Napoleon Medley

(Obituary Below)

Flowers may be sent to Kincaid Funeral Services East Chapel at 1160 Springdale Road, Helena, AR 72342 for delivery on Monday, November 24, 2025.

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Napoleon Medley, born on December 31, 1935, in Helena, Arkansas, was the fourth child of Moses Medley and Rosetta Trice Medley. He accepted Christ at an early age and grew up attending St. Luke Missionary Baptist Church with his family.

After graduating from Eliza Miller High School, Napoleon enlisted in the United States Navy on November 8, 1955, serving honorably until October 5, 1959. On December 23, 1955, he married his high school sweetheart, Dorothy Marie Thomas of Helena, shortly before his first naval deployment. Their union was blessed with seven children.

Following his military service in Long Beach, California, Napoleon and Dorothy returned to Helena with their three daughters to take over the family farm. A dedicated and diligent farmer, Napoleon was often seen tending his fields late into the night by moonlight. Over the years, he cultivated and harvested nearly 1,000 acres of cotton and soybeans. He was widely respected as a businessman and employer, known for treating everyone with dignity and conducting all his dealings with unwavering integrity.

Napoleon was forced to retire from farming in 2003 due to declining eyesight, yet he continued to maintain the property around his home for many years despite being legally blind. He repaired his own plumbing, planted a yearly community garden, and singlehandedly mowed a half-acre of land. A faithful servant of the Lord, he served as a deacon at St. Luke Missionary Baptist Church for more than 40 years and rarely missed a Sunday.

Napoleon departed this life on November 11, 2025. He was preceded in death by his beloved wife of 55 years, Dorothy; his parents; his sons, Napoleon, Jr. and Michael Everett; his son-in-law, Gregory Huntsman; and his siblings, Willie Mae Alford, Doris Bell, Moses, Jr., and Odis.

He leaves to cherish his memory his children: Donna Medley of Duncanville, TX; Cheryl Medley of Helena, AR; Brenda Huntsman of Pearland, TX; Carl Medley (Linda) of Searcy, AR and Kenneth LaSalle Medley (Angela) of Mint Hill, NC.

Napoleon is also survived by nine grandchildren-Kayla Medley of Kensett, AR; Halle Medley of North Little Rock, AR; Simon Medley (Madison) of Irving, TX; Adrienne McClure (Brian) of Pearland, TX; Allyson Gillstrom (Jordan) of Maplewood, MN; Christopher Huntsman of Houston, TX; Taylor Huntsman of Pearland, TX; Michael Huntsman of Pearland, TX; and Ebony Ford of Charlotte, NC-as well as his great-granddaughter, Elizabeth McClure of Pearland, TX.

He is also survived by siblings---Rufus Medley (Rosie) of Chicago, IL; Ferry Gaddy of Stockbridge, GA; and Cora Foulks (Calvin) of Conyers, GA.

He is additionally survived by a host of extended family members and friends who will forever honor and celebrate his remarkable life.

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