Wallace J. Cupples

Thursday, August 16, 2012

Mr. Wallace J. Cupples, 90, of Blytheville, was called home to the Lord Tuesday, Aug., 14, 2012, at the NEA Baptist Medical Center in Jonesboro. Born June 6, 1922, in Bemis, Tenn., to the late William M. Cupples and Bessie Scarbrough Cupples, he moved to Blytheville in 1949.

He was preceded in death by his parents; his wife of 56 years, Evelyn Bonds Cupples; and a sister and brother-in-law, Vaughnell and Robert Chester.

He is survived by his daughter, Nancy (and Jack) Goodman of Blytheville;

Two grandsons, John Ed (and Maria) Goodman of Bearden, and Wallace Mark (and Karina) Goodman of Dyersburg, Tenn.; and

Five great-grandchildren, Anna, Cody, Jackson, Joseph, and Gabriella.

Mr. Cupples was a longtime Blytheville resident and affectionately known by his friends as "Cup." Early in his career he was a route salesman with the Arkansas Grocery Company for over 20 years. He became the Executive Director of the Blytheville Housing Authority and held that distinction for over 25 years. During both careers he met three friends, with whom he purchased and/or co-founded the Deering and Kennett Liquid Fertilizer Companies, as well as the Adams Farm Center in Portageville and Marston, all of which were successfully owned and operated well into his retirement.

Mr. Cupples was a member of the Blytheville Lions Club for 47 years and an active member of the First United Methodist Church of Blytheville for over 60 years. He was also a Mason and past member of the Masonic Lodge.

During his career with the Blytheville Housing Authority, he was recognized as the Southwest Regional Member of the Year, President of the Arkansas Chapter of the Southwest Region and inducted into the Arkansas Housing Hall of Fame.

His hobbies included spending time with his daughter, grand and great-grandchildren, fishing, reading his daily newspaper, bowling, golf and watching a wide variety of sports, especially anything with the Arkansas Razorbacks.

Funeral services will be held at 10:30 a.m. Saturday in the First United Methodist Church Sanctuary with Dr. Robin Moore officiating. Burial will be in Elmwood Cemetery.

The family will receive friends rom 6-8 p.m. Friday at Cobb Funeral Home. Condolences may be expressed to the family on line at the Cobb Funeral Home guest book, www.cobbfuneralhome.com. In lieu of flowers, the family respectfully requests that memorials be sent to the First United Methodist Church Handicap Fund.