[Congressional Record Volume 162, Number 145 (Monday, September 26, 2016)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E1363]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




  RECOGNIZING THE 100TH BIRTHDAY OF MR. LUTHER ALMER ``JACK'' BEARDEN

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                     HON. ERIC A. ``RICK'' CRAWFORD

                              of arkansas

                    in the house of representatives

                       Monday, September 26, 2016

  Mr. CRAWFORD. Mr. Speaker, today I recognize the 100th birthday of 
Mr. Luther Almer ``Jack'' Bearden, who was born on September 8, 1916. 
The youngest child of Charles Luther and Addie Mae Wallace Bearden, 
Luther Almer became ``Jack'' as a young boy when he took water to the 
cotton fields as a ``water jack.'' The name has stuck with him for 
almost a century.
  Born in Boydsville, Arkansas, Jack grew up during the Great 
Depression chopping and picking cotton by hand. By the age of 16, Jack 
would surrender his life to Christ, changing the course of his life 
forever. Four years later, he met 16-year-old Martha Geneva Bateman, 
whom would become his wife of 75 years. Throughout the many years of 
their marriage, they would serve God in church, visiting the sick, 
Women's Associations, and Men's Brotherhood events. In 1942, Jack gave 
his first sermon, ``Ye Must Be Born Again'' from John 3:7 at Boydsville 
Baptist Church. In his 73 years as a preacher, Jack started five 
mission churches and pastored 25 churches in Northeast Arkansas and 
Missouri.
  To support his family while pastoring, Jack held a multitude of 
occupations throughout his life. He was a cistern digger, carpenter, 
cotton picker, cotton chopper, song leader, pianist, and temporarily 
ran a store. He is an inspiration to all those who have the opportunity 
to meet him. Jack and his late wife Geneva were blessed with three 
daughters, one of whom passed away at birth, and a son who passed on to 
heaven in 1998. They were also blessed with 10 grandchildren, 23 great-
grandchildren, and 5 great-great grandchildren.
  I ask my colleagues to join me in paying tribute to the lifetime of 
achievements of Mr. Bearden and to wish him all the very best.

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