Obituaries

Arkansas

BATESVILLE — Barbara Hilty Smith, 78, of Batesville, Ark. passed away on April 6, 2017. Visitation is Monday, April 10, 2017, 6-8 p.m at Roller Coffman Chapel in Mountain View, Ark. Graveside services are Tuesday, April 11, 2017, 2 p.m. at Fredonia Cemetery in Mountain View, Ark. Online guestbook www.rollerfuneralhomes.com/mtview1.

–––––❖––––– BENTON — Patrick Baker, age 50, of Benton, passed away Sunday, April 9, 2017. He was born Jan. 5, 1967 in Grants, N.M. Patrick was co-owner of Tull Plastics and attended Holland Chapel Missionary Baptist Church. He was preceded in death by his father, Roger Baker. He is survived by his wife, Debbie Baker; daughter, Bailey Baker; mother, Judy Baker; brother, Franklin Baker and wife Melissa; sister, Virginia Persinger; and multiple nieces and nephews.

Visitation will be 6-8 p.m. Tuesday, April 11 at Ashby Funeral Home. Graveside services will be 10 a.m. Wednesday, April 12 at Gravel Hill Cemetery. Bro. Gary Gibson will be officiating. The family requests that anyone attending the graveside, to just wear jeans. On-line guest book at www.ashbyfuneralhome.com.

–––––❖––––– BENTON — Candace A. “Candy” Carey, 60, Benton, Ark. passed away on April 8, 2017 at St. Vincent Hospice following a battle with cancer. She was born Feb. 26, 1957 in Joliet, Ill. to Dr. Edwin J. and Joan Brady Carey. She was sister to Susan, John, Carolyn, Jane, Ed, Andy, and Scott. Candy graduated from Drake University in 1979, and later attended Harvard’s Kennedy School of Government receiving a Certificate in Organizational Leadership in 1999. Candy has a 37 year professional career with the American Red Cross that started in Chicago. She moved on to various assignments in Nebraska, Louisiana, Virginia and Washington, D.C. In August 1993, she became the executive director of the American Red Cross of Greater Arkansas.

In addition to her dedication to those served by Red Cross, Candy was a member of the Rotary Club of Little Rock Foundation Board of Trustees and a Paul Harris Fellow. Candy was a founding member of the Arkansas Coalition for Excellence, an organization to empower and expand the difference made by non-profits. Arkansas Magazine recognized Candy as one of the Top Ten Executive Women leaders in Arkansas, and also recognized her leadership with the Top Nonprofit Organization of the Year award.

Candy is preceded in death by her parents, and is survived by her his sister, Susan Otterstrom (David) of Peoria, Ill.; John Carey (Lori) of Sandwich, Ill.; Carolyn Knoebel (Tim) of Oswego, Ill.; Jane Nasharr (Dan) of St. Charles, Ill.; Edwin Carey Jr. (Pam) of Sycamore, Ill.; Andy Carey (Lisa) of Escondido, Calif.; Scott Carey (Stephanie) of Aurora, Ill.; and 25 nieces and nephews.

A celebration of life will be held 4 p.m. Tuesday, April 11, 2017 at Little Rock Funeral Home, 8801 Knoedl Ct., Little Rock, Ark. 72205. A private Funeral Mass and Christian burial is planned in Illinois. In lieu of flowers, the family requests memorials may be made to the American

Red Cross of Little Rock, 401 S. Monroe Street, Little Rock, Ark. 72205 or to CARTI of Little Rock, 8901 CARTI Way, Little Rock, Ark. 72205 or to a charity of your choice. Arrangements by Little Rock Funeral Home, (501) 2242200. Candy’s online guestbook may be signed at www.littlerockfuneralhome.com.

–––––❖––––– BENTON — Karen Crone Sanchez, age 51, of Benton, passed away peacefully at home April 8, 2017, a day following happy conversations with her son and siblings. Born in Little Rock on June 20, 1965, Karen lived her early years in the Sardis Community and graduated from Bryant High School in 1983. She attended UALR and spent most of her career in progressively more responsible finance positions at GMAC, Metropolitan Bank, and Eagle Bank where she served as assistant vice president. Karen was a member of Sardis United Methodist Church. She was predeceased by her parents, Dean and Mary Crone.

She is survived by one son, Nicholas Sanchez of Little Rock; and his father, John Sanchez of Ft. Smith; siblings, Charles Crone (Cindy), Randy Crone, Lisa Adams (Danny), and Beth Crone (Jason); and numerous extended family members including seven much loved nieces and nephews.

Visitation will be 10 a.m. followed by a celebration of Karen’s life at 11 on Thursday, April 13 at Ashby’s Funeral Home in Benton. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to help with Karen’s end of life expenses in care of Sardis UMC, 10715 West Sardis Road, Bauxite, Ark. 72011.

Online guestbook at www.ashbyfuneralhome.com.

–––––❖––––– BISMARCK — Mabel Aileen Montgomery, 84, of Bismarck, died Saturday. Graveside 11 a.m. Saturday, April 15, 2017 at Valley Cemetery in Bismarck. Visitation 10 a.m until service time at Valley Missionary Baptist Church.

Memorials to Alzheimer’s Arkansas. Final arrangements are entrusted to The Welch Funeral Home of Arkadelphia. Guestbook at www.welchfh.net.

–––––❖––––– CABOT — Helen Ophelia Pruett, 96, of Cabot, was born Dec. 21, 1920 in Hampton, Ark. to Lewie and Laura Hodge, went to be with her Lord on April 7, 2017. She was preceded in death by her parents; and Hubert Pruett, her husband of 55 years; grandson, Patrick Bonds; one brother; and one sister.

She is survived by her sister, Alma Dean Milholland of El Paso; son, Charles Pruett (Peggy) of Cabot; and daughters, Ginger Smith (Bert, deceased) of Jacksonville, Marilyn Bonds (James) of OKC and Karen Campbell of Houston, Texas; 16 grandchildren; 20 great-grandchildren; and 11 great-great-grandchildren.

Visitation will be Monday, April 10, 2017 at 2 p.m. with services to follow at 3 p.m. at First Baptist Church in Cabot where she had been a faithful member since 1946. Interment will follow at Mt. Springs Cemetery in Cabot. Arrangements by Moore’s Cabot Funeral Home (501) 8435816. Sign online guestbook at www.moorescabotfuneralhome. com. –––––❖––––– ENOLA — James Oliver Hackler, 71, of Enola, Ark. died Saturday, April 8, 2017. Visitation 6-8 p.m. Tuesday, April 11, 2017 at Roller McNutt Funeral Home Greenbrier. Funeral 2 p.m. Wednesday, April 12, 2017 at Marcus Hill Baptist Church Enola. Interment Marcus Hill Cemetery. Entrusted to: Roller McNutt Funeral Home, Conway. Online guestbook: www.rollerfuneralhomes.com/conway.

–––––❖––––– FRANKLIN — Gerald Jackson, 93, of Franklin died Friday. Survivors: sister, Myrlene Hastings; nephew, Greg Jackson; nieces, Donna Wainright, Karen Sholes; special friends, Tom, Debbie, Brittany and Jacob Bailey. Funeral service: 3 p.m. Monday, Franklin Baptist Church. Interment: Violet Hill Cemetery. Visitation: 2-3.pm. Monday, at church prior to service; www.rollerfuneralhomes.com/melbourne.

–––––❖––––– HEBER SPRINGS — Charles Alexander Dietz, age 74, passed away at his beloved home on Eden Isle on April 7, 2017. Alex was born Dec. 5, 1942, in Little Rock, Ark. to Charley and Aileen Alexander Dietz. A graduate of Little Rock’s Hall High, he earned an electrical engineering degree from Tulane University, then served in the U.S. Army, including a tour in Vietnam, before going to work for IBM. In 1969, he went to work for a little company in Conway, Ark., called Demographics, and the rest, as they say, is history.

Alex was soon joined by his former IBM colleague and motocross racing friend, Charles Morgan, and they were later joined by friends and IBM colleagues Rodger Kline and Jim Womble. The four of them were largely responsible for building and leading the team that elevated Acxiom, Inc. from a company of 25 employees in a single building to a worldwide leader in data and database management, which at its height employed 7,000 people in 15 countries. Alex retired in 2011 after 42 years at Acxiom, where he served on the Senior Leadership Team in many different roles. Alex’s life and career impacted thousands of families in Arkansas and today dozens of companies in Arkansas have been started and are led by people who worked at Acxiom.

Alex was a kind, generous and thoughtful man who touched thousands of lives personally and professionally. If you were around Alex for very long, you would hear him say how lucky he was and how he marveled at his incredible life. All who knew Alex are better for the experience. He was equally humble and gracious and he possessed a wicked sense of humor. Alex had a deep love for family and friends, and he lived life to the fullest. His spare time was spent riding his motorcycle, snow skiing, scuba diving, boating on any beautiful body of water, working on his model train, enjoying the beauty and tranquility of Eden Isle and Greers Ferry Lake, and he recently had been enjoying working with his son Donnie. Most of all, he just simply enjoyed spending time with his wife, his children, grandchildren and friends.

Alex was preceded in death by his parents; and a brother, Donald William Dietz (Donnie). Alex is survived by his wife of 22 years, Lee Ann; his son, Donald William Dietz II (Donnie) of Conway; a daughter, Krystal Meins (husband Chad) of Deridder, La.; and a special niece he considered another daughter, Rachel Gunnell (boyfriend Jacob Smith) of Conway. He leaves three grandsons, Ethan Alexander Dietz, Donald William Dietz III (Trey) and James Kyle Ackerson II (Deuce); and a special sister-in-law, Ruth Dietz Shepherd (Steve) of Little Rock; and his constant and beloved four-legged companions, Toby and PeeDee.

All friends and family are invited to a celebration of Alex’s life at 2 p.m. on Tuesday, April 11 at the Red Apple Inn on beautiful Eden Isle, a place Alex enjoyed immensely. In keeping with his wonderfully lived life, ties are absolutely discouraged!

In lieu of flowers, the family requests that you please make a contribution to the Humane Society or a pet rescue organization of your choice. www.olmstead.cc.

–––––❖––––– HOPE — Funeral for Richard H. Lockard, 74, Hope, 2 p.m on Tuesday, April 11, 2017 at Brazzel/Oakcrest Funeral Home with Bro. Kenny Martin officiating. Burial, Holly Springs Cemetery, Spring Hill, Ark. Visitation, 1-2 p.m. on Tuesday, April 11, 2017, Brazzel/Oakcrest Funeral Home. Arrangements, Brazzel/Oakcrest The Funeral Home, Hope. Complete Obituary: www.brazzelfuneralhomes.com.

–––––❖––––– HOPE — Graveside for Major Oliver McKnight, (Ret.), with full military honors will be, 11 a.m., Monday, April 10, 2017 at Hill Crest Memorial Park Cemetery, 601 Hwy. 80 East, Haughton, La. with Bro. Mark Fischer officiating. Arrangements are by Brazzel/Oakcrest The Funeral Home of Hope, Eddie Brazzel, Director. Online guest register: www.brazzelfuneralhomes.com.

–––––❖––––– LONOKE — Carlyne Busby Guyot, age 96, of Lonoke, passed away on Friday, April 7, 2017. She was the daughter of Alfred and Artie Jackson Busby. Carlyne was a member of the Mt. Zion Methodist for 64 years. She was preceded in death by her husband, Aubrey Guyot; infant son, James Roland Guyot; daughter, Carol Taylor; twin infant great-grandsons, Aubrey and Aden Taylor; three brothers; and five sisters.

She is survived by children, Mike (Janet) Guyot of the Philippines, Sharon (Tom) Fortner of Lonoke; seven grandchildren; nine great-grandchildren; and one great-great-grandchild. Visitation will be 6-8 p.m. Monday at Smith-Westbrook Funeral Home, Beebe. Funeral will be 10 a.m. Tuesday, April 11, 2017, at Mt. Zion Methodist Church, with burial in Sylvania Cemetery. Arrangements by Smith Westbrook Funeral Home. www. SmithFamilyCares.com.

–––––❖––––– MELBOURNE — Sarah Elizabeth Dellinger aged 72, died peacefully on April 7, 2017 at home in Melbourne, Ark. Sarah Beth was born Nov. 2, 1944, in Little Rock, Ark., the daughter of Richard Elliott Martin and Mary Lois Martin. She was preceded in death by her father, Richard Elliott Martin. She is survived by her mother, Mary Lois Martin of Searcy, Ark.; one brother, Richard Elliott Martin Jr. and his wife Janet Lynn Martin of Corsicana, Texas; two sons, Richard Alexander Dellinger of Little Rock, Ark., Mathew Gray Dellinger and his wife Ashley Danielle Dellinger of Batesville, Ark.; three grandchildren, Mary Abigail Dellinger and Harrison Gray Dellinger of Little Rock, Ark. and Matilyn Grayce Dellinger of Batesville, Ark. She is also survived by host of other family and friends.

The grandchildren have requested that in lieu of flowers, donations can be made to Autism Speaks, 1 East 33rd Street, 4th floor, New York, N.Y. 10016. autismspeaks.org. Memorial service will be held Monday, April 10 at 12 noon at Howard Memorial Funeral Chapel. Arrangements by Eddie’s Family Funeral Home in Melbourne.

–––––❖––––– NEWPORT — George “Sneaky Pete” Ragsdale, 76, of Newport departed this life Wednesday, April 5, 2017.

Graveside service will be 2 p.m. Monday, April 10, 2017 at Clark Cemetery.

Memorials can be sent to George Ragsdale Benefit, 10500 Long Creek Lane, Weiner, Ark. 72479.

Arrangements provided by Dillinger Funeral Home. www. dillingerfuneralhome.com.