OBITUARIES
Lee Brown
Lee Brown, 94, died on Feb. 7, 2018.
His family includes Mary Box, Susan Hoffman, Kathy (Toby) Thompson, Marjie Hefley, Shirley (Matt) Clark, 11 grandchildren and three greatgrandchildren.
Funeral was at 10 a.m. Monday, Feb. 12, at Redeemer Presbyterian, Siloam Springs. Interment was at the National Cemetery in Fayetteville.
Arrangements were by Epting Funeral Home of Gravette.
Norma Lee Hendren
Norma Lee (Long) Hendren, 88, of Gravette, died in Little Rock on Wednesday, Feb. 7, 2018.
She was the daughter of Tommy and Floy Brannon Long of Maysville. She was of the Christian faith and found great pleasure in studying the scriptures. She taught an inter-denominational, multi-generational Bible study in Gravette for many years, teaching through every book of the Bible at least three times. She was an active member of Beacon Baptist Church in Gravette and served as church treasurer. She graduated from Jay High School, Jay, Okla., in 1947, and married Julian Hendren when she was 19. She worked as a bookkeeper at the Bank of Gravett and worked alongside her husband at the Western Benton County Farmer’s Co-op and Insul-Bead Corporation for many years. She also owned and operated My Mother-In-Law’s, a country store located in Gravette in the 1980s.
She was preceded in death by her parents; her husband of 68 years, Julian Hendren of Gravette; a brother, Harley Long; and two sisters, Imogene Wardlow and Yvonne Willis.
She is survived by two sons, Mike Hendren of Gravette, and Scott (June) Hendren of Little Rock; one granddaughter, Hayley Hendren of Bentonville; four grandsons, Jeff (Sundee) Hendren of Gravette, Wes (Tracy) Hendren of Sulphur Springs, Matt Hendren of Gravette, and Kyle Hendren of Little Rock; and five greatgrandchildren.
A memorial service will be held at a later date. Arrangements are by Little Rock Funeral Home.
Betty Joan Houtchens
Betty Joan Houtchens, 84, of Gravette, died in Rogers on Jan. 29, 2018.
She was born June 29, 1933, in Lexington, Okla., to Ed- ward Brock and Maxine Cooper Brock. She graduated valedictorian from Oktaha High School in 1950. In 1954, she married Doyle H. Houtchens. She lived in Gravette and Bentonville and worked with Doyle at Doyle Interiors until retiring. She was a bookkeeper and seamstress. She made draperies and upholstered furniture. She was an active member of Bentonville Church of Christ and taught Sunday school for several years.
She was preceded in death by her husband of 54 years, Doyle Houtchens.
Survivors include her children, Jo Ellen Davis and Sid, Roxy Picker and Kurt, Jeremy Houtchens and Michelle, Kirk Houtchens and Tammy, and Kent Houtchens and Kari; grandchildren, Jeffrey, Wesley and Matthew Hendren, Cory Jones, Casey Picker, Connor, Chad, Marcus, Matthew, Jamie and Alysa Houtchens, Leah Todd and Katie Houtchens, Bradley, Heath and Cordell Houtchens; and 11 great-grandchildren.
A celebration of life will be held at Bentonville Church of Christ on March 30.
Arrangements are by Bella Vista Funeral Home & Crematory, Bella Vista.
Harold Wayne Stayton
Harold Wayne Stayton, 81, of Vaughn, died Monday, Feb. 12, 2018.
He served in the U.S. Navy.
Survivors include his wife, Denise Stayton, whom he married April 4, 1982; sons; Ricky and Jason; daughters, Linda, Debbie and Sherry; sister, Betty; numerous grandchildren and great-grandchildren.
Arrangements are by Epting Funeral Home of Gravette.
Wilma D. Stewart
Wilma D. “Miss Daisy” Stewart, 76, of Gravette, died on Saturday, Feb. 10, 2018, at Mercy Hospital in Rogers.
She was born on Oct. 6, 1941, in Johnson, to John and LaVerne Dillard. She was an avid supporter of her husband’s ministry and a beautiful poet. She was also a talented flower arranger, leading to her nickname, “Miss Daisy.”
She was preceded in death by her father, and her beloved husband, Cal Stewart.
She is survived by her son, David McClelland of Fayetteville; two daughters, Tonya Coffelt (Bill) of Bella Vista, Gayla Riddle (Don) of Gravette; her mother; one brother, Jim Dillard (Sherry) of Fayetteville; seven grandchildren; and seven great-grandchildren.
A graveside service will be held at Mount Pleasant Cemetery at 2 p.m. on Wednesday, Feb. 14. Arrangements are by Bella Vista Funeral Home & Crematory.