PINE BLUFF — Dwain Irwin Hargrove,

known as “Hargrove” to his friends, died at Baptist Medical Center in Little Rock, Arkansas, on May 15, 2020. He was 56 years old.

Mr. Hargrove was born on October 6, 1963 in Pine Bluff, AR to his parents, Joe and Bobbie Hargrove. Nearly a lifelong resident of Pine Bluff, he is a 1982 graduate of Pine Bluff High School where he was a stand-out member of the football team, fondly known as “Number 11”. Due to an injury, he was unable to continue his football career in college but graduated from the University of Arkansas at Pine Bluff with a degree in Economics. For more than 20 years, he was an employee of the Arkansas Department of Corrections, eventually retiring due to illness.

Mr. Hargrove was a member of the Prince Hall Masons, an avid sports enthusiast, and a dedicated fan of the Pine Bluff High Zebras football team, rarely missing a game before his health failed him.

He is survived by his parents, Dr. Joe Hargrove of Little Rock and Ms. Bobbie Conaway of Pine Bluff, his stepmother, Dr. Frances Harris of Little Rock; his wife, Valencia Penn-Hargrove, his children, a son, Joshua Dwain Hargrove of Pine Bluff, a daughter, Dr. JoeAnna Wesley Hargrove of Chicago, IL; three sisters, Adrienne Thompson of Conway, AR, Dolores Nolan of Maumelle, Ark., and Phyllis Gillespie, Esq. of Jensen Beach, Florida. He is also survived by one brother, Joseph Hargrove of Little Rock; an uncle, Leo McDonald of Little Rock, as well as several nieces, nephews, cousins, and friends with whom he remained close to from childhood until his death.

The family would like to extend their deepest gratitude to the physicians and medical staff involved in his care. Memorials can be made to the University of Arkansas at Pine Bluff, Office of Development, 1200 North University Drive, Mail Slot 4981, Pine Bluff, Ark. 71601. The Lucy Johnson Scholarship Fund or online at: https://uapb.tfaforms.net/31. A walk-through visitation will be held from 5:30 p.m. – 6:30 p.m. on Thursday, May 21, 2020 at Brown Funeral Home.

There will be a private graveside service at 1:30 p.m. on Friday, May 22, 2020 in Grady, Arkansas at Pleasant Grove Cemetery, 1520 Dakota Road, Grady, Arkansas. Services entrusted to Brown Funeral Home, 2704 Commerce Circle, Pine Bluff, Arkansas 71601. 870-534-3210. www.brownfuneralhomeandmortuary.com.