Francis M. "Babe" Bare, 76, died Sunday, Feb. 6, 2005, at the NEA Regional Hospital in Jonesboro.

Mr. Bare was born April 6, 1928, the son of the late John Harry and Margaret Jane "Jenny" Templeton Bare.

He was a retired Brown Shoe Company employee. Mr. Bare was a member of New Hope Baptist Church where he had served as a Deacon and in many other capacities throughout his years. He was an avid hunter and fisherman.

He was preceded in death by his wife, Elizabeth Ellis Bare; nine brothers; and three sisters.

Survivors include three children and their spouses, Shelia and Kenneth Kirk of Pollard, Butch and Jane Bare of Piggott and Billie and Danny Plunk of Piggott; five grandchildren, Lisa Gifford, Dennis Kirk, Amy Burkman, Tracy Kaskey and Kelly Bare; five great-grandchildren, Blake, Amanda, Marcus, Dakota and Brooks; and one sister, Susie Hayden of Concord, Calif.

Funeral services will be held at 10:30 a.m. Wednesday (today), Feb. 9, 2005, at the Irby Funeral Chapel in Piggott with Charles Carrens and Loy Culver officiating. Burial will follow in New Hope Cemetery at Pollard.

Active pallbearers will be Justin Oliver, Mark Howell, Marty Conley, Tom Gross, Jim Chandler and Steve Baker. Honorary pallbearers are Grover Baker, Maynard Morris, Melvin Holifield, Fred Gross, Johnny Howell, Devon Young and Johnny Brawner.

Irby Funeral Home of Piggott is in charge of the arrangements.