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 — Janet Emery Hayes, 93, daughter of George S. and Mary (Higgins) Pease was born Aug, 11, 1926, and died April 11, 2020.

She was preceded in death by her first husband, Dr. Frederick Emery, second husband Edmund Hayes and sister Jo Ann Scott.

She is survived by daughters Mary Lou (Jim) Anderson of Concordia, Kan., and Beth (Ray) Anderson of Bella Vista, Ark.; stepchildren Brian Hayes, Linda Rawlings and Karen Brophy; nephew and nieces Robert and Jane Emery, Sarah Borns and Anne Gault; grandchildren Katie Mai, Barrett Jones, Lisa Roberts, Angela Anderson, Matthew, Jon and Joel Anderson, David and Kevin Rawlings, Lawrence Brophy and Madeline Murack. She also enjoyed several great-grandchildren.

The family appreciates the care and comfort that Circle of Life hospice provided. The decease forbids any longer obituary.

BELLA VISTA — Juanita Mills lived May 22, 1942, to April 10, 2020, and boy, did she live that dash to the fullest!

Nita was one of 12 Patterson children born to S.J. Patterson Sr. and Archie Lucille (White) Patterson who hailed from Hazlehurst, Miss. She liked to say she was the youngest out of S.J., James, Jimmie, Floyd, Pookie, Troy, Mildred, Rachel, Patsy, Vonnie and Beverly; but she definitely wasn’t.

With a relationship that would make romance novelists swoon, Nita found the love of her life with Douglas Mills. They were married for 40 years and traveled the world together with their shenanigans.

She had two sons, Barry Maddox and Steve Maddox, who absolutely adored her, and quite possibly turned her hair grey. She doted on her six grandchildren Cassi, Noni, Sammie Jo, Lukie, Victoria, Jesse, and 10 great grandchildren. She claimed to not have a favorite. (cough cough, Cassi).

Juanita was blunt and beautiful, witty and warm. She never met a baby she didn’t like. She made the best chocolate and biscuits in the whole South. She named her dog after Ozzy Osbourne, because, of course she did. She was the best of all of us.

There will be no service at this time, so pour some Kahlúa in your drink, spend some time with your loved ones, and for God’s sake, clean your room.

Arrangements by Epting Funeral Home Fayetteville. Condolences: www.eptingfuneralhome.webs.com.

FAYETTEVILLE — Barbara Jill Laurent, age 54, passed away suddenly Friday, April 10, 2020. She was born July 25, 1965, in Omaha, Neb., to Herman and Nancy Laurent.

She was a graduate of Ames High School. Following her passion for various arts, she received a bachelor’s degree in graphic design from Iowa State University.

Barb continued to use her talents through the years to impress everyone with her vision and creativity. She explored different mediums for releasing her vision including photography, painting, crafting and drawing with pencils and chalks. Barb found peace and joy when she was doing these projects.

She was taken from us too soon.

She is survived by son Romulo; parents Herman and Nancy; siblings Sandie Kilton (Ed) of Omaha, Neb., Mark (Linda) of Orlando, Fla., and Jack (Carla) of Omaha, Neb.; and many uncles, aunts, nieces and nephews.

Cremation and arrangements under the direction of Nelson-Berna Funeral Home in Fayetteville. To place an online tribute, visit www.nelsonberna.com.

FAYETTEVILLE — Robert (Bob) Lee Riggins Sr., 77 of Fayetteville passed away Sunday, April 12, 2020, at his home. He was born April 9, 1943, to Clifford and Julia Jaro Riggins.

Robert had a passion for home renovation. He was an avid fisherman, loved gardening, being outside and being with his family. He served in the Army as a private first class during the Cuban Missile Crisis.

He was preceded in death by his parents, sister Billie Powers and brothers Clifford Riggins II and John Riggins.

Survivors include wife Judy Riggins of the home; sons Robert (Bobby) Lee Riggins Jr. and wife Gayla of Fayetteville and David Wayne Riggins of Springdale; daughter Sherry Riggins of Fayetteville; brothers Jim Riggins and wife Carolyn of Springdale and Donnie Riggins and wife Bernice of Lincoln; sister Mary Ann Hunt of Russellville; 11 grandchildren and 22 great-grandchildren.

Graveside services will be Thursday, April 16, 2020, at 2 p.m. at Zion Cemetery with Pastor Ken Eden officiating. Online condolences may be left at www.siscofuneral.com.

HARRISON — John O. Campbell passed away April 11 at age 96. He is survived by his children, Melissa (Campbell) Beard, Kevin Campbell, Craig Campbell and Kirk Campbell, 12 grandchildren and seven great-grandchildren and brother Gene Campbell. He was preceded in death by his parents and brother Rob Roy Campbell.

HUNTSVILLE — Edward John McGarrah, 64, of Huntsville died April 8 in Fayetteville. Edward is survived children John McGarrah, Sarah Gray and Haley Long; and seven grandchildren. No services are planned at this time. Cremation is entrusted to Brashears Funeral Home and Crematory of Huntsville.

LITTLE ROCK — JoAnn Greene passed away Saturday, April 11, 2020. JoAnn was born Oct. 16, 1928, in Sparkman, Ark., to Sue Dunn Eubank and John Edwin Eubank.

She attended public schools in Sparkman and Little Rock University — a member of the last graduating class before the merger of the University with the University of Arkansas System.

Following graduation, she attended the University of Central Arkansas doing post-graduate study in child development and psychology. For many years she was a devoted volunteer for Stepping Stone Inc. and Youth Home helping provide services to troubled Arkansas youth.

In 1982 she served as a consultant in fund development to the Arkansas Symphony Orchestra and was subsequently named ASO director of development. During her work in that position, she organized the first Grand Symphony Ball which quickly became the primary fund raising event for the ASO.

During this same period, with the assistance of the publisher of the Arkansas

Democrat-Gazette, she organized a 4th of July patriotic concert by the ASO to be held on the banks of the Arkansas River. “Pops on the River” became one of the most popular performances of the year, attracting thousands of Arkansans to celebrate the holiday with the ASO.

In 1985 JoAnn was selected by the board of directors to become the executive director of the Arkansas Symphony Orchestra — a position she held for more than 12 years. During her administration she worked tirelessly to establish the ASO Foundation to ensure the orchestra achieved a healthy financial future. She organized active volunteer support groups (guilds) in Hot Springs and Russellville. Both groups, along with the Little Rock Guild, became valuable supporters of the orchestra in fundraising, season ticket sales and music education.

JoAnn spent her last years as a resident of Shepherd’s Cove at Good Shepherd Ecumenical Retirement community and was an active member of Pulaski Heights United Methodist Church. She dearly loved her friends at the Cove and the family would like to express their appreciation to Beverly Williams and the staff at the Cove and to Regina King, whose care and loving kindness meant so much.

JoAnn is survived by daughters Gail Judd (Bruce) of Watersound, Fla., and Ann Kemp (Hal) of Little Rock; sister Mrs. Rachel Alexander of Mobile, Ala.; and grandchildren Colin McRae Mitchell (Guy), Lara Kemp Beard (Jordan), Hamilton Kemp (Rachel), Harrison Kemp (Ashley), Caroline Kemp Carnes (Jay), Mauren Kennedy and Maddie Kennedy; and 11 great-grandchildren.

There will be a private interment for immediate family only at Pulaski Heights United Methodist Church Columbarium Garden. The family will schedule a celebration of life gathering at a later time. Memorials may be sent to the Arkansas Symphony Orchestra or to Pulaski Heights United Methodist Church. Arrangements are under the direction of Ruebel Funeral Home, www.ruebelfuneralhome.com.

SILOAM SPRINGS — David Ray Barnett, 77, died at home in Siloam Springs, Ark., on April 12, 2020. The eldest of seven children, he was passionately loved by his family and friends.

David was preceded in death by his father Ray Barnett, and brother Robert Barnett.

He is survived by his mother, Laurine Barnett, of the home; sister Jane Johnson (husband, Jerry) of Waco, Texas; sister-in-law Margaret Barnett of New Jersey; sister Mary Boxx (husband, Randy); brothers Jonathan Barnett (wife Christy) and James Barnett (wife Marilyn), all of Siloam Springs, and brother Mark Barnett (wife Sandra) of Lawrence, Kan. He is also survived by many aunts, nephews, nieces, cousins and a god-grandson, David (Little Dave) Nicholas.

He was born Dec. 15, 1942, at the old hospital in downtown Siloam Springs to Ray and Laurine Barnett. When David was a freshman in high school his family moved to Gentry where he graduated in 1960. His classmates elected him their senior class president.

By age 14, David was working for his uncle, Ervie Barnett, at Barnett’s Dairyette in Siloam Springs and bought his first motorcycle (a rare commodity back then) to get back and forth to work. A year later he purchased his first car, being one of only two high school students to own an automobile.

After attending the University of Arkansas for one semester, he joined the Air Force, serving in San Antonio, Amarillo and Del Rio, Texas, Turkey and Taiwan. His job was base finance and inventory management specialist — ordering, supplying and keeping records of parts for various planes flying into his base.

After the Air Force, he worked several years as a clerk for the Chesapeake & Ohio Railroad in Toledo, Ohio. Later on he trained motel managers all over the country before securing a job as a technician servicing oil rigs in Texas and Oklahoma.

In 1996, he opened up Dave’s Appliance in downtown Siloam Springs and sold used appliances and furniture out of the old Feemster’s Chevrolet building. He later purchased the Smith Furniture building across the street and started selling new furniture there under the name of Downtown Discount Furniture. After his health started to decline a few years ago, he sold both businesses and buildings but continued to work as an appliance repairman — the job he loved most.

David will be remembered as being very thoughtful, generous, friendly, good-natured, and full of humor. He thoroughly enjoyed brightening everyone’s day by telling jokes and making them smile. David also had a soft heart and intensely cared for all of his family, especially his parents.

He is the second of seven siblings to pass away within the past 10 months. Our family has lost another ray of sunshine, but he will continue to be in our thoughts every time we hear a joke or something that makes us laugh.

A memorial service will be scheduled at some time in the future. To sign an online guestbook, please visit www. wassonfuneralhome.com.

SPRINGDALE — Laura Beth Finch, age 64, of Springdale, Ark., went home to sing with the angels, hug her daddy, and explore the universe on April 12, 2020.

She leaves behind her loving mother, Marjorie Lawson Hart; sister Deborah Hendrix; her best friend and husband of 40 years, Jay Finch; sons Lucas, David and Nathan; daughter Charlotte; grandchildren Dajah, Donovan, Aiden and Liam; great-grandchild Cameron; and countless friends, now reunited with her daddy, little brother CB, Papa, and many other family members and friends who preceded her.

Beth was born March 1, 1956, in Lake Wales, Fla., to Hassell and Marjorie Lawson. She graduated from Springdale High School in 1974 and then attended nursing school at Burge School of Nursing in Springfield, Mo. After starting her nursing career in St. Louis, Mo., she headed west to New Mexico, where she became one of the first female law enforcement officers in the department.

She met Jay while they were investigating a homicide on the Navajo Reservation. They eventually decided to hang up their spurs and start a family. Beth returned to nursing where she built a career in diabetes education. When she wasn’t working at the hospital she was wrangling cattle on her family farm, raising three boys, and organizing mission trips that took her around the world.

We lost a real gem. It’s a rare person who knows her worth and embraces life without a care for what others thought or whether the world was ready for her.

She wasn’t one who suffered fools gladly, often joking she was going to start a slapping line. She struck a hard bargain — used car salesmen were always relieved to see her go. She was always playful, charismatic, loving, kind, laughed often, loved others deeply and certainly never met a stranger, regularly embarrassing her boys with her random, deep conversations with strangers.

She was most comfortable in blue jeans and boots, riding high atop her John Deere or exploring Bull Canyon with Judge Two Birds.

She gave everything she had to others who needed it, even when it was a sacrifice. She recognized the many gifts she had been given and never lost sight of them when things got tough. She taught us many people had heard about Jesus but few had experienced Christ-like people in their life, so we should try to be that example in the world.

Today she’s at peace. There’s no more pain in her rodeo knee, no more wheelchairs and she’s no longer having to deal with Nurse Ratched. She is free to explore the universe and sing with the angels — maybe beat them at Skip-Bo, too.

Funeral services will be held graveside at White Oak Cemetery in Fayetteville, Ark., at 2 p.m. on April 14. A larger gathering of family and friends will be held at a later date to celebrate Beth’s life.

Until then, indulge in one of her joys: read a good book, plant a tree, go for a hike, share your faith with a stranger, give more than you think you can to someone in need, visit someone in a nursing home, and hug everyone like you mean it. Online condolences may be left at www.siscofuneral.com.

TEXARKANA — Judith K. Goodner Holt Griffith, a resident of Texarkana, Ark., passed away at 9 a.m. Thursday, Feb. 27, 2020. A resident of Farmington, Ark., for 25 years, she was born in DeQueen, Ark., on Aug. 5, 1942.

She graduated from the University of Arkansas in Fayetteville and worked for the University of Arkansas for 22 years, retiring from the Mechanical Engineering Department in 2004.

She is survived by her loving husband of 13 years, Addison Griffith; daughter Kathleen Marie Murdock of Largo, Fla.; sisters Vivian Goodner of Pocatello, Idaho, and Jean Swan of Mount Airy, N.C.; and brother Jerry Goodner of Farmingham, Mass.

She was preceded in death by her parents, Selden S. and Naomi Reese Goodner.

Interment will be in the Lincoln Cemetery, Lincoln Ark., by Luginbuel Funeral Home. There be no services held. In lieu of flowers, please make donations to the charity of your choice.