Henry Louis "Louie" Marks

Henry Louis “Louie” Marks was born on June 20, 1952 in Gurdon, Arkansas to James Garfield and Lucille Hawthorne Marks. He was a life-long member of Mt. Canaan Baptist Church having joined as a little boy under the leadership of Rev. S. L. Loyd. He was a 1970 graduate of Gurdon High School, which was the first class so graduate after integration. “Louie” as he was called made friends with everybody and always showed himself to be friendly. Henry Louis worked as a contactor with Southwestern Bell for over 30 years. As a contractor he was afforded many opportunities to travel and meet people all over the country. After he retired he stared teaching Karate in Arkadelphia, Hot Springs and Gurdon where he opened the first karate training school. He also was the owner and operator of KMG Clothing store in downtown Gurdon. By all accounts he was a family man who loved spending time with his grandchildren. He loved to fish and would fish for hours on in. Basketball was his favorite sport that often brought back memories of when he played for Gurdon High School. He mastered cooking and two of his signatures were potatoe salad and sweet potatoe pie.He was a loving father, supportive brother and a great friend. To know him was to love him and his presence will forever be missed. He passed into the Lord’s embrace on Wednesday, June 14, 2017. He was preceded in death by his parents; and three brothers, James Marks, Jr., Julius Marks and Johnnie Lee Marks. Henry Louis is survived by his children: Amanda Purifoy of Hope, AR, Tyrone Marks of Gurdon, AR, Gregory Marks of Gurdon, AR, Derrick Gulley of Tyler, TX, Mike Marks of Little Rock, AR and Kimberly Marks of Little Rock, AR; thirteen grandchildren; three sisters, Annie J. (Billy) Lockhart of Gurdon, AR, Annie McNeil of Gurdon, AR and Fannie Sheppard of Gurdon, AR; two brothers, Oscar (Demita) Marks of Gurdon, AR and Willie Lee Marks of Hot Springs, AR; an uncle, David (Ruth) Hawthorne of Arkadelphia, AR and an aunt, Geraldine Marks of Atlanta, GA. He also leaves a host of nieces, nephews, cousins, a special friend and fishing buddy Sidney Henry of Gurdon and other cherished friends.Public visitation will be Sunday, June 18, 2017 from 2:00 p.m. until 6:00 p.m. and the family will receive friends from 5:00 p.m. until 6:00 p.m. at Williams Funeral Home. Funeral services will be at 11:00 a.m. Monday, June 19, 2017 at Mt. Canaan Baptist Church in Gurdon, Arkansas with Rev. William Colbert, eulogist. Interment will be in Rose Hedge Cemetery.