Edward Howell Cherry

Mr. Edward Howell Cherry, of Jonesboro, departed this life Friday, May 9, 2014, at his home, at the age of 91. He was born March 13, 1923 in Bay, Ark., the son of the late Edward Oliver Cherry and Vera Inez Howell Cherry. Following graduation from Jonesboro High School, he attended Hendrix University and later graduated from University of Arkansas, Fayetteville. He then graduated from the Banking School of the South at LSU and the Commercial Lending School from the University of Oklahoma. He began his banking career with Merchantile Bank on Jan. 1, 1953 and served in many capacities until the option to purchase the old Bank of Nettleton in March of 1972. He was the chairman, CEO, CFO of Bank of Northeast Arkansas (formerly Bank of Nettleton) from 1972 thru 1985 and also served as President of same. He was a former V.P. of Merchantile Bank in charge of commercial lending and retired from banking in 1991 when Merchantile Bank was sold to Union Planters. He was the former CFO of Spirit Manufacturing Co. and former V.P. of Mortgage lending for Liberty Bank of Arkansas. He was a self-employed farmer and also manager of Bay Gin for many years. He served eight years on the Board and Executive Committee of Southern Ginners Association and also served on Trustees of Insurance Committee of Southern Ginners and eight years as Treasurer. He was a member of the First United Methodist Church in Jonesboro since 1948, having served as its Board Chairman and Chair of the Finance Committee. He is a past president of the Jonesboro Chamber of Commerce, a former chairman and board member of the Methodist Hospital of Jonesboro for eight years, member of the board of Methodist Health Systems of Memphis for six years, served on the Arkansas State Bank Commission for a period of 10 years and served as its Chairman for two years. He was a veteran having served in the U.S. Army. He married Jane Buchanan in 1941 and they enjoyed 73 years together. In addition to his wife, he is survived by three children, Sharon Cissell (Mickey) of Hot Springs, Ark., Robert Edward Cherry of Jonesboro and Kathryn Jane Cherry of Memphis, Tenn.; six grandchildren, Lee Ann Dickens (Richard), Michael Cissell Jr. (Jamie), Lee Kathryn Hall, Jane Cherry Lackey, Gregory Meritt Lackey Jr., and Robert Cherry Jr.; and six great-grandchildren, Annie Winifred Dickens, Josh Cissell, Levi Cissell, Jack Henry Frisby, Ava Cherry, and Addison Cherry, as well as his beloved Black Lab, Rose Sue Cherry. A memorial Service will be held 11 a.m. Tuesday, May 13, 2014, at the First United Methodist Church in Jonesboro with Rev. John Miles officiating. Honorary pallbearers will be Paul Hanshaw, George Puryear, Dr. Mike Tedder, Dr. Ladd Scriber, Jim Fulkerson, Dr. Grover Poole, Wallace Fowler, Joe McAlister and his fellow card players at the Jonesboro Country Club. Those wishing to send memorials are asked to consider the First United Methodist Church in Jonesboro or charity of your choice. Gregg-Langford Bookout Funeral Home of Jonesboro is entrusted with full arrangements. Personal condolences may be made to the Cherry family at www.mcnabbfuneralhomes.com.