Joseph Franklin "Joe" Appling of Sheridan, Arkansas was born December 26, 1939 at Pine Bluff, Arkansas, the son of the late Joseph Earl and Zola Clement Appling. He was a member of Immanuel Baptist Church in Sheridan, and a former member of Salem Missionary Baptist Church in Watson Chapel. He was retired from the Arkansas Air National Guard after 20 years of service, and was also retired from Cotton Belt/Union Pacific Railroad. He enjoyed gardening, woodwork, turkey and deer hunting, and just spending time at his old homeplace, near Grapevine. Joe was also a board member of the Clement Cemetery Association, where generations of his family members are buried. His family remembers him as a loving and devoted husband, daddy, and Papaw, and most of all, a Christian man, who strived daily, to live his life serving The Lord.

Mr. Appling died Wednesday, April 11, 2018 at St. Vincent Infirmary Medical Center in Little Rock, at the age of 78. In addition to his parents, he was preceded in death by a sister, Margaret Ann Thompson and a brother-in-law, Bob Minchew.

Survivors include his wife of 58 years, Bonnie Puckett Appling of Sheridan; daughter and son-in-law, Jenny Ellen Appling Ford and Ryan of Pine Bluff; grandsons, Cody Ford and fiance' Hannah Pharr, and Kyle Joseph Ford; sisters, Florence Minchew of Little Rock and Betty Webb of Monticello; brother-in-law, Victor Thompson of Watson Chapel; and numerous nieces, nephews, cousins, and friends.

Funeral services will be held at 10:00 A.M. Saturday, April 14, 2018 at Memorial Gardens Funeral Home Chapel in Sheridan, with Bro. Gary Copeland and Bro. Arlis East officiating. Following the funeral service at the chapel, the family will have a private committal at Clement Cemetery.

Visitation will be Friday from 6:00-8:00 P.M. at the funeral home.

Pallbearers are Justin Clement, Martin Clement, Charles Clement, Ricky McAlister, James McAlister, Doug Thompson and Brian Minchew.

In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made to Clement Cemetery Association, 1816 Grant 192, Grapevine, Arkansas 72057.