Jerry O. Jolly

Jerry O. Jolly, 86, of Jonesboro, went to be with his Heavenly Father on Tuesday, August 11, 2026, at NEA Baptist Hospital. He had lived in Jonesboro since 1979, moving here from Blytheville, Arkansas. He loved preaching and spreading the gospel and had been filling a pulpit since 1959. He pastored many churches in Northeast Arkansas, Missouri, and Alaska. He pastored Temple Missionary Baptist Church in Jonesboro for over 30 years. He was born to Oscar and Martha Broadaway Jolly on March 23, 1940, in Rector, Arkansas. In addition to his parents, he was preceded in death by his wives, Sweetpea and June; and two sisters.

Survivors include his son, Terry Jolly; daughter, Cathy King and husband Paul, all of Jonesboro; grandchildren, Gabbi Jolly, Brad King (Kasandra), Josh King; great grandkids, Sully Goodwin, Margo King, Ellison Anderson, Emma Claire King and Collins Anderson; and hundreds, maybe even thousands of parishioners and friends who loved and admired Brother Jerry.

A Celebration of Life Service will be at 11:30 AM, on Saturday, August 15, 2026, at Emerson Funeral Home with Paul Vincent and Keith Baker officiating and Emerson Funeral Home in charge of arrangements. Visitation will be from 10:30 until service time. A graveside committal service will be at 3:00 at Woodland Heights Cemetery in Rector with Randy Stimach, Mike McNabb, Spencer Moore, Tim Hawkins, Cheston Vincent, and Tim Colinger serving as pallbearers. Honorary pallbearers are Josh King, Jeff Sanford, Elmer Sanford, Brad King, and the congregation of the 10th Street Missionary Baptist Church in Paragould.

For lasting memorials, please consider St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital, 262 Danny Thomas Place, Memphis, Tennessee, 38105; or Life Word Ministries, P.O. Box 6, Conway, Arkansas, 72033. To sign an online guestbook, go to emersonfuneralhome.com.