Joe B. Havens

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Visitation Schedule
Roller McNutt Funeral Home
650 Central Landing Blvd.
Conway, AR  72032
Thursday, May 3, 2018
6:00PM to 8:00PM
Service Schedule
Funeral Service
Pleasant Valley Baptist Church
Wooster, AR  
Friday, May 4, 2018
11:00AM
Cemetery
Pleasant Valley Cemetery
Wooster, AR  
I served in the Navy.
Joe B. HavensI am a Veteran.

of Greenbrier, AR

November 2, 1931 - April 27, 2018

Joe B. Havens, 86, of Greenbrier, AR, went to be with the Lord Friday, April 27, 2018. He was born November 2, 1931 in Wooster, AR to the late William and Verna Havens. Joe was preceded in death by his wife, Grace Marie Havens, his parents and many siblings.

Joe B. Havens served in the United States Navy from 1949 to 1970 as a Senior Chief Hospital Corpsman.
His service included tours of duty on board United States ships Kermit Roosevelt (ARG-16); Franklin D. Roosevelt (CVA-42); Estes (AGC-12) and Cleveland (LPD-7) as a member of the nucleus crew, the first Marine Division (Korea); the National Naval Medical Center, various naval air stations, naval hospitals and with a Navy-Marine Corps Reserve Training Center. He also served two tours in Vietnam, 1964 to 1968. His military decorations include The Bronze Star Medal with Combat V for service with the Marines during the Korean War; Purple Heart, and Navy Achievement Medal with Combat V Combat Action Ribbon. He received a Letter of Commendation in January, 1997 from the Chief of Navy Personnel for recruiting assistance.

Havens served with two for-profit nursing home chains, Americana and Medicenters of America, part-time night administrator at St. Jude Children's Research Hospital in Memphis; Administrator of the Pathology Department at the University of Tennessee Medical College and served from 1976 to 1995 in the marketing, development and management of The Trezevant Episcopal Home, an upscale retirement Community in Memphis. He served as its President until January 2, 1995. Subsequently, he served as a community consultant to Lifeblood. MidSouth Regional Blood Center and as Vice President, Management Development, ServiceMaster Diversified Health Services. He served as the Executive Director of the progressive Little Rock Health Care and Rehabilitation Center. Subsequent to reengineering this facility, he was selected to administer for Centennial Healthcare Corporation, the prestigious Chenal Rehabilitation and Health Care Sub-Acute facility in West Little Rock where he serves as Administration.

Havens is a community-spirited individual. He has served as Chairman of the Board, Memphis Heart Association; Board of Directors, The Arthritis Foundation; Memphis/ Millington Community Mental Health Association. The Liberty Bowl Reception Committee; Memphis Botanic Garden Foundation Board, and appointed Commissioner for The Memphis City Beautiful Commission. He currently serves on the Board of Directors, American Heart Association, Little Rock affiliate. Selected to Chamber Ambassador, Little Rock Chamber of Commerce; Charter Member of the Faulkner County Beautiful Commission.
He has been two-time President of The Exchange Club of East Memphis and President of the Exchange Club of Trezevant Manor. He was instrumental in founding The Exchange Club of Trezevant Manor in 1983, the first such club formed in a retirement community. He is a member of the Kiwanis Club of Greater Little Rock. A Past President of the Arkansas Chapter of the American College of Health Care Administrators and was appointed a National Director of ACHCA.

He has been awarded Administrator of the Year by the American College of Healthcare Administrators; Professional Service Award by the Tennessee Healthcare Association; Man of The Year award by the Arthritis Foundation; President's Award for Excellence by The National Exchange Club; Caregiver Award presented by Delta Volunteer Ombudsman program and Member Emeritus, Tennessee Health Care Association. In 1996 he was awarded a Master's Professional Certification by the American College of Healthcare Administrators, Selected for Marquis ''Who's Who'' in Medicine and Health Care 1996.

Havens has a Bachelor of Science Degree in Business from the University of the State of New York and is pursuing a Masters in Public Administration from the University of Memphis. He served as Chairman of the Editorial Advisory Board of the Journal of Long-Term Care, a publication of the American College of Healthcare Administrators. He has two books in print: ''CHIEF: The Evolution, Development and Role of the Chief Petty Officer in the U.S. Naval Service; and ''CORPSMAN!,'' both published by the Turner Publishing Company, Paducah, Kentucky.

He is Vice Chairman of the Navy Recruiting District New Orleans Assistance Council (RDAC) serving to assist the Navy's recruiting efforts and is a strong advocate for the beloved Navy in which he served. In 1995, he was reappointed to serve on The Secretary of the Navy's Committee on Retired Personnel (Medical Support) and invited to serve on The Navy Recruiting Commands National Assistance Council. The Navy League of the United States appointed Havens as President of the State of Arkansas Council in 1997 and during this first year, he was instrumental in establishment of the first-ever Sea Cadet Corps, (The Little Rock Division) in Arkansas. In 2000, The Navy League of the United States appointed him as National Director.

Left to cherish his memory is his loving family, his sons; Ed and Emmett Havens, His daughters; Cynthia (Curtis) Mayes, and Nancy (Jeffrey) Jordan, His grandchildren; Ashley Mayes and Cody Kesler, his great granddaughter; Cassie Ann Marie Porter and his sister, Martha Ayers. He is also survived by many other relatives and friends.
Funeral Services will be on Friday, May 4, 2018 at 11:00AM at Pleasant Valley Baptist Church, Wooster, AR. Visitation will be Thursday, May 3 at Roller McNutt Funeral Home, 650 Central Landing Blvd., Conway, AR from 6:00PM to 8:00PM. Interment will be in Pleasant Valley Cemetery.



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12 Condolence(s)
Melissa Phillips
Guy, AR
Liked
Monday, December 31, 2018

I am sorry I am just now learning of the passing of my friend, Mr and Mrs Havens were ablessing to me see ihaI the pleasure of taking care of both of,and when Left the facility it broke my heart to leave him and so many others but to me there is not a time limit with the elderly untill God ready for them, and I was getting called to the office by personal and the Administrator of the facility saying I was spending to much time with them(elderly) and after working 12 yrs there and devoting my time with them for 34yrs I had enough so I quit walkrd out tje front came back in the side door and talked to Mr Havens told him what happened and how much I loved him and Gracie, I will dearly miss our chats and talks I will never forget what all you taught me or what you said the last time I seen you,( keep that head up and one day my love someone will take care of you) I am glad you are with Ms Gracie again give her my love and Fly high my friend RIP Mr Joe Havens XOXO

Dianne J Berryhill
Fleming Island, FL
Liked
Tuesday, June 26, 2018

What a wonderful spirit that filled this great man. He was a kind friend and will be missed by everyone that knew him. His laughter, smile and sense of humor brought much joy to many people. He left a great legacy of service that is not matched by many. Thank you for your friendship and your service to our country both in the military and as a civilian. DJ

Janet Glover Michael
Charleston, SC
Liked
Friday, May 11, 2018

Uncle Joe was such a kind and wonderful man. The times that I was able to visit with him, he always had a smile on his face and an encouraging word. My Mom, Mary Havens Glover.....loved him and spoke often of him.
My family and I will keep each of you in our prayers. God Bless

Lila Havens
Boise, ID
Liked
Sunday, May 6, 2018

Joe was a lovely, generous man, and he was very dear to my dad, John L. Havens, who was his nephew. My thoughts are with his family in this time of loss.

Doc Denis
Syracuse, NY
Liked
Friday, May 4, 2018

RIP Brother. Thank you for creating the American Assn of Navy Hospital Corpsmen ™ so all your brothers and sisters can carry on your traditions and passion for the Corpsman rate. Your association will live on in your memory.

All Corpsman are Welcome, that is the way Senior Chief wanted it. www.aaonhc.org

Francis T. Judy
Jasper, AL
Liked
Wednesday, May 2, 2018

Great memories as we worked and attended church together in Jasper, AL.

Deena Hartsfield
, AR
Liked
Wednesday, May 2, 2018

Thoughts and prayers to Joe’s family.
He always had a smile and a hug each time I would see him.
Love in Christ,
Deena

Rebecca DeRousse
Germantown, TN
Liked
Tuesday, May 1, 2018

Mr Havens was my mentor. He hired me out of college & gave me great opportunities to excel in my career. He was truly a thoughtful, wonderful man whose friendship I will always cherish.

Owen Brown
Bartlett, TN
Liked
Tuesday, May 1, 2018

I have known mr Havens since I was a kid growing up as neighbors.I thought alot of him having grown up with Eddie and Emmett as close friends.Prayers for Eddie,Emmett,Cindy and Nancy

Sharron Havens Russell
Greenbrier, AR
Liked
Tuesday, May 1, 2018

Joe was such a sweet man. My parents loved him and he will surely be missed. Prayers to the family at this difficult time.

Brian and Sharron Havens Russell

henry morgan
memphis, TN
Liked
Tuesday, May 1, 2018

Joe was a fine man and served the Trezvant Manor well. My heart goes out to his family.

Benny & Janette Breeding
CONWAY, AR
Liked
Monday, April 30, 2018

So sorry to hear about Joe passing away. Brunelle and MB where close friends with all the family from Pleasant Valley. May God have his loving arms around all at this time.