OBITUARIES
STEVEN LEE CATE
Steven Lee Cate, 57, of El Dorado passed away peacefully on March 16, 2021 at Baptist Health in Little Rock, AR. He was born on November 23, 1963 at Ramey Air Force Base in Aguadilla, Puerto Rico to Bennie E. and Merle Cate. Steven grew up primarily in Bossier City, LA. He graduated from Airline High School where he was a stand out in
Track and Field in the events of shot, discus and javelin. He set many conference records which garnered him a full scholarship to Louisiana Tech University.
While at LA Tech he achieved
All-American status twice in the shot among other distinctions.
He earned a Bachelors Degree in Business Administration and a
Masters in Human Relations and
Supervision. Louisiana Tech is where he met the most enchanting woman he had ever seen.
After five years of dating, they married. From this deep, abiding love came a daughter and a son. Steve’s greatest role in this world was father. He was a loving, kind, intellectual man who loved reading, hunting and most things in between. He was handy and could fix almost anything except during deer season. Although he spent many years in Human Resources, he truly enjoyed the last five years as a locksmith and safe technician. A confident man with a strong moral code, he demonstrated courage and integrity in how he lived his life. It was here that his Christian faith revealed itself. He could be outspoken, but always tried to treat others with respect. He was incredibly hard-working, generous, and a loyal friend.
Preceding him in death are his mother, Merle Cate; brotherin-law, Ben McFadden; and father-in-law, Richard I. “Buddy” McFadden.
Those left to cherish his life are his wife of 28 years, Abby McFadden Cate; daughter, Erin Cate McCoy (Cody); son, Dalton Cate; father, Bennie Cate; brother, Mark Cate (Terri); motherin-law, Sue McFadden, brothers-in-law, Joe McFadden (Christie) and Jonathan Hughes; sisters-in-law, Rachel Stanley (Tony) and Kathleen Hughes; nieces Amber Cate Morgan (Eric) and Siobahn Stanley; nephew, Christopher Smith (Haley) and his first grandchild, Presleigh McCoy whom he adored immediately. He will live on in his clever observations, smart aleck comments, undeniable sense of humor and the countless stories we all have. He was remarkable.
A Memorial Service will be held at 1:00 PM Saturday, March 27, 2021 at Parkers Chapel United Methodist Church under the direction of Perry’s Funeral Chapels. A Visitation will immediately follow the service at the Parkers Chapel United Methodist Church Fellowship Hall.
CHICO CAVER
Chico Caver was born on August 1, 1975, to Willie and Bobbie Jean Ruffin Caver in El Dorado, Arkansas.
He departed this life on March 9, 2021, at St. Vincent Infirmary in Little Rock, Arkansas.
He was preceded in death by his parents, Sister Angel Caver and brothers Rickey Caver Sr. and Antonio Caver.
Chico leaves to cherish his memory four daughters Brianna “Bri” Caver of El Dorado, Melanie “Mel” Moore of Nashville, TN, Trinity “Half Pint” Caver of Little Rock, and Halle “Halle Maely” Caver of Tyler, TX. One son Brennan “DaBoy” Caver of El Dorado. Three brothers: Reginald (Loretta), Caver Sr., Andre (Debra), Caver Sr., and Carlos Caver. Four Sisters: Angela Caver-King, Barbara (Darrell) Porter, Sonya (RJ) Hicks, and LaTonya Caver. One granddaughter: Jordan Love Lee, and a host of nieces, nephews, relatives, and friends.
Walkthrough Viewing Friday March 19, 2021 from 2:00pm- 5:00pm at Sims Mortuary, Funeral Service Saturday, March 20, 2021, at the El Dorado Municipal Auditorium at 11:00 a.m. Interment will be at Rest Haven Cemetery under the direction of Sims Mortuary. Sign the guestbook at www. simsmortuary.com Face mask required
WILL FELTON CLARKE
Will Felton Clarke, 91, of El Dorado passed away Thursday, March 16, 2021 at Courtyard Healthcare and Rehabilitation Center. He was born January 8, 1930 to the late Edgar Wilson and Dora Moreland Clarke.
Felton’s life was a testament of loving God to the fullest. He was a member of Murmil Heights Baptist Church.
He is preceded in death by his parents; daughter, Lowanda Purvis; his first wife, Pauline and his siblings.
Left to cherish his memories is his wife, Thelma Ruth Sones Womack Clarke son, Wayne Clarke (Donna); daughter, Kathy Walls; daughter in law, Beverly Womack; four grandchildren and nine great-grandchildren.
Visitation will be held from 5:00PM-7:00Pm, Thursday, March 18, 2021 at Perry’s Funeral Chapels. Funeral Services will be 10:00AM, Friday, March 19, 2021 officiated by Bro. Billy Smith at Perry’s Funeral Chapels. Interment will follow in Athens, Texas at Athens Cemetery.
Online Condolences at http://www.perrysfuneralchapels.com
JAMES HAY
On December 30, 1966, James Wesley Hay was born to the late Fred and Earlean Kennedy Hay in Shreveport, LA.
He was preceded in death by his maternal grandparents, George and Altoria Kennedy, and his paternal grandparents Jeff and Ruby Hay.
James entered eternal rest on March 12, 2021, at the Medical Center of South Arkansas.
His memory will be forever cherished by his loving wife and best friend Natasha Burrell
Hay; three (3) sons, Wesley, Malicus, and Ja’Vonte (Crystal), all of Del-City, OK. One(1) stepson, Jalen McMurrian, and his
Godson, Taylor Nagill Williams of El Dorado, AR. Six(6) sisters; Velma Cook and Debra Malone of El Dorado, AR; Elmira Hay of Haynesville, LA; Wanda Williams,
Sharon Hay and Angela Hay of Bernice, LA; His beloved motherin-law, Harriett Johnson(Granny) and a special niece, LaDonna Cook both of El Dorado, AR.
His legacy and namesake will continue to live on through his nine (9) grandchildren and a host of nieces, nephews, relatives, and friends.
Walkthrough visitation Thursday, March 19, 2021, from 2:00 pm-5:00 pm at Sims Mortuary, Graveside service Saturday, March 20, 2021, at Mt. Sinai Cemetery under the direction of Sims Mortuary. Sign the guestbook at www.simsmortuary.com
FRANCES “TOOTSIE” HAILE
Frances “Tootsie” Haile, 95 of Norphlet, passed away Sunday, March 14, 2021 at her residence.
Born February 26, 1926 in El Dorado, she was the daughter of William Henry and Mary Frances Hardin Nesbitt. She was a former business owner, homemaker and a member of First
Baptist Church of Norphlet. She spent many hours enjoying her stitching group.
Mrs. Haile’s was a former President of the American Legion Auxiliary and had served in the Arkansas state organization. She had also served as an officer in the local VFW
Auxiliary and held membership in the La Femmes Society in support of the 40 & 8 programs.
Preceding her in death along with her parents were her husband, Joe E. Haile, SR, sisters, Betty Carroll, Myrtle Miller, Mildred Setliff, and Bonnie Ware and brothers, Elvie Nesbitt, Charles Nesbitt and Henry Wayne Nesbitt and a great-granddaughter, Audrey Camacho.
Survivors include her daughter, Susan Lawrence (Ricky), sons, Joe E. Haile, Jr. (Diane) and George Allen Haile (Katie) all of El Dorado. Surviving grandchildren are Allison Dumas (Vandy), Clint Lawrence (Marsha) and Bonnie Haile all of El Dorado along with ten great-grandchildren; Kolton Dumas (Gracie), Josie Dumas, Addison Dumas, Andy Craig Dumas, Elliott Dumas, Hunter Lawrence, Hailee Lawrence, Landon Lawrence, Emily Camacho and Jackson Camacho.
Visitation will be held from 5:00 p.m. to 7:00 p.m. Wednesday, March 17, 2021 at Young’s.
Funeral services will be held at 10:00 a.m. Thursday, March 18, 2021 at Young’s Chapel with Rev. Terry Ware and Rev. Doug Wills officiating. Interment will follow in Rest Haven Memorial Gardens under the direction of Young’s Funeral Directors.
Special thanks from the family are extended to Mrs. Haile’s caregivers, Angela, Jean, Kelly and Audrey along with many family members.
Memorials may be made to Ouachita County Medical Center Hospice, 726 California Ave., Camden, AR 71701.
Online condolences may be expressed at www.youngsfunerahome.com.
DONALD OLIVER TOMLINSON
Donald Oliver Tomlinson, age 62, of Smackover, AR, passed away Tuesday, on March 9,2021 at the V.A. Hospital in Little Rock, Arkansas. Don is survived by his wife Penny Tomlinson, four children, Robyn Mendenhall, Robert Tomlinson, Brannon Tomlinson, and James Goode eleven grandchildren, and his sister Chelita Hinthorn.
Don was proceeded in death by his mother Helen Black, his father Donald Tomlinson, and step-father Grady Black and brother Scott Tomlinson.
A memorial service will be healed April 5, 2021 at 10:30am at One Community Church in El Dorado, Arkansas.
JOHN FERMON MOORE, JR.
John Fermon Moore, Jr. was born on September 25, 1959, in El Dorado, Arkansas to Mr. John Fermon Moore, Sr. and Mrs. Alfriza Matthews Moore.
At a young age, John married Belinda Kaye Pumphrey and they were blessed with two beautiful children, John Jermareal (Jay) Moore and Fermunda Meshayle Moore.
John is preceded in death by his father, John Fermon Moore, Sr., his sisters Rose Mary Moore, Lillie Ruth Edmondson, and baby sister, Alfriza Anita Moore, his paternal grandparents, John and Rosie Lee Simpson Mack, his maternal grandparents, Jeff and Savannah Matthews,
His memories will forever be cherished by his son, John Jemareal Moore (Robin), Fermonda Meshayle Davis (Jamar); three grandchildren, Jayla, Jacoby, and Jamiyah; his loving mother Alfriza Moore; his big sister and brother-in-law Melwyn Johnson Primus (Moses); his aunt Evelyn Christopher (Gregory); his nephews and nieces; his great nephews and nieces; and his many cousins. His special friend, Mattie Watson. His special and life-long friends LaQuita Boone, Van Edmondson, and Ralph Jones, the Douglas family of Long Beach and Lancaster, CA- Papa D, Sheb, Charles, Tina, and Sandra. A host of other relatives and friends who will miss him dearly.
Funeral Service Saturday, March 20, 2021, at 1:00 p.m. at First Baptist Church Cordell. Interment will be at Lott Burgy Cemetery under the direction of Sims Mortuary. Sign the guestbook www.simsmortuary.com Face Mask required
CONNIE BURROW POPPLETON
Connie Burrow Poppleton passed away on March 18, 2021 in Idaho. She was born to David John “Pete” Burrow and his wife Helen Joyce Ludlam Burrow on October 5, 1952.
Survivors include children Tammy Chatterley, Sheila Sandlin, Craig Norris, and Jeff Norris, mother Helen Burrow, sisters Terry Lovell and Diane Robinson, and numerous grandchildren and great grandchildren.
Family only services are pending.
BILLY OLIVER
Billy Oliver, 93, of Homer, LA formerly of El Dorado, passed away on Wednesday, March 10, 2021at his home in Homer. He was born on October, 22, 1927 to William Oliver Sr. and Elizabeth Morris Oliver in El Dorado, AR.
A Navy veteran, he served during World War II in both the Pacific and Atlantic on Destroyers and Destroyer Escorts. During the Cold War he was in Operation Crossroads. He retired from the United States Postal Service after 38 years and was a faithful member of Rock Springs Baptist Church in Lisbon Louisiana. He enjoyed hunting and fishing.
Billy is preceded by his parents and a sister Betty Jo Oliver Passwater.
Surviving him are his wife J’Nell Orr Oliver of Homer Louisiana, Sons Ralph Oliver also of Homer and David Oliver (Elizabeth) of Ruston Louisiana. Also, his grandchildren Cali Worthen, Megan Willett, James Otwell, Josh Otwell, and Mark Otwell along with 6 great-grandchildren.
A memorial service will be held at 1pm, Saturday, March 27, 2021 at Pleasure Point Baptist Church near Homer with Bro. Dave Patterson and Bro. Everett Guice officiating. Cremation services were provided by Youngs Funeral Directors.
The family would like to especially thank Bill and Sharon Fennell of Pleasure Point Baptist and Sandra Thompson of Rocky Springs Baptist for their assistance. Along Leslie with Primestar Home Health, and Rhonda, Mark, Jessica, and T Jay with St. Joseph Hospice for taking such good care of him.
Memorial may be made to St Joseph Hospice, 252 N Main St, Suite B, Sibley, LA 71073.
Online condolences may be expressed at www.youngsfuneralhome.com.
MARY JANE SASSER
Mary Jane Cobb Sasser 85, of Decatur, died peacefully on the evening of 15 March 2021 surrounded by her family. She was born on January 18, 1936 in El Dorado, Arkansas to the late Henry Grady Cobb and Sadie William Harman Cobb. After graduating high school at El Dorado
High School, she received her undergraduate degree from
Louisiana Tech University in
Ruston, Louisiana. She married
Clyde Sasser on April 25, 1959 and they enjoyed a wonderful marriage of 58 years with three children, ten grandchildren, and one great grandchild. Mary Jane was a woman of strength and character, committed beyond measure to her family and the man she loved. While we will miss her dearly, we will continue to rejoice in her peace and salvation.
Our mother was a remarkable woman, and we are blessed to call her mom. She invested heavily in each of us throughout our lives, and her impact continues in us and our children. MJ was intelligent and witty; she had a big personality and could, and often did, fill a room with her smile and presence. She made life fun as she loved us, laughed with us, and cried with us. She engaged in our lives every day: she was den mother, team mom, birthday planner, and our number one publicist, coach, and cheerleader. She taught us about family and faith, the importance of community, and about investing our time and energy where it mattered. She impacted each of us throughout our lives and was always available to provide us with counsel when we needed her wisdom or an ear to listen when we needed to talk. Mom was fortunate to marry the love of her life and her best friend, and the strength of that relationship and their commitment to one another permeated the home we grew up in. Our parents’ devotion to one another solidified our home, ensured we were safe, comfortable, and loved, and enabled each of us to find our way and chart our course forward in life. We cannot emphasize the treasure that was our mother, nor can we fully delineate the impact that she had on us in this brief writing, but we want you to know what a profound blessing she was in our lives and that her impact will be felt in our family for generations to come.
Mom had a Bible next to her chair. It was bookmarked to Psalm 18, which begins “I love you Lord; you are my strength. The Lord is my rock, my fortress, and my savior; my God is my rock, in whom I find protection. He is my shield, the power that saves me, and my place of safety. I called on the Lord, who is worthy of praise, and he saved me from my enemies.” Amen. You ran a great race mom; enter your rest.
Mary Jane is survived by her daughter Susan (Gary) Austin, sons Steve (Heather) Sasser and Scott (Kelli) Sasser, her grandchildren Christopher Sasser, Ana (Nicholas) Christian, Sophia Sasser, Jackson Sasser, Alex Austin, Charlie Austin, William (Shelby) Sasser, Andrew Sasser, Matthew Sasser, Phillip Sasser and her great grandchild Miller Sasser. She is preceded in death by her husband, Clyde Milton Sasser, her mother, Sadie William Harman Cobb, her father, Henry Grady Cobb, and by her brother Charles Grady Cobb.
A private graveside service for family will be held on March 19, 2021. A memorial service will be held at a later date. In lieu of flowers, donations may be given to the First United Methodist Church, 805 Canal Street NE, Decatur, Alabama, 35601.
We are very appreciative of the staff of Decatur Morgan Hospital, North Alabama Medical Center, and NHC Healthcare Moulton for caring for our mother and grandmother over the past few months and for all the wonderful individuals who assisted and loved Mom in our home.Hartselle Heritage Funeral Home is assisting the family.
BRAYLON KAMARIO SWANIGAN
Braylon Kamario Swanigan, 19, passed on March 13, 2021, he was born in Arlington, Texas, on December 10, 2001. He was greeted in heaven by his grandfathers, James Turner and Luther Harris Sr., His great grandparents Odell Sherman & Leola Perkins.
Braylon leaves behind a legacy of family to cherish his memory, his mother and father,
Christina and Bam Bryant; his father and bonus mother,
Breon and Rhonda Swanigan; his bonus father and his wife,
Luther, and Kiedra Harris; his brother, Landyn Harris; his sisters, Kennede and Dallis Bryant; his grandparents, Freddy and Ann Foster, Anthony and
Virginia Edmonds, and Vanetta
Turner; his niece, Skylar Grace
Harris; a host of aunts and uncles; first cousins, Yazmin and Jakari Foster; his cousin,
Darmariya Harris; his very special “NeNe,” A’Seneque and her husband Antwone Lane; God-Siblings, Ashtan Tidwell, Addison Tidwell, Tristan McGhee III, and Avalyn Greene; his best friend and confidant, Trinity Jackson; along with all of the cousins, extended family and friends that he loved dearly.
Memorial Service Friday, March 19, 2021, at 11:00 am at the El Dorado Municipal Auditorium. Interment will be at Community Cemetery under the direction of Sims Mortuary. Sign the guestbook at www.simsmortuary.com Face mask required
BETTY LOU REGAN WILSON
Betty Lou Ragan Wilson age 80 of Lillie, LA passed away Thursday, March 18, 2021 at her home in Lillie. Betty was born September, 5, 1940 near Lexington, North Carolina to the late Nettie Propst Ragan and Alfred Lee Ragan. Betty formerly worked as a seamstress for Todd Uniform and Jack
Winter Uniform companies for many years. She was a longtime member of Bethel Baptist
Church, where she faithfully assisted with preparing many meals for numerous church functions, over the years. She enjoyed taking trips to town, whether to shop of just go for the ride, she enjoyed just getting to go. She enjoyed spending time with her family, and especially loved her grandchildren.
Betty was preceded in death by her parents; two sisters,
Deanie Wilson and Bobbie Adkins; one brother, Charles Ragan, and a grandson, Saylor Wilson.
Survivors include; her husband of almost 60 years, Jarrell Wilson of Lillie; two sons, Wayne Wilson of Junction City, and Todd Wilson and wife Allison of Lillie; two daughters, Tonya Scott and husband Clifton of West Monroe, and Tara Haddox of Choudrant; nine grandchildren, Derrick Wilson and wife Jill, Jared Wilson, Brittany Payne, Dustin Morrow and wife Lauren, Anna Marie Wilson, Chance Batten, Braydon Wilson, Memorie Hall and Elijah Haddox; fourteen great grandchildren along with a host of nieces, nephews and friends
Visitation will begin at 1:00 pm, followed by funeral services at 2:00 pm on Sunday, March 21, 2021 at Bethel Baptist Church in Lillie, with Bro. Marty Black and Bro. Phillip Farris officiating. Burial will follow at Scotland Cemetery near Junction City under the direction of Bailey Funeral Home.
Please sign our online guestbook at www.baileyfuneralhome.net.
LINDA HALL JONES
It is with great sadness that the family of Linda Hall Jones announces her passing on Sunday, March 14, 2021 in Melbourne, FL, after a brief illness. Linda was born on February 12, 1941 in Wesson, AR, at her grandparents, Anne and Pete Goza’s farmhouse to her parents, Marjorie Goza and
Jesse Lavelle Hall of Junction
City, AR.
Linda graduated from
Junction City High School in
1959. She was employed at
Lion Oil Company in El Dorado,
AR. She moved to St. Louis,
MO, in 1961 where she was employed by Monsanto Co. She married her longtime sweetheart, Don Jones, of Strong, AR at the Chapel of the Bells in Las
Vegas, NV, on May 26, 1967.
They moved to St. Charles, MO in 1971. In 1973, Linda and Don relocated to Melbourne, FL, where Don accepted employment with Harris Corporation, and Linda attended college and earned her Bachelor of Science degree from Rollins College in Winterpark, FL and her MBA from Stetson University in Deland, FL. She was employed at Harris Corporation until her retirement in 1984.
To celebrate her retirement she went on a tour of Europe with her friend Myrna which she enjoyed immensely. After her retirement she pursued her hobbies of stained glass making, ceramics, still life and portrait painting. She also wrote her memoir, compiled a family cookbook and researched her family’s genealogy. She was a very intelligent person and a voracious reader. She was a beloved wife, daughter, sister and aunt and will be greatly missed.
She was preceded in death by her parents, sister Barbara Lowery, and niece, Pamela Ebarb. She is survived by her husband of 53 years, Paul Donald Jones of Indian Harbour Beach, FL, a sister Joyce Nicklas of Haughton, LA, a niece, Laura Nicklas of Shreveport, LA and 2 nephews, Ronnie Lowery of Baton Rouge, LA and Joseph Nicklas of Shreveport, LA.
A funeral service will be held Wednesday, March 24, 2021 at 2pm at Young’s Funeral Directors in El Dorado, AR, with her nephew, Ronnie Lowery officiating with visitation an hour prior. Interment will be at Roselawn Cemetery in Junction City, AR.
Memorials may be made to Roselawn Cemetery Fund, C/O Steve Williams, 700 West Holly, Junction City, AR 71749.
Condolences may be expressed at www.youngsfuneralhome.com
JONES