Obituaries,
Rita Louise Craig Box
Rita Louise Craig Box, 61, of Noel, Mo., died Thursday, August 23, 2018, at Circle of Life Hospice House located in Springdale.
She was born Dec. 27, 1956, in Franklin County, Ill., to Virginia Lee Mayhue and Albert Craig. She was a traveling CNA for many years.
She was preceded in death by her parents; five siblings, Juanita Irene Craig, Patty Jo Perez, Albert Wilson Craig, Pearl Ann Ambrose and Charles Dennis Leeson.
She is survived by her children’s step-father, Billy Carl Roberson of Clinton; one son, Shannondoa Scott Capps and his wife Danielle of Iowa; two daughters, Christy Martin of Bentonville and Rose Crowder and her husband Montie of Lincoln; five brothers, Richard Earl Craig, Albert “Butch” Eugene Craig, Dentise Lee Craig, “Willy” William Lee Mayhue and Gary Louis Craig; six sisters, Mary Falletta, Zelta House, Verna Craig, Emma Gile, Lucy Darlene Compton and Cynthia Lee Pennington; 12 grandchildren and two great-grandchildren.
Interment was at Butler Creek Cemetery in Sulphur Springs. Arrangements were by Epting Funeral Home, Gravette.
Clark Ellis
Clark Ellis, 59 of Colcord, Oklahoma, died August 25, 2018, at his home.
Born April 7, 1959, in Siloam Springs, Arkansas, the son of J.C. Ellis and Beryl Spencer VanDyke. Clark was a professional musician and an elec- tronics technician. He attended Colcord Church of Christ.
He was preceded in death by his father, J.C.; stepfather, Gayland VanDyke and a brother, Keith Ellis.
Survivors include daughter Jamie Ellis Tims and husband Bryan of Siloam Springs, Arkansas; grandchildren Sarah and Spencer Stephenson; 2 step-grandchildren; mother, Beryl VanDyke of Decatur, Arkansas; brothers Lex Ellis and wife Renea of Siloam Springs; Tracy Ellis and wife Teresa of Tulsa, Oklahoma; Steve Ellis and wife Patti of Colcord, Oklahoma; Kevin Ellis of Vinita, Oklahoma; stepbrothers Stephen VanDyke and Phillip VanDyke; stepsisters Mellody Panzer; Missy Mehringer; Vanessa Wendt; and a number of nieces and nephews.
Funeral services will be 10:00 a.m., Wednesday, August 29, 2018, at Wasson Memorial Chapel, Siloam Springs, Arkansas. Burial will follow at Row Cemetery, Colcord, Oklahoma. Visitation will be 6:00 p.m. to 8:00 p.m., Tuesday, August 28, 2018, at Wasson Funeral Home. To sign the online guestbook, visit www.wassonfuneralhome.com.
PAID OBITUARY
James Louis Kirby
James Louis Kirby, or “Kirby” as he is known, died on Saturday, Aug. 25, 2018, at the V.A. Medical Center in Fayetteville.
He was born Nov. 25, 1925, in Vaughn, to Marshall and Della Kirby. He served in the U.S. Navy from Dec. 10, 1943, to April 7, 1946. He volunteered after Pearl Harbor and was a Fire Controlman Third Class, stationed on submarine bases in the Pacific theater. He returned home to Gravette and married Evalyn on June 8, 1946. Their union lasted 70 years, until Evalyn’s death in 2016. He served as Gravette’s postmaster for 34 years before operating a used car lot. He was active in the business until age 92. He was a volunteer fireman, lifetime member of the American Legion, past Master Mason of Bethel Lodge 232 in Gravette, active in Beacon Baptist Church in Gravette, and regularly attended the “liar’s club” at Teasley’s drug store.
He was preceded in death by Evalyn, his wife of 70 years; their daughter, Connie Kirby Bissell; his parents; and his brother, Norman Lynn Kirby of Newport News, Va.
He is survived by his sister, Elizabeth Elder of San Antonio, Texas; his daughter, Kate Kirby Wallis and her husband Rod; and granddaughter Kinley Morgan of Cave Springs.
Funeral services will be Wednesday, Aug. 29, at 2 p.m. at Beacon Baptist Church, 126 Main Street, Gravette. Burial will follow at Bethel Cemetery, Gravette. Arrangements are by Bella Vista Funeral Home & Crematory.
Frances Joan Newell
Frances Joan Newell, 77, of Anderson, Mo., died Thursday, Aug. 16, 2018, at the McDonald County Nursing Center.
She was born Jan. 12, 1941, to Harvey and Betty Bergman in Olathe, Kan. She worked at the Best Western in Neosho, Mo., before retiring.
She was preceded in death by her parents; her husband, Robert Newell; and a brother, David Hartley.
Survivors include a daughter, Rhonda Cannon and husband Brent of Gravette; a son, Ron Newell and wife Amey of Anderson; a sister, Glenna Hunley and husband Jr. of Manchester, Tenn.; three grandchildren, Desiree Croxdale and husband Matt of Gravette, Samantha Newell of Anderson, Joseph Cannon and wife Daeleigh of Gravette; and five greatgrandchildren.
A private memorial service will be held by the family at a later date. Clarks Funeral Home in Neosho, Mo., was in charge of arrangements.
Della Mae Tucker
Della Mae Douthit Tucker, 82, of Gentry, died on Friday, Aug. 24, 2018.
She was born on July 8, 1936, to Lee and Zona Douthit of Siloam Springs. She was a wife, mother and homemaker.
With the arrival of her grandchildren, she became Mama Del to almost everyone. She was an avid reader, a gifted seamstress and a talented painter. She was of the Christian faith.
She was preceded in death by her husband, Walker Berry Tucker Jr.; siblings, Marie Clark, Hubert Douthit, Eunice Rose, Valerie Tenbrook, Johnnie Douthit, Dee Owens, David Douthit, and three great-grandchildren.
She is survived by her sister, Pat Jones of Gentry; three children, Dee Criswell of Gentry, David Tucker (Martha) of Gentry, and Donna Hughes (Raymond) of Alexander; six grandchildren, Rob Owens (Shannon), Leslee Foreman (Tommy), Andrew Tucker (Suhana), Allison Thornton (Matt), Aimee Hubmann (Randy), and Jim Criswell Jr.; 14 great-grandchildren; and one great-greatgrandson.
Funeral service was Aug. 28 at North Bryant Baptist Church, with Matt Thornton officiating. Graveside services followed at Pinecrest Memorial Park.
Mabel Faye Ward
Mabel Faye Ward, 79, of Maysville, died August 23, 2018, at Siloam Springs Nursing and Rehab in Siloam Springs.
She was born Aug. 18, 1939, in Maysville, to Guy Ward and Josephine Maulding Ward. She worked as a line worker for Peterson Corporation.
She was preceded in death by her parents; three brothers, Bill Ward, Guy Ward and Bob Ward; and four sisters, Almeta Shields, Juanita Sislo, Laureta Talbot and Annabelle Philpott.
She is survived by her sister, Marcia Pritchard of Gravette.
Funeral services were 2 p.m., Monday, Aug. 27, at Maysville Bible Church, Maysville. Burial followed at Maysville Cemetery, Maysville. Arrangements were by Wasson Funeral Home, Siloam Springs.