Baron D. Conaway

Dr. Baron D. Conaway, 83, of Jonesboro, died peacefully at his home on Sunday, October 17, 2010. Born in Jay, Florida to Braxton & Martha (Mattie) Cockrell Conaway, he had lived in Jonesboro since 1965. Dr. Conaway and his wife were members of First Baptist Church for 35 years, where he served on many church committees and served as deacon. He and his wife moved their membership to South Caraway Chapel to support this new church plant of First Baptist Church. He was a World War II veteran of the United States Navy.

He was a professor of reading at Arkansas State University for 32 years. He received his Bachelor and Master’s Degrees in Education from the University of Florida and his Doctorate in Education from Auburn University. During his tenure he saw many changes in the teaching profession and was responsible for many innovations in the teaching of reading. He was a member of the International Reading Association, Arkansas Reading Association, Northeast Arkansas Reading Council, Audubon Society, a Royal Reader of Northeast Arkansas, and was an inactive member of Kappa Delta Pi. His passion was helping students who had reading problems and disabilities. Dr. Conaway put his training and memberships in many organizations into practice. He enjoyed reading and reciting poetry to children, especially his grandchildren. He was an excellent storyteller and had a story for any occasion. He also served others as a volunteer for the St. Bernard’s Hospice Program and was a past president of the Lions Club in Jay, Florida.

He is survived by his wife of 47 years, Mary Brown Conaway, of the home; daughters and son-in-law, Dianne & Brad Green, Jackson, Tennessee, Amanda Conaway, Plymouth, New Hampshire; his grandchildren, Caleb, Daniel, and Victoria Green; and a sister, Polly Slogoski, Ft. Collins, Colorado.

He was preceded in death by his parents; 2 sisters, Sally Raley and Gereave Tate; and a brother, James “Judge” Conaway.

A memorial service will be held Tuesday, October 19, 2010 at 10:00 a.m. at Emerson Memorial Chapel with Dr. Bruce Tippit and Brother Don Martin officiating. Burial will be private with Emerson Funeral Home in charge of arrangements.

Visitation will be Monday, October 18, 2010 from 5:00 – 7:00 p.m. at the funeral home.

For lasting memorials, the family asks that consideration be given to his grandchildren’s school library, Augustine School Library, 1171 Old Humboldt Road, Jackson, Tennessee, 38305.