Richard Harvey Boothe

Richard Harvey Boothe, of Hazen, departed this life on November 19, 2012 at the age of 77. He was born to Minor Forest "Yank" and Roxie (Box) Boothe on January 1, 1935. Richard was a life-long resident of Hazen, growing up in his family's plant and nursery business. After attending Hazen High School, Richard attended Bible College in discernment of a pastoral vocation, and later spent a brief but memorable period in Moline, Illinois. Returning to Arkansas, Richard reunited with several old friends, and through a providential series of events, met who would later prove to be the love of his life at an Easter Party in Biscoe, Arkansas. After a brief courtship of three and a half weeks, Richard married Patsy Faye Stevenson on April 24, 1956. The happy young couple was soon blessed with two daughters, Diane in 1957 and Judy in 1959. Richard was the quintessential hard worker and loyal employee, working for the Arkansas Highway Department, Lion Oil Company, and Hazen Motor Company, before retiring from Remington Arms Company in Lonoke. Richard was a devout Christian and member of Calvary Baptist Church. He was a faithful husband and loving father and grandfather. Having inherited keen insights into and a passion for horticulture, Richard would raise a garden every year and bless all who knew him with its produce. Richard loved classic comedy such as Red Skelton and Amos and Andy, and greatly enjoyed spending time with his great-grandchildren. Richard was preceded in death by four brothers, Edward, Forest, John, and George Boothe, and two sisters, Catherine Wheatley and Nell Reid. He is survived by his wife of 56 years, Patsy Boothe, and two daughters, Diane Huntley of Leslie, Arkansas and Judy Boothe Foot of Tollville, Arkansas; one brother, Wallace Boothe of Searcy; one sister, Marguerite Greenwalt of Hazen; five grandchildren, David Horton of Birmingham, Alabama, Courtney Foot of Nashville, Tennessee, Phillip Hambrick of Judsonia, Arkansas, Joanna Foot of Little Rock, Arkansas and Will Hambrick of Des Arc, Arkansas, and seven great-grandchildren, Beckett and Bauer Horton, Genevieve and Analiese Hambrick, and Laney, Rylee, and Owen Hambrick (expected.) Visitation will be from 4 to 6 p.m., Sunday, November 25, 2012 at Westbrook Funeral Home in Hazen. Funeral services will be held 2 p.m., Monday November 26, 2012 at Calvary Baptist Church in Hazen. Interment will be in the Hazen Cemetery. The family requests memorials be made to the Hazen Cemetery. Online obituary at www.westbrookfuneralhomehazen.com.