Obituaries
Phyllis J.S. Coffman
Phyllis Jeannette Sandlin Coffman, 82, of Hot Springs, Ark., went to be with the Lord surrounded by family on March 7, 2017. She was born on Dec. 8, 1934, to Fletcher and Mary Knight Sandlin, of Hackett, Ark., in the Bethel Community just west of Hackett.
Phyllis was preceded in death by her husband of 62 years, Bobby Coffman, her parents, and her two older sisters, Ernestine Sandlin Battle and Bernice “Top” Sandlin.
She is survived by her daughter, Caroline Miller (Alan) and family, of Hot Springs; daughter, Holly Hale (Steve), of Dallas, Texas; granddaughters, Devorah Jeannette Hale, of Auburn, Ala., and Lilly Ziporah Hale, of San Marcos, Texas; stepgranddaughters, Hayley Pugh (Drew), of Baton Rouge, La., Rebekah Ball (Nathan), of Conway, and Missy Miller, of Hot Springs; niece, Barbara Larkin (Jim) and family; niece, Bernice Lowrey (Mike) and family; first cousin, Joann Rathbun (David) and family, of Hackett, Ark.
Phyllis was a dedicated Christian and never forgot her years of growing up in the Bethel Methodist Church. She was the only child in the small church, but she listened and learned. Phyllis first felt the call to become a child of God at age 10 during a revival service at the First Methodist Church in Hackett. She lived with her parents in the Bethel Community about 3 miles west of Hackett and was a member of Bethel Methodist Church. As a child, she rode her bicycle to Sunday school and church at the local Bethel church. Her parents never owned a car, but she rode the school bus that stopped right in front of her house. She excelled in school, graduating as valedictorian of Hackett High School in 1952. Phyllis had an exceptional gift of music that was fostered in piano lessons as a child. She played piano for all of her high school musicals and each week at Sunday school for many years. She even copyrighted two original songs in the 1950s. In 1953, she became a member of First Baptist Church of Hot Springs, where she was a member for 64 years. There she was a Sunday school teacher and a children’s choir director.
On July 31, 1953, she married Bobby Joe Coffman. In September 1953, they both became freshman students at the University of Arkansas in Fayetteville, Ark. She graduated in 1957 with a Bachelor’s Degree in Education. After they both graduated, they moved back to Hot Springs, Ark. She was immediately hired to teach at Ramble Elementary and then taught fifth grade at Oaklawn Elementary School. She retired from teaching with 30 years of service. Her former students visited her for many years, much to her joy. For many years, she was a member of the Arkansas Retired Teachers Association and a lifetime member of Alpha Delta Kappa.
After her husband Bob’s passing in 2015, she continued living in Hot Springs at home and at Hearts and Homes Assisted Living. A special thanks to the following caregivers: Kathy Norton, Mike, Bernice, and Kara Lowrey, Melanie Cross, Dennis Phillips, Nellie Perry, and the staff of Arkansas Hospice.
Visitation will be 6-8 p.m. today at Caruth-Hale Funeral Home.
A celebration of Phyllis’ life will be 2 p.m. Friday at First Baptist Church on Central Avenue with Pastor John McCallum officiating. Her family hopes to say hello and thank you for remembering their beloved mother and grandmother.
Memorials may be dedicated to Paralyzed Veterans of America or the First Baptist Church Women’s Ministry.
Pallbearers are Steve Hale, Alan Miller, Fletcher Larkin, Mike Rathbun, Pat Parker and John Rathbun.
Honorary pallbearers are David Rathbun, Jim Larkin, Mike Lowrey, Adam Lowrey, Des Aginnie, Gary Wait, Dr. Timothy English, Gary Meredith, and the staff of Arkansas Hospice.
Guests may register at http://www.caruth-hale.com.
Gary D. Constant
The service for Gary Dean Constant, 50, of Hot Springs, who died Sunday, March 5, 2017, will be at 1 p.m. today at Oak Grove Cemetery, Alpine.
Arrangements are by Carrigan Memorial Funeral Services.
Theresa Dionne
Sister Theresa Dionne, 91, of Hot Springs, left us on Monday, March 6, 2017.
Born in St. Felix de Valois in the province of Quebec on Aug. 6, 1925, to the late Wilfred Dionne and Amanda Courchesne Dionne, Sister, at the age of 18, felt the call to serve the Lord, and came to Hot Springs to fulfill her chosen mission. Entering the convent of the Sisters of Our Lady of Charity, she began her service to the community by running the Good Shepherd Laundry, a post she held for more than 25 years. During that time, she worked with and trained many of the young girls who were entrusted to the Sisters’ care.
When the laundry closed, Sister took over the shopping and various errands. She loved being around others and made many friends by her sweet smile.
Besides all of the tasks she performed, Sister held the office of Superior at various times.
Sister had a generous heart and was always ready to help anyone who was in need. It was through her efforts the Sisters were able to sponsor many Vietnam refugees, enabling them to make new lives for themselves. She was very proud of them.
Sister is preceded in death by her sisters, Marie-Ange (Emile) Dionne, Jeanne d’Arc (Joffe) Sawyer, Claire (Marcel) Champagne; and her brother, Jean Louis (Theresa) Dionne. She leaves behind her brother, Marcel (Theresa) Dionne.
We would like to thank Dr. Diane Bodemann, the Bodemann staff, Elite Home Health, Arkansas Hospice and the fourth floor of CHI St. Vincent, and a very special thanks to Cathy McCrary for the love and care shown our sister.
Visitation will be from 7-8 p.m. today at the convent, 1125 Malvern Ave. Friday burial will be at Hollywood Cemetery following the funeral Mass at 10 a.m. at the convent.
Online guestbook and tributes are available at http://www. GrossFuneralHome.com.
Regina R. Durham
A celebration of life for Regina Rhea Durham, 45, of Hot Springs, who died March 5, 2017, will be held at 2 p.m. today at Caruth-Hale Funeral Home with Laura Beth Durham officiating.
Memorials may be made to Quapaw House Inc. or a local chapter of Alcoholics/Narcotics Anonymous.
Robert H. Ford
SPARKMAN — Robert Herschel Ford, age 76, of Sparkman, passed from this life Tuesday, March 7, 2017, at Twin Rivers Health & Rehabilitation Center in Arkadelphia.
He was born Nov. 2, 1940, in Lebanon, Mo., the son of the late Robert Thomas and Polly Ann Garrett Ford. Robert was a retired plumber and a United States Navy veteran. He was preceded in death by his parents, one son, Robert Ford, three brothers, James, Thomas and Hubert Ford, and one sister, Georgia Diggs.
Robert is survived by his wife, Lianna Lancaster Ford, of Sparkman; one daughter, Teresa Ortega, of California; one stepson, Rick Moore, of California; two sisters, Connie (Mitch) Price, of Malvern, and Katherine Carr, of Texas; four brothers, Donald Ford, Bobby (Carol) Ford and Bill Ford, all of Hot Springs, and Harvey (Sherrilynn) Ford, of California; his best friend, Kevin Seal, of Manning; two grandchildren and three great-grandchildren.
Services will be held at a later date.
Final arrangements are entrusted to The Welch Funeral Home of Arkadelphia. Visit http://www.welchfh.net to sign the guestbook.
Ida V. Fort-Thompson
Miss Ida V. Fort-Thompson passed away on Friday, March 3, 2017, surrounded by the love of family.
She was born Oct. 25, 1928, the oldest child of the late Fredrick G. and Virgie (Harris) Fort, in Hot Springs, Ark.
She is preceded in death by her aforementioned parents; former husband, Elmo Thompson Sr.; her daughter’s father, Alexander Collins; three brothers, Elmore Ammons, Joe Fort Sr. and Robert R. Fort Sr.
She leaves to cherish her memory: three sons: Danny Thompson Sr., Raymond (Debbie) Thompson Sr., both of Hot Springs, Ark., and Sidney (Stephanie) Thompson, Camden, Ark., and a daughter, Lisa Regina Collins (Willie) Wade, of Hot Springs, Ark.; 20 grandchildren; 55 great-grandchildren; one sister, Dorothy L. Shead, of Los Angeles, Calif.; four brothers, Fredrick (Gerri) Fort, of Oakland, Calif., William Fort, of Hot Springs, Ark., Irving Fort, of Toledo, Ohio, and Kenneth (Yvonne) Fort, of Baton Rouge, La.; a host of nieces, nephews, cousins, other relatives and friends.
Miss Ida’s home going funeral service will be held at 1 p.m. Saturday, March 11, 2017, at Gethsemane Baptist Church, in Hot Springs, with the Rev. W.L. Robinson, church pastor, delivering her eulogy. Her earthly body will be laid to rest at Greenwood Cemetery in Hot Springs.
There will be a visitation at the church from 6-8 p.m. Friday, March 10, 2017, where family and friends will have a chance to express their fond memories of and appreciation for Miss Ida.
Online guestbook: http:// www.brandonsmortuary.com.
Iva E. Harrison
Iva Elease Harrison, 92, of Hot Springs, Ark., passed away March 7, 2017.
She was born July 26, 1924, in Warren, Ark., to Shelby and Nolah Lee (Wagnon) McClain.
Iva was preceded in death by her parents, husband, brother and two stepsons.
Survivors include son and daughter-in-law, Malon and Joyce Harris; stepdaughter, Sandra Evangelista; grandchildren, Gina and Shannon; stepgrandchildren, Renee and Casey; great-grandchildren, Cortney, Ashley, Landon, Sydney, Jayden, Rylie; stepgreat-grandchildren, Harrison and Bennett; great-great-grandchildren, Peyton, Preslee, Knox and Knight.
A celebration of Iva’s life will be 11 a.m. Wednesday, March 22, 2017, at First United Methodist Church.
Guests may register at http://www.caruth-hale.com.
Dave L. Heuerman
HOT SPRINGS VILLAGE — Dave Lee Heuerman, 86, of Hot Springs Village, died March 7, 2017.
A memorial service will be held at 10 a.m. Tuesday at Christ of the Hills United Methodist Church with Bubba Smith officiating.
Arrangements are by Caruth Village Funeral Home.
Douglas W. Wright
Douglas W. Wright, 68, of Hot Springs, died March 7, 2017.
Visitation will be 5-7 p.m. Friday at the funeral home.
A celebration of life will be 10 a.m. Saturday at CaruthHale Funeral Home chapel with Brother Joe Thompson officiating.
Pallbearers will be Tim Hood, Shawn Hood, Roger Hood, Eddie Hood, Chris Wright, Brian Wright, Ricky Wright, Greg Covey, Will Wright and Michael Wright.