Noland H. (Sonny) Hagood

Noland H. (Sonny) Hagood, age 85, of Hot Springs Village, formerly of Strong, passed from this life to life eternal in the presence of his Heavenly Father on September 9, 2015. Born in Crossett on June 30, 1930, to W. H. (Dock) Hagood and Lillian Brantley Hagood, he grew up in West Crossett. While an only child by birth, his parents opened their home to four orphaned cousins while he was still a toddler, who quickly became three beloved sisters and a brother. He learned his business and work ethics from his father who operated Hagood's Grocery in West Crossett for almost 40 years. A proud graduate of Crossett High School in 1948 and the University of Arkansas in 1952, he later served his country in the United States Air Force for three years. Upon his return home he worked as an accountant in his brother-in-law's Ford dealerships. More importantly he met a beautiful young lady who worked at the Ashley County Courthouse named Betty Carolyn Smith. She soon became the love of his life and later his bride. In 1958 he moved to Strong and became the owner of what would become Hagood Ford Company which he owned and operated until his retirement in 2004. He loved being a salesman and dealing with people. He never met a stranger and had a unique ability to establish a family connection with almost everyone he met. He was a salesman to the end. Whether it was quail hunting in his earlier years of taking up golf at age 60, he was enthusiastic in everything he did. He was also a longtime member of the Board of Directors for Citizens Bank of Strong and later Regions Bank. He was preceded in death by his parents along with a sister and brother he adored, Maxine Murphy and Bobby James. He was most proud, however, of his family. He loved the Lord and left a lasting example of right and wrong to those he loved. Left behind to celebrate his life are his wife of 56 years, Betty, of Hot Springs Village, son Dr. Noland Hagood Jr. and wife Terry of Arkadelphia, daughter Theresa Hagood Chambliss and husband Lewis of Mayflower. He was "Papa" to five grandsons who were his pride and joy: Bentley Neikirk (Summer) of Conway, Daniel Hagood of Davie, Florida, Joshua Hagood of Fayetteville, Bradley Chambliss of Fayetteville, Madison Chambliss of Conway, and one great-granddaughter, Sunni London Neikirk of Conway. Also two sisters, Earnestine (Teeny) Wentz of Pine Bluff and Jean Crowther of California, lifelong best friend, James E. Aiken and wife Ella of Dallas, Texas and numerous nieces and nephews who are better people for having known him. Funeral services will be held at 2 p.m., Saturday, September 12, 2015 at Jones Funeral Home Chapel with Bro. Phillip Smith and Bro. Ben Wasson officiating. Interment will follow at Pinewood Memorial Park under the direction of Jones Funeral Home of Crossett, Ark. (www.jonesservice.com). Visitation will be held from 1 p.m. until 2 p.m. on Saturday prior to service. Pallbearers are his grandsons and Larry Smith. Memorials may be made to Balboa Baptist Church Building Fund, 415 Ponce De Leon Drive, Hot Springs Village, Ark. 71909, Arkansas Baptist Children Home, 10 Remington Drive, Little Rock, Ark. 72204 or Second Baptist Church Building Fund, 815 S. 12th Street, Arkadelphia, Ark. 71923.