almarie-denhamPARAGOULD, Ark. (BNc) by Randal Matheny — Almarie Payne Denham, 91, of Paragould, passed away May 31 at the Flo & Phil Jones Hospice House in Jonesboro. She was born on Aug. 24, 1922, in Finch, Ark., to Carroll Crawford Payne and Linnie Rose Williams Payne.

She belonged to the Pine Knott congregation, where her husband Adrian had served, until recently, as an elder.

Over the years, she had been a loyal employee of Ely Walker Shirt Factory, Ben Franklin Five and Dime, IGA Grocery, Big Star Grocery and Walden Drug Store where she had made many friends and lasting memories.

If memory serves me, she and I worked at the Ben Franklin store together, during my short career there.

Survivors include her husband of 73 years, Adrian Denham; one daughter, Darla Denham Eaker, granddaughter, Robin (Rex) Ellington; one great grandson, Chandler Crawford Ellington, one great granddaughter, Alexandra Dione Ellington, along with sister-in-laws, brother-in-laws, nieces, nephews, cousins and friends whom she all loved dearly.

When I was a child, for several years Adrian and Almarie came every Sunday out to the small Stonewall congregation in northern Greene County, where my family assembled. Adrian preached and taught in the congregation, so this couple makes up a part of my spiritual DNA.

Funeral services will be held June 3 at the Mitchell Funeral Home Chapel with burial in Linwood Cemetery.

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