Pulaski County

ESTHER SPENCER CLEVIDENCE, 97, of Little Rock, died peacefully in her sleep on December 5, 2016. Her daughters were with her. Esther was born on November 30, 1919, in Little Rock to Rena Powell and Thomas Austin Spencer. She was predeceased by her parents; her husband of nearly 71 years, Everett Arthur Clevidence; brothers, Thomas Austin Spencer, Jr. and William Roe Spencer; and nephews, Kenneth Earl Bray and William Roe Spencer Jr. Esther experienced the Great Depression as a child dreaming of the good life she eventually enjoyed. She graduated from Little Rock High School and married Everett in 1938. Being a woman ahead of her time and an entrepreneur, she started a coffee shop for employees at Ottenheimer Brothers Manufacturing, which she grew to a full-service cafeteria serving breakfast and lunch, and then expanded to three full-service cafeterias at the new industrial location of Kellwood Company. She sold the business and began work at Worthen Bank, where she was Teller of the Year for several years. She retired at the end of 1984 to be a full-time grandmother, affectionately

known as ‘Duh Duh’. Esther had a loving and fun spirit and will be missed by those who knew and loved her. She was an active member of Mabelvale United Methodist Church and loved her church family.

Esther is survived by her daughters Beverly (Herb Weiss) of Reisterstown, Maryland, and Cynthia (Charles Crone) of Little Rock, grandson Andrew Crone, and great-grandson, Andrew Charles Crone, Jr. (‘Charlie’). Her son-in-law, Charles, was like a son to her. She is also survived by a sister-in-law, Betty Clevidence, nieces, Carolyn Clevidence Meins and Dorothy Spencer Becknell, and nephews, Denny Bray, Thomas Austin Spencer III, and Ron Clevidence and their children. The family wishes to thank UAMS, hospice, and assisted living caregivers and friends.

Visitation will be Wednesday, December 7 from 5-7 p.m. at Little Rock Funeral Home, 8801 Knoedl Ct. (NW corner I-630 and Barrow Rd.). Funeral services will be Thursday, December 8 at 11 a.m. at Mabelvale United Methodist Church, followed by interment at Pinecrest Memorial Park in Alexander. Memorials may be made to Mabelvale United Methodist Church, 10500 Woodman, Mabelvale, Ark. 72103.

Arrangements by Little Rock Funeral Home, (501) 224-2200. Esther’s online guestbook may be signed at www.littlerockfuneralhome.com.

–––––❖––––– HOWARD WILLIAM COLLINS, 68, of North Little Rock, passed away December 3, 2016. He is survived by his wife, Sue Collins; brother, Larry Collins; and nephew, Jeremey Collins. He was preceded in death by his parents, Howard and Lucy Collins, and brother, Robert Collins.

He was a Vietnam Veteran and a fireman for 31 years at the VA Medical Center at Fort Roots. He was an active member at Baring Cross Baptist Church, an organ donor and loved to golf.

Funeral Service will be at 11 a.m. Thursday December 8, 2016, at Roller-Owens Funeral Home, 5509 John F. Kennedy Blvd., North Little Rock, 72116 (501-791-7400), with Rev. Marty Watson officiating. Visitation will be one hour prior. Burial will be at Arkansas State Veterans Cemetery, Friday, December 9, 2016, at 10 a.m. Online Guestbook: www.rollerfuneralhomes. com/owens.

–––––❖––––– MSgt. ROY E. ERICKSON, USAF (Ret.), age 73, of Jacksonville passed away on Sunday, December 4, 2016. He was born January 23, 1943, in Chicago, Illinois, to the late Roy E. and Rita Marie Erickson. In addition to his parents, he was preceded in death by his brother, Ronald Erickson. Mr. Erickson retired from the US Air Force with over 20 years of service. Following his retirement he worked for Pulaski County Special School District, where he also retired. He enjoyed spending time with his family and friends, camping, and was an avid Razorback fan.

He is survived by his loving wife of 52 years, Dorothy Erickson, one daughter, Carrie Quarry, one son, Roy R. Erickson and his wife Roxanne, two brothers Edward and James Erickson, two sisters, Carol Borchardt, Barbara Hardgrave, grandchildren, Stephanie Erickson, Dale Hatten, Katlyn Erickson, Tierney Redding, and one on the way, great-grandchildren, Landen, MacKenzie, Emma, and one on the way.

Visitation will be from 5 p.m. until 7 p.m. with a funeral service at 7 p.m. on Thursday, December 8, 2016, at Moore’s Jacksonville Funeral Home. Interment will be 1 p.m. Friday, December 9, 2016, at Dowell Cemetery in Fayetteville with military honors. The family would like to thank the angels of Baptist Springhill Medical Center for the care given to Mr. Erickson during his last days.

Memorials may be made to the Razorback Scholarship Foundation or a charity of your choice. Arrangements by Moore’s Jacksonville Funeral Home & Crematory (501) 9822136. Sign online guestbook at www.mooresjacksonvillefuneralhome.com.

–––––❖––––– DONNA S. GALCHUS, 70, of Little Rock, Arkansas passed away, December 4, 2016. She was born, May 22, 1946 in St. Louis, Missouri to Denver and Marie O’Neil Smith. Donna was a founding member of Cross, Gunter, Witherspoon and Galchus, where she practiced labor and employment law and immigration law. She was a loving mother, wife, and friend whose integrity earned her respect with clients and high regard within the legal community. Her strong work ethic and involvement within the legal profession and community were hallmarks of her personality. She will truly be missed by all who knew her.

She is preceded in death by her parents. Donna is survived by her loving husband of 45

years, Kenneth; two daughters, Tiffany Senavinin (Rocklin) and Mary Cooper (Trey); grandchildren, Sophie, Lilly, Cross and Jax; brother, Dennis Smith (Jackie); nephews, Neil and Drew; and nieces, Rachel and Emily.

Visitation will be held from 6-7:30 p.m., Thursday, December 8, 2016 at Roller-Chenal Funeral Home, 13801 Chenal Parkway, Little Rock, Ark. 72211 (501) 2248300. Rosary will begin at 7:30 p.m. Funeral service will be at 10 a.m., Friday, December 9, 2016 in the funeral home chapel. Burial will follow at Pinecrest Memorial Park in Alexander, Ark.

Memorials can be made in Donna’s honor to Christ the King Catholic School Endowment Fund, 4002 N. Rodney Parham, Little Rock, Ark. 72212. Online guestbook: www.rollerfuneralhomes.com/chenal.

–––––❖––––– NANCY JO ASH LAKE, 83, affectionately known to most as Jo, passed away quietly and peacefully at her home in Little Rock on Saturday morning, December 3, 2016. Jo was raised in Atlanta, Illinois, a farming community, where she grew up in a family filled with music, laughter and friends, one of whom, Jim Lake, would later become her husband. Jo earned a Bachelor’s at the University of Colorado, where she joined the Kappa Kappa Gamma sorority, with which she maintained close ties for years.

After Jo and Jim married in 1955, they moved to Boston, where Jo earned a teaching certificate and became a school teacher to support the couple while Jim attended graduate school. They relocated to Chicago where Jim began his career, and Jo continued to teach 6th grade until she had her first child. She ultimately had three sons, all of whom credit some of their success and happiness to the positive and uplifting environment Jo nurtured during their upbringing.

Jo and family moved to Little Rock in 1973 so Jim could advance his career. A few years later, Jo went back to school to earn her real estate license. She worked as a realtor for several years to help support the family while Jim launched a new business. Jo earned deep respect from her colleagues and love from her clients for the care and attention she paid to every transaction.

Jo’s professional career was cut short suddenly by a brain aneurysm in 1984, but she bounced back remarkably quickly, and soon re-learned to talk, walk, read, write and even drive a car again, confounding the expectations of her physicians. Jo displayed this same incredible fortitude throughout her life; she faced numerous potentially fatal or crippling conditions from childhood, to early adulthood, to her elder years. Yet every time, she responded with the same positive attitude, refusal to give in, and broad smile.

Over the years Jo was involved in music, the arts, crafts and collecting. She played trombone as a youth, then piano for most of her life. As a young girl she learned to knit, and continued knitting through much of her adulthood. She became especially known for the baby blankets she made for children of friends and family. As a young adult Jo began painting, which she continued for much of her life, in a style influenced by impressionism.

She volunteered for years at the Arkansas Arts Center, one year serving as chairman of their annual fundraiser. Later, when Jo could no longer paint or knit, she insisted on keeping busy with a craft, so she made sets of dinner napkins for friends and acquaintances. Jo was a collector of antique furniture and quilts, teddy bears, rare coins, art, and beanie babies. She was an avid reader, and had a keen interest in politics. She was also a huge Cubs fan, and was thrilled to see them win the World Series.

Although Jo was widely known for her flamboyant outfits and bright nails, she will be most fondly remembered for the way she made people feel. Her positive outlook was contagious. One always felt better about themselves and the world after chatting with Jo. She had a knack for bringing out the light in people, and inspired everyone she touched.

Jo is survived by her sons Tom, Andy and Barry; their spouses; and grandson, Nicholas.

In lieu of flowers, the family requests that memorial donations be made in Jo’s memory to the Arkansas Arts Center, or the University of Arkansas for Medical Sciences, or the charity of your choice. A private commemoration is pending.

–––––❖––––– BENJAMIN WALKER JR., 68, of Little Rock passed November 30, 2016. Loving memories left to wife: Wanda Jean Walker, mother: Rachael Walker, children: Stephanie (Michael) Walker-Hynes, Benjamin (Marchita) Walker III, and Martiese (Deedra) Walker; four brothers, four sisters, and nine grandchildren. Homegoing celebration December 7, 2016, 11 a.m. at ACTS Church, 1224 Franklin Street, North Little Rock. Superior Funeral Services, 5017 E. Broadway, North Little Rock (501) 945-9922. Online guestbook www.superiorfuneralservices.com. Trudean Long Brown “Providing Services Your Family Deserves.”