Obituaries

Giles Alvis Sexton

Photo of Giles Alvis Sexton
Dr. Giles Alvis Sexton, age 84, of Fayetteville, Ark., passed away very peacefully Thursday, Aug. 30, 2012, surrounded by his wife, children and grandchildren. He was born Aug. 5, 1928, in Roger Springs, Tenn., the first child and only son of Giles Charles and Annie (Belcher) Sexton. He was followed by five sisters, all of whom are still surviving and already missing him. He was raised on a dairy farm, working hard and teasing his sisters. They all adored him and spoiled him, setting the bar pretty high for his wife and children that would follow. He was very proud of his education and even in his last days when asked did he enjoy medical school he indicated it was initially intense, but summed it up as liberating. He attended the University of Tennessee at Knoxville and the University of Tennessee Medical School at Memphis. There he met a cute little nursing student, Elsie Dicus. In June of 1952, he graduated from Medical School and she from Nursing School. They married on Christmas Day 1952. Their union was the best thing that ever happened to both of them. He was proud of his military service in the Army and Air Force, and was honorably discharged as a captain in the Air Force. He began his medical practice in Forrest City, Ark., in 1955, a time that he described as the golden age of medicine, due to having penicillin that could cure illnesses that during his younger years would have been fatal. He delivered babies, made house calls, traveled as the team doctor with the Forrest City Mustangs and spent nights in the emergency room healing and helping. He moved to Fayetteville, Ark., in 1979 and pursued his second interest, real estate, eventually establishing Sexton Associates, Inc., a property management company. Through his friendship and business association with Jim Lindsey and Reynie Rutledge, he became a partner in Paradise Valley Athletic Club and other investments. He was a lifelong member of the Church of Christ, serving as deacon of the Forrest City Church of Christ, and was a member of the Mount Comfort Road Church of Christ in Fayetteville. He was looking forward to a family reunion in late September and getting to see his sisters and their families. He was also looking forward to his 60th Christmas Day wedding anniversary this year to the love of his life, Elsie Sexton. They have four children, Deb Sexton, Pam Crawford, Al Sexton and spouse Kristie Sexton, Lis Evans and spouse Vic Evans and three grandchildren, Alexander Crawford, Bailey Sexton and Beth Sexton. His five sisters are Evelyn Easterwood, Vadeen Stanfill and spouse Ira Stanfill, Ann Wells, Vernette James and spouse Eugene James, and Vernice Miller and spouse Harold Miller. He had many nieces and nephews. He really enjoyed being with his family and friends, playing pranks, reading, reviewing numbers, making lists, his dogs, hunting, fishing, watching basketball and the Razorbacks. He was proud to be a Republican, because his Grandmother Belcher was a Republican. He would frown if he heard one of his children had voted for a Democrat. His family and friends loved him. There will be an unfillable hole in their lives without him. He was a good man. Visitation will be 5 p.m. to 8 p.m. Tuesday, Sept. 4, 2012, at Nelson-Berna Funeral Home. A celebration of his life will be 2 p.m. Wednesday, Sept. 5, at the Mount Comfort Road Church of Christ. Honorary pallbearers are Jim Lindsey, Rick Tanneberger, John Layes, Bill Elsass, John Taylor, Ira Stanfill, Eugene James, and Harold Miller. His family is very appreciative of the thoughts and prayers they are receiving. They ask that in lieu of flowers, memorials be made in his name to Butterfield Trail Village Foundation, 1923 East Joyce Blvd., Fayetteville, Arkansas 72703, or to a charity of the donor's choice. To place an online tribute visit www.nelsonberna.com.

Published September 2, 2012

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