Hoy Ray Aylett

Hoy Ray Aylett, 86, of Nashville, Arkansas died peacefully on Saturday, May 21, 2016 surrounded by family. He was born on March 31, 1930 in his parents' home in Chapel Hill, Arkansas. He was pre-deceased by his parents, William Luther and Mary Virginia Ramage Aylett; his brothers Ramage Aylett and Howard Aylett; and his sisters Marthelle Branch and Mary Schooley. Survivors include: his loving wife of almost 62 years, Relda Aylett; his son Alan Aylett and wife Becky of Ashdown, Arkansas; his daughter Lori Aylett and husband Greg Gordon of Bellaire, Texas; grandson Wesley Aylett and wife Ashley of Ashdown; granddaughter Randee Kennemore and husband Wade of Ashdown; granddaughter Genene Gordon of Bellaire, Texas; three great-grandchildren, Adalie Aylett, Cash Aylett and Lawson Kennemore; a sister Floy Wilson; and a brother Coy Aylett, along with a host of relatives and friends. Hoy was born in the peach orchards of Howard County and lived nearly all his life there. He had four older siblings, and his mother suspected that the fifth pregnancy was a little different. The family was surprised by triplets--Floy May was born first, before the doctor arrived; then came Hoy Ray; and Coy Day brought up the rear. Their oldest brother, Ramage, was already 12 years old and accustomed to the hard work that came with farming in depression-era Arkansas. Ramage said, "They're cute and all, but I didn't see as we needed three of them." Hoy grew up in Chapel Hill and was baptized at the Pleasant Valley Baptist Church. He attended high school in Nashville, graduating in 1948. He served his country during the Korean War in the U.S. Army from 1951 to 1953 and was stationed in Germany. After his honorable discharge, he married his sweetheart, Relda Bowers Aylett, on June 5, 1954, and they went to college together at Arkansas A & M, now the University of Arkansas at Monticello. Hoy received a bachelor's of science degree in forestry in 1958. Hoy held several jobs in the forestry industry and he was happiest on the job when he was cruising timber in the woods. He walked quickly and whistled "Muleskinner Blues" while he worked. He loved springtime in the woods with its many colors of green; he called it the color of "new growth." He loved his family and watching his children and grandchildren play sports and perform in music and dance recitals. He grew up listening to the Grand Ole Opry on the radio and later watching it on television. He even visited the Opry twice and got to see Roy Acuff. He loved country music and bluegrass. He was an avid Scrapper fan, and he spent most Friday nights in the fall listening to the games on the radio. On Saturday, the focus shifted to the Razorbacks. The family has many fond memories of fall trips to Little Rock or Fayetteville to watch the games. Hoy loved his kinfolks. He enjoyed sitting under a tree with family on a summer evening, shelling peas and telling stories while the kids played nearby. He loved to work on his tractor and pull the grandkids behind on the wagon he made. Hoy was passionate about genealogy and could talk about it for hours. He and Relda took trips to genealogy libraries and old graveyards and delighted in making connections to the past. When Hoy's children were school-age, the family spent many happy hours on their Honda motorcycles. All four family members had wheels, and Hoy would spend the weekdays cruising timber and finding good places to ride and camp. On Saturday morning, the family would head out like vagabonds, with the pickup truck and trailer stacked high with camping gear and motorcycles. Hoy was as tough as boot-leather. He once walked several miles out of the woods on a broken leg. Late in life, he suffered a crippling fall that would have killed most men. Hoy never walked again, but he continued to find joy in small things, like a good meal, a visit with family and friends, or a ride to the farm. Hoy was plain-spoken and honest. You could count on his word. You should never ask for his opinion unless you were prepared to receive it. He was a good Christian. There are a thousand happy stories and good memories for us to cherish. Visitation will be 6:00 to 8:00 P.M., Monday, May 23, at the Latimer Funeral Home Chapel in Nashville. Services will be 2:00 P.M., Tuesday, May 24, at the Latimer Funeral Home Chapel with burial to follow in Restland Memorial Park. For those so desiring, memorial contributions may be made to the Southwest Arkansas Regional Archives Foundation (PO Box 133, Washington, AR 71862) or the Howard County Historical Society (PO Box 555, Nashville, AR 71852) . To send flowers or a memorial gift to the family of Hoy Ray Aylett please visit our Sympathy Store.