Walter Jerrell Belew

Walter Jerrell Belew, 79, of Jonesboro, former longtime Portia resident, died Thursday, July 16, 2015, at St. Bernards Medical Center. Born in the Lesterville community, he was the son of the late Walter and Flossie Webb Belew and had lived most of his life in Lawrence County.

A 1953 graduate of Walnut Ridge High School, he served in the Arkansas National Guard and was a former deputy sheriff in Pulaski County. He was the owner/operator of Belew's Used Cars in Walnut Ridge and Portia and served as the Mayor of Portia during the 1990s. Jerrell was a member of the Crossroads Baptist Church in Portia and the Sonlighters gospel quartet. He was an outdoorsman and loved spending time in the country with his dog.

In addition to his parents he was preceded in death by a sister, Tommie Jean Williams, a brother-in-law, one niece and 1 nephew.

He is survived by two sons and daughters-in-law, Jerry and Anita Belew of Jonesboro and Steve and Mary Belew of Saltillo, Miss.; three daughters and sons-in-law, Teresa and John Sproles of Little Rock, Rebecca and Mike Burrier of Leachville and Carrie and Scott Fraley of Earle; one sister, Tressie Mossburg of Spartanburg, S.C; 13 grandchildren, nine great-grandchildren, and four great-great-grandchildren.

Funeral service was 11 a.m. Saturday, July 18, at the Crossroads Baptist Church in Portia with Rev. Bobby Burnett and Rev. Mike Frost officiating. Burial followed in the Lawrence County Memorial Park under the direction of Howard Funeral Service of Leachville. The family received visitors Saturday from 10 a.m. until service time at the church.

Pallbearers included Scott Fraley, Mike Burrier, Chris Applegate, Jonathon Nettles and Gary Mossburg.

Online guest register: www.HowardFuneralService.com