Obituaries

James W. Baker

ROYAL — James W. Baker, age 68, of Royal, died Saturday, June 6, 2020.

Graveside services are 10 a.m. Saturday in the Peak Cemetery, under the direction of Davis-Smith Funeral Home, Hot Springs.

Visitation will be held from 9 a.m. until service time at the cemetery.

Guest registry is at http:// www.davis-smith.com.

William R. Braughton

William Richard (Bill) Braughton, age 81, of Hot Springs, passed away at home on Monday, June 8, 2020.

He was born on May 11, 1939, at Three Sisters Springs in Garland County, the son of Virgil and Nora Braughton. On Aug. 3,

1988, he married Sherry Whitfield. He was preceded in death by his parents; three brothers, Thurman Braughton, Harold Braughton and Roy Braughton; one infant sister; and two nephews, Joel Braughton and Daniel Braughton.

Bill was a Christian and a Baptist in faith. He was a 1957 graduate of Hot Springs High School. He went to work at Valley Lumber Company and then moved to Dierks Forest, later known as Weyerhaeuser, for a total of 35 years. After retiring, Bill started his own business, Vinyl Graphics, where he worked until his health failed.

He enjoyed the brotherhood he shared with his friends in the

223rd Air National Guard for 36 and a half years and he loved to share the stories with others.

Bill is survived by his wife of nearly 32 years, Sherry Braughton; his daughter, Tori Orrell; his son, Richard E. (Tonya) Braughton; stepdaughter, Kim (Farrell) Hopson; four grandchildren, Destiny Orrell, Brian Keith Orrell II, Richard O. Braughton and Stevie Hopson;

three great-grandchildren, Kelsey, Keith and Elizabeth; two sisters-in-law, Kathie Braughton and Virginia Braughton; numerous nieces, nephews, extended family members and a host of wonderful friends.

A private family graveside will be held with Brother Coy Sample officiating, under the direction of Davis-Smith Funeral Home, Hot Springs.

The family would like to thank Davita Dialysis, especially Kathy, for the care he received for nearly eight years and Dr. Kevin Hale.

Guest registry is at http:// www.davis-smith.com.

Melodee Clark

Melodee Clark, 75, of Hot Springs, Ark., passed away June 9, 2020.

She was born Oct. 31, 1944, in Wisconsin. Melodee retired after serving 26 years as an LPN at St. Joseph’s Hospital.

Melodee was preceded in death by her parents, Elsie and Thomas Duncan; and husband, Brother Bob C. Clark.

Survivors include her sons, Robert C. Clark, Thomas A. Clark (Kristi); grandchildren, Kristian Clark, Aaron Clark; and special friend, Clara Duncan.

A celebration of her life will be 2 p.m. Saturday at CaruthHale Funeral Home.

Special thank you to The Pines Rehab Staff.

Online condolences at http://www.caruth-hale.com.

Robert C. Combs

Visitation for Robert C. Combs, who passed away June 7, 2020, will be 9-10:30 a.m. today at Caruth-Hale Funeral Home, with graveside services immediately following at 11 a.m. at Morning Star Cemetery with Brother Roger Stanage officiating.

Susan Cook

Susan “Susie” Cook, age 56, of Hot Springs, passed away

Monday, June 8, 2020.

Arrangements will be announced by Davis-Smith Funeral Home, Hot Springs.

Juanita McNeely

Juanita McNeely, 91, of Hot Springs, Ark., passed away June 10, 2020.

Visitation will be 2-4 p.m. Sunday at Caruth-Hale Funeral Home. Service will be 10 a.m. Monday at Caruth-Hale Funeral Home. Burial will follow at Greenwood Cemetery.

Lora L. Outler

Visitation for Lora Lee Outler, who passed away June 8,

2020, will be 2-4 p.m. today at Caruth-Hale Funeral Home.

A graveside service will be at

10 a.m. Saturday at Lowe Cemetery in Royal, Ark.

Online condolences at http://www.caruth-hale.com.

Barbara L. Ray

Barbara L. Ray, age 74, of Hot Springs, became an angel Saturday, March 14, 2020.

She was born in Alhambra, Calif., to Neva and Marvin Alvin Platner. Barbara was preceded in passing by her mother and father.

She is survived by her husband, Phillip Ray; stepson, Mike Ray; and brother, Robert Platner.

Barbara’s father was a 35year veteran of the United States Navy, and during the battle of Leyte Gulf in the Philippines, his ship, the USS Gambier Bay, was hit and sunk. He spent several days in the water before being rescued, earning him a Purple Heart. After he retired, the family moved to Banning, Calif., where Barbara attended and graduated from high school.

Barb was very active in the Methodist Church in Banning, and she sang in the choir and was known for her voice. After high school, she attended Long Beach State University, graduating as a registered nurse. To honor her father, Barbara wanted to become a Navy flight nurse. A medical condition caused her to be denied.

Barbara went to work for the County of Los Angeles, and due to her fluency with the Spanish language, worked with the Latinos for home visits and in various Los Angeles County hospitals. Barbara eventually became a head floor nurse. During a medical convention, she met Dr. Gary Pat Ray, the older of the two brothers. Doctor Ray had just left the medical service of the Army. They became very good friends and were married shortly thereafter. They moved to Roseburg, Ore., and Dr. Ray opened a medical practice with Barb helping Dr. Ray in the office. They eventually transferred to Billings, Mont. Pat, being quite an outdoorsman, taught Barb new recipes which included how to cook elk and other outdoor critters. Pat and Barb were married for 12 wonderful years. They eventually settled in the Village near Hot Springs. During their marriage, they were faithful to the Lord.

Dr. Ray fought the medical condition of Melanoma for 10 years before succumbing and passing away at M.D. Anderson in Houston.

Dr. Ray’s younger brother, Phillip, returned from Australia, where he was employed and stayed for several months during the mourning. During that time, he and Barbara became friends. Phillip suggested she visit Australia and unwind.

Phillip and Barbara were married June 4, 1994, in Sydney, Australia. They returned to the United States and lived in Burbank, Calif., for eight years. Eventually Phillip was offered a position in Hot Springs. They relocated and have lived in Hot Springs since 2004. We had 25 wonderful years before my beloved became an angel.

Barbara had many passions. Her love for the Lord was her first love. She was a breast cancer survivor and supported the Susan G. Komen foundation. Her love for animals was something to behold. We always had some type of cat or dog in the house, sometimes both. Barb volunteered at the humane society. She was a member of the ASPCA. Barb had one special dog named Sweety and will be buried with her. She will be well remembered.

A date for the memorial will be announced and held at Caruth-Hale Funeral Home.

Online condolences at http:// www.caruth-hale.com.

Shaneah Self

MOUNTAIN PINE — Shaneah Self, 29, of Mountain Pine, Ark., passed away Monday, June 8, 2020.

She was born July 23, 1990, in Hot Springs.

Graveside service will be 2 p.m. Monday, June 15, at Hughes Cemetery, Mountain Pine, Ark., with Brother Joe Thompson officiating. Pallbearers are Chris Self, Jared Self, Cody Knowlton, Jake Clinton, Tim Tyler and Matt Shearer.

Arrangements are by Hot Springs Funeral Home.

Online condolences at http:// www.hotspringsfh.com.