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Donald Mack Burchfield, age 84 of Halley, AR, passed away Saturday, March 18, 2023, at The Woods Nursing and Rehab in Monticello, AR. He was born March 21, 1938, in Halley, AR to the late Vester Roger Burchfield and Mildred Louise Johnson Burchfield.
He lived a full and interesting life, revolving around God, country, family, and friends.
Donald farmed for more than 40 years then worked as Maintenance Superintendent at the Department of Corrections in Dermott until he retired 10 years later. He served his country as a medic in the Army then completed his commitment in the Army National Guard. He served God as a member of Trinity Presbyterian Church in Little Rock where he would often sing above the congregation. He served on the school board for Bellaire Academy and was the music leader for Halley Baptist Church for several years.
In his early adulthood, ‘for fun and a little money’ (as he described it), he drove a racecar in the drag races of the Mid-south.
An avid sportsman, Donald loved hunting and fishing. His favorite was turkey hunting. He could often be heard honing his skill of calling a turkey all year long. He enjoyed boating on Lake Chicot. He taught numerous children how to waterski and tube.
Donald coached softball for an adult co-ed team as well as a children’s league, leading both to many tournament championships across 3 states.
He had a self-taught talent for construction and repair. He used those skills to help people in the church and community long before “volunteer” was a buzzword. It was his personality to see a need and fill it.
He had a magnetic personality that drew people of all ages to him. Never without a smile and a hardy laugh, he loved people as much as they loved him. In retirement, he began gardening. His favorite pastime was to grow vegetables, then knock on neighborhood doors to give them away.
He dearly loved his family. His children and grandchildren loved listening to his stories, spending time with him at the deer camp, on the river, and at the beach. Some of their favorite memories include the holiday competitions he had with his brother, Bill, as to who could make the best pie with the highest meringue. Known as Daddy “Mack” to his family, never has a man been more loved, more missed, or more beautifully remembered.
In addition to his parents, he was also preceded in death by a daughter, Kara Burchfield; two brothers, Bud Burchfield and Jimmy Guy Burchfield; and a sister, Betty Francis Burchfield Chesser.
He is survived by his wife, Cynthia Burchfield; children, Scott Burchfield, Deena Bailey (Rodney) and Kristen Hill (Doug); one brother, Billy Wayne Burchfield (Bev); and grandchildren, Kameron Burchfield, Mackane Burchfield, Camille Burchfield, Madison Dettmer, Anna Clare Burnett, Halley Burnett, Drake Hill and Tanner Bailey.
Donald fought a 3-year battle with Alzheimer’s. A battle he would never have wanted. He was treated with love and kindness by the nurses and staff at The Woods Nursing and Rehab in Monticello. We can’t thank them enough for their dedication in the job they do and service they provide. They are truly Angels on earth.
Funeral services will be 2:00 p.m. Tuesday, March 21, 2023, at Halley Baptist Church with Rev. James Kendig officiating. Burial will follow in Halley Cemetery. There will be a visitation from 5:00-7:00 p.m. Monday, March 20, 2023, at Stephenson-Dearman Funeral Home. Memorials may be made to either Halley Baptist Church; PO Box 105 Dermott, AR 71638 or St. Jude’s Children’s Hospital; 501 St. Jude Place Memphis, TN 38105. You can sign Donald’s guestbook page at www.stephensondearman.com.
He lived a full and interesting life, revolving around God, country, family, and friends.
Donald farmed for more than 40 years then worked as Maintenance Superintendent at the Department of Corrections in Dermott until he retired 10 years later. He served his country as a medic in the Army then completed his commitment in the Army National Guard. He served God as a member of Trinity Presbyterian Church in Little Rock where he would often sing above the congregation. He served on the school board for Bellaire Academy and was the music leader for Halley Baptist Church for several years.
In his early adulthood, ‘for fun and a little money’ (as he described it), he drove a racecar in the drag races of the Mid-south.
An avid sportsman, Donald loved hunting and fishing. His favorite was turkey hunting. He could often be heard honing his skill of calling a turkey all year long. He enjoyed boating on Lake Chicot. He taught numerous children how to waterski and tube.
Donald coached softball for an adult co-ed team as well as a children’s league, leading both to many tournament championships across 3 states.
He had a self-taught talent for construction and repair. He used those skills to help people in the church and community long before “volunteer” was a buzzword. It was his personality to see a need and fill it.
He had a magnetic personality that drew people of all ages to him. Never without a smile and a hardy laugh, he loved people as much as they loved him. In retirement, he began gardening. His favorite pastime was to grow vegetables, then knock on neighborhood doors to give them away.
He dearly loved his family. His children and grandchildren loved listening to his stories, spending time with him at the deer camp, on the river, and at the beach. Some of their favorite memories include the holiday competitions he had with his brother, Bill, as to who could make the best pie with the highest meringue. Known as Daddy “Mack” to his family, never has a man been more loved, more missed, or more beautifully remembered.
In addition to his parents, he was also preceded in death by a daughter, Kara Burchfield; two brothers, Bud Burchfield and Jimmy Guy Burchfield; and a sister, Betty Francis Burchfield Chesser.
He is survived by his wife, Cynthia Burchfield; children, Scott Burchfield, Deena Bailey (Rodney) and Kristen Hill (Doug); one brother, Billy Wayne Burchfield (Bev); and grandchildren, Kameron Burchfield, Mackane Burchfield, Camille Burchfield, Madison Dettmer, Anna Clare Burnett, Halley Burnett, Drake Hill and Tanner Bailey.
Donald fought a 3-year battle with Alzheimer’s. A battle he would never have wanted. He was treated with love and kindness by the nurses and staff at The Woods Nursing and Rehab in Monticello. We can’t thank them enough for their dedication in the job they do and service they provide. They are truly Angels on earth.
Funeral services will be 2:00 p.m. Tuesday, March 21, 2023, at Halley Baptist Church with Rev. James Kendig officiating. Burial will follow in Halley Cemetery. There will be a visitation from 5:00-7:00 p.m. Monday, March 20, 2023, at Stephenson-Dearman Funeral Home. Memorials may be made to either Halley Baptist Church; PO Box 105 Dermott, AR 71638 or St. Jude’s Children’s Hospital; 501 St. Jude Place Memphis, TN 38105. You can sign Donald’s guestbook page at www.stephensondearman.com.