R.W. "Dub" Lyerly

R.W. "Dub" Lyerly, 79, of Jonesboro, former Leachville resident, passed from this life Saturday, May 7, 2022, at the Flo and Phil Jones Hospice House in Jonesboro joining his late wife, Barbara, for a joyous heavenly reunion. Born March 15, 1943, to R.W. and Myrtle Johnson Lyerly, he was a 1960 graduate of Leachville High School and spent his young life helping on the family farm. He graduated from Arkansas State University and began his career as an educator teaching history before advancing his degree and becoming an administrator. He loved his years in the classroom and then spent many years as a high school principal, touching the lives of many students at Westside, Joiner, Lake City, Marked Tree, Strawberry, and Cutter Morning Star in Hot Springs. Dub cared deeply for all of his students and spent his retirement years staying in contact with many of them. When he was 11 years old, he began collecting Native American artifacts and became a well-known collector attending many shows in Arkansas and Missouri over the years. He played baseball as a young man and was a lifelong St. Louis Cardinals fan. Dub also enjoyed spending his free time on the golf course. He was a member and Elder of the First Presbyterian Church in Walnut Ridge and was always available to help when needed, whether it was yard work or assisting with services.

Dub leaves his children, Shane Lyerly (Meghan) of Jonesboro, Becky Brown (Tracy) of Leachville, Jan Smithson (Jay) of Hot Springs, and Jon Prather of Texarkana. He leaves his pride and joy, his grandchildren, Maschel, John Michael, and Matthew Lyerly, Madison Sanders (Evan) and Hallie Brown, Graham and Grant Smithson; and his great-grandchildren, Beckett Cook and Parker Adams. He is also survived by a sister, Deborah Lyerly Moore of Oakland, Tenn., a brother, Phillip Lyerly (Pam) of Leachville; nephews, Greg Lyerly, Erick Lyerly; and longtime family friend Tammy Spurlock.

Funeral service will be 2 p.m. Friday at the Howard Funeral Service Chapel in Leachville with Rev. John Arnold officiating. The family will receive visitors Thursday evening from 5:30-8 at the funeral home. The family prefers any memorials be made to the Flo and Phil Hospice House. Burial in Chidester Cemetery will be private. Friends may sign the online guest register at www.HowardFuneralService.com.