Rev. John Paul Maynard

Rev. John Paul Maynard died Monday, April 27, 2020, at Lenoir Care Center in Columbia, Mo. He was born Aug. 13, 1937, to the late Rev. John Akriel Maynard and Hettie Birmingham Reeves Maynard in Monette. He and Linda Waters were married in 1962.

After pastoring a short time in Arkansas, John went to Missouri where he was an Associate Member of the Missouri Conference of the United Methodist Church.

He had a great appreciation for small town and rural churches and served appointments at Caruth, Cardwell, Bell City, the Owensville Circuit, Licking, Memphis, and Arcadia Valley (in Ironton). After retiring to Columbia, Mo., he pastored the Woodlandville UMC to total 44 years of ministry.

At nearly every pastorate, he led the church in a building or remodeling program. He was also active in church youth work, school activities, and civic groups in all the appointments. In addition to being a devoted husband, a loving father and a proud Papa to his four grandchildren, John enjoyed restoring and then driving old cars.

He is survived by Linda, his wife of nearly 58 years; son Paul Mark (Susan), their children Ben and Grace; son Michael John (Marlesa), their children Treyton and Keegan; a sister, Estelle Holmes, and several nieces and nephews.

John was preceded in death by his and Linda's youngest son, Stephen Linn; three brothers and their wives, Howard (Suda) Reeves, Sig (Myrtle) Maynard, Bo (Ann) Maynard; a brother-in-law, Maurice Holmes; three nieces and a nephew.

A memorial service conducted by Rev. Mary Welch, pastor, will be at 10 a.m. Monday, Nov. 22, at Griffin Memorial United Methodist Church, 524 E. Court St., Paragould. Interment of ashes will follow at Greene County Memorial Garden