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.

BENTONVILLE — Ethel Frances Smith, 100, of Bentonville, Ark., and a lifelong resident of Northwest Arkansas, passed away Saturday, June 23, 2018, in Bentonville. She was born March 8, 1918, in Spring Creek, Ark., to Nathaniel Perry Norman and Ida Sultanna Huffmaster Norman.

She lived a remarkable life, staying active even in this last year. Having lost her husband while her daughters were still in school, she continued to run the family farm near Mason Valley, tending the beef cattle and farming the land then moving into Bentonville when the girls were in high school.

The most important thing to Ethel was her family and her home. She was privileged to help raise and care for her four grandsons. She was a wonderful cook and seamstress. She loved gardening, growing both vegetables and beautiful flowers. She enjoyed entertaining and preparing special meals for family and friends. Education was very important to Ethel, and she saw that their two daughters achieved academically.

She was a faithful, active worker in both Mason Valley Baptist Church and First Baptist Church in Bentonville, a true prayer warrior and scholar of the Bible. She had a gift for teaching and working with children and taught Sunday school and Vacation Bible School for over 70 years. Countless children came to know and love her. She was also very involved in the Women’s Mission’s Group, hosting meetings in her home until just recently.

She was preceded in death by her parents; her husband, Deward Smith; and four siblings, Ola Bequette, Wallace Norman, Lee Norman and Reba Wells.

Ethel is survived by her daughters, Dr. Rachel Gibbs and husband, George of Tulsa, Okla., Ruth Poemoceah and husband, Marc (M.D.) of Gravette, Ark; four grandsons, George Edward Gibbs and wife Anna (whom she loved like a granddaughter), Jonathan Gibbs, David Poemoceah, Daniel Poemoceah; and her honorary granddaughter from China, Huazhen (Jenny) Yu.

Funeral services will be at 11 a.m., Saturday, June 30, 2018, in the Chapel at First Baptist Church in Bentonville with the Reverend Kenneth Colvert officiating. Burial will follow at Benton County Memorial Park Cemetery in Rogers. Visitation will be from 10 a.m. until service time.

Memorials may be made in memory of Ethel Smith to the Samaritans Purse, P.O. Box 3000, Boone, N.C. 28607 or to the First Baptist Church “Missions Fund,” 220 South Main, Bentonville, Ark. 72712.

Arrangements have been entrusted to Stockdale-Moody Funeral Services of Rogers. Words of comfort or memories may be shared at stockdalemoodyfs.com.

FAYETTEVILLE — Roma Darlene Sisemore Taylor (known as “Doug” to her family), 75, of Fayetteville passed away Sunday, June 24, 2018, in Fayetteville. She was born Dec. 17, 1942, to Loy Lee Sisemore and Euna Lucille Napier Sisemore.

She was preceded in death by her parents and a brother, Loy Dale Sisemore.

Doug loved flowers and was a florist most of her life. She enjoyed outdoor trips with her family.

She is survived by her husband, Alan R. Taylor; sons, Bryan T. Driggers and Robert F. Driggers II and wife, Rhonda; a sister, Barbara Lea Dockery and husband, Johnny; six grandchildren; and 10 great-grandchildren.

The family will receive friends from 5-7 p.m. Wednesday, June 27, 2018, at Beard’s

Chapel. Funeral services will be 2 p.m. Thursday, June 28, 2018, at Drakes Creek Baptist Church with Jim Duncan officiating. The family is requesting “casual dress” for the service. Interment will follow in Drakes Creek Cemetery under the direction of Beard’s Chapel. Condolences at www. beardsfuneralchapel.com.

HOGEYE — Joshua Allen Smith, 29, of Hogeye, Ark., passed from this life on June 23, 2018, in Fayetteville, Ark. He was born Oct. 5, 1988, in Rogers, Ark.

Joshua is survived by his parents, David and Sharon Barr; his fiancee’ and mother of his children, Kristin Adams; his children, Claire Smith, Freya Smith, and Quinn Smith; his grandmother, Wanda Swafford; his siblings, David Barr (Sarah), Jason Barr (Amanda), Michael Barr (Leslie), and Crystal Barr; his in-laws, Victor and Nancy DeMarco; his brothers-in-law, Tim Sumpter, Charles Sumpter, and Stephen Sumpter; and sister-in-law, Kit Sumpter.

A Celebration of Life service will be held at a later date. Share your memories of Joshua on his memorial page at www.WestfieldChapel.com.

PRAIRIE GROVE — Anna Marie Turner was born on Sept. 22, 1935, in Barling, Ark. She was raised in Charleston, Ark., by her parents, Charlie and Gertrude Maledon and had nine siblings. She went to Heaven on June 24, 2018, leaving from Tulsa, Okla., where she lived at Montereau for the past fiveyears.

She married Dr. Jerry Turner in 1955, who served as Superintendent of Prairie Grove schools until his untimely death in 1972. Anna was so proud to be the mother of three children, Kyle, Kelley and Kirk. After Jerry passed away, she took on the incredible challenge of obtaining Bachelor’s and Master’s degrees in Education from the University of Arkansas, while working full time at Ramey Jr. High and raising three children by herself. She attended all of her kids’ sporting, academic and social activities and prepared them well for life after high school. She sacrificed all she had to give her children more.

She began her teaching career at Prairie Grove Elementary School in 1974 and taught kindergarten in Prairie Grove for more than 30 years before her retirement. She loved teaching, inspiring, motivating and improving the lives of children. She positively influenced thousands of young men and women over the years.

She loved the Arkansas Razorbacks and the Prairie Grove Tigers! She rarely missed watching a football or basketball game of her favorite teams. She loved having her kids’ friends over to her home, which she affectionately referred to as “Grand Central Station.” She was a woman of great faith, always willing to help those in need.

Survivors include her son, Kirk and his wife, Nancy, of Tulsa, Okla.; her daughter, Kelley and her husband, Damon, of New Lima, Okla.; three grandchildren, Zachary and Joshua Turner of Tulsa, Okla., and Mikala Forshee of New Lima, Okla,; and one sister, Irma Alstatt and her husband, Shirney, of Fort Smith, Ark.

Anna was preceded in death by her parents, Charlie and Gertrude Maledon of Charleston, Ark.; her husband, Dr. Jerry Turner; her son, Kyle Turner; and her siblings, Theresa Opersteny, Frances Weir, Alice Labrosse, Clara Maledon, Paul Maledon, Tony Maledon, Louis Maledon and Vincent Maledon.

The family will receive friends Wednesday evening from 6-7 p.m. at Luginbuel Funeral Home. Funeral services will be held Thursday, June 28, 2018, 10 a.m. at Luginbuel Chapel in Prairie Grove, Ark. She will be laid to rest with her husband, Jerry, at National Cemetery in Fayetteville, Arkansas.

In lieu of flowers, the family requests donations be made to Prairie Grove Elementary School to help provide teachers’ resources for their classrooms. Donations should be sent to the Anna Turner Memorial Fund, c/o Prairie Grove School District, 300 Ed Staggs Drive, Prairie Grove, Ark. 72753.

Arrangements are under the direction of Luginbuel Funeral Home in Prairie Grove, Arkansas. Online guestbook: www.luginbuel.com.

ROGERS — Robert L. Hartman, 56, of Rogers, passed away June 23, 2018, at Circle of Life in Bentonville. He was born Nov. 11, 1961, the son of Charles Howard Hartman and Eula Mae Marsh in Alexandria, La.

Robert served in the Army, worked as a restaurant manager and attended Living Waters Church in Centerton.

Robert is preceded in death by his parents.

He is survived by his wife, June Hartman; his children, Alisha Hartman, Shane Caldwell and Charley Rowell; his siblings, Kathy Hartman, Paul Hartman, Debbie Flores, John Hartman, David Hartman, Shane Hartman, Joshua Hartman; and three grandchildren.

Visitation services will be from 1-2 p.m. on Wednesday June 27, 2018. Funeral services to follow at 2 p.m. taking place at Benton County Funeral Home 306 N. 4th St. Rogers, Arkansas. Interment will be at Martin Cemetery in Rogers, Arkansas.

Online condolences can be made at www.bentoncountyfuneralhome.com.

ROGERS — Marvin Dean Rehl, “Doc” as he was known to his friends, passed away on June 23, 2018, in Rogers. He was born on July 19, 1940, in Longdale, Okla., to the late Sam and Louise (McClaflin) Rehl. He was the loving husband of Jennie Bea (Sheets) Rehl.

He loved his family, friends, playing bridge and blackjack, traveling and especially his church. He was a basketball and track coach and then superintendent of schools for both the public and private sectors in Oklahoma.

He was preceded in death by his parents; first wife, Pamela (Booher) Rehl; and brother, Bill Rehl.

Doc is survived by his wife, Jennie Bea; son, Kevin Rehl and his wife, Kerry; daughter, Kimberly Johnson and husband, Alan; stepson, Tyler Brooks and wife, Julia; brother, Larry Rehl and wife, Beverly; six grandchildren and two great-grandsons; and several nieces and nephews.

He will be remembered for his awesome blue eyes and warm smile, his laughter and quick wit, but mostly for his huge generous heart. He loved fiercely.

A visitation will be on Thursday, June 28, 2018, from 1-2 p.m. with a Celebration of Life to follow at 2 p.m. in Rollins Funeral Home Chapel.

In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions can be sent to Flagstone Church of Christ, 3801 SW Eden Brook St., Bentonville, 72712.

Online condolences can be made at www.rollinsfuneral.com.

ROGERS — Mary Ellen Walls Pack, 84, of Rogers, Ark., passed away peacefully with her family by her side at The Lakes of Maumelle Rehab Center in Maumelle on June 24, 2018. Born on May 8, 1934, to Mary Ellen Garrett and Henry McDowell Gore.

She was a lifetime Catholic. She graduated from Mount Saint Mary Academy as salutatorian and editor of her Senior year book in 1952. She followed her passion of writing as executive secretary to Richard Allen, who wrote “Our Town” column in the Arkansas Gazette. Following her time at the Arkansas Gazette, Mary Ellen then became executive secretary to the President of the Teamsters Union Local No. 878 where she was an active participant in the union movement in Arkansas for 19 years. It was there that she met and married the Vice President, Clement S. Walls, Sr., who gave her six children.

She was a former owner of what has become known as the “Edgemont House” in the Park Hill Historical District in North Little Rock from 1975-1989. She later worked for Providential Life Insurance Company in North Little Rock before marrying her second husband, the late Homer E. Pack and retiring to Rogers, Ark., to raise ducks and geese. She was known as “The Duck Lady”.

Mary Ellen is preceded in death by her husbands, Clement S. Walls and Homer E. Pack; her mother, Mary Garrett Stormes; her sons, Thomas Robinson Walls and Christopher Trimble Walls; her grandsons, Carl Dewitt Parsons Jr. and Robert Joseph Miller; and her great-granddaughter Alivia Mae Rollins.

Mary Ellen is survived by four children, Francis Garret Walls of North Little Rock, Mary Ellen “Sissy” McGuire Miller of Rogers, Mary Shannon “Kelly” McCurdy Threlkeld (Ron) of North Little Rock, and Michael Rayburn Walls of Los Angeles; two sisters; Gaye Garrett Greene and Shannon Stormes Watts, both of North Little Rock; and a brother, F. Michael Stormes of Fayetteville; five grandchildren; Josh and Christian Threlkeld, Jack Parsons, Samantha Rose, and Paulette Walls.

Visitation will be Tuesday, June 26, from 6-8 p.m. at Smith-North Little Rock Funeral Home, 1921 Main Street. A Mass of Christian Burial will be held Wednesday, June 27, at 10 a.m. at St. Patrick Catholic Church, 211 W. 19th St. Burial will be at Roselawn Cemetery in Little Rock.

To sign the online guest book, please visit www.smithfamilycares.com.

ROGERS — Pamela Ann Wilkerson of Rogers passed away peacefully on June 23, 2018. She was born on Oct. 26, 1960, in Midwest City, Okla., to the late Bill and Lynn Lowe.

Pamela was an incredibly loving and proud mother and grandmother, and a devoted wife to her husband of 25 years. Her favorite moments were those spent with her family, tending to her garden, and cheering on the Razorbacks. Pamela’s kind and generous heart made an immeasurable impact on the many lives she touched. Her unwavering strength and love of life was an inspiration to all.

Her survivors include her husband, Benton; two sons, Jackson Anderson and Scott Anderson; daughter, Lydia Wilkerson; three grandchildren; brothers, Frank Lowe and Steve Lowe and sister, Susan Lowe.

Funeral services will be held at 10 a.m. on Wednesday, June 27, at Rollins Funeral Home in Rogers. Burial will follow at Benton County Memorial Park.

SCRANTON — Bennie Robert Galla died June 23, 2018. Visitation is 5:30-7 p.m. with Rosary service immediately following at 7 p.m., June 27, at Roller Funeral Home in Paris. Funeral mass is 10 a.m., June 28, 2018, at St. Meinrad Catholic Church in Prairie View. Online guest book, www.rollerfuneralhomes. com/paris.

MURFREESBORO, Tenn. — LeRoy Glenn Tyson, age 82, passed away on Wednesday, June 13, 2018. He was born Sept. 19, 1935, in Windsor, Pa., to the late F.D. Tyson and Margaret S. Patterson Tyson.

He is preceded in death by his parents, wife; Monte Lee G. Tyson, and a brother; Donald D. Tyson Sr.

He was a sportsman and a member of United Methodist Church. He retired from Standard Register after 37 years.

He was survived by his daughters, Vickie L. Yarholar of Edmond, Okla., Jody Lee (Eddie) Ingram of Fayetteville, Ark.; sons, Douglas D. (Diane) Tyson of Strongsville, Ohio, and Timothy N. Tyson of Murfreesboro, Tenn.; 10 grandchildren and five great-grandchildren.

A Memorial Service will be held 11 a.m. Saturday, June 30, 2018, at Fairview Memorial Gardens in Fayetteville, Ark.

In lieu of flowers, please consider a donation to St. Jude Children’s Hospital or the Gideons.

Murfreesboro Funeral Home is honored to serve the Tyson family.