Vester Dewey Hutchens, age 96, of Waldron, AR., went to be with his Lord and Savior Wednesday morning, May 27, 2020. He was born October 25, 1923, to Arch and Lola Hutchens, the oldest of nine children.
After growing up in a large, hard-working family Vester left Waldron and spent several years working on a sheep farm in Wyoming. After returning to Scott County, he met and married Dorothy Ferguson and began farming and raising his children. During their years of farming Vester and Dorothy were named as the Scott County Farm Family of the Year in 1961. Never a stranger to hard work, Vester was an expert gardener and also was well-known for raising and butchering cattle and hogs. He showed by example that work and fun can go hand in hand, leaving a legacy for his children and grandchildren to follow. For those who knew him, his laugh was both recognizable and contagious (hee-hee-hee) and he was always up for a good joke, story, or yarn. Many residents of Scott County will remember Vester peddling his famous fruits and vegetables wearing bib overalls and straw hat. In his later years, he loved spending time at the Scott County Senior Citizens Center where he would challenge his friends to a game of pool or a friendly game of Pitch. Of course, his favorite days were when he would WIN. The friendships formed at the Center were meaningful to him; we loved to hear his stories of those special days.
Vester is preceded in death by his parents; his wife of 57 years, Dorothy Marie (Ferguson) Hutchens; infant daughter, Vesty Marie Hutchens; grandsons Kenneth Wayne Hargrove and Jesse Lee Parsons; granddaughter LouAnna Marie (Brigance) Gaines; an unnamed infant sister; brother Jerry Bob Hutchens; sister Doris (Hutchens) Ferguson; and his fiancée, Rosamond (Rose) Osborn.
He is survived by his children: Vestal Lee Hutchens and wife Judy of Waldron, AR; Louella Brigance and husband Jay of Lamar, AR; Mary Hargrove and husband Larry of Cameron, OK; Georgeanna Mabry and husband Bill of Mansfield, AR; Archie Edward Hutchens and wife Robbie of Pocola, OK; Claudia Travis and husband Brett of McAlister, OK. He is also survived by three brothers: JT Hutchens and wife Josephine of North Fork, CA, Darvin (Fuss) Hutchens and wife Glenda of Waldron, AR, Bill Hutchens of Waldron, AR and two sisters, Iva Darling and Shirley Johnson both of Waldron. Great-Papa, as he is affectionately known, also leaves behind to cherish his memory 17 grandchildren, 32 great-grandchildren, and two great-great grandchildren. Blessed by such a large family, Vester will be remembered by many nieces, nephews, other family members, friends, and loved ones in Scott County.
Visitation will be from 4:00 p.m. to 8:00 p.m. Friday May 29, 2020 at Martin Funeral Home Chapel in Waldron.
Vester’s funeral will be held at 10:00 a.m. Saturday May 30, 2020 at Martin Funeral Home Chapel with Bro. Mark Ward and Rev. Doyle Reynolds officiating. Burial will take place at Pilot Prairie Cemetery under the direction of Martin Funeral Home in Waldron.
The family would like to express their most sincere thanks and gratitude to the staff at the Waldron Nursing Center for the outstanding care they have provided to Vester.
In lieu of flowers, donations can be made to the Scott County Senior Citizens Center or the Pilot Prairie Cemetery fund.
Pallbearers are his many grandchildren. Honorary pallbearers are his many great-grandchildren.
Due to state guidelines for large public gatherings only 67 people (1/3) of the occupancy of our chapel will be permitted in for the funeral. To send flowers to the family or plant a tree in memory of Vester Dewey Hutchens please visit our Tribute Store.
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