Ronald "Ronnie" Larry Adkisson

Of Melbourne, Arkansas

Ronald "Ronnie" Larry Adkisson left this earthly world March 25, 2024, at his home near Melbourne at the age of 78 years, 5 months, and 19 days.

Born on October 6, 1945, in Guion, Arkansas, he was the son of Levi Harrison Adkisson and Mae Lillian Williams Barksdale Adkisson.

Ronnie was salutatorian of the Mount Pleasant High School class of 1963.  He was a 1967 graduate of Arkansas State University, where he was a member of the Statesmen, and earned a Bachelor's degree in Business Administration.  He began his career with CIT Finance Company in Newport, Arkansas.  There he met Sally Dean Davis, whom he married on August 15, 1970.  When the Newport office closed, he briefly worked for Sherwin Williams in Carbondale, Illinois, before becoming a field representative for General Motors Acceptance Corporation, from which he retired in 2001.  After retirement, he worked at various car dealerships and Mill Direct Flooring.

He loved to talk and rarely met a stranger.  During his travels to GM dealerships throughout northern Arkansas and southern Missouri, he made countless friends and had innumerable acquaintances.  He loved the outdoors and thoroughly enjoyed hunting, fishing, and spending time with family and friends on the river at Guion.  He was a founding member of Wilson Creek Sportsman's Club.

He grew up in the Guion Church of Christ and was baptized in the Guion Creek by Brother Glenn Pace.  In recent years he attended Melbourne Church of Christ.

Survivors include his wife of 53 years; Sally Adkisson; his daughter and son-in-law; Deedra Lee Watts and Derek Allen Watts of Manila, Arkansas; a sister, Linda Joyce Manry of Melbourne; four sisters-in-law, Carla Sue Barksdale of Melbourne, Melody Jo Davis of Newport, Barbara Barksdale Roberts of Nahunta, Georgia and Nancy Bechel and husband Jerry of Eads, Tennessee; and many nieces and nephews.

He was preceded in death by his parents; his son, Lindley Harrison Adkisson; two brothers, Eugene Barksdale and Ralph Barksdale; one sister, Lois Barksdale Moser; and three brothers-in-law, Howard Moser, Carroll Manry and Murphy Davis.

Pallbearers will be his nephews, Danny Moser, Kenny "Pidge" Moser, Jerry "Jake" Moser, Greg Manry and Mark Manry, and a special family friend, Trevor Pittman.

Honorary Pallbearers will be all past and present members of Wilson Creek Sportsman's Club.

Memorials may be made to Melbourne Church of Christ, P O Box 267, Melbourne, Arkansas 72556.