Montel Louis Steel

Montel Louis “Moon” Steel was born on December 8, 1945, to Sylvester and Dorothy Steel in Diaz, Arkansas. He was an Arkansas native. He grew up and attended school in the Newport area.

He accepted Christ at an early age. During his time as a resident of Newport, he worked for R.D. Willimans Farm. He later moved to Kensett, Arkansas.

He married Laura Estella Rice Hudson in August 1977. Through this union they had four children; Sandra, Serena, Stacy, and Sylvester. They also served as foster parents for some time. 

He joined Arnold (Chapel) Tabernacle CME Church in 1978. He served as a trustee, steward, and church treasury. He was always willing to serve until his health failed. 

Louis worked at Speed Queen Manufacturing for a short time, until he obtained work with Union Pacific Railroad in 1978. He worked there until retiring in 1991 with a back injury. 

He married Eileen Hadley on August 11, 2001. Under this union he added two children; Byron D. Guye and Salandreia D. Hadley. 

He will always be remembered for his summer gardens (especially his growth of purple hull peas), yard upkeep and flower beds, driving around the neighborhood (too fast), love of his vehicles, and work details at the church with mowing the yard and handyman tasks. 

He is preceded in death by his parents, Sylvester and Dorothy Steel; two daughters, Sandra Crosby, and Serena Ray; a son, Bryon Guye; sister, Diane Mount; nephew, Tommy L. Suggs, Jr.; father-in-law, Preston Hadley, Sr.; brothers-in-law, Steve Hadley, Willie Branch, Sr., and Al Dandredge.

He leaves to cherish precious and fond memories, his wife, Eileen Steel; 3 children, Stacy Diane (Henry, Jr.) Wilborn, of Conway, AR, Slyvester Eric Louis Steel, of Searcy, AR, and Salandreia Dirsee Steel, of Kensett, AR; daughter-in-law, Allison Guye; his sisters, Vallery Steel and Carolyn (Albert) Burton; brother, Ricky (Monica) Steel, all residence of Newport, AR; mother-in-law, Bobbie Ruth Hadley, of Kensett, AR; sisters-in-law, Wanda Dandregde, of Kensett, AR and Annette Hadley, of Riverdale, GA; brother-in-law, Preston (Glenda) Hadley and Clarence (Barbara) Hadley all residence of Kensett, AR; grandchildren, Deona Crosby, Keon Louis Crosby, Deon Stacy Crosby, Serena Crosby, Dimitri Crosby, Tyler Ray, Xavier Ray, Collin Ray, Dallas Justin Cooper, Jayden Louis Fuller, Laura Renee Steel, Stella Celeste Steel, Devin Guye, Isaiah Garriott; and 5 great-grandchildren; as well as a host of cousins, nieces, and nephews.

A special thank you to his niece, Stephanie Steel who stood by his side, and his uncle, William Hadley for his love and visits. 

Visitation will be held on Friday, February 2, 2024, at the Searcy McEuen Funeral Home from 5:00-7:00 p.m. A Home Going Celebration will be conducted, at 1:00 p.m., Saturday, February 3, 2024, at the Arnold Tabernacle CME Church in Kensett. Burial will follow in the Crow Cemetery. 

Arrangements entrusted to Searcy McEuen Funeral Home.