w/photo
HOMER GREER
Homer F. "Sonny" Greer, Jr., a devoted father, grandfather, great-grandfather, family member and citizen, passed away late in the evening on Sunday, November 19th, 2023, at the age of 97.
Sonny was a lifelong resident of Magnolia, Arkansas and a member of the Magnolia High School Class of 1944. Upon graduation, he was drafted into the United States Army and received an honorable discharge in 1945. He attended Northwestern State University, and he received his B.S. in Business and Commerce from Southern State University in 1953.
Sonny enjoyed a long and successful career of 47 years at First National Bank of Magnolia. He held a variety of positions but spent most of his career in the trust department. He retired as senior vice president and trust officer in 1995.
An active member of his community, he served as a Columbia County Justice of the Peace, a member of the Columbia County Chamber of Commerce Ambassadors Club, past president of Magnolia Jaycees, and served on the board of directors of Main Street Magnolia, where he was instrumental in the construction of the Columbia County courthouse bandstand on the square.
He was honored by being named Columbia County Chamber of Commerce Citizen of the Year for 1992. He was also given the Nth Degree Award from Northwestern State University in recognition of his dedication to the school. Sonny was a long-serving and dedicated trustee of the Magale Foundation, and also acted as its chairman.
Sonny was a lifelong member of the First United Methodist Church of Magnolia, where he served on the board of trustees.
As a talented and sought-after musician, Sonny has entertained thousands throughout the years at various fundraisers and events throughout the Ark-La-Tex by playing trumpet with several dance and Dixieland bands, including the appropriately named "The Bank Notes."
Most of all, Sonny was a family man. From growing up on South Washington Street with his loving parents and sweet sisters, to becoming a father, grandfather and great-grandfather, to attending the many gatherings and holidays with his extended Greer family, nothing made him happier than being with his family.
Sonny Greer was preceded in death by his wife Jean Calloway Greer; parents Julia and Homer Greer, Sr.; sisters Margaret Reagan, Mildred Ruff, Marian "Tootsie" Schmidt, and Lois Gene Russell; and daughter-in-law Susan Greer.
He is survived by his daughter Janet Greer Addison and her husband Rick, granddaughter Hayley McAvey and her husband James, all of Dallas, Texas; son David Greer and grandson Blaine Greer, both of Magnolia, Arkansas; granddaughter Robbie Hall, her husband John, and one great-granddaughter Calloway, of Conway, Arkansas.
Additional family members include Gibbons Addison and his wife Edy, their children Shepherd and Raleigh, of Baton Rouge, Louisiana, and Amanda Addison of Austin, Texas. As the last of his generation, he is survived by a host of nieces and nephews and their families, whom he loved dearly.
The family would like to express their sincere appreciation to Sonny's caregivers who were so kind and loving in their time with him. In lieu of flowers, the family requests memorials be made to the Jean Greer Perpetual Fund at First United Methodist Church of Magnolia.
A visitation will be held on Monday, December 11, 2023, at 11 a.m. at the First United Methodist Church in Magnolia with a Celebration of Life Service following at 12 p.m.
LLOYD COOPER
Arrangements are pending with R.L. Reed Funeral Home of Magnolia, for 82-year-old Lloyd Cooper, Jr. of Magnolia, who passed away Sunday, December 3, at his home.
VALESTENE JACKSON
Arrangements are pending with R.L. Reed Funeral Home of Magnolia, for 77-year-old Valestene Jackson of Magnolia, who passed away Saturday, December 2, at Magnolia Regional Medical Center in Magnolia.
VIRGINIA SMITH
Virginia Brewer Smith, 40, of Magnolia, Arkansas, passed away Thursday, November 30, 2023, at her residence. Arrangements are pending with Reed Funeral Home in Magnolia.
ASHLEY FRENCH
Ashley French, 26, of Magnolia, transitioned from this life succumbing to injuries sustained in an automobile accident Thursday morning, November 30, 2023, in Camden. Arrangements are pending with R.L. Reed Funeral Home in Magnolia.
MARTHA HENDERSON
Martha Henderson, 38, of Magnolia, Arkansas, passed away Monday, December 4, 2023, at Baptist Health Medical Center in Little Rock. Arrangements are pending with R.L. Reed Funeral Home in Magnolia, Arkansas.