Lenda Cupp

1939 - 2021

PARAGOULD - Lenda Lue Keasler Cupp, 82, passed too soon from this life Friday, Dec. 3, 2021, at The Green House Cottages of Belle Meade in Paragould.

She was born in the home of James Louis Keasler and Wilma Charline Holifield Keasler in Center Hill on a cold morning, Jan. 2, 1939; the second little girl to arrive within two years.

She and her slightly older sister and best friend, Glenda Sue, were generally considered twins, not only because they looked and acted remarkably alike, but also because their mother dressed them alike, did their hair alike, and put them through school together.

Two more siblings, brother Larry Louis and sister Debbie Dian would arrive 11 and 16 years later.

Lenda's paternal grandparents were James "Jim" Henry Keasler and Ida Mae Thaxton Keasler; maternal grandparents were Arthur Key Holifield and Dora Smith Holifield.

Lenda grew up learning to cook, sew, sing and play the piano. She and her sister graduated with their high school sweethearts from Greene County Tech in 1956.

Lenda and Clinton Dillman Cupp married on June 23, 1957. Eventually settling where she grew up in Center Hill on land that was once her grandparents' farm, they added to their family two, much-beloved children, Lesa and Louis, in 1960 and 1967.

Lenda was a whiz with numbers and a blur on a keyboard with few mistakes in either making her very mad.

Her talents found her holding bookkeeping-related positions before starting a career with the Production Credit Association, which would change names several times to what is now Farm Credit Midsouth, over her 37 years of indispensable and valued service.

She loved her job helping area farmers, and generations of farm families in Greene County grew up knowing "Miss Lenda."

She had no spare time, but made time to tend her flowers and a large vegetable garden each summer that always seemed to generate enough produce for sharing, cooking, canning and preserving.

Family and friends looked forward to the blessings of the fruits of her labor throughout the year in dishes for family celebrations, holiday events and church potluck suppers.

Her pickles were coveted, especially her hot dill pickles, and requests made many birthday and Christmas lists, which she gladly fulfilled.

She also loved singing in the church choir, sewing, cooking, bird watching, fishing, shopping, eating out, watching baseball, traveling in the "6-Pack" around the country, flashing her mischievous smile with a wink, laughing at her favorite jokesters and always prioritizing spending time with her immediate, extended and church families.

Lenda attended Shiloh United Methodist Church her entire life and was active in all aspects of the church over the years.

She also worked diligently on maintaining records for the Shiloh Cemetery.

Her family - including her church family - is comforted that she knew the Lord Jesus Christ, has now been healed from all infirmities and is reunited in heaven with so many loved ones that have gone on before her.

She was preceded in death by her parents, Louis and Wilma Keasler, one brother, Larry Louis Keasler, one sister, Debbie Dian Keasler Baltz, mother- and father-in-law, Flora Oletta (Glover) and Chester Alvin Cupp, and, sister- and brother-in-law, Wanda (Cupp) and Glen Pillow.

Even as her earthly form withered, the example of her existence continued to grow in the memories of everyone she touched, and now her true angelic form is being perfected before God.

She is survived by her husband of 64 and a half years, Dillman Cupp of Paragould, one daughter, Lesa (David) Carmack of Paragould and one son, Louis Cupp of Washington, D.C.

She was a loving grandmother to her grandchildren, Clint Pigue of Paragould and Jon David Carmack (Leah) and Rachel (Blake) Anderson, both of Jonesboro, and her great-grandchildren, Kyla, Levi, John Thomas and Luke.

She is also survived by one sibling, Glenda (Clovis) DeMent of Rector; a brother-in-law, Calvin (Patsy) Cupp of Paragould; brother-in-law, C.A. (Charlotte) Cupp of Memphis; brother-in-law, Larry Baltz of Benton; seven nieces; 10 nephews; 12 great-nieces; and seven great-nephews.

Services will be held today, Dec. 7, at Phillips Funeral Home with visitation beginning at 11 a.m. and memorial services at 1 p.m. with the Rev. Jerry Pentecost officiating.

Burial will immediately follow in Shiloh Cemetery.

Although flowers will be greatly appreciated for someone who loved them so much, the family encourages donations in her memory to Shiloh United Methodist Church and/or the Shiloh Cemetery, 5811 W. Kingshighway, Paragould 72450.

The family would like to thank the staff at The Green House Cottages of Belle Meade Hyde House, and Jennifer Long with 1st Choice Home Care for truly being angels on earth.

Pallbearers will be grandsons, Clint Pigue and Jon David Carmack, and nephews, Stephen DeMent, Paul Cupp, Sean Cupp and Dennis Cupp.

Honorary pallbearers will include Jason Baltz and Christopher Baltz.

Online condolences: www.phillipsfuneral.org