Wilburn E. Patrick

Wilburn E. Patrick, age 90 of the Calmer Community near Rison, died, Friday, September 2, 2011 at Jefferson Regional Medical Center. He was born September 18, 1920 in the Rowell Community, a son of the late William Joseph Patrick and Gillian Hall Patrick. Mr. Patrick married Mildred Vinson on February 9, 1943 in Rowell. He served in the United States Air Force for four years. Mr. Patrick was employed by the Pine Bluff Arsenal for thirty seven years and retired as acting fire chief. He served three terms on the Woodlawn School Board, serving as president his last term, and was on the Cleveland County Nursing Home Board for several years. Mr. Patrick was a cattle farmer and raised vegetables that he liked to share with neighbors. He was an avid Razorback fan, and a former player and manager for the Martin Brothers Gas Company Semi Pro Baseball team of Pansy, Arkansas. Mr. Patrick was a longtime member of Center Missionary Baptist Church. He was also preceded in death by a son, Eddie Fred Patrick; sisters, Maxine Patrick Reed, Pat Brittain, Jean Pierce; brother, Joe David Patrick.

Mr. Patrick is survived by his wife of sixty eight years, Mildred Vinson Patrick of Calmer; two sons and daughters-in-law, Larry and Susan Patrick of Rogers, Wendell and Sandy Patrick of Calmer; three brothers, James Patrick of Rowell, Bobby Patrick of Star City, Billy Patrick of Mt. Ida; one sister, Charlene Jones of Rye; four grandchildren and their spouses, Jennifer and Mike Wilson of Fayetteville, Alex and Leslie Patrick of Atlanta, Georgia, Wendy Patrick of Pine Bluff, Brooke and Jay Haley of Oahu, Hawaii; one great grandson, Charlie Alexander Patrick of Atlanta, Georgia.

Funeral services are 2:00 p.m. Sunday, September 4, 2011, at Center Missionary Baptist Church with Brother Doney Blackerby and Brother William Paul Woolley officiating. Burial will follow in Rowell Cemetery. Visitation will be from 4:00 to 6:00 p.m., Saturday, September 3, 2011 at the funeral home. Memorials may be made to Center Missionary Baptist Church Building Fund, 60 Cole Road, Rison, Arkansas 71665. Pallbearers are Roy Owen, Ron Johnston, Jack Broach, Gary Cope, Mark Attwood and Joe Calhoun. Funeral arrangements are under the direction of Buie Funeral Home of Rison. (870) 325-6216.