John Story, 97, of Cherokee Village, Arkansas passed away Monday, October 9, 2023 at EagleCrest Nursing and Rehab Center in Ash Flat, Arkansas. He was born May 25, 1926 in Lepanto, Arkansas to Ben and Ida Smothers Story. As a young man, John became a truck driver for Portis Mercantile and operated heavy duty equipment in the agriculture industry in northeast Arkansas.
He served his country in the U.S. Army for two years during the Korean War. John and his wife Margaret moved to Cherokee Village and were members of First Baptist Church there for more than forty years. He helped mow the church lawn with a push mower and served his fellow Christians and others in any way possible, often with a prank or joke attached showing his good nature.
He was preceded in death by his parents; two sons, John Mark and William Allen; a daughter, Joan Marie; a brother, Sam Story Sr.; and his beloved wife, “Momma”.
Survivors include a daughter, Marcia Canada (Randy) of Missouri; nieces: Paula Gonzales (Mike) of Trumann, Arkansas and Kelley Jewell (Mitchell) of Lepanto; nephews: Sam Story Jr. (Julia Woods) of Lepanto and Jerry Story (Shirley) of Lake City, Arkansas; several grandchildren and great-grandchildren; other relatives and many good friends including his “bonus daughter” and caretaker, Julie Seward Rikard.
Visitation of family and friends will begin at 10 a.m. Thursday, October 12, in First Baptist Church of Cherokee Village. The funeral service will follow at 11 a.m. with Bro. Chris Thorman and Bro. Larry White officiating. Burial will be in Oaklawn Cemetery.
Arrangements are with Tri-County Funeral Home of Highland, Arkansas.
