Obituaries
Jonnie M. Adamson
Jonnie Mae Adamson, 75, of Hot Springs, Ark., died Saturday, Dec. 23, 2017. She was born in Noland, Ark., and grew up in Rockford, Ill. Jonnie moved to Hot Springs in 1974. She was a member of Airport Church of Christ, charter member of the Piney Volunteer Fire Department and served as a dispatcher.
She is predeceased by her husband, Gene; her daughter, April; her parents; Jack and Jessie Ragan, John Clark; her sister, Virginia Kennedy; and nephew, Daniel O’Neal Riggins.
Jonnie was the loving mother of Debbie Kay (Steve) Bohn, Loves Park, Ill., and Eugene (Lila Beth) Adamson Jr., Clermont, Fla.; grandmother to Tamika Burkett, Rockford, Ill., Andrea (Christian) Tipton, Winnebago, Ill., Melyssa Fulcher and Jason Blackman, of Clermont, Fla.
Jonnie was a wonderful aunt to Debbie (Bill) Meiborg, Roscoe, Ill., Linda Riggins, South Beloit, Ill., Patricia Riggins and Daniel Wade (Lyn) Riggins, Rockford, Ill. Jonnie has 14 great-grandchildren and several great-nieces and -nephews.
Graveside services will be 10 a.m. Saturday at Crestview Memorial Park.
A special thank you to Joy and Earl Webb and Bill Thurwanger of Hot Springs for their special care and love for Ms. Jonnie.
Pallbearers are Earl Webb, Jerrad Webb, Dino Hunter, Herbie Nelson.
Honorary pallbearers are the Garland Nursing Home and Rehab staff.
Arrangements are with Hot Springs Funeral Home.
Online condolences at http://www.hotspringsfh.com.
Michael W. Bearden Jr.
BENTON — Michael Wayne Bearden Jr., 28, of Benton, Ark., passed away Friday, Dec. 22, 2017. He was born May 7, 1989, in Little Rock, Ark.
Michael worked for Bearden Wood Floors and was a member of the Misfit Muscle Car Club in Hot Springs. He was preceded in death by two grandfathers, Sammy Bearden and O.J. “Bud” Needham; uncles, Gary Needham, Terry Bearden, Tracy James and Larry Needham Jr.; and aunt, Stephanie Zimmerman.
He is survived by his wife, Kimberly Oliver Bearden; his parents, Mike and Marsha Bearden; two grandmothers, Betty Smith and Helen Needham; four sisters, Dawn Bearden, Mindy Bearden, Jenny Brown and Leslie Smith; uncle, Glenn (Juanita) Bearden; cousin, Chris Bearden; uncles and aunts, Kenny and Lesa Meyers, Larry and Jennifer Needham, Bernie and Joyce Trenkle, Becky Berthelson, Virginia Roberts; a host of nieces and nephews and many, many friends.
Visitation will be 3-4 p.m. Saturday, Dec. 30, at Ashby, Funeral Home with services beginning at 4 p.m.
Online guest book at http://www.ashbyfuneralhome.com.
Florence M. Daehn
Florence M. Daehn, 95, of Hot Springs, Ark., passed away Thursday, Dec. 14, 2017. She was born Sept. 24, 1922, in the town of Metomen, Wis., to the late Emil Wilkes and Ella Eichstedt Wilkes.
She attended Ripon, Wis., schools and graduated in 1940. She worked at Speed Queen for 40 years and upon retirement in 1985, she and her husband, Kenny moved to Hot Springs Village, Ark. She was a member of Christ Lutheran Church, Martha’s Circle, the Befrienders Ministry and Hot Springs Village Women’s Club.
She was preceded in death by her husband, Kenneth; her parents; her sister, Dorothy Carlson; and her brother, Warren Wilkes.
She is survived by many nieces and nephews, especially including Barb, Jenny, Terry, Mary, Mike and Bill, and many wonderful friends.
Memorial services will be held at 2 p.m. Saturday, Jan. 6, 2018, at Christ Lutheran Church in Hot Springs Village, with the Rev. Kurt Kovanen officiating.
A private family interment will be at CedarVale Mausoleum.
Donations in Florence’s memory may be made to Christ Lutheran Church.
Arrangements have been entrusted to CedarVale Funeral Home.
For online condolences please visit http://www.cedarvalefuneralhome.com.
Luie H. Godwin
AVANT COMMUNITY — The memorial service for Luie Herman Godwin, 83, of the Avant Community, who died on Saturday, Dec. 23, 2017, will be 2 p.m. Saturday at Avant Community Church with Brothers Jimmie Scott and Roger Smith officiating.
Visitation will be 5-7 p.m. today at Caruth Village Funeral Home in Hot Springs Village.
Pallbearers include Phillip Emmett, Manuel Blocker, Keith McNanna, Damon Godwin, Brian Godwin, Tracy Caldwell and Randy Godwin.
Honorary pallbearers are Travis Emmett, Alan Godwin, Richard Godwin, Chad McNanna, Rowdy Godwin, employees of Canyon Springs Health and Rehab, Dierksen Hospice and the Avant Community.
Shara L. Henderson
NASHVILLE — Shara Lanetta Henderson, 42, of Nashville, died Sunday, Dec. 24, 2017. She was the daughter of Verna Smith Henderson and Willie Earl Henderson.
Shara was a graduate of Nashville High School Class of 1994. She loved cooking and spending time with family. She worked in many factories and restaurants during her work career.
She accepted Christ and was a member of Roland Piggee Memorial Baptist Church.
Survivors include her mother, Verna Smith Sewell, of Nashville; her father, Willie (Catherine) Henderson, of Abilene, Texas; her children, Contrell (Jacemia) Henderson, of Hot Springs Village, DaMillion Henderson and TraMillion Henderson, both of Nashville; one grandson, Jude Henderson; four brothers, Jerry Smith, of Malvern, Jerome Smith, of Nashville, Vincent (Cecilia) Henderson, of Antoine, and Leonard Henderson, of Texarkana, Ark.; two sisters, Joyce Williams, of Texarkana, Texas, and Tammy Henderson, of Nashville; and extended family and friends.
Funeral service will be 11 a.m. Saturday, Dec. 30, 2017, at Roland Piggee Memorial Baptist Church, 1415 Highway 27, Lockesburg, Ark., with Pastor Richard Dixon officiating. Burial will follow in Elizabeth Cemetery in Blevins, Ark.
Guest registry is at http:// www.carriganmemorial.com.
Arrangements are entrusted to Carrigan Memorial Funeral Services.
John A. Johnson
John A. Johnson, 78, of Hot Springs, went to be with the Lord Tuesday, Dec. 26, 2017.
He was born on Aug. 17,
1939, in Cleveland, Miss., the son of William Edward Johnson and Lennie Mae Gaither Johnson. On Dec. 28, 1963, he married Brenda McCoy.
John was a member of Lake Valley Community Church. He was a proud veteran of the U.S. Navy. In 1995, he retired from Southwestern Bell after
25 years of service, where he worked in telephone communications as a switchman. John was a craftsman and enjoyed woodworking. He also enjoyed spending time with his family, especially his grandchildren. He will be greatly missed.
He is survived by his wife, Brenda Johnson, of Hot Springs; one son and daughter-in-law, John and Stephaine Johnson, of Franklin, Va.; two daughters and sons-in-law, Kimberly and Walter Dodd, of Little Rock, and Marti and John Favorite, of Hot Springs;
11 grandchildren, Brian Johnson, Nikki Johnson, Walter Dodd II, Mathew Dodd, Nathan Dodd, Dustin Favorite, Cassidy Favorite, Ben Favorite, Joshua Favorite, Emma Favorite and Jack Favorite; one brother and sister-in-law, Ed and Dorothy Johnson, of Hot Springs; four nieces and one nephew.
Services will be held at
2 p.m. Saturday in the Davis-Smith Funeral Home chapel, Hot Springs, with Pastor Dru Dodson officiating.
Interment will be in Memorial Gardens Cemetery.
Visitation will be held from
5-7 p.m. today. Pallbearers will be Walter Dodd, Walter Dodd II, John Favorite, Dustin Favorite, Ben Favorite and Joshua Favorite.
Honorary pallbearers will be grandsons Brian Johnson, Mathew Dodd, Nathan Dodd and Jack Favorite.
A special thank you to Central Arkansas Hospice for their compassionate and excellent care.
In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made in Mr. Johnson’s name to The National Autism Society, 4340 East-West Highway, Suite 350, Bethesda, MD 20814.
Guest registry is at http:// www.davis-smith.com.
Deb Jones
Deb Jones, 51, of Hot Springs, passed away Wednesday, Dec.
20, 2017. She was born Oct. 5,
1966, in Kankakee, Ill., to the late Vern and Barbara Austin.
She was predeceased by her parents, Vern and Barbara Austin, Jewell and Jackie Jones; and her grandmother, Myrtle Leininger.
Deb owned Poweryou Media. She graduated from Barber College in 1985. In 2004, Debi received her degree to be an ordained minister, as well as her own radio show and webcast show. She was an active member of the Moose Lodge No. 1252 and a member of Women of the Moose.
Survivors include her daughter, Nekoel (Matthew) Clos; two grandsons, Matthias Clos and Titan Clos; her son, Jowee Bailey and granddaughter, Laiklin Bailey; one sister, Tina Jones; nephew, Brandon Griffin; niece, Emily Sherman; half sister, Tammy Jones Pitts; and ex-husband, Chris Bailey.
Services will be noon Friday, Dec. 29, at Hot Springs Funeral Home with Chaplain Shane Robertson officiating.
Special thanks to Julia Clark with Julia Floral & Gifts.
A true angel on earth is now an angel in heaven; she’s looking down and smiling.
Debbie will truly be missed by so many people.
Arrangements are with Hot Springs Funeral Home.
Online condolences at http://www.hotspringsfh.com.
Roscoe R. Jones
The service for Roscoe Robert Jones, 93, of Hot Springs, who died on Dec. 26, 2017, will be held at 10 a.m. Saturday at First Lutheran Church.
Burial will be at 3 p.m. Saturday at Lone Tree Cemetery in Stuttgart.
Visitation will be 5-7 p.m. today in the Gross Funeral Home chapel.
Memorials may be made to First Lutheran Church.
Barbara J. Powell
POINT CEDAR — Barbara J. Powell, 77, of Point Cedar, died Tuesday, Dec. 26, 2017.
She was born on March 29,
1940, in Point Cedar, the daughter of Hiram Jonah Powell and Florence Minnie Hunt Powell. She was preceded in death by her parents; one brother, Rev. Robert Powell; and one sister, Mary Kay Herron.
Barbara was a member of Genesis Family Worship Center. After many years of service, she retired as the first female manager of the Lone Star Gas Company. Barbara will be greatly missed by all that knew her.
She is survived by one brother and sister-in-law, Gordon and Rosalie Powell; one sister, Fern Grant; a special cousin, Betty Rowe Wallingsford, all of Point Cedar; numerous nieces, nephews and a host of wonderful friends.
Services will be held at
11 a.m. today in the Free Hill Church, Point Cedar, with Brother Roger Wall officiating.
Interment will be in the Free Hill Cemetery under the direction of Davis-Smith Funeral Home, Hot Springs.
Visitation will be held 10:30 a.m. until service time at the church.
Pallbearers will be Wally Burch, Beau Carter, Michael Sossamon, Dave Tunnell, Mike Yarbrough and Tim Herron.
Guest registry is at http:// www.davis-smith.com.
Carey M. Rogers
Carey Michael Rogers, 59, passed away Tuesday, Dec. 26,
2017, at a local hospital. Carey was born in Hot Springs on July 18, 1958, to Will M. and Arlean P. Rogers.
He is survived by his mother; brother, William A. Rogers (Susie), of Granbury, Texas; sisters, Wilma N. Bledsoe (George) and Marsha Rogers, both of Hot Springs; nieces, Geania Dickey (Matt), of Little Rock, Angelean Lenihan (Jimmy), of Rhode Island; nephews, Josh Rogers (Jennifer), of Connecticut, Zack Rogers (Shelly), of Texas; six great-nephews and one greatniece. Carey also leaves behind special friends, Betty Jo Cochran, Michael Burchfield, Phyllis and Jim Mills, and Sara and Nick Elkins.
Carey lived in Arkadelphia at the Human Development Center until 2001, when he purchased his own home in Caddo Valley. Anyone who had the opportunity to meet and be with Carey for very long learned to love him, because he was the sweetest and most lovable guy. Though he was nonverbal he could make himself known and he understood everything that was going on.
Carey loved going to church and singing hymns in his own way. He was a member of First United Methodist Church of Hot Springs.
The family would like to extend a special thank you to the employees and staff of Rainbow of Challenges and Rainbow Junction, the ICU staff at National Park Medical Center and the ICU staff of Baptist Health Medical Center of Arkadelphia. A special thanks to all of his caregivers throughout the years, especially Audrey Bragg.
A memorial service will be held at 10:30 a.m. Saturday, Dec.
30, 2017, at First United Methodist Church of Hot Springs.
In lieu of flowers, donations can be made to First United Methodist Church or Rainbow Challenges of Hope, Ark.
Online obituary and guestbook are available at http:// www.grossfuneralhome.com.
Randall O. Smith
BENTON — The service for Randall Orman Smith, 66, of Benton, who died Tuesday, Dec. 26, 2017, will be 10 a.m. today at Memorial Gardens Cemetery with the Rev. Lacey Minnie officiating.
Pallbearers are Paul Evans, Lester Harrell, Michael Brannon, Barry Smith, Jason Smith and Justin Smith.
Honorary pallbearers are Spencer Smith, Albert Ray, Caden Brannon and Wyatt Lowe.
Larry W. Stoelzing
GEORGETOWN, Texas — Early on Christmas morning 2017, the gift of eternal life was bestowed upon Larry Wayne Stoelzing, of Georgetown, Texas.
His romance with life now over, the love he leaves behind is boundless and has no end. Shedding his mortal coil on Earth, Larry left his physical suffering behind and entered the welcoming arms and Kingdom of our Lord and Savior.
Born on Jan. 23, 1939, to Hazel McGowan Stoelzing and Stanley Arthur Stoelzing in Wellington, Kan., Larry was preceded in death by his parents and two brothers, Terry and Stanley Jr.
After an illustrious college football career at Wichita State University in Kansas, Larry graduated in 1962, and entered a career in marketing and real estate, retiring in 2004 as vice president of the Family Dollar retail chain.
Left mourning Larry are his beloved wife, Bette, whom he had known since they were both 19 years old; three sons, Stephen “Skip” (Korey) Stoelzing, Darren (Mary) Stoelzing, and Trevor “Trey” (Tanda) Stoelzing. As well as stepsons Gerard “Pat” Roeling, Stewart “Van” (Ann) Roeling, and William “Jeff” (Sandra) Roeling. Larry also leaves 14 loving grandchildren, and his devoted assistant, Tony Robertson. He also leaves beloved sistersin-law, Nathalie diBenedetto (Bob) and Jane Roeling (Bill), both of Louisiana, with many loving nieces, nephews and their families.
Larry cherished his life on Lake Hamilton while living among the whispering pines of Hot Springs, Ark., his home in the mountains of Winter Park, Colo., and his final home in Georgetown, Texas. He enjoyed many neighborhood comaraderies, and took great delight in playing duplicate bridge with his friends.
A most kind and gentle man, Larry remained close friends to many people in his life, all the way from elementary to high school to college and beyond over the years. Never one to be judgmental, Larry saw only the good in everyone that he met.
There is a wonderful old Irish saying that claims, “If you die on Christmas Day, you go straight to heaven.” Larry could have achieved this goal any day of the year, as a better, kinder, sweeter man never lived.
A celebration of Larry’s wonderful and full life will be arranged at a later date for family and friends.
In lieu of flowers, his family asks you to make a donation to the local Salvation Army or The Wounded Warrior Project, both causes that Larry loved and believed in.