Pulaski County

EVELYN DORIS WILLIAMS ANDERSON departed this earth on May 30 to be with God the Father Almighty in Heaven. Born April 24, 1939, to David Lewis Williams & Ivy Williams in Deptford, London, England, Evelyn was as strong as they come. Even Adolf Hitler & the Third Reich couldn’t take her down. In 1941, the bombardment of England began. For 2 straight weeks, the bombs came down; destroying her neighborhood and her home where only her iron crib that she slept in kept her from being crushed by falling debris. Her earliest memories were of the nights her family spent taking refuge in underground shelters during the German Luftwaffe bombardment.

Evelyn was a graduate from Hemel Hempstead Grammar school where she was an exceptional student and athlete. She set school records in the decathlon; discus & the javelin throw, but her real passion was tennis.

On her 21st birthday she accepted a special advisor post to the French Ambassador to the United States, Mr. Herve Alphard. Fluent in the languages of French & German, she was an important part of the French delegation to the NATO alliance.

Her work for the French government took a turn that led her to Washington D.C., where she met Lt. Samuel W. Anderson, U.S. Navy. Smitten with the young Lt. Anderson from Morrilton, Arkansas, their courtship turned to marriage. Shortly after his retirement from the Navy, they moved to Arkansas to start a life together. In July of 1967, Evelyn proudly became a citizen of the United States of America.

Evelyn was a renaissance woman; a hard-working mother of two, working for Falcon Jet in the ’70s and then First Federal Savings Bank of Little Rock in the ’80s. She gave so much of her time to the benefit of others. She was a social worker for The Youth Home where she assisted children who came from impossible home situations.

Trinity Cathedral Parish was central in Evelyn’s heart. Elected President of the Episcopal Church Women in 1975 — she considered that to be one of her greatest honors. She started many of the Parish’s traditions including the Flowering of the Cross at Easter & the Parish Fair which was a favorite of the schoolchildren of Trinity’s Cathedral School.

She loved the symphony & the arts and she believed they were important to the education of children, so much so that she wrote, produced and directed a play call The Kinderconcert that included actors from the Arkansas Art Center & musicians from the Arkansas Symphony Orchestra, and of course, her sons, Shy and Timo.

Gardening, tennis and biking were her hobbies. She grew rose bushes that were the envy of the neighborhood and her skill at tennis caused her to be a top recruit on the mixed doubles circuit at the Country Club of Little Rock.

Her love for travel drew Evelyn to another career as a Flight Attendant for United Airlines. International routes were her specialty; after all, she could speak the languages! From Eastern Europe, the Far East, Australia and the African continent, she loved the adventure but her favorite was Paris.

The grandchildren loved her tales of travel and benefited from her perfect French she taught them while cooking in the kitchen making Shepherd’s pie, the ultimate cheesecake or everyone’s favorite … Nana’s Lemon Cake. The shared British traditions of Christmas crackers, her hand-made needlepoint Christmas stockings for each family member and soft boiled eggs with toast soldiers were uniquely “Nana”.

Evelyn leaves her two loving sons; David Shy Anderson (Charlotte) of Dallas, Texas, and Timothy “Timo” Anderson of Little Rock, Ark., grandchildren, Haley, Shy Jr., Paxton, Annaleise & Callahan Anderson, as well as her British side of the family; niece, Helen, Mandy and nephew Lee Williams; Gerald and Jane Paxton, children, Paul, David and Kerrie. She is predeceased by her parents and her only sibling, her loving brother, Robin Williams.

Shy & Timo would like to give thanks to Dr. John Meadors, Dr. Frederick A. Meadors, Dr. Gail McCracken and the very special staff at Arkansas Hospice for their love and kindness during Evelyn’s last days. We could not have made it through the darkest of hours without the pastoral care from the great clergy of Trinity Cathedral Parish — The Very Rev. Dr. Chris Keller III & Rev. Dr. James Russell Snapp.

In lieu of flowers, memorials can be given to Trinity Cathedral Parish & Catholic High School for Boys. A funeral service will be held Tuesday, June 5, 2018, at 1 p.m. in Trinity Episcopal Cathedral. The family will receive friends, guests and loved ones in Morrison Hall immediately following the interment of Evelyn’s ashes in Treadway Garden. Arrangements are under the direction of Ruebel Funeral Home, www.ruebelfuneralhome.com.

–––––❖––––– JOHN CRAIG CARSON, 54, of Maumelle, Arkansas, left this earth on May 29, 2018, to open a celestial location of the Two Dog Deck Bar & Grill. John was born in Bridgeport, Texas, on June 6, 1963, to Cecil and Earlene Carson.

John is survived by his wife, Susan Cromley Carson; daughters, Jordan and Heather Carson; parents, Cecil and Earlene Carson of Irving, Texas; his beloved dogs, Dallas and Chance; and a multitude of family and friends.

John found his passion for nursing later in life. As an RN, he worked in the Cardiac, LTAC, and ER units at Baptist Health Medical Center. John knew no stranger and always knew what to say to put a smile on anyone’s face.

Visitation will be held this evening, Friday, June 1 from 5 to 7 p.m. at Little Rock Funeral Home, 8801 Knoedl Ct. (NW corner I-630 and Barrow Rd.), Little Rock. Services will be held Saturday, June 2 at 10 a.m. at the funeral home. In lieu of flowers, donations can be made to the Humane Society of Pulaski County, 14600 Colonel Glenn Road, Little Rock, Ark. 72210 or CARTI, P.O. Box 55050, Little Rock, Ark. 72215.

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

–––––❖––––– JOHN C. GRIFFIN, 73, of Little Rock, a U.S. Army veteran, died May 16, 2018. Graveside services with Military Honors will be Friday, June 8 at 9 a.m. at Arkansas State Veterans Cemetery in North Little Rock. Mr. Griffin’s online guestbook may be signed at www.littlerockfuneralhome.com.

–––––❖––––– ROBERT WILSON JOHNS, Ph.D., died of lymphoma at age 82 on May 27, 2018 in Little Rock, Ark.

Bob was born June 13, 1935 in Nashville, Tenn., to Daniel Jay Johns, MD, and Elizabeth Holt Johns White.

He was predeceased by his parents and his brother, Daniel Jay Johns, VI.

Educated in Nashville, Bob graduated from Hillsboro High in 1953 and from Vanderbilt University with a BA and a MA in Teaching in 1958. Bob taught at Indian Springs School in Alabama from 1958 to 1967, thereafter earning his Ph.D. at Stanford University in 1974. His impressive doctoral dissertation examined the art of teaching history through biographies. Bob continued his formal career as a professor of education at UALR, where he retired Emeritus in 2001.

The depth of Bob’s intellect and the broad scope of his knowledge were remarkable. The solidness of his reasoning abilities and the durability of his convictions and views were a challenge to anyone willing to debate him. Throughout his lifetime, he was active in organizations dedicated to the art and science of teaching, as well as those concerned with equity and justice for all people. Thus, Bob earned the respect and devotion of his many friends, including education colleagues and the legions of students he inspired.

Fiercely proud of his Welsh heritage, Bob annually visited Wales and enjoyed concerts in London. A skilled tennis player and ardent fan, he attended the Wimbledon tournaments every summer for 27 years. An accomplished singer with perfect pitch, Bob sang with the renowned Robert Shaw Chorale and many other choral groups. As a gifted pianist, he played his Steinway for the enjoyment of many, as his knowledge of the classics was matched by his unerring ability to beautifully play any music by ear.

Bob’s family extends sincere gratitude for the loving pastoral care of the Trinity Episcopal Cathedral clergy and staff, along with the many spirit-lifting ministries of church members who generously supported and encouraged Bob in so many thoughtful ways. Bob was blessed with steadfast friends who loved him and cared for him with devotion to his wellbeing. We are deeply thankful for Dr. Grace Raja and her staff, whose wise, skillful care consistently cheered Bob and fortified his strength. CARTI’s staff members were unfailingly kind and gentle; we are forever grateful to them.

All are welcome to attend Bob’s funeral service at Trinity Episcopal Cathedral, 310 W 17th in Little Rock, Monday, June 4 at 2 p.m. A reception will follow at the church. Sign the online condolence book at www.ruebelfuneralhome.com.

–––––❖––––– JAMES “RAY” PEEKS SR., 69, of Sherwood passed away Wednesday, May 30, 2018. He was born September 9, 1948 in Pine Bluff, Ark., to Sylvanis and Ruth Smith Peeks.

He is survived by his wife of 52 years, Eva Peeks; children, James Peeks Jr. (Wendy), Kim “Sue” Whittemore (Danny), Janet Thrower (Trent), Connie Gabriel (Ricky), Carol Rogers (Gary), Tony Peeks (Rebecca), Chrystal Gray (Jeffrey), Beverly Larkan (Jamie); brother, Jerry Peeks; sister, Margaret Smith (Tommy); 25 grandchildren; six great-grandchildren and one on-the-way. He was preceded in death by his parents; sister, Barbara Stewart; and brothers, Jimmy and Johnny Peeks.

Funeral service will be at 10 a.m., Monday June 4, 2018 at Smith-North Little Rock Funeral Home. A visitation will be from 2 to 4 p.m., Sunday, June 3rd at the funeral home. Burial will be in Lonoke Cemetery. Online obituary and guestbook at www. SmithFamilyCares.com.

–––––❖––––– MARJORIE PRICE, 66, of Hensley passed away Wednesday, May 30, 2018. She was born March 1, 1952 in Little Rock, Ark., to William and Mildred Price. She is survived by her sisters, Sandra and Joyce Price; sister-in-law, Glendyl Price; and other extended family. She was preceded in death by her parents; and brothers, Franklin and David Price. Memorials may be made to Salem Cemetery, 2407 Lorance Drive, Little Rock, Ark. 72206. Marjorie will be lying in state at Smith North Little Rock Funeral Home on Friday, June 1, 2018 for people to pay their respects. A graveside service will be at 9 a.m., Saturday, June 2, 2018 at Salem Cemetery. Visit online guest registry at www. SmithFamilyCares.com.

–––––❖––––– DAVID CARROLL SMITH, 75, of Little Rock, passed away May 30, 2018. He was born May 29, 1943 in Marshall, Ark. David retired from Deluxe Video in 2006. He enjoyed metal detecting, bowling and square dancing.

Survivors include his wife of 45 years, Shirley Ann Smith; two daughters, Rachael and Keith Adams of Alexander, Ark., Kathy and Kent Bagley of Little Rock, Ark., and one son, Richard Kevin and Sherri Smith of Jonesboro, Ark. David had six grandchildren and nine great-grandchildren. He was preceded in death by his parents, Newton and Bernell Smith, a brother, Don Smith and one daughter, Dana Hyatt.

Funeral services will be by Pinecrest Funeral Home in Alexander, Ark., by Dr. Sindey Thompson on Saturday June 2 with visitation at 10 a.m. and services at 11 a.m. To sign the online guestbook go to www. pinecrestmemorialpark.com.