Obituaries
Tommi Jo Bailey
Tommi Jo Bailey, 49, of Hot Springs, was promoted to Glory Monday, Nov. 11, 2019.
She was born Sept. 11, 1970, in Lawton, Okla., the daughter of Thomas and Janelle Bailey. She was preceded in death by her beloved mother, Janelle Bailey; sister, Terri Edwards; uncle, Charles Bailey; and nephew, Nicholas Ditata.
T.J.’s love of tropical places was only surpassed by her love for her children, family and friends. Her unique sense of humor was contagious and compassion for others unmatched. Tommi graduated from Lake Hamilton High School in 1988 and was a member of The Salvation Army.
She is survived by daughter, Aeryn Bailey; two sons, Logan Burfeind and Sutter Gillette; father, Thomas Bailey; sister, Cheri Ditata; nieces, nephews, extended family members and a host of wonderful friends.
A celebration of life will be 10 a.m. Thursday in the Davis-Smith Funeral Home chapel, Hot Springs, with Major Jonathan and Tina McBride officiating.
Guest registry is at http:// www.davis-smith.com.
Darrell G. Casey
Darrell Gene Casey, 61, of Hot Springs, passed away Monday, Nov. 11, 2019.
Service are 11 a.m. today in Hot Springs Funeral Home chapel.
Burial at Morning Star Cemetery.
Arrangements are by Hot Springs Funeral Home.
Online condolences at http://www.hotspringsfh.com.
Loretta A. Denton
Loretta Ann Denton, age 49, of Hot Springs, passed away on Thursday, Nov. 7, 2019.
She and her children were former members of Eureka Baptist Church.
Survivors include her children, Quentin Haywood, of Jonesboro, Ga., and Candice Haywood, of Hot Springs; her grandson, Ayden Payne; her siblings, a special niece raised as her sister, Tashiba (James) Banks, of Hot Springs.
Funeral service will be held at 11 a.m. Friday, Nov. 15, 2019, at the Historic Eureka Baptist Church, 721 Gaines St. Visitation will begin at 10 a.m. until service time.
The guest registry is at http://www.carriganmemorial. com.
Arrangements are entrusted to Carrigan Memorial Funeral
Services.
Ray C. Donathan
Ray Clifton Donathan, age 88, of Hot Springs, died Saturday, Nov. 9, 2019.
Services are 2 p.m. Thursday in the Davis-Smith Funeral Home chapel, Hot Springs.
Interment will be in Memorial Gardens Cemetery.
Visitation is 1 p.m. until service time on Thursday.
Guest registry is at http:// www.davis-smith.com.
Leron Goodman
MALVERN — Deacon Leron Goodman, age 82, of Malvern, passed away Saturday, Nov. 2, 2019.
He was born May 17, 1937, to Isaac “Ike” and Georgia Bell Hopkins Goodman in Monticello, Ark.
He served as a deacon at True Believer’s Praise and Worship Sanctuary in Malvern, Ark., under the leadership of Bishop Chris Penix.
Leron was preceded in death by his aforementioned parents; his wife, Clementine Goodman; two brothers, Vugell Goodman and J.C. Goodman; his children, Duane Morgan, Berta Dupree and Paul Dupree; bonus daughters, Belinda Findley and Laura Bullock.
Survivors include his son, Elder Marcus (Sonja) Goodman, of San Antonio, Texas, Arlette (John) Hill, of Malvern, Aletha Anderson, of Wrightsville, Lenge (Patricia) Dupree, of San Antonio, Texas, Betty Griffin and David Ellis, both of Hot Springs; his bonus children, Janice Lewis, Gary Hickman and Charles Hickman; 16 grandchildren, 23 great-grandchildren; a host of extended family and friends.
Funeral service will be held at 10:30 a.m. Saturday, Nov. 16, 2019, at True Believer’s Praise and Worship Sanctuary with Bishop Chris Penix, eulogist. Burial will follow in Woodlawn Cemetery, Benton, Ark. Visitation will begin one hour prior to the service.
The guest registry is at http://www.carriganmemorial. com.
Arrangements are entrusted to Carrigan Memorial Funeral Service.
William D. Holcomb
WINFIELD, Kan. — William Daniel Holcomb, 72, of Winfield, Kan., passed away peacefully on Saturday, Nov. 9, 2019, at Medicalodges of Oxford.
Memorial services will be held at 10 a.m. Saturday, Nov. 16, at the First Presbyterian Church of Winfield. Visitation with family present will be from 5-7 p.m. Friday, Nov. 15, at the Shelley Family Funeral Home of Winfield. Burial will take place in Arkansas at a later time.
Memorial contributions may be made to the First Presbyterian Church and Good Shepherd Hospice, contributions may be left in care of the funeral home.
Dan was born on Aug. 24, 1947, in Hot Springs, Ark., the son of Ralph and Ruby (Smith) Holcomb. He graduated from Hot Springs High School in 1965 and received a bachelor’s degree majoring in Parks and Recreation from Arkansas Technical University in 1970. He also served in the Army Reserves during the Vietnam War. Dan was united in marriage to Rebecca Shinn in 1969 in Idabel, Okla., they enjoyed 50 wonderful years of marriage. Dan worked in sales at J.C. Penney and retired in 2012, he also owned Heartland Medical for five years. Dan enjoyed his numerous pet dogs and was an avid outdoorsman; he loved fishing and hunting for deer, ducks and doves. Dan was a member of the Kiwanis Club, the Winfield Bass Club and was an elder at the First Presbyterian Church of Winfield. He dearly loved his family and his grandchildren were the joy of his life.
Survivors include his wife, Becca Holcomb, of Winfield; daughter, Melissa Kanaga (Scott), of Grapevine, Texas; and grandchildren, Marshall and Anna Kanaga, of Grapevine, Texas. He is preceded in death by his parents and brother, David Holcomb.
Richie Hyatt
Richie Hyatt, 64, of Hot Springs, Ark., passed away Thursday, Oct. 31, 2019.
Memorial service will be held 2 p.m. Saturday, Nov. 16, 2019, at Lone Valley Church, Sims, Ark.
Arrangements are by Hot Springs Funeral Home.
Online condolences at http:// www.hotspringsfh.com.
Jean V. Lake
LITTLE ROCK — Mother Jean V. Lake, affectionately known as “The Lady wth The Golden Voice,” departed this life on Friday, Nov.
8, 2019, at the age of 93, in Little Rock Ark.
She was preceded in death by her husband, Deacon Robert T. Lake; three children, Veronica Lake, Maestro Danny Jones and Norris Harris Sr.
She is survived by her children, Dr. Steve R. (J’auuan Gaylyn) Lake, Dorris Banks, Stephanie Stallworth and Robbie Lake; her sister, Mertha Crutcher; a host of extended family and friends.
Funeral service will be at 10 a.m. Saturday, Nov. 16, 2019, at New Hope Baptist Church, 1821 Edmonds St., North Little Rock, Ark.
Visitation will be from 7:308:30 p.m. Friday at Robinson’s Mortuary, 1201 Dr. Martin Luther King Drive, Little Rock, Ark., 501371-0111.
Bernie J. Mosley
Bernie Jack Mosley, age 49, of Hot Springs, Ark., passed away on Friday, Nov. 8, 2019. God must have really needed a warrior, because he called Bernie home before he’d had the chance to see the new Star Wars movie.
Bernie was born on July 20,
1970, in Hot Springs, to Merna and James Mosley. He graduated from Lakeside High School in
1988, taking with him the perfect mullet and what would turn into a lifelong love affair with Trans Ams.
In 1997, Malvern Police Department found themselves in need of an officer, so they decided to give Bernie a chance. He graduated from Basic Class
97-D, at the Arkansas Law Enforcement Training Academy, then returned to his department with what little hair he had left on fire.
Bernie quickly endeared himself to his co-workers, with his upbeat personality and quirky sense of humor. He worked hard, loved meeting new people and believed in treating everyone he encountered with compassion and respect. Bernie proved himself to be an asset to the department and slowly climbed the ranks, from officer to lieutenant.
He had a passion for training and contributed to the development of several new programs at his agency. He was a founding member of the Special Response Team and one of the department’s first K9 officers. Bernie loved working with police dogs and being K9 Plato’s handler was one of his most cherished assignments.
Bernie loved his profession, but he knew there was nothing more important in life than family. He’d fallen in love with Tonya Ragsdale and came to realize he didn’t want to live his life without her. He popped the question, she said yes, and they were married on Sept. 14, 2001. From this union, Bernie was blessed with daughter, Bailey, and son, Chase.
In 2010, Bernie left Malvern PD and accepted a position with the Arkansas Attorney General’s Office. Despite the new opportunities the job entailed, his heart wasn’t in it and Bernie knew it wasn’t where he needed to be.
In 2011, Bernie accepted an instructor position at the Arkansas Law Enforcement Training Academy. He spent most of his time teaching at the Camden campus, but also traveled around the state teaching specialized courses. In 2017, Bernie became the training supervisor for the newly created Central ALETA, at Camp Joseph T. Robinson.
Bernie earned an Associate Degree in Applied Science in Criminal Justice from National Park Community College. He was a graduate of the 45th Management College at the Institute for Law Enforcement Administration in Plano, Texas. He was also a graduate of University of Arkansas Criminal Justice Institute’s School of Law Enforcement Supervision and held a Certification in Force Science.
For the past 22 years, Bernie shared his passion for teaching with thousands of law enforcement officers. It was his personal mission to train officers to be mentally, physically and tactically prepared for any encounter. Bernie knew that the information and skills he passed on could save an officer’s life one day.
Giving up was never an option for Bernie — on the street, in the classroom, on the range, at home with his family or when it came to battling ALS, which he was diagnosed with in 2018. Bernie was in the fight of his life and refused to let the disease keep him from living his life. He found strength in his personal relationship with God, his family and his friends. He was an inspiration to all who knew him and will never be forgotten.
Bernie is survived by his loving wife, Tonya Ragsdale Mosley; his son, Chase Mosley; his daughter, Bailey Mosley-McElmurray and her husband, Benjamin; his parents, Merna and James Mosley; a brother, Kevin Mosley; eight nieces and nephews, and many aunts, uncles and cousins.
Visitation will be held from
6-8 p.m. today, Nov. 13, 2019, at Caruth-Hale Funeral Home (155 Section Line Road, Hot Springs).
Funeral services will be at 2 p.m. on Thursday, Nov. 14, 2019, at Trinity Church (670 Panama St.). There will be a procession to Crestview Memorial Park
(3077 E. Grand Service Road) for graveside services.
Online condolences at http://www.caruth-hale.com.
Elmer C. Strand
ROYAL — Elmer C. Strand, age 89, of Royal, died Sunday, Nov. 10, 2019.
He was born Sept. 25, 1930, in Seminole, Okla., the son of Woodard Cobb and Mary Knight Cobb. On July 10, 1971, he married Ann Powell. He was preceded in death by two daughters, Debra Olson and LaDonna Cobb; his parents; three sisters, Marie Simmons, Norma Jean McGowen and Nonie Hatley; and one brother-in-law, Don Campbell.
Elmer was a member of Apostolic Faith Tabernacle. He was the former owner of the Fish Nest Restaurant in Glenwood. Elmer was a cattle farmer, a dairy farmer and owned one of the first chicken farms for Keith Smith Company. He was a hard-working Christian man, who loved his family with all of his heart.
He is survived by his wife of 48 years, Ann Strand, of Royal; two sons and daughters-in-law, Wayne and Linda Cobb, of Norman, and Thomas and Bonnie Turner, of Hot Springs; four daughters and three sons-in-law, LaGayla and Lonnie Heird, of Royal, Kim and Barry Boswell, of Fulshear, Texas, LaRhonda and Curtis Abernathy, of Mount Ida, and Shellie Weeks, of Texarkana;
20 grandchildren; 40 great-grandchildren; 13 great-great-grandchildren; one brother and sisterin-law, Robert and Janet Strand, of Texarkana, Texas; one sister, Sharon Campbell, of Bakersfield, Calif.; numerous nieces, nephews, extended family members and a host of wonderful friends.
Services will be 2 p.m. Friday in the Apostolic Faith Tabernacle with the Rev. Dennis Anderson officiating.
Interment will be in Memorial Gardens Cemetery under the direction of Davis-Smith Funeral Home, Hot Springs.
Visitation will be 1 p.m. until service time at the church.
Pallbearers will be Jr. Pascuzzi, Jason Langley, Dr. Todd Turner, Spencer Turner, Shane Abernathy and Tom Abernathy.
Honorary pallbearers will be Tony Flores, Justin Dupree, Kenny McGrew, Oscar Auzadua and Rev. Dennis Anderson.
Guest registry is at http:// www.davis-smith.com.
Della J.S.H. Sutton
Della Jane Shankles Hunter Sutton, 92, passed peacefully Nov. 8, 2019.
Della was born in Nathan, Ark., to the late Clifton and Lillian Shankles. After high school, she married William Haskell Hunter. Sadly, William passed away in 1966 and Della became a widow at 39. She raised their boys with lots of love and hard work, both as a mom and as a teller at Arkansas Bank & Trust — a job she retired from after 22 years.
Della later married Albert T. Sutton Jr., with whom she shared more than 40 years of family and friendship before he passed away. She was also predeceased by her sister, Evelyn White.
Della loved her family and spoiled them with her excellent cooking! Those times when her family would let her out of the kitchen, she liked nothing more than enjoying God’s creation. Fresh air and a beautiful view of trees dappled in sunlight was second only to the love she gave and felt for her family.
Della will be missed by her children, Mitch (Alice) Hunter, Doug (Susan) Hunter, Terry Hunter, Ann Prince and Albert (Kathy) Sutton; 10 grandchildren; many great-grandchildren; and other well-loved extended family members.
A visitation at 9:30 a.m. on Saturday,
Nov. 16, 2019, will precede a memorial service beginning at 10 a.m. in the chapel at Gross Funeral Home.
Della rescued and loved many furry friends over the years. The family asks, in lieu of flowers, memorials be made to the Humane Society of Garland County, 1249 Ault Loop, Lonsdale, AR 72087.
Guestbook and tributes are available at http://www.GrossFuneralHome.com.
William F. Triplett Jr.
William Ferrel (Bill) Triplett Jr.,
65, of Hot Springs, passed from this life on Sunday, Nov. 10, 2019.
Bill was born on May 13, 1954, in Hot Springs, Ark., to William F. and Helen Ruth Triplett. As the oldest of five children, and the only boy, he had a lively childhood with never a dull moment.
He met his high school sweetheart, Teresa, at Mountain Pine High School in 1971 and they were married in 1973. Bill and Teresa lived in Arkadelphia and Malvern before purchasing their home in Hot Springs in 1977. Their first son, David, was born in 1977, followed by their youngest son, Aaron, in
1981. Bill was delighted to become “Pop” in 2001 and always treasured time with his grandchildren. He spent many years cheering for them at concerts and at soccer, softball, baseball and football games.
It was with great sorrow that he bid farewell to Teresa in September of 2012 after a long battle with cancer.
He found love and happiness again when he met and married his second wife, Debi, in 2014. With Debi, he discovered a love of travel and they took many vacations to beautiful destinations in their five wonderful years together.
For most of his life, he held three different jobs at once. Starting in the early 1970s with Piggly Wiggly, he worked in management positions with several different grocery stores, including Food4-Less, Price Cutter and finally Harp’s, from where he retired in early 2018. Bill was also the pastor of the Mountain Pine Church of Christ for over 35 years, and he was always there to minister to anyone who needed support, encouragement or a helping hand.
From childhood, Bill was an avid fan of comic books and he was thrilled to start his own business when he and Teresa opened Alternate Worlds Cards and Comics in 1982, which they operated for more than 30 years before closing in 2012. He counted many of their longtime customers as friends.
Bill was a fantastic storyteller, with a ready wit and a gift for humor. He loved to read and took a book with him everywhere he went. He also enjoyed watching old sci-fi and horror movies, the cheesier the better. He was rarely far from a cup of black coffee and he had a great appreciation for a bowl of fresh-popped popcorn.
He is preceded in death by his parents, Ferrel and Ruth Triplett; his wife, Teresa Triplett; his sister, Elizabeth Turnbull; and brother-inlaw, William “Scooter” Turnbull.
He is survived by his wife, Debi Triplett; son and daughter-in-law, David and Jennifer Triplett, of Little Rock; son, Aaron Triplett and fiancé, Cindy Smith, of Hot Springs; sister and brother-in-law, Jo and Tim Weaver, of Jessieville; sister, Lisa Triplett, of North Little Rock, sister and brother-in-law, Amy and Maynard Anderson, of Farmington; grandchildren, Samuel, Lucy, Isaac, Ian and Ransom Triplett and soon-to-be stepgranddaughter, Lauren Scrivner; stepson, Scott Jones, of Mount Ida; stepgrandsons, Jamie and Casey Jones; and a great many other family members and friends.
Visitation will be from 6-8 p.m. Thursday, Nov. 14, at Caruth-Hale Funeral Home in Hot Springs.
The funeral service will be officiated by Derek Turnbull and will be held at 10 a.m. Friday, Nov.
15, at the funeral home. Burial will follow at Godwin Cemetery.
Pallbearers will be Samuel Triplett, Lucy Triplett, Ian Triplett, Curtis Ward, Brandon Turnbull, Joshua Weaver, Jacob Weaver and Amanda Anderson. Honorary pallbearers are the employees of Harp’s and the customers of Alternate Worlds.
Online condolences at http:// www.caruth-hale.com.
Charles Wiedeman
Charles “Buster” Wiedeman, of Hot Springs, formerly of Corning, passed away Nov. 9,
2019, at the age of 90. Buster was born Aug. 28,
1929, in Corning, to Albert and Easter (Herron) Wiedeman. He joined the U.S. Air Force in the field of communications during World War II. After his honorable discharge, he worked as an air traffic controller for
28 years before his retirement. He returned to Corning in 1973 to raise his son and became a private pilot for Corning Implement, followed by Harts Manufacturing, working all over the United States. He was very active in his community and was instrumental in the building and expanding of Corning Airport. He served on the board of directors for Corning Airport for many years.
He married the love of his life and wife of 69 years, Catherine “Kay” Pangakas, on Jan. 7,
1950. She survives.
Other survivors include his son, Brian (Sarah Pyle) Wiedeman, and grandchildren, Austin James Wiedeman, Jamison McDougald and Sarah Lene Wiedeman.
In addition to his parents, he was also preceded in death by his siblings, James “Buddy” Wiedeman, Gladys Goodman and Dona Blaylock.
A short memorial service will be held at 1 p.m. on Thursday, Nov. 14, at Ermert Funeral Home in Corning. Burial will follow with military honors at
2 p.m. at Richwoods Cemetery. In lieu of flowers, please make donations to Richwoods Cemetery Association, 561 CR
131, Corning, AR 72422. Online condolences: http:// www.ermertfuneralhome.com.