Verner Herbert Yarbrough Jr.

Verner Herbert "Herb" Yarbrough Jr., 80, of Little Rock, passed away Saturday, July 22, 2017. Born July 13, 1937, in Ringgold, Georgia to Verner H. and Dorothy Dietz Yarbrough and raised in Nashville, Tennessee, Herb's life would embody the values of King Arthur's Court that had inspired him– where everyone had an equal seat at the table, and leaders were distinguished by service and generosity rather than dominance or reward. Herb would preside with wisdom and distinction on many community and professional boards, notably as President of the Little Rock School District Board advancing the cause of integration, the Advisory Board of the Salvation Army, a founding director of the Arkansas Real Estate Foundation and Relocation Directors Council, President of the Sales and Marketing Executives Association, Arkansas Real Estate Commission, and the Arkansas Realtors Association, which honored him as Realtor of the Year. Herb retired as Vice President and Corporate Relocation Director of McKay & Company Realtors in 2010. Herb was a graduate of the University of Tennessee, Knoxville. He proudly served in the Army National Guard, and was a faithful member of St. James United Methodist Church and the Community Bible Study Men's Group in Little Rock. Herb was a devoted husband whose romance with Mary never dimmed, and a beloved father and grandfather who gave an indomitable spirit of joy, calm, faith, and optimism to his family, whose fondest wish is that he has now reunited with his beloved Mary and found what he always tried to provide for his family in this life, which was "the most congenial spot for happily-ever-aftering" as in Camelot. Herb was preceded in death by his wife of 51 years, Mary Showalter Yarbrough, his parents, and his brother, William Edward Yarbrough. He is survived by daughters, Jeanne Joyner (Harold), Carol Tennyson (Chuck); sons, V. Herbert Yarbrough III (Patty), John Yarbrough, and Mark Yarbrough; grandsons, Jonathan Joyner (Lauren), Jason Joyner (Liza), and Joshua Tennyson, M.D. (Emily); granddaughter, Ashley Brindle (Ray); great-grandchildren, Natalie and Grayson Brindle; sister, Barbara Lackey (Norm); and a host of relatives and friends whom the family thanks for their love and prayers. Services will be Thursday, July 27 at 10 a.m. at St. James United Methodist Church, 321 Pleasant Valley Drive, officiated by Rev. Carness Vaughan. A reception will immediately follow at the church, then interment will be at Forest Hills Memorial Park in Alexander. With the family's deepest gratitude, memorial donations in lieu of flowers may be made to the St. Vincent Foundation online or at #2 St. Vincent Circle, Little Rock, Arkansas 72205 in honor of the exceptional care and kindness he received from the doctors, nurses, and staff. Arrangements by Little Rock Funeral Home (501-224-2200). Mr. Yarbrough's online guestbook may be signed at www.littlerockfuneralhome.com.