JEFFERSON COUNTY, AR OBITUARIES - May 28-31, 1998 Submitted by Linda P. Smith <DougMIV@aol.com> 23 Aug 1998 ==================================================================== USGENWEB NOTICE: In keeping with our policy of providing free Information on the Internet, data may be used by non-commercial entities, as long as this message remains on all copied material. These electronic pages may NOT be reproduced in any format for profit or for presentation by other persons or organizations. Persons or organizations desiring to use this material for purposes Other than stated above must obtain the written consent of the file contributor. ==================================================================== PINE BLUFF COMMERCIAL THURSDAY, MAY 28, 1998 Pine Bluff, Jefferson Co., Arkansas FREDDIE MINTON Freddie M. Cherry Minton, 84, White Hall, died May 27, 1998, Jefferson Regional Medical Center. She was born on July 2, 1913, Pine Bluff, a daughter of the late Fred Cherry and Ethel Phillips Cherry. She was raised and received her early education at Pine Bluff and graduated from Watson Chapel High School in 1934. She was a machine operator at Ben Pearson, retiring in 1975 after 20 years of service. She was a member of White Hall United Methodist Church and the Pines Chapter No. 517 Order of Eastern Star. She was preceded in death by first husband, Lilburn Taylor, whom she married on December 3, 1934; her second husband, Clifford A. "Cush" Minton, whom she married on October 20, 1951, and died in 1989; a son, Doyle E. "Buddy" Taylor; two brothers, Jim Cherry and Era Cherry; and two half brothers, Paul Cherry and Corbin Cherry. Survivors include two daughters, Ethel M. Taylor Schmieder of White Hall and Dixie A. Taylor Boggs of Venedy, Illinois; four grandchildren; two stepgrandchildren; three great-grandchildren; and three stepgreat-grandchildren. The funeral will be at 2 p.m. Friday at White Hall United Methodist Church with the Rev. Rob Walker officiating. Burial will be in Memorial Park Cemetery. The family will receive friends from 6 to 8 p.m. today at Ralph Robinson & Son Funeral Directors. Memorial contributions may be made to the White Hall United Methodist Church Building Fund, 300 Church Street, White Hall, Arkansas, 71602, or to the donor's favorite charity. __________________________ EMILY McCANCE Emily Sauerbrunn McCance, 91 of Pine Bluff, died May 27, 1998, at Arkansas Convalescent Center. She was born on February 26, 1907, at Pine Bluff, a daughter of the late John Clarence and Cornelia Gammill Sauerbrunn. She was raised and educated at Pine Bluff and graduated from Pine Bluff High School. She had lived at Memphis for 40 years. When her husband died, she moved back to the Pine Bluff area. She was a secretary in the claims department at Cotton Belt Rail Road for 10 years. She was a member of Olive Street Baptist Church. She was preceded in death by her husband, Elmer McCance; a brother, J.C. Sauerbrunn; and a sister, Cornelia L. Daniel. Survivors include two sisters, Ethel McBurnett and Eula Mae Keller, both of Pine Bluff. A graveside service will be at 10 a.m. Friday in Memorial Park Cemetery with the Rev. Mack Chambers officiating. ________________________ DEBRYAN DAVIS Debryan Javon Davis, of Pine Bluff, an infant son of Christopher Davis and Sarah Jones, both of Pine Bluff, died May 23, 1998, at Arkansas Children's Hospital at Little Rock from injuries received in an accident. He was born on January 15, 1997, at Pine Bluff. Other survivors include a brother, Deondre Jones of Pine Bluff; a sister, Jordan Davis of Pine Bluff; grandparents, Lee Ethel Jones of Pine Bluff and Johathan Jones of Lake Providence, Louisiana; and great-grandparents, Olivia Matthews and Dorothy Mitchell, both of Pine Bluff, and Velma Jones of Lake Providence. The funeral will be at 11 a.m. Friday at United Baptist Church with the Rev. Bobby Daniels officiating. Burial will be in Forest Lawn Memorial Garden by Brown Funeral Home of Pine Bluff. ____________________________ CECIL BOYD Cecil Lee Ratliff Boyd, 86, of Pine Bluff, died May 24, 1998, at Sunchase Nursing Home. She was born on June 2, 1911, at Rison, a daughter of the late James Roscoe Ratliff and Alice Pearl Ward Ratliff. She was a homemaker and attended Immanuel Baptist Church. She was preceded in death by her husband, Hubert Boyd, who died on May 25, 1984; a daughter, Pauline Jones; four brothers, Gould Ratliff, Porter Ratliff, W.E. Ratliff and Russell Ratliff; and two sisters, Jennie Nix and Lettie Cummings. Survivors include two sons, Henry Pankow of Florida and Robert Love of Washington; a daughter, Carolyn Sue Love of Alabama; two brothers, Hollis Ratliff of Pine Bluff and Sylven Ratliff of Houston; a sister, Doris Berry of Pine Bluff; 10 grandchildren; and two great-grandchildren. Graveside services will be at 1O a.m. Friday in Goodfaith Cemetery with John Brock officiating. Visitation will be from 6 to 8 p.m. today at Hale-South FuneralHome. ____________________________ CONCIE MURRAY Concie Lee Murray, 60, of North Las Vegas, died May 21, 1998, at his home. He was born on December 24, 1937, at Altheimer, Arkansas, a son of the late Wallace and Mahala Jane Murry. He lived in North Las Vegas more than 40 years and was a self-employed auto mechanic. He was a former pastor of Good Will Church of God in Christ at North Las Vegas for 31 years. Survivors include his wife, Jerlene Murray; three sons, Patrick Murray, Michael Murray and Albert Tyrone Murray, all of North Las Vegas; three brothers, Cleodis Murray, Larry H. Murray and Alfred Murray, all of Las Vegas; six sisters, Bertha Roberson, Magalene Daniels, Betty Hudson Williams, Shirley Macklin-Meeks, Betty Gilmore-Adams and Peggy Murray, all of Las Vegas; and six grandchildren. The funeral will be at 11 a.m. Saturday at Pentecostal Temple Church of God in Christ at Las Vegas. Burial will be in Paradise Memorial Gardens at Las Vegas. Bunkers Edenvale Mortuary at Las Vegas. ______________________ GERTIE CHAMBLISS Gertie L. Chambliss, 8l, of Urbana, died May 24, 1998, at Medical Center of South Arkansas at El Dorado. She was born on December 12, 1916, at Urbana, a daughter of the late Robert Lee and Lillie Thompson Oliver. She was a member of Mount Zion Baptist Church at Urbana. She was a member of the Order of Eastern Star, Morning Star Chapter No. l22, where she was the treasurer for many years. She was preceded in death by her husband, Byrd Obra Chambliss. Survivors include four sons, Willie Earl Chambliss of Urbana, Prentice L. Chambliss of Detroit, Leroy Chambliss of Dallas and Leroy Chambliss Jr. of Irving, Texas; two daughters, Barbara Chambliss Thrower and Yvonne Chambliss, both of Pine Bluff; a brother, the Rev. A.L. Oliver of El Dorado; a sister, Lutha Gaines of Urbana; nine grandchildren; and 12 great-grandchildren. The funeral will be at 11 a.m. Friday at Mount Zion Baptist Church with the Rev. O.B. Bulter officiating. Burial will be in Mount Zion Cemetery at Urbana by Andrews Funeral Home of El Dorado. ____________________________ ROBERT WRIGHT Robert Hugh Wright, 78, of Dumas, died May 26, 1998, at St. Vincent Infirmary Medical Center at Little Rock. He was born on May 22, 1920, at Woodland, Mississippi, a son of the late Hiram Green Wright and Ada Lee Orman Wright. He was a member of First Baptist Church at Gould and a past president of Farm Bureau. He was an Army veteran of World War II and was a correctional officer for the state. He was preceded in death by a son, David Earl Wright; and two grandchildren. Survivors include his wife, Nora Wright; three sons, Robert H. Wright Jr. of Lynchburg, Virginia, George Steven Wright of San Diego and Joe Allen Wright of Monticello; three daughters, Sherry Ringo of Dumas, Lucy Carol Springer of Grifton, North Carolina and Barbara Diane Langhammer of Monticello; 17 grandchildren; and 13 great-grandchildren. The funeral will be at 10 a.m. Friday at First Baptist Church with the Rev. Al Green officiating. Burial will be in Dark Corner Cemetery at Gould. ___________________________ MARTHA FERGUSON Martha Lillian Ferguson, 97, of Monticello, died May 27, 1998, at Jefferson Regional Medical Center. She was born on August 4, 1900, in Desha County. She was a homemaker and a Baptist. She was preceded in death by her husband, John C. Ferguson. Survivors include two sons, Tony Ferguson and Ross Ferguson, both of Houston; three daughters, Jane Wilson of Houston, Jean Connor of Rye, Texas and Betty Armstrong of Birmingham; 12 grandchildren; and 24 great-grandchildren. Graveside services will be at 2 p.m. Friday in Oakland Cemetery at Monticello with the Rev. Stephen Grace officiating. Arrangements are handled by Stephenson-Dearman Funeral Home of Monticello. __________________________ JOHN RICHARDSON John Russell "Rusty" Richardson, 19, of White Hall, died May 25, 1998, in Grant County from injuries received in an automobile accident. He was born December 20, 1978, at Pine Bluff, a son of J. O. Richardson Jr. and Kaye Dixon Richardson of White Hall. He attended Dollarway and White Hall schools and attended Centennial Fellowship Church. Other survivors include a brother, Clint Richardson of Pine Bluff; a sister, Kay Lynn Johnston of White Hall; and a grandparent, J. O. Richardson Sr. of Pine Bluff. The funeral will be at 10 a.m. today at Cranford Funeral Home of White Hall with Dennis Owens officiating. Burial will be in Memorial Park Cemetery. _________________________ FREDDIE PARKS SR. Freddie Lee Parks Sr., 56, of Pine Bluff, died May 22, 1998, at Highland Hospital at Los Angeles. He was born on August 26, 1941, at Marianna, a son of Lester Parks of Marianna and Lula B. Hicks Horace of Pine Bluff. He was a member of St. Marks Baptist Church at Sherrill. Other survivors include his wife, Mary Ann Smith Parks of Wichita Falls, Texas; six sons, Freddie Lee Parks Jr. and Kendrick White, both of Wichita Falls, Anthony Ray Parks, Fredrick Parks and Charles White, all of Pine Bluff, and John Lee Parks of Oakland, California; four daughters, Lois D. Williams of Pine Bluff, Margaret Parks of Las Vegas, Evelyn Parks of Oakland and Cemone Parks of Wichita Falls; a brother, Herman Horace of Pine Bluff; seven sisters, Eva Murphy of Los Angeles, Callie Horace, Jettie Jordan and Annie Smith, all of Pine Bluff, Shirley Wells and Joann Parker, both of Compton, California, and Gloria Hall of Davenport, Iowa; 15 grandchildren; and a great-grandchild. The funeral will be at 2 p.m. Friday at St. Marks Baptist Church with the Rev. Leon Williams officiating. Burial will be in Mount Calvary Cemetery by Brown Funeral Home of Pine Bluff. _________________________ RILEY JACKSON Riley Franklin "Jack" Jackson, 73, of Sheridan, died May 26, 1998, at Grant County Nursing & Rehabilitation Center at Sheridan. He was born on October 20, 1924, at Little Rock, a son of the late Clarence Alexander Jackson and Elfie Almeda Brantley Jackson. He was a retired well driller for Jackson's Well Service and was a member of Marlow Missionary Baptist Church. He was a Navy veteran of World War II, and owned and operated J & J Salvage Grocery at Ico (Saline County). Survivors include his wife, Juanita Shellnut Jackson; a son, Jerry Jackson of Sheridan; three daughters, Vicki Cobb, Joan Wyman and Donna Buck, all of Sheridan; 10 grandchildren; and three great-grandchildren. The funeral will be at 2 p.m. today at Buie Funeral Home at Sheridan. Burial will be in Bethel (Cane Creek) Cemetery near Sheridan. Memorials may be made to the Area Agency on Aging Hospice. ================================================================== PINE BLUFF COMMERCIAL FRIDAY, MAY 29, 1998 Pine Bluff, Jefferson Co., Arkansas IRENE INMAN Irene Hauge Inman, 67, of Gassville, formerly of Stuttgart, died May 27, 1998, at Baxter County Regional Hospital. She was born on July 1, 1930, in Illinois, a daughter of the late William H. Berry and Luella Chism Berry. She was a homemaker and a member of St. Johns Lutheran Church. She was preceded in death by two husbands, John H. Hauge Sr. and John Miller. Survivors include her husband, Earl Inman; five sons, Lloyd Hauge, John Hauge Jr. and Norman Hauge, all of Pine Bluff, Eddie Hauge of Gillett and Donnie Hauge of Jonesboro; three daughters, Mary Ratcliff and Andrea Erwin, both of Stuttgart, and Becky Shuey of Spring, Texas; a stepson, Chester Inman of Stuttgart; two stepdaughters, Cindy Stain and Trinkia Mack, both of Aberdeen; 12 grandchildren; five stepgrandchildren; and a great- grandchild. The funeral will be at 10 a.m. today at Turpin Funeral Home at Stuttgart with the Rev. George Rook officiating. Burial will be in Lone Tree Cemetery at Stuttgart. _______________________ MICHAEL KLINE Michael Lemorey Kline, 27, of Kansas City, died May 23, 1998, at Research Medical Center at Kansas City. He was born on July 24, 1970, at Kansas City, a son of James Lemorey Kline of Boston and Ernestine Kline Buchannan of Kansas City. Other survivors include a grandmother, Florine Richardson of Kansas City; a stepfather, Hilton Buchannan Sr. of Kansas City: two stepbrothers, Hilton Buchannan and Steve Buchannan, both of Kansas City; and a stepsister, Romona Buchannan of Dumas Arkansas. The funeral will be at 2 p.m. Saturday at Watson District Headquarters at Mitchellville, Arkansas with the Rev. Walter Witherspoon Sr. officiating. Burial will be in Green Mount Cemetery at Coleman, Arkansas by Brown Funeral Home of Dumas. _____________________________ RENA HOWARD (Photo Included) Rena Jo "Deebee" Howard, 26, of Grady, died May 27,1998, at Jefferson Regional Medical Center. She was born on April 15,1972, at Grady, a daughter of Eloise Howard of Grady and the late Herman Hayes. She was a member of Damascus Baptist Church. Other survivors include one son, Deondrey Darrough of Grady; a daughter, Shanqua McDonald of Grady; eight brothers, Robert L. Walker, Theodis Walker, Herman Haynes, Peter Haynes, Marcus Howard and Randy Walker, all of Grady, the Rev. Gregory L. Walker of Pine Bluff and Allen K. Walker of Yorktown; and three sisters, Margaret Howard of Little Rock, Catherine R. Walker of Grady and Ruby Haynes of Star City. The funeral will be at 2 p.m. Saturday at Damascus Baptist Church at Grady with the Rev. H.L. Brown officiating. Burial will be in Damascus Cemetery at Grady. Visitation will be from 1 to 7 p.m. today at Perry Funeral Home. _________________________ GRACE BRANN Grace Brann, 100, of Pine Bluff, died May 27, 1998, at Trinity Village. She was born on November 3,1897, at Monticello, a daughter of the late Julius Wilcox Harper and Martha Harper. She was a homemaker and a member of First United Methodist Church at Monticello. She and her husband owned and operated Union Motor Company for many years. She was preceded in death by her husband, James Farris "Fay" Brann. Survivors include a daughter, Patricia Ann Whaley of South Padre Island, Texas; three grandchildren; and two great-grandchildren. The funeral will be at 10:30 a.m. today at Stephenson-Dearman Funeral Home at Monticello with the Rev. Gordon Donham officiating. Burial will be in Oakland Cemetery at Monticello. _________________________ CLEOPHIS WEBSTER Cleophis Webster, 69, of Pine Bluff, died Friday, May 22, 1998, at Jefferson Regional Medical Center. He was born April 4, 1929, at Shiloh, a son of Charlie Webster-Owens of Hensley and the late Denzer Webster. He was a Baptist. Other survivors include three sons, Leophis Webster of Midwest City, Oklahoma, Morris Webster of Milwaukee, Wisconsin, and Larry Webster of Washington; a daughter, Delois Christopher of Pine Bluff; a brother, Robert Webster of Pine Bluff; and six sisters, Florence Coleman and Helen Boykin, both of Pine Bluff, Emma L. Smith of Los Angeles, California, and Vera Hughes, Beulah Webster and Barbara Cross, all of Milwaukee, Wisconsin. Graveside services will be Saturday, at lO a.m., in Shiloh Cemetery by Highway 270 South with Elder Willie E. Berkhalter officiating. Burial will be by Brown Funeral Home. __________________________ ELMER CROWDER Elmer Crowder, 81, of Grapevine, died Wednesday at Grant County Nursing Home. He was born July 7, 1916, in Dallas County, a son of the late Henry and Lillian Gossin Crowder. He was a logger and a Methodist. He was preceded in death by two sisters, Elvie Watson and Zella Massey. He is survived by a brother, Thomas Crowder of Oregon. Graveside services will be Saturday, at 10 a.m. in Davis Cemetery in Grant County with Roger Taylor officiating. Arrangements are handled by Hale-South Funeral Home. __________________________ HENRY KELLEY Henry Milton Kelley, 59, of White Hall, died May 27, 1998, at Jefferson Regional Medical Center. He was born on July 9, 1938, at Pine Bluff, a son of the late Hartwill Kelley and Lona Jane Davis Kelley. He was raised and educated at Pine Bluff and attended Pine Bluff schools. He served in the Arkansas Army National Guard. He was an auto mechanic and worked for Joe's Auto Electric for more than 40 years. He was a member of Salem Missionary Baptist Church and recently attended Claud Road Baptist Church. Survivors include his wife, Patricia Bass Kelley, whom he married on May 2, 1969, at Pine Bluff; and a son, Jason Bass Kelley of Bentonville. The funeral will be at 10 a.m. Saturday at Ralph Robinson & Son Funeral Directors with the Revs. Ted Keen and Johnny Shaw officiating. Burial will be in Memorial Park Cemetery. __________________________ EDGAR McGRIFF Edgar Clyde McGriff, 90, of Drew County, died May 28, 1998, at Gardner Nursing Home. He was born January 8, 1908, a son of the late Robert M. and Mary Bush McGriff. He was a farmer, a member of Southside Missionary Baptist Church of Star City and a member of the Pigeon Roost Hunting Club. Survivors include his wife, Beatrice Pierce McGriff; two sons, Bobby McGriff and Billy Charles McGriff, both of Star City; three brothers, Buddy McCriff and Calvin McGriff, both of Star City and Arthur McGriff of Calmer (Cleveland County); three sisters, Emgene Reynolds and Eva Coghill, both of Pine Bluff, and Irene Nowlin of Star City; four grandchildren; four great- grandchildren; and one great-great-grandchiId. The funeral will be at 2 p.m., Saturday, at Griffin Funeral Service of Star City with Allen Hagood and Elmer Byerly officiating. Burial will be in Hickory Grove Cemetery near Star City. _______________________ MARY JOHNSON Mary Lee "Sweet" Johnson, 59, of Pine Bluff, died Friday, May 22, 1998, at Jefferson Regional Medical Center. She was born on August 1,1938, the daughter of the late Garfield and Ophelia Wilson Burton. She was a homemaker and a Baptist. Survivors include her husband, Eddie Lee Johnson; four sons, Carl Edward Johnson, Robert Anthony Johnson and Gregory Johnson, all of Pine Bluff, and Kenneth Earl Johnson of Atlanta; two daughters, Brenda Ann Jones and Gloria Elaine Wilburn, both of Pine Bluff; a stepmother Modie Burton of Memphis; and lO grandchildren. The funeral will be at 10:30 a.m., Saturday, at Brown Funeral Home with the Rev. Robert Wells officiating. Burial will be in Forest Lawn Memorial Garden. ________________________ EFFIE KELLY Effie Z. Kelly, 81, of Pine Bluff, died May 23, 1998, at Jefferson Regional Medical Center. She was born on August 5, 1916, at Pastoria, a daughter of the late Will A. Walters and Cornelius Walters. She was a member of Mount Calvary Baptist Church, where she served as choir president for 41 years. She was preceded in death by her husband, Jesse Kelly. Survivors include a son, Jesse Kelly of Pine Bluff; two brothers, Henry Walters and Horace Walters, both of Pine Bluff; a sister, Carrie Woodson of Bakersville, California; three grandchildren; and five great-grandchildren. The funeral will be at 2 p.m. Saturday at Mount Calvary Baptist Church with Jimmy L. Fisher officiating. Burial will be in St. Luke Cemetery by Christian Way Funeral Home. _____________________________ REV. CARL CODY The Rev. Carl Edmond Cody, 82, of Pine Bluff, died May 28, 1998, at his home. He was born on January 19, 1916, at Omaha, Texas, a son of the late Thomas William and Mary V. Guice Cody. He was raised and received his early education at New Edinburg. He moved to the Pine Bluff area in 1934. He was the pastor at several churches during his 48 years of service. His last church was West Helena Church of God. He was active in the ministry until 1996. He was a member of the License Examiner Board for 12 years and the State Board Council for 16 years. He was a state evangelist for one year. He was a Navy veteran of World War II. He was preceded in death by five brothers and three sisters. Survivors include his wife of 62 years, Lucille Coody Cody, whom he married on December 1, 1935, at Clarendon; two sons, the Rev. James Edmond Cody of Harrison and Jerald H. Cody of West Memphis; a daughter, Mary E Cody Baker of Venus, Texas; a brother, Wayne Cody of Texarkana; a sister, Mildred Mullins of Madera, California; eight grandchildren; and four great-grandchildren. The funeral will be at 2 p.m. Saturday at Ralph Robinson & Son Funeral Directors with the Revs. Daniel Hampton and Haskell Eavenson officiating. Burial will be in White Hall United Methodist Church Cemetery. ______________________________ -------------------------------------------------------------------- PINE BLUFF COMMERCIAL MAY 30, 1998 Pine Bluff, Jefferson Co., Arkansas CARL NEWTON Carl Edward Newton, 67, of Pine Bluff, died May 28,1998 at Jefferson Regional Medical Center. He was born November 10, 1930, at Des Arc, a son of the late E.D. and Alma Bell Newton. He was a sergeant in the Air Force; loved woodworking, fishing and gardening; and attended Cavalry Baptist Church at McCrory (Woodruff County). He was preceded in death by a brother, Roy Newton. Survivors include his wife, Mildred Jones Newton; three sons, Edward Newton of North Little Rock, Dennis Newton of Yorba Linda, California, and Lawrence Newton of Pine Bluff; two daughters, Lavelle Schwede of Forrest City and Vivian Newton of Stuttgart; a brother, Cecil Newton of Des Arc; and 10 grandchildren. The funeral will be at 3 p.m., today at Hale-South Funeral Home with Billy West officiating. Burial will be in Rowell Cemetery at Cleveland County. _________________________ AMBER PATTERSON Amber Fern Patterson, 14, of Warren, died May 28, 1998, at Bradley County Medical Center at Warren. Born August 4, l983, at Warren, she was a daughter of Jack and Maebell McClain-Patterson of Warren. She was a member of Immanuel Baptist Church. Other survivors include a sister, Brandi Patterson of Warren; grandparents Wayne and Johnnie McClain of Warren and Fred Patterson of Jacksonville, Texas. She was preceded in death by her grandmother, Amanda Patterson. Funeral services are scheduled for 2 p.m. Sunday at Willoughby Freewill Baptist Church. Burial will be in Willoughby Cemetery by Frazer's Funeral Home. __________________________ IRA WALDRUP Ira Edgar Waldrup, 70, of McGehee, died May 29, 1998, at his home. Born May 20, 1928 at Collins (Drew County), he was a son of the late Virgle Allen Waldrup and May Belle Ellis Waldrup. He was retired from the United States Army. He served in the Korean and Vietnam wars. He was a member of First Baptist Church of McGehee. Survivors include his wife, Charleene Vardaman Waldrup of McGehee; three brothers, James Waldrup of Dermott, Donald Waldrup of Heber Springs and Allen Waldrup of Hamburg; and a sister, Joyce Gray of Monticello. Funeral services are scheduled for 2 p.m. Sunday at Halley Baptist Church with Dr. Tommy Cunningham officiating. Burial will be in Halley Cemetery with full military honors. Visitation will be 5 to 8 p.m. today at Stephenson-Dearman Funeral Home. _________________________ EDD RATTERREE Edd L. Ratterree, 78, of Star City, died May 29, 1998, at his home. Born May 18, 1920, in Lincoln County, he was a son of the late Robert E. Ratterree and Mittie Cogbill Ratterree. He was a retired poultry farmer. He was a deacon at Holly Springs Missionary Baptist Church near Star City. Survivors include his wife, Fern Carrington Ratterree of Star City; two daughters, Barbara Jean Curry of Star City and Linda Sue Smith of Grady; three grandchildren; and five great-grandchildren. Funeral services are scheduled for 2 p.m. Sunday at Holly Springs Missionary Baptist Church with J.C. Patterson and Olen Ward officiating. Burial will be in Holly Springs Cemetery. Visitation will be 6 to 8 p.m. today at Griffin Funeral Service at Star City. Memorials may be made to Hospice Care Services, 2214 South Blake Street, Pine Bluff, AR, 71603; or Holly Springs Missionary Baptist Church, Star City, AR, 71667 _________________________ JAMES MERRICK James Sidney Merrick, 88, of Pine Bluff, died May 28,1998, at Trinity Village Medical Center. He was born on January 8, 1910, in Conway County, a son of the late James Monroe Merrick and Lillie Adams Merrick. He was raised and educated in Conway County. He graduated from Morrilton High School in 1929. He attended Harding College, now Harding University, and then attended Cumberland University at Lebanon, Tennessee. He received a LLB degree in July 1933, which licensed him to practice law in the state. He practiced law until March 1935. In 1935, he became an investigator for the Alcohol Tax Unit, Internal Revenue Service, United States Treasury and retired in 1965 as a supervisor in charge of the Little Rock branch office of the Alcohol Tobacco & Firearms. He was a regional attorney for the Arkansas Social Services, Pine Bluff Regional Office from 1969 to 1976. He was a member of the Arkansas and Jefferson County bar, the American Association of Retired Persons and the national association of retired federal employees. He was a lifetime member of the Arkansas Law Enforcement Association and was a member of the board at Trinity Village. He was an Army veteran of World War II. He was a member of the First United Methodist Church. He was preceded in death by his first wife, Mary Elizabeth Golden Merrick; and his second wife, Sybil Dickens Bruce Merrick. Survivors include three sons, John Richard Merrick of Pine Bluff, Charles Bruce of Texarkana, Texas and Richard H. Bruce of Athens, Georgia; a daughter, Lynn M. Mason of Lubbock, Texas; 10 grandchildren; and ten great- grandchildren. The funeral will be at 4 p.m. today at Ralph Robinson & Son Funeral Directors with the Rev. Charles Settle officiating. Burial will be in Roselawn Cemetery at Little Rock. Memorial contributions may be made to Lubbock Christian University at Lubbock, Harding University at Searcy, or to the donor's favorite charity. ________________________ LILA RODGERS Lila S. Rodgers, 79, of Mena, died May 29, 1998, at Mena. She was born on January 24, 1919, in Harmony community (Jefferson County), a daughter of the late William Zachariah and Jessie L. Farbridge Stone. She was raised and received her early education in Harmony community. She was a graduate of Linwood High School. She lived at Pine Bluff from 1943 to 1982, at which time she moved to Mena. She was a homemaker and a member of Shell Chapel Cumberland Presbyterian Church. She was preceded in death by her husband, William Ralph Rodgers, whom she married on September 30, 1939, at Star City, and who died in 1984. Survivors include a daughter, Linda R. McMillan of Mena; a sister, Ruth Morris of Little Rock; two grandchildren; and two great-grandchildren. The funeral will be at 2 p.m. Monday at Ralph Robinson & Son Funeral Directors with the Rev. Roger Glover officiating. Burial will be in Shell Chapel Cemetery (Jefferson County). _______________________ BEULAH FAIR-UPCHURCH Beulah Fair-UpChurch, 108, of Little Rock, died May 25, 1998, at Four Oaks Living Center at Little Rock. She was born on November 15, 1889, in lndependence County, a daughter of the late William Fair and Mary Allen Fair. She was a member of Central Baptist Church at Memphis. Survivors include a sister, Novella Fair of Los Angeles. The funeral will be at 11 a.m. today at Connor Chapel AME Church at Little Rock by Christian Way Funeral Home. Burial will be at 1 p.m. Monday in New Park Cemetery at Memphis. __________________________ RONALD HERITAGE Ronald Dale Heritage, 36, of Pine Bluff, died May 27, 1998, at Jefferson Regional Medical Center. He was born on September 19, 1961, at Pine Bluff, a son of Alma Ernestine Heritage Bailey of Pine Bluff and the late James Eugene Heritage, who died in 1992. He was raised and educated at Pine Bluff. He was a graduate of Grady High School and was a co-owner of A-l Grooming/Pine Bluff Pet Shop. Other survivors include two sons, Joshua Franklin Barnes and James Eugene Heritage II, both of Hot Springs; two daughters, Sara Cheronne Heritage and Tonashea Christine Heritage, both of Hot Springs; three brothers, Larry Eugene Heritage of Pine Bluff, Royce Gene Heritage of Atkins and Ricky Lynn Heritage of Sheridan; two sisters, Gwen Wilson and Nancy Ratterree, both of Sheridan; grandparents, Oma Caldwell of Jonesboro, and William D. and Mary Bailey of Rock Port, Missouri; and a stepfather, Don Baiiey of Pine Bluff. The funeral will be at 10 a.m. Monday at Ralph Robinson & Son Funeral Directors with the Revs. Al Michael and Bill Kiggins officiating. Burial will be in Cypress Memorial Gardens. ________________________ WANDA JENKINS Wanda June Jenkins, 36, of Fort Wayne, Indiana, formerly of Dumas, Arkansas, died May 19, 1998, at her home. She was born on May 21, 1961, at Pickens, Arkansas, a daughter of the Rev. Johnny B. Jenkins of Fort Wayne and Theartry Jenkins of Dumas. She was a member of Eleventh Missionary Baptist Church at Fort Wayne. She received her education in the Dumas School System. Other survivors include two daughters, Waukeshia Jenkins and Crystal Jenkins, both of Fort Wayne; four brothers, Anthony Jenkins and Johnnie Rouse, both of Fort Wayne, Carl Dean of Liberal, Kansas and Glen Jenkins of Little Rock; and four sisters, Brenda Curry of Milwaukee, Helen Reed and Clara M. Clay, both of Fort Wayne, and Tracie Lawrence of Dallas. The funeral will be at 11 a.m. today at First Baptist Church at Pickens with the Rev. Joe Burns officiating. Burial will be in St. Paul Cemetery at Pickens by Washington-Dolls Funeral Home at Dumas. __________________________ -------------------------------------------------------------------- PINE BLUFF COMMERCIAL SUNDAY, MAY 31, 1998 Pine Bluff, Jefferson Co., Arkansas HELEN POOLE Helen Louisa Wilson Poole, 91, of Pine Bluff, died May 29,1998, at Davis Life Care Center. Born January 31, 1907, near Rison, she was the daughter of the late William Thomas Wilson and Aletha Sanders Wilson. One of nine children, Mrs. Poole was reared in the North Concord community near Rison in Cleveland County. She attended North Concord School, graduating from high school there. As a student, she was active in 4-H and home economics activities. As a young woman, she operated restaurants in Cleveland County and Pine Bluff before her marriage in Grant County to James Horace Poole on August 25, 1934. Mr. and Mrs. Poole made their home at Pine Bluff and at Camden for 13 years until Mr. Poole's death on October 12, 1962. At Camden, Mrs. Poole was active in PTA and Girl Scouts volunteer roles while rearing her daughter. Returning to Pine Bluff in 1964, Mrs. Poole resided here since. She was a member of First United Methodist Church of Pine Bluff. At her church she was active for years in the Wesley Friendship Sunday School Class and United Methodist Women. She is survived by a daughter, Bettye Poole Babb of Pine Bluff; a brother, Rev. L. Gray Wilson of Athens, Texas; two grandchildren, and one great-granddaughter. Funeral services will be Tuesday at10:30 a.m. at First United Methodist Church with the Revs. Charles Settle and Lynn Dyke officiating. Burial will be in Bellwood Annex Cemetery by Ralph Robinson & Son. The family requests that memorials take the form of contributions to the American Heart Association or to First United Methodist Church. ___________________________ ALICE BROWN Alice Ora Martindale Brown, 68, of Pine Bluff, died May 29, 1998 at Jefferson Regional Medical Center. Born April 7, 1930 at Little Rock, she was the daughter of Lucille Short Martindale of Waco, Texas and the late Everett Otto Martindale. Mrs. Brown moved to Pine Bluff at the age of 16, where she attended Pine Bluff High School. She was an LPN at Jefferson Regional Medical Center for a number of years and she was a member of the Hardin Baptist Church and the Pine Bluff QuiltingGuild. She was preceded in death by two daughters, Peggy Brown Royse and Theda Ann Brown. Other survivors include, her husband of 51 years, James T. Brown, whom she married on April 5, 1947 at Pine Bluff; a half-brother, E.O. Martindale, Jr., of Little Rock; a half-sister, Katherine Wimple of Waco; a grandchild and a great-grandchild. Graveside services will be held at 1O a.m. Tuesday in Hardin Cemetery with the Rev. Lex Eaker officiating. Burial will be by Ralph Robinson and Son Funeral Directors. Memorial contributions may be made to the Hardin Baptist Church or Hardin Fire Department. _________________________ MARTHA HENDERSON Martha Josephine "Josie" Henderson, 93, of England (Lonoke County), died May 30, 1998, at the England Manor Nursing Home. She was born January 20, 1905 at Quitman (Faulkner County), the daughter of the late George Henry Grable and Carrie H. Grable. She was a homemaker and a member of First Baptist Church at England as well as a member of the Eastern Star. She was preceded in death by a son, Joseph Seldon Henderson and her husband, C.D. "Doc" Henderson. She is survived by a son, H.P. Henderson of England; a brother, Chester Grable of Hensley (Pulaski County) a sister, Vaudia Smith of North Little Rock and eight grandchildren. Funeral services will be held Monday at 2 p.m. at Wilson-Stephens Funeral Home of England with Robert McDaniel officiating . Burial will be in Mulberry Cemetery.