Johnny B. Orr, age 88, of Malvern, died Friday morning, April 25, 2008, in the Hot Spring County Medical Center. He was born in Leola, Arkansas on June 4, 1919 to the late William Thomas "Big Papa" and Delilly Crowder Orr. The youngest of seven children and the only boy, he was reared and received his education in Grant County. He had been a resident of Malvern since 1941. Mr. Orr served in the United States Navy during World War Two. He was the widower of the late Amy Pauline "Polly" Otts Orr, to whom he was married on February 13, 1937. She preceded him in death on June 29, 2006. Early in his career, he worked for Purdy's Grocery as a delivery boy. Working his way up in the business, he became a butcher, and was associated for a number of years with Toler's Grocery and Fiser's Grocery before starting his own business. For thirty years, he and his wife co-owned and operated Orr's Grocery on the corner of Highland Avenue and Cherry Lane. Mr. Orr was a member of First Assembly of God Church. He was also an avid hunter, being a member of both the Orr Hunting Club and the Hopewell Hunting Club.

Mr. Orr is survived by his son and daughter-in-law, Dale and Christina Orr of Malvern; by his daughter and son-in-law, Louella and Bob Beason, also of Malvern; by four grandchildren, Rod and his wife Carolina Beason of Rockville, Maryland, Kelley Beason of Benton, Arkansas, John and Philisia Orr of Sheridan, and Jeff Orr of Cabot, Arkansas; by nine great-grandchildren; and by a sister, Josie Russell of Malvern.

He was also preceded in death by a son, Bobby Eugene Orr, and by four sisters, Lona Raines, Mary Jane Talbert, Eula Talbert, and Odetti Riggan.

His funeral will be held on Monday, April 28, 2008, at one o'clock in the afternoon in the chapel of J. A. Funk Funeral Home with Reverend Bruce Bennett officiating. Interment will follow in Oak Ridge Cemetery.

Pallbearers will be: Terry Joe Russell, Glen E. Talbert, Shannon Talbert, Benton Barr, Alex Walls, and Ryan McDaniel.

Honorary pallbearer is Dr. Bruce Burton.

The family will receive friends on Sunday afternoon, April 27, 2008, from three until four-thirty at the mortuary.

They will be headquartered at 2131 Taylor Street in Malvern.

>Online condolences may be sent via jafunkfuneralhome.com.