Obituaries

John R. Stipe

Photo of John R. Stipe
John R. Stipe, age 87, of Forrest City, Arkansas, died Wednesday, February 7, 2018, at the Regional One Medical Center in Memphis, Tennessee. John was born October 14, 1930, in Moorefield, Independence County, Arkansas, to R.I. and Ethel L. Martin Stipe. After first attending Arkansas College (now Lyon College) in Batesville, he went on to complete an agriculture degree at the University of Arkansas at Fayetteville. In 1954, John moved to Forrest City to work with the St. Francis County Cooperative Extension Service, and then joined Forrest City Production Credit Association where he retired as President in 1985. He then accepted the position of President and CEO of Forrest City Savings and Loan, later Forrest City Bank, where he served in that role until his retirement. John served 20 years in the Arkansas Army National Guard. He was an active member and deacon at the First Baptist Church in Forrest City, and also a member of Gideons International. He was a former member of the Board of Trustees of Ouachita Baptist University in Arkadelphia, Arkansas, and was a former member and former chairman of the Board of Trustees of East Arkansas Community College. He is survived by his wife of 59 years, Mary Ann Cato, originally of Walnut Ridge; two sons, Richard (Becca) Stipe of Wynne, and Roger (Kymber) Stipe of Little Rock; four granddaughters, Mary Elisabeth (Jacob) Richerson, Chynna Stipe, Emily Stipe, and Lily Stipe; and one great-grandson, Tyler Richerson. A memorial service will be held at 2 p.m., Friday 9th at the First Baptist Church in Forrest City, with visitation to follow in the church Fellowship Hall. The family requests that memorials be made to the First Baptist Church, 507 N. Rosser, Forrest City, Arkansas, 72335, Gideons International, P.O. Box 140800, Nashville, Tennessee, 37214, or the Scholarship Fund of the East Arkansas Community College Foundation, 1700 Newcastle Road, Forrest City, Arkansas, 72335. Stevens Funeral Home is in charge of arrangements. You may log on to stevensfuneralhome.net for the online registry.

Published February 9, 2018

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