BEEBE — Marvin Richard Jones,

87, of Beebe, Arkansas was promoted to Heaven Thursday, January 23, 2020 with his three children by his side. Marvin was born October 13, 1932 in Lonoke, Arkansas to Virginia Simmons Jones and John Fletcher Jones.

He is preceded in death by his parents, all six siblings, his wife Lavern of 36 years, and two grandchildren. Marvin is survived by his three children, Neal Jones (Sharon), Marvin Jones, both of Cabot, Sheila Johnson (Robert) of El Dorado, and his special friend Vicki Helm.

At 14 years of age, he joined and briefly served in the U.S. Marine Corps. during WWII. He then served on the front line of the Korean Conflict with the Army. He was a recipient of the Purple Heart, yet his service was never spoken of in our home.

Once his military service was complete, he began the foundation for the remainder of his legacy. He began his lifetime career in the automobile industry in the 1950’s and started his family. He devoted his life to those overcoming chemical dependencies and shared his own story all over the country. He was on the Wilbur D. Mills Advisory Board from 1979 to 2018. To continue that service, he was appointed in 1992 by Gov. Bill Clinton to Northwest Arkansas Human Services. His greatest decision of all was accepting Jesus as his personal savior.

In lieu of flowers, Memorials can be made to Quapaw House – Wilbur D. Mills, P.O. Box 3450, Hot Springs, Ark. 71914. Celebration of his life will be Tuesday, January 28, 2020 at Smith-Westbrook Funeral Home in Beebe at 2 p.m. Visitation will begin at 12:30 p.m. His son Neal will officiate. Interment will be in New Hope Baptist Church Cemetery in the Woodlawn community in Lonoke County. Arrangements by Smith-Westbrook Funeral Home. www.smithfamilycares.com.