March 20, 1938 - February 26, 2008
Ben W. Hendrix, age 69 of Springdale, died Tuesday, February 26, 2008 at the Circle of Life Hospice House in Springdale. He was born March 20, 1938 in King, Arkansas, the son of Smith Henry and Ellen Wylie Hendrix. Ben attended the Faith Regular Baptist Church in Elm Springs and spent much time studying the word of God. His faith in Jesus Christ was most important to him.
Ben graduated from Gillham High School in Gillham, Arkansas. He served in the United States Air Force from 1956 until 1960 where he worked in the Security Service. He received his training in Teletype and in Cryptographic schools while in the Air Force. He also received education from the University of Maryland, the International Data Processing Institute in Chicago, Illinois, the University of Akron in Akron, Ohio and then received a degree from the Dallas Institute of Mortuary Science.
He began his full time career in the Funeral Industry in 1973 working for Sisco Funeral Home in Springdale until 1976, he then owned and operated Hendrix-Oakcrest Funeral Home in Hope, Arkansas from 1976 until 1978, he then sold his business and moved back to Springdale and worked from 1978 until 1982 for Nelson’s Funeral Home in Fayetteville. In 1983 he opened Memorial Funeral Home in Springdale with his wife Sharon where he served the Northwest Arkansas Community until January of this year when his health would no longer allow him to work.
He was totally devoted to his wife, children, and grandchild. He was an inspiration to everyone who knew him and his memory will live through his dedication and devotion to serving others and serving Christ before himself. He spent everyday walking in the word of God.
Ben was preceded in death by one grandson, Granger Benson Stokenbury. Ben is survived by his wife Sharon of the home to whom he married July 4, 1980, two sons; Craig and wife Rachel Stokenbury of Centerton,AR , Kye and wife Tammy Stokenbury of Springdale, AR, his daughter Christy Terrell of DeQueen, Arkansas, one granddaughter Shelby Stokenbury of Springdale, AR who was the light of his life. He is also survived by two brothers and sisters-in-law; John H. Hendrix of DeQueen, AR and Carolyn Henrix of Midland, Texas, Jeff Hendrix and wife Delia of McAllen, Texas, his sister-in-law, Shirley Blevins and husband Jack of Wichita Falls, Texas, his mother-in-law; Pauline Reed of Fayetteville, Arkansas, and several nieces and nephews. Ben is also survived by two special friends; Tom and Joyce Lundstrum, who stayed by his side until he went to be with the Lord.
Funeral services will be held Friday, February 29, 2008 at 10:00 AM at the Faith Regular Baptist Church in Elm Springs with Tom Lundstrum and Reverend Gary Jewell officiating. Funeral services will be conducted under the direction of Memorial Funeral Home and Nelson-Berna Funeral Home. Visitation will be held Thursday from 5:00 P.M. until 7:00 P.M. at Memorial Funeral Home.
Pallbearers will be Craig Stokenbury, Kye Stokenbury, Robert Blevins, Raymond Addison, Odis Hash and Robert Hash.
Our family wishes to give special thanks to the staff of Circle of Life Hospice House for there care and devotion to Ben and wish that friends and family would make donations to their organization a 901 Jones Road, Springdale, AR 72762 or to Faith Regular Baptist Church 217 S. Elm Springs Road Springdale, Arkansas 72762.
To sign online condolences please visit www.memfuneral.com