Obituaries
Dorothy J. Balliet
Dorothy J. Balliet, 80, of Hot Springs, died Aug. 30, 2017.
A Graveside Service will be held 3 p.m. today at Oak Grove Cemetery, with Brother Michael Smith officiating.
Arrangements are with Hot Springs Funeral Home.
Online condolences at http://www.hotspringsfh.com
David G. Brakebill
David Gene “Popa” Brakebill, 84, of Hot Springs, Ark., passed away Aug. 31, 2017.
He was born May 1, 1933, in Seminole, Okla., to Andrew Jackson and Anna Pearl (West) Brakebill.
David was known as a man of joy and warmhearted humor. He was a top salesman in the insurance industry for many years before devoting over 30 years of ministry to Potters Clay. David was affectionately known as “Popa” by numerous women and children who were ministered to at Potters Clay in Hot Springs and Dorcas House in Little Rock. He had a wonderful love of playing guitar and ministered many years as worship leader at his church. David’s first love, however, was his God and his precious wife, Elizabeth.
David was preceded in death by his parents; brothers, Jack Andrew Brakebill, Beryl Brakebill, Joe Brakebill, Quentin Brakebill, Boyd Lee Brakebill; and sister, MaryLee May.
Survivors include his loving wife of 61 years, Elizabeth Brakebill; sons, David DeeWright Brakebill (Debbie), Michael Alan Brakebill (Diana); daughter, Tracie Ann Stage (William); grandchildren, Audrey, Rachel, Diana, Andrew, Christopher, Jeff, Jay Michael, Amber, Summer, Adam, Rebecca; great-grandchildren, Skylar, David, Spencer, Sophie, Asher, Jaylen, Kiptyn, Kantyn, Ashley, Zac, Allen Michael, Tabitha, Carson, Kennedy, Cale, Addison, Jett, and Kaleb.
Visitation will be 2-4 p.m. Sunday at Caruth-Hale Funeral Home.
A celebration of David’s life will be 2 p.m. Tuesday at Caruth-Hale Funeral Home Chapel.
Burial will follow at Morning Star Cemetery.
Pallbearers include Andrew Brakebill, Christopher Brakebill, Adam Stage, Scott Brakebill, Michael Kent Brakebill and Lanny Brakebill.
Honorary pallbearers include Beryl Gene Brakebill, Laurence Gene Brakebill and Andy Brakebill.
In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made to Potters Clay Ministries at 110 Crescent Ave, Hot Springs, AR 71901, or http:// www.pottersclayhotsprings.org.
Guests may register at http:// www.caruth-hale.com.
Mary E.B. Dees
NEWHOPE — Mary Elizabeth “Liz” Brewer Dees, age 55, of Newhope, passed away on Monday, Aug. 28, 2017.
Memorial services will be held at 10 a.m. today in the Mount Joy Free Will Baptist Church, with Brother Raymond Dees and Brother Kevin Jewell officiating.
Honorary pallbearers will be Jeremy Simmons, Dallas Simmons, Kenneth Young, Tim Simmons, Stanley Brewer, Tyler Brewer, Sam White, Paul Ward, Daniel Buck, Dusty Lovett, Tony Davis, Wilson Kesterson, Curtis O’Neal, Joe Hill and Lucas Simmons.
Guest registry is at http:// www.davis-smith.com.
Savannah W. Johnson
MALVERN — Savannah Wright Johnson, of Malvern, died Thursday, Aug. 31, 2017, at home.
Services will be announced by Samuel L. Vance & Sons Funeral Directors.
Charles LaCaze
Charles “Papa” LaCaze, 80, of Hot Springs, passed away peacefully at his own home on Aug. 27, 2017.
Charles was born in Natchitoches, La., to the late Pierce and Ethel Derbonne LaCaze.
After graduating high school, Charles proudly served for eight years in the Air Force. It was during this time he polished up his cooking skills — he loved making tamales and meat pies. And he loved to teach others how to make them, too. Charles had a long career with Weyerhauser as a Green-End superintendent. But it was his “honey-do” job experience which led to lots of woodwork in his shop at home. Like any good fisherman, Charles was a wonderful story teller, but it was stories of his children and their children that he liked to tell most.
He could not have been a prouder dad of Paul (Amber) LaCaze, LeeAnn (Chris) Evans, Chip (Julie) LaCaze, Terry (Adriane) LaCaze, Sherry Moore and Kristie (Keith) Fitzgerald. Nor could he have been prouder of his 15 grandchildren whom he adored. Charles will be dearly missed by his wife, Nancy, and his sisters, Betty Williams and Margaret Johnson.
Welcoming him to Heaven will be his brother, John Jay LaCaze, and his sister, Suzie Ward.
A Visitation will be held from 5-7 p.m. Sunday at Gross Funeral Home. A Funeral Service will be held at 10 a.m. on Monday, at Owensville Baptist Church, with a burial to follow at Owensville Cemetery.
Pallbearers will be Zack Turner, Bryan Fitzgerald, Jacob Fitzgerald, Matthew LaCaze, Reagan Turner, Lucas Turner and Isaac LaCaze. Honorary pallbearers are Allan Stanley, Lake Hamilton Health and Rehab, Hospice of Central Arkansas, Trinity Home Health, LifeNet and his countless close friends — too numerous to name.
Online guestbook and tributes are available at http:// www.grossfuneralhome.com.
Occo C. Merritt
ENNIS, Texas — Occo Coffman Merritt, age 93, of Ennis, Texas, formerly of Hopper, passed away, Wednesday, Aug. 30, 2017.
She was born Jan. 18, 1924, in Hopper, the daughter of Gilford Harrison Coffman Sr. and Dalure Avis Hollifield Coffman.
Survivors include her son, Gary Merritt, of Ennis, Texas; daughters and one son-in-law, Marsha Merritt, of Ennis, Texas, Mary and Rick Ferguson, of LaVernia, Texas; three grandchildren, Tara Ferguson, Emily Ferguson and Alex Ferguson; one brother, Dewey Coffman; two sisters, Connie Wegert and Portia Short; and several nieces and nephews.
Services will be at 2 p.m. today in Hopper Church of Christ, with Harold Vaughn officiating.
Interment will be in Hopper Cemetery under the direction of Davis-Smith Funeral Home, Glenwood.
Guest registry is at http:// www.davis-smith.com.
Ronald M. Reid
Ronald Mathew Reid, 71, of Hot Springs, departed this earth on Thursday, Aug. 31, 2017.
Graveside services will be 11:00 a.m. today at Cunningham Cemetery.
Arrangements are with Hot Springs Funeral Home.
Online condolences at http://www.hotspringsfh.com.
Gladys J. Suttles
KIRBY — Gladys J. Suttles,
80, of Kirby, died Thursday, Aug.
31, 2017.
Funeral services will be held at 2 p.m. Sunday in the Davis-Smith Funeral Home Chapel, Glenwood.
Interment will be in Palestine Cemetery.
Visitation will be held from
6-8 p.m. today.
Guest registry is at http:// www.davis-smith.com.