Pulaski County

MARY KATHRYN McGREGOR ATKINSON, 88, of North Little Rock, Arkansas, went to be with the Lord on Saturday, October 31, 2015. She passed away at Baptist Hospital in Little Rock. She was born August 12, 1927, in Star City to Thomas Dewitt and Mellie Josie Leek McGregor. Mrs. Atkinson was reared and received her education in Star City. She was a homemaker, loving wife, mother, grandmother and served in many different roles as a ministers wife. She enjoyed sewing, quilting and gardening.

She is preceded in death by her parents; a daughter-in-law, Kay Atkinson; brothers, Joe and Ross McGregor; sister, Leora Felly; and a niece, Nathalee Wayman. Survivors include her husband, Reverend Donald Maurice Atkinson, whom she married on September 15, 1942, in Star City; sons, Larry Atkinson (Stephanie)

of Stuttgart, David Atkinson of Cabot; daughter, Mary Dee Cagle (Paul) of Union City, Tennessee; nine grandchildren; sixteen great-grandchildren; a great-great-grandchild; a niece, Margie Puckett of Little Rock and a nephew, Tommy McGregor of Star City.

Visitation will be 5 to 8 p.m. Wednesday at the Apostolic Church in North Little Rock. Funeral services will be 11 a.m. Thursday, November 5, 2015, at the Apostolic Church in North Little Rock, with Reverend Paul Ray Cagle, Reverend Donnie Copeland, Reverend Johnny Wall and Reverend Howard Hudspeth officiating. Burial will be 3:30 p.m. Thursday at Leek Cemetery in Star City. Online register at www.ralphrobinsonandson.com.

–––––❖––––– MARY ANN (WILLS) BEMBERG was born on May 11, 1929, in Wynne (Cross County), Arkansas, the fifth of eight children born to Aaron Floyd and Winifred Floy Wills. After the deaths of both her parents, three siblings remained in Wynne with relatives, and Mary Ann and four siblings were sent to the Methodist Children’s Home in Little Rock. Mary Ann remained at the orphanage until she finished high school. She was taken in by an older couple from her church, James Q. and Lucille Boen. She soon met the love of her life and married Gordon Bemberg and they had two sons, Gary and Jeff. Childless, James and Lucille Boen doted on the Bemberg boys and treated them like the sons they never had. They picked out a lot at Lake Norrell in Saline County and built a cabin so that Mary Ann and the family would have a place to spend weekends and holidays. There was always a big celebration on the Fourth of July at the cabin on Lake Norrell and many happy memories were made there.

Mary Ann never forgot her roots and managed to stay in touch with her siblings, Jim Wills, John Wills, Dorothy McGregor, Frances McGregor, Jerry Kraus, Frank Crabb and Jack Harrison. Their love for each other endured through tragedy, and though their lives went in different directions, they never gave up on each other. The Wills family gathers every year and will continue to gather to reminisce and celebrate the importance of family.

Mary Ann died Thursday, October 29, 2015, at the age of 86. She was preceded in death by her adoptive parents, the Boens, as well as husband, Gordon Bemberg, son, Gary Bemberg, and grandson, Brad Bemberg. She is survived by son, Jeff Bamberg (Sue), grandsons, Clay (Geri Beth) and Nick Bemberg, great-grandson, Brad Bemberg II, and countless nieces, nephews and friends who adored her.

A Celebration of her life is to be held at noon today, Tuesday, November 3, at the church where she was a member for over 60 years, First Lutheran Church, Eighth and Rock Streets in Little Rock. Memorials may be made to First Lutheran Church, 314 E. 8th St., Little Rock, Ark. 72202 or Methodist Children’s Home, 2002 S. Fillmore St., Little Rock, Ark. 72206. Arrangements by Little Rock Funeral Home, (501) 2242200. Mary Ann’s online guestbook may be signed at www. littlerockfuneralhome.com.

–––––❖––––– LYDIA PAULINE “BILLIE” BRADSHAW CLARK of Little Rock passed away in her sleep Friday, October 30, 2015, at the age of 90. She was born in Alexander, Arkansas, on June 29, 1925, and was preceded in death by her one and only sweetheart of 64 years, Russell H. Clark, her brother, Donald M. Bradshaw, her sister, Irene Carmen, her father, Monroe Bradshaw, and her mother, Lydia Bradshaw. She is survived by her daughter, Cheryl (Ronnie, deceased) Roach, sons, Ronnie (Francine) Clark, and Russell “Rusty” Clark, six grandchildren, Jason Roach and Ron Roach, Jr., Debra Roach McCuin, Lane Scott, Sarah Lee, and Jeffrey Todd Wilburn along with numerous great-grandchildren.

Billie was a 1942 graduate of Little Rock High School. Her husband-to-be entered the Marine Corps to fight in the Pacific in 1942, and they were married while he was home on leave in 1944. Billie grew up very poor. She was raised in a two room apartment with her mom, sister, and brother. She owned two dresses. She would wear one and wash and dry the other for the next day. She was extremely frugal all of her life, except when it came to her children and grandchildren. This was exhibited profusely on Christmas Day. Her selflessness to her family cannot be overstated. She was the stereotype of the 1940’s-50’s wife and mother. A stay-at-home mom, her devotion to her husband, children, and housework was her first priority. Her personal desires and comfort took last place. She was very much a homebody, preferring the comfort of her home and the visits of her family members to any type of travel or entertainment. In the last years and months of her life, the issue that concerned her the most was the time and effort that her family members expended on her care and service.

Billie was a member of Tyler Street Baptist Church for over fifty years, where she served in

the nursery for decades. She left this life without fear, trusting the promises of her Lord and Savior. Thanks be to God, she is now safely home.

The family would like to express special thanks and heartfelt gratitude to the Baptist Health System, especially to DeeDee Perry, her nurse, and to Heather Mistric, who bathed and groomed Billie in her final months. Family will receive visitors from 6 p.m. to 8 p.m. on Tuesday, November 3, 2015, at Griffin Leggett Healey & Roth Funeral Home, 5800 West 12th St. A public graveside will be held 10 a.m. Wednesday, November 4, 2015, at Roselawn Memorial Park, 2801 Asher Ave. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to Baptist Health Hospice, 11900 Colonel Glenn Road (72210).

–––––❖––––– RHUDENE DOCKINS EVERETT, 82, died October 31. Visitation: Wednesday, November 4 beginning at 1:30 p.m. at Howard Memorial Funeral Chapel in Melbourne. Funeral service: Wednesday, November 4 at 2:30 p.m. at Howard Memorial Funeral Chapel. Burial will be at Oxford Cemetery under the direction of Eddie’s Family Funeral Home.

–––––❖––––– LORENE LYNN, 67, of Jacksonville, formerly of Bono in Craighead County, passed away Friday, October 30, 2015, at Baptist Memorial Medical Center in Little Rock. Born in Newport to Charles H. (Buddy) Felts and Theodosha (McFarland) Felts, Lorene grew up in Swifton and lived many years in Bono before moving to Jacksonville earlier this year. She was a homemaker and attended the United Methodist Church.

Lorene was preceded in death by her husband, Jerry D. Lynn. Survivors include her son, William Lynn of the home; one sister, Mary L. Williams of Jonesboro; two brothers: Charles Edward Felts and Charles Wayne Felts, both of White Hall; three grandchildren: Chandler Dean Lynn, Daniel Patrick Lynn and Hannah Grace Lynn, all of Jacksonville; and one niece and two nephews.

There will be a graveside funeral service in Crossroads Cemetery near Lorado with the date and time to be announced. There will be no visitation. Online registry at www.emersonfuneralhome.com.

–––––❖––––– FARREL EUGENE (GENE) MASON, age 89, of Little Rock passed away Saturday, October 31, 2015. He was born at home to Florence Edwards Mason, a rural school teacher and James Francis Mason, a farmer, on February 23, 1926, in the Mason Community in the southwest part of Jackson County, Arkansas, near Bradford.

Gene was the owner and president of Rushing and Mason

Equipment Company. He graduated from the University of Arkansas at Fayetteville and was a member of the Sigma Chi fraternity. He was a member of the Country Club of Little Rock, Lakeside Country Club, served on the board of the Salvation Army, served as a Stephen Minister at Immaculate Conception Church in North Little Rock and a member of Holy Souls Catholic Church.

He is preceded in death by his parents and a son, John Christopher Mason. He is survived by his wife of 59 years, Cynthia Rushing Mason, his children, Scott Rushing Mason (Annie), James Francis Mason and Patrick Eugene Mason, his sister, Carolyn Anderson and three grandchildren, Matthew, Ryan and Jocelyn Mason.

Visitation will be Tuesday, November 3, 2015 at Holy Souls Catholic Church at 5 p.m. followed by a Rosary at 6 p.m. A Mass of Christian Burial will be Wednesday, November 4, 2015 at Holy Souls Catholic Church at 10 a.m. A private burial will be held at Calvary Cemetery.

In lieu of flowers memorials may be made to AETN, 350 S. Donaghey, Conway, Ark. 72034, The Arkansas Sigma Chi Scholarship Fund, P.O. Box 7591, Little Rock, Ark. 72217 or the charity of choice. Arrangements by Ruebel Funeral Home, www.ruebelfuneralhome.com.

–––––❖––––– WILLIAM (BILL) ANDERSON NORTON JR., 75, of Little Rock, Arkansas passed away Saturday, October 31, 2015. He was born on April 24, 1940 in Flint, Michigan to the late William Anderson Norton, Sr. and Pearl Stingle Norton. He graduated from Flint Tech High School in 1958. He was an insurance agent and a member of Eagle Point Church of God where he served as an usher. He was very active in the Lions Cub and former president of Pulaski Heights Lions Club. He was a founding member and president of Pinnacle Stamp Club. Bill was a stamp collector, active with E-bay sales and the flea market. He loved the Lord, the Razorbacks, gardening and was a Boy Scout.

Bill is survived by his wife of 52 years, Rebecca Jane Carter Norton; children: son, Christopher Norton of Little Rock; daughter, Mary Norton Martin (Scott) of North Little Rock; son, Patrick Norton (Kimberly) of Bella Vista; grandchildren Rebecca Norton, Jared Niggel, Leah Norton, Will Martin, Marie Martin, Caleb Martin, Aaron Norton and Sarah Martin and four half-brothers.

A memorial service is scheduled for 12 noon Thursday, November 5, 2015 at Eagle Point Church of God, 1111 Geyer Springs Road in Little Rock with Pastor Jerry Riddle officiating under the care of Roller-Drummond Funeral Home, 10900 Interstate 30, Little Rock, Ark. 72209 (501-455-5800). Visitation will be from 6-8 p.m. Wednesday, November 4, 2015 at the funeral home. Memorials may be made to Lions World Services for the Blind, 2811 Fair Park Boulevard, Little Rock, Arkansas 72204. Online guestbook: www.rollerfuneralhomes.com/drummond.

–––––❖––––– The Angels came for MINDA LEE NELSON REYNOLDS on October 31, 2015. Born September 22, 1944 at Higden, Arkansas, the daughter of the late Estel and Ima Cullum Nelson. Retired from Little Rock Furniture and Interior Decorators and a member of North Little Rock Pentecostal Church. Survivors, daughter Lisa Renae Dover, granddaughters, Amy Smith and Krista Shea Hand, sisters, Dorothy Yeager, Delone Robertson, Devone Snead and brother, Benny Darrell Nelson and her loving friend Terry Tackett. Visitation; Tuesday, 6 p.m.-8 p.m. at Olmstead Funeral Home. Graveside Service 1 p.m. Wednesday at Higden McLehaney Cemetery. www.olmstead.cc.