Hershel Lee Preston

of Lunenburg, Arkansas

Hershel Lee Preston, son of the late Jesse Lee Preston and Minnie Jewel Mannings Preston, was born March 21, 1930 in Rush Springs, Oklahoma. He departed this life July 15, 2019 at his home in Lunenburg, Arkansas at the age of 89 years, 3 months and 24 days. He was united in marriage to Claris Runell Watts November 9, 1952 in Carson City, Nevada and together they raised three children. He proudly served in the United States Navy during the Korean War. During his working years, he was a self employed truck driver. He was a member of Christian Life Center Church in Mount Pleasant.

Hershel is survived by his wife of 66 years: Runell Preston of the home; one son: Leon Preston and wife Deborah of Melbourne; two daughters: Glinda K. Preston of Melbourne and Joann Bates of Moore, Oklahoma; one honorary daughter: Terry Stevens of Horseshoe Bend; one sister: Imogen Worden of Sacramento, California; nine grandchildren: Jeremiah Bates, Joshua Bates, Jessica Nelson, Irene Defoe, Veronica Wade, Savannah Edwards, Jovannah-Marie Preston, Bill Ahrens, Charlotte Ahrens; thirteen great grandchildren: Tragon Bates, Isabel Bates, Blake, Dole, Mia Defoe, Gabriel Chism, Alexandria Wade, Emma Wade, Yurick Preston, Kageston Preston, Cherrity Ricks, Ethan and Zoie Ahrens; one great great grandchild: Carson Ricks and a host of other relatives and many good friends. He was preceded in death by his parents; one brother: Willis Orval Preston and two sisters: Gwendolyn Pippins and Geraldine Preston.

Visitation and funeral service will be held Saturday, July 20 at Christian Life Center, 210 AR 58 Hwy Spur, Mount Pleasant, Arkansas 72561. Visitation begins at 10:00 a.m. Funeral service begins at 11:00 a.m. with Frank Wann officiating. Burial with military honors will be at Pratt Cemetery under the direction of Eddie's Family Funeral Home in Melbourne.

Pallbearers: Matthew Wann, Justin Garner, Josh Bates, Jeremiah Bates, David Watts, Scotty Watts.

Honorary Pallbearer: Travis Garner