Obituaries from the Clay County Courier, Clay County, AR *********************************************************** Submitted by: Rita - Date: Nov 6 2008 Copyright. All rights reserved. http://www.usgwarchives.net/copyright.htm *********************************************************** Recent obits taken from the Clay County Courier, Corning, Clay County, Recent obits taken from the Clay County Courier, Corning,Clay County, Arkansas. NORMA MILLER Norma Mae MILLER, Corning, was born Jan. 9, 1912, daughter of Edward and Cora Mae CREWS CARRICO. She died in Arkansas Methodist Medical Center, Paragould, Sunday, Oct. 12, 2008. She was 96. A homemaker, she was a member of House of Prayer in Corning. Survivors are two sons, Ralph Jerome MILLER, Cahokia, IL, and William Edgar (Arlene) MILLER, Rockford, IL; three daughters, Nina (Bill) ALLYN, Knobel, Mary Vivian MILLER, Rockford, IL and Helen Diane ABRAHAM, Albuquerque, NM; two brothers, Gene CARRICO, Hot Springs and Ronald (Lillian) CARRICO, Zephyrhills, FL; 15 grandchildren; 23 greatgrandchildren; 6 great-greatgrandchildren; and a host of other relatives and friends. She was preceded in death by her parents; husband Ralph William MILLER (1976); two sosns, Tony MILLER and Jerry Lynn MILLER; one brother Phillip CARRICO; three sisters, Katheleen OZIER, Pauline JOHNS and Ioma BACCUS. Funeral services will be conducted Thursday, Oct. 16, 2008 in the chapel of ERMERT Funeral Home with Rev. Jimmy McMASTERS officiating. Burial in Corning Cemetery. ERNEST HOLLIS, JR. Ernest HOLLIS,JR., Rector, was born Jan. 20, 1934 son of Ernest HOLLIS, SR and Tessie COSBY HOLLIS. He died Sunday, Oct. 12, 2008 in St. Bernards Regional Medical Center, Jonesboro. He was 74. A retired Corning barber for 46 years, he served n the U.S. Navy for 4 years aboard the U.S.S. Iowa during the Korean War. He was an active leader n Rock Springs United Methodist Church. Survivors are his wife Rosemary of the home; two daughters, Martha (Danny) RODGERS, Pocahontas, Michele (Stephen) CRANCER, Rector; four sisters, Alma CROSSFIELD, Piggott, Joyce HOBBS, Sikeston, MO, Pat EDWARDS, Kansas City, MO and Margaret BENSIUK, Daytona Beach, FL; Grandchildren Tara and Curt YOUNG, Ryan RODGERS, Hayden, Marla, Landen and Grayson CRANCER; one great-granddaughter Julia YOUNG; and a host of other relatives and friends. He was preceded in death by his parents; three brothers, Frank, Francis and Denver HOLLIS; one sister Mildred HOLLIS TILLER. The body will lie in state beginning at 1:00 pm Thursday, Oct. 16 in IRBY Funeral Chapel, followed by services at 3:00 pm with Reverends Mark TROUT and Nelson HENDERSON officiating. Burial in Piggott Cemetery under the direction of IRBY Funeral Service. Active pallbearers, Larry CATT,Sr., Bruce CATT, Larry CATT, Jr., David TAYLOR, Mark CRAFT, Don HUCKABY. Honorary pallbearers, Lee Roy CRUCE, Elmer VANNADA, Bill GRISSOM. Memorial may be made to Rock Springs United Methodist Church or Knob Community Center. REV. RICK SMITH The Rev. D. Richard "Rick" SMITH, Houston, TX, was born in Jonesboro June 5, 1949 son of Buel and Jolene SMTIH. He died Oct. 8, 2008 while on a 16-day medical mission in Africa. He was 59. A 1967 Honor Graduate of Corning High School, he was a member of the National Honor Society, choir, Boys State and other activities. He graduated Harding College and earned a master's degree in counseling from Auburn University and a Master of Divinity for the Institute of Religion at Texas Medical Center. The Director of Chapliancy Services at Memorial Hermann Hospital in the Texas Medical Center, he was certified by the College of Chaplains and served 10 years as Associate Pastor of First United Methodist Church in Houston, TX. He sang with a men's barbershop chorus and was an avid donor, having given more than 60 gallons of blood platelets in recent years. He is survived by his wife, Eva of the home in Houston; one son Gabriel; one daughter Moriah; father Buel SMITH of Searcy; two sisters Suanne WALKER and Kay GOWEN both of Searcy; one brother Steve SMITH , New York City; five nephews and four nieces. He was preceded in death by his mother, Jolene SMITH and sister Beth SMITH. The family gathered Wednesday morning for a private interment service. A memorial service was held at noon Wed., Oct. 15, 2008 in the sancturary of First United Methodiat Church of Houston with Dr. Boyd WAGNER and Dr. Paul CLINES officiating. In lieu of usual remembrances, scholarship funds have been established at MERRILL LYNCH on behalf of Gabriel and Moriah SMITH for their continuing education. Accordingly, contributions may be made directly to the SMITH Children, 529 College Plan, MERRILL LYNCH, Attn: Irene LIBERATOS, 1221 McKinney St., Suite 3900, Houston, TX, 77010. Friends desiring to electronically extend a tribute to the family may do so via the internet website of www.mem.com (making everlasting memories). to be continued........................... -- Sometimes the angels fly close enough, you can feel the flutter of their wings.......