Obituaries

BENTONVILLE — Jay Michael Flaa of Bentonville, Ark., was born July 22, 1976, in Camarillo, Calif., to Allan Flaa and Theresa (Schaller) Biggerstaff. He departed this life Saturday, Dec. 15, 2018, in Bentonville, Ark., at age 42.

Jay was an amazing and loving father. He was an incredible son who would make any parent proud. He was a caring brother and loyal friend who showed unconditional love to all. Jay was a kind, gentle, hardworking, “Simple Man” with a great sense of humor and a deep love for his country.

Jay enjoyed trucks, motorcycles, and off-road vehicles and was a master at popping wheelies on anything with wheels, including his sideby-side, riding lawn mower, and even his walker. He was passionate about square body Chevy trucks and was a member of Lifted Truck Nationals. His passion included flying his drone and always dreamed of becoming a helicopter pilot.

He is survived by one son, Austin Bolek of Crane, Mo.; mother and stepfather, Theresa and Tony Biggerstaff of Berryville, Ark.; father and stepmother, Allan and Debbie Flaa of Camarillo, Calif.; brother and sister-in-law, Terry and Jenny Flaa of Santa Maria, Calif.; sister and brother-in-law, Jill Flaa and Devin DelaPena of North Hollywood, Calif.; maternal grandmother, Phyllis Lucas of Port Hueneme, Calif.; paternal grandmother, Betty Taylor of Ventura, Calif.; aunt, Phyllis Schaller of Ojai, Calif.; godparents, John and Vicki Wilcox of Camarillo, Calif.; several other aunts, uncles, nieces, nephews, and cousins as well as co-workers and many, many friends.

He was preceded in death by maternal grandfather, Richard Schaller of Arkansas; maternal grandfather, George Lucas of California; paternal grandfather, Clyde Taylor of California; paternal grandparents, CR and Eula Biggerstaff of Arkansas.

Visitation will be Wednesday, Dec. 19, 2018, from 5 p.m. to 8 p.m. at the Charles M. Nelson Memorial Chapel in Berryville. Funeral service will be 10 a.m., Thursday, Dec. 20, 2018, at Living Faith Church in Berryville with Pastor John Cornell officiating. Interment will follow the service in the High Cemetery under the direction of Nelson Funeral Service. Memorial donations may be made to Highlands Oncology Group, 3232 N. North Hills Blvd., Fayetteville, Ark., 72703, or Circle of Life Hospice, 901 Jones Road, Springdale, Ark., 72762. Online condolences may be sent to the family at nelson funeral.com.

FARMINGTON — Gladys

Loretta Beeks, age 80, a resident of Farmington, Ark., passed away Tuesday, Dec. 18, 2018, surrounded by her family. She was born July 10, 1938, in Elkins, Ark., the daughter of Oscar and Mabel (Lane) Donaghey.

Gladys treasured her life

on the farm in Farmington where they raised their children, cattle, chickens and dogs, she loved them all.

She was preceded in death by her parents, one grandson, Marcus Beeks and two brothers, Leonard and Clifford Donaghey. Survivors include her husband of 61 years, Howard Beeks; three children, Jesse Beeks and wife Gina, Jane Beeks and Wayne Beeks and wife Karen; seven grandchildren, Stephanie Brace, Jonathan Beeks, Robert Shepherd, Adam Shepherd, Logan Shepherd, Justin Beeks and Nathan Beeks; five great-grandchildren; three sisters, Dortha Borchardt, Lucille Shaver and Mae Wiles.

The family will receive friends Thursday, Dec. 20, 2018, 5-7 p.m. at Luginbuel Funeral Home. Funeral service will be held 10 a.m. Friday, Dec. 21, 2018, at Luginbuel Chapel in Prairie Grove, Ark. Burial will be in the Rose Cemetery, there will be no graveside service held at the cemetery. Online guest book, www.luginbuel.com.

FAYETTEVILLE — Emma

Lee Campbell Gordon died on Dec. 14, 2018, at age 92, leaving a tremendous legacy of service and devotion to her church, her family, and her community. She was born on July 7, 1926, to John Calvin Campbell Sr. and Marie Parker Campbell in Oneida, Ark.

She attended Barton High School and graduated from the University of Arkansas in 1949 with a bachelor of science in education and a bachelor of music degree and then from the University of Mississippi with a master of education.

She taught private music instruction and also at Barton High School of Barton, Ark., Central High School of Helena/West Helena, Ark., Desoto High School of West Helena, Ark., and Phillips Community College of the University of Arkansas of Helena/West Helena, Ark.

She was a lifelong Methodist, contributing to every aspect and organization of the Helena church, directing the choir for over 25 years, and then becoming active in Central United Methodist in Fayetteville, Ark. She sang many years with the choir at the Temple Beth El in Helena under the direction of lifelong friend Rosalind Solomon.

She was active in Helena Little Theater, served on the Phillips County Library Board, the Helena Country Club, the Arkansas Women’s Senior Golf Champion, Delta Kappa Gamma, Sigma Alpha Iota, Arkansas Women’s Golf Association, Arkansas State Music Teacher’s Association, and the National Association of Teachers of Singing.

Emma Lee was predeceased by her husband of 71 years, A.Y. (Al) Gordon Sr.

She is survived by her daughter, Durinda Gordon-Gammill and her son, Dr. A.Y. (Al) Gordon Jr. (Debby), both of Fayetteville; three grandchildren, Lee McAhren (Camron) of Springdale, Helen Shirron (Stephen) of Sheridan, Laine Hughes (Nick) of Oklahoma, City, Okla.; four great-grandchildren, Garrett Pieroni of Springdale, Madison and Reagan Shirron of Sheridan, and Campbell Hughes of Oklahoma City, Okla.; one sister, Cassie Brothers of Helena; and a host of nieces and nephews who loved her.

There will be a private memorial at Maple Hill Cemetery in Helena for family at 9 a.m. on Saturday, Dec. 22. They invite all friends and family to join them in a service of thanksgiving and praise at 11 a.m. in Helena at the First United Methodist Church.

There will also be a memorial service at Central United Methodist Church in Fayetteville on Friday, Jan. 4 at 1 p.m. All friends and family are invited to attend the service of thanksgiving and praise as well. Memorials may be sent to First United Methodist Church, 502 Porter St., Helena, Ark., 72342, or Central United Methodist Church, 6 W. Dickson St., Fayetteville, Ark., 72701.

Services for Emma Gordon will be under the direction of Roller-Citizens Funeral Home, West Helena, (870) 572-2571. Relatives and friends may sign the online guestbook at www.rollerfuneral homes.com/westhelena.

FAYETTEVILLE —

Courtney Woods, 31, of Fayetteville died Dec. 13. Survived by her parents, Beverly Hodges and William Woods Jr. Service will be Friday, 11 a.m., at Tabernacle Baptist Church in Dermott. Burial in Portland No. 2 Cemetery under the direction of Cromwell Funeral Home. Visitation Thursday, 6-7 p.m., at the funeral home. FORT SMITH — Rachel Cameron Smith, 80, passed away in Fort Smith, Ark., on Dec. 19, 2018. She was born Jan. 10, 1938, in Waterloo, Iowa, to Alice Cunningham Cameron (Brintnall) and Dr. Edgar Brintnall.

Her early life was one of many travels when her mother married Col. Vance Cameron of the U.S. Army. She lived in Germantown, Pa., and attended Fontbonne Hall Academy. She lived in Alexandria, Va., and Leavenworth, Kan., and eventually graduated from high school in Monterey, Calif.

Upon graduation from high school, the colonel, Alice and Rachel moved to Havana, Cuba, where Rachel was admitted and began college at Universidad de Villanueva la Habana (Villanova University’s branch campus).

Upon the mobilization of troops by Fidel Castro, Rachel, Alice and the colonel were compelled to leave Cuba and Rachel was enrolled in the University of Oklahoma. Rachel graduated from the University of Oklahoma in 1959 with a degree in Spanish and Spanish history and a minor in French linguistics

Despite beginning her master’s degree at OU, her courtship with Don Allen Smith, of Seminole, Okla., changed her course and they were married Dec. 20, 1958. Rachel and Don began their married lives in Norman, Okla.; spent two years in Muskogee, Okla.; and then made Fort Smith, Ark., their own where they have been for over 55 years.

While Rachel was a homemaker, she was also a “community doer.” In Muskogee, Okla., she worked for the Department of Welfare Services. While in Fort Smith, she was the chief interpreter for all federal legal actions in Fort Smith involving Cuban refugees housed at Fort Chaffee and also taught English. She taught both Spanish and French at Westark Junior College (now UAFS), Fort Smith Montessori School and Immaculate Conception Junior High (now Trinity Jr. High).

To many, she was a known and celebrated painter. She was a devoted member of the Kappa Alpha Theta sorority and considered herself a leader of the Yah-Yahs, the Flamingos and the Democratic Women’s Bridge Club.

Rachel was predeceased by her parents and her granddaughter, Rachel Campbell Smith.

Rachel is survived by her devoted husband of 60 years of Fort Smith; her children, B. Cameron Smith of Cambridge, Md., along with his wife Lucia, Diana M. Deck of Nibley, Utah, along with husband Phillip and their six children, Dreu, Ben, Savanah, Suzi, Tennessee and Sami, Stephen C. Smith of Fort Smith, Ark., along with his wife Mindy and their two children, Ewing and Sullivan. Rachel is also survived by her sister, Susan Karger of Boston, Mass., and her three children, Paul, Wes and Susan and many extended family members in Iowa, Illinois and Pennsylvania.

A memorial mass will be celebrated at Christ the King Catholic Church at 1:30 p.m., Saturday, Dec. 22, 2018. A visitation will be held Friday evening at 5 p.m. with a Rosary following at 6 p.m. at Edwards Funeral Home in Fort Smith, Ark.

The family requests in lieu of flowers donations be made in the name of Rachel Cameron Smith to Western Arkansas Ballet, www.waballet.org, at their website or mailed to Immaculate Conception School at 223 South 14th Street, Fort Smith, Ark., 72901. Services entrusted to Edwards Funeral Home. To place online tributes, visit www.edwardsfuneralhome. com. ROGERS — Frances Mae Judy quietly went to be with the Lord in Circle of Life Hospice, Bentonville; on Tuesday, Dec. 18, 2018. Frances was born Oct. 31, 1924, at Fairbury, Neb.; the daughter of George and Lida Boddye.

She graduated high school in Fairbury and attended Gordan Bible School for a term before returning to Fairbury to work in Harris Appliance Store. She met her husband Arlen at the local USO Club and they married March 10, 1945. They lived in Fairbury and started their family, Twyla, Marilyn and Artie were born. Arlen worked as an auto mechanic and then they owned a gas station. They later moved to Oregon and spent five years, during this time George and Kent were born. The family returned to Nebraska for a short time and moved to Arkansas in 1960. Frances started her career at Tyson Foods and retired over 25 years later as the first lady supervisor over the evisceration line.

Frances visited Germany twice and Korea, once while Kent was stationed there. She loved traveling to visit family, reading, working puzzles and watching sports on TV — especially the Razorbacks. In her younger days she pitched for a softball team and bowled in a woman’s league.

After many years of living at the foot of Whittmore Mountain, Frances and Arlen moved to an apartment in daughter Twyla’s home near Rogers, Ark. Frances lived with Morris and Twyla in a Rogers until her death.

Frances was preceded in death by husband Arlen in 2007; her parents; five brothers and one sister; one son, Artie; and two grandsons, Rod and Galen. She is survived by two daughters, Twyla and Morris Vickers of Rogers, and Marilyn and Sam Judd of St. Paul; two sons, George Judy and Tammy Raley of Flippen, and Kent and Ruby Judy of Fort Smith; nine grandchildren, and numerous great-grandchildren.

Services will be Saturday, Dec.r 22, 2018, at 2 p.m. in the Bruce Brashears Memorial Chapel of Brashears Funeral Home and Crematory with Dr. Morris Vickers and Rev. Sam Judd officiating. Visitation will be 6-7 p.m., Friday, Dec. 21, 2018, at the funeral home. Memorials may be made to either the St. Paul Bible Church Youth Group, P.O. Box 69, St. Paul, Ark., 72760, or the Circle of Life Hospice, 1201 NE Legacy Parkway, Bentonville, Ark., 72712. Services entrusted to Brashears Funeral Home and Crematory of Huntsville.

ROGERS — J.D.

McCombs, 40, Rogers, died Monday. He was born on June 2, 1978, in Danville to David Lloyd and Kathy Baker McCombs. Graveside Service: 10 a.m., Thursday, in Salem Cemetery near Plainview under the direction of Shinn Funeral Service of Russellville. The online obituary and guestbook are available at www.shinnfuneral.com.

ROGERS — William

“Bill” Welch, 72, of Rogers died Monday. Funeral service will be 2 p.m., Friday, Dec. 21, 2018, at Grace Baptist Church. Burial Oakland Cemetery, Atkins and under the direction of Shinn Funeral Service of Russellville. Visitation 1:30 p.m., until service time at the church. Online obituary/ guestbook available at www. shinnfuneral.com.

SPRINGDALE — Amber

Mae Funes, 30 of Springdale passed away Tuesday, Dec. 18, 2018, at Willard Walker Hospice Home in Fayetteville. She was born Oct. 4, 1988, in Fayetteville to Leonard and Rebecca Greenlee Burton.

Amber was a homemaker. She was a good wife and mother who loved life and attended Calvary Freewill Baptist Church in Springdale.

She was preceded in death by her father, Leonard Burton. Survivors include her husband, Pedro Funes of the home; two sons, Luis Funes and Triston Davis both of Springdale; three daughters, Valerie Davis, Olivia Davis and Melvi Funes, all of Springdale; her mother, Rebecca Hagar of Lowell; one brother, Cheyenne Burton of Little Rock; two sisters, Kiahanna Bode and husband Justin of Springdale and Autumn Burton of Lowell.

Funeral services will be Friday, Dec. 21, 2018, at noon at Sisco Funeral Chapel of Springdale with Pastor Clark Snow officiating. Burial will follow in Friendship Cemetery. Visitation will be Friday from 10 a.m. until noon at the funeral home. Online condolences may be left at www. siscofuneral.com.

SPRINGDALE — Mary Wright Governor passed away on Dec. 9, 2018, in Springdale. She is survived by her husband, Richard Governor, and five children, Carolyn Ferran, Kathy Windsor and husband Bobby, Janet Evans and husband Justin, Nancy Ambrose and husband Jeff, and Billy Wright. Mary was born in 1927 to Lillian and Herbert Strouse in Bridgeport, Conn. Memorial services will be 2 p.m. Friday, Dec. 21, at Lanier Theological Library Chapel in Houston, Texas. Memorial contributions may be made to the Alzheimer’s Association. Arrangements with Heritage Funeral Home, online guestbook at www. heritageofnwa.com.

SPRINGDALE — Melvin

Devoe Howerton, 74, of Springdale, Ark., passed away on Monday, Dec. 17, 2018, at Mercy Hospital in Rogers, Ark. Melvin was born on May 2, 1944, in Compton, Ark. He was the son of Troy Howerton and Willow (Cline) Howerton.

He retired from McClinton Anchor after 32 years. He was a member of First Baptist Church in Springdale, later attending Turner Street Baptist and Fellowship Bible Church until his illness left him in a nursing home where he witnessed and attended church service at the facility.

He was preceded in death by his parents and his first wife, Marilyn Howerton. Melvin is survived by his wife of 27 years, Peggy Howerton; five children, Rabecca Dally and husband Steven of Mountain Home, Stephen Howerton and wife Tonya of Siloam Springs, Michelle Mounce and husband Russell of Bentonville, Sheryl Roy and husband Craig of Rogers, and Andrea Kennedy and husband Keith of Tontitown; 14 grandchildren; two great grandchildren; three brothers, Milford Howerton and wife Joann of Clyde, Ohio, Don Howerton of Springdale and Derl Howerton and wife Kathy of Elm Springs; one sister, Sharon Rose and husband Leon of Hiwasse; numerous extended family members and friends and his loyal fur companion, Miss Brie.

Visitation will be held Thursday, Dec. 20, 2018, from 5 p.m. until 7 p.m. at the Backstrom-Pyeatte Funeral Chapel in Springdale, Ark. Funeral service will be held at 10 a.m. on Friday, Dec. 21, 2018, at the funeral home with Pastor Charlie Foster officiating. Committal service to follow at the Elm Springs Cemetery. The family requests in lieu of flowers donations be made in his name to the Children’s Heart Foundation at www. childrensheartfoundation.org in honor of his grandson, Carter James Kennedy.

To sign the online guest book, please visit www. backstrom-pyeatte.com.

The family would like to thank the nurses and staff at Ozark Terrace in Rogers for the care they provided Melvin this past year. WESLEY — Jearl Dean

Bowen, 84, of Wesley died Dec. 18, 2018, at Willard Walker Hospice Home in Fayetteville. He was born March 1, 1934, in Harmony to Alta Mae Buchannan Bowen and Virgil Bowen.

Dean was preceded in death by his parents and one brother, Wayne Bowen. He is survived by his wife, Wanda Johnson Bowen, to whom he was married to for 65 years; two sons and daughters-inlaw, Steven and Lynn Bowen of Wesley, Ark., and David and Sabrina Bowen of Hindsville, Ark.; two daughters and sons-in-law, Barbara and Marty Bosch of Olathe, Kan., and Lori and Robert Trinkle of Huntsville, Ark.; 15 grandchildren; and 25 great-grandchildren.

Dean was saved and baptized in 1955 in the Arkansas River in Wichita, Kan. He loved going to Colorado with longtime friend John Bunch and he loved the west and hunting.

Dean was a wonderful husband, dad and papaw. He was a hard working dad and a giver to others, not perfect but mighty good and loved by many.

Memorial services will be 2 p.m. Friday, Dec. 21, 2018, at Mount Olive Baptist Church with Eddie Samuels officiating.

In lieu of flowers, family request donations in Dean’s name to St Jude Children’s Research Hospital, 262 Danny Thomas Place, Memphis, Tenn., 38105. Online condolences may be made to www. beardsfuneralchapel.com.

YALAMOSA, Colo. — Donald Arthur Hanna, 75, of Alamosa, Colo., passed away peacefully Monday evening, Dec. 17, 2018. Don was born at the City Hospital in Fayetteville, Ark., to Troy and Retha Woods Hanna.

Don graduated as valedictorian from West Fork High School, Class of 1961. After graduation, he worked wherever he could find work, be it driving to Fort Smith, as a grocer at Carter and Son’s Grocery and Smith Mercantile, both in West Fork. Then in 1965, he began what would be a 38-year career with Standard Register. In 1996, he would be given the chance to fulfill a lifelong dream of living in Colorado when he accepted a management position with Standard in Aurora, Colo. He would then retire in 2003, moving from Aurora to Del Norte and then on to Alamosa.

He was preceded in death by his parents; his aunts, Vada, Leona, Eva, Bessie, Jessie and Lill; along with uncles, Cecil and Emery; and mother-in-law, Jean Bruns.

He is survived by his wife of 41 years, Brenda Gayle Bruns Hanna, of the home; two sons, Bryan Hanna and his wife Lynette of West Fork, Ark., and Larry Hanna and his wife Christina of Carthage, Mo.; three grandsons, Trevor Hanna and his wife Cynda of West Fork, Ark., Trent Hanna of West Fork, Ark., and his fiancee Lane Walsh of Springdale, Ark., and Joshua Hanna and his wife Ashley of Webb City, Mo.; and great-granddaughter Hallie James Hanna of West Fork, Ark. He is also survived by brother-inlaw Brad Bruns, sisters-inlaw Donna Stewart and Trish Stamps and their families, which make up a host of nieces and nephews who dearly loved their Uncle Don; and a host of special friends he held as close as family.

Don was a man who loved the outdoors, a man of quiet faith, an avid hunter, truck collector, trailer collector, tractor collector, horse collector and mule collector, basically if it was a good deal, he collected it. Over the last decade he and Brenda nurtured a love of mules and horses and would find he was happiest when he was out messing with the animals, being followed by a couple four-legged sidekicks, Rocky and Allie. Even so, at times you would find them hanging out at the hospitals to catch a glimpse of their “gampa.”

The family will receive friends from 1-3 p.m. Saturday, Dec. 22, 2018, at Beard’s Chapel. Funeral services will immediately follow at 3 p.m. at the funeral home. Interment will be in West Fork Cemetery under the direction of Beard’s Chapel. Condolences at www.beardsfuneralchapel. com.

YSANGER, Texas — Patsy Sargent, age 83, of Sanger, Texas, died Dec. 15, 2018. Graveside service is 11 a.m., Friday, Dec. 21, 2018, at Jasper Cemetery, under the direction of Roller-Christeson Funeral Home. Son Chip Sargent and grandsons Trey (Couri) Sargent and Hunter (Rachel) Sargent, survive her. Online Guestbook: roller funeralhomes.com/harrison.