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Robert Lee Arberry age 85, passed away August 5, 2015 at his home in Dermott. He was born to Magglene Russ and William Moore in Monticello, Arkansas on April 25, 1930. However, at the tender age of two months, he was adopted by his great uncle and aunt, Hezekah and Tennessee Arberry, who loved and nurtured him.
Robert accepted Christ Jesus at the young age of eleven at Seven Star Missionary Baptist Church, Dermott, Arkansas, under the leadership of Pastor S. M. Taylor. He attended Morris Booker Memorial College. In 1947, he met and married Doris Jones at the age of seventeen. In the early 1950’s Robert and Doris relocated to Pittsburg, California. Robert’s career began at E. B. Mud Water Company, but his marriage to Doris dissolved a few years later.
In 1955, Robert met and fell in love with Ollie Jean Lewis, and to this union four children were born. However, they too parted ways in the late 1960’s.
After twenty-three years in California, Robert retired form E. B. Mud Water Company and moved back to Dermott, Arkansas, where took a job with Justice Produce Company as a truck driver. After a few years, he began a new career at the Arkansas Department of Corrections.
In 1975, Robert and Murean Edwards built a home together where they finished raising their blended family until each child went off to live their adult lives. Robert and Murean separated in 1994, but remained friends and continue to support each other.
Robert was preceded in death by his parents; Hezekah and Tennessee Arberry and Magglene Russ and William Moore; two aunts, Eveleyn Russ Green and Jimmie Lee Jackson; a son David Lee Walker and stepson Otis Whitehead.
Robert will be greatly missed by his children and step children; Shena Arberry, Dermott, AR, Tonda Smith, Oakland, CA, Liberious Arberry, Dermott, Shurniece Arberry, Monticello, AR, Jeanetta Walker, Oakland, CA, Karen Nelson, Little Rock, AR, Leroy Whitehead, St. Louis, MO, Ervin Whitehead, Oxnard, CA, Suzette Wells, Houston, TX, Juanita Lloyd, Little Rock, AR and Junetter Crockett, Pine Bluff, AR; twenty grandchildren; nine great grandchildren; two loving sisters, Lillie Mae Parker, Dermott, AR, and Joan Walker, Antioch, CA; two devoted first cousins, Marilyn Moore and Nora Briggs; three nephews who were like sons; Michael Turner, Bobby Ray Parker, and his name sake, Robert Lee Parker. He will be missed but not forgotten…
Funeral service will be at 11:00 a.m., Saturday, August 15, 2015 at Stephenson-Dearman Funeral Home. Burial will follow in Oakland Cemetery. Online guestbook www.stephensondearman.com.
Robert accepted Christ Jesus at the young age of eleven at Seven Star Missionary Baptist Church, Dermott, Arkansas, under the leadership of Pastor S. M. Taylor. He attended Morris Booker Memorial College. In 1947, he met and married Doris Jones at the age of seventeen. In the early 1950’s Robert and Doris relocated to Pittsburg, California. Robert’s career began at E. B. Mud Water Company, but his marriage to Doris dissolved a few years later.
In 1955, Robert met and fell in love with Ollie Jean Lewis, and to this union four children were born. However, they too parted ways in the late 1960’s.
After twenty-three years in California, Robert retired form E. B. Mud Water Company and moved back to Dermott, Arkansas, where took a job with Justice Produce Company as a truck driver. After a few years, he began a new career at the Arkansas Department of Corrections.
In 1975, Robert and Murean Edwards built a home together where they finished raising their blended family until each child went off to live their adult lives. Robert and Murean separated in 1994, but remained friends and continue to support each other.
Robert was preceded in death by his parents; Hezekah and Tennessee Arberry and Magglene Russ and William Moore; two aunts, Eveleyn Russ Green and Jimmie Lee Jackson; a son David Lee Walker and stepson Otis Whitehead.
Robert will be greatly missed by his children and step children; Shena Arberry, Dermott, AR, Tonda Smith, Oakland, CA, Liberious Arberry, Dermott, Shurniece Arberry, Monticello, AR, Jeanetta Walker, Oakland, CA, Karen Nelson, Little Rock, AR, Leroy Whitehead, St. Louis, MO, Ervin Whitehead, Oxnard, CA, Suzette Wells, Houston, TX, Juanita Lloyd, Little Rock, AR and Junetter Crockett, Pine Bluff, AR; twenty grandchildren; nine great grandchildren; two loving sisters, Lillie Mae Parker, Dermott, AR, and Joan Walker, Antioch, CA; two devoted first cousins, Marilyn Moore and Nora Briggs; three nephews who were like sons; Michael Turner, Bobby Ray Parker, and his name sake, Robert Lee Parker. He will be missed but not forgotten…
Funeral service will be at 11:00 a.m., Saturday, August 15, 2015 at Stephenson-Dearman Funeral Home. Burial will follow in Oakland Cemetery. Online guestbook www.stephensondearman.com.