Miscellaneous obituaries from the Phillips County Progress, Helena, Phillips Co., AR, for the year 1997 Contributed for use in USGenWeb Archives by Barbara Stainback ************************************************************************ USGENWEB ARCHIVES NOTICE: These electronic pages may NOT be reproduced in any format for profit or presentation by any other organization or persons. Persons or organizations desiring to use this material, must obtain the written consent of the contributor, or the legal representative of the submitter, and contact the listed USGenWeb archivist with proof of this consent. The submitter has given permission to the USGenWeb Archives to store the file permanently for free access. http://www.usgwarchives.net ************************************************************************ Copyright 1997 Phillips County Progress. All rights reserved. Reprinted with permission of the Phillips County Progress, D.L. Bailey, editor and publisher. Phillips County Progress 631 Oakland Helena, AR 72342 phone 1-870-338-9114 ------------------------------------------------------------------------ MARCH 1 & 2, 1997 PAGE 5 THOMAS J. DAVIS Graveside service for Thomas Jefferson Davis of Junction City was conducted Fri. morning at Sunset Memorial Park. Brother Richard Roberts officiated. Arrangements were under direction of Roller-Citizens Funeral Home. Mr. Davis, 56, died Wed. at the Univ. of Ark. Medical Center in Little Rock. He was sel-employed and a native of Lee County. Survivors include his widow, Mrs. Janette Davis of Junction City; a daughter, Mrs. Sharon Pierce of Forrest City; a son, Jeffery Davis of Forrest City; a step-son, Bubba Jones of El Dorado; two step-daughters, Mrs. Lisa Moore of Bald Knob and Mrs. Tanya Prentice of Anniston, Ala.; his parents, Mr. and Mrs. Bill Davis of Lexa; three brothers, Bobby Davis of Lexa, Richy Davis of Eldorado, and Randy Davis of Bismarck; six grandchildren and four step-grandchildren. ROBERT McMILLIAN II Funeral service for Robert Cline "Robby" McMillian II of West Helena was conducted Thurs. afternoon at the Second Baptist Church. Rev. Rudy Davis officiated. Burial was in Sunset Memorial Park under direction of Roller Citizens Funeral Home. Little Robbie, 2, died Tues. at Children's Hospital in Little Rock. He was a lifelong resident of the Twin Cities. Survivors include his parents, Mr. and Mrs. Bobby McMillian of West Helena; two sisters, Breanne McMillan of West Helena and Morgan McMillian of West Helena; his maternal grandparents, Mr. and Mrs. Raymond Thomasson of Clarksdale; parental grandparents; Mr. and Mrs. M. McMillian of Belzoni, Miss.; his parental great grandmother, Mrs. Beatrice Howell of Bentonia, Miss., and a number of aunts, uncles, and cousins. Pallbearers were Jimmy Owens, Todd Slaughter, Murry Benton, and Jay Jones. Honorary pallbearers were Ricky Miller, Gary Dunlap, Robbie Travis, and Charles Harris. ------------------------------------------------------------------------ JULY 13, 1997 PAGE 2 BARBARA MARY GRAY Memorial service for Barbara Mary Gardner Gray of Marianna was conducted this afternoon at St. Andrews Episcopal Church in Marianna, under the direction of Roller-Citizens Funeral Home of Marianna. Burial was in Greenwood Cemetery, Lancaster, Penn. Mrs. Gray, 71, died at home. She was a retired employee of the Ark. Social Services. Survivors include four sons, Michael Gray of Cabot, Ark.; James Gray of Marianna; David Gray of Marianna, and Steven Gray of West Memphis; one sister, Betty Emerson of New Jersey; one brother, Carter Gardner of New Jersey and five grandchildren. The family requests that memorials be sent to St. Andrews Episcopal Church in Marianna. MRS. GWENDOLYN WHEELER Funeral service for Mrs. Gwendolyn Wheeler of West Helena was conducted Mon. morning at Roller-Citizens Funeral Home. The Rev. O. S. Cooper and the Rev. A. R. Majors officiated. Burial was in Sunset Memorial Park. Mrs. Wheeler, 66, died Thurs. at Helena Regional Medical Center. She was a housewife, a member of the Barton Baptist Church, and a native of Red Bay, Ala. Survivors include her husband, Charley Wheeler of West Helena; a son, Buddy Wheeler of Clarksdale, Miss.; two daughters, Mrs. Barbara Wheeler Ballard of Helena and Mary Wheeler Silvers of Orange Beach, Fla.; her mother, Mrs. W. A. Ginn of Helena; three sisters, Mrs. Sue Helton of Helton of Helena, Mrs. Peggy Brown and Mrs. Earnestine Odle of Marianna; three brothers, Freddie Ginn, Dwight Ginn and Howard Ginn, all of Helena; six grandchildren; 10 step-grandchildren; three great granchildren and six step-great-grandchildren. Pallbearers were Jeff Brandon, Bill Hamilton, J. L. Hudson, Louise Smith, Charles Ferguson, Allen Turner and Joe Melio. ------------------------------------------------------------------------ JULY 16, 1997 PAGE 4 MRS. LENA M. CANTRELL Graveside service for Mrs. Lena Mae Cantrell of West Helena was conducted Saturday morning at Sunset Memorial Park. The Rev. Tom Hale officiated. Arrangemetns were under direction of Roller-Citizens Funeral Home. Mrs. Cantrell, 100, died Thurs. at her home in West Helena. She was a native of Texas, a homemaker, and a member of the Nazarene Church of West Helena. Survivors include two daughters, Pauline Cantrell of West Helena and Alma Dean Cantrell of Germantown, Tenn.; three sons, Robert Cantrell of Germantown, Tenn., Bailey Cantrell of Bartleville, Ark., and Wallace Cantrell of San Antonio, TX.; two brothers, Wesley Beaty and John Beaty, both of Nashville, Tenn.; nine grandchildren and seven great-grandchildren. Pallbearers were Bailey Cantrell, Robert Cantrell, Wallace Cantrell, Richard Harger Jr., Richard Harger Sr., Blake Parrish, and Torrance Miller. WILLIAM McKINNEY Funeral service for William Harold "Willie" McKinney of West Helena was conducted Sat. afternoon at the West Helena Baptist Church. The Rev. Lee Castle and the Rev. Wilson Deese officiated. Burial was in Sunset Memorial Park under direction of Roller-Citizens Funeral Home. Mr. McKinney, 81, died Thrus. at his home in West Helena. He was a retired merchant and owner of M&M Glass Company. A native of Helena, Mr. McKinney was a former West Helena city councilman. He was also a Mason, a Lions Club member of long standing, a retired volunteer fireman, and a member of the West Helena Baptist Church, which he served as deacon. He was also a Navy veteran of WW II. Survivors include his widow, Mrs. Julia McKinney of West Helena; two sons, Julian C. McKinney of Hot Springs and Don R. McKinney of Florence, Ala.; seven grandchildren and 11 great-grandchildren. Pallbearers were Harold Chorley, Norman Kelly, W. A. Rogers, Ralph Warren, A.J. McDowell, Jery Pugsley, Ralph Short, and Julian Treadway. Honorary pallbearers were John Gregory, Sam Hall, R. E. McClendon, Harold Bailey, Frank Speck, J. M. Woods, and deacons of the West Helena Baptist Church. The family request any memorials be sent to the West Helena Baptist Church. ------------------------------------------------------------------------ JULY 19 & 20, 1997 PAGE 3 EUNICE CAROL BARMER Funeral service for Mrs. Eunice Carol Barmer of Mellwood was conducted Thurs. morning at Roller-Citizens Chapel. Burial was at Sunset Memorial Park. The Rev. Fred Garrison officiated. Mrs. Barmer, 49, died Mon. at Helena Regional Medical Center. She was a homemaker, member of the Elaine Baptist Church, and a native of Clarendon. Survivors include her husband, Buford Barmer of Mellwood; three sisters, Mrs. Patricia Manues of Mellwood, Mrs. Patricia Manues of Mellwood; Mrs. Darlene Ollison of Lambrook; Mrs. Linda Ollison of Lambrook; two nieces and one nephew. RODDY DEE BATY Funeral service for Roddy Baty of Marianna was conducted Thurs. afternoon at Roller-Citizens Chapel. Burial was at Marianna Memorial Park. The Rev. Fred Huffman officiated. Mr. Baty, 50, died Mon. at Crittenden Memorial Hospital. He was a mechanic for 4-F Construction Company and a native of Marianna. Survivors include his wife, Mrs. Maggie Baty of Marianna; one daughter, Mrs. Kelly Dee Young of Marianna; one step-son, Randy Lawson of Marianna; one brother, Cole Baty, Jr. of Atlanta, GA.; four sisters, Mrs. Inez Phillips of Marianna; Mrs. Earline Colvert of Motree, Ga.; Mrs. Cecil White of Immokalee, Fla., Mrs. Marie Vickers of Garden Grove, Calif. and three grandchildren. Pallbearers were Randy Jones, Scotty Jones, Bill Waldron, Ed Davis, Phillip Hankings, John Hamilton, and Nickie Voinche. Memorial may be made to the American Cancer Society. JIMMY ODELL HINDSLEY Graveside service for Jimmy Hindsley was conducted Thurs. afternoon at Sunset Memorial Park. The Rev. Schanon Caudle officiated. Arrangements were under the direction of Roller-Citizens. Mr. Hindsley, 80, died Tues. at Baptist East in Memphis, Tenn. He was a farmer, a veteran of WW II, a member of the Marvell First Baptist Church and a native of Lee County. Survivors include his wife, Mrs. Catherine Hindsley of Marvell; one daughter and son-in-law, Carolyn and Kenny Ellenburg of Greenbriar; one son and daugter-in-law, Odell and Sheila Hindsley of Marvell; two brothers, Ross Hindsley of Marvell; Harvey Hindsley of Marvell; four grandchildren and one great-grandchild. Memorials may be made to First Baptist Church of Marvell. ------------------------------------------------------------------------ AUGUST 6, 1997 PAGE 4 EDWARD GREGORY Funeral service for Edward T. "Dyke" Gregory of West Helena was conducted Mon. afternoon at Roller-Citizens Funeral Home Chapel. The Rev. Cornelia DeLee and Dr. Lee Castle officiated. Burial was in Sunset Memorial Park. Mr. Gregory, 70, died Sat. at Helena Regional Medical Center. He was a retired farmer, a native of Elaine, a Navy veteran of WW II and a member of the West Helena United Methodist Church. He was also a Shriner and a 32nd Degree Mason. Survivors include a son, David Lee Gregory of West Helena; three sisters, Mrs. Julia McKinney, Mrs. Mable Chambers, and Mrs. Vesta Brantley, all of West Helena; two brothers, Frank Gregory and Glen Gregory, both of West Helena; and his live-in attendant, Wilma Dillinger of West Helena. Pallbearers were Oscar Bradshaw, Phillip Gregory, Odie Gregory, Mark Brantley, Greg McKinney, Mitchell McKinney, and Paul Wheeley. Honorary pallbearers were Bill Pitchford, Homer Steinbeck, Bill Brandon, Raymond Von Kanel, Harry Steinbeck, Dr. M. A. McDaniel, and A. P. Broughton. The family request any memorials be made to the West Helena Methodist Church. ------------------------------------------------------------------------ SEPTEMBER 13 & 14, 1997 PAGE 5 BENNIE D. CHAMNESS Graveside service for Bennie D. Chamness of Hot Springs was conducted Fri. afternoon at Sunset Memorial Park. Brother Albert Travis officiated. Arrangements were under direction of Roller-Citizens Funeral Home. Mr. Chamness, 74, died Wed. at Beverly Help and Rehabilitation Nursing Home in Hot Springs. He was a native of Dexter, MO. and a retired riverboat captain. Survivors include a sister, Mrs. Vetrice Helen Kinsey of Buckville, Ark. and several nieces and nephews. WILLIAM C. ROBINSON William C. (Bill) Robinson of Memphis, a former West Helena resident, died Tues. at his home. He was 67 yrs. old. Mr. Robinson was a graduate of the Woodruff High School Class of 1947 and a graduate of the Univ. of Ark. where he received a degree in engineering. He was married to the former Analene Brown of West Helena, who survives him. Information on other survivors was not available at the time of this publication. ------------------------------------------------------------------------ The Phillips County Progress Helena - West Helena, Arkansas August 16 & 17, 1997 Page 5 MRS. MATTIE JONES BRACKIN Funeral services for Mrs. Mattie Jones Brackin of Greenville, Mississippi will be at 2 p.m. Saturday (today) at Roller-Citizens Chapel in West Helena. The Rev. Tom Allen will officiate. Burial will be at Sunset Memorial Park in West Helena. Mrs. Brackin, 87, died Monday at Delta Regional Medical Center in Greenville, Mississippi. She was the widow of Robert Brackin and a homemaker. She was a native of Missouri. Survivors include six daughters, Jackie Ermer & Carma McIntyre of Russellville, Pat Maranto of Hot Springs, Alice McCool of Greenville, Mississippi, Linda Allan of Sacramento, California, & Mary Holloway of McGehee; eight sons, Eddie Brackin of Helena, Robert Brackin of Beebe, Bill & Paul Brackin of Cleveland, Mississippi, Bob Brackin of Greenville, Mississippi, Nicky Brackin of Leland, Mississippi, Manual Brackin OF Santa Maria, California, and Frank Brackin of Sacramento, California; two sisters, Ethel Chilton of Poyner, Mississippi and Blanche Campbell of Poplar Bluff, Missouri; one brother, Floyd Jones of Poplar Bluff, Missouri; 33 grandchildren; and 18 great-grandchildren. Pallbearers will be the grandsons. ========= MRS. JEWEL MARIE LEE Funeral service for Mrs. Jewel Marie Lee of Lexa was conducted Tuesday afternoon at Roller-Citizens Chapel in West Helena. Burial was in Sunset Memorial Park in West Helena. The Rev. E. J. Pennington officiated. Mrs. Lee, 73, died Sunday at Baptist Memorial Hospital in Memphis. She was a homemaker, a native of Okalahoma and a member of the Antioch Baptist Church. Survivors include her husband, Fletcher M. Lee of Lexa; one son, Henry Edward Mason of Blytheville; two daughters, Mrs. Joan Rhodes of Hendersonville, Tennessee and Mrs. Alice Marie Diehl of El Dorado; one sister, Mrs. Peg Stafford OF Tyler, Texas; seven grandchildren and six great-grandchildren. Pallbearers will be Kris Hampton, Lonnie Mason, Destry Mason, Calvin Griffey, Sam Williams & J. Diehl. ========= BEN B. MANN Funeral service for Ben B. Mann of Pine Bluff was conducted Monday afternoon at Robinson and Son Funeral Home Chapel in Pine Bluff. The Rev. John Mann officiated. Burial was in Graceland Cemetery. Mr. Mann, 63, was the father of Mrs. Sandie Mann Henderson of Jonesboro; a former resident and teacher in the Helena--West Helena School District. Other survivors includes his widow, Mrs. Cleo Fitzhugh Mann of Pine Bluff; a son, Michael Mann of Brussels, Belgium; and four grandchildren. The family requests any memorials be made to the Area Agency on Aging Hospice or to the Carr Memorial United Methodist Church in Pine Bluff. =========== MRS. MARTHA FRANCES WELLS Funeral services for Mrs. Martha Frances Wells of West Helena was conducted Thursday afternoon at Roller-Citizens Funeral Home Chapel in West Helena. Burial was in Marvell Cemetery in Marvell. Services were officiated by the Rev. Larry Rice. Mrs. Wells, 58, died Wednesday at her residence in West Helena. She was employed with West Helena, Motor Company as Secretary-Bookkeeper and a member of Marvell Presbyterian Church. Survivors include her husband, Jack Wells, Jr. of West Helena; two sons, Jack Wells, III & Kirk Wells both of West Helena; one sister, Helen Shackelford of Postelle; one brother, Jarvis McNeely of Postelle; and 2 grandchildren.