Paul "Coach" Stovall

Paul “Coach” Stovall of North Little Rock, AR went to be with his Lord and Savior on November 23, 2022.  He was born in Clarksdale, Mississippi on March 6, 1933, to Sam and Pansy Stovall.

Paul attended high school at Hughes, AR where he was an All-State letterman in football and track. He received a scholarship to Northeast Mississippi Junior College where he was an all-conference football player in 1952 and was appropriately nicknamed the “Hughes Flash”. After Junior college he attended Arkansas State University where he continued as a dual athlete in Football and Track & Field.  The second game of his Senior year, when kicking off, his season was abruptly ended when both jaws were broken by a Mississippi State player.  Upon graduation, he served in the Army, where he coached and played football in the Fourth Army Division at Fort Polk LA. 

After leaving the Army in 1958, he began his high school coaching career of 15 years ending with a record of 101-47-4.  Over the next, 22 years he mixed private business, school administration, coaching and retirement. In 2000, one of his greatest accolades was his induction into the Arkansas State Hall of Honor. 

He traveled with his wife and friends, to places all over the United States and Europe.  He enjoyed playing golf but was forever frustrated trying to master it. 

Paul loved his family dearly.  He enjoyed visits from his children, grandchildren and especially his great grandchildren who brought him lots of joy these last few years.  The Hilburn and Mississippi family reunions were some of his greatest memories too.

He is survived by his wife Alice Hilburn Stovall of 67 years, daughter Laurie McDowell (Jerry), Charley Stovall, Matt Stovall (Terri), Todd Stovall and eight grandchildren and 7 great-grandchildren.  He was preceded in death by his parents and his daughter Harriet Ann Stovall.  

A special thanks to Bob Fleckenstein for his friendship to Paul the last 10 years.  He looked forward to their Friday adventures especially watching the eagle’s fly.  We would also like to thank the doctors, Katy, and staff within the ortho wing at Springhill Baptist Hospital for the special care he received there in recent days.       

A celebration of Paul’s life will be held Saturday, Dec. 3 at 11:00 am, visitation will be at 10:00 am, Lakewood United Methodist Church, North Little Rock, AR.  A graveside service will be scheduled later in Walnut Ridge, AR.

In lieu of flowers, as a longtime member of Lakewood United Methodist Church, the family requests memorials to be made in his name to the Paul and Alice Stovall Endowment Fund at Lakewood United Methodist Church, North Little Rock, AR, The Hilburn Foundation, First National Bank, Walnut Ridge, AR, or the memorial of your choice. 

Arrangements by Smith North Little Rock Funeral Home, 1921 Main St., North Little Rock, AR  72114.  501-758-1170