Pulaski County
FELICIA D. BEAVERS, 47, of Jacksonville, Ark., passed away July 3, 2019.
Loving and precious memories are left to children, Christopher Blackwell, Julian Barbee, and Yahna Beavers; parents,
G.W. (Barbara) Barbee, mother Viimolsri Howley; siblings, Gerard Barbee, Stephanie (Terrance) Johnson, Melinda (Henry) Laryea, Keyasha Barbee, Andre Jones, Jamal (Ashley) Umer, Keandre Jones, and Andrea Jones. Family hour Friday July 12 6-7 p.m. at Superior Funeral Service. Homegoing Celebration Saturday, July 13, 11 a.m. at Upper Room Apostolic Church, 19 Willow Wood Rd., North Little Rock. Superior Funeral Services, 5017 E. Broadway, North Little Rock (501) 945-9922. Online guestbook www.superiorfuneralservices.com. Trudean Long Brown “Providing Services Your Family Deserves.”
–––––❖––––– SHELTON CROSS JR., 97 years old, was with his family as he passed away. He was preceded in death by his beloved wife, Catherine, of 64 years, his parents, Shelton and Odethel Cross and his brother,
Bolls Cross. He was born June 1922 in Prescott, Ark., and he graduated from Camden High School in 1940. At 18, he joined the US Army Air Corps, before World War II broke out. He spent just over seven years serving state-side. He was a Quilt of Valor recipient. He ran Cross Appliance in Camden, Ark. He founded the Back of the Bus Razorback booster club. He retired in 1985 as a federal employee.
He is survived by his only child, Selena Clements; three grandchildren, Christi (Chris) Nolte, Natilie (Shawn) Wooldridge and Amber (Jeremy) Fore; and eight great-grandchildren, Catherine, Chloe Nolte; Macie, Emma, Brooke, Lexi Wooldridge; Jacob, Maddie Fore.
A Celebration of Life service will be held at Fairview Baptist Church, Hensley, Ark., at 2 p.m. Sunday July 14, 2019. In lieu of flowers, memorials can be made to the Hospice Home Care Foundation. www.griffinleggetthealeyroth.com.
–––––❖–––––
Dr. ROBERT H. EBERT II, age 61, died at home in North Little Rock, Ark., on June 17, 2019. The cause of death was a heart attack. Dr. Ebert was born in Little Rock, Ark., on March 29, 1958 to Dr. Richard V. Ebert and Shirley F. Ebert. He moved with his family to St. Paul, Minn., in 1966 where he graduated from St. Paul Academy. He then received his A.B. degree from Harvard College with a cum laude in Biology. He continued his education by receiving his M.A. degree in Neurobiology from the University of California at Berkeley. Dr. Ebert received a Ph.D. degree in Biochemistry and Molecular Biology from the University of Arkansas for Medical Sciences and his M.D. degree from the University of Arkansas College of Medicine. He spent his internship and residency in Psychiatry at the University of Oklahoma-Tulsa and his fellowship in Geriatric Psychiatry at Duke University. Dr. Ebert was Board Certified in Psychiatry by the American Board of Psychiatry and Neurology as well as Board Certified in Geriatric Psychiatry. His awards include the Richard V. Ebert Award from the Department of Internal Medicine, University of Arkansas College of Medicine and the Outstanding Clinical Service in IMPACT (Program of Assertive Community Treatment) from the Department of Psychiatry, University of Oklahoma-Tulsa.
Dr. Ebert had served 15 years at the Central Arkansas Veterans Healthcare System, North Little Rock. He was an outstanding clinician and cared deeply about his patients.
Dr. Ebert had a great love for the outdoors. He loved his family’s summer home in Cornucopia, Wis., by Lake Superior where he loved to fish in the lakes and streams. He had a contagious smile and a great sense of humor. His family and friends will miss his laughter. Dr. Ebert was devoted to his family, and he will be greatly missed.
Dr. Ebert is survived by his two brothers: Dr. Michael H. Ebert (wife, Ellen) of Guilford, Conn., and Richard V. Ebert Jr. (wife, Seyin) of Fayetteville, Ark., and by two sisters: Constance A. Ebert of St. Paul, Minn., and Susan L. Ebert of Minneapolis, Minn., along with many nieces and nephews.
Private arrangements were under the direction of Ruebel Funeral Home, www.ruebelfuneralhome.com.
–––––❖––––– LINDA BLAINE FLAKE, 81, a nationally known artist died June 30, 2019, in Little Rock. She was born in Little Rock June 26, 1938.
She is survived by her husband of 59 years, L. Dickson Flake; daughter Leslye Blaine Flake (Shellam), Ray Shellam; brother Fletcher Blaine Clement III, his son Fletcher Blaine Clement IV; granddaughter, Sarah Blaine Shellam; and niece, Chloe Raven Clement. Many close relatives, (brother-in-law John Flake (Karen) and relationships she cherished in both her husband’s family. Her parents, Fletcher Blaine Clement Jr., and Imogene Clement (Crowder) preceded her in death.
Linda was a beloved person in her family, the art community and almost everyone who came in contact with her. She met no stranger; everyone ended a conversation with her like a best friend. She attended school in Little Rock, graduated high school in Morocco and finished her education in Switzerland.
She was an exceptional artist as early as elementary school and art became her passion, profession and a gift she shared both privately and publicly. She refined her art under many international artists and traveled China, Indonesia, Europe, and the United States to broaden her expertise. Besides one-man shows and the Governor’s Award, she was exhibited in many national and local galleries.
Linda’s art was only exceeded by her effervescent personality. Her laughter was contagious and everyone remembers their encounter with her. She was generous from her heart and helped those in need, regardless of an organized cause.
There will be a service for Linda Flake at 2nd Presbyterian Church, at 600 Pleasant Valley Dr., Little Rock, Ark. 72227, on Friday, July 12, 2019 at 11 a.m. with a reception at the church afterwards. Those wishing to express condolences may make a memorial gift to the Jones Eye Institute, UAMS Foundation for the John P. Shock Endowed Chair for Research, 4301 W. Markham St., Little Rock, Ark. 72205, or of the charity of their choice in Linda’s name. Arrangements are under the direction of Ruebel Funeral Home, www.ruebelfuneralhome.com
–––––❖–––––
MOLLY BELLE HARROD GARRETT, 98, of Little Rock passed away Monday, July 8, 2019. Services will be Friday, 10 a.m., July 12 at SmithNorth Little Rock Funeral Home, with burial following in Arkansas Memorial Gardens. Visit www.SmithFamilyCares.com for full obituary and online guest register.
–––––❖–––––
EVELYN MARIE GRAHAM, age 88, of Jacksonville, passed away Sunday, July 7, 2019 in Little Rock. She was born November 22, 1930 in Jonesboro, Ark., to the late Thomas and Florence Sparks Schaffrin. On April 3, 1951 she married Jack Graham in Mississippi. He preceded her in death in 1996. Mrs. Graham was also preceded in death by two daughters, Quinna Flores in 1995, Wendy Russell in 2007. Her son, Thomas Graham passed away on July 7, 2019, the same day as Mrs. Graham.
She is survived by six children, Timothy East of Kansas, Dawn Graham of Conway, Jacklyn (Gordon) Hull of Atlanta, Ga., Kristi (Robert) Graham of Atlanta, Ga., Steffi English of California, Angela (Todd) Edwards of Atlanta, Ga.; sister, Fern Burgess of St. Charles, Mo.; numerous grandchildren and great-grandchildren.
Memorial services will be 11 a.m. Thursday, July 11, 2019 at Moore’s Jacksonville Funeral Home with Graham Baskin officiating. Inurnment will follow at Rest Hills Memorial Park in North Little Rock. Cremation arrangements are under the direction of Moore’s Jacksonville Funeral Home. (501) 982-2136. www.mooresjacksonvillefuneralhome.com.
–––––❖––––– ALEXANDER EVERETT HARRIS JR., 77, died July 6, 2019 in the Baptist Health Medical Center-Little Rock surrounded by his wife, family, and friends. He was born the first child and son of Lt. Col. Alexander Everett Harris and Alma Fletcher Walker Harris on December 23, 1941 in Carmel, California. He attended high school in Taipei, Taiwan and graduated high school from Missouri in 1958. He then continued his education in Michigan State, where he obtained his Bachelor’s Degree with a major in Police Administration.
He was a self-made man by building a professional career with his educational foundation. His career unfolded beginning with the Berkley Police Department in California. He later relocated to Little Rock to be near his parents and became employed by the Little Rock Police Department. He later served as Director of Security with St. Vincent Infirmary.
In 1968, he met his wife, Shirlene, and they married in May of 1969. They made their home in Little Rock, Ark. She was a Registered Nurse employed by Baptist Hospital. In 1970, he started his first company, Harris Enterprises, specializing in Fire and Safety equipment - later adding police supplies and equipment, as well as air warning systems. In the meantime, he added the family business, Russell L. Harris and Everett Harris Arkansas Texas Partnership Farms, serving as business manager. He continued his business career and company until his death.
Upon his death, air warning systems function as a testament to his expertise in the following states: Arkansas, Oklahoma, Texas, Tennessee, and Louisiana. In addition, he did not neglect his civic duties as a citizen. He served on the Pulaski county juries, president of the Twin Lakes subdivision homeowners’ association, and as a volunteer fireman for the Crystal Hill Fire Department.
In addition to his parents, he was preceded in death by his brother, James Walker Harris (Miriam), Burlington, N.C. He is survived by Shirlene Wynell Robertson Harris, his wife of 50 years; his son, John Everett Harris, MD and wife Nichole Harris of White Hall, Arkansas; sister-in-law, Miriam Wood Harris Gardner (Jim), North Fort Myers, Fla.; brother-in-law, Burl Dean Robertson (Liz), Star City, Ark.; niece, Robyn Harris Dudas-Washington (William), Virginia; two nephews, James Walker Harris II, Little Rock, Ark.; Keith Dewayne Robertson (Missy), Star City, Ark.; two granddaughters, Madison Elaine Harris Dykes (Jeremy), Birmingham, Ala.; Hannah Elizabeth Harris, White Hall, Ark.; one step-granddaughter, Morgan Nicole Shandy, White Hall, Ark.; one step-grandson, Braden Dwayne Shandy, White Hall, Ark.; one chosen other child, Kadeem Alexander Smith, DeWitt, Ark.; three great-nephews, Joshua Alan Robertson, Star City, Ark.; Sean Alexander Dudas, Norfolk, Va.; James Walker Harris III, Sicklerville, N.J.; six great-nieces, Samantha Rose Harris, Little Rock, Ark.; Rebecca Catherine Harris, Sicklerville, N.J.; Josie Dawn Robertson, Star City, Ark.; Grace Olivia Dudas, Reader, Pa.; Elizabeth Rose Dudas, Reader, Pa.; Ashley Nicole Dudas Wood (Timothy), Reader, Pa.; two step great-nieces, Kristina Delaine Washington, Danielle Marie Washington, Pa.
A visitation celebration of thanksgiving of his life and resurrection will be held at the Griffin Leggett Healey and Roth Funeral Home on Wednesday, July 10th at 6 pm, a mass will be held at Christ the King church on Rodney Parham at 12 noon on July 11th, and graveside service will be held at the Oakland Cemetery at Monticello, Arkansas, on July 11th at 3 p.m.
Pallbearers include Mike Mays, Arkansas; Larry Robertson, Arkansas; Matt Miles, Arkansas; Charles Lea, Florida; Jerry Mathews, Arkansas; Tommy Bacon, Florida; James Walker Harris, Arkansas; and Joshua Robertson, Arkansas. Honorary pallbearers include David Hale, Iowa, Mike Zimmerman, Texas; Philip Whiteaker, Arkansas; Scott Horne, Texas; J. T. Cantrell, Arkansas; Demitrius Anderson, Arkansas; John Adamson, North Carolina; Jimmy McGhee, Arkansas; Ronnie McGhee, Arkansas; Boe Fontaine, Arkansas; and Keith Eremea, Arkansas.
A special thank you to those who rendered bedside care and services during this hard-fought battle with glioblastoma multiform goes to Rhonda Finney, ANP; Mike Bacon; Demitrius Anderson; Marie Graham; Dr. Xiang Gao, Dr. Brad Baltz; Nichole Harris, RN; John Harris, MD; Marcia Erbland, MD; Cary Curzon; Wyck Nesbitt; Cindy Blythe; Buddy Youngblood; Nancy Ryburn, PhD; Barbara Samuels, JD; Diane Marks; Jerry and Judy Mathews; Veronica Clark; Melinda Elliott, LPN, and A+ Medical.
Thank you for all who visited, called, and prayed during this time. In lieu of flowers, memorial gifts may be sent to either Baptist Medical Center - Little Rock charity, or your church of choice. Please share your love and support with the family and sign the online guest book on our website at griffinleggetthealeyroth.com.
–––––❖–––––
RICHARD HAYES JR., 21, of Little Rock, Ark., departed this life July 1, 2019. He was preceded in death by his grandfather: Clifton Armstrong and aunt: Colette Armstrong. He leaves to cherish his memories, his parents: Richard and Cherry Hayes; siblings: Jermaine Wiggins (Danielle), Coreshia Rush and Redrecca Hayes all of Little Rock; grandmothers; Maxine Armstrong and Irene Hayne along with a host of nieces, nephews, aunts, uncles, cousins and friends.
Family Hour: Friday, 5:30-7 p.m. and Life Celebration: Saturday 11 a.m. both at Greater Trinity COGIC, 2400 Wright Ave., LR. Services entrusted to Robinson Mortuary, 1201 DR. MLK Jr. Drive, LR, Ark. (501) 371-0111. “Service You Can Trust.”
–––––❖–––––
Rev. ALEX INGRAM JR. of North Little Rock, departed this life June 28. Service: today, 11 a.m. at First Liberty Hill Baptist Church 28th and Spring St. Pastor Herschel Lovelace officiating. Services entrusted to Robinson Mortuary, 1201 Dr. MLK Jr. Drive, LR (501) 371-0111. “Service You Can Trust.”
–––––❖–––––
KATIE MAE JACKO born January 25, 1925 and passed July 4, 2019. Survived by daughters,
Janey (George) Green & Paulette (James) Nowden; one son, George Jacko Jr., one sister, Hattie Johnson; nine grandchildren, 25 great-grandchildren. Graveside Services Friday, July 12, 2019, 11 a.m. Little Rock Veterans Cemetery. Arrangements Gunn Funeral Home (501) 660-4323.
–––––❖––––– CAROLYN JEAN JONES, 66 of Sherwood, Arkansas passed from this life on July 8, 2019. She was born on January 16, 1953 in Little Rock, Arkansas to the late Joe Guy Jr and Imogene Henry Fisher. Carolyn attended First Pentecostal Church of North Little Rock and was a devout Christian.
She is survived by her children Donald Joe Blakley (Kristi), Jeremiah Blakley (Sarah), George Holcomb (Heather), Nathan Jones; grandchildren Paige, Tyler, Blaine, Blair, Briley, Briel Blakley, Tallen and Beckett Holcomb; siblings Joe Fisher lll (Pat), Gale Hess, Ronnie Fisher (Sue) and a host of nieces, nephews, friends and family.
A celebration of her life will be held on Saturday, July 13, 2019 at 11 a.m. at All Souls Church in Scott, Arkansas. Cremation arrangements have been entrusted to A Natural State Funeral Service in Jacksonville, Arkansas. Her online guestbook is available at www. anaturalstatefuneralservice.com.
–––––❖–––––
Baby TEYONNA JONES of Little Rock, Ark., departed this life July 5, 2019. She leaves to cherish her memory: parents; Tavio Jones and Cierra McClure; siblings: Keyonna, King, and Tavio Jr., and a host of family and friends. Service: Friday: 12 noon at RMLR. Services entrusted to Robinson Mortuary, 1201 DR. MLK Jr. Drive, LR, Ark. (501) 371-0111. “Service You Can Trust.”
–––––❖––––– CAMILLE ANNETTE KAGY, born October 3, 1938 to Camille Anthony Metrailer and
Lucille Pauline Frederick Metrailer, passed away peacefully on July 7, 2019.
Annette was a graduate of Mount Saint Mary Academy and received her Medical Technology Certificate in 1958 and her Bachelor of Science degree from Little Rock University in 1960.
She married John Kemp Kagy in 1960, and they were the parents of three children: John Jeffrey Kagy of Boston, Mass., Camille Anne Chambers of North Little Rock, and Matthew Kemp Kagy of Little Rock. Predeceased by her husband and parents, she is survived by her three children; brothers, Fred Metrailer (Robyn) of Tulsa, Albert Metrailer (Kathy) of Dallas, Jim Metrailer (Vickey) of Little Rock; and her five grandchildren whom she adored: Bradey Chambers, Zachary Kagy, Michael Kagy, Kemp Kagy, and Samantha Kagy.
Annette was an accomplished fashion model, skilled and caring medical technologist, teacher, and a volunteer at Arkansas Hospice. She was a member of the Civil Air Patrol and participated in a search and rescue mission in that capacity.
She was a naturally gifted artist whose preferred medium was pastel chalk on sandpaper. Her ability to utilize lighting and its effects on a scene in a painting was remarkable and unique. She created innumerable paintings and pottery pieces during her active years.
Annette was an exceptionally strong and intelligent lady whose grace shone brightly in every situation.
The most important role in her life was being a loving wife to her husband and caring mother to her children. She loved her family dearly and gave of herself freely and happily.
Rosary service will be at Our Lady of the Holy Souls Catholic Church at 7 p.m. Thursday, July 11th with Mass of Christian Burial 10 a.m. Friday, July 12 at the church with Msgr. Lawrence Frederick, Celebrant. Inurnment will follow in Holy Souls Columbarium.
In lieu of flowers, please send donations to Arkansas Pregnancy Resource Center, Catholic High School for Boys, and the Allen School for children with special needs.
The family would like to thank Nurse Barbara from ICU and the caregivers at Arkansas Hospice for their loving treatment of our mother during her final days. To sign the online guestbook, click “Add A Memory” at: www.griffinleggetthealeyroth.com.
–––––❖––––– On Tuesday, July 2, 2019 MELVIN JAMES LOGAN, 75, of Little Rock, transitioned from this life to be in the presence of the Lord. He was preceded in death by his father, Charlie Logan Sr.; brother, Charlie Logan Jr.; sister, Dr. Dorothy Alexander; maternal grandparents, Bennie and Annie Griffin; paternal grandparents, George Logan and Willie Vaughn; special aunts, uncles and nephews. He leaves to cherish fond memories and celebrate his legacy: wife, Alice Ruth Logan; four children, Rachel (Vender) Holt, Reginald (Veronica) Logan, Brian (Sharon) Logan, and Mary Logan; eight grandchildren, seven great-grandchildren and a host of brothers and sisters-in-law, aunts, uncles, cousins, nieces, nephews and special extended families (The Fosters and Smiths), and friends he loved dearly. Mr. Logan was an extraordinary man; his family was his entire world. He was an educator and loved teaching youth.
Funeral services will be held at First Baptist Church Otter Creek, on Saturday, July 13, 2019, 10 a.m., 1601 S. Gaines St., LR, Ark. 72206. Burial will follow at Pinecrest Memorial Park, 7401 Hwy. 5 N., Alexander, Ark. 72002. The family hour will be July 12, 2019, 7:30-8:30 p.m., Ruffin & Jarrett Funeral Home 1200 So. Chester Street, Little Rock, Ark. 72202 (501) 372-1305.
–––––❖––––– WILLADEAN “DEAN” BRANDON MACKEY, aka Gram, 87, of Little Rock, passed away on July 7, 2019 following a short illness. She was born to Joseph Henry Brandon and Grace Viola Brandon of Campbell, Mo., on May 22, 1932. She was married for 67 years to Marcus “Gene” Mackey, who passed away on January 8, 2019. Living in multiple states during Gene’s military career, they settled in Little Rock in 1961. They resided primarily in Cammack Village, where she owned a beauty shop behind their Englewood home, retiring at age 78.
She is survived by her children Terryl Mackey, M.D., of Johnstown, Pa., and Mark Mackey of Little Rock, Ark., as well as her grandchildren (great-grandchildren), Lauren Licatino (Owen, Henry, Cora Rose – due to arrive next week) of Rochester, Minn., P. Logan Weygandt of Baltimore, Md., Terryn Lawrence (Evelyn, Clara) of Minneapolis, Minn., Nicole Mackey Fijman of Utica, Miss., and Jared Mackey of Little Rock, Ark.
Her greatest joy in life was being with her family. When family and friends were asked about her most endearing qualities, they offered the following: “Constantly exhibited an exuberant smile.” “When she smiled, you could almost feel her wrapping her arms around you!” “No matter the situation, her demeanor was always upbeat and witty.” “She never met a stranger in or out of her beautician’s chair.” “She was a woman of quiet faith and dignity and loved all people for who they were.” “She was soft of skin, soft in demeanor, but incredibly strong of character.” “It really sums it up that she lived in Grace.”
A celebration of a life well lived will be held on Saturday, July 13, 2019 at 10 a.m. at Griffin Leggett Funeral Home, 5800 W. 12th Street, Little Rock, Ark. 72204. The family hopes to meet and greet her friends. Attire is casual.
Griffin Leggett provides an opportunity to share memories, condolences, support or humor on their website https:// www.dignitymemorial.com/ obituaries/little-rock-ar/willadean-mackey-8771376.
In lieu of flowers, the family requests with gratitude that memorial contributions be made in her name to Alzheimer’s Arkansas, 201 Markham Center Drive, Little Rock, Ark. (website: http://www.alzark.org) or the Alzheimer’s Association (website: https://www.alz.org/).
–––––❖––––– JEFFERY LAWRENCE MORETH, age 69, of North Little Rock, passed away on July 8, 2019. He was born in Syracuse, New York, on December 15, 1949. Memorial Service, Saturday, July 13, 5:30 p.m. at Jones Hill Pentecostal Church, Mayflower. Arrangements entrusted to A Natural State Funeral Service, (501) 982-3400. www.anaturalstatefuneralservice.com.
–––––❖––––– CLYDE MOUTON, 94, of Sherwood, Ark., departed this life July 5, 2019. He is preceded in death by his parents: Alex and Bertha Mouton; siblings: Buster Mouton, U.B. Mouton, Abby Mouton and Ruby Mouton. He was born and raised in Beaumont, Texas, and later relocated to Sherwood in 2017.
He leaves to cherish his memory with children: Marilyn Harrison, Sheila Childress and Shirley Smith, 12 grandchildren and a host of great-grandchildren, great-great-grandchildren and other relatives and friends.
Visitation: Friday, 12-6 p.m. at Robinson Mortuary NLR Funeral Service: Saturday 10 a.m. at First Baptist Church 811 S.A. Jones Drive, Pastor William L. Robinson officiating. Services entrusted to Robinson Mortuary, 4511 East Broadway, North Little Rock, Ark. (501) 374-0111. “Service You Can Trust.” Please sign online guest book at www.robinsonmortuary. com.
–––––❖––––– KEVIN OATES, 50, of Little Rock, transitioned to his heavenly home on July 6, 2019.
He leaves to remember and cherish his life: one son, Kelvin of Little Rock, Ark.; mother, Kathleen Oates of Little Rock, Ark.; one sister, Karen Oates-Jackson (Gerald) of Arlington, Texas; one brother, Kelly Oates of Little Rock, Ark.; as well as two children he raised as his own Brandon Shavers (Tamesha), and Mekale Coates, both of Little Rock, Ark.; four nieces, Cierra Jackson and Kellie Oates of Arlington, Texas, Kamyrn Oates of Grand Prairie, Texas, and Kanesha Oates of Little Rock,
Ark.; three nephews, Christian
Oates of Little
Rock, Ark., Kyron
Oates of Grand
Prairie, Texas, and Tralane Funches of Dallas, Texas; four grandchildren; one aunt, Fawntella Maxwell of Little Rock, Ark.; two uncles, Henry Walker of Little Rock, Ark., and Claiborne Carter of Vacaville, Calif.; and a host of great nieces and nephews, along with many cousins and close friends.
Funeral services will be held on Saturday, July 13, 2019 at 11 a.m., at Greater Nation International Church, 9001 Sunset Lane, Little Rock, Ark. 72202.
Interment will follow at Roselawn Memorial Park, 2801 Asher Avenue, Little Rock, Ark. 72204. Family hour will be held Friday, July 12, 6-7 p.m. at Ruffin & Jarrett Funeral Home, Little Rock, Ark. (501) 372-1305.
–––––❖––––– CHRISTINA SMITH, 41, of Mabelvale, Ark., born August 7, 1977 departed this life to be with her Heavenly Father on July 4, 2019.
She leaves to mourn her death, her mother, Glenda Moore (Fred); father, David Smith (Veronica); sisters, Davida and Angelica Moore, Natasha Holloway (Keith); brothers, Joshua Moore and David Smith Jr., Fred Moore, III and Kendrick Moore; other siblings, DeShawn Smith, Tatisha Robinson, Zamondria Loring, Shannon Austin, Danielle Johnson, Dontae Smith and Taja Smith; aunts, Karyn Neely, Sheila Neely; uncle, Vernon Neely (Joan) and many other loving family and friends, and her very special friend Jared Halpin.
Funeral services will be held at 10 a.m. on Saturday, July 13 at Little Rock Funeral Home. Arrangements by Little Rock Funeral Home, (501) 224-2200. Christina’s online guestbook may be signed at www.littlerockfuneralhome.com.
–––––❖––––– MILDRED JAMES CROSS SMITH, 100, died peacefully in her sleep at Arkansas Hospice in Little Rock on
July 1, 2019. She was born on July
22, 1918, at Pendleton Plantation in Desha County, Arkansas, to Clay
Rice Cross and Victoria Goree
Cross. The cause of death was an accidental fall resulting in a hip fracture, leading to acute kidney failure.
She was predeceased by her parents, three sisters and one brother. Her husband, prominent attorney, Griffin Smith passed away in 2000. Mildred assisted him in producing dozens of shows for the biennial GRIDIRON, a musical spoof of law and politics presented by the Pulaski Bar Association.
After Mildred’s parents married in 1911, they moved to Pendleton Plantation in the tiny community of Pendleton, 11 miles NE of Dumas, Ark. The newlyweds lived with Clay’s parents, Col. and Mrs. Clay Cross, his grandmother and older brother, Flournoy. The following year, they welcomed their first child, Mollie. Four more children followed in rapid succession: Victoria, Clay, jr., Mildred and Camille. All the Cross children were born at home.
Life was pretty idyllic for Mildred growing up with four siblings, farm animals all around and sister Mollie’s shetland pony named Prince. The farm was too far from Dumas and the roads often impassable for them to attend the local school, so Mildred’s mother hired a teacher who lived with them part of the year. A seamstress arrived for a month each spring and fall to make their clothes, even their undergarments.
Mildred’s happy life came to an end in April, 1927, when the Great Flood came pouring down the Mississippi River and backed up water up the Arkansas and White rivers, flooding the eastern third of the state.
Worried that the levee would break at Pendleton, Mr. Cross put his wife and three younger children on a boat with nothing but four hastily packed suitcases, and they floated down the Arkansas River bound for Rosedale, Miss. Mildred remembered that while on the trip some sort of plane flew over the boat and dropped a note on the deck with news that the levee at Pendleton had broken.
What Mildred did not know was that the home in which she had been born was gone forever. Also flooded were the barns, the animals, the cabins and the gins. Her father’s flooded fields would be slow to recover. Cotton would not be planted that spring. Months later when the water subsided, it was discovered that even the channel of the river had changed. Her father stayed on the levee with his stranded workers.
In Rosedale, the family boarded a train for Memphis. Mollie and Victoria were students at Mississippi Synodical College in Holly Springs, Miss. and soon joined them in Memphis. Mildred once said that her father had given her mother undeposited checks that he had received as payments for her to cash in Memphis. However, banks in Memphis were not accepting any checks from people fleeing flooding waters. Local friends loaned Mrs. Cross money until other arrangements could be made.
Eventually, rail service was restored between Memphis and Pine Bluff, and the family moved to Pine Bluff for a year. There was nothing to return to in Pendleton.
Mildred’s father built a new home in Desha County, and the children enrolled in the Dumas schools. When Mildred was 14, her father died prematurely. His wife believed that he never recovered from the shock and stress of the flood and its aftermath.
During Mildred’s senior year at Dumas High, where she was crowned Homecoming Queen, her mother decided that the family would move to Fayetteville. Mollie and Victoria were already students at the University of Arkansas, and son Clay was about to enroll. It made economic sense for the family to be together in Fayetteville and let her brother-in-law Flournoy run the farm.
Mildred was saddened at leaving Dumas but within a couple of weeks at Fayetteville high school, she reveled in being the “new girl in town.” In fact, the president of the senior class asked her to walk in the senior procession with him.
Her popularity continued when she enrolled at the University in 1934 at age 16. Following in her sisters’ footsteps, Mildred pledged Chi Omega. During her four years at the university, she accumulated many accolades including Five Most Beautiful Girls, ROTC Regimental Sponsor, Razorback Beauty, vice-president of the Junior Class and president of Chi Omega.
She was also a member of the 10 o’clock Club, Rootin’ Rubes, Lambda Tau, the Pan-Hellenic Council and the Women’s League. Her degree was in education, and she was an honor student. For the Sugar Bowl Game in New Orleans in 1937, J. C. Futrall, the president of the University of Arkansas, selected her to represent the University of Arkansas in the Sugar Bowl Court.
On Oct. 8, 1938, Mildred married Griffin Smith jr., the son of Arkansas Supreme Court Chief Justice Griffin Smith and his wife, Amelia Daggett Smith. Griffin jr. graduated from the law school at the University of Arkansas in 1941, welcomed a new son and began a law practice with the Williamson firm in Monticello. After Pearl Harbor, he tried to enlist in the military. Because he was a lawyer, the government preferred that he join the FBI. After he received his training, Mildred and young Griffin joined him in New York City, where he allegedly “pursued Russian spies.”
The family lived in an apartment in Jackson Heights in Queens, and Mildred enjoyed life as a stay-at-home wife and mother. Occasionally, the Smiths would take the subway into the city for a Broadway show. The war years in New York embedded in the Smiths a love of theater and musicals. They later would visit London each year in February and October as well as return many times to New York.
After the war ended, they moved to Little Rock and settled into a new life with a young son and a baby on the way. Griffin continued with the FBI for a couple of years in Little Rock and then practiced law until his retirement in 2000.
Mildred loved being a wife and mother. She was an accomplished seamstress, knitter and embroiderer. Her children — and her husband — were always impeccably dressed. She was active in the PTAs of Forest Park, Forest Heights Junior High and Hall High. She was a member of the Junior League of Little Rock, the Little Rock Aesthetic Club, the Sewing Club, the Second Friday Book Club and the Country Club of Little Rock.
One of the Smiths’ legacies are the years that they worked with the biennial Pulaski County Bar Association Gridiron Show. Griffin was a producer or co-producer for 30+ years. Mildred directed costumes and offered unsolicited advice when needed. Many of the songs they heard in London and New York made their way into the Gridirons.
Mildred is survived by her son, Griffin Smith, former executive editor of the Arkansas Democrat-Gazette, and his wife Libby of Little Rock; and her daughter, Dr. Leslie Cunningham and her husband John of Santa Fe, N.M. She also survived by two grandchildren, Alexander and Sofie Cunningham; niece, Donna Bates and her husband Joe of Little Rock; Dr. Bill Dudney and his wife Lisa of Tampa, Fla.; and Vicki Tarpley Logan and her husband Kent of Scottsdale, Ariz. A great-niece survives her: Samantha Cross of Little Rock and her daughters, Camilla and Isabel.
Special thanks to caregiver and friend, Verline Coleman, and friend Jo Ann Talbert. Interment at Roselawn Cemetery will be private.
Funeral will be July 11, at 2 pm, at Second Presbyterian Church in Little Rock, with Associate Pastor Alisa Seacrest, officiating. In lieu of flowers, the family suggests donations in Mildred’s name to Second Presbyterian Church, Pastoral Care & Fellowship, 600 Pleasant Valley Dr., Little Rock, Ark. 72227, or Arkansas Hospice, 14 Parkstone Cr., North Little Rock, Ark. 72116. Arrangements are under the direction of Ruebel Funeral Home, www.ruebelfuneralhome.com.
–––––❖––––– DONALD E. STRATTON, 81, of Jacksonville passed from this life on Monday, July 8, 2019. He was born Friday, December 3, 1937 in Carlinville, Illinois to the late Claudie and Elva Fields Stratton. Mr. Stratton honorably served his country in the United States Navy for ten years. Mr. Stratton came to know his Lord and Savior in 1984. He was a member of Bible Baptist Church for twenty-eight years.
He enjoyed playing golf, trips to the lake with his family and working on automobiles with his son. He was a loving husband, father, grandfather, great-grandfather brother and friend who will be missed by all who knew him. In addition to his parents he was preceded in death by siblings, Earl and Junior Stratton.
Survivors include his wife of 59 years, Deana Stratton; children, Darla (Mike) Duncan of Jacksonville, Darrin Stratton of North Little Rock; grandchildren, Matt Duncan, Randi (Jeremy) Burkey, Blake Stratton and Kyle Duncan. Other survivor include a sister, Karen Abner of Lapeer, Michigan; along with six great-grandchildren and a host of extended family and friends.
Funeral services will be 10 a.m., Thursday, July 11, 2019 at Bible Baptist Church with Brother Mike Files officiating. Interment will follow at the Arkansas State Veterans Cemetery. Visitation will be Wednesday, July 10, 2019 from 7 p.m. to 9 p.m. at the funeral home. Pallbearers will be Mike Duncan, Matt Duncan, Blake Stratton, Jim Faulkner, Joe Berry and Ed Garner. Steve Green and Willie Meyers will serve as honorary pallbearers. Arrangements by Moore’s Jacksonville Funeral Home. (501) 9822136. Online guestbook: www.mooresjacksonvillefuneralhome.com.