Pulaski County

TONY WAYNE BALDRIDGE, born November 24, 1943 and transitioned on August 21, 2018. He was preceded in death by his parents and two siblings. He is survived by his wife, Mary, and son, Alan along with two brothers, Jim and Coy, two sisters, Patricia and Billie, four granddaughters, Victoria, Katheryn, Elizabeth and Emily, and one great-granddaughter, Adalyn. Viewing will be Saturday, August 25 from 12-4 p.m. the family will be available 3-4 p.m. Services Entrusted to Brown-Calhoun Funeral Service, 7117 Geyer Springs Road, Little Rock, Ark. 72209 501.904.6982. www.bandcfuneral.com. “Providing Families an Everlasting Service.”

–––––❖––––– DIANNE MARIE ARNOLD BIVENS, 68, died peacefully, in the loving company of her immediate family, on August 21, 2018 at her home in Little Rock. Dianne was born in Little Rock to James “Buddy” and Delores Arnold. She was strongly committed to her family and made many sacrifices to see her family succeed. Her love and spirit will live on in those who knew and loved her. She was known by many at her work as “the church lady”.

She was preceded in death by her father, James “Buddy” Arnold; brother, Jimmy Arnold and niece, Carrie Ann Arnold. Dianne is survived by her daughters, Kristy (Chuck) Ball, Jamie (Aaron) Reedy of Cabot; mother, Delores Arnold Walston; sister, Pam Arnold Spann of Little Rock; grandchildren, Dylan, Faith, Ashlynn, Nathan and Annaliese, all of Cabot; nephews, James “Little Jim” Arnold of Sparkman, Kyle Spann of Little Rock and niece, Kim Melville of North Carolina.

The family suggests memorials be made in honor of Dianne Bivens to Cabot Church of Christ, P.O. Box 97, Cabot, Arkansas, 72023. They would like to express a special thank you to her doctors and the staff at Fresenius Dialysis Center. “My flesh and my heart may fail, but God is the strength of my heart and my portion forever.” Psalm 73:26.

Funeral services will be 11 a.m., Saturday, August 25, 2018 at Cabot Church of Christ. Interment will be private. Visitation will be one hour prior to the service. Arrangements by Moore’s Cabot Funeral Home, 501-843-5816. Online guestbook: www.moorescabotfuneralhome. com.

––––– ––––– ISABELLE LAWRENCE BLAKENEY, 96, of North Little Rock, departed this life August 20, 2018. Viewing will be Friday, August 24, 2018, 1-4 p.m. at Ruffin & Jarrett Funeral Home, 1200 Chester St., Little Rock. (501) 372-1305. Also on Saturday, August 25, 2018, 10-11 a.m. at the church, prior to the funeral service. Funeral service will be at 11 a.m., St. Luke Baptist Church, 8205 Highway 161, North Little Rock. Pastor Eric L. Alexander will preside. Services entrusted to Ruffin & Jarrett Funeral Home.

–––––❖––––– CONNIE OTTS BRIXIE, 64, passed away on August 19, 2018 at Baptist Medical Center. She was born April 13, 1954 in Little Rock to Ross and Alene Taylor Otts. Connie was preceded in death by her father, Ross Otts and brother, Steve Otts.

She is survived by her husband of 45 years, Eddie Brixie; six children, Colleen (Jeff) Noggle, Russell Brixie, Sharon (Michael) Stearns, Laura Brixie, Matthew (Logan) Brixie, Savannah (Cullen) Cabral; mother, Alene Otts; 18grandchildren; four great-grandchildren.

Memorial services will be 11 a.m. Saturday, August 25, 2018 at Crystal Hill Baptist Church located at 18823 Crystal Valley Road in Little Rock. Cremation arrangements are under the direction of Cremation Services of Arkansas. (501) 313-5431. www.cremationservicesofarkansas.com.

–––––❖––––– CHARLES ALLEN DEISLINGER, 93, of Little Rock, passed away August 21, 2018. He was born in Fort Smith on May 31, 1925, to the late Marie Vaughn and Fred Deislinger, grandson of the late Hedwig and Charles Deislinger and the late Rosa Holland and Allen Vaughn.

He is survived by his wife, Dorris Karcher Deislinger; his children, David Deislinger (Berna) of Flippin, Arkansas, Debra Deislinger Farley (Mike) of Olympia, Washington, Danny Deislinger and Bridget Deislinger Kresse (Kevin), both of Little Rock, and Kevin Deislinger (Sabra), of North Little Rock; step-daughter, Pamela Welling Smith (Terry) of Cabot. Allen has numerous grandchildren and great-grandchildren. He was preceded in death by his brother, Harold Deislinger of Oklahoma City, Oklahoma.

Allen was reared in Fort Smith, attended the Lutheran School and graduated from Fort Smith High School in 1943. In September, 1943, he joined the U.S. Army Air Force Cadet Program. He was assigned to a B-17 Squadron as a flight engineer and was discharged in 1946. He graduated from the University of Arkansas in 1950 with a B.S.B.A. and was a member of Sigma Pi Fraternity. Allen worked at Southwestern Bell Telephone Company, network design department, retiring in 1986 with 36 years of service. He had 30 years of perfect attendance. He also was a member of the Telephone Pioneers.

Since 1966, Allen has been a member of Grace Lutheran Church where he served as Chairman of the Congregation, an Elder, member of the Board of Church Properties, Adult Bible Class and A.C.T.S. (Active Christians to Serve). He also served on the Board of Directors of the former Lutheran High School in Little Rock and was a former member of the Country Club of Little Rock. Allen served many years as a volunteer at the Central Arkansas Veterans Healthcare System and as a Red Cross volunteer, both in Little Rock.

Visitation will be this evening, Thursday, August 23, from 6-8 p.m. at Little Rock Funeral Home, 8801 Knoedl Ct. (NW corner I-630 and Barrow Rd.). Funeral services will be Friday, August 24, at 10 a.m. at Grace Lutheran Church, Hillcrest at Kavanaugh, with Rev. James C. Walter officiating. Interment will follow at Roselawn Memorial Park. Memorials may be made to the Building Fund at Grace Lutheran Church, P.O. Box 250769, Little Rock, Ark. 72225. Arrangements by Little Rock Funeral Home, (501) 224-2200. Allen’s online guestbook may be signed at www.littlerockfuneralhome.com.

–––––❖––––– ERNEST DODSON of Little Rock passed August 21. Visitation is 6 to 8 p.m. Friday, August 24 at Smith-North Little Rock Funeral Home. Funeral is 1 p.m., Saturday, August 25 at Full Gospel Church, Little Rock. Burial will be 11 a.m., Monday, August 27 at Forest Hills Memorial Park. www. SmithFamilyCares.com.

–––––❖––––– JEAN SHARON MUNN GIST was born on August 18, 1931 to Sewell and Mary Ethel Munn in Prescott, Arkansas. She went home to her Lord and Savior on August 22, 2018 at the age of 87. She was preceded in death by her husband, B. J. Gist, brother, Ronald Munn and her parents.

Jean was a loving mother to Sharon Johnson (Parker), Dede Shinabery (Mark) and Brian Gist (Sherri). She adored her seven grandchildren and eight great-grandchildren, with one on the way. They all loved their Granny Jean. Besides babysitting for grandchildren or great-grandchildren, Jean loved to garden and definitely had a green thumb. She was also a great seamstress and knitter. In 2004, Jean moved from Heber Springs to Maumelle to be closer to her family.

Visitation will be Friday, August 24 from 6-8 p.m. at Little Rock Funeral Home, 8801 Knoedl Ct. (NW corner I-630 and Barrow Rd.). A family graveside service at DeAnn Cemetery in Prescott will be Saturday, August 25 at 1 p.m. In lieu of flowers, release a helium balloon in honor of someone you loved, or make a donation to your favorite charity.

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

–––––❖––––– BETTY LARKIN, 67, of Little Rock, Ark., departed this life August 18. Family Hour: Friday, 7:30-8:30 p.m. at Antioch Full Gospel Baptist Church, 3824 Antioch Blvd., Little Rock, Ark.

Funeral: Saturday, 12 noon, Unity Missionary Baptist Church, 2922 E. 2nd St., NLR, Ark. Pastor Steven Brooks, officiating. Services entrusted to Robinson Mortuary, 1201 Dr. MLK Jr. Drive, Little Rock, Ark. (501) 3710111. “Service You Can Trust.”

–––––❖––––– CHANCE EDWARD LAYTON, infant son of Chasity Sherrell Thomas, of North Little Rock, went to be with the Lord August 19, 2018. Funeral service will be 10 a.m., Saturday, August 25th at Roller-McNutt Funeral Home in Conway with interment to follow at Robinson Cemetery in Conway. Guestbook available at www.rollerfuneralhomes.com/conway.

–––––❖––––– BETTY L. LOVELACE, 71, of Little Rock, passed away Saturday, August 11, 2018. She leaves to cherish her memory her children; Constance and Samantha Lovelace, siblings; Joyce Brown (Willie), Theodis Harris (Helen) and a host of relatives and friends. Funeral services will be held Saturday, August 25, 2018, 11 a.m., God Cares We Care, 7104 Mabelvale Cut Off Road. The family will receive friends tomorrow from 6-7 p.m. at the funeral home. Professional services entrusted to Hardy Funeral Home, 5300 West 12th Street (501)372-4129. To sign the online guest book visit www.hardyfuneralhomeinc.com.

–––––❖––––– LOLETA BEATRICE SANDERS, 81, of Jacksonville went into eternal rest with the Lord on August 15, 2018 at home surrounded by her loving family. Mrs. Sanders was born on February 14, 1937 to the late Sidney and Levolia Dednam in Jacksonville, Arkansas.

She is preceded in death by her husband Lee Roy Sanders; her son Paris Lamon Sanders; two brothers Herbert and Nathaniel Dednam; four sisters Altha Mae Veasley, Blanchie Pitts, Jearldean Ford and Geneva Sanders. She leaves to cherish her memories: one son, Gregory (Vanessa) Sanders of Los Angeles, Calif.; five daughters, Von (Reginald) Dyer, Romonia (Esther) Jackson, Lesia Smith, Djunia Sanders all of Jacksonville, Ark. and Angela (Anthony) Withers of NLR, Ark., 19 grandchildren, 21 great-grandchildren; one sister, Lenoria (Sylvester) Watson.

Homegoing celebration will be 11:30 a.m., Saturday, August 25, 2018 at Mount Moriah Church, 161 Toltec Mounds Rd Scott, Ark. 72142. Interment will follow at Rest Hills Memorial Park. Mrs. Sanders will lie to state on Friday, August 24, 2018, from 6 p.m. to 8 p.m. at Moore’s Funeral home in Jacksonville. Arrangements entrusted to Moore’s Jacksonville Funeral Home. Online guestbook: www.mooresjacksonvillefuneralhome.com.

–––––❖––––– LINDA MARIE SMITH, 62, of Jacksonville passed away Wednesday, August 22, 2018. Services are 10 a.m., Friday, August 24, 2018 at Moore’s Jacksonville Funeral Home. Interment will follow at Concord Cemetery in Furlow. Visitation will be 9 a.m. prior to the service. Arrangements by Moore’s Jacksonville Funeral Home. (501) 982-2136.