Exhibit 99 (c)


                                        PROXY
                           SPECIAL MEETING OF SHAREHOLDERS
                         LINCOLN BANKSHARES OF ARKANSAS, INC.

           THIS PROXY IS SOLICITED ON BEHALF OF THE BOARD OF DIRECTORS

     The  undersigned  hereby appoints Loyd R. Swope and Kenneth D. Cox and each
of them proxies, with full power of substitution to vote for the undersigned all
shares of the common stock of Lincoln  Bankshares,  Inc.  which the  undersigned
would be  entitled  to vote if  personally  present  at the  Special  Meeting of
Shareholders to be held on Tuesday, December 15, 1998, at 11:30 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)  PROPOSAL  TO AMEND THE  ARTICLES  OF  INCORPORATION  TO ADOPT THE  ARKANSAS
     BUSINESS CORPORATION ACT OF 1987 AS THE CORPORATE LAW TO GOVERN THE AFFAIRS
     OF THE COMPANY: (This proposal may only be adopted if Proposal (1) above is
     also adopted.) (Mark only one box)

                                             [   ]  FOR
                                             [   ]  AGAINST
                                             [   ]  ABSTAIN

 (3) 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"  PROPOSALS (1) AND (2).

     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. Persons
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.