proud of his life, living out his faith for all to see. I'm thankful to have been a small part of his life.
Phyllis Tumbleson McMillen
Wednesday, February 21, 2018
I am so sorry to hear about your loss. May you and your family find peace with Gods love in the days to come. My thoughts and prayers are with you
Wendy Miers
Wednesday, February 21, 2018
My heart and soul can only imagine the celebration around the throne as Brother Jerry arrived. It's sad for a short time missing seeing such a precious servant of our Lord on this earth; but what a joyous reunion we'll celebrate when we see him again. Prayers and love sent to each of you. God bless and comfort as only He can.
Don and Jenny Witter
Tuesday, February 20, 2018
We became acquainted with this wonderful man of God on his many trips to Honduras. I (Jenny) remember every time Don would come home from a Honduras trip, he would always talk about Jerry and Evelyn Eades and what wonderful people they were. I saw pictures of Jerry playing soccer with the Faith Home kids and would hear stories about him. When I finally met this couple in person, it was easy to see why Don loved them so much. I too fell in love with this precious man and his wife. The number of lives this man touched in his lifetime will never be known on this side of heaven. But I am so thankful God allowed him to touch our lives and we are so very grateful for the impact he has had on us. He truly was one of the most dedicated Christian men I have ever known and will always have a special place in our hearts. Thank you Jerry for being such an example of what being a Christian is all about. We love you and will miss you! Evelyn we will be praying for you and the family. You are such a dear person to us and we love you very much.
Renae Williams
Tuesday, February 20, 2018
Mr. Eades will be greatly missed in our community. I am proud to have had him for a teacher.
Bread Green
Tuesday, February 20, 2018
Mr. Eades was my 6th grade teacher in 1984. I think of his good character and fine example often. He read the Bible to us every morning. You can't find that anymore. I was fortunate enough too see him last summer at my grandmother's funeral (Lynette Collums.)
Lisa (Hall) Holt
Tuesday, February 20, 2018
Mr. Eades was my teacher back in the 70's at South Side, and Robert was in our class, because of that, I think we saw not only teacher side of him but felt he was a father figure to all of us at times! RIP Mr. Eades and to his family... you all will be in my thoughts & prayers! SR.1981 SSHS
Bob and Rita Kennedy
Tuesday, February 20, 2018
Ann, Michael and Evelyn, We're sorry for your loss but rejoicing for what Jesus did in your dad and continues in you. Thanks for giving yourselves to Him. You make the way brighter for the rest of us. Our love and prayers are with you.
Scott Hinshaw
Tuesday, February 20, 2018
Mr. Eades was my teacher at Southside and was a very good teacher and showed every kid respect , if they deserved it or not . He will be sorely missed and GOD has gotten a good man there with him !
Ruth Thomason
Tuesday, February 20, 2018
So sorry to hear about Mr. Eades. Praying for all of you during this time of loss. Such a wonderful man.
Pete James
Tuesday, February 20, 2018
I met Jerry on a mission trip to Honduras. What a Godly man he was. He was always wanted to do more, never wanting someone to do more than he. He was and is an inspiration to me. Heaven received a beautiful soul and the world is a sadder place with his passing. So glad I got to met him and his family. God bless and keep you all.
Jodi Hall Damesworth
Tuesday, February 20, 2018
Mr. Eades was my 6th grade teacher he was tough on us but such a good teacher!! I have many memories of being in his class. I’m so sorry to hear of his passing. Your family will be in my prayers.
Ronald Allen
Tuesday, February 20, 2018
I went to school to Mr. Eades at Alread. I will always remember him.
Linda Newman
Tuesday, February 20, 2018
I was so sorry to hear of this loss, Mr Eades was one of the kindest gentlemen I have known. What a great loss this is, words can not express how he will be missed. My thoughts and prayers are with this family.
Linda Newman