James Wilburn Kender

Mr. James Wilburn Kender, 92, of Jonesboro, former longtime Leachville resident, passed from this life, Saturday March 3, 2012, at the Flo and Phil Jones Hospice House in Jonesboro. Born at Atkins, Ark., he was the son of the late James Warren and Lillie Ada Patience Roach Kender and was a retired carpenter. He had lived most of his life in the Leachville area before moving to Jonesboro in 2009.

Mr. Kender enjoyed spending time with his family, listening to his Bible on tape, and playing his guitar. He was a longtime member of the Happy Corner Assembly of God, and later attended the Assemblies in Leachville and Senath.

In addition to his parents, he was preceded in death by his wife of 55 years, Elawene Byrd Kender, in 1996.

He leaves one daughter, Barbara Pugh of Wilburton, Okla.;

Three sons and daughters-in-law, Bob and Sue Kender of Cardwell, Mo., Larry and Kathy Kender of Holland, Mich., and Wayne and Karen Kender of Jonesboro; and

Ten grandchildren, 21 great-grandchildren, and nine great-great-grandchildren.

Funeral services were at 11 a.m. today at the Howard Funeral Service Chapel in Leachville with the Rev. Worth Gibson and the Rev. Charles Clark officiating. Burial followed in Leachville Cemetery. The family received visitors from 6-8 p.m. Monday at the funeral home. Pallbearers will be Shannon Kender, Michael Kender, Danny Kender, Scott Pugh, Rob Allison and Travis Standley. A guest registry is available at www.HowardFuneralService.com