Larry Kibble, Sr.

Larry Kibble, Sr. was born on July 25, 1952 in Stuttgart, Arkansas to the late Luther Hollis and Bert Lee Geans Kibble. He departed this life on Friday, February 3, 2023 at Baptist Health Medical Center in Stuttgart.

He confessed his life to Christ at an early age at Second Baptist Church in Stuttgart, which later became Allen Temple Missionary Baptist Church, under the leadership of Reverend G. H. Wade, and is currently under the leadership of Reverend Gilbert Byrd, Jr. 

Larry attended Holman High School and was a graduate of Stuttgart High School, Class of 1971. In 1972, he joined the United States Army. He traveled to Germany, among other places and was stationed in Lawton, Oklahoma. Afterwards, he served in the National Guards and was honorably discharged. Larry retired from Riceland Foods in Stuttgart, after thirty years of service.

On December 29, 1974, Larry was united in holy matrimony to Henrietta Simmons. Prior to their marriage, the late Tracy Simmons and Karon “Becky” Simmons were already born. And to this union, Larry Kibble, Jr. was born on September 2, 1979.

He loved spending time with his family and friends, as well as riding the 4-wheeler with Tookie and the grandchildren. Larry was always willing to lend a helping hand during family gatherings, including cooking and frying fish. He enjoyed fishing, taking his children and grandchildren with him. Also, he loved to hunt, and often brought wildlife rabbit, deer, and squirrel home for his wife to cook for dinner. And she ‘hooked it up’! Larry, however, had some ‘chef’ in him, putting together seasonings and spices. His hamburger and deer sausage recipes were top secret and would tell no one the ingredients.

Larry was full of hidden talents. He liked to play the harmonica; he would pull it out and play at will. He even taught his granddaughters how to play the harmonica, read the board, and make notes. In addition, he was an artist in his own rights; he loved to draw and did so quite well. He was also a mechanic, who loved working on vehicles and overhauls on his own vehicles.

Although he was quiet and soft-spoken, Larry was funny and always told jokes, along with his stories about life and the military. He didn’t hesitate to pass on his good, honest advice and wisdom. He had an outgoing personality with his handsome smile. Larry was always a strong soldier, never complaining, giving up or stopping …even after his leg was amputated in 2010. He was still eager to go and help when needed.

He was preceded in death by his wife Henrietta Kibble; parents Luther Hollis and Bert Lee Kibble; three sisters Annette Perry, Linda Kay Kibble, and Bertha Hampton; one son Tracy Simmons; one great-granddaughter Amina Kaye Thompson; brother-in-law Tommie Ray Simmons; and one sister-in-law Esther White.

Larry leaves to cherish his memories one son Larry Kibble, Jr. (Brandy Putt) of Stuttgart, AR; one daughter Karon “Becky” Simmons-Dunlap of Stuttgart, AR; one sister Dr. Gloria Archbold of Chicago, IL; four brothers Luther (the late Bernice) Kibble, Jr. of Warrensville, OH, Andrew (Gladys) Kibble of Cleveland, OH, Walter Kibble and Nathaniel  Kibble, both of Stuttgart, AR; four brothers-in-law Willie B Simmons, Charles Simmons, Johnny “MoBeans” Simmons, and Sam Hampton, all of Stuttgart, AR; four sisters-in-law Ollie (the late Charlie Mac) Higgins, Lillie McMillian (James), Kathy Ann Simmons, and like a daughter Linda “Dodie” Simmons, all of Stuttgart, AR; eight grandchildren LaKendra Dunlap, Courtney Dunlap (Shennard) Cullins, Arielle Metcalf, Zykei Lewis, Traci Latrice Simmons, Xavier Hobbs, Kelsie Putt, and Kailyn Putt; eight great-grandchildren Amin Courtez Thompson, Kaiden Bledsaw, Braylon Cullins, Graylon Dunlap, Shennard Cullins, Jr., Kalaija Dunlap, Skyler Cullins, and Amari Metcalf; special friends Mavis Williams, Mack Broady, Lamont McCoy, Clarence & Linda Avery, and the late Kenneth Wayne Butler; special sister-in-law Bernice Kibble; special nephew Charles “Champ” Simmons; and a host of other relatives and friends.

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