Obituaries

BELLA VISTA — Charles Stanley Applegate III, 70, of Bella Vista, passed away Monday, Feb.11, 2019, at Circle of Life Legacy Village in Bentonville. He was born June 14 1948, in Fort Benning, Ga., to Dr. Charles Stanley Applegate, Jr. and Jeanne Lanahan Applegate.

Trip worked as a physical therapist. He devoted his life to volunteering for the Boy Scouts of America and he was a volunteer for the Southern Baptist Disaster Team. He loved hunting, fishing, anything outdoors, leather and woodcrafts.

He was preceded in death by his parents. Survivors include his wife, Jan Ellen Boyd Applegate of the home; one son Jason Applegate of Bella Vista and JoAnn Vogt and husband Chester of Illinois.

Funeral services will be Friday, Feb. 15, 2019, at 10 a.m. at Village Baptist Church in Bella Vista with Pastor Harold Johnson officiating. Private burial will follow in Bluff Cemetery. Visitation will be Thursday from 6 to 8 p.m. at Sisco Funeral Chapel of Springdale. Online condolences may be left at www. siscofuneral.com.

BELLA VISTA — LaVerne Audrey Eisert passed away Feb. 11, 2019, at home in Bella Vista, Ark., at the age of 91. LaVerne was born in Milwaukee, Wis., on April 8, 1927, to Agnes and Edward Mertens. She is survived by her husband of 64 years, Leonard Eisert; son Bruce Eisert of Washington; daughter Janet Graven (Erik) of Colorado, and granddaughters Carolyn and Elena Graven.

LaVerne grew up in Milwaukee, Wis., where she worked for the Milwaukee Police Department. She also lived in Rochester, Minn., where she was a social worker for Olmsted County. She was an active member of United Lutheran Church in Bella Vista.

Services will be at 11 a.m., Feb. 15, at United Lutheran Church. Arrangements are by Bella Vista Funeral Home & Crematory. Online condolences may be made at www. funeralmation.com.

CENTERTON — Rita Sue Martin, age 65, of Centerton died Sunday, Feb. 10, 2019, at Circle of Life Hospice House in Bentonville. She was born June 14, 1953, in Chanute, Kan., the daughter of Rosemary Ornelas and John Martin.

She enjoyed time with her family and friends, especially time with her grandchildren. She loved looking at the shops and their antiques. She moved to Northwest Arkansas in 2002 from Kansas.

She was preceded in death by her parents, husband and brother John Allan Martin.

She is survived by two sons, Jason Sabine of Centerton and Stephen Sabine of Centerton; brother Rick

Martin of Pea Ridge; two grandchildren, Todd and Seth Sabine, and numerous nieces and nephews.

Visitation will be Friday from 10:30 a.m. until service time at The Ridge Community Church, 836 North Curtis Ave., in Pea Ridge. A celebration of life will begin at 11:30 a.m. Arrangements by Epting Funeral Home Bentonville. Condolences: www.epting funeralhome.webs.com.

ELKINS — Gary Dale Parkey, a native Tulsan, born 1939, and resident of Elkins Ark., passed away surrounded by his children, wife and extended family as the soundtrack of his life played quietly in the background.

As Harry Chapin said, “All your life’s a circle.” Dale’s life was certainly a full and spirited circle. He graduated in 1958 with the first class of Edison High School in Tulsa, Okla. He went on to graduate from Oklahoma State University, where he was a member of Sigma Phi Epsilon, GO POKES!

G. Dale maintained an interior design business in Tulsa and started the Interior Design program at Tulsa Community College. He loved a good game of pool, strumming his guitar fireside, reminiscing about his adventures down the Arkansas River and telling brow-raising jokes. He was a member of the First Baptist Church in Elkins, Ark.

He is survived by his wife, Shirley; his children, Chad, Shana, Melinda, Michelle and their spouses; his former wife Juliana; brothers Ike, Bud and Bill; six grandchildren, four great-grandchildren; and one on its way (who call him G. Pa); and many nieces and nephews who loved him as Uncle Dale.

Church services will be Thursday, Feb. 14, 2019, at 10 a.m. at Elkins First Baptist Church. Graveside services will be at 3 p.m. following the services Thursday at Memorial Park Cemetery in Tulsa under the direction of Beard’s Chapel. The family will receive friends from 2:30-5 p.m. on Wednesday, Feb. 13, 2019, at Beard’s Chapel. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to Juvenile Diabetes, www.jdrf.org. Condolences at www.beardsfuneralchapel. com.

FAYETTEVILLE — Betty Marie Long, 95, of Fayetteville passed away Monday, Feb. 11, 2019, at Willard Walker Hospice Home in Fayetteville. She was born in Benton County, Ark., to Barry and May Johnson Robbins.

Betty worked as a waitress at several area restaurants in Springdale and Tulsa, Okla. She loved to bake pies.

She was preceded in death by her husband, Robert Greenlee, her parents, and four sisters, Thelma Wieland, Ruby Reynolds, Vina Pearson and Genevieve Scruggs.

Survivors include daughter Betty Miller and husband Allan of Fayetteville; step-granddaughter Michelle Coker and husband Daren of Kansas City; three step-great-grandchildren, Canaan Coker, Ariana Coker and Garrison Coker, many nieces and nephews including, Cathy Taylor, Margaret Tomlison, Donna Kirby, Judy Isbell, Carie Roller, Jim Wieland, Butch Scruggs, Kevin Wieland and Stacy Wieland and special family and friends, Rita Miller, Carolyn and Michael Meek, Pat and Marilyn Mohn and Deb and Bob Spoots.

Funeral services will be Thursday, Feb. 14, 2019, at 1 p.m. at Sisco Funeral Chapel of Springdale with Rev. Ervin Hutchins officiating. A private burial will follow in Bluff Cemetery. Visitation will be Wednesday from 4 to 6 p.m. at the funeral home. Online condolences may be left at www.siscofuneral.com.

FAYETTEVILLE — Dr. John Warren Murry, M.D., age 93, of Fayetteville passed away Feb. 8, 2019, at the Willard Walker Hospice House. He was born March 28, 1925, the only child of Harry E. Murry and Mildred Hon, and grew up in Texarkana, Ark., where he excelled in academics and athletics.

He was married for 61 years to his beloved wife, Doris Lee Murry, who preceded him in death. He is survived by his three children, Susan Murry Jamerson of Fayetteville, John Warren Murry Jr. of Bentonville and Dr. William Lee Murry of Fayetteville. He leaves behind nine grandchildren and 10 great-grandchildren.

He attended the University of Arkansas, Fayetteville where he was a member of Kappa Sigma Fraternity and served as house manager. Upon graduating with his M.D. from UAMS in Little Rock in 1947, he completed an internship at Charity Hospital in New Orleans. Warren returned to UAMS where he completed his general surgical residency.

From 1953-1955, Warren served as a captain and surgeon in the Air Force. He was stationed at Kessler Air Force Base in Biloxi, Miss. After completing his service in the military, he joined his father’s medical practice in Texarkana.

In 1957, he moved to Fayetteville becoming the first board certified general surgeon to practice in Northwest Arkansas. He practiced medicine for over 50 years and was a life member of the Arkansas Medical Society. He was the founding member of Fayetteville Surgical Associates, former chief of the medical staff at the former Washington Regional Hospital.

He was appointed by then Gov. David Pryor to serve on the Arkansas State Board of Health. After retiring from practicing surgery, Warren served as an adjunct UAMS faculty member with AHECNW where he taught family practice residents surgical skills. During his long medical career, Dr. Murry was a member of the American College of Surgeons, American Medical Association, Southwestern Surgical Congress, and Arkansas Medical Society.

Throughout his adult life, Warren was actively engaged in civic service and volunteerism. Warren was a longtime member of the First United Presbyterian Church where he was an elder. He was instrumental in helping to establish emergency medical services in Fayetteville. He was recognized for his outstanding service to the community and healthcare by being a WRMC Foundation Eagle Award recipient and Paul Harris Fellow honoree by Rotary International. Warren served as a board of director member for Community Blood Bank of the Ozarks and Cooperative Emergency Outreach (CEO) of Fayetteville. After retirement, he volunteered for Meals on Wheels.

His life was defined by excellence, compassion, and service, and he will always be remembered by his family as a kind and sweet gentleman who lived a life of serving others. The family would like to thank Dr. David Ratcliff and his nurse Vicky, and the staff of the Willard Walker Hospice House in Fayetteville for their excellent care of Warren.

A memorial service will be held at 11 a.m. on Friday, Feb. 15, 2019, at the First United Presbyterian Church, 695 E. Calvin St., Fayetteville. A reception will follow immediately after the service. In lieu of flowers, the family requests contributions be made to the Cooperative Emergency Outreach, P.O. 3631, Fayetteville, Ark., 72702, or First United Presbyterian Church, 695 E. Calvin St., Fayetteville, Ark., 72703. Condolences may be given online at www.moores funeralchapel.com.

FAYETTEVILLE — James B. Wright, 85, of Fayetteville, Ark., passed away Monday, Feb. 11, 2019, in Springdale, Ark. He was born Dec. 12, 1933, in Kingston, Ark., to Joseph Burton Wright and Willa (Dorsey) Wright.

He retired after 43 years with Shipley Baking Company, attended Buckner Baptist Church, and was the caretaker for Buckner Cemetery for 38 years.

He was preceded in death by his wife, Angie Lee Wright, daughter Judy Ann Wright, and two brothers and two sisters.

He is survived by his daughter, Connie Fisher (Joe) of Springdale, Ark.; son Wayne Wright (Elisha) of Rogers, Ark.; four grandchildren, Gail Farris of Greenbrier, Ark., Julie McMiller of Oklahoma City, Okla., Shawn Fisher of Springdale, Ark., Heather Wright of Rogers, Ark., and six great grandchildren.

Visitation will be held on Wednesday, Feb. 13 from 4 p.m. until 6 p.m. at Nelson-Berna Funeral Home. Funeral services will be held 10 a.m., Thursday, Feb. 14 at Buckner Baptist Church with Pastor Gary Jewell and Pastor Larry Mitchell officiating, Burial will follow at Buckner Cemetery in Fayetteville. Memorial contributions may be made to Buckner Cemetery, 3758 E. Huntsville Road, Fayetteville, Ark., 72701. To sign the online guest book please visit www.nelsonberna.com.

HINDSVILLE—C.Nadene Commet, 66, of Hindsville passed away Thursday, Feb. 7, 2019, at Fayetteville Health & Rehabilitation. She was born Jan. 27, 1953, in Columbus, Kan., to Clyde (Basil) and Creola Judy.

Nadene could light up a room with her beautiful smile and contagious laugh. She had a passion for being outdoors, from walking through the woods, gardening or riding on the back of her husband’s motorcycle. She also enjoyed singing, dancing, sewing, and crafting.

Substitute teaching in Gravette to retiring from driving a school bus in Fayetteville, Ark., filled her heart with joy. She was always willing to help anyone she could. Nadene enjoyed visits with her grandchildren, where she taught them how to bake, sew and do several other crafts.

Preceded in death by her father, mother, several aunts, uncles and cousins. Survivors include her husband, Mike Commet of Hindsville, Ark.; two daughters, Betina Penny of Rogers and Charity Henighen and husband Chris of Anderson, Mo.; two brothers, Sony Judy and wife Melody of Joplin, Mo. and Randy Judy and wife of Joplin, Mo.; eight grandchildren, Tyler and Gaven Penny, both of Garfield, Iashia Bennett of Hindsville, Seth Hornbecker of Rogers, Kitrell, Anniston, Eva and Maximus Henighen, all of Anderson, Mo., as well as uncles, aunts, nieces, nephews and cousins.

A memorial service will be held Friday, Feb. 15, 2019, at 2 p.m. at Sisco Funeral Chapel of Springdale with Pastor Gene Fulcher officiating. Online condolences may be left at www.siscofuneral.com.

LITTLE FLOCK — Kelly Elizabeth Burk, 57, of Little Flock went home to be with Jesus Sunday, Feb. 10, 2019. She was born Aug. 22, 1961, in Memphis, Tenn., to Howard Harrison Henry and Claudia Emily Riddle Henry who survives.

Other survivors include her business partner and loving husband of 38 years, Scott Burk; their daughter, Savannah Lopez (Andy) of Little Flock; grandson Isaiah Lopez (and another grandchild on the way); brother Casey Henry (Courtney); extended family; her church family and dear friends. She was preceded by a brother, David Henry.

She deeply loved her family and her church family. She enjoyed serving her church, giving to others, shopping, travelling and her animals. Times shared with her family were always the best. Her family will remember her as the best wife, Mom or Meme ever! Kelly was a working partner with her husband Scott as owners of Scott Burk Construction, a general construction firm.

Services will be Thursday, Feb.14, 2019, at First Baptist Church of Garfield where visitation begins at noon until the funeral service at 2 p.m. Interment will follow in Pea Ridge Cemetery. Arrangements are under the care of Rollins Funeral Home in Rogers. Condolences may be expressed at www.Rollins Funeral.com.

PINE BLUFF — George Calvin Walker was born to Calvin Walker and Doris Attwood Walker in Rison, Ark., on Feb. 2, 1935.

He attended Rison Public Schools, where he was a multi-sport athlete, best known for his success as a quarterback for the Rison Wildcats football program. Recently, the Rison School District named the football stadium “George Walker Champions Field.”

George and many former players never forgot their roots. He and many of his teammates formed a foundation that created a scholarship program for deserving student athletes at their alma mater.

As a brochure during the naming ceremony proclaimed “George Walker is truly Mr. Wildcat.” George is still considered one of Rison’s favorite sons.

He attended the University of Arkansas at Fayetteville, graduating with his B.A. and M.B.A. degrees. However, George considered his greatest achievement at the university was meeting Jacque Davis and marrying her June 1, 1958. Jacque was the love of his life and the subject he liked to talk about most. They were married 60 years, constantly acknowledging the blessings of their marriage and family.

During his years as a Razorback, George and his teammates were named the “25 Little Pigs” based on their number of players and their size. In 1954 they won the Southwest Conference championship and went on to play Georgia Tech in the Cotton Bowl. He was captain of Jack Mitchell’s 1957 squad. During his time as a Razorback, George received various awards, but the one he was most proud of was his selection as an Academic All-American.

After graduation, George was drafted by the Cleveland Browns, but instead, chose to leave football behind and began a successful career in banking. George served in the Army Reserve and later active duty.

His first career job out of the Army was with Union National Bank in Little Rock, where his first two daughters were born. He was there five years, before joining Simmons First National Bank in Pine Bluff where his third daughter was born. He spent 50 years with Simmons where he became executive vice president.

He was constantly amazed at the talent, dedication, loyalty and friendship of his associates. He was very proud of the high standard of ethics and community spirit expected and shown by the bank’s management through the years.

In George’s early years at Simmons he was a member with several other bank officers of the Bank Notes, a band who played all over Arkansas, especially at banking events. George also wrote a book about the history of Simmons Bank from its original charter in 1903, which was distributed to analysts, associates and shareholders. He also attended the Graduate School of Banking at Louisiana State University.

It is said George tried to retire three times, but management kept calling him back to help guide the bank. To all that knew George, he was simply a friend who would be there for you, regardless of the situation. He was asked to help raise funds with Coach Lee Hardman to build the Golden Lions Stadium.

He and Coach Hardman traveled thousands of miles looking at stadiums and bringing back the “best practices.”

He would never write or talk about his awards, but they were numerous. In 1999, he was elected to the Razorback Sports Hall of Honor and in 2007, he was inducted into the Arkansas Sports Hall of Fame. In 2016, the hall named its new reception center after George Walker.

George was a long-time member of First United Methodist Church in Pine Bluff.

He died Feb. 9, 2019, in Pine Bluff, Ark., surrounded by friends and family. George was preceded in death by his wife, Jacque Davis Walker; daughter Kimberly Walker Bellingrath; parents Calvin and Doris Walker; and brother Lamar Walker.

George is survived by daughters, Kelly Laing (Darrell) of Highlands Ranch, Colo., and Kristy Armstrong (Wil) of Cherry Hills Village, Colo.; grandchildren, Adam Bellingrath, Anne Davis Bellingrath, Elisabeth Armstrong, Kathryn Armstrong, Jack Armstrong and Jacqueline Laing.

In lieu of flowers, please make memorials to Rison Champions Endowment Scholarship Fund, c/o Arkansas Community Foundation, 1400 W. Markham, Suite 206, Little Rock, Ark., 72201.

The funeral will be held at 10:30 a.m., Saturday, Feb. 16, 2019, at the First United Methodist Church in Pine Bluff, followed by a reception in the fellowship hall. The interment will follow the reception at 2 p.m. in Rison, Ark., at Greenwood Cemetery.

The family wishes to express their sincere gratitude to a special friend, Kay Wade and the staff at Trinity Village, who assisted with his care during his illness.

Arrangements were handled by Ralph Robinson and Son Funeral Directors (online register: www.ralphrobinsonandson.com).

ROGERS — With sadness, we announce the passing of Norma Sue (Rose) Bridges on Feb. 11, 2019, of Rogers, Ark. She was born Feb. 15, 1946, in Pascagoula, Miss., to Willis Baxter Rose and Helen (Kinsey) Rose.

She met and married Wendell Bridges in Malden, Mo., on March 28, 1964. She is survived by her husband and three sons, Jeffrey Bridges (Sandye) of O’Fallon, Mo., Mark Bridges (Angie) of Davenport, Iowa, and Chris Bridges (Jennifer) of Plainfield, Ill.; 10 grandchildren, Ethan, Molly, Hannah, Paige, Alec, Garrett, Cooper, Zachary, Caleb, and Lucy Bridges and their dog, Toby. Norma has two surviving sisters, Betty Grider of Texas and Theresa Tucker of Washington. Her favorite activities were: 1. Pickle Ball; 2. Pickle Ball; 3. Walking Toby.

ROGERS — Addison McAndrew Rife, 97, of Rogers, passed away Feb. 10, 2019, in Fayetteville. He was born March 2, 1921, in Osage Mills, Ark., to Luther Powell Rife and Emmaline Alden Rife. He is survived by one daughter; two grandchildren; and six great-grandchildren. Funeral services will be held at 10 a.m., Saturday, Feb. 16 at Stockdale-Moody Funeral Services. Arrangements by Stockdale-Moody Funeral Services. Online condolences to stockdale-moodyfs.com.

ROGERS — Donald Wayne Stockton, 76, of Rogers died Feb. 3 at Regency Hospital in Springdale, surrounded by his devoted family.

He was born Aug. 28, 1942, in Tontitown, Ark., to Johnnie Woodrow (Woody) Stockton and Lena Mantegani Stockton. Formerly, he served in the Arkansas National Guard and he was a

quality control supervisor for Emerson Electric in Rogers.

He was preceded in death by his parents.

Don had the invaluable gift of appreciating the simple pleasures in life – in his later years, his daily routine began with morning coffee with his buddies at the Buss Stop in Garfield – something he thoroughly looked forward to and enjoyed for many years.

He had a lifelong love of music; a gifted pianist, he was also a devoted member of the church choir at the First Baptist Church in Garfield for several years. Rumor has it that back in the day, he could have put most contestants on “Dancing With the Stars” to shame.

Second only to his love for music was his devotion to sports – he loved boating and water skiing, and was devoted to all things Razorback.

After being diagnosed with COPD, Don became a part of a support group that gave him the courage and fortitude to keep fighting a disease that is cruelly debilitating. Despite the challenges of living with a relentless and chronic illness, Don maintained his sense of humor, throughout.

Don is survived by his wife of 52 years, Charlene; two sons, Russ Stockton (Rachel) of Bentonville and Chad Stockton of Rogers; brother Ronald Stockton (Elda) of Tontitown; two sisters, Glenda Stockton of Rogers and Janet Stockton Taylor of Tontitown; seven grandchildren and one great-grandchild.

Visitation will be at 10 a.m. Saturday, Feb. 16 at First Baptist Church in Garfield, followed by a service at 11 a.m. with Pastor Paul Bryant officiating. Cremation arrangements are by Sisco Funeral Home in Pea Ridge. Interment will be held at a later date at Ruddick Cemetery in Garfield. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to Garfield First Baptist Church, 17784 Marshall St., Garfield, Ark., 72732. Online condolences may be made at siscofuneralhome.net.

SPRINGDALE — Norman Autrey passed away after a two-year battle with cancer on Feb. 6. A native of Rogers Ark., he was 74 when he passed.

Norman was a Marine Corps veteran with two tours in Vietnam.

Eventually returning to Northwest Arkansas, he started multiple businesses. Entrepreneurship was his passion especially as it gave him the ability to create opportunity and help others. Building and running multiple recycling companies in the last 35 years, Norman created many jobs and kept the world from land filling tons of material that could be reused.

Beekeeping was one of his hobbies that he felt helped the bees and the environment. Norman enjoyed learning from others, helping people in need, and beating everyone he played in chess.

Norman was preceded in death by his father, Earl Autrey, and mother, Ivie Autrey. He is survived by his brothers, Marvin Autrey and Jimmy Autrey; his wife, America Autrey; his children, Marty Autrey (Erin) and Marnie Jackson (Aaron); and his grandchildren, Austin Autrey (Deborah), Sydney Autrey, Savannah Autrey, Allison Autrey, Luke Jackson, Max Autrey, and Sophia Autrey.

In keeping with Norman’s wishes he will be cremated and interned at the Fayetteville National Cemetery. The date for his memorial service

will be forthcoming and announced via….

God Bless you Norman and Semper Fi.

A celebration of Norman’s life will be held at 11 a.m. on Monday, Feb. 18, at Mildred B. Cooper Memorial Chapel, 504 Memorial Dr., Bella Vista, Ark., 72714.

WEST FORK — Eula Coker, age 93, of West Fork, Ark., passed away Monday, Feb. 11, 2019, in Fayetteville. She was born Dec. 23, 1925, in Aurora, Ark., to William and Callie Pennington Jackson. She was preceded in death by her husband, J.H. Coker Jr.; two sons, Ronnie L. Coker and Kenny Coker; daughterin-law, Doris Coker and her son-in-law, Jimmy Boyd; three brothers, General Jackson, Lawrence Jackson and Clifford Jackson; two grandsons, Lance Coker, Lawless Coker and one granddaughter, Yves Coker. She is a member of Zinnamon Church.

She is survived by her daughter, Beverly Boyd of West Fork; two sons, Dennis Coker and his wife Alexis of West Fork and Royaldon Coker of Fayetteville; daughter-in-law, Kay Coker Bing of West Fork; 13 grandchildren, 27 great-grandchildren and 12 great great grandchildren.

Visitation will be 5 p.m.-7 p.m. Wednesday, Feb. 13, 2019, at Moore’s Chapel. Funeral service will be 11 a.m. Thursday at Zinnamon Baptist Church with burial to follow in Zinnamon Cemetery under the direction of Moore’s Chapel. Memorial contributions may be made to Circle of Life Hospice, 901 Jones Road, Springdale, Ark., 72762. To place an online tribute visit www.mooresfuneralchapel.com.

WEST FORK — Farrell Fieldon Parks, was born May 29, 1936, to Elra and Katie Parks in Placentia, Calif. He went to be with the Lord on Feb. 9, 2019.

Farrell was an Air Force veteran from 1954-1958. He worked at Baldwin and retired from Standard Register.

Farrell was preceded in death by his parents, Elra and Katie Parks; sister Freda Parks Sloan; and brothers Truman and Gerald Parks.

Farrell is survived by his wife, Vivian Eubanks Parks; two sons, Michael Parks and his wife Debra of West Fork, Ark., and Aaron Parks and his wife Kelly of Fayetteville, Ark.; six grandchildren, Jolynn Black, Michaela, Asher, Benjamin, Caleb, and David Parks; two great-grandchildren, Lola and Walker Black and many friends.

Memorial services will be 11 a.m., Thursday, Feb. 14, 2019, at First Baptist Church, West Fork. Cremation is entrusted to Brashears Funeral Home and Crematory of Huntsville.