Vernon Rex Lovelady

Vernon Rex Lovelady died Tuesday, August 25, 2020. He was born January 20, 1943, to V. J. and Ouida Lovelady of Guion, Ark. He graduated from Mt. Pleasant High School in 1960, then came to ASU Beebe to play basketball for Coach Marvin Speight. There he met his wife of 58 years, Carolyn Darnell Lovelady, who survives him. Vernon was the Cookie and Cracker man starting at Wortz, then to Sunshine and on to Little Debbie. Being from Guion, which is on the White River, he loved to fish with his dad who had a boat dock there. On December 1st he could be found quail hunting with his friends, Jerry Jackson and Dr. Byrne Garrett. After retirement he played golf and loved it and told all of his golfing buddies how to play! He also told his sons Rex, Jr. (a home builder) how to build houses and his son Jeff (CPA) how to do taxes – though he knew nothing about either. Surviving him is one sister, Connie Coots (Ronnie) of Batesville; sons, Rex (Stephanie) of Conway, and Jeff (Deanna) of Romance; four grandchildren, Grey Lovelady (Theresa) of Conway, Garrett Lovelady (Teal) of Conway, Charlsey Hillis (Kyle) of Greenbrier and Victoria Burlison (Justin) of Romance; two great-grandchildren, Maggie Lovelady and Henley Hillis. Vernon says to his friends, "Do not wear a suit to my funeral. Wear golf shirts, bring your clubs and go play afterwards remembering all the good lessons I gave you." In lieu of flowers, Vernon asked that memorials be made to help kids go to college; Amanda Garrett Scholarship Fund, Millan Burrow Scholarship Fund, A.S. "Bro" Irwin Scholarship Fund, c/o Beebe High School, 1201 W. Center St. Beebe, AR 72012. Visitation begins at 9 a.m. Saturday, with Memorial Service to follow at 10 a.m. Saturday, August 29, 2020, at Union Valley Baptist Church. State of Arkansas COVID-19 directives: Face coverings required at all times, maintain social distancing. Cremation arrangements by Smith-Westbrook Funeral Home. www.smithfamilycares.com