Roger Leon Lacefield

Roger Leon Lacefield, 88, passed away Friday, December 2, 2022, at his home in Lakeview, Arkansas. Roger was born on October 19, 1934, in Patterson (Woodruff County), Arkansas, to A. F. and Arkie Mae Lacefield. He graduated from Cotton Plant High School in 1952. Roger married his high school sweetheart, Jerry Flanery, in 1954 in Hernando, Mississippi. To that union were born three children: Len, Joanna, and Chris. Roger served in the United States Air Force from 1952-1956. During that time, he was stationed in Goose Bay, Labrador in Canada as a radar operator and at Malmstrom Air Force Base in Great Falls, Montana, before being discharged with the rank of Staff Sergeant. After his service, Roger worked in farming prior to becoming a long-time business owner in Brinkley. He loved the people and communities of Cotton Plant and Brinkley and volunteered in many ways through the years. He was an active member of the Gideons and the Lions Club, and also spent several years coaching local Buddy League and Little League baseball teams. He was instrumental in the creation, running, and upkeep of the Cotton Plant Historical Museum. Roger knew and loved the Lord. He was a member of First Baptist Church in Cotton Plant where he served as a deacon, Sunday School director, and class teacher. Roger was well-known as a helper. Countless stories could be told about his willingness to provide assistance to anyone, no matter who they were. Whether it was an opportunity to earn a paycheck working at Lacefield Car Care Center, a no-cost repair to get a stranded motorist back on the road after a vehicle breakdown, or secure a ticket to provide a teenage runaway a seat on the next cross-country Greyhound bus back home, you could count on Roger to be in the right place at the right time, ready and willing to meet the need. Often, the beneficiaries of Roger’s kindness would also receive a valuable life lesson or have a bit of wisdom shared with them before they parted ways. He loved telling the tales of all the interesting people he met along the way, and his family and friends always enjoyed listening. Family was very important to Roger, and he looked forward to any opportunity to gather with everyone to eat, visit, and watch all the grandchildren play together. He leaves behind a wonderful legacy marked by kindness, love, and service to others, and he will be greatly missed by all who were blessed to know him. Roger was preceded in death by his parents and eight siblings. He is survived by his wife of 68 years, Jerry; his children, Len Ragsdell (Jim) of Greenbrier, Joanna Lacefield of Lakeview, and Chris Lacefield (Lisa) of Lakeview; six grandchildren, and 14 great-grandchildren. Funeral services were held at Cotton Plant First Baptist Church on Wednesday, December 7 at 2:00 p.m. and will be led by Reverend Mack Davis and Charles Reeves. Burial will follow at Cotton Plant Memorial Cemetery, with Fowler Funeral Home of Brinkley in charge of arrangements. Pallbearers are Tracy Flanery, Aaron Smith, Lukas Smith, Jacob Smith, Johnny DeLoach, and Thomas Cooper. Honorary pallbearers are Jonah Lacefield, Joe Anderson, Willard Ryland, and Louie Huggins. If you wish to celebrate and honor Roger’s life, memorials may be made to Cotton Plant First Baptist Church or The Gideons International.