Esther Mae Futrell

Mrs. Esther Mae Futrell, 83, formerly of Jonesboro, died Tuesday, Sept. 20, 2011, at Great River Medical Center in Blytheville.

She was born April 19, 1928, in Cincinnati, Ohio, to the late Nathaniel and

Amanda Thomas. She attended school in Gilmore and accepted Jesus Christ as her Savior at an early age and sang with a gospel group. Mrs. Futrell was a member of the St. John Missionary Baptist Church in Jonesboro and served on the usher board and the women's mission board. Mrs. Futrell cared for many people through her years with Home Health Care Association. She enjoyed visiting the sick and shut-ins, she had a heart for people and would do anything she could for you.

She was preceded in death by her husband, John H. Futrell; four sons, Rev. Gus Chandler Jr., Michael R. Chandler, Eddie James Cowins and SSG Billy Gene Futrell.

Her memory will forever be cherished by her three daughters, Charlies Mae Futrell of Cincinnati, Sally Lemmons Rice of Los Angeles and Linda Futrell of Denver, Col.;

Three sons, Tyrone Lee Futrell Sr. of Blytheville, Elmer L. Futrell and his wife, Sylvia, of Columbus, Ga., and Emmett A. Futrell of Pacific, Mo.;

Twenty- four grandchildren;

Numerous great-grandchildren;

A host of nieces, nephews, cousins; and

Other family members and friends.

A celebration of her life will be held at 1 p.m. Wednesday at St. John Missionary Baptist Church with the Rev. Dr. Charles A. Latham and the Rev. Daniel Gladney officiating.

Burial will follow at Knights of Pythias under the direction of Gregg Funeral Home of Jonesboro.

Visitation will be from 5-7 p.m. Tuesday Gregg Funeral Home in Jonesboro.

Honored to serve as pallbearers will be Johnny Anderson Jr., Roger L.

McKinney Jr., Curtis Howard, Clarence Jeffrey Jr., Willie Tinzie and David L. Howard; honorary pallbearers will be Tyrone Futrell Sr., Elmer Futrell, Emmett Futrell, Tyrone Futrell Jr., Monroe Futrell and Henry Louis Prunty.

Personal condolences may be sent to the Futrell family at www.greggfunerals.com.