Jerry Qualls

MONETTE - Jerry "Chub" Qualls, 84, passed away Sunday, March 23, 2025, at the NEA Baptist Hospital. He was born April 2, 1941, to the late Thomas Joseph "Colonel" and Ovella Hamilton Qualls.

Jerry was the fifth of eight children and lived in Evening Shade until the age of four when he moved to Black Oak with his family, residing there most of his life. He was a graduate of Monette High School, where he was active in baseball and basketball; he also served as class president his senior year.

Newly married with a young son, Kim, Jerry moved to Vardaman, Miss., to farm. His second son, Kirk, was born there, and he remained in Vardaman for five years. He then returned to Black Oak to raise his children until they graduated from Monette High School.

In 1984, he met and married Linda Ryan, and they lived in Jonesboro until her home sold; then they relocated to Black Oak. He enjoyed raising sweet corn, gardening, and maintaining an immaculate lawn. He cherished spending special times with his grandchildren and great-grandchildren.

After retiring, they purchased a home in Monette, where he was approached by the outgoing mayor to consider running for mayor. A former teacher, Mrs. Edna Mae Freeman, encouraged him to run, and he became Mayor of Monette in 2007. He served as mayor for twelve years before retiring. During his tenure, he acquired Monette State Bank as a gift from Dave and Karen Wallace. Jerry later transformed that bank into the Monette Museum; he was active in acquiring artifacts and items for the museum and served on its board until his death.

Chub was a member of the Black Oak Church of Christ, serving several years as a teacher in the adult Bible class.

He leaves behind his wife, Linda Qualls; son, Kirk Qualls; brother, Boyce (Virginia) Qualls; sister, Fonda (Tony) Lybarger; seven grandchildren: Brandon Qualls, Andrea Crawford, Ryan (Jessica) Shelton, Reid (Jenella) Shelton, Amanda (Adam) Schmehl, Michael (Meagan) Ryan, and Brittany Ryan; eleven great-grandchildren; and one great-great-grandchild.

He was preceded in death by two sons, Kim Qualls and Randall Ryan; his daughter, Stacy Shelton; one great-grandson, Noah Cook; four brothers; and one sister.

A celebration of Chub's life will be held on Thursday, March 27, at the Gregg Funeral Home Chapel in Monette with Tim Bassing officiating. Visitation will be Thursday from 11:30 a.m. to 1 p.m. at the funeral home with funeral services to follow. He will be laid to rest in Monette Cemetery.

Honored to serve as pallbearers are; Joey Bryan, Dennis Gathright, Bishop Whitley, Justin Gathright, Brooks Hatch, and Johnny Dunnigan.

In lieu of flowers, the family requests donations to Children's Home's of Paragould and St. Jude Children's Research Hospital.