Joseph Edward Eason

Joseph E. Eason was born on April 28, 1951 in the Mt. Morriah Community of Arkadelphia, Arkansas. He was a cherished son of Charlie Doss and Gilberta Smith Eason. He accepted Christ at an early age and was a member of Mt. Morriah Baptist Church.

“Joe Ed” as he was commonly known grew up to be talented and athletic. He attended school at Peake Elementary, where he excelled in all sports including; basketball, baseball and football.  He graduated from Peake High School in 1969. With an ambition to leave Arkansas he enlisted in the US Army on September 9, 1970. He was a recipient of the National Defense Service Medal, the Armed Forces Expeditionary Medal (Korea), the Expert Badge w/Grenade Bar and the SS Badge w/Rifle Bar. His last duty assignment was USAR CP Carroll Army Depot. He was honorably discharged and returned home to Arkadelphia.

He started a career with Reynolds Metal Company/ALCOA as a crane operator that lasted 20 years until his retirement. He later worked as a forklift driver for PACTIV for 5 years. When he finally “retired, retired” he would spend hours gardening and working in his yard. He enjoyed hunting and sports; his favorite teams were the Eagles, Lakers and the Cowboys; however he would fall out with the Cowboys from time to time.

Joe Ed married Wanda Berry on July 31, 1996 and together they enjoyed traveling and spending time with their family. He united with New Mt. Zion Baptist Church under the leadership of Rev. William Colbert and was a supporter of his wife’s calling.

He enjoyed the simple pleasures that life offered. He was an outstanding father and grandfather; who supported them in all endeavors. After 68 seasons of life on Tuesday, May 28, 2019, Joe Ed passed from this life quietly in his sleep. He was preceded in passing by his parents, Charlie Doss Eason and Gilberta Smith Eason.

A lifetime of love and memories will be forever felt by his wife: Wanda Berry Eason of Beirne, AR; his children with Gracie Eason, Brian (Sarah) Eason of Portland, OR, Jocelyn (Terry) Jackson of Benton, and Brad Eason of Vancouver, WA;  his bonus children, Mario Charles of Arkadelphia, Natalie (Michael) Brizuela of Camas, WA and Bobby Charles of Pine Bluff; two sisters, Fannie Horton of Arkadelphia and Margaret (Carl) JOhnson Arkadelphia; three brothers, Prince Lee (Catherine) Eason of Malvern, Doss Eason of Hot Springs and Tracy (Sandra) Eason of Arkadelphia; aunts, Christine Quarles of Arkadelphia, Dorothy Luster of Arkadelphia and Zelma Smith of Arkadelphia; uncles, Cleveland (Della) Smith of Malvern and Douglas Smith of Malvern. He also leaves 16 cherished grandchildren, a host of nieces, nephews, other relatives, and friends.

Public visitation for family and friends will be Friday, May 31, 2019 from 12 noon until 5:00 p.m. at Williams Funeral Home at the Historic Manse of the West End Presbyterian Church, 1626 Logan Street.

A celebration of his life will be shared at 12:00 noon in Saturday, June 1, 2019 at Greater Pleasant Hill Baptist Church, Dr. Lewis A. Shepherd, Jr., pastor, Rev. William Colbert, eulogist and Rev. A. S. Newburn, officiant.

Honorary pallbearers will be his grandsons, Tyrell Jackson, Javan Jackson, Jakolby Jackson, Brandon Eason, Bobby Charles, III., and Markel Trobradovic.