Alvin Groves

Alvin Luther Groves, 90, of Brookland passed from this life on Tuesday, May 10, 2016, at his home. He was born in Lester, Arkansas, on October 4, 1925, to the late Samuel Kepler Groves and Mary Etta Diggs Groves and lived most of his life in the Brookland area.Alvin’s life was full of adventure, having served in World War II at a very young age. He served from 1943-1945 in the United States Navy and was assigned to serve on the USS Tripoli in the South Pacific. For several years, he worked at Jones Mercantile in Brookland, getting to know all the Brookland folks who frequented that hometown country store. His career later took him to Orlando, Florida, where he served as Store Manager of 7-Eleven Stores before later returning to the Brookland area to enjoy a slower-paced life.His favorite pastimes through the years included farming, gardening, taking his grandchildren on a relaxing buggy ride with his favorite pony Dolly, and enjoying the outdoors with his loving and devoted wife of 68 years, Wyveta Bryant Groves. Alvin was a long time member of Brookland Baptist Church where he served as a deacon for many years. Alvin and Wyveta proudly served as Grand Marshals in Brookland’s 2014 Christmas Parade.Alvin could be seen through the years plowing snow down the country road where he lived to help out fellow neighbors and keep the road safe during bad wintry weather. He loved to travel with friends and family before his health declined, but he always looked forward to coming back to the comforts of home. He loved spending time with his family and enjoyed watching his grandchildren and great-grandchildren grow in their talents of sports, music, and other activities. He also enjoyed watching the traffic in and around the Brookland Schools after he moved to town and giving those parents and neighbors a friendly wave from his front porch as they passed each day. Alvin will be greatly missed by his family and all those who knew him.He was preceded in death by his parents; sisters, Alma Kerr, Mary Ann Coleman, Jane Johnston; and one grandchild, Mary Esther Davis.Survivors include his wife Wyveta Groves of the home; his children, Alan (Pam) Groves of Brookland, Terry (Billy) Davis of North Little Rock, and Chris (Sharon) Groves of Jonesboro; brother, Curt Groves of Horseshoe Bend; sister, Carolyn Ward of Benton; 13 grandchildren, Alan Groves, David (Susan) Groves, Greg (Kacey) Groves, Rachelle Davis, Daniel Davis, Valerie (Jonathan) Young, Tim Davis, Will Davis, Clay Davis, Jonathan (Alexis) Groves, Sarah Groves, Mikala Groves, and Alli Groves; and 10 great-grandchildren, Devon Groves, Jacob Groves, Dustin Groves, Dillon Groves, Cody Groves, Tyler Groves, Morgan Mullett, Piper Young, Jasper Young and Dakota Groves (on the way).Visitation will be at 10:00 am on Saturday, May 14, at Brookland Baptist Church. Funeral services will follow at 11:00 am with Bro. Terry Gage officiating. Burial will be in Pine Log Cemetery with military honors. Arrangements are under the direction of Faith Funeral Service.Active pallbearers will be Alvin’s grandsons. For lasting memorials, the family asks that consideration be given to Brookland Baptist Church, 200 N. Oak, Brookland, AR 72417.