Obituaries
Thomas F. Chancellor
“My Father’s house has many dwelling places. If it were otherwise, I would tell you plainly, because I go to prepare a place for you to rest. And when everything is ready, I will come back and take you to myself so that you will be where I am.” (John 14:2-3) This promise was fulfilled for Thomas Franklin Chancellor on Nov. 28, 2017.
Known as “Frank” or “Franklin” to those who knew and loved him, he spent his entire adult life taking care of others. He loved unconditionally and gave freely. He was a Korean War veteran, a retiree from National Gypsum in Arkadelphia, and a cattle rancher for most of his life. Franklin spent his later years singing and playing gospel music with his friends at various events and churches in the area.
Family who made the journey home before him were his parents, Rush and Ada (Allen) Chancellor, his nine brothers, Hank, L.B., Delbert, Vernon, Loy, Troy, Harold, Jeff and infant Chancellor; four sisters, Ruthel Fendley, Lucille Dooley, Emma Fern Chancellor and Floy Jene Chancellor.
Franklin is survived by many nieces and nephews who loved him dearly. We were honored to have known him and to be a part of his life.
We will celebrate Franklin’s life from 1:30-2:30 p.m. Saturday, Dec. 2, 2017, at Ruggles-Wilcox Funeral Home in Arkadelphia. Graveside services will be held at Oak Bower Cemetery in Bismarck immediately following.
Pallbearers are Roy Looper, Chris Looper, Dennis Fendley, Mitch Fendley, Raymond Piper and Adrian Johnson.
Honorary pallbearers are Darryl Fendley, Brendon Piper, Jeremy Allen and Stephen Looper.
In lieu of flowers, family asks that donations be made to the Wounded Warrior Project at https://support.woundedwarriorproject.org.
Online register is available at http://www.ruggles wilcox.com.
Elizabeth C. Fank houser
BISMARCK — Elizabeth Cole “Beth” Fankhouser died unexpectedly from a ruptured cerebral aneurysm on Sunday, Nov. 26, 2017, in Little Rock, Ark., at the age of 32.
Beth is survived by her husband, Billy; daughters, Zahra Leigh and Lily Victoria; parents, Bob and Vicki Cole; grandmother, Sybil Cole; brother, Bob Cole (Amanda Potter Cole); mother-in-law, Karolyn Fankhouser; brother-in-law, Shea Fankhouser; as well as many uncles, aunts, cousins and friends.
She is preceded in death by grandparents, Robert H. Cole Jr., David and Freddie Ann Thomas, Uncle James King and Curt Fankhouser.
Beth was born on March 14, 1985, in Hope, Ark. She graduated from Lake Hamilton High School in 2003 and earned an associate’s degree from National Park Community College. She and Billy married June 13, 2014. Beth worked as a legal assistant at Legacy Law Group in Hot Springs. They resided in Bismarck where she enjoyed spending time with her family, reading and attending their daughters sporting events.
A visitation is scheduled from 5-7 p.m. today, Nov. 30, at Gross Funeral Home in Hot Springs. On Friday, Dec. 1, visitation will begin at 10 a.m. at Airport Road Church of Christ, service at 11 a.m., with lunch directly following. All are welcome to attend and celebrate Beth’s life.
Donations in lieu of flowers can be sent to Southern Christian Children’s Home (http:// www.schome.org/support/) or to the Elizabeth Fankhouser Fund at any Southern Bancorp Branch, all proceeds will go to the Bismarck Summer Sports Organization.
The online obituary, guestbook and memorial tribute are available at http://www.GrossFuneralHome.com.
Kenneth W. Hefley
HOT SPRINGS VILLAGE — The service for Kenneth W. Hefley, of Hot Springs Village, who died Nov. 25, 2017, will be 10 a.m. today in Oakhill Cemetery with Brother Roger Reid officiating.
Honorary pallbearers are Curtis Hefley, Allen Goines, Greg Blake, Steve Ford, Jon Bryant, Jonathan Henderson, Clifford Beckwith, Keith Brown and Irttie Wilson.
Arrangements are with Caruth-Hale Funeral Home.
AMITY — Bobby Kitchens, 66, of Amity, died Wednesday, Nov. 29, 2017.
Arrangements are with Hot Springs Funeral Home.
GERMANTOWN, Tenn. — Ella Mae Avant Martin, 82, passed away Nov. 21, 2017.
She was born Feb. 27, 1935, in Greenwood, Miss., to Wyneta Craig and Robert Avant.
She is survived by her daughter, Deborah Sparling; stepsons, Jeff Martin (Shannon) and Stephen Martin (Leanne); grandchildren, Tom Cassidy (Tracey), Madeline Sparling, McKinley Sparling, Andrew Martin, Wyatt Martin, Janie Martin, Sam Martin, Liza Martin and Wiley Martin; great-grandchildren, Sarah and Tommy Cassidy; sisters, Faye Emmett (Glenn), Delores Moore and Judy Burgoon; and brothers, Doug Avant, Bobby Avant (Jeanette) and Richard Avant (Becky).
She was preceded in death by her parents; husband, James W. Martin; and siblings, Jeanie Burton, Margaret Cauthern and Joe Avant.
Burial was in Memorial Park Cemetery.
In lieu of flowers, the family requests memorials be sent to Variety Children’s Charity.
UMPIRE — Charles McConnell, age 73, of Umpire, died Monday, Nov. 27, 2017.
He was born Nov. 13, 1944, in Athens, the son of Lester Raymond and Eva Lessie Plyler McConnell.
Survivors include his wife of 55 years, Jeanette McConnell, of Umpire; his son, Lendon (Sarah) McConnell, of Umpire; his daughter, Rhonda (Tommy) Clift, of Kingwood, Texas; six grandchildren, Zachery (Pam) Clift, Austyn (Dan) Hoelter, Logan Clift, Allie McConnell, Tucker McConnell and Tatum McConnell; his great-granddaughter, Elsye Clift; his sister, Delorious Tolleson, of Kirby; numerous nieces, nephews, extended family members, and many wonderful friends.
Graveside services will be at 10 a.m. Saturday in the Burg Cemetery, near Umpire.
Visitation will be 5-7 p.m. Friday in the Umpire Gymnasium.
Guest registry is at http:// www.davis-smith.com.
Alvin E. Morden
Alvin E. Morden, 89, of Hot Springs, died Nov. 27, 2017.
A memorial service will be held at 11:30 a.m. Saturday in First United Methodist Church.
Arrangements are with Gross Funeral Home.
Virginia L. Petersen
The memorial service for Virginia Lee Petersen, 85, of Hot Springs, who died Monday, Nov. 20, 2017, will be 2 p.m. Friday in the Hot Springs Funeral Home chapel with Chaplain Billy Blackmon officiating.
Honorary pallbearers are Dewayne Hodges, Shirley Williamson, Lana Meredith, Fred Long and Laura Parker.
Memorials may be made to the American Cancer Society.
The family will be at 100 Pine Vista St.
Gloria Rivera
Visitation for Gloria Rivera,
74, of Hot Springs, who died Thursday, Nov. 23, 2017, will be
6-8 p.m. Friday in Davis-Smith Funeral Home, Hot Springs.
Gladys Sanders
GLENWOOD — Gladys “Pookie” Sanders, 85, of Glenwood, died Tuesday, Nov. 28, 2017.
The service will be 10 a.m. Friday in the Davis-Smith Funeral Home chapel, Glenwood, with John Hall officiating.
Visitation will be from 6-8 p.m. today.
Interment will be in Glenwood Cemetery.
Pallbearers will be Kevin Robbins, Rickey Johnson, Blake Crawford, Nathan Broyles and Gage Thompson.
Robert Sluppick
Robert Sluppick, 47, of Hot Springs, died Nov. 27, 2017.
Visitation will be 6-8 p.m. Friday at Caruth-Hale Funeral Home.
A celebration of life will be 10 a.m. Saturday at Red Oak Missionary Baptist Church.
Burial will be in Rush Fork Cemetery.