FORDYCE — Rev. Bobby Laron Blann,
age 83 of Fordyce went to be with his Lord and Savior Tuesday, February 06, 2024. The youngest of eight children, Bobby Laron Blann, was born to Frank and Ollie (Stratton) Blann on August 28th, 1940, in Hampton, Ark. He was known as Laron or B. L. to his many friends. The meaning of the name Laron has two origins. One lends to meaning “mischievous one” and the other means “mighty counselor.” Anyone who has known Bro. Blann knows these two meanings encapsulate the essence of his character. He knew how to pull a good mischievous prank with the best of them and a plethora of people have benefited from his wise counsel through the decades.
Rev. Blann was preceded in death by his parents, Frank and Ollie Blann, his brothers, Woodrow Blann, Billy Blann, James Blann, Jr., and Wayne (Butch) Blann; his sisters, Opal Blann James and Maxine Blann Rose.
He is survived by his loving wife of 63 years, Barbara Sue King Blann; his children- Rusty Blann (Dorinda) of Searcy, Sissy Blann Sanders (Ken) of Fordyce, Ricky Blann (Amy) of Fordyce and Sandy Blann of Fordyce; his grandchildren (his pride and joys)- Glenda (Brad) McMath, Kenya (Jimmy) Kissinger, Dustin (Jennifer) Sanders, Tyler (Brit) Blann, Jordan (Natalie) Blann, Braden Blann, Mackenzie Blann, Tommy (Kenley) Tidwell, Taylor (Justin) Clark, Morgan Blann and Tori Tidwell; and his great-grandchildren (his absolute joys)- Kerrigan Kissinger, Britley (John) Glenn, Macy McMath, Baylor Kissinger, Mia McMath, Micah McMath, Easton Blann, Cade Crenshaw, Grizzly Blann, Madilyn Grace Sanders, Watson Tidwell, Dax Blann, Whittlyn Tidwell, Parker Sanders and Rocky Blann; one sister, Mary Sue Slocum of Bryant, and a host of other family and friends who all loved him dearly.
He was a devoted husband, a loving father, and a doting grandfather and great grandfather. The beginning of this large Fordyce Blann clan began when Bro. Blann met Barbara in the sandbox as children. He took care of his family and always made sure they had whatever was needed.
He loved his family deeply. Some of the most cherished memories for the entire fami----
ly stem from the annual family vacations to Branson, with the intense putt putt tournaments, which papaw/poppy never won because the putter was messed up or he got a silly golf ball. There are also secrets from the family balderdash games that have been shredded to oblivion, never to be known again. He instilled in his family a love for God, people, the ministry and of course, his beloved Razorbacks. Win or lose, he supported his hogs and cheered them on.
Bro. Blann had a smile that would light up around people, but nothing like when his great-grandchildren entered the room. In his opinion, those great grandbabies were everything.
Alongside the legacy of his family, Bro. Blann leaves a legacy of caring for the Fordyce and Dallas County community. He pastored First Assembly of God in Fordyce for 42 years. During that time he conducted scores of weddings and countless funerals. One of the shining moments of his life was the construction of the new building for First Assembly in 1995. His excitement was contagious as the congregation moved from the old stucco building on Smith Street to the new church on Upton Drive.
His character as a pastor was his ability to love everyone, the loveable and the unlovable. Someone said, “Bro. Blann was a friend to all and enemy of none.” He was a mentor to pastors, a shepherd to his flock and a pastor to the entire community.
He was an honored minister with the Arkansas Assemblies of God District for many years and was a Sectional Presbyter for the District for 25 years. Besides Fordyce First Assembly, he also pastored at Union Grove Assembly of God in Hampton and Huttig Assembly of God in Huttig.
He served his community as Chamber of Commerce President, host of the Gospel Hour for many years at KBJT, coordinated the Gospel Singing for Fordyce on the Cottonbelt, coached his sons’ little league teams, the church’s softball team for the church league and many, many other ways throughout the years.
The legacy of Bro. Blann will continue through his loving family and the host of friends and extended family.
Visitation will be Thursday, February 8, 2023, 6 until 8 p.m. at First Assembly of God Church in Fordyce. Funeral services will be 2 p.m. Friday at First Assembly of God in Fordyce with Rev. Rusty Blann and Rev. Nathan Hubbard officiating. Burial will follow at Pickett Cemetery near Hampton. Arrangements by Benton Funeral Home in Fordyce. To sign the online register visit www.bentonfuneralhome.net.