R.H. Pinkerton went home to see his Savior and join Heaven’s singers on Friday, Oct. 18, 2024. He lived most of his years at Umpire, Ark., on the Saline River, the place he thought was the very best place on earth. He said he always knew he was home when turning down Pinkerton Road in Umpire. He lived a long life of 89 years. He was born on July 25, 1935. He graduated from Umpire High School. He later served in the Army, including some time in Germany. He married his bride, Joyce Ann Bowling, of Cove in 1960.
Those from his family who will greet him in Heaven are his parents, Fletcher and Gladys Pinkerton; his in-laws, Lester and Pat Bowling; his sister and her husband, Oleta, and Bob Nash; a special friend and brother-in-law, Bobby Rhodes; a brother-in-law, James Earl Bowling; and a granddaughter, Erica Johnson.
R.H. leaves a large family to cherish his memory including his wife of 64 years, Joyce Ann, of Umpire. R.H. and Joyce have three children: Ricky Pinkerton of Umpire, Judi Jenkins (David) of Beebe, and Darla Johnson (Russ) of Bismarck. His grandchildren include Adam Pinkerton (Anna Grace) of Benton, Hannah Starwalt (Scott) of Dallas, Texas, Matt Pinkerton (Hannah) of Benton, Courtney Pinkerton of Farmington, Jared Pinkerton (Saylor) of Bentonville, Carter Pinkerton of Farmington, Colby Singleton (Gary) of Mena, Macy Welch (Kyle) of Cabot, Chad Jenkins (Briony) of De Queen, Aubrey Morris (Clayton) of Benton, and Zachary Johnson (Jasmine) of Mena. His great-grandchildren are Avery, Garrison, Bradley, and Jep Singleton of Mena, Rhett and Sawyer Leggett of Cabot, Dax and Jax Jenkins of De Queen, Beckett and Harper Morris of Benton, Benaiah and Lucas Johnson of Mena, John Cru Pinkerton of Benton, Julie Pinkerton of Benton, Shiloh, Sylvie, and Walt Starwalt of Dallas, Texas. Two more great-grandchildren are expected in January and April. R.H. has four remaining siblings: Ralph Pinkerton (Connie) of Hot Springs, Wanda Rice (Bob) of Waynesboro, Tenn., Dwight Pinkerton (Kay) of De Queen, and Gary Pinkerton (Debbie) of De Queen. These siblings gave R.H. five nephews and three nieces. R.H. also has a brother-in-law, Billy Bowling (Sherry) of Oden. He leaves a host of friends and extended family as well, including his church family.
R.H. was a Christian and a member of Athens Missionary Baptist Church where he served as a deacon. He was instrumental in starting up two churches, Mountain View Baptist Church in Umpire and Athens Missionary Baptist Church in Athens. He also served on Rich Mountain Electric’s nominating committee for many years and as a school board member for several years at Umpire. He enjoyed fishing and hunting especially bird hunting with his beloved bird dog, White Man. He also enjoyed his recent years of playing dominoes with church friends on Monday evenings.
R.H. believed in the value of hard work. He loved to share that he had cows from the time he was six years old. He built many homes in Southwest Arkansas. For a few years, he and Joyce owned and operated Pinkerton Grocery at Umpire. He and Joyce grew chickens and layer hens for many years. More recently, they enjoyed working as gatekeepers at Bellah Mine Park on De Queen Lake. One of R.H.’s favorite things to do was to be on his tractor or lawnmower.
R.H. loved to attend gospel singing and loved to sing solos and in quartets when possible through the years. His bass voice could always be heard from the pew where he sat during congregational singing and will be missed. He often got requests for his renditions of The Farmer and the Lord, A Child of the King, and Suppertime.
R.H. never met a stranger. He loved telling stories to anyone who would listen, and he loved sharing a memorized children’s book, Big Brown Bear, with his grandkids and great-grandkids over the years. R.H. loved to brag about his family and his Savior, Jesus. When he spent time in the hospital, he never failed to share his testimony with medical workers. He asked them if they knew where they would spend eternity. He told them that was the most important thing.
Funeral services for R.H. will be held at 2:00 p.m., Tuesday, Oct. 22, 2024, at Athens Missionary Baptist Church with R.H.’s grandson, Zachary Johnson, and Bro. Allen Hagood officiating. Burial will follow in the Davis Cemetery on Pinkerton Road in Umpire, under the direction of Wilkerson Funeral Home in Dierks.
Visitation will be held from 5-7 p.m., Monday, Oct. 21, 2024, at the funeral home in Dierks.
You may leave a condolence online at www.wilkersonfuneralhomes.com.