Rev. D.E. Villa
Rev. Diogenes Enrique Villa Mendoza was born in Calamar, Colombia, S.A. on November 24, 1925. At an early age he was saved in a Baptist church in Calamar, where he lived. Later, he moved to Barranquilla, Columbia, where he met the love of his life, Bertha Carpenter.

Diogenes and Bertha were married February 26, 1944 in Colombia starting a new family and ministry team that for 61 years faithfully proclaimed the Good News of Jesus Christ and salvation throughout the America's. During these early years D. E. enrolled in a Bible school to further equip himself for ministry.

The growing family moved from S. A. to the U. S. in 1948 making their home along the Texas/Mexico border. From there they traveled and ministered throughout Mexico and Central America preaching in churches, outdoors, wherever there was opportunity. As the family grew so did their outreach, adding practical dentistry to help people in the villages they visited, and a radio ministry broadcast throughout Colombia reaching an untold number of people with the gospel message.

Over time the family grew to include seven children, so Bertha taught school and traveled with D. E. during the summers along with managing numerous other ministry related outreaches. After her retirement, together they increased their traveling to minister and strengthen the body of Christ.

Rev. Villa was a faithful husband and father, evangelist, teacher, friend and counselor always handling the Word of God with fidelity and clarity. He spent many hours just talking with people to encourage, counsel, instruct, and impart wise words for right living. The number of people impacted for the Gospel will not be truly known this side of heaven as a result of his life dedicated to proclaiming and contending for the Faith.

Rev. D. E. Villa is predeceased by his wife of 61 years, Bertha Villa, two sons David Villa and Daniel Villa, three daughters Dillia Villa, Darlene Villa and Deborah Brown. He is survived by a son Rev. D. Enrique Villa, Jr. and wife Juanita, a daughter April Sword, as well as eight grandchildren - Santiago Esteban Villa and his wife Leunila Sanchez de Villa, James Bass, Jennifer Brown, Delia Wilson and husband Kris, Jonathan Brown and wife Becca, Enrique Villa III and wife Grace, Ruth Villa and Esther Villa, five great grandchildren - Kristopher Glenn Wilson, Andruw Wilson, Hadley Villa, Alex Brown and Luis Fernando Villa along with a host of family and friends.

Today we celebrate and honor a life well lived and a life consistently dedicated to ministry.

Funeral Services for Rev. D.E. Villa will be held at 2:30 P.M., Sunday, September 13, 2020 at El Centro Cristiano Church, 218 W. De Queen Ave., with Pastor Edward Abriel officiating. Burial will follow at Mineral Cemetery, Gillham, under the direction of Chandler Funeral Home, De Queen. You may send an online sympathy message at www.chandlerfuneral.com.

The use of a face mask or covering will be required during the funeral service. Please follow social distancing guidelines.