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.

FAYETTEVILLE — Edna Mae Haskins, 81, of Fayetteville went home to be with her heavenly Father on Aug. 7, 2018. She was born in Japton, Ark., to Oscar and Fannie Williams on Jan. 18, 1937.

She was preceded in death by her parents; her beloved husband, Marvin Haskins; a brother, Buford Williams; sisters, Hazel Byford, Mary Midkiff; one stepbrother, Ted Williams; stepsisters, Maggie Cousins and Ruby McConnell.

Edna spent her time babysitting, growing African violets and raising dahlias the size of dinner plates which was a joy to her. She was also a member of the City Hospital Auxiliary and a member of Church of Christ. Edna will be dearly missed.

She is survived by her brother, Paul Williams and wife, Sharon of Elkins; two sisters, Lilly Harriman and Connie Stepp, both of Elkins; and many nieces, nephews, great-nieces and great-nephews.

We want to thank all the nurses and CNAs at Katherine’s Place for giving the loving care while she was living there.

The family will receive friends from 5-7 p. m. Friday, Aug. 10, 2018, at Beard’s Chapel. Funeral services will be 10 a.m. Saturday, Aug. 11, 2018, at Beard’s Chapel Jack Harriman officiating. Interment will follow in Ledbetter Cemetery in Madison County. Condolences at www.beards funeralchapel.com.

FAYETTEVILLE — Dennis Leatherby was born Jan. 14, 1960, in Rockford, Ill. On Aug. 6, 2018, he passed away suddenly due to a heart attack at his home in Fayetteville, Ark.

He is survived by his wife, Kathleen Leatherby, his daughters, Lauren ( David Justiniano) and Michelle Leatherby, his mother, Jeanine Leatherby, and his sister, Dawn (Juan) Araujo.

Integrity, perseverance and generosity defined Dennis. He was an outstanding man. For a decade he served as the chief financial officer for Tyson Foods, spending a total of 28 years with the company. He steered the company through difficult times and received various awards throughout his professional tenure, but more important to him than any of that was his faith, his family and serving his community. Soft-spoken and humble, he was unshakable in his faith and his fierce

love for his family. One of the things that brought him the most joy was giving to others.

He often said his greatest accomplishment was his two daughters. He would beam with pride when he spoke of them, and he told them how much he cared for them every chance he got. Spending his whole career working with numbers and in boardrooms, he was especially tickled and delighted to have a younger daughter who writes comedy.

Loyalty was one of his strong suits. His colleagues, some of whom he worked with for nearly 30 years and became as close to him as brothers, say he always put others’ needs before personal recognition and acted with immense integrity. He cared deeply about those around him and felt a responsibility to help them reach their full potential. Dennis was a fierce defender of others, standing absolutely firm when the need arose and making tough decisions quickly.

But those close to Dennis also remember him as a soft-hearted man. At home, he would at times stand at the window for 20 minutes watching a graceful deer in the yard or patiently sit with the family cat in his lap because he didn’t want to disturb its nap. His ultimate soft spot was for his family. The home will feel empty without his goofy sense of humor and deep belly laugh echoing throughout the house.

A man profoundly rooted in faith, he gave his time, money and energy to causes both locally and around the world. Ceaselessly generous, he was also passionate about mentorship. From a high school boys’ Bible study to one-on-one professional mentoring with dozens, Dennis loved working with people. He had recently retired and was excited to spend more time with his family, including his sister’s sons, Luke and Nicholas Araujo, and begin after-school tutoring for the Wise Kids program at Genesis church in South Fayetteville. Dennis is preceded in death by his father, James Leatherby.

A celebration of his life will be held on Friday, Aug. 10, at 2 p.m. in the Activities Center at Central United Methodist Church in Fayetteville, Ark. In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions can be made to the Central United Methodist Church’s missions fund, 6 West Dickson St., Fayetteville, Ark., 72701. To sign the online guestbook please sign www.nelsonberna.com.

FAYETTEVILLE — On Aug. 3, 2018, Nancy Glover McCartney of Fayetteville, loving mother, grandmother, and friend, passed away at the age of 77.

Nancy was born in 1941 to George and Monna (nee Terrill) Glover in Evanston, Ill. She grew up in Neenah, Wis., and attended the University of Wisconsin-Madison, where she earned her undergraduate degree in zoology in 1963 and her doctorate in botany in 1976.

For 44 years, she worked at the University of Arkansas Museum, tirelessly and determinedly focused on saving collections from being lost, and taxonomically organizing, documenting, and making accessible to researchers around the world the Museum’s mammal, bird, and mollusk collections. She received National Science Foundation and other federal funding to reorganize and rehouse critical zoology collections. In addition, she ran the Discovery Room at the University Museum, developing and implementing science education curricula for K-12 students between 1995-2003. In 2003, the University ended the program, determining that the students had enough science. However, Nancy continued to do educational outreach throughout her career, curating extensive exhibits and giving presentations. She was an engaging and accessible teacher and a passionate lifelong learner.

In addition to her scientific endeavors, she loved the arts and was very pleased by the arrival of the Crystal Bridges Museum of American Art. She was also an active member of many organizations, including Sigma Xi, the League of Women Voters, the Ozark Society, and the Unitarian Universalist Fellowship of Fayetteville. She cherished her grandfather’s lake cottage in Wisconsin and spent most of her summers there since childhood.

Nancy was a devoted mother to Erin and Kevin, whom she shared with her former spouse, Allen McCartney. She dedicated herself to their childhood Suzuki violin lessons, sewed elaborate Halloween costumes, and encouraged responsibility to family and their antiques. She also was a doting grandmother who was always ready with stories factual and fantastical. Her wit, warmth, and knowledge will be sorely missed, especially when we have a question about an animal, admire a piece of art, eat a delicious chocolate cake, or wonder what weird plant is growing in our yard.

Nancy was preceded in death by her parents and her former spouse, Allen McCartney. She is survived by her children, Erin McCartney (Kimberly) of Washington, D.C., and Kevin McCartney (Johanna) of Chicago, Ill., and grandchildren Josephine, Willa, Miles, and Marion.

A memorial celebration of Nancy’s life will be held September 22nd, 11 a.m., at the Unitarian Universalist Fellowship of Fayetteville. In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made to the Unitarian Universalist Fellowship of Fayetteville or The Nature Conservancy.

FAYETTEVILLE — Melvin Salley, 57, of Fayetteville passed away July 31, 2018. Funeral services will be 3 p.m. Saturday, Aug. 11, 2018, at the Dwelling Place Church in Fayetteville. The family will receive friends from 1 p.m. until service time at the church. Interment will follow in Oak Cemetery. Condolences at www.beardsfuneral chapel.com.

KINGSTON — Gwen Dean Cline, 87, of Kingston, passed away Aug. 7, 2018. Funeral services will be at 10 a.m., Aug. 10, 2018; at the Kingston First Southern Baptist Church, with Nick Hartness officiating. Interment will follow at the Kingston Cemetery. Services are entrusted to Brashears Funeral Home and Crematory of Huntsville.

SILOAM SPRINGS — Debra R. Moore, age 53, a resident of Siloam Springs, Ark., passed from this life Aug. 7, 2018, in Tulsa, Okla. She was born Aug. 30, 1964, in Fresno, Calif., to Raymond and Stella (Dilbeck) Day.

She is preceded in death by her father. Left to cherish Debra’s memory are her husband, Kurt Moore; her mother, Stella Day; her sister, Patricia Carlson (Jeff); her brother, Keith Day (Michelle); and six nieces and nephews.

Debra taught at Northwest Technical Institute (NTI) for 20 years as a communications and job skills instructor for adults. She also assisted students in acquiring employment after training.

Debra Moore was a compassionate person and always thought of others before herself. She loved to travel and explore new places. She was also a natural leader. As a talented quilter with many award- winning creations, she served as president of Q.U.I.L.T. of NWA and Sager Creek Quilt Guild of Siloam Springs. She was chairperson of the Springdale Animal Shelter Foundation and actively worked to promote adoption of homeless cats to caring families.

In lieu of flowers the family requests memorial donations be made to the Springdale Animal Shelter Foundation, 321 E. Randall Wobbe Road, Springdale, Ark., 72764. A Visitation will be held from 5-7 p.m., Friday, Aug. 10, 2018, at Westfield Chapel Funeral Home in Springdale, Ark. Please visit Debra’s memorial page at www.Westfield Chapel.com.

SPRING DALE— Raymond Edward DeShields, 72, of Spring dale, Ark ., passed away on Tuesday, Aug. 7, 2018, at Concordia of Bella Vista under the care of Circle of Life Hospice. He was born on Aug. 17, 1945, in Bentonville to D.W. and Irene Hamilton-DeShields.

Raymond loved trucks, trucking, and Fox News. He was a veteran of the Vietnam war.

He is preceded in death by his parents, one brother, Howard DeShields, and one sister, Reta DeShields-Parton. Survivors include his son, Scott and Gidget Robertson-DeShields of Hiwasse, one granddaughter, Ryan and Sasha DeShields-Horstmann of Gravette, one grandson, Trevor DeShields of Bella Vista, and two great- grandchildren. Raymond is also survived by one niece, John and Tonya Parton Williams of Springdale, and one brother-in-law, Lendeal Parton of Springdale.

A graveside service will be held at Coffelt Cemetery on Friday, Aug. 10 at 2 p.m. No visitation is planned. Memorials can be made to Circle of Life Hospice Springdale, 901 Jones Road, Springdale, Ark., 72762. Online condolences may be left at www. sisco funeral.com.

NOEL, Mo. — Richard Walter Strew, 83, of Noel, Mo., died Aug. 7, 2018, at Northwest Medical Center of Bentonville. He was born Oct. 26, 1934. He served in the U.S. Army. Survivors include: two sons, many extended family members, and a host of friends. Arrangements by Epting Funeral Home Gravette. Condolences: www. eptingfuneralhome.webs.com.

WEST SILOAM SPRINGS, Okla. — India A. Lewis, 36, of West Siloam Springs, Okla., passed away Tuesday, Aug. 7, 2018, in Tulsa, Okla., after a short courageous battle with cancer. She was born Sept. 21, 1981, in Siloam Springs, Ark., to Jimmy “Porky” Lewis and Carmen (Rackleff) Lewis.

India was a multi- sport standout athlete at Siloam Springs High School in the late 1990s starring in volleyball, basketball and softball. She was named Miss Basketball by the Arkansas Democrat-Gazette and the newspaper’s Female Athlete of the Year award in 1999 while leading her Lady Panther basketball team to the state championship.

She went on to play four seasons at the University of Arkansas and was second on the team in scoring her junior and senior year and helped her teams reach the NCAA Tournament three of her four years there.

India’s biggest accomplishment however was the smiles she brought to everyone’s face. She brightened the room everywhere she went and enjoyed giving back to so many in her community. Her giving spirit was never more evident than two months before her death when she was hitting baseballs to her nephew’s little league All-Star team until she physically couldn’t do it anymore.

She is survived by her parents, Porky and Carmen Lewis, two sisters, Brandi Preston and husband Mook of Siloam Springs, Ark., Maci Lewis-Pettit and husband Terran of Stilwell, Okla., one brother, Jimmie Don Lewis and wife Jill of West Siloam Springs, Ark., her paternal grandmother, Patsy Lewis of Eufaula, Okla., her maternal grandmother, Nadine (Nanny) Postoak of Siloam Springs, Ark., three nephews, two nieces and many uncles, aunts, cousins, and friends.

A celebration of India’s life will be held 2 p.m., Saturday, Aug. 11 in the Panther Activities Center, 700 North Progress Avenue on the campus Siloam Springs High School, with Pastor Tim Estes officiating. Burial will follow at Oak Hill Cemetery in Siloam Springs.

A viewing will be held from noon until the 2 p.m. service time. The family requests in honor of India everyone wear their Razorback, Indiastrong, or pink shirts to bring awareness to breast cancer. Memorial contributions may be made to the India Lewis Contribution Fund. To sign the online guest book please visit www. nelsonberna.com.