1925-2025
FRANK HENRY, JR.
(June 25, 1925 – April 21, 2025)
Frank Henry, Jr. died April 21, 2025, at the Arkansas Hospice Hospital in Little Rock. He was 99 years old.
He was born June 25, 1925, into a farm family in Relfs Bluff, Arkansas, the youngest of the five children of Frank Henry, Sr. and Hattie Mae McKeown Henry. The family’s home was within sight of the newly constructed Mt. Zion Presbyterian Church where his family attended services.
He began school in a one room schoolhouse filled with neighbors and relatives. He was a good student and did well playing baseball.
Frank lost his mother, a schoolteacher, when he was eight years old. During these depression years, the family moved to his father’s parent’s farm on Plantersville Road near Monticello. At a young age, this farm shaped his character and made him into a resourceful worker using the bare essentials.
He attended Drew Central schools where he graduated as salutatorian of his class. He joined the navy (1944-1946) and participated in World War II on floating command ships. He was on one of these when it passed the USS Missouri as Douglas MacArthur signed the Victory treaty in Tokyo Bay.
After the war, he lived with his uncle and aunt, Lloyd and Merle McKeown on School Street in Dermott, Arkansas, and would live on this city block for 79 years.
He took a teller job in 1946 at the Dermott State Bank. In 1953, he advanced at the bank in part, he said, due to his wearing a dress coat, shirt, and tie in offices cooled only with fans, as well as always showing up on time ready to work. He received college level training in business, commercial law, and bookkeeping.
Frank met his future wife, Bertha, while she was secretary in the office next door to the bank. Bertha and Frank began dating, and on November 6, 1955, were married. The pair were devoted parents and raised two daughters. Bertha joined the Dermott Presbyterian Church, across School Street from the Henry home. This was an important part of the family’s life. Bertha used her secretarial and social skills to help Frank in all his endeavors.
Devoted to the Dermott Presbyterian Church, Frank was a member from 1948 until it closed in 2021. He served as deacon and elder for many years. He studied religious literature every Saturday night preparing for the Sunday worship services.
He loved Dermott and Delta people. He observed the people with small farms in the flatlands each year as they bravely gambled in row crop farming, hoping the weather, the seeds, and the commodities market would pay off.
Frank Henry worked 80 years full time. He became a seasoned community servant in Dermott and surrounding area. Adept in economic development, his goal of revitalization was never ending. He worked to attract business, develop grants, develop fundraising, and volunteered at every event. Through consistent leadership, he strongly supported healthcare and education.
Frank’s proudest accomplishments included being mayor of Dermott from 1990 to 1994 and manager of Dermott Insurance Agency (a part of Dermott State Bank) from 1954 to 1990. He was Executive Director of the Dermott Chamber of Commerce from January 2000 to December 2024 and a chamber member since 1946. One of his most rewarding jobs was volunteering with the Dermott Crawfish Festival committee each year from 1982-2012. He was very pleased when this festival was named Arkansas Festival of the year in 1993. He was a real estate sales associate for 18 years.
His involvement was broad with participation in the American Legion (78 years), Dermott Rotary Club (70 years), Mainline Health Systems Board Member (27 years), Dermott Industrial development Corporation (22 years).
Frank Henry’s family is grateful to him for a lifetime of guidance and support. They wish to thank the many friends and relatives who continue to support the family and his work.
He is survived by daughters Rita Henry of Little Rock and Dr. Beth Henry (husband Chris Scott) of Overland Park, Kansas; granddaughter Shelby Scott of Alexandria, Virginia; and beloved nieces and nephews, Anita Osgood Bennett, Ronald Kersh, Dennis Kersh, Kenneth Kersh, Patricia Ryan, Deborah Ryan Hajek, Angie Bowden Sowell, Amy Bowden, Roger Tipton, David Tipton and Roland Tipton. Frank was preceded in death by his wife of 69 years, Bertha Mae Joiner Henry; sisters Eunice Osgood, Clarissa Fern Ryan and Faye Kersh; a brother, Neely Bryan Henry; and his parents.
Visitation is planned in Hoffman Hall at the Dermott United Methodist Church, Saturday, May 3 from 10am-11:30am. A memorial service will be held at Griffin Culpepper Funeral Services in McGehee, Arkansas, Saturday, May 3 at 1 p.m. Arrangements are under the direction of Griffin Culpepper Funeral Services ((https://griffinculpepper.com/). No graveside service will be held. Burial will be in Dermott City Cemetery.
In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made to the Dermott Historical Museum (c/o Dermott Chamber of Commerce, P.O. Box 147, Dermott AR, 71638), the Dermott City Cemetery Association Operating Fund (P.O. Box 324, Dermott AR 71638) or the Dermott United Methodist Church (P.O. Box 156, Dermott, AR 71638).
