Obituaries
Reminder of Services
NORMA F. GREENLEE
The family of Norma “Tiny” Frances Greenlee, 83, of El Dorado will be at 111 Hazel St. and receive friends from 5 to 7 p.m. today at Young’s Funeral Directors.
Funeral will be at 2 p.m. Wednesday, May 17, 2017 at Ebenezer Baptist Church with the Rev. Steve Pelz officiating. Interment will follow at Burns- Ebenezer Cemetery under the direction of Young’s Funeral Directors.
Obituaries
SHONDRA M. BEAIRD
Shondra Marie Beaird left this world on Saturday after a lengthy battle with early onset Alzheimer’s disease and dementia. She was 55 years old.
She leaves behind a daughter, Taylor McEntire of Conway and her husband Josh; a son, Madison Beaird of Russellville; a sister, Laura Mitchum of Heber Springs and her husband, Gil; and beloved nephew; Pierce; her mother; Clarinda Waterston of Felsenthal and her husband, Jim; a stepmother, Cathy Havard of Junction City; and numerous aunts,uncles and cousins. Though not related, her neighbor Ken Lawrence is our relative in love for all of his support for Shondra while she was still home.
She was preceded in death by her grandmother, Eva Havard; and her father, Huey P. Havard, former Union County sheriff.
Shondra was born in El Dorado, where she spent her childhood with her family and friends. She loved to fish with her father and sister and was known to have checked their trot lines on the Ouachita River on an inflatable raft. After graduating from El Dorado High School, she married Robert Beaird and they eventually settled in Russellville, and began to raise a family. She was very active in lives of her children, her church, and Russellville Junior Auxiliary. One of her favorite yearly activities was for her and her family to serve food at the church on Thanksgiving. Shondra was a lover of life, the outdoors, her family, “Diet Coke from Sonic with that good ice,” and her dog, King. She was the proverbial life of the party. She loved music, especially music from the 70s and 80s, and she loved to dance and have a good time. She was the happiest when she was with friends or family. Shondra loved the beach, the sun, the sand, and the water. She was always ready for a trip to the lake or the Gulf of Mexico.
As per Shondra’s request, there will be no funeral, but rather a celebration of her life. She did not want a sad showing of tears for her loss, but rather a joyous gathering of happy tears and laughter and libation. Even in her death, she wishes to spread joy to others. We will have a drop-in gathering and potluck at Mount Nebo Pavilion from noon until 3 p.m. on Sunday, May 21, 2017, to celebrate all of the great memories that we have of her. Come with a joyous heart and a story to share with those who will gather there in memory.
MERRILL G. BRADLEY
Merrill Glenn Bradley, 98, of Poway, California, passed away peaceful on Jan.
21, 2017 after a lengthy illness.
Merrill was born March 30,
1918 in Wesson, to Henry Jackson and Nellie Frances Roberts Bradley. He was the eldest son and was predeceased by his brother, H.J. “Jim”Bradley; and sisters, Mary Virginia Wheatley and Grace Laverne Bradley.
He graduated from Wesson High School in 1936 and from Auburn University with a Bachelor of Science in Economics. Merrill served his country as a member of the Conservation Corps from 1937-38. From 194045 he was a member of the Army Air Corps, 5th Air Force 15th Weather Squadron and during WWII was stationed in Sydney, Australia.
Merrill retired from the civil service in 1975 after working as an industrial specialist for the Department of Defense.
Merrill is survived by his wife of 67 years, Betty Jo Warford Bradley; his son, Patrick and daughter-inlaw, Deborah, of Tucker, Georgia; and his daughter, Susan, and his sonin-law, James La Joie, of Poway.
He was predeceased by his eldest son, Michael, in 2014. Merrill also is survived by seven grandchildren; 11 great-grandchildren; and several nieces and nephews.
Merrill loved travel around the U.S. and Mexico, collecting antiques and was an avid golfer (3 holes-in-one!) until well into his 90s. He and his stories of growing up in Wesson will be dearly missed by all.
Interment of his cremains will be at the Wesson Cemetery at 11 a.m. on June 3, 2017.
COREY L. HALCOMB
Corey Lee Halcomb, 27, of Lawson, passed away May 12, 2017.
He was born Oct. 19, 1989, to Julia Perritt Brumley in Monroe, Louisiana.
He was preceded in death by his father, Kenneth Dewayne Halcomb; his grandfathers, Johnston Huey, and Wendell Leon Perritt; and his Uncle Kenny Dewayne Perritt.
Corey is survived by his mother, Julia Brumley (Jim A. Tanton); his grandmother, Maxine Johnston; his brother, Colbey Halcomb; his sister, Erica Shryock; his nieces, Athena Michelle Shryock and Arora Ava-Jadee Elliot; his aunt, Lisa Vanderberg; his cousins, Joey Alexander and Melody Alexander. He will also be greatly missed by his loyal canine companion, Bandit.
Cremation services were entrusted to Young’s Funeral Directors.
An online registry may be signed at www. youngsfuneralhome.com.
SYLVIA A. WILLIAMS
Sylvia Ann Williams, 80, of Harrell passed away Sunday, May 14, 2017 at Silver Oaks Nursing Home in Camden.
She was born Feb. 26, 1937 in Calhoun County. She was a retired bookkeeper for ConAgra of El Dorado. She was also a member of Canaan Baptist Church in Harrell.
She was preceded in death by her parents, Fred Williams and Leuna Mulligan Williams; two brothers, Clifton George “C.G.” Williams and Lamar Williams; and two sisters, Lola Smith and Mary Williams.
She is survived by one brother and sister-in-law, Billy Joe and Margie Sue Williams of Cedar Point, Kansas; and several nieces and nephews.
Visitation will be held from 6 until 8 p.m. today at Benton Funeral Home in Hampton.
Funeral will be held at 10 a.m. on Wednesday, at Canaan Baptist Church in Harrell with the Rev. Rickey Smith officiating. Burial will follow at Ricks Cemetery. Arrangements by Benton Funeral Home in Fordyce/Hampton. To sign the online register visit www.bentonfuneralhome.net.
(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 870-862-6611).