Pulaski County

TERRY WAYNE BENNETT, 57, Jacksonville, Arkansas, passed away January 16, 2019. Visitation will be Sunday, January 20, 2019, from 4 to 6 p.m. at A Natural State Funeral Service, 2620 West Main Street, Jacksonville, Arkansas; followed by funeral services on Monday, January 21, 2019, at 10 a.m. Online guestbook is available at www.anaturalstatefuneralservice.com.

Arkansas

AUSTIN — Mary E. “Betty” Williamson, 88, of Austin, Arkansas, passed away January

17, 2019. Visitation will be Sunday, January 20, from 2 to 4 p.m. at Griffin Leggett Rest Hills in North Little

Rock. Funeral services will be Monday, January 21, at 10 a.m. at Hilltop Baptist Church in Cabot. Interment at Rest Hills Memorial Park. Online guestbook is available at www.griffinleggettresthills.com.

–––––❖––––– BAUXITE — Justin Ryan Foster, 31, of Bauxite died Monday, January 14, 2019, in Little Rock, Arkansas. Justin was born December 12, 1987 in Houston, Texas, to James and Elizabeth (Smith) Crouch. Visitation with reception will be Saturday, January 19, 2019, at Smith-Benton Funeral Home Chapel from 11 a.m.-1 p.m., with service following.

–––––❖––––– BEEBE — Dan Reader, 80, of Beebe, passed away on January 17, 2019. He is survived by his brother, Richard Reader, McRae, Arkansas. Arrangements have been entrusted to A Natural State Funeral Service, 2620 West Main, Jacksonville, Arkansas. (501) 982-3400. His online guestbook is available at www.anaturalstatefuneralservice.com.

–––––❖––––– BRYANT — Michael Jeffery Turner, 27, Bryant, passed away January 14,

2019. He was born May 24,

1991, in Little

Rock. Memorial held at 7 p.m.,

January 19 in Bauxite, hosted by the Fearless Stunters of Benton. Contact family or Fearless Stunters for more information. Services entrusted to Smith-Benton Funeral Home. Guestbook: www.SmithFamilyCares.com.

–––––❖––––– CARLISLE — Otto Clay Swindle, 86, of Carlisle, died Wednesday. Survivors include one daughter, Linda (Lynn) Moore; two sons, David Swindle, John Swindle; 11 grandchildren, Joseph Swindle, Jennifer Swindle, Jerry Rye, Billy Drennin, Mary Rich, Brian Eslick, Matt Eslick, David Swindle, John Swindle, Monica Swindle, Cescely Swindle; 20 great grandchildren; two daughters-in-law, Janet Swindle, Beckie Swindle. Visitation is 2-4 p.m. Sunday, January 20, at Garth Funeral Home in Des Arc. Funeral services are 2 p.m. Monday, January 21 at Faith Missionary Baptist Church with burial in Hickory Plains Cemetery by Garth Funeral Home. www.garthfuneralhome.com.

–––––❖––––– CONWAY — James Hugh Graham, 73, of Conway, Ark., passed away on January 15, 2019. Visitation will be 6 to 8 p.m., Sunday, January 20, 2019, at Roller-McNutt Funeral Home in Conway. Funeral service will be 1 p.m., Monday, January 21st. at Roller-McNutt with interment to follow at Crestlawn Memorial Park in Conway.

–––––❖––––– CROSSETT — Thomas Harris Walton, 96, of Crossett, Ark., died January 17, 2019. Survived by two sons, Campbell Walton and Dr. Bob Walton and one daughter, Katherine Walton Harpole. Graveside service is 11 a.m. on Monday, January 21, 2019, at Pinewood Memorial Park under the direction of Jones Funeral Home, Inc. www.jonesservice. com.

–––––❖––––– DERMOTT — Connie Blankenship died January 15, 2019, in Rockwall,

Texas. She was born close to Dermott, Arkansas, on February

6, 1930. She had four children:

Mike, George,

Susan and

Mary Thompson. Viewing and funeral will be at Temple Baptist Church in Dermott, January 20th at 1 and 2 p.m. respectively.

–––––❖––––– DeWITT — Jean Wisdom, age 90, of DeWitt, Arkansas, passed away Thursday, January 17,

2019, at White

River Health

Care and Rehab at Calico Rock, Arkansas. Mrs. Wisdom lived most of her life in DeWitt, Arkansas, and the last 6-½ years in Mountain Home, Arkansas.

She was born May 14, 1928, in New Madrid, Missouri, to Wesley Anderson and Mabel Frances Hughes Bennett. She married Harlan Emmett Wisdom in May of 1947, in Arkansas County. She was a member of Faith Baptist Church in DeWitt, a homemaker, and formerly worked at the DeWitt Shoe Factory. She was a much sought-after seamstress in DeWitt, was a wonderful cook and an avid reader. She made her daughters’ wedding gowns and the baptismal gowns worn in the baptisms of her grandchildren and great-grandchildren. Her grandchildren were the light of her life. She was lovingly called “Aunt Jean” by her neighbors and friends.

Survivors are two daughters: Lynda Barnes and husband John of Mountain Home; and Nina Maddox and husband Joe of St. Louis, Missouri; two brothers: Dale Bennett and wife Edna and Doyle Bennett and wife Bobbie: all of DeWitt; four grandchildren: Curt Barnes; Andrew Barnes and wife Tara; Rob Maddox and wife Stephanie Richter; and Leigh Maddox and husband Ben Crane; three great-grandchildren: Ayden and Alyson Barnes and Marlowe Maddox Crane; and several nieces and nephews. She was preceded in death by her parents; husband; a brother: Wesley A. Bennett Jr. and sisters: Sylvia Loper and Margaret Ryan.

Visitation with the family receiving friends will be from Noon-1:45 p.m. Monday, January 21, 2019, at Essex Funeral Home in DeWitt. A Graveside Service will follow at 2 p.m. at Cedarcrest Memorial Gardens with Reverend Stan Swiderski, officiating. Arrangements are by Roller Funeral Home of Mountain Home. Visit our online guestbook at www.rollerfuneralhomes.com/ mtnhome.

–––––❖––––– FOUNTAIN HILL — David Wayne Kinney, 65, of Fountain Hill, died Thursday, January 17, 2019. Funeral service: 2 p.m., Sunday, Zion United Methodist Church in Milo, burial in Zion Cemetery. Visitation: 5-8 p.m., Saturday at the church. Funeral arrangements are under the direction of Jones-Hartshorn Funeral Home of Hamburg. Online guestbook at www.jones-hartshorn.com.

–––––❖––––– GRIFFITHVILLE — Robert LaVell Lewis, 79, of Griffithville, died January 16, 2019, at his residence. Visitation will be 2-6 p.m. Saturday, January 21, 2019, at Sullivan Funeral Care in Kensett. Graveside services will be 10 a.m. Monday, January 23, at Dogwood Cemetery in Griffithville. Complete obituary and condolences: www.SullivanFuneralCare.com.

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HOT SPRINGS — Ray Allen Jones, age 77, of Hot Springs, formerly of Malvern, passed away Wednesday January 16,

2019. He was born August 14,

1941, in Navarro

County, Texas, to the late Ray

Adlee and Lena

Bell (Hickey) Jones. He was an Investor and entrepreneur venturing in Central Arkansas Petroleum, J-Mart Food Stores, Big Red Stores, Real Estate Investments, H & L Poultry, Global Foods and Condominiums.

He was preceded in death by his parents and wife, Katie “Chris” Christine (McGee) Jones. Survivors include his daughters, Christy Hensley, Cindy Jones, Carla Jones, Cathy Bozeman, and Celese Marshall; brother, Paul Jones; sister, Linda Roughton; grandchildren, Audrah Zaben, Justin Fenter, Jarred Byerly, Maddie Underwood, Tiffany Byerly and Katelyn Webb; great-grandchildren, Rozabella Zaben, Zaiid Zaben, Nisreen Zaben, Ezekial Gonzales, Ira Gonzales, Veda Gonzales, Dayzhah Smith, Kamari Smith, Aiden Fenter and Kavence Fenter.

Visitation will be Sunday, January 20, 2-4 p.m. at Regency Funeral Home, 1839 Pine Bluff Street, Malvern, Ark. 72104. Services will be Monday January 21, 2 p.m., Regency Funeral Home Chapel with Bro. James Gentry, Bro. Jeff Davis, Bro. Artie Brown and Bro. Jim Dewbre officiating. Burial will be at Rockport Memorial Gardens Cemetery.

Pallbearers will be Billy Roughton, Wayne Jones, Zac Jones, Brad Roughton, David Jones and Eddie Jones. Honorary pallbearers will be John Grigsby and Robbie Brown.

Arrangements by Regency Funeral Home. Sign the guestbook at regencyfuneralhome.com.

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HOT SPRINGS — Willie McCoy, age 70, of Hot Springs, died, January

12, 2019. Funeral service will be 1 p.m. today at St. Mark Baptist Church, 542 Crescent Ave.,

Hot Springs,

Ark. 71901. In lieu of flowers, memorials are requested to the church in honor of Willie McCoy. Guest registry is at http://.www. carriganmemorial.com. Arrangements are entrusted to Carrigan Memorial Funeral Services.

–––––❖––––– JONESBORO — A gathering of friends and family for Alton Dunlap, 70, of Jonesboro, will be Sunday from 2-4 p.m. at Roller-Citizens Funeral Home, West Helena. Mr. Dunlap passed away January 17, 2019. Survivors: three children, seven grandchildren, one great-grandchild, six siblings, other family. Roller-Citizens Funeral Home, West Helena, (870) 572-2571. Online guestbook www.rollerfuneralhomes.com/ westhelena.

–––––❖––––– JONESBORO — George Scott Puryear, 98, passed away on Wednesday, January 16th,

2019, in Jonesboro, Arkansas.

George was born on November 28, 1920, in Paragould, Arkansas, the son of Neil Cosler and Myrtle

Scott Puryear.

He was a lifelong resident Jonesboro, Arkansas.

George is survived by his two sons and their wives, Samuel Scott and Georgia May Puryear of Jonesboro and Dr. George Scott Puryear, Jr. and Tommie of Wynne; seven grandchildren: Alison Puryear, Julie Puryear and her husband, Brian, Matt Puryear and his wife, Donna, Coy Puryear and his wife, Molly, Amanda Drosopoulos, Cassie May Charlton, Grant Charlton; six great-grandchildren: Joseph Kremers, Annie Crouch, George Crouch, Jackson Puryear, Winston Puryear, Mac Puryear; five nieces: Jo Ruth Wright, Carol Coker, Ann Syfert, Mary Scott Ellis, and Leigh Ann Puryear; and two nephews: Mel Hughes and Dean Puryear. He was preceded in death by his parents; his wife, Ruth “Babe” Secoy Puryear; a sister, Margaret Moyers; and a brother, Neil Cosler Puryear Jr.

After one year at Riverside Military Academy in Gainsville, Georgia, George attended the University of Arkansas, Fayetteville, for 3 years where he was a member of Kappa Sigma Fraternity and the Razorback golf team. He was commissioned in the United States Navy in September of 1942 and served three years, including ten months aboard the USS Tenacity located in the North Atlantic during World War II.

After returning from the war, George purchased a gin supply business in Jonesboro and began selling cotton tags and printing forms initiating a lifelong career in the cotton industry that would span seven decades. He represented numerous companies during his career including Buffalo Island Seed Company, Monsanto, Ennis Tag Company, Printed Systems, and Stoneville Pedigree Seed Company where he worked for forty-three years selling cotton seed. George and Babe also owned the Casual Bar, a clothing store in Jonesboro, for 17 years. Remarkably, George formally retired from the cotton industry when he closed George S. Puryear Co. in June of 2018 at the age of 97.

George took great pride in serving for over forty years on Jonesboro’s City Water & Light Board. His grandfather, G.W. Puryear, was a founding member of that organization in 1906. He was also a deacon in the First Baptist Church of Jonesboro, where he was member for over 80 years.

One of George’s greatest passions in life was the game of golf. He enjoyed a long and successful career as an amateur golfer that included more than 60 individual and team tournament victories over a period of 50 years. Many of the victories were alongside close friends and playing partners including Junie Dowell, Sims Dailey, Les Abernathy, and Dr. Grover Poole. Of his many victories, the most meaningful were the two ASGA Father-Son Tournament victories, one with each son: Sam in 1982 and Scott in 1990. He also often spoke of his 1963 victory in the J.W. Buzick Memorial Tournament over Hillman Robbins in a playoff, who later won the U.S. Amateur Golf Championship the following year. He was the longest living member of Jonesboro Country Club, where he had served on the Board of Directors, as a tournament chairman, and was a nine time club champion.

George’s greatest love in life was his wife of 67 years, Babe. They enjoyed their many years together traveling, attending Razorback games, and spending time with their children and grandchildren. George was always fastidious about his dress and appearance, and will be remembered for his humility, forthrightness, dry sense of humor and commitment and love for his family.

Funeral services will be held on Monday, January 21, 2019, at 11 a.m. at the First Baptist Church in Jonesboro, Arkansas, with brother Emil Williams officiating. Burial will follow at City Cemetery in Jonesboro under the direction of Faith Funeral Service. The family will receive visitors on Monday at the church from 10 a.m. until service time. Memorials may be made to First Baptist Church of Jonesboro, Veterans Association, or charity of your choice. Guest Registry: www.faithfuneralservice.net.

–––––❖––––– MOUNTAIN HOME — A Graveside Service for Marilyn Jean LaFleur, 67, of Mountain Home, Arkansas, was January 8, 2019, at Baxter Memorial Gardens. Marilyn died January 4, 2019. A Caregiver, survived by her sons; Chris LaFleur, and Jake LaFleur. Arrangements are by Kirby and Family Funeral and Cremation Services. www.kirbyandfamily. com.

–––––❖––––– MOUNTAIN HOME — Services for Timmie Webster, 60, of Mountain Home will be private. Timmie died January 11, 2019. A Construction Worker, survived by sons, Tim Borquez Jr., Randy Webster, John Hunt, and Anthony Webster; daughters, Krista Johnson, Ashley Webster and Mandy Webster. Arrangements by Kirby and Family Funeral and Cremation Services. www.kirbyandfamily.com.

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OLA — Hazel Woodburn, 85, died January 17. She is survived by two daughters, 11 grandchildren, 17 great-grandchildren, five great-great-grandchildren, and eight brothers and sisters. Graveside services will be 2 p.m. January 21 at Crocketts Bluff Cemetery. Visitation will be before the graveside at Essex Funeral Home. www.essexfuneralhome.com.

–––––❖––––– PRATTSVILLE — Carolyn Halbert Ashcraft of Prattsville, Ark., went to be with the Lord in the early hours of Thursday, January 17th at Baptist Hospital in

Little Rock. Carolyn Ashcraft was devoted to her family, especially her husband John, her friends, and community. She loved spending time laughing, reading a good book, and watching football. She was a member of Harmony Baptist Church for over 45 years. Everyone who knew her loved her for her quick wit and wry sense of humor. She will be greatly missed.

She is survived by her husband of 45 years, John H Ashcraft of Prattsville; one step-son, Randy Ashcraft of Richland Heights, Texas; a granddaughter, Haley Smith; and great-granddaughters, Olivia and Cadence, of Arlington, Texas; a sister-in-law, Jill Halbert; her nephews and nieces, Dain and Gina Halbert (Jacob and Shelby) and Kristie Halbert, all of Benton, Ark. Special cousins, Jimisu Stuckey of Seguin, Texas, and Kevin Paxton of Lansdale, Pa., and a host of family and friends. Carolyn is preceded in death by her parents, Loys V and Willie Bell Halbert of Prattsville; her brother Loys Halbert Jr of Benton; and her aunt Virginia Paxton Garrett of Little Rock. Pallbearers are David Paxton, Butch Paxton, Brian Harrington, Gene Sligh, Edwin Carter, and Paul Crutchfield. Honorary Pallbearers are Pauline Harrington, Leslie Kervin, and Judy Pumphrey.

Visitation will be held Saturday, January 19 at 10 a.m. at Harmony Baptist Church in Prattsville; the funeral will follow at the church at 11:00. Brother Pat Greer will conduct the services. Arrangements by Memorial Gardens Funeral Home of Sheridan (870) 942-1306. www.memorialgardenssheridan.com.

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ROSE BUD — Joseph “Joe” Barry Benton peacefully met his Lord and Savior on Thursday, January 17, 2019. He was preceded in death by his parents, Joseph B. Benton and Alma Mae Benton. Born on August 23, 1943, “Joe” Benton was raised in the Little Rock Community. After marrying his wife of 56 years Penni Boyd Benton, they settled in Rose Bud, Arkansas, where they raised their three sons. Joe was an avid hunter, fisherman and Razorbacks fan. He loved his grandkids and spending time with his dog Sophie. Joe loved Jesus and attended Mt. Bethel Free Will Baptist Church. Joe was in the US Navy for six years and worked on the Rail Road for 34 years.

“Joe” is survived by his wife of 56 years, Penni Boyd Benton of Rose Bud. His three kids Joseph “Barry” Benton, III (Brianna) of Rose Bud, Bryan Carl Benton (Kristal) of Vilonia, and Christopher Lee Benton of Quitman. He is also survived by his brother, Tim Benton (Pauletta) of Conway. Joe is survived by 14 grandchildren and six great-grandchildren and of course, his Sophie.

Visitation is Sunday from 6 until 8 p.m. at Powell Funeral Home. Funeral services will be Monday at 2 p.m. at Mt. Bethel Free Will Baptist Church with interment to follow at Mt. Bethel Cemetery. Arrangements by Powell Funeral Home of Searcy. www.powellfuneralhome.net.

–––––❖––––– WARREN — Darlene Brumley Evans, age 56, of Warren, Ark., died Thursday, January 17. Survivors include one daughter Tamara Waits and spouse Andy of Warren, Ark.; one sister, Debbie Thomason and spouse Pat of Warren, Ark.; two grandchildren, Jasmine Waites, Lillian Waites. Arrangements were by Frazer’s

Funeral Home. Online guest register www.frazerfuneralhome. com.

Out-of-state

JOPLIN, Mo. — A Memorial Service for Ronna Louise Letterman of Joplin, Missouri, was January 12 at Mountain Home Baptist Church. Ronna died in Ripon, California, on January 2, 2019. Survived by parents, Louise and Larry Hill and sister, Amy L. Smith. Arrangements by Kirby and Family Funeral and Cremation Services. www.kirbyandfamily.com.

–––––❖––––– COLUMBUS, Ohio — Flossie Mae James Hutson, age 90, of Columbus, Ohio, formerly of Monticello, passed away Monday, January 14, 2019, in Columbus. Funeral service will be 2 p.m. Saturday, January 19, 2019, at Kennedy Blvd. Church of Christ with burial to follow in Green Mount Cemetery. Arrangements by Stephenson-Dearman. Online guestbook www.stephensondearman.com.