Alvin Lane Jr.

Mr. Alvin Lane Jr., 89, of Blytheville, passed from this life Sunday, Oct. 9, 2011, at St. Bernard Regional Medical Center in Jonesboro.

Alvin was born in Blytheville to the late Alvin and Rosa Richardson Lane, who died when he was very young, leaving him to be raised by his grandmother, Martha Washington Lane; an aunt, Ethel Lane Redford and an uncle, William (Bill) Lane. His early life was forged by working at various jobs; Western Union, Greyhound Bus Station, as a bread and candy route salesman and also at Kirby Drug Store.

Mr. Lane graduated from Blytheville High School with the class of 1941. His marriage to Jane Medlin Lane on June 14, 1942, began a loving union that lasted for 69 years. Alvin joined the United States Army "Patton's Tanks Division" during WWII and served his country honorably until his discharge. Alvin was also an active member of the First Baptist Church.

In 1947, he went into partnership with his father-in-law, Henry Clay Medlin, and started Medlin and Lane Electric Motor Repair and retired from there in 1985.

On Nov. 5, 1976, Alvin was elected to the Quorum Court as Justice of the Peace. He served faithfully on the Quorum Court for ten years as Justice performing his duties to make Mississippi County a better place. Alvin's greatest joy as Justice was his being able to perform weddings. After his term of service ended, he became an Honorary Justice of the Peace which authorized him to continue his service of performing weddings. Through the years, Alvin has presided at the marriages of over 8000 couples. He would take two pictures of the couples he married, giving one copy to the couple and keeping one for himself, which he placed in a photo album. Alvin performed several memorable ceremonies, such as airmen and their fiancés just before leaving for war. He also performed court ordered ceremonies before prisoners went to jail and numerous others of all styles. One of his most treasured ceremonies was presiding over the marriage of his granddaughter, Anglia King, to Scott Herron.

Alvin enjoyed fishing, especially with Eddie Ford Jr., who was like a brother to him and his father-in-law, Clay Medlin, going as often as possible. He looked forward to "coffee breaks" at Penn's Barbeque or other places with Eddie Ford Jr., Carl Pate, Joe Bill McHaney and Leon Burns.

Mr. Lane was a loving and caring "son," husband, father, and grandfather, son-in-law and father-in-law, as well as a devoted and loving friend to many. "Dad was always there when we needed him in whatever way he could help."

Sixty-nine years of successful marriage was due to the love he had for Jane and was evident in his care for her. They enjoyed traveling until Jane's health prevented them from going. Alvin and Jane would go for drives every day until his health declined, and his doctor wouldn't allow him drive anymore. Even then, his love for her never dimmed as daily he would continue to take care of her.

In addition to his parents, he was preceded in death by a sister, Elizabeth Lane.

He leaves his wife, Jane Medlin Lane;

A son, Alvin C. "Buddy" Lane and his wife, Pam, and their daughter, Jane Lane King McGruder, all of Blytheville;

Five grandchildren, Jerry King of Dallas, Scott Lane of Jonesboro, Anglia King Herron and her husband, Scott, of Armorel, Michael Lane and his wife Elizabeth of Chesterfield, Va.; and

Three great-grandchildren, Shelby Herron of Armorel, and Anna Grace Lane and Sarah Elizabeth Lane, both of Chesterfield, Va.

Funeral services will be held at 10:30 a.m. Wednesday in Cobb Funeral Home Chapel with the Rev. Steve Baillio and the Rev. Keith Bullock officiating. Burial will follow in Elmwood Cemetery. The family will receive friends from 6-8 p.m. today at Cobb Funeral Home. In lieu of flowers, memorials may be sent to the First Baptist Church Radio and TV Ministry, First Assembly of God building fund, or the charity of choice. Condolences may be emailed to cobbfuneralhome@sbcglobal.net