Roy Sheppard Dunavin

Roy Sheppard Dunavin, age 93, passed away peacefully surrounded by family Friday, August 23, 2024, at his home in Fort Smith, Arkansas. Roy was born July 01, 1931, in Point, Texas, son of the late Tandy and Frankie Bell Dunavin. He married the love of his life, Joyce Weaver on April 2, 1951, in Amarillo, Texas. Roy lived life to the fullest, embodying Mark 12: 29 – 31. Roy loved his Lord and loved people. He dedicated his life to living out our Lord’s commandments as an evangelist, missionary, teacher, husband for 73 years, father, grandfather, great-grandfather, and an inspiration to all. His words and actions were of wisdom, joy, caring, giving, sharing, teaching, studying, encouraging, inspiring, building, humor, and love. He understood and believed in God’s grace as the basis for his salvation and was determined to spend his life sharing this message of hope for salvation with others. He worked in mission fields abroad in New Zealand, Nigeria, Ethiopia, Indonesia, Guyana, South Pacific, and other places. He worked in church ministries, home studies, jail ministries, hospital visits, orphanages, and Bible studies. He knew and lived God’s Word. Those who knew him knowthat he and Joyce could identify any quote from scripture by chapter and verse and then explain the meaning. Through his gentleness, persistence, wisdom, joy and love he was, and is, a foundation piece for many in their spiritual journey. Roy loved his brothers and sisters as he was in contact with them often. He loved his wife, children, and grandchildren deeply, and continually let it be known. Roy loved scripture and especially the verse from II Timothy 4:7-8 “I have fought the good fight, I have finished the race, I have kept the faith. Finally, there is laid up for me the crown of righteousness...”

Roy is survived by his loving wife Joyce Dunavin; 6 children, Julie Kleman and husband Kelvin of Fort Smith, Arkansas, Becky Dunavin of Fort Smith, Arkansas, Shawn Dunavin and wife Angel of Corinth, Texas, Robin Harper and husband Mitch of Fort Smith, Arkansas, Brent Dunavin and Mitzi of Fort Smith, Arkansas, James Dunavin of Erlanger, Kentucky; grandchildren,Seth Kleman and wife Juli, Caitlin Ferguson and husband Bill, Olivia Leamy and husband Collin, Logan Kleman and fiancé Rachel Rispone, Dillon Branham and wife Gabriella, Trevor Branham, Heather Saucedo and husband Daniel, Justin Dunavin, Kelci Cashman and husband Colin, Micah Owens, Jack Dunavin, McKel Dunavin, Aidan Dunavin, Elizabeth Henderson and husband Chase, Chandler Harper and wife Ingrid, Tyler Dunavin and wife Taylor, Cege Harris and husband Rusty, Evan Dunavin and wife Jordyn, Morgan Collier and husband Andrew, Darrah Ochoa and husband Dustin, Kenley Kelley and husband Tyler, Gianna Dunavin, Judah Dunavin, Rebekah Bledsoe and husband Coty; brothers, Pat Dunavin, Chester Dunavin and wife Ann, Jerry Dunavin and wife Lynn, Steve Dunavin and wife Dorissa, sister, Rojean Hume; Numerous other family members and a host of friends. He is preceded in death by his grandson Jeremy Harper and siblings Bobby, Troy, Jesse Dunavin and Mina Thigpen.

Funeral Service will be held 2:00PM Tuesday, August 27, 2024, at West Ark Church of Christ, located at 900 N Waldron Rd in Fort Smith, AR 72903, with burial following the service at Roselawn Cemetery in Fort Smith, Arkansas. Services have been entrusted to Lewis Funeral Chapel, located at 4817 Kelley Hwy, Fort Smith, AR 72904.

In lieu of flowers the family would like contributions to be made to Jeremy Harper Christian Clinic in Nigeria, you may send contributions in care of West Ark Chruch of Christ, 900 North Waldron Road, Fort Smith, Arkansas, 72903. 

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