of Hughes, AR

March 25, 1934 - October 7, 2023

Bert Claud Pouncey, III died in his home at Simsboro, AR on Saturday, October 7, 2023 at the age of 89. He was born in Memphis, TN on March 25, 1934 to parents, Bert C Pouncey, Jr and Dorothy Holmes Pouncey. He was preceded in death by his parents and his wife of 68 years, Eva Jo Dillahunty Pouncey.

Bert's first home was in Milan, TN where his father owned a movie theatre. They then moved to Simsboro, AR, then to Chatfield after the flood of 1937. In the late 40's they moved into the family home built by his grandfather at Simsboro. Bert was an Eagle Scout like his father. He graduated from Hughes High School in 1952, where he had met and dated the love of his life since ninth grade, Eva Jo Dillahunty. After a short stint at college in Mississippi, he joined the United States Coast Guard and graduated first in his class from Engineman's School. After a year of not seeing or talking to his sweetheart, Eva, he showed up on her doorstep one day and asked her to marry him. They married on July 28, 1954. They lived in several different places during his service years, then settled in Hughes, AR after an Honorable Discharge from the Coast Guard before moving to West Memphis. He worked with his father at Anoka Boat & Towing Company, a towing and salvage business on the Mississippi River in Memphis. He started a diving division of the company as he was an excellent scuba diver. He did many dangerous jobs that others wouldn't accept. There wasn't any job he couldn't figure out or task he couldn't complete successfully. While living in West Memphis, the family attended first United Methodist Church where Bert taught teenage Sunday School classes for several years, occasionally ruffling a few feathers because of his straightforward approach. He also worked for Waterways Marine in Memphis for a while as a top notch towboat captain. In the 60's he worked for Helena Marine Service where he and his partner, Bob Wynne, operated the HMS Goodwill entertaining dignitaries on the Arkansas River to promote the river's potential and the company's services. While there he learned to fly and became an avid and expert pilot. He once flew his aerobatic plane underneath a bridge. After Bert's father's passing in 1971, he moved his wife and four children into the family home at Simsboro and began farming with his brother, Bob. After a few years he farmed with his wife and sons exclusively until he retired and two of his sons took over the farm.

He loved motorcycles and rode a Harley from his teens up into his eighties. He once rode from San Diego to Hughes in a couple of days, spending a night in a jail cell in Hobbs, New Mexico to sleep. The Sherriff woke him up the next morning and took him to breakfast. Having river water in his veins, he owned several boats including a sailboat named "Eagle's Nest" he once sailed from the Gulf of Mexico up the river to Memphis. Being an expert sailor, he could navigate by the stars and a compass. His favorite boat was his last, a houseboat named "Lotta Light" on which he and Eva enjoyed many wonderful trips together. The family also enjoyed many canoe trips as well as motor home vacations.

Bert didn't mince any words and being very independent, he definitely did things his way, which was almost always the right way. He exemplified hard work, truth, honesty and respect. His word was his bond and he was filled with integrity. He believed in God and country. His idea of faith was based on The Ten Commandments. He liked to call them "The Big Ten". In short, he was a unique, awesome human being.

Bert is survived by his brother, Lee Robert Pouncey (Dianne) and his four children, Bert Claud Pouncey, IV (Pam), Hugh Dillahunty Pouncey (Carolyn), Laura Lee Pouncey and Robert Holmes Pouncey (Michelle) all of Simsboro or very nearby. He also leaves eight grandchildren, several great grandchildren and nieces and nephews.

Visitation will be held at Roller-Citizens Funeral Home Chapel on Friday, October 13 from 10:00 to 11:00 AM with a memorial service to follow in the Chapel at 11:00 AM. In lieu of flowers, the family requests donations to be made to The West Memphis Animal Shelter, Tunica Humane Society or any other charitable organization.

Obituary Provided By:
Roller-Citizens Funeral Home
201 North Pine Street
West Memphis, AR  72303
www.rollerfuneralhomes.com