Exhibit 99 (c)
                                      PROXY

                         SPECIAL MEETING OF SHAREHOLDERS
                      AMERICAN BANCSHARES OF ARKANSAS, INC.

         THIS PROXY IS SOLICITED ON BEHALF OF THE BOARD OF DIRECTORS

         The undersigned  hereby appoints Joe S. Hiatt and Margie Hiatt and each
of them proxies, with full power of substitution to vote for the undersigned all
shares of the common stock of American  Bancshares of Arkansas,  Inc.  which the
undersigned  would be  entitled  to vote if  personally  present at the  Special
Meeting of Shareholders to be held on Thursday, December 3, 1998, at 10:00 A.M.,
and at any adjournment or adjournments  thereof,  upon the matters  described in
the  accompanying  Proxy Statement and upon any other business that may properly
come before the meeting or any adjournment thereof. Said proxies are directed to
vote or refrain from voting upon the following  matters as indicated  below, and
otherwise to vote in their discretion:

(1)      PROPOSAL TO APPROVE THE MERGER OF THE COMPANY WITH AND INTO SIMMONS
         FIRST  NATIONAL  CORPORATION:  (mark only one box)

                                  [   ]  FOR
                                  [   ]  AGAINST
                                  [   ]  ABSTAIN

(2)      Upon such other business as may properly come before the meeting or any
         adjournment or adjournments thereof.

THIS PROXY WILL BE VOTED AS DIRECTED.  IF NO DIRECTION IS GIVEN, THIS PROXY WILL
BE VOTED "FOR" PROPOSAL (1).

         The undersigned acknowledge(s) receipt with this proxy of a copy of the
Notice of Special Meeting and Proxy Statement.

Dated: _________________, 1998.     ___________________________________

                                    -----------------------------------
                                      Signature(s) of Shareholders(s)

         IMPORTANT:  Please  date  this  proxy  and sign  your name  exactly  as
your  name  appears.  If stock is held jointly,  both should sign.  Person
signing in a representative or fiduciary capacity  (executors,  administrators,
trustees, guardians, etc.) should so indicate, giving full title.

PLEASE DATE, SIGN AND RETURN PROMPTLY IN THE ENVELOPE PROVIDED.