Mr. Earl Paty, Jr. age 76 of Sheridan, Arkansas died Wednesday, October 17, 2007 at Baptist Medical Center in Little Rock, Arkansas. He was born January 25, 1931 in Grant County, Arkansas.

He was preceded in death by his parents, Earl, Sr. and Elsie Beck Paty; a brother, Dennis Jack Paty; and his first wife, Coeda Taylor Paty who died during childbirth.

Survivors include his wife of 53 years, Betty Sue Autrey Paty,
children; Patricia and Homer Knighten, David and Pam Paty, and Leslie and Kay Tannahill;
9 grandchildren and 2 great grandchildren,
sisters, Sue and husband C.S. Walker and Faye and husband John Welch and numerous nieces and nephews.

Mr. Paty retired from International Paper Co. after 40 years of employment serving in capacities ranging from laborer to Supervisor of Timber Purchasing and Logging.

A devoted member of Moore's Chapel United Methodist Church, Mr. Paty served as Chairman of the Administrative Board, a Sunday School Teacher, and a delegate to the Arkansas Annual Conference. Mr. Paty was also a Certified Lay Speaker with the United Methodist Church and a former Sunday School Superintendent.

While a member of Sheridan Masonic Lodge # 260 for over fifty years, Mr. Paty previously served as Master on two different occasions and was District Deputy Grand Master of Grand Lodge F&AM of Arkansas and Rainbow Dad for the Sheridan Chapter of Rainbow for Girls.

As a life-long resident of Grant County, Mr. Paty was involved in many community organizations, serving as Fair Manager of the Grant County Fair Board, Sheridan Little League Association President, Grant County 4-H Club leader, a member of the Southeast Arkansas District Development Cooperative, Grant County Equalization Board, Moore's Chapel and Philadelphia Cemetery Associations, and co-coordinator of Grant County Keep Arkansas Beautiful.

Mr. Paty was previously the Chairman of the Grant County Democratic Party, Chairman of the Grant County Election Commission, a member of the State Democratic Executive Committee, Executive Director of Senior Democrats of Arkansas and received the Harold Jinks Democratic Memorial Award in 2003.

Mr. Paty was also a charter member of the Jones Hill Hunting Club and an ardent outdoorsman who shared his love of nature with his family and friends.

Funeral Services will be Saturday, October 20, 2007 at 10:00 AM at Memorial Gardens Funeral Home in Sheridan with Rev. Beth Stegall, Rev. Bruce Bennett, and Rev. Eddie Walker officiating. Burial will follow at Moore's Chapel Cemetery. Visitation will be Friday from 5-7:30 PM at the funeral home.

Pallbearers are Roland Knighten, Jacob Paty, Daniel Paty,Dennis Harris, Carey Autrey, Craig Autrey, and Billy Joe Autrey, Johnnie Harper. Honorary pallbearers are, Kenneth Davenport, Wilton Davenport, David Ellis, Jim Lancaster, Leon Lancaster, Jack Lockhart, Tim Stuckey, Conrad Wilkerson.

Memorials may be made to Moore's Chapel United Methodist Church, 6465 Grant # 8, Sheridan, Arkansas 72150, Moore's Chapel Cemetery Association, 7271 Hwy 46 South, Sheridan, Arkansas 72150,or the Grant County Museum, 521 Shackleford Road, Sheridan, Arkansas 72150.