Frank Bently Manatt Sr.

Frank Bently Manatt Sr., 85, of Corning, Arkansas, passed away Monday, April 22. "F.B." was born August 4, 1933, in Blytheville, Arkansas. He was preceded in death by his parents, Sam Logan Manatt, Sr., and Nettie Klein Elliott Manatt, and by his brother, Sam Logan Manatt Jr. F.B. is survived by his wife of 62 years, Patricia Lee Simpson Manatt, the love of his life. The couple first met in grade school and found each other again as students at the University of Arkansas. They were blessed with three children, Frank Bently Manatt, Jr. (Courtney) of Brinkley; Christina Klein Manatt Wise (Roger) of Corning, and Nicholas Anthony Manatt of Corning. F.B. was a graduate of the University of Arkansas, where he was a member of Sigma Alpha Epsilon fraternity. He later served as first lieutenant in the U.S. Army before settling to raise his family in Corning, where he lived and worked for more than 60 years. F.B. proudly served his community and state in various roles throughout his career. He served two terms representing Clay and Randolph counties in the Arkansas House of Representatives, running unopposed his second term. He was appointed the first chairman of the Arkansas Housing Development Agency (now Arkansas Development Finance Authority) in 1977. F.B. also served past terms on the Arkansas Bank Board and the Arkansas Savings and Loan Board. He was elected to the Corning School Board, and served multiple terms on the Corning City Council. A devoted husband, father and grandfather, family always remained the central focus of F.B.'s life. In addition to his wife and children, he is survived by one brother, Scott Manatt (Sharon) of Pocahontas; grandchildren, Amanda Lee Manatt Story (Bentley) of Little Rock; Nikki Lee Wise Whiteside (Sam) of Bentonville; Frank Bently Manatt III of Fayetteville; Christy Kaye Manatt of Jenson, Florida, and Kaytie Linn Manatt of Corning; great-grandchildren, Kabel Anthony Manatt, Vivienne Mae Whiteside, Virginia Lee Story, Samuel Cole Whiteside, Jr., Bentley Elliott Story, and Kaylinn Elisabeth Kienbaum. F.B. was a longtime, devoted member of the First Baptist Church of Corning. In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made to a charity of your choice. A graveside service will be held Thursday, April 25, at 1 p.m. at Corning Cemetery under the direction of Ermert Funeral Home in Corning. Online condolences: www.ermertfuneralhome.com.