Later the farming family relocated in the Possum Valley community. After completing school at Drew Central in 1939, the farm boy laid down the plow stock and picked up a gun stock. He enlisted in the United States Army for six years as a mess sergeant and medic in the Army Ambulance Service working closely with the American Red Cross. He was involved in five major European battles during World War II stationed mainly in Germany and France.
R.V. returned to Possum Valley after an honorable discharge and married the girl next door, Lucille Glennon. They were married 63 years. They had two sons, Bill and Floyd.
R.V. surrendered to the ministry of the gospel in 1952 at Central Baptist Church in Warren and retired from pastoring in 2003. He pastored several country churches in Drew County. He was pastor of Shady Grove Baptist for 28 years. His pastoring began and ended with his beloved Bethel Baptist Church in Possum Valley.
He preached nearly 1,300 funeral in his career with a remarkable gift of bringing comfort, hope and encouragement to grieving families. He became known as the funeral preacher. He became an honorary member of the Warren Masonic Lodge for the many Masonic Rite funerals he conducted for them. He has conducted hundreds of masonic funerals and no one could ever do it quite like Brother R.V. He could recite the entire masonic funeral service and did it with such great mastery and articulation.
R.V. served on the school board at Drew Central School District for 15 years and was inducted into the Drew Central Hall of Fame in 2005. He was a Mason and a 32nd degree Scottish Rite Mason. He was past master of the lodges at Ladelle and Monticello and served one term as District Deputy Grand Master.
On January 2, 2010 a year after Lucille had departed, he married his cousin's widow, Rachel Waites Gifford. They had six wonderful years filled with teen age like fun and laughter.
Funeral service will be 2:00 p.m. Friday, March 16, 2018 at Stephenson-Dearman Chapel with burial to follow in Oakland Cemetery. Visitation will be from 6:00-8:00 p.m. Thursday evening at the funeral home. Memorials may be made to Bethel Baptist Church c/o Barbie Eubanks, 193 Longview Rd., Willmar, AR 71675. Online guestbook at www.stephensondearman.com.
Condolences(24)
Doug McCarty
Nashville, TN Friday, March 23, 2018 Bill and Family,Rev. RV will be missed by many people. May he R.I.P. May God's loving arms wrap around the family in this time of sorrow.
Lee Savage
Monroe, LA Monday, March 19, 2018 Bill and Family, so very sorry for your loss. May god comfort you and yours at this time.LESA
Monticello, AR Saturday, March 17, 2018 .My deepest sympathy to the familyIt’s hard to believe my mom is gone I sure will miss them
And one day we all will have a big family reunion
James and Kathy Berry
Monticello, AR Friday, March 16, 2018 Bill and FamilyWe are so sorry for your loss.
Fred & Joyce Higgins
, LA Friday, March 16, 2018 Bill, You are in our thoughts and prayers. May our dear Lord comfort you and your family during this time.Fred & Joyce Higgins
Carolyn Ashcraft
Sheridan, AR Thursday, March 15, 2018 I have so many fond memories of times spent with R.V. and Ace during my years at UAM. They were always loving and generous. I was pleased to share many happy times in their home, at Bill’s, at the river, etc. They were a special blessing from God and I know they are rejoicing together in Heaven. Much love to Bill, Etta and the rest of the family.Carolyn Browder
Tyler, TX Thursday, March 15, 2018 Cousin Bill and Family, please know how I wanted to be there for you at this time. Dan and I are thinking of you and happy that you had so many wonderful years with my Uncle Brother. I have no doubt that your strong faith will sustain you throughout this difficult time. We are here for you when you feel up to traveling our way. Love and tears, CarolynDon & Kathi Ross
Zachary, LA Thursday, March 15, 2018 Bill, Kathi & I send our sincere condolences to you & your family. Rev. R.V. was a fine man and I was always glad when our paths crossed. May God bless his spirit and bless you and your family!!!Wilma Trout
Star City, AR Thursday, March 15, 2018 Bro. White was a wonderful servant of God. My condolences to the family. I’m sure he has been welcomed with,”Well done, good and faithful servant”.Shelia Ratledge
, CO Thursday, March 15, 2018 Mr.Bill I am so sorry to hear about the passing of your dad. I do however rejoice for your father knowing he is with our Savior walking through the beauty of Heaven and praising Jesus face to face . I Remember hearing your daddy many times in my childhood and consider it an honor to have known him .We are deeply sorry for y'alls loss Shelia ,Danny Ratledge and kids
Teresa Abney
Wilmar, AR Thursday, March 15, 2018 Mr. Bill, just wanted to say I'm sorry for your loss and to thank you for sharing your Dad with my family. He was a wonderful person and has been giving my family great love and comfort for four generations. He will be sorely missed but I know he's in heaven talking God's ear off by now.LOL With much Love and Respect, TeresaMAUDE MAY JOHNSON
GRAVELRIDGE COMMUNITY, AR Thursday, March 15, 2018 DRIP RV, WAJ YOU WERE, . YOU WERE SUCH A WM & A LCASB. YP WIFE OF 63 YEARS, MAY SHE RIP NOW. IF THE COMMUNITY ONLY KHYR LIVED YOUR LIFE IN PRIVATE, TWBA AND STTS. MAY OUR FATHER IN HEAVEN GIVE ALL OF THE FAMILY PEACE AND COMFORT AT THIS TIME.Janice Gladden Wiggam
Hot Springs Village, AR Thursday, March 15, 2018 I am sorry to read about your dad's death. What an honorable and well loved gentleman! You are in my thoughts and prayers at this time of sorrow. Cherish the wonderful memories you each shared. May God give you comfort and peace.With love & sympathy,
Janice
Amelia Killingsworth
Monticello, AR Thursday, March 15, 2018 My mother (Edna Brown) was one of the 1300 funerals that Bro. White officiated. Our family has been so blessed to know the White family. Bill may God wrap you, Julie and the grandchildren in his love. "Pappy" is home now, rejoicing with the angels. Bill, we love you, "aunt' Amylinda funderburg
monticello, AR Wednesday, March 14, 2018 my condolence to the white family God blesslinda funderburg
monticello, AR Wednesday, March 14, 2018 my condolence to the white family God blesslinda funderburg
monticello, AR Wednesday, March 14, 2018 my condolence to the white family God blesslinda funderburg
monticello, AR Wednesday, March 14, 2018 my condolence to the white family God blesslinda funderburg
monticello, AR Wednesday, March 14, 2018 my condolence to the white family God blessTim and Leslie rodgers
Vicksburg, MS Wednesday, March 14, 2018 Prayers for you and your family, Bill. God bless you.tere crutchfield
vicksburg, MS Wednesday, March 14, 2018 Im sorry for your loss and your family will be in my prayers.tere crutchfield my grandmother was emma white mccain.
Diane Mann Parnell
Hermitage, AR Wednesday, March 14, 2018 A wonder person who will be missed greatly. Prayers for the family. Steve and DianeJim Glennon
Possum Valley, AR Wednesday, March 14, 2018 So very sorry for your loss. He was a very special man to a great number of people.Mary D Lasiter
Wilmar, AR Wednesday, March 14, 2018 So very sorry to hear this. My deepest sympathy to the family. RIP Bro White. You will be greatly missed but you earned your reward.