Pulaski County
DOMENICK “MICKEY” ESPOSITO, 77 of Little Rock died Friday Dec. 15, 2017.
Funeral Mass, Tuesday, Dec. 19, 2017 at 10 a.m. at the St. Mary’s Catholic Church in Batesville. Arrangements by Qualls Batesville Funeral Service.
Visitation, Monday, 6-8 p.m. with a Rosary at 7 p.m. at the funeral home.
–––––❖––––– AGNES “SISSY” ELAINE GRENKO HUNT, age 78, beloved wife, mother, grandmother, great-grandmother, suddenly went to be with her Lord and Savior Jesus Christ on Friday, Dec.
15, 2017.
She is survived by her husband,
William “Bill”
F. Hunt of Little
Rock, of 60 years; her children Karen Hunt Blissit (Jim) of Arkansas, Russell Hunt (Sandra) of Latvia, Bill Hunt (Tina) of Tennessee and Sharon Hunt Powell (Ricky) of Arkansas. She also leaves behind eight grandchildren; Paul Blissit, Kristi Sammons, Megan Goines, Katie Sargent, Matthew Hunt, Kevin Powell, Amanda Hunt, and Chris Hunt, as well as six great-grandchildren. She is also survived by her sisters Janine Thrasher, Patty Dewey, and Carol Halvorsen.
Her sister, Phyllis Mannon and parents Ralph Grenko & Stella Grenko Baker preceded her in death.
A service to celebrate her life will be held on Wednesday, Dec. 20, at 2 p.m., at Rye Hill Baptist Church, 11512 Hwy. 71, Fort Smith, AR 72916.
In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made to Rye Hill Baptist Church Building Fund.www.ruebelfuneralhome.com.
–––––❖––––– AUSTIN McCASKILL SR. lived a long and full life spanning nearly a century. He passed away on
Dec. 15, 2017, outliving nearly all of his friends, but leaving behind a legacy of kindness, faithfulness, and determination. Although he faced many changes and challenges during his 97 years, he rarely mentioned them. When you asked Austin how he was doing, his response was most often, “Fantastic. I just couldn’t be better.” His faith, his positive outlook on life, and his diligent work ethic kept him going through many setbacks and difficult times, and he remained a steadfast and loyal husband, father, grandfather, great-grandfather, and friend to the end.
Austin was born in Little Rock, Ark., on Jan. 31, 1920 to Elmer A. McCaskill and Lenora Rice McCaskill. He graduated from Little Rock Senior High School. At the age of 16, he went to Washington & Lee University in Lexington, Va., and graduated with a law degree at age 22. He then was inducted into the US Army and was assigned to the Counter Intelligence Corps for the Atomic Bomb Project. He was a security officer at the time of his
discharge. Then he returned to Little Rock, where he met and married Grace Jones, and had two sons.
He practiced law with the firm Barber, Henry, and Thurman (which later became Barber, McCaskill, Amsler, Jones and Hale) from 1947 until 1995, when he became counsel to the firm. He continued to go into the office several times a week until just a few months ago. In his practice, he represented and served on the Boards of Directors of Afco Steel and Afco Metals, and the Arkansas Democrat Newspaper. He also handled defense litigation for Firemans’ Fund, Royal Globe, Travelers and other insurance companies, as well as litigation for General Motors. He was a Fellow in the American Academy of Trial Lawyers and served as President of the Downtown Little Rock Kiwanis Club. He was a faithful member of Our Lady of the Holy Souls Catholic Church in Little Rock. He enjoyed fishing and hunting, which he taught his sons and participated in for many years. He was a regular at the Little Rock Country Club; playing golf with friends was a favorite pastime.
Austin was preceded in death by his first wife, Grace Jones McCaskill, to whom he was married for 42 years. He subsequently married Lucile Ramsey McCaskill, who passed away about a year after their marriage. In 1996, he married Joan Powell McCaskill, and they shared over 21 years of happy marriage.
Austin is survived by his wife, Joan Powell McCaskill; his sister, Mary Jane Mehaffey; his sons, Austin McCaskill (Beverly) and Roddy Jones McCaskill (Martha); his six grandchildren: Mary Grace Otis (Andrew), Emily Gaiser (John), Molly McCaskill, Kate Dewey (Derek), Ellen Walker (John), and Roddy McCaskill, Jr. (Angela); and 11 great-grandchildren.
Austin is also survived by his wife Cile’s children: Peggy Farrell (Tim) and James Ramsey, and by Joanie’s children, Ellen Powell Yeary (Jim) and Danny Powell (Sloan); and Joanie’s four grandchildren.
Austin was a faithful and kind husband, a wonderful father, a caring grandfather and great-grandfather, and a courteous and pleasant person to spend time with.
He loved well and was well loved. He will be greatly missed.
Memorials may be given to Habitat for Humanity for Central Arkansas or the UAMS Winthrop P. Rockefeller Cancer Institute. Visitation will be from 4-6 p.m., on Tuesday, Dec. 19 at Ruebel Funeral Home. A Memorial Service will be held on Wednesday, Dec. 20 at 11:30 a.m., at Our Lady of Holy Souls Catholic Church. Arrangements are under the direction of Ruebel Funeral Home. www.ruebelfuneralhome. com.
–––––❖––––– PATRICIA A. PARKER, 85, of Little Rock passed away on Saturday, Dec. 16, 2017.
Services will be held at 2 p.m. Wednesday, Dec.
27 at Little Rock
Funeral Home.
Full obituary will be published in
Sunday, Dec. 24 edition of the Democrat/Gazette newspaper.
Arrangements by Little Rock Funeral Home, (501) 224-2200. Patricia’s online guestbook may be signed at www.littlerockfuneralhome.com.
––––– ––––– ROBIN ROBINSON, 60, of Little Rock passed away Wednesday, Dec. 13, 2017.
Funeral services in will be held tomorrow, 11 a.m.,
St. Bartholomew
Catholic Church,
1622 Marshall St.
The family will receive friends today from 6-7 p.m. at the funeral home. Professional services entrusted to Hardy Funeral Home, 5300 West 12 St., (501) 372-4129. To sign the online guestbook visit www.hardyfuneralhomeinc.com.
––––– ––––– DANNY JOE RYE, 67, of Sherwood, Ark., departed this life on Dec. 15, 2017, at home with his family following a lengthy illness.
Born July 16,
1950, in England,
Ark., to Oland
“Buck” Rye and
Thelma Robbins
Rye, Danny grew up in Lonoke
County. Graduating from Humnoke High School, Danny began work for the North Little Rock Water Department May 27, 1968. This job would develop into a 45-year career as a meter reader. In 2001, North Little Rock Water Department merged with Little Rock Municipal Water Works. Danny retired from CAW as the Customer Service Manager over the Call Center, Cashiers, Service Reps, Meter Readers and Billing Department. Among the 68 employees he oversaw, he was known as the boss who always had your back, as he strongly believed in standing up for your employees! Danny was a faithful member of the Somers Avenue Church of Christ having served as an elder for several years until his health began to fail him. Being home-bound the last months of his life, one of his greatest joys was hearing his son, Kyle, preach weekly via the live-streaming broadcast of the Church of Christ in Buford, Ga. He also loved the Razorbacks. On Dec. 3, 1971, Danny married his high school sweetheart, Judy Ingram. They became the proud parents of two sons, Chad and Kyle. He is survived by his wife, Judy Rye, sons, Chad and his wife, Bayley, and children, Cole and Avery Rye of Sherwood; Kyle and his wife, Sara, and daughter, Micah Rye, of Buford, Ga. Known as “D” and Papa D., Cole, Micah, and Avery were the lights of his life. He is also survived by his siblings, Patsy (Bill) Looney of Sherwood, Jerry (Vickie) Rye of Puyallup, Washington, Keith Rye of Conway, and Renee (Ronnie) Lovelady of Hazen; his mother-in-law, Wilma Ingram; and several beloved nieces, nephews, and cousins. Danny was predeceased by his parents, Buck and Thelma Rye; his father-in-law, Chester Ingram; and a premature granddaughter, Lilliana Faith Rye. The family would like to thank Dr. Bradley Jenkins, Brenna Fitzgerald, MNSc, APRN, Cynthia Rogers, RN, his CHI St. Vincent at Home team, Dr. Robin Devan, Janet, RN, Sonya, CNA and all of the remarkable staff from Arkansas Hospice. Visitation will be held on Monday, Dec. 18 from 6–8 p.m. at the Somers Avenue Church of Christ, 4801 Somers Avenue, North Little Rock. Funeral service will be held at the church on Tuesday, December 19 at 10 a.m., with Kyle Rye and Oran Burt officiating. Burial will be at Rest Hills Memorial Park, 7724 Landers Road, North Little Rock, under the direction of Roller-Owens Funeral Home, 5509 John F. Kennedy Blvd., North Little Rock, Ark., (501) 791-7400. Memorials may be made to the Somers Avenue Church of Christ, 4801 Somers Ave., North Little Rock, AR 72116 or Children’s Homes, Inc., 5515 Walcott Rd., Paragould, Ark. 72450. Online guestbook: www.rollerfuneralhomes.com/owens.
–––––❖––––– MARTA SANTOS, age 73, of Little Rock, Ark., passed away Friday, Dec. 15, 2017. She was born on July 30, 1944, in Leon, Guanajuato, Mexico, to Felix and Macedonia Vargas Cordoba. She is survived by her children, grandchildren and great-grandchildren. Services provided by Roller-Chenal Funeral Home.
Arkansas
AUSTIN — Billy R. Fisher, 80, of Austin, Ark., went to be with the Lord Dec. 15,
2017.
Billy was a retired truck driver and a member of New Liberty Missionary
Baptist Church.
He was a loving husband, father, grandfather, and great-grandfather.
He is survived by his wife, Dorothy Mearl Fisher of Austin, Ark.; sons Mark Fisher of California, Tim Fisher of Ward, Ark., Jon (Eva) Fisher of Austin, Ark.; daughter Rena Fisher of Austin, Ark.; eight grandchildren and 21 great-children; and brother, Loy Fisher of Michigan.
Billy is preceded in death by his parents, Everett and Florence Fisher; brother, Frankie Fisher; sister Brenda French; one granddaughter and three great-grandchildren.
Family will receive friends from 6-8 p.m. on Monday at Smith-Westbrook Funeral Home. Services will be held 2 p.m. on Tuesday, Dec. 19, 2017, at New Liberty Missionary Baptist Church with burial at Oak Grove Cemetery. Funeral arrangements by Smith - Westbrook Funeral Home. www.SmithFamilyCares.com.
–––––❖––––– BEEBE — Opal L. Burns, 106, of Beebe, Ark., went to her eternal home Sunday,
Dec. 17, 2017.
She was born
July 1, 1911, at Fairview, Ark., near Lonoke, to
Harvey and Zola
Palmer Hester.
She attended school at Fairview and Oakdale, then went to Beebe, where she graduated high school. At the time of her death, she was the oldest living Beebe Badger. She was married to Emmett Burns for over 60 years, who died in 2009. Opal and Emmett had a dairy farm for many years at Wattensaw and she also worked many years as an aide at Golden Years Manor Nursing Home in Lonoke, Ark. She was the oldest member of the New Hope Baptist Church and loved to attend when she was able.
Opal and Emmett sold their farm and moved to Beebe several years ago to be closer to their family. Opal kept a diary of everything she did for the last 30 years or better. She could tell you who she played dominoes with or who came to see her on any given day. She would always read the newspaper obituary section every morning and you could bet, she would usually find someone she knew or was kin to.
The last years she spent at the Beebe Retirement Center, she became an inspiration to everyone that worked there. She always smiled and seemed to brighten up everyone’s day with her positive attitude. Her family would like to thank all the staff who became like her adopted children.
Opal loved Jesus and knew he had a place prepared for her. Opal lived through 19 U.S. presidents and saw a lot of things in her lifetime. But, what she is seeing now is surpassing it all.
Opal is survived by her son, Bobby and Ruby Burns; grandchildren, Keith and Kristi Burns, Nicki and Bruce Salmon, Heather Weathers; step-grandchild Deana and Colton Clay; great-grandchildren, Marcus and Madison Burns, Cody and wife, Ashton Salmon, Tate Salmon, Hope and Landon Weathers, step great-grandchild India Clay, and a special young lady, Stacey Gill.
Visitation will be from 6-8 p.m. on Monday at Smith-Westbrook Funeral Home. A funeral service will be held at 10 a.m. Tuesday, Dec. 19, 2017, at Smith-Westbrook Funeral Home with burial in New Hope Cemetery. Funeral arrangements by Smith-Westbrook Funeral Home. www.SmithFamilyCares. com. –––––❖––––– BENTON — Dorothy Lee Kidd Davenport, age 75, of Benton passed away Friday, Dec. 15, 2017. She was born June 21, 1942, in Bauxite. Dorothy was a 1960 graduate of Bauxite High School, and a 1963 graduate of Arkansas Baptist School of Nursing. Dorothy retired from nursing after 47 years, 42 years of which were at St Vincent’s Hospital. She was a member of Spring Creek Baptist Church.
Survivors include her husband, Rowland Davenport, Benton; sister, Ludie Clyde Pitts, Bryant; her extended family, Retired LT. Col. Richard Wallace (Therese), Cassie Smith (Nigel), Charlotte Elizabeth (Richard), Evan Michael Wallace (Stephanie), Evan Michael Wallace II, and Austin Wallace.
In lieu of flowers memorials may be made to the Pulmonary Fibrosis Foundation, 230 E. Ohio Street, Chicago, Ill. 60611, Suite 304.
Graveside services will be 1 p.m. Tuesday at New Rosemont Cemetery by Ashby Funeral Home.
Online guest book at www.ashbyfuneralhome.com.
–––––❖––––– BENTON — Glenn David McShan, 78, of Benton passed away on Saturday, Dec. 16,
2017. He was born on April 12,
1939. Glen was a retired floor covering sub-contractor and was artistic at his craft of turning any hardwood floor installation into a work of art. He was a United States Army Veteran where he served as a tank recovery specialist. Glen volunteered at the Senior Adult Center in Benton, serving meals and chaired numerous events. He was a past member of the Masonic Lodge and Shriner and a member of the BOP Dance Club in Hot Springs.
Survivors include his daughters, Kandy McShan Arnold of Little Rock, Amanda McShan Clark (James) of Little Rock and Elise McShan White (Tony) of Greenbrier; grandchildren, Emily Critchley (Mike) of Austin, Texas, Drew Arnold of Little Rock, Reid Clark, Kathleen Clark, Sara Clark, all of Little Rock and Samantha White of Greenbrier; brother-in-law, Denver James; niece, Sheila and nephew, Keith. He is preceded in death by his parents and one sister.
Services will be held at 3 p.m. on Thursday, Dec. 21, 2017 at Little Rock Funeral Home. Memorials may be made to a favorite Charity of one’s choice.
Arrangements by Little Rock Funeral Home, (501) 224-2200. Mr. McShan’s online guestbook may be signed at www.littlerockfuneralhome.com.
–––––❖––––– CONWAY — Dr. Harry Warren Readnour, 78, died at his home on Dec. 15, 2017 in
Conway, Ark.
He was born
March 30, 1939, in Wynnewood,
Okla., to the late Harry Wilson and Alice
Estelle Sterling Readnour. After graduating from Wynnewood
High School in 1957, he received his B. A. from the Oklahoma State University in 1961. Readnour received his M. A. from George Washington University in 1962, and he earned his Ph.D. in History from the University of Virginia in 1971.
Readnour served in the U.S. Army, Infantry, from 1965 to 1967 and attained the rank of Captain. He served in Vietnam from 1966 to 1967 and received a Bronze Star for service in connection with actions against hostile ground forces, while serving with the 219th M.I. Detachment, II Field Forces, United States Army Republic Vietnam, Long Binh, Vietnam.
Readnour taught history at Cottey College in Nevada, Mo., from 1968 to 1971. In 1971, he joined the History Department at the University of Central Arkansas (then known as State College of Arkansas). He remained at UCA until his retirement in 2008. During his 37 years of teaching at UCA, he served the university in numerous capacities including President of the Faculty Council, Director of Exemplary Studies, and Chairman of the History Department. Readnour especially enjoyed his work with graduate students as well as History Day in Arkansas.
He was a former senior warden at St. Peter’s Episcopal Church and past president of the Kiwanis Club of Conway. Harry had over 40 years of perfect attendance at Kiwanis. He was also an active supporter of the Faulkner County Museum.
Dr. Readnour is survived by his two sons Richard Readnour of Conway and Warren Readnour and wife, Shari, of Conway; and three grandchildren, Richard Corey Readnour of Jonesboro, Julia Lynn Readnour and Ashlyn Margaret Readnour of Conway.
The family wishes to thank Lena Goode and his other caregivers.
Visitation will be 6-8 p.m., Tuesday, Dec. 19, 2017 at Roller-McNutt Funeral Home in Conway. Memorial Service will be at 10 a.m., Wednesday, Dec. 20 at St. Peter’s Episcopal Church, Conway, Ark., with interment to follow at St. Peter’s columbarium.
In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made to the Readnour Family Scholarship at the University of Central Arkansas Foundation or the Faulkner County Museum.
–––––❖––––– FULTON — Funeral for John (Junior) Cunningham, 84 of Fulton, 2 p.m., Tuesday, Dec. 19, 2017 at Brazzel/Oakcrest Funeral Home with Pastor Michael Mauldin officiating. Burial will be in Rose Hill Cemetery, Hope. Visitation, 6-8 p.m., Monday, Dec. 18, 2017, Brazzel/Oakcrest The Funeral Home, Eddie Brazzel, Director.
–––––❖––––– GREERS FERRY — Johnny Gentry, 52, of Greers Ferry, passed away Saturday Dec. 16, 2017. Visitation, Tuesday from 6-8 p.m., at First Assembly of God Church in Greers Ferry. Services, Wednesday, Dec. 20, 2017 at 10:30 a.m., at the church. Arrangements entrusted to Clinton Funeral Service of Clinton. www.clintonfuneralservice.com.
–––––❖––––– JONESBORO — Betty Joy Vincent, 80, of Jonesboro, passed away Friday. She was born Nov. 15, 1937, to Henry “Bud” and Pearl Winn Copeland.
Funeral services will be Tuesday at 2 p.m., at Roller-Farmers Union. Burial follows at Pine Log Cemetery.
Visitation is from 1-2 p.m., at the funeral home. Online guestbook: www.rollerfuneralhomes. com/Jonesboro.
–––––❖––––– MOUNTAIN HOME — Sherl “Red” Hendricks, 93, of Mountain Home, Ark., passed away Friday,
Dec. 15, 2017.
He was born in
Little Rock, Ark., to Jack and Elizabeth (Schmutzler) Hendricks.
He married Betty Alexander on July
6, 1946, in Little
Rock, Ark.
Sherl was a decorated military veteran. He retired with over 39 years of military service. He was a flight engineer and gunner in The Pacific during WWII. He also served his country during the Korean War. He was an active member of the First Baptist Church.
Sherl is survived by his wife of 71 years, Betty, one son Don Hendricks of Mountain Home, four grandchildren: Josh (Avery) Hendricks, Ashley (John) Davis, Jason Harris, and Mandi (Chris) Wortenberger all of Benton, Ark., and eight great-grandchildren. He is also survived by a sister, Bettye Russell of Mobile, Ala., and many nieces and nephews.
He is preceded in death by his parents Jack and Elizabeth, one son, Mike Hendricks, and daughter, Rita Harris.
A funeral service will be held at 10:30 a.m. Monday, Dec. 18, 2017, at First Baptist Church. A graveside service will be held at Forest Hills Cemetery in Alexander, Ark., on Wednesday, Dec. 20, 2017, at 11 a.m.
Arrangements are under the direction of Roller Funeral Home. Please visit our online guest book at www.rollerfuneralhomes.com/ mtnhome.
–––––❖––––– PARAGOULD — Evelyn Adams, 102, died Saturday, December 16, at Greene Acres Nursing Home. She was born April 8, 1915, near Lorado to Ned and Girtie Swindle.
Graveside services will be at 2 p.m., Tuesday at Pleasant Hill Cemetery.
There will be no visitation. online guestbook: www.rollerfuneralhomes.com/Jonesboro.
–––––❖–––––
PINE BLUFF — Donald Ray Grimm, 87, of Pine Bluff died Dec. 16, 2017 in Pine Bluff. Born Oct. 11,
1930 in Wellsburg, W. Va., a son of Clarence Elsworth and Irene Leavitt Grimm, he grew up in Wellsburg and received his education there.
Moving to
Pine Bluff in 1953 he worked for
Hudson Bag before becoming a supervisor at
Dierks Bag (later Weyerhauser).
He founded Southeast Engravers with his wife, Molly Crump Grimm, in 1971. The Grimms were married June 27, 1954 in Pine Bluff and Mrs. Grimm died in 2011.
A member of First Baptist Church, Pine Bluff, he worked with Boy Scout Troop 106 at his church and was a member of Quapaw Lodge 730, F&AM.
Survivors include his son, Michael Grimm (Christine), Red Oak, Texas; daughter, Nancy Ellen Brown (Thom), Pine Bluff; sister, Nora “Pat” Blanche, Youngstown, Ohio; brother, Clarence Eugene Grimm, Wellsburg; grandchildren, April Carter (Neale), Jessica Wallis (Brad), Alec Brown, Adrianne Brown (Andrew), Jarod Grimm; great-granddaughter, Abigail Wallis.
Visitation is Tuesday from 6-8 p.m. at Ralph Robinson & Son. Memorials are requested to Boy Scouts of America. 1325 West Walnut Hill Lane, Irving, Texas 750612079 or The Pantry Box, 208 West Barraque Street, Pine Bluff, Ark. 71601.
Online register: www.ralphrobinsonandson.com.
–––––❖––––– SHERIDAN — J. L. Stuckey, 96, of Sheridan, Ark., passed away Friday, Dec. 15, at his home. He is survived by his wife of 72 years,
Lorena Stuckey, his daughter and son-in-law
Janet and D. J.
Wallace, of Sheridan, grandson and wife, Brian and Alisha Wallace, great-grandchildren Shawn Wallace and Kalynn Wallace, all of Van Buren.
Mr. Stuckey was a lifelong resident of Grant County, born in the Sweet Home community, Feb. 15, 1921, to Bennie and Arthur Stuckey. Retired from W. S. Fox and Sons Lumber Company, he was a veteran of World War II, and a member of First Landmark Missionary Baptist Church in Sheridan.
Funeral Services will be held Wednesday, Dec. 20 at 10 a.m. at Memorial Gardens Chapel with Bro. Shawn Hill officiating. Visitation will be Tuesday from 5-7 p.m. at Memorial Gardens Funeral Home. Pallbearers will be D. J. Wallace, Tim Stuckey,
Tony Stuckey, Jeremy Stuckey, Max Smith, and Al Mangrum. Honorary pallbearers will be Rick Ashley, Brian Wallace, and Shawn Wallace.
In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made to the First Landmark Missionary Baptist Church Music Ministry, 402 West Center St. Sheridan, AR 72150. Arrangements by Memorial Gardens Funeral Home of Sheridan (870) 942-1306. www.memorialgardenssheridan.com.
–––––❖––––– STUTTGART — Doyle Curtis Smith, 83, died Sunday. Survivors are his wife Carol Ann Smith; sons, Larry Smith, Billy Tichy, and Calvin Tichy; daughters, Janet Rogers and Vickie Ann Whitehead. Service will be 2 p.m. Tuesday at Jesus Name Church of Christ with visitation one hour before. www. turpin-co.com.