Alvin "PawPaw" Gatlin of Prattsville, Arkansas was born January 13, 1934 in Prattsville, the son of the late Colbert and Gertrude Beck Gatlin. He was a member of First Landmark Baptist Church in Sheridan but for most of his life he was a member of Sweet Home Missionary Baptist Church in Prattsville where he served as Deacon, Sunday School teacher and Sunday School Superintendent. He loved to read his Bible and share the gospel. He was a Boy Scout leader, was on the Prattsville School Board and the County School Board and was a retired ironworker having taught ironworkers apprentice school for many years. Mr. Gatlin enjoyed woodworking, landscaping, gardening, and drawing house plans. He was a jack of all trades.

Mr. Gatlin died Tuesday, December 25, 2018 at Arkansas Heart Hospital in Little Rock at the age of 84.

In addition to his parents, he was preceded in death by a brother, Van Gatlin and a sister, Joyce Gatlin Hollinger.

Survivors: wife and best friend of 62 years, Mary Dunn Gatlin of Prattsville; sons, Tony and wife Sherry Gatlin of Sheridan, Joe Gatlin of Prattsville, Eric Gatlin of Prattsville; daughter, Debbie and husband Roy Fleming of Sheridan; 7 grandchildren, 9 great grandchildren and a host of extended family members, church family and friends.

Funeral service will be 2:00 p.m. Friday, December 28, 2018 at Memorial Gardens Funeral Home Chapel with Bro. Don Goodman and Bro. Shawn Hill officiating. Burial will follow at Philadelphia Cemetery in Prattsville. Visitation will be Thursday at the funeral home from 5-7 PM.

Pallbearers are Ben Fleming, Trail Sloan, Chris Spence, Harold Holiman, Robert E. Mooney and Danny Reynolds. Honorary pallbearers are Aubrey Quarles, Ronnie Wallace, Lance Brewer, Max Hollinger, Al Mangrum, Robin Carter and Steve Vanlandingham.

In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made to Sweet Home Missionary Baptist Church, Missions Fund, P.O. Box 213, Prattsville, Arkansas 72150 or First Landmark Baptist Church, Missions Fund, 402 West Center, Sheridan, Arkansas 72150.