Craighead County GOP Chair dies from COVID-19
by October 6, 2020 2:17 pm 1,649 views
Craighead County Republican Party Chairman Steven Farmer has died from COVID-19, according to social media posts from his family. Farmer had reportedly been in the hospital battling the disease for weeks and had been placed on a ventilator.
“It is with heavy hearts we announce the passing of our chair, Steve Farmer. We offer our full support to the Farmer family during their period of mourning. Steve was a great caring friend to all and a dedicated leader. We will always remember his warm smile,” the Craighead County Republican Party stated in a release.
Funeral arrangements for Farmer have not been released. It was unclear how long he’d served as the party’s county chair.
Farmer, 67, worked at the Jonesboro Human Development Center. He previously worked as the superintendent of the Arkadelphia Human Development Center and he was the former pastor at the Life Church of Jonesboro. He was an Arkansas State University alumni and studied at Park University.
As news broke of his passing, his daughter, Audrey Haynie, posted the following message to social media.
“[Farmer’s] soul is singing today even though ours aren’t….I’m sorry we couldn’t save you, but I know that you’re even more perfect now than when you were here,” she said.
Farmer’s death triggered messages and responses from party leaders from around the state.
“I, as many did this morning, awoke to the news that our dear friend Steve Farmer had gone to be with the Lord. Steve was a gifted stalwart, working hard as many to turn northeast Arkansas to our Republican Party. My prayers and condolences are with his wife Judy, their children, and grandchildren. May they find comfort in this most difficult time,” Webb said.