Wiley Blevins

For we know that if the earthly tent we live in is destroyed, we have a building from God, an eternal house in heaven, not built by human hands. 

-2 Corinthians 5:1

Mr. Wiley Blevins was born on November 28, 1921, in Dalark, AR.  He was the sixth of thirteen children born to the late Nathan and Patsy Perry Blevins.  He was preceded in death by six brothers and his sister.  At an early age, he accepted Christ and joined the Methodist Church in Dalark and attended school in Dalark.  He moved with his family to Gum Springs, AR and was united with St. Ruth Baptist Church under the pastorate of Rev. William Anderson.  Mr. Blevins was a leader in the church where he served as a Trustee, was dedicated to Sunday School, Bible Study, the male chorus and church choir. He was a faithful servant until his health failed. 

He united with Gertrude Helms in 1940, and to that union, four children were born. 

In 1957, he was united in holy matrimony for 59 years to the late Helen L. Anderson Blevins. To this union, one daughter was born.      

Mr. Blevins was a sharecropper and was employed with Union Pacific Railroad simultaneously until he became a production employee at Reynolds Metal Company. During his tenure with Reynolds, he traveled to Arak, Iran twice to supervise the establishment of production lines for Iralco, the largest producer of aluminum in Iran. These assignments provided him the opportunity to travel around the world.  He also worked in construction as a carpenter’s helper, and in 1959 began construction on his home in Arkadelphia, completing it in 1961.

He was a quiet, unassuming person with a unique sense of humor.  Some of his favorite activities were playing baseball, dominoes, watching sports on TV, and visiting with family and friends. Upon the untimely death of his father in 1944, he assumed the role of patriarch caring for his mother, brothers as well as his wife and three children.

Mr. Blevins leaves to cherish his memory two sons:  James H. Blevins of Dallas, TX, and Andrew (Zandra) Blevins of Memphis, TN; three daughters: Lynell Stovall (special caregiver) of Cary, NC, Patricia (Tommy) Hall of Dallas, TX and Wanda Blevins-Stephens of Little Rock, AR; three stepsons: Charles E. (Elaine) Williams, Sr. of Sugarland, TX, Larry D. (Doris) Williams of Springfield, VA, and Michael Smith (special caregiver) of Arkadelphia, AR; four brothers: Matthew (Leona) Blevins of Chicago, IL, John H. Blevins of San Diego, CA, Samuel Blevins, and Joseph Blevins of Arkadelphia, AR; three sisters-in-law: Dorothy Blevins of Arkadelphia, AR, Pearl Blevins of Little Rock, AR, and Erma Bryant of Duncanville, TX; 15 grandchildren, 33 great-grandchildren, nephews, nieces, cousins, friends, and dedicated neighbors, Enoch and Mary Arnold.    

Visitation will be at Mitchell Funeral Home on Monday, September 9, 2019, from 12:00 Noon-7:00 P.M. Family and friends hour will be at the funeral home from 6:00 P.M.- 7:00 P.M. A homegoing celebration will be held at St. Ruth Baptist Church at 1:00 P.M. on Tuesday, September 10, 2019. Mr. Blevins will lie in state at St. Ruth Baptist Church 1 hour prior to funeral time. Pastor Jamal Brown will serve as eulogist and Rev. Llewellen Terry, Sr. will serve as officiant. Interment will be at Rest Haven Memorial Gardens in Arkadelphia. 

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