Pulaski County
TINA MARIA BROWN, 54, of Little Rock passed Friday, February 24, 2017. She leaves to cherish her memory; children, Varn Brown, Jr. ( Farisha), Khrystopher Brown ( Jo); mother, Eunice Stewart; siblings, Joseph Phillips, Jr., ( Donna), Joseph Turner ( Melissa), Aaron Harvell, Debra Smith and a host of other relatives and friends. A visitation will be held Saturday, March 4, 2017 from 10- 10: 45 a. m. with services beginning 11 a. m. at Eastern Star Baptist Church 2701 East 2nd Street, North Little Rock. Personal and Professional services entrusted to Hardy Funeral Home 5300 West 12th Street, Little Rock, Arkansas. To sign the online guestbook please visit www. hardyfuneralhomeince.com. “We Care, When Caring Counts.”
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On Wednesday March 1, surrounded by her beloved family, SARA WALTON KELLER passed from this life into the next. Sara lived 61 wonderful years, overflowing with love, family, and friendship.
Sara was born Sara Beth Walton on October 11, 1955 to Henry and Mary Jo Ann Walton in Clarksville, Ark.
Growing up, Sara exuded confidence and sheer determination to achieve what she wanted for her life. After graduating from Clarksville High School, Sara would attend the University of Arkansas. After her college graduation, some time spent in Houston, Texas, and time spent working for an interior design firm in Little Rock, Sara met the love of her life, Dr. Alfred William Keller Jr. Al and Sara were married on April 18, 1981 and shared 31 years of marriage until Al departed this world on March 5, 2013. During those wonderful years, Al and Sara stayed in Arkansas, living in both North Little Rock and Little Rock. Sara’s proudest moments were the births of her two sons Dr. Alfred William Keller III and Benjamin Paul Keller. Sara raised her sons to be kind, compassionate, loving, and caring, just as she was. She was always ready to say how proud she was to have her elder son, Will, follow his father into the medical field, and how proud she was that her younger son, Ben, went into the other family profession- education. In her final year, Sara had many blessings in her life, including the birth of her first grandchild, Annesley Wheaton Keller.
Sara is preceded in death by her parents, Henry and Jo Ann, and by her husband, Al, with whom she said she was looking forward to spending her eternal life. She is survived by her two sons, Will and Ben, her two daughters- in- law, Drew Garrison Keller and Mandy Ellis Keller, her sister, Susie Walton, her brother, Raymond Walton, a large extended family, and countless friends. Sara’s smile, her benevolent spirit, her positivity, and her graciousness will be missed by all but never forgotten.
A visitation will be held on Sunday, March 5, from 4: 30 p. m. to 6 p. m. at North Little Rock Funeral Home at 1921 North Main Street, North Little Rock, Ark. 72114. A prayer service will follow the visitation, concluding at 7: 00 p. m. The Catholic Funeral Rite will be performed on Monday, March 6, at 11 a. m. at Immaculate Conception Church at 7000 J. F. K. Boulevard, North Little Rock, Ark. 72116. In lieu of flowers, the family requests that donations be made in her name to Family Home at 300 West Markham, Little Rock, Ark. 72205. Online obituary at www.SmithFamilyCares.com.
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Lt. Col. ROBERT WILLIAM RUFFIN, USAF, Ret., 87, of North Little Rock, passed away peacefully, surrounded by friends and loved ones on February 26, 2017.
Mr. Ruffin is survived by three children: son Robert “Dan” Ruffin and his wife Kay, daughter Lea Cook, son Steven Ruffin and his wife Brooke. He was blessed with, but leaves behind, six grandchildren: Kaitlin Hinkle, Susan Szafranski, Christopher Szafranski, Joshua Cook, Nora Ruffin, and Carter Ruffin. He is preceded in death by his dearly loved wife Jeanne Ruffin and daughter Kathleen Szafranski. He was also predeceased by his parents Robert W. and Lea P. Ruffin.
Robert “Bob” was born in New Orleans on May 6, 1929 and attended Tulane University at the age of 16. He served in the USAF with distinction during both the Korean and Vietnam wars and participated in the Berlin Airlift and U2 pressure suit research and development. Prior to retiring, Bob was instrumental in getting training simulators for the C- 130 training squadron at the Little Rock Air Force Base in Jacksonville.
Bob was an intelligent and loving man but was also harsh and disciplined. He was well- traveled, loved fiercely, and helped many people during his life time. His life left an indelible mark upon the world and on those he loved most.
The family wishes to personally thank his close friend Sammy Williams who cared for Bob during his later years, and the staff of the VA Hospital for their quality care during his last hours.
The family will hold a private service at Griffin Leggett Rest Hills. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to The Veterans of Foreign Wars, www. vfw. org. Online guest register at www. griffinleggettresthills.com.
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NAVA PHIXAY SAYSENG, 76, of Little Rock, passed on peacefully in his home on Tuesday, February 28, 2017, in Little Rock, surrounded by his loving family. Mr. Sayseng was born in Champasack, Laos on October 10, 1940.
He is survived by his loving wife Ome of 46 years; his son David( Thai) and Cynthia of California; his daughter Sandy( Daeng) and husband Jason Mattingly of Little Rock; his daughter Tina ( Sy) and husband Ken Singkhek of Little Rock; and nine adoring grandchildren — Jordan, Caleb, Leslie, Mychal, Kenny, Seth, Lani, Kenzie and Lily. Also surviving are his Godson Chanthala, wife Jackie Southichack and daughter Natthaya.
Mr. Sayseng loved his family and spending time with them. He enjoyed gardening, hunting, fishing, karaoke and music. He loved laughing and having get- togethers with family and friends. He never met a stranger. He had a great deal of talent and ingenuity — he could fix anything!
Mr. Sayseng’s life and burial will be celebrated at 2 p. m., Saturday, March 4, 2017 at Moore’s Jacksonville Funeral Home & Crematory ( 501) 982- 2136. Sign online guestbook at www. mooresjacksonvillefuneralhome. com.
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KATHRYN M. SMITH, age 83, of Little Rock, Arkansas, was born on November 15, 1933 in rural Missouri and died at her childhood home on February 27, 2017.
She was preceded in death by her father, Clarence J. Smith, mother, Eula May Price Smith and two brothers, Clarence J. Smith Jr., and Charles J. Smith. She is survived by many cousins, but has remained close to Anita Gail Shanks ( Bill) of Marion, Illinois, L. Dwayne Hackworth ( Sandy), of Ellington, Missouri, and Lilian Price of Sartell, Minnesota. Mary and Bob Leckie and Deborah Beard provided caring services during Kathryn’s last few years. The Flock of Ages Sunday school class of Pulaski Heights Baptist Church provided many meals and ran various errands for her.
She graduated from Little Rock High School ( now Central High) in 1951, received a Bachelor’s Degree in English and graduated Magna Cum Laude from Ouachita
Baptist University in 1955. Kathryn was an independent career woman spending most of her working years at the Arkansas State Library, where she retired in 2009 after 32 years as Deputy Director for Administration. State Librarian Carolyn Ashcraft said that “Kathryn was a vital part of the executive team at the State Library.”
For over 70 years, she was an active member of Pulaski Heights Baptist Church where she enjoyed her Sunday school Class, played bells in the Hosanna Ringers hand bell ensemble, and was a charter member of the church- sponsored Hillcrest Camera Club. She was also active in the American Association of University Women and was a past president of the Little Rock Branch. She volunteered at the Sequoyah National Research Center at UALR and the Reynolds Center at UAMS where she taught computer skills to senior citizens.
A celebration of Kathryn’s life will be held on Saturday, March 4, 2 p. m., at Pulaski Heights Baptist Church, with visitation beginning one hour prior to the service. She will be buried near her beloved mother, grandparents and other relatives in the Masonic Cemetery in Piedmont, Missouri. Arrangements are by Ruebel Funeral Home. www.ruebelfuneralhome.com.
––––– – –––– HERMAN LASKER SNIPES, 73, of Mabelvale passed away on Tuesday, Feb. 21, 2017. Funeral services will be at 2 p. m. on Saturday, March 4 at Little Rock Funeral Home, 8801 Knoedl Court ( NW corner I- 630 and Barrow Rd.), ( 501) 224- 2200. Herman’s online guestbook may be signed at www.littlerockfuneralhome.com.
––––– – –––– DORIS M. THOMPSON, 101, of North Little Rock died Wednesday, March 1, 2017. She was born February 13, 1916 in Cabot to the late Joseph and Ida Barentine Robins. Mrs. Thompson graduated from Cabot High School in 1934 and began her career as a dental assistant in 1936. She worked both full- time and part- time as a dental assistant for three dentists until her retirement in 1972. In 1943 she moved to Oregon to work in a ship yard to support the war effort. She and her husband owned and operated the dairy bar in Cabot from 1959 to 1964. She was an active member of the First Baptist Church in Cabot and later, Sylvan Hills Baptist Church. She toured the Holy Lands in 1977 and made many other enjoyable trips with groups from Sylvan Hills Baptist Church throughout the years. In the late 1980’ s, she and her family traveled to California and visited many landmarks along the way. Mrs. Thompson was able to spend the last six years living with her daughter, Kay.
In addition to her parents, Mrs. Thompson was preceded in death by her husband, John H. Thompson, three sisters and one brother. Mrs. Thompson is survived by her children, Johnny Kay Green ( Jim) and James R. Thompson ( Janis), all of North Little Rock; grandchildren, Allen Green ( Tina) of Clarks Summit, Pennsylvania and Angela Stephens ( Todd) of Sherwood and great- grandchildren, Luke and Lacy Green and Jeffrey and Jennifer Stephens. Mrs. Thompson’s family would like to send a very heart- felt thank you to the nurses and staff at Arkansas Hospice for their wonderful care.
Visitation will be from 11 a. m. to 12 noon. Saturday, March 4, 2017 with funeral services beginning at 12 noon at Moore’s Cabot Funeral Home ( 501) 843- 5816. Burial will follow at Bayou Meto Cemetery in Jacksonville. Please sign the online guestbook at www.moorescabotfuneralhome. com.
––––– – –––– JOSEPH KENNETH “KENNY” THORNTON, 88, of North Little Rock, died Wednesday, March 1, 2017. He was born January 19, 1929 in Fordyce to the late Claude Francis Thornton and Ernie Tuberville Thornton.
He was also preceded in death by three brothers, John Cubage, Richard Thornton, Marion Thornton, and two sisters Francis White and Jackie White. He is survived by his wife Peggy Tipton Thornton of North Little Rock; one brother Bobby ( Joyce) Thornton of Fordyce; one sister Ruby ( Thomas) Vance of West Monroe, La.
Visitation will be Monday from 1 p. m. until 2 p. m. at Benton Funeral Home of Fordyce. Graveside services will follow at 2 p. m. at Oakland Cemetery. To sign the online register visit www.bentonfuneralhome.net.