Emily LuVenia Newcomb Hurliman

Emily LuVenia Newcomb Hurliman was received into the loving arms of our Lord Jesus at the age of 91 on April 19, 2011, in Benton, Arkansas. LuVenia was born November 20, 1919, in Saline County, Arkansas, to Lee and Mary Church Newcomb. She had three brothers, Herbert, Oscar (Jack), and Delbert and one sister, Frances Tully. She was preceded in death by all of her siblings. LuVenia graduated from Star City High School and attended Arkansas A&M, now known as University of Arkansas at Monticello. She met her husband, Johnnie E. Hurliman, while she was serving as a one-room, multi-grade classroom teacher in Avilla, Arkansas. They married on April 25, 1942, and for the past 69 years, they have lived in Saline County in Avilla and Benton. Her primary vocation was a wife and mother at which she excelled. She loved her family and always offered encouragement to her family and friends of the family. When her children were teenagers, their friends often just enjoyed visiting with LuVenia. She was an excellent listener. She and Johnnie loved to travel throughout the United States and there are many happy memories of family trips over the years. LuVenia was a long time member of Zion Lutheran Church of Avilla, Arkansas, where she served in many capacities, most notably as church organist for 25 years. She was a self-taught organist, never having had formal lessons. She was a devoted wife, mother, grandmother, great-grandmother, great-great- grandmother, sister and aunt to her family, and all will miss her. She is survived by her loving husband, Johnnie E. Hurliman of Benton, Arkansas, and children Mary Ann Manning and husband Scott of Burleson, Texas, Linda Sue Taylor and husband Bob of Bauxite, Arkansas, John W. Hurliman and wife Jan of Mountain View, Arkansas, and Nancy Heikkila and husband Kevin of Russellville, Arkansas, nine grandchildren, thirteen great-grandchildren, and three great-great-grandchildren as well as by all who call her "Auntie". Funeral services will be held on Friday, April 22, 2011, at 10 a.m. at Zion Lutheran Church in Alexander, Ark. Visitation with the family will follow the service. Memorials may be made to Zion Lutheran Church, 300 Avilla East, Alexander, Arkansas 72002. The family would like to thank Saline Memorial Hospice and the staff of ElderChoices for the care they provided.