Jerry Lonnie Maulden

Jerry L. Maulden, a man whose life journey took him from humble beginnings to significant personal and professional achievements, passed away on June 5, 2025, at the age of 88. He is now reunited with his beloved daughter, mother, father, brother, and sister.

Jerry was born in Shirley, Arkansas on August 13, 1936 to Gay and Thelma Maulden. On April 6, 1956, Jerry married Sylvia Sue Atkinson, his lifelong partner.

Upon accepting the Horatio Alger Award in 1987, Jerry said of Sue, “There is one person who above everyone else — the crowning jewel of my life — who deserves this tribute more than I.”

In his speech, Jerry said Sue’s “caring and comforting companionship is a constant joy.” He shared, “Without Sue and the partnership we have cultivated…I could never have made our dreams realities… but with Sue… I have experienced the best of life, and I truly believe that the best is yet to come.”

Jerry attended Little Rock Junior College and later graduated from the University of Arkansas at Little Rock with a degree in accounting. In 1965, Jerry was hired by Arkansas Power & Light Co. He was elected president and CEO of AP&L in 1979. Later he became the chief operations officer of Entergy Corporation. He served on numerous boards including the national boards of directors of the National Association for the Advancement of Colored People (NAACP) and the Boys and Girls Clubs of America. Jerry credited his success to the people who surrounded him and comprised the Entergy family.

To the world, Jerry was known as a successful business executive and leader of Arkansas Power & Light and Entergy. Yet, to those who loved him most, he was simply Jerry, Dad, and Granddad - a cherished presence whose warmth, humor, and kindness profoundly impacted their lives.

Jerry, a member of First Baptist Church in Little Rock, was a devoted follower of Jesus and a man who genuinely feared God, living his life with a deep sense of faith and moral conviction. He used his life experiences and his Christian faith to counsel his children, grandchildren, and three students (Mihee, Hunter and JJ) from South Korea, who lived with him and Sue and became bonus grandchildren.

Meanwhile, Jerry was a passionate Razorback fan, cheering on his favorite team with unwavering loyalty. Beyond his public persona, Jerry was known for his generosity and his remarkably soft heart, especially when it came to the disadvantaged. He extended compassion and support to those in need, embodying a spirit of true benevolence.

Above all, Jerry cherished the Lord, his family, and his friends. His greatest joy came from the relationships he nurtured, and he leaves behind a legacy of love, faith, and unwavering commitment to those he held dear. He will be deeply missed by all who had the privilege of knowing him.

He was preceded in death by his daughter, Kelly Anne, his father and mother, Gay and Thelma Maulden, his sister, Jean, and his brother, Windell. Jerry is survived by his wife of 69 years, Sue, his children Karen Oliver (Ty), Michael Maulden (Thu), and Kristin Alexander (Peter). His grandchildren are Lauren Woody (Tim), Sarah Maulden, Robert Turner (Tina), Sean Alexander (Brooke), Thomas Alexander (Lillian), Charlotte Alexander, and Olivia Alexander. His great grandchildren are Payne, Layton, and Beau Green, Jack and Jude McKnight, Logan and London Woody, Dawson Brown, and Noah Brady.

On Tuesday, June 10th, a visitation (3 p.m.) and a memorial service (4 p.m.) will be held at First Baptist Church in Little Rock.

In lieu of flowers, the family asks for donations to First Baptist Church, 62 Pleasant Valley Dr., Little Rock, AR 72212; Arkansas Baptist Homes for Children, 150 Hyatt, Monticello, AR 71655; Watershed, 3701 Springer Blvd., Little Rock, AR 72206 or The Boys & Girls Club of North Little Rock, 1212 Jim Wetherington Place, North Little Rock, AR 72114.