Several Arkansans were honored on Thursday, April 30, 2026, by the Arkansas Funeral Directors Association (AFDA). The honors were presented during an awards banquet that serves as the capstone of the AFDA Annual Convention.
The Arkansas Funeral Directors Association is composed of the professional men and women across the state serving in the funeral industry. The association’s mission is to inspire excellence in service to funeral professionals, providing industry support, government advocacy, public relations, and best practices to the association’s members. Their annual convention, held every spring, was held at The DoubleTree Hotel by Hilton in Hot Springs. The day included continuing education, two keynote speakers, a reception honoring both the incoming and outgoing Association presidents, and the awards banquet.
Recipients of the awards include Eddie Hawkins, Jr., Randy Smith, and Scott Berna. The recipients were honored for their contributions to the funeral industry in Arkansas and service to their communities.
“This year’s award winners are among the best funeral directors to ever serve the state of Arkansas. Combined, they’ve served Arkansans in the funeral profession for over 133 years. It was an absolute honor for the Arkansas Funeral Directors Association and the AFDA Board to recognize their accomplishments, “ said AFDA Immediate Past President Chuck Fuller.
The following awards were presented:
Hall of Fame Award: Eddie Hawkins, Jr. of Texarkana
Hall of Fame Award: Randy Smith (October 21, 1955 – April 25, 2025)
Funeral Director of the Year: Scott Berna, Nelson-Berna Funeral Homes, Fayetteville
