Arliss June Powell, 87, of Mammoth Spring, Arkansas, passed away on Tuesday, August 13, 2024, at Baxter Regional Medical Center. He was born on April 15, 1937, in Fulton County, Arkansas, he was the son of the late Arvy William Powell and Elva (Hall) Powell. Arliss was a lifelong Fulton County resident and a devoted Pilot Church of Christ member, where he served as a deacon and later an elder.
He graduated from Mammoth Spring High School and earned bachelor’s and master’s degrees from Arkansas State College. His career in education began at Mammoth Spring Public Schools, where he worked from 1959 to 1975, followed by a role as Fulton County School Supervisor from 1975 to 1987. He returned to Mammoth Spring as Superintendent from 1987 to 1990, when he retired as an educator. After retiring, Arliss spent many enjoyable years farming and attending his grandchildren’s sporting events.
On December 26, 1959, he married Patricia Joy Smith. Their marriage was blessed with two sons: Dwayne (Misty) of Jonesboro, Arkansas, and Wade (Sherry) of Mammoth Spring, Arkansas. Four grandchildren: Sarah Powell of Iowa City, Iowa; Hannah Powell of Jonesboro, Arkansas; Collin (Ashlyn) Powell of Mammoth Spring, Arkansas; and Coltin (Hayley) Powell of Mammoth Spring, Arkansas, as well as four great-grandchildren: Alayah, Watson, Adlee, and Harrison, all of Mammoth Spring, Arkansas.
In addition to his wife, sons, grandchildren, and great-grandchildren, he is survived by his sister, Jewell Garrison, of Myrtle, Missouri, and his brother and sister-in-law, Wayne and Anita Smith, of Koshkonong, Missouri.
He was preceded in death by his parents and his brother-in-law, Richard Garrison.
Funeral service will be held at 2:00 PM on Friday, August 16, 2024, at Carter’s Funeral Home in Thayer, Missouri.
Interment will be at Pilot Cemetery in Mammoth Spring, Arkansas, under the directions of Carter Funeral Home in Thayer, Missouri.
In lieu of flowers, the family requests donations be made to Pilot Cemetery Fund or Children’s Home Inc. in Paragould, Arkansas https://web419985.campusnet.net/OnLineGiving_409/site/donate.aspx?siteid=90c1d047-3489-470e-83e1-f9ca96d9c857&LinkID=b937b13d-1549-4ab9-a627-22572c23fd1.
August 14, 2024 @ 8:32 pm
A person could get a Ph.D calculating all the good this man did.
August 15, 2024 @ 12:32 am
He was a wonderful man. He helped the students me being one a lot. He was understanding & caring but firm. Learned a lot from him. Sorry for your loss you guys are in my thoughts and prayers
August 15, 2024 @ 11:04 am
At one time, there were six Powell cousins in and around Mammoth Spring. Two of them have gone on for their reward. Arliss was our Patriotic and Historian. He knew all there was to know about our ancestors. When any one of ha had different times in our lives Arliss was always there to help bear our burdens. My greatest memory of Arliss will be how much he loved his Grandchildren and the Pilot Church. Norma Powell Pace
August 15, 2024 @ 1:51 pm
There were never any better neighbors than Arliss and Patsy to my parents, Austin and Viola McDonald. In school he was Mr. Powell and was an exceptional teacher and administrator at MSHS. Charlie and I have the utmost respect for him and the example he was to students, the Pilot church and the area. Our sympathy to his family and friends.
August 15, 2024 @ 3:16 pm
I am the cousin from California. Spent many summers with my Mom and Dad Pauline and Olen Powell visiting Grandpa Oscar and all the Powell clan
Lots of good times
Arliss was always fun to be around. The stories and his humor
Martin and I were in Mammoth almost 3 years ago
Gathered with all the cousins. I may be in California but you all are my family. Arliss you will be missed
August 17, 2024 @ 8:07 pm
The first time I met Mr. Powell was back in the early 70’s I slid off the road right into to his ditch, in an ice storm coming home from work. Of course he got out there and he worked so hard helping me. Then later I would work at the school through the Head start. Sometimes he scared me and didn’t even have to say anything and then would laugh and say aren’t you that gal that ran off in my ditch… Then., years later Sherry married Wade and I got to know him and learned to enjoy his sense of humor and his stories he told the the boys and watch how they loved Grandpa and Grandma . He will be missed by so many in so many ways but that’s the way of Legend. I would guess there is a million stories that could be told of times he had helped a friend , neighbor, family, or stranger .
August 16, 2024 @ 8:39 am
So sorry to hear of his passing. He was an exceptional man and obviously loved the Lord and his family. You are all in my prayers…..
August 16, 2024 @ 9:59 pm
So sorry to hear of Arliss passing. If my mom( Ruth Deaton) was alive she would keep me updated on distant relatives. I have heard her speak of him and what a dedicated Christian he was. Prayers for this time of loss for the entire family.