Obituaries from the Pine Bluff Commercial, Pine Bluff, Jefferson Co., AR for Nov 1997 Contributed for use in USGenWeb Archives by Linda P. Smith ************************************************************************ USGENWEB ARCHIVES NOTICE: These electronic pages may NOT be reproduced in any format for profit or presentation by any other organization or persons. Persons or organizations desiring to use this material, must obtain the written consent of the contributor, or the legal representative of the submitter, and contact the listed USGenWeb archivist with proof of this consent. The submitter has given permission to the USGenWeb Archives to store the file permanently for free access. http://www.usgwarchives.net ************************************************************************ Copyright 1997 Pine Bluff Commercial. All rights reserved. Reprinted with permission of the Pine Bluff Commercial. ************************************************************************ PINE BLUFF COMMERCIAL SATURDAY, NOVEMBER 1, 1997 Pine Bluff, Jefferson Co., Arkansas DENNIS CLAY JR. Dennis Maurice Clay Jr. of Pine Bluff, the son of Dennis Maurice Clay Sr. and Ruby Young, both of Pine Bluff, was born and died October 19, 1997, at Baptist Medical Center at Little Rock. Other survivors include two brothers, Kashes Clay of San Antonio and Jamere Holt of Pine Bluff; grandparents, Annie and David Young, of Grady, and Bernice Clay of Altheimer; and a grandmother, Ruby Rogers of Lancaster, Texas. Graveside services are scheduled for 1:30 p.m. Sunday in Forest Lawn Cemetery with Archie Davis officiating. Arrangements are handled by Brown Funeral Home of Pine Bluff. ____________________________________ STANTON WHITE Stanton B. White, 84, of Warren, died October 31, 1997, at Jefferson Regional Medical Center. He was born in Cleveland County on March 14, 1913, a son of the late William Pleasant and Minnie Grace McFalls White. He was a retired machine operator for Potlatch Corporation, a Freewill Baptist minister and a member of Willoughby Freewill Baptist Church at Warren. Survivors include his wife, Helen Esther Sloan White, whom he married on June 2, 1934; two sons, Aaron White of Dumas and David Carr White of Warren; two daughters, Edith Sue Aycock of Brazil and Sarah Dianne Smith of Tyler, Texas; two brothers, the Rev. J.E. White of McGehee and Dee P. White of Warren; a sister, Marie Adams of Warren; seven grandchildren; and six great-grandchildren. Funeral services are scheduled for 1:30 p.m. Sunday at Frazer's Funeral Home at Warren with the Revs. R.V. White and Roy Grice Jr. officiating. Burial will be in Willoughby Cemetery at Warren. _____________________________ JESSE CORE NEW ORLEANS-- Jesse Core, 77, of New Orleans, died October 27, 1997, at his home. He was born in Pine Bluff and had lived in New Orleans for 50 years. He attended the University of Arkansas and Southern Methodist University. He was director of public relations and advertising for International Trade Mart of New Orleans for 10 years. He also worked for Greater New Orleans Expressway Commission and with his own firm, represented a number of political candidates and businesses. He was editor of Arkansas Outdoors and Scene magazines and worked for the New Orleans bureau of United Press, Dallas Morning News and The New Orleans Item. He participated in eight campaigns as a member of the Army Air Corps in World War II. He wrote two novels, The Lord-God Bird, about the effects of the 1927 Mississippi River flood, and Waterloo Red, the story of a Tennessee teen-ager. He also wrote "Battlefield Gazette," a summary of the end of the War of 1812. Survivors include a son, Mason Core of California; a daughter, Marguerite Core of New York; and three grandchildren. A memorial service will be held today at 10:30 a.m. at Christ Church Cathedral at New Orleans. Burial will be in Pine Bluff by Ralph Robinson & Son Funeral Directors of Pine Bluff at a later date. ____________________________________ JANETTA LOONEY SPARKMAN-- Janetta Elfin Ramsay Looney, 92, of Sparkman (Dallas County), died October 31, 1997, at her home. She was born on September 5, 1905, a daughter of the late Edgar and Willie Jones Ramsay. She was a retired school teacher and a member of Holly Springs Methodist Church at Holly Springs. She was a member of Ouachita County Retired Teachers Association, Home Demonstration Club and United Methodist Women. She was preceded in death by her husband, Horace Looney; and two brothers, Marvin Ramsay and Fred Ramsay. Survivors include a daughter, Wilda Sue Looney Brazeale of Sparkman; and two grandchildren. Funeral services are scheduled for 2 p.m. Sunday at Holly Springs Methodist Church with the Revs. Larry Horseman, David Dillard and Roger Armstrong officiating. Burial will be in Old Holly Springs Cemetery at Holly Springs by Benton Funeral Home of Fordyce. ______________________________________ LAWSON ROGERS HOUSTON, Texas-- Lawson C. Rogers, 80, of Houston, died October 29, 1997, at Spring Branch Hospital at Houston. He was born at Pottsville, Arkansas (Pope County) on July 18, 1917, a son of the late James C. Rogers and Sarah Jane Rogers Teeter. He was a lifelong member of Oaks Christian Church at Houston. Survivors include a son, Wayne Rogers of Houston; a daughter, Pamela Rogers Willis of Houston; four sisters, Lois Newton, Sue Rownd, Betty Moss and Moleete Brown, all of Arkansas; and three grandchildren. Graveside services are scheduled for 2 p.m. Monday at Memorial Oaks Cemetery at Houston with the Rev. David Hargrave officiating. ______________________________________ NONA CONRAD-PRICE LITTLE ROCK-- Nona Ferndell Conrad-Price, 81, of Tillar, died October 30, 1997, at University of Arkansas Medical Center. She was born in Desha County on March 3, 1916, a daughter of the late Harvey William Conrad and Chloe Addie Lee-Conrad. She was a native of Desha County, a homemaker and member of Jefferson Community Friends Club and Tillar United Methodist Church. She was preceded in death by her husband, Oscar E. Price. Survivors include a son, Gene Price of McGehee; two daughters, Sue Cooper of Pine Bluff and Judy Dancer of Rogers; a brother, Harold Conrad of Bakersfield, California; a sister, Jeanette Lee Glosup of McGehee; and three grandchildren. Funeral services are scheduled for 2:30 p.m. Sunday at Tillar United Methodist Church with the Rev. Buddy Ratliff officiating. Burial will be in Jefferson Cemetery at Winchester by Griffin Funeral Home of Dumas. _______________________________________ Submitted by Linda P. Smith DougMIV@aol.com ================================================================== PINE BLUFF COMMERCIAL SUNDAY, NOVEMBER 2, 1997 Pine Bluff, Jefferson Co., Arkansas JUNE LUNSFORD June Lunsford, 67, of Pine Bluff, died October 31, 1997, at her home. Born July 21, 1930, at Glenwood, she was a daughter of the late Fred and Mattie Brooks McCormick. Reared in Glenwood, she moved to the Pine Bluff area in 1942. She graduated from White Hall High School in 1947 and remained in the Pine Bluff area until her death. She was a member of Pinecrest Missionary Baptist Church. She was preceded in death by her husband, Robert C. Lunsford, whom she married November 3, 1953, in Pine Bluff, and a brother, Bud McCormick. Survivors include a son, Bobby Lunsford of Pine Bluff; two daughters, Regina Lunsford and Wendy Bray, both of Pine Bluff; a brother, Harold McCormick of Monticello; three sisters, Robbie Smith, Fern Barron and Peggy Chapman, all of Pine Bluff; three grandchildren; and one great-grandchild. Graveside services are scheduled for 1 p.m. Monday at Varnell Cemetery in Rison with the Rev. Jerrell Evans officiating. Arrangements by Ralph Robinson & Son Funeral Directors. __________________________________ CHARLES RITCHEY Charles B. Ritchey, 71, of Pine Bluff, died October 31, 1997, at Jefferson Regional Medical Center. Born December 20, 1925, at Prattsville, he was a son of the late Thomas Lee Ritchey and Myrtle Hope Ritchey. He was reared in Prattsville. He attended college in Conway before joining the Marines to serve in World War II. On March 10, 1956, he married Doris Vinson and moved to Pine Bluff that year. He was a 40-year member of the Refrigeration and Service Engineer Society. He was a member of First Assembly of God in Pine Bluff. Survivors include his wife, Doris Vinson Ritchey; two sons, Phil Ritchey and Stephen Ritchey, both of Pine Bluff; four brothers, Bruce Ritchey of Memphis, Ralph Ritchey of Charleston, South Carolina, Lawrence Ritchey of Port Gibson, Mississippi, and Carl Ritchey of Oroville, California; and a sister, Anna Bean of Prattsville. Funeral services are scheduled for 3:30 p.m. Monday at Ralph Robinson & Son Funeral Directors with the Rev. Ron Woods officiating. Burial will be in Cypress Memorial Gardens. __________________________________ The following is apparently a correction of an obituary that was published the day before, Nov. 1. JANETTA LOONEY HOLLY SPRINGS-- Janetta Elfin Ramsay Looney, 92, of Holly Springs, died October 31, 1997, at her home. She was born at Ramsay (Dallas County) on September 5, 1905, a daughter of the late Edgar and Willie Jones Ramsay. She was a retired school teacher and a member of Holly Springs Methodist Church at Holly Springs. She was a member of Ouachita County Retired Teachers Association, Home Demonstration Club and United Methodist Women. She was preceded in death by her husband, Horace Looney; and two brothers, Marvin Ramsay and Fred Ramsay. Survivors include a daughter, Wilda Sue Looney Brazeale of Sparkman; and two grandchildren. Funeral services are scheduled for 2 p.m. today at Holly Springs Methodist Church with the Revs. Larry Horseman, David Dillard and Roger Armstrong officiating. Burial will be in Holly Springs Cemetery at Holly Springs by Benton Funeral Home of Fordyce. _________________________________ RAY FARMER ARKADELPHIA-- Ray Lee Farmer, 68, of Arkadelphia, died October 31, 1997, at Baptist Medical Center at Arkadelphia. He was born April 18, 1929, at Warren. He was a retired sales representative for Sunbeam Bread Co. in Pine Bluff. He was an Army veteran of the Korean War, a crop duster and mechanic. Survivors include his companion, Floye Buck of Arkadelphia; three sons, David Farmer and Terry Farmer, both of Pine Bluff, and Joe Farmer, address unknown; two sisters, Betty Henderson of Pine Bluff and Maxine Stack of Folsom , California; and five grandchildren. Graveside services are scheduled for 11 a.m. Monday at Memorial Park Cemetery near Pine Bluff with the Rev. James Calhoun officiating. Burial will be by Murry-Ruggles Funeral Home of Arkadelphia. __________________________________ THOMAS STUARD HERMITAGE-- Thomas Ray Stuard, 63, of Hermitage, died October 31, 1997, at his home. Born December 15, 1933, in Bradley County, he was a son of the late Jordan and Lucy Outlaw Stuard. He was the former owner of Tom's Grocery and was a logging contractor. Survivors include his wife, Elsie Beatrice Kerr Stuard, whom he married March 15, 1951; two sons, Alan Stuard of Byhalia, Mississippi, and Robert Stuard of Warren; four daughters, Jeanie Outlaw and Brenda Wooten of Hermitage, Mary Michelle Grider of Fayetteville and Barbie Woodridge of Rye; two sisters, Virginia McConnell of Hot Springs and Mary Tucker of Lincoln, Nebraska; eight grandchildren; and five great-grandchildren. Funeral services are scheduled for 3:30 p.m. today at Frazer's Funeral Home in Warren with the Revs. Jerry Gates and Steve Mann officiating. Burial will be in Outlaw Cemetery. __________________________________ JANE COLVERT Jane Ellen Hawkins Colvert, 62, of Pine Bluff, died November 1, 1997, at Jefferson Regional Medical Center. Born September 21, 1935, at Bearden, she was a daughter of the late Graham Hawkins and Marjorie Shaddock Hawkins. Reared in Bearden, she attended Draughon Business School in Camden. She was a member of First Assembly of God in Pine Bluff. She was preceded in death by a brother, Charles Hawkins. Survivors include her husband, Ronald M. Colvert of Pine Bluff; two sons, Phillip Colvert and Paul Colvert, both of Huntsville, Alabama; a sister, Charlotte Hughes of Bearden; two brothers, Horace Hawkins of Lufkin, Texas, and Dennis Hawkins of Hodgenville, Kentucky; and a grandson. Funeral services are scheduled for 10 a.m. Monday at First Assembly of God with the Rev. Ron Woods officiating. Burial will be in Moss Hill Cemetery at Bearden by Ralph Robinson & Son Directors. _________________________________ JOREEN McGEHEE Joreen Roselle McGehee, 60, of Amite County, Mississippi, formerly of Pine Bluff, died October 31, 1997, at her home. Born January 1, 1937, at Columbia, Missouri, she was a daughter of the late Joseph and Maureen Roselle. She was a homemaker, Cub Scout den mother, Girl Scout leader, high school band parent president, Sunday School teacher, and a member of First Baptist Church at Pine Bluff and First Baptist Church of McComb, Mississippi. Survivors include her husband, Bob McGehee; two sons, Robert McGehee Jr. and Michael McGehee, both of Little Rock; a daughter, Michelle Stelter of Vicksburg, Mississippi; and six grandchildren. Funeral services are scheduled for 2 p.m. Tuesday at First Baptist Church at McComb, Mississippi, with the Rev. Ed Sudduth officiating. Burial will be in McGehee Cemetery at McComb by Hartman Funeral Home of McComb. Memorials to the American Cancer Society. _________________________________ Submitted by Linda P. Smith DougMIV@aol.com ================================================================== PINE BLUFF COMMERCIAL MONDAY, NOVEMBER 3 Pine Bluff, Jefferson Co., Arkansas OCIE McDUFFIE Ocie O. McDuffie, 91, of Pine Bluff, died November 1, 1997, at Arkansas Convalescent Center. Born February 9, 1906, in Ashley County, she was a daughter of the late Joseph Grant White and Sophecia Dawson White. Reared in Ashley County, she graduated from high school at Monticello Normal School and attended Arkansas A&M College (now University of Arkansas at Monticello). She married Commie C. McDuffie in 1926 in Ashley County. He died in 1963. A Eudora resident for most of her life, she taught school there for many years. While in Eudora, she was a member of Scott Memorial United Methodist Church. In her church, she taught Sunday School for many years, was active as a life member of the United Methodist Women and held many positions of responsibility. Moving to Pulaski County, she was a house parent at the Arkansas School for the Blind for several years. She moved to Pine Bluff in 1986 and was a member of Carr United Methodist Church. Survivors include two sons, Glynn McDuffie of Santa Fe, New Mexico, and Bill J. McDuffie of Albuquerque; a daughter, Carolyn M. Phifer of Pine Bluff; a sister, Myrtle W. McDuffie of Little Rock; seven grandchildren; seven great-grandchildren; and a great-great-grandchild. Graveside services are scheduled for 2 p.m. Tuesday in Mount Carmel Cemetery at Eudora with the Rev. Deanna McCormack officiating. Arrangements are by Ralph Robinson & Son Funeral Directors. __________________________________ JAMES GEORGE James Russell George, 84, of Pine Bluff, died November 2, 1997, at the Veterans Administration Hospital at Little Rock. Born February 13, 1913, in Cleveland County, he was a son of the late James Arlington George and Abbrella Easterling George. He was a World War II Army veteran and had retired from the Shoemaker Ordinance Plant at Camden where he was an electrician. Survivors include his wife, Mary Ellen George of St. Charles, Illinois; three stepdaughters, Karen Brown and Jean Heidrick both of Aurora, Illinois, and Joan Murrie of Elgin, Illinois; two sisters, Mae Sullivan of Pine Bluff and Maxine Brenner of Novato, California; and several stepgrandchildren and great-grandchildren. Graveside services are scheduled for 1:30 p.m. Wednesday in Moseley Cemetery near Warren. Arrangements by Frazer's Funeral Home. ____________________________________ MARILYN EUBANKS Funeral services for Marilyn Wright Eubanks, 72, of Pine Bluff, who died October 28, 1997, at Jefferson Regional Medical Center, are scheduled for 11 a.m. Tuesday at Perry Funeral Home with the Rev. Lincoln Clardy officiating. Burial will be in P.K. Miller Cemetery. A native of Altheimer, she was a daughter of the late John and Emma Wright. She was preceded in death by her husband, William "Bill" Eubanks. Survivors include a brother, Delois Wright of Flint, Michigan, and a sister, Emma McIntosh of Pine Bluff. __________________________________ AULINE TEPPENPAW FORDYCE-- Auline Watts Copeland Teppenpaw, 78, of Fordyce, died November 1, 1997, at Dallas County Hospital. Born June 24, 1919, in Walker County, Alabama, she was a daughter of the late James Franklin Watts and Alta Thomas Watts. She was a retired registered nurse. Survivors include her husband, Charles L. Teppenpaw Jr.; a son, Jack G. Copeland of Rome, Georgia; a daughter, Rita Sue Bridges of Pindall (Searcy County); a brother, B. Gene Watts of Haleyville, Alabama; five grandchildren and six great-grandchildren. Graveside services are scheduled for 10 a.m. Tuesday in Liberty Grove Cemetery at Haleyville. Arrangements are by Benton Funeral Home of Fordyce. __________________________________ FERNE RICCI MARINA DEL REY, California-- Ferne Crofton Ricci, 55, of Marina Del Rey, California, died September 8, 1997, at Daniel Freeman Marina Hospital at Marina Del Rey. She was born at Pine Bluff on January 13, 1942, a daughter of the late Washington Alfred Crofton and Davenia Freeman Crofton. She became a member of St. Paul Missionary Baptist Church at Pine Bluff when she was young. She received her early education at St. Peter Catholic School and attended Merrill Junior and Senior High School before graduating from Southeast High School at Pine Bluff. She attended Arkansas AM&N College (now University of Arkansas at Pine Bluff), Pepperdine College and the University of Southern California at Los Angeles. As a teen-ager, she played piano at St. Paul Missionary Baptist Church for the children's choir and youth church. For many years, she was an operator for Western Union and a secretary for Anateck Aluminum Industries. Survivors include her husband, Gregory Ricci; and a brother, Benjamin F. Hill of Pine Bluff. Funeral services were held on September 12, 1997, at Inglewood Mortuary at Inglewood, California. _________________________________ Submitted by Linda P. Smith DougMIV@aol.com ================================================================== PINE BLUFF COMMERCIAL TUESDAY, NOVEMBER 4, 1997 Pine Bluff, Jefferson Co., Arkansas WILLIE MARKHAM (Photo included) Willie D. Markham, 81, of Pine Bluff, died October 29, 1997, at Jefferson Regional Medical Center. Born January 21, 1916, at Morgan City, Mississippi, he was a son of the late Ed Markham and Mary Carter Markham. He was a member of Indiana Street Baptist Church where he was an usher and member of the brotherhood. He also served in the Army and worked for General Foods Corporation. He was preceded in death by his wife, Evelyn Johns Markham. Survivors include two sons, Richard L. Chaney of Miller, Indiana, and Ronnie Chaney of Evanston, Illinois; four daughters, Patricia Chaney of Evanston, Louise Chaney-Riley of Des Plaines, Illinois, Elisa Marie Markham of Pine Bluff and Sharon King of New York; three brothers, C.L. Markham and Reuben Markham, both of Chicago, and Ed Markham of Greenwood, Mississippi; two sisters, Mary Ida Prier of Chicago and Blanche Alexander of Perris, California; six grandchildren; 20 great-grandchildren; and 15 great-great-grandchildren. Funeral services are scheduled for 11 a.m. Wednesday at Indiana Street Baptist Church with the Rev. L.K. Soloman officiating. Burial will be in the Cedar Grove Section of Graceland Cemetery by Brown Funeral Home. __________________________________ RUSSELLINE SMITH LITTLE ROCK-- Russelline Smith, 63, of Yellville (Marion County), died November 1, 1997, at University Hospital. She was born at Yellville on January 13, 1934, a daughter of Elsie Keith of Flippin (Marion County) and the late Russell Thomas Wood. A native of Marion County, she was a homemaker and was a member of Mull Church of Christ at Yellville and the North Arkansas Wrinkle Necks Bridge Club. Survivors include her husband, Lee Roy Smith, who she married on January 20, 1951; two daughters, Carrie Woods of Cabot and Eve West of Dogpatch (Newton County); a brother, Charles Sonny Wood of Meridian, Idaho; a sister, Nadine Aikman of White Hall; a half brother, Mike Wood of Boise, Idaho; two half sisters, Jane Tilton and Terry Wood, both of Boise; and two grandchildren. Funeral services are scheduled for 2 p.m. today at Burns Funeral Home at Yellville with Bryan Jefferson and Scotty Jefferson officiating. Burial will be in DeSoto Cemetery at Yellville. ___________________________________ BILLY SMITH DERMOTT-- Billy Russell Smith, 66, of Dermott, died November 2, 1997, at his home. He was born at Rover (Yell County) on September 6, 1931, a son of the late Sam and Winnie Lowery Smith. He was a self-employed farmer and a member of Church of Christ at Dermott. Survivors include his wife, Alice Lamb Smith; two sons, Bill Smith and George Smith, both of Dermott; a daughter, Betty Barnett of McGehee; two brothers, Newton Smith of Oak Ridge, Louisiana, and Phil Smith of Watson; four sisters, Ann Durham of Houston, Ina Race and Annette Smith, both of Dumas, and Norma Trammell of Midlothian, Texas; and 10 grandchildren. Graveside services are scheduled for 2 p.m. Wednesday in Watson Cemetery at Watson with the Rev. Woody Smith officiating. Arrangements are by Griffin Funeral Service of McGehee. _________________________________ LIZZIE WILLIAMS Lizzie Etta Williams, 86, of Pine Bluff, died October 29, 1997, at Jefferson Regional Medical Center. Born February 17, 1911, at Tamo, she was a daughter of the late Daniel Lewis and Hattie Mabry Gladney. She was a member of New Hope Baptist Church at Moscow and was a nurse's aide. Survivors include her husband, Johnnie Williams; four grandchildren; and three great-great-grandchildren; Funeral services are scheduled for 2 p.m. Wednesday at Brown Funeral Home with the Rev. Jay Edwards officiating. Burial will be in Forest Lawn Cemetery in Pine Bluff. ______________________________ VIVIAN JOHNSON MONTICELLO-- Vivian McKnight Johnson, 74, of Monticello, died November 2, 1997, at Monticello. Born March 10, 1923, at Cleveland, Mississippi, she was a daughter of the late Robert E. McKnight and Bertie Lee Grissett McKnight. She was preceded in death by her husband, Morris Johnson, and by a great-grandson. Survivors include a son, Bob Johnson of Monticello; three daughters, Glenda Ann Stingley of Russellville, Judy Carol Long of Monticello and Sandra Lee Buchanan of Little Rock; two brothers, Eckward McKnight of Cleveland, Mississippi, and Ralph McKnight of Meridian, Idaho; two sisters, Mildred Donaldson of California and Jauwice Stroup of Georgia; eight grandchildren; and a great-grandchild. She was a homemaker and member of Northside Baptist Church. Funeral services are scheduled for 2 p.m. today at Stephenson-Dearman Funeral Home with the Rev. Dennis Dodson officiating. Burial will be in Oakland Cemetery at Monticello. ______________________________ JAMES MORRIS DUMAS-- James "Jimmy" Howard Morris, 29, of Dumas, died November 1, 1997, at Delta Memorial Hospital from injuries received in an automobile accident. He was born at Dumas on August 3, 1968, a son of Charles Howard Morris Jr. of Charlotte, North Carolina, and Frances Riley Hill of Dumas. He was a self-employed construction worker. He lived at Dumas for most of his life and was a Baptist. Other survivors include a son, Christopher Thomas Morris of Star City; a daughter, Erica LeAnn Morris of Conway; three brothers, Brian Keith Moore of Dumas and Shawn Michael Morris and Gabriel Andrew Morris, both of Charlotte; three sisters, Lisa Michelle Morris of North Little Rock, Blair Lenea Morris of Charlotte and Sheila Hill Smith of Hot Springs; a grandmother, Voncille Morris of Charlotte; and a stepfather, Walter Hill of Dumas. Funeral services are scheduled for 2 p.m. today at Griffin Funeral Home of Dumas with the Rev. Julius Carter officiating. Burial will be in Walnut Lake Cemetery at Dumas. Memorials may be made to the Alcoholics Anonymous Chapter of Dumas. _________________________________ INETTA DARROUGH LITTLE ROCK-- Inetta James Darrough, 76, of Monticello, died October 31, 1997, at Arkansas Heart Hospital. She was born in Drew County on November 18, 1920, a daughter of the late George James and Excie Douglas James. She was a homemaker and a member of Pilgrim Rest AME Church at Monticello. She was preceded in death by her husband, Roy Darrough. Survivors include a son, James Roy Darrough of Monticello; a daughter, Excie Matthews of Blytheville; two sisters, Vernell Gragg of Monticello and Bernice Jordan of Illinois; four grandchildren; and six great-grandchildren. Funeral services are scheduled for 11 a.m. Wednesday at Pilgrim Rest AME Church with the Rev. Samuel Arnold officiating. Burial will be in St. Stephens Cemetery at Cornerville (Lincoln County) by Stephenson-Dearman Funeral Home at Monticello. ________________________________ JOREEN McGEHEE SUMMIT, Mississippi-- Joreen Roselle McGehee, 60, of Summit, Mississippi, in Amite County, Mississippi, died October 31, 1997, at her home. She was born at Columbia, Missouri, on January 1, 1937, a daughter of the late Joseph and Maureen Roselle. She was a homemaker, a Cub Scout den mother, a Girl Scout leader and president of the high school band parents organization. She was recognized as an "Outstanding Sunday School Teacher" for 25 years. She was a member of First Baptist Church at McComb, Mississippi, and was a former member of First Baptist Church at Pine Bluff. She was the architect during the restoration of the T. L. McGehee Plantation Home in Amite County, which was placed on the National Register of Historic Places. This was accomplished after she and her husband moved from Pine Bluff to Amite County in 1991. She spent seven summers in Alaska and was fond of Robert Service poems, which she memorized and recited. She and her husband were longtime residents of Vicksburg and Pine Bluff. Survivors include her husband of 43 years, Bob McGehee; two sons, Dr. Robert McGehee and Michael McGehee, both of Little Rock; a daughter, Michele Stelter of Richmond, Virginia; a brother, David Roselle of Vicksburg; and six grandchildren. Funeral services are scheduled for 2 p.m. today at First Baptist Church at McComb with the Rev. Byron Malone officiating. Burial will be in McGehee Cemetery in Amite County by Hartman Funeral Home of McComb. Memorials may be made to the American Cancer Society. ____________________________________ JAMES ELLIS SACRAMENTO, California-- James Ellis, 95, of Sacramento, California, formerly of Magnolia, Arkansas, died October 26, 1997, at Sacramento. He was born at Magnolia on October 14, 1902, a son of the late Henry and Julia Cumming-Ellis. He was preceded in death by his wife, Elizabeth Perry; and six children. Survivors include a son, the Rev. Tommy Ellis of Magnolia; three daughters, Pearl Robinson of Pine Bluff, Bertha Critton of Sacramento, and Ethel Burton of Arcadia, California; a sister, Odie Berry of Magnolia; eight grandchildren; 17 great-grandchidren; and some great-great-grandchildren. Funeral services are scheduled for 2 p.m. today at St. Luke Baptist Church at Magnolia with the Rev. Turner Hardin officiating. Burial will be in St. Luke Cemetery at Magnolia by Marks Funeral Home of Magnolia. __________________________________ LELA O'BRIEN SHERIDAN-- Lela Ann Logan O'Brien, 90, of Sheridan, died November 3, 1997, at Grant County Nursing Home. She was born on April 22, 1907, at Sheridan, a daughter of the late James H. Logan and Francis E. Reese Logan. She was a homemaker, a member of First Landmark Missionary Baptist Church at Sheridan, where she was a member and past president of the Ladies Auxiliary. She was preceded in death by her husband, J.C. O'Brien, who died on March 12, 1984. Survivors include a son, Floyd C. O'Brien of Sheridan; a daughter, Sue Wilson of Sheridan; six grandchildren; and six great-grandchildren. Funeral services are scheduled for 2 p.m. Wednesday at Buie Funeral Home of Sheridan. Burial will be in Lost Creek Cemetery at Sheridan. ____________________________________ WILLIE CLAYBORN Funeral services for Willie Clayborn, 89, of Sunchase Nursing Center in Pine Bluff, who died October 30, 1997, at Jefferson Regional Medical Center, are scheduled for noon Wednesday at P.K. Miller Mortuary with the Rev. Artis Clark officiating. Burial will be in Miller Cemetery. He was born on September 4, 1908, at Wabbaseka, a son of the late Willie J. Clayborn and Eula Matthews Clayborn. He received his early education in Mississippi public schools and was a retired employee of Fox and Sons Company. He was a member of First Trinity Church of God in Christ at Pine Bluff. Survivors include two sons, Willie Clayborn Jr. of San Diego and Robert Clayborn of Marianna; a daughter, Eula Faye Clayborn of Marianna; and three grandchildren. ___________________________________ DAVID THOMPSON JACKSONVILLE, Florida-- David W. "Pete" Thompson, 71, of Jacksonville, Florida, formerly of Pine Bluff, died November 1, 1997, at Methodist Medical Center Hospice. Born October 26, 1926, at Stuttgart, he was a son of the late Oscar and Edith "Ted" Powell Thompson. He was reared and received his early education near Stuttgart. He came to Jefferson County as a young man and farmed. He joined the Navy and served during World War II and the Korean Conflict. After World War II, he came to Pine Bluff and became manager of the Pine Bluff Airport at Grider Field. He married his first wife, the former Bennie Dean Nelson at Pine Bluff on July 8, 1950. She died January 21, 1972. In 1956, he joined the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) as an air traffic controller. He and his family moved to Jacksonville. He retired from FAA in 1976. He was a member of the North Florida Blue Grass Association. Survivors include his wife, the former Judy A. Hall to whom he was married at Jacksonville on June 30, 1973; two sons, Dwayne Thompson and Keith Thompson, both of Jacksonville; three grandchildren; and three great-grandchildren. Graveside services, with military honors provided by the Saxon Willis VFW Post 64 from Heber Springs, are scheduled for 2:30 p.m. Wednesday in Graceland Cemetery with Dr. J.R. DeBusk officiating. Arrangements are by Ralph Robinson & Son Funeral Directors. __________________________________ Submitted by Linda P. Smith DougMIV@aol.com ================================================================== PINE BLUFF COMMERCIAL WEDNESDAY, NOVEMBER 5, 1997 Pine Bluff, Jefferson Co., Arkansas SAM HENDERSON JR. Graveside services for Sam H. Henderson Jr., 80, of Reydell, who died October 23, 1997, at his home, are scheduled for 11 a.m. Thursday in St. Olive Cemetery at Pine Bluff with the Rev. W.R. Norful Sr. officiating. He was born at South Bend (Pulaski County) on October 1, 1917, a son of the late Sam H. Henderson and Rosie McDonald Henderson. He received his early education in Jefferson County schools and was a retired truck driver and farmer. Survivors include a daughter, Sharon Henderson of Pine Bluff; and a sister, Robert Counts of Pine Bluff. Arrangements by P.K. Miller Mortuary of Pine Bluff. ________________________________ ARTIE CLANTON WARREN-- Artie Mae Clanton, 90, of Warren, died November 3, 1997, at Wagnon Place Nursing Home. She was born at Ingalls (Bradley County) on April 27, 1907, a daughter of the late Tolliver Franklin Clanton and Rose Etta Wilkerson Clanton. She was a retired state employee and a member of First Baptist Church of Warren Sunday school. She was a former president of the Warren Garden Club, a member of the Bradley Medical Center Auxiliary and helped establish Bradley County Helping Hands. She was preceded in death by a brother, Ernie W. Clanton; and a sister, Ada Hargis. There are no immediate survivors. Funeral services are scheduled for 10 a.m. today in Union Hill Cemetery at Ingalls with the Rev. Wayman Mann officiating. Arrangements are handled by Frazer's Funeral Home of Warren. _________________________________ MITTIE TWITTY DETROIT-- Memorial services for Mittie Mae Brown Twitty, 79, of Pine Bluff, who died October 30, 1997, at her home, are scheduled for 11 a.m. Thursday at Metropolitan Church of God at Detroit. The body was cremated. She was born at Sioux City, Iowa, on November 26, 1917, a daughter of the late Maggie Sue McAfee. She was an usher for Metropolitan Church of God for many years and was president of the National Membership of Ushers at the church. She worked for the Detroit Board of Education, working with mentally challenged children. She was preceded in death by her husband, Walton Twitty, who she married on November 17, 1936, and who died 20 years ago; and a daughter, Karen Moore Williams, who died on October 8, 1995. Survivors include a daughter, Mittie Jean Conley Twitty of Pine Bluff; three grandchildren; and three great-grandchildren. Arrangements are by Perry Funeral Home of Pine Bluff. __________________________________ JIMMY DUKE Funeral services for Jimmy F. Duke, 69, of Pine Bluff, who died November 3, 1997, at Jefferson Regional Medical Center, are scheduled for 2 p.m. Thursday at the chapel of Ralph Robinson & Son Funeral Directors with the Rev. Luke Criswell and the Rev. Gordon Topping officiating. Burial will be in Graceland Cemetery. He was born at Pine Bluff on January 10, 1928, a son of the late George C. and Ora E. Seagraves Duke. He was raised and received his early education at Pine Bluff. He was a graduate of Pine Bluff High School, Molar Barber School and Massey Technical School at Jacksonville, Florida. He served in the Army from January 1946 to September 1947. He also served in the Army Reserves as a section medical sergeant in the 489th Engineering Battalion from 1954 to 1962. In 1961 he was called to active duty during the Berlin Crisis. He was a barber for 50 years, operating his own barber shop at 121 Main Street in Pine Bluff for 35 years. He retired on December 30, 1990. Before that, he was a sales representative in the wholesale food business for 16 years, working for the Libby Can Goods Company and for Silbernagel Grocery Company. He was a member of Second Baptist Church, where he taught the Men's Bible Class. He was also a member of Jacob Brump Masonic Lodge No. 160, the York Rite Bodies and the Order of the Eastern Star. He was a member of United Commercial Travelers, Good Sam Club, Cotton Pickers Camping Club and the Family Campers and Recreational Vehicles Association. He was a ham radio operator and a member of the Pine Bluff Amateur Radio Club. Survivors include his wife, the former Doris "Dottie" Dobbins, whom he married at Pine Bluff on August 4, 1947; two sons, Larry F. Duke and George R. Duke, both of Pine Bluff; and five grandchildren. The family request memorials to Second Baptist Church or American Legion Baseball in Pine Bluff, Arkansas. _________________________________ JAMIE TUCKER Funeral services for Jamie Lee Tucker, 79, of Pine Bluff, who died November 3, 1997, at Jefferson Regional Medical Center, are scheduled for 10 a.m. Thursday at the chapel of Ralph Robinson & Son Funeral Directors with the Rev. Jerry Young officiating. Burial will be in Memorial Park Cemetery. She was born in Lincoln County on July 5, 1918, a daughter of the late James Walter Bolen and Frances Elizabeth Hugg Bolen Ingram. She was raised and educated in Lincoln County, where she attended Griffith Springs Schools. She moved to Pine Bluff in 1939 and worked for the Pine Bluff Casket Company, then for five years at Ben Pearson, and later as a seamstress for Pinecrest Cotton Mill. She worked for more than 22 years at the mill before retiring in 1976. She was a member of New Harvest Church of God, where she was a member of the Ladies Willing Workers. She was a member of American Legion Post No. 32 Auxiliary and was a Neighbor to Neighbor volunteer. She was preceded in death by a son, Billy Jim Tucker, who died on January 1, 1976, at the age of 37; two sisters, Geneva Brizzell and Mary Poe; and three brothers, Gene Bolen, James Bolen and Charles Bolen. Survivors include her husband of 62 years, William Clyde Tucker, whom she married at Star City on December 25, 1935; two sons, Jerry Adron Tucker of Albuquerque and Lawrence "Larry" Allen Tucker of Pine Bluff; a daughter, Dorothy Jean Tucker Graham of Sugarland, Texas; 11 grandchildren; and five great-grandchildren. _______________________________ LEO LINN ARKANSAS CITY-- Leo Linn, 79, of Arkansas City (Desha County), died November 4, 1997, at his home. He was born at Shirley (Van Buren County) on October 14, 1918, a son of the late Garland and Dellun Bradford Linn. He was a farmer, a member of First United Methodist Church at McGehee and served in the Army during World War II as a paratrooper with the 82 Airborne Division. He was a 32nd-degree Mason and a former worshipful master of the Riverton Masonic Lodge. He was a member of the Order of the Eastern Star, Scottish Rite, Sahara Shrine, Veterans of Foreign Wars, American Legion, and was co-founder of the Lost Chord Club of Southeast Arkansas. He was preceded in death by a wife, Altha Linn; a son, Billy Linn; a brother, John Linn; and two sisters, Ginuth Linn and Ermanell Ayers. Survivors include his wife, Helen Linn; a son, Larry Linn of Arkansas City; a daughter, Linda Blocker of Arkansas City; a sister, Marie Black of Clarendon; two grandchildren; and a great-grandchild. Funeral services are scheduled for 4 p.m. today at First United Methodist Church and at 2 p.m. Thursday at Eglantine Church of Christ at Eglantine (near Fairfield Bay), with the Rev. Dale Diffee and the Rev. Joe Wilkerson officiating. Burial will be in Eglantine Cemetery by Griffin Funeral Service of McGehee. ___________________________________ Submitted by Linda P. Smith DougMIV@aol.com ================================================================ PINE BLUFF COMMERCIAL THURSDAY, NOVEMBER 6, 1997 Pine Bluff, Jefferson Co., Arkansas MARY WASHINGTON (Photo included) Mary Louise Washington, 32, of Pine Bluff, formerly of Brinkley, died November 2, 1997, at Jefferson Regional Medical Center. She was born at Brinkley on May 14, 1965, a daughter of Juanita Washington of Pine Bluff and the late Hazen Lee Walton. She grew up at Brinkley and was a 1983 graduate of Brinkley High School. She attended East Arkansas Community College at Forrest City for a number of years. She was a nursing assistant for Arkansas Convalescent Center and the Area Agency on Aging, both of Pine Bluff, before she died. She was a member of Rose Hill Missionary Baptist Church at Pine Bluff. Other survivors include a son, Sammie Bryant Jr. of Pine Bluff; a daughter, Syltia Flakes of Pine Bluff; two brothers, Larry Walton of Pine Bluff and Anthony Walton of Forrest City; 10 half brothers and half sisters; and a caregiver, Sammie Bryant of Pine Bluff. Funeral services are scheduled for noon Saturday at St. Paul Missionary Baptist Church at Brinkley with the Rev. G.L. Ford officiating. Burial will be in Haven of Rest Cemetery at Brinkley by McNeal Funeral Home of Brinkley. ________________________________ NEAL SHAVERS Funeral services for Neal Shavers, 77, of Las Vegas, formerly of Pine Bluff, who died October 26, 1997, at Las Vegas, are scheduled for 1 p.m. Friday at Henson Mortuary with the Rev. G.L. Ford officiating. Burial will be in the Veterans section of Bellwood Cemetery. He was born at Colspur on August 10, 1920, a son of the late Elisha and Addie Rogers Shavers Sr. Survivors include his wife, Elizabeth Shavers; two sons, Lester Austin Shavers and Ernest Jones Shavers Jr., both of Las Vegas; three brothers, Elisha Shavers Jr. and Ike Shavers, both of Pine Bluff, and Joseph Shavers of Grady; two sisters, Addie Randall and Jender Miller, both of Pine Bluff; 13 grandchildren; and 26 great-grandchildren. _________________________________ ELVA SPADONI Elva Jean Spadoni, 78, of Pine Bluff, died November 5, 1997, at Jefferson Regional Medical Center. She was born at Calmer (Cleveland County) on September 16, 1919, a daughter of the late George W. and Miriam Greenlee Smith. She was a homemaker and was a member of Second Baptist Church and American Association of Retired Persons. She was preceded in death by her husband, Joe L. Spadoni Sr., to whom she was married October 9, 1937, and who died March 16, 1960; and two brothers, George "Bobby" Smith and Jesse Paul "Cotton" Smith. Survivors include two sons, Joseph "Joe" L. Spadoni Jr., of White Hall and Billy Wayne Spadoni of Pine Bluff; two daughters, Brenda Jean Myhand of Redfield and Rebecca Virginia "Becky" Spadoni of Pine Bluff; a sister, Polly Tanner of Pine Bluff; 10 grandchildren; and eight great-grandchildren. Funeral services are scheduled for 2 p.m. Friday at Hale-South Funeral Home with the Rev. Ron Woods officiating. Burial will be in Graceland Cemetery. _______________________________ JOHN DOCKERY John H. Dockery, 80, of Wright, died November 4, 1997, at Jefferson Regional Medical Center. He was born at Aberdeen, Mississippi on January 10, 1917, a son of the late John Jefferson Dockery and Janie Irene Hall Dockery. He was a farmer and a member of Masonic Lodge No. 507 at England. Survivors include his wife, Virginia Dockery, to whom he was married on January 23, 1932; a son, Tracy Dockery of White Hall; two daughters, Selma Parker and Delois Dockery, both of Wright; five grandchildren; and 11 great-grandchildren. Graveside services are scheduled for 2 p.m. Saturday in Mulberry Cemetery at England (Lonoke County) with John Hagan officiating. Masonic rites will be performed. _________________________________ TOM BROWN FORT SMITH-- Tom A. Brown, 66, of Hackett (Sebastian County), formerly of Star City, died November 3, 1997, at Fort Smith Hospital. He was an Army veteran. Survivors include four sons, Tommy Brown of Oklahoma City, Joe Brown of Spiro, Oklahoma, Dennis Brown of Hinton, Oklahoma and Mike Brown of Oklahoma City; two daughters, Brenda Moody of Spiro and Debra Golden of Oklahoma City; two brothers, Buford Brown of Crossett, Arkansas and Raymond Brown of Fort Worth, Texas; two sisters, Mary Ann Jackson Nichols of Phoenix and Gertrude Clay of Duncan, Oklahoma; nine grandchildren; and several great-grandchildren. Funeral services are scheduled for 11 a.m. Friday at Griffin Funeral Home Chapel at Star City. Burial will be in Tyro Cemetery in Lincoln County. _________________________________ OSCAR BASS SHERIDAN-- Oscar Samuel Bass, 88, of Sheridan, died November 4, 1997, at Grant County Nursing Home. He was born at Chanute, Kansas on March 28, 1909, a son of the late Albert Henry and Myrtle Ann Strother Bass. He was retired from Guardpack (a manufacturing plant at Sheridan), a member of the Christian Church at Sheridan and an Army veteran of World Was II. He was preceded in death by his wife, Annie Fairchild Bass, who died December 7, 1988. Survivors include two sons, Arbra Dale Bass of Caney, Kansas and Felix James Bass of Hartford, California; a daughter, Ruth Phillips of Sheridan; a sister, Atha Garrison of Chanute; nine grandchildren; and eight great-grandchildren. Funeral services are scheduled for 10 a.m. Friday at Buie Funeral Home Chapel at Sheridan with the Rev. Tim Montgomery officiating. Burial will be in Lost Creek Cemetery at Sheridan. _______________________________ Submitted by Linda P. Smith DougMIV@aol.com ================================================================= PINE BLUFF COMMERCIAL FRIDAY, NOVEMBER 7, 1997 Pine Bluff, Jefferson Co., Arkansas CARRIE DEAN (Photo included) TARRY-- Funeral services for Carrie C. Dean, 69, of Moscow (Jefferson County), who died October 28, 1997, at Pine Bluff Nursing Home, are scheduled for 11 a.m. Saturday at Daniel Chapel Baptist Church at Tamo with the Rev. A. Larkin officiating. Burial will be in Bethlehem No. 2 Cemetery at Tarry by Perry Funeral Home. She was born in Arkansas on August 10, 1928, a daughter of the late Eddie and Rose Swopes. She was a member of Daniel Chapel Baptist Church, where she was a Sunday school secretary. She was preceded in death by two brothers, Nehemia Swopes and L.T. Hollaway. Survivors include her husband, Matthew Dean; two brothers, Rufus Swopes of Moscow and Terry Swopes of South Bend, Indiana; and two sisters, Lillie Bell of Pine Bluff and Frances Sneed of Kansas City. _____________________________ JEANNETTE CREED RISON-- Jeannette Culpepper Creed, 80, of Rison, died November 5, 1997, at her home. She was born at Poole (Cleveland County) on August 1, 1917, a daughter of the late Carroll D. Culpepper and Nova Ray Culpepper. She was a retired postal clerk at the Rison Post Office and was a homemaker. She was a member of the Rison Garden Club and the Rison United Methodist Church, where she was a member of the church choir and the United Methodist Women. Survivors include her husband, J.H. Creed; two daughters, Ginger Crowder of Hughes (St. Francis County) and Martha Gardial of Hot Springs; a sister, Margie Bethea of Pine Bluff; and three grandchildren. Funeral services are scheduled for 10 a.m. Friday at Rison United Methodist Church with the Rev. Don Johnson officiating. Burial will be in Greenwood Cemetery at Rison by Buie Funeral Home of Rison. __________________________________ VYANCYA LEVER-BEY Funeral services for Vyancya "Sugar" Lever-Bey, 96, of Pine Bluff, who died November 2, 1997, at her home, are scheduled for 2:30 p.m. Saturday at Brown Funeral Home at Pine Bluff with the Rev. R.J. Hampton officiating. Burial will be in St. Luke Cemetery. She was born at Pine Bluff on June 10, 1901, a daughter of the late George Bush and Emma Nunn Bush-Rogers. She was a homemaker and a Muslim. She was preceded in death by her husband, John P. Lever-Bey. Survivors include three grandchildren and 13 great-grandchildren. __________________________________ LILLIAN NEELY Lillian Terry Neely, 88, of Pine Bluff, formerly of Pansy (Cleveland County), died November 5, 1997, at Jefferson Regional Medical Center. She was born at Toledo (Cleveland County) on November 18, 1908, a daughter of the late Ed Terry and Mae Frazier Terry. She was a homemaker and a member of Prosperity United Methodist Church at Pansy. She was preceded in death by her husband, Guss Neely, who died May 1, 1976. Survivors incude three sons, T.E. Neely and James Neely, both of Pine Bluff, and Sonny Neely of Herbine (Cleveland County); two daughters, Lois Davidson of Warren and Peggy Young of Rye (Cleveland County); a brother, Calvin Terry of Rison; 11 grandchildren; and 13 great-grandchildren. Funeral services are scheduled for 2 p.m. Friday at Prosperity United Methodist Church with the Rev. Rusty Jones officiating. Burial will be in Prosperity Cemetery at Herbine by Buie Funeral Home at Rison. _________________________________ JOHN MACK JR. Graveside services for John Mack Jr., 46, of Pine Bluff, who died October 31, 1997, at University Hospital at Little Rock, are scheduled for 1:30 p.m. Saturday in Forest Lawn Cemetery with the Rev. Charles Hill officiating. He was born at Pine Bluff on May 26, 1951, a son of the late John Mack Sr., and Verdie Mae Hill Mack. He worked in the production department at the Pine Bluff Arsenal, served in the Army and was a Methodist. Survivors include a son, Michael Daniels of Atlanta; five daughters, Romana Enger and Jessica Enger, both of Germany, Michelle Daniels and Chisa Daniels, both of Atlanta, and Simone Mack of Pine Bluff; a brother, Ray Mack of Pine Bluff; two sisters, La Frances Wright of Arlington, Texas, and Gloria Mack Brown of Pine Bluff; a fiancee, Dortha Compton of Pine Bluff; and two grandchildren. _______________________________ JOHNNIE GOINS SR. Funeral services for Johnnie Goins Sr., 86, of Pine Bluff, who died November 4, 1997, at Jefferson Regional Medical Center, are scheduled for 2 p.m. Saturday at New Morning Star Baptist Church with the Rev. James Wilkerson officiating. Burial will be in Forest Lawn Cemetery by Brown Funeral Home of Pine Bluff. He was born at Yorktown on January 8, 1911, a son of the late Alex and Rosie L. Goins. He was a concrete finisher and a member of New Morning Star Baptist Church. Survivors include his wife, Martha McIntosh Goins; nine sons, Danny Reynolds of Dallas, Willie Goins of Detroit, Johnnie Goins Jr., Frank Johnson, Jimmy Johnson and William Henry Johnson, all of Pine Bluff, Samuel Johnson Jr., of Oakland, California, Tommie Johnson of Detroit and Christal Lee Johnson of Benton; seven daughters, Johnnie Mae Hampton of Chicago, Darlene Bizell of Little Rock, Jewell Goins of Detroit, Flozell Vaughn of Nashville and Deloris Lagrone, Helen Cook and Linda Reed, all of Pine Bluff; 75 grandchildren; 30 great-grandchildren; and 10 great-great-grandchildren. ________________________________ DAVID JONES Funeral services for David H. Jones, 55, of Pine Bluff, who died November 1, 1997, at Arkansas Convalescent Home, are scheduled for 1 p.m. Saturday at First Trinity Church of God in Christ with Melvin Savage officiating. Burial will be in Mount Gillard Cemetery by Christian Way Funeral Home. He was born at Rison on April 13, 1942, a son of Alice Howard Jones of Pine Bluff and the late Azzie Jones. He went to Bradley County High School at Warren and was a member of Mount Gillard AME Church and Zion Travelers and Four Wings Of Joy singing quartet. His hobbies included gardening, fishing and hunting. He was preceded in death by his wife, Hazel Segrest Jones, and a brother, Floyd Ray Jones. Other survivors include three sons, Paul Douglas Jones of Hot Springs, Ronald Eugene Jones of Pine Bluff and Howard Gene Jones of Jackson, Mississippi; two stepsons, Lovell Crowell and Charles Crowell, both of Monticello; a daughter, Carol Jean Jones of Pine Bluff; three stepdaughters, Jackie Terrell, Sue Crowell and Sandy Crowell, all of Monticello; six brothers, Curtis Jones, the Rev. Don Z. Jones, Harold G. Jones and Larry P. Jones, all of Pine Bluff, Earl S. Jones of Fordyce and Barnett P. Jones of Flint, Michigan; three sisters, Mandy Hinton, Mary Jackson and Lou Elizondo, all of Pine Bluff; seven grandchildren; nine stepgrandchildren; and five stepgreat-grandchildren. _______________________________ JEFFIE KING Jeffie Euda Singer King, 89, of Warren, died November 6, 1997, at Jefferson Regional Medical Center. She was born at Hermitage (Bradley County) on May 10, 1908, a daughter of the late Jefferson Franklin and Elizabeth Ada Johnson Singer. She was a retired hostess at First Baptist Church at Warren and a member of the Home Demonstration Club. She was preceded in death by her husband, Garrett Hobart King, who died July 13, 1971. Survivors include a son, Billy Frank King of Houston; a daughter, Mary Barrett of Warren; a brother, Bill Singer of McGehee; a sister, Mary Eva Tidwell of Winchester; four grandchildren; and seven great-grandchildren. Funeral services are scheduled for 10 a.m. Saturday at First Baptist Church with the Rev. Greg Stanley officiating. Burial will be in Oakland Cemetery at Warren. Arrangements by Frazer's Funeral Home of Warren. ____________________________________ MACK COLEMAN Funeral services for Mack Henry Coleman, 70, of Pine Bluff, who died November 3, 1997, at Jefferson Regional Medical Center, are scheduled for 11 a.m. Saturday at Kings Highway Baptist Church with the Rev. Walter C. May Sr., officiating. Burial will be in Forest Lawn Cemetery by Brown Funeral Home of Pine Bluff. He was born at Sherrill on November 30, 1926, a son of the late Jessie Coleman and Minerva Moore Coleman. He was a chef with ARA Food Services and a member of Kings Highway Baptist Church where he served as an usher. Survivors include his wife, Roberta Canagan Coleman; a son, Carnell Coleman of Pine Bluff; five daughters, Dorthene Davis, Paula Coleman and Pauline Jones, all of Pine Bluff, Tershema Norris of Atlanta and Gloria Cooper of Decatur, Alabama; a brother, Cleo Coleman of Pine Bluff; four sisters, Ruby Turner and Ida Mae Copeland, both of Pine Bluff, and Mabel Richardson and Mary Ann Breedlove, both of Flint, Michigan; and eight grandchildren. ____________________________________ Artelia Simms Funeral services for Artelia Withers Simms, 69, of Altheimer, who died October 31, 1997, at Jefferson Regional Medical Center, are scheduled for 1 p.m. Saturday at Oak Grove Baptist Church at Gethsemane, near Altheimer, with the Rev. Curlee Mays officiating. Burial will be in Central Baptist Cemetery at Tucker by P.K. Miller Mortuary. She was born at Gethsemane on July 23, 1928, a daughter of the late Wesley Withers and Godie Horton Withers. She received her early education at Jefferson County schools and retired after 20 years of employment with Clear Lake Footwear Company. She was a member of Oak Grove Baptist Church, where she was a member of the choir and program committee. Survivors include a daughter, Janice Bridges of Gethsemane; two brothers, Wesley Withers and Elmer Withers, both of Chicago; three sisters, Ruth Walker of Phoenix and Margaret Askew and Lois Wright, both of Chicago; a grandchild; and two great-grandchildren. __________________________________ Submitted by Linda P. Smith DougMIV@aol.com ================================================================ PINE BLUFF COMMERCIAL SATURDAY, NOVEMBER 8, 1997 Pine Bluff, Jefferson Co., Arkansas JUANITA MAY LITTLE ROCK-- Juanita Faye Wood May, 57, of Tinsman (Calhoun County), died November 6, 1997, at Baptist Medical Center here. She was born at Bastrop, Louisiana, on August 30, 1940, a daughter of the late Edward Amos "Pete" and Lannie Hickman Wood. She was a member of First Baptist Church at Tinsman and was a homemaker. She was preceded in death by her husband, Billy Roy May. Survivors include a son, Brian May of Tinsman; three daughters, Patricia Luther of Fordyce, Betty Still of Jacinto (Dallas County) and Donna Doherty of Holly Springs; a brother, Robert Wood of Tinsman; two sisters, Ruth Dunn of Tinsman and Louise Atkins of Dermott; and six grandchildren. Funeral services are scheduled for 2 p.m. today at Benton Funeral Home at Fordyce with the Revs. Buddy Burton and H.A. Murrell officiating. Burial will be in Union Grove Cemetery at Hampton. _________________________________ DONALD WISE LITTLE ROCK-- Donald Lee Wise, 49, of Sheridan, died November 7, 1997, at St. Vincent Infirmary Medical Center here. He was born at Anderson, Indiana, on October 30, 1948, a son of Callie "Betty" Wise Howard of Sheridan and the late Joe Wise Sr. He was a communications technician at Southwestern Bell at Pine Bluff for 29 years. He was a member of First Baptist Church at Sheridan and the Communication Workers of America and was an Air Force veteran of the Vietnam War. He was preceded in death by a sister, Julia Stalker. Other survivors include two sons, John Zachary Wise of Sheridan and Lucas Wise of Jacksonville; and three brothers, Joe Wise Jr. and Gary Wise, both of Sheridan, and Bill Wise of Anderson. Funeral services are scheduled for 2:30 p.m. Sunday at Buie Funeral Home at Sheridan with Dr. Sam Adkins officiating. Burial will be in Lost Creek Cemetery at Sheridan. _________________________________ JEWEL LEWIS HOPE-- Jewel Lewis, 72, of Hope, died November 7, 1997, at her home. She was born at Russellville on April 6, 1925, a daughter of the late Horace and Emma Rainwater Parker. She was a member of First Baptist Church at Hope and was a homemaker. Survivors include her husband, O.J. Lewis; two sons, Larry W. Lewis of Pine Bluff and Jackie D. Lewis of Hope; three brothers, Billy Parker of Glenview, Texas, Jimmy Parker of Andrews, Texas, and Aldon Parker of Russellville; three sisters, Maxine Ferguson of McGehee, Vonnie Conrad of Dermott and Betty Davies of Batesville; and five grandchildren. Funeral services are scheduled for 2 p.m. Sunday at Herndon Funeral Home at Hope with the Rev. Stan Parris officiating. Burial will be in Memory Gardens Cemetery at Hope. _________________________________ OPHELIA FINKS Funeral services for Ophelia Westbrook Finks, 94, of Carthage, who died November 2, 1997, at Dallas County Hospital at Fordyce, are scheduled for noon Sunday at Bethel AME Church at Carthage with the Rev. Willie Toney Jr. officiating. Burial will be in Bethel Cemetery at Carthage by Brown-Williams Funeral Home at Fordyce. She was born at Carthage on August 20, 1903, a daughter of the late Green A. Westbrook and Margaret Rideout Westbrook. She was a member of Bethel AME Church, where she was a member of the Missionary Society, was a stewardess and a member of the choir. She was a homemaker. She was preceded in death by her husband, John Finks. Survivors include a brother, Henry Westbrook of Detroit. __________________________________ RAYFORD BLAKE LITTLE ROCK-- Rayford B. Blake, 75, of Sheridan, died November 6, 1997, at Veterans Administration Hospital here. He was born at Sheridan on March 3, 1922, a son of the late O.B. and Nola Grubbs Blake. He was a member of Enon Baptist Church at Rye and was a deacon. He was a prisoner of war during World War II. He was a retired lineman for Arkansas Power & Light, a lifetime member of Hopewell Hunting Club and a charter member of the Sheridan Volunteer Fire Department. Survivors include his wife, Christine Coursey Blake; two daughters, Carolyn Dixon of Monticello and Phyllis Pierce of Sheridan; a brother, Calvin Blake of Sheridan; a sister, Lois Heffner of East End (Saline County); and three grandchildren. Funeral services are scheduled for 2 p.m. today at Buie Funeral Home at Sheridan with the Revs. William Ashcraft and George Raley officiating. Burial will be in Lost Creek Cemetery at Sheridan. ___________________________________ Submitted by Linda P. Smith DougMIV@aol.com PINE BLUFF COMMERCIAL SUNDAY, NOVEMBER 9, 1997 Pine Bluff, Jefferson Co., Arkansas =============================================================== PINE BLUFF COMMERCIAL SUNDAY, NOVEMBER 9, 1997 Pine Bluff, Jefferson Co., Arkansas LOUISE GENTRY Louise Robinson Gentry, 85, of Pine Bluff, died November 8, 1997, at her home. Born October 5, 1912, at Pine Bluff, she was a daughter of the late William Auld Robinson and Sarah Elizabeth Bean Robinson. She was educated here and was a graduate of Pine Bluff High School, attended Arkansas A&M College (now University of Arkansas at Monticello), and was a graduate of Judkins Business School. She worked for Southeast Arkansas Freight Line for 10 years before her marriage. She was married to the Rev. Dale Gentry on January 29, 1943, at Durant, Oklahoma, and they resided in Nevada County until they moved to Jefferson County in 1948. She was a homemaker. According to her family and friends, during her married years she aided her husband in serving and establishing churches in this area, ministering in her own way to many persons. She was a member of Pine Ridge Cumberland Presbyterian Church. Other survivors include a son, Steve T. Gentry of Monticello; a sister, Willie Mae Rodgers of Pine Bluff; and two grandsons. Funeral services are scheduled for 2 p.m. Monday at Ralph Robinson & Son Funeral Directors with the Rev. Charles Hughes officiating. Burial will be in Rose Hill Cemetery near Monticello. Family requests memorials to Area Agency on Aging Hospice. ___________________________________ PEARL ROSS Pearl G. Ross, 81, of Pine Bluff, died November 8, 1997, at Jefferson Regional Medical Center. Born September 30, 1916, at Newport, she was a daughter of the late Mack Cimuel and Minnie Bell Riley Cochran. She was raised and received her early education at Newport. She had lived most of her adult life in Dexter, Missouri, moving to Pine Bluff in 1994. She was a homemaker and a member of Christian Life Church at Pine Bluff. While living at Dexter, she was a member of Word of God Church. She was married to Oran Reveley, who died in 1950. She married Jim Ross in 1958, and he died in 1993. She was preceded in death by two brothers, J.R. Cochran and William Cochran. Survivors include a son, Gerald Reveley of Saginaw, Michigan; a daughter, Patricia Rucker of Pine Bluff; three sisters, Verlie Hardin of St.Louis and Dorothy Julius and Lillie Honey, both of Dexter, Missouri; four grandchildren and four great-grandchildren. Funeral services are scheduled for 10 a.m. Tuesday at Watkins Funeral Home in Dexter, Missouri, with the Rev. Bill Kiggins officiating. Burial will be in Hagy Cemetery. Pine Bluff visitation scheduled at Ralph Robinson & Son Funeral Directors from 2 to 4 p.m. today and at Watkins Funeral Home from 7 to 9 p.m. Monday. _________________________________ RUSSELL ROBERTSON SHREVEPORT-- Russell E. "Pete" Robertson, 53, of Stonewall, Louisiana, died November 7, 1997 at Shreveport. Born July 14, 1944, at White Hall, he was the son of the late C.W. Robertson and Pearl Elkins Robertson. He was a member of American Legion Post 6 and a member of the 40 & 8 Club. He was preceded in death by a sister, Elizabeth Smith. He is survived by his wife of 28 years, Pauline Robertson of Stonewall; two sons, Russell Vance Robertson of Stonewall and Randall W. Robertson of Shreveport; a brother, Benny Robertson of Shreveport; and a grandson. Funeral services are scheduled for 1 p.m. Monday at Rose-Neath Funeral Home of Shreveport, with the Rev. Leland Crawford officiating. Burial will be in Forrest Park West Cemetery. ____________________________________ WINNIE ALLISON SHERIDAN-- Winnie Allison, 86, of Sheridan, died November 7, 1997, at her home. Born December 19, 1910, she was the daughter of the late William Henderson Allison and Maudie Hardin Allison. She was a homemaker and a member of Little Creek Missionary Baptist Church. She is survived by three nephews, Harold Allison of Little Rock, and Freddy Allison and William Allison, both of Sheridan; and two nieces, Letha Ray of White Hall and Maxine Allison of Sheridan, all of whom were caregivers. Funeral services are scheduled for 2 p.m. Monday at Buie Funeral Home of Sheridan with Franklin Nelson officiating. Burial will be in Lost Creek Cemetery (Sheridan). ________________________________ ROBERT DOSS RISON-- Robert Allen Doss, 46, of Kedron (Cleveland County), died November 7, 1997, at his home. Born May 25,1951, at Kedron, he was a son of Joe Doss and Pearl Eudene Ratliff Doss of Kedron. He worked as a manager at Hardee's in Pine Bluff and was a member of Mount Zion Missionary Baptist Church at Kedron, where he served as church treasurer and music director. Other survivors include a brother, Bill Doss of Kedron; and a sister, Kathy Hardaway of Kedron. Funeral services are scheduled for 10 a.m. Monday at Buie Funeral Home of Rison with Bob Hinsen and the Rev. Wayne Hardaway officiating. Burial will be in Mount Zion Cemetery. __________________________________ VICTORIA STURDIVANT Victoria "Jack" Sturdivant, 81, of Pine Bluff, died November 7, 1997, at Jefferson Regional Medical Center. She was born February 4, 1916, a daughter of the late Kelsie and Roena Revils. She was owner of Sturdivant's Fish Market and a member of Reydell Baptist Church. She was preceded in death by her husband, Lester Ralph Sturdivant. Survivors include two daughters, Louise Taylor of Bismark (Hot Springs County) and Bonnie Hicks of Pine Bluff; a brother, Johnny Revils of Pine Bluff; two sisters, Virgie Waller of Reydell and May Minton of Pine Bluff; four grandchildren and six great-grandchildren. Funeral services are scheduled for 11 a.m. Monday at Reydell Baptist Church with the Rev. Bobby Joe Matthews, Rev. Lenard Favorite and Rev. Harold Green officiating. Burial will be in Memorial Park Cemetery by Hale-South Funeral Home. ___________________________________ WAYNE RALEY F. Wayne Raley, 72, of Pine Bluff, died November 8, 1997, at Jefferson Regional Medical Center emergency room. He was reared and received his early education at Pine Bluff. He was a 1944 graduate of Pine Bluff High School. After graduating he entered the Navy and served in the Pacific Theater during World War II. After his naval service, he returned to Arkansas and attended Hendrix College at Conway and the University of Arkansas at Fayetteville. He joined his family business, Raley Furniture Company, at Pine Bluff in 1948. He worked in that business for 40 years before retiring in 1988 as owner and manager. He was a member of First Christian Church of Pine Bluff. He is survived by his wife, Joanne Owen, to whom he was married on January 13, 1952, in Pine Bluff; a son, Fred V. Raley of Montclair, Virginia; a daughter Ann Raley Reed of Pine Bluff; a sister Joyce R. Bellamy of Pine Bluff, and eight grandchildren. Funeral services are scheduled for 10 a.m. Monday at Ralph Robinson & Son Funeral Directors with Dr. Jim Robinson officiating. Burial will be in Memorial Park Cemetery. ___________________________________ PAUL TOMLINSON Paul Wesley Tomlinson, 75, of Warren, died November 8, 1997, at Jefferson Regional Medical Center. Born March 6, 1922, at Frankfort, Kentucky, he was the son of the late Edward Tomlinson and Catherine Dunavon Tomlinson. He was a Baptist and a retired mechanic. He was preceded in death by his wife, Irene Elizabeth Fell Tomlinson, who died April 20, 1988. He is survived by a daughter, Paulette Holland of Quitman (Cleburn County) and two grandchildren. Funeral services are scheduled for 3:30 p.m. Monday at Frazer's Funeral Home of Warren. Burial will be in Oakland Cemetery. _____________________________________ Submitted by Linda P. Smith DougMIV@aol.com ================================================================ PINE BLUFF COMMERCIAL MONDAY, NOVEMBER 10, 1997 Pine Bluff, Jefferson Co., Arkansas JACK WILLIAMS DECATUR-- J.D. "Jack" Williams, 53, of Lithonia, Georgia, died November 4, 1997, at the Veterans Administration Hospital at Decatur, Georgia. Born July 9, 1944, at Tamo (Jefferson County), he was a son of Rosie Bell (Brown) Curry of Pine Bluff and the late L.C. Williams. He served in the Navy and later worked as a bus driver for Metro Atlanta Transit. He was a Baptist. He is survived by his wife, Anita Wells Williams of Lithonia, Georgia; three brothers, J.D. Steward of Pine Bluff, Harold Brown of Chatanooga, Tennessee, and Morris Williams of California; two sisters, Freddie Mae Williams of Kansas City and Debra Williams of Detroit. Funeral services are scheduled for 1 p.m. Tuesday at Daniels Chapel Baptist Church (Moscow, Jefferson County) with the Rev. Sammy Williams officitating. Burial will be in the veterans section of Bellwood Cemetery at Pine Bluff by Brown Funeral Home. _________________________________ OLA WYLIE FORDYCE-- Ola Gill Wylie, 86, of Fordyce, died November 8, 1997, at Dallas County Nursing Home. Born July 14, 1911, at Carthage (Dallas County), she was a daughter of the late James Floyd Gill and Laura Womack Gill. She was a member of First United Methodist Church of Fordyce, the Order of the Eastern Star, Delta Kappa Gamma, and the Extension Homemakers Club. She was preceded in death by her husband, Paul Wylie. Survivors include two daughters, Wanda Felts and Martha Wilson, both of Hot Springs; a brother, Ray Gill of Tulip (Dallas County); a sister, Merle Bershears of North Little Rock; four grandchildren and four great-grandchildren. __________________________________ Submitted by Linda P. Smith, DougMIV@aol.com PINE BLUFF COMMERCIAL TUESDAY, NOVEMBER 11, 1997 Pine Bluff, Jefferson Co., Arkansas JAMES SHULTZ McGEHEE-- James Buckham Shultz, 77, of Monticello, died November 9, 1997, at McGehee-Desha County Hospital. He was born in Drew County on February 24, 1920, a son of the late Carroll and Bertie Hays Shultz. He was retired from Missouri Pacific Railroad, was a Marine veteran of World War II. He was a member of Episcopal Church at McGehee. He was preceded in death by a brother, J.C. Shultz; and a sister, Corrine Ross. Survivors include his wife, Irene Loving Shultz; two sons, Jay Sheldon Shultz of Atlanta and Dr. John Shultz of Fayetteville; a daughter, Linda Tefend of Dallas; a brother, William "Bill" Shultz of Wellsville, Pennsylvania; two stepdaughters, Cathy White of Monticello and Nancy Maltsberger of Big Creek, California; five grandchildren; 10 stepgrandchildren; two great-grandchildren; and five stepgreat-grandchildren. Funeral services are scheduled for 1:30 p.m. Wednesday at Mount Tabor Methodist Church in Drew County with the Rev. Jake Lindsey officiating. Burial will be in Mount Tabor Cemetery by Stephenson-Dearman Funeral Home of Monticello. ________________________________ CONNIE BURKS Connie Burks, 82, of Monticello, died November 9, 1997, at Jefferson Regional Medical Center. She was born in Drew County on November 17, 1920, a daughter of the late John Burnette and Velma Sawyer Burnette. She was a retired truck driver, a nurse and a member of Pauline Baptist Church at Monticello. She was preceded in death by her husband, Ralph Burks. Survivors include a son, Dr. Willard Burks of Wynne; two daughters, Coletha Boyd of Summerville, South Carolina and Barbara Jackson of Pine Bluff; a brother, John M. Burnette of Odessa, Texas; three half brothers, Hampton Burnette and David Clinton Burnette, both of Kansas, and Randall Burnette of Warren; two half sisters, Carolyn Warren of Kansas and Martha Burnette of Warren; 11 grandchildren; and 10 great-grandchildren. Funeral services are scheduled for 10 a.m. today at Stephenson-Dearman Funeral Home at Monticello with the Rev. R.V. White officiating. Burial will be in Oakland Cemetery at Monticello. ________________________________ HUBERT HOOKS BANKS-- Hubert Thomas Hooks Sr., 81, of Banks (Bradley County), died November 9, 1997, at his home. He was born at Sumpter (Bradley County) on July 2, 1916, a son of the late Robert Thomas and Mary Jane Akin Hooks. He was a retired mechanic, a Baptist and an Air Corps veteran of World War II. He was preceded in death by his wife, Sellema Mae Cloninger Hooks, who died March 28, 1990. Survivors include a son, Hubert Thomas Hooks Jr., of Monroe; three daughters, Julia Allen of Houma, Louisiana, Guyla Templeton and Margaret Shields, both of Banks; eight grandchildren; and five great-grandchildren. Funeral services are scheduled for 3:30 p.m. today at Frazer's Funeral Home of Warren with the Rev. Wayman Mann officiating. Burial will be in Adams Cemetery near Warren. ________________________________ MARCELLE TUCKER RISON-- Marcelle Eugenia Tucker, 76, of Rison, died November 8, 1997, at her son's home at Rison. She was born at Pine Bluff on November 17, 1920, a daughter of the late Clayton Landreth and Lucille Jaggars Landreth. She was formerly of Houston and was in the education field in Arkansas and Texas for more than 42 years. She was a retired teacher and administrator in the Houston Independent School District and was a member of First Unitarian Universal Church. She was preceded in death by her husband, Aubrey Tucker, to whom she was married on March 1, 1941, and who died on June 29, 1994. Survivors include three sons, Jim Tucker of Rison, and Aubrey Tucker and Michael Tucker, both of Houston; a daughter, Beth Cornette of Walnut Creek, California; a sister, Teal McMurry of Houston; 10 grandchildren; and seven great-grandchildren. Funeral services are scheduled for 10 a.m. Wednesday at Buie Funeral Home at Rison with Sam Higgs officiating. Burial will be in Greenwood Cemetery at Rison. _________________________________ HENRIETTA BEATTY SUNNYSIDE, Washington-- Henrietta Russell Beatty, 90, of Sunnyside, Washington, formerly of Pine Bluff, died November 8, 1997, at Sunnyside. She was born at Pine Bluff on September 19, 1907, a daughter of the late Henry B. and Ida Belle McCain Russell. She attended school at Pine Bluff and was a 1925 Pine Bluff High School graduate. She was a music major at Sullins College at Bristol, Virginia. She was a member of Sunnyside United Methodist Church, where she was head of the memorial committee for many years. She was preceded in death by her husband, Raman Beatty, to whom she married on July 23, 1932, and who died on February 10, 1990; and a sister, Sarah Russell Snuggs of Pine Bluff. Survivors include two daughters, Joanne Beatty Kinder of San Antonio and Linda Beatty Hardman of Yucca Valley, California; two sisters, Madeline Russell Owen of Huntsville, Alabama and Betty Russell Green of Pine Bluff; five grandchildren; and five great-grandchildren. Graveside services will be held at Lower Valley Memorial Gardens Cemetery at Sunnyside by Smith Funeral Home at Sunnyside. ___________________________________ HAZEL NORRIS STAR CITY-- Hazel Beckwith Stuckey Norris, 83, of Rowell (Cleveland County), died November 10, 1997, at Star City Nursing Center. She was born in Drew County on August 9, 1914, a daughter of the late J.B. Beckwith and Laura Brooks Beckwith. She was a self-employed licensed cosmetologist and a Methodist. She was preceded in death by two husbands, Owen Stuckey and Harry Norris; a daughter, Renea Stuckey; a brother, Jessie Beckwith; and a sister, Agnes Ashmore. Survivors include a daughter, Nina Stuckey of Star City; a sister, Mary Stikeleather of North Carolina; a half sister, Lily Thompson of Pine Bluff; and two grandchildren. Funeral services are scheduled for 2 p.m. Wednesday at Griffin Funeral Service of Star City with the Rev. Don Borland officiating. Burial will be in Rowell Cemetery at Rison. ___________________________________ Submitted by Linda P. Smith DougMIV@aol.com ============================================================= PINE BLUFF COMMERCIAL WEDNESDAY, NOVEMBER 12, 1997 Pine Bluff, Jefferson Co., Arkansas A. R. MYERS HAMBURG-- A.R. "Poss" Meyers, 90, Parkdale (Ashley County), died November 11, 1997, at Hamburg Health & Rehabilitation Center. He was born at Pottsville on March 15, 1907, a son of the late Arthur and Molly Holloway Myers. He was a resident of Parkdale the past 52 years and was a retired television repairman and farmer. He was preceded in death by three brothers, James Myers, L.D. Myers and Hurbert Myers; and a sister, Reba Hall. Survivors include his wife, Emmie Nell McCain Myers; two sons, Raymond Lee Myers of Jackson, Mississippi, and William Lloyd Myers of Dermott; two daughters, Veda Sivils of Monroe and Carolyn Lewis of Pearl, Mississippi; a brother; three sisters; 13 grandchildren; and six great-grandchildren. Funeral services are scheduled for 2 p.m. today at Jones Funeral Home at Hamburg with the Rev. E.W. Ricks officiating. Burial will be in Dry Bayou Cemetery at Wilmot. _________________________________ KARL RAINS LITTLE ROCK-- Karl Kelly Rains, 34, of Dermott, died November 9, 1997, at University of Arkansas for Medical Sciences, from injuries received in an accident. He was born November 24, 1962, at Dermott, a son of Russell Rains and Betty Jo Coddington Rains, both of Halley (Chicot County). He was a graduate of Dermott High School, was a welder at Piping Industrial Company and was a member of Bellaire Baptist Church at Bellaire (Chicot County). Other survivors include a brother, Ken Rains of Halley; and three sisters, Debra Hathorn of Doyline, Louisiana, Peggy Johnson of Monroe and Becky Roberts of Colleyville, Texas. Funeral services are scheduled for 10 a.m. Thursday at Halley Baptist Church with the Revs. Gene Gregory and George Waldrup officiating. Burial will be in Halley Cemetery by Griffin Funeral Service of McGehee. __________________________________ WILLIE JOHNSON JR LITTLE ROCK-- Willie Johnson Jr., 48, of Stuttgart, died November 7, 1997, at Baptist Medical Center. He was born, April 25, 1949, at Almyra, a son of the late Willie H. and Minnie Alice Johnson. He was a bus mechanic for Stuttgart Public School District for 17 years. Survivors include his wife, Margaree Johnson; two sons, Dirk Johnson an Rodney Johnson, both of Little Rock; a daughter, Gwendolyn Johnson of Little Rock; four brothers, Ed Johnson and Waymon Johnson, both of Stuttgart, and Dennis Johnson and Donnie R Johnson, both of Monticello; five sisters, Donna Sue Smith of Pine Bluff, and Linda Kay Johnson, Carolyn Binn, Debbie Ann Wainwright and Evelyn Inell Greene, all of Monticello; and six grandchildren. Funeral services are scheduled for 1 p.m. today at First Baptist Church, West 22nd and South Prairie Street, at Stuttgart, with the Rev. Gilbert Byrd Jr. officiating. Burial will be in Lone Tree Cemetery at Stuttgart by J.W. Relerford & Son Funeral Home at Stuttgart. _________________________________ CHESTER MERRITT SEATTLE-- Chester Merritt, 47, of Seattle, died October 18, 1997, at his home. He was born on November 29, 1949, at Glendale, Mississippi, a son of the late Jack and Mable Downs Merritt. He was a carpenter and an Army veteran of the Vietnam War. Survivors include a daughter, Shane Merritt of Hot Springs, Arkansas; three brothers, Melvin Merritt of Monticello, Arkansas, Ralph Merritt of Kentucky and Van Merritt of California; a sister, Merlene Gibson of Forrest City, Arkansas; a stepson, Joey Clampit of Monticello; and two grandchildren. Graveside services were held at 1:30 p.m. Tuesday in Enon Cemetery in Drew County, Arkansas, with the Rev. R.V. White officiating. Arrangements were handled by Stephenson-Dearman Funeral Home of Monticello. _____________________________________ NICHOLAS MASON LITTLE ROCK-- Nicholas Zachariah Mason, infant son of Shamika Mason of Fordyce, died November 7, 1997, at Arkansas Children's Hospital. He was born at Camden on October 9, 1997. Other survivors include grandparents, Renadja Gaston and Bobby Gaston, both of Stuttgart and Randy Mitchell and Pam Mitchell, both of Fordyce; and great-grandparents, Annie Nettles of Fordyce, James Mason and Teal Mason, both of Las Vegas, and James Mitchell and Florine Mitchell of Fordyce. Funeral services are scheduled for 11 a.m. Thursday at Walker Temple Church of God in Christ at Fordyce. Burial will be in Enon Cemetery at Fordyce by Brown-Williams Funeral Home of Fordyce. ___________________________________ LILLIAN LIKWARZ SHERIDAN-- Lillian Anna Mueller Likwarz, 80, of Sheridan, died November 10, 1997, at Grant County Nursing Home. She was born at Milwaukee on September 9, 1917, a daughter of the late Paul and Helen Manke Mueller. Formerly of St. Petersburg, Florida, she was a retired accountant for the State Workshop for the Blind, and a Lutheran. Survivors include two sons, Tom Likwarz of Hustisford, Wisconsin, and Rick Likwarz of Verona, Wisconsin; a daughter, Merrie Vannucci of Sheridan; a sister, Helen Schueneman of Wisconsin; eight grandchildren; and eight great-grandchildren. Memorial services will be November 29, 1997, at Milwaukee. She was cremated. Arrangements are handled by Buie Funeral Home of Sheridan. Memorials may be made to the American Lung Association. _________________________________ ELLA SMITH Ella Mae Wallace Smith, 97, of Pine Bluff, died November 11, 1997, at Arkansas Convalescent Center. She was born on February 28, 1900, at Hamburg, a daughter of the late Robert P. and Alice Roberts Wallace. She had been a resident of Pine Bluff since 1940 and was a former resident of the Promise Land community near Hamburg for many years. She was a homemaker and a retired seamstress. She was a member of Salem Baptist Church at Pine Bluff. She was preceded in death by her husband, T.P. Smith; a stepson; and two stepdaughters. Survivors include a daughter, Sarah Harris of Leland, Mississippi, two stepdaughters, Olive Smith and Lillie Allbritton, both of Pine Bluff; two grandchildren; four stepgrandchildren; and nine stepgreat-grandchildren. Funeral services are scheduled for 1 p.m. Thursday at Promise Land Missionary Baptist Church. Burial will be in Promise Land Cemetery by Jones Funeral Home of Hamburg. ______________________________ LEON STOVALL LITTLE ROCK-- Leon Johnson Stovall, 82, of Redfield, died November 10, 1997, at Arkansas Heart Hospital. She was born on April 19, 1915, in Lincoln County, a daughter of the late Charles Floyd and Pearl Johnson. She attended Redfield United Methodist Church and was a member of the Silver Streaks at Redfield. She was a first-grade teacher at Redfield Elementary in the White Hall School System, retiring after 28 years. She was preceded in death by her husband, Thomas J. Stovall, who died August 1, 1984. Survivors include a daughter, Sue Spainhouer of Watson; a son-in-law who was a caregiver, Bobby Spainhouer of Watson; two sisters, Alloyse Sturgis Morman of Redfield and Wanda Sturgis Estes of Camden; two grandchildren who were caregivers,Lamar Spainhouer of Jonesboro and Bobbi Sue Krank of Magnolia; and three great-grandchildren. Funeral services are scheduled for 10 a.m. Thursday at Redfield United Methodist Church with Dr. John Farthing officiating. Burial will be in Memorial Park Cemetery at Pine Bluff by Hale-South Funeral Home. ________________________________ Submitted by Linda P. Smith DougMIV@aol.com PINE BLUFF COMMERCIAL THURSDAY, NOVEMBER 13, 1997 Pine Bluff, Jefferson Co., Arkansas GERTHA PERRY Funeral services for Gertha Lee Perry, 77, of Harrell (Calhoun County), who died November 8, 1997, at her home, are scheduled for 2 p.m. Friday at Mount Carmel Baptist Church at Hampton with the Rev. James E. Wright officiating. Burial will be in Pickett Cemetery at Hampton by Brown-Williams Funeral Home at Fordyce. She was born on January 26, 1920, at Hampton, a daughter of the late William Daughtery and Effie Ware Daughtery. She was a member of Mount Carmel Baptist Church, where she was on the usher board, and was an Eastern Star. She was preceded in death by her husband, Claude Perry. Survivors include a son, Billy Perry of Harrell; a brother, Jeff Daughtery of Las Vegas; and two grandchildren. __________________________________ WILLIAM JOHNSTON JACKSONVILLE-- William Arvel Johnston, 85, of Jacksonville, died November 11, 1997, at Rebsamen Regional Medical Center. He was born on December 2, 1911, at Russellville. He was a retired janitor and a Freewill Baptist. He was preceded in death by his wife, Letha Blanche Clark Johnston, who died October 23, 1994. Survivors include two sons, Willie John Johnston of Rison and Charles Everett Johnston of Winnfield, Louisiana; six daughters, Erma Jean Johnston, Debra Kay Polk and Mattie Jane Cotton, all of Jacksonville, Verna Mae Hunter of Warren, Wilma Dean Gasch of Houston and Glenda Ann Roachell of Lonoke; two sisters, Edith Burris of Atkins and Pauline Hipps of North Little Rock; 17 grandchildren; and 18 great-grandchildren. Funeral services are scheduled for 3:30 p.m. today at Frazer's Funeral Home at Warren with the Rev. Victor Hunter officiating. Burial will be in Union Cemetery at Rye. __________________________________ MARY RODGERS LITTLE ROCK-- Mary Lowry Rodgers, 90, of Hamburg, died November 11, 1997, at Bierwood Nursing Facility. She was born on August 29, 1907, in Clark County, a daughter of the late George Pierce Lowry and Sarah McClain Lowry. She was a homemaker and a member of Palestine United Methodist Church at Johnsville (Bradley County). She was preceded in death by her husband, William Roy "Pete" Rodgers, to whom she was married on June 16, 1934, and who died on July 3, 1990. Survivors include a son, Roy Rodgers of Hamburg; a daughter, Joyce Rodgers Booth of Little Rock; three grandchildren; and a great-grandchild. Funeral services are scheduled for 1:30 p.m. today at Frazer's Funeral Home at Warren with Lamoyn Boykin officiating. Burial will be in Palestine Cemetery at Johnsville. __________________________________ Submitted by Linda P. Smith DougMIV@aol.com ================================================================ PINE BLUFF COMMERCIAL FRIDAY, NOVEMBER 14, 1997 Pine Bluff, Jefferson Co., Arkansas MADIES ADWAY LITTLE ROCK-- Madies Inez Adway, 53, of Altheimer, died November 9, 1997, at University Hospital. Born April 14, 1944, at Altheimer, she was a daughter of Earvin Adway Sr. and Willie B. Jackson Adway, both of Altheimer. She was a member of New Hope Baptist Church at Altheimer. She was a homemaker. Other survivors include a daughter, Shana Adway of Altheimer; eight brothers, Earvin Adway Jr., James Henry Adway and Robert Adway, all of Saginaw, Michigan, Willie Lee Adway of Altheimer, Curtis Ray Adway, Otis Adway and Barry Adway, all of Pine Bluff, and Ricky Adway of Chicago; four sisters, Bobbie Freeman of Chicago, Loistene Johnson and Mary Adway, both of Saginaw, and Jerri Taylor of Pine Bluff; and a grandchild. Funeral services are scheduled for 11 a.m. Saturday at New Hope Baptist Church with the Rev. Fred Johnson officiating. Burial will be in Altheimer Community Cemetery. (Name of funeral home not given). ________________________________ PEARLY BURTON WABBASEKA-- Funeral services for Pearly Burton, 69, of DeValls Bluff, who died November 8, 1997, at Stuttgart Memorial Hospital at Stuttgart, are scheduled for 1 p.m. Saturday at Star Bethel Baptist Church at Wabbaseka with the Rev. Eddie Johnson officiating. Burial will be in Wabbaseka Cemetery by Henson Mortuary. She was born on May 4, 1928, at Oklahoma City, a daughter of the late Frank and Elmyra Ware. She was preceded in death by her husband, Willie Burton Sr. Survivors inclued four sons, John L. Young of Atlanta, Leo Anderson and Willie Burton Jr., both of Fort Wayne, Indiana, and Roy Burton of Pine Bluff; a daughter, Linda Faye Metcalf of DeValls Bluff; two sisters, Ada Tate and Bessie Scott, both of Fort Wayne; 14 grandchildren; and three great-grandchildren. ________________________________ WASHINGTON JONES JR. Funeral services for Washington "Wash" Jones Jr., 91, of Pine Bluff, who died November 9, 1997, at Jefferson Regional Medical Center, are scheduled for 2 p.m. Saturday at Pleasant Grove Baptist Church with the Rev. Harold Shirlee officiating. Burial will be in P.K. Miller Cemetery by Perry Funeral Home. He was born on May 30, 1906, at Cornerstone, a son of the late Washington and Estella Coleman Jones. He was a member of Pleasant Grove Baptist Church, where he was a deacon and an usher. He was a member of Busy Bee Masonic Lodge No. 345. He was a retired employee of Cotton Belt Railroad. He was preceded in death by his wife, Mammie Price Jones. Survivors include a son, Ulysses Jones of Robbins, Illinois; a sister, Lucinda Green of Pine Bluff; four grandchildren; nine great-grandchildren; four great-great-grandchildren; and a great-great-great-grandchild. _______________________________ AQUILA ROBINSON STUTTGART-- Funeral services for Aquila Lee Robinson, 63, of Stuttgart, who died November 8, 1997, at Stuttgart Regional Medical Center, are scheduled for 11 a.m. Saturday at Benton Temple Church of God in Christ at Stuttgart with Elder Kent M. Deloney and Elder O'Neal officiating. Burial will be in Lone Tree Cemetery at Stuttgart by Christian Way Funeral Home. He was born on August 24, 1934, at Altheimer, a son of the late William and Etta Robinson. He went to Holman High School at Stuttgart and was a farmer. Survivors include two daughters, Zella Robinson of Fort Lauderdale, Florida, and Ozetta Brown of Independence, Kansas; a brother, Merrill B. Robinson of Las Vegas; a sister, Hazel B. Deloney of North Little Rock; five grandchildren; and a great-grandchild. ________________________________ RICKY ROGERS Funeral services for Ricky Rogers, 38, of Dallas, formerly of Pine Bluff, who died November 10, 1997, at Heartland Healthcare at Bedford, Texas, are scheduled for 11 a.m. Saturday at Mount Calvary Baptist Church with the Rev. Eddie Carter officiating. Burial will be in Forest Lawn Memorial Gardens by P.K. Miller Mortuary. He was born on October 31, 1959, at Pine Bluff, a son of Henry Lee Rogers and Flora Oliver Rogers, both of Pine Bluff. He received his early education in the Dollarway School District and was a graduate of Dollarway High School. He then attended the University of North Texas at Denton. He was a computer analyst for Sprint Company at Dallas and was a member of Cornerstone Baptist Church at Dallas. Other survivors include two brothers, Henry Lee Rogers Jr. of Arlington, Texas, and Mark Greer of Little Rock; six sisters, Ruthie Rogers-Carter, Betty Rogers-Knowles, Carolyn Rogers-Johnson, Peggie Rogers-Blunt and Jenell Rogers, all of Pine Bluff, and Denise Rogers of Little Rock; and grandparents, Eugene and Ruby Rogers of Pine Bluff. ______________________________ NORMA DONALDSON Funeral services for Norma Lee Donaldson, 66, of Little Rock, formerly of Pine Bluff, who died November 9, 1997, at St. Vincent Infirmary Medical Center at Little Rock, are scheduled for 11 a.m. Saturday at First Trinity Church of God in Christ at Pine Bluff, with S.W. Weaver officiating. Burial will be in Forest Lawn Memorial Cemetery at Pine Bluff by Christian Way Funeral Home. She was born on December 22, 1930,. at Farmerville, Louisiana, a daughter of the late Booker T. Washington and Nettie Mae Holly. She was a homemaker and a member of First Baptist Church at Dew Drop. She was preceded in death by her husband, the Rev. Blanch Donaldson Sr. Survivors include four sons, Willie Dunning of Little Rock, Riley Lee Noel of Los Angeles, the Rev. Tommy L Breamsey Sr. of Pine Bluff and James E. Donaldson of Virginia Beach, Virginia; six daughters, Daisy Lee Braggs of Little Rock, Ruby Thompson, Dorothy Washington, Edna Mae Donaldson and Margaret Watson, all of Pine Bluff, and Clementine Tyson of Ladd (Jefferson County); a brother, Bookey James Jackson of Houston; two sisters, Ula Pearl Henderson of Farmerville and Rosie Mae Jackson of Oakland, California; 36 grandchildren; and 13 great-grandchildren. __________________________________ DONNIE BURNS EUDORA-- Funeral services for Donnie Ray Burns Sr., 49, of Dumas, who died November 10, 1997, at his home, are scheduled for noon Saturday at Watson District Headquarters at Mitchellville (Desha County), with Dr. D.L. O'Neal officiating. Burial will be in Hill Cemetery in Eudora by Brown Funeral Home of Dumas. Born February 8, 1948, at Eudora, he was a son of Murphy M. Keith of Bigelow (Perry County) and Rosie Lee Pride of Eudora. He was a member of Union Baptist Church at Dumas. He was the pastor of Almeta Missionary Baptist Church at Dumas, Bright Morning Star Baptist Church at Eudora and Mount Pleasant Missionary Baptist Church of Tarry, Louisiana. He was former pastor of Pilgrim Rest Missionary Baptist Church at Eudora. He was president of Regular Arkansas Music Convention and second vice president of West Carroll Parish of Christian Education. Other survivors include his wife, Judy Burns; four sons, Dontavious Burns of Dumas and Donnie R. Burns Jr., Andrea Burns and Christopher Burns, all of Eudora; three daughters, Jerrica Burns of Dumas, LaTonya Flowers of Fridley, Minnesota, and Debra J. Washington of St. Louis; five brothers, Frank Burns of Lacey, Washington, George Burns and Dan Pride, both of Eudora, Paul Pride of Parkdale, and Robert Keith of Sacramento, California; nine sisters, Ida Burns, Thelma Pride, Vickie Pride and Vashti Washington, all of Eudora, Josie Lancaster of Kalamazoo, Michigan, Velma Snyder of Pine Bluff, Diane Keith of Bigelow and Annette Keith and Verna Keith, both of San Diego; and eight grandchildren. ________________________________ MAJOR FRANKLIN Funeral services for Major Franklin, 90, of Pine Bluff, who died November 9, 1997, at Jefferson Regional Medical Center, are scheduled for 11 a.m. Saturday at New Direction Baptist Church with the Rev. James Wilkerson officiating. Burial will be in P.K. Miller Cemetery by Perry Funeral Home. He was born on July 15, 1907, in Arkansas, son of the late Miles and Lula Franklin. He was a member of New Direction Baptist Church, where he was a deacon. He was a retired employee at the City of Pine Bluff Street Department. Survivors include three sons, Prince Lee Franklin, Roosevelt Franklin and Eddie L. Franklin, all of Pine Bluff; two daughters, Pearlie M. Fletcher and Corine Dunn, both of Pine Bluff; two sisters, Susie Young and Corine McDonald, both of Pine Bluff; 24 grandchildren; 40 great-grandchildren; and three great-great-grandchildren. _________________________________ CLEOFUS REESE Cleofus "Creep" Reese, 67, of Pine Bluff, died November 9, 1997, at his home. Born July 14, 1930, at Pine Bluff, he was a son of the late Willie Reese Sr. and Gracie Scott Reese. He was a member of Pleasant Grove Baptist Church and was self-employed in construction work. Survivors include a brother, Alfonzo Reese of St. Louis; and two sisters, Estella Robinson of Little Rock and Evelena Gardner of Pine Bluff. Funeral services are scheduled for 10 a.m. Saturday at Pleasant Grove Baptist Church with the Rev. John Spears officiating. Burial will be in Forest Lawn Cemetery by Brown Funeral Home. ____________________________________ WILLIAM SHARP Funeral services for William H. "Bill" Sharp, 78, of White Hall, who died November 12, 1997, at his home, are scheduled for 10 a.m. Saturday at Lakeside United Methodist Church at Pine Bluff with the Rev. Charles Murry and the Rev. Lynn Dyke officiating. Burial will be in Graceland Cemetery by Ralph Robinson & Son Funeral Directors. He was born on February 27, 1919, at Plum Bayou, a son of the late Thomas Henry and Maude Green Sharp. He was a 1937 graduate of Pine Bluff High School. He was a retired Air Force veteran and served with the 153rd Infantry, the Air National Guard, the Army Air Corps and the Air Force. He received the Asiatic-Pacific Campaign Medal, the American Defense Service Medal and several Air Force Commendation Medals. He was a technical advisor for the Air National Guard units at Houston. He was a recruiting supervisor in Arkansas and part of Louisiana. After he retired from the military, he was the veterans employment representative with the Employment Security Division. He also was a test administrator with the office of Personnel Management for the federal government. He was a Master Mason, a member of Pine Bluff Lodge No. 69, a 32nd degree Scottish Rite Mason, a Shriner and a member of the Directors Staff at Sahara Shrine Temple at Pine Bluff. It dedicated its Fall Ceremonial in his honor. He was a member of Lakeside United Methodist Church and was a member of the Fellowship Sunday School Class for more than 40 years. Survivors include his wife of 53 years, Juanita "Snookie" Roop Sharp; four sons, William H. Sharp Jr. of Phoenix, Thomas L. Sharp of Ramona, California, John P. Sharp of Little Rock and Edgar L. Sharp of Clearwater, Florida; two daughters, Susan Sharp Smith of Dumas and Millie Sharp Duke of Pine Bluff; three sisters, Janice Sharp Lane of Hermitage, Missouri, Martha Sharp Archibald of Gladstone, Missouri and Margie Sharp Sullivan of Porter, Texas; 12 grandchildren; and four great-grandchildren. _________________________________ DAVID GREEN David Louis Green, 47, of Pine Bluff, died November 9, 1997, at Pine Bluff Nursing Home. Born November 14, 1949, in Pine Bluff, he was a son of Davenia Barnes Green of Pine Bluff and the late Harold "D.L." Green. He was a member of the Church of God in Christ. He served in the Army and was a conductor for Southern Pacific Railroad. Other survivors include two sons, Michael Eugene Green of San Diego and Nicholas Earl Green; a daughter, Beunka Dee Green; and two grandchildren. Funeral services are scheduled for 10 a.m. Saturday at East End Church of God in Christ with Elder William J. Johnson officiating. Burial will be at Forest Lawn Cemetery by Brown Funeral Home. __________________________________ MANDY OWENS LITTLE ROCK-- Mandy Owens, 73, of Gould, died November 6, 1997, at the Veterans Administration Medical Center. Born March 9, 1924, at Cornerville (Lincoln County), she was a daughter of the late Joe Campbell and Zeola McFadden. She was a homemaker and was preceded in death by her husband, Eddie Owens. She was a member of the Rose Hill Baptist Church at the Meroney community in Lincoln County. Survivors include three sons, David Owens and O.B. Owens, both of Gould, and Cirus Owens of Rison; three stepsons, Tobe Burnett of Mitchellville, Roosevelt Burnett of Pine Bluff and Johnny Burnett of Louisiana; two daughters, Chesa B. Owens of Gould and Vera Terry of Little Rock; two brothers, Sam Darrough of Warsaw, Indiana, and Roy Lee Darrough of Muncie, Indiana; a sister, Ethel Robinson of Muncie; 41 grandchildren; and 40 great-grandchildren. Funeral services are scheduled for 2 p.m. Saturday at Rose Hill Baptist Church at Meroney with Jessie Jackson officiating. Burial will be in Rose Hill Cemetery in Meroney by Washington-Dolls Funeral Home of Dumas. _______________________________ FLOYD MARCONI Floyd T. Marconi, 85, of Pine Bluff, died November 13, 1997, at Jefferson Regional Medical Center. He was born on September 30, 1912, at Lake Village, a son of the late Dante Marconi and Barbara Culosi Marconi. He was raised and educated at Pine Bluff and was a veteran of the Army Air Corps, serving in the 866th Aviation Engineers in the Pacific during World War II. He owned and operated Floyd's Shoe Shop, at Third Street, for more than 50 years, retiring in 1997. He was a member of St. Joseph's Catholic Church, where he was a member of the Knights of Columbus Council No. 1153, the Alter Society and was an usher for many years. He was also a member of the Veterans of Foreign Wars Post No. 4455 at Pine Bluff. He was preceded in death by a brother, Herman Marconi. Survivors include his wife, Mattie Aureli Marconi, whom he married on December 28, 1940, at Pine Bluff; two daughters, Barbara Curry of Pine Bluff and Mary Ann Hodges of Memphis; and two grandchildren. Funeral services are scheduled for 11 a.m. Saturday at St. Joseph's Catholic Church with the Rev. Stan Martinka officiating. Burial will be in Graceland Cemetery by Ralph Robinson & Son Funeral Directors. A rosary will be held at 7 p.m. today at the funeral home. ___________________________________ RANDY LEE SR. Randy Lee Sr., 32, of Pine Bluff, died November 8, 1997, from injuries received in an accident in Dallas County. Born September 21, 1965, at Star City, he was a son of Virgil Lee Sr. and Louella Dawson Lee, both of Yorktown (Lincoln County). He was a member of Sneed Chapel Baptist Church at Yorktown and graduated from Grady High School in 1984. He served in the Navy and was an abater for coating services. Other survivors include his wife, Rosa Marshall Lee; three sons, Randy Lee Jr. and Brandon Lee, both of Jacksonville, Florida, and Randy Rasheem Lee of Pine Bluff; two daughters, Kristi Marshall and Leslie Marshall, both of Fordyce; six brothers, Virgil Lee Jr., Jimmy Ray Lee and Keith Lee, all of Star City, Kevin Lee of Hot Springs, and Larry Lee and Eric Lee, both of Pine Bluff; six sisters, Alma Johnson and Sandra Jasper, both of Star City, Mary Cook of Pine Bluff, Debra Terrall of Urbana, Illinois, Linda White of Grady and Laqueta Lee of Star City. Funeral services are scheduled for 2:30 p.m. Saturday at Brown Funeral Home with Elder Melvin Savage officiating. Burial will be at the Veterans Administration Section of Bellwood Cemetery. ________________________________ FRANKLIN SHADRACH HOT SPRINGS-- Franklin H. Shadrach, 88, of Hot Springs, died November 10, 1997, at his home. He was born on November 19, 1908, at Kingsland, a son of the late Frank F. and Myrtle E. Price Shadrach. He was raised and received his early education at Kingsland. He and his wife moved to the Pine Bluff area in 1942 and moved to Hot Springs in 1992. He was a member of First Immanuel Missionary Baptist Church at Pine Bluff. He was preceded in death by his wife, Josephine Brewster Shadrach, whom he married on December 21, 1929, at Stamps and who died in January 1997. Survivors include a son, Donald Lee Shadrach of Nashville; a daughter, Anita Patterson of Hot Springs; six grandchildren; and four great-grandchildren. Funeral services are scheduled for 1 p.m. Saturday at Ralph Robinson & Son Funeral Directors with Dr. David Harris officiating. Burial will be in Memorial Park Cemetery. _________________________________ PATRICIA BEVERLY LITTLE ROCK-- Patricia Ann Beverly, 51, of Pine Bluff, died November 5, 1997, at St. Vincent Infirmary Medical Center. Born November 13, 1945, at McGehee, she was a daughter of the late Percy Beverly Sr. and Willie A. Johnson. She was a graduate of the Pat Gowins Beauty School at Pine Bluff and Desha High School at McGehee. She was a member of St. Peter AME Church at McGehee. Survivors include a son, Reginald L. Howard of Pine Bluff; five sisters, Betty Jean Rhodes of McGehee, Sophia Marie Beverly, Stephania E. Beverly and Gwendolyn Beverly Cokeley, all of Little Rock, and Sandra L. Freemont of Monroe, Louisiana; four brothers, Roscoe S. Belvin of El Paso, Texas, Chester L. Wright and Bobby Sims, both of Pine Bluff, and Percy William Beverly of Little Rock; and four grandchildren. Funeral services are scheduled for noon Saturday at St. Peter AME Church at McGehee. Burial will be in Strickland Memorial Lawn at McGehee by M. Davis Strickland Funeral Home of Dermott. ___________________________________ DAVID BUTLER WARREN-- David Butler, 17, of Warren, died November 9, 1997, at Bradley County Memorial Hospital, from injuries received in a shooting. He was born on December 10, 1979, at Warren, a son of James Charles and Miriam Hines of Warren. Other survivors include seven brothers, Steven Marshall, Terry Robertson, Jerry Butler and Chris Butler, all of Warren, Rod Charles of Fordyce and James Charles Jr. of Milwaukee; four sisters, April Hines and Mickey Charles, both of Warren, and Tasha Charles and Teresa Charles, both of Milwaukee; grandparents, Treatha Marshall of Warren and Mr. and Mrs. Allie Charles; and a stepfather, Earl Hines of Warren. Funeral services are scheduled for 1 p.m. Saturday at West Central Church of Christ with Robert Waller officiating. Burial will be in Palestine Cemetery at Johnsville by Reddick Funeral Home at Warren. ____________________________________ PRINES GRIDIRON JR. Funeral services for Prines "Grit" Gridiron Jr., 68, of Dallas, formerly of Sherrill, who died November 9, 1997, at Dallas Parkland Hospital, are scheduled for 2 p.m. Saturday at New Cheek Chapel Church at Pastoria with the Rev. Clark Thomas officiating. Burial will be in New Cheek Chapel Cemetery at Pastoria by Henson Mortuary. He was born on July 22, 1929, at Pastoria, a son of the late Prines Gridiron Sr. and Mahalia Gridiron. He was a construction worker. Survivors include his wife, Willie Gain-Gridiron; a son, Cleveland Butler of Chicago; three daughters, Ruthdean Kelly of Fort Seal, Oklahoma, Paulean Lee of Chicago and Sharron Gridiron of Pine Bluff; a brother, Herbert Furlow Jr. of Benton Harbor, Michigan; four sisters, Rubie L. Hayes of Milwaukee, and Dorothy J. Thompson, Betty J. Furlow and Erma L. Kirkland, all of Pine Bluff; and four grandchildren. _____________________________________ Submitted by Linda P. Smith DougMIV@aol.com ============================================================= PINE BLUFF COMMERICIAL SATURDAY, NOVEMBER 15, 1997 Pine Bluff, Jefferson Co., Arkansas JANE LEE McGEHEE-- Graveside services for Jane H. Lee, 78, of Garland, Texas, formerly of Pine Bluff, who died November 13, 1997, at Heritage Manor at Plano, Texas, are scheduled for 2:30 p.m. Monday in McGehee Cemetery with Dr. John H. McClanahan officiating. Arrangements by Ralph Robinson & Son Funeral Directors. She was born on May 24, 1919, at Little Rock, a daughter of the late William Roan and Lola Rooksberry Hall. She was raised and received her early education at McGehee and was a graduate of McGehee High School. She and her family moved to Pine Bluff in 1960. She was a homemaker and a member of First Baptist Church of Pine Bluff while living in Pine Bluff. She moved to Garland nine years ago and was a member of First Baptist Church there. She was preceded in death by her husband, James O. Lee Jr., whom she married on June 12, 1938, at McGehee, and who died on August 27, 1987; a daughter, Judy Puckett, who died in 1964; and two sisters, Naomi Hall and Barbara Hall. Survivors include a son, James W. "Jim" Lee of Russellville; a daughter, Kathy Lee Maas of Garland; and five grandchildren. ________________________________ CHARLES HANEY Charles Wesley Haney, 68, of Monticello, died November 13, 1997, at Jefferson Regional Medical Center. He was born in Drew County on September 5, 1929. He was an Army veteran of World War II and Korea, and was retired from SEARK Boat Company. He was a Baptist. Survivors include his wife, Ruby Brume Haney; a son, James Haney of Monticello; two daughters, Brenda Norris of Forrest City and Teressa Neptune of Monticello; three grandchildren; and two great-grandchildren. Graveside services are scheduled for 1 p.m. Sunday at Beulah Cemetery in Drew County with the Rev. R.V. White officiating. Arrangements are by Stephenson-Dearman Funeral Home of Monticello. ________________________________ RICHARD RYAN STAR CITY-- Richard Gerald Ryan, 62, of Gould, died November 10, 1997, at Beve rly Health and Rehabilitation Center. He was born on July 4, 1935. He was a member of Holy Child Catholic Church at Dumas and was a lieutenant at the Department of Correction. Other survivors include his wife, Barbara Ryan; a daughter, Maureen Bryant of Dumas; his mother (name omitted) of Gould; a brother; and two grandchildren. Memorial services are scheduled for 1 p.m. today at Holy Child Catholic Church with the Rev. John Eaton officiating. He was cremated. Arrangements are by Griffin Funeral Home of Dumas. Memorials may be made to the American Diabetes Association. ____________________________________ CARROLL FOWLER OAK GROVE, Louisiana-- Carroll Von Fowler, 80, of Eudora, Arkansas, died November 13, 1997, at West Carroll Memorial Hospital. He was born on February 27, 1917, at Fountain Hill, Arkansas (Ashley County), a son of the late William E. Fowler and Mallie Wigley Fowler. He was a U.S. Postal Service mail carrier, and a member of Eudora Baptist Church, where he was a deacon. He was a Mason and an Army Air Corps veteran of World War II. Survivors include his wife, Martha Lynn Collins Fowler of Eudora; a son, Bill Fowler of Jackson, Tennessee; a daughter, Cerelle Douglas of Cleveland, Tennessee; two brothers, Bonnie Fowler of Norman, Oklahoma, and Ray Owen Fowler of Clinton, Mississippi; and two grandchildren. Funeral services are scheduled for 3 p.m. today at Eudora Baptist Church with the Rev. Champ Thomas officiating. Burial will be in Mount Carmel Cemetery at Eudora by Griffin Funeral Home of Dumas. ______________________________ ROBERT WAINWRIGHT CORNERVILLE-- Funeral services for Robert Lee Wainwright, 72, of Star City, who died November 11, 1997, at his home, are scheduled for 1 p.m. Sunday at Westside Baptist Church at Star City with the Rev. Archie Dolls officiating. Burial will be in St. Stephen Cemetery at Cornerville by Brown Funeral Home of Pine Bluff. He was born on May 14, 1925, at Cornerville, a son of the late Henry and Martha Handley Wainwright. He was a truck driver with Pulp Wood Company and was a member of Westside Baptist Church. He was preceded in death by his wife, Odester Hegwood Wainwright. Survivors include three daughters, Margaret Thomas and Arlene Jackson, both of Chicago, and Diane Gaines of Star City; a brother, Walter Wainwright of Star City; a sister, Inez Jordan of Star City; 15 grandchildren; 45 great-grandchildren; and seven great-great-grandchildren. _______________________________ JOHN NICHOLS GOULD-- Funeral services for John Nichols, 92, of Gould, sho died November 8, 1997, at Delta Memorial Hospital at Dumas, are scheduled for 11 a.m. today at Thomas Chapel Baptist Church at Gould with the Rev. Anthony Craig officiating. Burial will be in Union Cemetery at Gould by Washington-Dolls Funeral Home of Dumas. He was born on December 29, 1904, at Bastrop, Louisiana, a son of the late John Nichols Sr. and Ollie O'Neal. He was a member of Thomas Chapel Baptist Church and was a Sunday school teacher and a deacon. Survivors include his wife, Clara Clay Nichols; six sons, John Nichols III of Monroe, ElPercy Nichols and Sterling Nichols, both of Chicago, Ben Nichols of Aurora, Illinois, Arzell Nichols of Stone Mountain, Georgia, and Isaiah Nichols of California; five daughters, Effie Holmes of New London, Connecticut, Dorothy King of Gould, Barbara Hood of Lonoke, Theresa Wilhite of Texas and Claudell winston of Nashville; two stepchildren, Orangie Burton of Baton Rouge and Annette Jones of Monroe; 101 grandchildren; 30 great-grandchildren; and 10 great-great-grandchildren. _________________________________ CLIFFORD MELTON Funeral services for Clifford Amos Melton, 76, of Pine Bluff, who died November 13, 1997, at his home, are scheduled for 2 p.m. today at Cranford Funeral Home at White Hall with Ricky Andreas officiating. Burial will be in Good Faith Cemetery. He was born on March 25, 1921, at Neodesha, Kansas, a son of the late Charlie and Nevada Law Melton. He was an Army veteran of World War II having served as a medic. He was a carpenter and had worked for Charles Bunch Construction Company. Survivors include two brothers, Willie Melton of Henryetta, Oklahoma, and Ralph Melton of Sulphur Springs; a sister, Frances Rundel of Alma; and a niece who was a caregiver, Cynthia Shue of Sulphur Springs. _______________________________ MYRNA DOWELL WARREN-- Myrna August Dowell, 96, of Warren, died November 13, 1997, at Wagnon Place Nursing Home. She was born on August 1, 1901, in Cleveland County, a daughter of the late William Harrison Blankinship and Plume Rodgers Blankinship. She was a homemaker and a member of First Presbyterian Church at Warren. She was preceded in death by her husband, Harold Howard Dowell, to whom she was married in October of 1920, and who died on June 20, 1974. Survivors include a son, Bill Dowell of Conway; two grandchildren; and three great-grandchildren. Graveside services are scheduled for 10 a.m. today at Oakland Cemetery at Warren with the Rev. Steven Wright officiating. Arrangements are by Frazer's Funeral Home at Warren. _______________________________ Submitted by Linda P. Smith DougMIV@aol.com ============================================================= PINE BLUFF COMMERCIAL SUNDAY, NOVEMBER 16, 1997 Pine Bluff, Jefferson Co., Arkansas EDDIE ALLEN SR. Funeral services for Eddie Allen Sr., 83, of Pine Bluff, who died November 11, 1997, at his home, are scheduled for 11 a.m. Monday at P.K. Miller Mortuary with Rev. Jimmy Fisher officiating. Burial will be in Forest Lawn Memorial Gardens. Born March 28, 1914, at Pendleton (Desha County), he was the son of the late Lemuel Allen and Sarah Raines Allen. He received his early education in the public schools of Desha County and was a member of Greater Mount Calvary Baptist Church. He was employed as an equipment operator and retired from Arkansas River Valley. He was preceded in death by a daughter, Marcie Lee Allen. Survivors inclued his wife, Shirley Allen, whom he married in 1943; three sons, Sylvester Allen of Chicago, Eddie Allen Jr. of Little Rock and Geary Allen of Pine Bluff; seven daughters, Bobbie Allen and Annette Allen, both of Detroit, Ethel Allen and Doris Williams, both of Little Rock, Evelyn Smith of South Bend, Indiana, Brenda Suell of Pine Bluff and Ruby Shackleford of Chicago; a stepdaughter, Obbie Burrage of Chicago; 23 grandchildren; and 10 great-grandchildren. ________________________________ ELLA JOHNSON Ella Johnson, 79, of Hermitage (Bradley County), died November 13, 1997, at Jefferson Regional Medical Center. Born November 21, 1917, at Ingalls (Bradley County), she was a daughter of the late Eddie and Maudie York Vickers. She was a housewife and a member of Union Hill Baptist Church. Survivors include her husband, Martin Johnson; a son, Ronnie Johnson of Hermitage; a daughter, Elizabeth Hickerson of Spearman, Texas; a brother, Lonzo Vickers of Hermitage; two sisters, Annie Mae Sharp of Hermitage and Ruth Martin of Houston; six grandchildren; and five great-grandchildren. Funeral services are scheduled for 1:30 p.m. Monday at Union Hill Baptist Church at Ingalls with Rev. Bob Meggs officiating. Burial will be in Union Hill Cemetery by Frazer's Funeral Home of Warren. _______________________________ JEWEL CARR STAR CITY-- Jewel Audrey Carr, 81, of Dumas, died November 14, 1997, at Gardner Nursing Home here. Born August 31, 1916, at Indianola, Mississippi, she was a daughter of the late J.W. and Mae Clayton. She was a nurse and a member of First Baptist Church. She was preceded in death by her husband, Jeff Carr, and a daughter, Audrey Carr Poole. Survivors include a daughter, Gilda Carr Sullivan of Memphis; six grandchildren; two of whom she raised, Ann Carr McGehee and Jeffery Poole; and four great-grandchildren. Funeral services are scheduled for 11 a.m. Monday at Griffin Funeral Home of Dumas with Revs. Julius Carter and Leonard Ricketts officiating. Burial will be in Walnut Lake Cemetery at Dumas. _______________________________ BESSIE LOWMAN LITTLE ROCK-- Bessie Teria Wafford Lowman, 94, of Bearden (Ouachita County), died November 14, 1997, at Chenal Rehabilitation Center here. Born August 7, 1903, in Grant County, she was a daughter of the late James Jacob Layfette Wafford and Alis Arena Poss Wafford. She was a homemaker and a member of First Southern Baptist Church at Bearden. She was preceded in death by her husband, Moody Hogan Lowman, and a daughter, Jemmie Jones. Survivors include two daughters, Sibyl James of Little Rock and Edwina Hawkins of Houston; six grandchildren; and five great-grandchildren. Furneral services are scheduled for 10 a.m. Monday at First Southern Baptist Church at Bearden with Ed Claybrook and Don Smith officiating. Burial will be in Moss Cemetery at Bearden by Benton Funeral Home of Fordyce. ___________________________________ PICCOLA BAKER THORNTON-- Funeral services for Piccola Baker, 70, of Thornton (Calhoun County), who died November 12, 1997, at her home, are scheduled for 1 p.m. Monday at Oak Grove Baptist Church at Thornton with Rev. Emmitt Archer officiating. Burial will be in Enon Cemetery by Brown-Williams Funeral Home of Fordyce. Born February 2, 1927, at Thornton, she was a daughter of the late Samuel Chavis and Elnora Maxwell. She was a member of Oak Grove Baptist Church. Survivors include her husband, Otis Baker; two sons, Earl Baker of Carthage (Dallas County) and Dorsey Baker of Little Rock; and a brother, Claudia Burris of Jacksonville (Pulaski County). _______________________________ DORIS DICKEY Doris Marie Dickey, 68, of Pine Bluff, died November 15, 1997, at her home. Born December 21, 1928, at Glen Allan, Mississippi, she was a daughter of the late Albert C. and Lela Mae Sullivan Stokes. She was reared at Glen Allan, where she graduated from high school. She later attended Draughon Business College at Jackson, Mississippi. She moved to Pine Bluff in the early 1950s. She was a bookkeeper and cosmetic consultant at Central Pharmacy. She was a member of Good Faith United Methodist Church. She was preceded in death by two sisters, Murial Joyce and Myra Griffin, and two brothers, Don Ray Stokes and Henry Garland Stokes. Survivors include her husband, Fee Dickey Jr., whom she married on February 21, 1953, at Greenville, Mississippi; two sons, Randy Dickey of Batesville and Rickey Dickey of Benton; two daughters, Dotty Moore of Little Rock and Lisa Dickey of Lexington, Kentucky; a brother, Al Stokes Sr. of Greenville; four sisters, Myrtis Sherwood and Mary Agnes Goodman, both of Glen Allan, Johnnie Riley of Greenville and Mavis Odom of Eupora, Mississippi; and five grandchildren. Funeral services are scheduled for 10 a.m. Monday at Good Faith United Methodist Church with Rev. Chuck Coffelt officiating. Graveside services will be at 1 p.m. Monday in Pinecrest Memorial Park at Bryant by Ralph Robinson & Son Funeral Directors. ________________________________ ANANIES WILLIAMS MILWAUKEE-- Ananies Williams, 70, of Milwaukee, died November 11, 1997, at St. Joseph Hospital here. Born November 26, 1926, at Douglas, Arkansas, he was a son of the late Willie Williams and Lizzie B. (Kimble) Williams. He was a steel mill laborer and a Baptist. Survivors include a brother, C.D. Williams of St. Louis; and three sisters, Ora Mae Williams of St. Louis, Willie Mae Allen of Gould, Arkansas, and Nancy Goodman of Chicago. Funeral services are scheduled for 1 p.m. Monday at Brown Funeral Home of Pine Bluff with Rev. G.L. Ford officiating. Burial will be in Forest Lawn Cemetery at Pine Bluff. __________________________________ Submitted by Linda P. Smith DougMIV@aol.com ============================================================= PINE BLUFF COMMERCIAL MONDAY, NOVEMBER 17, 1997 Pine Bluff, Jefferson Co., Arkansas MED BRYANT Med Marjorie Jones Bryant, 92, of the Sulphur Springs community, formerly of Bearden, died November 16, 1997, at Jefferson Regional Medical Center. Born December 5, 1904, in Dallas County, she was a daughter of the late Burrell Bascum Jones and Martha Starks Jones. She was a retired school teacher. She was also a member of First United Methodist Church of Bearden. She was a widow of Hewett Owen Bryant. Survivors include a daughter, Barbara Massey of Sulphur Springs; three grandchildren; and two great-grandchildren. Funeral services are scheduled for 2 p.m. today at Benton Funeral Home of Fordyce with Rev. Charles Taylor officiating. Burial will be in Mount Olivet Cemetery at Holly Springs. _______________________________ HAZEL WEBB MONTICELLO-- Hazel Marie Webb, 80, of Monticello, died November 15, 1997, at Leisure Lodge Nursing Home. Born July 20, 1917, in Cleveland County, she was a daughter of the late James Erastus McMahon and Isabel Andrews McMahon. She was retired from Byrd's Manufacturing. She was a member of Oak Grove Assembly of God Church. She was the widow of Johnny (Bunk) Webb. Survivors include two sons, Johnny Webb of Silver Spring, Maryland, and Virgil Webb of Arkansas City, Kansas; six daughters, Maxine Reaves of Monticello, Mary O'Neal of Little Rock, Louise Peterson of North Little Rock, Carolyn Crutchfield of Brinkley, Jeanette Earnest of Star City and Cheryl Myrick of Dumas; a brother, Alford McMahon of Crossett; 23 grandchildren; 24 great-grandchildren and two great-great-grandchildren. Funeral services are scheduled for 1 p.m. Tuesday at Stephenson-Dearman Funeral Home with the Rev. Leon Crutchfield and the Rev. Terry Newman officiating. Burial will be in Union Cemetery in Cleveland County. _________________________________ Submitted by Linda P. Smith DougMIV@aol.com PINE BLUFF COMMERCIAL TUESDAY, NOVEMBER 18, 1997 Pine Bluff, Jefferson Co., Arkansas ALENE ERWIN MONTICELLO-- Margaret Alene Majors Erwin, 70, of Star City, died November 17, 1997, at Drew Memorial Hospital. She was born on July 10, 1927, at Cornerville (Lincoln County), a daughter of the late Jesse Garland Majors and Madie Render Benfield Majors. She was a homemaker and a member of First Baptist Church at Star City. She was preceded in death by her husband, Max Lavoy Erwin, who died on October 18, 1986; a son, Rodney Erwin; a brother, Pete Majors; and a sister, Bernice Sullivan. Survivors include two sons, Sam Erwin of Corning (Clay County) and John Erwin of Pine Bluff; four brothers, Sam Majors of Star City, Gerald Majors of Pine Bluff, Charles Majors of Brentwood, Tennessee, and Dale Majors of Salisburg, Maryland; three sisters, Gatha McRae of Star City, Sherry Perry of Little Rock and Maxine Reddell of North Little Rock; and four grandchildren. Funeral services are scheduled for 2 p.m. Wednesday at First Baptist Church of Star City with the Rev. Randy Magar officiating. Burial will be in Leek Cemetery at Star City by Griffin Funeral Service of Star City. ________________________________ BENJAMIN TINDELL MOUNT IDA-- Benjamin Franklin Tindell, 75, of Mount Ida, died November 12, 1997, at his home. Born April 25, 1922, he was a son of the late James S. Tindell and Roxie Butler Tindell. He served in the Navy and was retired from International Paper Company. Survivors include his wife, Joyce Smith Tindell; two daughters, Dorothy Cason of Pine Bluff and Dee Russell of Jonesboro; a brother, Robert Tindell of Florida; a stepdaughter, Cecelia Coats of Benton; a stepson, Billy Greenlee of Pine Bluff; eight grandchildren; and a great-grandchild. Funeral services were held Monday at Lake Ouachita Baptist Church at Mount Ida with the Rev. Roy Brooks officiating. Burial was in Blish Cemetery by Thornton Funeral Home of Mount Ida. ________________________________ BETTY SUE SMITH COLUMBIA, Maryland-- Betty Sue Smith, 46, of Laurel, Maryland, formerly of the Dumas, Arkansas, area, died November 13, 1997, at Howard County Memorial Hospital. Born October 26, 1951, at Star City, Arkansas, she was a daughter of Betty Jean Brooks Smith of Hot Springs, Arkansas, and the late James W. Smith. She was a member of Smyrna Missionary Baptist Church and was an assistant administrator for the City of Laurel, Maryland. She had lived in Maryland for 28 years. Other survivors include a brother, Greg Smith of Pickens, Arkansas; two sisters, Linda Storey of Little Rock and Debby Eagle of Lincoln, Arkansas. Funeral services are scheduled for 11 a.m. today at Griffin Funeral Home of Dumas with the Rev. Bill Hale officiating. Burial will be in Dark Corner Cemetery at Gould, Arkansas. Memorials to the American Cancer Society. ____________________________________ JAMES HOUSE FORDYCE-- James Parham House, 84, of Fordyce, died November 16, 1997, at his home. Born December 13, 1912, at New Boston, Texas, he was a son of the late John E. House and Fannie Smith House. He was a member of First Assembly of God at Fordyce. He was retired from E.L. Bruce Flooring Company. Survivors include his wife, Katherine Dreher House; two sons, John William House of Jacksonville and James Edward House of Heber Springs; two daughters, Coyth Jenece Hankins of De Queen and Mary Ellen Jones of Fordyce; a brother, Edward House of Fordyce; 14 grandchildren; 29 great-grandchildren; and a great-great-grandchild. Funeral services are scheduled for 10 a.m. Wednesday at Benton Funeral Home with the Rev. B.L. Blann officiating. Burial will be in Stoney Point Cemetery in Dallas County. ____________________________________ OSCAR LEAVELL RUSSELLVILLE-- Oscar R. Leavell, 91, of Russellville, died November 16, 1997, at Legacy Lodge Nursing Home. He was born on November 6, 1906, in the Ross community near Russellville, a son of the late William and Lavonia Harris Leavell. He was a farmer and a machinist retired from International Shoe Company. He served in the Navy during World War II, stationed in the Marshall Islands. He was a charter and lifetime member of the Russellville Ruritan Club and was a member of the American Legion and Liberty Grove Assembly of God at Russellville. He was preceded in death by his wife, Autra Phillips Leavell; two sons, Billy Joe Leavell and Bobby Lavon Leavell; an infant daughter; and a granddaughter. Survivors include two sons, Idus L. Leavell of Hugo, Oklahoma, and Lonnie L. Leavell of Beebe; four daughters, Cathryn Pennington Dozier of Russellville, formerly of Pine Bluff; Cleta Castor of Pittsburg, and Phyllis Hubbard and Deborah Smith, both of London (Pope County); a brother, Jack Leavell of Dover; 16 grandchildren; and 19 great-grandchildren. Funeral services are scheduled for 11 a.m. Wednesday at Liberty Grove Assembly of God with the Rev. Charles Sutterfield and the Rev. Johnny Clayton officiating. Burial will be in Oakland Cemetery at Russellville by Humphrey Funeral Service of Russellville. _______________________________ LETTY JONES Letty Mae Jones, 90, of Trinity Village, of Pine Bluff, formely of Dumas, died November 16, 1997, at Jefferson Regional Medical Center. She was born on August 12, 1907, in Missouri, a daughter of the late Walter O. Mooney and Cynthia Morton. She was a supervisor at Dan Tan Industry at Dumas and was a member of First Baptist Church at Dumas. She was preceded in death by her husband, Mont Jones. Survivors include four sisters, Adele Broyles, Marie Bottorff, Vera Neitman and Velma Tyc, all of Missouri; three grandchildren; and six great-grandchildren. Funeral services are scheduled for 2 p.m. today at Griffin Funeral Home of Dumas with the Rev. Neil Bennett officiating. Burial will be in Walnut Lake Cemetery at Dumas. Memorials to the American Cancer Society. __________________________________ DR. PHILIP YOUNG ROCKDALE, Texas-- Dr. Philip M. Young, 76, of Rockdale, Texas, formerly of Pine Bluff, died October 30, 1997, at his home. He was born on July 4, 1921, at Dallas, a son of the late John Robert and Madge Hubbard Young. He graduated from high school at Pine Bluff and was a graduate of the University of Arkansas at Fayetteville and the University of Arkansas for Medical Sciences at Little Rock. He practiced medicine at Gillett, Arkansas, for three years before moving to Rockdale in 1955. He was in the Army during World War II, serving five years. He was stationed at Pearl Harbor and Christmas Island. He was a physician with the Rockdale Memorial Association and Richards Memorial Hospital. He was a former school board member, a member of Rockdale Veterans of Foreign Wars Post 6525, and a former member of the Rockdale Hospital Board. He was a ham radio operator, an amateur astronomer and loved trains. He was preceded in death by two sisters, Evon Iccobohi and Tillie Fratesi. Survivors include his wife, Billie Jean Gray Young, to whom he was married on August 20, 1949, at Pine Bluff; two sons, Joe Young of Lexington, Texas, and Bob Young of Rockdale; a daughter, Dana Small of Conroe, Texas; two sisters, Marie Heird of Pine Bluff and Betty Barefoot of Florida; and four grandchildren. Memorial services were held November 1, 1997, at St. John's United Methodist Church at Rockdale with the Rev. Doug Baker officiating. He donated his body to science. Arrangements were handled by Phillips & Luckey Funeral Home at Rockdale. _________________________________ IDA ANGLIN MOUNTAIN HOME-- Ida Mae Anglin, 86, of Mountain Home, died November 16, 1997, at Baxter County Regional Hospital. Born November 23, 1910, at England (Lonoke County), she was a daughter of the late James Rodgers and "Sally" Sarah Elizabeth Wingard. She was preceded in death by her husband, J.T. Anglin. She was formerly of Pine Bluff and had lived in Mountain Home since November 1996. She worked with children and visited nursing home residents. She was a Baptist. Survivors include a son, Thomas Nathan Anglin of Hacienda Heights, California; three daughters, Anita Fratesi of Mountain Home, Sharon Ann Hagler and Effie Mae Peters, both of Pine Bluff; 13 grandchildren; and 15 great-grandchildren. Funeral services are scheduled for 10 a.m. Wednesday at Hale-South Funeral Home in Pine Bluff with the Rev. L.H. Criswell officiating. Graveside services will be held at 4 p.m. Wednesday in Kirby Tucker Memorial Cemetery by Kirby & Family Funeral Directors of Mountain Home. Memorials requested for North Arkansas Humane Society. ___________________________________ JUDGE MOORE LITTLE ROCK-- Funeral services for Judge Moore, 88, of Pine Bluff, who died November 15, 1997, at his home, are scheduled for noon Wednesday at Christian Way Funeral Home with Johnnie Walker officiating. Burial will be in the National Cemetery at Little Rock. He was born on November 17, 1908, at Noble Lake, a son of the late William Moore and Pearlie Pitts Moore. He served in the Navy during World War II and was a self-employed carpenter, after retiring from Jaggers Carpentry. He was preceded in death by his wife, Laura Parchman Moore. Survivors include three daughters, Georgia Moore, Glenda Moore and Faye Moore, all of Pine Bluff; seven grandchildren; and 14 great-grandchildren. ________________________________ TRAVIS WILSON SHERIDAN-- Travis Clayton Wilson, 18, of Sheridan, died November 16, 1997, from injuries received in an accident on Highway 35 South near Grapevine. Born October 15, 1979, at Little Rock, he was a son of the late Michael and Margaret McQuade Wilson. He was a junior at Sheridan High School, a cook at Pizza Pro and attended Sheridan Pentecostal Church of God. Survivors include a brother, Michael Cole Wilson of Sheridan; his grandmother, Wilma Housley Wilson of Sheridan; and a nephew, Michael Tristin Wilson, with whom he lived. Funeral services are scheduled for 2 p.m. Wednesday at Buie Funeral Home with the Rev. Odell Lindsay officiating. Burial will be in Memorial Garden Cemetery at Sheridan. __________________________________ Submitted by Linda P. Smith DougMIV@aol.com ================================================================ PINE BLUFF COMMERCIAL WEDNESDAY, NOVEMBER 19, 1997 Pine Bluff, Jefferson Co., Arkansas LARSEE CREATH (Photo included) Funeral services for Larsee "L.C." Creath, 75, of Pine Bluff, who died November 14, 1997, at Pine Bluff Nursing Home, are scheduled for 11 a.m. Thursday at Ward Chapel AME Church with the Rev. G.T. Blackman officiating. Burial will be in Forest Lawn Memorial Garden by Perry Funeral Home. Born at Drew, Mississippi, he was a son of the late Sam and Lettie Carter Creath. He attended Parrish School in Mississippi and was a member of Ward Chapel AME Church in Pine Bluff. He was preceded in death by seven brothers, four sisters, and a daughter. Survivors include his wife, Betty Creath of Pine Bluff; three sons, Larry Creath of Chicago, Norris Tillman, Norman Tillman, both of Little Rock; seven daughters, Maxine Creath of Memphis, Barbara Williams of Los Angeles, Alisa Williams, Crystal Robinson, Lynnett Creath, all of Dermott, Derona Rhodes of Pine Bluff, Bianca Blackmon of Fort Worth; two brothers, Lonnie Creath of Hazelhurst, Mississippi, Myle Creath of Detroit; 21 grandchildren. ______________________________ ROBERT STEVENSON JR. Robert Lewis Stevenson Jr., 69, of Pine Bluff, died November 10, 1997, at Pine Bluff Nursing Home. Born March 25, 1928, at Chteam, Louisiana, he was a son of the late Robert Lewis Stevenson Sr. and Mary Stevenson. He was a laborer for Mobil Waste. He was a Baptist. Survivors include three daughters, Estella McGehee and Rita Nesby, both of Pine Bluff, and Ruby Stevenson of Los Angeles; a brother, Washington Stevenson of Chteam. Funeral services are scheduled for 2 p.m. today at Brown Funeral Home with the Rev. G.L. Ford officiating. Burial will be at Forrest Lawn Cemetery by Brown Funeral Home. _______________________________ STEVE BRADFORD CLEVELAND-- Steve Bradford, 38, of Cleveland, died November 12, 1997, at St. Vincent Charity Hospital. He was born at Cleveland on June 14, 1959, a son of Clarence Bradford and Ruth Bradford, both of Cleveland. He was a 1975 graduate of East Technical High School at Cleveland and was an Army veteran. He enjoyed basketball. He was preceded in death by a brother, Gary Bradford; and a grandmother, Mittie Houston. Other survivors include three brothers, Ricky Bradford, Terry Bradford and Kelvin Bradford, all of Cleveland; a sister, Vivian Bradford of Cleveland; a grandfather, Richard Jamerson of Pine Bluff; a stepfather, Paul Roberson of Cleveland; a stepmother, Belita Bradford of Cleveland; a stepsister, Malika Bradford of Cleveland; a stepgrandfather, Bryant Houston of Louisiana; and a stepgrandmother, Mary Ann Jamerson of Pine Bluff. Memorial services are scheduled for 7 p.m. today at Union Grove Baptist Church at Cleveland with the Rev. E.L. Roger officiating. Arrangements are handled by C.B. Miller Funeral Home Inc. at Cleveland. ______________________________ WILLIAM BONDS HARRISON-- William W. Bonds, 56, of Bergman, (Boone County), died November 17, 1997, at North Arkansas Regional Medical Center. Born April 1, 1941, at Madisonville, Texas, he was a son of Fred Nolan Bonds of Belton, Texas, and Fannie Tullas Bonds Dubose of Corsicana, Texas. He was a retired diesel technician for J.A. Reeves Tractor Company of Little Rock. He lived in Boone County for one and one half years and was a former Pine Bluff resident. He was a member of the Civitan Club and Watson Chapel Volunteer Fire Department in Pine Bluff. Other survivors include his wife, Sandra Kay Bonds; a son, Darren Bonds of Fort Smith; a stepson, Phil Calvert of Pine Bluff; two daughters, Mary Ann Buchannan of Corsicana, Texas, and Linda Sue Stracener of Mesquite, Texas; a brother, Burl Dubose of Corsicana; a sister, Micki Bonds of Belton; and three grandchildren. Funeral services are scheduled for 2 p.m. Thursday at Griffin-Roughton Funeral Home at Corsicana, Texas. Burial will be in Rest Haven Memorial Park Cemetery in Corsicana. Local arrangements are by Coffman Funeral Home of Harrison. ________________________________ FRANCES ROBINSON LITTLE ROCK-- Frances Robinson, 76, of Monticello, died November 17, 1997, at Columbia Doctors Hospital. Born February 9, 1921, at Monticello, she was a daughter of the late Thomas R. Cloud and Lila Covington Cloud. She was a retired dental assistant and long-time member of Pauline Missionary Baptist Church of Monticello. Survivors include her husband, Russell E. Robinson of Monticello; three sons, Jack C. Robinson of Norfork, Roland B. Robinson of Little Rock and Kenneth B. Robinson of Pine Bluff; two daughters, Nita R. Stacey of Monroeville, Alabama, and Lynne R. Stanley of Benton; three brothers, the Rev. Ed Cloud of Monticello, Dr. Morris Cloud of Malvern, and Harry Cloud of Hot Springs; a sister, Kyle Hester of Benton; 11 grandchildren; and a great-grandchild. Funeral services are scheduled for 3 p.m. today at Pauline Missionary Baptist Church at Monticello with the Revs. Larry Clements and Buddy Lemons officiating. Burial will be in Oakland Cemetery in Monticello by Stephenson-Dearman Funeral Home of Monticello. Memorials to Banner Ministry of Pauline Baptist Church or American Cancer Society. ________________________________ SHELIA POTTER COLLINS-- Shelia Diane Potter, 44, of Collins, died November 17, 1997, at her home. Born September 5, 1953, at Lake Village, she was a daughter of A.D. Potter and Joy Ray Smith Potter, both of Collins. Other survivors include two brothers, Allan D. Potter and Paul Potter, both of Collins. She was a member of Collins Baptist Church. Funeral services are scheduled for 1 p.m. today at Stephenson-Dearman Funeral Home at Monticello with the Rev. Zan Pierce officiating. Burial will be in Rash Cemetery in Drew County. ________________________________ CHEDDOR DIXON Graveside services for Cheddor Dixon, 81, of Pine Bluff, who died November 14, 1997, at Pine Bluff Nursing Home, will be at 11 a.m. today in Harris Cemetery at Biscoe with the Rev. Telmon Williams officiating. Arrangements are by Perry Funeral Home. There are no immediate survivors. ________________________________ WILEY HALL WARREN-- Wiley David Hall, 68, of New Edinburg, died November 17, 1997, at Wag non Place Nursing Home. Born February 23, 1929, at Kingsland, he was a son of the late Charles Sanders Hall and Addie Barnett Hall. He was a retired logger and Navy veteran of the Korean War. He was a member of the Veterans of Foreign Wars and Hebron United Methodist Church. He was preceded in death by a son, David Hall. Survivors include his wife, JoAnn Hall; a son, Calton Hall of Dumas; two daughters, Belinda Langford and Nita Beth Hall, both of New Edinburg; a brother, Marvin "Buddy" Hall of New Edinburg; and five grandchildren. Funeral services are scheduled for 2 p.m. today at Hebron United Methodist Church with the Rev. Dusty Rhodes officiating. Burial will be in Graves Cemetery by Benton Funeral Home of Fordyce. __________________________________ CLARA MAE SCOTT Clara Mae Scott, 72, of Rison, died November 12, 1997, at Jefferson Regional Medical Center. Born June 13, 1925, at Eagle Mills, Arkansas, she was a daughter of the late Ed Allen and Emma Hudson Allen. She was a homemaker and member of St. James AME Church at Rison. Survivors include two nieces who were caregivers, Rena Jo Macon and Vernell Ballard, both of Rison; and a nephew, Bobby Macon, also a caregiver; three grandchildren; and seven great-grandchildren. Funeral services are scheduled for noon Thursday at St. James AME Church with the Rev. Floyd Bennett officiating. Burial will be at New Cemetery at Rison by Brown Funeral Home. ___________________________________ FANNIE L. ANDERSON LITTLE ROCK-- Fannie L. Anderson, 83, of Woodson, died November 14, 1997, at St. Vincent Infirmary Medical Center. Born September 17, 1914, at Keo, she was a daughter of the late George Lewis and Lizzie Moore Lewis. She was preceded in death by her husband, Glen Anderson. She was a Baptist and a homemaker. Survivors include a niece who was a caregiver, Dennice Alexander of Woodson. Graveside services will be at 11 a.m. today at Community Cemetery at Woodson with the Rev. Elton Virden officiating. Arrangements will be by Watson North-Crest Funeral Home of North Little Rock. Local information provided by Brown Funeral Home of Pine Bluff. ___________________________________ Submitted by Linda P. Smith DougMIV@aol.com ============================================================ PINE BLUFF COMMERCIAL THURSDAY, NOVEMBER 20, 1997 Pine Bluff, Jefferson Co., Arkansas DOROTHY MURRAY (Photo included) Dorothy Elizabeth Murray, 67, of Pine Bluff, died November 18, 1997, at Davis Life Care Center. She was born on January 3, 1930, at Lake Village, a daughter of the late Carl Lee Murray and Hattie McLendon Murray. She worked in the Tax Collector's Office at the Jefferson County Courthouse for 17 1/2 years. She was a member of First Immanuel Missionary Baptist Church at Pine Bluff and was a 1950 graduate of Pine Bluff High School. She was preceded in death by a brother. Survivors include a sister, Mildred Harper of Pine Bluff. Graveside services are scheduled for 10 a.m. today in Memorial Park Cemetery with the Rev. David Harris officiating. Arrangements are being handled by Hale-South Funeral Home. ______________________________ DeWAYNE LYON LITTLE ROCK-- DeWayne "Deacon" Lyon, 70, of Pine Bluff, died November 18, 1997, at Veterans Administration Hospital. He was born on October 17, 1927, at Pine Bluff, a son of the late Jeff Fowler Lyon and Freda Mae Moring Lyon. He was raised and educated at Pine Bluff and attended Pine Bluff schools. He was an Air Force veteran, joining when he was young and serving during World War II, the Korean Conflict and the Vietnam War. He retired after 20 years as a tech sergeant with the Air Force. He moved back to Pine Bluff in 1971 and began to work as an electrician for Cotton Belt Railroad. He retired from the railroad in 1991, after 20 years. He was a member of Veterans of Foreign Wars and the American Legion Post 32 at Pine Bluff. Survivors include his wife, Alpina "Penny" Spadoni Lyon, to whom he was married on October 5, 1978, at Pine Bluff; a daughter, Wanda Stilwell of Allisonia, Virginia; a sister, Virgie Davis of Granbury, Texas; a stepson, Glen Eastwood of Pine Bluff; two grandchildren; and two great-grandchildren. Funeral services are scheduled for 3 p.m. Friday at the chapel of Ralph Robinson & Son Funeral Directors with the Rev. Bobby Hartsfield and the Rev. Dave Henderson officiating. Burial will be in Graceland Cemetery. Memorials to Shannon Road Baptist Church. ________________________________ LUCY ROBERTS ALEXANDRIA, Louisiana-- Lucy Guy Roberts, 88, of Lecompte, Louisiana, died November 18, 1997, at Dubuis Hospital at Alexandria, Louisiana. She was born on September 3, 1909, at Center, Texas, a daughter of the late William Guy and Evelyn Mitchell Guy. She was a charter member of Trinity Baptist Church at Lecompte, where she was a treasurer and a Sunday School teacher. She was a member of Lecompte Community Club and Saints Alive Choir of Calvary Baptist Church at Alexandria. She was a 1927 graduate of Poland High School at Alexandria and graduated from a Shreveport business college. She and her husband owned and operated Roberts Exxon Service Station and Grocery at Lecompte for 53 years. She was preceded in death by her husband, James Floyd Roberts. Survivors include two daughters, Carolyn R. McGraw of Alexandria and Margaret R. Johnson of Pine Bluff; a sister, Mavis Musgrove of Denham Springs, Louisiana; four grandchildren; and six great-grandchildren. Funeral services are scheduled for 11 a.m. today at Hixson Brothers at Alexandria with the Rev. John Alley officiating. Burial will be in Alexandria Memorial Gardens. Memorials to the James Floyd and Lucy Guy Roberts Scholarship Fund, Louisiana College, P.O. Box 587, Pineville, Louisiana 71359-0587. __________________________________ JOE McCLURE Joe B. McClure, 90, of White Hall, died November 18, 1997, at Jefferson Regional Medical Center. He was born on January 18, 1907, a son of the late Ed and Lula McClure. He was raised and educated in West Arkansas and East Oklahoma. He retired in 1972 from Wright-McGill Fishing Tackle Manufacturing at Denver. He then moved to White Hall. Survivors include his wife of 68 years, Vera Mae McClure, to whom he was married on September 14, 1929, at Erick, Oklahoma; two sons, Bill M. McClure of White Hall and Kenneth E. McClure of Amarillo, Texas; five grandchildren; and six great-grandchildren. Graveside services are scheduled for 10 a.m. Friday in Memorial Park Cemetery with the Rev. Nathan Petty officiating. Arrangements are being handled by Ralph Robinson & Son Funeral Directors. _______________________________ EVELYN SINCLAIR LITTLE ROCK-- Evelyn Hilson Sinclair, 81, of Little Rock, formerly of Hermitage, died November 18, 1997, at Baptist Medical Center. She was born on April 3, 1916, in Bradley County, a daughter of the late C.W. and Allie Whittington Hilson. She was a homemaker and a member of Hermitage Methodist Church. She was preceded in death by her husband, William Mark Sinclair, who died on September 20, 1984; a son, Bill Sinclair; and two sisters, Myrtis Wolfe and Laddis Wolfe. Survivors include a son, Wayne Sinclair of Little Rock; two daughters, Bettye Simpson of Little Rock and Wanda Hart of Mobile, Alabama; a brother, Aaron Hilson of Camden; eight grandchildren; and five great-grandchildren. Graveside services are scheduled for 1:30 p.m. Friday in Shady Grove Cemetery near Jersey with the Rev. Wayman Mann officiating. Arrangements by Frazer's Funeral Home at Warren. ___________________________________ ISAAC PROCTOR SR. (Photo included) Funeral services for Isaac Proctor Sr., 83, of Pine Bluff, who died November 16, 1997, at University Hospital at Little Rock, are scheduled for 11 a.m. Friday at Shiloh Baptist Church with the Rev. H.C. Curry officiating. Burial will be in Cedar Grove Section of Bellwood Cemetery by Brown Funeral Home at Pine Bluff. He was born on April 25, 1914, at Lake Village, a son of the late Richard Proctor and Lucinda Clark Proctor. He was a truck driver for Ritchie Company and was a Baptist. He was preceded in death by his wife, Pirl Cregg Proctor. Survivors include five sons, Isaac Proctor Jr. and James Proctor, both of Flint, Michigan, Ronald Proctor of Milwaukee, Michael Proctor of Columbia, Tennessee, and Jessie Proctor of Lake Providence, Louisiana; five daughters, Vessie Proctor and Maxine Proctor-Harris, both of Pine Bluff, Mary Ann Proctor Brown of Milwaukee, Rosie Lee Proctor of Lake Village and Azzlee Phillips of Chicago; two brothers, Percy Proctor of Lake Village and Prestley Proctor of Pine Bluff; a sister, Doris Gray of Milwaukee; 32 grandchildren; and 23 great-grandchildren. ______________________________________ DOROTHY ROLFE LITTLE ROCK-- Dorothy Branch Rolfe, of Little Rock, died November 18, 1997, at St. Vincent Infirmary Medical Center. She was born at Watson, a daughter of Dorothy Mae Branch and the late John West Branch. She was a retired teacher at the Little Rock School District. She attended elementary school at Watson and was a 1971 graduate of the University of Arkansas at Pine Bluff, where she received a bachelor's of science degree in elementary education. She taught elementary school at Crawfordsville (Crittenden County), in Pulaski County and at the Little Rock before she retired in 1993. She was a member of Greater Archview Baptist Church at Little Rock. Survivors include a son, Lott Rolfe IV of Little Rock; a daughter, La Tiste Rochelle Rolfe of Little Rock; eleven brothers, John Willie Branch and Cornovious Branch, both of Pine Bluff, Cornelious Branch of Monticello, James Branch of Menifee, Donald Ray Branch and Esiadora Charles Branch, both of Clarendon, Stanley Branch of Seattle, Eddie Branch of Greensboro, North Carolina, Patrick Branch of Cincinnati, Chester Perry of Los Angeles and Malcolm Perry of Oakland, California; and five sisters, Mamie Moragne of Carson, California, Loretta Alexander and Carolyn Wilson, both of Pine Bluff, Sana Bryant of Stuttgart and Madie Smith of Arlington, Texas. Funeral services are scheduled for 11:30 a.m. Saturday at Greater Archview Baptist Church. Burial will be in Roselawn Cemetery at Little Rock by Miller-Elston Mortuary of Little Rock. ____________________________________ RUTHIE HUNTER NOBLE LAKE-- Funeral services for Ruthie Mae Hunter, 73, of Pine Bluff, who died November 7, 1997, at Jefferson Regional Medical Center, are scheduled for 2:30 p.m. Friday at Cherry Hill Baptist Church at Moscow with the Rev. G.L. Ford officiating. Burial will be in Hunter Cemetery at Noble Lake by Brown Funeral Home of Pine Bluff. She was born on June 5, 1924, at Sherrill, a daughter of the late Louis Steadman Sr. and Leola Jefferson Steadman. She was a homemaker, a member of Cherry Hill Baptist Church and a former Sunday School teacher. Survivors include her husband, Thomas Hunter; a son, Herman Hunter of Pine Bluff; three brothers, Louis Steadman Jr. of Oakland, California, Earl Steadman of Chicago and George Steadman of Gary, Indiana; three sisters, Jimmie Williams and Robbie Williams, both of Gary, and Hazel Trotter of Pine Bluff; six grandchildren; and two great-grandchildren. ___________________________________ BILLY JOHNS Billy Lee Johns, 60, of Monticello, died November 18, 1997, at Jefferson Regional Medical Center. He was born in Drew County on June 18, 1937, a son of the late Lee Robert Johns and Cora Mooney Johns. He was retired from the Arkansas Highway and Transportation Department and was a Baptist. Survivors include his wife, Carole Doss Johns; a son, Dale Johns of Paragould; a daughter, Denise Slater of Woodlawn; two brothers, James Johns of Branson, Missouri and Carlis Johns of Wilmar; six sisters, Mary Lasiter of Wilmar, Dorothy Brown and Brenda Forrest, both of Monticello, Elizabeth Word of Wilmar, Juanita Hartness of Wooster and Sudie Raleigh of Ashdown; and five grandchildren. Funeral services are scheduled for 1:30 p.m. today at Stephenson-Dearman Funeral Home at Monticello with the Rev. Robert Hartness officiating. Burial will be in Green Hill Cemetery in Drew County. ___________________________________ Submitted by Linda P. Smith DougMIV@aol.com ============================================================= PINE BLUFF COMMERCIAL FRIDAY, NOVEMBER 21, 1997 Pine Bluff, Jefferson Co., Arkansas DOROTHY ROLFE (Photo included) (also a repeat of Nov 20) LITTLE ROCK-- Dorothy Branch Rolfe, of Little Rock, died November 18, 1997, at St. Vincent Infirmary Medical Center. She was born at Watson, a daughter of Dorothy Mae Branch and the late John West Branch. She was a retired teacher at the Little Rock School District. She attended elementary school at Watson and was a 1971 graduate of the University of Arkansas at Pine Bluff, where she received a bachelor's of science degree in elementary education. She taught elementary school at Crawfordsville (Crittenden County), in Pulaski County and at the Little Rock before she retired in 1993. She was a member of Greater Archview Baptist Church at Little Rock. Survivors include a son, Lott Rolfe IV of Little Rock; a daughter, La Tiste Rochelle Rolfe of Little Rock; eleven brothers, John Willie Branch and Cornovious Branch, both of Pine Bluff, Cornelious Branch of Monticello, James Branch of Menifee, Donald Ray Branch and Esiadora Charles Branch, both of Clarendon, Stanley Branch of Seattle, Eddie Branch of Greensboro, North Carolina, Patrick Branch of Cincinnati, Chester Perry of Los Angeles and Malcolm Perry of Oakland, California; and five sisters, Mamie Moragne of Carson, California, Loretta Alexander and Carolyn Wilson, both of Pine Bluff, Sana Bryant of Stuttgart and Madie Smith of Arlington, Texas. Funeral services are scheduled for 11:30 a.m. Saturday at Greater Archview Baptist Church. Burial will be in Roselawn Cemetery at Little Rock by Miller-Elston Mortuary of Little Rock. ______________________________ ESTELLE SIMS KILLEEN, Texas-- Estelle Lauhon Sims, 88, of Killeen, Texas, died November 17, 1997, at her home. She was born at Hope, Arkansas, on November 28, 1908, a daughter of the late Ed Lauhon and Mittie Lee Martin Lauhon. She was a self-employed vendor and a member of Northside Baptist Church of Monticello. She was preceded in death by her husband, Jimmie Sims. Survivors include a son, Jack Sims of Killeen; a brother, Harry Lauhon of Hamburg; a sister, Grace Handley of Florence, South Carolina; and two grandchildren. Graveside services are scheduled for 10 a.m. today in Promiseland Cemetery in Ashley County with the Rev. Jeff Alderman officiating. Arrangements are handled by Stephenson-Dearman Funeral Home at Monticello. ___________________________ ELIZABETH WITHERS Funeral services for Elizabeth Withers, 82, of Little Rock, who died November 17, 1997, at her home, are scheduled for 2:30 p.m. Saturday at Brown Funeral Home of Pine Bluff with the Rev. G.L. Ford officiating. Burial will be in Forest Lawn Cemetery. She was born at Little Rock on May 30, 1915, a daughter of the late Robert Robinson and Missy Tillman. She was a homemaker and a Baptist. She was preceded in death by her husband, Haybert Withers. Survivors include two daughters, Velmer Sims and Bettye Gary, both of Pine Bluff; a brother, Ivory Tillman of Gould; two sisters, Laura Green and Emma Harrell, both of Fordyce; seven grandchildren; 16 great-grandchildren; and four great-great-grandchildren. _______________________________ LOWRENZY BURTON (Photo included) ALTHEIMER-- Funeral services for Lowrenzy Burton, 71, of Altheimer, who died November 17, 1997, at Jefferson Regional Medical Center, are scheduled for 2 p.m. Saturday at District Tabernacle at Altheimer with the Rev. Jake Hall officiating. Burial will be in Community Cemetery at Altheimer by Perry Funeral Home. He was born on July 2, 1926, at Wabbaseka, a son of the late Sam and Sarilla Childester Burton. He was a member of Mount Zion Baptist Church at Altheimer, where he was a deacon. He was the president of the Senior Usher Board. He was preceded in death by his wife, Erma Sullivan Burton. Survivors include two sons, John Henry Burton of Kansas City and Sammie Burton of Altheimer; three daughters, Delores Burton Walker of Memphis, Patricia Burton Kruize of San Diego and Mary Burton Shelton of Irving, Texas; 10 grandchildren; and a great-grandchild. __________________________________ CHARLES DeARMOND WARREN-- Charles DeArmond, 71, of Warren, died November 19, 1997, at Pine Lodge Nursing Home. He was born on October 22, 1926, at Corinth, a son of the late Louis Gold DeArmond and Amy Barker DeArmond. He was a retired naval commander. During his military career, he was the captain of three naval ships, served two tours during the Vietnam War and was involved with the Polaris missile tests. He recieved many awards, including two Bronze Stars, the Navy Commendation Medal with valor and the National Defense Medal. Kentucky designated him as a Kentucky Colonel and he was the commander of the local Veterans of Foreign Wars chapter. He and his wife lived at his farm at DeArmond Hill, at Warren, the last 20 years, after he retired from his military career. He attended the University of Louisville, where he majored in civil engineering, mathematics and naval science. Survivors include his wife, Sharon Jacks DeArmond; three sons, Charles Keith of Nashville, Durant Gerard DeArmond of Richmond, Virginia, and Lawrence Edward DeArmond of Las Cruces, New Mexico; two daughters, Linda Ann Patterson of Dallas and Denise Frances Konchalski of Las Cruces; two sisters, Inez Stout of Fort Worth and Mildred O'Neal of Harrison; and six grandchildren. Arrangements are handled by Frazer's Funeral Home at Warren. __________________________________ MICAH FOWLER LITTLE ROCK-- Micah Shannon "Steele" Fowler, 23, of Little Rock, died November 18, 1997, at Little Rock from injuries received in an automobile accident. He was born on May 29, 1974, at Fayetteville, a son of Nancy Thornton Cuneo of North Little Rock and Wendell Fowler of Little Rock. He was a Christian, a sales consultant for Parkway Motors, and enjoyed music and the rodeo. He was preceded in death by his grandparents, Mr. and Mrs. Leigh Mann and R.H. Thornton. Other survivors include a stepfather, Mark Cuneo of North Little Rock; a stepmother, Charlene Fowler of Little Rock; a stepbrother, Mark Cuneo Jr. of North Little Rock; two stepsisters, Crystal Smith of Little Rock and Crystal Cuneo of North Little Rock; grandparents, Ray and Betty Jo Thornton of Little Rock and Charles and Dean Fowler of Sheridan; and a great-grandmother, Wilma Stephens Thornton of Searcy. Funeral services are scheduled for 2 p.m. today at Buie Funeral Home at Sheridan with the Rev. Jack Wilson officiating. Burial will be in Philadelphia Cemetery at Prattsville. ___________________________________ ANTHONY BEARDEN Funeral services for Anthony Maurice Bearden, 27, of Norwalk, California, who died November 13, 1997, at Norwalk, from injuries received in an accident, are scheduled for 11 a.m. Saturday at Brown Funeral Home of Pine Bluff with the Rev. Isaac L. Barron officiating. Burial will be in Forest Lawn Cemetery. He was born on June 20, 1970, at Little Rock, a son of Hawkins Smith Jr. of Hammond, Indiana, and Freddie Bearden of Pine Bluff. He was a security supervisor at Lincoln Security at Norwalk and was a member of Zoe Christian Fellowship at Bellflower, California. He was a youth counselor and received a Bachelor of Science degree in criminal justice at Ceritos Community College. He was a professional athletic trainer and was a 1988 Pine Bluff High School graduate. Other survivors include three brothers, Winfred Love of Los Angeles, and Andrew Smith and Hawkins Smith III, both of Chicago, four sisters, Wanda Breelove and Carolyn Adams, both of Pine Bluff, and Shirley Fay Luster and Sandra Gay Bearden, both of Los Angeles; and a grandmother, Erma Lee Smith of Pine Bluff. ________________________________ CASEY JONES Casey Aaron Jones, 13, of Monticello, died November 17, 1997, at Jefferson Regional Medical Center. He was born on March 1, 1984, at Monticello, a son of Tommy Leo Jones and Wanda Kay Moore Jones of Monticello. He was an eighth-grade student at Drew Central School, where he was a member of the choir and band. He was the president of Future Homemakers of America. He was a member of the Young American Bowling Association and was a Baptist. Other survivors include a sister, Jennifer Jones of Monticello; and a grandmother, Isabell Jones of Star City. Funeral services are scheduled for 1 p.m. Saturday at Stephenson-Dearman Funeral Home at Monticello with the Rev. Terry Newman officiating. Burial will be in Williams Cemetery in Bradley County. _________________________________ JIMMY PERRY Funeral services for Jimmy Perry, 61, of Pine Bluff, who died November 18, 1997, at Jefferson Regional Medical Center, are scheduled for 3 p.m. Saturday at Shiloh Missionary Baptist Church with the Rev. Johnny Smith Jr. officiating. Burial will be in Henson Memorial Gardens by P.K. Miller Mortuary. He was born on December 22, 1935, at Pine Bluff, a son of the late Ben Perry and Viola Stafford Perry. He received his early education at Spring Hill School and was a member of Shiloh Missionary Baptist Church. He was a former machine operator for Oak Flooring and retired in 1994 as a lawn caretaker for P.K. Miller Cemetery. Survivors include a brother, George Perry of Pine Bluff; and three sisters, Everlean Perry, Franzel Smith and Ethel Carrington, all of Pine Bluff. _________________________________ MARIE BAHAM Marie Craig Baham, 92, of Pine Bluff, died November 19, 1997, at Davis Life Care Center. She was born on April 26, 1905, at Pine Bluff, a daughter of the late Samuel and Susie Green Craig. She was raised and educated at Pine Bluff and was a Pine Bluff High School graduate. She was a lifelong resident of the area. She was a member of South Side Baptist Church and was a member of the American Association of Retired Persons. She was preceded in death by her husband, Clarence Baham, who died in 1973; and a sister, Betty Strachan. There are no immediate survivors. Graveside services are scheduled for 1 p.m. today in Graceland Cemetery with Dr. J.R. DeBusk officiating and burial by Ralph Robinson & Son Funeral Directors. _______________________________ ETHEL MANNING Funeral services for Ethel Milton Manning, 92, of Altheimer, who died November 16, 1997, at Jefferson Regional Medical Center, are scheduled for 1 p.m. Saturday at Mount Zion Missionary Baptist Church at Altheimer with the Rev. Darrell J. Martin officiating. Burial will be in Altheimer Community Cemetery by P.K. Miller Mortuary. She was born on April 7, 1905, at Monroe, Louisiana, a daughter of the late William Milton and Amy Newton Milton. She received her early education in Jefferson County public schools. She was a homemaker and a member of Jerusalem No. 2 Missionary Baptist Church at Altheimer. Survivors include her husband of 70 years, George Manning; a son, James Manning of Tampa; a daughter Alice Toots of Altheimer; a brother, James Milton of Pine Bluff; 27 grandchildren; and seven great-grandchildren. _______________________________ W. COOK LITTLE ROCK-- W. Van Cook, 75, of Pine Bluff, died November 20, 1997, at St. Vincent Infirmary Medical Center here. He was born in Craighead County on March 13, 1922, a son of the late William McKinley Cook and Martha I. Adams. He was raised and attended school in Craighead County. He was a Jonesboro High School graduate and attended a business college at Jonesboro for three years. He worked at Cotton Belt Railroad from 1940 to 1965, and worked in insurance sales with Cuna Mutual Insurance Society for 14 years, retiring in 1983. He was an Army veteran, serving in World War II and the Korean Conflict. He lived at Pine Bluff from about 1950 to 1965, then moving to Little Rock. He was a member of Central Presbyterian Church at Pine Bluff, the Pine Bluff Masonic Lodge No. 69, the American Legion and the Scimitar Shrine. He was preceded in death by his wife, Julie H. Cook. Survivors include a brother, James H. Cook of Pine Bluff. Funeral services are scheduled for 1:30 p.m. Saturday at Ralph Robinson & Son Funeral Directors with the Rev. Daniel Loomis officiating. Burial will be in Hooker Cemetery, near Pine Bluff. _________________________________ LINDA OLIVER TAMPA-- Linda J. Culpepper Oliver, 54, of Lutz, Florida, died November 18, 1997, at Tampa. She was born at West Point, New York, a daughter of Marilyn V. Culpepper of Key West, Florida, and the late John W. Culpepper. She was a Catholic and moved to the Tampa area in 1976. She was a bookkeeper at a moving and storage company. She was preceded in death by a brother, John W. Culpepper II, who died in 1995. Other survivors include a son, James Fatzinger of Tampa; two daughters, Lisa Grigsby of Independence, Missouri, and Kelly Dykes of Tampa; a brother, Fred E. Culpepper of Key West; four sisters, Deborah Chapman of Newport News, Virginia, Marlene Porter of Havana, Florida, and Rebecca Davila and Catherine Culpepper, both of Key West; and six grandchildren. Funeral services are scheduled for 2 p.m. Saturday at Lutz-Land O'Lakes Chapel in Lutz, Florida. Burial will be in Pine Bluff. ________________________________ MAUDIE DELAY LITTLE ROCK-- Maudie Velma Delay, 89, of Little Rock, formerly of Fordyce, died November 19, 1997, at Southwest Hospital. She was born on January 30, 1908, at Hickory Flat, Mississippi, a daughter of the late William Jarrett and Acinath Jane Jarrett. She was a retired factory worker at International Paper Company at Camden, and was a member of Temperance Hill Methodist Church and the Senior Citizens Club at Bryant. She was preceded in death by her husband, Tom Delay. Survivors include a son, Sonny E. Strange of Norman, Oklahoma; three daughters, Daphene Flower and Bonnie Nott, both of Alexander, and Joan Watson of Little Rock; 14 grandchildren; 22 great-grandchildren; and 10 great-great-grandchildren. Graveside services are scheduled for 10 a.m. Saturday in Smith-Morgan Cemetery at New Edinburg with the Rev. Larry Ferguson officiating. Arrangements are handled by Benton Funeral Home of Fordyce. __________________________________ CLIFFORD FOOTE Clifford Floyd Foote, 77, of Rison, died November 19, 1997, at Jefferson Regional Medical Center. He was born on November 27,1919, at Munising, Michigan, a son of the late Floyd Foote and Othella Cook Foote. He was a retired machinist at the Viking Bag Company at Pine Bluff, a mason and a member of Bethany Missionary Baptist Church at White Hall. He was preceded in death by his first wife, Eva Stansbury Foote; and a son, Lanny Glenn Foote. Survivors inclued his wife, Vada Ballard Foote; three sons, William Floyd Foote and Wayne Foote, both of Little Rock, and Randy Foote of Pine Bluff; a brother, Loyd Foote of Downsville, Louisiana; a sister, Angela Foote of Lakeland, Florida; a stepson, Charles "Chuck" Ballard of Rison; four stepsisters, Edna Fix of Corona, California, Darlene Nelson of Crestview, Florida, Joyce Cullins of Rison and Irene Williams of Lafayette, Louisiana; seven grandchildren; and 14 great-grandchildren. Funeral services are scheduled for 1 p.m. Saturday at Buie Funeral Home at Rison with Loyd Foote officiating. Burial will be in Memorial Park Cemetery at Pine Bluff. ___________________________________ Submitted by Linda P. Smith DougMIV@aol.com ============================================================ PINE BLUFF COMMERCIAL SATURDAY, NOVEMBER 22, 1997 Pine Bluff, Jefferson Co., Arkansas REV. GEORGE STITH (Photo included) GOULD-- The Rev. George Stith, 82, of Gould, died November 16, 1997, at his home. He was born on March 16, 1915, at Baxter, a son of the late J.B. Stith. He had been employed in many fields, as a welder, truck driver, a laborer in the sugar cane fields at New Orleans and a farmer. He was also a labor recruiter for migrant workers, a volunteer fireman and a security guard. He was the pastor of First Baptist Church at Varner, St. Stephens Church at Cornerville and Morning Star at Watson. He was also the associate and assistant pastor of Morning Star Missionary Baptist Church at Gould, where he served until his death. He was a member of the Regular Arkansas Baptist Convention State Advisory Council and a former chaplain. Survivors include his wife, Lucy Stith; three daughters, Carolyn Spring of Jacksonville, Hannah Stith of Los Angeles and Joyce Hawkin of Gould; two brothers, Major Stith of Chicago and Andrew Stith of Cotton Plant; five grandchildren; and three great-grandchildren. Funeral services are scheduled for 11 a.m. today at Morning Star Baptist Church at Ladd with Dr. D.L. O'Neal officiating. Burial will be in Lincoln Memorial Lawn at Varner by M. Davis Strickland Funeral Home at Dermott. _________________________________ LUCIOUS SHELTON Funeral services for Lucious Shelton, 84, of Pine Bluff, who died November 15, 1997, at Jefferson Regional Medical Center, are scheduled for 10:30 a.m. today at Kings Highway Baptist Church with Walter C. May officiating. Burial will be in Mount Lebanon Cemetery by Christian Way Funeral Home. He was born on April 4, 1913, at Pine Bluff, a son of the late Arthur Dunbar and Gertrude McDonald Dunbar. He was a retired truck driver and a member of Kings Highway Baptist Church, where he served on the laymen's ministry and was a member of the male chorus. Survivors include a sister, Luevinia Bost of St. Louis; three grandchildren; and two great-grandchildren. ________________________________ PAULINE BLAKELY NEWPORT-- Pauline Tucker Blakely, 79, of Tuckerman, died November 20, 1997, at Regional Health Care Nursing Home here. She was born on November 23, 1918, at Tuckerman, a daughter of the late Toma and Mary Sexton Tucker. Formerly of Sheridan she had retired from the IRS and was a member of First Baptist Church at Sheridan. Survivors include her husband, Hubert N. Blakely; and a brother, Ralph G. Tucker of Tuckerman. Graveside services are scheduled for 2 p.m. Sunday at Lost Creek Cemetery at Sheridan with the Rev. Lex Eaker officiating. Arrangements are handled by Buie Funeral Home at Sheridan. _______________________________ ROBERT GRANDERSON FORDYCE-- Robert "Bert" Granderson, 77, of Fordyce, died November 19, 1997, at his home. He was born on March 21, 1920, at Kingsland, a son of the late Robert Orville Granderson and Helen Harrington Granderson. He was a retired rancher/farmer, a member of Temple Missionary Baptist Church at Fordyce and Kingsland Masonic Lodge No. 430. He attended George Washington Lodge at Thornton and was a Navy veteran. He was preceded in death by two sons, James Gilbert Granderson and Robert Samuel Granderson. Survivors include his wife, Lena Mae McDade Granderson; four sons, Robert Edward Granderson and Randall Dewayne Granderson, both of Siloam Springs (Benton County), and Jerry Deland Granderson and Larry Ray Granderson, both of Simi Valley, California; two daughters, Mary Betty Hornaday of Fordyce and Linda Sue Buck of Canoga Park, California; three brothers, Jim Granderson of New Edinburg, Roy Gene Granderson of Rison and Jack Granderson of Star City; a sister, Dorothy Gill of Kingsland; 15 grandchildren; and 14 great-grandchildren. Funeral services are scheduled for 2 p.m. Sunday at Temple Missionary Baptist Church with the Rev. Paul Vincent and the Rev. A.D. Livingston officiating. A Masonic burial service will be held in Greenwood Cemetery. Arrangements are by Buie Funeral Home at Rison. _________________________________ OTTICE HOLLAND HAMBURG-- Ottice Holland, 78, of the Milo Community, near Hamburg, died Novemb er 20, 1997, at Hamburg Health & Rehabilitation Center. He was born on December 15, 1918, at Oak Grove, Louisiana, a son of the late Gus and Ruth Carroll Holland. He had lived in the Milo Community for 50 years and was a former resident of Oak Grove, Louisiana. He was a retired welder, a quail farmer and a member of Mount Pleasant Free Will Baptist Church at Hamburg. Survivors include his wife, Armetta Doss Holland; four daughters, Shelma Craig of Hamburg, Reba Hobbs of Greenbriar, Janis Sunderland of Crossett and Karon Stanley of Monticello; three brothers, Wilbur Holland of Pine Bluff, Douglas Holland of Bastrop, Louisiana, and Ellis Holland of Hot Springs; two sisters, Lottie Mae Stephens and Juanita Creech, both of Bastrop, Louisiana; nine grandchildren; and 10 great-grandchildren. Funeral services are scheduled for 2 p.m. Sunday at Mount Pleasant Free Will Baptist Church. Burial will be in Unity Cemetery at Crossett with the Revs. Billy Wilson and Richard Wade officiating. Arrangements are handled by Jones Funeral Home at Hamburg. _________________________________ CHLOE MAY DUMAS-- Chloe Virginia May, 82, of Dumas, died November 21, 1997, at Delta Memorial Hospital. She was born on October 28, 1915, at Houston (Perry County), a daughter of the late William Eaph Maxwell and Cara Mae Davidson. She was a homemaker. She was preceded in death by her husband, Thomas B. May. Survivors include two sons, Robert May of Forrest City and Kenneth May of Fullerton, California; three daughters, Janice Burks, Cora Tiner and Helen Henley, all of Dumas; a brother, Eaph Maxwell of Bigelow (Perry County); 15 grandchildren; 19 great-grandchildren; and seven stepgreat-grandchildren. Funeral services are scheduled for 2 p.m. Tuesday at Griffin Funeral Home at Dumas with the Rev. Steven Tiner officiating. Burial will be in Walnut Lake Cemetery at Dumas. _________________________________ CLIFFORD FOOTE (Reprint from Friday with corrections) Clifford Floyd Foote, 77, of Rison, died November 19, 1997, at Jefferson Regional Medical Center. He was born on November 27,1919, at Munising, Michigan, a son of the late Floyd Foote and Othella Cook Foote. He was retired from Viking Bag Company at Pine Bluff, where he had been a machinist.He was a Mason and a member of Bethany Missionary Baptist Church at White Hall. He was preceded in death by his first wife, Eva Stansbury Foote; and a son, Lanny Glenn Foote. Survivors inclued his wife, Vada Ballard Foote; three sons, William Floyd Foote and Wayne Foote, both of Little Rock, and Randy Foote of Pine Bluff; a daughter, Angela Foote of Lakeland, Florida; a brother, Loyd Foote of Downsville, Louisiana; a stepson, Charles "Chuck" Ballard of Rison; three stepdaughters, Edna Fix of Corona, California, Darlene Nelson of Crestview, Florida, and Joyce Cullins of Rison; a stepsister Irene Williams of Lafayette, Louisiana; seven grandchildren; and 14 great-grandchildren. Funeral services are scheduled for 1 p.m. today at Buie Funeral Home at Rison with Loyd Foote officiating. Burial will be in Memorial Park Cemetery at Pine Bluff. _________________________________ LILLIE STRONG DERMOTT-- Lillie Pearl Strong, 70, of Dermott, died November 17, 1997, at her home. She was born at Minden, Louisiana, on June 11, 1927, a daughter of the late Wade Glass and Octivia Loud Glass. Survivors include two sons, John L. Peterson of Lake Village and Otis James Forest of Evansville, Indiana; three daughters, Bertha Ward, Rosie Martina; and Aleaner Gaston, all of Dermott; a sister, Mattie Drew of Dermott; 15 grandchildren; and 13 great-grandchildren. Funeral services are scheduled for 1 p.m. today at the Jehovah's Witness Kingdom Hall at Dermott with Wardell Brown officiating. Burial will be in Hill Cemetery at Eudora by M. Davis Strickland Funeral Home of Dermott. _____________________________ CLAUDE MURRAY STAR CITY-- Claude Dural Murray, 78, of Star City, died November 21, 1997, at his home. He was born on July 11, 1919, at Ruville, Mississippi, a son of the late Jim Tom Murray and Janie Lee Wimberly Murray Dixon. He was a self-employed pulpwood hauler and was a member of the Veterans of Foreign Wars in Pine Bluff. He was preceded in death by four brothers and three sisters. Survivors include his wife, JoAnn Murray; four sons, James D. Murray of Star City, Jeffery R. Murray of Cross Plains, Texas, Jeffery D. Murray of Ragley, Louisiana, and Tracy D. Murray of Star City; two daughters, Beverly Cooper of Idabel, Oklahoma, and Bonita McGough of Leola; a brother, Sylvester Dixon of Pine Bluff; two sisters, Katie Sue Edwards of Poyen (Grant County) and Juanita Hatcher of Pine Bluff; 17 grandchildren and 13 great-grandchildren. Graveside services are scheduled for 4 p.m. today in Green Mount Cemetery near Tyro (Lincoln County) with Joseph M. Morphis officiating. Arrangements are by Griffin Funeral Service of Star City. ________________________________ WOODROW FERRELL Funeral services for Woodrow Ferrell, 85, of Pine Bluff, who died November 19, 1997, at Arkansas Convalescent Center, are scheduled for 1 p.m. Monday at Liberty Hill Missionary Baptist Church with the Rev. Nathaniel Campbell officiating. Burial will be in Liberty Hill Cemetery by Henson Mortuary. He was born on November 3, 1912, at Oxford, Mississippi, a son of the late Happ Ferrell and Leona Ferrell. Survivors include his wife, Allie Mae Ferrell; a son, LeClede Ferrell of Pine Bluff; three sisters, Naomi Farmer and Carrie B. Wilson, both of Forrest City, and Allie Bell McCain of Pine Bluff; a host of grandchildren; 20 great-grandchildren; and two great-great-grandchildren. _________________________________ Submitted by Linda P. Smith DougMIV@aol.com ========================================================== PINE BLUFF COMMERCIAL SUNDAY, NOVEMBER 23, 1997 Pine Bluff, Jefferson Co., Arkansas CRAWFORD NEAL Crawford C. Neal Jr., 75, of Pine Bluff, died November 18, 1997, at Jefferson Regional Medical Center. Born December 25, 1921, at Pine Bluff, he was the son of the late Thomas Henry Morris and Sallie T. Neal Morris and the adopted son of Crawford C. Neal and Sarah Neal. He was an educator and a member of St. Joseph Catholic Church. He was preceded in death by a brother, Samuel C. Morris, and a sister, Henry Mae Morris. Survivors include his wife Gloria; two sons, Crawford C. Neal III of Pine Bluff and Norbert R. Davidson of New York; a daughter, Lennie Marie Locklear of Pine Bluff; and four grandchildren. Mass of resurrection will be held at 10 a.m. Monday at St. Joseph Catholic Church with the Rev. Andrew Smith officiating. Burial will be in St. Joseph Cemetery by P.K. Miller Mortuary. A rosary will be said at 3 p.m. today at the mortuary with visitation until 7 p.m. The family will be at home. ______________________________ JOHN COLLINS CAMDEN-- John M. "Rip" Collins, 76, of Camden, died November 21, 1997, at Ouachita County Medical Center here. Born April 5, 1921, at Palmyra (Lincoln County), he was the son of the late Robert C. Collins and Ollie B. Wright Collins. He attended the University of Arkansas at Monticello, Stephen F. Austin University and was a graduate of the University of Florida School of Forestry. He retired as a Senior Project Forester for International Paper Company, where he worked for 35 years. He was chairman of the Pilot Forest Program while in El Dorado and involved in the startup of the Landowner Assistance Program while in Pine Bluff and Camden. After retirement, he continued as proprietor of Collins Forestry Service to manage timberlands as a private consultant. He is survived by his wife Maxine Garris Collins; two sons, John Scott Collins of Stephens (Ouachita County) and Greg Collins of Paragould (Greene County); four brothers, Roy Collins and Walter Collins, both of Palmyra; Eugene Collins of Dayton, Ohio, and James Collins of Livingston, Texas; four sisters, Inez Hamilton and Etta Owen, both of Star City, Eunice McBride of Pasadena, Texas, and Ruth Hankins of North Little Rock; five step-grandchildren and two step-great-grandchildren. Funeral services will be held Monday at First Baptist Church at Camden at 2 p.m. with Brother James Draper, Rev. Mike Seabaugh and Charles Ainsworth officiating. Visitation is today from 3 to 5 p.m. at Proctor Funeral Home. Burial will be in Memorial Park Cemetery at Camden. ________________________________ DALLAS HANKINS LITTLE ROCK-- Dallas Angelo Hankins, 55, of Pine Bluff, died November 22, 1997, at St. Vincent Infirmary Medical Center here. Born August 14, 1942, at Augusta (Woodruff County), she was the daughter of the late Lucien Valerius Angelo and Mary Agnes Long Angelo. She was reared and received her early education in Augusta where she graduated from Augusta High School in 1960. She attended Arkansas State University at Jonesboro and the University of Central Arkansas at Conway. She was office manager at the Perdue Company in Pine Bluff. Prior to that, she worked at McFarland Eye Surgery Center for several years. She and her family moved to Pine Bluff in 1971 from North Little Rock. Prior to marrying Jim L. Hankins on January 21, 1967, in Augusta, she was Woodruff County revenue commissioner. She was a member of Grace Episcopal Church and the Junior League of Pine Bluff. She worked for many years with the March of Dimes in Pine Bluff. She served for several years as docent at the Arts and Science Center for Southeast Arkansas. Among her survivors are her husband Jim Hankins of Pine Bluff; a son, Lee Fletcher Hankins of Russellville; a daughter, Sarah Leslie Hankins of Memphis; two brothers, L.V. "Butch" Angelo of Hernando, Mississippi, and James F. Angelo of Little Rock; and two sisters, Martha Carroll Easley of Portsmouth, Rhode Island, and Anna Margaret Pegg of Sun City, California. Funeral services will be held Monday at Trinity Episcopal Church at 4 p.m. with the Revs. Frank Huber and Susan Payne officiating. The body will be cremated. Ralph Robinson and Son is handling the arrangements. _________________________________ JOSEPH MAXWELL Joseph R. Maxwell Sr., 82, of Pine Bluff, died November 22, 1997, at Jefferson Regional Medical Center. Born June 14, 1915, at Crossett (Ashley County), he was the son of the late J.W. Maxwell and Etta Harris Maxwell. He was reared and educated in Crossett. He was a World War II Navy veteran. He worked for Weyerhaeuser for over 23 years before retiring in 1980 as a shift supervisor for the Pine Bluff Division, which is now Gaylord Container Corporation. He and his wife moved to Pine Bluff in 1957. Among his survivors are his wife Faye Murphy Maxwell whom he married on June 26, 1937, in Crossett; three sons, Joey Maxwell of McGehee and Fred Maxwell and Bruce Maxwell, both of Pine Bluff; two daughters, Sandra Samford of Palatka, Florida, and Brenda Moore of Pine Bluff; two sisters, Helen Carter and Mary Smith, both of Monroe, Louisiana; 13 grandchildren and 9 great-grandchildren. Graveside services will be held at 2 p.m. Tuesday at Old Crossett Cemetery at Crossett with the Rev. Harold Carter officiating and burial by Ralph Robinson and Son Funeral Directors. _________________________________ PAUL ROBERTS Paul Kelly Roberts, 84, of Warren, a retired circuit judge, died November 21, 1997, at Bradley County Medical Center. Born July 27, 1913, in Cleveland County, he was the son of the late John William Roberts and Tennessee (Tennie) Ella Ferguson Roberts. He was a retired judge of the 10th Judicial Circuit. He received his early education in the Bradley County school system and was a graduate of Arkansas A&M College and earned LLB and DJ degrees from the University of Arkansas School of Law at Fayetteville. He was a World War II Army veteran, a member of the Warren VFW and American Legion and served for a number of years as Veterans Service Officer for Bradley County. He taught school at Warren, coached at Vick Public Schools and was the last superintendant of the Vick school system. He also served 10 years as Bradley County Municipal Court Judge and 16 years as Circuit Judge of the 10th district. He was a Mason and a former member of the Warren Lions Club, and a member of Ebenezer Baptist Church. He is survived by a number of nephews and nieces. Funeral services will be held at 10 a.m. Monday at Frazer's Funeral Home in Warren. Burial with masonic rites will be in Union Cemetery at Rye (Cleveland County) by Frazer's. _______________________________ MYRTLE SAWYER LITTLE ROCK-- Funeral services for Myrtle Hearring Sawyer, 76, of Postelle (Phillips County), who died November 19, 1997, at Baptist Medical Center here, were held Saturday at St Joseph Missionary Baptist Church with the Rev. Calvin Jackson officiating. Burial was in Postelle Cemetery by Progressive Funeral Parlor of Marvell. She was a housewife and was preceded in death by a son, Larry Hearring. She is survived by six sons, Orris Hearring and John Hearring, both of Chicago; Roosevelt Hearring and Sedelle Hearring, both of Pine Bluff, and Marion Hearring and Richard Hearring, both of Nashville, Tennessee; nine daughters, Joyce Gamble of Postelle; Allie Williams and Odessa Johnson, both of Memphis; Twins Thressa Sims of West Helena; Alma Moore, Frances Johnson and Naomi Curtis, all of Chicago; Myrtle Mitchner of Pine Bluff and Katie Hollins of Nashville; 84 grandchildren and 32 great-grandchildren. ________________________________ FRANK ALEXANDER Frank Alexander, 76, of Pine Bluff, died November 21, 1997, at Jefferson Regional Medical Center. Born July 10, 1921, at Birta (Yell County) he was the son of the late Louis Alexander and Freddie Brown Alexander. He was retired from the City of Pine Bluff Street Department and was a World War II Navy Veteran. He attended the Church of Christ. He was preceded in death by five brothers and a sister. Survivors include his wife, Reba Mashburn Alexander, of Pine Bluff; a son, John Alexander of Pine Bluff; a daughter, Cherie Hodshire of Benton; three sisters, Stella Edwards of Dardanelle and Inez Merritt and Lorene Rook, both of Pine Bluff; six grandchildren and 3 great-grandchildren. Graveside services will be held Monday at 1 p.m. at Brearly Cemetery at Dardanelle (Yell County) with Lum Edwards officiating. Funeral arrangements by Humphrey Funeral Service of Russellville. ______________________________ ROSA MAY Rosa C. Calabretta Cockrell May, 76, of Sherrill (Jefferson County), died November 22, 1997, at Jefferson Regional Medical Center. Born August 23, 1921, at Pine Bluff, she was the daughter of the late Tony Calabretta and Irene Williams Calabretta. She was reared and received her early education in Pine Bluff where she attended the Annuciation Academy. A homemaker, she was a member of Hawley United Methodist Church and of the VFW Auxiliary. She was a volunteer for the Jefferson County Literacy Council and a reassurance caller for the American Red Cross. She was preceded in death by two husbands, Woodrow Wilson Cockrell who died in 1978 and K.C. May who died in 1987. She is survived by two daughters, Christine Shadrack of Ashland City, Tennessee, and Pamela Pipkin of Sherrill; six grandchildren and three great-grandchildren. Funeral services will be held at 3 p.m. Tuesday at Ralph Robinson & Son with the Rev. Leon Gray officiating. Burial will be in Graceland Cemetery. The family will receive friends at the funeral home Monday from 6 and 8 p.m. The family requests that memorials be sent to the American Lung Association. ________________________________ Submitted by Linda P. Smith DougMIV@aol.com ============================================================ PINE BLUFF COMMERCIAL MONDAY, NOVEMBER 24, 1997 Pine Bluff, Jefferson Co., Arkansas WARD LIGHT MEMPHIS-- Ward Light, 69, of Gillette, Arkansas, died November 21, 1997, at Memphis. Born June 7, 1928, at Chester, Arkansas, he was a son of the late Grover C. Light and Winnie B. Shepherd Light. He was reared and received his early education at Chester. He was a structural iron worker, for Local 1 Iron Workers, for 45 years. He was Pentecostal. Survivors include six sons, Johnny Light of Texas, Calvin Light and Claude Light, both of Memphis, Timmy Light of Utica, Kentucky, Richard Light of Owensboro, Kentucky, and Lawrence Light of Gillette; two daughters, Stella Irons of Memphis and Marie Hohn of Kazier, Arkansas; a brother, Lonnie Light of Redfield, Arkansas; a sister, Judy Light of Atlanta; 20 grandchildren; and five great-grandchildren. Funeral services are scheduled for 10 a.m. Tuesday at the chapel of Ralph Robinson & Son with the Rev. Dale Hill officiating. Burial will be in Redfield Cemetery. ______________________________ BINOM RALEY Binom "B.J." Raley, 80, of Pine Bluff, died November 22, 1997, at Jefferson Regional Medical Center. Born April 21, 1917, at Star City, he was a son of the late John Thomas Raley and Beulah Owen Raley. He was reared and received his early education at Star City, where he graduated from Star City High School. He attended Arkansas A&M College (now the University of Arkansas at Monticello) and later the University of Arkansas at Fayetteville, from which he graduated with a bachelor of science degree in agriculture. He the joined the United States Navy and received his commission from the Mid-Shipman's School at Notre Dame. He served in the South Pacific, and completed his military career as a shipping and storage officer at the Naval Ammunition Depot near Camden. He worked for the Agriculture Extension Service in Ashley and Montgomery counties for eight years as a county agent. He and his wife moved to Pine Bluff in 1953, and with his brothers, Havis Raley and John T. Raley, he owned and operated Raley's House of Music on Main Street in Pine Bluff. He continued this business until retirement in 1980. He was a member of Wesley United Methodist Church. He is preceded in death by seven sisters and his brother Havis Raley. He is survived by his wife of 50 years, Marjorie Chambers Raley; a son, Ronald B. Raley of Cincinnati; a daughter, Debra Raley Slay of Houston; a brother, John Raley of Pine Bluff; and two grandsons. Funeral services are scheduled for 1 p.m. Tuesday at the chapel of Ralph Robinson & Son Funeral Directors with the Rev. Sigfried Johnson. Burial will be in Memorial Park Cemetery. ________________________________ HATTIE McFARLAND BANKS-- Hattie Smith McFarland, 106, of Banks (Bradley County), died November 22, 1997. Born October 8, 1891, at Lanark (Bradley County), the daughter of the late Asa Andrew Smith and Selecta Caroline Abernathy Smith. She was a homemaker, a Methodist, and a member of the Extension Homemakers Club. She is preceded in death by her husband, Auburn J. McFarland, who died in 1977. They were married January 19, 1908, at Banks. She was also preceded in death by two sons, Ernest McFarland and Curtis McFarland; and a daughter, Jerine McFarland. Survivors are two sons, A.J. McFarland Jr. of Banks and Roy Herbert McFarland of Jefferson, Texas; four daughters, Christine Munford of Banks, May Dean Sweatman of Camden, Bobbie Sue Whisenhunt of Fort Smith and Nelsie Bershen of Monroe; 15 grandchildren; 26 great-grandchildren; and five great-great-grandchildren. Funeral services will be held Tuesday at Banks Presbyterian Church at 1:30 p.m. with the Rev. Wayman Mann, Bob Newton and Gary Martin officiating. Burial will be in McFarland Cemetery by Frazer's Funeral Home. _______________________________ LINDA YORK WARREN-- Linda S. York, 43, of Warren, died November 20, 1997, at Bradley County Memorial Hospital at Warren. Born September 22, 1954, at Warren, she was a daughter of Ola Mae Dashazier and the late Curtis Duncan. Other survivors include two sons, Charles York and Ali York, both of Warren; two daughters, Faneshaia Duncan and Sabrina Davis, both of Warren; five sisters, Geraldine Hampton, Joyce Hampton, Freddie Jacob and Brenda Duncan, all of Warren, and Curtiscine Buchann of Chicago. Funeral services are scheduled for 1 p.m. Tuesday at Union Hill Missionary Baptist Church with the Rev. K.L. Dunn officiating. Burial will be in Cornerville Cemetery at Pansy (Cleveland County) by Reddick Funeral Home of Warren. ________________________________ MARGARET HENDRICKS Margaret Cobb Hendricks, 83, of Pine Bluff, died November 21, 1997, at Jefferson Regional Medical Center. Born November 15, 1914, at Durant, Oklahoma, she was a daughter of the late Daniel Wilkes Cobb and Margaret Baker Cobb. She was reared and received her early education at Durant, Oklahoma, Littlefield, Texas, and California. She moved to Pine Bluff in 1950 and worked for Welch Motor Company. In 1960 she gained the franchise for Merle Norman Cosmetics at Pine Bluff and operated it for several years. She had been the manager of Jefferson Heights Apartments for the past 15 years. Survivors include a son, Michael Hendricks of Woodbridge, Virginia; a daughter, Shirley DeMint of Pine Bluff; and a sister, Nell Chapman of San Diego; five grandchildren; and five great-grandchildren. Funeral services are scheduled for 1:30 p.m. Wednesday at the chapel of Ralph Robinson & Son Funeral Directors with the Rev. Charles Settle officiating. The body was donated to University of Arkansas Medical School for research. The family requests that memorials take the form of contributions to The Cobb Scholarship Fund, Asbury Theological Seminary, Wilmore, Kentucky 40390-1199. ___________________________________ Submitted by Linda P. Smith DougMIV@aol.com ============================================================== PINE BLUFF COMMERCIAL TUESDAY, NOVEMBER 25, 1997 Pine Bluff, Jefferson Co., Arkansas BERNICE HOLDERFIELD Bernice Kimbrell Holderfield, 79, of Woodlawn, died November 23, 1997, at Jefferson Regional Medical Center. Born April 8, 1918, in Cleveland County, she was a daughter of the late Frank Kimbrell and Emma Roberts Kimbrell. She was a homemaker and member of Friendship Missionary Baptist Church at Woodlawn. She was the widow of H.T. "Tuddy" Holderfield who died October 27, 1982. She was also preceded in death by three brothers, Lee Kimbrell, Monroe Kimbrell, and John Frank Kimbrell, and a sister, Evia Mae Calvert. Survivors include two sons, Bud Holderfield of Woodlawn, Rick Holderfield of Little Rock; two daughters, Linda Thomas of Little Rock, Lola Lundry of Woodlawn; four sisters, Mozell Weiner and Neale Faver, both of Woodlawn, Maxine Stone of Deer Park, Texas, and Dottie Langley of Houston; six grandchildren; two great-grandchildren. Funeral services are scheduled for 11 a.m. Wednesday at Friendship Missionary Baptist Church at Woodlawn. Burial will be in Rowell Cemetery at Rowell by Buie Funeral Home of Rison. ________________________________ LILLIAN BAIN LITTLE ROCK-- Lillian Lea Bain, 88, of Little Rock, formerly of Monticello, died November 23, 1997, at Baptist Medical Center. She was born on August 31, 1909, at Nashville (Howard County), a daughter of the late John F. Reese and Minnie Lea Brewer Reese. She was a retired beautician and a member of First Christian Church at Monticello. She was preceded in death by her husband, Jack Bain. Survivors include a daughter, Nancy Lea Wright of Little Rock; two grandchildren; and two great-grandchildren. Graveside services are scheduled for 11 a.m. today at Oakland Cemetery at Monticello with the Rev. Rob Walker officiating. Arrangements are by Stephenson-Dearman Funeral Home of Monticello. ___________________________ JOHNNY PONTIFF Johnny Raymond Pontiff, 30, of Pine Bluff, died November 21, 1997, at Jefferson Regional Medical Center. Born July 2, 1967, in Opelousas, Louisiana, he was a son of Ronald Joseph and Linda Berard Pontiff of Pine Bluff. He was reared and received his early education in Cecilia, Louisiana. He moved to Pine Bluff in 1966 and was a mechanic and truck driver for Pine Bluff Sand and Gravel. He was a member of St. Joseph Catholic Church at Cecilia. He was preceded in death by a sister, Carlene Pontiff. Other survivors include a son, Mathew John Pontiff of Washington, Louisiana; a daughter, Amber Elizabeth Pontiff of Washington, Louisiana; three sisters, Carla Barth of Jacksonville, Florida, Michelle Busby and Nichol Busby, both of St. Stephens, Alabama. Funeral services and burial will be in Breaux Bridge, Louisiana. Arrangements by Ralph Robinson & Son Funeral Directors. _______________________________ BURNIS WOOLDRIDGE Burnis Eugene Wooldridge, 62, of Pine Bluff, died November 24, 1997, at Jefferson Regional Medical Center. Born August 27, 1935, at Cornerville (Lincoln County), he was a son of Velma Lee Hudson Wooldridge McLelland of White Hall and the late Burnis Elbert Wooldridge. He was the owner of Genos BBQ Restaurant and a member of South Pine Wood Baptist Church. He was raised at Rison. Other survivors include his wife, Norma Lee Massey Wooldridge who he married October 8, 1955 at Greenville; five sons, Nelson Eugene Wooldridge of Wright, Ronald Gene Wooldridge, Elbert Haywood Wooldridge and Dennis Allen Wooldridge, all of Pine Bluff, and Burnis Elbert Wooldridge II of Shreveport; a brother, Marvin Leonard Wooldridge of Malvern; two sisters, Nomie Lee Austin of Andrews, Texas, and Maudie Virginia Foster of White Hall; 10 grandchildren; and a great-grandchild. Graveside services are scheduled for 3 p.m. Wednesday at Davis Cemetery near Grapevine in Grant County with the Rev. James G. Bynum and John R. Hagar officiating. Buie Funeral Home of Rison will be in charge of arrangements. ________________________________ EARLE PHILLIPS Earle Turner "Dunk" Phillips, 69, of Pine Bluff, died November 24, 1997, at Jefferson Regional Medical Center. He was born July 28, 1928, at Pine Bluff, a son of the late William Wardon Phillips and Helen Marie Bradford Phillips. He was raised and attended schools at Pine Bluff, where he graduated from Pine Bluff High School. He was a retired farmer and a cotton ginner. He was a member of Lakeside United Methodist Church. He was preceded in death by two sons, William Lee Phillips and John David Phillips; and a brother, William Wardon Phillips Jr. Survivors include a son, Earle Wardon Phillips of Pine Bluff; a daughter, Cynthia Phillips Coleman of Little Rock; two sisters, Martha Jane Shaw of Pine Bluff and Helen Rebecca Graeber of Como, Mississippi; four grandchildren; and a great-grandchildren. Graveside services are scheduled for 10 a.m. Wednesday in Bellwood Cemetery. _________________________________ WALTER WILLIAMS PRATTSVILLE-- Walter Lee Williams, 75, of Leola, died November 23, 1997, at Grant County Nursing Home. Born October 3, 1922, at Rison, he was a son of the late Merlin Watson and Odie Terry Williams. He was a member of Oak Grove Missionary Baptist Church at Sheridan. He was a retired catfish farmer, a World War II Army veteran, and he enjoyed hunting and fishing. Survivors include his wife Rosie Frances Florey Williams; two daughters, Delia Kimmer and Terri Duck, both of Sheridan; a brother, Rufus Lee Williams of Prattsville; a sister, Reba Jean Bernshiel of Ashland, Oregon; nine grandchildren; and six great-grandchildren. Graveside services are scheduled for 10 a.m. today in Philadelphia Cemetery at Prattsville with the Rev. Joe May officiating. Arrangements are by Buie Funeral Home of Sheridan. ______________________________ LEROY WEST Leroy West, 66, of Pine Bluff, formerly of West Memphis, died November 20, 1997, at Park Health Care Center here. Born December 30, 1930,at Leland, Mississippi, he was a son of the late Rev. J.W. West and Alice West. He was a former pastor of Mount Bayou Missionary Baptist Church at Altheimer where he retired in 1995. He was a participant in the National Baptist Convention Inc., and he served on the Board of Evangelism. He was preceded in death by a son, Joe West. Survivors include two sons, Eddie West of West Memphis, and Doug West of Chicago; three daughters, Nadine West, Johnnie West, and Oneida West, all of Chicago; a sister, Joyce Livingston of Memphis; 21 grandchildren; and eight great-grandchildren. Funeral services are scheduled for 1 p.m. Wednesday at First Baptist Church of West Memphis with the Rev. Arthur Hughes and the Rev. E.J. Jones officiating. Burial will be in Paradise Garden in Edmonson (Crittenden County), by Anthony Funeral Home South of West Memphis. ________________________________ MYRTLE SAWYER (Repeated with additional information from Sunday Nov. 23) LITTLE ROCK-- Myrtle Hearring Sawyer, 76, of Postelle (Phillips County), died November 19, 1997, at Baptist Medical Center. Born April 1, 1921, at Duncan, she was a daughter of the late Mr. and Mrs. Joe Willie Vinson. She was a homemaker. She was preceded in death by a son, Larry Hearring. Survivors include six sons, Orris Hearring of Chicago, Roosevelt Hearring and Sedelle Hearring, both of Pine Bluff, Marion Hearring and Richard Hearring, both of Nashville, and John Hearring of Chicago; nine daughters, Joyce Gamble of Postelle, Allie Williams and Odessa Johnson, both of Memphis, Thressa Sims of West Helena, Alma Moore, Frances Johnson, Naomi Curtis, all of Chicago, Myrtle Mitchner of Pine Bluff and Katie Hollins of Nashville; 84 grandchildren; 32 great-grandchildren. Funeral services were held at 1 p.m. Saturday at St Joseph Missionary Baptist Church at Postelle with the Rev. Calvin Johnson officiating. Burial was in Postelle Cemetery by Progressive Funeral Parlor of Marvell. _______________________________ Submitted by Linda P. Smith DougMIV@aol.com ========================================================== PINE BLUFF COMMERCIAL WEDNESDAY, NOVEMBER 26, 1997 Pine Bluff, Jefferson Co., Arkansas VILA CRISCO GURDON-- Vila Ree Crisco, 81, of Arkadelphia, a former Pine Bluff resident, died November 24, 1997, at Pineview Nursing Home. Born December 13, 1915, at Dalark (Dallas County),she was a daughter of the late James Zack and Mary Ophelia Tucker Amis. A homemaker, she was a member of Macedonia Primitive Baptist Church at Dalark. She was preceded in death by a brother, R.T. Amis, and a granddaughter. Survivors include her husband, J.L. Crisco; a son, Jim Crisco of Fort Worth; two sisters, Ada Mae Evers of Arkadelphia and Jodie Lee Hunter of Dalark; two grandchildren; and three great-grandchildren. Funeral services are scheduled for 2 p.m. Friday at Macedonia Primitive Baptist Church at Dalark with Frank Buttery and Charles Sandage officiating. Burial will be in Atchley Cemetery in Dalark by Murry-Ruggles Funeral Home of Arkadelphia. Family visitation will be from 9 a.m. to noon Friday at the funeral home loca ted at Rest Haven Memorial Gardens on Highway 8 West. ______________________________ JOYE JETER Joye Hardy Jeter, 77, of Pine Bluff, died November 25, 1997, at Jefferson Regional Medical Center. Born March 4, 1920, at Monticello, she was a daughter of the late Eric and Eva Anderson Hardy. She was reared and received her early education in Monticello where she graduated from high school. She attended Arkansas A&M College (now the University of Arkansas at Monticello). She married E. Hudgens Jeter at Monticello on October 4, 1939. She and her husband lived in Wabbaseka and Sweden, Arkansas, after their marriage. They moved to Swan Lake in 1944. Her husband died February 21, 1971. After his death, Mrs. Jeter was the owner of the family farm, Birmac Planting Company, and was involved in its operation for several years. She moved to Pine Bluff in 1992. She was a member of First United Methodist Church of Altheimer and the United Methodist Women. Survivors include two sons, Ronald H. Jeter of Altheimer and Jeffrey H. Jeter of Pine Bluff; a brother, Robert A. Hardy of Little Rock; and four grandchildren. Funeral services are scheduled for 3:45 p.m. today at Ralph Robinson & Son Funeral Directors with the Rev. Robert A. Boyd Clanton officiating. Burial will be at Graceland Cemetery. The family requests that memorials be made to First United Methodist Church of Altheimer. The family will be at the home of Jeff and Brenda Jeter in Pine Bluff. ________________________________ WANDA JONES Funeral services for Wanda Jean Jones, 54, of Pine Bluff, who died November 22, 1997, at Jefferson Regional Medical Center, will be at 11 a.m. Friday at First Missionary Baptist Church with the Rev. William Shaw officiating. Burial will be in Henson Memorial Gardens by Henson Mortuary. Born March 29, 1943, at Hope, she was a daughter of Bernice Phillips of Pine Bluff and the late Chester Hill. Other survivors include three sons, Robert E. Jones Jr. of Little Rock, Eric H. Jones of Los Angeles, and Anthony Jones of Pine Bluff; three daughters, Arletha J. Jones of Little Rock, Trisha Evette Blair and Gail M. Jones, both of Pine Bluff; two sisters, Maxine Cooper and Wilma Duncan, both of Pine Bluff; and 10 grandchildren. _______________________________ Submitted by Linda P. Smith DougMIV@aol.com ============================================================ PINE BLUFF COMMERCIAL THURSDAY, NOVEMBER 27, 1997 Pine Bluff, Jefferson Co., Arkansas BERNICE BLACK (Photo included) Bernice Black, 81, of Pine Bluff, died November 19, 1997, at her home. Born August 5, 1916, at Pine Bluff, she was a daughter of the late Joseph Thomas and Josie Owens Thomas. She was a member of Pleasant Grove Baptist Church. She was preceded in death by her husband, James S. Black. Survivors include three sons, Leroy Lasley, Edward Pinkins and James C. Black, all of Pine Bluff; four daughters, Dorothy Russell of Houston, Geraldine Rowdy and Barbara Price, both of Pine Bluff, and Annette Wyatt of Chicago; 11 grandchildren; and 15 great-grandchildren. Funeral services will be held Saturday at 11 a.m. at Pleasant Grove Baptist Church with the Rev. Harold Shirlee and the Rev. Marvin E. Wiley officiating. Burial will be in Bellwood Cemetery by Perry Funeral Home. _______________________________ WALTER MAUPIN Walter R. "Bob" Maupin, 53, of Pine Bluff, died November 24, 1997, at Jefferson Regional Medical Center. He was the son of the late Walter B. Maupin and Dean Maupin. He is survived by his wife, Judy Maupin. Graveside services will be Friday at 10 a.m. in Graceland Cemetery by Hale-South Funeral Home. ______________________________ HOWARD KIMBALL Howard P. "Doc" Kimball, 63, of Pine Bluff, died November 26, 1997, at Jefferson Regional Medical Center. Born June 9, 1934, at Oak Grove, Louisiana, he was a son of the late Robert Kimball and Minnie Lee Florence Kimball. He was reared and received his early education in Oak Grove. He served in the Navy during the Korean War. After the service, he moved to Pine Bluff in 1958 and was employed by International Paper Company for 37 years before retiring. He was a member of the Hazel Street Church of Christ and International Paper Quarter Century Club. He enjoyed and participated in outdoor activities including camping, hunting and fishing. Survivors include his wife, Shirley Chism Kimball, whom he married April 9, 1959, in Pine Bluff; a son, Randy Kimball of Sheridan; two daughters, Becky Maynard of Hot Springs and Kim Weatherford of Pine Bluff; three brothers, J.W. Kimball of Bastrop, Louisiana, Homer Kimball of Atlanta, Texas, and Henry Kimball of Oak Grove; a sister, Sybil Thornhill of Collinston, Louisiana; and four grandchildren. Funeral services will be held at 1:30 p.m. Friday at Ralph Robinson & Son Funeral Directors with Tommy Gaither officiating. Burial will be in Cypress Memorial Gardens. _______________________________ MARY DAUGHERTY FORDYCE-- Mary Magdeline Daugherty, 90, of Tinsman (Calhoun County), died November 25, 1997, at Dallas County Hospital. Born September 1, 1907, in Calhoun County, she was the daughter of the late Thomas Franklin Hopper and Mary Hettie Williams Hopper. She was a retired teacher. She was a member of First Baptist Church at Tinsman. She was preceded in death by her husband, John S. Daugherty; and a daughter, Mary Helen Daugherty. Survivors include a son, John T. Daugherty of Bearden (Ouachita County); a brother, Willis Hopper of McGehee; a sister, Helen Crowder of Fordyce; and a grandson. Funeral services will be 2 p.m. Friday at Benton Funeral Home of Fordyce with the Rev. Mike Nutt officiating. Burial will be in Earnest Cemetery (Tinsman) by Benton. ________________________________ DOROTHY MIRALDI WHITE HALL-- Dorothy Jean Miraldi, 66, former longtime resident of Blytheville, died November 25, 1997, in her home at White Hall. She was a homemaker and a Protestant. She is survived by her husband, Eugene Miraldi. Graveside services will be held Friday at 10:30 a.m. in Elmwood Cemetery at Blytheville with the Rev. Mitchell King officiating. There will be a private family viewing prior to the service. ________________________________ Submitted by Linda P. Smith DougMIV@aol.com PINE BLUFF COMMERCIAL FRIDAY, NOVEMBER 28, 1997 Pine Bluff, Jefferson Co., Arkansas SAMUEL SHELTON Funeral services for Samuel L. Shelton, 101, of Pine Bluff, who died November 22, 1997, at Jefferson Regional Medical Center, will be held at 2 p.m. Saturday at Perry Funeral Home with the Rev. George Barnes Sr. officiating. Burial will be in P.K. Miller Cemetery. He was born October 9, 1896. Survivors include two sons, Eugene Shelton of California and Earnest Shelton of Kansas City. ______________________________ CHARLES CALVERT JR. Graveside services for Charles Thomas "Tommy" Calvert Jr., 24, of Pine Bluff, who died November 25, 1997, at Jefferson Regional Medical Center from injuries received in an accident, are 10 a.m. Saturday in Providence Cemetery with Michael S. Andrews officiating. Burial will be by Cranford Funeral Home of White Hall. Born September 17, 1973, at Pine Bluff, he was a son of Jeanette Phillips Hall and Charles Thomas "Tommy" Calvert Sr., both of Pine Bluff. He graduated from White Hall High School in 1991 and attended Canaan Baptist Church. He worked in construction as a steelworker. He was preceded in death by his grandfathers, Charles Edward Calvert and H.A. Phillips. Other survivors include a brother, Jeffrey Thomas Handy of Pine Bluff; four sisters, Terrie Dawn Stewart and Kassie Lynn Calvert, both of Pine Bluff, Brandy Marie Haynes of North Dakota and Kristi Armstrong of Hensley; his stepfather, Keith Hall of Pine Bluff; and his grandmothers, Delta Calvert and Margaret Burr, both of Pine Bluff. ______________________________ BARBARA LANPHIER LITTLE ROCK-- Barbara Lynn Smith Lanphier, 50, of Warren, died November 26, 1997, at St Vincent Infirmary Medical Center. A native of Little Rock, she was born June 29, 1947, a daughter of Gail Carter Smith of Wilmar and the late George Bernard Smith. She was a home economics teacher for the Warren School District. She was a member of the First Baptist Church at Warren. Other survivors include her husband, David Lanphier, who she married July 2, 1995; a son Corey Lee Austin of Warren; a daughter, Kari Lynn Austin of Warren; and a brother, Charles Smith of McKenzie, Tennessee. Funeral services are 1:30 p.m. today at First Baptist Church at Warren. Burial will be in Oakland Cemetery by Frazer's Funeral Home of Warren. ________________________________ BERTIE HAGOOD Bertie Mae Hagood, 93, of Pine Bluff, formerly of Dumas, died November 26, 1997, at Trinity Village Retirement Home. She was born October 27, 1904, near Monticello, a daughter of the late Henry T. Berry and Henrietta Ragland. She was a former director of the Women's Missionary Union of the Arkansas Southern Baptist Convention for17 years. She was a member of the First Baptist Church at Dumas, a Sunday school teacher and member of the Women's Missionary Union. Survivors include a daughter, Robbie Robinson of Dumas; five grandchildren; nine great-grandchildren; and five great-great-grandchildren. She was preceded in death by a son, Dr. Robert Earl Hagood Jr. Graveside services are 11 a.m. today in Walnut Lake Cemetery at Dumas with the Rev. Neil Bennett officiating. Burial will be handled by Griffin Funeral Home of Dumas. ______________________________ WILMA PENNINGTON Wilma Marcrum Pennington, 73, of White Hall, died November 26, 1997, at Jefferson Regional Medical Center. Born August 7, 1924, at Bluffton (Yell County), she was a daughter of the late Jessie T. "Bud" Marcrum and Nettie Rha Smith Marcrum. She was reared and educated at Bluffton and Gould, where she attended high school. She was a homemaker. She moved to White Hall in 1966. She was a member of the Oakland Heights Baptist Church. She was preceded in death by two sons, Thurston Pennington, who died in 1987, and Hershel Pennington, who died in 1997; and two brothers, Clarence Marcrum and Archie Vernon Marcrum. Survivors include her husband, Clifford D. Pennington, who she married October 14, 1941, at Dumas; four sons, Clifford W. Pennington, Robert Pennington and Mike Pennington, all of White Hall, and James Pennington of Emerson (Columbia County); four daughters, Flora Cosby of Camden, Linda Welch of Rogers, Carol Higginbotham of Springfield, Missouri, and Cynthia "Cindy" Spence of White Hall; three brothers, Ivan Marcrum and Charlie Marcrum, both of Little Rock, and Eulas "Dude" Marcrum of Benton; 24 grandchildren; and 21 great-grandchildren. Funeral services are 1 p.m. Saturday at Ralph Robinson & Son Funeral Directors with the Rev. Charles Andrews and Rev. Wayne Rasor officiating. Burial will be in White Hall United Methodist Church Cemetery. Memorials to the Diabetes Association, Arkansas Affiliation, 11500 N. Rodney Parham Road, Little Rock, AR 72212. _________________________________ Submitted by Linda P. Smith DougMIV@aol.com ================================================================== PINE BLUFF COMMERCIAL SATURDAY, NOVEMBER 29,1997 Pine Bluff, Jefferson Co., Arkansas ELLON BAXTER Ellon Ford Baxter, 90, of Pine Bluff, died November 27, 1997, at her home. She was born on April 27, 1907, in Missouri, a daughter of the late George Ford and Nancy Vanzant Ford. She was a homemaker and a member of the Assembly of God. She was preceded in death by her husband, Martin V. Baxter, who died November 28, 1988. Survivors include a son, M.V. Baxter of Rowell; a daughter, Maye McCool of Pine Bluff; two sisters, Ollie Denton of Missouri and Amy Sutton of St. Louis; seven grandchildren; and 13 great-grandchildren. Graveside services are scheduled for 2 p.m. today in Roselawn Cemetery near Pine Bluff with Doney Blackerby officiating. Arrangements are handled by Buie Funeral Home of Rison. _______________________________ SHIRLEY DANIELS INDEPENDENCE, Missouri-- Shirley Daniels, 41, of Independence, Missouri, formerly of Arkansas City, Arkansas, died November 20, 1997, at Independence Hospital. She was born on February 20, 1956, at Arkansas City, a daughter of Clemmie Smith Daniels of Arkansas City and the late Earnest Daniels Jr. She was a Baptist. Survivors include two sons, Lesslie Britt of Milwaukee and Terry Washington of Kansas City, Kansas; two daughters, LaTasha Washington and LaKish Brown, both of Kansas City; eight brothers, James Daniels of Kalamazoo, Michigan, Steve Daniels of Chicago, Tommy Daniels of Vallejo, California, Earnest Daniels Jr. of Pine Bluff, David Daniels of Las Vegas, and Morgan Daniels, Antonio Daniels and Glen Daniels, all of Arkansas City; eight sisters, Mary McCormick of Vallejo, Patricia Daniels of Oakland, California, Beatrice Daniels Lewis, Wendy Daniels and Clemmie Daniels, all of Arkansas City, Brenda Daniels Smith of Pickens, Arkansas, Lenora Wise of Norfolk, Virginia, and Stephanie Daniels of Monroe; her stepmother, Vivian Daniels of Arkansas City; three stepbrothers, James Daniels, Timothy Daniels and Jimmy Daniels, all of Arkansas City; a stepsister, Paula Price of Arkansas City; and seven grandchildren. Funeral services are scheduled for 2 p.m. today at First Baptist Church at Arkansas City with the Rev. Leroy Hood officiating. Burial will be in Memorial Garden Cemetery at Arkansas City by Washington-Dolls Funeral Home of Dumas. ________________________________ CHARLES RICHART FORDYCE-- Charles Allen Richart, 70, of Fordyce, died November 27, 1997, at Dallas County Hospital. He was born on September 20, 1927, at Kingsland, a son of the late Horace C. Richart and Clesta Rich Richart. He was retired from Georgia-Pacific and was a Baptist. He was an Army veteran of World War II. He was preceded in death by two sons, Cecil Eugene Richart and Horace C. Richart. Survivors include his wife, Joyce Holmes Richart; three sons, Larry Richart and Bubba Richart, both of Fordyce, and Issac Keith Richart of Conway; two daughters, Lucy Haynes of Magnolia and Mary Frances Richart of Camden; a sister, Bobbie Jean Williams of Ramsey (Dallas County); two stepsons, Jay Holmes of Kingsland and James Holmes of Wentzville, Missouri; 13 grandchildren; and two great-grandchildren. Funeral services are scheduled for 2 p.m. Sunday at Benton Funeral Home at Fordyce with the Rev. Ken Shaddox officiating. Burial will be in Kingsland Cemetery. __________________________________ MYRA DUNCAN Funeral services for Myra M. Duncan, 93, of Pine Bluff, who died November 26, 1997, at Pine Bluff Nursing Home, are scheduled for 2 p.m. today at Ward Chapel AME Church with the Rev. G.T. Blackman officiating. Burial will be in Henson Memorial Garden by Henson Mortuary. She was born on September 30, 1904, at Perthshire, Mississippi, a daughter of the late Charles and Almeda L. Tate Mitchell. She is survived by a sister, Sylvia M. Mallett of Pine Bluff. __________________________________ MARY WOOLEY Funeral services for Mary Louise Wooley, 85, of Pine Bluff, who died November 27, 1997, at her daughter's home at Star City, are scheduled for 3 p.m. today at Ralph Robinson & Son Funeral Directors with the Rev. Jeff Alford officiating. Burial will be in Graceland Cemetery. She was born on January 21, 1912, at Plain Dealing, Louisiana, a daughter of the late Henry Edwin and Arlene Liphardt Gardner. She was raised and educated at Pine Bluff, where she attended Miss Frankie Vaughn's School. She was a homemaker and a member of Immanuel Baptist Church. She enjoyed sewing. She was preceded in death by her husband, Virgil Wooley. Survivors include a son, James V. Wooley of Mountain Home; two daughters, Dorothy W. Chambers of Star City and Donna Bray of Branson, Missouri; a sister, Arlene Palmer of San Diego; nine grandchildren; and 17 great-grandchildren. ___________________________________ Submitted by Linda P. Smith DougMIV@aol.com PINE BLUFF COMMERCIAL SUNDAY, NOVEMBER 30, 1997 Pine Bluff, Jefferson Co., Arkansas MILDRED McNEILL Mildred Joan McNeill, 73, of Pine Bluff, died November 27, 1997, from injuries in an automobile accident. Born March 17, 1924, at Cornerville, she was a daughter of the late Marl Coston and Belva Clemens Lephiew. She was reared and educated at Star City, graduating from Star City High School. She was preceded in death by her husband, Robin F. McNeill, and two brothers, Vernon Lephiew and Aubrey Laverne Lephiew. She was a Baptist. Survivors include four sons, Gary D. McNeill of Star City and John H. McNeill, Tommy M. McNeill and R. Charles McNeill, all of Pine Bluff; two daughters, Lelia Hanks of Vicksburg and Jennifer Glover of Pine Bluff; three sisters, Laura Elizabeth Taylor of Star City, Mary A. Groves of Rye (Cleveland County) and Lois Christine Rowland of Vicksburg; 11 grandchildren; and three great-grandchildren. Funeral services are scheduled for 10 a.m. Monday at the chapel of Ralph Robinson and Son Funeral Directors with the Rev. Jim Jones and the Rev. Wayne Newton officiating. Burial will be in Memorial Park Cemetery. Memorials to the Arkansas Children's Hospital Foundation or the Diabetes Association of Arkansas. _________________________________ ELLA HALL Ella Hall, 84, of Star City, died November 24, 1997, at Jefferson Regional Medical Center. Born February 16, 1913, at Yorktown (Lincoln County), she was a daughter of the late Elex Hall and Josephine Sanders. She was a homemaker and a member of Mount Nebo Baptist Church. Survivors include a son, Phil Allen Jr. of Pine Bluff; a daughter, Mae Pearl Jackson of Pine Bluff; a sister, Roberta Childs of Milwaukee; 27 grandchildren; 34 great-grandchildren; and a great-great-grandchild. Funeral services are scheduled for noon on Monday at Mount Nebo Baptist Church with the Rev. Al Brown officiating. Burial will be in Mount Nebo Cemetery. ________________________________ BILLY KNOWLES MONTICELLO-- Billy Hugh Knowles, 69, of Monticello, died November 29, 1997, at Drew Memorial Hospital. Born August 24, 1928, at Warren, he was a son of Elmon and Edna Poole McQuiston. He was a retired pipeliner and a Baptist. Survivors include his wife, Alice Knowles; a daughter, Loretta Meeks of Monticello; three sisters, Mildred Collins, Mae Howard and Myrt Jolley, all of Monticello; three grandchildren; and four great-grandchildren. Graveside services are scheduled for 2 p.m. today in 16th Section Cemetery in Drew County with the Rev. Billy Charles Collins officiating. _________________________________ LENORA DAWSON Lenora Dawson, 64, of White Hall, died November 29, 1997, at Jefferson Regional Medical Center. Born September 14, 1933, at Oil Trough (Independence County), she was a daughter of the late Virgil Brown and Josie Pruitt Foster. She was reared and received her early education at Oil Trough. She married William H. "Bill" Dawson on July 9, 1949, at Oil Trough. They moved to the Pine Bluff-White Hall area in 1964. He preceded her in death January 24, 1992. She was a homemaker. Survivors include two sons, Ronnie Dawson of Pine Bluff and Jim Dawson of White Hall; two daughters, Kathy Frazier of Pine Bluff and Pat Harvey of Hot Springs; a brother, Mack Foster of Pleasant Plains (Independence County); two sisters, Earline Freeman of St. Joseph, Missouri, and Montine Branscum of Batesville; five grandchildren; and three great-grandchildren. Funeral services are scheduled for 10 a.m. Tuesday at the chapel of Ralph Robinson and Son Funeral Directors with the Rev. Ron Woods and the Rev. Alan Stokes officiating. Graveside services are scheduled for 2:30 p.m. Tuesday in Maple Springs Cemetery near Oil Trough. __________________________________ JOHN SIMS John Henry Sims, 48, of Pine Bluff, died November 22, 1997, at his home. He died of a gunshot wound. A suspect is in custody. Born August 7, 1949, at Cornerstone, he was a son of James Sims Sr. of Pine Bluff and the late Georgia M. Johnson. He was also preceded in death by four brothers and a sister. Other survivors include two brothers, Harvey Sims and Melvin Sims, both of Pine Bluff; five sisters, Morricean Sims, Penny S. Spicer and Johnnie M. Lee, all of Flint, Michigan, and Quincy Clay and Brenda Sims, both of PIne Bluff. Funeral services are scheduled for 11 a.m. Monday at Perry Funeral Home Chapel with the Rev. Henderson Lee officiating. Burial will be in P.K. Miller Cemetery. ________________________________ Submitted by Linda P. Smith DougMIV@aol.com ==============================================================