Lee Otis Box

To everything there is a season, and a time to every purpose under the heaven: A time to be born, and a time to die. Ecclesiastes 3:1-2 Lee Otis began his life’s journey on July 13, 1950 in Rockford, Illinois. He was the son of Otis Lee Box and Emma Lee Harris. His mother died when he was just a small child and his grandmother Cora Carter stepped in and raised Lee Otis as her own son. Those who knew her could attest to the fact that Lee Otis stole her heart. He accepted Christ as his personal Lord and Savior at an early age and attended Wilson High School in Malvern, Arkansas. “Box”, as he was called by family and friends grew up to be a loving, kind and suave young man. He was very outgoing and had a great sense of humor. He had a special way of cherishing each individual for their own uniqueness. He spoke straightforwardly and never met a stranger. Box was a ladies man and enjoyed the local party spots in Malvern. He was known throughout Malvern and the surrounding areas as a gifted artist. He could draw and paint…anything or anybody. Box was a jack of all trades and a master of none. In 1973 he met Gary Brandon, a young funeral director and embalmer who at the time worked for Johnson Funeral Home. Under the watchful eye of Gary and Mr. Johnson, Box learned all about funeral service. Although he was never licensed, Box could embalm a body if he had too. Gary Brandon later established Brandon’s Mortuary and Box was right there on his heels. It was at a party in Malvern one night that Box spotted this slim young lady from Arkadelphia named Linda and from then on the pursuit began. On October 27, 1983 Box and Linda were married and to this union one son was born, Lee Otis Box, Jr. There blended family also included Cletis, Stephen, Margo, Amy, Tina, Darren, Leilani and LaRhonda. They finally settled in Arkadelphia and with Box moving into town, Arkadelphia would never be the same. His reputation in the city as one of the best car detailer’s spread like a wild fire. Box never did lay aside his love for the funeral industry. Although he was no longer in Malvern he worked his way into the likings of James Williams at Williams Funeral Home and George Mitchell at Mitchell Funeral Home and was known to still “float” between all four funeral homes. They united with Genneserat under the leadership of Rev. Charles D. Hood and later moved their membership to Greater Pleasant Hill under the leadership of Dr. Lewis Shepherd for a brief period. Box and Linda later moved to Portland, Oregon and later moved back to Arkadelphia where he eventually reunited with Gennesaret Baptist Church under the leadership of Rev. Frederick Smith. When Linda’s health began to fail everyone witnessed a different side of Box. He was a steady companion and caregiver for Linda holding true to the vow….”in sickness and in health”. If you saw Box, you saw Linda and if you saw Linda, you saw Box. After twenty-seven years of marriage Linda passed into the Lord’s embrace on Sunday, October 31, 2010 with Box and other family members at her side. A few months later his father passed and Box struggled to grasp the reality of letting go. There was another turning point in his life when he met, Juanita Wilson. She proved to be a true companion and friend. Everyone saw a different spark in his eye and wished him well as he moved on with his life. On Tuesday, June 14, 2011, in his 60th season of life Box surrendered his soul to Christ at St. Joseph’s’ Mercy Health Center in Hot Springs, Arkansas with is family by his side. He was preceded in transition by his parents, his beloved grandmother Cora Carter, and one brother, Because love is far greater than death, Box departs this earth in body only. His gentle smile lives on in the minds and hearts of his children:, Cletis Dorn of Portland, OR, Lee Otis Box, Jr., of Portland, OR, Stephen Booth of Little Rock, AR, Margo Box of Rockford, IL, Amy Box of Indianapolis, IN, Tina Box of Oakland, CA, Darren Guinn, Sr., of Portland, OR, Leilani Buckley of Arkadelphia, AR, and LaRhonda Guinn of Arkadelphia, AR; twenty-eight grandchildren and one great granddaughter Keonna Guinn; ; three sisters, Betty Smith of Arkadelphia, Cora Roberts of Malvern, AR, and Elizabeth Reedy of Malvern, AR; two brothers, Donald Box and Chris Box both of Rockford, IL; one aunt,Jearline Gray of Rockford,IL; one sister-in-law , Glinda (Willie) Barton of Arkadelphia; two brothers-in-law, Rickey (Shasta) Arnold, Sr., of Everett, WA and Bennie (Shelia) Arnold, Jr., of Marysville, WA; and a host of nieces, nephews, relatives, and countless friends. Mr. Box will lie in repose on Monday, June 20th from 2:00 p.m. until 7:00 p.m. at the funeral home and the family will receive friends and share with them Images of Life DVD from 6:00 p.m. until 7:00 p.m. The family invites friends and extended family members to celebrate with them the home-going of “Box” at 11:00 a.m. on Tuesday, June 21st in the sanctuary of Gennsaret Missionary Baptist Church where Rev. Frederick Smith is the pastor. Rev. Charles D. Hood the pastor of New Generation Baptist Church will deliver the eulogy. The committal service and final resting place will be at Helms Cemetery in Arkadelphia, Arkansas. Bearers of the casket will be Kenny Lomax, Greg McGhee, Eli McGhee, J. T. McGhee, Donald Phison, Guyrone Buckley. Honorary bearers of the casket are Kentrel Jones, Darren Guinn, Jr., Jarren Bealer, Keland Guinn and the staff of Williams Funeral Home, Brandon Mortuary, Johnson Funeral Home and Mitchell Funeral Home, respectively.