of Fifty Six, AR
September 16, 1936 - May 3, 2019
Keith Dale Balentine, Age 82, died on May 3, 2019, at Stone County Medical Center, Mountain View, AR. He was a member of Fifty Six Missionary Baptist Church.
Keith ran the Balentine Grocery for approximately 40 years. He was a fire chief, justice of the peace, and taught his friends and family to play Canasta.
The son of Arvil and Verna (Newcomb) Balentine, he was born in Fifty Six, AR on September 16, 1936.
He is survived by three children, Karen Hillyer of Conway, Berl Taylor of Mountain View and Brad Taylor and wife Johniece of Melbourne. One brother, R.L Balentine and wife Pat of Fifty Six, one sister Betty Ward of Fifty Six. Three nieces, which he loved and adored, Kim Karrels and husband Ed of Nashville, TN, Cindy Branscum and husband Keith of Fifty Six, Kristy Ward and husband Daniel of Searcy, one nephew Terry Ward of Fort Smith, Grandsons, Tarek Hillyer of Conway, Jared Corter and Kyle Taylor of Melbourne, cousin, Ron Long of California, many great nieces and nephews, Tina Meeker, his aide that took such good care of him and other relatives and friends.
He was preceded in death by his parents, his wife Oma Jean and brother in law Paul Ward and niece Debra (Debbie) Morgan and nephew Bobby Balentine
Pallbearers are Terry Ward, Daniel Ivy, Hunter Branscum, Brady Smith, Mark Balentine, and Eddie Morgan.
Honorary Pallbearers are Flynn Norman, Clint Jason, Bill Jason, Bruce Smith, Keith Branscum, Max Newcomb and Donald Cartwright
Visitation is Sunday, May 5, 2019 at 3:00 p.m. at Fifty Six Baptist Church with funeral services at 4:00 p.m. with David Campbell and Robb Arnold officiating.
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5 Condolence(s)
Dawn Welch Branscum
Tuesday, May 7, 2019
To all the family,
We are so sorry for your loss. Keith Dale was a wonderful person with a big heart and will be missed by all. It will forever be in my memories of going in the store to buy something and visiting with him and Oma Jean. I remember Arvil and Verna some too; all good people. When I was a little bitty girl and would be in there with my Daddy, Keith and/or Oma Jean would say; "get in there and get you a piece of bubble gum on us". After I had my son; Oma Jean would always ask about "her boy" if I stopped up there and didn't have him with me; precious memories. We loved them very much and are praying for you all.
Dawn, Ronnie and Jacob Branscum
Mike Hill
Sunday, May 5, 2019
I will always remember Keith for his generosity toward us after the flood took our home and most of what we owned in 1982. He provided a house for us to live in while we rebuilt ours and extended credit to us from the store. We were finally able to pay him for the debt. Always friendly and joking, even when you knew he was not feeling good. I treasure the visits and conversations we had over the last couple of years on my too infrequent visits to him at home. Little did I know our last visit would be the last, at least on this side of eternity. A Good man and friend.
William R Sebby
Sunday, May 5, 2019
So sorry for your loss .... our family is keeping you in our prayers
Bill and Cely Sebby
Greenwood, AR
Sandy Kemp Watson
Saturday, May 4, 2019
Love and prayers to all my family. Wish I could be there for you all as you were for us. Love u all.
Teresa Lancaster White
Saturday, May 4, 2019
Keith was such a special person and he will be missed. My thoughts and prayers are with all of Keith's family and friends.
Teresa Lancaster White