Ronald “Leon” Nivens passed away on June 22, 2026, in Prescott, Arkansas, after a long illness. He was born on August 13, 1942, in the township of Wallaceburg as the sixth of fourteen children born to Ruff Nivens and Lillie Belle Loe Nivens.
He proudly served in the United States Army with the 1st Medium Tank Battalion, 67th Armor. He was stationed at Fort Hood, Texas, and later served in Germany as a tank driver. Following his military service, he worked for many years as a maintenance technician at both Potlatch in Prescott, Arkansas and Hudson Foods (later Tyson Foods) in Hope, Arkansas from which he retired.
His greatest joys in life were spending time with his grandchildren, tending his garden, and watching the birds gather at his feeder. After he retired, a faithful viewer of Judge Judy, he rarely missed the three o’clock show, and those who knew him often smiled at how reliably it marked the time of day.
He is preceded in death by one grandchild, Rosemarie Pendergraft of Blevins, Arkansas, and his parents, Ruff and Lillie, of Prescott, AR. He is also proceeded by five sisters, Donita Salisbury of Hope, AR Danelle Gibson of Longview, TX, Linda Ann Hill of Avinger, TX, Nina Beth Thompson of Prescott, AR, Alita Sams of Prescott, AR; six brothers, Carroll Nivens of Prescott, AR, Lyle Nivens of Avinger, TX, Wayne Nivens of Hope, AR, Keith Nivens of Prescott, AR, James Nivens, and John Nivens, of Prescott, AR.
He is survived by his wife of twenty-five years, Nelda Snell Nivens of Delight, AR; one son, Randy Nivens (Carrie) of Prescott, AR; two daughters, Shanna Clymer (Randall) of Conway, AR, and Rachel Pendergraft (Michael) of Prescott, AR; two step-daughters, Lynnie Harris of Delight, AR, and Robin Cutchall (David) of Fouke, AR; and seven grandkids: Megan Yingling, Abigail Nivens, Matthew Clymer, Cheyenne Griffin, Emberlynn Pendergraft, Alexandra Pendergraft, and Jessie Pendergraft; six great grandchildren and a host of nieces and nephews.
Visitation will be Thursday, June 25, 2026, at six p.m. at Brazzel-Oakcrest in Prescott, Arkansas.
Graveside services will be at eleven a.m. Friday, June 26, 2026, at Sweet Home Cemetery in Blevins, AR with Bro. Neil Ridling officiating under the direction of Brazzel-Cornish Funeral Home, The Funeral Home of Prescott, Ben Brazzel, Director.