Ida Maxine Farmer

Ida Maxine Farmer, 94, of Jonesboro, passed away Wednesday, Feb. 5, 2020, at 10:10 p.m. in Jonesboro.

Maxine was born April 17, 1925, in Senath, Mo. She was the daughter of Dora (Watkins) and James Edgar Buford.

Maxine was a member of Sanctuary church. She was a follower of Christ and passionate about sharing her faith with others. Maxine loved her family and they were important to her. She was happiest when she spent time with them. She was a strong lady who fought hard to live everyday with purpose. She took up painting at the age of 94 and enjoyed it thoroughly.

Maxine is preceded in death by her husband, Billy Joe Farmer; parents, Dora Buford-Corvin, Andy Corvin (stepfather) and James Edgar Buford; one brother, James Buford; three sisters, Mary Francis King, Willie Mae Williamson and Eunice Buford; one daughter, Sheila Ann Stevens; two grandchildren, Gregory Scot Gray and Kimberly Barbee-Gillock; and one great-grandson, Ryan Gray.

Maxine had seven children, Paulette (Shorty) Barbee of Osceola, Billy (Ruth) Williamson of Blytheville, Donnie (Bernice) Gray of Jonesboro, Anthony (Barbara) Gray of Branson, Mo., Gary (Mary) Williamson of Warner Robbins, Ga., Teresa (Greg) Dempsey of Las Vegas, Nev., and Clyde Jr. (Carol) Stanford of Blytheville.

Other survivors include her 24 grandchildren, Angie (Steve) Warhurst, Tammy (Randy) McKinley, Billy (Barbara) Williamson, Bridgett (James) Fortner, Donnie (Chrissy) Gray, Tracey (David) Urich, Brandy Harrington, Crystal Williamson, Carrie Williamson, Kelly Williamson, Melissa (Rick) Crawford, Candice Woodard, Tiffany (Jeremy) Stobaugh, Heather Merrick, Courtney (Tim) Collums, Tara Wallace, Renee Dempsey, Joshua (Amber) Dempsey, Jason (Amanda) Dempsey, Leah Dempsey, Brittany Stanford, Colton Stice, Janelle Taylor and Sabrina Menard; 47 great-grandchildren with one due in February; 16 great-great grandchildren with three due in February; and numerous nieces, nephews and friends.

Funeral services will be held Saturday, Feb. 8, at 11:30 a.m. in the Cobb Funeral Home Chapel with Rev. Kenneth O’Connell officiating. Burial will be private. The family will receive friends from 10 a.m. until service time at Cobb Funeral Home.

Pallbearers will be Billy Williamson, Jr., Donnie Lee Gray, Joshua Dempsey, Andrew Gray, Whitten Gray and Christopher Warhurst. Honorary pallbearers are her great-grandsons, Colby Warhurst, Brayden Burcham, Austin Woodard, Trey Mobley, Zach Gray, Mark Manley, B.B. Williamson, Dustin Gee, Daniel Gray, Matthew Williamson, Corbin Archie, Brandon Wallace, Dylan Wallace, Dakota Joe Wallace and Matthew Fortner.

In lieu of flowers, the family requests memorials be made to North Tenth Street Baptist Church in Blytheville or Sanctuary Church in Jonesboro. Condolences may be expressed to the family at www.cobbfuneralhome.com.