Mack Glennon Sides

Mack Glennon Sides was called by his savior, Jesus Christ, to reside in Heaven on the morning of March 6, 2021. He passed away from heart complications at age of 81. Mack Sides is survived by his wife of 50 years, Kathleen Yates Sides. He is also survived by his only child, daughter, Diana D. Smithson, and one loving grandson Eric S. Smithson. Mack is also survived by sisters, Edna McNeil and Geneva Patton, nephews Alan Broadway, Kenneth Broadway, Lynn Witham, nieces Theresa Leslie, Shirley Paige, Belinda Conklin, Lisa Thorton, and Vicki Witham. A host of many great- nephews and nieces from both the Sides and Yates family. The Yates family was very dear to Mack Sides and he enjoyed the years of fellowship with all the Yates family members. He is preceded in death by his parents, William and Nettie Sides, brothers Freddy and Bobby Sides, all of Benton, Ark. Born in 1939 in Houston, Ark., Mack was raised in the rural countryside of Perry County. During this time of his youth, the family also moved to Helena, Ark. Times were challenging for the family and Mack learned to work hard to provide for his family in any way possible. At around age nine, the family settled in Benton, Ark., on Shady Lane. The family land was mowed by Mack Sides for many years and he enjoyed keeping the homestead looking good. Mack attended Bauxite school. Mack was employed many years at Holicer Jones Sawmill and suffered a major work injury in 1973. He suffered severe burns to his entire body and after recovery, he would maintain a natural tan for the rest of his entire life. The injury didn't deter his work ethic and he returned to sawmill life to provide a good home life for his wife, Kathleen, and daughter, Diana. Mack knew how to work with his hands and he used those skills to join the Arkansas Highway Department in 1975. He worked many years side by side with father-in-law, Gilbert "Rowdy" Yates. Mack become an experienced heavy equipment operator and retired after a 30 year career with AHTD. He made many dear friends during this time, especially with Joe Bagley, Ferrel McNeil, and Nick Nichols. Mack enjoyed retirement days by fishing, mowing, watching westerns and CSpan, and discussing politics. Many of you in Benton know him as the small framed man that carried the tall walking stick. He really liked to walk shirtless to keep his tan going but law enforcement asked him to kindly wear a shirt. If you know Mackie well, you know how he felt about this issue. Often times, folks would stop and offer to give him a ride… that made him mad too! He would say, "No, I don't want no ride, I'm walking to keep my health, mind your own business". He loved to pick pecans from courthouse square and fill up the pockets of his cargo shorts. Conversation at the coffee shop was always interesting with Mack Sides at the table. Mack passed the work passion for heavy equipment operation to his loving grandson, Eric S. Smithson. The 35 years spent with Eric were some of Mack's best times and memories. The two of them also argued a lot, mainly over politics, but, it was always good banter for both of them. The love of bulldozers and moving dirt was shared by both of them! Eric loved his PaPa dearly and that bond will never break! Mack was a Baptist by faith and attended his neighborhood church on Hicks Road, Benton, Ark., as a youngster. Mack, Kathleen, and Diana also lived on Hick Road for several years. There is family story that Mack got mad once and made a plate of food for dinner and ate it while sitting in his car at the cemetery. If you were around him much, two words that start with letter P would also ignite his tongue: politics and preachers! If you took the bait of conversation with him about either of these subjects, you still remember it today! He would continue to talk until he felt he had "won" the conversation. Mack was quiet for the last few years of life due to dementia and heart and heart issues. He enjoyed visits from family members at his home, watching lots of Clint Eastwood and John Wayne, walking his dog Abraham, and sitting under his large magnolia tree. With God's mercy, Mack passed peacefully into Heaven, and the family is truly blessed that he went to heaven in his own home with his wife by his side. A private family memorial service will be held March 9. 2021 at the home of Mack and Kathleen Sides, Benton, Ark. Thanks to Ashby Funeral home for assisting with Mack's request for cremation. In lieu of flowers, please send a memorial donation to either charity listed below: Women & Children First, P.O. Box 1954, Little Rock, Ark., 72203. Ronald McDonald House, 1501 W 10th, Little Rock, Ark., 72202. Both of these nonprofits are special to daughter Diana Smithson and Mack was proud of her work in the community to help others that needed a hand "up". If you asked him for help, he helped you, always! Whether you knew him as husband, father, PawPaw, Uncle Mackie, or just as a friend……he made a lasting impression and he will be missed! I know him as Daddy. I love you, Daddy and I will see you again! I will take care of Mom and Abraham for you! – authored by Diana Smithson.