LITTLE ROCK – Edward "Ed" Lee Yarberry, age 79, of Little Rock, Ark., died peacefully on Saturday April 25th, 2015. In his final days on earth he was surrounded by his family and closest friends who expressed their profound love and gratitude, while they stood by him as he had done for them for so many years.
Ed was born on May 11th, 1935 in Little Rock, to parents Fanny Adele Yarberry and Willie Theo Yarberry, and was the first of nine children. Though Ed was stricken with polio as a child, he never let the disability bother him or slow him down. His family remained close through the years, and Ed's memory will be cherished by siblings Lucille Goodwin, Roy Yarberry (Sandra), Jonelle Crawley (Austin), Darlene Smith, Charlie Yarberry (Kay), Ann Moore, and Clifford Yarberry (Vicki). Ed is preceded in death by his parents, his brother Charlie Yarberry, who died as an infant, and his granddaughter Cathy Lynette Yarberry.
Ed's spirit will live on in the heart of his loving wife of 57 years, Lilly Mae Yarberry. As a testament to the certainty of their commitment to one another, Ed and Lilly were married in Little Rock on November 19th 1957, after a three-month courtship. They were first introduced by Lilly's sister and brother-in law, of whom Ed was an acquaintance. Ed and Lilly were blessed with two sons, James Yarberry (Kathy), and Richard Yarberry, and four daughters, Barbara Harris, Linda Motley (Randy), Marie Yarberry, and Betty Sue Yarberry. Ed will forever be remembered by his ten grandchildren: Michael Motley, Christopher Yarberry (Marliisa), Rachael Nachtigal (Ted), Kristi Yarberry, Nicholas Harris, Brandy Yarberry, Jonathan Harris, Amber Adams (Josh), Brittney Yarberry, Kristina Yarberry, and Aaron Yarberry. Ed's family has recently grown even larger by way of two beautiful great-grandchildren: Kenton Fletcher Nachtigal and Marceline Adams.
Friends who knew him best would describe Ed as very easy-going and extremely amicable, and many who met him became friends for life. Ed's reputation was of someone always willing to help a friend or family member in need, and he did so often. As a dedicated Christian, Ed attended church regularly and instilled the faith and love of Christ in his children. Aside from being a devoted husband and father, Ed worked as a dedicated public servant for 38 years as an employee of Pulaski County Road and Bridge. Ed's main role with the County was as a purchasing agent, but he also supervised road construction crews, was appointed as a constable sheriff for a time, and performed a wide range of other duties. Ed had a tremendous work ethic and was no stranger to hard work, with a desire to always do the best job he possibly could, whatever the task at hand. Ed loved working on cars and was well known as an expert auto mechanic, often doing repairs in his home shop for his family, friends and neighbors regardless of their ability to repay him. His knowledge of automobiles was extraordinary and spanned decades and generations worth of different makes and models of cars. His first car was a Red 1949 Ford convertible, and his favorite car was a 1957 Plymouth Fury, one which made him the envy of his brothers who were not afraid to ask him for the keys.
Ed lost his parents at a relatively young age, and as a result was very close to his siblings, particularly his brothers Roy, Charlie, and Clifford. Their bond was strengthened through their avid traditions of hunting and fishing. Whether he was hunkered in at deer camp at Gurdon, Squirrel hunting while making his way along the Fourche River, or catching all the catfish, bream, and crappie he could manage at Peckerwood Lake near Hazen, Ed was most comfortable and truly free in the outdoors. Throughout the years Ed's prowess in hunting and fishing was passed down to his children and grandchildren, who are all so lucky to have shared in these experiences and adventures which they'll undoubtedly remember for the rest of their lives.
Edward Yarberry was a humble, patient, and loving man who will be remembered forever as a constant source of steady and unwavering love and kindness for his family and friends. His gentle spirit and loving nature will carry on in his wife, siblings, children, grandchildren, and great- grandchildren who all loved him dearly and will be inspired by his memory for years to come. He will be greatly missed, and all that knew him were better for it.
Ed's family is deeply indebted to the Arkansas Heart Hospital Congestive Heart Failure Clinic, who provided excellent care to Ed and helped him and his family manage his condition in the last years of his life.
A visitation will be held on Tuesday April 28th, at Dial & Dudley Funeral Home at 4212 Hwy 5 North in Bryant, Arkansas from 6:00 to 8:00 P.M. A memorial service and celebration of Ed's life will be held on Wednesday, April 29th at 2:00 P.M., at The Little Rock church of God at 6920 W. 65th St. in Little Rock, with a graveside service to follow at Olive Hill Cemetery at 14514 Chicot Road in Mabelvale.