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.
I love you papaw and I miss you love your granddaughter. Thank you for being the best best papaw I love you so much.
This is a very sad time. I enjoyed working with Levon and also singing with Southern Flames. He will be missed! Praying for you family.
On his Birthday I told him to count the memories not the miles! This is hard because Levon was one of my Best friends! He was a real man of God! He loved to witness to others! He had a million dollar Smile he gave away often! I being so selfish! I will miss him with all my heart! This world will never be the same. He is finally at the place he been singing about! I will see you again my dear friend!
Judy and family I just wanted to say I'm so sorry for y'all's loss May the Lord wrap hisi loving arms around this loving family during this time of sorrow Uncle Kevin thank you for all the memories I love and miss uou
Cindy so sorry for the loss of your dad he was very kind and gentle man , we can still remember him singing at our wedding 40 yrs ago. May the Lord be with you and your family give you strength in this time, but knowing he is with your mom in heaven is a blessing. Prayers for everyone
Brad, Mandy and I are so sorry for your loss! From your memories and this obituary, it seems your grandfather was an amazing person and example to all! Keep your memories close and share them often! We love you! Sending lots of hugs and prayers. Marty and Mandy Hooker
Cindy I am so sorry about your dad. Sorry I can't be there for the service. Your family is in my prayers. He was a wonderful person.
I can only imagine how beautiful the songs in heaven are with you up there, may your family find peace and comfort knowing one day it will be a joyous reunion when they are reunited with you! I am so sorry for your loss.
My deepest condolences. He will certainly be missed by a lot of people.
My Condolences to his family, my prayers are with you. It was such an honor to have known him and worked with him as a supplier of machine parts. His soft spoken manner, vast knowledge and skills always impressed me. The way he lived with his faith in God will live on with his wonderful family. I will miss you my friend.
Uncle Levon, you have always been a kind & gentle soul. I was so glad that I got to share music with you online. My last message from you was in March of this year, you told me you loved me. That meant everything to me. I love you and will miss you. My heart goes out to Cindy, Judith and the family.
Levon you are so gonna be missed. One of a kind . Such a beautiful voice. I p ray for your family . R.I.P.
I have known Levon for many years. Operated sound system for Souther Flames quartet. Started working with him in 2008 at Bean Tool and Die. He taught me basically everything I know about being a machinist. As his cousin and friend I will sincerely miss being able to talk to him when he visited me at the shop. God speed my friend till we meet again.
You were the best man I ever worked for and you taught me so very much. Lord knows how I will miss you. God grant your family his peace , as I know you are at peace. Till we meet again.
Dear Cindy and family. So sorry for your loss. Levein was a wonderful man. I worked with him at Baldor for many years. I love to hear him sing. He loved you Cindy and his family. God bless each of you and give you calm and peace during this sad time. Praying for you and your family.
I am so sorry. He was a sweet and wonderful man who was blessed with a beautiful voice which he always used to the glory of God. Prayers for comfort and peace for the family who loved him dearly.
I’m so thankful that I knew him and actually got to see him a few years ago when he visited his grandson in Watkinsville, Ga.
Pam and I loved Levon. He is the picture of a man of God. He loved God and loved people. A tremendous example of a kind man. We are grieved at his passing but rejoice that he is with his Savior and family. See you soon, Levon.
Oh how my heart breaks for all that loved Levon. He and his family are very dear to our family. Cindy, love you and we are here for you.
Levon, I will miss you. It was great to see you in December. Thank you so much for your hospitality, open arms and love. You will always be in my thoughts and heart !
Praying for all of the family, Lavon was a very good man, met him at Balloons and things with Anna they were 2 of the best ppl ...
I'll never forget the time you were singing "How Great Thou Art". You stood up and tears were streaming down your face. Now you are seeing YOUR SAVIOR face to face and able to sing that to him. Oh how you will be missed. AND I will NEVER forget how YOU GAVE to mom and dad for the past three years with your time once a month on Thursdays!
I have been so blessed by knowing you! You were truly a "Man of God" while you lived on earth.
My friend, I WILL SEE YOU AGAIN! FOR THIS I AM GRATEFUL! AND Yes, How Great HE is!
Linda Cannon
Loved coming to visit and hear your stories about our family. You were a kind, gentle person. My family will miss you dearly Uncle Levon.
To the Bean Family, My late husband Sammy and myself moved to Clarksville in 2004. Levon and Ann were so kind and friendly to us. They introduced
Us to Jeep riding in the mountains. This sudden loss is difficult to accept, Lavon is in Heaven. In His Love Ann Freeland
Condolences to his family, my prayers are with you
Condolences to his family, my prayers are with you
I am so very sorry for the loss of this humble servant of God.
Connie
MS Manufacturing & Services
Calibration Specialist
My good friend and singing teacher from my teens. Knowing you made me a better person. You are a friend gone too soon. I will miss your smile, your laughter, and honest bass singing. God has welcomed a true soldier of the cross home. Your passing makes the heart heavy but God's promise assures me that we will meet again. May God bless your family with His peace. Till we meet again.....
My sincere condolences and prayers to the whole family and his many many friends. Levon was a special part of our family when we lived in Rockford, IL. The good Lord blessed him with a caring heart and a wonderful singing voice. Rest In Paradise Levon.
My sincere condolences and prayers to the whole family and his many many friends. Levon was a special part of our family when we lived in Rockford, IL. The good Lord blessed him with a caring heart and a wonderful singing voice. Rest In Paradise Levon.
So sorry to hear this. He was such a sweet man enjoyed the time i worked with him . My thoughts and prayers go out to the family...