Obituaries
Betty R. Culliver-Puckett
Betty Ruth Culliver-Puckett, 79, gained her angel wings on Oct. 5, 2018.
Born Dec. 30, 1938, in Hot Springs, Ark., she was predeceased by her parents, Vernon and Lillian Culliver; sister, Alice Burkes; husband, Paul Puckett; and niece, Lisa Gonzales.
Survivors include her brother, Dewey Culliver; sister, Linda Stevens; best friend, Amelia Frey Mahler; nephews, Danny and Ricky Gonzales, Jerrod and Brenten Stevens, Cory Culliver and Brad Burkes; nieces, Hope Merrill, Gaena Laney, Kristan Sharp, and all of their respective children and grandchildren.
Betty’s memorial service will be 2 p.m. Saturday, Oct. 20, 2018, at Caruth-Hale Funeral Home.
Guest register is http://www. caruth-hale.com.
John H. Hall
John Henry Hall, 71, of Hot Springs, passed away Oct. 3, 2018.
He was born Feb. 27, 1947, in Hot Springs, to Nathan and Dell Hall.
Survivors include children, John Hall Jr., Jennifer Morneault, Bridgett Roy, Victoria Bevins; and his companion, Mary Ann Brookshire.
Guests may register at http:// www.caruth-hale.com.
Ann D. Houston
EDMOND, Okla. — Ann DuBose Houston passed away peacefully in her home at the age of 87. She was recently married to Richard L. Gale, of Edmond, Okla.
Ann was born in Ardmore, Okla., to Aubrey and Ruby DuBose, and was predeceased by three husbands.
She is survived by her three children, Dale, Marcia and Pam; six grandchildren; seven great-grandchildren; and several stepchildren.
Ann grew up in Oklahoma City, graduating from Central High and attending the University of Oklahoma. She lived a long, vibrant life full of love, travels, bridge playing, and great times shared with her family and friends. Her kind and gentle spirit will be truly missed by all that knew her.
A memorial service will be held in her honor at The Revive Church in Edmond, Okla., at 10:30 a.m. Saturday, Oct. 27, 2018.
In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to Canine Companions for Independence, P.O. Box 4568, Oceanside, CA 92052; or the charity of your choice.
Don A. Joyce Sr.
Don Anthony Joyce Sr., 73, passed away on Sept. 29, 2018, in Little Rock following a brief but valiant battle with cancer.
He was preceded in passing by his parents, Henry Anthony Joyce and Genevieve Ricks Joyce; a half brother, John Joyce; a half sister, Theressa Ingram; and his wife, Norma Hammond Joyce.
Don was born Oct. 21, 1944, at the old St. Joseph’s Hospital in Hot Springs. He graduated from Hot Springs High School and enlisted in the United States Air Force. Following his service to his country, he attended Garland County Community College, Henderson State University and Baptist School of Nursing.
He spent several years employed in advertising at The Sentinel Record and The Village Voice. He also worked as a nurse at St. Joseph’s Hospital, Kona Community Hospital in Kealakekua, Hawaii, St. Vincent’s Infirmary in Little Rock, and retired from the University of Arkansas for Medical Sciences.
Don loved life, laughter and language. When he awoke each morning, his first words were, “Ah, another beautiful day.” Few things pleased him so much as a good story evoking a chuckle or belly laugh that he could then pass along. He was a read-aholic and an avid wordsmith and shameless punster.
Taking great pride in his service to his country, Don collected a wide range of Air Force memorabilia which overflowed his office. He also amassed an impressive library filled with books of Air Force history and the history of the Cold War.
Don also was a great scuba diving enthusiast. He visited the Caribbean at every chance to dive and never missed an opportunity while he lived in Hawaii. He was a proud card-carrying member of PADI, the Professional Association of Diving Instructors.
Left to cherish his memory are his wife, Sue Glover Joyce; his son and daughter-in-law, Don Anthony Joyce Jr. and Amara Joyce, of Waikoloa, Hawaii; granddaughters, Skyler and Taylor; stepgrandson, Justin Tice, of Honolulu, Hawaii; a sister, Janice Joyce; and special friends, Sparky and the Girls.
Don was a devout Catholic whose faith sustained him during his illness. He was a member of St. Andrew’s parish in Little Rock.
A memorial Mass will be 1 p.m. Friday, Oct. 12, at St. John’s Catholic Church with Father YC officiating. Graveside services will be 1 p.m. Monday, Oct. 15, at the Arkansas State Veterans Cemetery with full military honors.
Memorials may be made to the Humane Society of Garland County, 1249 Ault Loop, Lonsdale, AR 72087; or Guardian Angel Cat Club, 907 Hobson, Hot Springs, AR 71913.
Arrangements are with Hot Springs Funeral Home.
Online condolences at http://www.hotspringsfh.com.
Donald Knabe
Donald Knabe, 81, of Hot Springs, Ark., passed away Thursday, Oct. 4, 2018.
Memorial service will be held 10:30 a.m. Saturday in Gross Funeral Home chapel with Brother Teddy Frye officiating. Guests may register at http:// www.grossfuneralhome.com.
Dorothy M. McNiel
BONNERDALE — Dorothy Mae McNiel, 84, of Bonnerdale, passed away Oct. 15, 2018.
Visitation will be 5-7 p.m. Friday at Caruth-Hale Funeral Home.
Funeral services will be 10 a.m. Saturday at the funeral home.
Stephen N. Roddenberry
Stephen N. “Steve” Roddenberry, 66, of Hot Springs, passed away on Thursday, Oct. 4, 2018.
Steve was born to William Dorsey Roddenberry Sr. and Lois Stonecipher Roddenberry on Oct. 28, 1951, in Hot Springs.
He is preceded in death by his brother, Bill “Rod” Roddenberry; and sister, Sara Roddenberry Doyle.
Survivors include his wife of 41 years, Becky Tucker Roddenberry; brothers, Mike (Lisa) Roddenberry, of Sherwood, Ark., and Mark Roddenberry, of Mountain View, Ark.; sisters, Lois (John) Cook, of Pennsylvania, and Marcia (Charles) Riggs, of Bella Vista, Ark.; special nieces, Jennifer McCumber and Mima Roddenberry; special nephews, Will Roddenberry, Chris Doyle and Jordan Roddenberry; godchildren, Makayla Chapmond, Bryce Chapmond and Wyatt Mickens; great-nieces, Vega McCumber and Avery Freeman; and many more special nieces and nephews.
Steve was a member of Grand Avenue Methodist Church and worked at Triumph Fabrications and was a meat cutter for Safeway and Harvest Foods. He was gifted wood craftsman and loved to play the lottery with himself and co-workers. He was known as the gum man by many.
Honorary pallbearers are John and Roseanne Mickens; sister-in-law, Alice Sears; brotherin-law, Marty Tucker; Amy and Jerry Chapmond, Wes and Emily Mickens, Whitney and Justin Freeman, all of his co-workers, especially Ray Reed, Aaron Overton, Travis Phipps and Andrew Law; nurse Hanna in ICU at CHI St. Vincent third floor; Arkansas Hospice at CHI St. Vincent; Dr. Leonideo Bermejo, Dr. Justin Dowdy and Dr. Steve Bodemann.
Services will be 10 a.m. Tuesday, Oct. 9, at Hot Springs Funeral Home with the Rev. Rose Poag officiating.
In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to Garland County Relay for Life or the charity of your choice.
Arrangements are with Hot Springs Funeral Home.
Online condolences at http://www.hotspringsfh.com.
Thelma V. Shortreed
BEND, Ore. — Thelma Vivian Shortreed, 91, of Hot Springs, passed away peacefully on Nov. 4, 2017, in Bend, Ore.
She lived in Hot Springs most of her life where she supported her husband in the family business, Shortreed Plumbing. She was an active member of First Nazarene Church, where her involvement with children’s programming and the church’s bus ministry outreach brought many young people and their families into the church.
A graveside service will be 1 p.m. Monday, Oct. 8, at Crestview Memorial Park.
Arrangements are with Hot Springs Funeral Home.
Online condolences at http://www.hotspringsfh.com.
Calvin H. Smith
It is with great sadness that the family of Calvin “Smitty” Hill Smith announces his unexpected passing on Monday, Sept. 24, 2018, in Hot Springs, Ark.
He was born on April 20, 1930, to the late Joseph A. and Lucy Burton (Maile) Smith. Mr. Smith was proud of his service in the United States Army during the Korean Conflict, earning the rank of corporal. Mr. Smith began his sales career at The Oak in Petersburg in the 1950s. He moved to Charleston, S.C., in the 1960s, where he managed John Tryon Ltd., an upscale clothing store in North Charleston, for over 50 years. He not only took pride in his business, but truly relished the friends he made during his time clothing the people of Charleston.
After retirement, in 2015, Mr. Smith relocated to Hot Springs to be closer to his Arkansas family. While in Charleston, he was an active member of Bethel United Methodist Church. When he moved to Hot Springs, he attended First United Methodist Church. He loved the Lord and was absolutely devoted to his Christian faith. He took great pride in witnessing his faith and often distributed inspirational material to friends, family and even strangers.
As a young man, he was choir director at Kenwood United Methodist Church in Dinwiddie and directed many musical productions in the community. He would often break out into song in his rich tenor voice, singing anything from hymns, to opera to show tunes. He was also renowned for his cooking and baking skills. He loved to share these dishes with others, which he did daily, right up until his passing.
In addition to his parents, he was preceded in death by his sister, Doris Lloyd; and his brothers, Joseph A. Smith Jr., John A. Smith, Milton Smith and sister-in-law, Mary Ann.
He is survived by his sister-in-law, Mary Smith, of Albany, Ga. Mr. Smith took extreme pride in his family. He never married, but made daily phone calls to his nieces and nephews. He was quick to say he had the best family in the world. He will be lovingly remembered by his niece and nephew, Donna and Alex Smith, who took an active part in his care when he moved to Arkansas. Other family members left to cherish his memory are nieces and nephews: Barri Tulgetske, Jim Whisenhunt (Jan), Diane Orsburn (Anthony), John Wayne Smith, Janet Douglas, Kenney (Joanie) Smith, Brian Smith, Morris Smith, Jill Thomas, Sue Ellen (Al) Marek, Milton Smith Jr. (Jenny), Bobby Smith, Angie Lamb (Jerry), and JoAnn Barfield, as well as, numerous great-nieces and -nephews.
A graveside service will be held at a later date.
Arrangements are with Hot Springs Funeral Home.
Online condolences at http://www.hotspringsfh.com.
Carolyn P. Smith
Carolyn P. Smith, 85, of Hot Springs, went to be with the Lord on Oct. 5, 2018.
She was born July 2, 1933, in De Queen, Ark., to the late Bruce and Fannie Huggins.
She is predeceased by her loving husband, Ed, and brother, Dale Huggins.
Survivors include son, Chuck (Sandy) Smith, daughter, Charla (Tom) Starnes.
Thank you to Quapaw Care for the unending love, kindness and support you gave to us these last few years. The love and respect you showed her will never be forgotten. For all the times you supported me and showed such compassion, I am forever thankful and grateful. We were truly blessed in knowing that she was constantly surrounded by love.
There will be a private service held in her honor.
Guest register is http:// www.caruth-hale.com.
Dewey F. Tankesly Jr.
Dewey Franklin Tankesly Jr. could have written a captivating novel about his life. He was born on Nov. 24, 1949, in Indianola, Miss., and died Oct. 1, 2018. After returning from Vietnam at a young age, he traveled the country.
He worked and collected great stories as a painter, drove a towboat, worked in an Italian restaurant, drove a freight truck and toured with a blues band.
He loved riding winding highways on his Harley, a good steak and potato dinner, and spending time at home with his family. All that knew him loved his blue eyes, his infectious laugh, his incredible strength and his big personality.
He was a loving husband, a wonderful father, a supportive brother and a friend for life.
Franklin filled our lives with so much happiness and laughter — his presence will be missed every day. But we will smile, knowing we carry his strength in our hearts.
He is preceded in death by his mother, Ruby Sampson; his father, Dewey F. Tankesly Sr.; and his sister, Marilyn Tankesly.
He is loved and missed every day by his wife of 21 years, Vicki; his daughter, Brittany; his sisters, Tammy Kirkman and Linda Huffaker; his nieces and nephews, and wonderful friends.
The family will be remembering him with a private memorial service at a later date.
Guest registry at http:// www.davissmith.com.