OBITUARIES
Janet V. Ackerman
Janet Victoria “Vicki” Ackerman, of Hot Springs, age 76, passed away Wednesday, Dec. 29, 2021.
She is preceded in death by her parents, Roy and Iva Osbern; brother, Jerry Osbern; and sisters, Shirley McKee and Genevieve Pannel.
Vicki was a nurse for 45 years. She loved her patients and was well respected by her coworkers. She enjoyed arts and crafts, and painting and doing mosaics.
She is survived by her children: Victoria K. Simpson and Ronnie M. Ackerman; grandchildren: Brandon Simpson, Kayla Wright, Adam and Kathryn Simpson, Jordan Ackerman; great-grandchildren: Rylee Wright, Mason Wright, Hartley Simpson, Thayne Simpson. Several nieces and nephews.
There will be a private family service as she requested.
Cremation arrangements entrusted to Arkansas Cremation, http://www.ArkansasCremation.com.
Allen U. Bedell
Allen Ura Bedell, 83, of Hot Springs, passed away Jan. 3, 2022.
He was born in Welsh, La., to Wilma and Jasper Bedell. He grew up in Eunice and later attended Louisiana State University, where he graduated from the LSU School of Forestry with a BSF degree in 1960.
Upon graduation, he was employed by Fordyce Lumber Company in Fordyce, Ark., where he met and married his wife, Lou. Fordyce Lumber Company subsequently sold to Georgia-Pacific Corporation and in 1965, he was granted a leave of absence to attend Yale University, graduating in 1966 with a Master of Forestry degree. He then returned to Arkansas as a manager with Georgia-Pacific.
Allen went on to start two family tree chipping businesses, Circle B Logging and Quality Stand Density Control Inc., which he owned and operated until his retirement in 2006. Allen served on the Executive Committee of the Arkansas Forestry Association for over 31 years, where he is past president, a recipient of the President’s Award, and honored as Outstanding Logger in both 1989 and 1994. While president, he was instrumental in adopting the National Log-A-Load for Kids Program, which has raised over $10,000,000 for Arkansas Children’s Hospital.
In 1991, Allen joined nine loggers, establishing the Arkansas Timber Producers Association. As president, he helped to establish the Arkansas Professional Logger Education and Training Program. ATPA has developed safety and insurance programs for the industry and lobbied successfully for sales tax relief for forestry equipment purchases and also served as president of the ATPA’s Self-Insured Workers Compensation Insurance Fund.
Allen served on the Sustainable Forestry Board from 19952001. He is a lifetime member of the Forest Resources Association, where he served as national chairman in 2003-2004. He was the recipient of Georgia-Pacific’s regional award for Outstanding Logger. He served as chairman of the Board of Citizens First State Bank of Fordyce and as chairman of the American Pulpwood Association. Allen served on the Arkansas Forestry Commission for nine years, three years as chairman. He has been appointed and served on the Arkansas Agriculture Board since 2005. He is a certified American Tree Farmer.
In 1998, Timber Harvesting magazine recognized the Bedell family — Allen, wife Lou, son David and daughter Donna Twyford — as the winner of its inaugural “Logging Business of the Year” award. In March of 2017, Allen was inducted into Arkansas Agriculture Hall of Fame, being only the fourth representative of forestry to be so recognized. In addition, the LSU Alumni Hall of Distinction inducted Allen into the 2017 Hall of Fame of the Forestry, Wildlife and Fisheries Alumni Association.
Survivors include his wife, Anita Lou Hillman Bedell; daughter, Donna Twyford (Don); son, David Bedell (LeAnn), all of Hot Springs; three grandchildren, Lauren Sisco (Will), Phillip Twyford and Hunter Bedell (Hannah); and two great-grandchildren, Audrey and Andrew Sisco, lovingly referred to as “our little ones.” Other survivors include his brothers, Don C. Bedell and Pam Bedell of Sikeston, Mo., and Thomas B. Bedell and Della of Van Buren, Mo.
He was preceded in death by his parents; one brother, J. Richard Bedell; and a great-grandson, Nathaniel Evert Sisco.
Allen was a lifelong, devoted member of the United Methodist Church, serving as a Stephen Minister, chairing committees, singing in the choir, serving in all areas of local missions, as well as those in Juarez and Rio Bravo, Mexico. He taught Bible studies and Sunday school classes for over 50 years and was a five-time pilgrim to the land of Israel.
A memorial service will be held at 10 a.m. Saturday, Jan. 8, 2022, at First United Methodist Church of Hot Springs, with the Revs. J.J. Galloway and John Fleming officiating. Visitation will follow in the Christian Life Center.
In lieu of flowers, the family requests that memorials be made to Arkansas Log-A-Load for Kids benefiting Arkansas Children’s Hospital, 1 Children’s Way, Slot 661, Little Rock, AR 72202; or to First United Methodist Church of Hot Springs.
Online condolences at http://www.caruth-hale.com.
Robert Hall
Robert “Bob” Hall, age 68, of Hot Springs, passed away on Wednesday, Dec. 29, 2021.
Celebration of Bob’s life will be 2 p.m. Friday, Jan. 7, 2022, in the Davis-Smith Funeral Home, Hot Springs.
Full obituary and guest registry is at http://www.davis-smith.com.
T. Scott Henderson
PEARCY — T. Scott Henderson, age 68, of Pearcy, passed away Tuesday, Jan. 4, 2022.
Visitation will be 6-8 p.m.
Friday, Jan. 7, 2022, in the Davis-Smith Funeral Home chapel, Hot Springs.
Full obituary and guest registry at http://www.davis-smith.com.
Robert L. Kissire
Robert Luther Kissire, 81, of Hot Springs, passed away peacefully on Jan. 3, 2022.
He was the director of the Hot Springs Boys & Girls Club for 32 years and was a member of the 70 West Church of Christ. Robert was an avid hunter whose favorite place to be was at the farm.
He is survived by his wife of 59 years, two sons, one daughter, six grandchildren, four great-grandchildren, a sister-in-law, nieces, nephews, coffee buddies, longtime hunting compadre, Dr. Bruce Smith, and many close friends.
Cremation arrangements will be handled by Davis-Smith Funeral Home.
The family would like to thank Dr. Randy Hill and Dr. Tim Webb for their compassionate care, as well as the special care nurses of Comfort Care Hospice at CHI Hospital.
In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made to 70 West Church of Christ Youth Program, 948 Airport Road, Hot Springs, AR 71913; or Majestic Park Baseball Scholarship Fund, P.O. Box 6000, Hot Springs, AR 71902.
Online condolences can be sent to the family at http:// www.davis-smith.com.
Thelma E. Moore
A celebration of life for Thelma “Juanita” Eagle Moore, who passed away Jan. 1, 2022, will be 11 a.m. today, Jan. 6, at Lake Hills Free Will Baptist Church. Any food or flowers should be delivered to the church.
Online condolences at http://www.caruth-hale.com.
Faye Norman
Faye “Yolande” Norman, age 81, of Hot Springs, passed away Tuesday, Jan. 4, 2022.
Funeral services will be at 10 a.m. Friday, Jan. 7, 2022, in the Davis-Smith Funeral Home chapel, Hot Springs.
Interment in the Memorial Gardens Cemetery. Visitation: 6-8 p.m. today. Full obituary and guest registry at http://www.davis-smith. com.
Brook H. Nix
BENTON — Brook Hillary Nix, 26, of Benton, passed away Jan. 1, 2022.
Visitation was Wednesday, Jan. 5, at Regency Funeral Home.
Graveside services will be at 11 a.m. today, Jan. 6 at, at Pleasant Hill Cemetery in Donaldson.
Arrangements are by Regency Funeral Home. You may sign the guestbook at http://regencyfuneralhome.com.
Barbara A. Rush
BONNERDALE — Barbara A. Rush, age 73, of Bonnerdale, passed away on Saturday, Jan. 1, 2022.
Arrangements are under the direction of Davis-Smith Funeral Home, Hot Springs.
Full obituary and guest registry is at http://www.davis-smith.com.
Raymond Thompson Jr.
Raymond Thompson Jr., age 53, of Hot Springs, passed away Friday, Dec. 24, 2021.
Celebration of life service: 2 p.m. Friday, Jan. 7, 2022, in the Ark of Praise Church.
Cremation arrangements under the direction of Davis-Smith Funeral Home, Hot Springs.
Full obituary and guest registry at http://www.davis-smith.com.