Pulaski County

JANICE TURNER BINGAMAN passed on August 5, 2018 at Baptist Hospital after a long illness. She was born in Texarkana, Ark., but lived most of her life in North Little Rock. She graduated from

NLRHS and

UALR with a bachelor of science degree. She also graduated from Webster University with a Master’s degree in environmental management.

Jan was a scientist and an environmental engineer. She worked for ADH as an Environmental Specialist Supervisor, engineering section, clean water department. Clean water for Arkansas was one of her many passions. She was a certified beekeeper, a wonderful gardener and florist and won awards for her “Fairy tale” gardens at the Home and Garden Show. Her yard was certified by the National Wildlife Federation as a Wild Life Habitat. She was a wonderful cook, a scuba diver, expert swimmer, athlete and she loved going on travel adventures with her husband.

She was preceded in death by her parents, Robert (Bob) Smith Turner and Rosemary Harrison. She will be greatly missed by her husband, soul mate and best friend of 30 years, Bob Bingaman; her brother, Matt Turner (Ziggy) of Tennessee; her nephew, Colin Turner of Missouri; her Godchildren, Lelia Perez (Ben) and Harrison Mara of NLR; all her “adopted” kids, the Kerr kids, the Stroh kids, the Mara kids and all the people who loved her.

A celebration of her life will be on Saturday, August 11, 2018 at Roller-Owens 5509 JFK at 2 p.m. followed by a wake at Spectators, 1012 W 34th at 3 p.m. Memorials may be made to Carti or a charity of your choice. Online guestbook: www.rollerfuneralhomes.com/owens.

–––––❖––––– MELISSA ANN COVEN, 66, of Sherwood, passed away August 7, 2018. She was born on January 25, 1952 in Commerce, Texas to the late Robert and Florence Brett. Melissa retired from Arkansas Easter Seals after 24 years. She was an avid reader. She loved her grandkids and especially loved watching them

play sports. Melissa also enjoyed her “Girl Weekends” with her friends.

Melissa was survived by her husband of

47 years, Gary

Coven; son,

Chris (Gretchen) Coven and daughter,

Taryn Coven; six grandchildren, Whitney (Austyn) Pruss, Andrea Coven, Michael Coven, Carter Coven, Tucker Coven, and Miles Coven; great-granddaughter, Adalyn Pruss; siblings, Michael (Christine) Brett, Cindy (John) Gulledge and Joseph (Peggy) Brett. She is preceded in death by her parents; brother, Robert A. Brett, Jr.; son, Matthew Coven.

A rosary will be held Friday, August 10, 2018 at 6 p.m. at St. Jude Catholic Church in Jacksonville. A Memorial Mass will follow at 6:30 p.m. She will be entombed at the Arkansas State Veterans Cemetery at a later date. In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made to Arkansas Easter Seals or Children’s Tumor Foundation. Online guest book found at www.SmithFamilyCares.com.

–––––❖––––– WILLIAM ALFRED FERGUSON, aka Bill Allen, 98, of Little Rock, Ark., formerly of North Little Rock and Scott, Ark., passed Friday, August 3, 2018. William was born December 8, 1919 in Jacksonville, Ark., to parents, Oma Ferguson and Elizabeth Jackson. William was an avid Farmer and loved the outdoors. An excellent storyteller and born seer. Williams was raised by his great-uncle Fred Allen on Tom Steel plantation in Scott, Ark., and purchased his own farm in 1972.

He was preceded in death by his parents: Oma Ferguson and Elizabeth Jackson; wife Ida Belle Wayne Ferguson; two sons, one daughter and one brother. His is survived by many extended family and friends.

The family would like to extend special thanks to CHI St. Vincent Primary Care-Midtown, Dr. Scott Brown, and his caregiver for the past 18 years, Ermagene (Erma) Ferguson.

In lieu of flowers, please donate to the American Heart Association, 909 W. 2nd Street, Little Rock, Ark. Graveside services will be at 12 noon, Friday, August 10, 2018 at Little Rock National Cemetery, Confederate Blvd. Services entrusted to Ruffin & Jarrett Funeral Home, 1200 Chester Street, Little Rock, Ark. (501) 372-1305.

–––––❖––––– BOBBY R. HUNTER SR., 59, of North Little Rock passed August 7, 2018. Loving memories left to wife: Judy

Hunter, children: Bobby

Hunter Jr., Terence Williams (Shellena),

Greg Williams (Tanisha), Avonia Durby, and

Karonia Martin

(Jason), eight grandchildren, siblings: Freddie Hunter (Barbara), Charles Hunter (Lola), Ocie Hunter (Earline), Nathaniel Hunter (Melody), Lillie Laster, and Dorothy Couch. Visitation August 10, 2018, 6-7 p.m. at Superior. Homegoing celebration August 11, 2018, 11 a.m. at Gateway Fellowship International Church, 100 Alice Lane, Lonoke. Superior Funeral Services, 5017 E. Broadway, North Little Rock (501) 9459922. Online guestbook www. superiorfuneralservices.com. Trudean Long Brown “Providing Services Your Family Deserves.”

–––––❖––––– HELEN KUBAIKO of Little Rock passed away Tuesday, August 7, 2018. No services are planned at this time. Online guestbook:www.rollerfuneralhomes.com/ drummond.

–––––❖––––– STEPHANIE ANN MACHEN, 54, of Little Rock went to be with the Lord August

5, 2018. She was born in Stuttgart, Arkansas on June 19, 1964 to Richard and

Vickie Smith. Stephanie received her Doctorate in Audiology from UAMS.

She was a very compassionate person who lived life to the fullest. Stephanie loved holiday celebrations, shopping, gardening and spending time with her family.

Stephanie was preceded in death by her mother and sister, Brenda Howze. She is survived by her father; two daughters, Carly and Sophie Machen; brother, David Smith; niece, Jennifer Neighbors; and a host of loving family and friends.

Visitation will be held Friday, August 10, 2018 from 6-8 pm at Roller Chenal Funeral Home, 13801 Chenal Parkway. A Celebration of Life will follow Saturday morning at 10 a.m. in the chapel with Mr. David Smith officiating. Interment will be at Riverwood Memorial Gardens in Maumelle. Please share your memories of Stephanie at www. rollerfuneralhomes.com.

–––––❖––––– SHIRLEY DIANNE MARTINEZ, 45, of North Little Rock passed away Sunday, August 5, 2018. She was born March 16, 1973 in Little Rock, Arkansas. A graveside service will be held at 2 p.m., Saturday, August 11, 2018 at Mayflower Cemetery. Online registry at www.SmithFamilyCares.com.

–––––❖––––– KEITH ALAN MATHIS, born in the Lord’s grace on June 18, 1955, one of six children of Billy Mathis Sr. and Alma Lee Mathis of Little Rock, Ark., joined his Father in Heaven on August 1, 2018. He was a longtime member of Mt. Zion

Baptist Church where he was a member for the better part of seven decades, having joined

Mt. Zion under the leadership of The Reverend

Fred T. Guy. Mr.

Mathis served as an usher for over 20 years.

Mr. Mathis attended Little Rock Public Schools and graduated from Hall High School. Upon graduation Mr. Mathis enlisted in the U.S. Army and served his country in Germany for four years.

After his years in the service, Mr. Mathis attended Texas Southern University, The University of Texas Medical and Dental Schools and Philander Smith College in Little Rock, Ark. Mr. Mathis worked as a teacher in the Little Rock Public System for several years.

Mr. Mathis was a lifelong learner and in his later years studied photography and astronomy with zeal. He was also an ardent sports fan with a deep love for baseball, football and basketball.

Mr. Mathis believed in his Lord Jesus Christ and that in his death he would be reunited with loved ones who had preceded him in death: his Mother, Alma Mathis, who he adored and who adored him; his Father, Billy Mathis, Sr.; and his older brother, Gilbert Mathis. His loved ones will forever cherish his memory. They include his elder brother, Billy Mathis, Jr. and his wife Lisa of Redding, Conn.; his elder sister, Michele Bailey and husband William of Little Rock; his younger sister, Dana Smith and husband Derrick, of Little Rock, Ark.; and his younger brother Christopher Mathis and wife Linh of Frisco, Texas. His legacy also includes many nieces and nephews and a host of friends.

A memorial service to celebrate his life will be held on Sunday August 12, 2018 from 6 p.m. to 7:30 p.m. at Ruffin and Jarrett Funeral Home located at 1200 S. Chester St. Little Rock, Ark. 72202. Burial will be held at the Veterans Cemetery in North Little Rock at 1 p.m. on Monday, August 13, 2018. In lieu of flowers, please make a contribution to Philander Smith College, Institutional Advancement, 900 W. Daisy Bates Drive, Little Rock, Ark. 72202, in the name of Keith Mathis.

–––––❖––––– WILDER DAVID SMITH JR., 70, of Little Rock, passed away August 5 at the

VA Hospital-Little Rock. There will be a family hour Friday, August 10 at the

Pilgrim Valley

Baptist Church from 6:30 to 7:30 p.m. The funeral service will be Saturday, August 11 at the McAlmont Church of Christ, North Little Rock at 12:30 p.m. Services entrusted to HD Malone Funeral Home and Grief Counseling Center, 9910 Chicot Road, Little Rock, 72209. 501-246-4173.

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IRA RANDOLPH “RANDY” TURNER, 58, of Little Rock, passed away August 4, 2018. He was born August 24, 1959 in Little Rock, Ark., to Moses and Dorothy Turner.

Randy will be remembered by his two children,

Tinisha Turner and Cameron Wilkins; two granddaughters, Kennedi and Kyndall and a host of family and friends. Services will be 11 a.m. August 10 at Premier Funeral Home.

–––––❖––––– SYLVESTINE YOUNG WELLS, 65, of Little Rock passed on Friday, July 27. She was a loving wife to Homer

“HG” Wells. She loved her family and was a light to everyone that mattered.

She leaves a host of relatives and friends to mourn her passing. She enjoyed reading the Bible, crossword puzzles, children and old movies. Born to Elmo and Estella Young in Ratio, Ark., on April 15, 1953. She confessed Christ at an early age at Gumwood Baptist Church in Ratio. Viewing Friday, August 10 from noon to 4 p.m., Family hour is at 10 a.m. and funeral is 11 a.m., both Saturday, at St. Mark Missionary Baptist, 3725 Highway 161, North Little Rock. Kelly Smith Funeral & Cremation Services. For more information 501-612-5607. www.kellysmithfunerals.com.