of Clarksville, AR

March 27, 1938 - April 29, 2024

Marvin ''Levon'' Bean, 86, a resident of Clarksville passed away Monday, April 29, 2024 in Clarksville.

He was born March 27, 1938 in Clarksville to the late Marvin Luther and Realon E. (Houston) Bean. Levon was a graduate of Clarksville High School. After graduation, Levon attended the College of the Ozarks on a bass singing scholarship. Throughout his working years Levon continued his education through training with companies such as Singer and Baldor where he worked as a manufacturing engineer. Levon spent his working years as a manufacturing engineer and tool and die maker. During his time in the manufacturing industry Levon played instrumental roles in bringing manufacturing to the Clarksville area. This included helping with the relocation of Singer (most recently known as Hanes Brand) and the establishment of the local Baldor plant. He also served his industry through his membership in the Society of Manufacturing Engineers as well as the Clarksville Johnson County Chamber of Commerce. In addition to establishing other businesses in the area, Levon contributed by establishing his own business, Bean Tool, Die and Manufacturing in 1996 alongside his wife, Anna. Upon Levon's retirement in 2010 he had the privilege of passing the business on to his grandson.

As accomplished as Levon was in his career, his greatest passion was his faith in his Savior, Jesus Christ. While serving the church in many capacities such as a former Sunday School Teacher among other roles, Levon's most remembered gift is his music. God graced him with a beautiful bass voice which he used for God's glory beginning at an early age. Levon had the privilege of singing with many quartets including The Prophets, The Revelators, the King's River Boys and The Master's Quartet singing at events such as the Ozark Mountain Hoedown in Eureka Springs. In his true hometown fashion, Levon brought his music home by purchasing the Strand Theater and converting it into the Southern Flames Theater in Clarksville where they held weekly shows. The theater received its name from the Southern Flames Quartet which was formed to perform in a company talent show with a group of Levon's coworkers while he worked at Singer. The group was such a hit at the talent show that they decided Southern Flames should continue and that they did, holding the honor of representing Arkansas at the World's Fair two years running. Levon also started a Bean Trio with his grandson, Jeremy Williams and his cousin, Bob Bean. Most recently Levon used his music in service to the Lord by helping with music ministries in several churches including his home churches, East Mount Zion Trinity Baptist Church and the Pottsville United Methodist Church.

Levon's family will remember his love for each of them shown through his teaching, example and memories he shared such as taking his grandchildren and other family across much of the country for spring break trips or riding around in his 1978 Jeep CJ7.

In addition to his parents, Levon was preceded in death by his first wife, Anna E. Bean; two sisters, Wanda Mooney and Anna Skyles and a brother, Danny Joe Bean.

Survivors include his wife, Judith Bean of Clarksville; a daughter, Cindy Wewers and husband, Ed of Clarksville; three grandchildren, Jeremy Williams and wife, Jennifer of Watkinsville, Georgia, Brad Williams and wife, Chelsey of Clarksville and Erin Elsken of Van Buren; seven great grandchildren, Kassity and Katherine Elsken both of Van Buren, Emmalyn Williams and Brecken Williams both of Watkinsville, Georgia and Brynnley Champion and Layton and Walker Williams all of Clarksville; a great great grandson, Waylon Elsken of Van Buren; two stepsons, Brent Gustafson and wife, Diane of Palm Coast, Florida and Bart Gustafson and wife, Pollyanna of Leesburg, Florida; three brothers, William Bean of Clarksville, Jim Bean of Paris and Cecil Bean of Clarksville and two sisters, Joy Stevens of Fort Smith and Nancy Welborn and husband, Bob of Paron.

Visitation will be from 3:00 p.m. until 5:00 p.m. Sunday, May 5, 2024 at Roller-Cox Funeral Home in Clarksville.

The funeral service will be held at 10:00 a.m. Monday, May 6, 2024 at East Mount Zion Trinity Baptist Church, north of Clarksville, with Rev. Robbie Jackson officiating. Burial will follow in Stillwell Cemetery in Clarksville under the direction of Roller-Cox Funeral Home in Clarksville.

Pallbearers will be Jack Smith, Tim Smith, Kevin Freeman, Randy Mooney, Bobby Mooney, Steve Bean and E.J. Sexton. Levon's brothers will serve as honorary pallbearers.

Obituary Provided By:
Roller-Cox Funeral Home
Rogers & Poplar Streets
Clarksville, AR  72830
www.rollerfuneralhomes.com