Emmett Neal Milam of Cherry Valley, died on Tuesday, May 7, 2024, in Jonesboro at St. Bernards Regional Medical Center. He was born on April 9, 1943, to Emmett and Lula Pitts Milam. Emmett attended school in Cherry Valley, Arkansas, where he lettered in basketball. He went on to attend Arkansas State University and started a job at the Bank of Cherry Valley. Emmett attended SMU Banking school where he graduated with a degree. Eventually, he became Vice President of the Bank of Cherry Valley and First Arkansas Bank.
Emmett spent his life around horses and rodeos. He had a love for horses from an early age and his dad and brothers would drive him to rodeos to ride bulls and bucking horses as a young teenager. He made the High School National Finals Rodeo in bull riding and bareback riding in 1961. He continued to rodeo for many years where he traveled across the country with his great friend Larry Angel. He competed in steer wrestling and in later years team roping and won many buckles. He won a world championship in Team Pinning, riding his beautiful paint horse “Billy” He always brought along two little girls that he thought hung the moon, Holly and Misty. Emmett also owned and trained racehorses for many years. Emmet was considered by everyone that knew him a true American Cowboy.
Emmett lived a full and wonderful life with friends across the country, his one true love was his family. He loved them all and loved being together for family events. He also loved his community. He donated countless hours of his time to several organizations over the years: the Cherry Valley Lions Club, Cross County School Board, and the Cherry Valley Food Pantry, among others. He was an active member of the Cherry Valley Methodist Church, where he served as chairman of the board. Emmett was loved and will be greatly missed by many in the community and by his loving family.
He is survived by his wife of 56 years, Paula Milam of the home; daughter, Holly Jarrett and husband Jimmy of Cherry Valley; son, Emmett Paul Milam of Jonesboro; grandchildren, Dr. Tanner Jarrett of Little Rock and Trevor Jarrett and wife Hana of Fort Worth, Texas. He is also survived by his bonus daughter, Jordan Bouland (Richard Love), and bonus grandchildren, Lexi Bouland, Alex Sinclair, Emalyn Pittman, Renley Love; and brother, Don Milam, and wife Martha of Cherry Valley.
He was preceded in death by his parents, Emmett and Lula Pitts Milam; sisters, Helen Pilcher, Margaret Mann, Joyce Andrews, Bobbie Jean Parker, and Mary Ann Milam; brothers, Jack Milam, Forrest Milam, Maurice Milam, and Jerry Dan Milam. He also leaves behind many cousins, nieces, nephews, and some that he even considered brothers and sisters.
Visitation for Mr. Milam will be held from 10-11 a.m. on Saturday, May 11, 2024, at Kernodle Funeral Home. Funeral services will follow at 11 a.m. Burial will be in Crosslawn Cemetery. Kernodle Funeral Home is in charge of arrangements. You may sign an online guestbook at www.kernodlefh.com.
