Erby Qualls

Erby Huston Qualls, 95, of Story, Arkansas, passed away on February 11, 2020. Erby was born in Story, on April 29th, 1924, the third of 5 children born to Oscar and Edith Qualls. He was raised in Story and attended school in Story and Mt Ida.

At 19, he volunteered to serve the Navy in WWII, where he served Basic training in San Diego, CA and was shipped to the Philippines. Erby was discharged in 1946 and returned to Story for a short time, then hitch-hiked to El Centro, CA for better work, renting a room from his Aunt Florie and Uncle Wesley Wilkerson. His mother’s two brothers, Jasper and Raymond Mc Kinzie worked at the Naval Air Facility in El Centro, CA and encouraged him to apply. He was hired as a Boiler Technician at night and bucked and hauled hay during the day until he started his own plumbing business. Erby retired from the NAF in the late 70’s. All the while he continued to raise cattle and farm in Story, AR where he returned each summer to work while on vacation from his NAF job and the plumbing business.

Erby was happiest on a horse, watching over his cattle and looking out over the pasture. Retirement wasn’t a word Erby knew because work was never done; he always found something to do. When he decided to give up horses, he bought a 4-wheel ATV to check the cattle.
While in “retirement” he drove a school bus for the Mount Ida School District.
And in 1982, Erby moved back to Story and met Shirley Cox. They married in 1992 and she has been by his side ever since.

Erby’s many friends have the same thing to say about him: “ERBY IS JUST ERBY,” enough said.
Erby was preceded in death by his parents Oscar & Edith Qualls, brothers Willis Qualls and Lonnie Qualls, sister Delora Humphreys and nephew Randall Humphreys. He is survived by his wife of 27 years, Shirley Qualls of Story; sister Lanora Gaston of Hot Springs, AR; and 2 daughters and sons-in-law Edith and Paul Conway of Niota, TN and Charlotte and Kenny Ashurst of Westmorland, CA; Grandchildren: Kristen (Brandon) Collins of Knoxville, TN; Brandon (Collett) Ashurst of Brawley, CA; Brent (Carly) Ashurst of Westmorland, CA; Brock (Jaylene) Tidwell of Houston, TX; Autumn (Blake) Plourd of El Centro, CA; and 14 great-grandchildren. Nieces: Conie (Kirk) Reamey of Clinton, AR, Kathy (Mark) Smith of Hot Springs, AR; Wanda Hall of Kennewick, WA, Willeen Morley of Clovis, CA and Wesley Qualls of Pearcy, AR.

Visitation will be Monday, February 17, 2020, 1pm-2pm with services 2pm at First Baptist Church, 204 Luzerne Street, Mt Ida, AR, with Bro. Bill Ashburn officiating. Burial to follow at Reed Cemetery Story, AR. Pallbearers are Kenny Ashurst, Brandon Ashurst, Brett Ashurst, Paul Conway, Mike Webb and Ray Belt. Honorary pallbearers are Erby’s Sunday school class and the men of First Baptist Church. Arrangements were made under the direction of Thornton Funeral Home of Mount Ida, AR. Guest register at www.thorntonfh.com