Alice Emma Bunch

Alice Emma Bunch, 88, of Jonesboro, died Tuesday, April 22, 2008, at SkilCare Nursing Center.

Born in Mt. Pleasant, Mrs. Bunch lived in Mississippi County before moving to the Jonesboro area in the 1940s with her husband, Rev. John Carl Bunch who served as pastor in area churches before becoming Director of Missions for the Mount Zion Baptist Association.

Alice was a homemaker and worked throughout the Association assisting in camps, conferences and missions, teaching Sunday school and coordinating activities. She served 8 years on the Executive Board of the Arkansas Baptist State Convention. She was a member of First Baptist Church in Jonesboro where she was active in the Friendship Sunday school class.

She was preceded in death by her parents: George W. Jackson and Florence Jackson Holt; her step father: Henry W. Holt; 3 brothers: Roe and Rand Jackson and Wiley Holt; and 1 sister: Willie Davis

Survivors include her husband of 70 years, Carl Bunch of Jonesboro;

3 Daughters and sons-in-law:
Maurine Freeze Richardson of Little Rock,
Jo Ann and Franklin Matthews of McAlpin, Florida, and
Jacquline and Ronnie Reams of Dexter, Missouri;

3 Sons and daughters-in-law:
Marion and Kay Bunch of Lake City,
Johnny and Chris Bunch of Jonesboro, and
Lewis and Libby Bunch of Little Rock;

1 Sister: Luda Lewis of El Dorado;

3 Brothers: Waymon Holt of Milligan Ridge,
Raymond Holt of Blytheville, and
Thurman Holt of Brookland;

14 Grandchildren,
25 Great Grandchildren, and
1 Great, Great Granddaughter.

A memorial service will be held Friday morning at 11:00 at First Baptist Church, Jonesboro, with Dr. Bruce Tippit officiating. Burial will be private.

Visitation will be held Thursday evening, 5-7, at Emerson Funeral Home in Jonesboro.

Active pallbearers include: Claude Freeze, John Freeze, Michelle Harkrider, Donna Qualls, Mark Bunch, John Bunch, Todd Bunch, Frank Matthews, Frederick Matthews, Lee Ann Matthews, Staci Couvillion, Lee Reams, Austin Ayers and Ashley Bunch.

Honorary pallbearers include: Roy Jolly Sunday school class, Men’s Coffee Club at St. Bernard’s Village, Dr. Ben Owens, Jr., and workers and staff of SkilCare Nursing Center.

For lasting memorials, the family asks that consideration be given to the Mt. Zion Baptist Associational Camp, 2100 Stadium Blvd., Jonesboro, AR 72401.