Lonnie Sudbury was born January 9, 1938 in Paul’s Valley, Oklahoma to Leonard and
Winnie Morrow Sudbury. He spent his eighty-six years on this earth in Oklahoma, California,
and Arkansas loving God, his family, and others before walking through the gates of heaven on
March 16, 2024.
Growing up he was raised by his paternal grandmother, Inez Sudbury. If you ever asked
him about her, all he had was words of praise and so many wonderful memories that he loved to
share with his family. Memories of him learning to drive at a young age, memories of learning
the value of hard work, and memories of his grandmother’s love for him. At the age of twelve,
Lonnie and his grandmother both gave their lives to the Lord at an Oral Roberts tent revival.
Mark 12:30 says to “love the Lord your God with all your heart, and with all your soul, and with
all your mind, and with all your strength.” From the moment Lonnie asked Jesus into his heart,
he did just that. Graduating high school in 1957 at Washington Union in Freemont, California,
Lonnie ran track and had many friends, but most importantly he started the Youth for Christ Club
and taught Sunday School at his church. This was just the beginning of a life-long service to the
Lord and to others.
After graduating, he attended classes at Oakland Junior College and worked at a Ford
factory where he loved taking part in making the new Mustangs. Then in February of 1961 he
met a beautiful young woman on a blind date and four months later on June 30, 1961 she
became Charlene Williams Sudbury, his wife of the next 63 years. The two of them were
described as “close to perfect parents” as anyone could have. Together they raised three
daughters: Lonene born in 1963, Karen born in 1964, and Misty born in 1977.
Before their youngest was born Lonnie worked for the California Highway Department
and decided in 1970 to move to Arkansas to raise his family. Arriving in the small town of
Mansfield, the young family built a home in Abbott that would be the foundation of many years
of family fun and memories. While in Arkansas, Lonnie worked for the Arkansas State Highway
Department for thirty-two years. He was known for his work ethic and integrity. Besides serving
his family as a wonderful husband and father, he also spent forty years teaching Children’s
Church, Sunday School classes, serving as an elder, and leading the Food Pantry. Not to
mention singing specials with all his heart, and sharing that love of singing with his children and
grandchildren.
Lonnie loved spending time with his family. He spent many years taking them camping,
swimming at the lake, to car shows at Petit Jean, picnics and hiking at Devil’s Den, and historic
sites in the South. He loved swinging in the hammock, working in the garden, reading, watching
westerns, eating Mexican food, and telling stories about his all-time favorite car, the Studebaker.
His favorite family vacation was the many years of going to Mt. Nebo, watching the sun rise and
set together.
Lonnie always made it clear how much he loved Charlene and his family. He set an
example to his children, grandchildren, and great-grandchildren of what a Godly man, husband,
and father looks like. Lonnie leaves behind his wife, Charlene Sudbury; daughter Lonene Turner and husband Hoyt of Mansfield; and daughter Karen Havilk and husband Mark of Fort Smith; grandchildren April Howell and husband Matthew of Mansfield; Nikki Perritt and husband Blake of Fort Smith; Alyssa McGee and husband Shawn of Greenwood; Katlin Richardson of Fort
Smith; and Alayna Turner of Mansfield; great-grandchildren Brylee Perritt, Cadence McGee,
Alexandria Howell, Logan Howell, and Harper McGee.
Lonnie was preceded in death by his parents, Leonard and Winnie Sudbury; daughter Misty Turnipseed; and grandson Easton Richardson.
The family plans to celebrate Lonnie’s life at 10:00 a.m. March 19, 2024 at Faith Chapel
in Hartford, Arkansas. Internment will follow the at Cedar Grove Cemetery in Booth, Arkansas. Arrangements are being entrusted to Heritage Memorial Funeral Home in Waldron, Arkansas.
Visitation will be before the service, starting at 9:00 a.m. until 10:00 a.m.
Lonnie’s pallbearers will be Hoyt Turner, Mark Havlik, Blake Perritt, Matthew Howell, Shawn McGee, and Cole Kindle.
