Obituaries

Pulaski County

TRUMAN ARVIL GRAY, 97, of Little Rock, went to be with the Lord on Dec. 22, 2017.

Funeral services will be at 11 a.m. on Thursday, Dec. 28, at Calvary Church of the Nazarene with Josh Smith officiating. Visitation will be from 5-7 p.m. Wednesday, Dec. 27, at Little Rock Funeral Home. Burial to follow at Pinecrest Memorial Park. Memorials may be made to Calvary Church of the Nazarene, 10325 W. 36th St., Little Rock, Ark., 72204.

Arrangements by Little Rock Funeral Home, (501) 224-2200. Truman’s online guestbook may be signed at www.littlerockfuneralhome.com.

–––––❖––––– THOMAS “TOMMY” DWAYNE HARRIS, 37, of Little Rock, died Wednesday, Dec. 20, 2017. Funeral services are 2 p.m. Wednesday, Dec. 27, 2017, at Griffin Funeral Chapel. Visitation is noon-2 p.m. Wednesday at the funeral home. Arrangements by Griffin Funeral Service in Star City. Online guestbook at www.griffinfuneralservice.net.

–––––❖––––– BEVERLY ANN ROBINSON MURPHY, 85, passed away Dec. 23, 2017. Beverly was a loving wife, mother, grandmother, teacher, and friend. Bev was

born in Little

Rock on May

27, 1932, to Billie and James C. Robinson Sr.

She graduated from Little

Rock Senior

High School.

She attended Monticello Junior College, and graduated from the University of Colorado in Boulder, Colo. She was a proud member of Chi Omega sorority.

Bev then embarked on a fabulous adventure, spending two years working for the special services as a program director at the largest service club (The Flaming Sword) for G.I.’s in Heidelberg, Germany. It was in Germany that she met her future husband, Don. She returned to Little Rock and began teaching Physical Education at Forest Heights Junior High. She married Donald Pharis Murphy Jr. in 1960, and they had three daughters.

Bev loved being a PTA mom, Brownie, and Girl Scout Troop leader, Bev was also a Garden Club member. Always athletic, she excelled at tennis and won many local, regional, and national tournaments. She was a regular on the courts at the Little Rock Racquet Club. She served on the board at the Little Rock Racquet Club as well as on the board of Trinity Episcopal Cathedral.

Bev was preceded in death by her husband Don. She is survived by her daughters, Kathryn Ann Murphy, Allyson Murphy Kozich (Bob), and Susan Murphy Muller (Jim). She is also survived by her brother; James C. Robinson Jr. Bev has four adoring grandchildren, Ashley and RJ Kozich, and Amanda and Meredith Muller.

Memorials may be given or mailed to the Pulaski County Humane Society (14600 Colonel Glen Rd, Little Rock, Ark., 72210).

This Obituary will be published again with the service details at a later date.

Funeral arrangements are entrusted to Ruebel Funeral Home. www.ruebelfuneralhome.com.

Arkansas

BEE BRANCH — Willie Mae Edwards, 95, of Bee Branch, was born Sept. 29, 1922, and passed away Dec. 24, 2017.

Visitation will be 1 p.m. on Tuesday, Dec. 26, 2017, at the Roller-McNutt Funeral Home in Clinton. Funeral services will follow at 2 p.m. at the funeral home. For online guestbook, www.rollerfuneralhomes.com/ clinton.

–––––❖––––– BENTON — Geneva Christeen Rhodes, age 88, of Benton, passed away Saturday, Dec. 23, 2017. Mrs. Rhodes was born Dec. 22, 1929, in Traskwood, Ark., to the late James and Delie Masoner. Mrs. Rhodes was a homemaker and a member of Northside Church of Christ. She was preceded in death by her parents; five brothers and three sisters.

She is survived by her husband of 68 years, James (Jim) Rhodes; four children, Peggy Kinkaid (Greg), Eddie Rhodes (Kim), Jan Massengale (Steve) and Dana Himes (David); nine grandchildren, Brett Kinkaid, Bryan Kinkaid, Blake Linz, Leslie Lance, Matt Himes, Mark Himes, Dustin Rhodes, Rindi Rhodes and Shea Rentch; 12 great-grandchildren and three great-great-grandchildren.

Visitation will be 6-8 p.m. Wednesday, Dec. 27, at Ashby Funeral Home.

Funeral services will be 10 a.m. Thursday, Dec. 28, at Ashby Funeral Home with burial at Pine Crest Memorial Park. Jim Gardener will be officiating and the pallbearers will be her grandsons.

Family Comments: She was one of life’s greatest blessings.

Let us seek to see her light in everything we do. Special thank you to Arkansas Hospice and Evergreen for all your care and compassion for our mother.

On-line guest book at www. ashbyfuneralhome.com.

–––––❖––––– BENTON — Robin Williams, infant son of Ortez Williams and Chantelle Black, passed away on Dec. 19, 2017. He is survived by his parents and sister, Lyberti Thomas.

Gravesides services by Ashby Funeral Home will be 2 p.m. Thursday, Dec. 28, 2017, at Pine Crest Cemetery.

On-line guestbook at www. ashbyfuneralhome.com.

–––––❖––––– EL DORADO — Funeral services for Melroy “Tah-dah” Gilbert will be 11 a.m. Wednesday, Dec. 27, 2017, at Damascus Baptist Church under the direction of Sims Mortuary. Sign guestbook online at www.simsmortuary. com.

–––––❖––––– EUDORA — Reuben Cois Martindale, 86, of Eudora, Ark., passed away

Sunday, Dec. 24,

2017.

He was born on March 9,

1931, in Tallahatchie County,

Miss., to the late

Reuben Clifton and Mary Agnes Ferguson Martindale.

Cois was a U.S. Army Veteran of the Korean War. He was in the Western Auto/True Value business for over 30 years. He served as a funeral director for many years with Steele/Griffin/Culpepper Funeral Homes. Cois served his community as a volunteer firefighter and fire chief for 30 years, an EMT, a member of the Jaycees, the Lions Club and the Gideons. He was a faithful member of Eudora Baptist Church where he served as a deacon. Cois enjoyed hunting, fishing, estate sales and auctions. He also loved singing about the Lord at Eudora Baptist Church, many churches in the area, and often at funerals.

Other than his parents, he was preceded in death by his siblings, Grace Pauline Martindale, Mary Elizabeth Martindale, William Norris Martindale, Hattie Lucile Martindale, Dorothy Page Martindale Albrecht and James Walter Martindale.

Survivors include his wife of 64 years, Dorothy Louise Yates Martindale; daughter, Linda Burchfield and her husband Richard; son, Glenn Martindale and his wife Greta; grandchildren, Kate Martindale, Andrew Martindale, Justin Martindale, and Hope Martindale.

Visitation will be 12:30-2 p.m. Wednesday, Dec. 27, 2017, at Eudora Baptist Church. Funeral Services will be held at 2 p.m. at the church with Rev. Jeff Tarver and Rev. Jimmy Wallace officiating. Burial will follow at Mt. Carmel Cemetery. Arrangements by Griffin-Culpepper Funeral Service. Online guest book may be signed at www.griffinculpepper.com.

–––––❖––––– HEBER SPRINGS — Robert Lee Marker, 62, passed away Sunday. Survivors: spouse Sandra Willard (Heber Springs) brother David Marker, sisters Mary Kone, Shirley Small all Calif., step-son Robert Willard (Heber Springs). Visitation Tuesday 6-8 p.m. Family Funeral Service with funeral Wednesday 10 a.m. Family Funeral Chapel. Arrangements Family Funeral Service. www.dwightfamilyfuneral.com.

–––––❖––––– HOPE — Ruth Faye Basham Hankins, 72, of Hope, died Friday, Dec. 22, 2017, in Hope, Arkansas.

Visitation 5-7 p.m. Tuesday, Dec. 26, at Herndon-Fuqua Funeral Home, Hope. Funeral service 10 a.m. Wednesday, Dec. 27, Hope Church of Christ. Interment 1 p.m. Pleasant Ridge Cemetery Prescott, Ark., under the direction of Herndon-Fuqua Funeral Home of Hope.

Sign Our Online Guestbook at www.herndonfuquafuneralhomes.com.

–––––❖––––– JUDSONIA — Mary Mason, 70, died Saturday. Survivors: children, Lance Mason (Miranda), Keith and Sherri Propes; grandchildren, Camden, Shelby and Gunner; and two step-children, Dwight Mason and Teresa Defato.

Visitation: Wednesday, 6-8 p.m. Services: 2 p.m., Thursday, Dec. 28, at the Powell Funeral Home Chapel in Bald Knob. Interment: Evergreen Cemetery. www.powellfuneralhome.net.

–––––❖––––– KINGSLAND — Francis Joseph “Frank” Duncan, Major, US Army (Retired), age

83, of Kingsland, was called home to the Lord on Wednesday,

Dec. 20, 2017.

Major Duncan was born

July 11, 1934, in Wilmington,

Del., to the late

Reuben S. and

Mary L. Montague Duncan and received his Master’s Degree from Fordham University. He was a career Soldier, retiring in 1988, after over 20 years of service in both the Delaware Army National Guard and the United States Army to include combat service with the 25th Infantry Division and 1st Cavalry Division (Airmobile). Major Duncan’s awards and decorations include the Bronze Star Medal with two Oak Leaf Clusters, the Vietnam Cross of Gallantry with Palm, and the Presidential Unit Citation. His active duty assignments included Fort Benning, Ga.; South Vietnam; Cambodia; Fort Sam Houston, Texas; Fort Riley, Kan.; Fort Wadsworth, N.Y.; West Germany; Fort Lee, Va.; South Korea; Fort Ritchie, Md.; and Fort McClellan, Ala. Major Duncan was an avid reader and student of history, polyglot, golfer, wingshooter, humorist, and banjo player. In addition, he was a licensed private pilot and a certified master gardener. A lover of people and life, he spent many enjoyable hours calling around the world as the “alarm clock” for his family and friends. He accompanied his wife, Martha during her career with Department of Defense Dependent Schools in Alconbury, England, Camp Zama, Japan, and at Hanau and Ramstein, Germany. While doing so, Major Duncan volunteered for the USO, Red Cross, and in schools. His favorite song was “My Way” by Frank Sinatra. He was a “Great” man, having touched the lives of many and was a proud grandpa who deeply loved his grandchildren. Major Duncan was preceded in death by his parents.

Left to cherish his memory are his wife, Martha A. Granderson Duncan of Kingsland; his son and daughter-in-law, LTC Christopher J. and Amy D. Duncan of Enola, Penn., and his grandchildren, Samantha J. Duncan and Alana G. Duncan.

A funeral mass will be 11 a.m., Wednesday, Dec. 27, 2017, at Buie Funeral Home in Rison with Father Phillip Reeves officiating. A visitation will held prior to the service beginning at 10 a.m. Interment will be scheduled at Arlington National Cemetery, Virginia. Memorials may be made to the following charities in Major Duncan’s honor: USO; Little Sisters of the Poor; or the Fisher House Foundation. Funeral arrangements are by Buie Funeral Home of Rison. Please sign the online guestbook at www.buiefuneralhome.com.

–––––❖–––––

LAKE VILLAGE — Dianna Rose DeAngelo Sims, 65, of Lake Village, passed away on Dec. 20 in Lake Village. Visitation Tuesday, Dec. 26 from 5-6 p.m. with rosary at 6 p.m. at Bishop-King Funeral Home chapel. Funeral Mass, 10 a.m. Wednesday at Our Lady of the Lake Catholic Church in Lake Village. Sign online guestbook www.bishopkingfuneralhome. com. –––––❖––––– MALVERN — Bonnie Wheatley, 87, Malvern, passed away Dec. 23, 2017. Survivors children: Mark (Karon) Wheatley, and

Andy (Rhonda) Wheatley, Malvern. Visitation Wednesday, Dec. 27, 6-8 p.m., Regency Funeral Home. Services, Thursday, Dec. 28, 10 a.m. First Assembly of God Church, Malvern. Arrangements by Regency Funeral Home. You may sign guest book at regencyfuneralhome.com.

–––––❖––––– MARIANNA — Ola Dean Pickett, 72, of Marianna, Ark., passed away Dec. 21. Services for Ola Dean will be held Dec. 27, at 10 a.m. at Roller-Citizens Funeral Home in Marianna, Ark. Visitation will be held Dec. 26 from 6-8 p.m. at Roller-Citizens Funeral Home. Family and friends may view and sign online guestbook www.rollerfuneralhomes.com/ Marianna.

–––––❖––––– PARKDALE — Nellie Ruth Spires McManus, 81, of Parkdale, died Saturday, Dec. 23, 2017. Funeral service: 2 p.m., Wednesday, Parkdale Baptist Church with burial in Bell Cemetery. Visitation: 6-8 p.m. Tuesday at the funeral home. Funeral arrangements under the direction of Jones-Hartshorn Funeral Home of Hamburg, Ark. Online guest book at www.jones-hartshorn. com.

–––––❖––––– ROCKPORT — Benjiman L. Brown, age 81, of Rockport, died Monday, Dec.

18, 2017, in Hot Springs. He was born on July

13, 1936, in DeQueen, Ark., to the late Lewis

Brown and Mary

Stinnett Brown.

Reared and receiving his early education in

Horatio, he was a star football player while in high school. At 17 years of age, he joined the United States Navy, and served for four years. He attended technical school and pursued a course of study in machining. Early in his career he was named top machinist at the California State Fair for his ability to craft parts.

Ben was a brilliant mathematician, and he utilized this talent toward one of his proudest achievements—crafting parts for NASA to be outfitted on the first unmanned vehicle to land on the moon. He retired from Minnesota Mining in Little Rock. He was an expert billiard player, loved to fish, ride motorcycles, and drive fast cars. Ben was a true patriot: with the help of his late son-inlaw Darry, he had an American Flag painted on his car in a proud display of his love for his country. He kept himself physically fit, was fiercely independent, and loved to socialize. Ben was a generous soul. He was eager to help those not as fortunate as he. Ben was also an animal lover, taking in stray dogs and cats, tending to all their needs. A devout Christian, he was a Bible scholar. He attended Shepherds Chapel in Gravette. He was the widower of the late Jere’ Franz Brown, to whom he was married on Feb. 1, 1968. She preceded him in death in 2010. Ben was also preceded in death by a son, Leroy Brown.

He is survived by his daughter, Molly Wren Teeter of Little Rock; a brother, Charles Brown (Karla) of Magnet Cove, a sister, Sue Gunn (Joe) of Hot Springs; three grandchildren, Nicholas Wren Brown, Everett Franz Smith, and William Wren Smith; four great-grandchildren, Charlie, Lily, Owen and Ashlyn Smith; two nephews, Stephen Brown and Justin Brown; a niece Kelli Golden; and numerous great-nieces and nephews. Ben also leaves behind his sidekick, Sissy Spears Bennett, who brought him lots of happiness and was an important part of his life for the last seven years.

A gathering of family and friends is scheduled for Thursday evening, Dec. 28, 2017, from 5-7 p.m. at J. A. Funk Funeral Home.

Memorials are requested to the Malvern Animal Shelter, 2625 Canine Rd, Malvern, Ark., 72104.

Online condolences may be sent via jafunkfuneralhome.com.