Obituaries
Kenneth Dean Prince
Kenneth Dean Prince, 91, of Hot Springs, Arkansas passed peacefully into the presence of his Savior on January 12, 2021. Kenneth Dean was born to Pete and Opal Prince in Bismarck, Arkansas on October 4, 1929. When Kenneth Dean was four years old, his father was killed in an accident. J.M. “Boss” Thornton would later marry Kenneth Dean’s widowed mother and became the man who Kenneth Dean called “Dad.”
Kenneth Dean gave service to his nation in the U.S. Navy. After his military service, he was employed by Reynolds Aluminum for 35 years. At the same time,
Kenneth Dean served across several decades as the pastor of churches in Garland and Hot Spring Counties. After his pastoral retirement, he remained a faithful member of Southwest Baptist Church. Kenneth Dean enjoyed playing the banjo and was a member of Bluegrass bands including Arklahoma and Cooper Road.
Kenneth Dean loved his family, and those feelings were mutual.
He is preceded in death by his parents; his wife of 61 years, Wanda Tull Prince; and his son, Rickey Prince, and an infant sister, Juanita.
Left to cherish his memory are his son and daughter-in law, Mike and Deby Prince of Hot Springs and daughter-in-law, Cindy Prince of Malvern as well as grandchildren: Ryan (Melissa) Prince of El Paso, TX, Brad (Courtney) Prince of Hot Springs, Kyle (Emilie) Prince of Bentonville, Jill (Brant) Green of Lake St. Louis, MO, and Cole (Vickie) Prince of Jonesboro. Kenneth Dean was a proud Papaw to his great-grandchildren: Brady, Halle, Brock, Kennadi, Jenni, Cooper, Ella, Jake, Luke, Evelyn, Karter, and Henry. He is also survived by his brother, Marlton Thornton, his nephew, Kevin (Cheryl) Thornton and his niece, Kelly (Gary) Beckwith. In addition, he is survived by a very special friend, Jo Boarman.
There will be a walkthrough viewing at CaruthHale Funeral Home in Hot Springs from 5 – 7 p.m. on
Friday. Please follow Covid-19 guidelines by wearing a mask and keeping a distance of at least 6 feet.
A graveside family service will be held at 9:30 a.m. on January 16, at Hickory Grove Cemetery near Bismarck.
Online condolences at www.caruth-hale.com.
Marilyn Thomas
Mrs. Marilyn Thomas, 84, of Rockport passed away on January 4, 2021. Marilyn was born to the late Loonie and Nealy Heard in Lono, Ar. She was a school teacher for Sheridan Schools.
She has preceded in death by her daughter; Cheryrl Barker.
She is survived by her husband, Marvin Thomas, and her son Ken Thomas. Also, her grandchildren; Dana L. Bailey, Kristin Barker, Kenya Kirksey, Nathaniel Thomas, and Kimberly White. Great Grandchildren; Kourtney Brooks, Tyler James, Alayna James, Kaleb Frazier, Julia Conklin, Adilynne Conklin, and Delaney.
Services will be held on Friday January 15, 2021 at Lono Cemetery at 1:00 pm.
Arrangements have been entrusted to Atkinson Funeral Home.
All condolences and tributes can be made at www. atkinsonfuneral.net