Sallye Eubanks Beam

Sallye Eubanks Beam went home to join the Lord on March 13, 2024. She was born December 19^th, 1940, to Richard “Dub” Eubanks and Eva Francis White Eubanks. She was the baby of 3 siblings born to Dub and Eva. Although Sallye was the smallest of the children, she had a huge heart. She was an avid lover of travel, sailing, and most importantly Elvis Presley.

Sallye attended school at Oliver’s Chapel until her 3^rd grade year when the chapel was engulfed by a fire. The chapel was a total loss. Sallye was then sent to Mena Public Schools where she continued her education and met her future husband, Johnny Smith. Sallye and Johnny were married in 1958 and had two children: Mitch Smith in 1958 and Karla Smith in 1961. Unfortunately, the marriage ended in 1963. In search of a new start Sallye moved to Dallas, Texas, where she met the love of her life, Dale Slade whom she would marry in 1966.

In 1966 Sallye set out to find the adventures of a lifetime, and oh boy did she! Over the years her travels took her across the U.S. and down to the ocean. Sallye spent 3 years living on and co-navigating a 65-foot Gulf Star sailboat through the warm waters of the Caribbean. She would often reflect on her days aboard the sailboat as she shared stories of her great adventures with her beloved Salty Dog and Sailor Cat.

After her travels through the Caribbean Sallye began a new adventure where she traveled the U.S. and into Canada riding on a Gold Wing motorcycle with her husband. Stories of crazy weather and crazy people would keep us laughing until our bellies hurt.

At the end of her adventures riding in 1972 Sallye wanted to settle down and place her kids in a permanent school. Although she had seen and lived in a great many places such as Dallas, Texas; Miami, Florida; North Platte, Nebraska and Gillette, Wyoming, nowhere felt safer to raise the children than her hometown Mena, Arkansas.

Sallye worked a variety of jobs over the years but was most remembered from Walmart from 1972 to 1981 and Dallas Avenue Dental Clinic from 1996 to 2016. Everyone loved Sallye with her beautiful smile, wickedly funny sense of humor and her spit fire temper. One thing was certain, you always knew where you stood with Sallye and never had to wonder as she was always firm in her stance on right and wrong. She was a fixture in our family that will always be remembered and never forgotten. Sallye spent the last 20 years of her working career managing the Dallas Avenue Dental Clinic before retiring in 2016.

Although retired, Sallye enjoyed organizing and attending what she fondly called “The Burger Bash.”  Each month she would schedule a lunch for the class of 1958 and select a local establishment where they would all meet and converse about the good ole’ days. One of her favorite places to eat was at The Lime Tree, where she raved about the Friday night catfish. As the years passed on the family expanded with grandchildren, great-grandchildren, and even great-great-grandchildren. With each arrival her heart would swell with pride as she was able to shower each one with love.

While there was an abundance of children to love over the years Sallye deeply missed her parents Dub and Eva who had proceeded her in death, as well as both of her siblings Karma Eubanks Olsen and Jim Eubanks. Also gone before their time her favorite Aunt and Uncle Bes French and Jack Eubanks.

Sallye was 83 when she joined the Lord in her heavenly home, a celebration that was long awaited. Sallye had been diagnosed with congestive heart failure earlier in life and although there was no “fix” for her condition she would tell everyone “I am gonna live till I die” and “if the Lord is ready to call me home then it is my time to go, not a second before or after.”

Sallye left behind 2 children Karla Smith Webber and Mitch Smith both of Mena,

7 grandchildren: Jeff Smith, John Smith, Amber Cowan, Connar Cowan all of Mena, Arkansas, Brian Bardaga and Donovan Bardaga of Florida, Beverley and Buster Beam of LaMarque, Texas, and Malissa Smith of Mena,

13 great-grandchildren: Dylan Smith, Madison Smith, Alexis Smith Jaimes and husband Emmanuel, Haley Smith, Caleb Jones, Wesley Smith, Austin Smith, Makaylee Smith, Bailee Smith, Schelbe McCain, Karli McCain, AJ Urdiales, and Khole Beam, and

2 great-great-grandchildren Ivy Lynn Smith and Astrid Faye Jones.

Niece Missy Olsen Williams and Husband Dale and Nephew Mike Olsen as well as a host of other relatives and friends.

Services for Mrs. Sallye Eubanks Beams were held, Monday, April 1, 2024, at 2:00 p.m., at the Crossing Church in Mena, Arkansas. Pastor Victor Rowell will be officiating under the direction of Beasley-Wood Funeral Home. Interment will follow the services at Pinecrest Memorial Park, in Mena, Arkansas. Visitation was held Sunday, March 31, 2024, from 5:00 p.m. to 7:00 p.m. at Beasley-Wood Funeral Home in Mena, Arkansas.

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