J. D. Kersey

J. D. Kersey, age 94, of Kirby, passed away on Tuesday, January 30, 2018. He was born on March 23, 1923 in Hopper, the son of Carl Clifton Kersey and Lyda V. Coffman Kersey. On October 11, 1947 he married Opal Johnson Kersey who preceded him in death on February 21, 1996. He was also preceded in death by his granddaughter, Alicia Kersey; his parents; four brothers, Carl Kersey, Jr., Curtis Kersey, M. C. Kersey and Boyd Kersey; and two sisters, Monravia Henson and Coy Freeda "Tiny" Bell. J. D. was Missionary Baptist in his faith and pastored several churches in his early life. He was a United States Army veteran and served in World War II. He grew up in a big family and had wonderful memories of his childhood that would shape the rest of his life. He was a farmer and worked in the timber industry. J. D. was an avid outdoorsman and enjoyed doing many things which included growing a vegetable garden every year, walking in the woods with his squirrel dog, Odie, hunting, and keeping his fence rows clean. He is survived by one son and daughter-in-law, Jimmy and Alex Kersey of Lockesburg; one daughter and son-in-law, Becky and Larry White of Kirby; four grandchildren, Shawna Talkington and her husband Mike, Tracey Moncus, Adam Kersey and Aaron Smith; six great-grandchildren, Sydney, Austin, Emma, Jasmine, Jude and Emmy; three brothers and two sisters-in-law, Kirby and Marie Kersey and Billy and Mary Kersey, all of Kirby, Harold Kersey of Provo and Dortha Kersey of Arkadelphia; one sister and brother-in-law, Quilla and Joe White of Mount Pleasant, Texas; and many nieces and nephews. Services will be held at 3:00 PM, Saturday, February 3, 2018, in the Davis-Smith Funeral Home Chapel, Glenwood, with Bro. Bobby Golden officiating. Military honors will be provided by the U.S. Army Honor Guard. Visitation will be Saturday, 2:30 PM until service time. Interment will be in the Ebenezer Cemetery. Pallbearers will be Brian Haley, Harold Kersey, Jr., R. T. "Cisco" Henson III, Austin Talkington, Aaron Smith and Chris Kersey. In lieu of flowers, the family requests that memorials may be made to the Ebenezer Cemetery Fund, P. O. Box 131, Kirby, Arkansas 71950. Guest registry is at www.davis-smith.com.