Bro. Joe Sponaugle

Bro. Joe Sponaugle, 95, of Monticello, died Tuesday, November 4, 2025, at the Woods of Monticello Health and Rehabilitation Center. Bro. Joe was born on June 27, 1930, in Elkins, West Virginia and after graduating from high school in Hagerstown, Maryland, he attended Harding University. He married his devoted wife, Ann Reaves, on July 9, 1954, in Camden. Bro. Joe spent the next 66 years as a Gospel Minister for the Church of Christ in West Texas, Huntsville, Arkansas, St. Charles, Missouri, Wynn and Little Rock, Arkansas, Maryland Heights, Springfield, and West Plaines, Missouri, Hampton, Crossett, and Hamburg, Arkansas. Being a gospel minister was a responsibility he took seriously. Bro. Joe worshipped God and showed his devotion to his congregations by spending many hours a week preparing for his Sunday sermons, Bible classes, writing articles, hosting television and radio programs and visiting members of the Church and community in the hospital, nursing homes, and in their homes. 

He is preceded in death by his wife of 57 years, Ann Sponaugle; an infant daughter, Denise Sponaugle; a son-in-law, Butch Barnes and his parents, Ervin and Jane Harris Sponaugle.

He is survived by his son, Mark Sponaugle of Magnolia; two daughters, Cindy Barnes of Hot Springs Village and Lori Rabb and her husband, Rusty, of Monticello; a sister, Lue Von Edwards of Fredrick, Maryland; three grandchildren, Chris Barnes and his wife, Kerry, of Alma, Leah Rabb Bryant and her husband, Chris, of Plainview, Texas, and Dillon Rabb and his wife, Sarah, of Russellville; seven great-grandchildren, Macon Barnes, Hazel Barnes, Lincoln Barnes, Harper Bryant, Beau Bryant, Josephine Rabb, and Sophia Rabb and several nieces and nephews.

 A graveside service will be held at 10 a.m., Saturday, November 8, 2025, in the Hamburg Cemetery with Dillon Rabb officiating. Memorials may be made to the Arkansas Special Olympics, 2115 Main Street, North Little Rock, AR 72114.