John Harrison Gilmer

John Harrison Gilmer, 87, of Murfreesboro, AR, passed away on Sunday, March 27, 2016. He was born in Boto, AR on January 28, 1929 to Jesse and Mae (Harrison) Gilmer. He was preceded in death by his parents, and four sisters, Glinda Gilmer, Floyce Jones, Jessie Watkins, and Sue Jones. He is survived by his loving wife of 67 years, Mary Alice Hill Gilmer; two children, daughter, Kathy Donihoo and husband, Ed; and son, John Gilmer, Jr. all of Murfreesboro; three grandchildren, Patrick Donihoo and wife, Virginia of Fayetteville, North Carolina, Stephanie Chaney and husband, Brandon of McKinney, TX, and Lowell Gilmer and wife, Leanne of Grand Prairie, TX; seven great-grandchildren, Lainey, John, Maya, Will, Nathaniel, Sean, and Marilla; one brother, Travis Gilmer of Murfreesboro; two sisters, Loyce Stark of Santa Fe, New Mexico, and Sherry Umphress of Murfreesboro, and numerous nieces, and nephews. Harrison graduated from Murfreesboro High School in 1947 and attended business college in Little Rock. He and Mary Alice married in June 1949, and eventually settled in Grand Prairie, Texas where he was employed by General Motors until his retirement in 1984. After retiring, they moved back to Murfreesboro to enjoy over 30 years of retirement. He was a member of the First Baptist Church in Murfreesboro where he served as a deacon and church treasurer for many years. He was instrumental in forming the Pike County Archives and History Society where he served as it's President and Vice-President. He was a 32nd Degree Mason. A special "Thank You" to Sunni, Candy, and Sadie, the hospice nurses with Ouachita Regional Hospital, who cared for him these past two months. He was a faithful husband, loving father, grandfather, and great grandfather, devoted brother, and caring friend to all who knew him. He will be greatly missed. Visitation is Wednesday, March 30, 2016 from 6:00 to 9:00 PM at Latimer Funeral Home in Murfreesboro. Funeral services will be held on Thursday, March 31, 2016 at 2:00 PM at the First Baptist Church in Murfreesboro with Brother Johnny Baker and Brother Jerry Hill officiating. Burial to follow at Hickory Grove Cemetery in Murfreesboro under the direction of Latimer Funeral Home, Murfreesboro. Memorials may be made to the Hickory Grove Cemetery Fund, in care of Kathy Donihoo P.O. Box 60 Murfreesboro, AR. 71958, the Lottie Moon Missionary Fund or the Operation Christmas Child Fund at the First Baptist Church in Murfreesboro. You may send an online sympathy message to www.latimerfuneralhome.com. To send flowers or a memorial gift to the family of John Harrison Gilmer please visit our Sympathy Store.