Pulaski County
Mrs. VENUS CONNER COLEMAN, 51, of North Little Rock passed July 16, 2019. Memorial Service will be 11 am on Saturday, July 27, 2019, at Happy Home Baptist Church in Jefferson, Ark. with Rev. T.J. Rowland officiating. Services entrusted to the professional staff of Paradise Funeral Home of Pine Bluff. “Only Paradise Can Serve You Better!”
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MARY BREANNE HUGHES passed July 24, 2019. Survived by mother Gabriel Johnson and father Brandon Hughes Sr. Memorial service to be held Sunday, July 28, New Hope Baptist Church, 1851 Howard Street, Little Rock, Arkansas, 2 p.m. Online guestbook: www.serenityfuneralhomear.com 501-3745025. “Providing Service of Excellence.”
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Colonel (Retired) Dr. GARNETT JULIAN LEONARD, of Scott passed away Wednesday, July 24, 2019. He was born February 8, 1936, in Harrodsburg, Kentucky to Garnet J. Leonard and Arlene Leonard.
Survivors include his wife, Terri K. Maness Leonard; sister, Evelyn Taylor of Harrodsburg, Ky.; son, John C. (Debbie) Leonard of Covington, La.; daughter, Holli J. Henry of Marion, Ark. Survivors also include grandchildren; Adrianne Kupietz, Elizabeth Kimmons, Rob Glenn, Shonna Glenn, Chase L. Henry; great-grandchildren, Kayleigh Kupietz, Alex Hagerman, Caleb Hagerman, Hoyt Kimmons, Anneli Kimmons, and Jack M. Glenn. He was preceded in death by his daughter, Evelyn Teresa Cruz; and grandson, William (Bill) Glenn.
Garnett graduated in 1964 from the University of Louisville medical school in Louisville, Kentucky. In 1965 he pursued further training at Emory University Grady Memorial Hospital in Atlanta, Georgia as Intern in Surgery. He was then drafted into the United States Army. After two years on active duty, he started private practice in North Little Rock for the next 21 years. He joined the Arkansas Army National Guard in 1980, and in 1986 became active duty Army Guard as commander of the Troop Medical Clinic for the next 8 years and became Master Army Flight Surgeon in 1988 for the Guard. In 2000 he started private practice in Emergency Medicine until retirement in 2008. During this time, he continued in the Army Guard and completed 23 years and retired at the rank of Colonel in 2000.
Garnett enjoyed hunting and fishing, and especially looked forward to deer season. He also enjoyed gardening, bird watching, and reading. He was a member and served as president of The Wattensaw Land Co, LLC hunting club.
A funeral with full military honors will be held at 1 p.m., Monday, July 29, 2019, at Arkansas State Veterans Cemetery at 1501 W. Maryland Avenue in Sherwood, Arkansas. Online guest register at www.SmithFamilyCares.com.
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MARK McCORKLE of North Little Rock, passed away July 23, 2019. Visitation will be from 4 to 5 p.m., followed by a memorial service at 5 p.m., Saturday, July 27 at Smith-North Little Rock Funeral Home. Complete obit and guestbook at www.SmithFamilyCares.com.
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BERNARD FORSYTHE ROBERTS, 91, of Little Rock, passed away July 23, 2019. He is survived by his wife of 69 years, Betty Ann Roberts; sons, Douglas Alan Roberts (Sabrina) and Kevin Dale Roberts (Lisa); and numerous grandchildren and great-grandchildren. He was preceded in death by his daughter, Pamela Sue Roberts and four siblings. Visitation will be Sunday, July 28th from 1-3 p.m. at Little Rock Funeral Home, 8801 Knoedl Ct. (NW corner I-630 and Barrow Rd.). The funeral service will be Monday, July 29th at 1 p.m. at First Baptist Little Rock, with interment following at Pinecrest Memorial Park in Alexander. Arrangements by Little Rock Funeral Home, (501) 2242200. Mr. Roberts’ online guestbook may be signed at www.littlerockfuneralhome.com.
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DOROTHY LEE SCHWANDER was born September 30, 1931, in Fulton, Arkansas to George and Connie Akin. She was the fifth child of six, all of whom she survived.
Her childhood was spent in a small Arkansas town, in a home only steps away from the banks of the Red River. Fulton, like other American cities formed on river banks, derived its economic life-blood from bustling river traffic commerce. It was this climate of colorful character where thoughts of life beyond the confines of her home began to roam.
As a child whose family’s existence was wholly dependent on farm animals and massive gardens for survival, hard work and family contribution were not only expected but demanded. Butter was churned, eggs gathered, and vegetables canned. Dorothy confessed she looked forward to hog slaughtering day where she assisted her father in dunking the pig in a barrel of boiling water to remove its hair. For those who know her incomparable kind and gentle spirit, who would have thought? Her life was, in essence, reminiscent of a Steinbeck novel where economic strife and hard times, made tolerable by family and love, formed the story.
After graduating from Texarkana High, Dorothy wasted no time setting her sails for a bigger adventure. After being accepted into the St. Vincent’s nursing school, she would make her final home in Little Rock. In a program overseen by nuns where any semblance of impropriety was strictly forbidden, Dorothy could not resist her slightly mischievous tendencies. At great risk, and possible expulsion, she and her friend made their way to the Robinson Auditorium where they, with hundreds of other love-struck girls, gyrated to the music of the King-Elvis.
As a surgical nurse, Dorothy encountered a brilliant, skilled and immensely regarded surgeon named Howard, who having never married at age 44, was one of the most eligible bachelors in town. Captured by her beauty and a personality, that was considered non-conforming to the times, Howard was no fool. But, never married herself, neither was Dorothy. If the good doctor wanted to woo her, he was going to have to prove his worth.
The courtship ended in marriage on September 25, 1959. Howard was 46 and Dorothy was 28. What ensued was a 41-year love affair of which fairy-tales are made. Their life of mutual cherish, love and respect can be gleaned as nothing short of marital perfection and a shining example for all. Without doubt, their greatest joy was their two children, “Sylvie girl” and “Pup”. As a mother, there was absolutely nothing Dorothy would not do to nourish, love and protect them. In its purest form, Dorothy was the true definition of “motherhood.”
Dorothy’s leisure involved travel, gardening, and bowling. But her true passion was found on a tennis court. She was considered by all as a formidable opponent and won almost every tournament she ever played, defeating women twenty years her junior. Her athletic prowess was forged at an early age. In high school, she was voted all regional as a senior women’s basketball guard.
Around 2000, Dorothy’s name changed from her one-year-old grandson, Lee’s inability to pronounce her name. Lee dubbed his grandmother, “Dot-Dot”. The moniker caught fire and from thereon “Dot-Dot” was who she became to her friends and family.
For all who knew her, even casually,” Dot-Dot” was the embodiment of elegance, class, dignity and character. There was truly no one who ever met her that did not want to be close to her or call her friend. Her beautiful light of compassion highlighted by an intoxicating smile graced our oft dim world every single day. She deeply loved her children and grandchildren unconditionally. To say she will be missed would be the most prodigious understatement of all times.
“Dot-Dot” was survived by her two children, Sylvia and Howard III, (Ashley), her beloved grandchildren, Lee and Suzanne and her daily companion, Maddie girl and too many nieces, nephews, great-nieces and great-nephews to list.
Thanks to our Lord for gracing our family with all the precious moments, memories and the incredible privilege of knowing and being loved by “Dot-Dot”. One of Earth’s finest has now gone to dance with her love, Howard, as one of Heaven’s finest.
The family wants to give special thanks and our deepest heartfelt gratitude to Holly Hanson, Dr. Tim Cook, the aides of her home health care and the staff of Arkansas Hospice for their care, love and comfort in her final days.
In lieu of flowers, donations to the Wounded Warrior Project are deeply appreciated. Visitation will be held on Sunday, July 28, 2019, from 2-4 p.m. at Griffin Leggett Healey & Roth Funeral Home, 5800 West 12th Street in Little Rock. Funeral services will be on Monday, July 29, 2019, at 2 p.m. in the funeral home chapel, burial will follow at Forest Hills Memorial Park. Please visit www.griffinleggetthealeyroth.com for the online tribute.
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FLORENE WIRGES, 95, of Sherwood passed away Thursday, July 25, 2019. She was born January 30, 1924 in Delight, Arkansas to George and Olive Doss Craig. She was one of the founding members of Immaculate Conception Catholic Church.
She is survived by her children, Judy Wirges Veregge, John Wirges III (Luann), Rick Wirges (Louise), Tom Wirges (Janie), Mark Wirges (Liz), Mary Wirges Carelly (Jerry); grandchildren, Beth Veregge, Kelley Sluder (Dave), John Wirges IV (Cheri), Rick Wirges, Jr. (Marla), Rob Wirges, Jeff Wirges (T.C.), Zach Wirges (Ami), Lisa Proffitt (Billy), Danny Wirges (Tabitha), Robin Gaylord (James), Bobby Taylor (Missi), Lori Kacir (Steve) and Kristi Richard (Bruce); 26 great-grandchildren; sister-inlaw, Zenobia Craig, and several nieces and nephews. She was preceded in death by her parents; husband of 57 years, John G. Wirges Jr.; siblings, William Craig, Autrey Craig, Basil Craig, Beacher Craig, Lillie Gorman, Flossie Lewallen and Murrel Steen.
Memorials may be made to Immaculate Conception School, 7000 JFK Blvd., North Little Rock, Arkansas 72116. A visitation will be from 6 to 7 p.m., Monday, July 29, 2019, followed by a Rosary at 7 p.m., at Smith – North Little Rock Funeral Home. Mass of Christian Burial will be 10 a.m., Tuesday, July 30, 2019, at Immaculate Conception Catholic Church. Burial will follow at Rest Hills Memorial Park. Online guest register at www.SmithFamilyCares.com.