Bernice L. Stallings

Bernice Lillian Elsie Stallings, 97, of Jonesboro, died Tuesday morning at her home.

Bernice and her husband, Herbert N. Stallings, were the founders of the Forest Home Church of the Nazarene. “Grandma” was a charter member of the Church and had a special devotion and love for the Cradle Roll/Nursery Department, serving as Nursery Teacher for many years.

She was also a member of the Forest Home Home Demonstration Club. She was a life-long homemaker and enjoyed cooking for her family and entertaining friends from her Church.

She was born September 13, 1909, to Joe and Elsie King of Jonesboro. Her husband of 67 years, Herbert N. Stallings, preceded her in death in 1991. She was also preceded in death by one daughter, Delores J. Hendrix; one son, Neil J. Stallings; one son-in-law: Paul E. Gibson; three grandchildren: Keith Stallings, Pam Stallings and Sandra Rose Rook; and thirteen brothers and sisters.

Survivors include: 2 Daughters: June Gibson, and Martha Brown and her husband, Tom Brown;

3 Sons and their wives: Harvey and Rose Stallings, Earnie and Bobbie Stallings, and Herb and Sharon Stallings;

1 Son-in-law: Tom Hendrix; and 1 Daughter-in-law: Mary Stallings, all of Jonesboro;

19 Grandchildren: Rev. Ken Stallings, Ed Gibson, Ronnie Stallings, Larry R. Gibson, Steve Brown, Scott Hendrix, Kathy Moore, Stacy Stallings, Tim Stallings, Danny Stallings, and Paul Stallings, all of Jonesboro; Brenda Higgins of Marianna, Sam Brown of Palm Springs, California; Dr. Stan Brown of Atlanta, Georgia; Kim Stallings of Augusta, Arkansas, Angie Hattler of Oklahoma City; Gaye Lana Parker, Janet Stallings and Andy Stallings, all of Little Rock.

27 Great Grandchildren: Rob Gibson, Steve Gibson, Michael Gibson, Mark Gibson, Landon Hendrix, Lia Hendrix, Nathan Stallings, Brady Brown, Ben Brown, Hannah Hurley, Beth Silverthorn, Matt Stallings, Jason Rook, Connor Stallings, Jenna Stallings, Parker Stallings, Piper Stallings, Colby Stallings, and Charley Stallings, all of Jonesboro; Heather Wilson of Tulsa, Kevin Rook of West Hollywood, California, Justin Higgins, Jeffery Higgins and Jonathan Higgins of Marianna; Tyler Hattler and Trenton Hattler of Oklahoma City and Colton Carter of Augusta, Arkansas.

3 Great, Great Grandsons: Ryder Paul Gibson and Owen Neil Stallings, both of Jonesboro and Max Rook of West Hollywood, California.

Funeral services will be held Thursday evening, August 30, 2007, at 7:00 at Forest Home Church of the Nazarene with Rev. Ken Stallings and Dave Persell officiating. A graveside committal service will be held Friday morning at 10:00 in Oaklawn Cemetery with Emerson Funeral Home of Jonesboro in charge of arrangements.

Grandsons will serve as pallbearers.

Visitation will be held Thursday evening, 5-7, prior to the service, at Forest Home Church of the Nazarene.

For lasting memorials, the family asks that consideration be given to the Forest Home Church of the Nazarene Helping Hand Fund, or Nursery Department, or to St. Bernards Hospice Program.

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