Pulaski County

WILMA JEANNE CANADA DINER, MD was born January 21, 1926 in Hardy, Ky., to William Edward and Thelma May Canada. Her father operated the butcher store in the little coal mining town which hosted the Hatfields and the McCoys. Over the course of her early years, she moved several times across the river to West Virginia and back to Kentucky eventually graduating Salutatorian from Williamson West Virginia High School at the age of 16. She attended the University of Kentucky graduating Phi Beta Kappa in 1946 with a BS in Medical Technology, Honors in Bacteriology and became a registered medical technologist with the American Society of Clinical Pathology. In 1950, she graduated from Duke University School of Medicine starting an internship, and completing residencies in Pathology and Radiology at Massachusetts General Hospital in Boston, Mass., as Chief Resident in 1954.

She met her husband, Jack Diner, in Boston at Mass General where they fell in love and followed him to Little Rock, Ark., and the University of Arkansas Medical Sciences campus where he was employed as a medical illustrator. She joined the Radiology Department at UAMS after Bradley Diner, her first child was born in 1956. Brad was shortly followed by his sister, Jan Hildebrandt, in 1957 and brother, Jeffrey Diner, in 1959.

Children on board, she continued her distinguished career (being the first to describe Cronkite Canada syndrome in the New England Journal of Medicine in 1955) achieving her professorship of Radiology and leading the Radiology Residents Program at UAMS as director until retiring in 1997. Many distinguished technical papers, presentations, honor societies and awards chronicled her career.

After retiring from medicine, she launched her second career as an educator of Hebrew students at Congregation B’nai Israel and English as a second language in Little Rock. She is remembered as an untiring advocate for education and lifelong learning who demonstrated her values through work and personal life. Her dedication to her faith and support for the underprivileged and those in need was evidenced through her many contributions throughout her life.

She is survived by her children, Bradley Diner, MD (Deborah), Jan Hildebrandt (Larry), and Jeff Diner (Theresa Green); her sister, Clarice McGrew; nieces, Leigh Ann Mountcastle, Amanda McGrew, and Jamie McGrew (Jerry); and grandchildren, Clint Russell (Deborah), Adam Russell, and Jackson Diner.

Memorial service will be held at Congregation B’Nai Israel, 3700 N. Rodney Parham Rd., Little Rock on Sunday, January 8, 2017 at 2 p.m. In lieu of flowers, contributions may be made to the Wilma Diner Fund for Religious Education a Congregation B’Nai Israel or the Diner Learning Center in Radiology at UAMS. Online guestbook: www.rollerfuneralhomes.com/chenal.

–––––❖––––– NOVIE DENVER “DEN” HUNTER GASAWAY went peacefully to be with her Lord at 11:15 a.m., Wednesday, January 4, 2017. She was born December 27, 1918 in Cale, Arkansas to the late John Wesley and Laura Whitten Hunter.

She was preceded in death by her husband, Lasco Gasaway; sons, Eugene Roberts and Jerry Wayne Roberts; brothers, Brody, Ira, Noah, Elvin and Earl Hunter; and sisters, Willa Rean Hunter, Velma Gregory and Pearl Thrasher. She is survived by her daughter, Polly Ann Redmond; grandsons, Kevin Redmond and Russell Redmond and his wife, Shannon; two step-great-grandsons, Hunter and Houston Naugher; and many beloved nieces and nephews.

She retired after 30 years of service to Chicopee Manufacturing Company, a subsidiary of Johnson and Johnson in North Little Rock, Arkansas. Denver was a lifelong member of the Brockington Road Church of the Nazarene (formerly North Little Rock First Church of the Nazarene). She was a member since 1950, serving as a Board Member, NWMS Officer, and Sunday School Teacher. Denver demonstrated Christian love, generosity and compassion in making home, hospital visits, nursing home visits, and providing needed transportation to anyone who wanted to attend a church. Her desire in lieu of flowers are for Memorials made to the Brockington Road Church of the Nazarene Missions or Building Fund.

The family wishes to extend their thanks and gratitude to the staff of Premier Health and Rehab for their devoted care over the past years, as well as Arkansas Hospice.

A visitation will be held from 9 a.m. to 11 a.m., Saturday, January 7th, 2017 at Smith – North Little Rock Funeral Home. Graveside service and burial will be 2 p.m., Saturday at New Salem Methodist Church Cemetery, Nevada County, Arkansas with Rev. Jimmy Bobo officiating. Online obituary at www. SmithFamilyCares.com.

–––––❖––––– JENNIFER NICOLE JENKINS-FRANKLIN, 35, of North Little Rock departed this life January 3, 2017. She was preceded in death by: grandparents, Rawsay Laster Sr. and Marie Laster; grandfather, Roy Jenkins.

Jennifer leaves to cherish memory spouse, Kevin Franklin; child, Laila Franklin; parents, Ronnie (Renee) Jenkins and Sheila (Bishop John) Marble; siblings, Ronnie (Jentry) Jenkins Jr., Krystal (Nathan) Poole, Ryan (LaRoya) Jenkins and a host of family and friends.

Funeral: Today, 11 a.m. at Greater First Pentecostal Church. 5302 Hwy 161, NLR. Bishop Alfonso Madden, officiating. Services entrusted to Robinson Mortuary, 4511 E. Broadway, NLR (501) 374-0111. “Service You Can Trust.” Sign online guestbook at www.robinsonmortuary. com. “Service You Can Trust.”

–––––❖––––– CHARLES STEVEN McGLOTHIN, 61, died on January 5, 2017 in North Little Rock. He was born on October 8, 1955 to the late Charles and Eunice McGlothin. He was of the Baptist faith. Steve began his life and went to school in the farming community of Coy. Charles graduated from England High School and the University of Arkansas of Little Rock. He spent his entire career at the Department of Human Services in Arkansas County, He worked his way up from social worker to supervisor and retired in 2000. He loved gardening, visiting with friends. He was a fierce card player and a crossword puzzle mastermind. Most of all Steve loved and cherished his family.

In addition to his parents he was preceded in death by one nephew, Aaron Corley and one sister Karon Carter. Steve is survived by Lee Madsen of North Little Rock, three sisters, Jean Terry, Phyllis Corley and C.J. Tumbelson, all of Humnoke. Steve is also survived by several nieces and nephews: Karri and Matt Brown, Cheryl Ball, Jason and Melinda Brazeal, all of Humnoke. Clay and LeAnn Brazeal of Carlisle, Christy and Cori Catlett and Justin Tumbleson of Little Rock.

To those of us who knew him, he was a special beyond compare. His talents were many, his honesty refreshing, his friendship long lasting, his love time failing and unconditional. He will be dearly missed.

Private services will be held for family and friends. Wilson Robison Funeral Home of England in charge of the arrangements.

–––––❖––––– MANLY TATUM “TATE” ROBERTS died peacefully in his sleep from complications of Alzheimer’s on January 4, 2017 in Little Rock, Arkansas. He was 86 years old. Tate was born September 4, 1930 in Benton, Arkansas, to Manly Earl Roberts and Lexi Jo Tatum Roberts.

Tate lived in Little Rock most of his life, with brief stints in Corpus Christi, Texas, aboard the USS Cimmarron in and around China and Japan during the Korean War and Fayetteville, Arkansas. He was considered a member of both the 1948 class of Benton High School and Corpus Christi High. He attended the University of Arkansas and Little Rock Junior College (UALR). Tate married Charlotte Ann Cooper Roberts in June of 1955 and was married to her until her death in February 2004. He was president of Roberts & Company, Inc. General Contractors of Little Rock from 1966 until 2005, helping many build Arkansas. Tate was a long-time member, deacon, and Sunday school teacher at Little Rock’s First Baptist Church, where he also served on the Building Committee.

He is survived by his sons, Manly Roberts (Lisa Thomas Roberts) and Mark Roberts; grandchildren, Grace Roberts, Kate Roberts, Alyse Roberts, and Manly Thomas Roberts; as well as many nieces and nephews. He was predeceased by both of his parents; sisters, Mary Inez Wallace, Susan Ione Scott, Hazel Earline Fulks; and his brother, Joe Denby Roberts.

Pallbearers are Jack Henderson, R. David Black, James Willbanks, Ed Choate, Scott Morgan and Michael Manley. Honorary pall bearers are Mr. Carl Rosenbaum, Mr. Robert Rogers, Mr. Don Rice, Dr. Hoyt Pyle and Dr. Carl Straub.

The family wishes to extend their gratitude to Hickory Heights Nursing and Rehabilitation and to Kindred At Home Hospice for taking such wonderful care of Tate in his final months. In lieu of flowers, the family requests that donations be made to the Arkansas Alzheimer’s Association. Visitation will be Sunday, January 8, 2017 from 4-6 p.m. at Roller Chenal Funeral Home, 13801 Chenal Parkway, Little Rock, Ark. 72211. Services will be held at Little Rock First Baptist Church, 62 Pleasant Valley Dr, Little Rock, Ark. 72212, on Monday, January 9, 2017 at 10 a.m., with Pastor Jonathan Curtis officiating. Pastor Tim Brooks will officiate the graveside service following at Pinecrest Cemetery. Online guestbook: www.rollerfuneralhomes.com/chenal.

–––––❖––––– NETTIE LORA CONWAY VIZZIER, 98, of North Little Rock passed away on January 3, 2017. A celebration of her life and memorial visitation has been rescheduled for 1 to 3 p.m., Sunday, January 8 at Smith – North Little Rock Funeral Home Reception Hall. Online obituary at www.SmithFamilyCares.com.

–––––❖––––– WALTER WHITMORE, 64, of Little Rock, formerly of Cotton Plant died Saturday, December 31 at his home. His wife, Carolyn Palmer-Whitmore, four sons, three daughters, two brothers, three sisters, 19 grandchildren, eight great-grandchildren and a host of other relatives and friends survive him. Visitation will be held Friday evening, January 6 from 6 until 8 p.m. at Branscumb Funeral Home Chapel, 911 North Main Street in Brinkley. Funeral services will be held Saturday, January 7 at 2 p.m. at Faith Temple Church of God in Christ, 719 North New Orleans Street in Brinkley. Interment will take place at Ebenezer Cemetery by Branscumb Funeral Home of Brinkley. (870) 734-2772. www. branscumbfuneralhome.com; Facebook: Branscumb Funeral Home; and email: branscumbfuneralhome1928@yahoo.com.