Pulaski County
CARUTHA S. BRADEN, 91, of Little Rock, passed December 25, 2019. Survived by children, Cheryl Brown, Delcenia Peacock (Dennis) and Herman Davis (Rita). Family hour 5 p.m. to 6 p.m., Sunday, Griffin Leggett Healey & Roth Chapel. Service 11 a.m., Monday, Greater Shiloh Missionary Baptist Church. Online guestbook, obituary: www.griffinleggetthealeyroth.com
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JIMMIE CHARLES BROWN, 87, of Little Rock, passed away on December 23, 2019. A visitation will be held on Monday, December 30, 2019, at 9 a.m., with a service immediately following at 10 a.m., both at Pinecrest Funeral Home (7401 HWY 5 North, Alexander, Ark., 72002). Jimmie will be laid to rest after the service at Forest Hills Cemetery. An online guestbook will be available at www.PinecrestMemorialPark.com
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DOROTHY LEE EUBANKS passed from this life on Wednesday, December 25, 2019, to her long awaited heavenly home. She was born to Lena and Barney McCarroll on August 25, 1925, in Little Rock, Ark. She was preceded by her parents and her husband of 62 years, Burgess F. Eubanks. Dorothy is survived by her son, Curtis Eubanks and his wife Cindy; her daughter Lee Ann Herbert and her husband Mike; three granddaughters, Haylee Marrs and her husband Troy, Samantha Eubanks, and Sarah Eubanks; and two great-granddaughters Lillee Marrs and Emmerson Marrs.
After graduating from Morrilton High School in 1944, Dorothy traveled to Little Rock, Ark., to begin a career at the Democrat Printing and Lithograph Company. Soon after moving to Little Rock, she met and married the love of her life Burgess Eubanks. They enjoyed a full life together. Dorothy enjoyed traveling, cooking, working through her church congregation and spending time with family and friends. Visitation for family and friends will be held Tuesday December 31, 2019 12:30 to 1:30 p.m., at Pinecrest Funeral Home and Memorial Park, 7401 Highway 5 N, Alexander, Ark., 72002. Funeral services will follow at 1:30 p.m., with Nick Hamilton officiating. Burial will be in Pinecrest Memorial Park.
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ELMER LOUIS FLUCHT, JR., of Maumelle, Ark., a retired investment banker, former member of the Arkansas State Banking Board, and longtime volunteer in the Arkansas Republican Party, died December 25, 2019, in Little Rock. He was 89.
Mr. Flucht was born November 22, 1930, in Elkhart, Kan., to Elmer Louis Flucht, Sr. and Emily Sue Moore Flucht Miller. After living in Independence, Mo., he spent the latter half of his childhood in Van Buren, Ark., where he attended Van Buren High School and became an acolyte in the Episcopal Church, of which he was a lifelong member.
After attending Fort Smith Junior College, he transferred to the University of Arkansas at Fayetteville in 1949, majoring in business. He was a member of the Sigma Alpha Epsilon fraternity, which was very dear to his heart, and remained close friends with several members of his SAE pledge class.
In 1951, he joined the U.S. Air Force. After completing military service, he joined investment banking firm Villareal & Company in Arkansas. After working for Villareal and other companies in the industry, he was a self-employed investment banker before retiring.
Mr. Flucht loved duck hunting until he was too tired to hunt, and children, his SAE fraternity brothers, and politics until the day he died – even as Alzheimer’s disease took its toll. He recognized and remained devoted to his wife, Mozella, until the very end. Mr. Flucht actively volunteered on behalf of Republican candidates starting in 1980, when he served as driver for Frank White’s first gubernatorial campaign. He went on to serve dozens of campaigns in almost every conceivable capacity – from campaign manager, to state and county coordinator, to sign man – always as a volunteer.
He was campaign manager for Arkansas Republican candidates including Judy Petty Wolf (U.S. House, 1984), Jim Klote (U.S. House, 1996), and Tom Prince (U.S. Senate, 1998), and volunteered with the George W. Bush presidential re-election campaign in 2004. Mr. Flucht served as both a delegate and alternate to the Republican National Convention. He also attended Lincoln Day Dinners in the state for many years.
For his tireless efforts, Mr. Flucht earned the prestigious “Hi, I’m Frank White” Award from the Arkansas Republican Party. The award is given to individuals who dedicate their lives to growing the Republican Party of Arkansas.
Mr. Flucht was appointed to the State Banking Board by Gov. Mike Huckabee, serving from 2006-2008. He also served as Chairman of the sewer system improvement district for Lake Conway and for several years as Sergeant at Arms for the Arkansas Senate.
In addition to his parents, Mr. Flucht was preceded in death by his three children, Gwyne Flucht Bradford, Sarah Gibbs Flucht, and Eugene Wood (Woody) Flucht; his two siblings, Woody Flucht and Martha Ann Flucht Bailiff; his brother-in-law, Robert (Bob) Bailiff; and his stepfather, Oscar Miller.
Mr. Flucht is survived by his wife, Mozella Dees Flucht; a grandson, Charles Thomas Roberts III (Mary Claire); a stepson, Roy Watson Bullard (Karen); two step-granddaughters, Carmen Stewart and Leah Sheridan (Derek), six great-grandchildren, Thomas Roberts IV, Mary Jamison Roberts, Walker Lafayette Roberts, Jackson Monroe Stewart, Mallory June Stewart, and Lewis Watson Sheridan; two nephews, David Bailiff and Michael Bailiff; a niece, Jane Bailiff Mullin (Gary); numerous sistersin-law and brothers-in-law; and a host of friends.
A memorial service will be held at 10 a.m. Friday, Jan. 3, at St. Mark’s Episcopal Church, 1000 North Mississippi Ave., in Little Rock, followed by the deceased’s interment in the church columbarium. The Rev. Danny Schieffler will officiate and The Rev. Michael McCain will assist . A reception for family and friends will follow, also at the church.
In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made to the Phyllis Kincannon Memorial Scholarship Fund (North Pulaski Republican Women), Arkansas Chapter of the Alzheimer’s Association, the Winthrop P. Rockefeller Cancer Institute at the University of Arkansas for Medical Sciences, Arkansas Children’s Hospital, or other charity of the donor’s choice. Arrangements are under the direction of Ruebel Funeral Home. www.ruebelfuneralhome.co
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EDGAR ANTHONY HALL, age 87, of Little Rock, died December 26, 2019. He was born in Paris, Ark., to Daniel Augusta Hall and Irene Sandford Hall. At age twelve, he moved with his mother, sister and brother, to Tempe, Ariz., where he attended Arizona State University. While there he was a member of the ROTC program and received his pilots wings in August, 1955, at Webb AFB, Texas, where he met his wife, Billie. They were married 63 years and have one son, Mark. His services in Vietnam awarded him two DFC’s (Distinguished Flying Crosses) and the Bronze Star.
After retiring from the Air Force, he became a master mechanic for Johnson, Evinrude, and worked on outboard motors for twenty years. He was an amateur photographer whose specialty was wild flowers of Arkansas. He liked to hike the trails of Arkansas and volunteered to help clear the Ozark Highland Trails for fifteen years.
Funeral services will be 10 a.m. Wednesday, January 1, 2020, in the chapel of Griffin Leggett Healey & Roth, 5800 W. 12th Street, Little Rock, 72204 (501) 661-9111. Interment will follow at Pinecrest Memorial Park. Memorials may be made to St. Andrew’s Church, 8300 Kanis Road, Little Rock, 72204. To sign the online guestbook, click “Add A Memory” at: www.griffinleggetthealeyroth.com
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RITA D. (JONES) LEVY, 83, died December 24th after suffering a stroke on December 16th. Born in Ada Valley, she moved to NLR in the third grade where she attended McRae Elementary School. Rita always believed in the power of education and set high standards for herself and her children. She graduated valedictorian of the 1954 NLR High School class. She was also valedictorian of the College of Education at the University of Arkansas in Fayetteville when she received her degree from there, finishing in three years by taking summer classes at UCA and Arkansas Tech. She taught English at NLR Junior High for four years.
Rita married her high school sweetheart, Morris Levy, on December 20, 1958. She helped her husband with his medical studies. The couple lived in Fort Knox, San Francisco, and Fort Sill while Morris was in the Army and had a child at each location. Rita delighted in motherhood and enjoyed raising and educating her children. In their sixty-one year marriage, Rita and Morris traveled extensively. She was active in the PTA and other school activities. Rita’s children continued her tradition and graduated valedictorian of their high school classes at Northeast High School in 1980, 1982, and 1984. Daughter Elizabeth practiced law until she married. Son David became a chemical engineer and son Robert, a doctor.
Rita was preceded in death by her parents, Tom and Vida Jones, and her brothers, Wallace and Gene Jones. She will be mourned by her husband, children, son and daughter-in-law, Itzhak and Nikki, and three grandchildren, Gabe, Jonathan, and Kathryn. Rita survived breast cancer, removal of one lung, a broken hip, and several abdominal operations. She always was full of life, friendly, and loved animals, especially her cats.
Funeral Service will be 2 p.m. Monday, December 30, 2019, at Roller-Owens Funeral Home, 5509 John F. Kennedy Blvd., North Little Rock, Ark. 72116. Visitation will be one hour prior to service. Private family burial will be at Oakland Jewish Cemetery in Little Rock. Online Guestbook: www.rollerfuneralhomes.com/owens.
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KATHERINE QUINTON McLAIN, 100, of Sherwood, passed through the gates of Heaven on December 22, 2019. Katherine was born in Winfield, Kan., on May 20, 1919. She was adopted at the age of six months by the late E.S. and Hiley Quinton. She grew up in Sayre, Okla., and graduated from Northeastern State College with a teaching degree.
She married Thomas McLain, Sr. in 1948, and they moved to North Little Rock, Ark., where they raised their family. Katherine taught English and reading at Jefferson Davis Junior High and later, Jones Junior High for 7th graders. She learned to drive a car at the age of 50 and bought her first and only car, a 1977 Chevy Impala. She was often seen driving over the speed limit on McCain Blvd. and only the bravest of souls would agree to ride with her. Katherine had a lifelong love of photography and, as a result, the family has hundreds of pictures that she took while her children were growing up. While we got tired of posing for pictures, we are grateful to have those photos and will cherish them forever. She became a photographer for Shepherd Center and continued long after retirement.
Katherine was a longtime member of Park Hill Christian Church, where she participated in many activities through the years and made lifelong friends that she treasured. She loved the Razorbacks, Miss America Pageants, Dancing With the Stars and Anne of Green Gables. She will be remembered for her beautiful smile, her laugh and her love for God. She practiced the Golden Rule her whole life and it served her well. She was proud she lived to be 100, but was ready to greet her family and friends in Heaven. She was the best mother anyone could have and will live in our hearts forever.
Katherine is preceded in death by her parents; husband, Thomas McLain, Sr.; brother, Charles Quinton; and her granddaughter, Janet McLain. She is survived by sons: Thomas McLain, Jr. of Tampa, Fla., Mark (Tendi) McLain of Modesto, Calif.; and daughter, Marilyn (Ed) Hawley of Sherwood, Ark.; grandchildren, Michelle Buie (David) of Bigelow, Ark., Laura McLain (Sam) of Chicago, Ill., Johnny and Richard McLain of Modesto, Calif., and Chad Hawley of Charlotte, N.C.; nine great-grandchildren; and her special niece, Becky (Jerry) Truster of Broken Arrow, Okla.
Special thanks to her church family and friends, Birdye Farmer, Miles Cook, Rebecca Meek, Lottie and Johnnie Forrest, Bob and Rita Choate, Brooksie Read-Duncan, Shirley and Burt Burrow, Jan and Kin Taylor, Ellen Brown, Erin Schudar and Cathy McKinley. Memorials may be made in her honor to the Shepherd Center at Park Hill Christian Church, 4400 JFK Blvd., NLR, Ark. 72116.
A Celebration of Katherine’s life will be held at 2:30 p.m. on Monday, December 30, at Park Hill Christian Church with a visitation following the service. Please share your memories of Katherine with her family at www.griffinleggettresthills.com.
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BETTY RUTH DORTCH RUSSELL McMATH passed away on Thursday, December 26, 2019. She was born July 14, 1920, to Mabel Wittenberg and Thomas Steele Dortch. She was raised in Scott, Ark., where her grandparents had settled and built Marlsgate Plantation.
Betty attended Hendrix College and Washington University in St. Louis studying art. She became a well known portraitist, painting many prominent Arkansans including Governors and civic leaders. She especially enjoyed painting pictures of her childhood memories of Scott. She was the creator of the Sea Wall Mural in North Little Rock. In addition to her portraits, she did many paintings of the children selling daffodils at Cantrell and Kavanaugh and was known for her paintings of umbrellas in the rain.
Betty taught for thirty years at the Arkansas Art Center and was instrumental in starting the Artmobile Project that took art across the state to small communities. Betty won many awards regionally, including The Arts Council’s Governors Award. She was active in the Junior League, The Women’s Emergency Committee, The Committee of 100, Mid-Southern Water Colorists and a member of the Country Club of Little Rock and The Aesthetic Club. She was a lifelong member of the Christian Science Church.
For over forty years she was married to Henry (Rusty) Wellington Russell, who died in 1983. They enjoyed world travel with close friends. She later was married to former Governor Sid McMath until his death in 2003. She was predeceased by her sister, Judy Dortch Burrow. She is survived by her children, Diane Knight, Judy Phillips, Mary Russell, David Russell (Liz), Tom Russell (Vanessa), six grandchildren and four great-grandchildren.
The family would like to thank the wonderful staff of Elmcroft of Maumelle for the many years of loving care and support. There will be a reception at Ruebel Funeral Home from 12:30 – 2:30 on Sunday, December 29.
A private inurnment at Roselawn Cemetery will take place at a later date. In honor of their Mother, the family requests donations be made to Scott Connections supporting The Plantation Settlement. www.ruebelfuneralhome.com
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JIMMY R. NEWELL, 78, of Little Rock, passed away on Thursday, December 26, 2019. Funeral service will be 1 p.m., Tuesday, December 31, 2019, at Trinity United Methodist Church, 1101 N Mississippi St, Little Rock, Ark., 72207. The family will receive friends from 5-7 p.m., Monday, December 30, 2019 at Roller-Chenal Funeral Home. Online guestbook: www.rollerfuneralhomes.com/chenal
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WILLIAM MARVIN PARISH, 52, of North Little Rock passed away on December 25, 2019. The family will host a memorial service at a later date. Arrangements have been entrusted to A Natural State Funeral Service, 2620 West Main Street, Jacksonville, Ark. His full obituary is available at www.anaturalstatefuneralservice.com
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OLIVER SEAY, age 88, of North Little Rock, Ark., passed away Tuesday, December 24, 2019. He was born on April 24, 1931, in Newport, Tenn., to parents Leonard and Ora Seay. Oliver grew up in the Great Smoky Mountains with his seven brothers and one sister. He married his lovely bride, Lois Sexton, in Georgia in 1954.
Oliver joined the United States Air Force and faithfully served his country for over 20 years, including during the Vietnam War, retiring as a Master Sergeant. After his retirement from the Air Force, he went on to work another 18 years for J. C. Penney Co.
A true family man, there wasn’t anything he couldn’t fix. His family took all of their broken items to him for repairs. He never lost his curiosity about how things were put together. He was also a great gardener. Oliver was a longtime member of First Jacksonville Methodist Church.
More than anything else, he enjoyed his grandchildren. He was always up for an adventure and entertained his family with his great stories of growing up in the Smoky Mountains.
Oliver is preceded in death by his parents and six of his seven brothers. He is survived by his loving wife, Lois Seay of North Little Rock; son, Mike (Kathy) Seay of Little Rock ; daughter, Cindy (Steve) Webb of Maumelle; grandchildren Ben Seay of Austin, Texas, Lilly (Sean) Sapp of North Little Rock, and Ryan Webb of Maumelle. He is also survived by his brother, Earl Seay, and sister, Marie Kennedy.
In lieu of flowers, memorials honoring Oliver may be made to Arkansas Children’s Hospital, 1 Children’s Way, Little Rock, Ark., 72202.
A graveside service honoring Oliver’s life will be held at 10 a.m., Monday, December 30, at Rest Hills Memorial Park, 7724 Landers Road, NLR. Visitation will begin at 9 a.m. in the Rest Hills funeral home prior to his graveside service. The U.S. Air Force Honors Team will render military honors.
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KATHRYN MARTIN SIMPSON passed away peacefully on Sunday, December 22, 2019, in Little Rock, Ark. She was born in 1932, in Blytheville, Ark., to Hilda and Sterling Martin. She graduated from Blytheville High School in 1950 and attended the University of Arkansas. She married Russell Simpson on May 18, 1952.
Beautiful, elegant, vibrant, and gracious, her greatest joy was her husband and children. They lived for many years in Dell, Ark., where Mr. Simpson was a farmer and business owner. They had two sons, Russell Jr. (Rusty) and Wade Martin (Marty). Mrs. Simpson loved being a mother and a homemaker and was an active supporter of her husband’s and sons’ endeavors, as well as a caring and devoted daughter and sister.
With her family raised, Kathryn opened a children’s clothing store, and later was a real estate agent in Blytheville. Kathryn served in the PTA and the Altar Society. She played bridge, made crafts, and travelled extensively. She enjoyed entertaining her family and friends. She was a life-long devoted and faithful member of the Catholic Church.
Mrs. Simpson was preceded in death by her parents, her husband, and her brother, Dr. Sonny Martin of Paragould. She is survived by her sons and their families: Rusty and Cathey of Little Rock, and Marty and Melissa of Decatur, Ala. Also survived by grandchildren Kathryn and Tim Hyde of Little Rock, Chris, Grace, and Matthew Simpson, and Emily and Clay Keenum of Alabama, her sister-in-law Sally Martin of Paragould, six great-grandchildren, and many nieces and nephews.
A Mass of Christian Burial will be held Monday, December 30 at 11 a.m. at Immaculate Conception Church with Rev. T.J. Hart officiating. Burial will follow in Elmwood Cemetery. The family will receive friends from 10 a.m. until service time at Immaculate Conception Catholic Church. In lieu of flowers, the family requests memorials be made to the Alzheimer’s Association of Arkansas, or the Immaculate Conception Catholic Church of Blytheville. Condolences may be expressed to the family at www.cobbfuneralhome.com.
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GEORGE EDWARD STRONG, 68, of North Little Rock, departed this life Monday, December 23, 2019. He is survived by two sons, George, Jr., and Prince (Dawn) Strong; one daughter, Tierra Darden, and a host of relatives and friends.
Funeral Services, 11 a.m., Monday, December 30, 2019, Hubble Memorial Chapel. Visitation one hour before funeral. Funeral Services entrusted to Hubble Funeral Home (501) 3743134. “Serving you with professional care since 1900”, www.hubblefuneralhome.com.