Pulaski County
AMNA BEGUM, 80, of Little Rock, passed away December 25, 2019. Survivors include her husband, Muhammad Bashir; and children, Asim Khan, Dr. Aaliya Mahmood, and Dr. Humaira Khanum. Interment was at Forest Lawn Cemetery by Little Rock Funeral Home, (501) 2242200. Her online guestbook may be signed at www.littlerockfuneralhome.com.
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GUY CHEATHAM, 82, died on Friday, December 20, 2019. He was born November 17, 1937, in Parkin, Ark., to the late John H. Cheatham Jr. and Jo Edd (Edna) Beaver Cheatham. He is preceded in death by his siblings, John H. Cheatham III, Matt Cheatham, Jo Edd Cheatham; and a sister-in-law, Nicki Sanders. He is survived by his wife of 45 years, Mary Jane Riegler Cheatham; daughter, Cecelia May Smith Jones; grandson, Myles Alexander Jones; sisters-in-law, Barbara Riegler, Becky Yates (Murphy) and Kathy Johnson (Mike); as well as many nieces, nephews and former students who loved and respected him.
Guy graduated high school at Barton High School and graduated from Arkansas State Teachers College and later obtained his Masters Degree from Henderson State University. He taught in Helena/West Helena until moving to Little Rock in 1966. Over the years he taught at Western Hills, Mitchell Elementary, Pulaski Middle, and finished his career at Southwest Middle School. He retired in 1994. He served as President of the Little Rock Classroom Teachers Association in 1973, and served on the Teacher Retirement System Board of Directors from October 1977 to October 1982. After retiring, he served as President of the Little Rock Retired Teachers Association.
He was a member of the Masonic Lodge for 40 years. Guy was a Past Master of Forest Park Lodge 747, Past Master of Roland Lodge 508 and served as Secretary of Roland Lodge 508 until his health declined. He was a member of Christ Episcopal Church in Little Rock where he served on the Vestry and as an usher. He enjoyed spending time with his family and friends.
Memorial Service officiated by Dr. Kate Alexander will be on Saturday, December 28, at 11 a.m., at Christ Episcopal Church, 509 Scott Street, Little Rock, Ark., 72201. In lieu of flowers please make memorial contributions to Christ Episcopal Church, The Consistory Building Fund or the charity of your choice. Arrangements under the direction of Roller-Chenal Funeral Home (501) 224-8300. Online guestbook: www.rollerfuneralhomes.com/chenal
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TSgt. DON STEVENS CREECH, (USAF, Ret.), 87, of Little Rock, passed away December 22, 2019. Born in Salemburg, N.C., to William Howard Creech and Tillie Adams Creech, he was a retired U.S. Air Force veteran.
Preceded in death by his parents; his wife, Helen Creech; brother, Jack Creech; and sister, Clarice Wynn. He is survived by his son, David Creech (April) of Little Rock; daughters, Denise Bryson (Kevin) of New Orleans, La., and Donna Begue (Emile) of Slidell, La.; brother, Vance Creech of West Virginia; and grandchildren, Adam, Anthony, Nick, and Eric.
Services with Military Honors will be held on Monday, December 30, at 11 a.m., at Little Rock Funeral Home, 8801 Knoedl Ct. (NW corner I-630 and Barrow Rd.), (501)224-2200. Don’s online guestbook may be signed at www.littlerockfuneralhome.com.
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FRANK CROOK’s quest for knowledge ended too soon on December 22, 2019, at the age of 43. He is survived, and will be greatly missed, by those he loved: his mother, Virginia; his sisters, Sharon, Brenda, and Amy; his brothers, Steve and Michael; his brother-in-law, Greg; and his sister-in-law, Jane.
Frank was a Biology student at UALR where he fueled his passion for learning. He will be missed by his friends, both two and four-legged, at Controlled Automation, where he loved the challenge of developing new skills as he worked with those who cared for him like family.
A memorial service will be held at 10 a.m., Saturday, December 28, 2019, at Pinecrest Funeral Home & Memorial Park, 7401 Highway 5 North in Alexander, Ark. Please share your love and support with the family by sharing memories and signing the online guest book by visiting our website at griffinleggetthealeyroth.com
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ELEANOR BLAKNEY KARAM, age 90, passed away at her home in Little Rock on December 23. She was born in Helena, Ark., and was a graduate of Little Rock High School, Little Rock Junior College and Hendrix College. She was a longtime member of Immanuel Baptist Church.
She was the daughter of Lt. Col. Erwin Dewey Blakney of Burnsville, Miss., and Bess Ransheck Blakney of Marshall, Texas. She was preceded in death by her husband, James T. “Jimmy” Karam, and sister, Gladys Blakney Allen.
She is survived by her brother, John Blakney of Little Rock; sister, Jean Blakney Maier Dean, and brother-in-law, David A. Dean of Dallas, Texas; stepson, Dr. James T. Karam, Jr., and wife, Alicia Karam of Weeki Wachee, Fla.; stepdaughter, Mary-Anne Williams and husband, Leslie (Al) Williams of Des Arc, Ark., and numerous grand and great-grandchildren.
She was surrounded by wonderful assistants. Joy Taylor and Dwight Westerman assisted her and were true friends over many years. In the past months, she was cared for by a wonderful team of caregivers including Cleora Lowe, Mary Shavers and Latrice Young. These new family members are true angels.
Funeral services will be officiated by Reverend Phil Spigner of Immanuel Baptist Church and held at 11 a.m., on Saturday, December 28, at Roller Chenal Funeral Home, 13801 Chenal Parkway, Little Rock, followed by burial at Pinecrest Memorial Park. Visitation will be one hour prior to the service. Online guestbook: www.rollerfuneralhomes.com/chenal
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MARY J. KNOPF, 92, of Little Rock, passed away December 26, 2019. She was preceded in death by her parents, her husband, Herb Knopf, and daughter, Mary Temple-Giuf-fria. Survivors include three children and 14 grand and great-grandchildren, and a host of other family and friends. Services will be announced. In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made to Arkansas Hospice or the Susan G. Komen Foundation. Arrangements by Little Rock Funeral Home, (501) 224-2200. Mary’s online guestbook may be signed at www.littlerockfuneralhome.com.
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WILLIAM H. MULLINAX, Sr., 77, of Little Rock, died December 25, 2019. Service: 10 a.m. Monday, December 30, at Old Hickory Baptist Church. Burial: Old Hickory Cemetery by Harris Funeral Home of Morrilton. Visitation: 2 to 4 p.m., Sunday, at funeral home. In lieu of flowers, donations made to Carti @ 8901 Cartiway, Little Rock, Ark., 72205 or Old Hickory Cemetery Fund c/o Annette Williams 1558 Hwy 213, Hattieville, Ark., 72063. Online Guestbook: www.harrisfuneralhomes.net
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GERALD WAYNE NORWOOD. God set Gerald Wayne Norwood’s plumb line June 28, 1942. He departed this life December 18, 2019. Family hour Sunday December 29, 2019, from 3 til 4 p.m., and funeral service Monday December 30, 10 a.m., with both services at the funeral home. Services entrusted to Premier Funeral Home 1518 S. Battery St Little Rock, AR 72202
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BERNICE THOMPSON, 83, of Little Rock, transitioned on December 23, 2019. Cherishing her memories are: daughters, Rose Johnson and Cheryl Yancy, both of Little Rock, Beverly May, North Little Rock; son, James Thompson, Sr.; and, a host of family and friends. Visitation will be Monday, December 30, 2019, 6-7 p.m., at Ruffin & Jarrett Chapel, 1200 Chester Street, Little Rock, Ark. (501) 372-1305. Funeral services will be 11 a.m., Tuesday, December 31, 2019, at First Baptist Church, 6825 Highway 365 S., Sweet Home, Ark.
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SHIGEKO WILSON departed this life on Christmas Day 2019. She was 91 years of age. Shigeko was born February 12, 1928, in Osaka, Japan.
She understood hardship at an early age with her experiences with a deadly tsunami and the WWII firebombs. After the war ended, she worked waitressing at a US AFB near Miho where her future husband, John Wakefield Wilson (19312016) served as an AFB cook. Despite some challenges (due to the war) from both families and after a multitude of military obstacles, they married in the summer of 1954. They came stateside in 1955, by the troop transport ship USS W.A. Mann, and embarked on a lifetime of adventures throughout the US, Japan, and Turkey. Mom’s proudest moment was becoming a US Citizen in 1961. Their travels included countless fishing trips to various lakes/rivers, visits to family on the coastlines, and viewed some of the wonders of America — the Statue of Liberty, Yellowstone National Park, and a 5-minute view of the Grand Canyon (after a long trip getting there) when her fear of heights was discovered! With Dad by her side, Mom learned to cook legendary meatloaf, fried chicken and apple pies. She worked hard at various jobs and was forced to retire at 75. Retirement was filled with trips, bingo, “the silver sneakers”, and many lucky trips to the Tunica Casinos!
Mom’s stern facade belied her love of animals which was equal to Dad’s. Visits to the zoo meant quick views of lions, tigers, and bears, with an inordinate amount of time spent at the prairie dog enclosure. Her love of basset hounds was unparalleled; with each one becoming her furry sons/ daughters. Mom leaves behind her non-furry children: Donna (Tim) Hagood from Charleston, S.C., Kay (Ed) Nieberlein from Gulf Breeze, Fla., Susan (Frank GoBell) Wilson, Jacksonville, Ark., William (Angie) Wilson, Morrilton, Ark.; and several grandchildren and great-grandchildren. Mom passed down to her family not only her love of fur-babies but also an appreciation of sushi.
As Mom’s dementia progressed and unable to remain at home, her children found her a wonderful new home at Presbyterian Village/Little Rock where she experienced a renewal of spirit. The caring and friendly staff/residents quickly transformed her sternness into a happy-go-lucky lady who brought smiles to all she met. She even taught them some Japanese words (naughty and nice). She never cared for celebrating her own birthday but that changed when she turned 91 — she danced to disco, sipped wine, had a room full of balloons/gifts and red velvet cake! Her PV home brought nothing but “thumbs up” by mom and many tears of joy to her children. Shigeko says “Arigato, PV!”
Mom will be reunited with her beloved John at the AR State Veterans’ Cemetery in NLR, where once again they can argue over the Crisco pie dough during the holiday seasons. There will be no service, as that would not have been her wish. Contributions to honor mom can be made to the Jacksonville Friends of the Animals (217 South Redmond Road, Jacksonville, Ark., 72076) or the Presbyterian Village Foundation (http://presbyvillage.org/the-foundation/). Arrangements by Moore’s Jacksonville Funeral Home. (501) 982-2136. www.mooresjacksonvillefuneralhome.com.