Lester M Kersey

LESTER MILTON KERSEY, 89, of Sherwood, a retired farmer and railroad carman, died Sunday, July 11, 2010. Mr. Kersey was born Aug. 14, 1920, at Bauxite to Lucious M. and Dolly Henry Kersey. He married Lyda Belle May of Fox (Stone County) on May 14, 1941. They raised six children first at Fox and then at Sherwood, where they moved permanently in 1965. Mr. Kersey joined the U.S. Army in 1937, but was injured during training and discharged. He farmed in Stone County and did farm labor, sometimes with the entire family, in Arkansas, Texas, Kansas, Iowa, Illinois and Michigan, before going to work full-time for Missouri Pacific RR in North Little Rock. He was preceded in death by his wife on Feb. 19, 2009, and by his parents; his sisters Ruby Kersey, Irma May and Lois Hart; his brother Chalmer Kersey and half-brother Henry Harvey. Survivors include his daughters and sons and their spouses, Elaine and Ernest Dumas of Little Rock, John and Sandra Kersey of Cabot, Jane and Larry Welch of North Little Rock, Joe and Jean Kersey of Sherwood, James and Margaret Kersey of Little Rock, and Jeffrey Kersey of Sherwood; two half-sisters, Marguerite Shaw of Sherwood and Wilma McCall of Little Rock; a half-brother, Harry Harvey of North Little Rock; eight grandchildren; and seven great-grandchildren, in addition to several nieces and nephews. The family wants to thank the VA health-care team for their exceptional care during his last two years, and Arkansas Hospice for their care of him during his final days. The family extends particular gratitude to Helen Hampton and Ann Blaylock for their unfailing support and love. Funeral service will be held at 11 a.m. on Tuesday, July 13, 2010, at the Roller-Owens Funeral Home Chapel, 5509 JFK Blvd., North Little Rock, Ark. (501-791-7400) . Interment at Fox Cemetery. Fox, Ark. Visitation will be held at Roller-Owens Funeral Home from 6 p.m. to 8 p.m.. on Monday, July 12, 2010. The family suggests that memorials may be made to Arkansas Hospice, 5600 West 12th Street, Little Rock, Ark. 72204, or the charity of your choice. Online guestbook at www.rollerfuneralhomes.com/owens.