Obituaries

Pulaski County

JAMES (JIM) ARTHUR DEES passed away May 17th, 2018, at the age of 73. His is survived by his wife, Charlotte Smith Dees, his daughter, Michelle (Jay) Sandwell, daughter Chantelle (Pat) Bisbee, granddaughters, Jennifer (Phillip) McLane, Kylie Bisbee and Leah Bisbee, and grandsons, Jeffrey Sandwell and Andrew Bisbee. He is preceded in death by his mother, Emma Goforth Dees and granddaughter, Jenna Grace Bisbee.

In keeping with Jim’s wishes, the memorial will be private. The family would like to thank the staff at Hospice Home Care and also Capital Health and Rehab for their compassion and excellent care. Arrangements by Memorial Gardens Funeral Home of Sheridan (870) 942-1306. www. memorialgardenssheridan.com.

–––––❖––––– KENNETH RAY FLETCHER of Little Rock, passed away peacefully at St. Vincent Hospital on May 17, 2018, at the age of 35. Cremation arrangements are under the care and direction of Vilonia Funeral Home 1134 Main Street, Vilonia, Ark. 72173. Sign the online guestbook at www. viloniafuneralhome.com.

–––––❖––––– TRACY LEEANN HARRIS, 50, of Jacksonville, Arkansas, passed from this life on May 16, 2018. She was born in Stuttgart, Arkansas, on June 17, 1967, to Tommy E. and Charlene Garrich. Tracy enjoyed spending time in the outdoors, at the lake and with her beloved family and friends.

She is preceded in death by her father, Tommy Garrich and her brother Nicky Garrich. Tracy is survived by her mother, Charlene Knox; two sisters, Kerry Longnecker (Mike) and Brenda Garrich (Rick Haight) and a host of cousins, aunts and friends.

God looked around His garden and found an empty place. He then looked down upon earth and saw your tired face. He put His arm around you and lifted you to rest. God’s garden must be beautiful, he always takes the best. He saw the road getting rough and the hills hard to climb, so he closed your weary eyes and whispered, peace be thine. It broke our hearts to lose you, but you didn’t go alone, for part of us went with you the day God called you home.

In lieu of flowers please make donations to St. Jude Catholic

Church in Jacksonville, Arkansas, or to a charity of your choice. Arrangements have been entrusted to A Natural State Funeral Service in Jacksonville, Arkansas. Her online guestbook is available at www.anaturalstatefuneralservice.com. RICHARD PLUNKETT, 63, of Little Rock went home to the Lord on May 17, 2018. He was the cherished son of Don and Helen Plunkett. He is survived by his mother and sister, Donna Boroughs. Visitation will be held at Rest Hills Funeral Home on Sunday, May 20th from 2-4 p.m. Funeral service is at 10 a.m., Monday, May 21th at the funeral home. In lieu of flowers memorials may be made to the Conway Human Development Center or Reynolds Baptist Church. www. griffinleggettresthills.com. KEVIN RICE, 53, of Little Rock passed away on May 16, 2018, at home. Visitation will be Sunday at Ermert Funeral Home in Corning, 1-2 p.m. Funeral service will follow at 2 p.m. with Jeff Crain officiating. Burial will be at Richwoods Cemetery, Corning. Online condolences: www. ermertfuneralhome.com.

Mrs. ELDORA WOODARD SPENCER, 88, Little Rock, departed this life

Friday, May 11,

2018. She is survived by three children, Juanita

(Paul); Oneida, and Tommie and a host of grandchildren and great grandchildren. Funeral services 11 a.m., Monday, May 21, 2018, First Baptist Church — Highland Park, 3800 W. 18th Street, Little Rock, Ark. Visitation 5:30-7 p.m., Sunday, May 20, 2018, at the funeral home. Interment Rest in Peace Memorial Gardens, Hensley, Ark. Services entrusted to Larry G. Acklin Funeral Home, 8821 Colonel Glenn, Little Rock, Ark. 501-565-1800. www.larrygacklinfuneralhomes.com.

Arkansas

AUSTIN — Matthew Dewayne Brown, 27, of Austin passed away May 17, 2018. Funeral services will be 11 a.m., Saturday, May 19, 2018, at the Westbrook Funeral Home Chapel in Hazen. Visitation will be from 10 to 11 a.m. prior to the service. Online obituary at www.westbrookfuneralhomehazen. BATESVILLE — Peggy Ann (Williams) Stone, 81, of Batesville, passed away on Thursday, April 17, 2018, at Wood-Heights Nursing Home. Services: Roller-Crouch Funeral Home at 11 a.m. on Monday, May 21, 2018. Visitation: 10 a.m. on Monday prior to the service. Burial will be at Oaklawn Cemetery in Batesville. Guestbook: www.rollerfuneralhomes.com/batesville. BEEBE — Rose Monteen (Coleman) Ward passed away Thursday, May 17,

2018. She was born August 3,

1939, to William and Mary Ellen Coleman of El

Paso, Arkansas.

She was preceded in death by her parents; sisters, Murnell

Mundy and Marie Haynie; brothers, Judge Coleman and Dewitt Coleman. Monteen is survived by her husband of 57 years, Billy Ward; son, Mark Ward (Holly); daughters, Loretta Herndon (Woody), Leah Carter (Charlie), Sherri Butler and Sheila White; grandchildren, Chris Greenhaw (Shannon), Brandy Munoz (Jamie), Kim Ward, Jessica Rhoades (Adam), Andy Ward, Gregory Frazier, Luke White, Emily White, Courtney Richmond (Austin), Skyler Ward and Turner Ward; great-grandchildren Dalton Davis, Cameron Munoz, Keegan Rhoades, Hunter Greenhaw, Dayton Davis, Conner Munoz, Keelei Rhoades, Brently Tate and Olivia Tate; and many nieces and nephews. She was beloved by many.

Family will receive friends from 2-4 p.m. Sunday at Smith-Westbrook Funeral Home, Beebe. Funeral will be 2 p.m. Monday, May 21, 2018, at Smith-Westbrook Funeral Home, with entombment in Meadowbrook Mausoleum. Arrangements by Smith-Westbrook Funeral Home, Beebe. www.SmithFamilyCares.com. BROCKWELL — Jimmy Burris, 62, died May 16. Graveside funeral service will be Monday, May 21 at 2 p.m. at Norfork Cemetery under the direction of Eddie’s Family Funeral Home in Melbourne. Survivors include: Sheryl Burris (wife), Dhiaa Potts, Dondee Hill (daughters), Trinity Goode, Aviana Potts (granddaughters). BRYANT — Jeanetta “Ann” Porter, 75, of Bryant died Tuesday, May 15, 2018.

She was born during WWII on

May 9, 1943, at the Naval Base in Norfolk, Va., to Rizel and

Miva Bittle. She was a member of Pleasant Valley Church of

Christ.

She is survived by a large loving family. She was mom to both her three sons: Jim (Christine) of Bryant, David Porter (Tina) of Conway, John Porter (Helen) of North Little Rock, and Mom to many of her son’s best friends. Her grandchildren: Logan, Connor, Chloe and Ethan called her “Annie” and she was just Aunt Ann to her seven nieces and ten nephews. She was the oldest of her three brothers: Larry Bittle, Ricky Bittle and Benny Bittle, and her two sisters: Kaye Wood, and Regina Besancon. Ann was predeceased by her parents and her husband Gene Porter and grandchildren, Tristian, William and Alaina.

Graveside service will be at 9 a.m. at Pinecrest Memorial Park in Alexander, Saturday, May 19, 2018. Memorials may be made to St. Jude’s Hospital and Arkansas Children’s Hospital. Arrangements by Little Rock Funeral Home, 8801 Knoedl Ct., (501) 224-2200. Ann’s online guestbook may be signed at www.littlerockfuneralhome. com. CALICO ROCK — Dorene Acklin Ford, 68, died May 17. Visitation and graveside funeral service will be Tuesday, May 22. Visitation: Eddie’s Family Funeral Home in Calico Rock from 12-1:30 p.m. Graveside funeral service: 2 p.m. at Galatia Cemetery.

CASH — James Ronnie Phillips, 61, of Cash, passed away Thursday, May 17, 2018. Memorial visitation, May 24 from 5 p.m. – 8 pm, Cash Community Center. Graveside will be Saturday, May 26 at 10 a.m. at Buchanan Cemetery, Poughkeepsie. Roller-Farmers Union Funeral Home is in charge of services. Online guest book: www.rollerfuneralhomes.com. CROSSETT — Mary “Frances” Harrington Blissett, 95, of Crossett, died May 17. A Celebration of Life Service will be held at Second Baptist Church of Crossett, Sunday, May 20 at 2 p.m. Visitation will be Saturday, 6-8 p.m. For full obituary go to meddersfuneralhome.com or call (870) 364-6171. “Celebrating Life.” FLORAL — Lakey Loudean (McCall) Mansfield, 85, of Floral, died Wednesday. Visitation will be Sunday 6-8 p.m. Services will be held 2 p.m. Monday, at Powell Funeral Home Chapel in Bald Knob with Bro. Mike Fowler officiating. Interment will follow in Smith Cemetery. Arrangements entrusted to Powell Funeral Home Bald Knob-Judsonia. www.powellfuneralhome.net. GREENBRIER — Peggy Kay Johnson White of Greenbrier, Arkansas, passed away Tuesday, May 15th, 2018. Funeral services will be Saturday, May 19, 2018, at Beasley Wood Chapel at 2 p.m. Interment will follow in the Watson Cemetery under the direction of the Beasley Wood Funeral Home of Mena.

HOT SPRINGS — Carl J. Gessler Sr. died May 17, 2018. He was born February 9, 1930, in Kansas City, Missouri, to Paul and Carmella

(Mimi) Gessler, the oldest of three children.

He graduated from the University of Missouri with a degree in Business. He was based in Worm, Germany, during the Korean War, serving as a Private in the United States Army. After working for Celotex in Kansas City, he moved his family to Hot Springs, Arkansas, in 1963 to work for Dierks Forest Company (and subsequently Weyerhauser) as the Sales and Business Manager for the Gypsum Wallboard Divison until 1989.

Mr. Gessler was an active member of and contributor to St. Lukes Episcopal Church. He enjoyed horse racing, golf, The Jazz Society, but most of all, his family. As one of his younger family members described him, “He was the consummate family man, hugely magnanimous, and he had a larger-than-life personality”.

Carl was predeceased by his parents, his first wife Margaret Robinson Gessler, and his sister Elizabeth Gessler Ranallo. He is survived by his wife, Frances Cowan Gessler of Hot Springs, Arkansas, brother Paul E. Gessler Jr. of Kansas City, Missouri, his sons Bradley Paul Gessler (Susan) of Fayetteville, Arkansas, Carl John Gessler Jr. (Sarah) of Huntsville, Alabama, and his daughter Catherine Gessler Allen (John) of Little Rock, Arkansas. He is also survived by his grandchildren: Natalie Ramsey (Jonathan), Caroline Gessler, Lauren Rowe (Dagnal), Kristen Twitty (George), Carl John Gessler III, John Allen V (Lindsey), Megan Irwin (Clark), Elise Shea (Adam), and Laura Harrod (Christian) and 12 great-grandchildren.

The family is grateful for the care received from “The Caring Place,” and individual caregivers: Delores Johannsen, Joe Walker, Vanessa Stewart, Nita Seymour, Danyell Seymour, Kevin Jones, and Latasha Tollett.

The family requests that in lieu of flowers, donations be made to St. Lukes Episcopal Church, 228 Spring Street, Hot Springs, Arkansas, 71901, or the charity of your choice.

A visitation will be held Saturday, May 19, at Caruth-Hale Funeral Home, 155 Section Line Road, Hot Springs, Arkansas, from 1 p.m. – 3 p.m. The funeral will be held Sunday, May 20th, at St. Lukes Episcopal Church in Hot Springs at 2 p.m. Guests may register at www.caruth-hale.com.

HOT SPRINGS VILLAGE — Martha Masters, Hot Springs Village, Arkansas, passed away on May 16, 2018. She was born March 21, 1947, in Little Rock, to Harry and Doris Masters. Martha is survived by her brother, Doug Masters. A Memorial Service will be held at a later date. Arrangements entrusted to CedarVale Funeral Home. JONESBORO — Marvin Walter Clay, 88, of Jonesboro, Arkansas, passed away on May 16, 2018, at his home. He was born on August 20, 1929, in Pine Bluff, Arkansas, to the late Floyd and Edna Thain Clay. He was a faithful member of the choir at Carr Memorial Methodist Church for over forty years, married to Lucille Merritt on November

28, 1950, and a graduate of Pine

Bluff High School in 1947 where he played the trumpet in the band under “Scrubby”

Watson. He was an Army Veteran and served at Fort Chaffee in Fort Smith, Arkansas, and was employed at the age of fourteen at Pine Bluff Commercial Newspaper as a paper carrier where he progressed thru the years to circulation manage and eventually to business manager. After retirement he enjoyed traveling with family and friends ultimately visiting forty-six states including Hawaii and Alaska. He loves to drive and drove for McFarland Eye Surgery Center transporting patients and he also worked for various car dealerships in Southeast Arkansas delivering cars across the country. He also enjoyed golf, gardening, and spending time with his family, especially his grandchildren.

Survivors include his wife of 67 years, Lucille Merritt Clay of the home; two daughters: Luanne Clay Barker (Neil) and Marcia Clay Hutcheson (Rick); six grandchildren: Clayton Barker, Brian Barker, Chelsea Hutcheson, and Jennifer Hutcheson Huggins (James); two great-grandchildren: Drake and Bailea Bowen; and a host of other family and friends. In addition to his parents, he was preceded in death by one daughter: Carol Beth Clay; one sister: Louise Clay Hood; one brother: Tommy Clay.

Memorial services will be held on Tuesday, May 22, 2018, at 2 p.m. at the First United Methodist Church Chapel, 801 S. Main, Jonesboro, Arkansas, with Rev. John Miles officiating. The family will receive visitors on Tuesday at the church in Jonesboro from 1 p.m. until service time. On Wednesday, May 23, 2018, the family will receive visitors at Ralph Robinson & Son Funeral Home in Pine Bluff, Arkansas, from 2 p.m. until 3:30 p.m. Graveside services will follow at Graceland Cemetery, Pine Bluff, Arkansas. Guest Registry: www. faithfuneralservice.net. LAKEVIEW — Gathering of Friends for Kenneth Gerts, 53, of Lakeview, Arkansas, will be from 5 p.m. until 8 p.m., May 19, 2018, at Kirby & Family Chapel. Kenny died May 14. Survived by sons, Andre and Kevin Gerts; daughter, Sarah Gerts. Arrangements by Kirby and Family Funeral and Cremation Services. www.kirbyandfamily.com. LESLIE — William Harold “Bill” Kelley, 80, of Leslie died Wednesday. Survivors: children, Grace Dutton, William Kelley, Mary Kirk & Maria Kelley; eight grandchildren; 11 great-grandchildren; nine great-great-grandchildren; sisters, Rose and Grace; brother, Loyd. Graveside: 3 p.m. Saturday, Sylvania Cemetery, Lonoke County. Visitation: 9-11 a.m. Saturday, Roller-Coffman Funeral Home/ Marshall. Online guestbook: www.rollerfuneralhomes.com/marshall.MARVELL — Service for Michael Ray Russell, 62, of Marvell is 2 p.m. Saturday, Roller-Citizens Funeral Home. Visitation 1-2 p.m. Saturday. Burial: Sunset Memorial Park, West Helena. Survivors: wife, four children, two grandchildren, brother, sister-in-law, other family. Services directed by Roller-Citizens Funeral Home, West Helena, (870) 572-2571. Online guestbook www.rollerfuneralhomes.com/westhelena.

–––––❖––––– MENA — Bertha Davis, 99, of Mena, Arkansas, passed away Wednesday, May 16, 2018, in Mena, Arkansas. Funeral Monday, May 21, 2018, at Beasley Wood Chapel at 10 a.m. Interment will follow in the White Oak Cemetery in Mena, Arkansas, under the direction of the Beasley Wood Funeral Home of Mena.

–––––❖––––– MOUNTAIN HOME — A Memorial Service for Harold Eugene Jorgensen, 80, of Mountain Home, Arkansas, will be 2 p.m. May 19, 2018, at Kirby & Family Chapel. Harold died May 11, 2018. Survived by daughter, Debbie Johnson; three sons, Richard, David and Robert. Arrangements by Kirby and Family Funeral and Cremation Services. www.kirbyandfamily.com.

–––––❖––––– SHERIDAN — Anthony Edgar “Tony” Ciaccio, 70, of Sheridan, Arkansas, died at his home on Thursday. Funeral: 3 p.m. Tuesday, May 22, 2018, at Memorial Gardens Funeral Home Chapel. Burial: Memorial Gardens Cemetery. Visitation: 2 p.m. until service time. Arrangements by Memorial Gardens Funeral Home, Sheridan (870) 942-1306. www.memorialgardenssheridan.com.

ST. JOE — Carol Keeling Thomas, 80, of St. Joe died Saturday in Iowa. Survivors: husband, Ronald Thomas; children, Mae Thomas & Ron Thomas; sister, Lucile Horton; four grandchildren; two great-grandchildren. Services: 2 p.m. Sunday, Roller-Coffman/Marshall. Visitation: 1 p.m. preceding the service. Burial: Stone/Keeling Cemetery in St. Joe. Online guestbook: www.rollerfuneralhomes. com/marshall.

Out-of-state

MIDWEST CITY, Okla. — Eugenia Tilley McGehee, 93, of Oklahoma died May 12th. Survivors: daughters, Sonya Willhite, Linda Bromley & Rogenia David; eight grandchildren; 16 great-grandchildren; five great-great-grandchildren; brother, Harald Tilley. Services: 2 p.m. Saturday, Roller-Coffman/Marshall. Visitation: 6-8 p.m. Friday/Chapel. Burial: Freemon Cemetery/Big Flat. Online guestbook: www.rollerfuneralhomes.com/marshall.