Phillips County Progress Obituaries, Phillips Co., AR. *********************************************************** Submitted by: Barbara Jane Stainback - Date: 16 Jul 2006 Copyright. All rights reserved. http://www.usgwarchives.net/copyright.htm *********************************************************** The Phillips County Progress Issue No. 19 Volume 8 July 31, 1991 GEORGE F. BOKKER Funeral service for George Frantz Bokker of West Helena was conducted Monday afternoon at Roller-Citizens Funeral Home Chapel. The Rev. Dale Hughart officiated. Burial was in Sunset Memorial Park. Mr. Bokker, 82, died Friday at the Veterans Administration Hospital in Memphis. He was a retired boiler operator for Mohawk Rubber Company and a member of the Baptist Church. Survivors include his widow, Mrs. Ruth Bokker of West Helena; four sons, Harry Bokker of San Diego, California; Richard Bokker and Phillip Bokker, both of Marion; and George Bokker III of El Reno, Oklahoma; three daughters, Mrs. Betty Barnes, Mrs. Debbie Ferebee, and Mrs. Denis Smith, all of Helena; three step-daughters, Frances Allen of Tulsa, Ruth Ann Bowden of West Helena and Helen Jordan of Helena; four sisters, Mrs. Irene Reynolds and Mrs. Madlyn Johnson, both of Brinkley; Mrs. Rosalee Nash of Wheatley, and Mrs. Christine Bunker of West Helena; two brothers, Frank Bokker of Brasfield, Arkansas and Bennie Bokker of Ontario, Canada; 35 grandchildren; and 19 great-grandchildren. ======= MR LESLIE (partial) ------- Of the Edward Funeral Home Chapel. The Rev. Gene Ryan officiated. Burial was in Hughes Cemetery. Mr. Leslie, 55, died Saturday at Helena Regional Medical Center. He was a clerk for Mid-South. Survivors include his widow, Mrs. Linda Leslie; two sons, Frederick Leslie of Effingham, Illinois and Donald E. Leslie Jr. of Benton; three daughters, Mrs. Lynn Langford of Loring AFB, Maine, Mrs. Tina Barker of Taylor, Texas, and Miss Gina Leslie of West Helena; four brothers, Richard A. Leslie of West Helena; four brothers, Richard A. Leslie of West Helena, Elmer Leslie and James Leslie, both of Forrest City, and Bobby Leslie of Chicago; and a sister, Marie Leslie of North Carolina. Nephews served as pallbearers. =========== “MISS LILY” (PETER) DIES WITH PICTURE Funeral services for Miss Lily Peter, Arkansas poet laureate and noted philanthropist, was conducted Monday afternoon at St. John’s Episcopal Church. The Reverend Duane Saba officiated. Burial was in Turner Cemetery under the direction of Roller-Citizens Funeral Home. “Miss Lily” as she was affectionately known throughout the state, was a devoted patron of the arts, a businesswoman, a farmer, a conservationist, photographer, educator, and author. A lifelong Arkansan, Miss Lilly celebrated her 100th birthday on June 2, 1991. She was the daughter of William O. and Florence Peter, pioneer Phillips Countians and large landowners in the area. In the early 1900’s, Miss Lilly earned a bachelor of arts degree in English from West Tennessee Normal School-now known as Memphis State University -- and began a career in teaching that spanned more than 40 years of her early life. She taught school at Helena, Marianna and several rural schools in the area. She later earned a masters degree in education from Vanderbilt University. She also pursued studies at the Julliard School of Music, Columbia University, and John Hopkins University. Her teaching career came to an end in 1956 when her brother died and Miss Lily took over the operation of the family’s 7,000 acre farm. She made the venture a profitable one and, though the farm had several tractor drivers, could be seen driving one in the fields. But, while busy farming, she did not forsake her other interests. An ardent conservationist who knew the value of wetlands to the environment, Miss Lily preserved a portion of Big Piney Bayou on her plantation has a wildlife refuge, preventing the Corps of Engineers from channeling it back in 1975. For her work in conservation, she was named Arkansas Conservationist of the Year and received the National Wildlife Federation’s highest award. Miss Lily was a patron of the arts of the first magnitude and will be remembered throughout the state for her generosity. She was chairman of the financial drive which resulted in the construction of the Fine Arts Center on the Phillips County Community College. Through her leadership, more than $300,000 - roughly one third of the cost - - was raised. The center‘s auditorium was named in her honor. When she was involved in a project, she never accepted the word “no” or “it can’t be done.” During Arkansas’ Sesquicentennial celebration, she sought to bring The Philadelphia Symphony Orchestra to Little Rock but found symphony officials weren’t taking her seriously. That all changed when she deposited $50,000 on escrow and the symphony came to Little Rock for not one, but two performances. At the time, she jokingly said she had used her soybean crop profits to pay for the orchestra’s visit. A history buff and a particular fan of such explorers as Marquette and Joliet and Hernando DeSoto, Miss Lily helped finance the recreation of Marquette and Joliet’s exploration of the Mississippi River in 1976. She also donated to the state a portion of land on which the Louisiana Purchase Marker State Park is not located. A talented musician, Miss Lily studied violin at Julliard and was a long-time pianist, organist and composer. Her unflagging interest has been however, in poetry, and, n 1971, then Governor Dale Bumpers named her poet laureate of Arkansas, a post she held until her death. She was the author several books of poetry, including, “The Green Linen of Summer,” “The Sea Dream of the Mississippi,” and “The Great Riding,” which concerns DeSoto’s trek in search of the “Fountain of Youth.” She felt that a proper education was the answer to many of the ills that affects the United States and never forgot today’s youngsters whom, she said, would have the responsibility of making the future brighter and more productive. To this end, she established literally hundreds of scholarships in colleges and universities around the country, gave untold financial assistance to art, music, and educations schools around the country, and contributed thousands to college building programs. She also provided grants to dozens of youngsters who could not have otherwise financed a college education. Miss Lily died peacefully at her home near Marvell Friday after a brief illness. Survivors include her sister, Miss Ethel Peter of Helena, and numerous nieces and nephews. Pallbearers were James Wilkerson, Brooks Griffin, Ray Foran, Jim Whitehead, David Brooks Griffin, and Robert Serio. Honorary pallbearers were Caraway Bonner, Roger Martin, Doug Simmons, Ray Fuller, Sam Hall, Thad Kelly, Dr. Johnny Paine and Tom Faust. Memorials may be made to St. John’s Episcopal Church or to the Warfield Concert Committee. ======== MR. SADLER (PARTIAL) Wards Funeral Home of Marianna, and a member of the Marianna First Baptist Church. He was also a World War II veteran. Survivors include his widow, Mrs. Addie Joyce Wilburn Sadler; three sons, James Larry Sadler of Forrest City, Jerry Edward Sadler of Buffalo, Texas, and William Wayne Sadler of Blytheville; and two granddaughters. Pallbearers were Larry McClendon, Danny May, Roger May, W. D. Cullins, Jay Van Dover, and Bob Andrews. =========== MRS. SCAIFE Funeral service for Mrs. Ruth Pauline Scaife of Elaine was conducted Tuesday afternoon at the Edwards Funeral Home Chapel in West Helena. The Rev. Wayne Pipkin officiated. Burial was in Sunset Memorial Park. Mrs. Scaife, 66, died Sunday at Helena Regional Medical Center. She was a native of Marvell and a homemaker. Survivors include three daughters, Ruth Davis of Lexa, Rosemary Scaife of Elaine, and Donna Scaife of Harrison; four sons, Wayne Scaife and James Scaife II, both of Elaine, Benny Scaife of Lexa, and James Scaife Sr. of West Helena; her mother, Mary Dreher of Elaine; a ------ (rest been cut off, SORRY) ======== O. M. SNYDER Funeral service for O. M. Snyder of Helena was conducted Saturday at Roller-Citizens Funeral Home. The Rev. J. E. Elliott officiated. Burial was in Sunset Memorial Park. Mr. Snyder, 78, died Thursday at Helena Regional Medical Center. He was a retired grocery store owner and operator. Survivors include his widow, Mrs. Agnes Snyder of Helena; a son, Melvin Snyder of Helena; three daughters, Mrs. Lola Powell of Newport, Mrs. Dorothy Sander of Helena, and Mrs. Doris Ferguson of Dover, Ohio; two brothers, Odis Snyder and Robert L. Snyder, both of Helena; two sisters, Mrs. Louise Watson of West Helena and Edith Diane Call of Memphis; five grandchildren; and five great-grandchildren. Pallbearers were Alton Yancey, Kenneth Winfrey, Alan Levine, Sammy Brocato, Jack Milam, and Dennis Sullivan. Honorary pallbearers were John Robbins, Don Gatewood, Millard Hill, Mon Chin, Bill Bailes, John Hall, Dr. P. Vasudevan, Dr. P. Reddy Tukivakala, and Larry Barbee.