Herbert Slyby

Herbert Hoover Slyby

November 7, 1928 - March 12, 2025

Herbert Hoover Slyby, 96, a loving brother, husband, father, grandfather, great grandfather and faithful child of God, peacefully passed to be with the Lord on March 12, 2025.

He was born to the Late Michael and Mary Farrah Slyby, natives of Syria, on November 7, 1928 in Wilmington, Ohio. Herbert was a graduate of Wilmington High School.

Herbert is survived by a brother, David Slyby of Mason, Ohio, son, Joe Michael (Patricia) Slyby, and daughter, Bonita “Nita” McGhee, of Hot Springs, grandchildren, Matthew (Samara) McGhee, Kristy McGhee Sherrod of Bauxite, Joshua Slyby of Maumelle, Michael (Tasha) McGhee of Hot Springs, JK (Yasi) Slyby of Denver, CO, Shane (Shelli) Crook of Panama City, FL and great grandchildren, Connor, Chloe and Caylee McGhee, Colton Sherrod, Lukas Slyby and Beckett Crook. He was preceded in death by his loving wife of 69 years, Loretta Barnes Slyby, brother, Abraham (Dorothy) Slyby, sister, Ruth Esther (Wilbur) Moots and sister-in-law, Dottie Slyby.

A proud member of the United States Army, Herbert was a paratrooper with the Eighty Second Airborne Division, Fort Bragg, NC. He met the love his life, Loretta Barnes when he traveled with a close army friend to Sheridan, AR. He was honorably discharged at the rank of Corporal and they were married on May 21, 1949 in Sheridan.

Herbert (known as Herb), moved his family from Wilmington, OH to Sheridan where he raised his family. He attended Lost Creek Missionary Baptist Church where he accepted Jesus as his Savior and in later years joined First Landmark Missionary Baptist in Sheridan.

Herb was an avid fan of the Sheridan High School Yellowjacket and University of Arkansas Razorback football programs. He loved camping, boating, fishing and lakeside fish fries with family and friends.

In 1957 he began his career with Teletype Corporation in Little Rock, AR as a screw machine operator where he was promoted to Supervisor. In 1970 he moved his family to Little Rock. In the late 70’s he took early retirement and moved to Amity, AR where he cared for his wife and property well into his 80s. When his wife’s health declined, they moved to Hot Springs to be near family in 2015.

Herb was a faithful member of the former New Galilee Missionary Baptist Church in Amity, AR where he served as Treasurer. He was a kind and generous man who dearly loved and cared for his family. He was a devoted Christian and loved his Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ.

He was dearly loved and will be greatly missed by his brother, children, grandchildren, great grandchildren, nieces, nephews and many, many friends.

Visitation will be 12:00pm to 1:00 pm on Saturday, March 22, at Smith Family Funeral Home in Hot Springs, AR, with a memorial service immediately following. Interment to follow at Sweet Home Cemetery, Amity, AR. Serving as pallbearers will be his grandsons, Matthew McGhee, Michael McGhee, Joshua Slyby, JK Slyby, and great grandson, Connor McGhee. Great grandsons, Colton Sherrod and Lukas Slyby will be honorary pallbearers.