Pulaski County

JOHN BRUMMETT ASKEW, age 56, left this life unexpectedly on Wednesday, February 28, 2018, in Little Rock. John was born August 22, 1961 in Lafayette, Louisiana, to Jess and Nancy Askew. He grew up in Little Rock, graduated from Catholic High School for Boys in 1979, and from the University of Arkansas at Little Rock, after attending Rhodes and Hendrix Colleges. John’s primary occupation as a computer database architect took him from Florida to California to Minnesota and as far as Siberia. He also pursued entrepreneurial music ventures, such as busking in Austin, Texas, and supplying refreshments to fans of the Grateful Dead on concert tours. John was a poet, philosopher, astrologer, musician, actor, and a passionate, albeit messy, cook. He always demanded the best from himself and others, and continuously blazed his own path never sacrificing his ideals. He met many challenges and frustrations along the way but never compromised.

John was most proud of his son Charlie (John Charles)

Askew, a musical virtuoso, and his daughter, Sarah Virginia Freemyer, an artistic prodigy. John spent much of the last two decades supporting and encouraging their efforts.

He loved his family. John is survived by his children, their mother, Gini Freemyer, his parents, Jess and Nancy Askew, his brothers Jess III and George, and a passel of aunts, uncles, cousins, nieces, a nephew and in-laws. He has been met in the next life by his grandparents, Jess and Hazel Askew and Ivis and Jessie Brummett, his uncle Donald Brummett, and his cousin Read Holmes McCoy.

A memorial service will take place on Monday, March 5, at Ruebel Funeral Home, 6313 West Markham, Little Rock, at 2 p.m. In lieu of flowers, the family asks for donations to the Wolfe Street Foundation, P.O. Box 3708, Little Rock, Ark. 72202 or The Van, 8016 Faulkner Lake Road, North Little Rock, Ark. 72117.

Shine on you crazy diamond – Pink Floyd.

–––––❖––––– Funeral service for KARL L. DUCKETT, 62, of Little Rock, who passed away February 22, will be held at 1 p.m. Saturday at Christian Mission Church, 1423 Moss Street, North Litte Rock. Public viewing: today, Friday, 12-5 p.m. at Watson Northcrest, 1801 Maple, North Little Rock. (501) 8125303.

–––––❖––––– JOHN C. FERGUSON, 82, of Sherwood passed away Wednesday, February 28, 2018. He was born February 2, 1936, in Humphrey, Arkansas, to Sam and Maggie Ferguson. John had served as a Baptist deacon and was a subdivision builder and developer.

He is survived by his wife of 63 years, Juanita Ferguson; daughter, Rita Brown (Craig); three grandchildren, Kyle Burns, Lacey Brown (Chris) and Sarah Burns; great-grandson, Elijah Brown; sisters, Carolyn Boston (Bobby), Teresa Hammons, Linda Marshall (Eddie) and Debra Bradshaw; and a multitude of extended family members and friends. He was preceded in death by his parents; sisters, Delore Dean Ferguson and Lois DeAnna Bennett; and his brother-in-law, Jerry Hammons.

A graveside service will be held at 2 p.m., Saturday, March 3, 2018, at Bayless Cemetery in Humphrey, Arkansas. A visitation will be from 6 to 8 p.m., Friday, March 2, 2018, at Smith – North Little Rock Funeral Home. Online obituary at www.SmithFamilyCares.com.

–––––❖––––– MARJORIE (TOLL) GOINS, 98, passed away on Wednesday, February 28, at Barrow Creek nursing home, under hospice care. She was born on October 23, 1919, in Tollville, Arkansas, to William and Mary (Roushall) Toll.

She is preceded in death by her parents; her sisters: Katherine Stipp, Beatrice McDaniel, Marguerite Toll; her husband Garfield Goins; and her daughters Paulette (Goins) Thomason and Pauline Goins. She is survived by her daughter Becky Goins of Little Rock; son Andy Goins (Teresa) of Ico; 5 grandchildren including Dr. Evelyn Cathcart of Bryant; 11 great-grandchildren, two great-great-grandchildren; and many other beloved extended family members and friends.

Funeral Service will be 10 a.m, Saturday, March 3, 2018, at Bethel Methodist Church in Ico (north of Sheridan), where she was a member since 1945. Visitation will be Friday, March 2, 6-8 p.m., at Roller-Drummond Funeral Home, 10900 Interstate 30, Little Rock, Arkansas. Burial will follow the service at the Bethel Methodist Cemetery. Memorials may be made to Bethel Methodist Church. Online guestbook: www.rollerfuneralhomes.com/ drummond.

–––––❖––––– Loving husband, precious and devoted father and grandfather, MELVIN LEO HALLMARK of North Little Rock, Arkansas, passed away on Wednesday, February 28, 2018, at his home due to heart failure.

Melvin was born in Lone Oak, Texas on August 9, 1921. He was the son of Nathan Thomas and Mary Harp Hallmark. In his early years the family moved by train, with kids, cattle and all, to Beebe, Arkansas.

Melvin, a Marine Veteran of World War II, participated in action against Japanese forces on Kwajalein-Atoll, Saipan, Tinian and “the Big one”, Iwo Jima.

Melvin and Gwen raised their daughters in Stoney Point Methodist Church in Beebe, and were charter members of Trinity United Methodist Church in North Little Rock.

Melvin retired from AR Truck and Trailer. He spent his retirement fishing and traveling with his wife, Gwen.

Melvin was predeceased by his parents, his loving wife of sixty-two years, Gwendolyn Fecher Hallmark; his grandson, William Michael Gillespie; his identical twin, Alvin, with whom he shared an inseparable relationship; and fifteen additional brothers and sisters. He is survived by two daughters, Glenda (Bill) Gillespie of Grove, Oklahoma, and Vicki (Wayne) Adcock of North Little Rock, Arkansas; two grandsons, David Adcock of North Little Rock, Arkansas, and Alan (Kimber, Gage and Chris) Gillespie of Denver, Colorado; and his sister-in-law Adelene Hallmark of Beebe. He also leaves behind many muchloved nieces and nephews and other family members.

We want to thank the Kindred Hospice team for their loving care for three years.

Memorials may be made to Trinity United Methodist Church, P.O. Box 17029, North Little Rock, Ark., or charity of choice. Visitation will begin at 3 p.m. Saturday, March 3, 2018, at Stoney Point Methodist Church with graveside service to follow at 4 p.m. at Stoney Point Cemetery. Arrangements by Smith-Westbrook Funeral Home. www.SmithFamilyCares.com.

–––––❖––––– ELVETA (VETA) VIRGINIA YOUNG HANSON, age 96, of Jacksonville, went to be with her Lord on Tuesday, February 27, 2018.

She was born on September 27, 1921, in Smithville, Tennessee to Arthur and Anna Young. In 1930, Veta’s sister Anna Marie was born and just six days later, Veta’s mother passed away from complications of childbirth. In 1932, Veta’s father married Leah Young, who took on the role of loving mother to Veta and Anna Marie. Veta graduated from Northeast High School in Kansas City, MO in 1938. In 1939, she married Charles Gladden Jones and in April of 1940, she gave birth to her first son, Charles (Chuck) Arthur Jones Hanson. In 1942, her second son, James Donald (Jimmy Don) was born and passed away in 1948 at the age of 6. After she and Charles Jones divorced, Veta went on to marry the love of her life, Frederick William (Bill) Hanson in 1946. Bill, who served in the United States Army during World War II and later the United States Air Force, adopted Chuck and took on the role of father to him. In 1969, Veta began work at the U.S. Postal Service as a distribution clerk, where she received many certificates and awards of recognition for excellent service and efficiency throughout her career. Following her retirement in 1984, Veta moved from her home in Independence, Mo., to Jacksonville, Arkansas, to be near family. She was a devoted member of Marshall Road Baptist Church for 30 years. In 2015, Veta moved from her home in Jacksonville to the Des Arc Nursing and Rehabilitation Center.

Veta was preceded in death by her parents, her husband of 33 years, Frederick William (Bill) Hanson, her son, Jimmy Don, and her grandson Bill. She is survived by her son, Chuck, sister Anna Marie, five grandchildren, 18 great-grandchildren, and a host of great-great-grandchildren, nieces and nephews.

Funeral services will be at 1 p.m. on Saturday, March 3, at Marshall Road Baptist Church with Bro. Cliff Hutchins officiating. Visitation will be one hour prior to the service at the same location and there will be a luncheon in the fellowship hall immediately following the service. Mrs. Hanson will be laid to rest at Floral Hills Memorial Gardens Cemetery in Kansas City, Missouri. Mrs. Hanson’s family would like to extend a special thanks to the nurses and staff at the Des Arc Nursing and Rehabilitation Center for the exceptional level of care that Mrs. Hanson received while residing there. An online guestbook is available at www.griffinleggettresthills.com.

–––––❖––––– AZZIE LEE MAXWELL, 92, of Little Rock, passed away Sunday February 25, 2018. She leaves to cherish her memory her children; Annette Hillard Duhart, Elijah Maxwell Jr., Willis R. Maxwell (Gloria), 15 grandchildren, 28 great-grandchildren and a host of relatives and friends. Funeral services will be held tomorrow at 11 a.m., Greater South Temple C.O.G.I.C., 2623 South Arch Street. The family will receive friends today from 6-7 p.m. at the funeral home. Professional services entrusted to Hardy Funeral Home, 5300 West 12th Street, (501) 372-4129. To sign the online guestbook visit www.hardyfuneralhomeinc.com.

–––––❖––––– JOSEPH HENRY WILSON, 84, of Little Rock, passed away Friday, February 23, 2018. He leaves to cherish his memory his wife; Lillie Wilson, children; Jimmy Deadmon (Bernita), Jacquelyn Pettigrew (Anthony), Tammish Neal (Charles), Mark Deadmon Sr., Wanzer Adams, Venita Williams and Sharon Hester (Rick), siblings; Ruth Marie Rowan, Yahya Altajar, a host of relatives and friends. Funeral services will be held today at 9 a.m. at Mt. Pisgah Baptist Church, 1017 Ray Road in Jacksonville. Professional services entrusted to Hardy Funeral Home, 5300 West 12th Street, (501) 372-4129. To sign the online guestbook visit www.hardyfuneralhomeinc.com.