Rev. Leonard Roy Cain

The Reverend Leonard Roy Cain, 86, was born on January 13, 1939, in a log cabin with a dirt floor on the banks of Beouff River near Eudora, Arkansas. Roy often shared how he remembered crying when the family moved from that cabin into the farmhouse that had been constructed nearby. Roy moved numerous times during his years of dedication to pastoral ministry, but on Tuesday, October 21, 2025, he relocated to a City he had longed for most of his life, permanently relocating to a house not made with hands, eternal in the heavens!

Roy was the seventh of nine children born to George Cain and Eva (Cater) Cain, who both preceded him in death. He is predeceased by the love of his life, his partner in 55 years of marriage and ministry, Shelby Jean (Eubanks) Cain, and by his second wife to whom he was married 8 years, Jeannie McCain Cain; by a son, Donnie Roy Cain, a daughter, Mary Jean Cain; brothers Edward, Rufus, Rev. Edgar, George Jr. Cain; and sisters Louise Cain Sugg and Thelma Cain Stacey. He is also predeceased by a son-in-law, Dr. Mark Bradley; his father-in-law and mother-in-law, Rev. L. D. and Laveda Eubanks; brothers-in-law, Bobby Wayne Eubanks, Donald Sugg, and Omer Stacey; and sisters-in-law, Earlene Jackson Cain, Gay Lynn Eubanks, and Mary Lou (Eubanks) Hubbard.

Remaining to carry on his legacy are his daughter, Tonda Bradley Mixon (Glenn); son, Tony R. Cain (Dawn); sister, Myrlene Cain Cossey (James E); brother, Billy W. Cain (Millie); grandchildren Kane (Jennifer), Alexandria (Justin), Savanna, Santanna, Shelby, Silas, Sayler, Shadon, Slayden Jarrod, Ashlyn, and Garrett; great grandchildren Hollis, Jameson, Rayle, Marlo, Julian, Payton, and Audrey. Also surviving are brothers-in-law Jimmy (Barbara) Eubanks, Jesse (Debbie) Eubanks; sisters-in-law Rosalee Cain (widow of Rufus), Katherine Cain (widow of Rev. Edgar), and Joyce Cain (widow of George Cain, Jr.), as well as a host of nieces, nephews, extended family, ministry colleagues, and former church members.

Born into a committed Pentecostal home, Roy and all his siblings grew up with family prayer at every mealtime, church services every time the doors were open, a steady flow of pastors, preachers, and fellow church members in and out of the home, and with the family reading whole chapters from the Bible every night followed by family prayer (on their knees together). This upbringing was the foundation upon which Roy developed his own personal character, his values, and his deep faith in the power of a miracle-working God.

Called to ministry at an early age, Roy began preaching at his home church, Beouff River Church of God near Eudora, Arkansas, becoming pastor by default when asked to “fill in for a few weeks” until they got a pastor. Those few weeks lasted for six years and included the construction a new church building and parsonage. He also pastored in Hughes, where he built a new church; in Blytheville (Linda Street Church of God, now Ruddle Road) where they completed a parsonage project already underway; in McCrory, where he led an extensive renovation and remodel; in Russellville, where he served for 23 years and built both the church and parsonage (now The Sanctuary Church); in Blytheville; and in Flippin, where he constructed a new sanctuary. When we say, “he constructed,” – he literally led each of these building projects laboring with his own hands, always completing each project debt-free or nearly so. After his retirement, he also served several years as pastor at a Community Church south of Russellville.

Roy was credentialed as an “Exhorter” (beginning rank of ministry) by the Church of God (Cleveland, Tennessee) on December 27, 1960, promoted to Ordained Minister on November 7, 1963, and elevated to the highest rank of ministry in his denomination, Ordained Bishop, on December 29, 1970. He served the Lord and his denomination as a pastor, evangelist, district youth director, and district overseer. He served extensive tenures as an elected member of the Arkansas Church of God state youth board, state evangelism board, and state council. At the time of his passing, he continued as a minister in good standing, officially retired and exempt from reporting because of age and disability.

During his years in Russellville, Roy became friends with Rev. Devoe Campbell, pastor at Calvary Temple Assembly of God. During the illness and subsequent passing of Roy’s first wife, Shelby, Pastor and Mrs. Campbell and the Calvary Temple family ministered compassionately and extensively to him, and, following Shelby’s passing, it was Mrs. Joyce Campbell who introduced Roy to his second wife, Jeannie, a member of that church. The entire Cain family extends sincere appreciation to Calvary Temple and to former (now retired) pastor Rev. Devoe Campbell, and current pastor, Rev. Jeff Lewis, for their friendship and exceptional pastoral care.

Growing up on that secluded Chicot County farm, Roy was an avid outdoorsman and a dedicated deer hunter; the stories he told of his many hunting escapades are Classic Cain Legend and, if intertwined with his countless funny stories, could fill volumes. His retirement years were spent back where his roots were, in the country—on his little farm near Gumlog, where, from time-to-time he cared for chickens, horses, cattle, his garden, and his furry, friendly rescue dog, Rusty...and from which he could ride his four-wheeler to his deer stand...or to the mailbox.

Pastor Roy Cain’s visitation will be held from 5-7 PM on Monday, October 27, 2025, at Russellville Family Funeral Home, 2752 East Parkway Drive in Russellville. We will celebrate his long and fruitful life by worshiping together at 2 PM on Tuesday, October 28, 2025, at Calvary Temple Assembly of God, 3345 AR 124 (Weir Road Exit off I-40) with Dr. James E. Cossey, Pastor Jeff Lewis, and Rev. Robert O’Bryant officiating. Interment will be next to his late wife Shelby, at Rest Haven Memorial Park Cemetery in Russellville. Pallbearers will be some of Roy’s nephews and great nephews: Raymond Cain, Terry Cain, Nicholas Cain, Chad Cain, Dwight Barnett, and David Barnett. Honorary pallbearers are the men of Calvary Temple Assembly of God.

Memorial tributes may be directed to Church of God World Missions, P. O. Box 8016, Cleveland, Tennessee 37320-8016 (www.cogwm.org), or to Arkansas Church of God Evangelism and Home Missions, P. O Box 2650, Benton, Arkansas 72019.

Arrangements entrusted to the care of Russellville Family Funeral. Please visit our website, www.russellvillefamilyfuneral.com to share a memory or condolence with his family.