Geraldine Faye "Jeri" Broyles, 78, of Springdale, Arkansas passed away at home, on May 26, 2024.
She was born on December 28, 1945 to Arzona and Iva Beeks. Jeri was a cherished daughter, sister, friend, mother and nana.
She was the beloved face of the AQ Chicken house, working as dining room manager and hostess for 41 years.
There are some things in life that bring you comfort because you can count on them. Knowing you will see a familiar face, day after day, week after week, or perhaps for some on a family vacation, year after year. Jeri Broyles, was one of those faces. A face of Springdale. She began working at the AQ Chicken House in June of 1979. 41 years later, until March of 2020, you would find Jeri managing the front of the restaurant and hear the familiar, "Hi hon" as you walked through the doors, on your way to eat the world famous fried chicken. You could have asked her who she's fed, and she'd tell you that she's fed everyone - from rodeo queens to jr. high and high school football players, from people at large corporations to those at small mom and pop shops around the area... and even the President of the United States, as President Clinton and his entourage stopped to eat his birthday dinner in August of 1993.
The wonderful thing about Jeri is that everyone that was just mentioned... Well, they were treated all the same. No one was any more important than anyone else. She treated everyone with the same kindness and respect. It was somewhat like a tradition, knowing that you would be seeing an old friend again that would hug your neck or ask about your family. Jeri ran a tight ship, worked hard, and just knew how things were done. Her loyalty to her customers that became like family is one of her greatest attributes. Whenever she was out in public, someone always recognized her or knew her. Her welcoming voice and face, so familiar to so many.
Jeri loved playing in her yard, filling her bird feeders, mowing with her John Deere, tending to weeding, planting, and watering her flowers. She'd brag on two things: her yard and her grandkids. She loved her family and friends well. She had lifelong friendships that were dear to her. You'd often find her at Springdale Wal-Mart and Lowe's, or splitting a breakfast or lunch with her sister, Helen, at all of their usual places. She loved watching Golden Girls, General Hospital, and this past year enjoyed watch parties of The Golden Bachelor, which brought many laughs and comments. Spending time with her kids and grandkids was also special to her.
Jeri had polio as a child, battled heart disease, diabetes, and last year was diagnosed with stage 4 thyroid cancer. When she was given her diagnosis, we told the doctors that we wanted to approach her treatments with hope and joy. Lots of these days have been less than joyful —they've been hard. BUT, we've found joy in many of them. She visited more places, ate at multiple restaurants, went to the movies, got mani-pedis, enjoyed birthdays, and was celebrated by the Shiloh museum, with her photo being included in the new AQ Chicken exhibit. Because of her diagnosis, we got busy living and trying to find joy and fun, despite the circumstances. She's won her battle. Her life was a success story.
Remembering Jeri will be easy to do. She's made a difference in her community and her family. Her work ethic was impeccable. Her loyalty unmatched. Her love unmeasurable.
Jeri was preceded in death by her parents, and her brothers, Bud and Hubert Rhine, and sister, Bernice Hutchens.
She is survived by 3 children and their families: John David Broyles and his wife Kimberly and daughter Ashley; Kellie Kay Dobbs and her husband Paul and daughter Hannah-Grace; Lydia "Annie" Broyles and fiancé Brian Richey and son Logan Broyles.
Also survived by sisters and brothers, Opal Schlesinger, Gene Beeks, Helen Fisher, Kenneth Beeks, Sharon McFerrin, Myrna Coyle and numerous nieces and nephews.
Visitation will be held Sunday, June 2, 2024, from 2:00 p.m. to 4:00 p.m. at Luginbuel Funeral home, Prairie Grove, Arkansas
Funeral services will be held on Monday, June 3, 2024 at 2:00 p.m. at Luginbuel Funeral Home in Prairie Grove, Arkansas
Memorials may be made to the Rose Cemetery Association.