Dearl G. Durham

Dearl G. Durham, 96, passed away on October 12, 2026. Born on July 6, 1930, in McRae, Arkansas, Dearl lived a long life marked by hard work, faith, and devotion to his family and church.

After finishing school, Dearl traveled to Natchitoches, Louisiana, to attend a baseball camp, where he was signed to a contract with the New York Giants baseball team. He went on to spring training in Henderson, Texas, but a sprained ankle brought his baseball career to an end. Dearl then began working for Western Electric and later transferred to Southwestern Bell, where he eventually became a supervisor. He retired on October 1, 1986, after 35 years, 3 months, and 27 days of service. After retirement, he volunteered with the Telephone Pioneers, helping build wheelchair ramps for those in need.

On October 30, 1953, Dearl married Mildred Mae Long. They shared nearly 69 years of marriage and had one son, Dearl G. Durham Jr., who preceded them in death on July 14, 1992. Mildred passed away on July 12, 2022, after sharing a life together rooted in faith, church, and friendships. They are now reunited in Heaven.

Dearl was an ordained deacon at Grace Missionary Baptist Church in Mississippi. Around 1986, he and Mildred moved their membership to Antioch Missionary Baptist Church, where Dearl served as Sunday school superintendent for several terms. Together, they started and maintained the Antioch Memorial Garden, which was dedicated on Easter morning in March 1997. They also served as youth sponsors at both Grace Missionary Baptist Church and Antioch Missionary Baptist Church.

Dearl and Mildred enjoyed entertaining church members and friends at their home on the river in Heber Springs, Arkansas, where they shared many good times with those close to them.

Dearl was preceded in death by his wife, Mildred Mae Long Durham; his son, Dearl G. Durham Jr.; his parents, Elsie Caldwell and Pierce Durham; his stepmother, Carrie Moon; his brother, Carl Alvin Durham; and his sisters, Nora Glyndolyn Cooley and infant sister Elsie Jonell Durham.

He is survived by his nieces, Carla (Leone) Grange, Erin (Brian) Bates, Karen (Pat) Henderson, Glendolyn (Michael) Worley, and Alyssa; his great-nephew, Thomas Bates; as well as his extended family, Shirley and LeRoy Hill, Tracy and Jeff Eades, Jana and Kyle Addison, Abigail (Abby) Eades, Hailey Addison, Reagan (McKinley) Eades, Alyssa Addison, and Liam Eades.

Visitation will be held Friday, October 16, 2026, from 11:00 a.m. to 1:00 p.m. at Smith Benton Funeral Home, 322 N. Market Street, Benton, Arkansas. A graveside service will follow at 3:00 p.m. at Lebanon Cemetery, 298 Lebanon Road, McRae, Arkansas, where Dearl will be laid to rest beside his beloved Mildred.