Obituaries
OBITUARIES Information for the obituaries and funeral notices below was supplied to the Arkansas Democrat-Gazette Advertising Department by funeral homes.
Pulaski County
LAURA MAE AARON, 81, of Little Rock, passed away Wednesday, February
28, 2018. She was born February 19th, 1937 in England, AR to parents Emma Burgess and
Henry Vernon Meriweather.
Laura was preceded in death by her parents and her husband, Arlon Aaron, Sr. Survivors include son Arlon Aaron of Little Rock and family.
Funeral service will be Tuesday, March 6th, 2018 12:00 noon at Boyd Funeral Home – Chapel in Lonoke. Visitation will be held one hour prior to service. Interment will be at Hicks Cemetery following the service. Online guestbook, www.boydfuneralhome.net.
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EARL L. BIGGS, 100, of Little Rock, passed away February 28, 2018. Visitation will be this evening, Monday, March 5 from 6-8 p.m. at Little Rock Funeral Home, 8801 Knoedl Ct. (NW corner I-630 and Barrow Rd.). Services will be Tuesday, March 6 at 10 a.m. at the funeral home, followed by interment at 2 p.m. at Casa Cemetery in Perry County.
Arrangements by Little Rock Funeral Home, (501)224-2200. Mr. Biggs’ online guestbook may be signed at www.littlerockfuneralhome.com.
–––––❖––––– DENNIS MARK JENKINS, 74, passed away at his home in North Little Rock, surrounded by his family on Saturday, March 3. He was born January 9, 1944, in Freeport, Illinois, to Evelyn and
Mark Jenkins.
In 1962, Denny graduated Freeport High
School where he excelled in football and baseball. He graduated from Whitewater State University in Whitewater, Wisconsin, with a Bachelors of Business Administration degree.
Denny was honorably discharged from the United States Army in 1971.
On September 9, 1967, Denny married Miriam Joyce Oltmann. Together they had three sons of whom he was always very proud and supportive. He loved watching his sons and their children play their sport of choice. He was an avid Chicago Bears fan and enjoyed attending North Little Rock High School football games. Denny could fix anything and loved doing yard work at their home in North Little Rock and their Greers Ferry lake house.
Denny was employed with Kelly Springfield Tire in Freeport, Illinois; Avon Products in Morton Grove, Illinois; Revlon Cosmetics in Phoenix, Arizona. He retired after 24 years in management for Levi Strauss in Little Rock.
He is survived by his wife of 50 years, Miriam, his father, Mark,
brother David and sister Nancy; sons, Brad (Rennie), children Caleb, Garrett, Karaline, Ella, Addison Kate; son Jason (Shannon), children Tyler, Madison, Lauren, Lindsey; son Andy (Jennifer), children Ally, Addison and brothers and sisters-in-law.
He was preceded in death by his mother, Evelyn Jenkins and grandparents.
The family would like to thank Drs. Ali Krisht, Omer Khalil, Mark Storey, Kevin Collins, their staff, CARTI and Arkansas Hospice. Special thanks to Lisa, Carolyn, Kathy and Nicole for their loving care.
The family requests memorial donations be sent to Arkansas Hospice, 14 Parkstone Circle, North Little Rock, 72116, or First United Methodist Church.
You are invited to join the family for a celebration of life, noon to 3:00, March 7, at First United Methodist Church Fellowship Hall, 6701 John F. Kennedy Blvd, North Little Rock, 72116.
Online guestbook and registry at www.SmithFamilyCares.com.
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REBECCA BASSET KRON, 66, of Little Rock, is now with the Lord after a short illness. The wonderful wife and adoring mother leaves behind her husband Richard Kron, her children: Denise McBryde and her husband Matt of Tamo; Brandon Bassett and his wife Kelly of Little Rock; and Stacy Gober and her husband Kerry of Paradise, Texas.
Rebecca, born in Texarkana, also leaves behind her mother, Faye Wagnon of Texarkana, and one sister, Kaye Hancock, as well as one awesome granddaughter, Addison McByde, and a stepdaughter, Tonya Kron of Fort Collins, Colo.
Rebecca spent more than 40 years working in the legal and banking arenas and had recently retired, hoping to travel the country in a motorhome with her husband and their dog.
Visitation will be held on Monday, March 5, 2018, at Pinecrest Funeral Home, from 5 p.m. to 7 p.m.
Funeral service will be held on Tuesday, March 6, 2018, 10 a.m., also at Pinecrest Funeral Home. Burial will follow at Pinecrest Memorial Park.
An online guestbook is available at www.pinecrestmemorialpark.com.
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BRUCE R. MERRICK, 66, of Jacksonville passed away March 3, 2018. Funeral Services: 2 p.m. Tuesday, March 6, 2018 at Moore’s Jacksonville Funeral Home with visitation one hour prior. Interment will follow at Chapel Hill Memorial Park.
Arrangements entrusted to Moore’s Jacksonville Funeral Home, (501) 982-2136. Online guestbook: www.mooresjacksonvillefuneralhome.com.
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WANDA JEAN PEDIGO, age 84, passed away on February 28, 2018 in Little Rock, Arkansas. She was born on November 3, 1933 in Little Rock, Arkansas to Herbert and Gladys Beard.
She was a member of the Harmony Grove Baptist Church.
She is preceded in death by her parents, her husband’s Bobby Lee Hurst and Clarence Pedigo; her brothers Charles Beard and J.W. Beard; sister-in-law Pat Beard and son Ronnie Hurst.
She is survived by her children Brenda Bailey and Bobby Hurst (Janice); seven grandchildren, 14 great-grandchildren and three great-great-grandchildren. She will be missed by many nieces, nephews, cousins and friends.
A memorial service will be held on Thursday, March 8, 2018 at 1 p.m. at Apple Hill General Baptist Church, Ward, Arkansas.
Arrangements have been provided by A Natural State Funeral Service, Jacksonville, Arkansas.
An online guestbook is available at www.anaturalstatefuneralservice.com.
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SARAH NELL (HAWS) PRUSS, 87, of North Little Rock passed away Friday, March 2nd. She is preceded in death by her husband, Ed and sister, Virginia Wilson. Survived by her children, Rosie Clark (Larry) of Benton, Stan Pruss of Dallas, Becky Franklin, Betsy Pruss, Jimbo Pruss (Susanna) of Little Rock and Cindy Thompson (Ted) of North Little Rock; grandchildren, Courtney Greene (Scott), Kyle Clark (Morgan), and Parker and Peyton Pruss; great-grandchildren, Sophie and Stella Greene and Brooks Clark, niece Lenore Merrill (Arnold).
The family would like to extend special thanks to Becky Green and Brittany Johnson for their loving care. Deepest gratitude to the Springhill Baptist Hospital Staff.
Memorials may be made to Immaculate Conception Catholic Church.
A visitation will be held Tuesday evening, March 6th, from 5-6 p.m., followed by a rosary service from 6-7 p.m., at Smith-North Little Rock Funeral Home. Mass of Christian burial will be held Wednesday, March 7th at Immaculate Conception Catholic Church in North Little Rock at 10 a.m. Burial service will follow at Calvary Cemetery in Little Rock.
Online guest register at www. SmithFamilyCares.com.
Arkansas
DOVER — Icia Johnson, 91, of Dover, died Saturday, March 3, 2018 at her home.
Funeral Service will be held at 11 a.m., Wednesday, March 7, 2018 at Ben Hur Free Will Baptist Church. Burial will be at Moore Cemetery in Ben Hur by Humphrey Funeral Service. Full obituary is available at www.humphreyfuneral.com.
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EL DORADO — John Ross Meadows passed March 3, 2018 in El Dorado.
Wife Elaine Meadows; sons Mike, Rusty, Scott; daughters Laura & Kathy.
Visitation-1 p.m. March 6th, 2018 at College Avenue Church of Christ.
Services will follow at 2:00 P.M. Services under the direction of Young’s Funeral Directors in El Dorado, Arkansas.
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FULTON — Graveside for Paul “PL” Arnold, Tuesday, March 6, 2 p.m., Memory Gardens Cemetery with Bro. Jimmy Arnold officiating. Visitation, Monday, March 5 between 6 and 8 p.m. at Brazzel/Oakcrest Funeral Home 1001 S. Main in Hope. Arrangements, Brazzel/Oakcrest The Funeral Home of Hope, Eddie Brazzel, Director. Online registry: www.brazzelfuneralhomes.com.
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FULTON — Graveside for John Lewis, age 77 of Fulton, Ark., 2 p.m. Tuesday, March 6, 2018 at Saratoga Cemetery with Bro. Clint Lively officiating. Visitation, 6 to 8 p.m., Monday, March 5, Brazzel/ Oakcrest Funeral Home 1001 S. Main, Hope. Arrangements Brazzel/Oakcrest The Funeral Home, Hope, Eddie Brazzel Director. Online registry: www.brazzelfuneralhomes.com.
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GILLETT — Allen Carroll Adams, 53 Gillett, Arkansas died at home March 3, 2018. He was born in Dewitt, Arkansas June 28, 1964 to Tommy and Hazel Ward Adams.
A Christian and farmer, Allen was preceded in death by his father and a daughter Taylor Carter.
He is survived by his wife Shelia Aycock Adams, Gillett, his mother Hazel Adams, Dewitt and sister Karen Hudspeth, Hot Springs, Arkansas.
Visitation will be Monday, March 5, 5-7 p.m. Griffin Funeral Home, Dumas. Graveside services are Tuesday, March 6, 11 a.m. Hearn Cemetery, Dewitt.
The family HQ is 1095 Hwy 165 East, Dumas, Arkansas. you may go to www.griffinfh.com to sign guestbook.
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HATFIELD — S. I. (Pete) Brewer, 93, of Hatfield, Arkansas passed away Saturday, March 3, 2018 in Hot Springs, Arkansas.
Funeral service will be Wednesday, March 7, 2018 10 a.m. First Baptist Church in Cove, Arkansas. Interment Six Mile Cemetery under the direction of the Beasley Wood Funeral Home of Mena.
–––––❖––––– HELENA-WEST HELENA — A graveside service for George W. Morris, 91, of West Helena will be 2 p.m., Wednesday, Sunset Memorial Park, West Helena. Visitation, 12-2 p.m., Wednesday, Roller-Citizens Funeral Home.
Survivors: 5 children, 19 grandchildren, 30 great-grandchildren, 17 great-great-grandchildren, other family.
Services directed by Roller-Citizens Funeral Home, West Helena, (870)572-2571. Online guestbook www.rollerfuneralhomes.com/westhelena.
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MARVELL — Jolene Jumper Ford, 65, died Friday. Survivors: spouse; J.C. Ford Jr., son; Scotty Ford, daughter; Tammy Moon, father; Joel Jumper, two grandchildren, one brother, three sisters. Visitation: 6-8 p.m., Monday, Bob Neal & Sons Funeral Home, Marvell. Funeral: 2 p.m. Tuesday, Lexa Baptist Church. Burial: Sunset Memorial Park. Obituary/Guestbook: www.bobnealandsons.com.
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MAYFLOWER — Betty Grace Irby, 84, of Mayflower, passed away Saturday March 3, 2018.
She was born September 30, 1933 in Des Arc, Arkansas to the late Archie and Julia Mayfield. Betty enjoyed Fishing, Cooking, and Gardening.
She is preceded in death by her parents, son, Bobby Kimsey, and two sisters, Shirley Cunningham and Judy Burnett.
Betty is survived by her husband of 56 years, James Jimmy Irby, daughter, Connie (Richard) Brawley of Mayflower, three grandchildren, Anna Grace Brawley, Melissa Robertson, Jennifer Gregersen, four great-grandchildren, and a host of family and friends.
Funeral Service will be 1PM Tuesday, March 6, 2018 at Roller McNutt Funeral Home in Conway. Visitation will start one hour prior at noon. Burial will follow at Mayflower Cemetery.
Online Guestbook at www.rollerfuneralhomes.com/conway.
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McGEHEE — Austyn Elise Hogan, precious baby daughter of Eric and Tyler Hogan of McGehee, Ark., was born into the arms of Angels on February 26, 2018 at Delta Memorial Hospital in Dumas, Arkansas. She was born at 33 weeks, weighed 4 lbs.7 ozs. and was 17 ½ inches long. Austyn was so loved, she came into this world too soon and was taken too soon. Our loss was Heaven’s gain.
Other than her parents, Austyn is survived by her big brothers, Gray and Emmett of McGehee, Ark.; maternal grandparents, Chris and Bridget Gill of McGehee, Ark.; paternal grandparents, Fred and Beth Hogan of Hamburg, Ark.; maternal great-grandparents, Jake and Starr Kemp of McGehee, Ark., and Gary Turner of Pine Bluff, Ark.; paternal great-grandparents, Merle Hogan and Angie Bradshaw of Hamburg, Ark.; aunts and uncles, Garrett and Cheyenne Clavet of McGehee, Ark., Evan and Lindsey Hogan of Hamburg, Ark., and Mallory Clavet of Monticello, Ark.; cousins, Barrett Clavet, Ainsley Hogan and Will Hogan. Austyn was greeted in Heaven by her uncles, Blake and Bradley Kemp and great-grandfathers, Huey Bradshaw and Julian Hogan.
Visitation will be held 5-7pm Monday, March 5, 2018 at Griffin-Culpepper Funeral Service in McGehee, Ark. Graveside services will be held at 2pm Tuesday, March 6, 2018 at McGehee Cemetery in McGehee, Ark., with Rev. Reggie Russell officiating. Memorials may be made to Paws and Claws Humane Society of McGehee, P.O. Box 975, McGehee, Ark., 71654. Arrangements made by Griffin-Culpepper Funeral Service of McGehee, Ark. On-line guest book may be signed at www.griffinculpepper.com.
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NEWPORT — Mrs. Eloise Bell of Newport departed this life on Saturday, March 3, 2018, in Searcy, at the age of 96. She was born April 25, 1921, the daughter of Luther Dugger and Alpha Burns Dugger at the Mount Carmel Community in Newark.
Mrs. Eloise grew up in the Mount Carmel Community and graduated from Newark High School in 1938, where she was a cheerleader. Following high school, she married Mr. Hubert Battles. Together they started their family of three children. Mr. Battles became ill and Mrs. Eloise lost her first husband in 1943, at the age of 27. It was at this time that she began working as a telephone operator for the Southwestern Bell Telephone office in Newark. Upon the closing of the Newark telephone office in 1953, Mrs. Eloise took a position with the Newport Southwestern Bell Telephone office. She and her young family made their home in Newport at that time. Mrs. Eloise later married Mr. John Dunbar and Mr. Tommy V. Bell, who both unexpectedly died in 1959 and 1969, respectively. These three difficult losses gave Mrs. Eloise the strength for which she was so well known.
She had a passion for life, she was totally dedicated to her job with Southwestern Bell, her involvement in the Business and Professional Women’s Club, the Collier-Massey V.F.W. Post 4683 and Neil-Griffin Post 47 Ladies Auxiliaries, and the Newport Chamber of Commerce.
Mrs. Eloise spent countless hours volunteering her time to the B &P W Club, who twice voted her as President and Woman of the Year. She was very involved in the Miss Jackson County Pageant sponsored by the B &P W Club. Mrs. Eloise also devoted much of her time to raising money for scholarships given by the V.F.W. and American Legion and reading the essays so many will recall, “The Voice of Democracy.”
This strong and lovely lady will forever be remembered for her consummate professionalism, her classic sense of style, and the way she carried herself with pride and dignity. Many will miss her but none more than those who knew her as “Mama Wease.” Mrs. Eloise was a devoted mother, grandmother, great-grandmother, sister, daughter, aunt, and friend.
The scripture that most describes her life is, Proverbs 31:2531, “She is clothed with strength and dignity, and she laughs without fear of the future. When she speaks, her words are wise, and she gives instructions with kindness. She carefully watches everything in her household and suffers nothing from laziness.” Mrs. Eloise was a member of the Cherokee Street Church of Christ.
Mrs. Bell was preceded in death by her three husbands, Hubert M. Battles, John Dunbar, and Tommy V. Bell; two brothers, Marvin Dugger and Charles Dugger; two sisters, Neva Lee Dugger Terflinger and Zemmarie “Zemmie” Hurley; and her parents.
She is survived by her son, Dr. Larry Battles and wife, Natalie, of Russellville; two daughters, Susie Battles Scott and husband, Johnny, of Heber Springs and Patricia A. Battles-Shoffner of Newport; special nephew, Bobby Dugger of Tulsa, Okla; nine grandchildren, Cheryl Mitchell and husband, Steven, of Springfield, Ohio, Michelle Lassiter and husband, Joey, of Newport, Eric Shoffner and wife, Katrina, of Newport, Amy Young and husband, Tommy, of Tuckerman, Stacy Scott and wife, Dawn, of Washington Courthouse, Ohio, Chris Shoffner of Fort Smith, Jenny Williams and husband, Clayton of Franklin, Tenn., Jason Battles and wife, Bethany, of Nolensville, Tenn.; and Angie Johnston and husband, Kyle, of Little Rock; 18 great-grandchildren; and two great-great-grandchildren.
Visitation will be 1-2 p.m. Tuesday at Jackson’s Newport Funeral Home with funeral services beginning at 2:00 p.m. Interment will follow in Blue Springs Cemetery in Newark.
To leave a message of condolence, light a memorial candle, or sign the guest register, please visit our website at www.jacksonsfh.com.
Arrangements by Jackson’s Newport Funeral Home.
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NEWPORT — Mary Ford of Newport, died Friday. Survivors: sons, George Anthony Ford, Joseph Eugene Ford, Ernest Ford; stepson, John William Ford; stepdaughter, Sherry-Lynn Pearson; brother, Roy Adams; sister, Eva Ford; seven grandchildren. Visitation: Jackson’s Newport Funeral Home, Tuesday, 10:30-11:15. Graveside services: Shiloh Cemetery in Harrisburg at Noon, Tuesday. www. jacksonsfh.com.
POCAHONTAS — Mary Magdalene Minton, 82, passed away March 4, 2018, in Pocahontas.
Funeral service will be March 6, 6 p.m., at Roller-Farmers Union Funeral Home, 1900 West Washington Avenue, Jonesboro. Visitation is 4:30-6 p.m. prior to the service. There will be a private burial at a later date.
Online guestbook: www.rollerfuneralhomes.com/Jonesboro.
–––––❖––––– STAMPS — Buster Brazell, age 88, of, Stamps, Arkansas, passed away Friday, March 2, 2018, at his home.
Mr. Brazell was born September 25, 1929, in Midway, Arkansas, to Hosie Preston and Etta (Clark) Brazell. He was a member of First Baptist Church in Stamps. He loved going to church, his Sunday School Class, and his family. He owned and operated Buster’s Barbershop in Downtown Stamps for over 50 years, where he made friends with every one of his customers.
Mr. Brazell was preceded in death by his parents; two brothers; and two sisters.
He is survived by his wife of 61 years, Vrginia (Cockerham) Brazell of Stamps; a daughter, Gail Newton of Stamps; a son, Ricky Brazell of Stamps; a brother, Marvin Brazell, and wife Bobbie of Genoa, Arkansas; a sister, Lois Parks of Texarkana, Arkansas; and a sisterin-law, Laura Cockerham of Emery, Texas. He is also survived by his adopted family, Jerry and Peggy Daughtery and Neal and Pam Clark; and numerous nieces and nephews.
Funeral services will be held at 2 p.m. Tuesday, March 6, 2018, at Smith Funeral Home Chapel in Stamps, Ark., with Bro. Mike Turner officiating. Interment will follow at Lakeside Cemetery in Stamps, Ark. Visitation will be held Monday, March 5, 2018, from 6 p.m. until 8 p.m. at Smith Funeral Home, on Thomas Street, in Stamps, Ark.
Memorials may be made to First Baptist Church in Stamps or to Lakeside Cemetery in Stamps.
Online registration is available at www.aosmithfuneralhome.com.
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STAR CITY — Dennis Richard White, 70, of Star City passed away Saturday, March 3, 2018, at Lincoln Heights Healthcare in Star City. He was born June 29, 1947, in Star City to the late I.V and Hazel Ethridge White. Dennis was a member of the First Freewill Baptist Church in Star City, were he was an adult Sunday School teacher. He was also a very active member of the Masters’ Men, the church board and audio technician. After graduating from Star City High School in 1965, Dennis attended Arkansas A&M College, now UAM. Dennis joined the U.S. Navy in January 1966, where he was stationed at LeMoore Naval Air Station. Dennis married Brenda Harmon the summer of 1966 at First Baptist Church, Star City by Bro. Don Cooper. They moved to Hanford, California, where Dennis was deployed in October 1966, serving as a yeoman, aboard the USS Kitty Hawk, with Air Attack
Squadron 144, on the Gulf of Tonkin during the Vietnam War. His second deployment was also aboard the Kitty Hawk. The last eighteen months of Dennis’ naval career were spent working in intelligence at the Pentagon. While there, Dennis and Brenda lived in Falls Church, Va. Dennis was honorably discharged February 1, 1972. After returning home Dennis went to work at International Paper Co. (later sold to Evergreen Packaging) where he worked as an electrician for 43 years, from May 18, 1970 until March 29, 2013. Dennis had many, many life-long friends and acquaintances from high school, to the Navy, through church and the car wash.
Also preceding him in death were a brother, Harry White.
Dennis and Brenda were blessed with two wonderful sons, Stephen (Christy) White and Kevin (Brandy) White; a brother, Bobby Joe White of Pine Bluff; and three sisters, Gwendola Goins of Star City, Juanice Fowler and Robin Lunsford, both of Pine Bluff. They were also blessed with five grandchildren, who Dennis adored and have brought much joy and happiness to their lives, Lauren White, Reagan White, Ethan White, Rylan White and Jordan Fowler.
Funeral services are 2 p.m. Tuesday at Griffin Funeral Chapel. Visitation is 6-8 p.m. Monday at the funeral home. Pallbearers are Craig Wynn, Brady Harmon, Davy Edmonds, Patrick Kizer, Kelly Goins, Jeff White and Bubba Humphrey. In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made to First Free Will Baptist Church Building Fund, 211 Church St., Star City, Ark. 71667.
Arrangements by Griffin Funeral Service in Star City. Online guestbook at www.griffinfuneralservice.net.
Out-of-state
COLORADO SPRINGS, Colo. — Betty Jo Ashley born December 28, 1924. Died in Colorado Springs, Colo., January 14, 2018. She was predeceased by her husband, Gerald Ashley, daughter, Mona Lisa Ashley. She is survived by her daughters, Amber Manney, Elizabeth Ashley, Jennie Dugger and Sheree Sanchez, seven grandchildren and five great-grandchildren.