Rheba Martin Urbanek

Rheba Martin Urbanek, 75, of Jonesboro, passed from this world to a better place on Monday, July 25, 2011, at the Flo and Phil Jones Hospice House.

She is survived by her husband Kerry Urbanek, two sons, Barry Don Martin, and Mark Anthony Martin of Jonesboro, daughter, Susan Martin Embach of Parker Colorado, one sister Sarah Kirby Halstead Konopik of Oak Harbor, Washington, two stepdaughters Sharon Martin Hopkins of Cassville, Missouri, Kerry LaShan Urbanek Russell of Jonesboro and one stepson, Bobby Dean Martin of Van Buren, Arkansas. She leaves 11 grandchildren, Kirbay Embach, Sean Martin, Sarah Elizabeth Martin, Jessica Martin, Jennifer Collins, Jeremy Martin, Justin Martin, Leslie Martin, Vincent Whitman, Mark Jacob Martin, Ryan Andrew Martin, one great-grandson and five step grandchildren, Cory Bevis, Trey Bevis, Ashley Henderson, Kevin Henderson, Tony Henderson, and three great-great grandchildren. She was preceded in death by her first husband, Darrell Dean Martin, her father, Joseph Luin Kirby, her mother Vallie Marie Jones Kirby, and one brother Harold Dewayne Kirby.

Mrs. Urbanek was a member fo the Walnut Street Baptist Church and a former member of Forrest Home Church of the Nazarene. She was an educator and received her Bachelor’s degree of Science in Education and her Master’s Degree in Counseling at Arkansas State University. She taught kindergarten at Bono, Arkansas, and North Elementary in Jonesboro and later served Elementary Counselor at South Elementary School in Jonesboro.

Graveside services will be 10:00 Thursday, July 28, 2011 at Jonesboro Memorial Park Cemetery with Brother Curtis Shatley officiating and Emerson Funeral Home in charge of arrangements. Honorary pallbearers are Ross Welch, David Jenkins and Merle Smith. Visitation will be from 5-7 Wednesday night at Emerson Funeral Home.

For those wishing to leave lasting memorials, the family requests you please consider St. Judes Children’s Research Hospital, 501 St Jude Place, Memphis, TN 38105, or Walnut Street Baptist Church Building Fund, 1910 Scenic Drive, Jonesboro, AR 72401.