Verdie Lee Middlecoff, of Hoxie passed from this life on Saturday, April 5, 2025, at the age of 92. He was born near Moody, Missouri, on January 6, 1933, to the late Arthur M. and Dortha May (Schauffler) Middlecoff.

In 1936, his family moved to 40 acres near Strawberry, Arkansas, and after clearing the land, the family raised hogs, cotton, corn, sorghum, vegetables, and chickens. Being a great storyteller, Verdie told many stories about growing up in the Lynn/Strawberry area.

In his late teens, Verdie met the love of his life, Wanda Lee Knight of Clover Bend, and they married on December 27, 1952. Shortly after being drafted by the Army and sent to Korea, he completed basic training at Fort Bliss, Texas, and spent the last six months of service at Fort Knox, Kentucky. He was honored with the Korean War Medal, Good Conduct Medal, National Defense Service Medal, and United Nations Medal.

After completing his military service, he returned home to meet his firstborn daughter, whom he had never met. Verdie and Wanda had four more children and adopted one. He served for many years as a deacon at First Baptist Church and Crossroads Baptist Church. He enjoyed fishing, telling big stories, and singing. He enjoyed traveling on bus tours sight-seeing around the United States.

Verdie was preceded in death by his parents; his loving wife, Wanda; his beloved daughter, Brenda Huey; and his sisters, Alpha Faye Bryant, Eula Morelock, Gladys Johnson, and Maggie Crooms.

He is survived by his daughters, Becky Ditto Linebaugh (Dewayne) of Hoxie, Linda Gaines Morgan (Vance) of Walnut Ridge, Bonnie Adams Yasler (Douglas) of Imboden, and Carry Middlecoff (Sherie) of Imboden; twelve grandchildren; eighteen great-grandchildren, and one great-great-grandchild.

Visitation will be Thursday, April 10, 2025, from 11 a.m. to 12 p.m. in Cox Funeral Home chapel in Walnut Ridge, with funeral services immediately following at 12 p.m. Charles Morgan will officiate. Interment will follow in Oak Forest Cemetery in Black Rock under the direction of Cox Funeral Home in Walnut Ridge. Military honors will be rendered.