Pulaski County

KATHLEEN C. “KATHY” BLAND BURNS, 73, of Sherwood, went home to be with her Lord Wednesday, March 29, 2017. She was born April 10, 1943 to Clyde and Blanche Bland in Little Rock. She is preceded in death by her parents.

Kathy was retired from 44 years with the State of Arkansas Department of Human Services. She was an active charter member of North Pulaski United Methodist Church.

Kathy is survived by her husband, Herbert Burns; three sons: Tom Dicus ( Karen) of Clarksville, Tim Dicus ( Lisa) of Maumelle,

Thomas Burns ( Laura) of Rison; two daughters: Kelli Rutledge ( Travis) of North Little Rock, Theresa Melton ( Chris) of Tacoma, Wash.; nine grandchildren: Stacy, Sandy, John, Natalie, Alex, Jennings, Reagan, Katie, Megan; three great- grandchildren; and sister, Patricia Becker of Alameda, Calif..

Memorial Service will be at 2 p. m., Saturday, April 1, 2017, at North Pulaski United Methodist Church, 10 Kelso Road, Jacksonville, Ark. 72076. Visitation will be one hour prior of the service.

In lieu of flowers, the family suggests, memorials be sent to North Pulaski United Methodist Church, to Second Baptist Church, Clarksville, Ark., c/ o Sandy’s Ministry Work, or in Sandy’s name at https:// netcommunity. imb. org/ IHO- Missions. Online Guestbook: www. rollerfuneralhomes. com/ owens

––––– – –––– RALPH CALDWELL, age 87, of Sherwood, formerly of Augusta, died March 29, 2017. Survivors: daughter Belinda Shaw and husband Jim, two grandchildren, nieces, and nephews. Graveside services: Saturday, April 1, 11 a. m., Augusta Memorial Park, by Rhodes & Son Funeral Home, Augusta.

––––– – –––– MARY WILLIAMS DALY, 64, of Little Rock, formerly Arkadelphia, passed March 23, 2017. Survivors: parents, Parthena and Jesse Williams, Sr.; siblings, Belinda Henderson, Joyce Williams, Jesse ( Ramona) Williams, K. L. Williams. Services 11 a. m. Saturday at St. Paul AME Church, Arkadelphia. Services: Williams Funeral Home, Arkadelphia. Sign guestbook at www. funeralsatwilliams. com

––––– – –––– BRUCE ALAN FOUTCH, 63, of North Little Rock, passed away March 29, 2017. He was born November 3, 1953 in Biloxi, Miss., to George Kenneth and Josey Velma Foutch. He is survived by wife Janet Foutch; mother Josey Foutch; daughter Stefanie Pooley; sister Evelyn Anderson; nieces Kristi Wright- Verboon, Amanda Shepherd, Samantha Hodges, Kira Riser and Kelly Hall. He is preceded in death by his father George Kenneth Foutch, and his sister Georgia Hall.

Bruce graduated from Jacksonville High School in 1972. He joined the U. S. Navy in March 1974 and retired as a Chief Petty Officer in December 1994. He went on to work at Pathfinder, Inc. from December 1994 to October 2015, and retired as their Director of Contract Services. With a lifetime of service to others, it was only fitting that Bruce would run for public office. He was an alderman for the City of North Little Rock, Ward 3, working diligently for his constituents, from April 2011 to December 2016, when he retired due to illness.

A special thank you for exemplary care to the doctors and nurses at UAMS and John L. McClellan Memorial Veterans Hospital. Visitation will be at Smith North Little Rock Funeral Home, Sunday, 2- 4 p. m.. The funeral service will be held at Smith NLR Funeral Home Monday at 11 a. m., with Pastor Steve Tiner of Levy Baptist Church officiating. Burial follows at 12: 00 p. m. at Arkansas State Veterans Cemetery in North Little Rock with military honors.

In lieu of flowers, contributions may be made to Pathfinder, Inc., P. O. Box 647, Jacksonville, Ark. 72078. Online obituary at www. SmithFamilyCares. com.

––––– – –––– MRS. LORETTA MARIE DICKERSON HARRIS, a selfless woman of God, transitioned peacefully on Saturday, March 25, 2017. Loretta Marie Dickerson was born August 25, 1936, the daughter of Dave and Willie Maggie Jones Dickerson. Her beloved husband the late great, Rev. LeRoy Harris, Sr., one brother Dave Dickerson Jr., and three sisters preceded her in death: Katherine Dickerson in infancy, Willie Mae Dickerson, Ethel Rene Dickerson Oliver; and her bonus son Earl Harris.

She graduated from Nelson High School in 1955, with honors as salutatorian of her class. Five years later, she successfully started a career in nursing. On January 6, 1966, she was married to Rev. LeRoy Harris, Sr. To this union, two children were born; LeRoy Harris, Jr. and Leah L. Harris. Loretta also gained three bonus sons; Earl, Norris, and Glenn Harris; two bonus daughters, Marsha Sue Vault, and Dorris Banks; and a stepson, Richard Harris.

Loretta never gave up on being a teacher, and accomplished that goal, graduating from Arkansas Baptist College in 1967, and Henderson State University in 1971. She also taught school in North Little Rock School District and Little Rock School District. She joined organizations including The Daughters of I. B. P. E. of W. ( Elks), the National Baptist Congress of Christian Education, and the Baptist Congress of Arkansas.

She is at the right hand of the Father, Son and Holy Spirit, and reunited with her beloved husband of over 45 years. Mrs. Loretta Harris is survived by her son LeRoy Harris, Jr. Leah L. Harris; bonus sons, Norris Harris, Glenn Harris ( Marsha); bonus daughters, Marsha Sue ( Stanley) Vault, and Dorris Banks. She is also survived by three brothers and three sisters; Jordan Dickerson, Robert Lee Dickerson, Major Lee ( Brandy) Dickerson, Erma Dickerson, Barbara Jean Rawls, and Jewel Dickerson ( Ralph) Porter; one brother- in- law, Charles Oliver, Sr.; 16 grandchildren; 21 great- grandchildren; special nieces Beverly Couch, and Barbara Jean Evans; a host of nieces and nephews, cousins, friends, and students. Family hour is Friday March 31, 2017, 6: 30- 7: 30 p. m. Homegoing celebration will be Saturday, April 1, 2017, 11 a. m. Both at Greater Second Baptist Church, 5615 Geyer Springs Road, Little Rock. Services entrusted to Premier Funeral Home, 1518 S. Battery St, LR, AR 72202, ( 501) 376- 4800.

––––– – –––– CARRIE JEAN JONES, 89, went to be with the Lord on Monday, March 27, 2017. Funeral services will be Saturday, April 1, 2017, 11 a. m., at First Baptist Church, Higgins, Ark., 9700 Hwy 365 South, Little Rock, Ark. Interment will follow at Cephus Cemetery, Wrightsville, Ark. Visitation: Today, March 31, 2017, 6- 7 p. m., at Ruffin & Jarrett Funeral Home, 1200 S. Chester St., Little Rock, Ark. ( 501) 372- 1305.

––––– – –––– WILLIAM “DARRELL” LAINHART, age 81, of Sherwood, Ark., passed away Thursday, March 23, 2017. He was born on February 23, 1936, in Hamilton, Ohio, the son of William A. Lainhart and Zula Peters Lainhart. Darrell is preceded in death by his beloved wife, Mattie; his parents; three brothers; and four sisters.

He is survived by his son and daughter- in- law, Rickey and Sindy Lainhart of North Little Rock, Ark.; and his daughter and soninlaw, Julia and Shawn Butler of Sherwood, Ark.; six grandchildren; two great- grandchildren; three brothers; two sisters; several nieces; nephews; and other extended family members and friends.

Memorial services will be held on Saturday, April 1, 2017, at the First Assembly of God Church in North Little Rock, Ark., at 10 a. m. Cremation arrangements have been entrusted to A Natural State Funeral Service in Jacksonville, Ark. Online guestbook: www. anaturalstatefuneralservice.com.

––––– – –––– GEORGIA JO MILLIGAN, 82, of Maumelle, died Tuesday, March 28, 2017. Jo was born December 6, 1934 in Cave City, Ark., to Winslow and Lela( Ring) Mat lock. Service :10 a.m. Saturday, April 1, 2017, at the Roller- Crouch Chapel. Visitation :9-10 a.m. before the service. Burial follows at Rose lawn C em et ery.www. roller funeral homes. com/ bates ville.

––––– – –––– Beloved angel, MADISON DENISE MITCHELL, of Little Rock passed away, Thursday, March 30, 2017. She was born to Karen and Matthew Mitchell on January 5, 2017.

She was preceded in death by her great- grandfather, Bob W. Johnson. Madison is survived by her parents; her brother, Tyler Mitchell; her grandparents, Darla and Dr. Ron Pritchard of Little Rock, Ark., and Melanie and Eddy Mitchell of Grapevine, Ark.; great- grandparents, Valerie Johnson of Daphne, Ala., Brenda and James Mitchell of Grapevine, Ark., and Sue and Clyde Chenault of Benton, Ark.; uncles and aunts: Vanessa and Chris Pritchard, Aubrey and Ryan Mitchell, Kristen and Andrew Wilson, and Ben Cassidy; first cousin, Cassidy Wilson; and a host of other relatives.

Graveside service will be held at 2 p.m. Saturday, April 1,2017, at Pinecrest Cemetery in Alexander, Ark., with Reverend Bryan Shock officiating.

In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made to Little Rock Christian Academy, 19010 Cantrell Road, Little Rock, Ark. 72223 in memory of Madison Mitchell. Online guestbook: www. roller funeral homes. com/ chenal.

––––– – –––– LETA EMISON NOLEN, went to be with her Lord on March 28, 2017, after living a faithful life of 112 years. She was born February 17, 1905, in Vilonia, Ark., ( Faulkner County) to William Franklin and Laura Ann Wright Emison.

Predeceased by her parents; her husband, James Frederick Nolen; and siblings, Floyd, Esther, Lottie, Forrest, and Mary Katy. Also predeceased by great- nephew, Eddie Emison, and other nephews, nieces, and cousins. Survived by great- nephews, Larry, Ben, and Dan Emison; great- niece, Shelby Jean Anderson; cousin, Bob Wright; and many generations of other relatives.

Leta belonged to First United Methodist Church, North Little Rock, Ark. Many members of the church and her Sunday School Class visited her at the nursing home and especially for her many birthday parties. She was a very independent woman and lived in North Little Rock in the house she and her late husband built in the 1940s. At age 103, it was necessary that she move to Robinson Nursing & Rehab. Until her late 90s, Leta was an avid bridge player, beating out many much younger opponents. She drove her Ford Maverick car until she was 100, but gave up driving only because she had a fender- bender.

Leta loved going to the horse races in Hot Springs. Her great- nephew, Larry Emison, took her several times when she was in her 90s and even when she was 100. Larry recalls one of the first times he picked her up, she was waiting on her front porch with a glass jar of water in a crumpled brown paper bag. He convinced her they had bottles of water there, so she left it behind.

Leta will be remembered as a “miracle” for living 112 years. She was always so appreciative of anything you did for her. Her mind was sharp until just the last few years.

A special thanks to her friend, Carolyn, who looked after her like she was her own grandmother. Also thanks to the staff of Robinson Nursing & Rehab and to her many relatives and good friends who helped along her wonderful journey of life.

Graveside service will be held Saturday, April 1, 2017, at 11 a. m. at Edgewood Cemetery. Arrangements are under the direction of Roller- Owens Funeral Home, 5509 John F. Kennedy Blvd., North Little Rock, Ark. 72116. Online guestbook: www. rollerfuneralhomes. com/ owens.

––––– – –––– GENA ROWLAND, age 87, of Little Rock, Ark., went to be with the Lord on March 26, 2017. Gena was born on March 25, 1930, in Little Rock, to Howard and Jewel Ford.

Gena had a long career as a paramedic, and enjoyed oil painting, ballroom dancing, and spending time with her grandchildren. She was a kind and caring person, who would do anything to help those in need.

She married Toney Henderson, but was widowed at age 24. Later married to Drexel Rowland, and widowed again at age 55. She was also preceded in death by two of her three children, son Drexel Rowland Jr., and daughter Tina Rowland Menefee.

Gena is survived by her oldest daughter Toni Reavis; son- inlaw Nick Reavis; grandchildren Gena Reavis and Antonio Reavis ( Nick); great- grandchildren, Amilio, Carmella, Sophia, and Jayla; sister Glenda Ewing; and many nieces and nephews. She is also survived by her precious sweetheart, Darvin Fitzpatrick.

A celebration of life service will be held this Sunday, April 2, at Mt. Pleasant United Methodist Church, at 5025 Church Road ( off Lawson Rd.), Little Rock, Ark. Potluck luncheon to be held after the service in the fellowship hall at the church. Cremation arrangements entrusted to Arkansas Cremation. www. ArkansasCremation. com.

––––– – –––– NORMA JEANNETTE STARR, a former resident of Pine Bluff and Little Rock, died peacefully on Monday, March 27, 2017, in Columbus, Ohio, at the age of 85.

She was preceded in death by her husband of 51 years, John Robert Starr, former managing editor of the Arkansas DemocratGazette. She also was preceded in death by a grandchild, Heather Starr Docherty of the United Kingdom, and a brother, Tim Lemons of Bryant, Ark.

A former kindergarten teacher, Mrs. Starr earned her education degree from the University of Arkansas at Little Rock on the same day as Rusty Starr, her youngest son of Palatka, Fla., who graduated from Arkansas State University. Other survivors include children, John P. Starr of Grand Junction, Colo., and Linda Starr of Lafayette, Colo; a sister, Patricia Lamneck of Powell, Ohio; eight grandchildren, Joshua Starr of Grand Junction, Joe Spillyards of Salida, Colo., Deke Spillyards of Salida, Brandon Starr of Palatka, Luke Spillyards of Lafayette, Jill Long of Colorado Springs, Colo., Amanda Staggs of Palatka and Daniel Starr of Melbourne, Fla.; six great- grandchildren, Jace, Trevor and Haley Starr of Grand Junction, Derek Long of Colorado Springs and Annabelle and Amelia Staggs of Palatka.

Other close survivors include daughters- in- law, Barbara Starr of Grand Junction and Tracye Starr of Palatka; a niece, Steffany Loper of Marion, Ohio, and her family Steve, Alexander and Jessica; grandson- in- laws, Chris Long of Colorado Springs and Josh Staggs of Palatka; and granddaughter- in- law Kelly Starr of Melbourne.

No service is planned. Her ashes will be mixed with her husband’s, and family members will sprinkle them in places the deceased couple enjoyed most. That will include the Rocky Mountains and the St. Johns River in Florida.

Mrs. Starr was born in Memphis, Tenn., and reared in Pine Bluff. She moved to Memphis after her marriage. The couple lived mostly in Little Rock before moving to Palatka in 1997. Mrs. Starr moved to Ohio a few years after her husband’s death in 2000.

The Starr family went to 48 states in four years ending in 1966. Their love of travel remained, including an aroundtheglobe adventure Mrs. Starr enjoyed with her husband.

During the administration of Gov. Bill Clinton, Mrs. Starr served on a task force to reform public education in Arkansas. She served for numerous years as a justice of the peace for Pulaski County.