Northwest Arkansas Democrat-Gazette
Obituaries
OBITUARIES Information for the obituaries and funeral notices below was supplied to the Arkansas
Democrat-Gazette Advertising Department by funeral homes. For more information including cost and deadlines contact the advertising department at (501) 378-3889.
BELLA VISTA — Lee Ora Smith, age 82, of Bella Vista died Sunday, Sept. 17, 2017, at her home. She was born Nov. 1, 1934, in Huntsville, Ark., the daughter of Noble and Eddith Sisemore Lewis.
She was preceded in death by her husband, Tommy Smith; a brother, James Lewis and a sister, Shirley Ramey.
She is survived by a nephew and caregiver, Brad Lewis and wife Kristi of Bella Vista; a niece, Liz Cook of Tacoma, Wash., and five great nieces and nephews, Montana Chapman and husband, John of Little Rock, Clay Lewis of Bella Vista, Laura Salley of Siloam Springs, John Salley of Siloam Springs and Lauren Wells and husband Steven of Olympia, Wash.
Visitation will be 5 p.m.– 7 p. m., Wednesday, Sept. 20, 2017, at Moore’s Chapel. Graveside service will be 10 a.m., Thursday at Bluff Cemetery in Springdale, under the direction of Moore’s Chapel.
Memorials may be made to Circle of Life Hospice, 901 Jones Road, Springdale, Ark. 72762. To sign the online guest book, visit www. mooresfuneralchapel.com.
BERRYVILLE — Earl “Butch” York, 75, passed away Sunday, Sept. 17, surrounded by family at Washington Regional Medical Center in Fayetteville, Ark. He leaves his wife of 48 years, Anitta York; his sons, Clinton York and Kyle York; his daughter, Autumn (York) Mahaffey; seven grandchildren; and many close friends.
FAYETTEVILLE — Fredia Marie Short, age 82, of Fayetteville went to be with Jesus on Sept. 17, 2017. She was born on March 12, 1935, to Junior and Opal Erwin, in the Round Mountain Community in Elkins, Arkansas.
She retired from the University of Arkansas Pharmacy. She loved spending time with her family and along with her husband never missed her grandchildren’s sporting events and school activities. She was also an active member of the Round Mountain Community Church.
Fredia was preceded in death by her son-in-law, Neil Woodruff and her brother Leroy Erwin.
She is survived by her husband of 61 years, Glenn Short of Fayetteville; two daughters, Debbie Woodruff of Fayetteville and Lisa Larkin and her husband Johnny of Farmington. Mema was also loved by her grandchildren, Mindy Tolly and her husband Jim, of Fayetteville, Justin Woodruff and his wife Sarah of Baraga, Mich., Brooke and Ryan Larkin, both of Farmington; great-grandchildren, Connor and Caleb Tolly of Fayetteville, and Paige, Norah, and Bradley Woodruff of Baraga, Mich.
Visitation will be 5 p.m.– 7 p. m. Tuesday, Sept. 19, 2017, at Moore’s Chapel. Funeral service will be 10 a.m. Wednesday at Round Mountain Community Church with Pastor Tim Beers officiating, with burial to follow in Round Mountain Cemetery under the direction of Moore’s Chapel.
To place an online tribute, visit www. moores funeralchapel.com. ROGERS — Lenard Reid Ruby, 79, of Rogers died Monday, Sept. 18, in Rogers. He was a lawnmower mechanic. Survivors include; three sons, Jimmy Ruby, Ricky Ruby, Gary Ruby; four stepdaughters, Pat Bruce, Vickie Hubbard, Twyla Garver, Marilyn Terry; and sister, Bobbie Scott. Arrangements by Epting Funeral Home of Bentonville. Condolences: www.eptingfuneralhome@inbox.com.
ROGERS — Waylon Glen Stracener, 61, of Rogers died Sunday, Sept. 17, 2017, at his residence. He was born Feb. 4, 1956, in Hobbs, N.M., the son of Ruby Marker and Cecil Stracener.
He was employed by Tyson Foods for over 32 years, most recently he served as their groundskeeper. He had worked many miscellaneous areas with Tyson over the years.
He loved spending quality time with his family and friends, and taking walks in the outdoors and on his property. He had lived in the Northwest Arkansas area since 1972 after moving from Bakersfield, Calif.
He was preceded in death by his parents, and many extended aunts and uncles.
Waylon is survived by his wife, Dawn Stracener, whom he married Oct. 10, 1998; three sons, Vishnu Dass (Blake Moffitt) of Hawaii, John Reed of Gentry, Jeff Reed and his wife Melissa, of Siloam Springs; four daughters, Melanie Myers and her husband Cory, of Rogers, Sarah Huntsman and fiancé Aaron Allred, of Garfield, Heather Holzkamper and her husband Phil, of Rogers, Amanda Hartson, of Rogers; two brothers, Vince Stracener and his wife Linda, of Florida, Randy Webb of Texas, sister, Gail Hasselbach of Colorado; 13 grandchildren; 11 great-grandchildren.
A celebration of Waylon’s life will be Saturday, Oct. 14, 2017, from 2-9 p.m. at Waylon’s residence.
Memorials may be sent to The Rogers Humane Society. Arrangements by Epting Funeral Home Bentonville. Condolences: www.eptingfuneralhome.webs.com.
SPRINGDALE — Betty Lou Julian, 90, died Sept. 17, 2017. Born Aug. 8, 1927, in Crown Point, Ind., to Gail and Mary Owens Forsythe.
Betty liked hunting, fishing, cake decorating and reading.
Preceded by parents, brother, William Forsythe, three sisters, Jeanette, Norma and Shriley Forsythe.
Survivors husband, Robert Julian of the home; two brothers, James and Gail Forsythe.
Graveside service Wednesday, Sept. 20, 2017, at 2 p.m. in Bluff Cemetery. Visitation will be from 12-2 p.m. at Sisco Funeral Chapel of Springdale prior to service.
www.siscofuneral.com.
SPRINGDALE — Mary Samples, 88, of Springdale died Sept. 16, 2017. Survivors: daughters, Patricia Harriman of Springdale and Janice ( Steve) Jackson of Fayetteville; grandchildren, Melissa Jackson, Brent (Karri) Jackson and Jon Harrison; one great- granddaughter. Services: 11 a. m. Tuesday, Fayetteville National Cemetery by Brashears Funeral Home- Huntsville www. brashearsfuneralhome.net. Visitation: 5-7 p.m. Monday at Brashears.
GROVE, Okla. — Kim Valerie Rinker, 59, of Grove, Okla., died Sept. 14, 2017, at Northwest Medical Center in Bentonville. She was born Jan. 7, 1958, in Woodward, Okla., the daughter of Lenora and Glen Dale Rinker.
She graduated from Nursing School at Oklahoma City School of Nursing with an RN and worked as a nurse for 20 years.
Kim loved the water and being outside. She enjoyed playing tennis, riding horses and tending to her flowers. Kim was strong in her faith in God.
She was preceded in death by her father and one brother, Mick Rinker.
Kim is survived by her mother, Lenora (Donald) Weber of Bella Vista; daughter, Sharee (Drew) Dunham of Washington; nephews, Caleb (Shelby) Rinker and their children, Karter and Ryleigh, Chad (Stephanie) Rinker and their daughter Zoey; niece, Gabrielle Rinker, and many close family and friends.
A memorial service will be Thursday, Sept. 21, at 11 a.m. at Village Baptist Church in Bella Vista.
Donations can be to the Operation Christmas Child Fund at Village Baptist Church, 380 Glasgow Road, Bella Vista, Ark. 72715.
Arrangements by Epting Funeral Home Bella Vista. Condolences: www.eptingfuneralhome.webs.com.