Darwin Gene Lance

Darwin Gene Lance, age 87, of Mena Arkansas, was born in a shotgun shack on the banks of Powell Creek in western Polk County, Arkansas Friday, March 9, 1934, to Charles Bertran and Letha Belle Daffin Lance. He went home to be with his Saviour, Wednesday, January 26, 2022. Darwin Gene is survived by a daughter, Jeannine Higgs and husband Jacob of Diboll Texas; a son, Tony Lance and wife Michelle of Cabot Arkansas; a stepson, Joe Tedder and wife Gail of Houston, Texas; five grandchildren, Andrew Elder and wife Sarah of Frierson, Louisiana; Emily Elder of San Antonio, Texas; Chloe Segalla and husband David of Bentonville, Arkansas; Michael Libby and wife Sara of North Little Rock, Arkansas; Matt Libby of Prattsville, Arkansas and nine step-grandchildren; three great-grandchildren, Zack Elder; Willa Jean Elder and Hannah Claire Segalla; one brother, Charles Wayne Lance; two sisters, Thelma Parker and Wanda Foster; his favorite Aunt Jean and a host of other family and dear friends. He was preceded in death by his wife of 32 years, Donna Lee Stanford Lance; a sister, Wilma Parker; his second wife of 21 years, Erma Faye Tedder Lance; two stepsons, Bobby Ray Tedder and Jeff Tedder; a stepdaughter, Sherry Tedder and his special friend, Louise Key.

To say Gene was a hard worker would be an understatement. He left school at the age of 13 to support his family, his dad being stricken with rheumatic fever, the effects of which plagued his dad the rest of his life. Gene became a professional grocery man, in every sense of the word. He worked early in his career for Roger Brothers Mercantile and after returning from Korea, began working for Shorty Williams at Piggly Wiggly. During his career, he and his wife Donna were the owners of The Market Basket grocery store, and he finished his career working for a man that became his dear friend, Doy Grubbs at the Northside Food center.

Gene was an accomplished musician who began playing the guitar and later developed a love for the bass guitar, which he played for over 50 years; 40 of which were spent in local bands, the most time being with the Talimena Drive Band, each year playing over 100 shows. After his retirement from Talimena Drive, he picked up his beloved bass once again, becoming the bass player for a year for the Crossroads Cowboy Church band in El Paso, Arkansas. He was an avid fisherman, whose angling exploits became legendary, spending 250-plus days a year on the water, catfishing at night and working all day. He was a master gardener, a past member of the Mena Optimist Club and Mena Elks Lodge. He loved the outdoors, and he dearly loved the rodeo.

Of all his accomplishments, Gene was most proud of his service in the U.S. Military. He was drafted and went to Korea where he served in the 24th Infantry Division MP’s and in CIC Counter Intelligence. Two years ago, he was honored by the Central Arkansas Pro Rodeo Assn for his service to his country. He was a patriot who loved his country, saluted the flag, wept at the Star-Spangled Banner, and longed to see his Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ.

Graveside funeral services will be 2:00 pm, Saturday, February 5, 2022, at the Mt. Gilead Cemetery, Highway 8 West, Rocky Community, Mena, Arkansas. Gene’s beloved family and dear friends will be holding a visitation at the Bowser Funeral Home in Mena, Arkansas, between 9-11 a.m., Saturday, February 5th, 2022.

Pallbearers will be Andrew Elder, Jacob Higgs, Matt Libby, Chris Tedder and Greg Tedder. Services will be officiated by Rev. Ron Riddle under the direction of Bowser Family Funeral Home.

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