Paul E. Valentine August 28, 1929 – August 10, 2020

Paul E. Valentine of Augusta died at Unity-Health White County Medical Center in Searcy at the age of 90. He was born in Gregory to Searcy Lee Valentine. He was one of six children born to his mother. Paul received his education from the Augusta Public School System. He was a lifelong member of Ward Chapel Church in Augusta, where throughout the years he served as a head trustee, assistant steward, member of the men’s Sunday school class and the longtime church custodian.

Paul was a longtime employee of Lockhart Grainer in Augusta for more than 40 years, a former employee of the local railroad lines for more than 10 years and the Green Thumb organization for 9 years before fully retiring in 1990. He worked very hard all of his life to provide for his family. “Abo” as he was lovingly known, was always a very active member of his community. He was a longtime member of the Augusta Club, a former member of the Augusta Chamber of Commerce and a former member of the Augusta Improvement Club. He also served as the treasurer and the Sexton of Mason Cemetery in Augusta for many years. For all of his hard work and dedication to his community, he received numbers of accolades, Parents of the Year Award (2002) from the State of Arkansas; the National Parents Day Council from the City of Augusta; Green Thumb from the Senior Citizens of Woodruff County; and the Humanitarian Award from the Arkansas Black Hall of Fame for the City of Augusta.

His mother; his grandparents that helped raise him, Pink Valentine and Janie Ward- Valentine; two brothers, Elroy Paige and David Paige; two sisters, Pauline Dunlap and Bobbie Jean Lee, all preceded him in death. Survivors are his wife of 70 years, Ione Bobo-Valentine, of Augusta; five daughters, Charisse (Jimmie) Nunn, of Rockford, Ill, Paula (Alex) Jackson and Dorothy (Bobby) Brown, both of Augusta, and Gwen (James) Tillman and Yvette Renee (Calvin) Peterson, both of Little Rock; six grandchildren, Jason (Jocelyn) Jackson, of Bryant, Courtney (Jermahn) McCree, of Charlotte, NC, Brittini Brown, of Laurel, MD, Page Tillman, of Woodridge, VA, English Peterson, of Little Rock, and Bobby Jordan Brown, of White Hall; four great-grandchildren, Jaiyah Jackson and Jaylen Jackson, both of Bryant, Jrue McCree, of Charlotte, NC, and Blake Brown, of White Hall; a sister, Betty Johnson, of Cleveland, OH; and a host of other relatives and friends.

Graveside services were held on August 29 at New Quiet Cemetery in Augusta with Gary Browning officiating. Branscumb, Johnson & Gilchrest Funeral Home of Brinkley had charge of arrangements.