OBITUARIES
Virginia Lee Brown, 90, of Gravette, died Monday, Jan. 9, 2020, in Destin, Fla. of natural causes.
She was a member of Heritage Baptist Church in Gravette and loved spending time with her husband riding horses and traveling. She was a school teacher and also worked beside her husband in their textile business up until their retirement. They had summer homes in Marianna, Fla., and Murrieta, Calif. After the passing of her husband in March of 2005, she remained in Gravette and then spent two and a half years in Destin, Fla., at Somerby Assisting Living, where she died.
She was preceded in death by her husband of 57 years, John L. Brown; and daughter, Connie L. Brown.
She is survived by two sons and one sister, Johnny L. Brown and his wife Sandy of Troy, Ala., Dan M. Brown of Destin; Verna Moore of Van Buren; seven grandchildren; and five great-grandchildren.
A graveside service will be held at 1 p.m., Saturday, Jan. 18, at Bethel Cemetery, south of Gravette.
Arrangements are by Bella Vista Funeral Home and Crematory.
Areta C. Coleman
Areta C. Coleman, 83, of Gentry, died Jan. 3, 2020, at her home.
She was born May 2, 1936, in Cherokee City, to Andrew Palermo and Elizabeth Dodson Palermo. She married John Coleman on May 22, 1970. She was a member of the Gentry American Legion, Disabled Veterans Association and the Eastern Star.
She was preceded in death by her parents and husband.
Survivors include her children, Larry Dalrymple of Gentry, and Jeanette Betts of Neosho, Mo.; nine grandchildren; fifteen great-grandchildren; two great-great-grandchildren; and a brother, Johnny Palermo of Fayetteville.
No services are planned at this time.
Arrangements are by Wasson Funeral Home in Siloam Springs.
Mary Janelle Hicks
Mary Janelle Hicks, 79, of Fayetteville, died Saturday, Jan. 11, 2020, at a local skilled care center.
She was born Feb. 6, 1940, in Little Rock, to Wilma Grace Allen and Ansel Wayne Polly. She loved cats, her children and sewing. She worked in production for Tyson
Foods for many years.
She was preceded in death by her parents; and one great-grandchild, Brandon.
She is survived by two sons, Bud Carson and his girlfriend Michelle Edmondson of Fayetteville, John Hicks and his wife Angie of Fayetteville; four daughters, Melinda Osburne of Gravette, Paula Cradduck and her husband Mike of Rogers, Christine Griffith and her husband John of Prairie Grove, Patricia Leming and her husband David of Elkins; eight grandchildren; and 14 great-grandchildren.
Visitation is Saturday from 11-1 at Epting Funeral Home located in Bentonville.
Khristal Nicole Lunsford
Khristal Nicole Lunsford, 39, of Gravette, died Jan. 3, 2020, at her residence.
She was born Feb. 16, 1980, in Pine Bluff, to Matilda and George White. She loved her family and grandchildren and enjoyed making others laugh.
She was preceded in death by her parents.
She is survived by her significant other of four years, Osice Locket; five children, Cody Lunsford, Sabrina Osman and her husband, Allen, Savannah Arenas and her husband Jake McKeever, Stormie Lunsford, Selia Vega-Perez; a brother, Jimmy Lunsford Sr. and his wife Tina; and five grandchildren, Jimmy Lunsford II, Chastity Lunsford and Shelby Benavides.
Arrangements are by Epting Funeral Home, Gravette.
Jo ‘Jody’ Ellen McMannis
Jo “Jody” Ellen McMannis, 72, of Hiwasse, died Saturday, Jan. 4, 2020, at Apple Creek Health and Rehabilitation.
She was born on May 1, 1947, in Ironton, Mo., to Norma Jean and William Bladdick. She enjoyed talking on her CB radio, listening to music and collecting coins and glassware.
She was preceded in death by her parents and two sons, David McMannis and William Isbrecht; one brother, Robert Bladdick.
She is survived by daughters, Sam Shaver and Carla Hanna Hopson; a sister, Carol Chambers; three grandchildren and five great-grandchildren.
A memorial service was held Saturday, Jan. 11, 2020, at Circle of Life Hospice in Bentonville with Jamie Lantzsch officiating.
Arrangements were by Epting Funeral Home in Gravette.