Cletis Odell Overton

Cletis Odell Overton, age 95, of Malvern, died Monday, February 29, 2016 at his residence. He was born on April 7, 1920 to the late Rufus R. Overton and Virgie Mae Funk Overton. He was reared and received his early education in the Lono/Willow area. He joined the Civilian Conservation Corps, from which he was discharged in 1937. Cletis was a member of the Army Air Force from 1940-1945, during which time he was captured by the Japanese Army and, as a prisoner of war, took part in the Bataan Death March. He was one of over 800 US servicemen on the Japanese cargo ship Shinyo Maru, and one of only 80 who survived, when it was torpedoed by allied forces, not knowing it held American prisoners. Cletis wrote a book recording these war experiences entitled "The Lord is Our Shepherd" with authors Stephen and Melissa Brawner. After the war, he married his high school sweetheart, Maxine Cox, who preceded him in death in 2004. He later attended the University of Arkansas at Fayetteville, and earned his BA and Masters Degrees in agriculture. He retired from the United States Department of Agriculture as head of the Department of Home and Loans. Cletis had been a member of Calvary Baptist Church in Little Rock, and was currently a member of Third Baptist Church in Malvern, serving a total of 65 years as a Deacon. Cletis was well known for speaking at churches, schools, and civic clubs about his life experiences. His purpose was always to give God the honor and glory for bringing him through the perils he faced. He was a 33rd degree Mason, and after his retirement, served as secretary of the Little Rock Masonic Temple. His hobbies included gardening, golf, and fishing. He is survived by his wife of eleven years, Adrienne Delaney Gregory Overton; by his children: Charles Cletis Overton, Kay Overton, Deborah Ann Staples (Steve), and Cecilia Mae Overton ("C" Easterwood), stepchildren, Robert Gregroy, Alice Anne Ulmer (Doug), Edward and Stephanie Gregory; brother, Herman Overton (Joyce), sister, Mary Lee Mohler (Bob), grandchildren, Melanie Johannes (Stan), Diane Lafferty (B.J.), Sarah Nolasco (Chris), and Lydia Giese; three step-grandchildren, four great-grandchildren; numerous nieces and nephews; cousins, John Allan Funk, Jim Funk, A. J. Williams, Bill Williams, Marcell Heinley, Frances Peckham, Norma Lee Hunt, and Melba Garrett; brothers-in-law, Wilburn Cox, John McGee; sisters-in-law, Shirley Cox Russell, and Micki Delaney McGee. Cletis was also preceded in death by his brothers, Harold, Doland, and Bobby Overton, and a sister- and brother-in-law, Patricia Delaney Stiles and Reece Stiles. A visitation will be held on Thursday evening, March 3, 2016, from 5 until 7 p.m. at the J.A. Funk Funeral Home. The funeral will be Friday morning, March 4, 2016 at 10 a.m. in the sanctuary of Third Baptist Church with Dr. Tom Strike, Reverend LaVon Post, and Reverend Gerald Taylor officiating. Interment with full military honors by the Thaddeus Carraway VFW Post 2278 will follow at Rockport Cemetery. Pallbearers will be: Rufus Vaught, Sydney Ables, Rodney Walker, Matt Williams, and Norman Buckner. Sincere gratitude is extended to Cletis's caregivers by his family: Norman Buckner, Nathan Sanders, Natasha Sanders, Sherman Ollison, Julia Hart, Derenda Burns, and Debbie Buckner. Memorials may take the form of contributions to the charity of one's choice. Online condolences may be sent via jafunkfuneralhome.com.