Area Deaths
Notice of passing ISAAC HENDERSON JR.
Isaac Henderson Jr., 21, of Memphis, Tennessee, passed away on March 4, 2017 in Memphis.
TULISA HICKS
Tulisa Hicks, 52, of Smackover, died Thursday, March 9, 2017 at St. Vincent’s Infirmary in Little Rock.
Arrangements will be announced by Andrews Funeral Home.
Reminder of services JANEENE B. LEWIS
Janeene Benton Lewis, 82, of Norphlet, died Wednesday, March 8, 2017 at the John R. Williamson Hospice House in El Dorado.
Graveside services will be held at 2 p.m. on Sunday, March 12, at Rest Haven Memorial Gardens with the Rev. Ron Newberry officiating, under the direction of Young’s Funeral Directors.
Visitation will be held from 5 until 7 p.m. on Saturday, March 11, at Norphlet United Methodist Church.
Memorials may be made to Norphlet United Methodist Church Flower Flower Fund.
JOEL P. GRIFFIN
A graveside memorial service for Joel Phillip Griffin, 69, of Georgetown, Texas, will be held at 11 a.m. today at Arlington Memorial Park with Pastor Scott Johnson of the East Faulkner Church of Christ officiating.
CAROLYN H. NICHOLSON
A memorial service for Carolyn Hobbs Nicholson, 83, of Strong, will be held at 2 p.m. today at Oak Grove Missionary Baptist Church with Larry Parks officiating. Cremation arrangements were entrusted to Young’s Funeral Directors.
TRAVIS D. SAXON
Services for Travis (Trab) Delaine Saxon, 73, of El Dorado, will be held at 2 p.m. today at Hickory Grove Chapel in El Dorado with Bro. Delmas Jones officiating. Burial will follow at Bethel Baptist Cemetery in El Dorado.
COLLIER N. SNEED
Services for Collier Nash Sneed, infant, will be held at 11:30 a.m. today at Young’s Chapel with Bro. Doug Wills officiating. Burial will follow at Rest Haven Memorial Gardens under the direction of Young’s Funeral Directors.
KATHY L. WOOD
Services for Kathy Lynn Nations Wood, 61, of El Dorado, will be held at 3 p.m. today at Mount Union Baptist Church with the Rev. Paul Sheets and the Rev. Leroy Jones officiating. Burial will follow in Smyrna Cemetery under the direction of Young’s Funeral Directors.
Obituaries JANEENE B. LEWIS
Janeene Benton Lewis, 82, of Norphlet, entered heaven’s gates on Wednesday, March 8, 2017 at the John R. Williamson Hospice House in El Dorado, after a brief illness.
She was born Aug. 22, 1934 in Chidester, to Thomas H. and Martha Faye Bridges Benton. She graduated from Norphlet High School in 1952 and married Ardie Dale Lewis on Aug. 17, 1952.
Janeene’s work career included El Dorado Chemical Company and the City of Norphlet where she worked in the utilities office. She also served as the city treasurer and acted as mayor for six weeks. Janeene will best be remembered as a devoted Christian wife, mother, grandmother, and friend.
She was a member of Norphlet United Methodist Church, serving as pianist for over 35 years and was a member of the gospel group, “The Circuit Riders.”
Left to cherish her memory are her husband, Ardie Dale Lewis; her children, Tony Lewis (Suzanne), Tena Hughes (Ronnie), Tami Rogers (Craig), Tyron Lewis and Thom Callaway; known as “Neene” to her grandchildren are, Lara Jurik (Fred), McKenzie Stokes (Brian), Tiffany Hughes, Gillian Hughes, Trent Rogers (Abby), Ahna Farrar, (Gary Don), and Trevor Rogers (Ashley); and her great-grandchildren, Gabrielle Jurik, Georgie Stokes, Camp Stokes, Bexton Rogers, Noah Farrar, and Lyla Kate Farrar. Also surviving is nephew, Todd Bates of Magnolia.
Janeene is also loved by a host of extended family and friends!
Janeene was preceded in death by her parents; her sister, Marlene Bates (Fred); and a nephew, Danny Bates.
Graveside services will be held at 2 p.m. on Sunday, March 12, 2017 at Rest Haven Memorial Gardens, El Dorado with the Rev. Ron Newberry officiating.
A visitation celebration reception hosted by the family will be from 5 to 7 p.m. today, at First United Methodist Church in Norphlet.
Pallbearers will be her grandsons and Jimmy Lambert.
In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made to Norphlet United Methodist Church (Foyer Flower Fund), P.O. Box 28, Norphlet, AR 71759.
An online registry will be available at www.youngsfuneralhome.com.
BOBBY R. PHILLIPS
Bobby Ree Phillips, 71, of El Dorado, died Feb. 28, 2017 at the Charles L. McClelland Memorial Veterans’ Hospital in Little Rock.
He was born on Dec. 1, 1945 in El Dorado and was the son of David Phillips and Pearl Boone Phillips.
He served in the U.S. Army. He later worked as a mechanic for Ensco from which he retired.
Survivors include his son, Marcus Phillips of El Dorado; two daughters, Yolanda Phillips and Stephanie Phillips of El Dorado; his ex-wife, Dee Burns of El Dorado; two brothers, Maurice Phillips and Edward Earl Phillips of El Dorado; four sisters, Queen Hayes, Gracie Hicks, Barbara Haymon, and Margaret Phillips of El Dorado; six grandchildren; and four great-grandchildren.
Services will be at 11 a.m. today at Greater Paradise Baptist Church with the Rev. Larry Andrews officiating. Burial will follow in Hicks Cemetery in Smackover under the direction of Andrews Funeral Home.
HOUSEP VARTANIAN
After 69 years of selfless loving service, Housep Vartanian passed from this life to see his heavenly Father and begin enjoying his eternal home and rewards. His passing took place on Thursday, March 8, 2017 at Life Touch’s John R. Williamson Hospice House. Born on Feb. 14, 1948 in Aleppo, Syria, he was the son of Vartan and Marie Vartanian.
Being raised in a family with six children, he learned from an early age the importance of a close loving family. At the age of 16, following the directions of his parents, he entered in to a marriage with Rima Vartenian. This blessed union flourished for 38 years and brought five children into their loving household. Never having much materially, Housep worked tirelessly to keep his family well fed and well cared for. With a warm heart and a concern for those around him, he was always quick to open his home to those he saw as less fortunate, and he will be truly missed.
Housep was preceded in death by his parents; his brother, Manoy Vartanian; and his sister, Rosen Vartanian.
Survivors left to cherish his memory are his wife, Rima Vartanian; sons, Vartan (Amanda) Vartanian, and Avo (Ashley) Vartanian; daughters, Tamar (Tony) Saba, Silva (Jeremy) Williams, and Tala Vartanian; along with 12 grandchildren.
Visitation will be held at 9 a.m. on Monday, March 13, 2017 at Holy Redeemer Catholic Church, followed by a Rosary and the funeral will be held at 11 a.m. with Father Edward D’ Almeida officiating. Interment will follow at Arlington Memorial Park under the direction of Young’s Funeral Directors.
Pallbearers will be Avo A. Vartenian, Avo H. Vartanian, Vartan Vartanian, Tony Saba, Jeremy Williams and Haig Kitishian.
Memorials may be made to Holy Redeemer Catholic Church, 440 W. Main St., El Dorado, AR 71730; or to Life Touch Hospice, 2301 Champagnolle Road, El Dorado, AR 71730.
An online registry is available at www.youngsfuneralhome.com.
(The deadline for full obituaries for the next day’s newspaper is 4 p.m. The deadline for death notices is 5 p.m. the day prior to publication. Obituaries submitted after these deadlines will not be published the next day, but will run in the following day’s newspaper. For more information about costs of obituaries and photos, call 870862-6611).