Dillman Cupp

Clinton Dillman Cupp, 86, celebrated his home going on Friday, September 8, 2023, from St. Bernard’s Regional Hospital in Jonesboro. He met his Savior, Jesus Christ, face to face, and joined the love of his life, Lenda, whom he had greatly missed for 21 months. 

He is survived by daughter, Lesa (David) Carmack of Paragould, AR; son, Louis Cupp of Washington, D.C.; grandchildren Clinton Pigue of Paragould, AR, Jon David Carmack (Leah) of Jonesboro, AR, and Rachel (Blake) Anderson of Jonesboro, AR. Great grandchildren Kyla, Levi, John Thomas, Luke, and Stevie Ruth, and exuberant grand dog, Shmoo. Other surviving family members include sibling C.A. (Charlotte) Cupp of Lakeland, TN, and sisters in law, Patsy Cupp, Paragould, AR, and Glenda (Clovis) DeMent of Rector, AR. He also leaves behind numerous cousins, nieces, nephews, and great nieces and great nephews. 

Dillman was preceded in death by his wife, Lenda Keasler Cupp, his parents, Alvin and Flora Glover Cupp, siblings Wanda Jean Cupp Pillow, Calvin Edward (Buddy) Cupp, father and mother in law Louis and Wilma Holifield Keasler, brother in laws Glen Pillow and Larry Keasler, and sister in law, Debbie Keasler Baltz. 

Dillman was born on April 19, 1937, to Alvin and Flora Cupp and grew up in Bard, AR. He was born at Dixon Memorial Hospital as the first emergency cesarean section performed in Greene County and was named for the doctor that saved his and his mothers’ lives, Dr. Dillman. “Dube” spent his formative years attending Greene County Schools, graduating from Greene County Tech High School in 1956. He met his sweetheart, Lenda, while picking cotton as a teenager. After years of dating, they married in 1957 and enjoyed 64 wonderful years together. 

After High School graduation, Dillman joined the Army National Guard of Arkansas in 1958 to serve his country and was deployed in 1959 for the desegregation of Little Rock High School. In addition to the reserves, he held a series of jobs where he learned the floor covering trade before founding and operating Cupp Floor Covering until retirement in 2003. He could remember every face but often couldn’t remember names. And while he tried to think of a name, he could tell you where they lived, the layout of their house with exact room sizes, and the type and colors of the first, second, and sometimes third time he installed floors for them. In his spare time, Dillman loved hunting, fishing, boating, and relaxing at Norfork Lake, where he taught his kids and many relatives how to water ski. Dillman also managed a very large garden each year and shared his bounty with family and friends. He enjoyed working on his antique cars, including restoring the 1949 pickup truck in which Lenda and he dated, watching St. Louis Cardinal’s baseball games, reading, and travelling with his wife and ‘the six pack.’

Dillman faithfully attended Shiloh United Methodist Church since the early 1950’s when he started dating Lenda and took on several leadership positions at the church over the years. He  served as the Custodian of Shiloh Cemetery from 2003-2023 with diligent care and assistance to many grieving families. 

Services will be held at Phillips Funeral Home with visitation on Tuesday, September 12 from 5-7 pm and services on Wednesday, September 13 at 11 am, and burial in Shiloh Cemetery. Cody Gray and Jerry Pentecost will be officiating the service with Pallbearers Clint Pigue, Jon David Carmack, Paul Cupp, Sean Cupp, Dennis Cupp, Stephen DeMent. Honorary Pallbearers include C.A. Cupp, Gary Napier, David Carmack, Rachel Anderson, Jason Baltz, Chris Baltz, Terry Dicus and Sam McDaniel.   

Although flowers are greatly appreciated, the family encourages donations in his memory to Shiloh United Methodist Church, and/or Shiloh Cemetery, 5811 West Kingshighway, Paragould, AR. 

The family would like to thank the staff of St. Bernard’s Regional Medical Center in Jonesboro, AR, Dr. Bhama, Shaelee, Chelsey, Rob, and the entire IC Unit Team.

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