Gerald Tilman Worthington

Gerald "Gerry" Tilman Worthington, age 71, of Nashville, Ark., went to be with his Eternal Father on Thursday, June 25, 2015, at his home in Nashville with his family by his side. His entire family had stayed beside him for the past two weeks making sure he was comfortable and reassuring him of their love. Gerry was born July 8, 1943 in Prescott, Ark., to the late John Tilman and Nancy Carolyn Gist Worthington. Gerry received a Bachelor of Science in Education from Henderson State College, and was a member of Phi Lambda Chi. He also played football for one year in 1963 for the Arkansas Razorbacks, then from 1964 to 1966 he played for the Henderson Reddies. He had coached high school football for two years in Helena, Ark., before moving back to Nashville in 1970, starting Gerry's Val-U-Mart and later U.S. Pawn. He was very active in his community and loved being a part of it. He had served on the Nashville City Council, Nashville Fire Department, Nashville Chamber of Commerce, and was a member of the Bear State Bank board. He was a longtime Little League baseball coach, and was a member of the Fraternal Order of Eagles. But most of all, Gerry's love was his God, and his family. He was preceded in death by both of his parents, his first wife and mother of his children, Rebecca Ball Worthington, one brother, Jim Worthington. He leaves behind to cherish is everlasting memory, his wife of 20 years, Terri Lea Worthington; sons, Hayden and (Amy) Worthington, Jay and ( Missy) Worthington; a stepson; Chad and (Erica) Staggs; a daughter, Mandy Worthington Connell and (David); a step-daughter, Chelsie Nolen; 10 grandchildren; and a large host of other friends and family. Services will be graveside, Monday, June 29, 2015 at 10 a.m. in St. Paul Cemetery near Ozan, Ark., with Randy Hughes and John Ross officiating. The family will receive friends at Nashville Funeral Home on Sunday afternoon from 2 to 5 p.m. You may send the family an online sympathy message to www.nashvillefh.com. The family request that in lieu of flowers, memorials be made to the Paragould Children's Center, 5515 Walcutt Rd., Paragould, AR 72450, or to the charity of your choice.