Obituaries
NOTICES OF PASSING
ARTHUR BRIGGS SR.
Mr. Arthur Briggs Sr. 79, of El Dorado, AR, passed away Saturday, January 23,2021 at Medical Center of South Arkansas in El Dorado, AR. Service arrangements currently pending with Andrews Funeral Home.
REBECCA JOHNSON
Rebecca Johnson 78, of El Dorado, Arkansas passed away January 25, 2021 at her residence in El Dorado, Arkansas. Arrangements for funeral service will be announced by Sims Mortuary.
REMINDER OF SERVICE
ALBERTA WILLIAMS
Graveside Services for Alberta Williams (75) will be held Saturday January 30, 2021 at 2:30 PM at the ST Paul #2 Cemetery in Marion. Visitation will be held Friday January 29, 2021 from 2 Till 5:30 PM at the Memorial Funeral Home Chapel. Services Entrusted to Memorial Funeral Home, Farmerville.
OBITUARIES
LEONARD “WILLIS” AYCOCK
Leonard “Willis” Aycock age 101 of Junction City, passed from this life, to meet his Lord and Savior, on Sunday, January 24, 2021 at Timberlane Health and Rehab Center in El Dorado.
Willis was born March 9, 1919 in Lillie, LA to the late Nora Grace Reid Aycock and Austin William Aycock.
Willis was a Staff Sergeant in the US Army, serving from 1941 until 1945, during
WWII. He later attended Louisiana Tech University, earning his Bachelors degree in Education. He taught at numerous schools in Louisiana and Arkansas during his career, before lastly serving as dean of students at Junction City, before his retirement. Willis was a 32nd degree Mason, was a longtime member of Bethel Hunting Club and a faithful member of Bethel Baptist Church. He formerly enjoyed farming, raising cows and raising a large vegetable garden, but his passion was running dogs and fox hunting.
Willis was preceded in death by his parents; his wife, Marion Aycock; his son, Jimmy Aycock; three sisters, Maxine Rockett, Arlene Rockett and Annette Washam; two brothers, Jessie Reid Aycock and A. B. Aycock.
He is survived by one sister in law, Willie Mae Aycock of Junction City, along with a host of nieces, nephews, church family and friends.
Visitation will begin at 10:30 am, followed by Graveside services at 11:00 am on Wednesday, January 27, 2021 at Roselawn Cemetery in Junction City, with Bro. Phillip Farris officiating. Burial, with military honors will follow under the direction of Bailey Funeral Home of Junction City.
In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made to Roselawn Cemetery Fund.
Please sign our online guestbook at www.baileyfuneralhome.net
LINDA KAY “ROCKIE” RAUERT DEBOBEN
Linda Kay Deboben, known to all as Rockie, passed away on Saturday, the 16th of January 2021, at the age of 76 in Houston surrounded by her family. A devoted wife, mother, grandmother, aunt, cousin and teacher, Rockie was born at the US Air Force Base in Big Spring, Texas to Ruby and Ernest Rauert on the 23rd of February 1944. Rockie grew up in El Dorado, Arkansas and graduated from El Dorado High School. She graduated from Arkansas State Teachers College (now the University of Central Arkansas) and earned a master’s degree from the University of Houston. Rockie moved to Houston in 1966 to teach German at Bellaire High School. Shortly thereafter she met her husband and the love of her life, John (“Jack”) R. Deboben, Jr.
Rockie’s faith in Christ was her foundation, and teaching was her passion. In 1975, Rockie joined Chapelwood United Methodist Church where she was a children’s ministry counseling teacher, on the UMW board, and a circle group leader. She enjoyed teaching Sunday School and Vacation Bible School to her children, grandchildren and others. She was also a member of the Houston Junior Forum and the Houston Audubon Society. When her son attended St. Michael Catholic School, she cofounded Cub Scout Troop 1354 with her dear friend Jan Redd. She taught English as a Second Language (ESL) for over thirty years at Lamar High School, Second Baptist Church, the Ronald McDonald House, Fair Haven, Casa De Esperanza and MAM. One of her proudest accomplishments was being awarded the ESL teacher of the year award for the HISD central area. She loved teaching
ESL and said it allowed her to see the humanity in people no matter from where they came or their station in life.
Rockie was an avid birder and enjoyed spending summers hiking in Colorado and winters fishing on the
Texas coast. Most of all, she enjoyed spending time with her grandchildren. She was grateful to help her daughter Paige with raising her grandson Jack and was so involved with his upbringing that she was known simply as “Grandmother” to Jack’s friends. Rockie was known for her inclusive attitude, selflessness, tireless energy, loving personality, and affectionate smile. She made the most of her life never saying no to an adventure or a game of mah jongg.
Rockie is preceded in death by her parents. She is survived by her devoted husband of fifty years, Jack Deboben; daughter Paige Deboben Ohlenburg and grandson John “Jack” Christian Ohlenburg; son John Raymond Deboben III, his wife, Cristina Maria Abascal Deboben, and grandchildren Maria Jacqueline Deboben, Catherine Carolina Deboben, and John Raymond Deboben IV all of Houston, TX; and sister-in-law Mary Juanita Warriner of Lexington, Ky.
A memorial service is to be held at eleven o’clock in the morning on Thursday, the 4th of February, at Chapelwood United Methodist Church, 11140 Greenbay Street in Houston. Guests may also view the service via livestream and the link may be found on Rockie’s online memorial tribute page at GeoHLewis.com and clicking “Join Livestream.” There, one may share memories or words of comfort and condolence electronically for her family.
The family will gather for a private interment at Glenwood Cemetery in Houston.
In lieu of customary remembrances, memorial contribution in Rockie’s name and in support Dr. Pamela T. Soliman’s ovarian cancer research may be directed toward MD Anderson Cancer Center, P.O. Box 4470 Houston, TX 77210 (http://mdacc.convio.net/goto/LindaKayD
BONNIE FRED HARPER JR.
Bonnie Fred Harper Jr. passed away January 23, 2021. He was born July 13, 1943 to Bonnie Fred Harper Sr. and Sybil Pratt Harper.
Bonnie was a 1961 graduate of El Dorado High School and graduated Spencer
Drone Business in 1963.
There’s no doubt he’s with Jesus Christ now. He loved his church, mostly his
Sunday school class. He was always looking for new jokes to tell. He loved to laugh out loud after telling a good one, especially if someone else laughed too.
He was a gentle giant for anyone around him. His wit along with him reminding someone about something they said years ago was always precious to listen to. His best gift was his memory. He kept up with birthdays, wedding dates, death dates and could tell you something you said or did years ago, or yesterday. The Razorbacks always kept his lungs purged out from screaming. He wanted them to win and score more even if they had a 30 point lead with a minute left.
He is preceded in death by his parents, and sister Dianne Lena Harper Cottrell.
Surviving him is his brother Kenneth Harper of El
Dorado Arkansas,
Graveside services will be held at Wednesday January 27, 2021, 11:00 am at Ebenezer Presbyterian Cemetery in Strong Arkansas, with Bro. Joffre Long officiating, under the direction of Young’s Funeral Directors.
Memorials can be made to Westside Baptist Church, 2400 W. Hillsboro, El Dorado, Arkansas 71730.
His human eyes played out years ago but his spiritual eyes became even brighter. His love for his Lord was a sight to listen to. He did not die of Covid-19. Please no mention that he did.
Condolences may be expressed online at www.youngsfuneralhome.com.