Out- of- state
LARKSPUR, Colo. — Deione Hyatt Kugler, the world got a little darker and heaven a little brighter on January 16th when Deione passed from this life after a two year fight with pancreatic cancer. She was born in Pine Bluff, Arkansas, on August 21, 1951, to Alva Odell and Almarieda Hyatt. She attended Pine Bluff High School and then went on to Mississippi State College for Women, graduating in 1973 with a degree in Speech Pathology and Deaf Education. Deione was the Deaf Educator of the Year in 1973 and was offered a position at the Mississippi School for the Deaf which she turned down to marry 2nd Lt. John Kugler, and together they spent 26 years living the Air Force lifestyle, raising two beautiful daughters, Jennifer Kathrine Smith and Alison Deione Taylor while being stationed on both coasts of the U. S. several times as well as Germany and Japan. Deione ensured that wherever they were stationed that it felt like home within a month of their arrival. She also managed to use her degree as a substitute teacher, still allowing her to devote her attention to what she considered her most important job of being a mom. In 1997 at the end of Alison’s senior year in high school Deione took a job as a flight attendant, first with Western Pacific Airlines and then with Frontier Airlines. Because of her caring personality she was a natural at being a flight attendant and ensuring the comfort and safety of her passengers. Throughout her life Deione touched many lives with her caring and kindness, always doing what needed to be done and never waiting to be asked. Her passing has brought tears to many, including some of the toughest fighter pilots in the Air Force.
She is survived by her mother Almarieda Hyatt, her sister, Gail ( Bill) Saffold, her brother, T. Mark ( Chris) Hyatt, her husband, John Kugler, her daughters, Jennifer ( Lance) Smith and Alison ( Will) Taylor, and five grandchildren, John, Liam, Charles, Olivia and Maren.
A service will be held at Watson Chapel Baptist Church in Pine Bluff on January 21st at 2 p. m. Another service will be held at Sunrise Church in Colorado Springs at a date to be determined. Those who so desire may make memorial donations in memory of Deione to the National Pancreatic Cancer Foundation, P. O. Box 1848, Longmont, Colo., or www. npcf. us.
FORT MYERS, Fla. — Randall ( Randy) John Darnell, 66, passed away suddenly at his home in Fort Myers, Fla., on Jan. 14, 2017. He was born in Martin, Tenn., on Jan. 11, 1951. He graduated high school in Bartlett, Tenn., and obtained a bachelor’s degree in political science from Memphis State University. While in college, Randy was in the ROTC program and upon graduation was commissioned as a 2nd lieutenant in the U. S. Air Force and stationed in Blytheville, Ark. Randy began his career in the jewelry business by becoming a store manager in Altamonte Springs, Fla., and, later, in Jackson, Tenn. He was then promoted to Stiffts Jewelers in Little Rock, Ark., and he worked as manager there for almost 20 years. After this, Randy built a career as a traveling sales representative for various jewelry lines. Known as “Pappy Randy” to his grandsons, he would play tirelessly with them during his visits. He also loved his dogs Daisy ( deceased) and Cassie. His outgoing and energetic personality made him a friend to everyone and a success in his sales career. He was a member of Moorings Presbyterian Church in Naples, Fla., where he sometimes worked the cameras. Randy was a beloved son, husband, father, and grandfather who was deeply devoted to his family.
He is survived by his wife of 20 years, Dr. Jeanie Darnell; son, Dr. Scott Darnell ( Natalie); mother, Maxine Darnell; siblings, Richard Darnell ( Candace) and Lori Cothron ( Jim); and grandchildren, Owen, Henry, and Benjamin Darnell. He was preceded in death by his father, John Darnell.
Visitation will be held at Moorings Presbyterian Church of Naples, Fla., on Saturday, Jan. 21, at 9 a. m. for family and 9: 30 a. m. for friends. A memorial service will follow at 11 a. m. and will conclude with lunch in the Fellowship Hall. Donations in honor of Randy can be made to the Annual Fund at The Anthony School in Little Rock, AR, the Bearded Collie Society of Florida, or the Fort MyersHumane Society. Arrangements are by Fort Myers Memorial Gardens Funeral Home and Cemetery. They can be contacted at 1- 877- 936- 0555 or on their website www.fortmyersmemorial.com. CONYERS, Ga. — Bobbie J. Walters, 71, of Conyers, Ga., passed January 6, 2017. Funeral Service will be Saturday 2 p. m. God’s Way Fellowship Church with Rev. Dexter McDonnell Officiating Interment will be in Forrest Lawn Cemetery by Paradise Funeral Home of Pine Bluff. “Only Paradise Can Serve You Better!” STATESVILLE, N. C. — Tony Pike, 41, of North Carolina died unexpectedly January 12, 2017. Tony was born in Little Rock and was the son of Rose Winkler and Jay Pike. He loved the outdoors. And really loved his kids, family and job. He is survived by children, M’kennah and Dylan; girlfriend, Yvonne; his mother, Rose; brothers, Stan and Pat; and sister, Terrie. A memorial will be held Saturday, January 21st, at Burns Park at the Heritage house from 11- 4 p. m. UNION CITY, Tenn. — Rev. Donald M. Atkinson, 91, of Union City, Tenn., went home to be with the Lord 5: 25 p. m. Wednesday, January 18, 2017, at The Waters of Union City.
Funeral services will be conducted 2 p. m. Saturday at The United Pentecostal Church of Star City in Star City, Arkansas. Rev. Paul Cagle will officiate. Burial will follow in the Leek Family Cemetery. Visitation will be held at The United Pentecostal Church of Star City from 12 p. m. until the hour of services Saturday. Ralph Robinson & Son Funeral Home in Pine Bluff, Arkansas, is in charge of arrangements.
Rev. Atkinson was born December 19, 1925, in Star City, Arkansas, son of the late Charles Chris and Irva Sanyard ( Rupe) Atkinson. He married Mary Kathryn ( McGregor) Atkinson September 15, 1942. She preceded him in death on October 31, 2015. Rev. Atkinson had served as a minister in the United Pentecostal Church of 60 years and was also retired from the United States Postal Service.
He is survived by one daughter and her husband, Mary and Rev. Paul Cagle of Union City; two sons and one daughter- in- law, Larry and Stephanie Atkinson of Stuttgart, Arkansas, and David Atkinson of Cabot, Arkansas; nine grandchildren; 16 great grandchildren; and one great- great- granddaughter. He was also preceded in death by one daughter- in- law, Kay Atkinson; and two brothers, Rev. Charles Atkinson and Cecil Atkinson.