Byron Luster McSpadden

Byron Luster McSpadden, 94, was born September 6, 1917, at Bethesda, Arkansas. His parents were George W. McSpadden and Hattie Love McSpadden. He died December 23, 2011, at a nursing home in Batesville. Byron attended public school at Bethesda, Arkansas. During his young adult life he worked on the railroad and was a farmer and woodsman. After hearing the call to preach the Gospel and affirming it, he studied at Arkansas College (now Lyon College) and graduated from Hendrix College. He was ordained an elder in the Methodist Church. Bryon served as pastor to many churches throughout the North Arkansas Conference of the United Methodist Church including: Elmo and Oil Trough, Charlotte Circuit, Greenbrier, Ola, Mountain Home Parish, Truman, Corning, Jacksonville, Marked Tree, Forrest City, North Little Rock Gardner, Heber Springs, Moorefield and Cushman. After he retired, he and his wife Irene Brightwell McSpadden lived in Batesville in a house he had built (one of several he constructed over the year). In 2001 they celebrated their 65th wedding anniversary. In addition to serving as a pastor, Byron's great love was vegetable gardening. He also enjoyed woodworking. Byron loved serving his Lord and rests now in His presence. Byron was predeceased by his parents, his wife Irene, his brothers and sisters. He is survived by Larry McSpadden and his wife Ginny; Lynn McSpadden and his wife Mary Catherine, all of Mountain View; one grandson, Brad McSpadden; two step-grandchildren; four great-grandchildren; three step-great-grandchildren; two sisters-in-law, brother-in-law. Graveside service was Tuesday, December 27, 2011 at 3 p.m. Arrangements by Qualls Batesville Funeral Service of Batesville. Memorial services will be Monday, January 2, 2012 at 10 a.m. at the Central Avenue United Methodist Church with pastor Reverend Paul Seay officiating, assisted by Reverend Ed Matthews and Reverend Steve Wingo. The family will receive friends after the service at the Church. The family requests no flowers and that memorial donations be made instead to Methodist Family Health System, 1600 Aldersgate Rd., #200, Little Rock, Ark. 72205; Mount Eagle Christian Center, 935 Beal Rd., Clinton, Ark. 72031.