Pulaski County

MICHAEL D. EDWARDS was born January 22, 1957, to the late Spurgeon H. and

Evelyn M. (Hunter) Edwards in Camden, Ark.

On April 3, 2018 he was ushered into the holy presence of Jesus Christ.

Mike was a former member of St. Stephens

Baptist Church in Stephens, Ark., and later joined Agape Church of Little Rock. He was a missionary to Central America where he started and pastored a church in Belize, Church Of All Nations.

Mike leaves to cherish his memory: two brothers, Oliver B. Edwards (Maggie) of California City, Calif., and Spurgeon H. Edwards, Jr. (Carol) of Little Rock, Arkansas; two sisters, Joyce Wilkerson (John) and Kim Jordan of Little Rock, Ark.; five nephews, Jared (Elizabeth) Wilkerson, Jason Wilkerson, Cameron Edwards and Joshua Edwards, all of Little Rock, Ark., and Linton Edwards of California City, Calif.; three nieces, Navy PO2 Javon Wilkerson of Whidbey Island, Wash., Sgt. Jordan Glass of Little Rock, Ark., and Alexiz Edwards of

Little Rock, Ark.; two great-nieces, Presley Rose Edwards of California City, Calif., and Savannah Wilkerson of Little Rock, Ark.; uncles, an aunt; cousins; and a host of other relatives and friends.

Memorial services will be held at 11 a.m. on Saturday, April 7, 2018, at Agape Church, 700 Napa Valley Drive in Little Rock.

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HUEY PAUL FINISTER JR., 70, of Little Rock, passed away Tuesday March 27, 2018. He leaves to cherish his memory his wife, Shirley Finister; children, Andrea Parker, Virginia Finister, Euphase Renee Jamerson; and a host of relatives and friends. Funeral services will be held tomorrow at 11 a.m., in Hardy Funeral Home Memorial Chapel. The family will receive friends today from 6-7 p.m. at the funeral home. Professional services entrusted to Hardy Funeral Home, 5300 W. 12th Street, 501-372-4129. Sign the online guestbook at www. hardyfuneralhomeinc.com.

–––––❖––––– GEORGIA MAE JEFFERSON, 86, of Little Rock, Ark., departed this life on April 2, 2018. She was preceded in death by: her husband,

Milton Jefferson

Sr., children, Earl and Kenneth Jefferson and Elizabeth Clark; parents, McKinley and Velma Allen; and a brother,

Elder Ananias H.

Allen.

Georgia leaves to cherish her memory: children: James Jefferson, Eula Faye Jefferson and Elder Lawrence Jefferson; siblings, Clarence Allen, Nathaniel Allen, Mable Randall, Rose Robertson, Bruce Allen, Carl Allen, Carla Allen, Jeanette Allen; 24 grandchildren, 49 great-grandchildren, 24 great-great-grandchildren; and a host of other relatives and friends.

Family Hour: Friday 6:15-7:15 p.m., at Robinson Mortuary, Little Rock. Funeral: 11 a.m. Saturday, Greater Paradise Covenant Church, Little Rock, Ark.; Rev. Herbert Shirlee officiating. Services are entrusted to Robinson Mortuary, 1201 Dr. MLK Jr. Drive, Little Rock, Ark., 501-371-0111. “Service You Can Trust.”

–––––❖––––– LEATHA MITCHELL, 94, of North Little Rock, went to be with the Lord on April 5, 2018. She was born August 4, 1923, in Morrilton, Ark., to the late Thomas and Mary Edlemon.

She is survived by her daughter Peggy Ann Mitchell Havens and her husband Michael Douglas Havens; sister Tommie Hale; and other extended family. Leatha was preceded in death by her husband of 72 years, Robert Mitchell, who passed on September 25, 2016; and son Danny Ray Mitchell, who passed on November 18, 2013; and sisters, Lottie Housley and Willie Lawson.

Visitation will be held from 12:30-1:30 p.m. on Saturday, April 7, 2018, at Smith-North Little Rock Funeral Home, 1921 Main Street, North Little Rock, Ark. 72114. A graveside service will follow at 2 p.m. at Roselawn Memorial Park, 2801 Asher Ave., Little Rock, Ark. 72204.

Arrangements by Smith – North Little Rock Funeral Home. Online obituary at www.smithfamilycares. com.

––––– ––––– TRACY NORMAN, 63, died Saturday. Survivors: daughter, Tracy Baldwin, of Spirit Lake, Iowa; one grandchild, James Mays, of Jacksonville; siblings, Ray (Olen) Norman, Cabot; Mike Norman, Jerry Norman, Roger Norman, Faye (Benny) Kidd, all of Sherwood; Shirley (Chuck) Oppenlander, Oaklawn, Ill. Graveside: Friday 11 a.m., Gravel Ridge Cemetery, Sherwood. Guestbook: www.bobnealandsons. com.

–––––❖––––– WOODIE DEWAYNE NORWOOD, 45 of Little Rock, Ark,. passed to his heavenly home on Wednesday,

April 4, 2018 at

Baptist Medical

Center, Little

Rock, Ark. He was a graduate of North Little Rock High

School where he played basketball. Woodie served his country as a member of the United States Marine Corps. He gave his life to Christ at a young age and was baptized at the First Baptist Church, 901 Calhoun, under the pastorate of Reverend William E. Thrasher Jr. In Later years, Woodie united with the Faith Temple Church under the pastorate of Reverend L. A. Lindsey Sr.

The family of Woodie D. Norwood would like to express our deepest gratitude for the love and kindness shown to us during our time of bereavement. God bless each of you. A special thank you to Rev. Dewayne Lindsey, Faith Temple Church; Baptist Hospital physicians, Dr. Clinton Johnson, Dr. Carl Johnson, Dr. Joe Peevahouse, and Dr. Marcie Erbland, ICU-South nursing staff; Mr. D. Jordan Veterans Affairs, Registered Nurse Case Manager; and Mrs. Helen Barnes. May God bless each of you is our prayer.

He is survived by a loving family and a host of aunts, uncles, cousins and friends. Services for Woodie will be held on Monday, April 9, 2018, 11 a.m., at Ruffin & Jarett Funeral Home Chapel, 1200 Chester Street Little Rock, Ark. Eulogist for the services, Reverend Malcolm T. Keener (Carolyn), and officiating, Reverend William E. Givens Sr. (Jean).

–––––❖––––– MARY LOU TAYLOR PENNINGTON, age 72, of North Little Rock, Ark., passed away Thursday, April 5, 2018. She was born on March 7, 1946 in Morrilton, a daughter of the late Mackie Lee Taylor and Rethel Vernice McCoy Taylor. She was of the Baptist faith and was especially fond of her pets, Sam, Chloe, Toby, and Jessie.

Mary is survived by her son, Michael (Veolette) Pennington of El Dorado; sister,

Maxine (David)

Denman of Dyersburg, Tenn.; grandchildren,

Taylor Chase Pennington of

Little Rock, and Gabrielle Marie Pennington of Jonesboro.

A memorial service will be held at 2 p.m. Saturday, April 7, 2018, at the Harris Chapel with Bro. Jim Huffman officiating. Private burial will be at a later date. In Mary’s memory, donations may be made to the North Little Rock Animal Shelter, 1 Championship Drive, North Little Rock, Ark. 72116. Arrangements are by Harris Funeral Home of Morrilton. Online Guestbook: www.harrisfuneralhomes. net.

–––––❖––––– BEATRICE ROBERTS, passed away on Tuesday, April 3, 2018. She was born on July

16, 1923 to Herman and Lydia

Duncan Gwin, in

Cabot, Ark.

She was preceded in death by her parents; her husband of 44 years,

E.W. “Trapper” Roberts; infant daughter, Robbie Gwen Roberts; son, Jerry Roberts, of Menifee, Calif.; and sisters, Mabel Couch of Sherwood, Irene Brockinton of Cabot. She is survived by her son, Harold Roberts (Billie) of Sherwood; sister, Clara Jean Sims of Scott, Ark.; brothers, Herman “Bud” Gwin of Sherwood, and Bob Gwin (Daphna) of Cabot; five grandchildren; 11 great-grandchildren; two great-great-grandchildren; and numerous nieces and nephews.

She worked at the Ordnance Plant in Jacksonville and retired from Walmart (Jacksonville) after 17 years. She was a member of Second Baptist Church in Jacksonville.

The family would like to extend a special thank you to Kelsey Victory and Ann Victory for their faithful help and Baptist Hospice, especially Gail and Mary. A visitation will be held at 10 a.m., Saturday, April 7, 2018, followed by a funeral service at 11 a.m., at Smith – North Little Rock Funeral Home, 1921 Main Street. Burial will follow at Sumner Cemetery. Online obituary at www.SmithFamilyCares. com.

–––––❖––––– LOUELLA WASHINGTON SCOGGINS, 74, of North Little Rock, passed away on Saturday, March

31, 2018. She was a loving mother, grandmother, and great-grandmother.

She was a graduate of

Jones High

School and

Shorter College, and faithful member of the Usher Board of Bethel AME Church North Little Rock. She is survived by her son, A. Neal Scoggins (Erin); special nieces Pam Bryles and Shanisha Watson; and a host of grandchildren and other relatives. Services entrusted to Watson-Northcrest Funeral Home, 1801 Maple Street, North Little Rock, 501-812-5303. Family hour will be Friday, April 6, 6-7 p.m. at the funeral home. Funeral service will be held Saturday, April 7, at 10 a.m., Bethel AME Church, NLR.

–––––❖––––– KENNETH SPENCER, 69, of North Little Rock — Kenneth Spencer was born December

7, 1948 to Magdalena Spencer and the late

John Spencer,

Sr. Kenneth had the skills of craftsmanship like no other. He loved to fish and had a heart of gold. He was the world’s greatest dad, brother and uncle.

He was preceded in death by his daughter, Zondra Mary Spencer and father, John Spencer Sr. He leaves to cherish his memories two daughters, Mary Kilpatrick of Marietta, Ga., and Kenisha Spencer of Kansas City, Kan.; four sons of North Carolina, and Kenneth Spencer Jr (Peanut), Kenneth Spencer III (two sweet), Kendrick Spencer (Odis) and Kurt Spencer (Cricket) all of Kansas City, Kan.; his mother, Magdalena Spencer of North Little Rock, Ark.; six sisters, Johnnie J. Spencer-Booker of Hot Springs, Ark., June Glover of Oak Grove, Ky., Gloria Spencer and Mary Whitfield of Spokane, Wash., Joann Spencer of North Little Rock, Ark., and Kenya Johnson of Little Rock, Ark.; seven brothers, Pedro Spencer of Overland Park, Kan., Theodore (Charlotte) Spencer of Sweet Home, Ark., Joseph Spencer of Landstuhl, Germany, Eugene Spencer of North Little Rock, Ark., Isaiah (Ann) Spencer of Oak Grove, Ky., Robert Tracy Spencer and John (Kimberly) Spencer of Spokane, Wash.; 19 grandchildren and 5 great-grandchildren; a host of nieces, nephews, friends; and special friend, Allen Batemon.

Visitation: today 12 noon until 4 p.m. at O.T. Smith Memorial Chapel (at the funeral home). Family Hour: tonight 6-7 p.m., Lee Chapel A.M.E. Church, 421 W. 22nd, NLR. Funeral Service: tomorrow 11 a.m., New Dora Baptist Church, 317 Jamison Ave., NLR (McAlmont). Kelly Smith Funeral & Cremation Services, 8424 Kanis Road, LR, (east off John Barrow Road, next to Briarwood Animal Clinic), will be serving the Spencer family. To sign online guestbook, send flowers/condolences, and light an “In Loving Memory Of” Candle: www.kellysmithfunerals.com, 501-612-5607, “Because It Really Does Matter.”

–––––❖––––– MILRENE E. SPRINGER, 93, passed peacefully April 2, 2018. Home going services will be Saturday, April 7, 2018, 10 a.m., at Bethel AME Church, 815 West 16th Street, Little Rock, Ark. 72202. Interment will follow at Haven Of Rest Cemetery. CORRECTION: Family visitation: Today, April 6, 2018, 6-8 p.m., at Bethel AME Church. Arrangements by: Ruffin & Jarrett Funeral Home, 1200 Chester Street, LR, AR., 501-372-1305.

–––––❖––––– DENO VLAHAKIS, died April 3, 2018. Konstantinos George Vlahakis, best known for his famous and much missed

Chili Mac and

Frito Pie of D&D

Cafe fame, was born in Gythion, Greece, on November 7,

1925, to George and Demetra Polychron Vlahakis. As a teenager, Deno fought for the Greek Resistance and told fascinating accounts of experiences fighting the Germans during WWII, losing a thumb and finger when he picked up a grenade on a Greek beach.

Deno moved to the United States when he was 19, landing in Little Rock, where he eventually owned several successful restaurants, including D&D Cafe. Deno never met a stranger, loved to hunt, fish, cook, gamble, and make everyone he met feel like a good person. He was a member of the Annunciation Greek Orthodox Church.

Deno never married or had children, but was loved by his many cousins, Nikki Polychron Lawson (Larry), Chris Polychron (Janis), Kathryn Lawson Griffin (Will), Carole Lawson Lang (Chris), Jay Lawson, Natali Polychron, Nikki Polychron, Sam Stathakis (Liz), and Stella Stathakis McCrary (Rob). In Athens, Greece, he is survived by sister Souli Koutsileris, nephew Manoli Koutsileris, and nieces Janie and Maria Lintzeris. He is predeceased by his twin sister, Letta Lintzeris. Deno also was grateful for the friendship of Pete Vratsinas, Dee Sullivan and Bennie McCoy.

Graveside service will be at 2 p.m. on Tuesday, April 10, at Pinecrest Memorial Park. Thank you to all at Good Shepherd, UAMS, and Arkansas Hospice, who cared for Deno in the last year of his life. Arrangements by Ruebel Funeral Home, www. ruebelfuneralhome.com.

–––––❖––––– ERNESTINE BRAGG WILLIAMS, 89, Little Rock, departed this life April

3, 2018. Survivors: daughters Claudia, Wanda

Faye, Felicia,

Sheila, Yvonne; and a host of grandchildren.

A private family memorial service will be held in Illinois at a later date. Services entrusted to Larry G. Acklin Funeral Home, 8821 Colonel Glenn, Little Rock, 501-565-1800, www.larrygacklinfuneralhomes.com.

–––––❖––––– RONNIE ROSS WOOD, 73, Little Rock, died March 30, 2018. He was born September 21, 1944 to Richard and Ada Chism Wood Sr. Survivors are brother, Richard W. Wood Jr., and sister, Mary Griggs. Graveside service is 2 p.m., Friday, April 6, at Grizzard Cemetery, El Paso, Ark. Guestbook: www.rollerfuneralhomes. com/chenal.