Kevin Bell Thompson

Kevin Bell Thompson of Paragould was liberated from his earthly body into the presence of the Lord in the early hours of March 14, 2023, after a seven year long battle with Lewy Body Dementia. Kevin was born in Hayti, Mo., on April 26, 1958. After graduating from Hayti High School in 1977, Kevin entered the work force, holding several retail jobs in the grocery and auto parts sector.

In 1978, Kevin met Carol Renee Holland of Caruthersville, Mo. After several months of dating, Kevin proposed and the couple were married on April 12, 1979. Throughout their 43-year marriage, Kevin and Carol would welcome three children, Brent, April and Lance, along with making several moves until settling in Paragould, in 2000. In 1991, he affirmed the most important decision any person can make by declaring Jesus as His Lord, followed by believer’s baptism at First Baptist Church in Caruthersville, Mo.

Kevin’s lifelong passion was being an over-the-road professional truck driver. In 2004, he earned his CDL and received all the required certificates to begin his dream job. The majority of Kevin’s driving career was with Mellow Moon Bottling Company of Paragould. Kevin was blessed to work in this profession until his initial diagnosis in 2017.

In addition to being a professional driver, Kevin loved working outside in the yard and around the house, was a huge NASCAR fan (his all-time favorite driver was Dale Earnhardt, Sr.), and enjoyed the family’s game—golf. More than anything, he loved being with his family and never missed an opportunity for family reunions and gatherings.

Kevin was preceded in death by his father, Aaron E. Thompson, Sr., of Hayti, Mo, and his mother and stepfather, Mary Ann and Charles Flowers, of Walnut Ridge.

Kevin is survived by a large family that loved him very much; his wife, Carol; two sons, Brent (Ashley) Thompson of Nashville, Ark., and Lance Thompson of Lafe; one daughter, April Thompson of Leachville; one brother, Sonny (Tina) Thompson of Fairfield Bay; two sisters, Jeanne Banks (John Dickens) of Placitas, N.M., and Juna (Henry) Penney of Anchorage, Alaska; one brother-in-law, Lannie (Dianne) Holland of Oviedo, Fla., five granddaughters, Kaidance, McKinna and Jayla Grant, and Luci Kate and Eleanor Thompson; and a host of nephews, nieces, plus many friends.

Visitation will be held at Mitchell Funeral Home in Paragould on Sunday, March 19, at 2 p.m. followed by a Celebration of Life at 3 p.m. In lieu of flowers, the family requests donations be made to the Operation Christmas Child Ministry of Samaritan’s Purse or to the Lewy Body Dementia Association.