Rhode B. Causey
Obituary NoticeRhode B. Causey, 99, of North Little Rock, passed away on Saturday, July 26, 2003. He was born on Feb. 6, 1904, in Ruston, La. where he grew up. After graduation in 1927 from Louisiana Tech in Ruston, he worked in sales for several major firms in Pine Bluff and Little Rock. He was regional manager for Marchant Calculator Company until 1953 when he formed the R. B. Causey Company. This 50-year-old office machine distributor continues in business today with his son, Blanchard Causey, as president. Mr. Causey remained active in his business long after normal retirement age, continuing to go the office daily until just a few weeks ago. In 2000, the Prime Time Program honored him as Arkansas' oldest living active full time worker. In that capacity, he joined other older active workers from all 50 states in a special meeting in Washington where their accomplishments were recognized in both Houses of Congress and they appeared before a Joint Committee on Employment of the Senior Worker. Mr. Causey was recognized as one of the oldest living alumni of Louisiana Tech at the school's 2001 Homecoming celebration. He was a member of Immanuel Baptist Church of Little Rock and the Baraca Sunday School Class for many years. Prior to that, he served as a deacon and Sunday school teacher at Baring Cross Baptist Church in North Little Rock and Ohio Street Baptist Church in Pine Bluff. He has been a Mason for nearly 60 years. An energetic sportsman, he was a long time member of Ducks Unlimited and enjoyed fishing as well. He spent many hours supervising and working on his rice and soybean farm in Prairie County. Another hobby was beekeeping and, until recently, he maintained a number of hives on his farm. He was often called upon to "rescue" swarms of bees that collected in public places in Little Rock. Mr. Causey was preceded in death by his wife, Daisy Reed Causey of Pine Bluff in 1963 and by several brothers and sisters. He is survived by his daughter, Gaylia Causey Fortson and her husband D. Eugene Fortson of Little Rock; his son, Blanchard Causey and his wife Lynn of North Little Rock; a brother, M.L. Causey of Monroe, La.; and a sister, Lucille Smith of Ruston, La. In addition to the above, six grandchildren survive him; Gregory Hoyt Fortson of Little Rock; Daria Causey Aldridge of Memphis; Gigi Fortson Bailey of Little Rock; Grant Eugene Fortson of Little Rock; Vicki Causey Steadman of North little Rock; and Alyssa Causey Burke of Lewisville, Texas. 13 great-grandchildren also survive him. Funeral services will be held at Ruebel Funeral Home in Little Rock at 11 a.m. on Tuesday with Dr. Rex Horne officiating. Family and friends burial services will be at Graceland Cemetery in Pine Bluff at 3 p.m. Visitation will be from 5:30 to 7 p.m. on Monday at Ruebel Funeral Home, 6313 W. Markham in Little Rock. Memorial contributions can be made to the Immanuel Baptist Church Building Fund or to a favorite charity. Register Book
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