Mack Toombs

1944 - 2021

William "Mack" Toombs, 77, of Paragould, departed his earthly life on Oct. 20, 2021, at NEA Baptist Hospital in Jonesboro.

Mack was born in the Coffman community of Greene County on July 8, 1944. He was born to E.L. and Christine (Kittle) Toombs and grew up on a farm. When he was 16 years old, Mack was severely burned in a lawn mower explosion and spent 18 months recovering in a Memphis hospital. This early trial he faced set the tone for how he lived his entire life, instilling in him a joy for life and a determination to persevere.

Mack graduated from Greene County Tech high school in 1963. He went on to attend Arkansas State University, where he graduated with a master's degree in agriculture. Over the course of his life, Mack was employed in several different areas, never giving up, but always finding a way forward. Mack worked as a bus driver, a farmer, an AgScience teacher at Greene County Tech, as well as serving on the school board. Mack went on to operate multiple restaurants, including Mack's Country Style Hamburgers. In the early 1990s, Mack began a refrigeration company, still in operation today.

Mack was of the Baptist faith and a member of West View Baptist Church.

Mack was an avid collector of all things antique and had a love of old John Deere tractors, trains and clocks. He loved loved helping people and solving problems, as well as a good political debate. He was very proud of his family and loved spending time with his grandchildren.

Mack was preceded in death by his parents, as well as six brothers and sisters.

He is survived by his wife of 26 years, Patricia (Clark) Toombs, of the home; three children, Jennifer (Shannon) Chick of Cedar Grove, Tenn., JR (Amber) Toombs and William (Kayli) Toombs, of Paragould; five grandchildren, Chandler Chick, Annalyn, Jenalee and Charlie Toombs, and Cager Toombs; and three siblings, Gary Toombs of Jonesboro, Peggy Jackson and Dr. Jon (Renae) Collier, of Paragould; as well as numerous nieces, nephews and friends.

Visitation will be Sunday, Oct. 24 from 6-8 p.m. at Heath Funeral Home. Funeral services will be Monday at 11 at the funeral home, with burial to follow at Memorial Gardens Cemetery. Services will be led by Dr. Marc Reeves and Bro. Carl Clark.

Pallbearers will be JR Toombs, William Toombs, Chandler Chick, Keith Clark, Carl Clark, Matthew Clark, Ronnie Pigue and David Pigue.

Online tributes can be left at www.heathfuneralhome.com.