MONTICELLO — Donald Gene Ridgell,
age 73, of Monticello, passed away Friday, March 19, 2021. He was born September 12, 1947, to the late James Weldon Ridgell and Precious Jewel Blair Ridgell. He was a retired logger and factory worker, a United States Army Veteran and a member of the African Methodist Episcopal Church. In addition to his parents, he was also preceded in death by five brothers, Travis, Leon, Troy, Evans and Douglas Ridgell; four sisters, Maudelle Ridgell, Narvis Harris, Willie Mae Ridgell, Charity Ann Ridgell Miller; and a granddaughter, Donya Moore Ridgell. Donald is survived by his wife, Maxine James Ridgell of Monticello; one daughter, Natalie Woods of Monticello; two sons, Donald Ridgell, Jr. of Greenville, Miss., and Karlos Demetrius James and wife Nikia of Fort Worth, Texas; five brothers, Chris Ridgell of W. Bloomfield, Mich., Earl Ridgell and wife Anne of Grand Blanc, Mich., Dwight Ridgell, Bommie Ridgell and Billy Ridgell and wife Dantanes all of Monticello; four grandsons, Khari Woods, Eric Brown, Jr., Jaiden James and Devin James Ridgell; and one very special granddaughter, Ms. Arionna Hillard, the one who stole his heart. He also leaves several Missionary ladies, Mrs. Francis Christian, Mrs. Mary Thompson, Mrs. Matilda Jordan, Mrs. Shirley Griffin and mother, Bernice Brooks.
Funeral service following Covid-19 guidelines will be 11 a.m., Saturday, March 27, 2021, at Stephenson-Dearman Chapel. Burial with military honors will be in Campground Cemetery. There will be a come-and-go viewing from 5-7 p.m., Friday evening, at the funeral home also following all Covid-19 protocols. Online guestbook at: www.stephensondearman.com.
MONTICELLO — Mrs. Mary Vern Swift Thompson, was born June 9, 1935, to the late David and Claretha Swift in Drew County, Ark. She passed away on Sunday, March 21, 2021. Mary was a lifetime and proud member of Mt. Pleasant African Methodist Episcopal Church where she served as a member of the Clara Will Moore Missionary Society, Senior Usher Board, and served as a Mother of the church. She was very active in her church and loved everything and everyone. Taking care of her family was her greatest joy. She loved cooking, fishing, hunting, canning, and catering to everyone’s needs and wants. She had a contagious smile and sweet spirit that will forever be imprinted in the hearts of all who encountered her.
Mary was raised and educated in the Monticello area. She was a graduate of Drew High School Class of 1955. She married Shelvis Thompson on July 22, 1955, and to that union five children were born. She worked for Burlington Industries for many years and retired from the Arkansas Baptist Home for Children after 16 years.
Mary was preceded in death by two of her children: Henry (Hank) Thompson and Lillian Christine Thompson; her siblings, Hubert Hedwood, Richard Swift, David Swift, and James Swift. A lifetime of love and memories will forever be remembered and cherished by her loving husband, Shelvis (Dusty) Thompson, Jr.; her children, Gerald (Evelyn) Thompson of Warren, Ark.; Angela Jackson and Arlicia (Randy) Jackson both of Monticello, Ark.; Kenneth Thompson of Monticello, Ark.; and two grandchildren who she raised, Roslynn Thompson of Mansfield, La., and Jeffery Thompson of Little Rock, Ark.; one sister, Bernice Brooks of Monticello, Ark., and one brother; Roy Chester (Gwen) Swift of Detroit, Mich. She has 22 grandchildren and 17 great-grandchildren and a host of nieces, nephews, cousins, relatives, and friends.
There will be a come and go viewing Saturday, March 27, 2021, 5–7 p.m., at Stephenson-Dearman Chapel. A Funeral service will be Sunday, March 28, 2021, 1 p.m., at Stephenson-Dearman Chapel with burial following at Campground Cemetery. Visit: www.stephensondearman.com to sign our online guest book.