The owners of A Natural State Funeral Service

2620 West Main Street
Jacksonville, Arkansas 72076
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(501) 982-3400 Phone
(501) 982-3410 Fax
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WELCOME

The staff of A Natural State Funeral Service takes the concept of life and death seriously – a funeral is a time to honor the life of the deceased and celebrate the heritage of their family. We strive to make each funeral a respectful, fulfilling experience that meets the unique needs of each family.

We wish to extend to you our condolences and prayers as you deal with a delicate time of grief over the loss of your loved one. It is our mission to handle your funeral needs with the utmost care and respect.

Please contact us with any questions that you have, as every question and concern is as important to us, as it is to you.

Matt Robinson
President / Funeral Director / Pre-Need Counselor and Certified Crematory Operator

Since losing his great grandmother at a young age Matt always wanted to be in the funeral business. He knew it was his calling to help families during their time of loss to help them find peace knowing their loved one was treated with the utmost dignity and respect at a price that is reasonable and affordable for any family. Matt’s dream came true in 2015 when he and his partners opened A Natural State Funeral Service. His passion is helping families during their time of grief through his ministry as a Funeral Director and Pre-needs Counselor.

At the age of 14 he began working at the Leader Publishing Company as an Advertising Sales Representative and moved into the role of their Publications Manager where he spent the past 25 years serving local businesses and print customers. Matt is a 1996 graduate of Jacksonville High School and is an active member of the community. He has served on the Board of the Jacksonville Chamber of Commerce and currently serves on the Little Rock Air Force Base Community Council. He also serves as Vice Chairman of the board for the South Bend Volunteer Fire Department. When Matt is not at the funeral home or newspaper he spends his time as an avid hunter, outdoorsman and dedicated volunteer and state leader for Ducks Unlimited.

Matt attends McArthur Assembly of God in Jacksonville and lives in Cabot with his beautiful wife of over 13 years, Brandy, and their son, Joshua, a junior at Cabot High School.

William Montgomery
Managing Funeral Director and Certified Crematory Operator

William was born in Fresno, California. However; at a young age he moved with his mother to Eaton Rapids, Michigan, closer to his Maternal grandmother. He graduated Eaton Rapids High School in 1990. His education and his excellent athletic abilities awarded him a scholarship to Central Michigan College, in Mt. Pleasant, Michigan. He met his Paternal grandmother, who lived in Centerville, Arkansas, and was so comforted and inspired by the Southern Hospitality that she showed, that when she asked him to come to Arkansas to stay with her for a while, he couldn’t resist. He had no idea of what Arkansas would hold for him. He had no idea what kind of job he wanted to do, or what his calling would eventually be. He started working as a salesman at a local furniture store and met and married Cristal, in 1996. They never have a dull moment, having been blessed with an amazing large family that includes children Cassie, Christopher and Clinton, and 9 grandchildren!

William started working at a cemetery in Russellville, in 1995, as a pre-need counselor and selling cemetery property. He felt rewarded when he was able to assist people with the difficult task of what to do when the time comes, and how to make it easier for their loved ones. He was offered and accepted a position to move to Jacksonville, where he began his Funeral Director’s Apprenticeship. He discovered that he has a passion for helping people of all ages, to prepare for as well as deal with death, whether it be their own, or for someone they love. He empowers them with the tools that they need to understand their options so that they will make knowledgeable decisions.

While William was employed in Jacksonville, he was active in the community and was the President of the Kiwanis Club. He served as a commissioner on the Board of Adjustment and Planning Commissioner for Jacksonville. He was also a member of the Rotary Club.

He has been a licensed funeral director since 1998. He has worked in the Central Arkansas area, as well as managed Moore’s Jacksonville Funeral Home, and most recently worked Little Rock Funeral Home.

William is excited to come home to Jacksonville and be part of the team at A Natural State Funeral Service and is looking forward to serving his local community.

Kenneth Fraley
Assistant Managing Funeral Director and Certified Crematory Operator

Kenneth “Kenny” has been a lifelong resident of Jacksonville, Arkansas, where he graduated from Jacksonville High School in 1996. He has been on the South Bend Fire Department since 1995, and for the last 13 years he has been the Fire Chief of South Bend Fire District. He has been married for 20 years to his beautiful wife, Susanne Fraley, and they have two wonderful children.

He is a member of, and attends, First Baptist Church in Jacksonville. He is a Zone Chairman for District 10 with Ducks Unlimited, local volunteer with Ducks Unlimited, is a member of the Arkansas State Firefighters Association, is a member of the Fire Chief’s Association, is an Arkansas Licensed Funeral Director, and he recently became an Ordained Minister.

When Kenny and his family are not enjoying time together, he is an avid duck hunter, and he enjoys fishing, hunting, golfing and volunteering where needed.

Jill Sampson
Funeral Director / Pre-Need Counselor

Jill has lived in Jacksonville, Arkansas since 1975. She graduated from Des Arc High School, in 1968, and she has been a licensed Funeral Director since 2012. She is a pre-need counselor and helps families plan ahead for their funeral needs. She is a member of Marshall Road Baptist Church in Jacksonville, AR. She has two children, Ashley and Leighann Drake of Bay, AR, Dana and Greg Rozenski of Jacksonville, AR, and one grandson, T. J.

John Curtis Alexander Smith
Funeral Director / Embalmer

Alex has over 14 years of experience serving Central Arkansas families. He graduated from Henderson State University with a bachelor’s degree in business and earned an associate’s degree in mortuary science and a certificate in funeral directing from the University of Arkansas Community College in Hope.

Blake Maynard
Licensed Funeral Director

Blake is a lifelong resident of Sherwood, Arkansas. He attended high school at Central Arkansas Christian, and went on to earn his Bachelor’s degree in Business Administration and Management in 2016 at Ouachita Baptist University in Arkadelphia, Arkansas. He is a Mak-Wish kid who received a tenor saxophone, and enjoyed marching in the band during high school and college.

Blake began his funeral career in May of 2018 while serving his own family by making arrangements for his great-grandmother, Nanny. He has a passion for helping families during their hardest time as he ministers and cares for them as they complete arrangements for celebrating their loved ones.

Blake joined the A Natural State Funeral Service family in July of 2020 while completing his apprenticeship. He is now a licensed funeral director who is honored to be serving families daily.

Stephen Cawthon
Apprentice Funeral Director / Embalmer and Certified Crematory Operator

Stephen “Steve” Cawthon is originally from Illinois. He moved to Arkansas in 2001 with his wife and children. He is a father of five and grandfather of five. He has wide range of training from Computer Repair and Networking to Fire Fighting and EMS.

Steve started his career in the funeral industry as a removal technician in 2017 and has since earned his degree in Funeral Science at Arkansas State University Mountain Home in 2020. He is an Arkansas State Licensed Crematory operator and a funeral director/embalmer apprentice and an ordained minister.

Steve has been always enjoyed helping people. He is an avid outdoorsman and thoroughly enjoys the time he spends with his wife and grandchildren.