Millard Vance Sales

Millard Vance Sales died on April 21, 2020. He was born in Forrest City, Arkansas, March 3, 1929 to Joseph Kennedy and Jennye Reames Sales. He was preceded in death by three brothers: Joseph Kennedy Sales, Jr., Dr. Reames Hawthorne Sales, Edwin DuRant Sales, and one sister Mary Jane Sales Wilson.

He is survived by his wife Dorothy Jean Johnson of 64 years and three sons and one daughter: Colonel Millard Vance Sales, Jr. (Ret.) and wife Kim; Dr. Joseph Hugh Sales and wife Elizabeth; Lieutenant Colonel David Freer Sales (Ret.) and wife Stacy; and daughter, Dr. Summer-Lee Sales DeProw. He had four grandchildren: Elizabeth Jean Sales Cooper, David Hunter Sales, Catherine Millard Sales, and Taylor Carlyle Sales.

Dr. Sales received a Bachelor of Arts degree from the University of Central Arkansas; Master of Science Degree from Florida State University; Master of Education from the University of Mississippi, and the Doctor of Education from Duke University. He taught in the Forrest City Public Schools for five years and was a member of the Arkansas State University (A-State) faculty for thirty-one years from 1960 to 1991. He served as professor, department chairman, and dean. He was the first faculty member at A-State to be selected as the Danforth Associate, and he co-authored two books and wrote many professional articles and research reports.

During his time at A-State, he served as president of the A-State Faculty Association, president of the Arkansas Association of Colleges for Teacher Education, and State Representative for the National Organization on Legal Problems in Education. He also served as president of the Jonesboro School Board and was elected to the board for seven years. He received the first annual Friend of Education Award from the Jonesboro Classroom Teachers Association in 1974. He was selected as one of A-State’s first 100 distinguished faculty to serve the university in the first century of A-State’s history.

In addition to his academic career and achievements, Dr. Sales was recognized as a Vocational Expert and testified in thousands of disability hearings for the Social Security Administration from 1970 to 2011. Additionally, he was Chairman of the Board of Trustees at the Jonesboro Methodist Hospital from 1986 to 1995.

He was a U.S. Army veteran having served on active duty from 1951 to 1953 and in the active reserve until 1958. He served at the enlisted and officer ranks. He was an active member of Crowley Ridge Chapter, Sons of the American Revolution (SAR) serving as chapter president and secretary/treasurer. He enjoyed marching as a member of the SAR Color Guard.

Dr. Sales was a long-standing and active member of the First United Methodist Church of Jonesboro serving as lay leader, treasurer, and administrative board. He taught both adult men’s and women’s Sunday school classes for over forty years.

He loved his wife, children, and grandchildren dearly. He was a strong supporter of A-State. In lieu of flowers, contributions may be made to the A-State Scholarship Fund, PO Box 1990, State University, Arkansas 72467.

Funeral arrangements are by Emerson Funeral Home. Due to the COVID-19 crisis, the family will have a graveside service at Jonesboro Memorial Park Cemetery on Friday April 24, 2020 at 10:00 am with Pastor John Miles officiating.

Livestream services will be available through the Emerson Funeral Home Facebook page.

Honorary Pallbearers: Dr. Brian C. Sales, Catherine Sales Peterson, Dr. Mark K. Wilson, Jennye Lou Wilson Heidelberg, Edwin D. Sales, Jr., and John Sales.