E.D. Yancey

Elmer Dale (E.D.) Yancey, prominent Arkansas businessman and a Searcy native, died Friday, November 2, 2007, at his home. Born July 8, 1938, to the late E.O. and Louise Dobbins Yancey, he was a life long member of the First United Methodist Church in Searcy.

A 1956 Honor Graduate of Searcy High School, Yancey was an outstanding athlete, lettering in football, basketball and track. As a member of Arkansas' first Little League Team, he later was a standout on Searcy's American Legion Team. At the University of Arkansas, Yancey served as president of Sigma Chi Fraternity, was a member of Blue Key, Who's Who in American Universities, Mortar Board, and graduated cum laude with a degree in business in 1961. An officer in R.O.T.C., he served as a 2nd Lt. in the U.S. Army Reserves from 1961-1969.

Yancey was associated with his father in banking at First Security Bank in Searcy from 1961 thru 1981, and was a stockholder and member of the Board of Directors of First Security Bank and First Security Bancorp.

An avid golfer, Yancey enjoyed the camaraderie of the game with family and friends at some of the finest courses, and, in 1992, he realized a childhood dream when The Course at River Oaks, an eighteen hole course in Searcy's River Oaks, was opened for play. As developer and general manager of River Oaks Subdivision, Yancey enjoyed every facet of the business.

Yancey was past president of Searcy Chamber of Commerce and was active for years on the board of Searcy Industrial Development Corp. He served as president for the Searcy Country Club, White County Community Foundation, the Kiwanis Club, the Robert Elliott Foundation, and was a Board Member of Central Arkansas Hospital.

Yancey served as chairman of the board at First United Methodist Church in Searcy where he was active in the ministries of the church, taught in the Sunday school, and was a member of the Stark Sunday School Class.

He received numerous awards, including Humanitarian of the Year from the Searcy Chamber of Commerce, Sportsmanship of the Year from the Senior Golf Association and was inducted this year into the Searcy Public Schools Education Foundation Hall of Honor.

Yancey is survived by his wife Peggy Ann Yancey of Searcy, two daughters, Dr. Jennifer Boswell of Atlanta and Elizabeth Mauze and her husband Jim Mauze of St. Louis; three granddaughters, Maggie, Louisa, and Evie Mauze of St. Louis; a step-son, Davie Webb of Missouri, a step-daughter, Bobbie Ann McConnell of Nebraska, and two step-grandchildren, Gracie and Landon McConnell of Nebraska.

A memorial service will be held 10 A.M. Tuesday, November 6, 2007, at the First United Methodist Church, 304 North Main in Searcy. Honorary pall bearers will be members of the Stark Sunday School Class. Cremation and arrangements are by Searcy-McEuen Funeral Home of Searcy.

In lieu of flowers, the family has asked that memorials be made to The Robert Elliott Foundation, 113 Emerald Lake Drive, Searcy; Searcy First United Methodist Church; or the Paws Inn Animal Shelter, P.O. Box 502, Searcy.