Billy J. 'Dibo' Chism Mr. Billy J. "Dibo" Chism, 80, of Luxora, died Thursday, Sept. 5, 2013, at Methodist Hospital in Memphis. Born in Hope, Ark., to Frank Lee and Mary Elizabeth Bradford Chism, he was of the Pentecostal faith.

Saturday, September 7, 2013

Mr. Billy J. "Dibo" Chism, 80, of Luxora, died Thursday, Sept. 5, 2013, at Methodist Hospital in Memphis. Born in Hope, Ark., to Frank Lee and Mary Elizabeth Bradford Chism, he was of the Pentecostal faith.

Dibo was a dedicated employee of Hart Farms for over 47 years. He enjoyed farming and never considered it work. He loved life and his family and friends, and was a great comedian who could draw a crowd with his stories.

In addition to his parents he was preceded in death by two brothers, Charles Chism and Lee Chism.

He is survived by his wife of 41 years, Reba Raper Chism of Luxora;

His children, Bobby J. Chism and his wife, Karyn, of Jackson, Tenn., Debbie Cannon and her husband, Scotty, of Clarksburg, Tenn., Lisa Chism of Tennessee, Felicia Deaton and her husband, Larry, of Manila, and Bridget Hitchcock and her husband, Byron, of Manila;

Two brothers, John Chism and Clyde Chism of Benton, Ky.;

Ten sisters, Charlene Tedford of Cleveland, Miss., Adell Greshim of Atlanta, Elizabeth Pitts of Jonesboro, Alene Hicks, Vera Jackson and Lela McGarrity, of Osceola, Vivian Watkins, Helen Sporleder, and Clair Howard, of Benton, Ky., and Dorothy Light of Oklahoma City, Okla;

Eight grandchildren; and

Three great-grandchildren.

Funeral services will be held at 10:30 a.m. Monday at Cobb Funeral Home Chapel in Blytheville with the Reverend Warren Watkins officiating. Burial will follow in Manila Cemetery. The family will receive friends from 2 to 4 p.m. today at Cobb Funeral Home. An online register may be signed at cobbfuneralhome.com