Obituaries
Betty J. Ainsworth
MALVERN — Betty Jane Ainsworth, age 63, of Malvern, passed away Wednesday, Oct. 18, 2017.
She was born Dec. 10, 1953, to the late William and Betty Jo Bailey Vannoy. She was a retired school bus driver.
Survivors are her husband, Fred Robert Ainsworth; sons, Michael Robert Ainsworth (Allison), of Fletcher, Okla., James Kee Seeic (Kelly), of Denton, Texas; a daughter, Dawn Jergenson (Ronald), of Malvern; grandchildren Mathew, Sabrina, Maryssa, Viktoria, Veronika and Jacob.
Funeral service will be 10 a.m. Friday, Oct. 20, 2017, at Regency Funeral Home.
Pallbearers will be Ronald Jergenson, Michael Ainsworth, James Sesic and Mathew Trammel.
Arrangements are by Regency Funeral Home. You may sign the guestbook at http://regencyfuneralhome.com.
Mary A.T. Dorn
COLUMBIA, S.C. — Mrs. Mary Ann Dorn passed away Monday, Oct. 16, 2017, after a long battle with Multiple Myeloma. Her cancers were caused by being down wind of the Nevada nuclear testing site as a child. She and every soul in the town of Miami, Ariz., were “Down Winders” and certified U.S. government radiation victims.
The family received visitors at the home of her daughter, Allison Brown, 6000 Hampton Ridge Road, Columbia, from 5:30-8 p.m. Wednesday, Oct. 18. A celebration of her life will be held at a later date at the home of her daughter, Stephanie Kokal, in Greenfield, N.H. Shives Funeral Home, Trenholm Chapel, is assisting the family.
She was born in Camden, Ark., on Feb. 11, 1938, and was the daughter of the late James Samuel Talley and Anna Dell Robbins Talley.
Mrs. Dorn worked as a secretary for a large lumber company and with the help of loving relatives was able to scrape together the money needed to attend Braniff International Airways flight attendant school.
After working for the airline for two years, she met and married Lt. Del Dorn and began her career as an Air Force officer’s wife. During that time, she lived in Michigan, Georgia, Arizona, Japan and South Carolina.
Upon moving back to Columbia, Mrs. Dorn began her career as a homemaker and what is now known as a “home renovator.” She single-handedly renovated two large homes in the 1970s, making them show places.
Always a lady, Mrs. Dorn was known for her great beauty and her impeccable style and grace. She was a tremendous hostess and threw many memorable parties. She was also a Meals on Wheels volunteer for many years in Columbia.
Known as Grandma Ann, Mrs. Dorn was a lifelong nature lover and passed that love on to her five grandsons and the many children whose lives she touched. She was quick to laugh and enjoyed all of the characters whom she met during her life and travels.
She was widowed in 1984 when her husband was killed in an F-16 crash just a few miles from their home in Horrell Hill, S.C. The flight path was directly over her home which she was in at the time of the crash.
Mrs. Dorn is survived by her daughters, Stephanie Ann Kokal (Andrej) and Allison Dorn Brown (Marty); five grandsons, Erik Kokal (Kayla), Kristopher Kokal, Nikolas Kokal (Kristi), Jones Brown (Christine) and Dorn Brown (Lucy); great-grandchildren, Kailyn Kokal and Kolton Kokal; sisterin-law, Mary Dell Talley; and nieces and nephews.
She was predeceased by her husband, Lt. Col. Yeadon Delgar Dorn Jr.; her beloved brother, Paul Robert Talley; her sister, Hazel Baim Bidwell; and brother, Freeman Copeland Talley.
A very special thanks to her loving nephew, Robert Talley, who, along with her daughters, held a 19-day vigil at her bedside. Also, the family wishes to thank the many doctors and caring nurses and staff at SC Oncology Associates, especially Nicole Hendry for her sweet compassion and care. And, finally a thank you to Regina Jones for her quiet grace and strength these last few months. We thank you all.
In lieu of flowers, the family asks you consider a donation to Pets Inc., Meals on Wheels or Homeworks of America (Columbia).
Memories and condolences may be shared at http://ShivesFuneralHome.com.
Robert J. Easter
LITTLE ROCK — Robert James Easter, 69, of Little Rock, died Oct. 11, 2017, in Little Rock.
He was born Sept. 27, 1948, at Hope, Ark., to Irene and Elijah Easter Sr. He was predeceased by his parents; his wife, Marvis Phillips; two brothers, the Rev. Isaiah Easter Sr. and Bobby Easter Sr.; and three sisters, Mildred Alexander, Helen Brown and Linda Easter. He was a counselor for the state of Arkansas.
Survivors include one son, Jason Robert Easter, of Tampa, Fla.; three daughters, Denise Hooks Alexander, of St. Louis, Mo., Angelia Easter and Alexakis Conner, of Hot Springs; two brothers, Elijah (Lorine) Easter Jr. and Clifton (Hazel) Easter Sr., of Little Rock; one sister, Alice Gilmore McClure, of Plano, Texas; and 11 grandchildren.
The service will be 11 a.m. Friday, Oct. 20, at Mount Olive Baptist Church, in Little Rock, with the eulogy by Pastor Isiah Easter Jr.
Arrangements are by Richardson Hill Funeral Home, Texarkana, Texas. Online registration: http://www.richardsonhillfuneralhome.com.
David Edmonson
DONALDSON — David Edmonson, 64, of Donaldson, passed Oct. 17, 2017.
Born Feb. 14, 1953, to the late Boyd and Laverne Hammond Edmonson.
Survivors include his wife, Darlene Williams Edmonson; son, Mitchell Edmonson (Whitney); daughters, Missy Adams (Steven), Marcy Robbins; brothers, Reggie Edmonson, Mickey Edmonson; sisters, Phyllis Herberger, Donna Spillman; grandchildren, Tyler Schales, Darcie Amos (Marquel), Sidney Robbins, Dakota Robbins, Clifton Adams, Riley Adams, Elizabeth Adams, Caitlian Edmonson, Owen Edmonson, Kasson Edmonson; great-grandchildren, Jayden and Jordan Amos.
Visitation will be 10 a.m. to noon Saturday, Oct. 21, at Regency.
Funeral service will be 2 p.m. Saturday, Oct. 21, Regency Funeral Home with Brother Scotty Grizzle officiating. Burial will follow at Pleasant Hill Cemetery.
Arrangements by Regency Funeral Home. You may sign the guestbook at http://regencyfuneralhome.com.
John P. Higdon
John P. Higdon, 73, of Hot Springs, died Wednesday, Oct. 18, 2017.
Arrangements are with Hot Springs Funeral Home.
Melvin Holsapple
MALVERN — Melvin “Keith” Holsapple, age 81, of Malvern, died Oct. 17, 2017, at National Park Medical Center in Hot Springs.
He was born Aug. 23, 1936, in Orange County, Ind., to Daniel W. and Myrtle Maudlin Holsapple. He married Marilyn Schoenbeck on Feb. 15, 1958, and she survives.
He was retired as an auto body repairman with Ernie’s Body Shop. He was predeceased by his parents, two brothers and two sisters.
Other survivors besides his wife include one son, Kevin W. Holsapple (Ginny Hullihan), of Bismarck; two daughters, Karen Scott (Mark), of Magnet Cove, and Kathy Blodgett (Steve), of Bismarck. Grandchildren, Amanda Patrick, of Malvern, Daniel Holsapple (Jannette), of Bismarck, Kristy Holsapple with the U.S. Navy in Guam, Alyssa Whitney (Josh), of Magnet Cove, Caitlin Dodson (Blake), of Malvern, Jeremy Patrick, of Malvern, and Bailey Hullihan, of Little Rock. Great-grandchildren, Hudson Whitney and Aubrianna Bigham. Also one nephew, David Crockett (Cindy); and two nieces, Melody Shipley (Jack) and Melba Moffatt, all of Orleans, Ind.
Visitation will be from 6-8 p.m. today, Oct. 19, at Regency Funeral Home.
Funeral services will be at 2 p.m. Friday, Oct. 20, in Regency Funeral Home chapel with Brother Tim Jordan officiating.
Special thanks goes to Dr. James Humphreys, NPMC ICU nurses and staff, Elite Home Health staff.
Memorials may be made to ARORA, 1701 Aldersgate Road Suite 4, Little Rock, AR 72205.
Arrangements are with Regency Funeral Home, 1839 Pine Bluff St., Malvern. You may sign the guestbook at http://regencyfuneralhome.com.
Johnny D. Robertson
MOUNTAIN PINE — The service for Johnny Delmer “Buddy” Robertson, 78, of Mountain Pine, who died Oct. 15, 2017, will be 10 a.m. today at Mountain Valley Baptist Church, Hot Springs Village, with Brothers Roger Harper and Sonny Porterfield officiating.
Burial will be in New Mount Pleasant Cemetery with Brothers Joe Thompson and Darryle Sulton officiating.
In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made to Grand Chapel Missionary Baptist Church.
Arrangements are by CaruthHale Funeral Home.
Ruth I. Sims
Ruth I. Sims, 91, of Hot Springs, Ark., went home to heaven on Monday, Oct. 9, 2017.
Ruth was born Oct. 30, 1925, in Hot Springs, Ark., to Richard and Ella McGill. Ms. Sims graduated from Lakeside High School and was an avid basketball player. Ruth retired from the U.S. Army Corp of Engineers. Ruth was an active member of Sulfur Springs Baptist Church, where she taught VBS and Sunday School.
Ruth is preceded in death by her parents and husband, Richard G. Sims Sr.
She is survived by her son, Richard G. (Vicki) Sims Jr.; grandsons, Richard G. (Beth) Sims III and Patrick W. (Kacee) Sims. She is also survived by four great-grandchildren: Jenna, Sydnee, Connor and Chloee.
The family will have a private service to celebrate Ruth’s wonderful and long life.
Arrangements are by Harris Funeral Home of Morrilton. Online guestbook: http://www. harrisfuneralhomes.net.
Walter W. Smith
JESSIEVILLE — Walter William Smith, 77, of Jessieville, passed away Tuesday, Oct. 17, 2017.
He was born Aug. 13, 1940, to the late Dorsie Lee Redwine Smith and Elmer C. Smith in Mountain Pine.
Walter was retired from Weyerhaeuser as a machinist and train engineer; was a member of Rock Springs Baptist Church; and his passions were his family, woodworking shop, trains, wild flowers, fishing and hunting.
He was predeceased by his parents; one son, Kelly Mack Weydemeyer; one brother, Lester Lee Smith; one grandson, Jimmy R. Pate Jr.; and one great-grandson, Caleb Alexander Johnson.
Survivors include his wife of 34 years, Patsy S. Smith; one son, Roger (Regina) Smith; five daughters, Brenda (Ray) Cameron, Linda (Robert) Swan, Trina (Jim) Heindl, Sharon (Brian) Smith and Cindy Dickson; 12 grandchildren, Olivia Heindl, James Heindl, Isaac Smith, Casey Smith, Jessica (Chris) Johnson, Aaron (Janae) Pate, Alleasa (Aaron) Stapleton, Haley Bowser, Amanda (Billy) Postell, Michael Dickson, Matthew Weydemeyer and Heather Cameron; five great-grandchildren, Hannah Johnson, Andrew Johnson, Skylar Pate, Skylar Postell and Delilah Stapleton.
Visitation will be 5-7 p.m. today, Oct. 19, at Hot Springs Funeral Home.
Services will be 11 a.m. Friday, Oct. 20, at Rock Springs Baptist Church with his son, Roger Smith, officiating, and Pastors Randy Noles and Jimmy Scott. Burial will follow at Rock Springs Cemetery.
Pallbearers are Ray Duncan, Casey Smith, Chris Johnson, Aaron Pate, Ray Cameron, Jim Heindl and Pat Nelson.
Honorary pallbearers are Rock Springs Baptist Church, CHI nursing staff on 2 West and 3 West, staff of Village Springs, Dierksen Hospice, Savall family, and Herb and Jan Beer.
Arrangements are with Hot Springs Funeral Home.
Online condolences at http://www.hotspringsfh.com.