Obituaries

John Henry Gause, Sr. was born in Lexa, Arkansas to the late Tommie and Roberta Gause, Sr. He was the sixth of eleven children. He transitioned from this earthly life to receive his heavenly reward August 16, 2024 in Little Rock, Arkansas surrounded by his loving family.

John accepted Christ as his personal Savior at an early age. He later became a member of Mount Olive Missionary Baptist Church, Lexa Arkansas under the leadership of Reverend Malcolm Curne.

John had an interest in politics. He was elected to serve a two-year term as Constable of Lexa, Arkansas. He assisted other politicians with their campaigns; in which many of them won their elected positions within Phillips County Government. John was the self-proclaimed “Mayor of Southland.”

John was an entrepreneur. He provided lawncare services to the Etoch Family along with others in the surrounding area. Born and raised in the Southland “Farming” Community; it was only natural for him to work in the fields. Lending a hand to help various family farms harvest their seasonal corps. As a volunteer parent, he donated his time and money to aid in the purchase of school shirts for the headstart program.

John was united in Holy Matrimony to Kimberly Roberson. To this union “The Gause 4” was born; Teresa, Tracy, Jay (John, Jr.), and Joy (Yvette).

John had a love and a passion for working with cemeteries. He was instrumental in the Arkansas Delta African American Historical Society in finding resources to restore historical black cemeteries within Phillips County. He was a vital link in ensuring that historical black cemeteries were recognized for their history. He was a devoted caretaker for several cemeteries such as: Oak Grove Cemetery 1, 2, and 3, Springlake Cemetery, Kuntz Family Cemetery, and Jackson Memorial Cemetery to name a few. His expertise allowed families to relocate the unmarked graves of their loved ones giving them a sense of closure. He also constructed a map of Springlake Cemetery to locate occupied grave plots and plots to be used in the future. At Jackson Memorial Cemetery he maintained the grounds and interment records. He was very knowledgeable of all these cemeteries.

John is preceded in death by his parents; Tommie and Roberta Gause, Sr., grandparents; Henry and Rachel Pruitt, Sr., uncles; Horace Pruitt, Sr., Henry Pruitt, Sammie Gause, Sr., aunts; Martha Helen Bell, Mae Lou Hardnett, Margarite Bell, siblings; Eugene “PeeWee” Gause, Sr., Edward “Eddie Bo” Martin, Arthur “Art” Adams, Sr., Andrew Gause, Sr., Claveland “Soy Bean” Martin, and a dear friend; John “Mane” Jackson.

John leaves to cherish his memories his lifelong companion; Kimberly Gause, six children; Teresa Gause, Tracy Gause, Yvette “Joy” Gause all of Lexa AR, John “Jay” Gause, Jr. of Little Rock AR, Baryen Brown of Conway AR, Teresa (Perry) Gaines of Memphis TN, mother-in-love; Joyce Dodd Carter, siblings; L.S. (Pauline) Mayweather of North Carolina, Tommie (Juanita) Gause, Jr. of Lexa AR, Charles (Tracy) Martin of Marvell AR, Willie (Tabora) Bell of Lancaster TX, Rosie Winston of Jonesboro AR, Carrie Martin of Lexa AR, Celestine (Edmond, Sr.) Sims of Marvell AR, sisters-in-law; Ruth Gause, Gloria Gause, Carla Martin all of Lexa AR, Goddaughter; Kiara Ewing, special grandson; Gregory Bailey of Lexa, AR, twenty grandchildren, two God grandchildren; five great grandchildren, special nieces; LaSonya Fulcher of Lexa AR, Jazmyne Jacobs, Natalie Jacobs both of Little Rock AR, Cierra Alridge of Lancaster TX, Jotera Mcshane, Jala Mcshane both of Little Rock AR, extended family; Genia Jordan Jackson, and a host of many nephew, nieces, cousins, and friends.