Pulaski County
J.W. “DUB” BLACKWOOD, age 93, of Little Rock passed away on July 8, 2019. Memorial service will be 11:30 a.m., Friday, July 19 at Smith-North Little Rock Funeral Home with visitation one hour prior to service. Committal will follow at Arkansas State Veterans Cemetery. Please visit www.smithfamilycares.com for guest register.
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TERESA MAE CUPIT, 57, of North Little Rock, passed July 10, 2019. She was born December 21, 1961 in Ozark, Ark., to the late James Patrick Webb, SR and Lela Mae Simpson.
Arrangements entrusted to A Natural State Funeral Services, 2620 West Main Street, Jacksonville, Ark., 72076. 501-982-3400.
Online Guestbook: www.anaturalstatefuneralservice.com.
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BERNARD FRAZER, 84, North Little Rock, passed away July 1, 2019. He was preceded by wife, Harriet; survivors include son, Bryan (Angela); daughter, Miah (Jonathan); grandchildren, Brittney (Derek); Conor (Michelle); Brendan (Catherina); Wyeth; great-grandson, Miles. Celebration of Life reception is July 21st, 3–7 p.m. at The Greens at North Hills. Full obituary: www.smithsherwoodfuneralhome.com.
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KIMBERLY FAY GATRELL, 55, of Jacksonville, went on to be with her Lord July 8,
2019. She was born December 22, 1963 in Rockford, Ill., to the late Thomas Lee Floyd and Brenda Jane Branum.
Kimberly was a loving wife, mother and grandmother. She is survived by her loving husband Charles Gatrell; sons Charles (Hannah) Gatrell, Brandan Gatrell, and Daniel Gatrell; grandson Aaron Gatrell; granddaughters Kelsi Gatrell; mother Brenda Jane Floyd; brother Thomas Floyd; sister Karla Wheeler; and father-in-law Charles Gatrell to honor and carry on her treasured memory.
Kimberly is preceded in death by her father Thomas Lee Floyd and mother-in-law Louise Gatrell.
Visitation will be held July 17, 2019 from 6-8 p.m. at A Natural State Funeral Service, 2620 West Main Street, Jacksonville, Arkansas. Funeral Services will be July 18, 2019 at 10 a.m. at A Natural State Funeral Service. Interment to follow at Serenity Gardens, Jacksonville, Ark.
Arrangements entrusted to A Natural State Funeral Services, Jacksonville, Ark., 72076. 501982-3400.
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RICHARD WUN HINTON, as the sun scattered across the morning sky, where superheroes fly and dragons soar, The Heavenly Realm welcomed one its own on July 11th, 2019. Dr. Richard Wun Hinton took his final breath in his own home, surrounded by love and light, and just as he had wished.
Richie, his affectionate childhood moniker, was born in The Year of The Dragon on August 14, 1976, in Ashdown, Ark., to Mone “Sue” Hinton and Larry Wayne Hinton. Richie’s father was a metal processing specialist for C130s in the US Air Force during the Vietnam War who romanticized a beautiful Taiwanese Sue in her hometown of Taichan, Taiwan. The two wed on August 28, 1971, and returned back to Larry’s hometown of Ashdown to build a life and family.
Richie grew up playing on his family’s 40 acres with his older brother Terry. Together the two terrorized crawdads in the mud, played baseball and micromachines, and shared a love for fast cars and superheroes. Richie’s childhood and adolescence were pretty standard Southern Arkansas except for the rich sprinkles of ancient Taiwan stories, traditions, and love. He truly was an archetype of Yin and Yang, seemingly opposing forces coming together to create a complementary wholeness.
He attended Henderson State University whole pursuing the study of chemistry and later went on to attend The University of Arkansas School of Medicine where he spent the next four years. Medical school led to a residency at UAMS in anesthesiology which he completed in 2005. From there he began his career at Baptist Health in Little Rock where he would continue to work full time for the next 14 years, until three months prior to his death.
Richard loved his patients and caring for them and the Baptist OR was his second family. The love of his life were his sons, Max age 13, and Dominic age 10. Early in careers when most work as much as possible to get a good start, Richard stopped working weekends in order to spend as much time with his boys as possible.
He was known in the OR as selfless, kind, level headed, always concerned about others & disregarded himself, hard-working, and despite his radiation and chemotherapy schedules, he maintained his beautiful character of wittiness, positivity, and empathy for others and never missed a day of work. He was and will continue to be an inspiration of loving kindness and selflessness and his absence has left a hole in those hospital halls which will never be filled.
He is survived in death by his father Larry Wayne Hinton, his mother Mone “Sue” Hinton, and his sons Maxwell Maloy Hinton, and Dominic Asher Hinton. Visitation will be at Roller-Chenal Funeral Home Friday, July 19th 6-8 p.m. and memorial services on Saturday, July 20th 4 p.m. Memorial service to be held in his hometown of Ashdown at a date to follow.
Please share your memories of Richard at www.rollerfuneralhomes.com/chenal.
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SOUNDRA KAREN HOOPER, 73, of North Little Rock passed away on July 9, 2019. She was born in Newport, Ark., on June 17, 1946 to the late Pauline Wymer. Survivors include her husband of 36 years, George Hooper and cousin, Errol (Marquilla) Lewis. Her grandparents Frank and Margaret Lewis preceded her. Karen was a cosmetologist, a good homemaker and liked to work in her yard. She had requested cremation. Online guest register: www.smithsherwoodfuneralhome.com.
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WILLIE GEORGE JOHNSON, 62, of Little Rock, passed away July 7, 2019. Services will be held on Saturday, July 20 at 11 a.m., preceded by visitation beginning at 10 a.m., at Little Rock Funeral Home, 8801 Knoedl Ct. (NW corner I-630 and Barrow Rd.), followed by interment at Arkansas Memorial Gardens in North Little Rock. Arrangements by Little Rock Funeral Home, (501) 224-2200. Willie’s online guestbook may be signed at www.littlerockfuneralhome.com.
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RICHARD LEE JOHNSTON, 69, Little Rock, passed July 12, 2019. He was born August 14, 1949 in Gary, Ind.
Richard was a United States Army Vietnam Combat Veteran, as well as Purple Heart Recipient.
Arrangements entrusted to A Natural State Funeral Service, 2620 West Main Street, Jacksonville, Arkansas.
Online Guestbook: www.anaturalstatefuneralservice.com.
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DALE JONES, 67, of Little Rock passed away July 13, 2019. He was born February 15, 1952 in Marmaduke to the late Benjamin Jones and Louise Jones Leird. Survivors include his wife, Marilyn Jones, brother, Dewayne Jones, grandchildren, Caiden and Kariah Jones, and their mother Brittney. Complete obituary at www.SmithFamilyCares.com.
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ALEX NESTERENKO died July 10, 2019. Survivors include his children: Samantha Blakley and Nicholas Nesterenko (Laura); grandchildren: Bridgette, Ginger, Brette and Heidi. Visitation will be from 11:30 a.m. until 1 p.m., followed by the funeral at 1 p.m., Tuesday, July 16, 2019 at First Pentecostal Church. Guestbook at www.SmithFamilyCares.com.
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BRUCE SPARKS was a dreamer not afraid to take risks. He took a risk when he left his hometown of Little
Rock, Arkansas in the fall of 1978 at the age of 23, fresh from completing a four-year union apprenticeship as a carpenter, and following his father’s footsteps into the construction trade. He dreamed of being a construction superintendent like his Dad, and to one day be a contractor.
So he rolled out of town with his dream in a brand new Mazda RX7 headed for Houston, Texas where he had heard that commercial construction was booming again after the oil crisis of the mid-1970s. He set out hoping to achieve his American Dream.
He thought opportunity and the pay would be better in Houston. By all accounts he was right. Even though he did not know anyone there, he quickly landed a job, and it didn’t take long for him to become a superintendent. By the time he was 25 he was running jobs at the Herman Memorial Hospital and later supervising large apartment construction projects in Houston, and in Austin.
As he gained experience, his dream evolved into one of being a contractor and a property developer. He eventually made both dreams come true. The first when at the age of 29 he took another risk and moved back to Little Rock where he joined his father and mother in starting the firm Ross Sparks Builders, becoming president. And later he took another risk when at 42 he branched off to help start a residential property development company.
Bruce returned to Ross Sparks Builders a few years later, and helped lead the company until 2010 when he was diagnosed with early onset Alzheimer’s disease, which led him to retire. He was 55.
Albert Bruce Sparks was born March 31, 1955 in Little Rock, Arkansas to Ross and Barbra Sparks. He attended public schools in Mabelvale, and graduated from McClellan High School in 1973. After graduation he began his construction career. He worked on many familiar building projects across the city during the mid-1970s. Then in 1978 he set off for Houston, Texas seeking to achieve his dream of being a construction superintendent and a contractor. He achieved them both. He supervised the construction of hundreds of buildings over his career. He married twice, and had one son with his first wife, and raised two stepchildren with his second wife.
Bruce enjoyed life and loved people. He was a sportsman, and loved wing shooting. He raised and trained bird dogs. He loved hunting quail and ducks in Arkansas, and went on many pheasant hunts in the Midwest. He enjoyed fishing too.
Family and friends were important to him. Bruce made friends easily, and maintained friendships for a lifetime. He loved to dance. A loved one said, “He could light up any room and busted out the dance moves at any chance he got.”
Bruce loved his family, he loved his children, he loved his wives, he loved his friends, he loved his dogs, he loved his work, he loved to hunt and fish and he loved to dance. He was a good son, a good brother, a good husband, a good father, and a good friend. He will be missed by many.
Bruce was preceded in death by his father Albert Ross Sparks, and is survived, by his mother Barbra Ann Sparks, his brother Bryan K. Sparks, his son Albert Bruce Sparks Jr., and his stepdaughter Desty Dycus of Bryant, Ark., and stepson Chris Cotter (Carrie) of Dallas, Texas.
The family wishes to express their sincere gratitude to the friends and family who helped with Bruce’s care including Brenda Aldridge, Robin Cupul, Rick Jenkins, the many at Life Line Baptist Church, and the Hospice Home Care, but especially to his loving mother, Barbra Sparks, who gave selflessly of her love, her time and her energy to care for him over many years to the very end.
A visitation will be held Tuesday July 16, 2019 from 6-8 p.m. at the Dial & Dudley Funeral Home, 4212 Hwy. 5 North, Bryant, Ark., 72022. Funeral services will be held at 12:30 p.m. Wednesday, July 17, 2019 at Life Line Baptist Church, 7601 Baseline Road, Little Rock, Ark. 72209. To sign Online Guestbook: www.dialanddudleyfuneralhome.com.
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JOHNYE LEE SPEARS, 87, passed July 11, 2019. She was very active at the Jacksonville Senior Center, 100 Victory Street, where a memorial service will be at 10 a.m., on July 16, 2019. Arrangements entrusted to A Natural State Funeral Service, 2620 West Main St., Jacksonville, Ark. Her online guestbook: www.anaturalstatefuneralservice.com.
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MARY LOU STURDY-FROMM, 56, of Sherwood passed away July 12, 2019. She was born Sept. 27, 1962 to John and Dorothy Sturdy. She graduated Sylvan Hills High School in 1980 and Pulaski Vo-Tech in 1982. She is survived by her husband, Gary; son, Jacob (Torie), their children, and daughter, Emily (Noah) Jensen; and two brothers, Rick and Phillip.
She is preceded in death by her brother, John David.
Visitation will be at Smith-Sherwood Funeral Home, Thursday, July 18, 2019 at 10:30 a.m. with services immediately following at 11:30. Burial will be in Arkansas State Veterans Cemetery at 1 p.m. Online guest register: www.smithsherwoodfuneralhome.com.
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DONALD FRANCIS THOMPSON JR., 81, of Little Rock, went to be with the Lord July 8, 2019. He was born on October 24, 1937, in Atchison, Kansas to Donald and Lucille Thompson.
Donald was preceded in death by his parents and sisters, Patty Chapel and Carole Willming. He is survived by his loving wife, Mona; sister Sharon Gibson; and a host of family and friends.
After leaving Emporia State University, Don got his broker’s license and opened his own Real Estate Agency in Atchison. He then moved to Little Rock in the late ’60s where he continued in Real Estate before beginning another career path that he continued until retirement in 2016. He leased the first ice machine to the downtown Little Rock Club and the rest was history. He pioneered the first major ice machine leasing company in the city. Arkansas Ice Machine Company grew into full service and sales. In 1982 he expanded and added restaurant equipment sales with the formation of Aimco Equipment Company.
Don was an excellent businessman but his greatest passion was caring for family and friends. In fact, his friends were his family. He was full of energy, enthusiasm, compassion, and love. He has been described as “A servant of all”.
Visitation will be held Monday, July 15, 2019, from 5-7 p.m. in the Garden Room at Roller Chenal Funeral Home, 13801 Chenal Parkway. Funeral Services will follow 10 a.m., Tuesday, July 16, 2019, at Fellowship Bible Church, 1401 Kirk Road. Burial will be at Rest Hills Cemetery in North Little Rock.
In lieu of flowers please send memorials in Donald’s name to Arkansas Alzheimer’s Association, 10201 W. Markham St. Suite100 Little Rock, Ark., 72205 or Hospice Home Care Little Rock Inpatient Center, 2200 South Bowman Road, Little Rock, Ark., 72211. Please share your memories of Donald at www. rollerfuneralhomes.com/chenal.
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DINAH LINCOLN WELLS, 57, of Little Rock, passed away July 10, 2019. She is survived by her mother, Dorothy Opal Turner; her son, Cody Michael Wells (Shawnda) of Manila, Arkansas; her daughter, Brandi Nicole Hill (Nicholas) of Little Rock; sisters, Donna Turner of Little Rock and Debra Ruchti of Orlando, Florida; grandchildren, Aiden Wells, Xander Wells and Jaxon Hill; and four grandpuppies. She also leaves behind several aunts, uncles, cousins, a dear sister-in-law, other family members and close family friends. She was preceded in death by her father, Elmer Lincoln Turner, and her brother, David Alan Turner. Arrangements by Little Rock Funeral Home, (501) 224-2200. Dinah’s online guestbook may be signed at www.littlerockfuneralhome.com.
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JEFFREY LYNN WOODS, 71, of Little Rock, passed away July 6, 2019. Survivors include his brother, Clarence Woods of Mabelvale. Graveside services will be Wednesday, July 17 at 10 a.m. at Pinecrest Memorial Park in Alexander. Arrangements by Little Rock Funeral Home, (501) 224-2200. Jeffrey’s online guestbook may be signed at www. littlerockfuneralhome.com.