Arna Dale Mcmasters

Northeast Arkansas has lost a celebrated genealogist, famous cook, and talented decorator with the passing of Dale McMasters, 81, of Bay. Dale died on September 25, 2023, at the Flo and Phil Jones Hospice House.

Dale was the youngest child born to Richard Caron and Edna Irene (Smith) Hinshaw in West Memphis,  on Jan. 23, 1942. She attended Sloan-Hendrix Academy and took courses in interior decorating from the Sheffield School of Design. She was a lifelong learner who also took courses at Arkansas State University.

The greatest joy in Dale’s life was serving the Lord with her husband of 57 years. On September 15, 1965, Dale married Robert “Bob” Eugene McMasters in Imboden.  At churches Bob pastored, Dale played the piano and led bible studies. They had two sons: Kevin Wesley and Loren Kent.

Dale is preceded in death by her parents, husband, and son Kevin McMasters, along with eight siblings: Charles “Billy” Edward Bonner, Robert Sandford Hinshaw, Richard Glenn Hinshaw, Laura Belle (Hinshaw) Gilpin, John Ballard Hinshaw, Louis Wesley Hinshaw, Donald Kay Hinshaw, and Milton Folbe Hinshaw.

Dale is survived by her son Loren Kent McMasters, Jonesboro; daughter-in-law Tracey McMasters, Bay; special nieces Valorie (David) Wade, Lafayette, IN and Vanessa Criswell, Bay; and countless family and friends.

The visitation will be held on Friday, September 29, 2023, at 9:00 am with funeral to follow at 10:00 am at Emerson Memorial Chapel.  Eulogy by Br. Ray Hoggard and Br. Rick Jensen will deliver the message. Active pallbearers are: Wesley Criswell, Marshall Criswell, David Wade, Dal Hogan, Will Jensen, Trent Wight, James McMasters, and Roger Rose. The Bay Volunteer Fire Dept. is an honorary pallbearer. Burial will be at Hope Cemetery, Imboden, AR.

Memorial contributions can be made to the Bay Volunteer Fire Department, P.O. Box 13, Bay, Arkansas 72411. The family will receive family and friends for lunch following the burial at 1:30 at Broadway Avenue Missionary Baptist Church in Bay.  To sign an online guestbook, go to emersonfuneralhome.com.