Obituaries from the Pine Bluff Commercial, Pine Bluff, Jefferson Co., AR for Jan 1998 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 1998 Pine Bluff Commercial. All rights reserved. Reprinted with permission of the Pine Bluff Commercial. ************************************************************************ PINE BLUFF COMMERCIAL THURSDAY, JANUARY 1, 1998 Pine Bluff, Jefferson Co., Arkansas ETHEL FRANK STAR CITY-- Ethel Appleberry Frank, 97, died December 30, 1997, at Star City Nursing Home. She was born on July 20, 1900, in Jefferson Community (Desha County). She lived in Desha and Lincoln Counties and was a member of First United Methodist Church at Dumas. She was preceded in death by her husband, William J. Frank; and a daughter, Mildred Frank. Survivors include a son, C.T. ÒJackÓ Frank, address unavailable; two grandchildren; and two great-grandchildren. Funeral services are scheduled for 2 p.m. Friday at Griffin Funeral Home at Dumas. Burial will be in Walnut Lake Cemetery at Dumas. __________________________________ ELDRIDGE BELL Funeral services for Eldridge ÒBloddieÓ Bell, 73, of Pine Bluff, who died December 27, 1997, at Baptist Medical Center at Little Rock, are scheduled for 11 a.m. Friday at P.K. Miller Mortuary with the Rev. Anthony Craig officiating. Burial will be in Miller Cemetery. He was born on July 27, 1924, at Pine Bluff, a son of the late Nathaniel Bell and Willie Bell. He received his early education in Pine Bluff public schools and retired after 45 years with Cotton Belt Railroad. He was preceded in death by his wife, Virgie Lee Davis Bell. Survivors include three sons, Frankie Lee Bell of Haywood, California, and Ralph E. Bell and Anthony Bell, both of Pine Bluff; two daughters, Darlene Whitehead of Gary, Indiana and Rosemary Moye of Pine Bluff; two brothers, Earl Bell and Cornelius Bell, both of Inkster, Michigan; a sister, Lois Stephen of Inkster; 13 grandchildren; and six great-grandchildren. ________________________________ JIMMY JACOBS REYDELL-- Jimmy Dale Jacobs, 40, of Humphrey, died December 30, 1997, near Reydell from injuries received in a crane accident. He was born on July 5, 1957, at Stuttgart, a son of Allen Jacobs of McGehee and the late Elizabeth Broek Jacobs. He was a farmer and a construction worker. He was a member of Ducks Unlimited and Humphrey United He was preceded in death by a sister, Judy Tefteller. Other survivors include his wife, Stacy Jackson Jacobs; two daughters, Audra Jacobs of Humphrey and Broek Jacobs of DeWitt; two brothers, Mike Jacobs of St. Charles (Arkansas County) and Douglas Jacobs of Stuttgart; a sister, Allene Bowers of Vilonia; and a stepmother, Mrs. Allen Jacobs of McGehee. Funeral services are scheduled for 2 p.m. today at Humphrey United Methodist Church with Dr. Robert Turner officiating. Burial will be in Lone Tree Cemetery at Stuttgart by Turpin Funeral Home of Stuttgart. ________________________________ Submitted by Linda P. Smith DougMIV@aol.com -------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- INE BLUFF COMMERCIAL FRIDAY, JANUARY 2, 1998 Pine Bluff, Jefferson Co., Arkansas MARY SCOTT (Photo included) Mary Scott, 70, of Pine Bluff, died December 30, 1997, at Jefferson Regional Medical Center. Born January 15, 1927, at Lake Village, she was a daughter of the late Charlie Fletcher Sr. and Ludaisy Carter Fletcher. She was a day-care operator and a member of Mount Calvary Baptist Church at Pine Bluff, where she was also a member of the church choir and Sunday school. Survivors include her husband, Abe Scott of Pine Bluff; two sons, Don Scott and Dennis Scott, both of Pine Bluff; a daughter, Geneva Dawson of Pine Bluff; five brothers, George Fletcher and David Fletcher, both of Pine Bluff, Charlie Fletcher Jr. of Cincinnati, Roosevelt Fletcher of Columbus, Ohio, and Rev. Eddie Fletcher of Pontiac, Michigan; five sisters, Ruby Stephens, Virginia Williams and Elizabeth Fletcher, all of Pine Bluff, Rosie Lee Glasco of McGehee and Bernice Fletcher of Cincinatti; seven grandchildren; and four great-grandchildren. Funeral services will be held Saturday at 2 p.m. at Mount Calvary Baptist Church with the Rev. Richard Bullard officiating. Burial will be in Mount Calvary Cemetery by Brown Funeral Home. ____________________________________ MATTIE JOHNSON GOULD-- Funeral services for Mattie Johnson, 94, of Gould, who died December 29, 1997, at Delta Memorial Hospital at Dumas, are scheduled for 11 a.m. Saturday at Washington-Dolls Funeral Home at Dumas with the Rev. Columbus Burton officiating. Burial will be in Oak Grove Cemetery at Gould. She was born on December 10, 1903, a daughter of the late Virgil and Chancey William Hearsey. She was a Baptist. Survivors include her primary caretakers, Jim and Evelyn Boren both of Gould; a son, Samuel Byrd of Monroe; and 18 grandchildren. ____________________________ ALAN REED (Photo included) STAR CITY-- Funeral services for Alan Ray Reed, 14, of Pine Bluff, who died in a hunting accident December 29, 1997, at Star City, will be held Saturday at 2 p.m. at Rose urial will be in St. Ollie Cemetery at the Meroney community near here by Henson Mortuary of Pine Bluff. Born October 24, 1983, at Pine Bluff, he was a son of O.V. Turntine of Star City and Rosie Mae Sanders of Pine Bluff. Other survivors include three brothers, Anthony Reed of Spokane, Washington, and Otha Anderson and O.V.Turntine Jr., both of Star City; nine sisters, Stephanie Turntine and Sharon Reed, both of Star City, Christian Culclager, Debra Ann Turntine, Connie Turntine, Teresa Turntine, Lisa Turntine, LaDreika Anderson and Gloria Reed, all of Pine Bluff; his grandfathers, Willie B. Sanders of Pine Bluff and Sammie Lockett Sr. of Star City; his grandmother Reddie Sanders of Star City; and great-grandmother, Genette Robinson of Pine Bluff. ______________________________ HARRISON MAYS Harrison ÒTigerÓ Mays, Jr., 63, of Pine Bluff, died December 28, 1997, at the Arkansas Convalescent Home. Born December 4, 1934, at Pickens (Desha County), he was a son of the late Harrison Mays Sr. and Thannie Bell McGhee Mays. He was a member of New Jerusalem Baptist Church and was employed by W.S. Fox and Sons at Pine Bluff. Survivors include three brothers, Booker T. Mays, Moses Mays and Earl Mays, all of Pine Bluff; three sisters, Ruby L. Hampton of Pine Bluff and Oretta King and Bertha Green, both of Chicago. Funeral services will be Saturday at 11 a.m. at Brown Funeral Home with the Rev. H.O. Gray officiating. Burial will be in Forest Lawn Cemetery by Brown Funeral Home. Family will be at the home of Mrs. Vernon Lee Compton. ________________________________ HOWARD SMITH FORDYCE-- Howard John Smith, 93, of Rison, died January 1, 1998, at the Dallas County Hospital in Fordyce. Born August 24, 1904, at Portersville, Missouri, he was a son of the late Ora Smith and Lula Bartelle Smith. He was a truck driver for the Jack L. Leslie Lumber Company and a security guard for the Jefferson County Courthouse. He was a member of Sulphur Springs Baptist Church. He was preceded in death by his wife Eula Mae Pipkin Smit on, Eugene Smith. Survivors include a son, John Smith of Pine Bluff; two daughters, Dee Coker of Benton, Louisiana, and Louise Reed of Rison; eight grandchildren; and two great-grandchildren. Graveside services will be held at 11 a.m. Saturday in Roselawn Memorial Gardens Cemetery near Pine Bluff with Harry Puterbaugh officiating. Burial will be handled by Buie Funeral Home of Rison. _________________________________ ALVIN COURTNEY Alvin Foster Courtney, 70, of Fordyce, died December 31, 1997, at Jefferson Regional Medical Center. Born January 15, 1927, at Pine Bluff, he was a son of the late Peter D. Courtney and Sadie Mae Sinks Courtney. He served in the Navy during World War II. He worked as a grader operator for Dallas County. He was a member of Sulphur Springs Baptist Church. Survivors include his wife, Inez Livingston Courtney; two sons, Doyle Richard Courtney of Thornton (Calhoun County) and Robert Dale Courtney of Kingsland (Cleveland County); a daughter, Dianna Jeanne Slaker of Salem, Oregon; seven grandchildren; and two great-grandchildren. Graveside services will be held Saturday at 2 p.m. in Oak Grove Cemetery at Holly Springs (Dallas County) with the Revs. Harold Harper and Marvin Tony officiating. Burial will be handled by Benton Funeral Home of Fordyce. ________________________________ CHARLOTTE JOHNSTON Charlotte Beatrice Johnston, 76, of Warren, died December 31, 1997, at Jefferson Regional Medical Center. Born January 31, 1921 at Bradley County, she was a daughter of the late Joseph Walter and Ethel Grace Lynn Greenwood. She was a homemaker and a member of Farmville Missionary Baptist Church. She was the widow of Floyd Edwin Johnston Sr., who died January 12, 1996. They were united in marriage December 28, 1938. Survivors include a son, Floyd Edwin Johnston Jr. of Warren; five daughters, Alvanette Gates and Pat Hunter, both of Warren, Tish McMore of Jacksonville, Mary Sue Sharp of Hermitage (Bradley County) and Jo Ann Johnston Williams of Greenville, South Carolina; two brothers, nd Edgar Greenwood of Stillwater, Florida; 23 grandchildren; and 39 great-grandchildren. Funeral services will be held at 10 a.m. Saturday at FrazerÕs Funeral Home with the Revs. Ronald Neely and John Kidwell officiating. Burial will be in Oakland Cemetery. ________________________________ BILLY JACKSON MONTICELLO-- Billy Ray Jackson, 61, of Monticello, died December 27, 1997, at Drew Memorial Hospital at Monticello. Born November 24, 1936, at Bastrop, Louisiana, he was a son of the late Clarence Jackson and Nora Jenkins Jackson. He attended school at Wilmar (Drew County) and went on to become a construction worker. He is survived by his wife, Clovee Jackson; a son, Billy Ray Jackson of Hot Springs; a brother, Joe Jackson of Bastrop; four sisters, Joyce Allen of Monticello, Erma Lewis, Martha Jackson and Mary Jackson, all of Wilmar; and four grandchildren. Funeral services will be held at 2:30 p.m. Saturday at Greater Shady Grove Methodist Church of Wilmar. Burial will be in Wilmar Cemetery. Arrangements by Washington-Dolls Funeral Home at Dumas. ________________________________ BELL DICKINSON Bell Donuia Dickinson, 85, of Pine Bluff, died December 25, 1997, at Jefferson Regional Medical Center. Born November 10, 1912, at Tarry (Lincoln County), she was a daughter of the late William Silver and Martha Harris Silver. She was a member of New Macedonia Baptist Church at Tarry and was past mission president as well as a member of the church finance committee. She was also a homemaker and a member of the Florial Club and Singing Class. She was the widow of Frank Dickinson. Survivors include four sons, Josiah Powell of Diamond Head, California, and James Powell and Thomas Powell, both of Los Angeles, and William Powell Jr. of San Diego; a stepson, Maseco Dickinson of Kansas City, Kansas; two daughters, Mattie Floyd of Little Rock and Airlean Iverson of Tarry; two stepdaughters, Annie Ragesdale and Essie Brown, both of Kansas City; a brother, Ester Silver of Cincinnati; three sisters, Flora Wade of Cincina Little Rock; 40 grandchildren; 50 great-grandchildren; and 15 great-great-grandchildren. Funeral services will be held at 2 p.m. Saturday at Greater St. Marion District Center with the Rev. Edward Demery officiating. Burial will be in the Bright Star Cemetery at Tarry by Brown Funeral Home. _____________________________ Submitted by Linda P. Smith DougMIV@aol.com ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------ PINE BLUFF COMMERCIAL SATURDAY, JANUARY 3, 1998 Pine Bluff, Jefferson Co., Arkansas JAMES WILLIS (Photo included) Funeral services for James Perdue Willis, 77, of Pine Bluff, who died January 1, 1998, at Jefferson Regional Medical Center, are scheduled for 2 p.m. today at First United Methodist Church with the Revs. Charles Settle and Jay Culpepper officiating. Burial will be in Graceland Cemetery by Ralph Robinson & Son Funeral Directors. He was born on February 14, 1920, at Batesville, a son of the late James Harry and Enoch Perdue Willis. He was a 1939 graduate of Little Rock High School. He attended Little Rock Junior College (now the University of Arkansas at Little Rock) until 1942 and was an architecture graduate of the University of Illinois at Champagne- Urbana, graduating in January 1949. He volunteered for the Army Air Corps in 1942. He served in the Pacific Theater in the Army Air Corps Supreme Headquarters in Australia and Fifth Air Force Fighter Command at New Guinea. He was a graduate of Officer Candidate School in Australia, graduating in January 1944. He returned to New Guinea until May 1945 and was separated from service as a first lieutenant in September 1945. He returned to Little Rock after he graduated in Illinois. He began his career and practiced architecture with Ginochio-Cromwell and with Wittenberg, Deloney and Davidson there. He entered a partnership with Don Reed at Pine Bluff in 1954, forming Reed-Willis Architects. He practiced there until his death. He designed several landmarks in Arkansas, Jefferson County and Pine Bluff. He won several awards for inovative design and was a member of the American Institute of Architects and the National American Institute of Architects. He served on the Arkansas State Historical Preservation Commission for three governors and helped establish the School of Architecture at the University of Arkansas at Fayetteville. He was a member of First United Methodist Church at Pine Bluff. He was preceded in death by a brother, Harry H. , the former Martha Beard, whom he married on July 9, 1945, at Little Rock; a son, Michael Beard Willis of Houston; two daughters, Cynthia McGrew of Fort Smith and Suzanne Sutterfield of Clarksville; a sister, Amy Elizabeth Wilder of Benton; and five grandchildren. _______________________________ MARTHA TATE Martha Ann Powell Tate, 80, of Marvell, died December 31, 1997, at Jefferson Regional Medical Center. She was born on January 17, 1917, at Marvell, a daughter of the late Jessie and Frances Powell. She was the widow of John M. Tate Sr. Survivors include two sons, John M. Tate of Fayetteville, North Carolina and Anthony Tate of Chicago; four daughters, Verna L. Mullin of Chicago, Frances Farr of Hinesville, Georgia, Donna Arnold of Marvell and Cora Turner of Pine Bluff; a brother, Pete Powell of Marvell; 26 grandchildren; 16 great- grandchildren; and seven great-great-grandchildren. Funeral services are scheduled for 2 p.m. Sunday at Wesley Chapel AME Church with the Rev. William Simmons officiating. Burial will be in Mount Olive Cemetery at Marvell by Bob Neal & Sons-Brickell Funeral Home at Marvell. _______________________________ JANET ASHFORD McGEHEE-- Janet Faye Ashford, 57, of McGehee, died January 1, 1998, at McGehee-Desha County Hospital. She was born on December 12, 1940, at Tampa, Florida, a daughter of Grace Lucille Goff Weaver of Fayetteville, North Carolina, and the late John Olson. She was an insurance agent for John Hancock Insurance Company. Survivors include her husband, Carl Ashford; five sons, Dean Humphries, Ben Humphries, Dan Humphries, John Humphries and Mark Humphries, addresses unavailable; a brother, John Thomas Olson, address unavailable; and two sisters, Charlotte Faye Olson and Melody Olson, addresses unavailable. Graveside services are scheduled for 3 p.m. Sunday in McGehee Cemetery with the Rev. Darwin McDowell officiating. Burial will be by Griffin Funeral Service of McGehee. _______________________________ WILLIE NELSON III Graveside services for Willie Nelson III, Cook County Hospital at Chicago, are scheduled for noon Sunday in Belmont Cemetery at the Tamo community near Pine Bluff by Brown Funeral Home of Pine Bluff. Born April 6, 1956, at Pine Bluff, he was a son of Leona Nelson of Chicago and the late Willie Nelson. Other survivors include a daughter, Neffateria Nelson of Decatur, Illinois; three brothers, William Nelson, Willie Earl Nelson and Larry Nelson, all of Chicago; two sisters, Carolyn Nelson of Milwaukee and Barbara Pickett of Chicago; his grandmother, Feodsia Thornton of Star City; and two grandchildren. ________________________________ EMERY OWENS LITTLE ROCK-- Emery Owens, 58, of Monticello, died Sunday at the Arkansas Childrens Hospital Burn Unit at Little Rock. Born February 12, 1939, in Drew County, he was the son of Elouise Owens Hokes. He was a member of the Gethsemane Missionary Baptist Church. He was the widower of Kittie Mae Belim Owens. He was also preceded in death by a sister, Betty Hokes-Riley, and a stepfather, Essie Hokes. Survivors include a son, Bobby Owens of Monticello; two daughters, Ella Mae James of Monticello and Mary Ann Owens of North Little Rock; a brother Willis Hokes of Monticello; a sister, Peggy Clifton of Monticello; and nine grandchildren. Graveside services will be held 11 a.m. today in Union Ridge Cemetery in Drew County with the Rev. Curtis Woodard officiating. Burial will be by Stephenson-Dearman Funeral Home of Monticello. _______________________________ JAMES McTIGRIT DUMAS-- James ÒJimÓ McTigrit, 74, of Dumas, died January 1, 1998, at Delta Memorial Hospital. He was born on June 9, 1923, at Bluffton (Yell County), a son of the late Sam McTigrit and Sadie Bennifield McTigrit. He was a construction worker for Chamberlin Door Factory. He served in the Army during World War II. He was a member of Calvary Missionary Baptist Church at Dumas. Survivors include his wife, Jean Wilson McTigrit; a son, Sammy McTigrit of Monticello; three daughters, Laura Sellers of Huttig (Union County), Angela Ford of Hot Spri Nigeria; a sister, Polly Studstill of Dumas; three grandchildren; three great-grandchildren; and nine stepgreat-grandchildren. 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 Leek Cemetery at Star City. Memorials to the American Lung Association or Calvary Missionary Baptist Church. ____________________________ EVA CHAPMAN MONTICELLO-- Eva May Maxwell Chapman, 94, of Monticello, died December 30, 1997, at Drew Memorial Hospital. She was born on July 1, 1903, at New Edinburg, a daughter of the late Ralph Edward Maxwell and Maude Grantham Maxwell. She was a clerk for Arkla Gas Company. She graduated from McGehee High School and attended Arkansas College at Batesville for a short time. She was preceded in death by her husband, Martin Lewis Chapman; and three brothers, Allen Wilson Maxwell, Alonzo Vance Maxwell and Ralph Maxwell. Survivors include a brother, David Dale Maxwell of Middletown, Pennsylvania. Funeral services are scheduled for 2 p.m. today at First Presbyterian Church at McGehee with the Rev. Al Henager officiating. Burial will be in Tillar Cemetery by Griffin Funeral Service at McGehee. ____________________________ ERVIN HENDERSON HAMPTON-- Ervin Madison Henderson, 82, of Harrell (Calhoun County), died January 1, 1998, at Hampton. He was born on November 23, 1915, in Calhoun County, a son of the late Walter Henderson and Clara Mulligan Henderson. He was a retired farmer and a Baptist. Survivors include his wife, Helen Ashbrook Henderson; three sons, Max Henderson of Harrell, Walter ÒBuckÓ Henderson of Monticello and David Grant Henderson of Strong (Union County); two daughters, Juanita Vank of Dallas and Betty Parker of Crossett; 14 grandchildren; and 16 great-grandchildren. Funeral services are scheduled for 2 p.m. today at Victory Baptist Church at Hampton with the Rev. Horace Dunn officiating. Burial will be in Union Grove Cemetery at Harrell by Benton Funeral Home of Fordyce. ______________ Faver Norton, 99, of Pine Bluff, died January 2, 1998, at Arkansas Convalescent Center. She was born on February 11, 1898, in Cleveland County, a daughter of the late P.H. Faver and Izora Cope Faver. She was a homemaker and attended Friendship Missionary Baptist Church at Pine Bluff. She was preceded in death by her husband, E.R. Norton, who died on October 7, 1969; a son, Wendell Norton, who died in 1990; five brothers; and two sisters. Survivors include a son, Carlton Norton of Pine Bluff; three grandchildren; five great-grandchildren; and a great-great-grandchild. Funeral services are scheduled for 2 p.m. today at Hale-South Funeral Home with Jackie Richardson officiating. Burial will be in Friendship Cemetery at Pine Bluff. ______________________________ Submitted by Linda P. Smith DougMIV@aol.com ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------ PINE BLUFF COMMERCIAL SUNDAY, JANUARY 4, 1998 Pine Bluff, Jefferson Co., Arkansas Note: Obits for JAMES McTIGRIT, LOIS NORTON, and ERVIN HENDERSON which were in SaturdayÕs paper were repeated in this issue on Sunday. LOUISE LAYTON (Photo included) Louise Morrison Layton, 79, of Pine Bluff, died January 2, 1998, at Jefferson Regional Medical Center. Born February 25, 1918, at DeRidder, Louisiana, she was a daughter of the late Oscar James Morrison and May Trammell Morrison. She was reared and educated at DeRidder. She married Jack Wilson Layton on January 25, 1936, at DeRidder, and later that year, they moved to Pine Bluff where she had lived since. Mr. Layton died April 15, 1971. She was a sales clerk at several dress and womenÕs clothing stores in Pine Bluff. She worked part-time during the years she raised her daughter, then returned to work from 1970 until retiring in 1993. She was a member of First United Methodist Church. She was a charter member and past president of the Garden Lovers Club. She was a past president of the Althea Study Club, an avid bridge player, was a member of the Friday Birthday Club (a bridge group that played together for 45 years). She worked in crafts for many years and was known for her handmade decorative candles, flower arrangements and elaborate Christmas decorations. She was a member of the DuBocage Chapter of the American Business WomenÕs Association. Survivors include a daughter, Jacquelyn Stuart of Pine Bluff; and two grandsons. Funeral services will be at 4 p.m. Monday at Ralph Robinson & Son Funeral Directors with the Rev. Charles Settle officiating. There will be a private burial. ________________________________ LEO POWELL Funeral services for Leo Powell, 88, of Pine Bluff, who died December 24, 1997, at Davis Life Care Center, were Saturday at Old Morning Star Baptist Church with the Rev. Larry Battles officiating. Burial was in Forest Lawn Cemetery by Brown Funeral Home. Born November 8, 1909, at Portland (Ashley County), the son of the late Lee er of Old Morning Star Baptist Church where he served as a deacon and former Sunday school teacher. He worked at Varco Steel Company. He was preceded in death by his wife Iceolar Williams Powell. Survivors include two brothers, J.C. Lowe of Kansas City and Sam Lowe of Mississippi; three sisters, Mae Ella Robinson of Dermott, Mabel Lionlin of Los Angeles and Leola Wine of Kansas City, Kansas; six grandchildren; eight great- grandchildren; and three great-great-grandchildren. _______________________________ CHARLIE WORTHAM (Photo included) Funeral services for Charlie M. Wortham, 69, of Oak Park Nursing Home, who died January 1, 1998, at Jefferson Regional Medical Center, will be noon Monday at New Morning Star Baptist Church with the Rev. Harry Mays officiating. Burial will be in P.K. Miller Cemetery by Christian Way Funeral Home. Born February 14, 1928, at Hulbert, Arkansas, he was a son of the late Tom Wortham and Susie Wortham. He was a member of New Morning Star Baptist Church. He is preceded in death by two brothers and seven sisters. He is survived by a brother, Roscoe Wortham of Proctor (Crittenden County); and caregivers, Fredrick White and Nedra White of Pine Bluff. _______________________________ BRUCE GWIN JACKSONVILLE-- Bruce H. Gwin, 85, of Sheridan, died January 3, 1998, at Jacksonville. Born November 16, 1912, in the Crossroads community south of Sheridan, he was a son of the late Hartford Ross Gwin and Nora Bratton Gwin. He was a retired Sheridan Water commissioner. He was a member of the First United Methodist Church of Sheridan. He had been a Mason for the past 50 years. He served in the Army during World War II and received a Purple Heart and Bronze Star. He was also a member of the Veterans of Foreign Wars and the American Legion. Survivors include two daughters, Charlotte Sisson of Jacksonville and Colene Shettles of Conway; a brother, D.B. ÒPreacherÓ Gwin Sr. of Sheridan; a sister, Marie Gentry of Benton; four grandchildren; and nine great-grandchildren. Funeral services w nited Methodist Church of Sheridan with the Rev. Bruce Bennett officiating. Burial will be in Lost Creek Cemetery by Buie Funeral Home of Sheridan. ___________________________ IRENE CRAIG Funeral services for Irene Craig, 84, of White Hall, who died January 2, 1998, at Jefferson Regional Medical Center, will be at 10 a.m. Monday at Ralph Robinson & Son Funeral Directors with Dr. Bob Harper officiating. Burial will be in Memorial Park Cemetery. Born April 11, 1913, at Keo (Lonoke County), she was a daughter of the late James Gage Ray and Tressie Dodson Ray. She was reared and educated at Keo and Hamilton (Lonoke County). She moved to White Hall in 1974. She was a homemaker and a member of First Baptist Church of White Hall. She married Albert Aubrey Craig on July 10, 1929, at Stuttgart. Other survivors include four sons, Jimmie Lee Craig of Belmont, Louisiana, John Gerald Craig of Anaheim, California, Arnold Ray Craig of Greenbrier (Faulkner County) and David Douglas Craig of Santa Rosa, California; a brother, Otis Ray of Stuttgart; 15 grandchildren; and 19 great-grandchildren. She was preceded in death by two sons, Marion Aubrey Craig and Walter ÒJerryÓ Craig. _______________________________ NORMA VASSAUR Norma H. Vassaur, 74, of Pine Bluff, died January 2, 1998, at Pine Bluff. Born September 1, 1923, at Greenbrier (Faulkner County), she was a daughter of the late Thomas Holley and Cox Holley. She was reared and educated at Greenbrier. She married Aubrey J. Vassaur, and they lived most of their lives at Altheimer before moving to Pine Bluff in 1973. Mr. Vassaur died in 1982. She was a homemaker and a member of Sixth Street Church of Christ at Pine Bluff. Survivors include a son, Don Vassaur of Tucson; a daughter, Carol Cybulski of Plymouth, Minnesota; and two grandchildren. Graveside services will be at 10 a.m. Monday in Memorial Park Cemetery by Ralph Robinson & Son Funeral Directors. ________________________________ RONALD CLOWERS Ronald Porter Clowers, 48, of Pine Bluff, died January 2, 1998, Center. Born June 25, 1949, at Fayetteville, he was a son of George D. Clowers of Pine Bluff and the late Vivian Porter Clowers, who died June 29, 1996. He was reared and educated at Pine Bluff, graduating from Pine Bluff High School in 1967. He attended the University of Arkansas at Monticello. He worked as a route salesman for Frito Lay out of Warren. He was a member of First Immanuel Missionary Baptist Church. Other survivors include a son, Timothy Clowers of Pine Bluff; and two brothers, Tommy George Clowers of Springdale and Sammy Lee Clowers of Pine Bluff. Funeral services will be at 1 p.m. Monday at Ralph Robinson & Son Funeral Directors with Dr. David Harris officiating. Burial will be in Cypress Memorial Gardens Cemetery. _______________________________ WILLARD PARKER EAU CLAIRE, Wisconsin-- Willard V. Parker, 80, of Pine Bluff, died December 29, 1997, at Sacred Heart Hospital at Eau Claire, Wisconsin. Born August 9, 1917, at La Crosse, Wisconsin, he was a son of Milly E. Dittinger Parker Ashdown of Augusta, Wisconsin, and the late William E. Parker. He was reared and educated at La Crosse. He joined the Army in 1940, and served his country for more than 20 years, as a medic in World War II and the Korean War. He retired from the Army in 1960 as a major. Following his retirement from the Army, he became an employee of the National Center of Toxicological Research near Pine Bluff, working in administration for another 13 years before retiring in 1973. He was a member of Pinecrest Missionary Baptist Church at Pine Bluff and the Reserve Officer Association. During his military career, he earned a Purple Heart and a Bronze Star. He married Virginia D. Frick on December 29, 1945, at La Crosse and they moved to Pine Bluff in 1958. His wife preceded him in death on January 4, 1994. Other survivors include two sons, Willard V. ÒSkipÓ Parker Jr. of White Hall and Christian R. ÒChrisÓ Parker of Datil, New Mexico; two daughters, Patricia Ann Tatum and Carol Lee McDaniel, both of Pine Bluff; a si ne grandchildren; and six great-grandchildren. Funeral services will be at 10 a.m. Tuesday at Ralph Robinson & Son Funeral Directors at Pine Bluff with the Rev. Jerrel Evans officiating. Burial will be in Memorial Park Cemetery at Pine Bluff. ____________________________ WILLIE RHODES SR. SOUTHFIELD, Illinois-- Willie Lee Rhodes Sr., 71, of Pine Bluff, died December 26, 1997, at Providence Hospital at Southfield. Born March 14, 1926, at Altheimer, Arkansas, he was a son of the late Samuel Rhodes and Mattie Gray Rhodes. He served in the Navy and drove a truck for the City of Detroit. He was a member of Rose Hill Missionary Baptist Church at Pine Bluff, where he was a member of the choir. Survivors include his wife, Oberia Farver Rhodes; four sons, James Rhodes and Willie Lee Rhodes Jr., both of Crestwood, Illinois, Samuel Rhodes of Detroit and Randy Rhodes of Pine Bluff; 11 grandchildren; and four great- grandchildren. Funeral services will be held at 1 p.m. Monday at Rose Hill Missionary Baptist Church at Pine Bluff with the Rev. G.L. Ford officiating. Burial will be in the Veterans Section of Graceland Cemetery by Brown Funeral Home of Pine Bluff. _____________________________ A.W. BOYD A.W. Boyd, 71, of McGehee, died January 2, 1998, at Jefferson Regional Medical Center. Born July 15, 1928, at Winchester (Drew County), he was a son of the late Albert Walter Boyd and Ellen Estelle Carr Boyd. He was a farmer and a member of the Church of the Nazarene at McGehee. Survivors include a brother, Eugene R. Boyd of Greenwood (Sebastian County); and four sisters, Lorean Coon of Monticello, Cornelius Mayda of McGehee, Margaret Brown of Lake Village and Abbie Winemiller of Arkansas City. Funeral services will be Monday at 10 a.m. at Griffin Funeral Home at McGehee with the Rev. Elmer Byerly and John Powell officiating. Burial will be in McGehee Cemetery. ______________________________ Submitted by Linda P. Smith DougMIV@aol.com ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------ PINE BLUFF COMMERCIAL MONDAY, JANUARY 5, 1998 Pine Bluff, Jefferson Co., Arkansas DELORISE BOOTH Delorise A. Booth, 50, of Virginia Beach, Virginia, died December 31, 1997, at Jefferson Regional Medical Center. Born March 2, 1947, at Sherrill, she was a daughter of Emma Simmons Gardner of Pine Bluff and the late Alfred Barnes. She was a homemaker and served in the Army. She was a member of Morning Star Baptist Church at Virginia Beach where she was a deaconess. Other survivors include her husband, John Booth Jr. of Virginia Beach; three sons, John Booth III of Virginia Beach, Lloyd Booth of Gary, Indiana, and Clifford Booth of El Dorado; a daughter, Jessie Booth of El Dorado; three brothers, Eddie J. Gardner of Pine Bluff, Theodis Eaton and Timothy B. Gardner, both of Detroit; four sisters, Ruby Garner of Chicago, Beatrice Taggart, Linda Alexander and Rose Anner Gardner, all of Pine Bluff. Funeral services are scheduled for 1 p.m. Tuesday at St. Luke Baptist Church at Sherrill, with the Rev. G.L. Ford officiating. Burial will be in St. Luke Cemetery by Brown Funeral Home of Pine Bluff. ____________________________ WILLIE RHODES SR. SOUTHFIELD, Michigan-- Willie Lee Rhodes Sr., 71, of Pine Bluff, died December 26, 1997, at Providence Hospital at Southfield. Born March 14, 1926, at Altheimer, Arkansas, he was a son of the late Samuel Rhodes and Mattie Gray Rhodes. He served in the Navy and drove a truck for the City of Detroit. He was a member of Rose Hill Missionary Baptist Church at Pine Bluff, where he was a choir member. Survivors include his wife, Oberia Farver Rhodes; four sons, James Rhodes and Willie Lee Rhodes Jr., both of Crestwood, Illinois, Samuel Rhodes of Detroit and Randy Rhodes of Pine Bluff; a daughter, Beverly Gibson of Detroit; 11 grandchildren; and four great-grandchildren. Funeral services are scheduled for 1 p.m. today at Rose Hill Missionary Baptist Church at Pine Bluff with the Rev. G.L. Ford officiating. Burial will be in the Veterans Section of Graceland Cemetery by Brown Funeral Home of Pine Bluff. ___________________________ WILLIE SHOOP Willie Bell Shoop, 97, of Pine Bluff, died January 4, 1998, at Sunchase Skilled Care Facility. Born October 28, 1900, in Ashley County, she was the daughter of the late Lewis West and Ada Riley West. She was reared and educated in Ashley County. She was a homemaker and a member of First Assembly of God Church. She married James J. Shoop on July 8, 1917, in Monticello, and they moved to Pine Bluff in 1918. He preceded her in death in 1964. She is also preceded in death by a son, J.D. Shoop; a daughter, Admar Duckett; five sisters, Lillian Cogbill, Fannie Cogbill, Mattie Cogbill, Lottie Brown and Jimmie West; and two grandchildren. She is survived by a son, William Howard Shoop of Lufkin, Texas; three daughters, Evelee Tennison of Yucca Valley, California, Barbara Dell S. Sipes and Joan S. Harris both of Pine Bluff; a brother, the Rev. Hallie West of Pine Bluff; 12 grandchildren; 17 great-grandchildren and 15 great-great- grandchildren. Graveside services are scheduled for 11:30 a.m. Tuesday at Graceland Cemetery with the Rev. Ron Woods officiating. Arrangements are by Ralph Robinson & Son Funeral Directors. ______________________________ Submitted by Linda P. Smith DougMIV@aol.com -------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- PINE BLUFF COMMERCIAL TUESDAY, JANUARY 6, 1998 Pine Bluff, Jefferson Co., Arkansas MARGARET THOMPSON (Photo included) Margaret Ann Thompson, 56, of Pine Bluff, died January 3, 1998, at Jefferson Regional Medical Center. Born December 7, 1941, at Pine Bluff, she was a daughter of Zola Idel Clement Appling of Pine Bluff and the late Joseph Earl Appling. She was raised and educated in Grapevine and graduated from Grapevine High School. She worked as a licenced practical nurse for Dr. Clyde Tracy for more than 20 years. She recently worked as the public relations administrator for the Area Agency on Aging. She was a member of Salem Missionary Baptist Church. Other survivors include her husband, Victor H. Thompson, whom she married on December 23, 1959, at Pine Bluff; a son, Doug Thompson of Conway; a daughter, Karen Thompson of West Memphis; a brother, Joseph Appling of Pine Bluff; and two sisters, Betty Webb of Monticello and Florence Minchew of Pine Bluff. Funeral services are scheduled for 1 p.m. today at the chapel of Ralph Robinson & Son Funeral Directors with the Revs. Howard Loetcher and Donald Lee Ruffin officiating. Burial will be in Clement Cemetery near Grapevine. ______________________________ GARY ROBERTS HOT SPRINGS-- Gary LaMar Roberts, 36, of Hot Springs, was found dead January 4, 1998, at his home. He was born on January 24, 1961, at Pine Bluff, a son of James L. Roberts and Mary Helen Ward, both of Pine Bluff. He was raised and received his early education at Pine Bluff. He became an automotive painter and body repairman as a young man, working at TedÕs Auto Body Repair at Pine Bluff. He lived at Arlington, Texas for 10 years, where he was a maintenance engineer for Electrocom Incorporated. He moved to Hot Springs in 1995 and was a fiber optics splicer for Dearden Enterprises for a year. He was an aeronautical parts painter for ChemFab Incorporated after leaving Dearden Enterprises. Other survivors include a son, Aaron LaMar Roberts of Hot Springs; a daughter, Brandi LeAnn Rober Bluff; a grandmother, Helen Calhoun of Hot Springs; and a stepfather, Thomas D. Porter of Pine Bluff. Graveside services are scheduled for 10:30 a.m. Wednesday at White Hall United Methodist Cemetery with the Revs. James Rushing and Tim Ward officiating. Arrangements are by Ralph Robinson & Son Funeral Directors. ________________________________ ROBERT CARPENTER NORTH LITTLE ROCK-- Robert F. ÒBobÓ Carpenter, 56, of Sherwood, formerly of Pine Bluff, died January 4, 1998, at Baptist Memorial Medical Center. He was born on April 26, 1941, at Hamburg, a son of the late Harold Samuel Carpenter and Marie Griffin Carpenter. He was a member of Sylvan Hills First Baptist Church at North Little Rock, where he had been a deacon and a teacher. He contributed to community organizations and sang at many churches, civic functions, organizations and retirement homes. He sang at the International Human Resources Conference at St. Louis in 1993 and received a standing ovation. Survivors include his wife, Sheri Pratt Carpenter; two sons, Robert Carpenter and Brent Carpenter, both of Sherwood; and three grandchildren. Funeral services are scheduled for 10 a.m. Wednesday at Sylvan Hills First Baptist Church with the Revs. Don Moseley and Hardy Bell officiating. Burial will be at 3 p.m. Wednesday in the Masonic Cemetery at Pocahontas (Randolph County). ______________________________ RUBY MANZANO WARREN-- Ruby Lee Gates Manzano, 93, of Herbine (Cleveland County), formerly of Jonesboro, Texas, died January 5, 1998, at Bradley County Medical Center. She was born on November 24, 1904, at Jonesboro, Texas, a daughter of the late Thomas William Stark and Laura Rebecca Boyd Stark. She was a Baptist and a waitress for 40 years. She was preceded in death by two husbands, J.E. ÒTexÓ Gates Sr., who died in 1967, and Edward Manzano, who died in 1982; and six brothers. Survivors include two sons, J.E. ÒTexÓ Gates Jr. of Herbine and Jackie Gates of Palestine, Texas; a daughter, Angela Nelson of Rye (Cleveland County); a brother, Fis , Venita Roberson of Comanche, Texas; nine grandchildren; and several great-grandchildren. Graveside services are scheduled for 2 p.m. Thursday in Oakwood Cemetery at Comanche. Arrangements are by FrazerÕs Funeral Home of Warren. _______________________________ OZELLE TATE LITTLE ROCK-- Ozelle Mayo Tate, 87, of Monticello, died January 4, 1998, at Doctors Hospital. She was born on February 22, 1910, in Bradley County, a daughter of the late John Daniel Mayo and Ada Bell Grubbs Mayo. She was a homemaker and a member of Beulah Baptist Church in Drew County. She was preceded in death by her husband, J.W. Tate. Survivors include two brothers, Roy Mayo of Wilmar and Dallas Ray of Fairview Heights, Illinois. Funeral services are scheduled for 1:30 p.m. today at Stephenson-Dearman Funeral Home at Monticello with the Revs. R.V. White and Charlie Collins officiating. Burial will be in Beulah Cemetery in Drew County. ____________________________ CHARLES MOTSINGER SR. Charles Edward Motsinger Sr., 61, of Grady, died January 4, 1998, at Jefferson Regional Medical Center. He was born on February 21, 1936, at Keiser (Mississippi County), a son of the late John Everett and Mary Lola Neil Motsinger. He was raised at Keiser. He and his family moved to the Pine Bluff area in 1960, the same year he got married. He was a member of World of Pentecost Church at Pine Bluff. Survivors include his wife of 37 years, Doris Bunting Motsinger, whom he married on November 12, 1960, at McGehee; three sons, Charles Edward Motsinger Jr. and Monty Macky Motsinger, both of Springdale and Vence Edward Motsinger of Grady; three daughters, Donna Mitchell of Herington, Kansas, and Lola Jasik and Valerie Leigh Motsinger, both of Grady; a brother, Willie Motsinger of Pine Bluff; nine grandchildren; and a stepgrandchild. Funeral services are scheduled for 1:30 p.m. Wednesday at World of Pentecost Church with the Revs. Michael Johnson and Charles Motsinger Jr. officiating. Burial will be in Graceland Cemetery by Ralph Robinson & Son Funera __ DAVID BALLARD Funeral services for David Jack Ballard, 59, of Rison, who died December 31, 1997, at Jefferson Regional Medical Center, are scheduled for 1 p.m. Wednesday at Tates Temple Church of God in Christ in Rison with Frank Phillips officiating. Burial will be in New Cemetery at Rison by Christian Way Funeral Home. He was born on March 17, 1938, at Rison, a son of the late Ediehugh Ballard and Iris Etherly Ballard. He attended Landwood Public School. Survivors include his wife, Vernell Macon Ballard; four sons, Bobby Macon, Arthur Lee Ballard and David Ballard, all of Rison, and Kerry Ballard of Flint, Michigan; a daughter, Shernell Ballard of Rison; a brother, Rochester McCoy of Oakland, California; four sisters, Bobbie Clay, Audrey Elliott and Laleta McCoy, all of Oakland, and Sadie Jamison of St. Louis; and 15 grandchildren. ____________________________ TERRELL MITCHELL LITTLE ROCK-- Terrell Lavell Mitchell, 52, of McGehee, died January 3, 1998, at St. Vincent Infirmary Medical Center. He was born on July 25, 1945, at Eudora, a son of the late Green Mitchell and Charlene Kincade. Survivors include his wife, Carrie Mitchell; three daughters, Cathy Allen and Carol Mitchell, both of McGehee, and Tammie Mitchell of Detroit; two sisters, Thara Kincade and Linda Board, both of Detroit; and four grandchildren. Funeral services are scheduled for 2 p.m. today at First Baptist Church at McGehee with the Rev. Howard Bess officiating. Burial will be in Hill Cemetery at Eudora by M. Davis Strickland Funeral Home of Dermott. _________________________________ Submitted by Linda P. Smith DougMIV@aol.com ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- PINE BLUFF COMMERCIAL WEDNESDAY, JANUARY 7, 1998 Pine Bluff, Jefferson Co., Arkansas VIOLA PARKER (Photo included) STAR CITY-- Viola Kathleen Goins Parker, 66, of near Star City, died December 27, 1997, at her home. She was born on June 15, 1931, in Lincoln County, a daughter of the late Robert Goins Sr. and Gerture Young Goins. She was a retired custodian for Star City High School and was a member of Mount Nebo Baptist Church at Yorktown, near Star City. She was preceded in death by a brother, Clarence Novell; and a sister, Estell Hampton. Survivors include her husband, Willie E. Parker Sr. of Chicago; three sons, Willie E. Parker Jr. of Milwaukee, and Lee Arthur Parker and Troy Lynn Parker, both of Yorktown; three daughters, Gracie B. Brown and Albert Jean Wainwright, both of Yorktown, and Aretha Shelton of Tarry (Lincoln County); four brothers, Robert Goins Jr. and Riley Goins, both of Milwaukee, Veo S. Goins of Yorktown and Jack Brown of Star City; a sister, Leola Wright of Milwaukee; two stepsons, John Parker of Texas and Stanley Parker of Tarry; two stepdaughters, Angela Collin and Kimmy Payne, both of Chicago; 40 grandchildren; and a host of great-grandchildren. Funeral services are scheduled for 2 p.m. Saturday at Mount Nebo Baptist Church with the Revs. A.L. Brown and Melvin Harris officiating. Burial will be in Mount Nebo Cemetery near Star City by Griffin Funeral Service of Star City. _____________________________ JOHNNY CLEMONS EL DORADO-- Johnny G. Clemons, 51, of Hampton, died January 5, 1998, at Medical Center of South Arkansas at El Dorado. He was born on January 17, 1947, in Texas, a son of the late George Clemons and Leona Riggan Clemons. He was a concrete finisher. Survivors include his wife, Beatrice Clemons; two sons, William Brian Clemons and Johnny Clemons Jr., both of Hampton; a brother, Edward Clemons of Hampton; a sister, Joyce Ponder of Chidester (Ouachita County); two grandchildren; and a great-grandchild. Graveside services are scheduled for 10 a.m. today in New Hope C n officiating. Arrangements are handled by Benton Funeral Home of Fordyce. _____________________________ HERBERT REDDIN MONTICELLO-- Herbert Neil Reddin, 66, of Monticello, died January 5, 1998, at Drew Memorial Hospital. He was born on April 22, 1931, at Bearden, a son of the late George Allen Reddin and Alma Myrtle Arnold Reddin. He was a retired maintenance supervisor with Temple-Inland Paper Mill at Orange, Texas. He was an Army veteran of the Korean War and was a Methodist. He was a member of El Mina Shrine of Orange and the Masonic Lodge at Grove Hill, Alabama. Survivors include his wife, Betty J. Griffin Reddin; a son, James Dale Reddin of Hawesville, Kentucky; three daughters, Susan James of Cannelton, Indiana, Kathy Kleeman of Tell City, Indiana, and Tammy Davis of Orange; a sister, Georgia Tilley of Bearden; five grandchildren; and four great-grandchildren. Funeral services are scheduled for 1:30 p.m. today at Stephenson-Dearman Funeral Home at Monticello with the Rev. Gary Harrison officiating. Burial with Masonic rites will be in Wilmar Cemetery in Drew County. ______________________________ FRANKLIN LEWIS JACKSONVILLE, Florida-- Franklin David Lewis, 46, of Jacksonville, Florida, formerly of Crossett, Arkansas, died December 31, 1997, at Jacksonville. He was born at Crossett, a son of Novella Lewis of Crossett and the late Robert Lewis Sr. He was a 1969 graduate of T.W. Daniel High School, was a letter carrier with the U.S. Postal Service and served in the Navy. He was a member of Unity Christian Church at Jacksonville, where he served as a superintendent of the Sunday school, the bus ministry and the video ministry. Other survivors include his wife, Vanessa Lewis; two sons, Sheldon Lewis and Errol Lewis, both of Jacksonville; a daughter, Kechia Lewis of Jacksonville; four brothers, Robert Lewis Jr. and Troy Lewis, both of Detroit, Carl Lewis of Little Rock and Raynard Lewis of Jacksonville; and four sisters, Gloetta Williams of Magnolia, Arkansas, Arnetha Grissom of Pine Bluff, Erma Jea Funeral services are scheduled for 1 p.m. today at Davis Memorial Church of God in Christ at Crossett with Bishop R.E. Matheney officiating. Burial will be in Westview Cemetery at Crossett by Cromwell Funeral Home of Hamburg. ______________________________ JAMES PITTILLO GREENVILLE-- James Alford Pittillo, 50, of Winchester, Arkansas, died January 4, 1998, at Greenville from injuries received in an automobile accident. He was born on April 2, 1947, at McGehee, Arkansas, a son of Johnny Alford Pittillo of Winchester and the late Minnie Lorene McGathy Pittillo. He was a self-employed automobile mechanic and was a resident of Desha County, Arkansas for most of his life. Other survivors include his wife, Betty Healey Pittillo; two sons, James Pittillo and Robert Pittillo, both of Winchester; three brothers, Elroy Pittillo of Winchester, Larry Pittillo of Atlanta and Johnny Pittillo of McGehee; four sisters, Ida Knight of Monticello, Arkansas, Vera Mae Millholland of McGehee, Pat Emerson of Pine Bluff and Carolyn Hogue of Selma, Arkansas; and four grandchildren. Funeral services are scheduled for 2 p.m. today at Griffin Funeral Home of Dumas, Arkansas, with the Rev. Dennis Green officiating. Burial will be in Jefferson Cemetery at Winchester. ______________________________ I.M. PARADISE JR. HOPE-- I.M. ÒRedÓ Paradise Jr., 73, of Fulton (Hempstead County), died January 3, 1998, at Medical Park Hospital at Hope. He was born on March 25, 1924, at Coal Creek, Tennessee, a son of the late I.M. Paradise Sr. and Reba Bowles Paradise. He was a self-employed, commercial fisherman, an Army veteran of World War II and was a member of the Veterans of Foreign Wars Post 4455 at Pine Bluff. Survivors include a son, Billy Wayne Paradise of Pine Bluff; four daughters, Paula Jacks of Pine Bluff, Anita Collins of Fulton, Jodi Hailey of Mount Pleasant, Mississippi, and Elizabeth Biggers of Mountain Home; a brother, Robert OÕNeal-Hickson of Perryville; a sister, Marie Brewster of Ruston, Louisiana; 14 grandchildren; and eight d at 2 p.m. Tuesday at Fulton Union Church at Fulton with Ron Ladd and Dennis Sartin officiating. Burial was in St. Paul Cemetery near Ozan (Hempstead County) by Latimer Funeral Home of Nashville (Howard County). _________________________ TREVA COPELIN GARNER-- Treva Diane Copelin, 25, of Garner (White County), formerly of Dumas, died January 3, 1998, at her home. She was born on February 1, 1972, at Marianna, a daughter of William E. Alexander of Marion (Crittenden County) and Sharon Stevens of Searcy. She was Protestant. Other survivors include a daughter, Shana Denise Copelin of Searcy; a sister, Marni Stevens of Searcy; four half sisters, Carrie Leona Alexander, Maranda Deshea Alexander, Tracy Michelle Alexander and Melissa Moore, all of Halley, Indiana; and grandparents, Marvin and Mary Alexander of Parkin (Cross County), and Meadis Berry of Searcy. Funeral services are scheduled for 10 a.m. today at Griffin Funeral Home at Dumas. Burial will be in Walnut Lake Cemetery at Dumas. __________________________ Submitted by Linda P. Smith DougMIV@aol.com =========================================================== PINE BLUFF COMMERCIAL THURSDAY, JANUARY 8, 1998 Pine Bluff, Jefferson Co., Arkansas MARGARET McGEORGE Margaret Boswell McGeorge, 82, of Pine Bluff, died January 7, 1998, at Jefferson Regional Medical Center. She was born on January 26, 1915, at Cornerstone, a daughter of the late Silas Wright and Nancy Margaret Rowsey Boswell. She moved to Pine Bluff with her family when she was a child. She was raised and received her early education at Pine Bluff and was a Pine Bluff High School graduate. She and her husband made their home at Pine Bluff during all their married life. She was a member of St. Joseph Catholic Church, the Alter Society at her church and the Junior League of Pine Bluff. She was a Red Cross volunteer for many years at Jefferson Regional Medical Center. Survivors include her husband, Wallace P. McGeorge Jr., whom she married on September 19, 1939, at Pine Bluff; two sons, Scott McGeorge and Wallace P. McGeorge III, both of Pine Bluff; a daughter, Nan McGeorge Henderson of Seattle; a brother, James F. Boswell of Hot Springs; seven grandchildren; and a great-grandchild. A funeral mass is scheduled for 10:30 a.m. Friday at St. Joseph Catholic Church with the Rev. Andrew Smith officiating. Burial will be in Graceland Cemetery by Ralph Robinson & Son Funeral Directors. A vigil service will be held at 7 p.m. today in the chapel of the funeral home. _____________________________ BEULAH THOMPSON SHERIDAN-- Beulah Mae Divine Thompson, 70, of Sheridan, died January 5, 1998, at her home. She was born on December 28, 1927, at Portland (Ashley County), a daughter of the late James Monroe and Vonnie Mae Rucker Monroe. She was a homemaker and a member of Calvary Missionary Baptist Church at Sheridan and the Ladies Auxiliary of Foreign War. Survivors include two sons, C. Clinton Thompson of Sheridan and Randy D. Thompson of Mabelvale (Pulaski County); a daughter, June Thompson of Sheridan; four brothers, Roy Divine of Leland, Mississippi, Ezra Divine of Dermott, Paul Divine of St. Louis and James Di Lena Burnham of Jacksonville, Florida, Dorothy Rae of Pensacola, Flora Breedlove of Montrose (Ashley County) and Joyce Divine of Little Rock; six grandchildren; and a great-grandchild. Funeral services are scheduled for 2 p.m. Friday at Buie Funeral Home at Sheridan with the Rev. Franklin Nelson officiating. Burial will be in Providence Cemetery near Sheridan. ___________________________ ELBERT HALES LITTLE ROCK-- Elbert ÒPegÓ Hales, 76, of Hermitage, died January 6, 1998, at Baptist Medical Center. He was born on February 6, 1921, in Bradley County, a son of the late James Hales and Lucy Stuart Hales. He was a member of Pentecostal Church of God and was a painter. He was preceded in death by his wife, Dora Lee Limbo Hales; two brothers, J.C. Hales and Woodrow Hales; and a sister, Ellie Huff. Survivors include three sons, Larry James of Monticello, John Paul James of Newllano, Louisiana and Michael Sloan of Warren; three daughters, Peggy Comardelle of Newllano, Laura Jarman of Pensacola, Florida, and Patsy Williams of Jersey (Bradley County); three brothers, Roy Hales of California, Junior Hales of Ohio and James Hales of Monticello; two sisters, Lurean Brown of Warren and Willie Colvin of Oregon; 10 grandchildren; and 10 great- grandchildren. Funeral services are scheduled for 10 a.m. Friday at FrazerÕs Funeral Home at Warren with the Revs. Larry H. Swiger and Clayton Hales officiating. Burial will be in Outlaw Cemetery near Warren. ____________________________ JAMES JOHNSON JR. ANN ARBOR, Michigan-- James Johnson Jr., 49, of Moscow, Arkansas, died January 2, 1998, at VeteranÕs Hospital at Ann Arbor. He was born on September 16, 1948, at Grady, Arkansas, a son of Earnestine Johnson of Moscow and the late James Johnson Sr. He served in the Army during the Vietnam War from 1966 to 1968. He worked at the Buick Motor Division at Flint, Michigan, and was a Baptist. He was preceded in death by a brother, Marcus D. Johnson. Other survivors include his wife, Evelyn Johnson; two sons, Gabriel Johnson and K a brother, Freddie L. Johnson of Pine Bluff. Funeral services are scheduled for 11 a.m. Friday at Lawrence E. Moon Funeral Home at Flint with the Rev. Kenneth Stewart officiating. Burial will be in River Rest Cemetery at Flint. _____________________________ DOROTHY HARVEY LITTLE ROCK-- Dorothy W. Harvey, 71, of Sheridan, died January 7, 1998, at Baptist Medical Center. She was born on November 21, 1926, at Dallas, a daughter of the late George F. and Sallie Sykes White. She was a physical education high school teacher at Sheridan. She was a member of First Baptist Church at Sheridan and the Grant County Library Board. Survivors include her husband, Jobe Evan Harvey; two sons, Jobe E. Harvey III of Sheridan and George Sykes Harvey of Fayetteville; a daughter, Sally Harvey Prince of Phoenix; two sisters, Clara McLain of Odessa, Texas, and Evelyn W. Corliss of Wichita, Kansas; three grandchildren; and two great-grandchildren. Funeral services are scheduled for 2 p.m. Saturday at First Baptist Church with Dr. Ed Simpson officiating. Burial will be in Lost Creek Cemetery at Sheridan. ___________________________ DOROTHY JONES Dorothy Lee Jones, 81, of Pine Bluff, died January 5, 1998, at Jefferson Regional Medical Center. She was born on November 23, 1916, at Union, Tennessee, a daughter of the late William Newton VanCleave and Ruby Bell VanCleave. She was a licensed practical nurse at Davis Hospital and attended New Beginning Baptist at Pine Bluff. She was preceded in death by her husband, David Jones, who died in 1985; two brothers; and a sister. Survivors include three sons, Gary Jones and Terry Jones, both of Pine Bluff, and Donald Jones of Modesto, California; five daughters, Kathy Meeker, Debby Sipes and Mary Jones, all of Modesto, Patricia Jones of Pine Bluff and Elizabeth Maryelle Corrente of Mesa, Arizona; 17 grandchildren; 37 great- grandchildren; and 10 great-great-grandchildren. Funeral services are scheduled for 10 a.m. Friday at Hale-South Funeral Home with Ronnie Bond officiating. Burial l. ____________________________ KALEB ROBINSON LITTLE ROCK-- Kaleb Cody Robinson, of Pine Bluff, an infant son of David and Paula Lloyd Robinson of Pine Bluff, died January 7, 1998, at Arkansas ChildrenÕs Hospital. He was born on January 6, 1998, at Pine Bluff. Other survivors include a sister, Marissa Cheyenne Robinson of Pine Bluff; grandparents, Terry and Fran Robinson and Mary Howell, all of Pine Bluff, and Walter Lloyd of Rison; and a great-grandparent, Gracie Brown of Pine Bluff. Graveside services are scheduled for 10 a.m. today in Graceland Cemetery with the Rev. Charles Cuthbertson officiating. Arrangements are being handled by Ralph Robinson & Son Funeral Directors. ___________________________ JESSIE MAE WHITE Jessie Mae White, 87, of Stuttgart, died January 4, 1998, at Jefferson Regional Medical Center. She was born on March 1, 1910, in Arkansas County. She was a homemaker and a member of the Retired Senior Volunteer Program and the Church of Christ at Stuttgart. She was preceded in death by her husband, George White. Survivors include two daughters, Wyvetta Smith of Pine Bluff and Louise Bitely of Gould; a brother, Charles Peters of Stuttgart; a sister, Eva Lee Hampton of Stuttgart; nine grandchildren; and 16 great-grandchildren. Funeral services were held Wednesday at the Church of Christ with the Rev. Francis Whiteman officiating. Burial was in Lone Tree Cemetery at Stuttgart by Turpin Funeral Home of Stuttgart. ____________________________ CLARENCE PERRY DUMAS-- Clarence Albert Perry, 77, of Gould, died December 31, 1997, at Delta Memorial Hospital. He was born on February 20, 1920, at Gould, a son of the late Dan Perry. Survivors include his wife, Ida Perry; four sons, Clarence Perry and Larry Perry, both of Gould, Earnest Perry of Milwaukee and Darnell Perry of Tulsa; two daughters, Ruthie L. Moreland and Nettie Bryant, both of Milwaukee; two sisters, Anna Perry of Dumas and Elnora Vickens of St. Louis; 12 grandchildren; 11 great-grandchildren; three great-great-grandchildren; and neral services are scheduled for 11 a.m. today at Morning Star Missionary Baptist Church at Gould with the Rev. George Toney officiating. Burial will be in Lincoln Memorial Lawn at Varner by M. Davis Strickland Funeral Home at Dermott. ____________________________ MATTHEW QUICKEL HOT SPRINGS-- Matthew Dalton Quickel of Hot Springs, an infant son of Phillip and Suzanne Hale Quickel of Hot Springs, was born and died January 6, 1998, at National Park Medical Center. He was preceded in death by a grandparent, F.A. Quickel. Other survivors include a brother, Dylan Quickel of Hot Springs; grandparents, Joe and Sue Hale, and Don and Marti Fitts, all of Pine Bluff, and William Quickel of Reydell; and great-grandparents, Della Quickel, and Calvin and Frances Reynolds, all of Pine Bluff. A private funeral service will be held with Charles Ashcroft and Doug Hammonds officiating. Burial will be in Harmony Missionary Baptist Cemetery at Pine Bluff. _____________________________ COLLEEN CREIGHTON CONWAY-- Colleen Carter Creighton, 79, of Greenbrier, died January 6, 1998, at Conway General Hospital. She was born on May 22, 1918, at Monticello, a daughter of the late Arthur Carter and Artie Veasey Carter. She was a homemaker and a Baptist. Survivors include her husband, Harold G. Creighton; a brother, Jerry E. Carter of Little Rock; and three sisters, Marie Echols of Monticello, Dean Cargill of Little Rock and Lola McDaniel of Osceola (Mississippi County). Funeral services are scheduled for 11 a.m. today at Stephenson-Dearman Funeral Home of Monticello with the Rev. Michael Garvey officiating. Burial will be in Beulah Cemetery in Drew County. ____________________________ Submitted by Linda P. Smith DougMIV@aol.com PINE BLUFF COMMERCIAL FRIDAY, JANUARY 9, 1998 Pine Bluff, Jefferson Co., Arkansas EMMA TISDALE (Photo included) Funeral services for Emma Ray Tisdale, 90, of Pine Bluff, who died December 30, 1997, at Jefferson Regional Medical Center, are scheduled for 2 p.m. Saturday at Faith Temple Church of God in Christ with the Rev. Hayward M. Battles officiating. Burial will be in Henson Memorial Gardens by P.K. Miller Mortuary. She was born January 7, 1907, at Rison, a daughter of the late Elliot Ray and Julie McBride Ray. She received her early education at Cleveland County public schools. She was a homemaker and a member of Faith Temple Church of God in Christ. Survivors include a son, Raymond Tisdale of Pine Bluff; a daughter, Eddie Lee Urquhart of Pine Bluff; 24 grandchildren; and 20 great-grandchildren. _____________________________ HERMAN KING LITTLE ROCK-- Herman Lee King, 72, of Little Rock, died January 5, 1998, at Southwest Hospital. He was born July 29, 1925, at Rison, a son of Versie Hutchinson King Johnson of Rison and the late Alexander King. He was a retired truck driver for General Motors. He served in the Army during World War II and was a Jehovah Witness. Other survivors include his wife, Wanetta King; two daughters, Marion Miller of Flint Michigan, and Jeanette Humphrey of Los Angeles; a brother, Jack King of Flint; three sisters, Georgia Mitchell of Little Rock, Willie Mae Robinson of Los Angeles and Gerelene Watson of Rison; seven grandchildren; and three great-grandchildren. Funeral services are scheduled for noon Saturday at Will Acklin Funeral Home of Little Rock with Elder Birdo Charles officiating. Burial will be in Sand Hill Cemetery at Little Rock. Johnson Funeral Home of Malvern is in charge of arrangements. ____________________________ DOROTHY CREECH SHERWOOD-- Dorothy Daniell Creech, 94, of Sherwood, died January 7, 1998, at her home. She was born April 25, 1903, at Fordyce, a daughter of the late Hansford Daniell and Euphemia Jacobs Daniell. She was a homemaker and a m preceded in death by her husband, Norman E. Creech. Survivors include a son, James Creech of Sherwood; and a grandchild. Funeral services are scheduled for 2 p.m. today at Benton Funeral Home at Fordyce with the Rev. Keith Avery officiating. Burial will be in Stoney Point Cemetery near Fordyce. ____________________________ DELLA TAYLOR, 106 (Photo included) ALTHEIMER-- Funeral services for Della Taylor, 106, of Altheimer, who died January 3, 1998, at England Manor Nursing Home at England, are scheduled for 11 a.m. Saturday at Mount Zion Missionary Baptist Church at Altheimer with the Rev. Darrell Martin officiating. Burial will be in Altheimer Community Cemetery by P.K. Miller Mortuary of Pine Bluff. She was born January 10, 1891, at Red Bluff (Arkansas County), a daughter of the late John Abram and Annie Abram. She was a homemaker and a member of Mount Zion Missionary Baptist Church. She was preceded in death by her husband, John Taylor; and a son, Jessie H. Taylor. Survivors include six grandchildren, one who was a caregiver, Narvell Irby of Wabbaseka; 38 great-grandchildren; 40 great-great-grandchildren; and five great-great-great-grandchildren. _____________________________ AILLINE McMURTREY Ailline Griffin McMurtrey, 77, of Grapevine, died January 8, 1998, at Jefferson Regional Medical Center. She was born on October 15, 1920, at Kingsland, a daughter of the late Saline Cairo Griffin and Ruth Mae Ozment Griffin. She was raised and educated at Kingsland. She moved to Pine Bluff in 1940 and later was a weaver for Pinecrest Cotton Mill. She was a member of Bethany No. 1 Missionary Baptist Chuch near Grapevine. She was preceded in death by her husband, Jeff Davis McMurtrey, whom she married on September 4, 1937, at Kingsland and who died on March 24, 1995. Survivors include a son, Jeff Davis McMurtrey Jr. of Grapevine; a daughter, Norma Jean Pruitt of El Dorado; two brothers, Bill Griffin of Colbert, Georgia, and Shelby Charles Griffin of Lapine, Alabama; three sisters, Evelyn Clark of Kingsl hirley Ruth Manis of Chattanooga, Tennessee; three grandchildren; and a great-grandchild. Funeral services are scheduled for 10 a.m. Saturday at Ralph Robinson & Son Funeral Directors with the Rev. Roger Taylor officiating. Burial will be in Shell Cemetery in Grant County. _____________________________ VICTOR McDONALD (Photo included) Funeral services for Victor McDonald, 81, of Pine Bluff, who died December 31, 1997, at his home, are scheduled for 1 p.m. Saturday at First Trinity Church of God in Christ with Elder Dewitt Hill officiating. Burial will be in Forest Lawn Memorial Garden by Christian Way Funeral Home. He was born on March 18, 1916, at Camden, a son of the late Ed and Caroline McDonald. He was a member of First Trinity Church of God in Christ Usher Board. He was also a member of Pine Bluff Male Chorus, Masonic Lodge and was a Shriner. He was preceded in death by seven brothers; and four sisters. Survivors include his wife, Helen Williams McDonald; two sons, John McDonald of North Carolina and Gwain McDonald of Pine Bluff; three daughters, Earnestine Suggs, Erma Jean Williams and Gwendolyn McDonald, all of Pine Bluff; a brother, Glenn McDonald of Camden; a sister, Christian Kitt of Detroit; 17 grandchildren; and 21 great-grandchildren. ______________________________ LOUISE HARMON (Photo included) Louise Harmon, 99, of Pine Bluff, died January 8, 1998, at her home. She was born on September 26, 1898, at Echo, West Virginia, a daughter of the late Jim and Ida Imaline Ball Riggs. She was raised and received her education in Wayne County, West Virginia. She moved from West Virginia in 1942. She lived at Moreno Valley, California for most of her adult life, before moving to Pine Bluff in 1992. Her hobbies included singing, quilting, working with her flowers, traveling and playing dominos. She was a member of Pentecostal Church of God at Moreno Valley. She was preceded in death by her husband, Herman Virgil Harmon, whom she married on December 23, 1916, at Catlettsburg, Kentucky; a son, on. Survivors include two sons, Ralph Harmon of Springville, Indiana, and Willard Harmon of Merced, California; five daughters, Mildred Jackson of Wooster, Ohio, Pansy Dean of Lakeside, California, Hazel Carey of Apple Creek, Ohio, Herma Lou McGarity of Pine Bluff and Hilda Stinson of Elkins (Washington County); a sister, Estel Pack of Las Vegas; 25 grandchildren; 43 great- grandchildren; 14 great-great-grandchildren; and a great-great-great- grandchild. Funeral services are scheduled for 3:30 p.m. Saturday at Ralph Robinson & Son Funeral Directors with the Rev. Lex Eaker officiating. A graveside service will be at 11 a.m. Tuesday in Olivewood Cemetery at Riverside, California, by Arlington Mortuary. ______________________________ MATTIE BAILEY Funeral services for Mattie Bailey, 96, of Pine Bluff, who died January 6, 1998, at Jefferson Regional Medical Center, are scheduled for 2 p.m. Saturday at Indiana Street Baptist Church with Dr. L.K. Solomon officiating. Burial will be in Forest Lawn Memorial Garden by Perry Funeral Home. She was born on September 29, 1901, at Pastoria (Jefferson County), a daughter of the late Joe and Julia Wade Davis. She was a member of Indiana Street Baptist Church. She was preceded in death by two husbands, Arthur Davis and Eddie Bailey. Survivors include a son, Arthur Davis of Los Angeles; a daughter, Laura Ford of Pine Bluff; 53 grandchildren; 60 great-grandchildren; and 25 great-great- grandchildren. _______________________________ CARL ALLEN LITTLE ROCK-- Carl Allen, 77, of Pine Bluff, died January 8, 1998, at Veterans Administration Hospital. He was born on May 5, 1920, at Sheridan, a son of the late George and Emma King Allen. He received his early education at Pine Bluff and served in the Army during World War II. He moved to St. Louis after the war and lived there until 1967, when he moved to Crossett. He owned and operated Acme Auto Glass at Crossett and later at Pine Bluff. He lived at Pine Bluff since 1972, when he retired. He was a Baptist. Survivors includ married on October 13, 1951, at Piggott (Clay County); a son, Carl Ross Allen of Pine Bluff; a sister, Maxine Peterson of Worcester, Maryland; and two grandchildren. Funeral services are scheduled for 1:30 p.m. Saturday at Ralph Robinson & Son Funeral Directors with the Rev. Lex Eaker officiating. A graveside service will be at 11 a.m. Tuesday in Olivewood Cemetery at Riverside, California, by Arlington Mortuary. _______________________________ RONALD WATT HOT SPRINGS-- Ronald Douglas Watt, 68, of Hot Springs, died January 6, 1998, at National Park Medical Center. He was born September 20, 1929, at Waterloo (Nevada County), a son of the late Doc Reed Watt and Amy Jones Watt. He was retired from the Army, serving 20 years. Survivors include two sons, Ronald Watt Jr. and James Watt, both of Camden; two daughters, Geneva Henderson of Littleton, Colorado, and Rhonda Moreau of Angleton, Texas; a brother, Don Watt of Magnolia; a sister, Dorothy Spurlock of Memphis; and two grandchildren. Funeral services are scheduled for 2 p.m. Saturday at Benton Funeral Home at Fordyce with the Rev. Ralph Hale officiating. Burial will be in Benton Cemetery near Fordyce. _____________________________ MAUREEN GILL KANSAS CITY-- Maureen Womble Gill, 82, of Kansas City, formerly of Warren, Arkansas, died January 7, 1998, at Timberlake Care Center at Kansas City. She was born September 8, 1915, at Senatobia, Mississippi, a daughter of the late James Arthur and Iola Hamm Womble. She was a retired dental assistant for Dr. Joe Bond. She was a homemaker and a Methodist. She was preceded in death by her husband, Max Herring Gill, whom she married on July 18, 1936, at Warren, and who died on July 14, 1978. Survivors include a son, Samual Thomas Gill of Kansas City; a daughter, Gayanne G. Ferguson of Overland Park, Kansas; five grandchildren; and five great-grandchildren. Funeral services are scheduled for 10 a.m. Saturday at FrazerÕs Funeral Home at Warren with the Rev. Bill Leslie officiating. Burial will be in Oakland Cemetery _____ J. C. HAYNIE Funeral services for J.C. Haynie, 58, of Chicago, formerly of Pine Bluff, who died January 2, 1998, at his home, are scheduled for 10 a.m. Saturday at First Trinity Church of God in Christ with Elder Dewitt Hill officiating. Burial will be in Forest Lawn Memorial Garden by Christian Way Funeral Home. He was born on January 19, 1939, at Prescott, a son of Rosie Lee Jackson Haynie Dierks of Pine Bluff and the late Christopher Haynie. He was a member of Pentecostal Church of God. Other survivors include four sons, Larry Haynie and Joseph Haynie, both of Fresno, California, and Jimmy Haynie and Mark Haynie, both of Pine Bluff; three daughters, Phyllis Haynie of Fresno, and Gwendolyn Haynie and Diana K. Haynie, both of Pine Bluff; five brothers, Booker Haynie and Charles Haynie, both of Chicago, Larry Haynie and Carnell Haynie, both of Los Angeles, and Robert Haynie of Pine Bluff; four sisters, Jarvie L. Rowden of San Diego, and Christine Shaw, Jerline Moor and Ruthie Rogers, all of Pine Bluff; and 21 grandchildren. ______________________________ ELLA MIXON ST. LOUIS-- Ella Mixon, 86, of Dumas, Arkansas, died December 31, 1997, at St. Marion Health Center here. She was born August 12, 1911, at Arkansas City, Arkansas, a daughter of the late John Joyce and Viola Watson Joyce. Survivors include two daughters, Annie Parks of Dumas and Jerline Guy of St. Louis; three sisters, Lurinda Clark of McGehee, Arkansas, Vanella Williams of Lake Providence, Louisiana, and Leola Shield of Arkansas City; 20 grandchildren; 35 great-grandchildren; and 10 great-great-grandchildren. Funeral services are scheduled for noon Saturday at Union Baptist Church at Dumas with the Rev. Howard Bess officiating. Burial will be in Bank Cemetery at Dumas by M. Davis Stickland Funeral Home of Dermott, Arkansas. ______________________________ Submitted by Linda P. Smith DougMIV@aol.com PINE BLUFF COMMERCIAL SATURDAY, JANUARY 10, 1998 Pine Bluff, Jefferson Co., Arkansas OLLIE TUDOR (Photo included) Ollie Margaret Tudor, 84, of Pine Bluff, and January 8, 1998, at Arkansas Convalescent Center. She was born February 25, 1913, at Dangerfield, Texas, a daughter of the late Alec and Pearl Pilgrim Fielden. She was raised and received her early education at Paris, Texas. She lived in Arizona for several years, where she was a restaurant and store keeper. She moved to Pine Bluff in 1976 and was a Baptist. She was preceded in death by her husband, William Clarence Tudor, who she married on March 22, 1942, at Las Cruces, New Mexico, and who died in 1975; and two brothers, Freddie Fielden and Loy Fielden. Survivors include a daughter, Mary Jo McCord of Pine Bluff; two brothers, Raymond Fielden of Houston and Cloyce Fielden of Arp, Texas; three sisters, Hughlene Bullington of Tyler, Texas, Virginia Folmar of Scroggins, Texas, and Nelda Beard of South Houston, Texas; four grandchildren; and eight great- grandchildren. Funeral services are scheduled for 10 a.m. Monday at the chapel of Ralph Robinson & Son Funeral Directors with the Rev. Bryan McKnight officiating. Burial will be in Graceland Cemetery. ________________________________ WILLIAM WILSON William ÒShugÓ Wilson, 81, of Banks (Bradley County), died January 4, 1998, at Jefferson Regional Medical Center. He was born April 9, 1916, at Banks, a son of the late Carl Wilson and Ada Phillips Wilson. He was a farmer and a member of Pleasant Hil Baptist Church at Banks. Survivors include his wife, Eula Childs Wilson; a son, Jimmy Wilson of El Dorado; two daughters, Pauline ÒPollyÓ Wilson of Milwaukee and Margie Wilson of Banks; and three grandchildren. Funeral services are scheduled for 1 p.m. today at Pleasant Hill Baptist Church with the Rev. J.L. Caldwell officiating. Burial will be in Childs Cemetery at Banks by Hammons Funeral Home of Warren. ________________________________ JAMES ARLEDGE DALLAS-- James Franklin Arledge, 62, of Quinlan, Te tors Hospital at Dallas. He was born May 17, 1935, at Pine Bluff, a son of the late John I. Arledge Sr. and Marian Williams Arledge. He was a driver for Greyhound Bus Lines, a Quinlan Independent School District Transportation supervisor and a member of Vansickle Baptist Church at Quinlan. Survivors include his wife, Patricia Greenhill Arledge, whom he married August 25, 1968, at Sherrill, Arkansas; two sons, James Edmond Arledge of Nashville and Franklin Scott Arledge of Quinlan; three daughters, Karen Carruth of Quinlan, Sarah Botlinger of Georgetown, Texas, and Carla Moody of White Hall, Arkansas; six brothers, John T. Arledge Jr. and Billy Arledge, both of Wabbaseka, Arkansas, Gerald Arledge of Pine Bluff, Charles B. Arledge of Tontitown, Arkansas, Richard Arledge of Pine Bluff and Dwayne Arledge of Allen, Texas; five sisters, Lanella Bost and Jayne Camp, both of Pine Bluff, Carol Giddens of Flower Mound, Texas, Marilyn Bubbus of Hensley (Pulaski County), Arkansas and Shirley McGinnis of Newark, Delaware; and 13 grandchildren. Funeral services are scheduled for 2 p.m. today at Vansickle Baptist Church with the Rev. Roger Ratliff officiating. Burial will be in Dry Creek Cemetery at Quinlan by Peters Funeral Home of Greenville, Texas. _________________________________ CLAUDE GILLETTE SR. STUTTGART-- Claude G. Gillette Sr., 95, of Stuttgart, died January 8, 1998, at Stuttgart Hospital. He was born October 29, 1902, at New Orleans. He was a retired office manager for Riceland Machine, was treasurer of the Stuttgart Industrial Development Corporation for years and helped organize the corporation. He was a member of First United Methodist Church at Stuttgart. He had been a member of the Lions Club for more than 65 years. He was the oldest active Lion in the state, according to a family spokesperson. He was preceded in death by two wives, Ruby T. Gillette, who died in 1965, and Mildred Gillette, who died in 1994. Survivors include a son, Dr. Claude G. Gillette Jr. of Hazen; a daughter, Nan Owen of Pine wo great- great-grandchildren. Funeral services are scheduled for 10:30 a.m. today at First United Methodist Church with the Rev. Chris Cooper officiating. Burial will be in Lone Tree Cemetery at Stuttgart by Turpin Funeral Home of Stuttgart. ______________________________ Submitted by Linda P. Smith DougMIV@aol.com PINE BLUFF COMMERCIAL SUNDAY, JANUARY 11, 1998 Pine Bluff, Jefferson Co., Arkansas OLLIE TUDOR (Repeated from yesterday, Jan 10, with no alterations) ___________________________ MARGIE STOVER Margie Lee Walls Stover, 63, of Pine Bluff, died January 10, 1998, at Jefferson Regional Medical Center. Born February 17, at England, Arkansas, she was a daughter of the late Reubin Lee Walls and Ida Kinley Walls. She was a homemaker and member of Faith Fellowship Church. She graduated from Watson Chapel High School in 1953. Survivors include her husband, Robert Lee Stover; a son, Joseph Stover of Pine Bluff; a daughter, Margina Butters of Pine Bluff; two brothers, Kenneth Walls of Marianna and Ed Walls of Pine Bluff; two sisters, Mary Sue Hooten of Little Rock and Alice Vilches of Pine Bluff; and two grandchildren. Funeral services are scheduled for 2 p.m. Monday at Buie Funeral Home in Rison with the Rev. Clyde Brewer officiating. Burial will be in Black Cemetery. _____________________________ GEORGE AXLEY George Edward Axley, 82, of Pine Bluff, died January 8, 1998, at Jefferson Regional Medical Center. Born February 25, 1915, at Bokchito, Oklahoma, he was a son of the late Angus and Lena Ann Shaw Axley. Reared and educated in Boswell, Oklahoma, he lived in Fremont, California, for more than 30 years. He married the former Edith Jacks on Sept. 16, 1940, at Pine Bluff. He retired in 1972 after more than 26 years as a Navy machinist. He moved to the Pine Bluff area in 1987. He was preceded in death by a brother, Walter M. Axley. Survivors include his wife, Edith Jacks Axley; a sister, Jessie Cox of White City, Oregon; two half-sisters, June Martin and Maudie Axley, both of Henderson, Texas; a half-brother, Jim Axley of Henderson, Texas; and two stepsisters, Clara Owen and Geneva Brinkley, both of Seminole, Oklahoma. Funeral services are scheduled for 1 p.m. Monday at Ralph Robinson & Son Funeral Directors with the Rev. Ross Woodberry officiating. Burial will be in Hickory Grove Cemetery near S Lung Association. _____________________________ BETTY BISHOP Betty Lee Carr Bishop, 58, of Bentley, Louisiana, formerly of McGehee, died January 9, 1998, at Arlington, Texas. Born August 8, 1939, at Dumas, she was a daughter of Myrtle Bradley Carr and the late Roy L. Carr of McGehee. She was a memeber of Bentley Baptist Church and a clerk for Union Pacific Railroad. She was preceded in death by a half-sister, Mildred Thurman of Hamburg. Other survivors include her husband, Terry W. Bishop; two daughters, Terrie Kelley and Tammy Witherspoon, both of Arlington, Texas; a sister, Dianne Logan of Pine Bluff; and two grandchildren. Funeral services are scheduled for 2 p.m. Monday at Union Hill Baptist Church at Montgomery, Louisiana. Burial will be in Union Hill Cemetery by Hixson Brothers Funeral Home of Pineville, Louisiana. _______________________________ JOHN WELCH SR. John Wesley Welch Sr., 76, of Pine Bluff, died January 9, 1998, at his home. Born July 31, 1921, at Keo, he was a son of the late Jesse Franklin and Lillie Mae Brown Welch. He was reared and attended school at Keo. He served in an armored division in France and Germany during World War II. He continued service from 1942 until his retirement as a sergeant on June 1, 1965. He lived for two years at Berryville, working as a deputy sheriff, jailer and bail bondsman. A Baptist, he had lived in Pine Bluff since 1975. Survivors include his wife, Beatrice May Welch, whom he married Jan. 3, 1942. at Pine Bluff; seven sons, Lee Wesley Welch, Thomas F. Welch, John W. Welch Jr., Ronald Walker and James Walker, all of Pine Bluff, Jonathan Walker of Little Rock and Thomas Walker of Fort Smith; three daughters, Mary Kathleen Welch and Taunja Bates, both of Pine Bluff, and Georgette E. Anderson of DeRidder, Louisiana; a sister, Betty Jewell Gunn of Pine Bluff; 16 grandchildren and nine great-grandchildren. He was preceded in death by a son, John William Welch, in 1946, a daughter, Wanda May Walker, in 1978, a brother, four sisters and a great-grandch p.m. Tuesday at Ralph Robinson & Son Funeral Directors. Burial will be in Graceland Cemetery with military honors. The family requests that guests attending the service dress casually _______________________________ WAYMON DAVIS Waymon Edgar Davis, 88, of Rison, died January 9, 1998, at Jefferson Regional Medical Center. Born November 11, 1909, at Herbine, he was a son of Milton Montgomery Davis and Mary Johnnie Holderfield Davis. He was a retired mechanic and member of Rison Baptist Church. Survivors include his wife, Ola Gracie Davis; three sons, Bobby Davis, David Davis, and Benny Davis, all of Rison; a brother, Fred ÒTinkerÓ Davis of Victoria, Texas; a sister, Ophie Lancaster of Sheridan; three grandchildren and 13 great-grandchildren. He was preceded in death by a son, Waymon Davis Jr., and a daughter, Mary Ellen Cuthbertson. Funeral services are scheduled for 2 p.m. today at Buie Funeral Home at Rison with the Rev. Mike White officiating. Burial will be in Greenwood Cemetery at Rison. ____________________________ Submitted by Linda P. Smith DougMIV@aol.com PINE BLUFF COMMERCIAL MONDAY, JANUARY 12, 1998 Pine Bluff, Jefferson Co., Arkansas MATTIE POWER (Photo included) Mattie Opal Power, 86, of Pine Bluff, died January 11, 1998, at Jefferson Regional Medical Center. Born August 14, 1911, at Wilmot (Ashley County) she was a daughter of the late Thomas Martin Dillon and Gertrude Morman Dillon. She was reared and educated at Wilmot. She was a member of First Immanuel Missionary Baptist Church. She was preceded in death by her husband, Sam E. Power, and two sons, Martin E. Power and James ÒBudÓ Power. Survivors include a son, Richard Power of Houston; a sister, Bettie M. Dillon Riggin of Portland; 13 grandchildren; 26 great-grandchildren; and six great- great-grandchildren. Funeral services are scheduled for 10 a.m. Tuesday at the chapel of Ralph Robinson & Son Funeral Directors with the Rev. David Harris. A 3 p.m. graveside service is scheduled at Wilmot Cemetery. _________________________________ MAMIE THOMPSON SHREVEPORT-- Mamie Lou Thompson, 100, of Shreveport, formerly of Hermitage, Arkansas, died January 10, 1998, at Willis Knighton Hospital at Shreveport. She was born March 15, 1897, at New Edinburg, Arkansas, a daughter of the late J.H. Harris and Cora Stewart Harris. She was a retired employee of Reasons Drug Store and a member of Hermitage United Methodist Church. She was preceded in death by her husband, Guy Thompson. She is survived by a sister, Lois Marks of Shreveport. Funeral services are scheduled for 1:30 p.m. Wednesday at FrazerÕs Funeral Home at Warren, Arkansas. Burial will be in Hickory Springs Cemetery at Hermitage. _______________________________ JEWELL TIDWELL JR. LITTLE ROCK-- Jewell Edward ÒJetÓ Tidwell Jr., 10 of Fordyce, died January 10, 1998, at Arkansas ChildrenÕs Hospital at Little Rock. Born October 16, 1987, at Fordyce, he was a son of Jewell Edward ÒEddyÓ Tidwell Sr. and Mary Ann Hickerson Tidwell of Fordyce. He was a fourth-grade student at Wallace Elementary School and attended First Baptist Church of Fordyce. He in death by a sister, Whitney Danyale Tidwell, and grandparents, Edward Lee Tidwell and Eleanor Faye Hickerson. Other survivors include a sister, Hannah Elizabeth Tidwell of Fordyce; his grandfather, Bobby R. Hickerson of New Edinburg; his grandmother, Margaret Tidwell of Fordyce; and his great-grandparents, Jewell and Hannah Archer of Fordyce. Funeral services are scheduled for 2 p.m. Tuesday at Benton Funeral Home in Fordyce with the Rev. B.L. Blann officiating. Burial will be in McDonald Cemetery. _______________________________ OSCAR MACK SAVANNAH, Georgia-- Oscar C. Mack, 57, of Ridgeland, South Carolina, died January 7, 1998, at Memorial Medical Center at Savannah. A native of Switzerland, South Carolina, he attended Jasper County public schools and was a graduate of Jasper County High School and South Carolina State College, and was a member of the ROTC. He served 21 years in the Army, retiring as a lieutenant colonel. A former professor of military science at the University of Arkansas at Pine Bluff, he was a pilot instructor at Low Country Aviation at Ridgeland. He was a member of the Minority Business Association and a Methodist. Survivors include his mother, Wilhelmina B. Mack of Ridgeland; and a sister, Natalie M. Freeman of Syracuse, N.Y. The funeral, scheduled for noon today at Mount Carmel Baptist Center, is being arranged by StineyÕs Mortuary of Hardeeville, South Carolina. Burial will be in Ferebeeville Cemetery. ______________________________ HELEN WELLS Helen White Wells, 89, of Pine Bluff, died January 11, 1998, at Trinity Village Medical Center. Born September 21, 1908, at Pine Bluff, she was a daughter of the late John W. White and Emma Patterson White. Reared and educated at Pine Bluff, she graduated from Pine Bluff High School and lived here all her life. She was preceded in death January 8, 1994, by her husband, Richard A. Wells, whom she married February 14, 1928. She was a member of Central Presbyterian Church. She is survived by a daughter, Bettie Jo Isbell of Pine -grandchildren. Graveside services are scheduled for 10 a.m. Tuesday in Graceland Cemetery with the Rev. Dan Loomis officiating. Burial will be handled by Ralph Robinson & Son Funeral Directors. ______________________________ VIVIAN MARTIN Vivian D. Martin, 74, of New Edinburg (Cleveland County), died January 11, 1998, at Pine Bluff. She was born January 14, 1923, at New Edinburg, a daughter of the late Richard and Alma Bryant Dyer. She was a homemaker and a member of Macedonia Free Will Baptist Church. Survivors include her husband, Charles Edward Martin, whom she married May 19, 1945; a son, Charles Wayne Martin of White Hall; a brother, Erwin Dyer of New Edinburg; a sister, Nell Reeves of Warren; four grandchildren; and five great-grandchildren. Funeral services are scheduled at 3:30 p.m. Tuesday at Macedonia Free Will Baptist Church with the Rev. Cecil Sanders and the Rev. Victor Hunter officiating. Burial will be in Mosley Cemetery by FrazerÕs Funeral Home of Warren. _______________________________ RAY ABINGTON Ray L. Abington, 90, of Russellville, formerly of Pine Bluff, died January 11, 1998. He was retired following 30 years of federal service as property division storage chief at the Pine Bluff Arsenal. He also retired from 15 years of service with the Arkansas Legislature. He was a deacon of First Baptist Church, past commander of the American Legion, a 32nd-Degree Mason and an Army veteran of World War II. Survivors include his wife, Etna Doss Abington; a son, William ÒBillÓ Abington of Russellville; a daughter, Elizabeth Smith of Russellville; eight grandchildren; 14 great-grandchildren; and one great-great-grandchild. Funeral services are scheduled for 3 p.m. Tuesday at Shinn Funeral Home at Russellville. Burial will be in Rest Haven Memorial Park at Russellville. _______________________________ Submitted by Linda P. Smith DougMIV@aol.com PINE BLUFF COMMERCIAL TUESDAY, JANUARY 13, 1998 Pine Bluff, Jefferson Co., Arkansas MARY GRESHAM (Photo included) SOUTH HAVEN, Michigan-- Mary Ruth Gresham, 42, of Bangor, Michigan, formerly of Pine Bluff, died January 10, 1998, at South Haven Community Hospital. She was born on November 3, 1955, at Pine Bluff, a daughter of Opal Kinley Donaghe of Pine Bluff and the late William Burton Kinley. She was a resident of Bangor for eight years and worked in the commercial fruit industry. Other survivors include her husband, Louis Wayne Gresham; a son, Louis Wayne Gresham Jr. of Bangor; four brothers, J.E. Kinley, John Kinley Sr., and William ÒRonnieÓ Kinley, all of Pine Bluff, and Lee Kinley of Little Rock; three sisters, Sheila Winfield and Kay Powell, both of Pine Bluff, and Polly Price of Hot Springs; and four grandchildren. She was cremated. Arrangements were handled by Miller Funeral Home of Bangor. Memorials may be made to the Lupus Foundation of America. ______________________________ MILDRED CHADICK HUMPHREY-- Mildred Ellen Acklin Chadick, 96, of Humphrey, died January 12, 1998, at her home. She was born on January 12, 1902, at Humphrey, a daughter of the late Christopher Marcus and Annie Elizabeth Harrison Acklin. She was raised and received her early education at Humphrey, graduating from Humphrey High School. She received her teaching certificate and taught at Flynn School until 1923. She and her husband moved to Pine Bluff and lived here until 1948, when they moved back to Humphrey. She was a member of Humphrey United Methodist Church and was a member of Carr United Methodist Church when she lived at Pine Bluff. She was a USO volunteer, a member of the Parent-Teacher Association and a life member of the Order of the Eastern Star. She was preceded in death by her husband, Porter Rowan Chadick, whom she married in 1923 at Humphrey; a son, Porter Acklin Chadick; four brothers, James Acklin, Jewell Acklin, C.M. Acklin and Henry Acklin; and three sisters, Elizabeth Carl Lee, Emma Moore and Anna Annie Chadick Wilson of Humphrey; six grandchildren; and 14 great-grandchildren. Funeral services are scheduled for 2 p.m. Wednesday at Humphrey United Methodist Church with Dr. Robert Turner officiating. Burial will be in Lone Tree Cemetery at Stuttgart by Ralph Robinson & Son Funeral Directors of Pine Bluff. ________________________________ VIOLET FORD WARREN-- Niolet Etta Richards Ford, 92, of Warren, died January 10, 1998, at Pine Lodge Nursing Home. She was born on December 24, 1905, at Ingalls, a daughter of the late Robert and Fannie Stanfield Richards. She was a homemaker and a Baptist. She was preceded in death by her husband, George Ed Ford, who died in 1974; six brothers, Buck Richards, Ed Richards, Troy Richards, Dooby Richards, Wesley Richards and Junior Richards; and two sisters, Mary Manns and Jo Richards. Survivors include two sons, Henry Eddison Ford of Commerce, Oklahoma, and Frank Ford of Big Sandy, Texas; two daughters, Jeannie Bell Smith of Warren and Jeanette Paulette Weiner of Fairmont, North Carolina; a brother, Ralph Richards of Hermitage; nine grandchildren; 13 great-grandchildren; and a great-great-grandchild. Funeral services are scheduled for 10 a.m. today at FrazerÕs Funeral Home at Warren with the Revs. Martin Potter and Tim Smith officiating. Burial will be in Union Hill Cemetery at Ingalls. ________________________________ HARRY ASHCRAFT LITTLE ROCK-- Harry Ashcraft, 71, of Warren, died January 11, 1998, at St. Vincent Infirmary Medical Center. He was born on August 8, 1926, at Warren, a son of the late Joseph Don Ashcraft and Jimmie Bessie Singer Ashcraft. He received his education in the Warren Public Schoo System and was a graduate of Ouachita Baptist University at Arkadelphia. He served in the Army during World War II and a member of the American Legion and Veterans of Foreign Wars. He owned Ashcrafts Furniture and Hardware and was a member of the Warren Retail Merchants Association and the Chamber of Commerce. He was a deacon and member of First Baptist Church Patricia Pitt Ashcraft, whom he married on November 8, 1955, at Houston; two daughters, Kimberly Ledbetter of Fort Worth and Carole Ashcraft of Little Rock; and two grandchildren. Funeral services are scheduled for 1:30 p.m. today at FrazerÕs Funeral Home at Warren with the Rev. Gregg Stanley officiating. Burial will be in Oakland Cemetery at Warren. ______________________________ EDA CRUSE STAR CITY-- Eda Lee ÒEdieÓ Schieffer Cruse, 72, of Star City, died January 6, 1998, at Star City. She was born on February 11, 1925, at Perry, Oklahoma, a daughter of the late Chris and Anna Mae Schieffer. She was raised at Perry and was a volunteer with CONTACT help line, Alanon and Alateen. She worked with legislators and the Mental Health Association to help people understand alcoholism. She moved to Star City in 1995 with her oldest daughter and had been a resident of Beverly Health and Rehabilitation Center for the past year. She helped with crafts and represented the nursing home in a beauty pageant this past year. Survivors include a son, Michael Cruse of Hattieville (Conway County); two daughters, Diane Abercrombie of Star City and Barbara Coghill of Yukon, Oklahoma; a brother; five sisters; nine grandchildren; and four great- grandchildren. Funeral services were held Friday at Brown Funeral Home at Perry. Burial was in St. Rose of Lima Catholic Cemetery at Perry. Arrangements were handled by Griffin Funeral Service of Star City. _______________________________ THURMAN BLACKERBY Funeral services for Thurman Carter Blackerby, 84, of Sherwood, who died January 11, 1998, at his home, are scheduled for 2 p.m. Wednesday at Ralph Robinson & Son Funeral Directors with the Rev. Robert A. Boyd Clanton officiating. Burial will be in Clement Cemetery in Grant County. He was born on May 20, 1913, at Lamont, a son of the late Harp Ervin Blackerby and Mary Ella Clement Blackerby. He was raised and educated at Grapevine. He was a graduate of Grapevine High School and worked for the Pine Bluff Arsenal from 1942 to 19 ny for more than 20 years before he retired from Sun Gas in 1978. He was a member of Altheimer United Methodist Church and the Altheimer LionÕs Club, where he was on the board of directors. Survivors include his wife, Bennie Jean Pierce Blackerby, whom he married on September 17, 1938, at Grapevine; two daughters, Bettye Nelson of Sherwood and Joan Nichols of Little Rock; a brother, Laurens Blackerby of Ava, Missouri; four sisters, Jewel Swilling, Virginia Stewart and Odessa Lochridge, all of Pine Bluff, and Ruby Lee Ashcraft of Corinth, Mississippi; five grandchildren; and three great-grandchildren. ______________________________ WILSON DRISKELL NORTH LITTLE ROCK-- Wilson Counce Driskell, 92, of North Little Rock, formerly of Pine Bluff, died January 11, 1998, at North Little Rock. He was born on February 16, 1905, at Paragould, a son of the late Henry Hampton Driskell and Rose Ettie Tally Driskell. He was a retired grocer and a member of Linwood Baptist Church near Pine Bluff. Survivors include a daughter, Mildred Stewart of North Little Rock; a sister, Naomi Abernathy of Oklahoma City; two grandchildren; and three great- grandchildren. Funeral services are scheduled for 10 a.m. Wednesday at Roller-Owens Funeral Home at North Little Rock with the Rev. Dennis Pigman officiating. Burial will be in Union Valley Cemetery in Lonoke County. ______________________________ THEESSALIONASE PRIEST Theessalionase Jennie Priest, 103, of Pine Bluff, died December 29, 1997, at Jefferson Regional Medical Center. She was born on April 20, 1894. She was a long-time resident of Arkansas and lived at the Pineywoods apartment complex at Pine Bluff the past 15 years. Her hobbies included reading, sewing, and arts and crafts. She was a Bible scholar. She was a ÒmidwifeÓ in her younger years. There are no immediate survivors. Burial will be at 4 p.m. today in Henson Memorial Garden by Henson Mortuary. ______________________________ DEMETRICE McELROY FORDYCE-- Funeral services for Demetrice McElroy, 32, of Fordyce, who son Regional Medical Center, are scheduled for 1 p.m. today at Greenville Baptist Church at Fordyce with the Rev. Emmitt Archer officiating. Burial will be in Greenville Cemetery at Fordyce by Brown- Williams Funeral Home of Fordyce. She was born on May 18, 1965, at Fordyce, a daughter of Bobby McElroy of Bearden and Darlene Meads Wimberly of Fordyce. She was a developmental trainer at Mill Creek of Arkansas. She was a member of St. John AME Church at Fordyce, the Inspiration Choir and attended the University of Arkansas at Pine Bluff. Other survivors include a son, Noah Harvey Caldwell of Fordyce; a daughter, Jorden Inez Caldwell of Fordyce; a brother, Barry McElroy of Houston; a sister, Aretha Bond of Travis Air Force Base, California; and a grandmother, Vera Meads of Fordyce. _______________________________ RUBY CAMPBELL SHERIDAN-- Ruby Young Campbell, 82, of Sheridan, died January 12, 1998, at her home. She was born on August 19, 1915, at Sheridan, a daughter of the late John Henry and Ida Ruth Reynolds Young. She was a member of Calvary Missionary Baptist Church at Sheridan and the Ladies Auxiliary. She was preceded in death by her husband, Kirby Campbell. Survivors include two sisters, Lou Ella Sauvain of Woodburn, Oregon and Pearl Paty of Sheridan; two grandchildren; and four great-grandchildren. Funeral services are scheduled for 2 p.m. Wednesday at Calvary Missionary Baptist Church with the Revs. Rick Ethridge and William Ashcraft officiating. Burial will be in Lost Creek Cemetery at Sheridan by Buie Funeral Home of Sheridan. ________________________________ Submitted by Linda P. Smith DougMIV@aol.com PINE BLUFF COMMERCIAL WEDNESDAY, JANUARY 14, 1998 Pine Bluff, Jefferson Co., Arkansas MARSHALL RODGERS (Photo included) Marshall E. Rodgers, 96, of White Hall, died January 12, 1998, at Jefferson Regional Medical Center. He was born on August 24, 1901, in Lincoln County, a son of the late Nathan Rodgers and Annie Wormack Rodgers. He was a carman for Cotton Belt Railroad from 1943 to 1969, when he retired. His hobbies included gardening, and he was a member of Salem Missionary Baptist Church. He was preceded in death by death by a brother; and four sisters. Survivors include his wife, Thelma Lucille Kindrick Rodgers, whom he married on October 9, 1987; a stepdaughter, Barbara Bowerman of Omaha; three grandchildren; and four great-grandchildren. Funeral services are scheduled for 10 a.m. Thursday at Hale-South Funeral Home with David Harris officiating. Burial will be in Friendship Cemetery at Pine Bluff. ________________________________ GORDIE HARGIS WARREN-- Gordie York Hargis, 87, of Warren, died January 13, 1998, at Wagnon Place Nursing Home. She was born on August 10, 1910, in Bradley County, a daughter of the late John and Martha Johnson York. She was a retired nurse and a member of Westside Baptist Church. She was preceded in death by her husband, Henry Stevenson Hargis, who died on March 19, 1971. Survivors include a son, Van Hargis of Pine Bluff; a sister, Ola Thomas of Pine Bluff; four grandchildren; nine great-grandchildren; and 10 great-great- grandchildren. Funeral services are scheduled for 1:30 p.m. Thursday at FrazerÕs Funeral Home at Warren with the Rev. Wayman Mann officiating. Burial will be in Union Hill Cemetery at Ingalls. _____________________________ NORMAN KOON MERCERSBURG, Pennsylvania-- Norman Carroll Koon, 59, of Alexandria, Virginia, formerly of Harrisburg, Arkansas, died December 29, 1997, near Mercersburg, Pennsylvania, from injuries received in a skiing accident. He was born on July 8, 1938, at Malvern, Arkansas, a son of the late Clyde H. Koon and Thelma B. Koon ughes, Arkansas, McCrory, Arkansas, and Harrisburg. He attended the Georgia Institute of Technology on a Naval ROTC scholarship, earning the highest score ever on the Naval ROTC examination, a family spokesperson said. He became a research physicist at the Naval Research Laboratory at Washington D.C. after he earned his Ph. D. in physics. He was an award-winning and internationally-known physicist and was a presenter frequently at international scientific conferences. Some awards he received include the 1979 Sigma Xi Pure Science Award, the International Prize for New Materials from the American Physical Society in 1986, the Federal Laboratory Consortium Award for Excellence in Technology Transfer in 1988 and the 1992 Hulbert Science and Engineering Award, the higest civilian honor given by the Naval Research Laboratory. He did work on high-performance permanent magnets that led to a multi-billion dollar industry. He held more than 20 patents and wrote more than 200 published scientific articles. He was a Fellow of the American Physical Society and was the program director for solid state physics at the National Science Foundation. He was a deacon, elder and Sunday school teacher at the National City Christian Church at Washington. Survivors include his wife, Paula Engle; a son, Michael Koon of Port Orchard, Washington; a daughter Karen Koon of Alexandria; a brother, Eddie Mac Koon of Sheridan, Arkansas; a sister LouL Ferguson of Durant, Mississippi; and a grandchild. Funeral services were held January 2, 1998, at National City Christian Church by Everly Wheatly Funeral Home at Alexandria. He was cremated. Memorials to the National ParkinsonÕs Foundation. ______________________________ WILLIE TERRY Willie Frank ÒBillÓ Terry, 76, of Fordyce, died January 12, 1998, at Jefferson Regional Medical Center. He was born on August 26, 1921, at McAlester, Oklahoma, a son of the late Warner Monroe Terry and Dora Sinks Terry. He was a member of Freewill Baptist Church at Fordyce and was a sawyer for Barham-Seiv r, Maggie McMann. Survivors include his wife, Opal Cornett Terry; a daughter, Jo Anne Ramsey of El Dorado; a sister, Mary Green of Sparkman (Dallas County); three stepsons, Earnest Sipes of Clinton, Bobby Pennington of Deer Park, Texas, and Billy Pennington of Little Rock; two stepdaughters, Linda Hammond of Clinton and Mary Jo Martindale of Fordyce; three grandchildren; 13 step-grandchildren; a great-grandchild; and 13 step-great-grandchildren. Funeral services are scheduled for 2 p.m. Thursday at Freewill Baptist Church with the Revs. Bill Wheeler and David McMillen officiating. Burial will be in Taylor Cemetery in Dallas County by Benton Funeral Home of Fordyce. ________________________________ LOUIS RICE MONTICELLO-- Louis Junior Rice, 69, of Monticello, died January 12, 1998, at his home. He was born on April 24, 1928, at Houston (Perry County), a son of the late Annie Rice. He was a truck driver for Farmers Butane & Supply Company Incorporated at McGehee and was a member of Church of God at Crossett. He served in the Arkansas National Guard at McGehee. Survivors include his wife, Rachel Tanner Rice; a son, Robert Rice of Monticello; three daughters, Joyce Compton and Lisa Davis, both of Quitman, and Rachelle Kelley of Monticello; a brother, Ross Herrin of Pickens; a sister, Erma Jane Heirer of Calico Rock (Izard County); and seven grandchildren. Funeral services are scheduled for 2 p.m. today at Griffin Funeral Home at Dumas with the Rev. Alvin Goldin officiating. Burial will be in Dark Corner Cemetery at Gould. _______________________________ Submitted by Linda P. Smith DougMIV@aol.com PINE BLUFF COMMERCIAL THURSDAY, JANUARY 15, 1998 Pine Bluff, Jefferson Co., Arkansas LOREAN CALLAWAY Funeral services for Lorean Callaway, 64, of Pine Bluff, who died January 10, 1998, at Jefferson Regional Medical Center, are scheduled for 2 p.m. Friday at Brown Funeral Home at Pine Bluff with Michael Smith officiating. Burial will be in Forest Lawn Memorial Garden. She was born on March 27, 1933, at Parkdale (Ashley County), a daughter of the late John Adams and Daisy Davis Adams. She was a self-employed cook and was a member of Kingdom Hall at Pine Bluff. Survivors include a son, Terry Callaway of Pine Bluff; two daughters, Willie Mae Callaway of Tarry and Rose Callaway of Pine Bluff; three brothers, James Adams of Chicago, and John Adams and Edward Adams, both of Los Angeles; five sisters, Mazzie Lee Wainwright and Minnie Lee Brown, both of Star City, and Mattie Lee Adams, Katherine Mack and Lela M. Wade, all of Pine Bluff; and 11 grandchildren. ________________________________ LEE FRY Funeral services for Lee Arthur Shorter Fry, 43, of Pine Bluff, who died January 9, 1998, at Jefferson Regional Medical Center, are scheduled for 1 p.m. Friday at P.K. Miller Mortuary with the Rev. Willie Berkhalter officiating. Burial will be in Wabbaseka Community Cemetery. He was born on August 19, 1954, at Altheimer, a son of Elvira Dulaney Fry of Pine Bluff and the late Roosevelt Shorter. He received his early education in Jefferson County public schools and was a member of Mount Bayou Baptist Church at Altheimer. Other survivors include his wife, Clydia Broyles Fry of Bowling Green, Kentucky; a son, Lee Arthur Fry Jr. of Bowling Green; two daughters, Sonya Fry and Audry Fry, both of Bowling Green; three brothers, William Fry of Kansas City, Carl Shorter of Stuttgart and Rodney Shorter of Pine Bluff; and seven sisters, Dorothy Whitmore of Altheimer, Betty Holmes, Annie Owens, Janice Gipson, Wanda Jacobs and Dorothy Jackson, all of Pine Bluff, and Jo Ann Dade of Atlanta. _____________________________ CLARA MATHI n County), died January 13, 1998, at her home. She was born on November 6, 1906, at Plainview, a daughter of the late Thomas and Jessie Watson. She was a homemaker and a member of Midland Methodist Church. She was preceded in death by her husband, John Shannon Mathis; and a daughter, Sarah Sullivant. Survivors include two sons, Jack Shannon Mathis of Fayetteville and Marion T. Mathis of Mansfield; a daughter, Susie Hunt of Mansfield; five brothers, T.H. Watson and Bill Watson, both of Ola (Yell County), Charles Watson of North Little Rock, Dr. Bob Watson of Little Rock and Dr. Theo Watson of Tucson; a sister, Virginia Boyd of Ellicott City, Maryland; eight grandchildren; 12 great-grandchildren; and a great-great-grandchild. Funeral services are scheduled for 1 p.m. Friday at McConnell Funeral Home at Hartford (Sebastian County). Burial will be in Mount Olive Cemetery at Midland. ______________________________ HENRY TEAGUE HOUSTON-- Henry Cleveland Teague, 89, of Houston, formerly of Rye, Arkansas, died January 12, 1998, at Houston. He was born on March 28, 1908, in Pope County, Arkansas, a son of the late Robert Delmar Teague. He was a long-time member of St. TimothyÕs United Methodist Church at Houston. He graduated from the University of Arkansas, earning a bachelor of science degree in engineering. He retired from the City of Houston Public Works Engineering and Mapping Department after 28 years. He was preceded in death by a wife, Alice Goldie Brown Teague. Survivors include a wife, Dorothy Mowery Teague; a son, William Robert ÒBillÓ Teague of Houston; a daughter, Judy Ann Teague of New Orleans; a brother, Robert Delmar Teague of Virginia Beach, Virginia; two sisters, Hazel Hill of San Benito, Texas, and Vergys McCharen of Fairfax, Virginia; and three grandchildren. Funeral services are scheduled for 11 a.m. Saturday at Union Methodist Church at Rye with the Rev. Michael Bodovian officiating. Burial will be in Union Cemetery at Rye by FrazerÕs Funeral Home at Warren. ___________________________ for Iven Geiggar, 77, of Bakersfield, California, who died January 8, 1998, at Good Samaritan Hospital at Bakersfield, are scheduled for 11 a.m. Friday at Brown Funeral Home at Pine Bluff with the Rev. Curlee Thomas officiating. Burial will be in Forest Lawn Memorial Garden. He was born on September 26, 1920, at Star City, a son of the late Exodus Geiggar and Rochelle Cawley Geiggar. He was a Baptist and was self-employed. Survivors include a son, Melvin Geiggar of Pine Bluff; five grandchildren; and four great-grandchildren. _____________________________ LULA HOWELL MAGNOLIA-- Lula Mae Martin Howell, 78, of Waldo (Columbia County), died January 11, 1998, at Magnolia Hospital. She was born on May 16, 1919, at Willisville (Nevada County), a daughter of the late Lillie Jackson Martin and Jake Martin. She joined St. James AME Church at Waldo at an early age and was a class leader and missionary for many years. She was preceded in death by her husband, Earmon Howell Sr., whom she married on February 22, 1936. Survivors include five sons, Lee D. Howell of Waldo, Early D. Howell of Magnolia, Theodis Howell of Queen City, Texas, and Earmon Howell Jr. and Thurston Howell, both of Dallas; six daughters, Norma J. Howell and Genevia Howell, both of Waldo, Bernice Seamster and Helen Williams, both of Stamps, Evelyn Porter of St. Anne, Illinois, and Lillie Howell of Dallas; three brothers, Glaster Martin of Pine Bluff, Edward Martin of Muskegon, Michigan, and Howard Martin of Dallas; four sisters, Pearlee Harris and Stella Thornton, both of Waldo, and Glossie Martin and Vira Martin, both of Los Angeles; 25 grandchildren; and 24 great-grandchildren. Funeral services are scheduled for 11 a.m. Friday at St. James AME Church with the Rev. Curtis Dansby officiating. Burial will be in St. James AME Church Cemetery at Waldo by Marks Funeral Home of Magnolia. _________________________________ BOBBIE DIXON KANSAS CITY-- Bobbie L. ÒMickeyÓ Reed Dixon, 65, of Kansas City, formerly of Monticello, Arkansas, died January 10, 19 31, 1932, at Monticello. Survivors include her husband, Chester Dixon; a daughter, Shelia Garrett of Arizona; two sisters, Bessie Green and Bennie Rayford, both of Kansas City; and two grandchildren. Funeral services are scheduled for 1 p.m. Friday at Parklawn Funeral Home at Kansas City with the Rev. Saundra McFadden-Weaver officiating. Burial will be in Parklawn Cemetery at Kansas City. Information was provided by Henderson Funeral Home at Monticello. _________________________________ Submitted by Linda P. Smith DougMIV@aol.com PINE BLUFF COMMERCIAL FRIDAY, JANUARY 16, 1998 Pine Bluff, Jefferson Co., Arkansas BETTY TOWNSEND (Photo included) Betty Ann McCammon Townsend, 89, of Pine Bluff, died January 14, 1998, at Trinity Village Medical Center. She was born on October 23, 1908, at Lancaster, Ohio, a daughter of the late Zachariah McCammon and Mary Miller McCammon. She moved to Arkansas at an early age, living at DeWitt and Pine Bluff. She was a graduate of Pine Bluff High School. She attended the University of Arkansas at Fayetteville and Arkansas State TeacherÕs College, now the University of Central Arkansas. She taught at Pine Bluff High School for 25 years and was a member of First United Methodist Church. She was a Sunday School teacher and an officer in the United Methodist Women Group. She was a member of the John McAlmont DAR Chapter, and a member and officer of the Sorosis Club and the Pilot Club. She was a volunteer with the Area Agency on Aging, Red Cross and Jefferson Regional Medical Center. She was preceded in death by her husband, James Fletcher Townsend Sr., who died on December 15, 1977. Survivors include a son, James Townsend Jr. of Pine Bluff; two daughters, Judy Spencer of Kingsport, Tennessee and Beverly Tatman of Arkadelphia; a sister, Gail McCammon of Little Rock; nine grandchildren; and eight great- grandchildren. Funeral services are scheduled for 2 p.m. Saturday at First United Methodist Church with the Rev. Charles Settle officiating. _______________________________ PEARL KERSH LAKE VILLAGE-- Pearl Faye Kersh, 88, of Dermott, died January 14, 1998, at Chicot Memorial Hospital. She was born on December 6, 1909, at Russellville, a daughter of the late William and Laura Barnes Harkins. She was a homemaker and a member of Dermott Baptist Church. Survivors include two daughters, Joy Davis of Fort Smith and Marcia McIntyre of Dermott; eight grandchildren; and 14 great-grandchildren. Graveside services are scheduled for 2 p.m. Friday in Dermott City Cemetery with the Rev. Steven Fleming officiati e Funeral Home of Dermott. _______________________________ RAYMOND HARMON WABBASEKA-- Funeral services for Raymond Harmon, 65, of Pine Bluff, who died January 9, 1998, at Jefferson Healthcare, are scheduled for 2 p.m. Saturday at P.K. Miller Mortuary with the Rev. Peter F. Daniels Jr. officiating. Burial will be in Wabbaseka Community Cemetery. He was born on February 27, 1932, at Stuttgart, a son of the late Tommy Harmon and Robbie White Viewens. He received his early education in the public schools at Stuttgart and Wabbaseka. He was a retired hotel manager and a Baptist. Survivors include a brother, James E. Hubbard of Wabbaseka; and three sisters, Ruby Daniels of Pine Bluff, Doris Harmon of Milwaukee and Lorine Franklin of Flint, Michigan. _____________________________ ALTA HOWELL HOT SPRINGS-- Alta Marie Howell, 77, of Bismark (Hot Springs County), died January 15, 1998, at St. Joseph Regional Medical Center. She was born on October 1, 1920, at Bismark, a daughter of the late Omer and Myrtie Duncan Herrin. She was a seamstress for 25 years at the Hollywood Vasserette and was a member of the Bismark Pentecostal Church. She was preceded in death by a daughter, Sharon Holt. Survivors include her husband, James W. Howell; a son, Marty Holt of Bismark; five daughters, Bonnie Huey of Daisy (Pike County), Joyce McGriff of Star City, Jayne Jones of Pine Bluff, Nancy Dorsey of Las Vegas and Glenda Ruiz of Auburn, California; two brothers, Leonard Herrin of Hot Springs and Jim Herrin of Reno, Nevada; 19 grandchildren; 30 great-grandchildren; and a great-great- grandchild. Funeral services are scheduled for 2 p.m. Saturday at Bismark Pentecostal Church with the Rev. Van Glidewell officiating. Burial will be in Oak Bower Cemetery at Bismark by Murry-Ruggles Funeral Home at Arkadelphia. Memorials to the American Cancer Society. __________________________________ BETSY GOINS LITTLE ROCK-- Betsy I. Goins, 74, of Sheridan, died January 14, 1998, at Baptist Medical Center. She was born on July 3, 1923, at Vivi Ralph and Plurie Brewster Ingram. She was a member of First United Methodist Church at Sheridan and the Extension Homemakers Club. Survivors include her husband, J.K. Goins; a son, J.K. Goins Jr. of Sheridan; a daughter, Zoe Ann Hines of Sheridan; and three grandchildren. Funeral services are scheduled for 10 a.m. Saturday at Buie Funeral Home at Sheridan with the Rev. Bruce Bennett officiating. Burial will be in Philadelphia Cemetery at Prattsville. Memorials may be made to First United Methodist Church or the Grant County Museum. ____________________________________ LARTHELL YOUNG Funeral services for Larthell Fredward Young, 70, of Pine Bluff, who died January 11, 1998, at Jefferson Regional Medical Center, are scheduled for 2 p.m. Saturday at Brown Funeral Home at Pine Bluff with the Rev. Spencer Brown officiating. Burial will be in the V.A. Section of Graceland Cemetery. He was born on March 6, 1927, at Nashville (Howard County), a son of Beatrice Coulter Young of Pine Bluff and the late Perry Young. He attended school at Nashville. He was a teacher at Merrill High School at Pine Bluff. He later taught in the Marianna School District for 33 years, retiring from the district. He was an Army Veteran of the Korean War, discharged in 1960. He received a bachelorÕs degree at AM&N, now the University of Arkansas at Pine Bluff, and received his masterÕs degree at the University of Arkansas at Fayetteville. He was a member of an AME church. Other survivors include his wife, Rozera Kinsey Young; a son, Negel Henry of Pine Bluff; a daughter, Cheryl Boudreaux of Pine Bluff; four brothers, Chester Young and Wendell Young, both of Omaha, Jimmie Young of Cincinnati, and Myles Young of Pine Bluff; two sisters, Ella Taylor of Edmond, Oklahoma and Opalean Craig of Pine Bluff; and five grandchildren. _______________________________ FLORA RAGLON (Photo included) Funeral services for Flora Imogene Raglon, 65, of Pine Bluff, who died January 11, 1998, at Jefferson Regional Medical Center, are scheduled for 10:3 r. Robert Handley officiating. Burial will be in Forest Lawn Memorial Garden by Brown Funeral Home at Pine Bluff. She was born on August 16, 1932, at Blevins (Hempstead County), a daughter of the late Frank Fellows and Emma Brown Fellows. She was a homemaker and a member of Mount Harmony Baptist Church. She was preceded in death by her husband, Roosevelt Raglon Sr. Survivors include two sons, Roosevelt Raglon Jr. and Gregory D. Raglon Sr., both of Pine Bluff; five daughters, Doris Jackson and Eunice Bingley, both of Kansas City, Kansas, and Charlotte Armstrong, Theresa Stallings and Shelia Butler, all of Pine Bluff; a brother, Oren Fellows of Chicago; 23 grandchildren; and five great-grandchildren. __________________________________ VIRGINIA MOORE FORDYCE-- Funeral services for Virginia Moore, 45, of Fordyce, who died January 12, 1998, at Dallas County Hospital are scheduled for 10 a.m. Saturday at Jerusalem Baptist Church at Fordyce with the Rev. Wayne Archer officiating. Burial will be at Mount Tabor Cemetery by Brown-Williams Funeral Home of Fordyce. Born December 30, 1952, at Fordyce, she was a daughter of the late Virgil Moore and Rosie Lee Williams Moore. She was a member of Jerusalem Baptist Church and Jerusalem Gospel Choir and was also a former member of the Eastern Star Number 363. She was a retired employee of Alcatel Cable Company. Survivors include a son, Kevin Moore of Fordyce; two brothers, Troy Moore and Kenneth Ray Moore, both of Fordyce; a sister, Ray Evelyn Moore of Fordyce; and two grandchildren. _________________________________ VIA JONES Funeral services for Via Lee Jones, 58, of Pine Bluff, who died January 8, 1998, at Jefferson Regional Medical Center, are scheduled for 11 a.m. Saturday at Brown Funeral Home at Pine Bluff with Edgar Dye officiating. Burial will be in Forest Lawn Memorial Garden. She was born on August 23, 1939, at Gethsemane, a daughter of the late Henry Lee Jones and Elnora Williams Jones. She was a homemaker and a member of West Hepburn Street Church of Chri nise Mason-Simmons of Pine Bluff; two brothers, Harlon H. Jones and Judge Berlin C. Jones, both of Pine Bluff; two sisters, Velois L. Jones-Murray of Chicago and Sharron A. Jones-Boaitey of Dallas; and three grandchildren. _________________________________ LOIS GARRISON Lois Virginia Garrison, 73, of McGehee, died January 14, 1998, at Jefferson Regional Medical Center. She was born on September 2, 1924, at Monroe, a daughter of the late C.T. Windham and Sadie Armstrong Windham. She was a homemaker. She was preceded in death by her husband, Horace Franklin Garrison Jr. Survivors include two sons, Larry Garrison of Thornton, Colorado and Gary Garrison of Jacksonville; nine daughters, Shirley Peacock of Monticello, Bonnie Estrada of Joyce, Louisiana, Rita Minchew of McGehee, Anastacia McCoy of Sherman, Texas, Barbara White and Janice Tigue, both of Hereford, Texas, Paula Smith of Hot Springs, and Karen Minchew and Sandra Garrison, both of Pine Bluff; four brothers, John Ferrell of Warren, Jack Windham of North Little Rock, Charles Windham of McGehee and Clarence Windham of Selma (Drew County); four sisters, Pearl Mays of Jackson, Mississippi, Roma Keeling of North Little Rock, Ouida Blackwell of Mobile, Alabama and Sherry Hilburn of Kelso (Desha County); 42 grandchildren; 52 great-grandchildren; and four great-great-grandchildren. Funeral services are scheduled for 2 p.m. Saturday at South McGehee Baptist Church with the Rev. Will Pounds officiating. Burial will be in McGehee Cemetery by Griffin Funeral Service of McGehee. _______________________________ THAD SMITH DALLAS-- Thad Smith, 22, of Dallas, formerly of Monticello, Arkansas, died at his home January 13, 1998. Born February 17, 1975, at Monticello, he was a son of Paul Smith of Monticello and Margaret Keahey Harrelson of Fayetteville, Arkansas. He was a 1993 graduate of Monticello High School, a student of the Art Institute of Dallas for one and a half years and was a cartoonist. He was also a member of Pauline Missionary Baptist Church at Montice sa Smith of Monticello; stepfather, Charles Harrelson of Fayetteville; a sister, Elizabeth Smith of Monticello; two stepsisters, Helen Harrelson of Fayetteville and Celeste Griffin of Monticello; two stepbrothers, Charles Harrelson of Fayetteville, and Jeremiah Griffin of Conway, Arkansas; a grandfather, Travis Keahey of Fayetteville; a stepgrandmother, Helen Harrelson of Fayetteville; stepgrandparents, Mr. and Mrs. Charles Martin of Jonesboro, Arkansas; and a great-grandmother, Mary Lewis of Campbell, Missouri. Funeral services are scheduled for 1:30 p.m. Saturday at Stephenson-Dearman Funeral Home with the Revs. Buddy Lemons and Larry Clements officiating. Burial will be in Union Ridge Cemetery in Drew County. ____________________________ BERTHA HAMILTON Funeral services for Bertha A. Hamilton, 92, of New Edinburg, who died January 11, 1998, at Jefferson Regional Medical Center, are scheduled for 2 p.m. Saturday at Piney Grove AME Church with the Rev. Kent Broughton officiating. Burial will be at Piney Grove Cemetery by Brown-Williams Funeral Home of Fordyce. Born July 6, 1905, at New Edinburg, she was a daughter of the late Allen Crain and Lydia Crain. She was a member of Piney Grove AME Church and was a homemaker. She was preceded in death by her husband, Otis Hamilton. Survivors include a son, Bernard Hamilton of Kenosha, Wisconsin; a daughter, Helen Lamb-Hampton of St. Paul, Minnesota; 16 grandchildren; and 17 great- grandchildren; and seven great-great-grandchildren. _____________________________ MARGARET HOPE Margaret Matthews Hope, 86, of Pine Bluff, died January 15, 1998, at Jefferson Regional Medical Center. Born on January 30, 1911, at Oxford, Mississippi, she was a daughter of the late John Franklin and Tullia Hampton Matthews. She was reared and received her education at Jonesboro where she graduated from Jonesboro High School. She had lived in Pine Bluff for six years after moving from Memphis. She was a member of First Baptist Church of Pine Bluff. She was preceded in death by her husb hews Jr.; and two sisters, Dorothy Hughey and Lottie Mae Gregg. Survivors include two daughters, Mary Lou Hall of Pine Bluff, and Peggy Bussard of Kingwood, Texas; a sister, Thelma Reeves of Jonesboro; two grandchildren; and a great-grandchild. Graveside services are scheduled for 11 a.m. Saturday at Cypress Memorial Gardens Cemetery with the Rev. Gordon Topping officiating. Arrangements are by Ralph Robinson & Son Funeral Directors. _____________________________ MARSHALL BROOKS SR. Funeral services for Marshall Brooks Sr., 80, of Pine Bluff, who died January 7, 1998, at Jefferson Regional Medical Center, are scheduled for 2 p.m. Saturday at Gospel Temple Baptist Church with James Murry officiating. Burial will be in Memorial Park Cemetery by Christian Way Funeral Home. He was born on November 24, 1917, at Eudora, a son of the late Kagie Fry and Mary Fry. He was a member of Gospel Temple Baptist Church and was a security guard at the Jefferson County Courthouse. Survivors include his wife, Elizabeth Brooks; a son, Marshall Brooks Jr. of Fresno, California; five daughters, Helen Neal, Carolyn Smith, Olevia Brooks, Daisy Brooks and Shirley Brooks, all of Pine Bluff; 57 grandchildren; five great-grandchildren; and three great-great-grandchildren. _______________________________ Submitted by Linda P. Smith DougMIV@aol.com PINE BLUFF COMMERCIAL SATURDAY, JANUARY 17, 1998 Pine Bluff, Jefferson Co., Arkansas ELIZABETH HERCHER (Photo included) Elizabeth Higman Hercher, 75, of Pine Bluff, died January 15, 1998, at Jefferson Regional Medical Center. She was born November 16, 1922, at Bonita, Louisiana, a daughter of the late John Briscoe Higman Jr. and Clara Mabel Garrigus Higman. She was raised in Louisiana, graduating from Bastrop High School. She moved to Pine Bluff in 1940 and attended Judkins Business College. She was a private secretary for many years for John H. Means of Means and McLellan Insurance and later Rebsamen Insurance until Means retired. She stayed with the firm, which became Hoffman Insurance Company in 1983, until she retired in 1985. She was a member of Central Presbyterian Church and was a deacon, an elder, a teacher of the Friendship Sunday School Class, a choir member, and president, life member and Circle leader of Women in Church. She was a former member of the board of directors at Trinity Village, the Pine Bluff Symphony, the Shepherd Center and the Arts and Science Center Guild. She was a life member of the Parent-Teacher Association, serving as president of the Gabe Meyer, Woodrow Wilson Junior High and the Pine Bluff High School PTAs. She was a former president of the Pine Bluff High School Band MotherÕs Club and was a former member of the Junior League of Pine Bluff, Bess Jenkins Club, Pine Bluff Chapter of the Daughters of the American Revolution and Heckatoo Heritage Foundation. Survivors include her husband, Ernest A. Hercher, whom she married September 6, 1944, at Pine Bluff; three sons, Ernest A. Hercher Jr. of Pine Bluff, John Mark Hercher of Waco, Texas; a daughter, Diane Elizabeth Key of Idaho Falls, Idaho; a brother, John Briscoe Higman III of Pine Bluff; a sister, Lois Ann Richardson of Shreveport; and four grandchildren. Funeral services are scheduled for 10:30 a.m. Monday at Ralph Robinson & Son Funeral Directors with the Rev. Daniel Loomis officiating. Burial will be in Grac NCE YORK Graveside services for Lawrence York, 77, of Pine Bluff, who died January 15, 1998, at his home, are scheduled for 3:30 p.m. today in Jefferson Cemetery with the Rev. Wayne Jordan officiating. He was born on June 23, 1920, at Clarendon, a son of the late Ira Benton ÒJoneyÓ York and Zella Jane Kahol York. He was raised and educated in Monroe County, where he attended Allendale School. He was a commercial fisherman on the St. Francis River for many years before he and his wife opened a bait and tackle store at Brinkley. They operated the store for many years before they moved to Pine Bluff in 1971. They then opened J & L Sportshop south of Pine Bluff near Cottondale. He operated this store until he retired in 1991. He was a member of World Wide Church of God. He was preceded in death by a brother, Homer Douglas York. Survivors include his wife, Bessie White York, whom he married November 25, 1942, at Forrest City; and a sister, Goldie Marie Adkins of Clarksdale, Mississippi. ________________________________ LUCILLE BRANTON ATLANTA-- Lucille Elnora McKee Branton, 78, of Decatur, Georgia, formerly of Pine Bluff, died January 13, 1998, at Emory University Hospital at Atlanta. She was born December 22, 1919, at Memphis, a daughter of Hugh ÒRasÓ McKee and Elnora Mitchell McKee. She was the widow of noted civil rights lawyer, Wiley A. Branton Sr. They were married February 1, 1948, and settled in Pine Bluff. She was raised at Memphis and attended Memphis schools, including Booker T. Washington High School. She graduated from LeMoyne College, now LeMoyne-Owen, majoring in sociology. She worked in many federal and private positions and was an office manager of an insurance company at Memphis. She and her husband moved to Fayetteville, Arkansas. When they returned to Pine Bluff, she was an office manager for her husbandÕs law office. She and her family moved to Atlanta in 1962 and to Washington, D.C. in 1965. She was a founding member of the Pine Bluff chapter of the Jack and Jill of America Inc. ta, the Urban League, Washington Performing Arts Society and St. Paul Baptist Church at Pine Bluff. She was preceded in death by her husband, Wiley A. Branton Sr., who died in 1988; and a daughter, Toni Branton Moore. Survivors include two sons, Richard H. Branton of Atlanta and Judge Wiley A. Branton Jr. of Little Rock; three daughters, Wylene Branton Wood of Mendham, New Jersey, Beverly Branton Lamberson of Washington and Debra Branton of Decatur; and 14 grandchildren. Funeral services are scheduled for noon today at Nineteenth Street Baptist Church at Washington. Burial will be in Arkansas. ________________________________ FRANCES MARTIN Frances Howell Martin, 98, of Pine Bluff, died January 16, 1998, at Trinity Village Lodge. She was born April 19, 1899, at Pine Bluff, a daughter of the late Alexander and Mary Gillespie Howell. She was raised and received her early education at Pine Bluff and was a Pine Bluff High School graduate. She attended National Park College at Washington, before she returned home and got married. She and her husband, J.W. ÒSonÓ Martin Jr., lived at Pine Bluff for 56 years. They married November 9, 1920, and he died July 31, 1977. She was the oldest life-long member of First Presbyterian Church, a family spokesperson said. At the church, she was involved in Women of the Church, serving as a circle leader and preparing meals for church functions. She was a member of the ÒBirthday ClubÓ and ÒBridge Club.Ó She was a volunteer for Davis Hospital and Jefferson Regional Medical Center Auxiliaries. Her hobbies included making lace dresses and needlepoint. She donated them for sale during hospital fund-raisers and other fund raising drives, according to friends. Survivors include two daughters, Mary Sue Mosenthin of North Little Rock and Frances M. ÒSisÓ Bellingrath of Pine Bluff; four grandchildren; and seven great-grandchildren. Funeral services are scheduled for 2 p.m. Monday at First Presbyterian Church with Jeff Price officiating. Burial will be in Graceland Cemetery by rs. _______________________________ FANNIE BAILEY BENTON-- Fannie Emerline Rainey Bailey, 85, of Benton, died January 16, 1998, at Saline Memorial Hospital. She was born August 9, 1912, at Casa (Perry County), a daughter of the late Aaron and Mandy Cordellia Rainey. She was a homemaker and a member of First Freewill Baptist Church at Benton. She was preceded in death by her husband, Walter Clay Bailey; a son, Clayton Bailey; a daughter, Carolyn Bailey; and a grandchild. Survivors include four sons, Cliff Bailey, Stinson Bailey, E.C. Bailey and Jimmy Bailey, all of Benton; five daughters, Dorothy Wilkins of Sheridan, Jewel Byrd of Pine Bluff, Betty Harp of Greenbrier, Wilma Hughes of Frisco, Texas, and Kay Freeman of Benton; a brother, Andrew Rainey, address unavailable; 22 grandchildren; and 30 great-grandchildren. Funeral services are scheduled for 2 p.m. today at Ashby Funeral Home at Benton with the Revs. Billy Byrd and Hank Anderson officiating. Burial will be in Aunt Delia Cemetery at Rose Creek Community at Casa. _______________________________ LAVELLE JACKSON Graveside services for Lavelle Jackson, 81, of Pine Bluff, who died January 15, 1998, at Pine Bluff, are scheduled for 11 a.m. Monday in Old Hickory Cemetery near Morrilton. She was born September 18, 1916, at Hattieville, a daughter of the late John D. and Martha Elizabeth Reed Boyd. She was raised and educated at Hattieville and Guy. She was a former resident of Tulsa and moved to Pine Bluff in 1978. She was a retired nurse and a member of the Church of Christ faith. She was preceded in death by two brothers and three sisters. Survivors include a son, Larry Blackburn of Tulsa; three daughters, Lila Madsen of Pine Bluff, Sharon Taylor of Sherwood and Vicki Callahan of Kissimmee, Florida; a brother, Coy Boyd of Jonesboro; a sister, Floy Selby of Little Rock; a longtime caregiver, Martha Nichols of Pine Bluff; and nine grandchildren. ________________________________ WILLIAM LAWRENCE TUSTIN, California-- William ÒEdÓ Lawrence, 73, of Tust at his home. He was born June 27, 1924, at Pine Bluff, a son of the late Homer F. and Florence Falls Lawrence. He served in the Army during World War II with the 81st Wildcat Division in the Pacific. He had lived in California for the past 50 years, except for the two years he and his wife lived at Sheridan, Arkansas. He visited Arkansas frequently. Survivors include his wife of 50 years, Dee Lawrence; a son, Michael Lawrence of California; a daughter, Sharon Hatfield of California; three brothers, James Lawrence of Sherwood, Arkansas, Robert Lawrence of Rison, Arkansas, and Donald Lawrence of California; six sisters, Lucille Funderburg of Sheridan, Ida Wright and Gletta Taylor, both of Pine Bluff, Lois Moor of Idaho, and Johnnie Davis and Peggy North of California; and five grandchildren. Funeral services were held December 10, 1997, at Saddleback Chapel Funeral Home of Tustin with the Rev. Dudley Bristow officiating. A private burial was in Fairhaven Memorial Park at Santa Ana, California. ________________________________ J. C. ELSBERRY Funeral services for J.C. Elsberry, 75, of Pine Bluff, who died January 15, 1998, at Jefferson Regional Medical Center, are scheduled for 2 p.m. today at Hale-South Funeral Home with Edward Cook and Phillip Cooper officiating. Burial will be in Memorial Park Cemetery. He was born January 7, 1923, at Havana (Yell County) a son of the late Samuel R. Elsberry and Francis Lelea Chappel Elsberry. He was a farmer and a deacon at Oak Park Free Will Baptist Church, where he was a member of the adult Sunday school class. He was preceded in death by a brother, Robert Elsberry. Survivors include his wife, Helen V. Elsberry, whom he married July 19, 1944; a son, Larry Elsberry of Collierville, Tennessee; a daughter, Vicki L. Olsen of Mobile, Alabama; a brother, Wayne Elsberry of Maumelle; four sisters, Wilma Hanna of Dardanelle, Vada Skidmore of Sherwood, Ada Watson of Little Rock and Juanelle Holmes of Casa (Perry County); and a grandchild. ________________________________ EL o, died January 16, 1998, at Drew Memorial Hospital. He was born August 9, 1912, in Drew County, a son of the late Erb Nelson Scogin and Mary Lue Haney Scogin. He was a retired Drew County judge and served in the Army during World War II. Survivors include his wife, Opal Chatman Scogin; two sons, Don Scogin and Dennis Scogin, both of Monticello; two daughters, Brenda Gentry of Lonoke and Freda Baker of Oakgrove, Missouri; a brother, Garvin Scogin of Wilmar; seven grandchildren; and 12 great-grandchildren. Funeral services are scheduled for 3:30 p.m. Sunday at Stephenson-Dearman Funeral Home at Monticello with the Rev. Larry Clements and David Bostian officiating. Burial will be in Green Hill Cemetery in Drew County. __________________________________ BERNICE THOMASSON WARREN-- Bernice Thomasson, 91, of Warren, died January 15, 1998, at Wagnon Place Nursing Home. He was born November 26, 1906, in Drew County, a son of the late Boliver and Sally Allen Thomasson. He was a retired farmer and a member of Wilmar Baptist Church. Survivors include a daughter, Melba Culpepper of Pearsall, Texas, four grandchildren; eight great-grandchildren; and a great-great-grandchild. Funeral services are scheduled for 1:30 p.m. Sunday at Stephenson-Dearman Funeral Home at Monticello with the Rev. Kenny Worbington officiating. Burial will be in Andrews Chapel Cemetery in Drew County. ____________________________________ Submitted by Linda P. Smith DougMIV@aol.com PINE BLUFF COMMERCIAL SUNDAY, JANUARY 18, 1998 Pine Bluff, Jefferson Co., Arkansas LILLIE COLLINS MONTICELLO-- Lillie May Pace Collins, 86, of Monticello, died January 16, 1998, at Countrywood Estates Nursing Home. Born April 22, 1911, in Drew County, she was a daughter of the late William Pace and Anna Green Collins Pace. She was a homemaker and a member of New Hope Assembly of God Church. She was preceded in death by her husband, Marshall Collins Sr. Survivors include four sons, Herbert Collins of Little Rock and Marshall Collins, Doyle Collins and Cecil Collins, all of Monticello; two daughters, Macel Kuhn of Little Rock and Susie Henry of Monticello; a brother, Auther Pace of Monticello; two sisters, Camilla Arnold of Baton Rouge, Louisiana, and Lucille Rice of Crossett; 16 grandchildren; and 19 great-grandchildren. Funeral services are scheduled for 3:30 p.m. Monday at Stephenson-Dearman Funeral Home with Revs. R.V. White and Wyatt Pickens officiating. Burial will be in Green Hill Cemetery in Drew County. _____________________________ JEWEL BURTON MONTICELLO-- Jewel Virginia Burton, 75, of Monticello, died January 16, 1998, at Drew Memorial Hospital. Born April 5, 1922, in Drew County, she was a daughter of the late Fletcher Jones and Hattie Cowan Jones. She was a retired Burlington Industries employee and a member of Second Baptist Church of Monticello. She was preceded in death by her husband, William Burton; and a grandson. Survivors include six sons, Kenneth Burton, Randy Burton and Ricky Burton, all of Monticello, Larry Burton, Jackie Burton, and Robert Burton, all of Lake Village ; a daughter, Linda Carpenter of Monticello; two sisters, Ola Serrett of Monticello and Doris Demaret of Oklahoma City, Oklahoma; 13 grandchildren; and seven great-grandchildren. Funeral services are scheduled for 1:30 p.m. Monday at Stephenson-Dearman Funeral Home at Monticello with Revs. Buddy Lemons and R.V. White officiating. Burial will be in Oakland Cemetery at Monticello. __________________________________ LUCILLE BRANTON (Follow-up notice from Jan 17) Graveside services for Lucille R. Branton, 78, of Decatur, Georgia, formerly of Pine Bluff, who died January 13, 1998, at Emory University Hospital at Atlanta, are scheduled for 1 p.m. Monday in Bellwood Cemetery with Rev. Marion Humphrey officiating. Visitation from 7 to 8 p.m. today at P.K. Miller Mortuary. Family will receive friends at 2 p.m. Monday at St. Paul Baptist Church, 1404 Georgia Street in Pine Bluff. __________________________________ Submitted by Linda P. Smith DougMIV@aol.com PINE BLUFF COMMERCIAL MONDAY, JANUARY 19, 1998 Pine Bluff, Jefferson Co., Arkansas CATHERINE TURCHI OKLAHOMA CITY-- Catherine Jo Brenke Turchi, 80, formerly of Pine Bluff, died January 16, 1998 at Presbyterian Hospital. Born January 22, 1917, at Pine Bluff, she was a daughter of the late John B. Brenke and Rose Kalkbrenner Brenke. She was reared and received her early education in Pine Bluff, where she attended Annunciation Academy and Pine Bluff High School. She had lived in Pine Bluff until 1996, when she moved to Oklahoma City. She was a homemaker and a member of St. Joseph Catholic Church, the Altar Society, Catholic Daughters of America, the Buzzing Dozen Club, the Bunco Belles & Merry Mix-Up Club and the Retired and Senior Volunteer Program. She was preceded in death by her husband, Nano Jack Turchi, who she married on November 22, 1941, at Pine Bluff; and a sister, Freda Covington. Survivors include a son, Nano J. Turchi Jr. of Metairie, Louisiana; two daughters, Victoria Lynn Hayes of Cincinnati and Theresa Jo Lander of Oklahoma City; a sister, Margaret Karlovic of Pine Bluff; 12 grandchildren and five great-grandchildren. Funeral services are scheduled for 10 a.m. Tuesday at St. Joseph Catholic Church with Revs. Leo Riedmueller and Andrew Smith officiating. Burial will be in St. Joseph Catholic Cemetery. A vigil service will be held at 6 p.m. today in the Chapel of Ralph Robinson & Son Funeral Directors. ______________________________ JAKE THOMPSON Jake N. Thompson, 74, of Pine Bluff, died January 18, 1998, at his home. Born November 24, 1923, at Star City, he was a son of the late Nealie Thompson and Effie Spharler Thompson. He was reared and educated in Star City. He moved to Pine Bluff in 1953. He worked nearly 20 years for Central Transformer before retiring in 1988. He was a member of Calvary Assembly of God of Star City and attended Peace Tabernacle Church of White Hall. He was preceded in death by a sister, Lola Ashmore. Survivors include his wife, Shirley Copeland Thompson, whom he married in 1952 at Star City; three sons Jackie Neal Thompson, Randy Allen Thompson and Stephen Austin Thompson, all of Pine Bluff; two brothers, Marvin Thompson and Garvin Thompson, both of Star City; a sister, Lois Jones of Star City; and four grandchildren. The funeral services are scheduled for 1 p.m. Tuesday at the Chapel of Ralph Robinson & Son Funeral Directors with Revs. Ricky Lee and Ricky Andreas officiating. Burial will be in Memorial Park Cemetery. _______________________________ MARTHA BOYD NORTH LITTLE ROCK-- Martha Boyd, 68, of Little Rock, formerly of Monticello, died January 16, 1998, at Baptist Memorial Hospital. Born July 15, 1929, at Monticello, she was a daughter of the late Samuel Malcolm Boyd and Thelma Lamb Boyd. She was a member of Wood Avenue Presbyterian Church. Funeral services are scheduled for 10 a.m. today at Stephenson-Dearman Funeral Home with Rev. Michael Garvey officiating. Burial will be in Oakland Cemetery at Monticello. _____________________________ JEWEL BURTON (Repeated from January 18) MONTICELLO-- Jewel Virginia Burton, 75, of Monticello, died January 16, 1998, at Drew Memorial Hospital. Born April 5, 1922, in Drew County, she was a daughter of the late Fletcher Jones and Hattie Cowan Jones. She was a retired Burlington Industries employee and a member of Second Baptist Church of Monticello. She was preceded in death by her husband, William Burton; and a grandson. Survivors include six sons, Kenneth Burton, Randy Burton and Ricky Burton, all of Monticello, Larry Burton, Jackie Burton, and Robert Burton, all of Lake Village ; a daughter, Linda Carpenter of Monticello; two sisters, Ola Serrett of Monticello and Doris Demaret of Oklahoma City, Oklahoma; 13 grandchildren; and seven great-grandchildren. Funeral services are scheduled for 1:30 p.m. Monday at Stephenson-Dearman Funeral Home at Monticello with Revs. Buddy Lemons and R.V. White officiating. Burial will be in Oakland Cemetery at Monticello. ______________________________ Submitted by Linda P. Smith DougMIV@aol.com PINE BLUFF COMMERCIAL TUESDAY, JANUARY 20, 1998 Pine Bluff, Jefferson Co., Arkansas LESSIE LOVETT Funeral services for Lessie Lee Lovett, 88, of Pine Bluff, who died January 14, 1998, at Pine Bluff Nursing Home, are scheduled for 1 p.m. Wednesday at Central District Tabernacle at Altheimer with the Rev. Theodis Williams officiating. Burial will be in Union Cemetery at Sweden (Jefferson County) by Henson Mortuary. She was born on February 2, 1909, at Wilkins, a daughter of the late Mary Jones and Albert Moorehead Sr. Survivors include two sons, Jim Lovett of Lansing, Michigan and Henry Lovett Jr. of Seattle; three daughters, Inez Jackson, Celeste Daniel and Lula Lovett, all of Pine Bluff; a great-grandchild who was a caregiver, Eric Mayfield of Pine Bluff; 37 grandchildren; 64 other great-grandchildren; and 17 great- great-grandchildren. ________________________________ BESSIE SMITH DERMOTT-- Bessie Josephine Grayson Smith, 90, of Dermott, died January 18, 1998, at Dermott City Nursing Home. She was born on September 22, 1907, at Barham, a daughter of the late Albert S. Grayson. She was a homemaker and a charter member of the First Baptist Church WomenÕs Missionary Union, currently known as Baptist WomenÕs group. She was preceded in death by her husband, E.E. Smith; a son, Wade Carson Smith; and two infant daughters, Alpha Nell Smith and Patsy Ruth Smith. Survivors include two sons, Bob Smith of Denver and Major Smith of Dermott; a daughter, Betty Chapman of West Helena; two brothers, Albert Grayson of Hot Springs and Kenneth Grayson of Camden; nine grandchildren; and seven great- grandchildren. Funeral services are scheduled for 2 p.m. Wednesday at Griffin Funeral Service at McGehee with Lynwood Henderson officiating. Burial will be in McGehee Cemetery. _________________________________ A. D. McFERGUSON SELMA-- Funeral services for A.D. McFerguson, 71, of Wrightsville, who died January 16, 1998, at Baptist Medical Center at Little Rock, are scheduled for 11 a.m. Wednesday at Mount Calvary Baptist Chu shall officiating. Burial will be in Selma Cemetery by Brown Funeral Home of Pine Bluff. He was born on May 29, 1926, at Adebena, Mississippi, a son of Ross McPherson of Monticello and the late Daisy Rancipher McPherson. He was retired from Timex Corporation and was a Baptist. Survivors include his wife, Doluster Gather McFerguson; three sons, Keith McFerguson of Little Rock, Marquese L. McFerguson of Wrightsville and Stacey Shawn McFerguson of Lincoln, Nebraska; three daughters, Anne Harris of North Little Rock, and Jacqueline Tensley and Loria Fells, both of Little Rock; two brothers, George McPherson of Iota, Louisiana, and J.T. McPherson of Los Angeles; a sister, Aline Jordan of Indianola, Mississippi; a stepmother, Ethel McPherson of Monticello; 12 grandchildren; and 16 great-grandchildren. ____________________________ BILLY TRIPLETT ODESSA, Texas-- Billy Ray Triplett, 67, of Odessa, Texas, died January 18, 1998, at Odessa Medical Center. He was born on March 8, 1930, at Pine Bluff, a son of Johnie McCaskill Triplett of White Hall, Arkansas and the late Elmo Triplett. He was raised and received his early education at Sheridan, Arkansas and White Hall, attending White Hall schools. He moved to Odessa in 1952 and owned and operated Billy Triplett Company, now Drywall Finishing and Accoustics, until he retired in 1985. He was a Baptist and a Navy veteran of World War II. He was preceded in death by a daughter, Ramona Triplett. Other survivors include a brother, James Triplett of North Little Rock; and two sisters, Marilyn Quick and Beverly Valentine, both of White Hall. Funeral services are scheduled for 1 p.m. Wednesday at Ralph Robinson & Son Funeral Directors with the Rev. Nathan Petty officiating. Burial will be in Memorial Park Cemetery. ________________________________ DONNIE BUCKLEY OCALA, Florida-- Donnie Lecoy Buckley, 58, of Ocala, Florida, formerly of Fordyce, Arkansas, died January 17, 1998, at Ocala Regional Medical Center. He was born on November 13, 1939, at McCaskill (Hempstead Co Buckley and Hazel Warren Buckley. He was a member of Living Waters Worship Center at Ocala and was the owner and singer of the Wonder State Quartet. Survivors include his wife, Pat Golden Buckley; a son, the Rev. Steve Buckley of Gravette (Benton County), Arkansas; two daughters, Stephanie Parnell and Christie Shaddock, both of Bearden, Arkansas; two sisters, Jeanette Launius of Bearden and Barbara Dorey of Gurdon (Clark County), Arkansas; a stepdaughter, Leona OÕBanion of Ocala; and seven grandchildren. Funeral services are scheduled for 2 p.m. Wednesday at Benton Funeral Home at Fordyce with the Revs. Marvin Launius and Paul Dorey officiating. Burial will be in Bethel Cemetery at Bearden. ________________________________ JAMES BAKER SHERIDAN-- James Edward Baker, 81, of Sheridan, died January 17, 1998, at his home. He was born on November 5, 1916, at New Edinburg, a son of the late Jim and Ella Trannel Baker. He was a member of New Hope Methodist Church at Sheridan for 72 years and owned Bakers Grocery at Sheridan. He was a Navy veteran of World War II and a life-time member of Mooneyville Masonic Lodge. Survivors include two sons, Jimmy Baker and David Baker, both of Sheridan; two daughters, Anne Threlkeld and Kay Oakley, both of Sheridan; 11 grandchildren; and 14 great-grandchildren. Memorial services are scheduled for 10 a.m. Wednesday at New Hope Methodist Church with the Rev. Tommy Cypert officiating. Arrangements are handled by Buie Funeral Home at Sheridan. He was cremated. Memorials to Area Agency on Aging of Southeast Arkansas. _________________________________ LILLIE GWINN BATESVILLE-- Lillie Mae Harrison Gwinn, 72, of Sheridan, died January 19, 1998, at Batesville. She was born on May 11, 1925, at Ingalls, Indiana, a daughter of the late Dolphus Harrison and Bessie Mildred Pettigrew Harrison. She was retired from Sterling Faucet Company and was a member of Lost Creek Missionary Baptist Church at Sheridan. She was a member of the auxiliary of the Veterans of Foreign Wars, where she w f the Grant County Extension Homemakers Club. She was preceded in death by her husband, Herschel Gwinn; a son, Larry Gwinn; and a daughter, Carol Marie Gwinn. Survivors include a son, Virgil Wayne Gwinn of Sheridan; a daughter, Linda Sue Gatling of Batesville; three brothers, Donn Harrison, Maurice Harrison and Mike Harrison, all of Indiana; a sister, Rose Fisher of Ohio; a half sister, Marilyn Kay Reason of Indiana; five grandchildren; and three great- grandchildren. Funeral services are scheduled for 1 p.m. Wednesday at Buie Funeral Home at Sheridan with the Revs. Doyle Caldwell and Alan Meinzer officiating. Burial will be in Lost Creek Cemetery at Sheridan. _______________________________ IKE McKINZIE Funeral services for Ike McKinzie, of Dumas, five-month-old son of Ivory ÒIkeÓ McKinzie and LaShondra Owens, both of Dumas, who died January 15, 1998, at Delta Memorial Hospital at Dumas, are scheduled for 1 p.m. Wednesday at Washington-Dolls Funeral Home at Dumas with the Rev. Jimmy Bynum officiating. Burial will be in Banks Cemetery at Dumas. He was born on August 5, 1997, at Pine Bluff. Other survivors include seven brothers, Kendrick Tillman and Christopher Powell, both of Gould, Tyrondrick McKinzie and Shyquon Fair, both of Dumas, and Ivory McKinzie, Vantrail McKinzie and Patrick McKinzie, all of San Diego; three sisters, Nicora McKinzie of San Diego, Nichole McKinzie of St. Louis and Lakendric Grandy of Gould; grandparents, David and Mary Owens and Ruby McKinzie, all of Gould; and a great-grandparent, Ruby Clay of Dumas. _______________________________ HENRY JONES JR. Graveside services for Henry Lee ÒStuckyÓ Jones Jr. of Pine Bluff, six-month- old son of Henry Lee Jones Sr. and Mary Matlock, both of Pine Bluff, who died January 14, 1998, at Arkansas ChildrenÕs Hospital at Little Rock, are scheduled for 2 p.m. today in Cypress Memorial Gardens with Willis Girley officiating. Arrangements are handled by Christian Way Funeral Home. He was born on July 13, 1997, at Pine Bluff. Other survivors inclu Ashley Heath, Amanda Jones, and Jade Jones, all of Pine Bluff; and grandparents, Bernstine Rich, Henry Porter Jones, Verlene Brown, Blanche Matlock Hines and Rosa Lee Dildy, all of Pine Bluff. _________________________________ JERRY HUBER MEMPHIS-- Jerry Lee Huber, 50, of Pine Bluff, died January 18, 1998, at Baptist Hospital at Memphis. He was born on July 11, 1947, at Mobridge, South Dakota, a son of Martha Huber Olsen of Pine Bluff and the late John Huber. He was raised and received his early education at McLaughlin, South Dakota. He moved to Pine Bluff in 1964 and was a member of Watson Chapel Baptist Church. Other survivors include his wife, Jeanne Tallent Huber; a son, J.C. Huber of Pine Bluff; a daughter, Dalana Huckaby of Pine Bluff; a brother, Floyd Huber of Pine Bluff; three sisters, Judy Schmeichel of Washougal, Washington, JoAnn DeSart of Aberdeen, South Dakota and Joyce Perez of North Little Rock, Arkansas; a stepson, George McCarty of Little Rock; a stepdaughter, Becca Clark of Fayetteville, Arkansas; and a grandson. Funeral services are scheduled for 10 a.m. Wednesday at Ralph Robinson & Son Funeral Directors with the Rev. M.L. Faler officiating. Burial will be in Cypress Memorial Gardens. Memorials to the Transplant Recipient International Foundation at 1102 Brookfield, Memphis, Tennessee, 38119. ___________________________________ Submitted by Linda P. Smith DougMIV@aol.com PINE BLUFF COMMERCIAL WEDNESDAY, JANUARY 21, 1998 Pine Bluff, Jefferson Co., Arkansas ERMA McLEMORE (Photo included) Memorial services for Erma Jeanne McLemore, 56, of Pine Bluff, who died January 17, 1998, at University Hospital at Little Rock, are scheduled for 2 p.m. today at Trinity Episcopal Church with the Rev. Alan R. McLean officiating. Her ashes will be placed in Trinity Columbarium by Perry Funeral Home. She was born on March 8, 1941, at Forrest City, a daughter of Thelma Nash of Forrest City. She was a member of Trinity Episcopal Church. She graduated high school at Forrest City and graduated from the University of Arkansas at Pine Bluff with a bachelor's of science degree. She was a preschool teacher for Headstart and substituted in the Pine Bluff School District. Her hobbies included cooking and baking. She often visited nursing homes and distributed fruits and candy during holidays. Other survivors include two sons, Xavier Lampkin of Pine Bluff and Marquis McLemore of Jacksonville; three daughters, Denise Elliott, Chanta McLemore and Tonya Toney, all of Pine Bluff; six brothers, Vester Lee Jones, Lewis Turner and Garry Turner, all of Forrest City, Colbert Turner of Tacoma, Washington, Calbert Turner of Milwaukee and Barry Turner of Dallas; six sisters, Priscilla Wilson of Detroit, Equilla Miller of Starkville, Mississippi, Amanda Nelson of Little Rock, Annette King of Sugar Land, Texas, and Kim Turner and Thelma Turner, both of Forrest City; and several grandchildren. ________________________________ PINE BLUFF COMMERCIAL WEDNESDAY, JANUARY 21, 1998 Pine Bluff, Jefferson Co., Arkansas THOMAS JONES LITTLE ROCK -- Thomas Frank Jones, 70, of Humnoke, died January 19, 1998, at St. Vincent Infirmary Medical Center. He was born on September 1, 1927, at Humnoke, a son of the late Robert and Hazel Moses Jones. He was a farmer and was a deacon and superintendent at Humnoke Pentecostal Church of God for more than 40 years. Survivors include his wife, Betty Jones; a son, Danny Jones of Humnoke; two daughters, Brenda Watson of Humnoke and Barbara Moran of Dennard (Van Buren County); two brothers, Jack Jones of Pine Bluff and Johnny Jones of Humnoke; two sisters, Pauline Hart of Carlisle and Marion Standridge of Pine Bluff; eight grandchildren; and three great-grandchildren. Funeral services are scheduled for 2 p.m. Thursday at Humnoke Pentecostal Church of God with Randy Smith and Dale Carter officiating. Burial will be in Flynn Cemetery at Humnoke. Visitation will be from 6 to 8 p.m. today at Wilson-Stephens Funeral Home at England. _____________________________ PINE BLUFF COMMERCIAL WEDNESDAY, JANUARY 21, 1998 Pine Bluff, Jefferson Co., Arkansas MERLE NOBLES FAYETTEVILLE -- Merle Dishongh Nobles, 85, of Springdale; formerly of Star City, died January 19,1998, at Washington Regional Medial Center. She was born on November 19, 1912, at Selma (Drew County), a daughter of the late Jeff and Mary Lou Henley Dishongh. She was a homemaker and a member of First United Methodist Church at Star City. She was preceded in death by her husband, James R. "Jim" Nobles Sr. Survivors include a son, James R. "Jim" Nobles of Springdale; a brother, Jeff "Dude" Dishongh of Little Rock; two sisters, Mary Kathryn Wimberly of Conway and Carolyn Lindsey of Colorado Springs, Colorado; four grandchildren; and four great-grandchildren. Funeral services are scheduled for 10 a.m. Thursday at First United Methodist Church with Harold Hansford officiating. Burial will be in Leek Cemetery near Star City by Griffin Funeral Service of Star City. __________________________________ PINE BLUFF COMMERCIAL WEDNESDAY, JANUARY 21, 1998 Pine Bluff, Jefferson Co., Arkansas A Correction Jerry Lee Huber, who died on Sunday, was preceded in death by a sister, Doris Carney, and a grandchild. This was not included in his obituary that ran in The Commercial on Tuesday JAN 20. ____________________________________ PINE BLUFF COMMERCIAL THURSDAY, JANUARY 22, 1998 Pine Bluff, Jefferson Co., Arkansas L. C. SULLIVAN SR (Photo included) ALTHEIMER -- Funeral services for L.C. Sullivan Sr., 65, of Pine Bluff, who died January 17, 1998, at Jefferson Regional Medical Center, are scheduled for 1 p.m. Friday at Perry Funeral Home with the Rev. Bert Goldsmith Jr. officiating. Burial will be in Community Cemetery at Altheimer. He was born on April 1, 1932, at Altheimer, a son of the late Tom and Martha Sullivan. He was a member of Timothy Chapel Baptist Church and served in the Army during the Korean War. He worked for the Department of Correction and operated an indoor market at Pine Bluff. Survivors include his wife, Clara Sullivan; a son, L.C. Sullivan Jr. of Pine Bluff; six daughters, Patricia Jones, Ceola S. Ivy, Gloria J. Scott, Clara Mitchell, Sandra K. Sullivan and Martha A. Brooks, all of Pine Bluff; 27 grandchildren; and three great-grandchildren. _____________________________ PINE BLUFF COMMERCIAL THURSDAY, JANUARY 22, 1998 Pine Bluff, Jefferson Co., Arkansas BEATRICE HOOPER Beatrice Rawls Williams Hooper, 88, of Rison, died January 21, 1998, at Jefferson Regional Medical Center. She was born on August 25, 19O9, at Herbine (Cleveland County), a daughter af the late Luther Rawls and Patty Holderfield Rawls. She was a member of Oak Park Free Will Baptist Church and was a homemaker. She was preceded in death by two husbands, Lee Williams, who died in 1954, and Joe Hooper, who died in 1985. Survivors include a son, Wayne Williams of Texarkana, Texas; a daughter, Kathleen Harvey of Pine Bluff; four grandchildren; nine great-grandchildren and a great-great-grandchild. Funeral services are scheduled for 2 p.m. Friday at Buie Funeral Home at Rison with J.C. Rawls officiating. Burial will be in Prosperity Cementery in Cleveland County. ________________________________ PINE BLUFF COMMERCIAL THURSDAY, JANUARY 22, 1998 Pine Bluff, Jefferson Co., Arkansas GENEVA HODGES JONESBORO -- Geneva L. Hodges, 64, of Palestine (St. Francis County), died January 20, 1998, at St. Bernards Hospital. She was born on April 2, 1933, at Star City, a daughter of the late Manuel Smith and Carrie Thomas Smith. She lived at Palestine the past four-and-a-half years. She was a pastor's wife and was a member of Southside Assembly of God at Russellville. She was involved in the Women's Missions of the church and attended Twin Assembly of God at Palestine. She was preceded in death by four brothers and four sisters. Survivors include her husband, C.C. Hodges, whom she married in 1948; a son, Junior Hodges of Pine Bluff; a daughter, Pat Casey of Yellville; a brother, Elbert Smith of Duncan, Oklahoma; five grandchildren; and three great- grandchildren. Funeral services are scheduled for 10:30 a.m. Friday at Twin Assembly of God. A graveside service will be at 1:30 p.m. Friday in Mulberry Cemetery at England by Stevens Funeral Home at Forrest City. _______________________________ PINE BLUFF COMMERCIAL THURSDAY, JANUARY 22, 1998 Pine Bluff, Jefferson Co., Arkansas D. W. BROWN D. W. Brown, 6l, of Sherrill, died January 20, 1998, at Jefferson Regional Medical Center. He was born on August 31, 1936, at Rison, a son of the late Sid Brown and Vernia McGriff Brown. He was, a mechanic and member of New Hope Missionary Baptist Church near Rison. Survivors include his wife, Peggy Pierce Brown; five sons, Sidney Brown of Layton, Utah, Richard Brown and Wade Brown, both of Lake Charles, Louisiana, Lloyd Brown of Sherrill and Thomas Brown of Pine Bluff; two daughters, Karan Stoutes of Lake Charles and Viva Hodges of Sherrill; three sisters, Carol Kimbrell and Naomi Lesell, both of Pine Bluff, and Marie Reaves of McGehee; and 11 grandchildren. Funeral services are scheduled for 11 a.m. Friday at Buie Funeral Home at Rison with Thomas Allan officiating. Burial will be in New Hope Cemetery near Rison. ___________________________ PINE BLUFF COMMERCIAL THURSDAY, JANUARY 22, 1998 Pine Bluff, Jefferson Co., Arkansas ARLIE WEST Arlie B. West, 61, of Pine Bluff, died January 2l, 1998, at Jefferson Regional Medical Center. He was born on October 1, 1936, at Cornerstone, a son of the late Lewis West and Edna Atwell West. He was raised at Sherrill, where he went to school in the Sherrill School System. He later moved to Pine Bluff. He retired from the Pine Bluff Diagnostic Unit. Survivors include two sons, Arlie L. West and Billy West, both of Pine Bluff, three daughters, Diane Zornek, Angelia West and Amber West, all of Pine Bluff; a brother, Bill West of Pine Bluff; two sisters, Ann B. Ard of Pine Bluff and Claudia Harris of Little Rock; and two grandchildren. Graveside services are scheduled for 1 p.m. Friday in Bellwood CemeteIy with the Rev. Charles Cuthbertson officiating by Ralph Robinson & Son Funeral Directors. ______________________________ PINE BLUFF COMMERCIAL THURSDAY, JANUARY 22, 1998 Pine Bluff, Jefferson Co., Arkansas BETTY GRAHAM Betty Jo Graham, 66, of Pine Bluff, died January 20, 1998, at her home. She was born on February 21, 1931, at Conway, a daughter of the late Bill and Dora Parker Brown. She was raised and received her education at Conway. She attended nursing school at St. Vincent Infirmary Medical Center at Little Rock and continued her nursing education at West Helena. She was a registered nurse for many years at Veterans Administration Hospital at North Little Rock. Survivors include her husband, Charles Graham; a daughter, Barbara A. Turner of Fayetteville, North Carolina; and a grandchild. There will be no services. The body was cremated. Arrangements are handled by Ralph Robinson & Son Funeral Directors. _____________________________ PINE BLUFF COMMERCIAL THURSDAY, JANUARY 22, 1998 Pine Bluff, Jefferson Co., Arkansas LINDA COOK Funeral services for Linda S. Cook, 45, of Pine Bluff, who died January 17, 1998, at Jefferson Regional Medical Center, are scheduled for 1 p.m. Friday at P.K. Miller Mortuary with the Rev. Isaiah Easter officiating. She was cremated. She was born on February 23, 1952, at Little Rock, a daughter of HenIy Chandler of Denver and the late Teretha Shannon-Chandler. She attended Southeast High School, graduating in 1970. Other survivors include two sons, Anthony Shannon of Omaha and Benny Roy Cook Jr. of Houston; two daughters, Brandy Little and Tacarra Little, both of Pine Bluff; a brother, Henry Shannon of Pine Bluff; a grandmother, Julia Carr of Pine Bluff; and a stepmother, Rebecca Chandler of Denver. __________________________ PINE BLUFF COMMERCIAL THURSDAY, JANUARY 22, 1998 Pine Bluff, Jefferson Co., Arkansas ENNIS CARGILE SHERIDAN -- Ennis Green Cargile, 89, of Sheridan, died January 20, 1998, at Grant County Nursing Home. She was born on April 8, 1908, at Sheridan, a daughter of the late John F. and Addie Caple Green. She was a member of Heber Springs Church of Christ and was a retired schoolteacher. There were no immediate survivors. Graveside services are scheduled for 2 p.m. today in Marvin Chapel Cemetery near Sheridan with the Rev. Charles Lewallen officiating. Arrangements are being handled by Buie Funeral Home at Sheridan. ___________________________ PINE BLUFF COMMERCIAL FRIDAY, JANUARY 23, 1998 Pine Bluff, Jefferson Co., Arkansas JESSIE NEAL (Photo included) MARIANNA -- Funeral services for Jessie Neal, 94, of Pine Bluff, who died January 20, 1998, at Davis Life Care, will be at 2 p.m. Saturday at Eagle Zion Baptist Church at Marianna with the Rev. David L. Neal officiating. Burial will be at Pilgrim Cemetery at Marianna by Brown Funeral Home of Pine Bluff. Born April 9, 1903, at Rondo, he was a son of the late Clem Neal and Lucy Neal. He was preceded in death by his wife, Dora Springfield Neal. He was a member of Eagle Zion Baptist Church at Marianna. He was a mechanic at Marianna Ford. Survivors include two sons, Herman E. Neal of Brinkley and David L. Neal of Hughes; an adopted son, Olly Neal of Little Rock; two daughters, Jessie M. Williams of Minneapolis and Wanda Neal of Pine Bluff; two adopted daughters, Flora May of Battle Creek, Michigan, and Dorothy Oliver of Little Rock; 13 grandchildren; and 42 great-grandchildren. ___________________________ PINE BLUFF COMMERCIAL FRIDAY, JANUARY 23, 1998 Pine Bluff, Jefferson Co., Arkansas GERTIE WYNNE (Photo included) Gertie Lamb Wynne, 89, of Pine Bluff, died January 16, 1998, at her home. Born October 21, 1908, at Pine Bluff, she was a daughter of the late John and Florence Rainey-Lamb. She was educated in the public schools of Pine Bluff and Little Rock. She was a charter member of Mount Harmony Baptist Church and served as president of the missionary society during the early years of Mount Harmony's existence. Survivors include a son, Dr. Carey Wynn II of Pine Bluff; and a daughter, Geraldine Wynne-Conner of Pine Bluff. Funeral services will be held at 10:30 a.m. Saturday at Mount Harmony Missionary Baptist Church with the Rev. Robert L. Handley officiating. Burial will be in Pleasant Grove Cemetery at Grady by P.K. Miller Mortuary. ___________________________ PINE BLUFF COMMERCIAL FRIDAY, JANUARY 23, 1998 Pine Bluff, Jefferson Co., Arkansas JOHNNIE PITTS SR. (Photo included) ALTHEIMER -- Funeral services for Johnnie "Pete" Pitts Sr., 76, of Altheimer, who died January 18, 1998, at Jefferson Regional Medical Center, are scheduled for 2 p.m. Saturday at Mount Zion Baptist Church with the Rev. W.M. Thomas officiating. Burial will be in Altheimer Community Cemetery by Henson Mortuary of Pine Bluff. He was born March 25, 1921, at Rayville, Louisiana, a son of the late Bob Pitts. Survivors include two sons, Johnnie Pitts Jr. of Texas and Johnnie Williams of Jacksonville; four daughters, Mary Pitts Fredrick of Port Arthur, Texas, Doris Pullial and Gladys Larumore, both of Chicago, and Beatrice Pitts of Little Rock; four brothers, Bopet Pitts and Earnest Pitts, both of California, and Joe Pitts and James Pitts, both of Washington D.C.; three sisters, Daisy Rose and Ella Mae Moses, both of California, and Nettie Mae Smith of Oakridge, Louisiana; three people he helped raise, Ben E. Williams of Mississippi, Augusta Williams of North Carolina and Irene Williams Holcomb of Pine Bluff; a friend who was a caregiver, Rosie L. Williams of Altheimer; 26 grandchildren; 31 great-grandchildren; and three great-great- grandchildren. _______________________________ PINE BLUFF COMMERCIAL FRIDAY, JANUARY 23, 1998 Pine Bluff, Jefferson Co., Arkansas ANNELL JOHNSON (Photo included) Annell Johnson, 65, a resident of Jefferson Health Care nursing home, died at the nursing home January 18, 1998. Born March 5, 1932, at Sherrill, she was a daughter of the late Samuel Edward Johnson and Lucille Johnson-McNeal. Survivors include a daughter, JoAnn Lott of Milwaukee; two sisters, Janice Thurman-Maddox and Middie Cage, both of Pine Bluff; six grandchildren; and a great-grandchild. Funeral services are scheduled for noon Saturday at Corinth Baptist Church at Sherrill with the Rev. Ulysses Dunlap officiating. Burial will be in Henson Cemetery by P.K. Miller Mortuary. ______________________________ PINE BLUFF COMMERCIAL FRIDAY, JANUARY 23, 1998 Pine Bluff, Jefferson Co., Arkansas LULA ROWLAND (Photo included) Lula Gean Ramsey Rowland, 62, of Redfield, died January 16, 1998, at Jefferson Regional Medical Center. Born March 25, 1935, at Jefferson, she was a daughter of the late George and Leola Webster-Ramsey. She attended the public schools in Pine Bluff. She was a Baptist. Survivors include her husband, Leander Rowland Sr.; five sons, Artheria Moore and Roy C. Rowland, both of Little Rock, Leander Rowland Jr. and Thomas J. Rowland, both of Pine Bluff and Cecil J. Rowland of Jefferson; two daughters, Erma Rowland-Fuller of Hensley and Ruby Rowland of Jefferson; two brothers, Willie Drew Ramsey of Sacramento and Jesse Ramsey of Little Rock; l3 grandchildren; and two great-grandchildren. Funeral services are scheduled for 2 p.m. Saturday at Happy Home Baptist Church at Jefferson with the Rev. Artheria Moore officiating. Burial will be in Happy Home CemeteIy by P.K. Miller Mortuary. _________________________ PINE BLUFF COMMERCIAL FRIDAY, JANUARY 23, 1998 Pine Bluff, Jefferson Co., Arkansas JEARLEAN LARKINS (Photo included) Funeral services for Jearlean Holmes Larkins, 48, of Pine Bluff, who died January 16, 1998, at her 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 Belmont Cemetery at Moscow by Brown Funeral Home. She was born April 26, 1949, Tamo, a daughter of the late R. S. Holmes and Mable Lockridge. She was a sales clerk for Kmart Corporation and was a member of Daniel Chapel Baptist Church. Survivors include two sons, Vincent Larkins and Kerek Larkins, both of Pine Bluff; a sister, Earlean Dolls of Dallas and four grandchildren. ___________________________ PINE BLUFF COMMERCIAL FRIDAY, JANUARY 23, 1998 Pine Bluff, Jefferson Co., Arkansas ROY WELLS JR. Funeral services for Roy Wells Jr., 72, of Pine Bluff, who died January 19, 1998, at Jefferson Regional Medical Center, are scheduled for 2 p.m. Saturday at Barnes Temple Church of God in Christ with Elder Willie Barnes officiating. Burial will be at Cypress Memorial Cemetery by Christian Way Funeral Home. Born February 22, 1925, at Arkadelphia, he was a son of the late Charlie Wells and Carrie Jones Wells. Survivors include his wife, Alice Clark Wells; six sons, Roy D. Wells of Louisville, James Wells of Pine Bluff and Henry Wells, Michael Wells, Tim Wells and Frank Wells, all of Hot Springs; two daughters, Dorothy Wells of Rockford, Illinois, and Betty Wells of Hot Springs; three step- daughters, Katherine Berry of Mountain Home, Denise Levton of Jacksonville and Sandra Scott of Fort Worth; 17 grandchildren; and 10 great-grandchildren. _____________________________ PINE BLUFF COMMERCIAL FRIDAY, JANUARY 23, 1998 Pine Bluff, Jefferson Co., Arkansas CHRISTINE RIDGELL Funeral services for Christine Ridgell, 77, of Monticello, who died JanuaIy 17, 1998, at Drew Memorial Hospital at Monticello, are scheduled for 2:30 p.m. Saturday at Mount Zion AME Church at Monticello with the Rev. Shirley Spencer officiating. Burial will be in Mount Zion Cemetery at Monticello by Henderson Funeral Home at Monticello. She was born on November 25, 1920, at Monticello, a daughter of the late Felton Handley and Laura Vincent Handley. She was a member of Mount Zion AME Church and was a retired cook for Burlington Industry. She was preceded in death by her husband, Napoleon Ridgell; and two sons, Lloyd Hutson and Larry Ridgell. Survivors include three sons, Willie Ridgell, Napoleon Ridgell Jr. and James Ridgell, all of Milwaukee; three daughters, Margaret Simmons and Delois Ridgell, both of Monticello, and Thelma Ridgell of Milwaukee; three brothers, Felton Handley Jr. of Milwaukee, Fredrick Handley of El Paso, Texas, and Floyd Handley of Lacey; three sisters, Velma Collins of Monticello, and Zeophis Lowe and Verdell Collins, both of Milwaukee; 11 grandchildren; and 13 great-grandchildren. ______________________________ PINE BLUFF COMMERCIAL FRIDAY, JANUARY 23, 1998 Pine Bluff, Jefferson Co., Arkansas HERMAN DARNELL KANSAS CITY -- Herman Darnell, 75, of Kansas City, died January 22, 1998, at Oakwood Manor. Born January 18, 1923, at Redfield, Arkansas, he was a son of the late Newton Darnell and Lula Patterson Darnell. He served in the Navy during World War II and retired after 12 years of service at Seal Right. Survivors include five sons, Michael E. Harris, Denver E. Harris, Charles Robert Harris and Lester Darnell, all of Kansas City, and David Darnell of Lee's Summit, Missouri; a daughter, Marlene Ichhorn of San Jose; his step- mother, Frances Darnell of Gardner, Kansas; two sisters, Violet Dunbar of Wyoming and Leatha Bartmas of Gardner; and 10 grandchildren. Funeral services are scheduled for 4:30 pm. today at Langsford Funeral Home at Lee's Summitt, Missouri, with the Rev. Keith Hendrickson officiating. Graveside services will be at 3 p.m. Saturday at Redfield Cemetery at Redfield. ______________________________ PINE BLUFF COMMERCIAL FRIDAY, JANUARY 23, 1998 Pine Bluff, Jefferson Co., Arkansas LEROY POINTER Funeral services for LeRoy Pointer, 85, of Pine Bluff, who died January 20, 1998, at his home, are scheduled for 11 a.m. Saturday at Henson Mortuary with the Rev. Ira Robertson officiating. Burial will be in Forest Lawn Memorial Garden. He was born April 29, 1912, at Pine Bluff, a son of the late Major Pointer. Survivors include two sons, Rodney Croseford and LeRoy Croseford, both of Pine Bluff; four daughters, Lucille Smith and Joyce Croseford, both of Pine Bluff, Linda Croseford of Little Rock and Debra Nelson of Omaha; 20 grandchildren; and 10 great-grandchildren. ___________________________ PINE BLUFF COMMERCIAL FRIDAY, JANUARY 23, 1998 Pine Bluff, Jefferson Co., Arkansas PAUL EVERETT JR. MONTICELLO -- Paul Everett Jr., 59, of Monticello, died January 21, 1998, at his home. He was born June 19, 1938, at Selma (Drew County), a son of the late Paul Everett Sr. and Carrie Hamilton Everett. He was a member of Sixteen Section Missionary Baptist Church at Monticello, where he was a Sunday School superintendent and a member of the Usher Board. He was a worthy patron of the True Light Chapter No. 349 Order of the Eastern Star. He was a former worshipful master at Wyoming Lodge No. 461 and a 33rd-Degree Mason. He was a member of J.C. Corbin No. 204 at Stephens (Ouachita County) and was a retired teacher from the Monticello School District, where he taught for 33 years. He was preceded in death by a brother, Eddie Everett. Survivors include his wife, Bobbie Clark Everett; a son, Calvin Lucas of Milwaukee; a daughter, Sharon Lucas of Milwaukee; five brothers, Wade Everett and Auther Everett, both of Monticello, Early Everett of McGehee, Brown Everett of Fort Worth and Ray Everett of Pine Bluff; four sisters, Ernestine Everett and Belinda Everett Campbell, both of Pine Bluff, Georgia Everett Long of Kansas City, Kansas, and Mae Everett Simpson of Monticello; a niece whom he helped raise, Barbie Haley Jackson of Dallas; and seven grandchildren. Funeral services are scheduled for 11 a.m. Saturday at Sixteen Section Missionary Baptist Church with the Rev. Jim Hadley officiating. Burial will be in Sixteen Section Cemetery at Monticello by Henderson Funeral Home of Monticello. __________________________ PINE BLUFF COMMERCIAL FRIDAY, JANUARY 23, 1998 Pine Bluff, Jefferson Co., Arkansas DON WORRELL MONTICELLO -- Don Harold Worrell, 59, of Wilmar, died January 21, 1998, at Drew Memorial Hospital. He was born February 2, 1938, in Drew County, a son of the late Thomas William Worrell and Addie Mae Goodman Worrell. He was a co-owner and operator of Quality Cleaners. He served in the Army during the Korean War and was a Baptist. Survivors include two sons, David Worrell of Fountain Hill (Ashley County) and Zack Worrell of Monticello; two daughters, Donna Brown of Pine Bluff and Denise Adams of Monticello; four brothers, Eldridge Collins "Bud" Worrell of California, Jay Worrell of Dayton, Texas, and Lloyd Worrell and V.C. Worrell, both of Houston; two sisters, Lessie Jones of East Moline, Illinois, and Vernice Stephenson of Crossett; six grandchildren; and two great-grandchildren. Funeral services are scheduled for 1:30 p.m. Saturday at Stephenson-Dearman Funeral Home at Monticello with the Rev. Martha Aden officiating. Burial will be in Wilmar Cemetery in Drew County. ___________________________ PINE BLUFF COMMERCIAL FRIDAY, JANUARY 23, 1998 Pine Bluff, Jefferson Co., Arkansas MELVIN THOMAS JR. LITTLE ROCK -- Melvin Raymond "Ray" Thomas Jr., 44, of Prattsville, died January 21, 1998, at Baptist Medical Center here. He was born October 19, 1953, at Houston, a son of the late Melvin Raymond Thomas Sr. and Nona Mae Amos Thomas. He was an oil field driller for Nicor Drilling at Oklahoma City. He served in the Vietnam War and was a member of the Veterans of Foreign Wars at Poteau, Oklahoma. Survivors include his wife, Brenda Wiggins Thomas; three sons, Jeffery Wayne Thomas of Chouteau, Oklahoma, Shannon Ray Thomas of Sheridan and Edward Lee Barker of Russellville; two daughters, Jennifer Renea Thomas and Rebecca Ann Thomas, both of Prattsville; two sisters, Carolyn Oliver of Dayton, Texas, and Evelyn Sue Holmes of Mountain Home; and three grandchildren. Funeral services are scheduled for 2 p.m. Saturday at Buie Funeral Home at Sheridan with the Rev. Randy Cross officiating. Burial will be in Memorial Garden Cemetery at Sheridan. _______________________________ PINE BLUFF COMMERCIAL SATURDAY, JANUARY 24, 1998 Pine Bluff, Jefferson Co., Arkansas EMMA LEE ROBERTS (Photo included)= PALO ALTO, California -- Emma Lee Roberts, 66, of Palo Alto, California, died at her home January 19, 1998. Born March 9, 1931, at Sherrill, Arkansas, she was a daughter of the late Robert and Aldora Dixson. She joined Roanoke Baptist Church at Sherrill at an early age. In 1946, she married Issaac Fleming. In 1948, she moved to Palo Alto and joined Jerusalem Baptist Church while it was still a mission. She was also a member of the church's senior usher board. She was a volunteer "Brown Bagger" with the Second Harvest Food Bank at Ventura Community Center. Survivors include a daughter, Flossie Mae Cooper; a grandson, Avon Patterson, whom she helped raise; a granddaughter, Annette Cooper, whom she helped raise, all of Palo Alto; two sisters, Everlean Brown and Lucille Brown, both of Pine Bluff; two brothers, Mose Dixson and James Dixson, both of Pine Bluff; and 12 great-grandchildren. Funeral services were held Friday at Jerusalem Baptist Church at Palo Alto by Jones Funeral Home with the Rev. Jonathan R. Staples officiating. Funeral services will also be held at 1 p.m. Monday at Mount Olive Missionary Baptist Church at Pine Bluff with the Rev. Willie Morgan officiating. Burial will be at Mount Olive Cemetery by Henson Mortuary of Pine Bluff. __________________________________ PINE BLUFF COMMERCIAL SATURDAY, JANUARY 24, 1998 Pine Bluff, Jefferson Co., Arkansas James Dupuy James Lee Dupuy, 73, of Gillett, died January 22, 1998, at Jefferson Regional Medical Center. He was born July 6, 1924, at Watson (Desha County), a son of the late Alcide Dupuy and Bernice Wheeler Dupuy. He was a truck driver for Minich Supply Company, a butane company, and an Army veteran of World War II. He was a member of American Association of Retired Persons and a lifetime member of the American Legion, Disbaled American Veterans and Veterans of Foreign Wars. He was a former prisoner of war and a member of Gillett United Methodist Church. He lived at Gillett all his life. Survivors include two sons, Jimmie Don Dupuy of Warren and Walter Dupuy of Gillett; a daughter, Peggy Ann Dupuy James of Gillett; a brother, Raymond B. Dupuy of Fort Lauderdale, Florida; a sister, Doris C. Swartz of Decatur, Alabama; an aunt who was a caregiver, Helen Bradford of Gillett; eight grandchildren; and a great-grandchild. Funeral services are scheduled for 10 a.m. today at Gillett United Methodist Church with the Rev. Russell Bailey officiating. Burial will be in Gillett Cemetery by Griffin Funeral Home at Dumas. Memorials may be made to the American Kidney Foundation or Gillett United Methodist Church. ___________________________________ PINE BLUFF COMMERCIAL SATURDAY, JANUARY 24, 1998 Pine Bluff, Jefferson Co., Arkansas MARGARET HENRY MONTICELLO-- Margaret Henry, 71, of Dermott, died January 21, 1998,at Drew Memorial Hospital. She was born August 20, 1926, at Dundae, Mississippi, a daughter of Charlotte White of McGehee and the late Robert Williams. Other survivors include seven sons, David Henry, Harold Henry and Jessie Henry, all of Dermott, Willie Henry, Milton Henry and Paul Henry, all of Kansas City, Kansas; Jerry Henry of Helena; five daughters, Almer Henry, Lois Henry, Lola Henry and Vera Henry, all of Dermott, and Loretta Jackson of Kansas City, Kansas; and a sister, Arnetha Brown of Memphis. Funeral services are scheduled for 11 a.m. Monday at Bold Pilgrim Baptist Church at McGehee with the Rev. Larry Jordan officiating. Burial will be in Strickland Memorial Lawn at McGehee by M. Davis Strickland Funeral Home at Dermott. _______________________________ PINE BLUFF COMMERCIAL SATURDAY, JANUARY 24, 1998 Pine Bluff, Jefferson Co., Arkansas ERIC BALDWIN Eric Lemont Baldwin, 22, of Star City, died January 16, 1998, at Jefferson Regional Medical Center. He was born September 19, 1975, at Little Rock, a son of Levi Baldwin of Little Rock and Annie Shelton Baldwin of Star City. Other survivors include five brothers, Levi Baldwin Jr., Johnny Baldwin and Donald R. Baldwin, all of Los Angeles, Jerry Baldwin of Little Rock and Kenny Baldwin of Star City; and eight sisters, Erica Ann Baldwin of Star City, Lisa Baldwin of Little Rock, Josephine Drew of Dumas, Faye Quinton and Julia Walker, both of Los Angeles, Jackie Baldwin of Anaheim, California, Karrie Gaines of Pine Bluff and Anita Shelton of Austin. Funeral services are scheduled for 1 p.m. today at St. Ollie Baptist Church at Meroney with the Rev. Melvin Harrison officiating. Burial will be in St. Ollie Cemetery at Meroney by M. Davis Strickland Funeral Home at Dermott. ___________________________ PINE BLUFF COMMERCIAL SATURDAY, JANUARY 24, 1998 Pine Bluff, Jefferson Co., Arkansas WILLIAM ENGLAND William E. "Bill" England, 58, of Pine Bluff, died January 23, 1998, at Jefferson Regional Medical Center. He was born February 19, 1939, at Rison, a son of the late Wallace Edward England and Opal Woodell England. He worked in the finishing and shipping department at the International Paper Company. He served in the Air Force for four years and was a member of Mount Zion Missionary Baptist Church near Rison. He was preceded in death by a brother, Don England. Survivors include his wife, Jean Knight England; a daughter, Tammie England Doolin of Pine Bluff; two sisters, Joyce Reed and Kay Goggans, both of Rison; three stepsons, Lamar Sweat, James Sweat and Douglas Sweat, all of Pine Bluff; and seven grandchildren. Funeral services are scheduled for 2 p.m. Sunday at Buie Funeral Home at Rison with the Rev. Bob Harper officiating. Burial will be in Mount Zion Cemetery. _________________________________ PINE BLUFF COMMERCIAL SATURDAY, JANUARY 24, 1998 Pine Bluff, Jefferson Co., Arkansas HENRY BURTON KANSAS CITY, Kansas--Henry Burton, 68, of Kansas City, Kansas, died January 15, 1998, at Bethany Medical Center at Kansas City. He was born July 23, 1929, at Winchester, Arkansas, a son of the late Columbus Burton Sr. and Ada M. Holmes. He was an equipment operator at Kansas City. Survivors include his wife, Earline Burton; two sons, Roy Burton and Robert Burton, both of Kansas City; a daughter, Casandra Campbell of Kansas City; a brother, the Rev. Columbus Burton of Dumas, Arkansas; and two sisters, Genevia Gibson of Winchester and Janie Burton of Milwaukee. Funeral services are scheduled for 11 a.m. today at M. Davis Strickland Funeral Home at Dermott, Arkansas, with the Rev. Columbus Burton officiating. Burial will be in Scott Cemetery at Winchester. _______________________________ PINE BLUFF COMMERCIAL SATURDAY, JANUARY 24, 1998 Pine Bluff, Jefferson Co., Arkansas EVELYN HERRING WARREN -- Evelyn Hoyle Herring, 90, of Warren, died January 23, 1998, at Bradley County Memorial Hospital. She was born June 19, 1907, at Lanark (Bradley County), a daughter of the late Robert Lee and Ida Elizabeth Gibson Hoyle. She was a member of First United Methodist Church, United Methodist Women, the Pioneer Club, Naomi Bible Class, Historical Society, Shell Retiree Club, 10 Hundred Club and the Order of Eastern Star, all at Cushing, Oklahoma. She was preceded in death by her husband, Herman Herring, who died on February 27, 1992; two brothers, Charles L. Hoyle and John Martin Hoyle; and a sister, Ruth Hoyle. Survivors include a brother, William R. Hoyle of Warren; a sister, Sue Hoffman of Warren; and a brother-in-law who was a caregiver, Bill Hoffman of Warren. Graveside services are scheduled for 2 p.m. today in Oakland, Cemetery at Warren with the Rev. Bill Leslie officiating. Arrangements are handled by Frazer's Funeral Home at Warren. _______________________________ PINE BLUFF COMMERCIAL SATURDAY, JANUARY 24, 1998 Pine Bluff, Jefferson Co., Arkansas LEIGHANN SMITH Funeral services for Leighann Mills Smith, 42, of Pine Bluff, who died January 22, 1998, at Jefferson Regional Medical Center, are scheduled for 1 p.m. today at Ralph Robinson & Son Funeral Directors with the Rev. Jim Jones officiating. Burial will be in Cypress Memorial Gardens. She was born October 1, l955, at Dumas, a daughter of the late William F. and Bernadine Moore "Dink" Mills. She was raised and educated at Benton and graduated from Bryant High School. She worked in the florist business for more than 30 years and helped her mother as a florist at Benton before owning and operating Leann's Florist at Benton for many years. She moved to Pine Bluff in 1993 and worked for Shepherd's Florist. She was a designer for Shepherd's Florist before she died. Survivors include her husband, Charles F. Smith, whom she married on December 23, 1983, at Benton; a son, Cody Smith of Pine Bluff; and a daughter, Brianna Smith of Pine Bluff. Memorial contributions may be made to Broadmoor Baptist Church. (Added note regarding cause of death--quote from Pine Bluff Commercial Wednesday, January 28, 1998 "...test results from the Arkansas Department of Health showing cultures taken at the time of death were positive with the influenza A strain...three other members of the woman's family were treated for flu symptoms, but didn't require hospitalization....A 77-year-old woman living with the family didn't have any flu symptoms. ...the woman had taken a flu shot earlier.") ________________________________ PINE BLUFF COMMERCIAL SATURDAY, JANUARY 24, 1998 Pine Bluff, Jefferson Co., Arkansas JIMMY BRUNETTI Jimmy Brunetti, 60, of Pine Bluff, died January 23, 1998, at Jefferson Regional Medical Center. He was born September 2, 1937, at Altheimer, a son of Josephine Romanelli Brunetti of Pine Bluff and the late Jim Brunetti. He was raised and received his early education at Altheimer, graduating from Altheimer High School. He was a machine operator for Tyson, retiring in 1993. He was a member of Trinity Lutheran Church. Survivors include his wife, Blanche Hill Brunetti, whom he married on May 27, 1972, at Stuttgart; three sons, Chris Brunetti and Timmy Brunetti, both of Little Rock, and Rodney Brunetti of Stuttgart; a daughter, Gina Billings of Sheridan; a stepson, Phillip Zerell of Little Rock; two stepdaughters, Alana Thompson of Little Rock and Sheila Zerell of San Antonio; and seven grandchildren. Funeral services are scheduled for 3 p.m. today at Ralph Robinson & Son Funeral Directors with the Rev. Jack McWhirter officiating. Burial will be in Graceland Cemetery. Memorials may be made to St. Jude Children's Research Hospital, P.O. Box 100, Department 300, Memphis, Tennessee 38148-0552. _________________________________ PINE BLUFF COMMERCIAL MONDAY, JANUARY 26, 1998 Pine Bluff, Jefferson Co., Arkansas JOE BOWMAN JR. (Photo included) Funeral services for Joe Boman Jr., 74, of Chicago, who died January 20, 1998, at his home are scheduled for 10 a.m. Tuesday at P.K. Miller Mortuary with the Rev. G.L. Ford officiating. Burial will be held at a later date. Born October 7, 1924, he was a son of the late Joe and Jessie Boman. He served in the Army and retired from the U.S. postal service in 1989. Survivors include a brother, Jessie Smith of Pine Bluff, and a cousin, Rosie Goins of Pine Bluff, who was his caregiver. _________________________________ PINE BLUFF COMMERCIAL MONDAY, JANUARY 26, 1998 Pine Bluff, Jefferson Co., Arkansas OKIE RECORD LESLIE -- Okie Record, 82, of Leslie (Searcy County), formerly of the Garrett Bridge community (Lincoln County), died January 24, 1998, at the home of her daughter at Leslie. Born October 24, 1915, at Hector (Pope County), she was a daughter of the late Oliver and Lucy Churchill Dixon. She was a homemaker and a member of Anderson Chapel Baptist Church at Garrett Bridge. Survivors include five sons, Kenneth Jewell of Warren, Cocean Record of Dumas, Granvill Record of Junction City and Dwight Record and Ricky Record, both of Star City; two daughters, Jean Jackson of Leslie and Patricia Dixon of Hawkins, Texas; five brothers, Olen Dixon and Rex Dixon, both of Hector, Ben Dixon of Hawkins, TX, and Arzo Dixon and Lonzo Dixon, both of Seal Beach, California; two sisters, Beulah Davis of Seal Beach and Maggie Cochran of Russellville; l2 grandchildren; and seven great-grandchildren. Funeral services are scheduled for 2 p.m. today at Griffin Funeral Service Chapel at Star City. Burial will be in Tyro Cemetery in Lincoln County. ______________________________ PINE BLUFF COMMERCIAL MONDAY, JANUARY 26, 1998 Pine Bluff, Jefferson Co., Arkansas IDA HICKS Ida Ross Hicks, 83, of Pine Bluff, died January 24, 1998, at Jefferson Regional Medical Center. Born April 24, 1914, at Star City, she was a daughter of the late Porter and Blanche Julia Wright Whitehead. She was reared and educated in Pine Bluff and graduated from Pine Bluff High School. She was a member of Central Presbyterian Church, where she taught Sunday school, served as a deacon and was a youth leader. She was preceded in death by her husbands, William D. Ross and Steven Douglas Hicks. Survivors include a son, William P. Ross of Little Rock; a sister, Pearl Hurd of Springfield, Missouri; and a grandson. Funeral services are scheduled for 11 a.m. Tuesday at Central Presbyterian Church with the Revs. Daniel Loomis and Harold Green officiating. Burial will be in Graceland Cemetery by Ralph Robinson & Son Funeral Directors. __________________________________ PINE BLUFF COMMERCIAL MONDAY, JANUARY 26, 1998 Pine Bluff, Jefferson Co., Arkansas EARNEST HARP LITTLE ROCK -- Earnest Harp, 77, of Sheridan, died January 24, 1998, at the Veterans Hospital at Little Rock. Born December 22, 1920, at Bearden (Ouachita County), he was a son of the late Charlie B. and Sally Smith Harp. He served in the Army Air Corps during World War II and was retired as millwright from the Pine Bluff Arsenal. He was a member of Immanuel Baptist Church and the American Legion, Malvern Post II. He was preceded in death by his wife, Dora Logan Harp. Survivors include two sons, James and Arthur Hope, both of Sheridan; three brothers, D.S. Harp of Oroville, California, Bradford Harp of Malvern and Tommy Harp of Washington state; five grandchildren; and nine great-grandchildren. Funeral services are scheduled for 10 a.m. Tuesday at Buie Funeral Home of Sheridan with the Rev. Franklin Nelson officiating. Burial will be in Center Grove Cemetery near Sheridan. _________________________________ PINE BLUFF COMMERCIAL MONDAY, JANUARY 26, 1998 Pine Bluff, Jefferson Co., Arkansas THELMA PIERCE Thelma Ikerd Pierce, 71, of Pine Bluff, died January 24, 1998, at Jefferson Regional Medical Center. Born February 2, 1926, at Roxie, Mississippi, she was a daughter of the late Alex Woodyear and Lovie Foster Ikerd. She was reared and received her early education at Roxie. She married John W. Pierce on December 23, 1945, at Marshall, Texas, and moved to Pine Bluff in1946. She was preceded in death by two brothers. Survivors include her husband, J.W. Pierce; a son, John A. Pierce of Jacksonville; and four grandchildren. Funeral services are scheduled for 3:30 p.m. today in the chapel of Ralph Robinson & Son Funeral Directors with the Rev. Mack Chambers officiating. Graveside services are scheduled for 1 p.m. Tuesday in Colonial Gardens Cemetery at Marshall with the Rev. Rocky Burrows officiating. __________________________________ PINE BLUFF COMMERCIAL MONDAY, JANUARY 26, 1998 Pine Bluff, Jefferson Co., Arkansas LUCY SHELTON Lucy D. Shelton, 94, of Pine Bluff, died January 25, 1998, at Arkansas Convalescent Center. Born September 8, 1903, in Clark County, she was a daughter of the late Samuel T. and Edna Graves Dawson. She was reared and received her early education in Clark County. She married William Lee Shelton in 1923 in Arkadelphia, moving to Pine Bluff in 1926. She was preceded in death by a son, W.L. Shelton Jr., in 1992. Survivors include her husband, William Lee Shelton; a brother, Francis Dawson of Arbondale, Florida; and a sister, Martha Smith of Arbondale. Graveside services are scheduled for 1 p.m. Wednesday in Graceland Cemetery with the Rev. R.O. Stark officiating. _________________________________ PINE BLUFF COMMERCIAL MONDAY, JANUARY 26, 1998 Pine Bluff, Jefferson Co., Arkansas GEORGE COOK MONTICELLO -- George James Cook II, 18, of Monticello, died January 24, 1998, at home. Born August 5, 1979, in Houston, he was a son of George James Cook of St. Cloud, Florida, and Mary Louise Roberts Cook of Monticello. Other survivors include his wife, Elisha Enabnit Cook; and his stepmother, Jean Cook of St.Cloud. Funeral services are scheduled for 1:30 p.m. Tuesday at Monticello Christian Church with Bro. Merlin Enabnit officiating. Burial will be in Promiseland Cemetery in.Ashley County by Stephenson-Dearman Funeral Home of Monticello. ________________________ PINE BLUFF COMMERCIAL MONDAY, JANUARY 26, 1998 Pine Bluff, Jefferson Co., Arkansas DEWEY SCARBROUGH JR. DUMAS -- Dewey Scarbrough Jr., 65, of Dumas, died January 24, 1998, at Delta Memorial Hospital. Born May 31, 1932, at Gould, he was a son of Admiral Dewey Scarbrough and Eva Lee Miller. He was a life-long resident of Dumas, where he was a self-employed farmer and a member of First Baptist Church. He also served in the Navy. He was a 32nd-Degree Mason and a member of Omega Lodge 547. He also was a Shriner and a member of the Scottish Rites. Survivors include four sons, Guy David Scarbrough of Star City, and Myron Todd Scarbrough, Dewey Charles Scarbrough and Adam Ross Scarbrough, all of Dumas; a daughter, Donna Bittle of White Hall; a sister, Ernestine Brown of Back Gate (Desha County); a special friend, Juanita Barnes of Dumas;and four grandchildren. Funeral services are scheduled for 10 a.m. today at Griffin Funeral Home of Dumas with the Rev. Lewis Branson officiating and assisted by Chester Esau. Burial will be in Walnut Lake Cemetery. _____________________________ PINE BLUFF COMMERCIAL MONDAY, JANUARY 26, 1998 Pine Bluff, Jefferson Co., Arkansas CLAUDIA HARRISON MEMPHIS -- Claudia Mae Stover Harrison, 7l, of Memphis, formerly of White Hall, Arkansas, died January 24, 1998, at Methodist North Hospital at Memphis. Born April 29, l926, at Grapevine, Arkansas, she was a daughter of Versa Mae Rhodes Stover of the Watson Chapel area near Pine Bluff and the late Claude B. Stover. She was a housewife and a member of Raleigh Baptist Church at Memphis. She was preceded in death by her husband, Billy Bert Harrison, who died October 24, 1986. Other survivors include two sons, Billy Dale Harrison of Hot Springs, Arkansas, and Claude Michael Harrison of White Hall; a daughter, Martha Harrison Slayton of Memphis; four brothers, George Stover of the Sulphur Springs community near Pine Bluff, Robert Lee Stover of Watson Chapel, Rolan Stover of Atlanta, Texas, and Willie Byron Stover, address unknown; three grandchildren; and four great-grandchildren. Funeral services are scheduled for 11 a.m. Tuesday at Buie Funeral Home in Rison. Burial will be in Black Cemetery. _______________________________ PINE BLUFF COMMERCIAL MONDAY, JANUARY 26, 1998 Pine Bluff, Jefferson Co., Arkansas ROBERT TURNER JR. HOT SPRINGS - Robert E. Turner Jr., 72, of Hot springs, died January 24, l998, at St. Joseph Hospital at Hot Springs. Born September 21, 1925, at Little Rock, he was a son of the late Robert E. Turner and Lois Graham Turner. He was a credit manager, a member of Pulaski Heights Presbyterian Church and served in the Navy. Survivors include his wife, Martha John Attwood Turner, who he married August 2, 1958, at Little Rock, and a sister, Nancy Wenderoth of Fort Smith. Funeral services are scheduled for 2 p.m. Tuesday at Buie Funeral Home of Rison with the Rev. Don Johnson officiating. Burial will be in Greenwood Cemetery. ______________________________ PINE BLUFF COMMERCIAL MONDAY, JANUARY 26, 1998 Pine Bluff, Jefferson Co., Arkansas CECILE BURNETT LITTLE ROCK -- Cecile E. Burnett, 76, of Dumas, died January 24, 1998, at St. Vincent Infirmary Medical Center. Born February 5, 1921, at Rison, she was a daughter of the late George Green and Hester Jones. She lived most of her life in Dumas and was a member of Northside Baptist Church. She was a homemaker and a widow. Survivors include three sisters, Myrtis King of Dumas, Lavon Henthorne of Star City and Edith Hubbell of Pine Bluff. Graveside services are scheduled for 3 p.m. today in Holly Springs Cemetery at Star City with the Rev. Ronny Bond officiating. Burial will be handled by Griffin Funeral Home of Dumas. ______________________________ PINE BLUFF COMMERCIAL SUNDAY, JANUARY 25, 1998 Pine Bluff, Jefferson Co., Arkansas JAMES HARRIS LITTLE ROCK -- James Alfred "Al" Harris Jr., 84, of Bryant, died January 23, 1998, in Little Rock. Born February 16, 1913, in Bauxite, he was a graduate of the University of Arkansas, where he was a member of the Arkansas Razorback football team and a member of the "A" club, lettering in 1933-34. He was a teacher and coach at DeQueen and later at Pine Bluff, leading the Pine Bluff Zebras to the state championship in 1943. He moved to Batesville, where he was a teacher, coach, principal, superintendent, athletic director, and a member of the Batesville Athletic Hall of Fame. He then returned to Bauxite, where he was superintendent of schools and ended his career in the Bryant Public Schools in 1982. He was a member of the Arkansas High School Coaches Association, and an avid student of Arkansas history. He enjoyed quail hunting and creek fishing, pen and ink drawing, cartooning, corresponding with family and friends, crossword puzzles and reading. Survivors include his wife, Lois Trigg Harris of Bryant; two sons, Al Harris III of Arkadelphia and Pete Harris of Damascus; a daughter, Sarah Mold of Harris, Minnesota; a brother, A.G. "Hap" Harris of Gonzales, Louisiana; nine grandchildren and five great-grandchildren. Funeral services are scheduled for 2 p.m. Thursday at the Bauxite Community Center. Arrangements are by Ashby Funeral Home. In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to the Independence County or SalineCounty libraries. _____________________________ PINE BLUFF COMMERCIAL SUNDAY, JANUARY 25, 1998 Pine Bluff, Jefferson Co., Arkansas ANNIE SHARP LITTLE ROCK -- Annie Bea York Sharp, 75, of Hermitage (Bradley County), died January 23, 1998, at St. Vincent's Infirmary. Born March 23, 1922, at Ingalls (Bradley County), she was a daughter of the late Earl E. York and Anna Clanton York. She was a retired farmer and a member of Eagle Lake Crossroads Baptist Church. She was preceded in death by her husband Corbitt C. Sharp who died March 30, 1985 to whom she was married on June 19, 1941. Survivors include a son, Larry Sharp of Hermitage; a daughter, Margaret Cauley of Hermitage; two brothers, Joe York of Clarendon and Leonard York of Jackson, Mississippi; two sisters, CIarice Orr of Warren and Marion Harrod of Atlanta; five grandchildren and eight great-grandchildren. Funeral services are scheduled for 3:30 p.m. today at Union Hill Baptist Church. Burial will be in Union Hill Cemetery at Ingalls by Frazer's Funeral Home. ____________________________ PINE BLUFF COMMERCIAL SUNDAY, JANUARY 25, 1998 Pine Bluff, Jefferson Co., Arkansas LEROY GUENTHER Leroy Noble Guenther, 73, of Pine Bluff, died January 23, 1998, at Jefferson Regional Medical Center. Born October 29, 1924, in DeValls Bluff (Prairie County), he was a son of the late Benjamin Oscar and Bonnie Ollis Guenther. He was reared and received his early education in DeValls Bluff. He moved to Pine Bluff in 1957. He married the former Evelyn Blasengame on July 25, 1964, in Pine Bluff. He was a member of First Assembly of God. He was preceded in death by a sister, Bernice Guenther; two brothers, Frank and Oscar Guenther and a grandson, Robert Phillips. Survivors include his wife, Evelyn Guenther; a daughter, Lisa Camp of Pine Bluff; two stepdaughters, Linda Henderson of Mount Ida and Eloise Waters Aldredge of Wabbaseka; three brothers, James Guenther of Sherrill; Dale Guenther and Troy Guenther, both of Pine Bluff; three sisters, Gladys Madar of Gould, Dorothy Orton of Hazen and Juanita Sinks of Pine Bluff; two grandsons and four great-grandsons. Funeral services are scheduled for l:30 p.m. Monday at the Chapel of Ralph Robinson & Son with the Rev. Wyatt Pickens officiating. Burial will be in Memorial Park Cemetery. ___________________________ PINE BLUFF COMMERCIAL THURSDAY, JANUARY 29, 1998 Pine Bluff, Jefferson Co., Arkansas FAITH PIERCE LITTLE RocK - Faith Ray Pierce, an infant from Pine Bluff, died January 26, 1998 at Arkansas Children's Hospital. Born January 26, 1998, at Fort Smith, she was a daughter of Sonny James and Brenda Harrison Pierce, both of Pine Bluff. Other survivors include three sisters, Bernadette Thersa Pierce, Roni Grace Pierce, and Shania Sonny Pierce, all of Pine Bluff; paternal grandparents, Tommy and Agnes Pierce of Pine Bluff; maternal grandparents, Tom and Dee Dee Harrison of Spiro, Oklahoma; and maternal great-grandmother, Rose Stanley of Spiro. Funeral services are scheduled for 2 p.m. Thursday at Cranford Funeral Home of White Hall with Bobby Spencer officiating. Burial will be at Memorial Park Cemetery. ____________________________ PINE BLUFF COMMERCIAL THURSDAY, JANUARY 29, 1998 Pine Bluff, Jefferson Co., Arkansas NELSON BATTLES JR. WASHINGTON D.C.-- Nelson ''Bud" Battles Jr., 62, of Washington D.C., died January 22, 1998, at Howard University Hospital at Washington D.C. He was born on August 27, 1935, at Noble Lake, Arkansas, a son of Corine Lewis Battles of Pine Bluff and the late Nelson Battles Sr. He was a supervisor at the Washington Hilton. Other survivors include a son, Elbert Kirk Battles of Las Vegas; two daughters, Delois Battles of Milwaukee and Michelle Battles-Jordan of Pine Bluff; four brothers Robert Lewis of St. Louis, Willie G. Battles and Lynn Edward Battles, both of Pine Bluff, and Gary W. Battles of Austin; seven sisters, Gracie B. Hamilton and Verdell Bull, both of St. Louis, Wilma Jean Battles of Kansas City, and Maxine Battles-Davis, Pearlie Mae Ross, Dorothy Banks and Phyllis Battles, all of Pine Bluff; and seven grandchildren. Funeral services are scheduled for 2 p.m. Friday at Brown Funeral Home at Pine Bluff with the Rev. Darrell Martin officiating. Burial will be in Forest Lawn Memorial Garden. ______________________________ PINE BLUFF COMMERCIAL THURSDAY, JANUARY 29, 1998 Pine Bluff, Jefferson Co., Arkansas EMILY SHAW Emily Cornelia "Toy" Shaw, 86, of Pine Bluff, died January 27, 1998, at Jefferson Regional Medical Center. Born July 23, 1911, at St. Joseph, Louisiana, she was a daughter of the late Steven W. and Ellen Griffith Smith. She was reared and received her early education at St. Joseph, Louisiana. She moved to the Pine Bluff area in 1967 and had lived here since then. She was a member of Hazel Street Baptist Church. She was preceded in death by her husband, William E. Shaw. Survivors include a son, William E. Shaw Jr., of Pine Bluff; and a sister, Marge Burnside of Newellton, Louisiana. Funeral services are scheduled for 11 a.m. Friday at Ralph Robinson & Son Funeral Directors with the Rev. Charles Leslie officiating. Graveside services will be held at 1:30 p.m. at Rest Hills Cemetery at North Little Rock. _______________________________ PINE BLUFF COMMERCIAL THURSDAY, JANUARY 29, 1998 Pine Bluff, Jefferson Co., Arkansas JO McNEILL SHERIDAN -- Jo E. Wilson McNeill, 83, of Sheridan, died January 27, 1998, at her home. She was born on September 23, 1914, at Sheridan, a daughter of the late J.F.H. Wilson Sr. and Florence Allen Wilson of Sheridan. She was a charter member of First Landmark Missionary Baptist Church at Sheridan and was a member of Grace Sunday School Class. She was a 64-year member of the Order of Eastern Star. She was preceded in death by her husband, Jimmie McNeill. Survivors include a daughter, Jo Ann Starks of Sheridan; a son-in-law who was a caregiver, Thomas Starks of Sheridan; three grandchildren who were caregivers, Joni Spakes of Hot Springs, Alicia Clement of Benton and Courtney Sligh of Little Rock; three great-grandchildren who were caregivers, Jordyn Spakes and Tanner Spakes, both of Hot Springs, and Lindsey Jo Clement of Benton; a nephew who was a caregiver, James Glyn Reaves of Sheridan; and a niece who was a caregiver, Mary Lynne Davis of Sheridan. Funeral services are scheduled for 10 a.m. today at Buie Funeral Home at Sheridan with Tim Montgomery and Michael Cloud officiating. Burial wiil be in Lost Creek Cemetery at Sheridan. Memorials may be made to the First Landmark Missionary Baptist Church Building Fund, Grant County Library or Grant County Museum. ___________________________ PINE BLUFF COMMERCIAL THURSDAY, JANUARY 29, 1998 Pine Bluff, Jefferson Co., Arkansas PAUL LIVINGSTON COOS BAY, Oregon -- Paul Benjamin Livingston, 70, of Coos Bay, Oregon, died January 16, 1998, at his home. He was born on July 26, 1927 at Thornton, Arkansas, a son of the late Raymond and Amy Nash Livingston. He moved from Arkansas to Coos Bay in 1953. He was a heavy-duty mechanic for Weyerhaeuser, retiring in 1986. His hobbies included fishing and travelling to Reno, Nevada. Survivors include a daughter, Phyllis Minchew of Everett Washington; five brothers, Dallas Livingston of Coos Bay, Scotty Livingston of Thornton, and Jerry Livingston, George Livingston and Vernon Livingston, all of Pine Bluff; two sisters, Edith Agee of Pine Bluff and Gladys Garrison of DeWitt; a caregiver, Bertha Rabey of Coos Bay; and two grandchildren. A private inurnment service will be in Cypress Gardens Memorial Park at Everett. He was cremated. Arrangements are handled by Nelson's Bay Area Mortuary at Coos Bay. ________________________ PINE BLUFF COMMERCIAL THURSDAY, JANUARY 29, 1998 Pine Bluff, Jefferson Co., Arkansas IDA JONES MONTICELLO -- Ida Lee Jones, 93, of Monticello, died January 25, 1998, at Drew Memorial Hospital. She was born on August 31, 1904, at Monticello, a daughter of the late Asberry Ridgell and Annie Belle Swift Ridgell. She was a member of Mount Zion AME Church at Monticello. She was preceded in death by her husband, Johnnie Jones; six brothers; and three sisters. Survivors include a son, John Paul Jones of Monticello; two stepsons, I.V. Jones of Monticello and Amerecious Jones of Inglewood, California; a grand-daughter she raised, Denis Newbill of Monticello; 20 other grandchildren; 28 great-grandchildren; and 17 great-great- grandchildren. Funeral services are scheduled for 2 p.m. Friday at Mount Zion AME Church with the Rev. Shirley Spencer officiating. Burial will be in Mount Zion Cemetery at Monticello by Henderson Funeral Home of Monticello. ______________________________ PINE BLUFF COMMERCIAL WEDNESDAY, JANUARY 28, 1998 Pine Bluff, Jefferson Co., Arkansas ESAU LEVER (Photo included) MILWAUKEE -- Esau Havis Lever, 71, of Milwaukee, formerly of Pine Bluff, died January 18,1998, at Milwaukee. He was born on May 25, 1926, at Pine Bluff, a son of the late Earl Lever and Martha Lever. He was a member of St. Mark AME Church at Milwaukee. Survivors include his wife of 52 years, Robertha Summers Lever, whom he married on March 25, 1945; a son, E. Maurice Lever of Milwaukee; two daughters, La Tanya Slater and Marjorette Hudnall, both of Milwaukee; a brother, Wilbert Lever of Pine Bluff; a sister, Ethel B. Hence of Pine Bluff; seven grandchildren; and three great-grandchildren. Funeral services were held Jarmary 24, 1997, at St. Mark AME Church at Milwaukee with the Rev. Joseph Baring officiating. Burial was in Graceland Cemetery at Milwaukee by Northwest Funeral Chapel at Milwaukee. __________________________________ PINE BLUFF COMMERCIAL WEDNESDAY, JANUARY 28, 1998 Pine Bluff, Jefferson Co., Arkansas RALPH CUNNINGHAM MONTICELLO -- Ralph Cunningham, 84, a resident at Leisure Lodge Nursing Home, died January 26, 1998, at the nursing home. Born September 7, 1913, in Drew County, he was a son of the late William Richmond Cunningham and Lukie Virginia Jackson Cunningham. He was a retired ironworker and a Presbyterian. Survivors include a brother, Robert J. Cunningham of Monticello. Graveside services are scheduled for 10 a.m. Thursday in Union Ridge Cemetery in Drew County with the Rev. Buddy Lemons officiating. Arrangements are by Stephenson-Dearman Funeral Home at Monticello. __________________________________ PINE BLUFF COMMERCIAL WEDNESDAY, JANUARY 28, 1998 Pine Bluff, Jefferson Co., Arkansas JUANITA HUNTER Juanita Vernell Hunter, 74, of Star CitY, died January 26, 1998, at Jefferson Regional Medical Center. Born November 7, 1923, at Lincoln County, she was a daughter of the late Sally Roberts Cook and Roy Cook. She retired as a seamstress from Byrd Manufacturing at Star City and was a member of Calvary Assembly of God Church near Star City. Survivors include a son, Charlie Hunter of Star City; two daughters, Barbara Manes of Star City and Syble Walters of Redfield; a brother, Gilbert Cook of Winfieid, Louisiana; three sisters, Shirley Brock of Pine Bluff, Marlene McHan of Michigan and June Smith of Star City; 13 grandchildren; 20 great-grandchildren; and two great-great-grandchiIdren. Funeral services are scheduled for 10 a.m. today at Griffin Funeral Service at Star City with Eugene Gibson and Ed Lindsey officiating. Burial will be in Oak Grove Cemetery at Yorktown. _______________________________ PINE BLUFF COMMERCIAL WEDNESDAY, JANUARY 28, 1998 Pine Bluff, Jefferson Co., Arkansas CECIL MILLER Cecil L. Miller, 91, of Pine Bluff, died January 26, 1998, at Arkansas Convalescent Center. Born July 14, 1906, at Mammoth Spring, she was daughter of the late Louis Dewitt Bell and Ada Stevens Bell. She was reared and educated in Mammoth Spring and moved to Pine Bluff as a young woman. She trained to become a licensed practical nurse at the former Davis Hospital at Pine Bluff. She worked at Davis and later was a part of the opening of Jefferson Regional Medical Center where she worked for many years before retiring in 1971. She was a member of Harmony Baptist Church and the American Association of Retired People. She was preceded in death by her husband, Jack Miller in 1966. She was also preceded in death by two sons, J.D. Miller and Lee Miller. Survivors include a son, Ernest Miller of Memphis; two daughters, Jacqueline Naugher of Denton, Texas, and Anna Mae Wardlaw of Pine Bluff; a sister, Mildred Armstrong of Lepanto (Poinsett County); eight grandchildren; 16 great-grandchildren; and two great-great-grandchildren . Funeral services are scheduled for 1 p.m. Thursday at Ralph Robinson & Son Funeral Directors with the Rev. Jimmy Naugher officiating. Burial will be in Memorial Park Cemetery. ______________________ PINE BLUFF COMMERCIAL WEDNESDAY, JANUARY 28, 1998 Pine Bluff, Jefferson Co., Arkansas TRE'VIONE SMITH ALTHEIMER -- Graveside services for l0-day-old Tre'Vione Smith of Altheimer, who died January 26, 1998, at Arkansas Children's Hospital at Little Rock, are scheduled for 11 a.m. Thursday in Community Cemetery at Altheimer with the Rev. Fred Johnson officiating. Arrangements are by Perry Funeral Home of Pine Bluff. Born January 16, 1998, at Little Rock, he was a son of Jenea Smith of Altheimer. Other survivors include a grandmother, Mary Smith of Pine Bluff; grandfather, Clinton Smith of Pine Bluff; his great-grandmothers, Sallie Anderson of Pine Bluff and Martha Smith of Milwaukee; and great-grandfather, Robert Marks of Muskego, Wisconsin. ________________________________ PINE BLUFF COMMERCIAL WEDNESDAY, JANUARY 28, 1998 Pine Bluff, Jefferson Co., Arkansas ERAVERAL HAMILTON Eravearl Wortman Hamilton, 75, of Pine Bluff, died January 26, 1998, at Jefferson Regional Medical Center. Born January 15, 1923, at Edgewood, Texas, she was a daughter of the late Benjamin Franklin Wortman and Edna Keech Wortman. She had worked for Jefferson Regional Medical Center and was a homemaker. She was preceded in death by her husband, James Albert Hamilton on August 2, l982; and a son, Albert Lee Hamilton on February 14, 1990. Survivors include two sons, Bobby J. Hamilton and Jimmy Dale Hamilton, both of Pine Bluff; two daughters, Karen Bass of Conway and Diane Wilson of Rison; a brother, Leroy Wortman of Pine Bluff; 14 grandchildren; and 18 great- grandchildren. Funeral services are scheduled for 2 p.m. today at Cranford Funeral Home of White Hall with Sam Hicks, Jackie Richardson and Glen Flemmings officiating. Burial will be in Memorial Park Cemetery. Memorials may be made to American Cancer Society, 901 North University Avenue, Little Rock, Arkansas, 72207. ______________________________ PINE BLUFF COMMERCIAL WEDNESDAY, JANUARY 28, 1998 Pine Bluff, Jefferson Co., Arkansas ADRAIN OWEN STAR CITY -- Adrain Owen, 77, of Star City, died January 26, 1998, at Star City. Born July 25, 1920, at Star CitY, he was a son of the late James Cleveland Owen and Ollie Russell Owen. He retired after 34 years as a right-of-way foreman with C&L Electric Cooperative at Star City. He was a member of Branchville Masonic Lodge 256 at Star City where he was a Master Mason. He was also a member of Hickory Grove Baptist Church. He was preceded in death by a sister and five brothers. Survivors include his wife, Elva Lee Williams Owen; two sons, Darrell Owen and Elbert Owen, both of Star City; and four grandchildren. Funeral services are scheduled for 2 p.m. today at Griffin Funeral Home with the Rev. Joe Burt officiating. Burial will be at Hickory Grove Cemetery at Star City. _____________________________ PINE BLUFF COMMERCIAL WEDNESDAY, JANUARY 28, 1998 Pine Bluff, Jefferson Co., Arkansas BETTYE SPRADLIN ROGERS -- Bettye Needham Spradlin, 73, of Bentonville, died January 26, 1998, at St. Mary's Rogers Memorial Hospital. She was born on April 7, l924, at Schaal (Howard County), a daughter of the late Thomas Needham and Leona Matthews Needham. She graduated from Hot Springs High School and received a bachelor of art degree in education at Ouachita Baptist University. She received her master of science and education degree at East Texas State. She taught English, speech and drama for more than 35 years at Watson Chapel and Pine Bluff high schools. She was a member of Delta Kappa Gamma Sorority and played Bridge. She moved from Pine Bluff to Bentonville in 1992. She was preceded in death by her husband, Dale Spradlin, who died in l975; and a stepmother who raised her, Pearl Sansing Needham. Survivors include a daughter, Kay Pantier of Bentonville; and a grandchild. A memorial service is scheduled for 4:30 p.m. Thursday at Callison-Lough Funeral Service at Bentonville with Carol Patterson officiating. She will be cremated. Burial will be in Okolona Cemetery in Clark County. The family will receive friends from 3 to 4:30 p.m. Thursday at the funeral home prior to the service. Memorials may be made to the Dale H. and Bettye Spradlin Memorial Scholarship, care of the Watson Chapel Lions Club, Pine Bluff, Arkansas 71603; or to the Bentonville Public School Foundation, Bentonville, Arkansas 72712. _________________________ PINE BLUFF COMMERCIAL WEDNESDAY, JANUARY 28, 1998 Pine Bluff, Jefferson Co., Arkansas TOMMY V. RAY SR. Funeral services for Tommy V. Ray Sr., 59, of Vinton, Louisiana, who died January 25, 1998, at a Tijuana, Mexico, hospital, are scheduled for 2 p.m. Thursday at Johnson Funeral Home of Lake Charles, Louisiana, with Dr. David Whitlock officiating. Graveside services will be at 2 p.m. Friday in Fitzhugh Cemetery at Pine Bluff with Rev. Don Borland officiating. Born August 28, 1938, at Star City, he was a son of Eveyln Ray of Pensacola, Florida, and the late L.J. Ray. He had lived in Pine Bluff many years before moving to Vinton 10 years ago. He served in the Air Force and was a member of First Baptist Church at Lake Charles. Other survivors include his wife, Minnie B. Ray; a son, Dr. Tommy V. Ray Jr. of Pine Bluff; two daughters, Lynnell Reeves of, Mauriceville, Texas, and Nancy, Allen of Vinton; three brothers, Johnny Ray of Pensacola, Winfred Ray of Tampa and Sammy Ray of Kentucky; a sister, Martha Langley of Arkansas; and three grandchildren. ____________________________ PINE BLUFF COMMERCIAL WEDNESDAY, JANUARY 28, 1998 Pine Bluff, Jefferson Co., Arkansas CYRIL BANTING LITTLE ROCK -- Cyril Kenneth Banting, 74, of Sheridan, died January 25, 1998, at University Hospital. Born January 3, 1924, at Outlook Saskatchewan, Canada, he was a son of the late Wilbur and Mary Hill Banting. He was the owner of Banting Nursery at Westwego, Louisiana, and was a Methodist. Survivors include his wife, Lillian Chavis Love Banting; a son, Vaughn Banting of Metairie, Louisiana; four daughters, Ruth Chauff of Westwego, Joy Phillips of South Carolina, Beth Perkins and Ivy Schlegel, both of Harvey, Louisiana; a stepson, Otis Love of Sheridan; a brother, Elgin Banting of McCorie Saskatchewan, Canada; a sister, Alfie Regehr of Edmonton Alberta, Canada; nine grandchildren; four stepgrandchildren; two great-grandchildren; and seven stepgreat-grandchildren. Memorial services are scheduled for 1 p.m. Thursday at Corinth Baptist Church near Sheridan with the Rev. Robert Cossey officiating. Arrangements will be announced by Buie Funeral Home at Sheridan. __________________________ PINE BLUFF COMMERCIAL WEDNESDAY, JANUARY 28, 1998 Pine Bluff, Jefferson Co., Arkansas LEO THOMAS Leo "Buster" Thomas, 64, of Pine Bluff, died January 23, 1998, at his home. Born November 7, 1933, at Pine Bluff, he was a son of Edna Rhodes Givens of Pine Bluff and the late Russell June Thomas Sr. He was a Baptist. He was preceded in death by his wife, Jessie Mae Jenkins Thomas. Survivors include two sons, Troy Lee Thomas and Kent Thomas, both of Los Angeles; two daughters, Linda Thomas and Lillian Thomas, both of Los Angeles; three brothers, Russell Thomas Jr. and Veotis Thomas, both of Chicago, and Nathaniel Thomas of Kansas City; five sisters, Birdie Young and Bobbie Jean Marshall, both of Pine Bluff, Georgia M. Nelson of Youngstown, Ohio, and Everlenia Thomas and Carolyn G. Edwards, both of Kansas City; 16 grandchildren; seven great-great-grandchildren. Funeral services are scheduled for 2 p.m. Thursday at Brown Funeral Home with the the Rev. Wiley Shelton officiating. Burial will be at Forest Lawn Memorial Garden. ______________________________ PINE BLUFF COMMERCIAL TUESDAY, JANUARY 27, 1998 Pine Bluff, Jefferson Co., Arkansas PAULINE CESSOR LAKE VILLAGE -- Pauline Cessor, 69, of Dermott, died January 25, 1998, at Chicot Memorial Hospital. She was born on February 5, 1928, at Crockett, Texas, a daughter of the late McDuffie Steel and Ada Bell Moore Steel. She had lived at Dermott for the past 35 years. She was a former resident of Pine Bluff and Lake Village and was a homemaker. She was preceded in death by her husband, J.T. Cessor, who died in 1995; a daughter, Lucile Barajas, who died in 1992; and a brother, Nathan Steel. Survivors include three sons, Elmer Cessor and Travis Cessor, both of Dermott, and Howard Cessor of Monticello; two daughters, Rosie Tullos of Rayville, Louisiana, and Kathy Ellingburg of Dermott; six sisters, Minky Strickland, Betty Zane Cessor, Elaine Brantley and Nancy Hardie, all of Dermott, Willie Dean Bateman of Big Spring, Texas, and Lena Mae Johnson of Pine Bluff; 17 grandchildren; and 16 great-grandchildren. Graveside services are scheduled for 2 p.m. today in Dermott Cemetery with the Rev. Phillip Payne officiating. Arrangements are being handled by Jones Funeral Home of Hamburg. __________________________ PINE BLUFF COMMERCIAL TUESDAY, JANUARY 27, 1998 Pine Bluff, Jefferson Co., Arkansas LORIE TRAMMELL WARREN -- Lorie Elmer Trammell, 89, of Warren, formerly of New Edinburg, died January 26, 1998, at Warren. He was born on January 19, 1909, at New Edinburg, a son of the late Asberry Trammell and Maggie Mills Trammell. He was a retired farmer and a member of Macedonia Freewill Baptist Church near Warren. He was preceded in death by his wife, Mable Arris Trammell; a sister, Ozelle George Trimble; and a stepson, Gerald Green. Survivors include a son, Kenneth Trammell of Warren; two sisters, Erma Curry of Rye and Alene Roberts of Warren; a stepson, Robert Green of Cleveland County; 10 stepgrandchildren; and five stepgreat-grandchildren . Funeral services are scheduled for 1:30 p.m. Wednesday at Frazer's Funeral Home at Warren with the Rev. Johnny Jones officiating. Burial will be in Shady Grove Cemetery in Cleveland County. ______________________________ PINE BLUFF COMMERCIAL TUESDAY, JANUARY 27, 1998 Pine Bluff, Jefferson Co., Arkansas CHARLES BECK Charles Ray Beck, 57, of Hermitage, died January 25, 1998, at Jefferson Regional Medical Center. He was born on February 9, 1940, at Hermitage, a son of the late W.E. Beck and Mary Eva Turner Beck. He was a retired truck driver and a member of Eagle Lake Baptist Church near Hermitage. Survivors include his wife, Norma Richards Beck, whom he married on May 14, 1965; two daughters, Lisa Beck Robinson of Hermitage and Gina Beck Craig of Warren; two brothers, Harold Beck of Fordyce and Wallace Beck of Crossett; two sisters, Florence Green of El Dorado and Lois Ann Kendrick of Wichita Falls, Texas; and five grand-children. Funeral services are scheduled for 1:30 p.m. today at Frazer's Funeral Home at Warren with the Revs. Billy Reed and Mike Griffith officiating. Burial will be in Holly Springs Cemetery near Hermitage. _____________________________ PINE BLUFF COMMERCIAL TUESDAY, JANUARY 27, 1998 Pine Bluff, Jefferson Co., Arkansas VELMA LAMPKIN McGEHEE - Velma Joan Lampkin, 53, of McGehee, died January 26, 1998, at her home. She was born on January 11, 1945, at McGehee, a daughter of Herbert Jones of McGehee and the late Edith Yother Jones. She did clerical work at Williams Industrial and was member of McGehee Christian Center. She was preceded in death by a daughter, Trina Lampkin. Other survivors include her husband, Horace T. Lampkin; two sons, Steve Lampkin and Troy Lampkin, both of Arkansas City; two brothers, Doyle Jones of Fort Worth and Jody Jones of McGehee; two sisters, Grace Kelso and Pat Varner, both of Little Rock; and five grand-children. Funeral services are scheduled for 2 p.m. Wednesday at Griffin Funeral Service at McGehee with the Rev. Darwin McDowell officiating. Burial will be in McGehee Cemetery. _______________________________ PINE BLUFF COMMERCIAL TUESDAY, JANUARY 27, 1998 Pine Bluff, Jefferson Co., Arkansas JACK WILLIAMS M0NTICELL0 -- Jack Lester Williams, 63, of Monticello, died January 26, 1998, at Drew Memorial Hospital. He was born on October 8, 1934, in Drew County, a son of the late Benjamin E. Williams and Hattie Mae Roberson Williams. He was a retired construction worker, served in the Army and was a member of Third Street Baptist Church at Arkadelphia. He was preceded in death by a son, Robert E. Young; and two sisters, Mary Evelyn and Jeannie Pearl Williams. Survivors include his wife, Arwilda Rand Williams; three: brothers, Hubert Williams of DeWitt, James Williams of Star City and Clarence Williams of Steele, Missouri; a sister, Molly Slingerland of Star City; a grandchild; and two great-grandchildren. Funeral services are scheduled for 10 a.m. Wednesday at Stephenson-Dearman Funeral Home at Monticello with the Rev. Charles Hoover officiating. Burial will be in Old Union Cemetery in Drew County. ____________________________ PINE BLUFF COMMERCIAL TUESDAY, JANUARY 27, 1998 Pine Bluff, Jefferson Co., Arkansas MARTIN YARBROUGH OCOEE, Florida -- Martin Dale Yarbrough, 56, of Orlando, Florida, died January 24, 1998, at Health Center Hospital at Ocoee. He was born on March 25, 1941, at Malvern, Arkansas, a son of Gatha Yarbrough of Pine Bluff and the late Martin Yarbrough. He was a manager of the Pine Hills Wal-Mart store at Orlando. He moved to central Florida in 1993 and was a Methodist. He was a former exalted ruler of the Elks Club and served in the Air Force. Other survivors include his wife, Linda Yarbrough; four sons, Randale Yarbrough and David Yarbrough, both of Orlando, and Greg Yarbrough and Fred Yarbrough, both of Gainesville, Georgia; and a brother, Garlan Yarbrough of Redfield, Arkansas. Funeral services are scheduled for 2 p.m. Wednesday at Woodlawn Funeral Home at Orlando with the Rev. Stanley Crumb officiating. Burial will be in Woodlawn Memorial Park at Orlando. Memorial contributions may be made to the American Cancer Society. ________________________________ PINE BLUFF COMMERCIAL TUESDAY, JANUARY 27, 1998 Pine Bluff, Jefferson Co., Arkansas MABLE HOCKING TEXAS CITY, Texas -- Mabel Estelle Hocking, 91, of La Marque, Texas, died January 25, 1998, at Columbia Mainland Medical Center at Texas City. She was born on October 28, 1906, at Meridian, Mississippi, a daughter of the late Dr. John W. Cook and Modie L. Cook. She was a lifelong member of First United Methodist Church at La Marque and was the director of the nursery there for many years. She was a member of the La Marque Eastern Star, the La Marque Garden Club and was chaplain of the La Marque American Association of Retired Persons. She was preceded in death by her husband, Wallace E. Hocking Sr.; and, a daughter, June Guillot. Survivors include four sons, Wallace Edward Hocking Jr. of Houston, John Doyle Hocking of Rusk, Texas, Dr. Joe Cook Hocking of Oklahoma City and Robert Ellis Hocking of Tulsa; three daughters, Mary Jane Tuck of Redfield, Arkansas, Modie Loucretia Phillips of Anacoco, Louisiana, and Martha Sue Moss of La Marque; numerous grand- children; numerous great-grandchildren; and numerous great-great- grandchiIdren. Funeral services are scheduled for 11 a.m. today at First United Methodist Church with Gary Bagley officiating. Burial will be in Galveston Memorial Park at Hitchcock, Texas. ______________________________ PINE BLUFF COMMERCIAL TUESDAY, JANUARY 27, 1998 Pine Bluff, Jefferson Co., Arkansas RUTH REYNOLDS Ruth A. Reynolds, 93, of Pine Bluff, died January 26, 1998, at Jefferson Regional Medical Center. She was born on May 9, 1904, at Pine Bluff, a daughter of the late James Henry and Allie Mae Childress Atkins. She was raised and received her early education in Cleveland County. She was a licensed practical nurse, working at Davis Hospital, later Jefferson Hospital (now Jefferson Regional Medical Center), and Pine Bluff Nursing Home. She was also a private duty nurse and a member of South Side Baptist Church. She was preceded in death by her husband, Charles W. Reynolds, whom she married on August 27, 1979, and who died on January 26, 1994; four brothers; four sisters; and a grandchild. Survivors include two sons, Charles C. Hilton of Arcadia, Florida, and Jerry R. Hilton of Pine Bluff; five grandchildren; and eight great- grandchildren. Graveside services are scheduled for 3:30 p.m. Wednesday in Memorial Park Cemetery with Dr. J.R. DeBusk officiating. Arrangements are handled by Ralph Robinson & Son Funeral Directors. Memorial contributions may be made to Shriner's Children Hos- pital, 3100 Sanford Avenue, Shreveport, Louisiana 71103. __________________________________ PINE BLUFF COMMERCIAL FRIDAY, JANUARY 30, 1998 Pine Bluff, Jefferson Co., Arkansas WILLIE BENNETT JR. Funeral services for Willie Charles Bennett Jr., 40, of Pine Bluff, who died January 26, 1998, at his home, are scheduled for 2 p.m. Saturday at Old Morning Star Baptist Church with the Rev. Isaac Barron officiating. Burial will be in the V.A. Section of Graceland Cemetery by Brown Funeral Home of Pine Bluff. He was born November 8, 1957, at Pine Bluff, a son of Willie Bennett Sr. of Bakersfield, California, and the late Lillie Mae Henderson . He was a bus driver for the Dart System and was a member of IBOC Baptist Church at Dallas. He graduated from the University af Arkansas at Pine Bluff in 1984 and served in the Army. Other survivors include his wife, Irene Dewalt Bennett of Dallas; two sons, Brandon Bernard Bennett of Dallas and Jeremy Dewalt of San Antonio; a daughter, Nikell Dewalt of Dallas; six brothers, Terry Singleton, Cleon Singleton, Robert Singleton, Levell Singleton and Greg Coleman, all of Pine Bluff, and Clifton Singleton of Toledo, Ohio; a sister, Linda Reams of Pine Bluff; a grandmother, Rosetta Boyd of Pine Bluff; and a grandchild. ____________________________ PINE BLUFF COMMERCIAL FRIDAY, JANUARY 30, 1998 Pine Bluff, Jefferson Co., Arkansas GUSSIE INGRAHAM (Photo included) EUDORA -- Funeral services for Gussie Farris Ingraham, 95, of Eudora, who died January 27, 1997, at her home, are scheduled for noon Saturday at the Minister's Institute at Eudora with the Rev. Curtis Spencer officiating. Burial will be in Hill Cemetery at Eudora by Dillard's Funeral Home at Eudora. She was born April 19, 1902, at Eudora, a daughter of the late Ed Robinson and Laura Roundtree Robinson. She was a member of First Baptist Church at Eudora. Survivors include five sons, Richard Farris and Charles Ingraham, both of Eudora, William Farris and Joe Farris, both of San Mateo, California, and John Farris of Lake Village; three daughters, Forestine Johnson of Pine Bluff, and Ella Edwards and Mary Henry, both of Lake Village; a son-in-law who was a caregiver, Edward Edwards of Lake Village; five daughters-in-law who were caregivers, Lore Farris of Eudora, Ollievette Farris and Sandra Farris, both of San Mateo, Bobby Farris of Lake Village and Hazel Ingraham of Eudora; and numerous grandchildren. ________________________________ PINE BLUFF COMMERCIAL FRIDAY, JANUARY 30, 1998 Pine Bluff, Jefferson Co., Arkansas HORACE FIKES Horace J. "Bullet" Fikes, 85, of Pine Bluff, died January 29, 1998, at Jefferson Regional Medical Center. He was born January 30, 1912, in Grant County, a son of the late Charles A. Fikes and Dee Elkins Fikes. He was raised in Grant County and attended Grant County schools. He moved to Pine Bluff in the early 1930s and worked at his dad's dairy on Highway 79. He began the operation of Fikes Truck Line and operated it for 50 years, retiring in 1981. Some of his trucking business involved the construction of the Pine Bluff Arsenal. He was a member of Good Faith United Methodist Church. He was previously married to Fay Jean Fikes for 44 years. Survivors include a son, Horace J. "Buck" Fikes Jr. of Pine Bluff; two daughters, Norma Keeling of Indianapolis and Linda Edwards of Pine Bluff; three grandchildren; and a great-grandson. Funeral services are scheduled for 2 p.m. Saturday at Ralph Robinson & Son Funeral Directors with the Revs. Chuck Coffelt and Dale Gentry officiating. Burial will be in Ramick Cemetery, located between Pine Bluff and Grapevine. _____________________________ PINE BLUFF COMMERCIAL FRIDAY, JANUARY 30, 1998 Pine Bluff, Jefferson Co., Arkansas EMANUEL DICKENS JR. GRADY -- Funeral services for Emanuel Dickens Jr., 77, of Grady, who died January 23, 1998, at Jefferson Regional Medical Center, are scheduled for 1 p.m. Saturday at Pleasant Grove Missionary Baptist Church at Grady with the Rev. S.W. Weaver officiating. Burial will be in Pleasant Grove Cemetery at Grady by P.K. Miller Mortuary. He was born June 18, 1920, at Boydell (Ashley County), a son of the late Emanuel Dickens Sr. and Janie Dickens. He received his education in Grady public schools and worked for H.R. Woods Farms until retiring in 1976. He served in the Army from 1942 to 1945 and was a Baptist. Survivors include his wife, Earnestine Scarver Dickens, of Pine Bluff, whom he married October 20, 1965; a son, Emanuel Dickens III of North Little Rock; two daughters, Laura M. Dickens of Wrightsville and Eliza Dickens of Little Rock; a brother, Charlie Johnson of Killeen, Texas; two sisters, Cleo Colby of Gary, Indiana, and Eliza Goins of Chicago; a stepson, Arthur L. Powell of Pine Bluff; a stepdaughter, Catherine McCollum of Chicago; six grandchildren; and three great-grandchildren. ________________________________ PINE BLUFF COMMERCIAL FRIDAY, JANUARY 30, 1998 Pine Bluff, Jefferson Co., Arkansas ISAIAH JACKSON Funeral services for Isaiah Jackson, 89, of Dumas, who died January 23, 1998, at Dumas Nursing Home, are scheduled for 11 a.m. Saturday at St. Stephen Missionary Baptist Church at Oakwood Bayou in Desha County with the Rev. Bobby Brasfield officiating. Burial will be in St. Stephen Cemetery in Oakwood Bayou by Brown Funeral Home of Dumas. He was born July 9, 1908, in Louisiana. He was a member of St. Stephen Missionary Baptist Church, where he was a deacon. Survivors include his wife, Lizzie Jackson; a son, Harvey Jackson of Gould; a sister, Ida Lambert of Dumas; a stepdaughter, Bobbie J. Jackson of Dumas; 15 grandchildren; five great-grandchildren; and a great-great-grandchild. _______________________________________ PINE BLUFF COMMERCIAL FRIDAY, JANUARY 30, 1998 Pine Bluff, Jefferson Co., Arkansas ODESSIA LAWRENCE Funeral services for Odessia Lawrence, 78, of Pine Bluff, who died January 24, 1998, at Jefferson Regional Medical Center, are scheduled for 1 p.m. Saturday at Jehovah's Witness Kingdom Hall with Tommy Reed officiating. Burial will be in Henson Memorial Garden by Henson Mortuary. She was born October 4, 1919, at Weir, Mississippi, a daughter of the late Burley and Willie Bee Fair Miller. Survivors include six sons, Jerry Jones of Magnolia, Ray Anthony Lawrence of Austin, Charlie Lawrence Jr., James Lawrence and Charles Alfred Lawrence, all of Pine Bluff, and John Allen Lawrence of Lauderdale Lakes, Florida; five daughters, Versie Lee Harris, Helen Ford and Ester Williams, all of Pine Bluff, Eunice D. Peaches of Austin and Ruth Ellen Johnson of St. Louis; a brother, George Logan of Indianola, Mississippi; a sister, Helen Harris of Erie, Pennsylvania; 34 grandchildren; and 25 great-grandchildren. __________________________ PINE BLUFF COMMERCIAL FRIDAY, JANUARY 30, 1998 Pine Bluff, Jefferson Co., Arkansas NICHOLAS NORFUL-JERMON ST. LOUIS - Nicholas M. Norful-Jermon, of St. Louis, an infant son of Maurice Jermon and Yolanda Norful Jermon of St. Louis, died January 25, 1998, at his home. He was born May 18, 1997, at Hot Springs, Arkansas. He was preceded in death by a grandparent, Linda F. Norful. Other survivors include grandparents, Willie Norful, Derotha Gyce and Gregory Gyce, all of Pine Bluff. Graveside services are scheduled for noon today in Forest Lawn Memorial Garden with the Rev. Ollieway Byers officiating. Arrangements are handled by Brown Funeral Home of Pine Bluff. ______________________________ PINE BLUFF COMMERCIAL FRIDAY, JANUARY 30, 1998 Pine Bluff, Jefferson Co., Arkansas MYRLE WILSON Myrle Gwinn Wilson, 92, of Sheridan, died January 28, 1998, at Jefferson Regional Medical Center. She was born February 24, 1905, at Sheridan, a daughter of the late J.D. and Ella Lassiter Gwinn. She was a member of New Hope United Methodist Church at Sheridan and was a retired florist. She was preceded in death by her husband, Luther Clay Wilson, who died February 28, 1973. Survivors include a son, L.C. Wilson Jr. of Sheridan; a daughter, Betty Lou Shultz of Pine Bluff; a sister, Mamie Barnes of Sheridan; five grandchildren; and eight great-grandchildren. Funeral services are scheduled for 2 p.m. Saturday at Buie Funeral Home at Sheridan with the Rev. James Batts officiating. Burial will be in Lost Creek Cemetery at Sheridan. ____________________________ PINE BLUFF COMMERCIAL FRIDAY, JANUARY 30, 1998 Pine Bluff, Jefferson Co., Arkansas AUSTIN SMITH LITTLE ROCK -- Austin Teroy Smith, 70, of Fordyce, died January 29, 1998, at Veterans Administration Hospital here. He was born August 1, 1927, in Bradley County, a son of the late Julias A. Smith and Ethel Mann Smith. He was a member of Martin Chapel Methodist Church at Sumpter (Bradley County); was an Army veteran of World War II and was the retired owner of Smith Body at Fordyce, which he owned for 15 years. Survivors include his wife, Marnell Johnson Smith; two daughters, Vickie Smead of Bismarck and Sherry Langley of Harmony Grove; three brothers, Bernard Smith of Arkansas City, John T. Smith of El Dorado and Doyle Smith of Conroe, Texas; a sister, Martha Sue Wilson of Hermitage; and three grandchildren. Funeral services are scheduled for 2 p.m. Saturday at Benton Funeral Home at Fordyce with the Revs. Waymon Mann and Ken Shaddox officiating. Burial will be in Stoney Point Cemetery at Fordyce. _______________________________ PINE BLUFF COMMERCIAL FRIDAY, JANUARY 30, 1998 Pine Bluff, Jefferson Co., Arkansas MARY BOST Mary Viola Bost, 88, of Pine Bluff, died January 28, 1998, at Jefferson Regional Medical Center. She was born January 26, 1910, at Plumerville, a daughter of the late George W. Davison and Ethel Davison. She attended schools at Keo and then lived at the Sherrill and Tucker area for many years. She lived at Pine Bluff the past four years and was a member of First Baptist Church at Sherrill. She was preceded in death by her husband, Ed Bost, who died in June 1970. Survivors include three sons, John A. Bost of Pine Bluff, E.L. Bost of Altheimer and Jim Bost of Gould; two daughters, Frances Whitehead of Little Rock and Bessie Eskew of Vanduser, Missouri; a sister, Grace Harness of Dinuba, California; 13 grandchildren; 18 great-grandchildren; and four great-great-grandchildren. Graveside services are scheduled for 10 a.m. Saturday in Graceland Cemetery with the Rev. George Raley officiating. _______________________________ PINE BLUFF COMMERCIAL FRIDAY, JANUARY 30, 1998 Pine Bluff, Jefferson Co., Arkansas MARY SPRADLIN LITTLE ROCK -- Mary Lorene Spradlin, 69, of McGehee, died January 28, 1998, at Arkansas Heart Hospital here. She was born May 18, 1928, at Hughes (St. Francis County), a daughter of the late Raymond Brown and Magdalene Appleton Brown. She was a housekeeping supervisor at McGehee Desha County Hospital and a Baptist. She was preceded in death by her husband, Lawrence Spradlin. Survivors include three sons, Ray Cowen of Dumas and Scott Findley and Daryl Findley, both of McGehee; five daughters, Becky Harris of Dumas, Ann Findley of Maypearl, Texas, Mary Carolyn Ragan of Watson, Judy Cowen of Winchester and Pam Gill of Bay Minette, Alabama; a brother, Jack Brown of Dumas; two sisters, Betty Jo Cummings of North Little Rock and Ellen Glass of Houston; 21 grandchildren; and six great- grandchildren. Funeral services are scheduled for 2 p.m. Saturday at Griffin Funeral Service of McGehee with the Revs. Walter Gilbreath and Billy Brown officiating. Burial will be in McGehee Cemetery. _______________________________ PINE BLUFF COMMERCIAL FRIDAY, JANUARY 30, 1998 Pine Bluff, Jefferson Co., Arkansas EDITH WOODRUFF LITTLE ROCK -- Edith Marie Woodruff, 77, of Stuttgart, died January 28, 1998, at Baptist Medical Center here. She was born October 1, 1920, at Stuttgart, a daughter of the late Eugene Earhart and Grace Compton Earhart. She was a homemaker and a member of Grand Avenue United Methodist Church at Stuttgart. She was preceded in death by her husband, Hal E. Woodruff; and a grandchild. Survivors include two sons, George Woodruff and Gene Woodruff, both of Stuttgart; a daughter, Grace Woodruff of Pine Bluff; a sister, Betty Parker of Little Rock; a grandchild; and a great-grandchild. Funeral services are scheduled for 2 p.m. Saturday at Turpin Funeral Home at Stuttgart with the Rev. George Rook officiating. Burial will be in Lone Tree Cemetery at Stuttgart. ____________________________ PINE BLUFF COMMERCIAL FRIDAY, JANUARY 30, 1998 Pine Bluff, Jefferson Co., Arkansas GEORGE HOFFMAN Funeral services for George Travis Hoffman, 77, of Pine Bluff, who died January 28, 1998, at Veterans Administration Hospital at Little Rock, are scheduled for 10 a.m. Saturday at Ralph Robinson & Son Funeral Directors with Lowell Blasengame and Don McClain officiating. Burial will be in Means CemeteIy near Hampton. He was born October 26, 1920, at Hampton, a son of the late George Washington Hoffman and Ira Lula McCann Hoffman. He was raised and educated at Hampton and attended Hampton High School. He was an Army veteran of World War II. He moved from Monticello to Pine Bluff in 1953 and was a welder for Central Moloney for many years before retiring in 1970. He also was a security guard in Pine Bluff for area hospitals. He was a member of Sixth Street Church of Christ and a member of American Association of Retired Persons. He was preceded in death by a brother, Ira Leslie Hoffman, who died in 1991; and a sister, Thelma Wilson, who was from Canyon County, California, and whose funeral is today. Survivors include his wife, Francis Geanette Madera Hoffman, whom he married May 17, 1941, at Hampton; a son, Randall Hoffman of Pine Bluff; two sisters, Pauline Johnston of Franklin, Louisiana, and Carrie Lue Arnn of North Little Rock; two grandchildren; and a great-grandchild. ______________________________ PINE BLUFF COMMERCIAL FRIDAY, JANUARY 30, 1998 Pine Bluff, Jefferson Co., Arkansas OTIS McDONNELL Sr. LITTLE ROCK -- Otis McDonnell Sr., 81, of Tucker, died January 26, 1998, at St. Vincent Infirmary Medical Center here. He was born July 24, 1916, at Altheimer, a son of the late Samuel and Mary BIount McDonnell. He was a pIumber. Survivors include his wife, Aristene McDonnell; five sons, Otis McDonald Jr. of Pine Bluff, Kenneth Kemp McDonnell of Fayetteville, North Carolina, an'd Emmanuel Humphrey, Dexter McDonnell and Marvin McDonnell, all of Little Rock; three daughters, Cleo Edwards of Pine Bluff, and Mary Cole and Rochelle Ridgle, both of Little Rock; a brother, Vernon McDonnell of Bronx, New York; a sister, Earnestine Freeman of Pine Bluff; 22 grandchildren; and 11 great-grandchildren. Funeral services are scheduled for 11 a.m. Saturday at East Macedonia Baptist Church at England with Elder Dexter McDonnell officiating. Burial will be in Central Baptist Cemetery near Coy by Wilson-Stephens Funeral Home at England. ____________________________ PINE BLUFF COMMERCIAL FRIDAY, JANUARY 30, 1998 Pine Bluff, Jefferson Co., Arkansas VERNON DICKEY MONTICELLO-- Vernon Richard Dickey, 67, of Monticello, died January 29, 1998, at Drew Memorial Hospital. He was born May 4, 1930, in Drew County, a son of the late Tom Dickey and Cliffie Evelyn Bullard Dickey. He was a retired truck driver, an Army veteran of the Korean War and a Baptist. Survivors include a son, Richard Dickey of Monticello; a brother, William Dickey of El Dorado; a sister, Nadine Reaves of McGehee; and two grandchildren. Funeral services are scheduled for 10 a.m. Saturday at Stephenson- Dearman Funeral Home at Monticello with the Rev. Buddy Lemons officiating. Burial will be in Enon Cemetery in Drew County. ___________________________ PINE BLUFF COMMERCIAL FRIDAY, JANUARY 30, 1998 Pine Bluff, Jefferson Co., Arkansas ORIE GARNER NORTH LITTLE ROCK --Orie Leon Garner, 8l, of Fordyce, died January 28, 1998, at Baptist Memorial Medical Center here. He was born July 19, 1916, in Cleveland County, a son of the late James Franklin Garner and Lucinda Rogers Garner. He was a member of First Baptist Church at Fordyce, a Mason for 50 years, a member of the American Legion and an Army veteran of World War II. He was retired from Lion Oil, where he worked for 38 years. Survivors include his wife, Gracie Nutt Garner; two sons, Ron Garner of Houston and Mike Garner of Tulsa; a daughter, Pat Rogers of Hot Springs; and eight grandchildren. Funeral services are scheduled for 10 a.m. today at Benton Funeral Home at Fordyce with the Revs. Ken Shaddox and Cline Ellis officiating. Burial will be in Tolson Cemetery at Fordyce. _________________________ PINE BLUFF COMMERCIAL SATURDAY, JANUARY 31, 1998 Pine Bluff, Jefferson Co., Arkansas CELESTER CHARLES Funeral services for Celester Bell "Preacher" Charles, 83, of Las Vegas, formerly of Altheimer, who died January 25, 1998, at University Medical Center at Las Vegas, are scheduled for 1 p.m. Sunday at P.K. Miller Mortuary. Burial will be at 11 a.m. Monday in Miller Memorial Cemetery. He was born on June 28, 1914, at Yorktown, a son of the late Archie Bell Charles and Willie Mae Butler-Charles. He was a farmer. He was preceded in death by his wife, Edna Mae Mickens, whom he married in 1945, and who died on November18, 1986. Survivors include five sons, Sylvester Charles of Independence, Missouri, Isaiah Charles Sr. of North Las Vegas, James Edward Charles and Anthony Maurice Charles, both of Las Vegas, and Kenneth Ray Charles of Jacksonville; 11 daughters, Maxine Charles-Closure of Milwaukee, Magdalene Sims of Star City, Martha Donaldson of Chicago, Pearlie Mae Wedlow of Saginaw, Michigan, Nettie Brown and Janice Beasley, both of North Las Vegas, and Josephine McCauley, Alzenia Walls, Doris Charles, Naomi Powell and Linda Jackson, all of Las Vegas; a brother, Isaiah Charles of Milwaukee; 72 grandchildren; 25 great-grandchildren; and 10 great-great-grandchildren. The body will be at the church Sunday from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. ____________________________ PINE BLUFF COMMERCIAL SATURDAY, JANUARY 31, 1998 Pine Bluff, Jefferson Co., Arkansas EDITH MORRIS MEMPHIs -- Edith Lucille "Molly" Malone Morris, 81, of Memphis, died January 29, 1998, at Memphis Jewish Home. She was born April 19, 1916, at Little Rock, a daughter of the late Robert and Evelyn Crimm Malone. She was raised and received her early education at Little Rock and was a graduate of Little Rock Central High School. She was a registered nurse and received her professional education and training at St. Vincent Infirmary Medical Center at Little Rock. She and her husband moved to Pine Bluff during World War II, where her husband was a staff physician at the Pine Bluff Arsenal. She assisted her husband at a private family practice clinic at Pine Bluff that her husband established after the war. She assisted him part time and on a substitute basis for many years. She was a member of Temple Anshe Emeth and the Temple Sisterhood at Pine Bluff and was a volunteer for the American Red Cross for many years. She was a member of the Sewing Circle at Pine Bluff. She and her husband moved to Memphis in 1995. She was preceded in death by her husband, Harold J. Morris, M.D., whom she married June 21, 1941, at Little Rock, and who died on February 17, 1997; and a daughter, Linda Frances Morris, who died on September 12, 1986. Survivors include two daughters, Sarah M. Johnson of Dayton, Ohio, and Judith J. Morris of Collierville, Tennessee; and two grandchildren. Graveside services are scheduled for 1 p.m. Monday in Jewish CemeteIy with Rabbi Harley Karz-Wagman officiating. Ralph Robinson & Son Funeral Directors are in charge of arrangements. Memorial contributions may be made to Temple Anshe Emeth, the Memphis Jewish Home or to the donor's local Humane Society. ________________________________