Pulaski County
SANDRA ANN BANKS-YOUNG, 73, of Little Rock, went to join her Lord and Savior on July 3, 2019. She leaves to mourn and cherish her memories: her loving husband, Clarence; daughters, Michelle (Jason) Bonnick and Nakia Young; grandchildren, Jason, Latoya and Terrica (David) Gordon; six great-grandchildren; sisters, Betty Braswell, Mildred Bealer and Shirley Guest; brothers, Ulysses (Dorothy) Banks, Lawrence (Irene) Banks, Arthur (Lawanna) Banks and Donald (Carmen) Banks; and a host of loving nieces, nephews, cousins and friends.
Visitation will be held July 11, 2019, 2-4 p.m., at Ruffin & Jarrett Funeral Home, 1200 Chester Street, Little Rock, Ark. (501) 372-1305. The Funeral service will be held at 11 a.m. on Friday, July 12, 2019, at Greater Macedonia Baptist Church, 600 East 24th Street, Little Rock, Ark. Burial will be at the Arkansas State Veterans’ Cemetery, 1501 W. Maryland Avenue, North Little Rock, Ark.
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SUSAN ANNETTE BENNING, 68, of Little Rock, went to be with the Lord July 8, 2019. She was born on May 31, 1951, in Malvern, Arkansas to James and Cherie Beauchamp. Susan loved spending time with her grandchildren, reading, watching TV and keeping up with her friends on Facebook.
Susan was preceded in death by her parents. She is survived by her loving husband; Doug, two daughters, Bridget Burks (Lyn); Brandi Moran (Jon); four grandchildren, Jade Benning; Brandon Burks; Braylon Burks; Miles Moran and one sister, Barbara Taylor (Paul).
A Memorial Service will be held at 2 p.m., Wednesday, July 10, 2019 in the chapel of Roller Chenal Funeral Home, 13801 Chenal Parkway.
In lieu of flowers, please make memorials in Susan’s name to the American Diabetes Association, P.O. Box 15829, Arlington, Virginia 22215. Please share your memories of Susan at www.rollerfuneralhomes. com/chenal.
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MARY JUNE PURTLE (JUNE) GARNER, 92, of Little Rock, died peacefully on Thursday, June 20th, surrounded by her daughters, at Casa Zoe, Ajijic, Jalisco, Mexico. She was born in Cale, Arkansas to Hesterly and Opal Purtle and was the second oldest in the family of five children. Being the oldest daughter, she was known for her being a great help to her mother, a good student and a reader (when time permitted).
June marrried Oather T. Garner in 1948 in Little Rock. The couple has two surviving daughters, Susan New of Ajijic, Jalisco and Portland, Oregon and Judy Jennings of Portland, Oregon. Her grandchildren, Audrey Garner Jennings and Zachary New both reside in Seattle, Washington. She was a loving and attentive wife, mother and grandmother.
She is also survived by her sister, Pat Porter of Artesia, New Mexico and her sisters-in-law, Bennie Purtle and Irma Sue Purtle, of Sutton, Arkansas. She was preceded into death by her parents Hesterly and Opal Purtle, her husband, Oather Garner and by her brothers Hesterly Jr., Jake and James Purtle and many much loved family on the Purtle and Garner side.
She graduated from Central High school in Laneburg, Arkansas in 1944. Participating in the Nurse’s Army Corp Program of World War II, she received her RN diploma at Baptist Hospital in Little Rock in 1948. Her nursing career would span the next 40 years and include a BS degree in Nursing at University of Arkansas at Little Rock and a Master’s of Nursing from Emory University. She went on to be a director of nursing studies at University of Central Arkansas, Conway and Henderson State University, Arkadelphia, introducing a novel program for educating nurses throughout the state and beyond. She was a prolific writer, lecturer and consultant on nursing curriculum internationally. She ended her career as the Executive Director of the Arkansas State Board of Nursing in 1989.
Her retirement saw an increased attention to her church, Tyler Street Baptist Church, where she was active in the choir, Prayer Warriors and advised the Bangalore Baptist Hospital in Bagalor, India on its nursing program through a Church ministry. Her teaching skills and love of quilting were put to good use through her volunteer work at Friendship Village where she taught quilting to those international travelers at University of Arkansas at Little Rock.
She was well-loved as a mentor, teacher, friend, and, at the last years of her life, as a resident, in all of the communities she touched.
Services will be held at Griffin Leggett Healy and Roth 5800 W. 12th Street, Little Rock, (501) 6619111. Visitation is scheduled 6 p.m. - 7:30 p.m. Thursday, 7/11 with funeral at 10 a.m. Friday, 7/12. Burial will be at the Garner Cemetery in Dallas County at 1 p.m. Friday, 7/12. To sign the online guestbook, click “Add A Memory” at: www.griffinleggetthealeyroth.com.
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PAUL J. HARTNESS of Sherwood, Ark. went to be with our Lord Jesus Christ Saturday, July 6, 2019, at Methodist University Hospital in Memphis, Tenn., Paul, 77, was born to the late Ira and Louise Hartness of Monticello, Ark. on February 25, 1942.
He is survived by his wife of 35 years, Marie, sister, Shirley Hickman of Little Rock, sister-in-law, Shirley Knox of Sherwood, brother-in-law, Buddy Bevill (wife Sammie) of Blytheville, son, Nathan Hartness of Ward, daughter, Cecilia McBrier (husband Bobby) of Hensley, niece, Denyce Frisco (husband Tony) of Little Rock, step-daughters, Vicky Bradley (husband Tony) of Sherwood and Sherry Cox (husband Dave) of Benton, and step-son, Jeff Jenkins (wife Amy) of Little Rock. He was not only a loving husband and father, but also a wonderful grandfather of eight grandchildren: Candace Angel of Phoenix, Ariz., Ashely Rankin of Little Rock, Hallie Henderson (husband Sean) of Ward, Missy McBrier of Ward, Natalie Payne (husband Matt) of Cabot, Shannon Hanks (husband Kyle) of Sherwood, and Jennifer Furstenberg (husband Jeremy) of Rogers, Julie Harrelson of Bryant. He also cherished eight great-grandchildren: Savannah and Avery Angel, Avalynn Rima, Hunter Hall, Mallory Payne, Heelyn Hanks, Olivia Furstenberg, and Stayton Poachhacker; called “grandpa” by most but latest named “p-paw” by Olivia aged 27 months.
Paul did not meet a stranger; he truly enjoyed getting to meet everyone he came in contact with; he had countless dear friends. After receiving his Bachelors from The University of Arkansas-Monticello, he taught at Old Union High School, Eudora Public School, and the Arkansas School for the Blind. He received his Masters from Henderson State University then taught at Fuller Junior High and finally retiring from J.A. Fair High School. Paul proudly served 35 honorable years in the Arkansas Army National Guard. After retirement, he loved volunteering at the North Little Rock High School library and summertime at Baptist Hospital–Springhill. He loved dressing up as Santa every year for countless Christmas parties. Paul was a long-time member of Park Hill Baptist Church. He loved seeing shows, especially the yearly Disney On Ice show at Verizon Arena with Shannon and Heelyn. Paul also loved to travel. Unfortunately, he was on one such trip when he fell and was hospitalized. He would tell you he’s on his last trip, heaven bound, and would hope you too find Jesus and will gladly greet you when you arrive!
Visitation will be from 6-8 p.m. Wednesday, July 10, 2019 at SmithNorth Little Funeral Home, 1921 Main St., with funeral service at 3 p.m., Thursday, July 11 in the Funeral Home Chapel with military honors. Inurnment will be in the Arkansas State Veterans Cemetery on a later date. Please visit for online guest register: www.smithfamilycares.com.
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LELA CAMP HILL, 82, of Little Rock, transitioned on Thursday, July 4, 2019. Immediate survivors include children: Rhonda Key Youngblood, Phyllisa Mckey, & Wendell McKey; seven grandchildren, two great-grandchildren, and two sisters. A memorial service will be held Monday, July 15, 2019, 10 a.m., at Griffin Leggett Healey & Roth Funeral Home, 5800 W 12th St., Little Rock (501) 6619111. The family will receive condolences at 8780 Frosses Court, Sacramento, Calif. 95828. Please visit www.griffinleggetthealeyroth.com.
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BRICEN JOHNS, 42, of North Little Rock, died Sunday, June 30, 2019. Survivors include his parents, Ricky and Kay (Rutledge) Johns; brother, Bradley Johns (Lisa); niece and nephew, Gabrielle Johns and Carson Johns; maternal grandmother, Vernadene (McDoniel) Rutledge. Funeral services were at Levy Church of Christ, Friday, July 5 at 11 a.m. Committal service: Sandhill Cemetery. Arrangements: Jackson’s Newport Funeral Home. www.jacksonsfh.com.
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LINDA MAURICE LANGLEY, 66, of Sherwood, Arkansas passed away on July 7, 2019 at Little Rock Baptist Health Center. She was born on August 2, 1952 to Nathan Hellum and Carolyn (Holloway) Fuggett. A memorial service will be held at a later date. To view full obituary, please visit www.ArkansasCremation.com.
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JAMES MADISON SAWYER passed away Thursday, June 27, 2019, in Little Rock. Jim was born April 28th, 1924 in Falls City, Nebraska. He was raised in Rawlins, Wyoming. In 1942, he joined the Army and served in WWII as a driver in reconnaissance missions. Cremation Services of Arkansas (501) 313-5431. www.cremationservicesofarkansas.com.