Obituaries from the Pine Bluff Commercial, Pine Bluff, Jefferson Co., AR for 30 Aug 1997-30 Sep 1997 Contributed for use in USGenWeb Archives by Linda P. Smith <DougMIV@aol.com> ************************************************************************ USGENWEB ARCHIVES NOTICE: These electronic pages may NOT be reproduced in any format for profit or presentation by any other organization or persons. Persons or organizations desiring to use this material, must obtain the written consent of the contributor, or the legal representative of the submitter, and contact the listed USGenWeb archivist with proof of this consent. The submitter has given permission to the USGenWeb Archives to store the file permanently for free access. http://www.usgwarchives.net ************************************************************************ Copyright 1997 Pine Bluff Commercial. All rights reserved. Reprinted with permission of the Pine Bluff Commercial. ************************************************************************ Sat. 30 Aug. 1997 BETTY BELL North Monroe, Louisiana--Betty C. Bell, 93, of Monroe, formerly of McGehee, Arkansas, died August 27, 1997, at Monroe Nursing Home. She was born September 7, 1903, a daughter of the late R. A. and Effie Humphrey Vincent. She was a school teacher for 43 years, during that time she was a principal for eight years and high school counselor for 18 years. She received a bachelor's degree from Louisiana Tech and Arkansas Agricultural and Mechanical College (now University of Arkansas at Monticello). In 1951, she received a masters degree from the University of Arkansas. She served as a dean of women, counselor and English teacher at the University of Arkansas at Monticello and counselor at Bellaire Academy for several years. She was a member of the Ladies Auxiliary of United Transportation, a librarian at First United Methodist Church at McGehee, volunteer at McGehee-Desha County Hospital and blood bank and was chosen McGehee's Woman of the Year for 1982. She married Hester Bell in April 1952. He preceded her in death in March 1972. She was also preceded in death by a son, James Cruse; and three brothers, Robert Vincent, Troy Vincent, and Jack Vincent. Survivors include four sisters, Moise Taylor of Monroe, Helen La Valley of Massachusetts, Myrtle Brooks of Shreveport and Ruth Day of Dallas; three grandchildren; and four great grandchildren. Graveside services are scheduled for 2 p.m. Monday at McGehee Cemetery with the Rev. Joe Wilkerson officiating. Arrangements are by Griffin Funeral Service of McGehee. INIS KEELING Inis Keeling, 71, of Stuttgart, died August 28. 1997, at Stuttgart Regional Medical Center. She was born August 5, 1926. She was a member of First United Methodist Church at Stuttgart and United Methodist Women. She was preceded in death by a son, Bill Keeling, Jr. and a daughter, Kathy Keeling Harris. Survivors include five daughters, Sherry Mollenkoph of Dallas, Debby Keeling of San Antonio, Billye Ann Schafer of Orlando, Ellen Cowart of Stuttgart and Tammy White of Humnoke (Lonoke County); three brothers, Calvin Bailey of St.Louis, Clifford Bailey of Portageville, Missouri and Floyd Bailey of Swartz Creek, Michigan; four sisters, Lois Averill of Florrisant, Missouri, Darlene Baynes of St.Charles, Missouri, Rosemary Deevers of Savanna, Tennessee and Juanita Stanley of Caruthersville, Missouri; 13 grandchildren; and two great-grandchildren. Funeral services are scheduled for 2 p.m. Sunday at United Methodist Church in Stuttgart. Burial will be in Lone Tree Cemetery at Stuttgart. Visitation is from 6 until 8 p.m. today at Roller-England Funeral Home of Stuttgart. Memorials may take the form of donations to United Methodist Church or the Stuttgart Public Library. OLEN DOGGETT WARREN--Olen Doggett,80, of Warren, died August 29, 1997, at Bradley County Memorial Hospital. He was born October 22, 1916, in Bradley County, a son of the late Wesley Doggett and Bessie Moore Doggett. He had retired as a millright from Potlatch and was a member of Crossroads Baptist Church. He was preceded in death by three brothers, Devoy Doggett, Cliff Doggett, and Onice Doggett; and two sisters Maudie Spears and Marie Smith. Survivors include his wife, Margarette Louise Doggett, whom he married on May 21, 1938; three daughters, Catherine McDirmiad and Cindy Taylor, both of Warren and Wanda Curry of Crossett; a brother, Raymond Doggett of Warren; two sisters, Thelma Boykin of Bastrop, Louisiana, and Mary England of New Boston, Texas; eight grandchildren; and 10 great-grandchildren. Funeral services are scheduled for 2 p.m. today at Crossroads Baptist Church near Warren. Burial will be in Crossroads Cemetery by Frazer's Funeral Home of Warren. WILLIAM SMITH DUMAS--William David Smith, 46, of Dumas, died August 27, 1997, at Delta Memorial Hospital. He was born July 27, 1951, at Dumas, a son of Lillian Lorene Smith of Dumas and the late W. E. Smith. He was an upholsterer for Bassett furniture. Other survivors include two sons, Danny Smith of Florida and Joseph Smith of Dumas; a daughter, Heather Smith; a brother, Joe Paul Smith of Fayetteville; two sisters Ruth Ann McDaniel of Texas and Doris Smith of Wyoming; and a granddaughter. Funeral services are scheduled for 2 p.m. Sunday at Griffin Funeral Home of Dumas with the Rev. Steven Tiner officiating. Burial will be in Dark Corner Cemetery at Gould. Memorials may take the form of donations to Northside Baptist Church at Dumas. WILSON NORMAN Wilson Norman, 78, of Strong (Union County), died August 23, 1997, at the Medical Center of South Arkansas. Born November 8, 1918, at Urbana (Union County) he was the son of the late Jessie Norman and Ella Norman. Among his survivors are his wife, Mamie Norman; a daughter, Mamie Williams of Strong; two sons, Dennis Lee Norman of El Dorado and Lawrence W. Norman of Strong; 19 grandchildren; and 14 great-grandchildren. Funeral services will be today at 1 p.m. at Star Light Church of God in Christ at Strong with the Rev. Joseph McMurrian officiating. Burial will be in the Battes Chapel Cemetery at Strong by Reddick Funeral Home of Warren. ESTHER TUCKER MONTICELLO--Esther Tucker, 82, of Star City, died August 26, 1997, at Drew Memorial Hospital. Born April 12, 1915, at Winchester (Drew County), she was a daughter of the late John Tucker and Pauline (Mixon) Tucker. She was a Baptist and a homemaker. Survivors include a brother, Bernise Tucker of Winchester; and two sisters, Maple Blackmon of Little Rock and Johnnie Howard of Kansas City. Funeral services are scheduled for 2:30 p.m. Sunday at Watson District Headquarters at Mitchellville (Desha County) with Rev. Woodrow Jackson Sr. officiating. Burial will be in Caldwell Cemetery at Winchester. Visitation will be 5 to 7 p.m. today at Brown Funeral Home. The family will be at the home. LUCY OATES SAGINAW, Michigan--Lucy M. Perry-Oates, 82, of Saginaw, formerly of Pine Bluff, died at Saint Mary Hospital in Saginaw on August 24, 1997. Born July 15, 1919 at Pine Bluff, she was the daughter of the late Norman Perry and Ollie Black-Perry. She was a member of Saint Luke C.M.E. Church at Saginaw. She is preceded in death by her husband, Willie H. Oates; a daughter; two sisters, Norma L. Thompson of Dardanelle and Kitty P. Mumphrey of Pine Bluff; and a brother, Warner Perry of Saginaw. She is survived by two sons, Carl Oates of Detroit and Mark Oates of Saginaw; a daughter, Olive M. Oates of Saginaw; a brother, William D. Perry of Pine Bluff; and two sisters, Eursie C. Perry of Pine Bluff and Hilda M. Wilmington of Loraine, Ohio. Funeral services will be held today at Saint Luke C.M.E. Church in Saginaw with the Rev. Aaron McFadden officiating. Burial will be in Forrest Lawn Cemetery in Saginaw by Elsie Black Funeral Home of Saginaw. JAMES DAWKINS James Edward Dawkins, 67, of Warren, died August 28, 1997, at Jefferson Regional Medical Center. He was born November 1, 1929, in Bradley County, the son of the late Lamar "Jack" Dawkins and Velma Temple Dawkins. He was a baker for Merco Bakery Company in Little Rock. He was a member and deacon at Union Hopewell Missionary Baptist Church and was an Army veteran of the Korean War. He was preceded in death by a son, James Randall Dawkins. Survivors include his wife, Lee Ila Howsen Dawkins, whom he married on May 18, 1953, at Warren; a son, Ronald Dawkins of Warren; two brothers, Horace Dawkins of Oceanside, California, and Donnie Dawkins of Warren; three sisters, May Dean McMahon of Wilmar (Drew County), Shirley Williams of Oceanside, California, and Linda Henry of Monticello; and two grandchildren. Funeral services will be Sunday at 2 p.m. at Frazer's Funeral Home. Burial will be in Mosley Cemetery (near Warren). Visitation will be at 6 p.m. to 9 p.m. today at the funeral home. DORIS LAGRONE DERMOTT--Doris Williams Lagrone, 91, of Dermott, died August 29, 1997, at Dermott City Nursing Home. She was born July 13, 1906, in Ashley County; a daughter of the late John Williams and Priscilla Smith Williams. She was a member of Temple Baptist Church at Dermott. She was preceded in death by her husband, Luther B. Lagrone. Survivors include three sons, Luther E. Lagrone of Pine Bluff, Kenneth W. Lagrone of Bryant and Curtis B. Lagrone of Dermott; two daughters, Ouida Bean of Russellville and Della Jane Gladden of Dermott; a brother, Lee Williams of Smackover; 18 grandchildren; 26 great-grandchildren; and four step-grandchildren. Funeral services are scheduled for 2 p.m. Sunday at Temple Baptist Church at Dermott with Dr. James Lagrone officiating. Burial will be in Dermott Cemetery in Chicot County by Stephenson-Dearman Funeral Home. SAVELL EVERETT SR. DUMAS--Savell Everett Sr.,70, of Dumas, died August 22, 1997, at Delta Memorial Hospital. He was born March 28, 1927, a son of the late Cleveland Everett and Annie Sawyer Everett. Survivors include his wife, Viola Everett; five sons, Cleveland Everett of McGehee, Lee Everett and Clyde Everett, both of Dumas, Savell Everett Jr. of Pine Bluff and Anthony Everett of Memphis; four daughters, Barbara McGehee of Tillar, Emma Everett and Myrtle Everett, both of Dumas and Mary Agymang of Arlington, Texas; 22 grandchildren; and eight great-grandchildren. Funeral services are scheduled for 11 a.m. today at New Light Baptist Church at Pickens with the Rev. Ausby Larkin officiating. Burial will be in New Light Cemetery at Pickens by M. Davis Strickland Funeral Home of Dermott. THADEOUS MARTIN DERMOTT--Thadeous Martin, 82, of Dermott, died August 25, 1997, at his home. He was born October 20, 1914, at Corrilton, Mississippi, a son of the late Thadeous Martin and Pinkie Porter Martin. Survivors include his wife, Ozell Martin; six sons, Thadeous Martin Jr. of Chicago, Ocie Martin of Gulf Port, Mississippi, Otis Martin of Lansing, Michigan, Joel Martin of Crockett, Texas, Leroy Martin of Little Rock and Jerry Martin of Milwaukee; four daughters, Myrtle Marshal of Omaha, Jean Neal and Chionia Martin, both of Milwaukee and Ivonda "Pat" Freeman of Dermott; 27 grandchildren; and 25 great-grandchildren. Funeral services are scheduled for 1 p.m. today at Ash Street Baptist Church in Dermott with the Rev R. A. Austin officiating. Burial will be in Strickland Memorial Lawn Cemetery at McGehee by M. Davis Strickland Funeral Home of Dermott. ________________________________________________________ PINE BLUFF COMMERCIAL, SUNDAY, AUGUST 31,1997 Pine Bluff, Jefferson Co., Arkansas ALVIN TIPTON McGEHEE--Alvin Loyd *Bo* Tipton of Dermott, 69, died August 30, 1997, at McGehee-Desha County Hospital. Born July 9, 1928, at Haworth, Oklahoma, he was a son of Ike Tipton and Cora Tipton. Survivors include his wife, Pearl Joiner Tiptonn; three sons, Roger Tipton of Ashdown, David Tipton of Dermott, and Roland Tipton of Hot Springs; two brothers, Ernest Tipton of Idabel, Oklahoma, and Harold Tipton of Haworth, Oklahoma; two sisters, Laverne Acord of Idabel and Nell Nelson of Monett, Missouri; and three grandchildren. He was a member of the Dermott Church of Christ. Graveside services are scheduled for ll a.m. Monday at Dermott Cemetery by Griffin Funeral Service of McGehee. Memorials may be made to the Dermott Church of Christ at Main and Daniels streets, the American Parkinson Disease Association or American Diabetes Association JOE HOWSEN Joe Tom Howsen, 51, of 101 Park, died August 30, 1997, at Holly Grove. Born August 7, 1946, at Pine Bluff, he was a son of Nora Ethel Howsen of Pine Bluff and the late Troy Felton Howsen. He worked for Mad Butcher Store in Clarendon for over 20 years and was a manager. He attended First Christian Church in Pine Bluff. Other survivors include his wife, Bettye Howsen to whom he was married on April 4, 1970; a daughter, Renee Howsen of Pine Bluff; and a brother, Troy Jackson Howsen of Pine Bluff. Funeral services are scheduled for 3 p.m. Tuesday at First Christian Church with Dr. Jim Robinson officiating. Burial will be in Hickory Grove Cemetery in Star City by Hale-South Funeral Home. LOIS FORD SHERIDAN--Lois Ford, 90, of Redfield, died August 29, 1997, at Grant County Nursing Home. Born February 22, 1907, at Hartman, Arkansas, she was a daughter of the late George Russell and Rose Roberts Russell. She was a homemaker. She attended Cherrywood Assembly of God in Redfield and was a charter member of the church. She was preceded in death by her husband, a son and a daughter. Survivors include seven sons, Howard Hubbard and Jerry Ford, both of Redfield, Charles Hubbard of Romance, Kenneth Ford of Jacksonville, Alvin Ford of Calera, Oklahoma, and Phillip Ford of Comanche, Oklahoma; three daughters, Faye Moore of Comanche, LaVerne Little of Petrolia, Texas, and Juanita Hughes of Redfield; 30 grandchildren; 31 great-grandchildren; and two great-great-grandchildren. Funeral services are scheduled for 10 a.m. Tuesday at Cherrywood Assembly of God in Redfield with the Rev. Glen Flemmons officiating. Burial will be in Redfield Cemetery by Hale-South Funeral Home. Visitation will be from 6 to 8 p.m. Monday at the funeral home. The family will be at 1421 Becky Lane and 516 Mill Street in Redfield. ________________________________________________________ Mon, 1 Sep 1997 PINE BLUFF COMMERCIAL MONDAY, SEPTEMBER 1. 1997 Pine Bluff, Jefferson Co. Arkansas GEORGE JONES SR. LITTLE ROCK--George Stephen Jones Sr, 78, of Little Rock, died August 30, 1997, at Little Rock. Born October 22, 1918, at Pine Bluff, he was a son of the late Emory Jones and Lela Mae Jones. Reared and educated in Pine Bluff, he attended Pine Bluff schools. He was a World War II Army veteran. He worked for the Pine Bluff Arsenal for several years before working as an independent contractor in Pine Bluff. He later worked for the National Center for Toxicological Research in the maintenance department, retiring in 1984. He moved to Little Rock shortly after he retired. He was a Baptist, a member of the Jacob Brump Lodge 160 and the Eastern Star. He was preceded in death by his first wife, Thelma Nutt Jones who died May of 1965. Survivors include his wife, Mary Elaine Spencer Jones whom he married in McCrory ini the late 1970s; four sons, Billy Jones of Crossett, George Jones Jr. of Sherwood, Raymond Jones of Baumholderl, Germany, and David Jones of Pine Bluff; three daughters, Norma Reeves of Murphysboro, Illinois, Marilyn Whitehurst of North Little Rock and Carolyn Smith of Flower Mound, Texas; a brother, Thomas Jones of Pine Bluff; a sister, Estelle Williams of Los Angeles; 13 grandchildren; and 10 great-grandchildren. Funeral services are scheduled for 10 a.m. Tuesday at the chapel of Ralph Robinson & Son Funeral Directors with Dr. Bryan Webb officiating. Burial will be in Bellwood Cemetery with Masonic Rites by Jacob Brump Lodge. ______________________________ EARNEST WATKINS Earnest Allen Watkins, 37, of Gould, died August 25, 1997, at his home. Born June 28, 1960, in Helena, he was a son of Iola Miller of Gould and the late J. D. Watkins. He was a Baptist. Other survivors include three brothers, Eddie Trotter of St. Louis, Alex Thomas and Rickey Wright, both of Gould; two sisters, Doris Wright of St. Louis and Margaret Wright of Gould. Funeral services are scheduled for 11 a.m. today at Washington Dolls Funeral Home in Dumas with the Rev. George Toney officiating. Burial will be in Union Cemetery. _______________________________ APRIL WILLIAMS MONTICELLO--April Anne Williams 29, of Ocoee, Florida, formerly of Monticello, died August 27, 1997, at Ocoee. Born February 6, 1968, at Little Rock, she was a daughter of James W. Abston and Barbara White Abston, both of Monticello. She was a Wal-Mart pharmacist and a member of First United Methodist Church at Monticello. Other survivors include her husband, Bill Williams; and a brother, J. Alan Abston of Little Rock. Funeral services are scheduled for 10 a.m. Tuesday at Stephenson-Dearman Funeral Home in Monticello with the Rev. Bill Elliott and Rev. Gordon Donham officiating. Burial will be in Oakland Cemetery in Monticello. __________________________________ JOHN PAUL FOWLER SR. John Paul *J. P.* Fowler Sr., 45, of Texarkana, formerly of Pine Bluff, died August 29,1997, at his home. Born August 8, 1952, at Wabbaseka, he was a son of Dorothy Bogy Hillhouse of Star City and the late Lewis Fowler. He attended Wabbaseka schools and was a member and deacon of Pine Grove Baptist Church. He worked for International Paper Company at Pine Bluff and was a member of the Local Union 898. He was also preceded in death by a brother, Lewis P. Fowler. Survivors include his wife, Phyl Cobb Fowler; four sons, John Paul Fowler of Galveston, Texas, Kitt Fowler of Texarkana, Kenny Anderson and Kevin Anderson, both of England; three daughters, Christy Fowler of Magnolia, Sandy Cimino of England, and Samantha Stallsworth of San Diego; three brothers, Lynn Fowler, Clifford Fowler, and Tony Fowler, all of Pine Bluff; two sisters, Nancy Allen of Texarkana, and Betty Ann Marks of Pine Bluff; and four grandsons. Funeral services are scheduled for 3 p.m. Tuesday at Pine Grove Baptist Church with the Rev. John Akers and the Rev. Billy Burks officiating. Burial will be in Flat Bayou Cemetery by Cranford Funeral Home of White Hall. _____________________________ BEATRICE INGRAM Graveside services for Beatrice Ingram, 87, who died August 28,1997, at Pine Bluff are scheduled for Tuesday at 11 a.m. at Miller Memorial Cemetery with the Rev. Leon Bryant officiating. Arrangements are by P. K. Miller Mortuary. Born October 2, 1909, at Shaw, Mississippi, she was a daughter of the late Leroy Burns and Bessie Burns. She received her early education in the public schools of Mississippi and was a homemaker. She was a member of St. Peter's Rock Baptist Church and was a former member of Mount Zion Baptist Church in Youngstown, Ohio. She received several awards and special recognition for her church work and her singing. Survivors iinclude a sister, Juanita Russell of Pine Bluff; and two nieces, Vera Taylor of Pine Bluff with whom she lived, and Bessie Denton of Pine Bluff who helped take care of her. ________________________ Submitted by Linda P. Smith DougMIV@aol.com _________________________________________________________ Sept. 2, 1997 PINE BLUFF COMMERCIAL TUESDAY SEPTEMBER 2, 1997 Pine Bluff, Jefferson Co. Arkansas JILL HILL LITTLE ROCK--Jill Orlemann Hill,52, of Sheridan, died August 31, 1997, at St Vincent Infirmary Medical Center. Born June 2, 1945, at Oak Ridge, Tennessee, she wa a daughter of the late Edwin Orlemann and Vivian Halsey Orlemann. She was a member of First Baptist Church and a homemaker. Survivors include her husband, Fred Hill; a son, Steven Hill of Fort Sill, Oklahoma; three daughters, Janet Fleming and Melinda Choate, both of Sheridan, and Pamela Balser of Medland, Pennsylvania; a brother, Jim Orlemann of San Pablo, California; a sister, Jean Daoust of El Cerrito, California; and six grandchildren. Funeral services are scheduled for 2 p.m. Wednesday at Buie Funeral Home of Sheridan with Dr. Ed Simpson officiating. Burial will be in Bethel South Cemetery near Sheridan. __________________________ RUTH WEST Ruth West, 79, of 5210 Ohio Street, died September 1, 1997 at Jefferson Regional Medical Center. Born December 28, 1917 in Italy, Texas, she was a daughter of Bessie Hurst South of Pine Bluff and the late S. E. South. She was a member of First Baptist Church at Pine Bluff, where she was superintendent of the Junior Sunday School Department. She also taught Sunday School for several years in the Junior Department. She served on the board at Trinity Village for six years and was active in volunteer services for 18 years at Trinity. She was preceded in death by a brother, S. E. South Jr. Other survivors include her husband, Wilbur C. West, whom she married on February 14, 1942; three daughters, Evelyn Menz of Little Rock; Ruth McNulty and June Spakes of Pine Bluff; a brother, Spence South of Arlington, Texas; three grandchildren and four great-grandchildren. Funeral services are scheduled for 10 a.m. Wednesday at First Baptist Church with the Rev. John McClanahan and the Rev. Gordon Topping officiating. Burial will be in Graceland Cemetery by Hale-South Funeral Home. _____________________________ Submitted by Linda P. Smith DougMIV@aol.com ___________________________________________________________ Sept. 3, 1997 PINE BLUFF COMMERCIAL WEDNESDAY, SEPTEMBER 3, 1997 Pine Bluff, Jefferson Co. Arkansas NELL DUNCAN (picture included) HOMER, Louisiana--Mary Nell Thomas Duncan, 45, of Houston, formerly of Pine Bluff, died September 1, 1997, at Homer Memorial Hospital. She was born at Shreveport on September 17, 1951, a daughter of Robert Pitts and Janie Mitchell Thomas of Gibsland, Louisiana. She was baptised on May 8, 1960, at First Baptist Church at Gibsland and was a graduate of Gibsland High School and Louisiana Tech University. She played on the girls basketball team in high school and won many trophies. She also was a 4-H Club member and was the first girl to win the annual Louisiana State Sweet Potato Judging and Marketing contest. She and her family moved to Pine Bluff, where they joined Immanuel Baptist Church. She worked for the church as a personal secretary to the Rev. Mike Huckabee, who was pastor of the church then. She also taught a Sunday School class for high school girls. She was a lifeguard at their community swimming pool, a member of the Pine Bluff Christian Women's Club and the John McAlmont Chapter, the Daughters of the American Revolution. Other survivors include her husband, Kenneth Walton Duncan, to whom she was married for 27 years; three sons, Thomas Edwin Duncan of Arkadelphia, Arkansas, and Timothy Bartlett Duncan and Kenneth Todd Duncan and Kenneth Todd Duncan, both of Houston; a brother, Robert P. Thomas Jr., of Gibsland; and a sister, Susan Thomas Williams of Friendswood, Texas. Funeral services are scheduled for 2 p.m. today at First Baptist Church at Gibsland with the Rev. Mike Huckabee, governor of Arkansas, officiating with assistance by Rudy Junek and Dr. Richard May. Burial will be in Gibsland Cemetery by Roseneath Funeral Home of Arcadia, Louisiana. ____________________________ HELEN TAYLOR MCGEHEE--Helen Loftis Taylor, 81, of Dermott, died September 1, 1997, at Desha County Hospital at McGehee. She was born at Booneville on February 29, 1916, a daughter of the late Rudolphus and Martha Self Loftis. She was a resident of Dermott for most of her life, a homemaker and a member of Temple Baptist Church of Dermott. Survivors include a son, Melvin Taylor of Crossett; two daughters, Kathryn McDaniel Garner of Dermott and Joyce Wallace of Heber Springs; 11 grandchildren; and 17 great-grandchildren. Funeral services are scheduled for 2 p.m. today at Temple Baptist Church with the Rev. Jody Gannaway officiating. Burial will be in Dermott City Cemetery by Steele Funeral Home of Dermott. _______________________________ OSCAR COPE RISON--Oscar Luther Cope, 81, of Woodlawn (Cleveland County), died September 2, 1997, at Cleveland County Nursing Home at Rison. He was born at Woodlawn on January 17, 1916, a son of the late Luther O. Cope and Ulia Marie Camp Cope. He was a member of Civilian Conservation Corps in 1939, a truck driver and a former employee of the Pine Bluff Arsenal. He was a member of Friendship Missionary Baptist Church, near Woodlawn, and went to Woodlawn schools. He was preceded in death by three brothers, Quinton "Pete" Cope, Edward J. Cope and John Alfred Cope; and a sister, Elvira Cope. Survivors include two brothers, Clint Cope of Pine Bluff and Billy Cope of Woodlawn; four sisters, Allie Snowden, and Marguerite Terry, both of Woodlawn, and Dena Mae Phillips and Erma Wolfe, both of Pine Bluff. Graveside services are scheduled for 10 a.m. Thursday in Friendship Cemetery near Woodlawn with the Rev. Jackie Richardson officiating. Burial will be handled by Buie Funeral Home of Rison. __________________________ BETTY REYNOLDS LONGVIEW, Texas--Betty Jo Reynolds, 70, of Longview, Texas, died September 2, 1997, at a local nursing home. She was born at Halley, Arkansas, on April 17, 1927, a daughter of the late James and Benzie Cooper. She was a resident of Longview for a year, coming from Texarkana, Arkansas. She was a retired employee of Douglas Aircraft, where she was a riveter for 23 years. She was a Baptist. Survivors include her husband, Clyde Reynolds; three sons, Gordon Birchfield of Little Rock, Larry Birchfield of Corona, California, and Roger Birchfield of Texarkana, Arkansas; four stepsons; a stepdaughter; and six grandchildren. Funeral services are scheduled for 2 p.m. Thursday at Rader Funeral Home at Longview with the Rev. Gary Orr officiating. Additional services will be at 2 p.m. Friday at Halley Baptist Church with Gene Gregory officiating. Burial will be in Halley Cemetery by Griffin Funeral Service of McGehee, Arkansas. ______________________________ THELMA KNIGHT DUMAS--Thelma Louise Knight, 80, of Gould, died September 2, 1997, at Delta Memorial Hospital. She was born September 5, 1916, at Newport, a daughter of the late Will Shepherd and Annie McGarity. She was a homemaker and a member of Landmark Missionary Baptist Church at Gould where she was in the Ladies Auxiliary. She was preceded in death by her husband, Coleman W. Knight, and a son, Jimmy Knight. Survivors include two sons, Wayne Knight of Cabot and Danny Knight of Pine Bluff; two daughters, Eloise Raley of Calmer and Catherine Bradley of Pine Bluff; a brother, Julius Shepherd of Redfield; two sisters, Lena Bradshaw of Redfield and Lillie Mae Tackett of Little Rock; 14 grandchildren; and 19 great-grandchildren. Funeral services are scheduled for 3 p.m. Thursday at Landmark Missionary Baptist Church with the Rev. Dub Byers and the Rev. Jim Smith officiating. Burial will be in Dark Corner Cemetery at Gould by Griffin Funeral Home of Dumas. _______________________________ MAMIE WILKERSON ALEXANDER--Mamie E. Wilkerson, 87, of Pine Bluff, died in her niece's home in Alexander (Pulaski County) where she was living, September 2, 1997. Born May 6, 1910, at Pine Bluff, she was the daughter of the late George Washington Roller and Octavia Roller. She was a member of River Road Baptist Church at Redfield. She is survived by a brother, Arthur Roller; and a niece, Shirley Ellis of Alexander, with whom she lived and who was her caretaker. Funeral services will be Thursday at 1 p.m. at Griffin Leggett Healy & Roth Funeral Home at 5800 West 12th Street in Little Rock. Burial will be in the Roselawn Cemetery. ___________________________ Submitted by Linda P. Smith DougMIV@aol.com ___________________________________________________________ Sept. 4, 1997 PINE BLUFF COMMERCIAL THURSDAY, SEPTEMBER 4, 1997 Pine Bluff, Jefferson Co. Arkansas WILLIAM TRIPPE JACKSONVILLE--William M. Trippe, 51, of Jacksonville, died September 2, 1997, at Beverly Health & Rehabilitation. He was born at Dermott on May 2, 1946, a son of the late William Fletcher and Edith B. Jackson. Survivors include two brothers, Robert Trippe of Jacksonville and Thomas Trippe of Tampa. Graveside services are scheduled for 10 a.m. Friday in Trippe Cemetery at McGehee with the Rev. Joe Wilkerson officiating. Burial will be handled by Griffin Funeral Service of McGehee. _________________________________ OLLIE BENNETT RISON--Ollie Mae Bennett, 99, of Pine Bluff, died September 2, 1997, at Cleveland County Nursing Home. She was born in Grant County on February 13, 1898, a daughter of the late George W. Wingard and Levina Melton Wingard. She received her early education in the Union area and moved to Pine Bluff in 1958. She was a homemaker and a member of Oak Park Church of Christ. Survivors include two sons, Hiram C. Bennett Jr. of Pine Bluff and James E. Bennett Sr. of Star City; a daughter, Ollie Jeane Martin of Cresson, Texas; a half brother, Edward Wingard of Pine Bluff; 17 grandchildren; and 28 great-grandchildren. Graveside services are scheduled for 3 p.m. today in Owens Cemetery at Pine Bluff with the Rev. Gary Martin officiating. Burial will be handled by Ralph Robinson & Son Funeral Directors of Pine Bluff. _______________________________ TIFFANY CLARK-SMITH BANKS--Funeral services for Tiffany Shalond Clark-Smith, 21, of Warren, who died September 1, 1997, at her home, are scheduled for 2 p.m. Saturday at First Baptist Church at Banks with the Rev. Larry Hines officiating. Burial will be in Childs Cemetery at Banks by Reddick Funeral Home of Warren. She was born on June 23, 1976, a daughter of Steven Clark of Lake Village and Carolyn Hilton of North Little Rock. Other survivors include a son, Justin D. Clark of Warren; a sister, Stephanie Clark of North Little Rock; a grandmother, Reber Clark; and a stepfather, Jeromy Hilton of North Little Rock. _______________________________ DOROTHY EDERINGTON WARREN--Funeral services for Dorothy Ederington, 54, of Warren, who died August 29, 1997, at Jefferson Regional Medical Center, at Pine Bluff, are scheduled for 11 a.m. Saturday at Mount Zion Missionary Baptist Church at Warren with the Rev. Silas Warner officiating. Burial will be in ElBethel Cemetery at Warren by Reddick Funeral Home of Warren. She was born at Warren on September 8, 1942, a daughter of Romelia Davis of Warren and the late General Davis. Other survivors include her husband, Johnny Ederington; two sons, Steven Newton and Jerry Ederington, both of Warren; a daughter, Dorothy Brown of Warren; a brother, Larry Davis of Jacksonville; three sisters, Betty Mitchell and Bobbie Hudson, both of Warren, and Joann Hampton of St. Louis. __________________________________ Submitted by Linda P. Smith DougMIV@aol.com ________________________________________________________ Sept. 5, 1997 PINE BLUFF COMMERCIAL FRIDAY, SEPTEMBER 5, 1997 Pine Bluff, Jefferson Co., Arkansas KEITH BOHANNER (photo included) GRADY--Funeral services for Keith L. Bohanner, 18, of Grady, who died September 1, 1997, from injuries received from a car accident on Highway 65-South, are scheduled for 11 a.m. Saturday at Damascus Baptist Church at Grady with the Rev. Robert Scott officiating. Burial wil be in Lincoln Memorial Cemetery at Varner by P. K. Miller Mortuary of Pine Bluff. He was born at Milwaukee on February 3, 1979, a son of Annette Brooks of Grady. He received his early education in Grady schools and graduated from Grady High School in 1997. He was a student at the University of Arkansas at Pine Bluff. He was a member of Damascus Baptist Church and worked for Tyson Foods. Other survivors include a sister, Nina M. Brooks of Grady. __________________________________ FRANCES JASPER MILWAUKEE--Frances Jasper, 88, of Star City, Arkansas, died August 31, 1997, at Columbia Hospital at Milwaukee. She was born at Dumas, Arkansas, on May 27, 1909, a daughter of the late Alexander Anderson and Luella Goodman Anderson. She was a member of St. Harmony Baptist Church at Meroney, Arkansas, where she had been president of the Mission Society and was a member of the choir and the Deaconess Board. She was preceded in death by her husband, Luther Jasper Sr Survivors include eight sons, Luther Jasper Jr. of Gould, Arkansas, Elder Julian Jasper, Charles Jasper and Cleotis Jasper, all of Milwaukee, Delano Jasper of Pomona, California, Glenn Jasper of Sherman Oaks, California, and John Jasper and Donald Jasper, both of Pine Bluff; seven sisters, Donnie J. Holley of Dumas, Arkansas, Claudene J. Racy of Mitchellville, Arkansas, Lonnie J. Adams, Juanita J. Wade, Florence J. Johnson and Girthene Thompson, all of Milwaukee, and Frances Jackson of Memphis; 62 grandchildren; 74 great-grandchildren; and eight great-great- grandchildren. Funeral services are scheduled for 11 a.m. Saturday at Gould High School Gymnasium with Elder Julian Jasper officiating. Burial will be in Rose Hill Cemetery at Meroney by Brown Funeral Home of Dumas. ________________________________ WILLIE PATTON CAMDEN--Funeral services for Willie Beatrice Patton, 92, of Camden, who died August 31, 1997, at Union Medical Center at El Dorado, area scheduled for 11 a.m. Saturday at Shiloh Baptist Church at Camden with the Rev. H. Earl Anderson officiating. Burial will be in Rest Haven Cemetery at Camden by Brown Funeral Home of Pine Bluff. She was born at Luna Landing on February 3, 1905, a daughter of the late Ollie and Margaret Brooks. She was a homemaker, a member of Shiloh Baptist Church of Camden and the Eastern Star. She was preceded in death by her husband, Daniel Patton. Survivors include a son, Henry Thomas of El Dorado; two daughters, Ruby Montgomery and Edna Fisher, both of Chicago; a sister, Daisy Kemp of Gary Indiana; and 14 grandchildren. _________________________________ MARVIN MORRIS LITTLE ROCK--Marvin "Cat" L. Morris, 85, of Sheridan, died September 4, 1997, at Baptist Medical Center here. He was born in Grant County on February 24, 1912, a son of the late Marshall and Elizabeth Michael Morris. He was a fireman at the Pine Bluff Arsenal and was a member of Gavel Lodge 532 at Sheridan. He served in the Army during World War II. Survivors include a son, Jerry Morris of Redfield; two daughters, Dorothy Ausbrooks of Little Rock and Betty Mann of Pine Bluff; a sister, Ruby Rutherford of Port Arthur, Texas; 15 grandchildren; and 12 great-grandchildren. Graveside services are scheduled for 2 p.m. Saturday in Jackson Cemetery in Grant County with Albert Michael officiating. Hale-South Funeral Home of Pine Bluff is handling the arrangements. __________________________________ WALTER SINGLETON DEERFIELD BEACH, Fla--Walter H. Singleton, 71, of Deerfield Beach, Florida, died September 3, 1997, at his home. Born September 8, 1925, at Houston, he was a son of the late George Singleton and Vivian Hobbs Singleton. He served in the Navy as a pilot and was a retired nursing home proprietor with facilities in Camden, El Dorado, Warren, McGehee, Monticello and a nember of cities in Texas. Survivors include his wife, Sharline Wheeler Singleton, whom he married February 22, 1948, in New Mexico; two sons, Ham Singleton of Camden and Jeff Hansen of Simpsonville, Georgia; seven grandchildren; and three great-grandchildren. Graveside services are scheduled for 2 p.m. Sunday in Oakland Cemetery at Warren. ________________________________ SAMUEL CURTIS MONTICELLO--Samuel Allen Curtis, a son of Paul Samuel and Amanda Tate Curtis of Dumas, was born and died September 2, 1997, at Drew Memorial Hospital. Other survivors include a brother, Wayne Curtis of Dumas; grandparents, Gary Tate of Monticello and Annette Tate and Gil and Irma Nelson, all of Dumas; and great-grandparents, Billy Taylor of Monticello and Margie Amos of Dumas. Graveside services are scheduled for 10 a.m. Saturday in Walnut Lake Cemetery at Dumas with the Rev. Ray Williams officiating. Griffin Funeral Home of Dumas is handling the arrangements. ________________________________ VELTON MUMPHREY Funeral services for Velton Mumphrey, 82, of Pine Bluff, who died August 28, 1997, at her home, are scheduled for 11 a.m. Saturday at Brown Funeral Home at Pine Bluff with the Rev. Charles Daniel officiating. Burial will be in New St. Hurricane Cemetery at Pine Bluff. She was born at Arcadia, Louisiana, on May 7, 1915, a daughter of the late Willie and Bertha McLuster Lynn. She was a homemaker and a Baptist. She was preceded in death by her husband, Leonard Mumphrey. Survivors include a cousin, Phyllis Daniel of Pine Bluff. __________________________________ ROBERT CAMPBELL STAR CITY--Robert B. "Pop" Campbell, 74, of Star City, died September 3, 1997, at Gardner Nursing Home at Star City. He was born at Amherst, Virginia, on July 7, 1923, a son of the late John Robert and Katie Bell Moyer Campbell. He was a retired iron worker and a Methodist. He was preceded in death by a granddaughter. Survivors include his wife, Doris Epperson Campbell; three daughters, Brenda Carter of Star City and Linda Krebs and Shirley Jacobs, both of Baltimore; nine grandchildren; and a great-grandchild. Funeral services are scheduled for 2 p.m. Sunday at the family's home on Bradley Street at Star City with Johnny Powell officiating. The body was cremated. Griffin Funeral Home of Star City is handling the arrangements. __________________________________ SAHVANNAH RASH WARREN--Sahvannah Daelynn Rash, infant, of Monticello, died September 2, 1997, at Bradley County Hospital. Born September 2, 1997, at Bradley County Hospital, she was a daughter of Clayton Robert Thomas Rash and Amanda Joy Cater Rash, both of Monticello. Other survivors include paternal grandparents, Ronnie and Kathy Boykin of Monticello, maternal grandparents, Karen and Ronny Cater of Monticello; and great grand-parents Grace Derby, Eathel McDaniel and Arcola Todd, all of Monticello. She was preceded in death by her grandparents, Wm. A. "Bill" Rash and Jack McDaniel, Fred and Kathleen Nowlen, Jim and Margie Rash, and J. D. Cater. Graveside services are scheduled for 2 p.m. Saturday at Oakland Cemetery at Monticello with Rev. Major McLellan officiating. Funeral arrangements were handled by Stephenson-Dearman Funeral Home. ________________________________ Submitted by Linda P. Smith DougMIV@aol.com __________________________________________________________ PINE BLUFF COMMERCAL SATURDAY, SEPTEMBER 6, 1997 Pine Bluff, Jefferson Co. Arkansas HELEN SNELL (includes photo) Helen O'Steen Snell, 80, of Pine Bluff, died August 27, 1997, at Jefferson Regional Medical Center. She was born at Jonesboro on January 3, 1917, a daughter of the late Leland Edward and Dorothy Goss O'Steen. She was baptised when she was 12 years old and became a member of Second Baptist Church at Pine Bluff recently. She was a member of the Pine Bluff Art League. She was preceded in death by her husband, Riley Snell, who died in 1988. Survivors include two brothers, James O'Steen of Franklin, Tennessee, and Thomas L. O'Steen of Colonial Heights, Virginia. There were no services. Her body was donated to science. __________________________________ DR. ROBERT BULLOCH LAKE VILLAGE--Dr. Robert Thomas Bulloch, 67, of Lake Village, died September 4, 1997, at his home. He was born at Collins on April 26, 1930, a son of the late Thomas Bulloch and Velma Harris Bulloch. He was a medical doctor and a Methodist. He was a graduate of Monticello High School, the University of Arkansas at Monticello and the University of Arkansas School for Medical Sciences at Little Rock. Survivors include a daughter, Dr. Holly Thompson of New Zealand; a brother, Dr. Russell Bulloch of Monroe; and a grandchild. Funeral services are scheduled for 11 a.m. today at Stephenson-Dearman Funeral Home at Monticello with the Rev. Gary Harrison officiating. Burial will be in Oakland Cemetery at Monticello __________________________________ ISSAC JACKSON III GOULD--Issac Jackson III, 16, of Gould, died September 1, 1997, at Gould. He was born at Dumas on October 21, 1980, a son of Issac Jackson Jr. of Pine Bluff and Clara Jackson of Gould. He was a member of Thomas Chapel Baptist Church at Gould and attended Gould High School. He received many awards and recognitions including District 8-B All-District 1995 and 1996 UAM Running Weevil Classic Most Valuable Player (MVP). Other survivors include a brother, Edker Smith of Pine Bluff; two sisters, Sharon Smith and Lucretie Jackson, both of Gould; grandparents, Issac and Estella Jackson of Gould, and Willie James and Annie Joe HInson, both of Dermott; a step-mother, Brenda Jackson of Pine Bluff; and a stepbrother, Steve Whiteside of Pine Bluff. Funeral services are scheduled for 2 p.m. Sunday at A. L. Johnson Gymnasium at Gould with the Rev. Howard Bess officiating. Burial will be in Jericho Cemetery at Gould by Washington-Dolls Funeral Home at Dumas. ________________________________ BILL HIGGINS LITTLE ROCK--Bill Higgins, 78, of Warren, died September 5, 1997, at Baptist Medical Center at Little Rock. He was born at Broken Bow, Oklahoma, on July 22, 1919, a son of the late William T. Higgins and Almeda Partin Higgins. He was an Army veteran of World War II, a member of Immanuel Baptist Church at Warren and a retired mechanic for Potlatch Corporation. Survivors include his wife, Peggy Holbrook Higgins, whom he married at Neosho, Missouri, on September 27, 1942; a son, Ronnie Higgins of Warren; and two grandchildren. Funeral services are scheduled for 4 p.m. Sunday at Frazer's Funeral Home at Warren. Burial will be in Oakland Cemetery at Warren. _________________________________ MITTIE TINER MONTICELLO--Mittie McGough Tiner, 100, of Monticello, died September 5, 1997, at Drew Memorial Hospital. She was born at Possum Valley on May 26, 1897, a daughter of the late Thomas Devaney McGough and Geneva Loveless McGough. She was a homemaker and a member of Pleasant Springs Baptist Church at Monticello. She was preceded in death by her husband, Bob Tiner. Survivors include a son, Ben Tiner of Monticello; three daughters, Vonnie Edwards, Ann Tiner and Nell Camden, all of Monticello; two sisters, Thelma McGough and Ellen Rabb, both of Monticello; five grandchildren; and eight great-grandchildren. Funeral services are scheduled for 2 p.m. Sunday at Pleasant Springs Baptist Church with the Rev. Buddy Lemons officiating. Burial will be in Pleasant Springs Cemetery in Drew County by Stephenson-Dearman Funeral Home of Monticello. __________________________________ GORDON PRICE SR. MONROE, La.--Gordon Stephens Price Sr., 65, of Monroe, formerly of Warren, died September 5, 1997, at his home. He was born at Cornerville, Arkansas, on November 28, 1931, a son of the late Carl Ross and Ara Stephens Price. He was a retired banker and a member of First United Methodist Church of Monroe. He was preceded in death by a sister, Roberta Corrine Monk, and his stepmother, Mildred Watts Price. Survivors include his wife, Beverly Ann Poss Price, whom he married on March 7, 1954; two sons, Gordon Stephens Price Jr. of Meridian, Mississippi, and Keith Randolph Price of Shreveport; a sister, Lunetta Roberts of Lake Village, Arkansas; and three grandchildren. Funeral services are scheduled for 10 a.m. today at Prosperity United Methodist Church at Pansy, Arkansas (Cleveland County) with the Rev. Richard Poss and the Rev. Charles R. Jones officiating. Burial will be in Pansy Cemetery by Frazer's Funeral Home of Warren. ______________________________ WILLIE SIMMS GETHSEMANE--Funeral services for Willie Mae Simms, 91, of Little Rock, formerly of Gethsemane, who died September 4, 1997, at St. Vincent Infirmary Medical Center at Little Rock, are scheduled for noon Sunday at Oak Grove Baptist Church at Gethsemane with Curlee Mays officiating. Burial will be in Gethsemane Cemetery by Christian Way Funeral Home. She was born at Oxford, Mississippi, on May 19, 1906, a daughter of the late Alfonzo Houston and Melissa Oliver. She was a homemaker and a member of Oak Grove Baptist Church. She was preceded in death by her husband, Sammie Simms. Survivors include a son, James Simms of Gethsemane; a daughter, Carrie Johnson of Little Rock; two sisters, Lora Johnson of Tucker and Evelyn Flowers of Los Angeles; five grandchildren; 15 great-grandchildren; and four great-great-grandchildren. _________________________________ JULIAN CRUCE Julian Scott Cruce, 22, of Monticello, died September 4, 1997, at Jefferson Re gional Medical Center. He was born in Bradley County on June 3, 1975, a son of Julian Aaron Cruce of Star City and Janis Stevenson Cruce of Monticello. He was a Baptist and a forklift operator for Selma Oak Flooring at Monticello. Other survivors include two brothers, Jason Cruce of Warren and Donnie Mann of Pine Bluff; and two sisters, Tasha Cruce Angle of Monticello and Amie Mann Johnson of Alabama. Funeral services are scheduled for 4 p.m. Sunday at Stephenson-Dearman Funeral Home at Monticello with the Rev. Mike Griffith officiating. Burial will be in Bradley County. ________________________________ LILY CRANFORD CAMDEN--Lily Joan "Grannie" Cranford, 74, of New Edinburg, died September 4, 1997, at Ouachita County Hospital at Camden. She was born in Calhoun County on August 29, 1923, a daughter of the late Aaron P. and Blanche Stokes Jones. She was a homemaker and a member of Southside Baptist Church at Fordyce. Survivors include her husband, Fred Cranford; two sons, Bobby Holmes of Bismark and Steve Cranford of Calhoun, Louisiana; two daughters, Shirley Johnson of Monroe and Myrlon Frey of New Edinburg; two brothers, Junior Jones of Bossier City, Louisiana, and Robert Jones of Redfield; a sister, Willie Mae Baker of Ola (Yell County); eight grandchildren; and 16 great-grandchildren. Funeral services are scheduled for 2 p.m. today at Benton Funeral Home at Fordyce with the Rev. Roy Purdue and the Rev. Charles Jones officiating. Burial will be in Mt. Pleasant Cemetery near Thornton. ______________________________ HAZEL SELLERS Hazel Andrews Sellers, 75, of Monticello, died September 3, 1997, at Jefferson Regional Medical Center. She was born at Guy on May 7, 1922, a daughter of the late Gus Andrews and Lucy Battles Andrews. She was a homemaker and a Baptist. She was preceded in death by her husband, James R. Sellers, whom she married on April 28, 1942, at Grady and who died February 16, 1981. Survivors include two sons, John W. Sellers of Grady and James R. Sellers Jr. of Lake Village; two daughters, Shirley Moore of Pine Bluff and Pat Chaney of Flippin; 10 grandchildren; and three great-grandchildren. Graveside services are scheduled for 2 p.m. today at Hilo Cemetery near Hermitage in Bradley County by Frazer's Funeral Home at Warren. _______________________________ Submitted by Linda P. Smith DougMIV@aol.com ____________________________________________________________ PINE BLUFF COMMERCIAL SUNDAY, SEPTEMBER 7, 1997 Pine Bluff, Jefferson Co. Arkansas DOYLE TAYLOR WARREN--Doyle C. Taylor, 65. of Warren, died September 5, 1997, at his home. He was born March 13, 1932, in Bradley County, the son of Bessie Mae Taylor of Warren and the late Clyde Alexander Taylor. He was a retired skidder driver for Potlatch Corporation. He served in the Army during the Korean War. He was a member of the Immanuel Baptist Church and of Woodmen of the World. Other survivors are his wife, Dorothy Imogene Parnell Taylor, whom he married June 16, 1956, in Mississippi; two sons, Jerry Taylor and Jimmy Taylor, both of Warren; three brothers, Raymond Taylor and Thomas Taylor both of Wilmar, and Owen Taylor of Springdale; a sister, Maurice Anders of Hampton; and three grandchildren. Funeral services will be held at 10 a.m. Monday at Frazer Funeral Home at Warren. Burial will be in Oakland Cemetery. ________________________________ MATTIE LANE Mattie Delonia Lane, 82, of the Swan Lake community in Jefferson County, died September 5, 1997, at her home. She was born March 13, 1915, at Mill Bayou. She was a homemaker and a member of the Assembly of God. Survivors include her husband, Eddie Lane; six sons, A.J. Lane, Henry Lane, and George Lane, all of Swan Lake, Kenneth Lane of Cornerstone, Ralph Lane of Altheimer and Gene Chandler of Lewisville (Lafayette County); six daughters, Opal Bryant of Swan Lake, Betty Jackson, Helen Doolin and Linda Sawyer, all of Pine Bluff, and Shirley Henley and Rosie Ghere, both of Reydell; 29 grandchildren; and two great-grandchildren. Funeral services will be held at 10 a.m. Monday at Turpin Funeral Home at Stuttgart. Burial will be in Bayou Meto Cemetery by Turpin's Funeral Home of Stuttgart. _________________________________ OPHELIA STRICKLAND HAMPTON--Ophelia Strickland, 77, of Hampton (Calhoun County), died September 5, 1997, at her home. She was born October 7, 1919, in Calhoun County, a daughter of the late James Reddin and Anna Jones. She was a homemaker. Survivors include her husband, Clarence Strickland; two daughters, Peggy Holmes and Beth Perry, both of El Dorado; a brother, Clarence Reddin of Hampton; two sisters, Mercille Wells and Lillian Bowers, both of California; four grandchildren; and two great-grandchildren. Funeral services will be held at 2 p.m. today at First Baptist Church at Hampton with Howard Kisor officiating. Burial will be in Means Cemetery by Benton Funeral Home of Fordyce. _________________________________ JACKSON WATTS Jackson M. Watts, 88, of Pine Bluff died September 6, 1997, at Sunchase Nursing Home. Born February 14, 1909, at Pontotoc, Mississippi, he was the son of the late Robert D. Watts and Elizabeth L. Hardin Watts. He was reared and received his early education in Pine Bluff after moving from Pontotoc with his parents in 1910. He married Audrey Alice Walker on February 16, 1929, at Pine Bluff. He served in the Navy during World War II. He was a member of Christian Life Church. He was a member of Masonic Lodge 79. He retired from the Pine Bluff Arsenal in 1960 with 20 years of service. He was preceded in death by a daughter, Mary Jo Watts in1968 and a brother, Harry M. Watts. Survivors include his wife of 68 years, Audrey Watts, a son, Robert Jackson Watts of Houston; a daughter, Helen Brookshire of Pine Bluff; a brother, Hilburn Watts of Oklahoma City; a sister, Roberta Gray of Pine Bluff; six grandchildren; and five great-grandchildren. Funeral services will be held at 2 p.m. Monday at Ralph Robinson and Son Funeral Directors with the Rev. Bill Kiggins officiating. Burial will be in Memorial Park Cemetery. ____________________________________ JOE SMITH NEW EDINBURG--Joe Smith, 52, of New Edinburg, died September 6, 1997, at his home. Born February 4, 1945, at Warren, he was a son of the late James Winfield Smith and Dovie Mae Cheney Smith. He was a Baptist and a cemetery worker. Survivors include his wife, Francis Davis Smith, whom he married February 9, 1968, in Bradley County; a son, Jessie Joe Smith of Grady; two daughters, Peggy Smith and Bicky Smith, both of New Edinburg; and three brothers, James Hoover Smith of Houston, Everette Eugene Smith of Alexander (Pulaski County) and Connie Smith of Orange Park, Florida. Funeral services will be held at 10 a.m. Thursday at Frazer's Funeral Home at Warren. Burial will be in Oakland Cemetery. _____________________________________ ROY GILBERT McGEHEE--Roy B. Gilbert, 71, of McGehee, died at his home September 6, 1997. He was born May 17, 1926, in Drew, Mississippi, a son of the late Henry Virgil Gilbert and Elizabeth Warren Gilbert. He served in World War II and the Korean Conflict, attaining the rank of sergeant first class. He was a member of the Collins Baptist Church and president of the Desha County Senior Citizens group. Survivors include his wife, Kathleen Story Gilbert; a son, Gaylen Gilbert of McGehee; a daughter, Donna Baker of McGehee; a brother, J.P. Gilbert of Star City; a sister, Ruth Fortenberry of Dermott; and three grandchildren. Funeral services will be 2 p.m. Monday at Antioch Baptist Church of McGehee with Jim Bates and Scott Meshan. Burial will be in McGehee Cemetery by Griffin Services of McGehee. __________________________________ JARIN BRADLEY Graveside services for Jarin LaRay Bradley, 12 day-old-son of Vickie Dickson and Darin Bradley, who died September 3, 1997, at Mount Children's Hospital at Ann Arbor, Michigan, will be at 11 a.m. Monday in Forest Lawn Memorial Gardens with the Rev. John S. Montgomery officiating. Burial will be handled by P.K. Miller Mortuary. Jarin was born August 22, 1997, at Jefferson Regional Medical Center. Other survivors include three brothers, identical twin, Jordan LaRay Bradley and Christopher Geiggar, both of Pine Bluff, and Desmond Thomas of Pascagoula, Mississippi; one sister, Brittany Geiggar of Pine Bluff; his grandmother, Lula Dickson and Sylvester Jones, both of Pine Bluff; and his great-grandparents, Ernest and Frankie Pointer and Pearlie Dickson, all of Pine Bluff. __________________________________ JIMMY BAILEY SHREVEPORT--Jimmy Daniel Bailey, 35, of Shreveport, died September 5, 1997, at Willis Knighton Hospital at Shreveport. Born September 1, 1962, at Monticello, Arkansas, he was a son of Don and Joyce Bailey of Greenwood, Louisana. He was a heat set operator for Scapa Forming Fabrics at Shreveport. Other survivors include a brother, Steven Ray Bailey of Greenwood; and Opal Whitten of Star City, Arkansas and Hazel Bailey of Sulphur Springs, Arkansas. Funeral services will be held at 2 p.m. Tuesday at Star City by Griffin Funeral Home with Bill Johnson officiating. Burial will be in Hickory Grove Cemetery near Star City. ____________________________________ Submitted by Linda P. Smith DougMIV@aol.com ___________________________________________________________ PINE BLUFF COMMERCIAL TUESDAY SEPTEMBER 9, 1997 Pine Bluff, Jefferson Co., Arkansas EVA COLEMAN (Photo included) Funeral services for Eva Pauline Coleman, 71, of Pine Bluff, who died September 7, 1997, at Jefferson Regional Medical Center, are scheduled for 2 p.m. today at Ralph Robinson & Son Funeral Directors with the Revs. Ray Edmonson and Clyde Jones officiating. Burial will be in Cypress Memorial Gardens at Pine Bluff. She was born at El Dorado Springs, Missouri, on October 28, 1925, a daughter of the late Elmer D. and Elsie Jane Eidson Simonin. She was raised at El Dorado Springs and graduated from El Dorado Springs High School. She had been a resident of Pine Bluff since 1952. She had worked as a bookkeeper for Arthur Arney Construction Company, Hatcher Construction Company and Minchew Plumbing Company. She was a member of East Side Baptist Church and was a charter member and former president of the Women's Missionary Society at Centennial Baptist Church. She was a former president of Dollarway High School PTA and past president of the Pine Bluff Chapter of the National Association of Women in Construction. She was preceded in death by a brother, Roy J. Simonin; and a sister Martha Jane Brown. Survivors include two sons, Richard E. Coleman of Vicksburg and Robert D. Coleman of Little Rock; two daughters, Carol C. Lewis of Pine Bluff and Paula C. Smith of Batesville; a sister, Velma Dee Young of Kansas City; 12 grandchildren; and five great-grandchildren. ________________________________ JOHN THOMPSON WARREN--John F. Thompson, 77, of New Edinburg, died September 8, 1997, at Bradley County Memorial Hospital. He was born in Cleveland County on September 4, 1920, a son of the late John Robert Thompson and Florance Taylor Thompson. He was a retired Potlatch employee and a member of Macedonia Free Will Baptist Chirch near Warren. He served in World War II. He was preceded in death by a brother, J.D. Thompson; and two sisters, Cara Boney and Margarette Hall. Survivors include his wife, Jearline Howard Thompson, whom he married in Cleveland County on April 5, 1952; a son, Kenneth Thompson of New Edinburg; a daughter, Gloria Cornish of Warren; a brother, Bill Thompson of Michigan; two sisters, Bitha Barnes of New Edinburg and Rhodean Hopkins of Borger, Texas; and eight grandchildren. Funeral services are scheduled for 2 p.m. Wednesday at Frazer's Funeral Home at Warren with Victor Hunter and Billy Wilson officiating. Burial will be in Reaves Cemetery in Cleveland County. __________________________________ ALFRED BLOUNT Alfred Marion Blount, 68, of Hermitage, died September 8, 1997, at Jefferson Regional Medical Center. He was born at Dumas on May 18, 1929, a son of the late Albert James Blount and Mattie Frances McGee Blount. He was a retired carpenter and a Baptist. Survivors include his wife, Gwendolyn Harmon Blount, whom he married on July 11, 1992; three sons, James Blount of Leesville, Louisiana, and Mark Blount and Alfred Lee Blount, both of Slidell, Louisiana; a daughter, Sue Quisenberry of Leesville; four brothers, O.J. Blount of Alabama, Joe T. Blount of Lake Charles, Louisiana and Albert Lee Blount and Little Blount, both of Hermitage; two sisters, Ileader Hales of Monticello and Frances Kearney of Rowell; a stepdaughter, Sybil Kemp of Magnolia; and several grandchildren. Graveside services are scheduled for 2 p.m. Wednesday in Green Mount Cemetery near Star City. Arrangements are by Frazer's Funeral Home of Warren. ____________________________________ VELMA KNIGHTEN Funeral services for Velma Knighten, 94, of Pine Bluff, who died September 4,1997, at Jefferson Regional Medical Center, are scheduled for 2 p.m. Wenesday at Amos Chapel Baptist Church at Pine Bluff with the Rev. Robert Willis Jr. officiating. Burial will be in P.K. Miller Cemetery at Pine Bluff by Brown Funeral Home. She was born at Lorman, Mississippi on March 9, 1903, a daughter of the late Edward and Virginia Anderson. A homemaker, she was a member of Amos Chapel Baptist Church where she was a mother, deaconess and taught Sunday school and training union. She was a member of the Sisters of Charity, Order of the Eastern Star and of the neighborhood floral club. She was preceded in death by her husband, Cornelious Knighten. Survivors include a son, Ronald Knighten of Pine Bluff; two daughters, Amanda Neal of Dallas and Dorothy Glenn of Detroit; eight grandchildren; 18 great-grandchildren; and seven great-great-grandchildren. _________________________________ ORA RAY Ora Lou Ray, 91, of Pine Bluff, died September 8, 1997, at Jefferson Regional Medical Center. She was born at Hot Springs, a daughter of the late Charles Lee and Fannie Lee Forsee Corbett. She was raised and received her early education at Malvern, and moved to Warren with her family when she was 13 years old. She graduated from Warren High School attended Judkins Business College in Pine Bluff. She worked for Arkansas Power and Light Company at Pine Bluff for 17 years; serving in the advertising, personnel and public relations areas. She did special projects for the late Harvey Couch, first president of AP&L She and her husband moved to Natchez in 1949 and returned to Pine Bluff in 1956. She was a member of Lakeside United Methodist Church where she was church and financial secretary for 10 years. She served on the official board of the church, the 100th Anniversary and History Committee, was a life member of United Methodist Women and served as a Circle leader. She was active in the PTA and worked with the Girl Scouts at Pine Bluff. She was the organization chairman of the Pilot International Club chapter at Pine Bluff in 1938 and was the first president of Pine Bluff's Pilot Club. She served for two years as president and one as secretary. When she lived at Natchez, she was active in the PTA, Jefferson Street Methodist Church and some women's groups. She was preceded in death by her husband, John R. Ray, who died in 1979. Survivors include a daughter, Monica Lou Ray Coleman of Greenville; a sister, Gertrude Lovelace of Memphis; four grandchildren; and eight great-grandchildren. Funeral services are scheduled for 10:30 a.m. Wednesday at Lakeside United Methodist Church with the Revs. Charles Murry and Lynn Dyke officiating. Burial will be in Graceland Cemetery at Pine Bluff by Ralph Robinson & Son Funeral Directors. _________________________________ RONALD POTEET Ronald E. Poteet, 26, of Pine Bluff, died September 7, 1997, from injuries received in a car accident at Pine Bluff. He was born at Pine Bluff on July 19, 1971, a son of Ronald Eugene Poteet Sr. of Belleville, Illinois, and Brinda Charlton Grimes of Pine Bluff. He was raised and received his early education at Grapevine and Pine Bluff. He graduated from Watson Chapel High School in 1989, and was a self-employed painter. Survivors include his wife, Meredith "Dildy" Poteet, whom he married on February 25, 1995, at Pine Bluff; a brother, Brandon Grimes of Pine Bluff; a sister, Karla Easley of Pine Bluff; two half brothers, David Poteet and Troy Poteet, both of Des Moines, Iowa; a half sister, Nickie Poteet of Des Moines; a grandmother, Jean Johnson of Pine Bluff; two stepfathers, Kavin Grimes of Pine Bluff and Doc Easley of Grapevine; a stepgrandmother, Fannie Easley of Grapevine. Funeral services are scheduled for 2 p.m. Wednesday at Ralph Robinson & Son Funeral Directors with the Rev. Clyde Chenault officiating. Burial will be in Hedden Chapel Cemetery. _________________________________ CLAYTON HILL MONTICELLO--Clayton Henry Hill, 90, of Monticello, died September 7, 1997, at Drew Memorial Hospital. He was born at Clifton, Tennessee, on September 17, 1906, a son of the late Miles and Roxie Staggs Hill. He was a retired carpenter and a Methodist. Survivors include his wife, Sylvia Newell Hill; a son, Kenneth William Hill of Dallas; two daughters, Marion McCormick of Monticello and Margaret Jarrett of Lake Ozark, Missouri; a sister, Ruby Staggs of Lawrenceburg, Tennessee; a half sister, Lucy Pulley of Iuka, Mississippi; four grandchildren; and two great-grandchildren. Graveside services are scheduled for 4 p.m. Wednesday at Union Ridge Cemetery in Drew County by Stephenson-Dearman Funeral Home of Monticello. ____________________________________ DEMPSEY FLANERY SR. WARREN--Dempsey Bartley Flanery Sr., 92, of Warren, died September 8, 1997, at Bradley County Memorial Hospital. He was born at Pocahontas on May 6, 1905, a son of the late Demps Charles Flanery and Ella Lynch Flanery. He was a truck driver and a member of Landmark Missionary Baptist Church near Hermitage. He was preceded in death by his wife, Etta Fay Corpier Flanery, who he married on August 12, 1961, at Dallas. She died August 4, 1997. Survivors include five sons, Dempsey Bartley Flanery Jr. of Shreveport, Charles Flanery of Warren, Bo Flanery of Stuttgart and D.C. Flanery and David Flanery, both of Mesquite, Texas; a daughter, Leona Cantrell of Pine Bluff; two sisters, Viola Dooley of Biscoe and Marie Tanner of California; three stepdaughters, Linda Fay Porter of Shreveport, Billie Jean Siqiouin of Dover Plains, New York, and Patsy Meshell of Stonewall, Louisiana; and 30 grandchildren; 24 great-grandchildren; and two great-great-grandchildren. Funeral services are scheduled for 10 a.m. Wednesday at Frazer's Funeral Home at Warren. Burial will be at 3 p.m. Wednesday at Biscoe Cemetery at Biscoe (Prairie County). _________________________________ CLARA EVATT LITTLE ROCK--Clara Hawthorne Evatt, 87, of Conway, formerly of Waldron, died September 7, 1997, at Baptist Medical Center. She was born at Parks (Scott County), a daughter of the late Joe Hawthorne. She was a Baptist and had retired as a teacher from the Waldron School System and a graduate of the University of Arkansas at Fayetteville. She was a member of the Sew and Eat Club, the Waldron Garden Club, and the Order of the Eastern Star. Survivors include two sons, John F. Evatt Jr. of Pine Bluff and Donald Hawthorne Evatt of Conway; a sister, Jennie Hawthorne Garland of Los Cruces, New Mexico; three grandchildren; and five great-grandchildren. Funeral services are scheduled for 10 a.m. today at First Baptist Church of Waldron. Burial will be in Duncan Cemetery at Waldron by Martin Funeral Home at Waldron. ____________________________________ JENNIFER MITCHELL NEW EDINBURG--Jennifer Lynn Mitchell, 18, of Kingsland, died September 8, 1997, at New Edinburg from injuries received in a car accident. She was born at Pine Bluff on October 2, 1978, a daughter of Larry and Linda Crain Mitchell of Kingsland. She was preceded in death by a grandfather, Travis Crain. Other survivors include two brothers, Donald Mitchell and Ronald Mitchell, both of Kingsland; her paternal grandparents, Roy and Gladys Mitchell and maternal grandmother, Annleen Crain, all of Kingsland. Funeral services are scheduled for 2 p.m. Wednesday at First Baptist Church of Kingsland with the Rev. Gene Murdock officiating. Burial will be in Graves Cemetery near Kingsland by Benton Funeral Home at Fordyce. _________________________________ A CORRECTION PRINTED IN THIS PAPER JIMMY DANIEL BAILEY-- surviving grandparents Opal Whitten of Star City and Hazel Bailey of Sulphur Springs. Their relationship to him was not given in the obituary listed on Sunday Sept. 7, 1997. _________________________________ Submitted by Linda P. Smith DougMIV@aol.com ___________________________________________________________ PINE BLUFF COMMERCIAL WEDNESDAY SEPTEMBER 10, 1997 Pine Bluff, Jefferson Co., Arkansas MILTON CHEESMAN COLORADO SPRINGS, Colorado-- Milton C. Cheesman, 93, of Colorado Springs, died September 8, 1997, at Colorado Springs. He was born at Whitewater, Kansas on September 24, 1904, a son of the late Amos G. and Rachel Corfman Cheesman. He was a retired rancher. He lived in Colorado Springs since 1922 and ranched at the Black Forest and Divide areas in Colorado. He became a herdsman for Allen Cattle Company at Colorado Springs. He also showed registered Shorthorn cattle at the Chicago, Dallas-Ft. Worth and Denver Stock Shows. He was a life long member of the International Brotherhood of Electrical Workers and enjoyed hunting and fishing. He was preceded in death by two brothers, Charles "Chuck" Cheesman and John Cheesman; and a sister. Survivors include two sons, Dr. Samuel Cheesman of Pine Bluff and Robert Cheesman of Colorado Springs; two daughters, Rose Howell of Widefield, Colorado and Rachel Lyda of Fountain, Colorado; 11 grandchildren; 13 great-grandchildren; two great-great grandchildren; three step-great-grandchildren. Funeral services are scheduled for 1 p.m. Thursday at Swan Law Funeral Directors at Colorado Springs. Graveside services will be in Fairview Cemetery at Colorado Springs. ________________________________ JERRELL ODEN HEBER SPRINGS--Jerrell E. Oden, 64, of Heber Springs, formerly of Pine Bluff, died September 9, 1997, at his home. He was born at Nashville, Arkansas on June 5, 1933, a son of the late Dan and Rozell Boytt Oden. He lived in Heber Springs for two years. He was a member of First Baptist Church at Heber Springs and was a carpenter. Survivors include his wife, Anita Walker Oden; two sons, Mark Oden of Rogers and Trent Oden of Sheridan; a daughter, Rhonda Sollars of DeWitt; a brother, Dale Oden of Heber Springs; a sister, Dianne Faulkner of Pine Bluff; and three grandchildren. Graveside services are scheduled for 4 p.m. Thursday at Memorial Park Cemetery at Pine Bluff with the Revs. Herbert Holley and John Hagan officiating. Arrangements are handled by Olmstead Funeral Home of Heber Springs. _____________________________________ JACOB AGEE FAYETTEVILLE--Dr. Jacob Claud Agee, 69, of Fayetteville, died September 7, 1997, at Washington Regional Medical Center. Born December 10, 1927, at Pine Bluff, he was a son of Asa B. and Ora Hollabaugh Agee. He graduated from Pine Bluff High School, attended Louisiana Tech University and was a graduate of the University of Arkansas and Baylor College of Dentistry. He was a member and past president of Fayetteville Noon Lions Club, past president of the Arkansas Academy of General Dentistry, a volunteer with the Fayetteville Youth Dental Program, and a member of Central United Methodist Church. Survivors include his wife, Martha McCracken Agee; a son, Dr. Kim Agee of Hot Springs; three daughters, Mignonne Agee Scarbrough of Fayetteville, Chandra Agee Weeks of Littleton, Colorado, and Eve Agee of Charlottesville, Virginia; a brother, Aaron Agee of North Bennington, Virginia; a sister, Erlene Agee Swepston of Dallas; and six grandchildren. Funeral services are scheduled for 10 a.m. Thursday at Central United Methodist Church at Fayetteville. Burial will be at 4 p.m. Thursday at Flippin Cemetery in Flippin by Moore's Chapel Funeral Home of Fayetteville. __________________________________ CHRISTINE CROSBY Christine Lee Crosby, 18, of Kingsland, died September 8, 1997, from injuries received in a car accident near New Edinburg. She was born at Pine Bluff on January 14, 1979, a daughter of James Crosby and Sharon Graham Crosby of Kingsland. She went to Kingsland High School and was a member of Kingsland United Methodist Church. She was a student at the University of Arkansas at Monticello. Other survivors include two sisters, Catherine Wilson of Monticello and Valerie Whipp of Germantown, Maryland; her grandmothers, Florence Hughes of Kingsland and Frances Graham of Virginia. Funeral services are scheduled for 10 a.m. Thursday at Buie Funeral Home at Rison with the Rev. George Brandon officiating. Burial will be in Kingsland Cemetery. _______________________________________ Submitted by Linda P. Smith DougMIV@aol.com ___________________________________________________________ PINE BLUFF COMMERCIAL THURSDAY, SEPTEMBER 11, 1997 Pine Bluff, Jefferson Co., Arkansas TIMOTHY WEBB (Photo included) Timothy "Tim" P. Web, 32, of Pine Bluff, died September 9, 1997, at Jefferson Regional Medical Center. Born June 17, 1965, at Pine Bluff, he was a son of William Patton Webb and Judy Lynn Harris of Pine Bluff. Reared and educated in Pine Bluff, he graduated from Watson Chapel High School in 1983 and later attended the University of Arkansas at Pine Bluff. He was a member of New Beginnings Baptist Church. He was preceded in death by his grandparents, John and Dora Miley who raised himi until they died in the 1980s. Other survivors include hes paternal grandparents, Mr. and Mrs. Emon Webb of El Dorado; three brothers, Michael Webb of El Dorado and Eddie Morris and Bennie Harris, both of Pine Bluff; and a sister, Cindy May of Sheridan. Graveside services are scheduled for 3 p.m. Friday in Memorial Park Cemetery with the Rev. Ronny Bond officiating. Arrangements will be by Ralph Robinson & Son Funeral Directors. ____________________________________ WILLIE MURDAUGHT DUMAS--Funeral services for Willie Murdaught, 82, of Dumas, who died September 5, 1997, at Delta Memorial Hospital at Dumas, are scheduled for 11 a.m. today at St. Peter's Rock Baptist Church at Dumas with the Rev. Larry Alexander officiating. Burial will be in Free Gift Cemetery by Brown Funeral Home of Dumas. Born at Dumas he was a son of the late Theo Murdaught and Rosie Fisher Murdaught. He was a member of St. Peter's Rock Baptist Church and was a deacon. Survivors include his wife, Rosetta Murdaught. ____________________________________ JOHN W. BARNES SR. SHERIDAN--John W. Barnes Sr., 73, of Sheridan, died September 9, 1997, at his home. Born November 7, 1923, at Sheridan, he was a son of the late George Earl Barnes and Minnie Formby Barnes. He was retired from J.L.Williams and Son Lumber Company, was a member of North Main Baptist Church, and served in the Coast Guard during World War II. Survivors include his wife, Betty Ruth Tribble Barnes; a son, John W. Barnes Jr. of Sheridan; two daughters, Kyle Ruth Pruitt and Shari Lynn Rea, both of Sheridan; two brothers, Edward Barnes of Sardis and James Barnes of Benton; seven grandchildren; and four great-grandchildren. Funeral services are scheduled for 10 a.m. today at North Main Baptist Church with the Rev. Randy Cross and the Rev. Eugene Triplett officiating. Burial will be in Lost Creek Cemetery by Buie Funeral Home of Sheridan. ___________________________________ ALEXIS HOWELL EL DORADO--Alexis Howell, an infant daughter of Darrell Howell and the Rev. Allison Howell of Strong, died September 7, 1997, at Medical Center of South Arkansas. She was born September 6, 1997 in El Dorado. Other survivors include a sister, VerShawna Howell of Strong; and grandparents, Charlie and Alice Golbsy and Alex and Ruby Howell, all of the Strong area. Graveside services will be held at 11 a.m. today in Gill Cemetery with the Rev. Leon Brice officiating. Arrangements are by Reddick Funeral Home of Warren. _____________________________________ MILDRED RICHMOND MODESTO, California--Mildred Granderson Whitlock Richmond, 74, of Modesto, California, died August 30, 1997, at Doctors Medical Center. She was born February 3, 1923, in Rison. She moved to Pine Bluff as a child. She attended Sixth Avenue School and graduated from Pine Bluff High School in 1941. In 1943, she married Elliot Whitlock. They moved to California after he received his training at Grider Field as a glider pilot. She was a rehabililtation counselor for the state of California, a member of the Retired Teachers Association and the Phi Epsilon Phi Sorority. She was a member of the Quilters Guild. Survivors include her second husband, Ben L. Richmond; four sons, Daniel Whitlock Jr. and Dennis Richmond, both of Modesto, Ben Richmond Jr. of Bakersfield, California, and Ed Whitlock of Salem, Oregon; four daughters, Dorrie Whitlock, Sabrina Richmond and Laura Wilson, all of Modesto, and Lilea Walls of Hanford, California; five brothers, Luther Granderson Jr., and Charles Granderson, both of Pine Bluff, William "Bill" Granderson of Rogers, Arkansas, and Robert Granderson of Modesto; and a sister, Elizabeth Granderson Croom of Jonesboro, Arkansas. Memorial services were held September 1, 1997, at St. Joseph Catholic Church at Modesto. Burial was in the San Joaquin Valley National Cemetery in Santa Nella, California, by Lakewood Funeral Home of Hughson, California. ________________________________ MARGARETTE KING Margarette Tucker King, 75, of Pine Bluff, died September 9, 1997, at her home. Born April 2, 1922, in Phillips County, she was a daughter of the late Lee and Senora Alice Bryan Tucker. She was reared and educated at Clarendon. She retired from the Clarendon Shoe Factory in 1977. She was a member of the Monroe (Monroe County) Baptist Church. She was preceded in death by a daughter, Mary Elizabeth Davenport, two brothers and six sisters. Survivors include a daughter, Cathy Burns of Pine Bluff; and a grandson. Graveside services are scheduled for 10:30 a.m. Friday in Shady Grove Cemetery at Clarendon with the Rev. Ronny Bond officiating. Arrangements are by Robinson & Son Funeral Directors. __________________________________ JIM LOWE SHERIDAN--Jim Lowe, 66, of Sheridan, died September 10, 1997, at his home. Born November 5, 1930, in Grand Rapids, Michigan, he was a son of the late John and Mary Faye Coates. He was owner and operator of Wildwood Florist at Sheridan and retired from Winston Gas Inc. He was a Baptist. Survivors include his wife, Beverly Liebert Lowe; a son, Danny Lowe of Detroit; a daughter, Janice Banas of Hamtramck, Michigan; a brother, Jack Lowe of Grand Rapids; and a sister, Norma Winston of Sheridan. Graveside services are scheduled for 2 p.m. Friday in Lost Creek Cemetery at Sheridan with the Rev. Tim Montgomery officiating. Arrangements are by Buie Funeral Home of Sheridan. _________________________________ JESSIE WOOTEN Jessie Lee "Honey" Lunsford Wooten, 69, of Pine Bluff, died September 10, 1997, at her home. Born December 16, 1927, at Rison, she was a daughter of the late Robert M. and Ophie Grace Varnell Lunsford. She was reared and educated at Pine Bluff, where she attended Pine Bluff schools. She worked for several years in area nursing homes, retiring in 1972 from the Jefferson County Nursing Home. She was a supporter of Pine Bluff Baseball Leagues, especially those in which her son and grandson played. She was a member of South Side Baptist Church and American Legion Post 32 Ladies Auxiliary for many years. She was preceded in death by a daughter, Becky Wooten; a brother, Robert Lunsford; and a sister, Dixie Wilson. Survivors include her husband, Russell B. Wooten, whom she married November 11, 1944, in Sheridan; two sons, Mack Cook and Roger Wooten, both of Pine Bluff; a daughter, Cindy Wooten May of Pine Bluff; two sisters, Betty Seymore and Wanda Vining, both of Pine Bluff; seven grandchildren; and three great-grandchildren. Funeral services are scheduled for 10 a.m. Friday at Ralph Robinson & Son Funeral Directors with the Rev. Rodger Thaxton and Rev. Siegfried Johnson officiating. Burial will be in Varnell Cemetery at Rison. _______________________________________ Submitted by Linda P. Smith DougMIV@aol.com ___________________________________________________________ PINE BLUFF COMMERCIAL MONDAY SEPTEMBER 8, 1997 Pine Bluff, Jefferson Co., Arkansas PATTI BUTCHER DeWITT--Patti Virginia Butcher, 76, of DeWitt, died September 7,1997, at DeWitt City Nursing Home. She was born March 25, 1921, at Gillett (Arkansas County), a daughter of the late William Butcher and Allie Hibbard Butcher. She was owner and operator of Eastside Grocery for 25 years and was a Methodist. She was also preceded in death by a brother, Thomas C. Butcher, and four sisters, Clara Pixler, Mable Pittman, Willie Jacobs and Hazel Rook. There are no immediate survivors. Funeral services will be Tuesday at 2 p.m. at Essex Funeral Home at DeWitt. Burial will be in Bonner's Chapel Cemetery at Tichnor (Arkansas County). ___________________________________ TOMMY STRAHAN SR. George Thomas Strahan Sr., 66, of Pine Bluff, died September 6, 1997, at Jefferson Regional Medical Center. He was the son of the late Lester Strahan and Addis Maroney Strahan. He was also preceded in death by his wife, Patsy Montgomery Strahan. He is survived by a son, Thomas Steven Strahan of White Hall; and a daughter, Stephany K. Beene of Pine Bluff. Other survivors include his wife, Betty and sons Phil West, of North Little Rock and Tim West of Pine Bluff and Todd West of Fayetteville; six sisters, Melba Huntley, Frances Johnson, Aileen Terry and Patsy Johnson all of Pine Bluff, Nadine Murphree of Houston, and Betty Atwood of Forrest City; and eight grandchildren. Funeral services will be Tuesday at 11 a.m. at Ralph Robinson & Son Funeral Directors with the Rev. James Bynum and Rev. Dave Henderson officiating. Burial will be in Memorial Park Cemetery at Pine Bluff. ______________________________ EDITH NELSON SOUTHAVEN, Mississippi--Edith Flynn Nelson, 82, of Southaven, formerly of Pine Bluff, died September 5, 1997, at Southaven. She was a member of Southcrest Baptist Church of Southaven and the Order of the Eastern Star. She was a former court clerk for Jefferson County. She is survived by her husband, Hubert C. Nelson; two sons, Leland R. Flynn of Pine Bluff and W.J. Flynn of West Memphis, Arkansas; two stepsons, James Nelson of McCrory, Arkansas, and Doyle Nelson of Southaven; three stepdaughters, Charlene Hammond of Southaven, Peggy McBroome of McCrory and Libby Cartwright of Des Arc, Arkansas; two sisters, Myrtle Jones and Evelyn Ford, both of Hot Springs, Arkansas; 17 grandchildren; 24 great-grandchildren; and five great-great-grandchildren. Funeral services are scheduled for 10 a.m. today at Roller-Citizens Funeral Home at West Memphis. Burial will be in Memorial Park Cemetery at Pine Bluff. _______________________________ Submitted by Linda P. Smith DougMIV@aol.com ____________________________________________________________ PINE BLUFF COMMERCIAL FRIDAY, SEPTEMBER 12, 1997 Pine Bluff, Jefferson Co., Arkansas ORA CURRY (Photo included) VARNER--Funeral services for Ora Virgia Curry, 83, of Tamo, who died September 7, 1997, at Jefferson Regional Medical Center, are scheduled for 11 a.m. Saturday at Marzell Baptist Church at Tamo with the Rev. Melvin Ely officiating. Burial will be in Lincoln Memorial Lawn Cemetery by Perry Funeral Home. She was born at Hampton on April 8, 1914, a daughter of the late William and Gertrude Roshell Walker. She received her early education in the Lincoln County School District. She was a member of Marzell Baptist Church, where she was the Sunday school teacher of the junior class, an usher and the mission president deaconess. She was preceded in death by her husband, Dennis Curry; a brother, Jerry Mason; and two sisters, Evelyn Miller and Ira McNealy. Survivors include a sister, Marie Franklin of Pine Bluff; a stepdaughter, Annie Lee Jones of Pine Bluff; and a foster daughter, Velma McDonald of Grady. ________________________________________ JESSIE WILSON Jessie Alora Darnell Wilson, 84, of Tiller, died September 10, 1997, at Jefferson Regional Medical Center. She was born at Plainview on August 17, 1913, a daughter of the late Dixon Darnell and Etolla Harrington Darnell. She was a member of Kelso Baptist Church (Desha County) and was a homemaker. She was preceded in death by her husband, John Corinth Wilson. Survivors include six sons, J.B. Wilson, Charles Wilson and Danny Wilson, all of McGehee, Gus Wilson and Steve Wilson of Rohwer, and Lewis Willson of Snohomish, Washington; seven daughters, Virginia Snow and Virgie Owens, both of McGehee, Sue Moore of Reedsport, Oregon, Deloris Ison of Dallas, Hazel Pryor of Leesville, Louisiana, Connie Terry of Hot Springs and Sandy Patterson of Dumas; two sisters, Lena Starr of Whitney, Texas, and Gladys Millwood of Dumas; 42 grandchildren; and 54 great-grandchildren. Funeral services are scheduled for 10 a.m. Saturday at Kelso Baptist Church with the Revs. Walter Gilbreath and Sardis Beaver officiating. Burial will be in McArthur Cemetery (Desha County) by Griffin Funeral Service of McGehee. ___________________________________ RICHARD HAWKINS DUMAS--Richard Ervin Hawkins, 71, of Tillar, died September 10, 1997, at Delta Memorial Hospital here. He was born at Sugar Grove (Logan County) on June 18, 1926, a son of the late Roy C. Hawkins and Flossie Hice. He was a farmer and a member of the Civil Service. He was an Army veteran. Survivors include his wife, Lucille Gamble Hawkins; five sons, Samuel Hawkins and Paul Hawkins, both of Monticello, Frankie Hawkins of Watson and Freddie Hawkins and Wayne Hawkins, both of Dumas; two daughters, Faye Thornburg of Pine Bluff and Jeana Rainwater of Watson; three brothers, Alford Hawkins of Monticello and Winford Hawkins and James Hawkins, both of Tillar; a stepson, Terry James of Tillar; a stepdaughter, Mary Sass of Rohwer (Desha County); 19 grandchildren; nine great-grandchildren; and a great-great-grandchild. Funeral services are scheduled for 11 a.m. today at Trinity Independent Holiness Church at Tillar with the Rev. Marty Jones officiating. Burial will be in Hopedale Cemetery at Winchester by Griffin Funeral Home of Dumas. ______________________________________ ALMA PENNINGTON HENSLEY--Funeral services for Alma Pennington, 79, of Little Rock, who died September 5, 1997, at Baptist Memorial Hospital at North Little Rock, are scheduled for 2:30 p.m. Saturday at First Baptist No. 2 Church at Woodson with Elder James Withers officiating. Burial will be in Rest In Peace Cemetery at Hensley by Brown Funeral Home of Pine Bluff. She was born at Howell on October 7, 1917, a daughter of the late Alexander Duckett and Clara Duckett Sherrod Hunter. She was a homemaker and a Baptist. Survivors include three sisters, Claudia Campbell and Willie Mae Madison, both of Little Rock, and Onetha Fowler of St Paul, Minnesota; three grandchildren; and three great-grandchildren. ____________________________________ KEITH SMITH RISON--Funeral services for Keith Anthony Smith, 28, of Rison, who died September 5, 1997, at his home, are scheduled for 2:30 p.m. Saturday at Kedron Church of God in Christ with Elder Arthur Sledge officiating. Burial will be in Humble Hope Cemetery at Rison by Brown Funeral Home of Pine Bluff. He was born at Rison on February 3, 1969, a son of Boston McCleod and Annie Smith McCleod, both of Rison. He was a member of a Church of God in Christ church. Other survivors include three brothers, Kenneth Smith and Jerome McCleod, both of Rison, and Timmy Smith of Pine Bluff; and eight sisters, Carol Haynie of Pine Bluff and Debra Owens, Beverly Frye, Temika McCleod, Latonya McCleod, Lois McCleod, Natasha McCleod and Alanna McCleodl, all of Rison. ______________________________________ ROSIE WALKER Funeral services for Rosie Dell Walker, 70, of Pine Bluff, who died September 9, 1997, at Jefferson Regional Medical Center, are scheduled for 11 a.m. Saturday at First Trinity Church of God in Christ at Pine Bluff with DeWitt Hill officiating. Burial will be in Cypress Memorial Garden at Pine Bluff by Christian Way Funeral Home. She was born at Pine Bluff on June 1, 1927, a daughter of the late Allen Smith and Rosie Lee Smith. She was a member of First Trinity Church of God in Christ where she was a mother of the Sunshine Band, Home and Foreign Mission and a member of the Nursing Guild. She was preceded in death by a daughter, Patricia Ann Parker. Survivors include her husband, Guy Walker; four sons, Guy Allen Walker of Tacoma, Washington, Kenneth Walker of Kansas City and James Earl Walker and Roderick Walker, both of Pine Bluff; five daughters, Lena Jones of Atlanta, Janet Mathis of Lansing, Michigan, and Diann Williams, Norma Ingram and Rosie Lee Clayton, all of Pine Bluff; 24 grandchildren; and 12 great-grandchildren. ___________________________________ BERNICE WRIGHT ALTHEIMER--Funeral services for Bernice Wright, 67, of Star City, who died September 6, 1997, at Jefferson Regional Medical Center, are scheduled for 10:30 a.m. Saturday at St. Andrew Baptist Church at Altheimer with the Rev. Bobby Daniels officiating. Burial will be in St. Andrews Cemetery at Altheimer by Brown Funeral Home of Pine Bluff. She was born at Dumas on January 13, 1930, a daughter of Maggie Bell Kemp Early of Altheimer and the late George Wright. She was a member of St. Andrew Baptist Church and was a homemaker. Other survivors include a sister, Morsie Wright of Chicago; and a stepbrother, Irvin Davis of Detroit. ____________________________________ ALYZE WALKER MONTICELLO--Alyze Alexia Christia Walker, the daughter of Micheal Walker and LaKeisha Christian of Monticello, was born and died September 10, 1997, at Drew Memorial Hospital. Other survivors include grandparents, Billy Don and Rosie Christian and Elder Micheal and Consuela Renee McKinzie, all of Monticello, and Catherine McKinzie of Mitchellville; and great-grandparents, Mary Christian of Monticello and Francis McKinley. Graveside services are scheduled for 4 p.m. Saturday in Oakland Cemetery at Monticello. Arrangements are handled by Washington-Dolls Funeral Home at Dumas. _____________________________________ WILLIAM DOVE JR. Funeral services for William D. Dove Jr., 79, of Pine Bluff, who died September 8, 1997, at Jefferson Regional Medical Center, are scheduled for 2:30 p.m. Saturday at Truth & Love Church of God in Christ with Henry Hellums officiating. Burial will be in Rest In Peace Cemetery at Hensley by Christian Way Funeral Home. He was born at Ryan on July 5, 1918, a son of the late William D. Dove Sr. and Anna Petter. He was a retired truck driver. Survivors include a sister, Surilla Price of Pine Bluff; and a niece, Pearlie M. Garry of Pine Bluff, with whom he lived. ______________________________________ EMMA EVERETT LITTLE ROCK--Emma Everett, 44, of Dumas, died September 9, 1997, at St. Vincent Infirmary Medical Center here. She was born at Tillar on December 21, 1952, a daughter of Viola Covington Everett of Dumas and the late Savell Everett Sr. She was a member of New Light Baptist Church at Tillar, where she served as church secretary, was on the usher board and was a member of the choir. Other survivors include five brothers, Savell Everett Jr. of Pine Bluff, Lee Everett and Clyde Everett, both of Dumas, Anthony Everett of Memphis and Cleveland Everett of McGehee; and three sisters, Barbara McGehee of Tillar, Mary Agymang of Arlington, Texas, and Myrtle Everett of Dumas. Funeral services are scheduled for 1 p.m. Saturday at New Light Baptist Church with the Rev. Roosevelt Davis officiating. Burial will be in New Light Cemetery at Tillar by Brown Funeral Home of Dumas. ___________________________________ OSCAR THOMAS SR. LITTLE ROCK--Oscar Thomas Sr., 74, of Dumas, died September 7, 1997, at St. Vincent Infirmary Medical Center here. He was born at Dumas on May 28, 1923, a son of the late Arthur Thomas and Carrie Caldwell Thomas. He was a member of New Jerusalem Missionary Baptist Church at Dumas. He worked as a farm laborer and as a station attendent for Kersh Hall Gas Station for many years. Survivors include his wife, Theodoris Thomas; three sons, Roy Lee Norman of Mitchellville, James Thomas of Dumas and Oscar Thomas Jr. of Milwaukee; two daughters, Annie Mae Morgan Thomas of Pine Bluff and Shelia Thomas Montgomery of Liberty, Missouri; three brothers, George Thomas of St. Louis, Epherine "Toy" Thomas of Watson and Tommy Johnson of Kansas City, Kansas; four sisters, Bertha Fraiden of New Orleans, Annie Lee Thomas and Everleana Swopes, both of Chicago, and Rosie Mae Nunn of Kansas City, Missouri; 17 grandchildren; and four great-grandchildren. Funeral services are scheduled for 11 a.m. Saturday at New Jerusalem Missionary Baptist Church with the Rev. E.D. Montgomery officiating. Burial will be in St. Paul Cemetery at Pickens by Washington-Dolls Funeral Home of Dumas. __________________________________ Submitted by Linda P. Smith DougMIV@aol.com ___________________________________________________________ PINE BLUFF COMMERCIAL SATURDAY, SEPTEMBER 13, 1997 Pine Bluff, Jefferson Co., Arkansas ROBERT HOUSE FORDYCE--Robert Lee House, 82, of Fordyce, died September 11, 1997, at the Fordyce Health Care Center. He was born August 12, 1915, in Simms, Texas, the son of the late Rev. James E. House and Fannie Morris Smith House. He was a retired machinist and was a member of First Methodist Church of Fordyce and was a World War II Army veteran. He is survived by a daughter, Linda McKee of Indianapolis; two brothers, Edward House and Parham House both of Fordyce; and a grandson. Funeral services will be Sunday at 2 p.m. at Benton Funeral Home of Fordyce with Dusty Rhodes officiating. Burial will be in Stoney Point Cemetery. ______________________________ MARYLAN WHITE Marylan Millard White, 71, of Rison, died September 11, 1997, in Rison. Born May 27, 1926, at Blue Ball (Yell County), she was a daughter of the late Robert Ervin Millard and Barbara Morrow Millard. She was a member of Mt. Zion Missionary Baptist Church and a homemaker. She was preceded in death by her husband, John E. White, who died November 19, 1987; and three brothers, Coy Millard, Vester Millard and Melvin Millard. Survivors include a daughter, Kay Hubbard of Rison; three brothers, Robert Leon Millard of Malvern, John Boone Millard of Minnesota and Hubert Millard of Illinois; and four sisters, Arlene Wilkins of Rison, Moreen Anderson of Michigan, Grethal Starwalt of Poplar Bluff, Missouri, and Sybil Brock of Liburne, Missouri. Funeral services are scheduled for 2 p.m. Sunday at Buie Funeral Home at Rison with Johnny Brewster and Bob Hanson officiating. Burial will be in Mt. Zion Cemetery near Rison. ________________________________________ JANIE SANDOVAL BURLESON, Texas--Janie Marie Keith Sandoval, 67, of Burleson, Texas, died September 5, 1997, at Silver Haven Nursing Home. She was born at Glendale, Arkansas, on May 15, 1930, a daughter of the late Henry Keith and Gracie Virginia Brown Keith. She went to Watson Chapel School at Pine Bluff and loved to read. She was a nurse's aid at Davis Hospital. She was also preceded in death by her grandparents, Ella Virginia Brown and John Irvin Brown. Survivors include two sons, Bobby Leon Sandoval of Cleburne, Texas, and John Scott Sandoval of Nacogdoches; two daughters, Janice Virginia Wise of Godley, Texas, and Belinda Marie Gorden of Seymour, Texas; a sister, Mildred Keith Anderson of Pine Bluff; seven grandchildren; and four great-grandchildren. Funeral services were held September 8, 1997, at First Baptist Church at Cleburne with the Rev. Frankie Rainey officiating. Burial was in Godley Cemetery by Crosier-Pearson-Mayfield Funeral Home of Cleburne. ____________________________________ MILDRED STONE SCOTT--Mildred Eloise Brooks Stone, 77, of Little Rock, died September 11, 1997, at her daughter's home. She was born at Tuscaloosa, Alabama, on September 28, 1919, a daughter of the late William James and Ethel Stone Brooks. She was raised and received her early education at Tuscaloosa. After graduat ing from high school, she received her training to be a registered nurse at St. Vincent's Hospital at Birmingham. She was a nurse in Alabama during World War II. After the war, she and her husband moved to Jefferson County and farmed near Wabbaseka for several years. They moved to England in 1955 and operated Stone Farms near England and Scott. She operated the family farm after her husband's death. She was a member of First United Methodist Church at Maumelle. She was a member of All Souls Church at Scott for many years. She was active in First Baptist Church at England while living there. She was a former Worthy Matron of the Order of the Eastern Star and was active in organizations in which her children were involved when she was raising them. She was preceded in death by her husband, Floyd Leon Stone, whom she married on August 8, 1942, at Alabama and who died in 1985; and a son, Floyd L. "Shad" Stone Jr., who died in 1971. Survivors include two daughters, Anne S. Roe of England and Janice S. Godsey of Scott; a sister, Dorothy Louise Lapham of Tuscaloosa; four grandchildren; and five great-grandchildren. Graveside services are scheduled for 11 a.m. today at Memorial Park Cemetery at Pine Bluff with the Rev. Mary Susan Hilliard and Dr. Ben Jordan officiating. Arrangements are handled by Ralph Robinson & Son Funeral Directors. _________________________________ CECIL KENNEDY LITTLE ROCK--Cecil "Shorty" Kennedy, 69, of Redfield, died September 11, 1997, at St Vincent Infirmary Medical Center here. Visitation is scheduled from 2 to 4 p.m. Sunday at Cranford Funeral Home of White Hall. ___________________________________ CLARENCE COOK LITTLE ROCK--Clarence S. Cook, 84, of Star City, died September 11, 1997, at the Veterans Administration Hospital. He was born at Camden on November 18, 1912, a son of the late Robert E. Cook and Minnie Laura Spencer. He was the owner and operator of several gasoline stations over the years and was a Baptist. He was preceded in death by his wife, Bessie Anderson Person Cook. Survivors include two daughters, Patricia Tipton and Linda High, both of Star City; a brother, Erby C. Cook of Star City; five grandchildren; and 10 great-grandchildren. Funeral services are scheduled for 2 p.m. Sunday at Griffin Funeral Service of Star City with J.C. Patterson officiating. Burial will be in Butler Pleasant Hill Cemetery near Star City. _____________________________________ Submitted by Linda P. Smith DougMIV@aol.com ___________________________________________________________ PINE BLUFF COMMERCIAL SUNDAY, SEPTEMBER 14, 1997 Pine Bluff, Jefferson Co., Arkansas CECIL KENNEDY LITTLE ROCK--Cecil "Shorty" Kennedy, 69, of Redfield, died September 11, 1997, at St. Vincent Infirmary Medical Center in Little Rock. Born January 4, 1928, at Gillett, he was a son of the late John and Dolly Sandlin Kennedy. He was the owner of Kennedy Corner Laundry for a number of years. Before that, he was a painting contractor. Survivors include his wife, Lavonia L. Caudell Kennedy, whom he married March 13, 1948; three sons, Dewayne Kennedy and Jerry Kennedy, both of Redfield, and Bob Kennedy of Pine Bluff; a daughter, Carolyn March of Redfield; six grandchildren and three great-grandchildren. Funeral services are scheduled for 10 a.m. Monday at River Road Baptist Church at Redfield with Aaron Thompson and Dean Caudell officiating. Burial will be in Walnut Lake Cemetery near Dumas by Cranford Funeral Home of White Hall. ________________________________ RAYMOND McNEAL Raymond McNeal, 76, of Pine Bluff, died September 12, 1997, at Sunchase Nursing Home. He was born April 19, 1921, in Pennsylvania. He was reared and educated in Pennsylvania. He worked in Arkansas as a painter for several years. He was preceded in death by his wife, Thelma Diffey McNeal. Survivors include his stepdaughter, Patricia Ann Hurst of Pine Bluff; two grandchildren; and three great-grandchildren. The body will be cremated, and the remains will be buried at a later date. ____________________________________ EVERET TATOM LUFKIN, Texas--Funeral services for Everet Tatom, 89, of Hudson, Texas, who died September 12, 1997, in a Santa Fe, New Mexico, hospital, are scheduled for 10 a.m. Monday at Gipson Funeral Home in Lufkin, Texas, with the Rev. John Withem officiating. Burial will be in Old Union Cemetery. He was born November 4, 1907, at Hemphill, Texas. He was a postal clerk in Houston and a Navy veteran who served during World War II and the Korean War. He was a member of Providence Baptist Church. Survivors include his wife, Inez Giles Tatom; two daughters, Ila Ruth Ladd of Elizabeth, Colorado, and Naomi Jane Motsinger of Pine Bluff; a stepdaughter, Patsy Metcalf of LaPlace, Louisiana; a brother, Leroy Tatom of Kountze, Texas; four grandchildren and eight great-grandchildren. He was preceded in death by his first wife, Bertie Mae Tatom, in 1986; and two grandchildren. ______________________________________ DORA O'MARY SHERIDAN--Dora Adeline Dodd O'Mary, 100, of Sheridan, died September 12, 1997, at Grant County Nursing Home. Born October 3, 1896, in Marion County, Alabama, she was a daughter of the late Wyatt Newton Dodd Jr. and Martha Melissa Dodd. She was a housewife and member of Thornton Primitive Baptist Church. She was preceded in death by her husband, Madison O'Mary; three sons, George O'Mary, Thomas O'Mary and Marion O'Mary; and two daughters, Lesta Gorman and Sally Gentry. Survivors include two sons, S.E. "Sim" O'Mary of Pine Bluff and Noah M. O'Mary of Silver City, New Mexico; three daughters, Ilene Wages of Jacksonville, Ruby Lookadoo of New Martinsville, West Virginia, and Rachel Watson of Arkansas; 24 grandchildren, 45 great-grandchildren, 13 great-great-grandchildren and one great-great-great-grandchild. Funeral services are scheduled for 10 a.m. today at Benton Funeral Home in Fordyce with the Rev. Hartsel Cayce officiating. Burial will be in Watson Cemetery. ____________________________________ JAMES BURKS LITTLE ROCK--James A. "Buddy" Burks, 56, of Warren, died September 12, 1997, at St. Vincent Infirmary Medical Center in Little Rock. Born April 15, 1941, at New Edinburg (Cleveland County), he was a son of Chester and Velma Arthur. He was a retired Potlatch Lumber Co. employee. Survivors include his wife, Joyce Humphrey Burks; a son, Tim Burks of Warren; a daughter, Brenda Burks Lephiew of Warren; three sisters, Joan McClellan of El Dorado, Catherine Williams of Eupora, Mississippi, and Helen Baker of Blytheville; and three grandchildren. Funeral services are scheduled for 4 p.m. Monday at Frazer Funeral Home at Warren with the Rev. Joe R. McClellen and Rev. James Baker officiating. Burial will be in Shady Grove Cemetery near New Edinburg by Buie Funeral Home of Rison. _________________________________________ CLOYCE CHAMBLISS STAR CITY--Cloyce Chambliss, 89, of Star City, died September 13, 1997. Born February 12, 1908, in Lincoln County, he was a son of the late Henry Clay and Laura Collier Chambliss. He is survived by a sister, Emma Westbrook of Star City. Graveside services are scheduled for 4 p.m. today at Newton Chapel Cemetery. Arrangements are by Griffin Funeral Services of Star City. _________________________________ JOHN McMURTREY John T. McMurtrey, 65, of Rison, died September 12, 1997, at Jefferson Regional Medical Center in Pine Bluff. Born December 1, 1931, at Hilo, he was a son of the late C.L. McMurtrey and Hattie Kitchens McMurtrey. He was a former Greyhound bus driver and a Baptist. He was a Navy veteran of the Korean War and was a member of the American Legion, Hall Morgan. Survivors include his wife, May Dale Hancock McMurtrey; a son, Bobby McMurtrey of Springdale; and a brother, Bill McMurtrey of Oregon. Funeral services are scheduled for 10 a.m. Monday at Buie Funeral Home at Rison with Leonard Hodges officiating. Burial will be in Greenwood Cemetery at Rison. ____________________________________ MOSE MARTIN JR. Funeral services for Mose Martin Jr., 64, of Pine Bluff, who died September 10, 1997, at his home, are scheduled for 1 p.m. Monday at St. Andrew AME Church with the Rev. H.O. Gray officiating. Burial will be in the Cedar Grove Section of Graceland Cemetery by P.K. Miller Mortuary. Born December 24, 1932, at Pickens, he was a son of Mose Martin Sr. of Pine Bluff and the late Irene Williams Martin. He received his early education in the public schools of Desha and Jefferson counties. He was a retired farmer and former member of Clayborne AME Church at Pickens. Other survivors include four brothers, Ronnie Martin of Pine Bluff, and Ceabon W. Martin, Jonathan Martin and Johnny Martin, all of Saginaw, Michigan; and five sisters, Millie Martin and Lorene Martin, both of Pine Bluff, and Julianna Willford, Emma Crosby and Irene Thomas, all of Saginaw. _______________________________________ Submitted by Linda P. Smith DougMIV@aol.com ___________________________________________________________ PINE BLUFF COMMERCIAL MONDAY, SEPTEMBER 15, 1997 Pine Bluff, Jefferson Co., Arkansas JOE McMURTREY (Apparently a Correction of Yesterday paper "JOHN") Joe T. McMurtrey, 65, of Rison, died September 12, 1997, at Jefferson Regional Medical Center at Pine Bluff. Born December 1, 1931, at Hilo (Lonoke County), he was a son of the late C.L. McMurtrey and Hattie Kitchens McMurtrey. He was a former driver for Greyhound and a Baptist. He was a Navy veteran of the Korean War and was a member of the American Legion, Hall Morgan. He was also preceded in death by a son, Billy McMurtrey. Survivors include his wife, May Dale Hancock McMurtrey; a son, Bobby McMurtrey of Springdale; and a brother, Bill McMurtrey of Oregon. Funeral services are scheduled for 10 a.m. today at Buie Funeral Home at Rison with Leonard Hodges officiating. Burial will be in Greenwood Cemetery at Rison. ________________________________ J. D. ALLISON J. D. Allison, 67, of Sheridan, died September 13, 1997, at Jefferson Regional Medical Center. Born April 14, 1930, at Pine Bluff, he was a son of the late Idis and Erma Sanders Allison. He was a self-employed bulldozer operator. Survivors include a daughter, Deborah Cooper of Pine Bluff; two sons, Larry Allison of White Hall and Keith Corley of Sheridan; two sisters, Letha Ray of White Hall and Maxine Allison of Sheridan; and four grandchildren. Funeral services are scheduled for 10 a.m. today at Buie Funeral Home in Sheridan with the Rev. Bob Harper officiating. Burial will be in Lost Creek Cemetery. ___________________________________ FRANCES JONES MALVERN--Frances Odelia Green Jones, 94, of Malvern, died September 13, 1997, at Malvern Nursing Home. Born September 29, 1902, in Dallas County, she was a daughter of the late Willis Ramey Green and Anna Stevenson Green. She was a homemaker and member of St. Paul Methodist Church of Malvern. Survivors include nine sons, Fay Jones, Ramey Jones, Clinton Jones, Wayne Jones, Roy Jones and Troy Jones, all of Malvern, and Merle Jones of Arkadelphi a, Earl Jones of Haskell and Auburn Jones of Fort Smith; two daughters, Margaret Chambers of Camden and Christine Green of Fordyce; 37 grandchildren, 48 great-grandchildren, and 20 great-great-grandchildren. She was preceded in death by her husband, Earnest Porter Jones, and a son, Richard Jones. Funeral services are scheduled for 2 p.m. Tuesday at Benton Funeral Home at Fordyce with the Rev. James Draper and the Rev. Roger Copeland officiating. Burial will be in Magnolia Cemetery. ______________________________________ ANNIE SMITH WARREN--Annie Catherine Smith, 75, of Warren, died September 13, 1997, at Bradley County Memorial Hospital. Born November 3, 1921, at Ingalls, she was a daughter of the late John Clifton and Artie Mae Corker Sharp. She was a nurse and had retired from Bradley County Hospital. She was a charter member of Christian Fellowship Church in Warren. She was preceded in death by her husband, Howard Alfred Smith, to whom she was married on April 22, 1944. He died November 27, 1993. Survivors include a son, Johnny Howard Smith of Carlisle; a daughter, Judy Smith Williams of Warren; two sisters, Helen Chloteen Willis and Eunice Cleo Jennings, both of Warren; five grandchildren and three great-grandchildren. Funeral services are scheduled for 2 p.m. Tuesday at Christian Fellowship Church at Warren. Burial will be in Oakland Cemetery by Frazer's Funeral Home of Warren. _________________________________ EARLA FAULKNER CAMDEN--Earla Rebecca Simmons Faulkner, 90, of Camden, died September 11, 1997, at Long Meadow Nursing Home in Camden. Born July 12, 1907, at New Edinburg, she was a daughter of the late Joseph and Callie Williams Simmons. She was a homemaker and a Missionary Baptist. Survivors include her husband, Hilburn Jefferson Faulkner, to whom she was married on December 31, 1931; three sons, Paul Faulkner of Pine Bluff, James Faulkner of Camden and John Faulkner of Richland, Washington; a sister, Dorothy Doggett of Richmond, Virginia; eight grandchildren and 11 great-grandchildren. She was preceded in death by a son, Richard Faulkner. Funeral services are scheduled for 2 p.m. Wednesday at Frazer's Funeral Home of Warren with the Rev. James Draper officiating. Burial will be in Mosley Cemetery. ____________________________________ MAGGIE TOUCHSTONE MONTICELLO--Maggie Wright Touchstone, 88, of Monticello, died September 13, 1997, at Leisure Lodge Nursing Home at Monticello. Born December 8, 1908, at Winchester, she was a daughter of the late O.M. and Elizabeth Thompson Wright. She was a homemaker and a Baptist. Survivors include a brother, Jack Wright of Louisiana, three grandchildren and four great-grandchildren. She was preceded in death by her husband, Joe Richard Wright. Graveside services are scheduled for 2 p.m. today at Mount Tabor Cemetery in Drew County with the Rev. Jake Lindsey officiating. Arrangements are by Stephenson-Dearman Funeral Home. _____________________________________ WANDA MAY SHERIDAN--Wanda Jean Winston May, 71, of Sheridan, died September 14, 1997, at her home. Born August 9, 1926, at Sheridan, she was the daughter of the late Eugene and Bertha Piatt Winston. She was a homemaker and member of Lost Creek Missionary Baptist Church. Survivors include her husband, Joe D. May; a son, David May of Rison; three daughters, June Herrington, Rita Holloway and Barbara Vanlandingham, all of Sheridan; seven grandchildren and five great-grandchildren. Funeral services are scheduled for 2 p.m. Tuesday at Lost Creek Missionary Baptist Church with the Rev. Doyle Caldwell, the Rev. Tim Montgomery and the Rev. Rick Etheridge officiating. Burial will be in Lost Creek Cemetery at Sheridan by Buie Funeral Home of Sheridan. ____________________________________ GEORGE RATLIFF George Ratliff, 81, of Pine Bluff, died September 13, 1997, at his home. Born June 2, 1916, at Kedron, he was a son of the late William F. and Angie M. Dodd Ratliff. He worked as a supervisor for the Ben Pearson Co. for a number of years, attended Whiteville Missionary Baptist Church, and was a member of Jacob Brump Lodge 160. Survivors include his wife, Gladys Ratliff; two sons, Frank Ratliff and Danny Ratliff, both of Pine Bluff and Bonnie Gehring of Dardanelle; three sisters, Lillian Miles and Ola Mae Barnes, both of Pine Bluff, and Ruby Barnes of Warren; six grandchildren and two great-grandchildren. He was preceded in death by three brothers, Alfonzo Ratliff, Murry Ratliff and Robert Ratliff; and four sisters, Eva Tucker, Mallie Studdard, Nellie Baggett and Florence Crain. Funeral services are scheduled for 2 p.m. today at Hale-South Funeral Chapel with the Rev. Ronnie Bond officiating. Burial will be in Memorial Park Cemetery by Hale-South Funeral Home of Pine Bluff. ______________________________________ BETTY TURNER Betty Jean McClain Turner, 46, of Pine Bluff, died September 11, 1997, at her home. Born July 4, 1951, at Sherrill, she was a daughter of Willie McClain of Pine Bluff and the late Pearl Griffin McClain. She worked for the Directorate of Engineering and Natural Resources at the Pine Bluff Arsenal and served as secretary of the American Federation of Government Employees. She was a member of Mount Pleasant A.M.E. Church and the Order of the Eastern Star. After graduating from Townsend Park High School, she continued her education at Pines Vocational Technical School. Other survivors include her husband, Eddie D. Turner; two sons, Lawrence T. Turner and Dennard Gibert Turner, both of Pine Bluff; a daughter, Kimilia C. Turner of Pine Bluff; three brothers, Cleon McClain of Kansas City, Missouri, Edward McClain of Dallas and James McClain of Pine Bluff; and two sisters, Jackie M. Spears and Angela M. Thompson, both of Pine Bluff. Funeral services are scheduled for 1 p.m. Tuesday at Mount Pleasant A.M.E. Church of Pine Bluff with the Rev. F.T. Golden officiating. Burial will be in P.K. Miller Cemetery by Brown Funeral Home of Pine Bluff. _______________________________________ Submitted by Linda P. Smith DougMIV@aol.com __________________________________________________________ PINE BLUFF COMMERCIAL TUESDAY, SEPTEMBER 16, 1997 Pine Bluff, Jefferson Co., Arkansas CLYDE DAVIDSON WARREN--Clyde Everton Davidson, 92, of Star City, died September 14, 1997, at Bradley County Memorial Hospital. He was born in Indian Territory in Oklahoma, on February 21, 1905, a son of the late William Davidson and Cynthia Davidson. He was a retired accountant, a member of Holly Springs Missionary Baptist Church near Star City and a Mason. Survivors include his wife, Gussie Mae Jenkins Davidson; three sons, Bill Davidson and Curtis Davidson, both of Star City, and Alton Davidson of Atkins; four daughters, Veda McElmurry of Little Rock, Patricia Weeks of Cleveland, Texas, Cynthia Woolf of Bonner Springs, Kansas, and Hedda Larker of Plummerville; 22 grandchildren; and 12 great-grandchildren. Funeral services are scheduled for 2 p.m. Wednesday at Griffin Funeral Services of Star City with J.C. Patterson and Olen Ward officiating. Burial will be in Holly Springs Cemetery near Star City. ____________________________________ JANIE DEUSER RISON--Janie V. McKee Deuser, 76, of Pine Bluff, died September 13, 1997, at Rison Nursing Home. She was born at Weber (Arkansas County) on February 26, 1921, a daughter of the late H.L. and Janie Vee Jones McKee. She was a homemaker, a member of the Veterans of Foreign Wars Gold Star Wives and a Baptist. She was preceded in death by her husband, William H. Deuser Jr., who died on March 1, 1971. Survivors include a brother, Harold McKee of DeWitt; and two half brothers, Homer Kimball of Beaumont, California, and Calvin Kinkade of Crescent City, California. A private burial service will be held at El Camino Memorial Park Cemetery at San Diego. ______________________________________ DELL GREEN STAR CITY--Dell Green, 80, of Star City, died September 14, 1997, at Gardner Nursing Home. She was born in Lincoln County on July 28, 1917, a daughter of the late Benjamin McGriff Sr. and Annie Monroe McGriff. She was a homemaker and a member of Lone Grove Baptist Church near Star City. Survivors include her husband, Calvin Green; a son, Earl Gene Green of Star City; two brothers, Oscar McGriff and Ernest McGriff, both of Star City; two sisters, Mattie Moore of Bastrop, Louisiana, and Laura Case of Star City; two grandchildren; and four great-grandchildren. Funeral services are scheduled for 2 p.m. today at Griffin Funeral Services of Star City with the Rev. Onas Gray officiating. Burial will be in Leek Cemetery near Star City. ___________________________________ ROBERTA WOOD Funeral services for Roberta White Wood, 80, of Pine Bluff, who died September 14, 1997, at her home, are scheduled for 1 p.m. Wednesday at Central Baptist Church at Pine Bluff with the Rev. Gary Akers officiating. Burial will be in Memorial Park Cemetery by Ralph Robinson & Son Funeral Directors. She was born at Decaturville, Tennessee, on April 5, 1917, a daughter of the late Riley Omer White and Berta Lee Boswell White. She was raised and educated at Cooter, Missouri, and graduated as valedictorian of her class at Cooter High School. She moved to Pine Bluff in 1947. She and her husband owned and operated Superior Cleaners at Dollarway Road for many years before her retirement in 1980. She was the secretary and a president several times of the Dollarway Parent Teachers Association. She was a member of Central Baptist Church, where she was church clerk for more than 35 years. She also served for many years as superintendent of the Junior Sunday School department, teacher of the Deborah Sunday School class, and was a choir member. She was preceded in death by her husband, R.W. Wood, to whom she was married on December 25, 1935, at Blytheville, and who died March 8, 1997; and five brothers. Survivors include two sons, Wendell Wood and Jim Wood, both of White Hall; two daughters, Jessie Lee Johnson of Arkadelphia and June Wood of Memphis; a sister, Lucille Huffstutler of Kennett, Missouri; six grandchildren; and five great-grandchildren. _____________________________________ IVORY GEORGE Funeral services for Ivory George, 55, of Pine Bluff, who died September 9, 1997, at Jefferson Regional Medical Center, are scheduled for 11 a.m. Wednesday at Mount Beulah Christian Church at Pine Bluff with the Rev. John Spears officiating. Burial will be in New St. Hurricane Cemetery at Pine Bluff by Brown Funeral Home. He was born at Pine Bluff on November 7, 1941, a son of Willie B. Turner George of Pine Bluff and the late James W. George Sr. He was a member of New St. Hurricane Baptist Church at Pine Bluff. Other survivors include a son, Alandrus Hall of Helena; a sister, Annie George Chandler of Pine Bluff; and a grandchild. ____________________________________ SHELDIA JOHNSON Sheldia Shafron Burrough Johnson, 53, of Pine Bluff, died September 14, 1997, at her home. She was born at Warren on March 18, 1944, a daughter of Roy Burrough and Aline Hollis Burrough, both of Pine Bluff. She worked at Stant Inc. and was a member of Oak Park Freewill Baptist Church at Pine Bluff. She was preceded in death by a daughter, Danna LaShea Hubbard. Survivors include a son, Alan G. Hubbard of Pine Bluff; a daughter, Tracey Hubbard Willis of Pine Bluff; a brother, Steve Burrough of Pine Bluff; a sister, Dana Barraclough of Pine Bluff; and two grandchildren. Funeral services are scheduled for 2 p.m. today at Oak Park Freewill Baptist Church with the Rev. Norman McFall and the Rev Bill Kiggins officiating. Burial will be in Prosperity Cemetery at Herbine, near Rison, by Buie Funeral Home of Rison. ______________________________________ WINONA WATTS LITTLE ROCK--Winona Majors Watts, 74, of Crossett, died September 14, 1997, at Arkansas Heart Hospital. She was born at Cornerville (Lincoln County) on January 19, 1923, a daughter of Iva Akin Majors of Crossett, formerly of Monticello, and the late Otto Majors. She was a homemaker and a member of First Baptist Church at Crossett. She had been a school teacher, worked for Georgia Pacific and was an associate in a family business. She was preceded in death by a brother, Aubrey Majors; and a sister, Marguarite Burks. Survivors include her husband, Howard Watts; two sons, Charles Watts of Riverside, California, and Dennis Watts of Austin; a daughter, Carol Miller of Austin; a brother, Bill Majors of San Antonio; a sister, Lucille Echols of Delhi, Louisiana; and six grandchildren. Funeral services are scheduled for 2 p.m. Wednesday at First Baptist Church at Crossett with the Rev. David Newberry officiating. Burial will be in Oakland Cemetery at Monticello by Stephenson-Dearman Funeral Home of Monticello. _____________________________________ ALBERT ASHCRAFT Albert L. Ashcraft, 75, of Pine Bluff, died September 14, 1997, at Jefferson Regional Medical Center. He was born at Pine Bluff on July 30, 1922, a son of the late Walter Ashcraft and Viola McCoskey Ashcraft. He was raised and educated at Pine Bluff and graduated from Watson Chapel High School in 1941. He went to a national trade school at Kansas City and was an electrician at the Pine Bluff Arsenal for 31 years before he retired in 1980. He was a member of the National Guard and retired in 1982. He was a member and a deacon at Hazel Street Baptist Church and was an Army veteran of World War II. He was preceded in death by his sister, Mary Belle West, who died in 1995. Survivors include his wife, Gladys Davis Ashcraft, to whom he was married on June 2, 1946, at Pine Bluff; two sons, Randall L. Ashcraft of London, Arkansas, and Carlton Wayne Ashcraft of McKinney, Texas; a daughter, Carolyn Sue Buford of Pine Bluff; a brother, Daniel Ashcraft of the Sulphur Springs community; a sister, Pauline Barnett of Hot Springs; eight grandchildren; and five great-grandchildren. Funeral services are scheduled for 10 a.m. Wednesday at the chapel of Ralph Robinson & Son Funeral Directors with the Rev. Charles Leslie and the Rev. John Burleson officiating. Burial will be in Memorial Park Cemetery of Pine Bluff. ______________________________________ MARIE CORBELL SPRINGHILL, Louisiana--Marie Clements Corbell, 74, of Springhill, Louisiana, f ormerly of Pine Bluff, died September 13, 1997, at Columbia Springhill Medical Center. She was born at Mineral Springs, Arkansas, on February 18, 1923, a daughter of the late James Lee Clements and Sarah Ellen Davidson Clements. She was a homemaker and a member of Springhill United Methodist Church. She was preceded in death by a grandson. Survivors include her husband, Denver Lee Corbell, with whom she celebrated a 58th wedding anniversary on September 9, 1997; a son, Ronnie Corbell of Springhill; a daughter, Beverly C. Redford of Springhill; a sister, Bernice Pool of Springhill; four grandchildren; and two great-grandchildren. Funeral services were held at 10 a.m. Monday at Bailey Mortuary at Springhill with the Rev. Weldon Bares officiating. Burial was in Springhill Cemetery. ______________________________________ MINNIE TUCKER Minnie Bell Lunsford Tucker, 90, of Pine Bluff, died September 14, 1997, at Jefferson Regional Medical Center. She was born at Rison on October 17, 1906, a daughter of the late John I. Lunsford and Hylie E. Singleton Lunsford. She was a homemaker and a member of the Maranatha Baptist Church at Pine Bluff. She was preceded in death by her husband, Marcus Allen Tucker, to whom she was married on March 27, 1925, and who died July 9, 1997; and three sons, Burtis Leon Tucker, Herman Tucker and Orbie Tucker. Survivors include a daughter, Mildred Imogene Sims of Pine Bluff; 12 grandchildren; and 19 great-grandchildren. Funeral services are scheduled for 2 p.m. Wednesday at Buie Funeral Home at Rison with Mike Andrews and Roy Phillips officiating. Burial will be in New Hope Cemetery near Rison. The family will be at the home of Leonard and Mildred Sims. _____________________________________ JIMMIE DRYE Jimmie L. Drye, 72, of Rison, died September 15, 1997, at Jefferson Regional Medical Center. He was born at Keo (Lonoke County), on April 13, 1925. He was a machinist, a Baptist and a World War II Army veteran. He was preceded in death by his daughter, Martha Tregler. Survivors include his wife, Nora VanCleave Drye; five sons, Jimmie Drye Jr. of Pine Bluff and Thomas Drye, Luther Drye, Shane Drye and Joseph Drye, all of Rison; two daughters, Lillian Glover of Star City and Katherine Bowers of Russellville; two sisters, Reccie Cleveland of Gillett and Bernice James of DeWitt; 14 grandchildren; and two great-grandchildren. Funeral services are scheduled for 2 p.m. Wednesday at Turpin Funeral Home of Stuttgart with the Rev. Gerald Evans officiating. Burial will be in Bayou Meto Cemetery. __________________________________________ Submitted by Linda P. Smith DougMIV@aol.com ____________________________________________________________ PINE BLUFF COMMERCIAL WEDNESDAY, SEPTEMBER 17, 1997 Pine Bluff, Jefferson Co., Arkansas CORRINE RELEFORD (Photo included) GARY, Indiana--Corrine Releford, 68, of Gary, Indiana, formerly of Pine Bluff, died September 4, 1997, at her home. She was born at Rison, Arkansas, on January 23, 1929, a daughter of Josie L. Harris of Pine Bluff and the late Jeff Harris. She was a resident of Gary for 44 years. A member of Galilee Baptist Church at Gary, she was president of the Usher Department, treasurer of the Missionary Society and a member of the Naomi Circle. She was also supervisor of the junior choir, a member of the Class No. 3 Sunday school and member of the adult choir. She was a former bus driver and a lifetime member of the National Association for the Advancement of Colored People (NAACP). Survivors include her husband, Ora Releford; two sons, Jimmie Releford of Merrillville, Indiana, and James Lee Releford of Lafayette, Indiana; two daughters, Florine Releford Henderson and Laverne Releford, both of Gary; eight brothers, Booker T. Harris and Vincent Harris, both of Pine Bluff, Ben Harris and Virgil Harris, both of Chicago, Willie Harris of South Bend, Indiana, Lorenzo Harris and Rufus Harris, both of Gary, and James Harris of West Palm Beach, Florida; two sisters, Helen Wynn of Gary and Lorrine Patterson of Pine Bluff; a stepson, Ora Releford Jr. of Flint, Michigan; 17 grandchildren; and two great-grandchildren. Funeral services were at 11 a.m. September 9, 1997, at Galilee Baptist Church at Gary with the Rev. T.P. Johnson officiating. Burial was in Evergreen Cemetery at Hobart, Indiana, by Guy & Allen Funeral Directors at Gary. _____________________________________ MARGIE NEAL MANSFIELD, Texas--Margie Neal, 72, of Mansfield, Texas, formerly of Pine Bluff, died September 15, 1997, at her home. She was born at Proctor, Texas on June 24, 1925, a daughter of the late William D. Lloyd and Alice Smith Lloyd. She moved to Mansfield from Pine Bluff in May 1986. She was preceded in death by her husband, Page Neal, who died on August 9, 1997; and a son, Richard Keith Neal, who died on September 18, 1992. Survivors include a son, Jimmy Page Neal of Lakewood, Colorado; a brother, Robert Lloyd of Little Rock; four sisters, Billie Davis of Tyler, Texas, Polly Andrews of Long Beach, California, Mildred Andrews of Humble, Texas, and Ima Jean Baxley of Breckenridge, Texas; and three grandchildren. Funeral services are scheduled for 2 p.m. Thursday at Roller-England Funeral Home at England (Lonoke County) with the Rev. Carr Dee Racop officiating. Burial will be in Tomberlin Cemetery near England. ______________________________________ LULA MORING WARREN--Lula Moring, 79, of New Edinburg, died September 16, 1997, at Bradley County Memorial Hospital. She was born in Cleveland County on September 24, 1917, a daughter of the late George Harvill and Dora Bell Thompson Harvill. She was a housewife, a homemaker and a member of Macedonia Freewill Baptist Church near New Edinburg. She was preceded in death by her husband, James Jessie Moring, who died on August 26, 1990; and a brother, Ora Harvill of Okanogan, Washington. Survivors include a son, Gene Briant of New Edinburg; two daughters, Rachel Richardson of Pocahontas and Betty Davis of Little Rock; a brother, Hudie Harvill of New Edinburg; a sister, Ozell Briant of New Edinburg; seven grandchildren; and 10 great-grandchildren. Funeral services are scheduled for 2 p.m. Thursday at Macedonia Freewill Baptist Church with the Rev. Victor Hunter officiating. Burial will be in Reaves Cemetery in Cleveland County by Frazer's Funeral Home of Warren. _____________________________________ WILLIE JONES LITTLE ROCK--Willie Lee Jones, 66, of Yorktown, died September 12, 1997, at Baptist Medical Center. She was born at Cornerville on February 4, 1931, a daughter of the late Greeley Spencer and Vera Gragg Spencer. She was a member of Wade Chapel Missionary Baptist Church at Star City and a homemaker. She was preceded in death by four children. Survivors include her husband, Ben Jones Jr.; seven sons, Fred Darrough and Edward Darrough, both of Star City, Virgil Darrough and Leo Darrough, both of Little Rock, Billy Ray Darrough of Detroit, Donald Ray Darrough of Milwaukee and Cleo Darrough of Dumas; a daughter, Marilyn Darrough of Star City; two brothers, Horace Spenser of Wilmar and Elijah Spencer of Star City; three sisters, Betty Harden of Lacey, Annette Watson of Cornerville and Judy McKeever of Wilmar; two stepsons, Ben Jones III of Pine Bluff and Larry Jones of Orlanda, California; four stepdaughters, Sandy Kay Jones, Diana Jones, Arlene Whaley and Mary Ann Jones, all of California; 50 grandchildren; 30 great-grandchildren; and 20 great-great-grandchildren. Funeral services are scheduled for 11 a.m. Thursday at Wade Chapel Missionary Baptist Church with the Rev. Royce Jackson officiating. Burial will be in St. Stephen Cemetery at Cornerville by Henderson Funeral Home of Monticello. _____________________________________ JEWEL RAWLS BEEBE--Jewel Mae Rawls, 81, of Warren, died September 16, 1997, at Beebe Retirement Center. She was born at Pansy (Cleveland County) on August 9, 1916, a daughter of the late Ed Vinson and Mary Davis Vinson. She was a member of First Assembly of God at Warren and was a homemaker. She was preceded in death by her husband, Earl Rawls, on March 29, 1993, to whom she was married on September 5, 1936, at Rowell, and a daughter, Betty McDonnell. Survivors include a daughter, JoAnn Peters of Jacksonville; two sisters, Gayla McClain of Warren and Jo Small of Pine Bluff; four grandchildren; and a great-grandchild. Funeral services are scheduled for 4 p.m. Thursday at Frazer's Funeral Home at Warren. Burial will be in Oakland Cemetery at Warren. __________________________________________ A. B. LEA LITTLE ROCK--A. B. Lea, 63, of Carthage, died September 14, 1997, at the Veterans Administration Hospital. He was born at Lea Ridge on March 28, 1934, a son of the late Junior Lea and Cora Johnson. He was a self-employed logger and a Baptist. Survivors include a sister, Genobia Motley of Flint, Michigan; two stepsons, Roshell Thomas of Hot Springs and Robert Thomas of Los Angeles; three stepdaughters, Charlotte Hill, Sharon Davis and Margaret Lowery, all of Los Angeles; five grandchildren; and four great-grandchildren. Funeral services are scheduled for noon Thursday at First Baptist Church at Carthage with the Rev. Kenneth Juniel officiating. Burial will be in Hampton Springs Cemetery at Carthage by Brown-Williams Funeral Home of Fordyce. ___________________________________________ Submitted by Linda P. Smith DougMIV@aol.com ___________________________________________________________ PINE BLUFF COMMERCIAL THURSDAY, SEPTEMBER 18, 1997 Pine Bluff, Jefferson Co., Arkansas AARON SULLIVANT (Photo included) SPRINGDALE--Aaron K. Sullivant, 19, of Pine Bluff, died September 15, 1997, at Northwest Arkansas Medical Center. Meningitis. He was born at Pine Bluff on July 26, 1978, a son of Gary L. and Julie Thompson Sullivant of Pine Bluff. He was raised and received his early education at Pine Bluff. He attended New Life Christian Academy, Jack Robey Junior High School and graduated from Pine Bluff High School in 1996. He was a member of A Cappella Choir while at Pine Bluff High School and was a sophomore studying business at the University of Arkansas at Fayetteville. He was a member of South Side Baptist Church at Pine Bluff. According to his father, he was a Christian and his faith was an important part of his life. His hobbies included participating in the basketball program at Seabrook YMCA while growing up at Pine Bluff and taking care of his truck. Other survivors include a brother, Sam G. Sullivant of Pine Bluff; a sister, Jamie L. Sullivant, a student at Arkansas Tech University at Russellville; and grandparents, Opal Sullivant of North Little Rock and Jimmy and Julie Thompson of Mabelvale. Funeral services are scheduled for 10 a.m. Friday at South Side Baptist Church with Dr. J. R. DeBusk officiating. Burial will be in Memorial Park Cemetery at Pine Bluff by Ralph Robinson & Son Funeral Directors. _______________________________________ MAURICE DALBY Maurice Caperton Dalby, 90, of Pine Bluff, died September 17, 1997, at Trinity Village Infirmary. She was born at Hughes Springs, Texas, on August 14, 1907, a daughter of the late Jack Foster and Lena Belle Irvin Caperton. She was raised and received her early education at Pine Bluff and graduated from Pine Bluff High School. She was a homemaker and was active in school, church and club activities in which her daughter was involved. She was active in Trinity Episcopal Church for many years but later moved her membership to Grace Episcopal Church at Pine Bluff. At both churches, she was involved in fundraising and women's group work and was a member of the Order of the Eastern Star. She was preceded in death by her husband, Robert Dalby, whom she married at Pine Bluff on September 19, 1931, and who died on July 23, 1979. Survivors include a daughter, Joannye D. Crabb of Pine Bluff; two grandchildren; and two great-grandchildren. Funeral services are scheduled for 9 a.m. Saturday at Grace Episcopal Church with the Rev. Frank A. Huber and Archdeacon Richard F. Milwee, of the Episcopal Diocese of Arkansas officiating. Burial will be in Bellwood Cemetery at Pine Bluff by Ralph Robinson & Son Funeral Directors. ______________________________________ EVERETT NORRIS BENTON--Everett Norris, 88, of Dumas, died September 17, 1997, at his daughter's home at Benton. He was born at Harrell (Calhoun County) on April 5, 1909, a son of the late John F. Norris and Ida Buck Norris. He was a farmer and a member of First Assembly of God at Dumas. Survivors include his wife, Annie P. Norris; a son, Herman A. Norris of Monticello; two daughters, Linda J. Webb and the Rev. Carolyn Norris, both of Benton; a brother, Alvin Norris of Dumas; two sisters, Rosa Lee Clemons of Hampton and Dorothy Smart of Dumas; five grandchildren; and four great-grandchildren. Funeral services are scheduled for 2 p.m. Friday at Griffin Funeral Home of Dumas with the Rev. Carolyn Norris officiating and the Rev. Terry A. Norris assisting. Burial will be in Walnut Lake Cemetery at Dumas. ________________________________________ CLARA ROLAND Clara Mae Stephens Roland, 94, of Pine Bluff, died September 16, 1997, at her home. She was born at Pine Bluff on August 22, 1903, a daughter of the late Thomas Anderson and Mary Tilden Ridinger Stephens. She went to First Methodist Church at Pine Bluff and was a cosmetician at Walgreens Drug Store. She was preceded in death by her husband, A.A. Roland, who died on September 26, 1995. Survivors include a sister, Selma Phelps of Pine Bluff. Funeral services are scheduled for 10 a.m. today at Hale-South Funeral Home with Charles Settle and Al Sparkman officiating. Burial will be in Goodfaith Cemetery at Pine Bluff. _________________________________________ EDGAR EDWARDS SEARCY--Edgar Richardson Edwards, 91, of Beebe, formerly of Sheridan, died September 16, 1997, at Central Arkansas Hospital. He was born at Sheridan on January 14, 1906, a son of the late Earl and Virginial Crutchfield Edwards. He was a member of Corinth Missionary Baptist Church of Sheridan and a retired farmer. Survivors include a son, Eddie Edwards of McRae (White County); and two daughters, Louise Goodwin of McRae and Bernice Myer of Cave City (Sharp County); three sisters, Thelma Whitmire, Amanda Fitzgerald and Adeline Poe, all of Sheridan; seven grandchildren; and 18 great-grandchildren. Funeral services are scheduled for 1 p.m. Friday at Corinth Missionary Baptist Church with the Rev. Robert Cossey officiating. Burial will be in Corinth Cemetery near Sheridan by Buie Funeral Home of Sheridan. _______________________________________ MARGARET STAFFORD Funeral services for Margaret T. Stafford, 74, of Pine Bluff, who died September 16, 1997, at Jefferson Regional Medical Center, are scheduled for 2 p.m. today at Lakeside United Methodist Church at Pine Bluff with Charles Murry and Lynn Dyke officiating with assistance from M.L. Faler. Burial will be in Graceland Cemetery at Pine Bluff by Hale South Funeral Home. She was born at Pine Bluff on June 9, 1923, a daughter of the late Jeff Howey and Lois Cooper Howey. She was a housewife and went to Lakeside Methodist Church. She was a member of Keen Agers, Loafers, Circle No. 2 and the Sunshine Committee. She was preceded in death by her husband, Herman C. Stafford Sr., who died January 5, 1986. Survivors include a son, Herman Stafford Jr. of Pine Bluff; two daughters, Carolyn Devos of Pine Bluff and Connie Sue Paul of Memphis; and three grandchildren. _______________________________________ OZELL TRIMBLE LITTLE ROCK--Ozell George Trimble, 76, of Warren, died September 17, 1997, at St. Vincent Infirmary Medical Center. She was born in Cleveland County on August 7, 1921, a daughter of the late Asberry Trammell and Maggie Mills Trammell. She was a member of First Baptist Church at Warren and a retired employee of Potlatch Corporation. Survivors include her husband, Grady Trimble, whom she married at Warren on April 9, 1997; two sons, Duwayne George and Roger George, both of Warren; two daughters, Wanda Strickland of Pine Bluff and Sherry Smith of Warren; a stepdaughter, Elizabeth Ann Bates of Houston; a brother, Lorie Trammell of Warren; two sisters, Erma Curry and Aliene Roberts, both of Warren; 17 grandchildren; 17 great-grandchildren; and a great-great-grandchild. Funeral services are scheduled for 2 p.m. Friday at Frazer's Funeral Home at Warren. Burial will be in Moseley Cemetery near Warren. _______________________________________ CECIL HUNTER Cecil H. Hunter, 72, of Pine Bluff, died September 17, 1997, at his home. He was born at Tuscaloosa, Alabama, on July 3, 1925, a son of the late Clarence Haley and Belle Hunter. He was raised and educated at North Point, Alabama, and graduated from North Point High School. He joined the Navy and served in World War II after graduation. He worked for International Paper, as a pipe fitter and then as a master mechanic, for 46 years. He retired in March 1990. He was a member of the Quarter Century Club and a past president of the Supervisors Club at International Paper. He was also a past president of Local United Paperworkers International Union at Mobile, Alabama. He was a Red Cross and Special Olympics volunteer. He had lived at Pine Bluff since 1948. Survivors include his wife, Inez Moore Hunter, whom he married at Lucedale, Mississippi, on April 10, 1946; two sons, Paul Hunter and Randy Hunter, both of Pine Bluff; a daughter, Charlotte Cash of Pine Bluff; a brother, Raymond Hunter of Tupelo, Mississippi; a sister, Thelma Skelton of Tuscaloosa; nine grandchildren; and two great-grandchildren. Funeral services are scheduled for 2 p.m. Friday at Ralph Robinson & Son Funeral Directors with the Rev. M.L. Faler officiating. Burial will be in Cypress Memorial Gardens near Pine Bluff. _______________________________________ VIVIAN ADAMS TYLER, Texas-- "Teacher" Vivian Adams,90, of Tyler, Texas, formerly of Dumas, Arkansas, died September 16, 1997, at Tyler. She was born at Collins, Arkansas, on October 13, 1906, a daughter of the late Cipe Bullock and Mary Trice Bullock. She taught Sunday school at First Baptist Church at Dumas for 50 years and at Weecare at the church. She was also a member of the church and Friendship Garden Club. Nieces and nephews who provided a majority of the care include Harriet Erickson, Mary Ruth Price Brown, Clay Price, Phil Price, James Bulloch, Johnny Clayton, Barry Bullouch and Mary Jean Bulloch Boyd. Funeral services are scheduled for 10 a.m. today at First Baptist Church with the Rev. Neil Bennett officiating. Burial will be in Walnut Lake Cemetery at Dumas by Griffin Funeral Home of Dumas. ____________________________________________ Submitted by Linda P. Smith DougMIV@aol.com ____________________________________________________________ PINE BLUFF COMMERCIAL FRIDAY, SEPTEMBER 19, 1997 Pine Bluff, Jefferson Co., Arkansas EDWARD HAYNES DALLAS--Edward McKessant Haynes, 26, of Pine Bluff, died September 15, 1997, at Dallas. He was born on September 4, 1972, a son of the Rev. James Haynes of Malvern, Arkansas, and Shirley Lewis of Sacramento, California. He went to Malvern High School and the University of Arkansas at Pine Bluff. He was a member of East Light Masonic Lodge 6 and a member of the Vikins. He worked at Super Bad and Looking Good Men Store at Pine Bluff. Survivors include his wife, Denise Haynes; a daughter Jessica Haynes of Monticello, Arkansas; a stepfather, Dr. David Lewis of Sacramento; a brother, Marcus Lewis of Sacramento; and grandparents, Pearlean Haynes Murdock of Malvern and Gladys Lewis of Hughes, Arkansas. Funeral services are scheduled for 11 a.m. Saturday at Brandon's Mortuary at Malvern with the Rev. James Haynes officiating. Burial will be in Perla Cemetery at Perla (Hot Springs County). _______________________________________ HENRY LEE JR. Funeral services for Henry Lee Jr., 57, of Pine Bluff, who died September 11, 1997, at his home, are scheduled for 11 a.m. Saturday at Mount Nebo Baptist Church at Pine Bluff with Larry C. Battles officiating. Burial will be in Belmont Cemetery at the Moscow community near here by Christian Way Funeral Home. He was born at Moscow on April 14, 1940, a son of the late Henry Lee Sr. and Lucinda Chanay. He was a member of Mount Nebo Baptist Church and was a self-employed mechanic. Survivors include his wife, Mary L. Cash Lee; five sons, Larry D. Lee, Gregory Lee, Quinton D. Lee and Henry Lee III, all of Chicago, and Edgar Lee of Memphis; three stepsons, Robert Jefferson of Dallas and Melvin L. Jefferson, both of Pine Bluff; a daughter, Bernadette Y. Lee of Memphis; five stepdaughters, Lois Thompson of Vallejo, California, and Beverly Jefferson, Sandra Jefferson, Rosemary Jefferson and Bobbie J. Riley, all of Pine Bluff, a sister, Dora M. Beard of Chicago; 35 grandchildren; and 13 great-grandchildren. ______________________________________ JUERET TOTTY ALTHEIMER--Funeral services for Jueret Lewis Totty, 83, of Altheimer, who died September 11, 1997, at Jefferson Regional Medical Center, are scheduled for 2 p.m. Saturday at Macedonia Baptist Church at Cornerstone with the Rev. Charles Helloms Jr. officiating. Burial will be in Union Baptist Cemetery at the Sweden community near here by P.K. Miller Mortuary of Pine Bluff. She was born at Natchez, Mississippi, on November 19, 1913, a daughter of the late Lee Lewis and Patsy Lewis THompson. She received her early education at Jefferson County public schools and was a homemaker. She was a member of Macedonia Baptist Church and of the usher board, the American Legion Auxiliary, an honorary member of Swan Lake Home Demonstration Club and went to the Altheimer Senior Citizens Center. She was preceded in death by her husband, O.Z. Totty, who died May 21, 1975. Survivors include two nieces who were caregivers, Earma Byndum of Gary, India na, and Elnora Jenkins of Altheimer. ______________________________________ EDWARD STONE LITTLE ROCK-- Edward Lee Stone, 85, of Little Rock, died September 18, 1997, at his home. He was born at Pine Bluff on December 26, 1911, a son of the late John Stone and Ella Stone. He was a member of Trinity United Methodist Church at Little Rock, a former Rotarian and a retired real estate agent. Survivors include his wife, Elenor M. Stone; and two daughters, Mariella Stone Tedder, and Elizabeth Meurer; and four grandchildren. There will be a private graveside service in Bellwood Cemetery at Pine Bluff. Griffin Leggett Healey and Roth Funeral Home at Little Rock is handling the arrangements. _________________________________________ BEVERLY LOWE LITTLE ROCK-- Beverly Liebert Lowe, 65, of Sheridan, died September 17, 1997, at St. Vincent Infirmary Medical Center. She was born at Grand Rapids, Michigan, on January 20, 1932, a daughter of the late Gustave H. and Dorothy L. Race Liebert. She was the owner and operator of Wildwood Florist at Sheridan and a Baptist. She was preceded in death by her husband, Jim Lowe, who died September 10, 1997. Survivors include a son, Danny Lowe of Highland, Michigan; a daughter, Janice Banas of Hamtramck, Michigan; two brothers, Carl Liebert of Virginia Beach, Virginia, and Michael Liebert of Grand Rapids; and a sister Norma Winston of Sheridan. Graveside services are scheduled for 9:30 a.m. today in Lost Creek Cemetery at Sheirdan with the Rev. Tim Montgomery officiating. Arrangements are being handled by Buie Funeral Home of Sheridan. ___________________________________ CALLIE GREEN YORKTOWN-- Funeral services for Callie "Moochie" Dudley Green, 93, of Pine Bluff, who died September 13, 1997, at Jefferson Regional Medical Center, are scheduled for 3 p.m. Saturday at First Trinity Church of God in Christ at Pine Bluff with Michael Williams officiating. Burial will be in Mount Nebo Cemetery at Yorktown by Christian Way Funeral Home. She was born at Yorktown on March 7, 1904, a daughter of the late Dan Dudley and Esther Green. She was a housekeeper and a retired midwife. She was preceded in death by her husband, Marion Green. Survivors include two sons, Eddie Ray Richmond of Chicago and James Lee Green of St. Louis; a daughter, Easter Green of Pine Bluff; a granddaughter who was a caregiver, Callie L. Green of Pine Bluff; 48 other grandchildren; and 21 great-grandchildren. _________________________________________ JAMES FRANKLIN James Lee Franklin, 60, of Pine Bluff, died September 13, 1997, at Jefferson Regional Medical Center. Funeral services are scheduled for 10 a.m. Saturday at Highland Baptist Church at Pine Bluff with Floyd Robinson officiating. Burial will be in Forest Lawn Cemetery at Pine Bluff by Christian Way Funeral Home. He was born at Wells Bayon on November 16, 1936, a son of the late Earl Lee Franklin and Lorine Rayford. He went to school at St. Peter's Catholic School, was a watch care member of Highland Baptist Church and was a retired chef. Survivors include six sons, Bernard West, Vincent West, Tracy West, Kelvin West, Kariem West and Earl Lee West, all of Little Rock; a brother, Melvin Williams of Pine Bluff; four sisters, Jerline Johnican of Chicago, Pearl Williams Gibbs of Harvey, Illinois, Louise Williams King of Pine Bluff and Mildred Williams Baker of Little Rock; and seven grandchildren. __________________________________________ FILES SANDERS JR. Funeral services for Files Sanders Jr., 81, of Pine Bluff, who died September 14, 1997, at Jefferson Regional Medical Center, are scheduled for 2:30 p.m. Saturday at First Baptist Church at the Ladd community near here with the Rev. Sylvester Redix officiating. Burial will be in Forest Lawn Cemetery at Pine Bluff by Brown Funeral Home at Pine Bluff. He was born at Ladd on June 12, 1916, a son of the late Files Sanders Sr. and Lillian Williams Sanders. He was a self-employed farmer, a steward and Mason and a member of Purtum Chapel AME Church at Ladd. He was preceded in death by his wife, Thelma Perry Sanders. Survivors include nine sons, James Sanders of Flint, Michigan, Robert Sanders of Atlanta, Jimmy Sanders of Modesto, California, Ricky Charles Sanders of Jacksonville, North Carolina, Leon Sanders of Lincoln, Nebraska, and Samuel Sanders, Jesse Sanders, Johnny Sanders, and Files Sanders III, all of Pine Bluff; a daughter Joyce Givens of Little Rock; 25 grandchildren; and 10 great-grandchildren. ______________________________________ Submitted by Linda P. Smith DougMIV@aol.com ========================================================== PINE BLUFF COMMERCIAL SATURDAY, SEPTEMBER 20, 1997 Pine Bluff, Jefferson Co., Arkansas FELTON HAMPTON SR. JOHNSVILLE-- Funeral services for Felton Wiley Hampton Sr., 47, of Johnsville (Bradley County), who died September 15, 1997, at Jefferson Regional Medical Center, are scheduled for 11 a.m. today at Greater Hampton Chapel AME Church at Johnsville with the Rev. Dewayne Hammack officiating. Burial will be in Hampton Cemetery at Johnsville by Reddick Funeral Home at Warren. He was born at Vick (Bradley County) on June 1, 1950, a son of Maeola Hampton of Johnsville and the late Mitchell Hampton. Other survivors include his wife, Willie Jean Hampton; four sons, Tyrone Hampton and Enrique Hampton, both of Johnsville, Kerry Thomas of Chicago and Felton Hampton Jr. of Denver; two daughters, Brandy Hampton and Latoyia Hampton, both of Johnsville; a brother, Melvin Hampton of Chicago; six sisters, Eva Sue Hampton of Hermitage, Joe Etta Ogburn of Oak Park, Illinois, Ethel Fairley and Lucretia Hampton, both of Broadview, Illinois, Kathrine Keaton of Chicago and Margaret Thomas of Denver; and five grandchildren. __________________________________________ LELA PETERS-CLARK CHICAGO-- Lela Mae Peters-Clark, 99, of Chicago, formerly of Pine Bluff, died September 14, 1997, at Jackson Park Nursing Home. She was born at Texarkana, Arkansas, on September 15, 1897, a daughter of the late Andrew Mack and Margaret Patterson Mack. She established missionary societies and joined Mount Sinai Missionary Baptist Church at Chicago. She served on several ministries until moving to Minden, Louisiana. She moved back to Chicago in 1990 and joined Mount Sinai Missionary Baptist Church again. She was preceded in death by two husbands, John B. Peters, her first husband with whom she had 11 children, and Cicero Clark "Papa Bud", a schoolmate to whom she was married for 23 years; two sons and six siblings. Survivors include nine children; a sister, Tommie B. Dillard of Oklahoma City; 43 grandchildren; 74 great-grandchildren; 15 great-great-grandchildren; and a great-great-great-grandchild. Funeral services were held at 11:30 a.m. Friday at Mount Sinai Missionary Baptist Church with William R. Lott Sr. officiating. Burial was in Oakridge Cemetery at Hillside, Illinois, by Wallac Broadview Funeral Home at Broadview, Illinois. __________________________________________ LOUISE FOSTER Louise Foster, 80, of Pine Bluff, died September 18, 1997, at Arkansas Convalescent Center. She was born at Staves (Cleveland County) on September 11, 1917, a daughter of the late Thomas and Cornelia Ashcraft Lutrell. She was raised and received her early education in Cleveland County schools. She moved to Pine Bluff in 1932 to live with her sister and had been a resident of Pine Bluff since then. She and her husband had been in the restaurant business for many years, and she was a member of Wesley United Methodist Church at Pine Bluff. Survivors include her husband of 60 years, Sam Gordon Foster, whom she married at Pine Bluff on September 22, 1936; two daughters, Julia Barrett of Sherrill and Laura Beth Hornsby of Pine Bluff; a sister, Hazel Wilson of Rison; five grandchildren; and a great-grandchild. Graveside services are scheduled for 3 p.m. today in Graceland Cemetery at Pine Bluff with the Rev. Siegfried Johnson officiating. Arrangements are being handled by Ralph Robinson & Son Funeral Directors. ______________________________________ CLARENCE THOMAS JR. LITTLE ROCK-- Funeral services for Clarence Thomas Jr., 43, of Pine Bluff, who died September 15, 1997, at Jefferson Regional Medical Center, are scheduled for 11 a.m. Monday at Brown Funeral Home of Pine Bluff with the Rev. Leon Williams officiating. Burial will be in Little Rock National Cemetery in Little Rock. He was born at Sherrill on May 17, 1954, a son of Clarence Thomas Sr. and Ethel Collins Thomas, both of Pine Bluff. He served in the Navy and was a Baptist. Other survivors include a son, Clarence Deundra Thomas of Pine Bluff; a stepson, Clarence L. Thomas of Conway; four daughters, Valerie Thomas of Arlington, Texas, Andrea Nicole Toney of Tucker and Farrian Thomas and Carla Thomas, both of Conway; three brothers, Raymond J. Thomas of Little Rock and Ronald M. Thomas and Donnell Thomas, both of Pine Bluff; a sister, Bonita Thomas Corbin of Pine Bluff; a grandmother, Edna Collins of Pine Bluff; and two grandchildren. _____________________________________ J. O. HARROD LITTLE ROCK-- J.O. Harrod, 75, of Hermitage, died September 19, 1997, at St. Vincent Infermary Medical Center. He was born at Eagle Lake on January 23, 1922. He was the retired owner and operator of J.O.'s Farm Supply at Hermitage. He was a former mayor of Hermitage, a member of Antioch Primitive Baptist Church at Ingalls and served in the Army during World War II. Survivors include his wife, Merle Johnson Harrod, whom he married on October 23, 1947; a daughter, Kay Morrow of Yorktown, Virginia; two brothers, Fred Harrod of Lonoke and Kirby Harrod of Warren; three sisters, Lourine Hairston of Lonoke, Faye Chandler of Monticello and Agnes Pappas of Texarkana, Texas; and two grandchildren. Funeral services are scheduled for 2 p.m. Sunday at Union Hill Baptist Church at Ingalls. Burial will be in Union Hill Cemetery by Frazer's Funeral Home at Warren. ________________________________________ Submitted by Linda P. Smith DougMIV@aol.com =============================================================== Only one death listed in the following...... PINE BLUFF COMMERCIAL SUNDAY, SEPTEMBER 21, 1997 Pine Bluff, Jefferson Co., Arkansas BRADLEY STROUD LITTLE ROCK-- Bradley Wade Stroud, infant, of Pine Bluff, died September 19, 1997, at Arkansas Children's Hospital. Born September 5, 1997, he was the son of Steven and Julie White Stroud, both of Pine Bluff. Other survivors include his grandparents, Johnny and June White of Pine Bluff and H.C. and Patsy Stroud of Pine Bluff; and great-grandparents, Patsy White of Heber Springs, Pearl Stroud of Springhill, Louisiana, and Myrna Garner of Pine Bluff. Funeral services are scheduled for 2 p.m. Monday at Watson Chapel Baptist Church with Rev. M.L. Faler officiating. Burial will be in Graceland Cemetery. Ralph Robinson & Son Funeral Directors are handling the arrangements. ______________________________________ Submitted by Linda P. Smith DougMIV@aol.com ___________________________________________________________ PINE BLUFF COMMERCIAL MONDAY, SEPTEMBER 22, 1997 Pine Bluff, Jefferson Co., Arkansas HAZEL SMITH (Photo included) Hazel "Granma" Lee Smith, 72, of Pine Bluff, died September 17, 1997, at Jefferson Regional Medical Center. Born September 26, 1924, at Moscow, she was a daughter of the late Tippie King and Maggie (Futch) King. She was member of Mount Harmony Baptist Church and a homemaker. She was preceded in death by her husband, William Smith. Survivors include a son, Lawrence Smith of Pine Bluff; two daughters, Rhodie Smith and Joella Smith, both of Pine Bluff; two brothers, Henry King of San Francisco and Charlie King of Sacramento, California; five sisters, Pecola Jackson of Moscow, Vester Williams and Lettie Mason, both of Little Rock, Fannie Foote of Rockford, Illinois, and Ethel Seamore of Oakland, California; five grandchildren; and three great-grandchildren. Funeral services are scheduled for 2 p.m. Tuesday at Mount Harmony Baptist Church with the Rev. Robert Handley officiating. Burial will be in the Ceder Grove Section of Graceland Cemetery. __________________________________________ AUTHUREEN JACKSON LITTLE ROCK--Authureen Jackson, 46, of Jefferson, died September 17, 1997, at the Veterans Administration Hospital. Born January 6, 1951, at Aligator, Mississippi, he was a son of the late James Jackson and Susie (Jefferson) Jackson. He served in the U.S. Army and was a member of Happy Home Baptist Church at Jefferson. Survivors include his wife, Ida Mae Jackson of Tampa; two sons, Quinn Arthur Jackson of Little Rock and Michael Jackson of Pine Bluff; two brothers, Roosevelt Jackson of Bartow, Florida, and Nathaniel Jackson of Hope; a sister, Liz Conner of Jefferson; and two grandchildren. Funeral services are scheduled for 11 a.m. Tuesday at Happy Home Baptist Church with the Rev. Clarence Thornton officiating. Burial will be in Little Rock National Cemetery. ________________________________ JAMES RILEY POYEN--James "Pete" Randall Riley,43, of Prattsville (Grant County), died September 20, 1997, from injuries sustained in an auto accident near Poyen. Born March 2, 1954, at Malvern, he was the son of Ethel Edwards Riley of Poyen and the late James Wilson Riley. He was employed by International Paper Co. as a planer mill foreman. He was also a member of First Assembly of God at Sheridan, where he was secretary-treasurer and a Sunday school teacher. He was a singer and a writer of gospel songs. Other survivors include his wife, Diana Walton Riley; two sons, K. Chace Riley of Little Rock Air Force Base and Derrick Wade Riley of Prattsville; a daughter Jennifer Dawn Riley of Prattsville; a brother, Jim Riley of San Pablo, California; and a sister, Regina Murray of Poyen. Funeral services are scheduled for 2:30 p.m. Tuesday at First Assembly of God at Sheridan with the Rev. Jimmy Bobo and the Rev. John Trotter officiating. Burial will be in Poyen Cemetery by Buie Funeral Home of Sheridan. _______________________________ THOMAS DAVIS FORDYCE--Thomas Eugene Davis, 54, of Kingsland, died September 20, 1997, at Dallas County Hospital. Born January 17, 1943, he was a son of Mary Poore Davis of Bearden (Ouachita County), and the late Elmer D. Davis. He retired as a grader operator for Cleveland County, and was a member of Southside Baptist Church at Fordyce. He was a member of the American Legion. He also received a Purple Heart serving in the Vietnam War. Other survivors include his wife, Pauline Golden Davis of Kingsland; seven sons, Thomas R. Davis and Jackie Stringfellow, both of Fordyce, Jimmy W. Davis and Thomas Webb, both of Bearden, Charles D. Davis of Pansy (Cleveland County), Marvin Stringfellow of Kingsland and Tim Stringfellow of Manahans, Texas; two daughters, Lora Ann Davis and Charlina Smith, both of Fordyce; three brothers, Javis L. Davis and John R. Davis, both of Bearden, James D. Davis of Shreveport; a sister, Bonnie Bowers of Fordyce; and 18 grandchildren. Funeral services are scheduled for 2 p.m. Wednesday at Benton Funeral Home Chapel at Fordyce with the Rev. Charles Jones officiating. Burial will be in Salem Cemetery at Bearden. _______________________________________ ELIZABETH EVANS NEWPORT--Elizabeth Jackson Evans, 89, of Sheridan, died September 20, 1997, at Newport Hospital. Born December 19, 1907, at Brighton, Tennessee, she was a daughter of the late T.S. and Lee Sherill Jackson. She was a retired school teacher, having taught in Sheridan public schools. She was a charter member of Immanuel Baptist Church at Sheridan and a member of Faith Baptist Church at Newport. Survivors include her son, Ernest Evans of Newport; two brothers, William Jackson of Little Rock and Thomas Jackson of Prescott, Arizona; and two grandchildren. Funeral services are scheduled for 10 a.m. Tuesday at Buie Funeral Home of Sheridan with Rev. Harold Epperson officiating. Burial will be in Lost Creek Cemetery at Sheridan. Memorials may be made to Elizabeth J. Evans Scholarship Fund, Central Baptist College, 1501 College Avenue, Conway, AR 72032. _________________________________ G. W. HAYS McGEHEE--G. W. Hays, 81, of McGehee, died September 20, 1997, at Leisure Lodge Nursing Home. Born September 16, 1916, at Dumas, he was a son of the late George Washington Hays and Addie Oliver Hays. He was a retired farmer and cotton gin owner, and was a member of the First Baptist Church at McGehee. Survivors include his wife, Lorraine Hoover Hays; a son, Larry Hays of Florence (Drew County), a daughter, Betty Hays Corder of Mountain View; a sister, Jimmie Donaldson of West Monroe, Louisiana; four grandsons; and five great-grandsons. Funeral services are scheduled for 2 p.m. today at Stephenson-Dearman Funeral Home with Dr. Tommy Cunningham and the Rev. Jake Lindsey officiating. Burial will be in Mount Tabor Cemetery in Drew County. ___________________________________ JULIA MAYS FORDYCE--Julia May Mays, 89, of Fordyce, died September 20, 1997, at her home. Born February 4, 1908, at Rison, she was a daughter of the late James Madison May and Gussie Mae Flournoy May. She was a member of First United Methodist Church at Fordyce and a homemaker. She was preceded in death by her husband, Robert Henry Mays. Survivors include a daughter, Judy Mays Morris of Fordyce; a sister, Norma L. May of Little Rock; and a grandson. Graveside services are scheduled for 10 a.m. today at Oakland Cemetery at Fordyce with the Rev. Larry Ferguson officiating. Arrangements are by Benton Funeral Home of Fordyce. _______________________________ SELLERS BURGERS JR. LITTLE ROCK--Sellers Thomas Burgers Jr., 65, of Pine Bluff, died September 14, 1997, at the Veterans Administration Hospital. Born March 3, 1932, at New Edinburg, he was a son of the late Sellers Burger Sr. and Ethel (Ford) Guy. He served in the Army and was a Baptist. Survivors include two sons, Michael Burgers and Ronald Burgers, both of Los Angeles; three daughters, Cheryl Garnette of Morganville, Kentucky, and Crystal Burgers and Cynthia Burgers, both of Lynwood, California; two brothers, Miles Guy Jr. of Pine Bluff and Roland Guy of San Diego; three sisters, Jobee Burgers of Lynwood, California, and Corine Guy Nelson and Gloria Guy, both of Pine Bluff; 15 grandchildren and four great-grandchildren. Funeral services are scheduled for 2 p.m. today at Brown Funeral Home with Rev. H.C. Curry Jr. officiating. Burial will be in the Veterans Administration section of Bellwood Cemetery. ___________________________________ Submitted by Linda P. Smith DougMIV@aol.com ___________________________________________________________ PINE BLUFF COMMERCIAL TUESDAY, SEPTEMBER 23, 1997 Pine Bluff, Jefferson Co., Arkansas OCIE SPEER BENTON--Ocie Mataline Oliver Speer, 91, of Benton, died September 21, 1997, at her daughter's home. She was born in Calhoun County on December 7, 1905, a daughter of the late Ben and Mattie Oliver. She was a resident of Benton for several years and a former resident of Tinsman (Calhoun County). She was a homemaker, a member of Campground Cumberland Presbyterian Church at Hampton and loved to work in her flower garden. She was preceded in death by her husband, Carl Speer Sr., whom she married on December 26, 1923; a son, Carl B. Speer Jr.; and a grandson. Survivors include two daughters, Martha S. Rogers of Sherwood and Joan B. Bryant of Benton; a brother, Clive Oliver of Hampton; nine grandchildren; 14 great-grandchildren; two great-great-grandchildren; and a stepgreat-grandchild. Funeral services are scheduled for 2 p.m. today at Campground Cumberland Presbyterian Church. Burial will be in Campground Cemetery at Hampton by Benton Funeral Home of Fordyce and Hampton. _______________________________________ MARK GREENWOOD GLEN BURNIE, Maryland--Mark J. Greenwood, 36, of Glen Burnie, Maryland, died September 18, 1997, at his home. He was born at Lincoln, Nebraska, on November 17, 1961, a son of Larry Dale Greenwood of Pine Bluff and Val Renee Joane Robitaille Greenwood of Palmyra, Nebraska. He was a chef/manager at Bonanza in Maryland and lived at Minneapolis prior to living in Maryland. He was preceded in death by his grandparents. Survivors include a brother, Larry Dale Greenwood Jr. of Pine Bluff; three sisters, Deborah Renee Reynolds of Detroit, Sherry Lynn Barmann of Santa Rosa, California,l and Rachelle Beggs of Pine Bluff; and a grandmother, Catherine Greenwood of Pine Bluff. Funeral services are scheduled for 2 p.m. Thursday at Fusselman-Wymore-Hammons-Marshall Funeral Home at Syracuse, Nebraska with the Rev. Sheryl Kester Beyer officiating. Burial will be in Roca Cemetery at Roca, Nebraska. _____________________________________ FLORA VARNER WATSON--Flora Jane Varner, 69, of Watson, died September 20, 1997, at her home. She was born at Clarendon on November 24, 1927, a daughter of the late Ben Northern and Jeanie Hoover Northern. She was a homemaker and a member of United Methodist Church at Watson. She was preceded in death by a son, Howard Calvin Varner. Survivors include three sons, James Garland Young of California, Kenneth Richard Young of Benton and Frank Varner of Watson; a daughter, Ann Varner of Oklahoma; two brothers, Kenneth Northern and Robert Northern, both of Clarendon; two sisters, Helen Shaw of Benton and Betty Stevens of Ohio; a stepdaughter, Mary Eller of Monroe; 12 grandchildren; and four great-grandchildren. Memorial services are scheduled for 11 a.m. today at United Methodist Church. Her body was given to medical science, so there will not be a burial. Arrangements are handled by Griffin Funeral Home of Dumas. _________________________________ ISABEL DAVIS Isabel Gammill Davis, 80, of Pine Bluff, died September 22, 1997, at Jefferson Regional Medical Center. She was born at Pine Bluff on August 4, 1917, a daughter of the late Lewis Henry and Ellen Terral Gammill. She was raised and received her early education at Pine Bluff. She graduated from Pine Bluff High School in 1935 and went to college at Brookhaven, Mississippi, for a year. She worked for Fox Brothers Hardware at Pine Bluff. She and her husband lived at Black Oak, Arkansas; Rolling Fork, Mississippi; and Krotz Springs, Louisiana, during the early years of their marriage. She lived in Pine Bluff while her husband was in the service during World War II. They moved to Alexandria and at Lake Charles, Louisiana, after the war before they moved to Pine Bluff. She was a homemaker and a member of First Baptist Church at Pine Bluff. She was also a fan of Arkansas Razorback football and basketball. Survivors include her husband, Fred D. Davis Jr., whom she married at Pine Bluff on July 5, 1940; a son, Judge Fred D. Davis III of White Hall; and four grandchildren. Funeral services are scheduled for 10:30 a.m. Wednesday at Ralph Robinson & Son Funeral Directors with the Rev. Gordon A. Topping officiating. Burial will be in Graceland Cemetery at Pine Bluff. _____________________________________ VIRGINIA CALAWAY LITTLE ROCK--Virginia "Bitsy" Parker Calaway, 73, of Pine Bluff, died September 21, 1997, at Baptist Medical Center. She was born at Pine Bluff on March 26, 1924, a daughter of the late Ira "Jake" Parker and Birdie Williams Parker. She was raised and educated at Pine Bluff and graduated from Pine Bluff High School. She went to the University of Arkansas at Monticello and was a secretary at the National Center for Toxicological Research for many years before she retired in 1987. She was a member of Grace Episcopal Church at Pine Bluff. She was preceded in death by a brother, Walter C. Parker; and a sister, Dorothy Marzee Parker. Survivors include a sister, Eloise Parker DeWeese of Pine Bluff. Funeral services are scheduled for 3 p.m. Wednesday at Ralph Robinson & Son Funeral Directors with the Rev. Rachelle Birnbaum officiating. Burial will be in Graceland Cemetery at Pine Bluff. ________________________________ SUE BOYLES JACKSON, Mississippi--Sue Funderburg Boyles, 58, of Brandon, Mississippi, died September 21, 1997, at St. Dominic Hospital. She was born in Grant County, Arkansas, on July 26, 1939, a daughter of Lucille Funderburg of Sheridan, Arkansas, and the late Marion Funderburg. She was preceded in death by a brother, Richard Funderburg. Survivors include her husband, Tom Boyles of Brandon; a son, Kenny Boyles of Clinton, Mississippi; two daughters, Theresa Keys of Madison, Mississippi and Cheryl Scandone, of Tallahassee, Florida; two brothers, Ronnie Funderburg of Sheridan and Jimmy Dale Funderburg of Pine Bluff; five sisters, Shirley Funderburg Worthen and Mildred Funderburg Brashears, both of Grapevine, Arkansas, Martha Funderburg Moltz and Kathy Funderburg Reichenbach, both of Sheridan, and Betty Funderburg Spence of Panama City, Florida; and two grandchildren. Funeral services are scheduled for 10 a.m. today at St. Peters Cathedral Church at Jackson. Burial will be in Parkway Memorial Cemetery at Ridgeland, Mississippi, by Wright and Ferguson Funeral Home of Jackson. __________________________________ Submitted by Linda P. Smith DougMIV@aol.com ____________________________________________________________ PINE BLUFF COMMERCIAL WEDNESDAY, SEPTEMBER 24, 1997 Pine Bluff, Jefferson Co., Arkansas EMMAZELLA GRIGSBY Emmazella Rowe Grigsby, 78, of Pine Bluff, died September 22, 1997, at her home. She was born at Sulphur Rock on December 20, 1918, a daughter of the late Mabel Rowe. She graduated valedictorian at Batesville High School in 1936 and was a former bookkeeper at Hale Dry Goods at Batesville. She was a loan officer at Batesville Federal Savings and Loan, secretary at First Baptist Church at Pine Bluff. She was a member of First Baptist Church at Pine Bluff and a Prayer Warrior. She was preceded in death by a son, Jerry Grigsby; and a sister, Ruby Rowe. Survivors include her husband, Rembert Grigsby; two daughters, Janice Smithey of Pine Bluff and Margaret Carnahan of Russellville; a brother, Buddy Rowe of Batesville; five grandchildren; and three great-grandchildren. Graveside services are scheduled for 3 p.m. Thursday in Oaklawn Cemetery at Batesville with Dr. John McClanahan officiating. The body was cremated. Arrangements are by Crouch Funeral Home of Batesville. ___________________________________ AGNES BANTHAM LITTLE ROCK--Agnes Karraker Bantham, 96, of Sheridan, died September 22, 1997, at Southwest Hospital. She was born in Oklahoma on May 29, 1901, a daughter of the late Charles E. and Della Thomason Karraker. She was a homemaker, a member of Bethel Methodist Church near Sheridan and a member of Cain Creek Home Demonstration Club. She was preceded in death by her husband, Charles Les Bantham, who died on November 18, 1981. There were no immediate survivors. Graveside services are scheduled for 10 a.m. Thursday in Bethel Cain Creek Cemetery near Sheridan with the Rev. David Smith officiating. Arrangements are by Buie Funeral Home of Sheridan. _____________________________________ RUBYE GRISHAM HOT SPRINGS--Rubye Adams Grisham, 89, of Hot Springs, formerly of Dermott, died September 22, 1997, at Lakewood Convalescent Home. She was born in Drew County on August 24, 1908, a daughter of the late Ivan Adams and Elvie Millard Adams. She was a homemaker and a member of First Methodist Church of Dermott. She was preceded in death by her husband, Lamar W Grisham. Survivors include two daughters, Ann Trieschmann and Carolyn Thomas, both of Hot Springs; two brothers, W.E. "Bud" Adams and Ivan Adams Jr., both of Dermott; a sister, Jewell Adams of Cherokee, Iowa; a foster son, Glen Dale Wilson of Altus, Oklahoma; a niece she raised, Cissy Adams of Dumas; two grandchildren; four great-grandchildren. Graveside services are scheduled for 2 p.m. today at Oakland Cemetery at Monticello with the Rev. Lamar Trieschmann officiating. Arrangements are by Stephenson-Dearman Funeral Home of Monticello. __________________________________ JAMES CROWE PRATTSVILLE--James Brian Crowe, 35, of Prattsville, died September 20, 1997, from injuries received in an automobile accident near Prattsville. He was born at Mount Vernon, Illinois, on December 28, 1961, a son of James William and Brenda Joyce Toler Crowe of Prattsville. He was a dairy farmer for Felix Bird and a Baptist. Survivors include his wife, Tammy Hix Crowe; two sons, Tadd Brian Crowe and James Brian Crowe II, both of Prattsville; three daughters, Jennifer Crowe of Sheridan and April Crowe and Brittany Crowe, both of Prattsville; three brothers, David Brian Crowe of Elgin, Illinois, Jerry Dean Crowe of Prattsville and Allen Eugene Crowe of Aurora, Illinois; and grandparents, Murphy and Mildred Crowe of Elgin. Graveside services are scheduled for 2:30 p.m. Thursday at Midway Cemetery near Donaldson with the Rev. Doyle Sandidge officiating. Arrangements are by Buie Funeral Home of Sheridan. ____________________________________ Submitted by Linda P. Smith DougMIV@aol.com ___________________________________________________________ PINE BLUFF COMMERCIAL THURSDAY SEPTEMBER 25, 1997 Pine Bluff, Jefferson Co., Arkansas TROY THORNTON BENTON--Troy Thornton, 63, of Hermitage, died September 23, 1997, at Saline Memorial Hospital. He was born at Hermitage on November 20, 1933, a son of the late Troy Gordon Thornton and Frieda Graff Thornton. He was the Bradley County supervisor for the Arkansas Forrestry Commission and was a Baptist. Survivors include his wife, Faye Reynolds Thornton, whom he married on October 24, 1950; a son, Ken Thornton of Hermitage; two daughters, Kathy Thornton of Little Rock and Frieda Heath of Sheridan; five grandchildren; and two great-grandchildren. Funeral services are scheduled for 2 p.m. today at Frazer's Funeral Home at Warren. Burial will be in Gravelridge Cemetery near Hermitage. _____________________________________ ROBBIE LAMB LITTLE ROCK--Robbie Zelle Lynn Lamb, 77, of Fordyce, died September 24, 1997, at St. Vincent Infirmary Medical Center. She was born in Calhoun County on June 27, 1920, a daughter of the late Jim Lynn and Bertha Mae Johnson Lynn. She was the former owner of Lamb's Grocery and a member of First Baptist Church at Fordyce. She was preceded in death by her husband, Lewis Lamb. Survivors include two sons, Lewis S. Lamb of Little Rock and James Thomas Lamb of Shreveport; two brothers, William Lynn and James Lynn, both of Fordyce; two sisters, Ruby Mae Parham of Fordyce and Ilene Myers of Mesa, Arizona; four grandchildren; and a great-grandchild. Funeral services are scheduled for 10 a.m. today at Benton Funeral Home at Fordyce with the Rev. Ken Shaddox officiating. Burial will be in Oakland Cemetery at Fordyce. ______________________________________ EFFIE GARRISON FORDYCE--Effie Jacobs Garrison, 82, of Fordyce, died September 23, 1997, at Dallas County Hospital. She was born in Dallas County on February 12, 1915, a daughter of the late John L. Jacobs and Nancy Stover Jacobs. She owned a beauty shop for 54 years and was a member of First Baptist Church at Fordyce. She was preceded in death by her husband, Albert Garrison. Survivors include a son, Dickey Garrison of Clermont, Florida; two daughters, Jean Byrd of Magnolia and Nancy Garrison of Fordyce; two sisters, Tibbie Lindsey of El Paso and Lois Hickey of El Dorado; and two grandchildren. Funeral services are scheduled for 2 p.m. today at Benton Funeral Home at Fordyce with the Rev. Ken Shaddox officiating. Burial will be in Oakland Cemetery at Fordyce. _____________________________________ RUPERT SANDERS FLIPPIN--Rupert Durward Sanders, 91, of Flippin, died September 23, 1997, at Twin Lakes Nursing Center. He was born at Flippin on March 27, 1906, a son of the late Lester O. Sanders and Mettie Briggs Sanders. He was a retired, self-employed grocer and a real estate broker. He was a deacon at Flippin First Baptist Church and a former board member of Flippin School for 15 years. He was preceded in death by his wife, Nevah Treadway Sanders, whom he married on November 11, 1928, and who died July 5, 1994; two brothers, Gordon Sanders and Clifton Sanders; a sister, Lalah McCracken; a stepbrother, Harlin Brewer; and two grandchildren. Survivors include three sons, Bobby Keith Sanders of West Memphis and Jimmy D. Sanders and Gerald D. "Chuck" Sanders, both of Flippin; two daughters, Betty Sue Copeland of White Hall and Judie Gail Taylor of Grand Junction, Colorado; two brothers, A.J. Sanders of Houston and Orville Sanders of Lexington, Kentucky; nine grandchildren; and 11 great-grandchildren. Funeral services are scheduled for 1 p.m. Saturday at Flippin First Baptist Church with the Revs. Steve Martin and Glenn Hicks officiating. Burial will be in Mountain View Cemetery at Flippin by Burns Funeral Home at Yellville. ____________________________________ SMEAD HENRY WARREN--Smead Henry, 71, of Warren, died September 23, 1997, at his home. He was born in Bradley County on November 11, 1925, a son of the late Edward Ervin and Espie Ivey Henry. He was a retired Potlatch employee and a Baptist. He was preceded in death by two brothers, Howard Henry and Ray Henry; and two sisters, Elsie Mathis and Ruthie Robertson. Survivors include his wife, Joy Hutton Henry, whom he married at Camden on October 4, 1952; three sons, Ronald Gene Baughman of Dermott, Charles Boyd Wry of Meadowview, Virginia, and John Robert Henry of Warren; a daughter, Mamie Ruth Blankinship of Louisville; six brothers, Walter Henry of Monticello, J.C. Henry of Louisville, Billy Joe Henry and Johnny Henry, both of Hermitage, Guy Henry of Bossier City, Louisiana, and Ervin Henry of Warren; five sisters, Fay Gorman and Mamie Curry, both of Warren, Eddie Mae Green of Camden, Betty Huitt of Hermitage and Lucille Cherry of Warren; and 16 grandchildren. Funeral services are scheduled for 2 p.m. Friday at Frazer's Funeral Home at Warren with Dennis Cherry officiating. Burial will be in Union Hill Cemetery at Ingalls. ___________________________________ Submitted by Linda P. Smith DougMIV@aol.com ___________________________________________________________ PINE BLUFF COMMERCIAL FRIDAY SEPTEMBER 26, 1997 Pine Bluff, Jefferson Co., Arkansas ANNER WHITE LITTLE ROCK-- Funeral services for Anner Mae White, 97, of Little Rock, who died September 18, 1997, at Jefferson Regional Medical Center at Pine Bluff, are scheduled for 11 a.m. Saturday at Bethel AME Church at Little Rock with the Rev. G.E. Guinn officiating. Burial will be in Haven of Rest Cemetery at Little Rock by Brown Funeral Home of Pine Bluff. She was born at Sherrill on August 19, 1900, a daughter of the late Jimmy Hester and Mary Maxwell Hester. She was a homemaker, a stewardest and a member of the Missionary Society and Moody Chapel AME Church at Little Rock. She was preceded in death by her husband, Grant White Sr. Survivors include two sons, Jimmy White Sr. of Little Rock and Curtis White of Cleveland; five daughters, Lucille Harris of St. Louis, Evelyn Johnson and Geraldine Ellis, both of Little Rock, Gladys McGill of Grady and Ora Dean Donaldson of Pine Bluff; 23 grandchildren; 65 great-grandchildren; and 40 great-great-grandchildren. ____________________________________ PEARLY McGREW CLEVELAND, Mississippi-- Funeral services for Pearly McGrew, 92, of McGehee, Arkansas, who died September 19, 1997, at McGehee-Desha County Hospital, are scheduled for 11 a.m. Saturday at Union Chapel Baptist Church at McGehee with the Rev. William Caldwell officiating. Burial will be in Westlawn Cemetery at Cleveland, Mississippi, by Brown Funeral Home of Dumas, Arkansas. She was born at Shaw, Mississippi, on November 2, 1904, a daughter of the late Sam Smith and Mary Sanders Smith. She was a member of Union Chapel Baptist Church and a homemaker. She was preceded in death by her husband, Isom McGrew. Survivors include her niece who took care of her, Sharon Pickett of McGehee. _______________________________________ DOROTHY SHEPPARD RISON-- Funeral services for Dorothy Lee Sheppard, 61, of Rison, who died September 21, 1997, at Jefferson Regional Medical Center, are scheduled for 2 p.m. Saturday at Kedron Church of God in Christ at Rison with Elder Arthur Ray Sledge officiating. Burial will be in Harris Cemetery at Rison by Brown Funeral Home of Pine Bluff. She was born at Rison on September 17, 1936, a daughter of the late James Urquehart and Gladys White Frye. She was a homemaker, deaconess, Sunday School teacher and YPWW teacher, the director over Purity and Sunshine Band and a member of Kedron Church of God in Christ. Survivors include her husband, Frank Sheppard; three sons, Johnny Johnson of Rison, James Johnson of Dallas and Frankie A. Sheppard of Pine Bluff; three daughters, Gladys Johnson and Deborah Johnson, both of Rison, and Betty Ravis of Dallas; two brothers, Oscar Frye and Earnest Frye, both of Rison, two sisters, Willie Jones and Clara McCloud, both of Rison; a stepmother, Mary "Mae" Urquehart of Flint, Michigan; a stepbrother, Lewis Mays of Flint; 17 grandchildren; and a great-grandchild. _____________________________________ SAVANNAH DORROUGH Funeral services for Savannah Dorrough, 74, of Pine Bluff, who died September 22, 1997, at Jefferson Regional Medical Center, are scheduled for 3 p.m. Saturday at Bethany Chapel Baptist Church at Pine Bluff with the Rev. G.L. Ford officiating. Burial will be in Bethany Cemetery at Pine Bluff by Brown Funeral Home of Pine Bluff. She was born at Pine Bluff on February 11, 1923, a daughter of the late Earnest Pointer Sr. and Lula Bell Pointer. She was a homemaker, an usher and a member of the Missionary Society and Bethany Chapel Baptist Church. Survivors include her husband, Benjamin Dorrough Sr.; a son, Benjamin Dorrough Jr. of Pine Bluff; four daughters, Bennie L. Love and Catherine Dorrough, both of Kansas City, Christine Nelson of Little Rock and Gloria Dorrough of Pine Bluff; four brothers, Earnest Pointer Jr. of Pine Bluff, Elmer Pointer of Milwaukee and Willis Pointer and Leon Pointer, both of Kansas City; three sisters, Florida Green and Lula Mae Gardner, both of Kansas City, and Mildred Kelly of Pine Bluff; six grandchildren; and a great-grandchild. ____________________________________ JAMES DAVENPORT STAR CITY-- James Thomas Davenport, 71, of Star City, died September 24, 1997, at his home. He was born at Clarendon on March 11, 1926, a son of the late Marvin James and Lue Velma McKenzie Davenport. He was a retired stationary engineer for California Institution for Men at Chino, California, a Baptist and member of the Veterans of Foreign Wars No. 4455 and the American Legion at Ontario, California, where he was a post commander. Survivors include his wife, Marty Davenport; two sons, Ronald Davenport and Darren Davenport, both of Bellingham, Washington; a daughter, Tracy Wieben of Bellingham; five stepsons, James Wright, Ronald Wright and Joe Wright, all of San Bernadino, California, Randy Wright of Anaheim, California and Bobby Wright of Star City; 24 grandchildren; and 10 great-grandchildren. Funeral services followed by burial are scheduled for 1 p.m. Tuesday at Bellevue Mausoleum at Ontario. _________________________________________ NEELY HENRY Neely Henry, 78, of Monticello, died September 24, 1997, at Jefferson Regional Medical Center. Born October 16, 1918, at Drew County, he was a son of the late Frank Henry Sr. and Hattie May Mckeown Henry. Survivors include a brother, Frank Henry Jr. of Dermott; and three sisters, Mary Eunice Osgood of Memphis, Clarissa Fern Ryan of Norfolk, Virginia, and Faye Kersh of Star City. He was a retired carpenter and a farmer. Funeral services are scheduled for 2 p.m. Saturday at Stephenson-Dearman Funeral Home with Rev. Betty Shepperson and Dr. David Shepperson officiating. Burial will be in Campground Cemetery in Drew County. ___________________________________ MAGGIE JONES MARSDEN-- Funeral services for Maggie Lean Jones, 60, of Hermitage, who died September 20, 1997, at Pine Lodge Nursing Center at Warren, are scheduled for 1 p.m. Saturday at Weary Rest Missionary Baptist Church at Marsden with the Rev. Bobby Young officiating. Burial will be in Weary Rest Cemetery at Marsden by Reddick Funeral Home of Warren. She was born at Ingalls on March 17, 1937, a daughter of the late Colonuia Partman and Jennie Poole Jones. Survivors include her husband, Charles Jones; three sons, Bernard Jones and Dennis Jones, both of Hermitage, and Lawrence Green of Fordyce; two daughters, Teresa Neal and Connie Childs, both of Hermitage; three brothers, Robert Partman of Warren, Columbus Partman of Pasadena, California, and Colonuia Partman of Los Angeles; five sisters, Mattie Partman, Myrtle Partman and Earleen Burns, all of Marsden, Olive Hendrix of Little Rock and Patsy Partman of Pasadena; and 10 grandchildren. ___________________________________ LAWRENCE WHITE III Lawrence Edward White III of Pine Bluff, the son of Lawrence Edward White Jr. of Ft. Drum, New York, and Daffeney Lanae Williams of Pine Bluff, died September 22, 1997, at Jefferson Regional Medical Center. He was born September 22, 1997. Survivors include grandparents, Michael and Maxine Harris, the Rev. Lawrence and Betty White, Isaac Proctor Sr. and Dorothy Burris, all of Pine Bluff; Raymond and Corlon Williams of Atlanta and Enoch Handy of Portland, Oregon. Graveside services are scheduled for noon today in Forest Lawn Memorial Cemetery at Pine Bluff with the Revs. John Daniel and Eddie Carter officiating. Arrangements are handled by Brown Funeral Home of Pine Bluff. __________________________________ JOHN LOWRY RENO, Nevada-- John Richard "Rickey" Lowry, 50, of Granite City, Illinois, died September 22, 1997, at Reno, Nevada. He was born at Star City, Arkansas, on January 29, 1947, a son of Mary Blasengame Young of Star City and the late Raymond Lowry Sr. He was a construction worker. Survivors include a son, Shane Lowry of Star City; two brothers, Raymond Lowry and James Lowry, both of Star City; two sisters, Juanita Via of Star City and Ann Landys of Granite City; two stepbrothers, Jewel Lowry of Madisonville, Texas, and J.C. Lowry of Madison, Mississippi; and a stepsister, Ida Fay Ivy of Franklin, Louisiana. Funeral services are scheduled for 2 p.m. Saturday at Griffin Funeral Service of Star City with Johnny Powell and Lester Burton officiating. Burial will be in Drake Cemetery at Star City. ______________________________________ ARDELLA BRICE STUTTGART-- Funeral services for Ardella Brice, 87, of Stuttgart, who died September 20, 1997, at her home, are scheduled for 11 a.m. Saturday at Allen Temple Missionary Baptist Church in Stuttgart with Rev. Gilbert Byrd officiating. Burial will be in Wabbaseka Community Cemetery by P.K. Miller Mortuary. Born April 7, 1910, in Cornerstone, she was the daughter of the late Eugene Brice and Mary Brice. She received her early education in the public schools of Jefferson County and she was a homemaker. She was a member of Allen Temple Missionary Baptist Church, where she was a member of the choir. Survivors include a daughter, Edna Mae Davis of Stuttgart; two sisters, Arrie Brice and Ruth Brice, both of Stuttgart; three grandchildren and 13 great-grandchildren. _______________________________________ BARBARA SLAUGHTER LITTLE ROCK-- Barbara Jean "Jeannie" Shrader Slaughter, 55, of Sheridan, died September 24, 1997, at Baptist Medical Center here. She was born at Ferriday, Louisiana, on February 27, 1942, a daughter of the late George P. Shrader Sr. and Sylvia Lucille Aday Shrader. She was retired from AT&T and was a member of Forest Tower Baptist Church near Sheridan. Survivors include her husband, Howard Larone Slaughter; two sons, Wayne Slaughter of Sheridan and Brian Slaughter of Joplin, Missouri; two brothers, C.W. Shrader of Houston and George P. Shrader Jr. of Las Cruces, New Mexico; two sisters, Virginia Lee of Houston and Carolyn Quick of Little Rock; and three grandchildren. Funeral services are scheduled for 10 a.m. Saturday at Buie Funeral Home at Sheridan with the Revs. Jeff Jasso and Donald Greer officiating. Burial will be in Memorial Gardens Cemetery at Sheridan. ______________________________________ CALLIE PERRY Funeral services for Callie Perry, 78, of Pine Bluff, who died September 23, 1997, at Jefferson Regional Medical Center, are scheduled for 11 a.m. Saturday at Rose Hill Baptist Church at Pine Bluff with the Rev. G.L. Ford officiating. Burial will be in Miller Cemetery at Pine Bluff by P.K. Miller Mortuary. She was born in Cleveland County on February 24, 1919, a daughter of the late Jay Holloway and Linnie Holloway. She received her early education at Rison Public Schools, was a homemaker and a member of Rose Hill Baptist Church. Survivors include three sons, Odell Perry, Tommie Perry Jr. and Willie Perry, all of Pine Bluff; eight daughters, Virgie Perry Williams, Ozenia Perry, Muriel Perry, Shirley Perry McNeary, JoAnn Perry Lambert and Louise Perry, all of Pine Bluff, Gloria Perry Williamson of Memphis and Darlene Perry of Blytheville; 30 grandchildren; and 28 great-grandchildren. _____________________________________ Submitted by Linda P. Smith DougMIV@aol.com ================================================================== ================================================================ PINE BLUFF COMMERCIAL SATURDAY, SEPTEMBER 27,1997 Pine Bluff, Jefferson Co., Arkansas HELEN WHITMIRE ORANGE, Texas-- Helen Victoria Whitmire, 87, of Port Arthur Texas, died September 25, 1997, at Orange Baptist Memorial Hospital. She was born at Crossett, Arkansas, on August 12, 1910, a daughter of the late William Jackson Thomason and Kitty Florence Guice Thomason. She was a Baptist and a retired restaurant worker. Survivors include two sons, William Russell Wright of Little Rock and Wayland Dean Wright of Port Arthur; a daughter, Anjo Mozzola of Orange; three sisters, Uldean Ragar of Warren, Arkansas, and Clotene Shackelford and Carmen Davis, both of Orange; eight grandchildren; and eight great-grandchildren. Funeral services are scheduled for 2 p.m. Sunday at Frazer's Funeral Home of Warren. Burial will be in Oakland Cemetery at Warren. ______________________________________ ELAH LAWRENCE Elah Robison Lawrence, 92, of Pine Bluff, died September 25, 1997, at Arkansas Convalescent Center. She was born at Kedron on July 3, 1905, a daughter of the late Robert and Lucy Rogers Robison. She went to Pleasant Home Missionary Baptist Church at Pine Bluff and was a homemaker. She was preceded in death by her husband, Glaucus Lawrence; a son, J.D. Lawrence; a daughter, Baby Lawrence; and two sisters, Elma Davis and Edna Wallace. Survivors include three sons, Billy Lawrence and Larry Lawrence, both of Pine Bluff, and Chester "Buddy" Lawrence of Hot Springs; six daughters, Lorene Andrews, Elah Mae Gates, Elmaleen Andrews and Almeda Corder, all of Pine Bluff, and Maxine Carter and Annetta Beatty, both of Baton Rouge; 36 grandchildren; 55 great-grandchildren; and 12 great-great-grandchildren. Funeral services are scheduled for 10 a.m. Monday at Pleasant Home Missionary Baptist Church with Doney Blackerby and Don Nobles officiating. Burial will be in Phillips Cemetery in Jefferson County by Hale-South Funeral Home. __________________________________ MARY HORNADAY LAWTON, Oklahoma--Mary Frances May Hornaday, 71, of Fordyce, Arkansas, died September 25, 1997, at her daughter's home. She was born at Fort Smith, Arkansas, on October 20, 1925, a daughter of the late Lessie Mae Sykes May and Thomas J. May of Garland, Texas. She was an insurance agent for funeral and life insurance companies and the Benton Funeral Home. She was a member of First Baptist Church at Fordyce, the Million Dollar Club (Insurance Sales), Daughters of the American Revolution and a lifetime member of Arkansas Sheriffs Association. She was preceded in death by her husband, Lee Hornaday, the Dallas County Sheriff. Survivors include two daughters, Mary Louise Brown of Lawton and Sylvia Jones of Fordyce; a sister, Pat Wilson of Garland; and six grandchildren. Graveside services are scheduled for 2 p.m. Sunday in Ebenezer Cemetery near Fordyce with the Revs. Ken Shaddox and B.L. Blann officiating. Arrangements are handled by Benton Funeral Home of Fordyce. ____________________________________ MARJORIE HAWKINS Marjorie L. Shaddock Hawkins, 84, of Bearden, died September 26, 1997, at Ouachita County Hospital at Camden. She was born in Dallas County on March 20, 1913, a daughter of the late Burl Shaddock and Lula O. Crowder Shaddock. She was a homemaker and a member of First Assembly of God at Bearden. She was preceded in death by her husband, William Graham Hawkins; and a son, Charles Hawkins. Survivors include two sons, Horace Hawkins of Lufkin, Texas, and Dennis Hawkins of Hodgenville, Kentucky; two daughters, Jane Colvert of Pine Bluff and Charlotte Hughes of Bearden; three sisters, Kate Walthall and Eleanor Williams, both of Newton, Texas, and Amy Rogers of Holly Springs; 10 grandchildren; and 12 great-grandchildren. Funeral services are scheduled for 2 p.m. Sunday at First Assembly of God with the Rev. Charles Taylor officiating. Burial will be in Moss Hill Cemetery at Bearden by Benton Funeral Home of Fordyce. ___________________________________ MARY DEARMAN WARREN--Mary Katherine Dearman, 80, of Warren, died September 25, 1997, at Wag non Place Nursing Home. She was born at North Little Rock on September 2, 1917, a daughter of the late Henry Valentine Herbert and Leah Archer Crabtree Herbert. She was a retired employee of Southwestern Bell Telephone Company and a retired switchboard operator for the Lafayette Hotel at Little Rock. She was a member of First Presbyterian Church at Warren. Survivors include a nephew, Don Ryan of Little Rock, who was her caregiver. Funeral services are scheduled for 11 a.m. today at Edgewood Cemetery Arbor at North Little Rock. Burial will be in Edgewood Cemetery by Frazer's Funeral Home of Warren. _______________________________________ ALICE COURTNEY MCGEHEE--Alice Lee Courtney, 63, of Dermott, died September 21, 1997, at McGehee-Desha County Hospital. She was born at Collins on May 7, 1934, a daughter of the late Willis Courtney and Ethel Clay. Survivors include a son, Lee Edward of Humphrey; a daughter, Annie Robinson of Dermott; a brother, Jim Owens of Richmond, California; two sisters, Lucille Love of McGehee and Alma Brown of Milwaukee; and 12 grandchildren. Funeral services are scheduled for 1 p.m. today at Oak Grove Baptist Church at Rohwer (Desha County) with the Rev. A.L. Owen officiating. Burial will be in Rolling Water Cemetery at Kelso (Desha County) by M. Davis Strickland Funeral Home of Dermott. ________________________________________ LEON DeWEESE STAR CITY-- Leon DeWeese, 66, of Wells Bayou Community (Lincoln County) died September 26, 1997, at his home. He was born at Star City on September 22, 1931, a son of the late James Thadieus DeWeese and Mattie Fay Hopson DeWeese. He was a self-employed carpenter. He was preceded in death by his wife, Montie DeWeese. Survivors include four sisters, Mary Pickrell of Georgia, Bonnie Ohmart of Haysville, Kansas, Mildred Gillner of Kansas and Annette Patton of Watson. Funeral services are scheduled for 3 p.m. Sunday at Griffin Funeral Home of Dumas. Burial will be in Holly Springs Cemetery at Star City. ________________________________________ Submitted by Linda P. Smith DougMIV@aol.com ============================================================== PINE BLUFF COMMERCIAL SUNDAY, SEPTEMBER 28, 1997 Pine Bluff, Jefferson Co., Arkansas JEANETTE DAVIDSON (Photo included) LITTLE ROCK-- Jeanette Darlene Davidson, 19, of Star City, died September 26, 1997, at University Hospital. Born December 6, 1977, at Pine Bluff, she was a daughter of Bill Davidson and Johnette Crawford. She was a 1996 graduate of Star City High School, where she was a member of the choir. She was a member of the Crigler Missionary Baptist Church. Other survivors include her step-father, Randy Crawford of Bossier City; her step-mother, Mary Davidson of Star City; two brothers, Jackie Davidson and Johnathon Christopher Davidson, both of Star City; ten sisters, Jo Blasengame, Debra Dees, Rosemary Craig, D'Laine Lunsford, Pam Davidson, Amanda Davidson, Bambi Davidson and Kerri Davidson, all of Star City, Angie Lemons of Jacksonville and Martha Crawford of Bossier City; two foster brothers, William and David Paradise, both of Star City; a foster sister, Mary Elizabeth Varner of Star City; and grandmothers, Gussie Davidson and Edna Bolen, both of Star City, and Allison Sanders of Lafayette, Louisiana. Funeral services are scheduled for 2 p.m. today at Griffin Funeral Home at Star City with the Bro. David Leopard officiating. Burial will be in Holly Springs Cemetery near Star City. ____________________________________ J. J. WELCH (Photo included) J.J. Welch, 83, of Pine Bluff, died September 26, 1997, at Jefferson Regional Medical Center. Born June 8, 1914, at Bowden, Georgia, he was a son of the late James William and Lora Watley Welch. He moved to Pine Bluff at the age of nine, and was reared and received his early education here. He graduated from Watson Chapel School in 1934. He owned and operated Welch Cleaners for 42 years, retiring in 1979. He was a member and deacon of First Immanuel Missionary Baptist Church, where he taught Sunday School and served as treasurer. He was an avid sportsman and former semi-pro baseball manager. He also served as president of the Senior Babe Ruth League. He married Mary Kathleen Willis on June 27, 1936, in Sylacauga, Alabama She preceded him in death in 1993. Survivors include two sons, Jimmy Welch of Pine Bluff and Joe Welch of Benton; three sisters, Era Ashcraft and Reba Ashcraft, both of Pine Bluff, and Ruth Strickland of Sylacauga, Alabama; six grandchildren and four great-grandchildren. Funeral services are scheduled for 10 a.m. Monday at First Immanuel Missionary Baptist Church with the Rev. Rick Etheridge officiating. Burial will be in Memorial Park Cemetery. __________________________________ HAROLD HOUSE SHERIDAN-- Harold R. House, 78, of Sheridan, died September 26, 1997. Born December 17, 1918, at Holly Springs (Dallas County), he was a son of the late Earl and Fannie Lou Pugh House. He was a retired businessman and former diesel mechanic. He was a member of the First Assembly of God Church at Sheridan and a former member of the Civilian Conservation Corps. Survivors include his wife, Johnnie House, two sons, Lawrence House of Monticello and Gary House of Sheridan; two daughters, Carolyn Brenneman of Sheridan and Sissy Robbins of Bearden; six grandchildren and four great-grandchildren. Funeral services are scheduled for 2 p.m. Monday at Buie Funeral Home in Sheridan with the Rev. Basil Edwards, the Rev. Jimmy Bobo and the Rev. Tim Montgomery officiating. Burial will be in Lost Creek Cemetery at Sheridan. _____________________________________ MELVIN SANDERSON Melvin Lee Sanderson, 56, of Pine Bluff, died September 26, 1997, at Jefferson Regional Medical Center. Born July 9, 1941, at Little Rock, he was a son of the late Milton Lawrence and Dorothy Lee Mayer Sanderson. He was reared and educated at Little Rock and graduated from Central High School in 1959. He attended the University of Arkansas at Little Rock and served in the Army Reserve for six years. He worked for Maxie's Reliable Loan at Little Rock for several years before moving to Pine Bluff in 1988. He attended Temple B'Nai Israel of Little Rock. Survivors include a brother, David Sanderson of Pine Bluff, and a sister, Mildred Olstein of Ocala, Florida. Graveside services are scheduled for 2 p.m. Monday in Oakland Cemetery at Little Rock. Arrangements are by Ralph Robinson & Son Funeral Directors. ___________________________________ AMOS WOOLEY Amos Junior Wooley, 62, of Pine Bluff, died September 27, 1997, at home. Born March 9, 1935, at Pine Bluff, he was a son of the late Amos and Edie Bomb Wooley. He was reared and received his early education at Pine Bluff. He was a farmer. Survivors include four brothers, John Wooley, Ray Wooley and Jerry Wooley, all of Pine Bluff, and Bill Wooley of Grady; and a sister, Mildred Agee of South Bend, Indiana. Funeral services are scheduled for 10 a.m. Tuesday at Ralph Robinson & Son Funeral Directors with the Rev. Jimmy Watson officiating. Burial will be in Oak Grove Cemetery at Yorktown. _____________________________________ Submitted by Linda P. Smith DougMIV@aol.com PINE BLUFF COMMERCIAL MONDAY, SEPTEMBER 29, 1997 Pine Bluff, Jefferson Co., Arkansas JEANETTE DAVIDSON (Photo included) LITTLE ROCK-- Jeanette Darlene Davidson, 19, of Star City, died September 26, 1997, at University Hospital. Born December 6, 1977, at Pine Bluff, she was the daughter of Bill and Mary Davidson of Star City. She was a 1996 graduate of Star City High School, where she was a member of the choir. She was a member of the Crigler Missionary Baptist Church. Other survivors include her natural mother, Johnette Crawford and stepfather, Randy Crawford both of Bossier City, Louisiana; two brothers, Jackie Davidson and Johnathon Christopher Davidson, both of Star City; 10 sisters, Jo Blasengame, Debra Dees, Rosemary Craig, D'Laine Lunsford, Pam Davidson, Amanda Davidson, Bambi Davidson and Kerri Davidson, all of Star City, Angie Lemons of Jacksonville and Martha Crawford of Bossier City; two foster brothers, William Paradise and David Paradise, both of Star City; a foster sister, Mary Elizabeth Varner of Star City; and grandmothers, Gussie Da vidson and Edna Bolen, both of Star City, and Allison Sanders of Lafayette, Louisiana. Funeral services were held at 2 p.m. Sunday at Griffin Funeral Home of Star City, with the Rev. David Leopard officiating. Burial will be in Holly Springs Cemetery near Star City. _________________________________________ (The above was the only obit listed on Monday Sept. 29, 1997 in the newspaper another version of the same obituary was listed Sunday Sept. 28, 1997) Submitted by Linda P. Smith DougMIV@aol.com =========================================================== PINE BLUFF COMMERCIAL TUESDAY, SEPTEMBER 30, 1997 Pine Bluff, Jefferson Co., Arkansas HELEN SHEPHERD WEST MONROE, Louisiana-- Helen Chastine Shepherd, 81, of West Monroe, formerly of Rye, Arkansas, died September 28, 1997, at West Monroe Guesthouse. She was born in Cleveland County, Arkansas, on March 22, 1916, a daughter of the late Bob Taylor and Ethel Pate Taylor. She was a member of Harmony Free Will Baptist Church at Rye and a retired housemother for Arkansas A&M College, now the University of Arkansas at Monticello. She was preceded in death by her husband, Lester Shepherd, who died September 17, 1969. Survivors include a son, Tom Shepherd of West Monroe; two brothers, Joe Travis Taylor of Warren, Arkansas, and J.C. Taylor of Rye; a sister, Tommie J. Rhodes of Rye; five grandchildren; and four great-grandchildren. Funeral services are scheduled for 2 p.m. today at Harmony Free Will Baptist Church. Burial will be in Union Cemetery at Rye by Frazer's Funeral Home of Warren. ____________________________________ JIMMY BELIEW HUMPHREY-- Jimmy Donovan Beliew, 18, of Humphrey, died September 28, 1997, at Highway 152 and Vallier Road near Humphrey from injuries received in a three-wheeler accident. Stewart Essex, the Arkansas County coroner, said two all-terrain vehicles were involved "and they evidently bumped tires". Beliew was evidently thrown from his vehicle, Essex said. Essex said he was not aware of any others being injured. Beliew was born at Humphrey on August 6, 1979, a son of Mr. and Mrs. Tracy Beliew of Humphrey. He had graduated from Humphrey High School and was a student at Phillips Community College of the University of Arkansas at DeWitt, and was a member of Calvary Baptist Church at Stuttgart. Survivors include a sister, Tuesday Beliew of Humphrey; grandparents, Mr. and Mrs. Billie Gene Beliew of Humphrey and Mr. and Mrs. Marshall Barnes of Mountain View; and great-grandparents, Mattie Beliew and Giva Scroggins, both of Humphrey, and Estel Sico of Mountain View. Funeral services are scheduled for 2 p.m. today at Turpin Funeral Home of Stuttgart with the Revs. Larry Persons and Sammy Morgan officiating. Burial will be in Williams Cemetery at Humphrey. ___________________________________ ROOSEVELT THOMAS Graveside services for Roosevelt Thomas, 73, of Pine Bluff, who died September 26, 1997, at Star City Nursing Home, are scheduled for 10 a.m. today in P.K. Miller Cemetery with the Rev. Michael Williams officiating. Burial will be handled by Perry Funeral Home. He was born at Merrough, Louisiana, on April 15, 1924, a son of the late Peter and Mary Thomas. Survivors include three daughters, Gloria Perry, Marsha Frazier and Elaine Thomas, all of Pine Bluff; a nephew who was a caregiver, Lee Moore of Pine Bluff; 10 grandchildren; and two great-grandchildren. _______________________________________ HELENE NEWTON LITTLE ROCK-- Helene Newton, 71, of Little Rock, died September 29, 1997, at Williamsburg Retirement Inn. Born October 25, 1925, in Drew County, she was a daughter of the late William and Myrtle Perry Newton. She was a retired beautician and a Presbyterian. Survivors include a son, Franklin Julian of Los Angeles; and a half sister, Gerrye Santos of Warren. Graveside services are scheduled for 4 p.m. today in Oakland Cemetery at Warren with the Rev. Larry Hudson and the Rev. Cary Moore officiating. Burial will be by Frazer's Funeral Home of Warren. _____________________________________ WILLIAM PEEPLE ST. LOUIS-- William Bill Peeple, 71, of St. Louis, formerly of Monticello, Arkansas, died September 26, 1997, at St. Louis. He was born January 13, 1927, at Hamburg, Arkansas, a son of the late John Peeple and Washie Ward. He was formerly employed by Burlington Industry at Monticello and was a member of Morning Star Missionary Baptist Church of Monticello. He served in the Navy and was a member of American Legion Post 0439, the Sheriff's Association and honorary member of the Arkansas Sheriff's Association. He was a Mason and former member of the Wiley Trotter Men's Club and Voter Registration Board. He was a community leader and a long-time owner of the You-Name-It neighborhood grocery store at Monticello. Survivors include a daughter, Angela Peeple Oatis of St. Louis; a son, William Peeple Jr. of St. Louis; two sisters, Ruth Sleet of St. Louis and Louise Ware of Hamburg; and a granddaughter. Funeral services are scheduled for 11 a.m. Wednesday at the Wade Funeral Home at St. Louis with the Rev. Theoplis Peeple officiating. Burial will be in the Jefferson Barracks National Cemetery in St. Louis. ________________________________________ LILLIAN PHILLIPS Lillian Smith Phillips, 92, of Crockett's Bluff (Arkansas County), died September 26, 1997, in DeWitt City Hospital. She was born April 21, 1905, at Almyra (Arkansas County), the daughter of the late Luster Smith and Maud Jenning-Smith. She was a retired schoolteacher and is preceded in death by her husband, Jarvis Phillips. Among her survivors are two sons, Frille Phillips of Crockett's Bluff and Jarris Phillips of Pine Bluff; four daughters, Lillie Smith of Chicago, Dr. Arcenia London of Syracuse, New York, and Lula Brooks and Gracie Carter, both of Little Rock; three sisters, Elizabeth Montgomery, Cardalene Smith and Vera Smith, addresses unknown; three brothers, Martin Smith, Joseph Smith and Wallace Smith, addresses unknown; and several grandchildren and great-grandchildren. ____________________________________ MATTIE LOCKETT STUTTGART-- Mattie Lockett, 81, of Stuttgart, died September 22, 1997, at the home of her niece. Born August 6, 1916, she was a daughter of the late Calvin Collige Jackson and Corine Young. She became a Christian at an early age and joined Allen Temple Missionary Baptist Church where she served on the mother's board. She worked at the Stuttgart Medical Clinic and retired from the Pine Bluff Medical Clinic. Survivors include a brother, John Tillmon of Chicago; four sisters, Stella Anderson of Stuttgart, Mildred White of Pine Bluff, Roxie Tillmon of England and Louise Goodwin of Chicago. Funeral services are scheduled for 2 p.m. today at Allen Temple Missionary Baptist Church at Stuttgart with the Rev. Gilbert Byrd Jr. officiating. Burial will be in Lone Tree Cemetery by Releford and Son Funeral Home of Stuttgart. ____________________________________ Submitted by Linda P. Smith DougMIV@aol.com