Obituaries
NOTICE OF PASSING
JOHN L. JOHNSON
John L. Johnson, 87, died August 18, 2020 at his residence. Arrangements will be announced by Young’s Funeral Directors.
OBITUARIES
TEDDY HOPE ANDERS
Teddy Hope Anders, 85, of Calion, AR passed away Wednesday, August 19, 2020, at Hudson Memorial Nursing Home in El Dorado, AR.
Teddy was born September 11, 1934 in Bradley County, AR to the union of Fred Anders and Catherine York.
He was preceded in death by his parents. Teddy was retired from Columbian Chemical and was a member of the Calion Assembly of God Church.
Survivors include his wife of 67 years, Norma Jean Anders, four sons, Freddy Anders and wife Renee, Bill Anders, Richard Anders and wife Diane and Ken Anders, one sister, Jean McKnight and husband Delton, ten grandchildren, Christy Jones and husband Randy, Brandon Anders and wife Laurie, Clint Anders, Greg Anders, Shade Anders, Michael Anders, Lindsey Smith and husband David, Morgan Anders, Tiffany Anders and Stormy Anders, four step great grandchildren, fourteen great grandchildren, eight great great grandchildren and two on the way.
Visitation will be 12:00 noon until 2:00 p.m. Friday, August 21, 2020 at the Calion Assembly of God Church.
Funeral services will be held at 2:00 p.m. Friday, August 21, 2020 at the Calion Assembly of God Church with Bro. Pete Elliott and Bro. Mark Staples officiating. Interment will be in the Champagnolle Cemetery under the direction of Bailey Funeral Home of El Dorado, AR.
Pallbearers will be Freddy Anders, Bill Anders, Richard Anders, Ken Anders, Brandon Anders and Randy Jones.
In lieu of flowers the family requests memorials be made to the Calion Assembly of God Church, 122 West Main St. Calion, AR 71724.
Please visit www.baileyfuneralhome.net to sign the online register book. Due to COVID-19 a mask must be worn for service and social distance must be practice.
LARRY RANDALL HODGE, SR
Larry Randall Hodge, Sr., 68, of Huttig, AR, passed away Tuesday, August 18, 2020 at the John R. Williamson Hospice House. He was born February 7, 1952 to Randolph “Chuck” and Mayree Waters Hodge in Marion, LA.
He was a graduate of Oil Belt El Dorado and Louisiana Tech University. Larry retired from Georgia Pacific, where he worked as a mechanical engineer for 25 years. He served as Mayor of Huttig for 12 years. Larry was a Mason, a member of the NRA, and enjoyed rebuilding and racing old cars.
He is preceded in death by his parents, and infant twin brothers.
Survivors include his sons, Shane Hodge (Megan) of Huttig, Randall Hodge (Kimberly) of El Dorado; brothers, Doyle Hodge (Liz) of West Monroe, Tommy Hodge (Peggy) of Monroe; grandchildren, Kelsie Rogers (Dustin), Kennedy Hodge (Hunter), Christopher Hodge, Tyler Hodge, Kristian Hodge, Keelan Hodge, Jackson Hodge; and one great grandchild, Joanna Rogers.
A memorial service will be held at a later date. Cremation arrangements will be announced by Young’s Funeral Directors.
Memorials may be made to the John R. Williamson Hospice House, 2301 Champagnolle Rd., El Dorado, AR 71730.
Condolences may be made online at www.youngsfuneralhome.com
DEBORAH RAE SMITH
Deborah Rae Smith age 68 of El Dorado, passed away Friday, August 14, 2020 at CHI St. Vincent Infirmary Medical Center in Little Rock, AR, following a brief illness. Deborah was born on March 9, 1952 in El Dorado to the late Beulah Lynn Cook Smith and Raymond Elbert Smith.
Debbie was gifted with a warmth and smile that could light up the night sky. No matter which new city the future held for her young family, within a month of settling in she had already met the neighbors, set up play dates for her children and was hosting weekly dinners. Saturday’s were spent with her kids waking up so excitedly, not for cartoons, but for American Bandstand and dancing the Jitter
Bug. Those who knew her well envied her social ease and the radiance of her personality. Only the sun shined brighter than Debbie herself, and like the sun, people were drawn to her light.
Once her children became teenagers, their friends would come over to play games and hang out, telling stories and belly laughing late into the night. Her kitchen table was more happening on a Friday night than cruising the Sonic and she adored every minute of it. She may only have four biological children, but she was known as Momma Cary to hundreds of teenagers spanning almost a decade in the late 80’s through the 90’s and beyond.
It was during that time, as a single parent, she fulfilled her dream of finishing her degree at Southern Arkansas University. Shortly after, her mother had fallen ill and needed round the clock care. Without hesitation, Debbie gave up her teaching aspirations to take care of her mother until she passed many years later.
She was a champion for everyone, fiercely defending her kids, friends and always the ones considered underdogs. The phrase going “Big Debs” on someone when it was time to get down to business became legendary.
Her grandchildren brought her pure joy and she loved them more than anything. They loved their Mimi right back too.
Debbie didn’t have an easy path to walk in this life. At times it seemed she received more than her fair share of setbacks, letdowns and heartache. She always managed to make it work, come through in the clutch and never, ever, gave up.
Even through the hardest of times, she had an amazing ability to make everything FUN. Always laughing, always loving, and most of all…always there. She was always there with a smile, hug, joke and her unforgettable laughter.
She was the life of the party. And she wouldn’t have wanted her life any other way.
Deborah was preceded in death by her parents; and by a brother, Charles Ray Smith.
Survivors include: four children, Laurie Cary Russell and husband Andrew of El Dorado, Amy Cary of Shreveport, LA, John Cary Jr. of El Dorado, and Michael Cary and wife Paige of El Dorado; seven grandchildren, Brandon Russell, Zachary Molsbee, Matt Cary, Garrison Cary, Liliana Cary, Laurie-Anne Cary, and Ava Cary; three sisters, Sharon “Nonnie” Brian, Sheila “She She” Talley, and Shirley “Shirley Girly” Wilson; longtime companion, Rickey Smith along with numerous nieces, nephews and friends.
Visitation will be from 4:00 pm until 7:00 pm on Friday, August 21, 2020 at Perry’s Funeral Chapels. A private family memorial service will take place at a later date. Everyone in attendance will be required to wear face covering to enter and attendance will be limited to 50 people inside at one time.
Vida Vivian Walker, 98, of El Dorado, passed away on Tuesday, August 18, 2020 at the Medical Center of South Arkansas. She was born April 7, 1922 in Malakoff, Texas to the late Hezekiah Wesley and Dona Almeda Clark Mitcham.
After a lengthy career with the Union County Tax Assessor’s Office, she retired in 1986. Upon retirement she enjoyed traveling, fishing, China painting and growing beautiful flowers.
Vida was known for her acts of kindness and her giving heart.
She was a longtime member of Immanuel Baptist Church where she was a member of the Naomi Sunday School Class.
Vida is preceded in death by her husband, Billy Clayburn Walker; brother, Royal “Bud” Mitcham and sisters, Hazel Campbell and Margaret Prichard.
She is survived by her daughter Susan Walker Bowling and her husband, Carl of Fayetteville; son, Lynn Walker and his wife, Gail of Dallas, Georgia; two grandchildren, Jennifer Lee and her husband, Travis and Jeff Turpin and his wife Kati and three great-grandchildren, Kennedy, Mackenzie and Alexis Lee.
A private graveside and interment will be held at Arlington Memorial Park at a later date under the direction of Perry’s Funeral Chapels.
In lieu of flowers, donations can be made to Immanuel Baptist Church, 3209 W. Hillsboro, El Dorado, Arkansas, 71730.
Please sign our online guestbook at www.perrysfuneralchapels.com