Deaths Arkansas

ALPINE — Mattie “Betty” Robertson, 92, of Alpine, died Monday, September 11, 2017. Services will be Friday, 10 a.m., in the Amity First Baptist Church. Visitation will be Thursday, 6 p.m.-8 p.m., at the funeral home. Interment will be in Alpine Cemetery under the direction of Davis-Smith Funeral Home, Glenwood. Guest registry is at www. davis-smith.com.

–––––❖––––– BENTON — Charity Ann Lynch, 35, of Benton died September 10, 2017. She was born July 29, 1982 in Cleburne, Texas. Reception and visitation: 6-8 p.m., Thursday, September 14, Smith-Benton Funeral Home, 322 N. Market St., Benton. Funeral: 2 p.m., Friday, September 15 at funeral home. Services entrusted to Smith-Benton Funeral Home. Guestbook: www.SmithFamilyCares.com.

–––––❖––––– BENTONVILLE — After a courageous battle with cancer, Mark Anthony Witcher passed away Friday, Sept. 1, 2017, at his home in Bentonville, Ark., at the age of 48. Mark was born on Jan. 14, 1969 in Little Rock, Ark., to David and Marilyn Witcher.

He is survived by his loving wife, Theresa Witcher; his daughter, Taylor Witcher Christenson; his son-in-law, Daniel Christenson; his granddaughter, Aubrey Christenson; his mother, Marilyn Witcher; his sister, Stacey Witcher Lough; and 10 nieces and nephews. He is preceded in death by his father.

A memorial service will be held at 3:30 p.m. on Sept. 17, 2017 at That Church at 901 E Keihl Ave., Sherwood, Ark. 72120. Mark was cremated, so in lieu of flowers, please consider making a donation to the Mark Witcher Memorial Fund at www.youcaring.com/MarkWitcherMemorialFund. To sign the online guest book please visit www.mooresfuneralchapel.com.

–––––❖––––– BLUFF CITY — Funeral for James Sherman Tomlin is 10 a.m. Thursday, September 14, 2017 at Brazzel/Cornish Funeral Home with Rev. Jerry G. Westmoreland officiating. Burial, Bluff City Cemetery. Visitation, 6-8 p.m. Wednesday, September 13, 2017 at Brazzel/Cornish Funeral Home 1196 Hwy. 371 Prescott, Ark. Arrangements, Brazzel/Cornish The Funeral Home of Prescott, Eddie Brazzel, Director. Online guestbook: www.brazzelfuneralhomes.com.

–––––❖––––– CABOT — Henry Franklin Hawkins, age 85, went to be with the Lord Monday September 11, 2017 in the hospital at Springhill Baptist Health in North Little Rock, Arkansas. Born February 2, 1932 in Cushman, Arkansas.

Franklin is survived by his wife, Lula Mae Hawkins of Cabot; daughter, Donna Hawkins Gwinn of Jonesboro; and son Henry Hawkins and wife Sharon of Cabot; and daughter-in-law, Penny Hawkins of Cabot. Franklin was preceded in death by his first wife and mother of his children, Ella Sue Hawkins; son, Larry Hawkins; and grandson, Henry Dakota Hawkins all of Cabot; and brother, Leonard of Utah. He is survived by a brother, Ralph Hawkins of Bald Knob; five grandchildren: Bethany and husband David Miller of Jonesboro; Callie Hawkins of Cabot; Riley Hawkins and wife Kristi-Paige of North Little Rock; Jacob Hawkins of Cabot; and Quinn Hawkins of Cabot along with three great-grandchildren: Ella Cate, Annalisa Claire, and Henry Paul.

At a tender young age, Franklin became a self-sufficient and self-made man. Born of the late Henry Esbert and Lillie Bell Prior of Cushman, and at age six, he was orphaned and on his own. At the age of 16, the late Faite and Altha Denniston of Pleasant Plains brought him into their own family. He is also survived by three sisters: Shirley and husband Floyd of Branson, Missouri; Ruby and husband Wayne Stevens of Searcy; and Dorothy Pearson of Memphis, Tennessee and their loving families. Franklin had two step-sons, Robert and Phillip Leonard and their loving families of Monticello; and a host of nieces, nephews, and cousins. A strong Christian man and deacon, Franklin was a member of Faith Missionary Baptist Church in Cabot. An honorable man and a great provider, he proudly served his country in the United States Army as a Military Police Officer for two years. He was employed with GTE Corporation for 34 years. Following his retirement, he worked for Cabot Public Schools as a security guard for several years. A dedicated family man, Franklin treasured time spent with family. He valued people of all ages and had a genuine love and concern for their well-being. He will be remembered by many for the countless hours spent on the baseball fields coaching his children and their friends, investing in the lives of many young people.

Visitation will be Wednesday, September 13 at 10 a.m. followed by the Celebration of Life service at 11 a.m. at Faith Missionary Baptist Church in Cabot. In lieu of flowers, the family suggests a memorial contribution to Keep the Faith Foundation for Children Fighting Cancer at ktffoundation.org, 301 Bill Foster Memorial Hwy., Cabot, Ark. 72023. Arrangements by Moore’s Cabot Funeral Home. (501) 8435816. Online guestbook: www. moorescabotfuneralhome.com.

–––––❖––––– CONWAY — Diane Lynn Dow, 65, of Conway, Arkansas, went to be with the Lord on Tuesday, September 5, 2017. She was born November 7, 1951 in Burbank, California.

Diane was of the Methodist faith and a lifelong resident of Conway. She was employed as a licensed professional counselor at Families Are Special and Centers for Youth and Families. Diane was a graduate of the University of Central Arkansas and obtained her B.S. in psychology and M.S. in counseling psychology. She was a lifelong counselor both professionally and to everyone around her or anyone standing in line at Wal-Mart. Diane was also a big-truck driver for 3 years. She performed as Nellie Forbush in “South Pacific” in 1973 and in “Lil Abner,” a musical, with her husband Sammy in the Community Arts Production. She loved to sing and performed at multiple functions throughout the community. Diane also enjoyed Sci-Fi, exploring ditches and country roads, telling stories, and taking her grandkids on family adventures. She had a free spirit and was an adventurer who loved to go “junkin’.”

Diane is preceded in death by her parents, the late Fred and Joyce Mauterstock, and her beloved in-laws Erkle and Wainrite Dow. She is survived by Sammy Dow, her husband of 48 years; her children, Sara and Dennis Show and Adam Dow of Conway and Julie and Chris Dow of Jonesboro; her grandkids, Connor and Keira Dow and Kara, Sam, and Max Show, and her siblings, Dawn Bradley and Billy Mauterstock.

A memorial service will be held at 10:30 a.m. on Saturday, September 16th at Wesley United Methodist Church with Reverend Charles Sigman officiating. The family would like to extend a special thanks to the CCU staff and the second and third floor staff at Conway Regional, the CCU staff at Springhill Baptist in North Little Rock, and the long-term staff at Heritage Living Center. In lieu of flowers, please send memorials to Families Are Special at 2200 Main St., North Little Rock, Ark. 72114. Online guest book: www.rollerfuneralhomes.com/conway.

–––––❖––––– CONWAY — James Milbourne Ford, 72, of Conway was called home by our Heavenly Father on September 5, 2017 following several years of suffering from MS and other chronic health issues. He was born February 8, 1945 in Ada, Oklahoma to Robert and Pauline Ford who preceded him in death. He is survived by his wife of 20 years, Wanda Ford of Conway; three daughters, Amy Carley, April Taylor and Alisha Ford; six grandchildren Greta, Ladd, and Hays Carley, Emma Clare and Neely Taylor and Avery Ford; his sister, Margaret Roberts of Tulsa, Oklahoma; and stepson, Mike King of Conway. In addition to his parents he was preceded in death by his brother, Robert Ford and sister, Lois Price.

Jim had a fun-loving, outgoing personality and grew up hunting and fishing with his father in Oklahoma and Colorado. He was an avid sports fan and never missed watching an Oklahoma or Arkansas ball game. He loved to study the Bible and his greatest joy was to be with people. Visitors were always welcome in our home and he would sit and discuss the Bible for hours. For a few years he led a small group men’s Bible study. He loved to sing and was a talented tenor. He participated in several quartets, especially while a student at Central Baptist College, and more recently in the Conway Men’s Chorus. He sang in the church choir as long as his health allowed.

Jim began preaching at age 16 and pastored churches for 32 years in Arkansas, Oklahoma, Kansas, Missouri and Mississippi. He graduated from Central Baptist College, Conway, in 1979 with a B.S. and East Central University, Ada, in 1984 with a B.A. in history. Jim also enjoyed serving as an EMT in Arkansas and Oklahoma.

Memorial services will be conducted at Central Baptist Church in Conway on September 26 at 11 a.m. Reverend Don Chandler will officiate. Visitation will precede at 10 a.m. The family requests that in lieu of flowers donations be made in Jim’s memory to Lifeword Ministries or the Central Baptist Church food bank. Online guest book: www.rollerfuneralhomes.com/ conway.

–––––❖––––– DENNARD — Eual “Polly” Phillips, 90, of Dennard died Monday. Eual was a WWII veteran of the US Army. Survivors: children, Lisa Hewett, Jeff, Mike & Chris Phillips, six grandchildren, eight great-grandchildren, brother, Hubert, brothers-in-law, Verl Sanders & Leon Wilson. Arrangements: Roller-Coffman/Marshall. Graveside services: 11 a.m. Wednesday, Leslie Cemetery. Online guestbook: www.rollerfuneralhomes. com/marshall.

–––––❖––––– EL DORADO — Tracy Frances Klun peacefully passed away with her family by her side on September 11, 2017 in Sherwood, AR at the age of 55.

Tracy was born October 11, 1961 in North Little Rock, to Charles and Nell Hudson, received an Electrical Engineering degree from the University of Arkansas in 1984 and started working at Texas Instruments as a Process Engineer.

She married Michael Klun in 1989, moved to Batesville, Ark. and had two children (Sarah and Rachel). The family then moved to Fayetteville, Ark., Wichita, Kan. and lastly El Dorado, Ark.

Tracy left the corporate world to maintain a household, and raise and spend quality time with her children. She loved spending holidays with family and pets (Chloe and GiGi). She was extremely organized, constantly extended herself to others, strived to raise her daughters equal, and always had well planned dinners. She enjoyed playing tennis, bike riding, going to the gym, never missed a daily walk with her dog Chloe and nap with her cat GiGi, and ending her day watching the Golden Girls. Her biggest accomplishment was raising two daughters to become young ladies and see them both receive their first professional job offers.

Tracy was preceded in death by her father, Charles Lee Hudson, and is survived by her husband (Michael), daughters, (Sarah and Rachel), sister, (Lee Ann Hudson Jennings), and mother, (Nell Hudson).

Visitation for family and friends will take place Friday September 15th from 6 to 8 p.m. at Griffin Leggett Rest Hills and a private family burial will take place on Saturday September 16th.

In lieu of flowers, she wishes for donations to be made to Beauties and Beasts, Inc. in Wichita, Kan. or the Sherwood Animal Shelter in Sherwood, Ark. An online guestbook is available at www.griffinleggettresthills.com.

–––––❖––––– HOT SPRINGS VILLAGE — Eric Andrew Thibault, age 34, of Hot Springs Village, Ark., and formerly of Benton, Ark. died September 8, 2017. Survivors include his father, Jep Thibault, and brother, Jon, both of Hot Springs Village; and his beloved, Shelli Ann York.

Memorial service will be held at a later date. Arrangements and full obit at Ashby Funeral Home www.ashbyfuneralhome. com.

–––––❖––––– HOUSTON — Alvis Dale Leggitt, 77, of Houston, Arkansas, died Monday, September 11, 2017. Graveside services: 2 p.m. Friday, September 15, at May Cemetery with Bro. Jeremy Williams officiating.

Arrangements are by Harris Funeral Home of Morrilton. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to V.F.W. Conway, Ark. Online guestbook: www.harrisfuneralhomes.net.

–––––❖––––– LEXA — Funeral service for Linda Everhart Worstell, 70, of Lexa is 10 a.m., Friday, Second Baptist Church, West Helena. Visitation is Thursday, 5:30-7:30 p.m., Roller-Citizens Funeral Home. Burial at Sunset Memorial Park, West Helena. Survivors: husband, two sons, two brothers, three grandchildren, other family and friends.

Services directed by Roller-Citizens Funeral Home, West Helena, (870) 572-2571. Online guestbook www.rollerfuneralhomes.com/westhelena.

–––––❖––––– McCRORY — Ruth Ann Bergschneider Morgan, 72, of McCrory died Sunday. Rosary will be Wednesday from 5 p.m. to 5:30 p.m. with visitation following from 6 p.m. to 8 p.m. at Thompson-Wilson McCrory Funeral Home Chapel.

Funeral mass will be Thursday beginning at 10 a.m. at St. Mary’s Catholic Church in McCrory.

–––––❖––––– MORRILTON — Stanley Samuel Ewing, age 83, of Morrilton, Arkansas, passed away Monday, September 11, 2017. Survivors include his wife, Martha Ewing of Morrilton, and other family. Private burial will be at Smith Cemetery in Vendor, Arkansas at a later date.

Arrangements are by Harris Funeral Home of Morrilton. Online guestbook: www.harrisfuneralhomes.net.

–––––❖––––– NORFORK — Oneida Whitfield Stevens, 90, died September 9. Graveside funeral service will be Thursday, September 14 at 2 p.m. at Galatia Cemetery in Norfork under the direction of Eddie’s Family Funeral Home. Survivors: children: Larry Stevens, Paula Cardona; siblings: Levi Whitfield, Dean Whitfield, Helen Hathaway, Wilma Huff, Bobbie Sanders, Norma Speaks.

–––––❖––––– PINE BLUFF — Mrs. Gloria Jean Stoudamire, 62, of Pine Bluff, Ark. passed Monday, September 4, 2017. Funeral Service will be 11 a.m., Thursday, September 14, 2017 at New Town Baptist Church in Pine Bluff by Reverend Melvin Graves. Interment will be in St. Paul Cemetery in Bookman Community, Ark.

–––––❖––––– PLUMERVILLE — John Mathew Kreis, age 85, of Plumerville, Arkansas, passed away Sunday, September 10, 2017. Funeral services: 10 a.m. Friday, September 15, at the Harris Chapel. Burial at Walnut Grove Cemetery near Hector by Harris Funeral Home of Morrilton. Visitation: one hour prior to service, at funeral home. Online guestbook: www.harrisfuneralhomes.net.

–––––❖––––– PRESCOTT — Mrs. Margaret Alice Ward Ivey, 88, of Prescott, Arkansas passed away, Monday, September 11, 2017 in Fayetteville, Arkansas. Mrs. Ivey was born in Prescott, August 27, 1929 to Sidney Ray and Mary Barnes Ward. A retired Ceramic Maker and was a member of First United Methodist Church, Prescott, Arkansas. She is the widow of George Ivey, who she was married to for 53 years.

Also, preceded in death, parents; Sidney Ray and Mary Ward, and brother; Everett Ward. Survivors, daughter, Martha Smith, husband, Gary, Prairie Grove, Arkansas, grand-daughter; Holly Wooten, husband, Collin, Fayetteville, Arkansas, sister-in-law; Anice Ward of Prescott.

There will be no formal visitation or funeral service. Arrangements Brazzel/Cornish The Funeral Home 1196 Hwy. 371 West Prescott, Ark., Eddie Brazzel, Director. Guest register: www. brazzelfuneralhomes.com.

–––––❖––––– QUITMAN — Kenneth Russell Cook, 62 passed away August 28. Survivors: wife, Leyce Cook, son, Kyle Cook, brothers, Leon Cook Jr., Richard Cook, sister, Christina Way. A retired Navy Veteran his cremains will be buried at sea which was his request. His religious belief was Catholic. Arrangements: Family Funeral Service. www.dwightfamilyfuneral.com.

–––––❖––––– SEARCY — Billy Banks, 83, of Searcy passed away Monday, September 11th at his home. Memorial services will be Friday, September 15th at 10 a.m. at Searcy-McEuen Funeral Home.

All Cremation arrangements have been entrusted to Searcy-McEuen Funeral Home. Share A Memory: www.searcymceuenfuneralhome.com.

–––––❖––––– ST. JAMES — Bobby Gene Younger died September 9, 2017. Survivors include many aunts and cousins. Visitation is Wednesday, September 13, 2017, 5-8 p.m. Roller Crouch Chapel in Mountain View, Arkansas. Funeral services are Thursday, September 14, 2017, 2 p.m. at St. James United Methodist Church, St. James, Arkansas. Online guestbook www.rollerfuneralhomes.com/mtview2.

–––––❖––––– TRUMANN — Mrs. Anita K. (Duvall) Sangster, 54, of Trumann, passed away Thursday, September 7, 2017, at her home. There will be a memorial visitation Thursday, September 14, 2-4 p.m., at Roller-Farmers Union Funeral Home in Jonesboro. Online guestbook: www.rollerfuneralhomes.com/Jonesboro.