Orby Gene Gregory

Rev. Orby Gene Gregory, 77, of Monticello, Ark. passed away Saturday, December 7, 2019 at Baptist Medical Center in Little Rock, Ark. Gene was born January 4, 1942 to the late Robert and Elouise Miller Gregory. He was a graduate of Monticello High School and Monticello A&M College, now University of Arkansas at Monticello. He earned his Master's Degree in Education at the University of Arkansas at Fayetteville. Bro. Gene also attended Southwestern Baptist Theological Seminary in Ft. Worth, Texas. He began his teaching and coaching career at Hermitage High School in 1964. He later moved to Fountain Hill Public schools where he served as coach and principle, eventually becoming the Superintendent of Education. In 1982 he became Superintendent of Education at Arkansas City Public Schools. Gene has served as Executive Director of C.B. King Memorial School for the last fifteen years helping grow the school for developmentally delayed to be one of the largest employers in the area. Bro. Gene was ordained to preach at an early age and has faithfully served as pastor of Halley Baptist Church for 36 years. While in public education, he was actively involved in advocating for rural schools on the state level in Arkansas. He was a 32nd degree mason, an active member of the Order of Eastern Star Eureka Chapter # 374 in Monticello, Ark. dual with Margaret Chapter # 151 in Hamburg, Ark. Survivors include his wife of fifty three years, Sherry Jaggers Gregory; daughters, Kimberli (Shane) Kern of Rogers, Ark., Wendi (Neil) Martin of Monticello, Ark. and Shelli (Heath) Bryant of Springdale, Ark.; sisters, Kay Stanley of Dallas, Texas and Shirley Gregory of Yellville, Ark.; an aunt, Willie Mae Hobbs of Monticello, Ark.; grandchildren, Kaitlin (Nick) Graham, Miguel Taylor, Sarah Ashley (Marcus) Rutherford, Kory Kern, Gregory Bryant, Jordan Martin, Jaci Martin, Elizabeth Bryant and Greyson Bryant; numerous nieces and nephews; his best friend for 65 years, Joe Spencer. Visitation will be 5-7 p.m. Tuesday, December 10, 2019 at Griffin-Culpepper Funeral Service in McGehee, Ark. Funeral Services will be held at 2 p.m. Wednesday, December 11, 2019 at Halley Baptist Church with Dr. James Heflin, Rev. Fred Gay and Rev. John Compton officiating. Burial will follow at Flat Creek Cemetery at Fountain Hill, Ark. Memorials may be made to Halley Baptist Church, P.O. Box 105, Dermott, Ark. 71638. Arrangements by Griffin-Culpepper Funeral Service of McGehee, Ark. Online guest book may be signed at www.griffinculpepper.com.