Arburn Graftenreed

Arburn N. Graftenreed, age 71, of Paragould, died Thursday evening at NEA Medical Center in Jonesboro. Born in Paragould, Mr. Graftenreed lived in St. Louis before returning to Paragould where he lived much of his life. He was a retired Master Electrician for Grace Electric Company in Jonesboro with 40 years of service, and was a U.S. Army veteran.

He was a member of the Rock Hill Missionary Baptist Church near Jonesboro and a member of the Nailbenders for Jesus, an all-volunteer Christian church construction organization. He was preceded in death by a son: Greg Graftenreed; by a brother: Jerry Graftenreed; by a sister: Loretta Atkinson; by a grandson: T.J. Hathcoat; and by his parents: Claude and Lyda Davis Graftenreed.

Survivors include: His Wife: Bonnie Burrow Graftenreed of the home;

1 Son: Mark Graftenreed of Paragould;

2 Daughters: Janet Hathcoat, and Christal Schalk, both of Paragould;

1 Brother: Louie Graftenreed of Ironton, Missouri;

1 Sister: Lorraine Miller of House Springs, Missouri;

6 Grandchildren: Brandon Graftenreed, Wesley Hathcoat, Jenise Brady, Laura Beth Graftenreed, Cyndell Graftenreed, and Elizabeth Schalk; and

2 Great Grandchildren: Dominiqe Stamp and Tesa Stamp.

Funeral services will be held Monday morning at 11:00 at Emerson Memorial Chapel in Jonesboro with Bro. Ray Broadaway officiating. Burial will follow in Clarks Chapel Cemetery with Emerson Funeral Home of Jonesboro in charge of arrangements.

Active pallbearers include: Jay Simmons, Rob Wadlow, Terry Davis, Richard Sample, Claude Miller, Aaron Miller.

Honorary pallbearers include men of Nailbenders for Jesus, men of Rockhill Baptist Church, Jason Atkinson, Hank Graftenreed, and Jesse Graftenreed.

Visitation will be held Sunday evening from 5-8 at Emerson Funeral Home in Jonesboro.

For lasting memorials, the family asks that consideration be given to the Rockhill Missionary Baptist Church, 5006 Woodsprings Rd., Jonesboro, AR 72404; or to the Clarks Chapel Cemetery Association, 1708 Linwood Drive, Paragould, AR 72450.

To view Auburn Graftenreed's Memorial Tribute