Obituaries
Notice of Passing
JOHN CHRISTIAN
John Christian, 47, of El Dorado passed away on Oct. 24, 2018 at Baylor Scott & White Health of Grapevine, Texas.
Arrangements for funeral service will be announced by Sims Mortuary.
KENNY WALLER
Kenny Waller of El Dorado passed away on Oct. 24, 2018 at the Veterans Hospital in Little Rock.
Funeral arrangements are pending with Andrews Funeral Home.
WILLIE MAE WILLIAMS
Willie Mae Williams, 92, of Dallas, Texas, formerly of Waldo, passed away on Tuesday, Oct. 23, 2018 at her home in Dallas.
Funeral services are pending and will be announced by Henderson Funeral Service. Online guestbook www.hendersonsmortuary.com.
Reminder of Services FRANK E. HUMPHREYS
Frank Edwin Humphreys, III, 64 of Smackover passed away, Wednesday, October 24, 2018.
A memorial service will be held at 2:00 p.m. Saturday, October 27, 2018 at the First United Methodist Church in Smackover. Cremation arrangements were entrusted to Young’s Funeral Directors.
ALLEN E. LACHUT
Funeral for Allen Edward Lachut, 71, of El Dorado will be held at 2 p.m. today in Young’s Chapel with the Rev. Travis Langley officiating. Burial will follow at Arlington Memorial Park under the direction of Young’s Funeral Directors.
Memorials may be made to a charity of the donor’s choice.
An online guest book is available at youngsfuneralhome.com.
MARIE O. WILSON
Marie O. Wilson, 89, of El Dorado passed away Saturday, Oct. 6, 2018 at Hudson Memorial Nursing Home.
Graveside service will be held at 2 p.m. today at Rest Haven Memorial Gardens with the Rev. Pat Daugherty officiating. Cremation services entrusted to Young’s Funeral Directors.
Memorials may be made to Dumas Memorial United Methodist Church, 132 S. Wyatt Drive, El Dorado, AR 71730.
An online registry will be available at www.youngsfuneralhome.com.
Obituaries
B.J. ALDERSON
B. J. Alderson was born to the union of John and Kissie Alderson, the seventh of twelve children. He accepted our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ at an early age while attending Mt. Willie Baptist Church.
He was united in marriage to Vida Lee Johnson on September 14, 1947, and six adorable children were joined to this union. He developed an extraordinary entrepreneurial spirit at an early age and was able to receive his Bachelor of Laws degree from Blackstone School of Law to assist in his business endeavors. He had a God given passion for working on small engines and to aid in that passion he attended and graduated Oil Belt Vocational Technical School. He was employed by Monsanto and went on to work for Lion Oil Chemical where he retired in 1985. His passion for excelling enabled him to become the first Afro American to own and operate his own service station of which he was very proud. He was also active with the NAACP, helping to excel others of color to experience and fulfill their hopes and dreams.
He had a heartfelt passion for Gospel music and also worked diligently and faithfully on the finance committee at First Baptist Church. B J’s final years of service was at Mount Calvary Baptist Church. B J was an avid Arkansas Razorback basketball fan.
B J was preceded in death by his parents, John and Kissie Alderson, five brothers, six sisters and his loving wife, Vida (Kitty) Lee Alderson.
B J leaves to cherish his memory, Winston (Willora) Alderson of El Dorado; B J (Danita) Alderson of Minneapolis, MN; Glenda (Abraham) Clark of Hope; Janice Alderson of Humble, TX; Erma Smith of Arkadelphia; Cedrick (Prender) Alderson of Naples, Italy. Grands are Marcus Simms, Winston Alderson II, Amber Alderson, Jahan Powell, Adia Alderson, Grace Clark, Nadia Alderson, Jenae Alderson, Serina Alderson, Olivia Alderson; Great grands, Bridgette Brown, Amar Rodgers, Zaya Rodgers, Micah King, Jahan Powell Jr., Khalil Powell, and Elijah Powell.
JERRY L. HILL
Ms. Jerry L. Hill was born on September 26, 1933 to the union of John Nation and Zella Nation. A godly life ended on Saturday, October 20 when Jerry L. Hill transitioned into eternity. Jerry met and married Ernest Hill, Sr. and to this union nine children were born. She became a member of the Church of Christ on Barnes Street, where she remained a faithful member until her health failed. Jerry was a very good cook and loved cooking. In her leisure time, she enjoyed fishing and traveling.
Jerry was preceded in death by her mother and father, her husband, Ernest Hill, Sr., of 50 years, one son Robert Hill, three brothers, Cloyd Nation, Sr., Willie C, Nation, and Robert L. Nation, three sisters, Leona Ritter, Mary Sue Owens, and Madell Clark. She leaves to cherish her memories, five sons, Ernest, Jr. (Janie), of Little Rock, AR, Herman (Linda), of El Dorado, AR, Dwayne Hill, Atlanta, GA, Anthony (Shern), of El Dorado, AR, And Richard (Rose), of El Dorado, AR, three daughters, Bertha (John), of El Dorado, AR, Cassie (David), of Atlanta, GA, and Annette (Robert), of Las Vegas, NV, one brother, Jimmy Dean Nation, of New Mexico, and one sister, Maudell Allen, of Austin, TX.
Funeral services for Ms. Jerry L. Hill will be held on Friday, October 26, at 2:00 p.m., at Plum Street Church of Christ, 529 Plum St., El Dorado, AR. The burial will be at Rest Haven Cemetery, Norphlet, AR following the celebration service. The family repast will be at the fellowship hall of Plum Street Church of Christ following the burial. The service is entrusted to Andrews Funeral Home, El Dorado, AR.
THOMAS W. HUDSON
Funeral services for Mr. Thomas Weldon “Buddy” Hudson, age 95, will be held at 2:00 PM Saturday, October 27, 2018 at the Bailey Funeral Home Chapel, Springhill, with Rev. Curtis Spears and Rev. Roger Moreland officiating. Interment will follow in Springhill Cemetery, Springhill, LA under the direction of Bailey Funeral Home.
Visitation will be held from 1:00 - 2:00 PM Saturday, October 27, at the Bailey Funeral Home Chapel.
Mr. Hudson was born on November 15, 1922 to Algie L. and Jewel Soape Hudson in Carthage, TX and passed away on Tuesday, October 23, 2018 in Taylor, Ar. He was a former resident of Cullen and Shreveport and was a member of the Apostolic Faith Tabernacle. He was a World War II Army veteran and had worked with International Paper Company for 36 years and Bill and Ralph’s for 15 years.
He is survived by his son, Tom Hudson and wife, Ginger of Norphlet, AR; two sisters-in-law, Charline Powell Casten of Shreveport, LA, and Joyce Lavondal Hudson of Sarepta, LA and a host of nieces and nephews.
Mr. Hudson is preceded in death by his wife of 63 years, Geneva Ray Hudson; his parents; daughter, Loyce Evonne Hudson; sisters, Aline Mayfield and Peggy Johnson and a brother, Luther Wayne “Bo” Hudson.
Sign our online guest book at www.baileyfuneralhome.net.
MARGARET MCCLELLAND
Margaret McClelland was born on September 8, 1921, to Charlie and Susie Knighten in Junction City.
She attended Rosenwald Elementary School in Junction City and was a member of Mt. Union Baptist Church where she served as the church secretary, member of B.T.U., Nursing Guild, Home Mission, and Deaconess Board.
On April 17, 1938, she was united in Holy Matrimony with Mr. Roosevelt McClelland.
She was preceded in death by her husband Roosevelt; daughter, Ruthel Kentle and son David McClelland.
She is survived by two daughters, Trudell Newberry of Racine, WI and Margaret Ann Drisdom of Los Angeles, CA; three sons, Theodore McClelland of North Chicago, IL, James McClelland of Channelview, TX and Charles McClelland of EL Dorado; 19 grandchildren, 30 great-grandchildren, and 3 great-great grandchildren.
Public visitation Friday, October 26, 2018 from 11-4 p.m. at New Mt. Union Baptist Church in Junction City with family hour Friday, October 26, 2018 5-7 p.m. at New Mt. Union Baptist Church. Funeral services Saturday, October 27th, 2018 at 11:00 a.m. at First Baptist Church-Cordell 620 Cordell with Rev. Doug Marsh, eulogist. Interment will be at Junction City Community Cemetery under the direction of Sims Mortuary. Sign the guestbook online at www.simsmortuary.com.
DR. WILLIAM PORCHIA
On January 26, 1925, Reverend William Porchia and Loueaser Carolyn Goodwin were united in Holy Matrimony. They welcomed their son, Edgar Allen Porchia on December 3, 1925 and shortly thereafter, another son was born.
Edgar Allen accepted Christ as his Lord and Savior at a very young age, while attending Sweet Home Missionary Baptist Church in Buena Vista, Arkansas. As a very active young member at Sweet Home he served as a deacon and filled in whenever he was called upon.
At the age of eighteen, he took the hand of Mamie Jo Moore on November 27, 1943. To this union, seventeen children were born.
During his Christian journey, he was a member of First Baptist Church-Main, El Dorado, Arkansas.
While serving as a Deacon, he occasionally talked to his pastor and told him that he felt their was a greater calling on his life. On October 10, 1950, Edgar Allen confessed to his pastor and his church family that God had called him to preach the gospel. His
first sermon text was taken from St. Matthew 24:44, where Jesus says, “Therefore be ye also ready: for in such an hour as ye think not the Son of man cometh. His thought was “Stay on the Job,” And that he did! Since the profession of his calling, he spent the next sixty-two years of dedicated service preaching, teaching and pastoring.
Upon completion of his first sermon, he was licensed to preach the gospel. After sitting under his pastor for eight months, he was called to Shepherd his first church, New Zion Hill in Stephens, Arkansas . He was called by God to Shepherd the following flocks; New Zion Hill Baptist Church in Stephens, Arkansas, Beech Hill Baptist Church in Mt, Holly, Arkansas, First Union Baptist Church in Camden, Arkansas, Antioch Baptist Church in Stephens, Arkansas, Sweet Home Baptist Church in Buena Vista, Arkansas, St. Mary Baptist Church in Amy, Arkansas, Mt. Ephesus Baptist Church in Prescott, Arkansas, First Baptist Church Cordell in El Dorado, Arkansas and Greater Paradise Missionary Baptist Church in El Dorado, Arkansas. During his assignment of shepherding these flocks, many of the buildings were remodeled, restored or built from the group up. God richly blessed each project.
The True Servant that he was. He hath shewed thee, O man, what is good; and what doth the LORD require of thee, but to do justly, and to love mercy, and to walk humbly with thy God?: Micah 6:8. The Prophet Micah gives us concise requirements from our Lord. Truly, Dr.
E.A. Porchia has exemplified these requirements through his life as a man of God, a husband, father, pastor, moderator and as a brother in Christ. He has truly exhibited love, justice, mercy and humility to all in his daily walk with God and his fellowman.
Dr. Porchia was truly a man of integrity and strong beliefs. He believed that one level of training wouldn*t carry you very far, you’ve got to keep on studying. Because of that belief and trying to lead God*s people, he was led to continue his educational training. He attended Arkansas Baptist College in Little Rock, Ouachita Baptist University in Arkadelphia, Arkansas, Monroe Theological Seminary in Monroe, Louisiana and Bishop College in Dallas, Texas.
His civil and social activities included past First Vice President of the Arkansas Consolidated Missionary Baptist State Convention; eighteen years as Moderator of Ouachita District Association; President of the El Dorado Union County Baptist Minister’s Fellowship for thirty-two years; former Secretary of the Arkansas Consolidated Missionary Baptist State Convention and former Trustee of Arkansas Baptist College for twenty years. He also served as a board member of the Medical Center of South Arkansas. Dr. Porchia Licensed and ordained countless ministers which are currently serving as pastors throughout the United States. For fifty years, he touched the hearts of many; each and every Sunday morning during his radio ministry.
He believed strongly that , “If I can help somebody, as I pass along, If I can cheer somebody, with a word or song, If I can show somebody, that he’s travelling wrong, then
my living shall not be in vain.” Therefore, my dear brothers and sisters, stand firm. Let nothing move you. Always give yourselves fully to the work of the Lord, because you know that your labor in the Lord is not in vain. (1 Corinthians 15:58)
Dr. Porchia was the recipient of countless awards; to mention a few, he received the William J. Clinton Presidential Foundation Award, the Service Award for Fifty years or more for Service as a National Baptist Convention Pastor, issued by Dr. William J. Shaw, Convention President. He is also listed in the Heritage Registry of Who’s Who in the 2006 Edition. Because of his love for Christ and humanity, he was the recipient of an Honorary Doctorate of Humane Letters presented by W. Herbert Brewster Theological Seminary, Memphis, Tennessee.
He was preceded in death by his parents and two daughters, Verdia Porchia-Anderson and Naomi Porchia-Johnson; three brothers, Chester, Bennie and Charlie and one grandson..
He is survived by his wife of seventy five years, Mamie Jo Porchia of El Dorado, Arkansas; fifteen children, William of El Dorado, Russell of Bay City, Michigan, Rev. Shadrach (Shirley) of Camden, Arkansas, Bobbie (Harold) Massey of El Dorado, Emanuel (Shelia) of El Dorado, Edgar Allen Jr. (Mearlie) of Little Rock, Carolyn (Kenneth) Waller of El Dorado, Rev. Ronnie W. (Cynthia) of Enterprise, Alabama, Joann (Rev. Jerome) Washington of Little Rock, Rev. Roy L. (Jean) of Little Rock, Vivian (Ricky) Manning of Bryant, Arkansas, Phyllis of El Dorado, Rev. Phillip A. (Cathy) of Clarksville, Texas, Tonya R. (Donald) Green of Camden and Cynthia (Marcus) Wallace of Mesquite, Texas; thirty-three grandchildren; thirty-two great-grandchildren and a host nieces, nephews, relatives, dear friends and a plethora of brothers in the ministry.
(The deadline for full obituaries for the next day’s newspaper is 3 p.m. The deadline for death notices is 3 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).