Powell Funeral -

	Staff

	D.R. (Bob) Powell Founder of Powell Funeral Homes David Robert “Bobby” Powell, Sr., well-known Bald Knob resident, died Saturday, September 30, 2006 at his home. He was 84 years of age. Mr. Powell was born January 17, 1922 in Altus, Arkansas, the son of Raymond and Floy Reid Powell. Bob was raised in Morrilton and from an early age worked with his family at the Reid Funeral Home, remaining there with the Harris family until 1960. He was a veteran of the United States Marine Corp, serving in World War II, a 33rd degree Scottish Rites mason and a member of the Albert Pike Temple in Little Rock. Mr. Powell was a member of the Central Baptist Church in Bald Knob, where he was a Deacon being ordained on December 15, 1963. Mr. Bob was respected in the community as well as the funeral industry having purchased Powell Funeral Home in 1960. He was the 2005 Citizen of the Year for Bald Knob and serves on the Board of Directors for Selected Funeral and Life Insurance Company, which he help found in the early 1960’s. He was a past member of the Lyda P Miller Library Board, Bald Knob Housing Authority, Bald Knob Industrial Development Commission and the Bald Knob Education Committee. He also previously served as a member and president of the Bald Knob Rotary Club and the Lions Club, and served on the board for the Shady Grove Cemetery and the Bald Knob Chamber of Commerce. Mr. Powell was a past president of the Arkansas Funeral Directors Association and has been Funeral Director of the year for the state of Arkansas. He served several terms and as Chairman of the Arkansas Burial Association Board. For several years, he was Secretary and Treasurer of the Arkansas Club of Burial Associations. Mr. Bob had a big heart and was always very generous with his time. Paramount for him was his family, church, community, and his chosen profession, which was his life’s calling. He always greeted everyone with a big smile and a friendly word and usually had something witty to add. He was a friend to everyone he met and counselor to many.
	David R. Powell, Jr. Owner David has been involved in funeral service his entire life. He is a licensed funeral director and embalmer and is currently serving as the White County Coroner. David has served his profession well through the years having served on many boards on the state and national levels. He has been very active in the many civic clubs and other causes serving the White County area. David and wife Cathy, who also assits at the funeral homes, reside in Searcy and are the parents of four children.
	Richard E. Smith, Jr. Searcy Operations Manager Richard was born in Claremore, Oklahoma and graduated high school in Healdton, Oklahoma. Mr. Smith is a graduate of The Dallas Institute of Mortuary Science and has been a licensed funeral director and embalmer for nearly 40 years; both in Oklahoma and Arkansas. He previously owned and operated the Smith Funeral Home in Tishomingo, Oklahoma for some 20 years. He has been with the Powell Funeral Homes since 2000. He and his wife Essie have 3 daughters; Malissa of Eureka Springs, Ar. and Katie and Genia both of Searcy. Richard and family are active members of the College Church of Christ in Searcy.
	Tyler Hyatt Bald Knob Operations Manager Tyler oversees the day to day operation of the Bald Knob facility and is a licensed funeral director/embalmer. He is a native of Woodruff County where he was a 1991 graduate of McCrory High School. In 1994, he married the former Amy Miller and moved to Bald Knob. He and Amy are the parents of three wonderful chidren; Peyton, Meredith and Camryn. Tyler has served as Chamber of Commerce President as well as numerous years on their Board of Directors, is a past Bald Knob School Board member, former secretary of the Bald Knob Rotary Club and is a member of the Shady Grove Cemetery Board. He is also very involved in the baseball and softball programs in the community. The Hyatts are members of the Central Baptist Church.
	Larry King Funeral Director/Financial Services Larry is a licensed funeral director and serves in many roles at the funeral homes. He has been involved in funeral service in the White County area for nearly ten years. A native of Cleburne County, Larry is a U.S. Marine Corp Veteran and a retired Southwestern Bell accountant. He and wife Gloria married September 1965 and reside in Searcy. They are very active members of the Valley Baptist Church where Gloria is employed as financial secretary and Larry serves as Family Ministry Deacon. He serves in many capacities in the church and teaches a Bible class as well as a personal finance class.
	David R. Powell, III Funeral Director David is a fourth generation funeral director and has been involved in funeral service his entire life. He has been active in many civic organizations through the years serving as President of the Bald Knob Chamber of Commerce and President of the Bald Knob Rotary Club. David resides in Bald Knob and has three children, Nicole, Robbie, and Ben.
	Nicole Meredith Funeral Director Nicole is a licensed funeral director and has been involved in the funeral industry for a number of years, beginning her apprenticeship at Thompson-Wilson Funeral Home in McCrory before moving to Searcy in 2001. She is a 1992 graduate of McCrory High School. She is a deputy coroner for White County. Nicole and her husband, John have two sons, Tyler and Zac. They are members of Valley Baptist Church in Searcy where she is involved in Awanas, Valley Kids, and Ladies Ministry Programs. Nicole is a member of Searcy Junior Auxiliary, White County Relay for Life and annually partipates in the Susan G. Komen Race for the Cure in Little Rock .
	Dale Bonner Funeral Director Dale is a licensed funeral director who came to the Powell staff in June, 2003, having served his apprenticeship at Dillinger Funeral Home of Newport, where he was licsensed in 2002. Dale is a native of Louisiana, and he retired from the United States Air Force on June 30, 1992. He is married to the former Penny Harding, of Livingston, California. They have two sons, Joshua and Aaron and they live in Beebe. In addition to working as a funeral director, Dale also serves as the the pastor of Cornerstone Baptist Church of Cabot.
	Ken Keedy Funeral Director Ken is a licensed funeral director and is responsible for many of the daily office duties at the Bald Knob location. He has worked in the past as an asphalt technician and is also an auctioneer. Ken is also involved in the Bald Knob Lions Club. He and wife, Cindy (Powell) Keedy reside in Bald Knob and have three children, Mark, Samantha and Jamie. They are members of the Central Baptist Church.
	Gene Martin Funeral Director Gene serves as a part-time, licensed funeral director and visitation host. He is a retired White County business man, having owned and operated several different businesses in the area. He and wife Freda reside in Searcy and are active members of the Westside Church of Christ.
	Amy Hyatt Secretary/Receptionist Amy has recently joined the Powell staff to assist in the daily operation of the Bald Knob office. She has many years experience in office management in the medical field. She is the proud mother of three chidren, Peyton, Meredith and Camryn Hyatt and is the wife of Tyler Hyatt. She enjoys anything her children are doing and has been active in the many sports activities the children are involved in. She and her family are members of the Central Baptist Church.
	Don Stanley Pre-Need/Insurance Counselor Don joined the Powell staff in 2007 as a seasoned pre-need counselor. Don has held an insurance license since 1970, and is knowledgeable in life, health and final expense/pre-need coverage. He has also served as part-time minister for several Church of Christ congregations throughout Southwest Arkansas. He and his wife Peggy have a son and daughter-in-law; Tim and Tamara and a daughter and son-in-law; Jill and Brian and 4 grandchildren.