Pulaski County
ANDY CRAVENS, 52, of Sherwood, died Friday, Sept. 18, 2015. Funeral is 10 a.m. Saturday, Sept. 26, 2015, at the Round Rock Church with burial in North New Hope Cemetery near Dover by Shinn Funeral Service of Russellville. Visitation is 5-6 p.m. Friday at the funeral home. Online obituary/guestbook: www.shinnfuneral.com.
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JOHN CHARLES HEUSTON, 79, died on the 23rd day of September 2015, in Little Rock, Ark. John was born on April 30, 1936, in Little Rock, Ark., the son of Charles Herbert Heuston and Essie Wright Heuston.
Though he grew up in Little Rock, his fondest memories were of hunting and fishing around his grandparents’ farm in Scottsville, Ark. This experience engendered a lifelong love of the outdoors and the state of Arkansas. John Heuston graduated from Little Rock Central High School in 1954 and continued his education at Washington University in Saint Louis, Mo., where he received a degree in journalism. He also spent eight years in the Air National Guard, serving in both the
Arkansas and Missouri National Guard.
He worked for the Fordyce News Advocate, the Baxter County Bulletin, the Arkansas Democrat and for Parks and Recreation before joining Arkansas Power and Light/Energy where he worked in communications until retirement.
A hunter and outdoor writer, he was a tireless defender of Arkansas’ natural resources. During the fight to save the Buffalo River and make it the first national river in the U.S. from 1961 to 1972, he gave a voice to those working to protect the river and public notice to all in the scenic beauty and natural resource that would have been lost were the river to be dammed.
An active outdoorsman his entire life, he wrote about the life he lived. He was a member of the Outdoor Writers Association of America, the Ozark Society, Arkansas Bowhunters Association, the Heritage Hunting Club, the Arkansas Pioneers Association, and the Civil War Round Table of Arkansas. When he wasn’t freelance writing about hunting and fishing, canoeing and hiking, he researched and metal detected for relics at just about every Civil War battlefield and encampment west of the Mississippi River. With family members on both sides of the conflict, it was a hobby that gave him much enjoyment and reflection.
In addition to his parents, John was preceded in death by his beloved step-daughter, Becky Moore Landreth. He leaves behind a loving wife, Margaret Harkins Heuston; his son, James Campbell Heuston and his wife, Kari Ann Heuston; and two grandsons, Sean Alan Heuston and Liam James Heuston. Special thanks go to the caregivers at the Ginny & Bob Shell Alzheimer’s Center and Baptist Hospice for their care and kindness.
Visitation will begin at 12 noon, Saturday, Sept. 26, 2015, at Roller-Chenal Funeral Home, 13801 Chenal Parkway, Little Rock, (501) 224-8300. The funeral service will follow at 1 p.m. at the funeral home. Interment will be at Forest Hills Memorial Park in Alexander, Ark.
In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to the Ozark Society Foundation, 707 Pleasant Valley Drive #10, Little Rock, Ark. 72227, or Alzheimer’s Arkansas, 201 Markham Center Drive, Little Rock, Ark. 72205. To sign the online guestbook, visit www.rollerfuneralhomes.com/chenal.
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ELOISE JOHNSON LUCAS, 99, of Little Rock, passed away Sept. 20, 2015. She was born in Nashville, Tenn., on Sept. 6, 1916, to the late James and Allie Johnson. After marriage and years in Nashville, she and her husband were transferred to Bridgeport, Conn., for many years until they were transferred to Little Rock in 1970. In 2011, she moved closer to her family in the Houston, Texas, area where she stayed until her death. She had a very active life both as an excellent tennis player and as a volunteer and Board member for many civic associations and at health care facilities. She was a past member of the Little Rock Racquet Club and Pleasant Valley Church of Christ.
She was preceded in death by her husband, Charles “Mike” Lucas, her parents, three sisters and one brother. She is survived by her son, Chuck Lucas of Katy, Texas; grandson, Richard Lucas of Cypress, Texas; granddaughter, Christine Champagne of League City, Texas; great-granddaughter Taylor Lucas of Cypress, Texas and two great-grandsons, Luke and Jake Champagne of League City, Texas.
A private family memorial will be held at a later date. Funeral services held under the direction of Schmidt Funeral Home, 1508 East Ave., Katy, Texas 77493, (281) 391-2424.
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BILLY HAROLD (BILL) MITCHELL, 89, was a long-time Little Rock radio and television personality and sales representative. He also was a loving husband, father, brother and dedicated family man, who strove to be an amiable companion along life’s way to all who knew him. Bill passed away peacefully Tuesday, Sept. 22, at his home in Little Rock, surrounded by family members, after a long illness.
The last 25 years of Bill’s professional career were spent at Television Station THV (Channel 11), where he served as a weatherman, news reporter and local sales manager. He previously worked at Television Station KATV (Channel 7) in several onair capacities, including assisting in developing and hosting a children’s program, “Mr. Specs.” He continued to receive comments and compliments throughout his life on the fictional personality he created.
Bill’s broadcast career began while he was in high school at Ft. Myers, Fla. The owner of a local radio station heard his distinctive voice and hired him as a weekend disc jockey. The high school newspaper also had taken note of Bill’s voice, saying his was “a terrific voice that definitely resembles the combination of Frank Sinatra and Bing Crosby.”
The voice continued to serve Bill well as he pursued a rewarding lifetime career in radio and
television in numerous markets. While at THV, Bill initiated a series of promotional messages in which military men and women stationed abroad sent holiday video greetings to friends and family at home in Arkansas. Bill also was a military veteran, having served in the Army in locations in the U.S. and Europe.
It also was at THV that Bill met the love of his life. Mary Connell was the host of a local noon program, “Eye on Arkansas.” Mary soon caught Bill’s eye and on May 15, 1966, she became Mrs. Bill Mitchell. The couple spent 49 happily married years together.
“Bill was a loving and generous man, even more than many people know,” Mary said. “He always made time for family and friends and was always ready to assist in community projects that gave positively to those in need. He was always able to maintain a positive attitude even in the most trying of times. He saw the best and brought out the best in people.”
Bill’s sister, Glenda Truman of Hot Springs, recalled, “Bill was the best brother a girl could ever have. He was 10 years older. He took care of me a lot and took me everywhere. Bill had a lot of friends and they all knew that if they didn’t play with me, they wouldn’t be able to play with him.”
Although Bill had enjoyed generally robust health for most of his adult life, he had suffered problems as a child, Mary said. “At birth, Bill was considered stillborn and the medical team attended to his mother. A nurse heard a weak noise and realized the baby was alive. Special efforts prevailed and he led a long and happy life.”
“Bill also had rheumatic fever twice as a young child and his parents were told he would not live to be an adult,” Mary said. “But he proved them wrong. He even won athletic awards in track, while his parents thought his only participation in sports was as a spectator.”
Bill’s appreciation for sports later manifested in a passion for golf. He and a circle of friends played regularly at Rebsamen Golf Course. They also made carefully planned yearly golfing excursions, until Bill’s health began to fail a few years ago. His prowess at golf earned Bill bragging rights to two holes in one.
Bill was born Sept. 9, 1926, in West Frankfort, Ill., to Ora Clark (Bill) Mitchell and Ilah Dell (Jackie) Mitchell. Survivors in addition to his wife, Mary, include his sister, Glenda Truman, wife of Wayne Truman of Hot Springs; two daughters, Markilyn Mitchell Davis of Hot Springs and Michelle Mitchell of Sherwood; six grandchildren and three great-grandchildren, and two nephews whom Bill regarded almost as sons, Derek Truman of Flower Mound, Texas, and Gary Truman of Golden, Colo. Bill was preceded in death by two children, a daughter, Kathy, who died shortly after birth, and a son Greg, who died at an early age of cancer.
Bill chose a private family graveside service.
“An account of Bill’s life, especially in later years, would be incomplete without mention of our recently departed little West Highland Terrier, Zack,” Mary said. “Bill loved Zack and treated him like a child.”
In lieu of flowers, memorials can be made to the Arkansas Children’s Hospital Children’s House, 1 Children’s Way, SLOT 512-24A, Little Rock, Ark. 72202. Memorials also can be made to the Pulaski County Humane Society, 14600 Col. Glenn Road, Little Rock, Ark. 72210.
The family would like to express
special thanks to Dr. David Hicks, cardiologist, and nurse, Rachel – as well as Dr. Kevin Roberts, primary care physician, and nurse, Paula for their exceptional care for Bill through many years. Their compassion and thoughtfulness to Bill, Mary and the family will always be remembered and appreciated.
The family also extends deep appreciation and thanks to the staff at Hospice Home Care, who compassionately cared for Bill in his home the last weeks of his life. Arrangements are by Griffin Leggett Healey & Roth. To view Bill’s online tribute, please visit at www.griffinleggetthealeyroth.com.
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TRENDIA PENN-HORTON, 39, of Little Rock, passed away on Tuesday, Sept. 15, 2015. She leaves to cherish her memory; children, Nahtali and Jesse Horton; parents, Thomas Penn and Ethel Wilbon; siblings, Tyrone Earnest (Chelsey) and Mariah Penn; grandson, Trendon Oliver; grandparents, Bonzie Wilbon and Birdia Penn. Funeral services will be held tomorrow, 11 a.m. at Gaines Street Baptist Church, 1601 S. Gaines St. The family will receive friends today from 6-7:30 p.m. at Hardy Funeral Home Memorial Chapel. Personal and Professional services entrusted to Hardy Funeral Home, 5300 W. 12th St., (501) 372-4129. To sign the online the online guestbook visit www.hardyfuneralhomeinc.com. “We Care, When Caring Counts.”
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DAVID WAYNE “BO” POPE II, 44, of North Little Rock, passed away on Tuesday, Sept. 22, 2015. He was born on May 8, 1971, in Little Rock.
He is survived by his mother, Barbara Kay Tucker of Little Rock; father, David Wayne Pope of Lonsdale; children: Kayla Anne Pope of Bentonville and Dakota Nikola Pope of North Little Rock; and sister, Brandye Pruss of North Little Rock. He was preceded in death by his grandparents Mary and Lester Pretty of Batesville and Paul and Faye Pope of Little Rock.
A visitation will be held on Saturday, Sept. 26, 2015, from 2-4 p.m. at North Little Rock Funeral Home, 1921 Main St., North Little Rock. A private burial will be held at a later date. In lieu of flowers, please donate to a scholarship fund established for his children at P.O. Box 22211, Little Rock, Ark. 72221. Arrangements by Smith-North Little Rock Funeral Home. Online obituary at www.SmithFamilyCares.com.
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GEORGE W. WALLACE, 99, of North Little Rock, Ark., (formerly of Alexander, Ark.) passed peacefully on Sept. 22, 2015. He was preceded in death by his wife, Josie B. Wallace and daughter, Delores Jordan. His survivors include: son, Bruce Wallace and daughter, Yvonne (Fred) Henderson and a host of family and friends. Visitation will be Sunday, Sept. 27, from 1 til 5 p.m. at the funeral home. Homegoing Services will be held on Monday, Sept. 28, 2015, at 11 a.m. at Sharon Baptist Church in Alexander, Ark. Interment will follow at Pinecrest Memorial Park. Services entrusted to Premier Funeral Home: 1508 S. Battery St., Little Rock, Ark.