Erby Lee Spharler

Erby Lee Spharler, 93, of Pine Bluff, Ark., went home to be with his Lord on June 14, 2022. Born November 28, 1928, in Pine Bluff to Vester and Lula Edith Spharler.Erby at age 10 accepted the Lord as his personal Savior while singing in the choir at Sulphur Springs Baptist Church.

Erby and Margie married on June 17, 1950. Their wedding ceremony was held at Sulphur Springs Baptist Church. It has been his lifelong request that as his life in Christ began here, that his home-going be here as well.

He began working for the Cotton Belt Railroad in July 1947. He transferred his job to Ft. Worth Texas in 1960. The Lord has called Bro. Erby to the music ministry and he became a student at Southwestern Theological Seminary School of Church Music, graduating in 1964.

Bro. Spharler enjoyed leading the youth and adult choirs in his churches with several of the youth becoming ministers of music. He also led music at Siloam Springs Baptist Assembly and several youth retreats in Oklahoma and Texas.

Bro. Spharler served churches in Texas and Arkansas for over 60 years. He retired in 2007 from the music ministry after serving Matthews Memorial Baptist Church for 12 years.

Erby enjoyed hunting, fishing, the out-of-doors, and time with his family and grandbabies.

Including his parents, he was preceded in death by one son, Mark Owen Spharler; and many siblings.

He leaves behind a loving wife and life-long friend, Margie Jacks Spharler; two children, Susan Elaine Gee (Bobby), and Belinda Kay Huntley (Tommy); four grandchildren, Brooke Leigh White, Aaron David Huntley, Rachael Hope Huntley, and Chassie Lane Sharpmack (Brent); five great-grandchildren, Kadyn Alexis White, Madilyn Avery White, Lily Kate Sharpmack, Miles Ryne Sharpmack, Track Sharpmack, Rowan Dillion, Laine Sharpmack, and Lennon Sharpmack; one brother, Troy Spharler; two sisters, Edith Bryant, and Tena Bond.

Funeral service will be 2 p.m., Saturday, June 18, 2022, at Sulphur Springs Baptist Church with Bro. Mike Holcomb and Bro. Steve Monk officiating. Interment will follow in Good Faith Cemetery. Visitation will be Saturday 1 p.m. until service time. Online register: www.ralphrobinsonandson.com.