Olan Hanes

Olan R. Hanes was born Jan. 15, 1933 on his family’s farm near Keyes, Oklahoma to Otis and June Hanes. He departed this life Oct. 25, 2023 in Jonesboro, Arkansas at the Flo and Phil Jones Hospice House at the age of 90.

He was preceded in death by his parents, Otis and June (Wilmarth) Hanes; his wife of 51 years, Pharis Border Hanes; and an infant daughter, Cynthia Hanes.

Olan was highly respected for his Christian values, integrity, devotion to his family, and generosity.

Olan is survived by four children; son, Dennis (Beverly) Hanes of Poplar Bluff, Missouri: grandsons, Eric (Audrey) Hanes of Jonesboro, and Dusty (Alex) Hanes of Bryant, Arkansas; daughter, Angela Hanes of Balch Springs, Texas: grandchildren, Samantha, Darrin, Cory, Ashley, Lin, and Alina Fleenor; daughter, Pamela Parker of Paragould, Arkansas: granddaughters Heather (James) Blankenship of Beech Grove, Arkansas and Stephanie Parker of Paragould; daughter Amy (Calvin) Jones of Russellville, Arkansas. He is also survived by his sister, Lavera Ritchie of Searcy, Arkansas. Olan is also survived by five great-grandchildren and cherished nieces and nephews.

Olan’s parents moved the family to Searcy, Arkansas part-time in 1947 so that he and his sister could attend Harding Academy, graduating from high school in 1950, then Harding College (now Harding University), graduating in 1957 with a degree in Bible and a minor in Math. His parents still maintained their farm near Keyes, Oklahoma during this time as well.

Olan married Pharis in 1954; they lived in Indianapolis, Indiana then in the panhandle of Oklahoma early in their marriage. They moved to Aurora, Nebraska in the early 1960s to help establish a church plant with close friends. In the late 1960s they moved to Caseyville, Illinois then to Paragould, Arkansas in 1971 to enroll their children in Crowley’s Ridge Academy and be closer to Pharis’ aging parents at the time.

He was an active member of the Paragould community for over 52 years as a member of the Center Hill Church of Christ, a Realtor, business owner,

and supporter of local businesses and organizations. Olan’s primary vocation throughout his life was farming in the panhandle of Oklahoma on his family farm, but he also taught math in schools in Nebraska and Illinois, he owned Hanes Thrifty Market in Paragould (later adding Hanes Little Chicken House) for over 15 years in the 1970s and 80s, and then joined Pharis in real estate during his last working decades at Max Brengard Realty and Time Realty, retiring from Time Realty as part-owner and principal broker.

His primary role, however, was being a supportive and devoted son, brother, husband, father, grandfather, and great-grandfather, always encouraging his family and friends to follow God.

Olan’s services will take place on Sunday, Oct. 29 at Phillips Funeral Home, 4904 W. Kingshighway, Paragould, Arkansas with visitation from 1 – 3 p.m. and the Celebration of Olan’s life at 3 p.m. Graveside service will follow at Memorial Gardens in Paragould. Joel Inman, Manuel Johnson, Kiefer Ramsey, Rich Sheppard, Bill Tripp, and James Yates will serve as pallbearers. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to Crowley’s Ridge Academy, Crowley’s Ridge College, Flo and Phil Jones Hospice House through St. Bernards Development Foundation, or Children’s Homes, Inc.

Please visit www.phillipsfuneral.org for all you condolences.