Obituaries
DR. THOMAS HAYS BURNETT
Dr. Thomas (Tommy) Hays Burnett was born in Smackover, Arkansas on September 27, 1944. He filled his childhood in Smackover with family, friends, and athletics. He was a standout football, basketball, and track and field athlete for the Buckaroos. He also excelled in baseball and swimming. Upon graduation, the University of Arkansas offered him an athletic scholarship in both football and baseball, and Tommy joined his older brother Bobby as a receiver for the Razorbacks.
He was a member of the 1964 National Championship team and was named All- Southwest Conference his senior year.
His junior year he was drafted by the Pittsburg Steelers but decided to stay for his senior year and finish his college career at Arkansas. During his three years on varsity the Razorbacks were 29-3. He also ran track for Arkansas, excelling in the 100- yard dash (fastest time 9.7 seconds) and the 400-yard relay. After his senior year he was signed by the New York Jets where he played with Joe Namath for two seasons, including a Super Bowl III championship. He played a short time with the San Diego Chargers before retiring from football and beginning a lifelong career in education. After completing his doctorate at Texas A&M in 1972 he was hired at Missouri State University as a professor in the Physical Education, Recreation and Leisure Studies department (now the Department of Kinesiology). He was soon promoted to Department Head and excelled in that role for over two decades while continuing to teach. His signature Recreation Administration class, “ToBo” helped shape two generations of Recreational Administration professionals and he loved teaching it. After retiring from administration, he continued to teach until retiring in 2020 after four and a half decades in the classroom. Although he had a passion for teaching and administration, he found the most joy and reward in playing and coaching the sport of handball. He began playing, and was very successful, soon after his retirement from football and loved the sport for the rest of his life.
He taught thousands of students to play handball at Missouri State and founded the Missouri State Handball Team in 1987, which he guided into the most successful collegiate handball program in the world. His teams boasted 15 national team championships, 16 national women’s championships, and 8 national men’s titles. His program produced dozens of AllAmerican players, national champions, a world champion, and impacted hundreds of college athletes. He also served as the National Collegiate Handball Commissioner for several years. In 2011, the Missouri State Handball program was inducted into the Missouri Sports Hall of Fame and in 2020, his women’s team was inducted. Tommy himself was inducted into seven (7) Halls of Fame and in 2017, Missouri State University named their handball courts the Dr. Thomas H. Burnett Handball Courts. All of his professional accolades and accomplishments, however, pale in comparison to his favorite role as a father, grandfather and mentor. In 1965, Tommy married Jo Belle Hailey and they were married for 26 years. Tommy and JoBelle have three children: Dr. Greg Burnett (wife-Melinda), Jeni Hopkins (husband-Scott), and Jeff Burnett (wife Courtney). In 1995, Tommy married Tammy Boyd and adopted and embraced a daughter, Sharayah Domerese (Matt). Tommy cherished his children and was the best dad they could have ever hoped for. He coached their football, baseball, and basketball teams as youth, along with other activities, and never missed a game or endeavor and was a supportive and loving father. He loved sharing his passion for sports with them and his love for nature, often taking them camping and on nature hikes. He loved animals and most of all vegetables! He was as involved a father as anyone on the planet and truly loved being around his children… until the grandchildren came along. His grandchildren included: Hailey Jo Hopkins (Jeni), Nick Jeffrey Burnett (Jeff), Hayden Thomas Hopkins (Jeni), Isaak Thomas Burnett (Greg), Allison Belle Burnett (Greg), Zoe Renea Raleigh (Sharayah), Brynlee Olivia Burnett (Jeff), and Harper Grace, Taylor Jo, and Ella Kay Domerese (Sharayah). He adored and loved his grandchildren and enjoyed immensely spending time with them and watching them play sports and be involved in activities. He was always positive and motivating. His inspirational gift stemmed from not just seeing potential in someone but motivating them to reach it. His magnetic personality was filled with an energy, enthusiasm, and a passion for life that was contagious. Anyone who met him wanted to know him. Anyone that knew him loved him. His sense of humor was unmatched, and his larger-than-life personality touched many. He lived life with fullness and a spiritual love for all. He is remembered and missed by so many. He was preceded in death by his parents, Clell and Frances (Myers) Burnett and his older brother, Bobby. He is survived by his wife, Tammy, the children, and grandchildren mentioned above, his younger brother, Bill Burnett (Linda), and a host of cousins, nieces, and nephews. A Celebration of Life is planned for September 18, 2021, and further details will be announced by the family. Handball was a big part of his life, and his legacy will live on in his Missouri State University Handball Program. In lieu of flowers or gifts, donations to the Springfield Handball Club supporting MSU Handball would be appreciated. Make checks payable to Springfield Handball Club and send to 1433 E. Stanford, Springfield, Missouri 65804, or PayPal to MSUHandballTeam@gmail.com. You may also choose to donate to the Michael J. Fox Foundation supporting Parkinson’s research.
The strength of the wolf is in the pack, and the strength of the pack is in the wolf.
DAVID MILTON CROSS
David Milton Cross, 68, of El Dorado, Arkansas, passed away on Wednesday, July 28, 2021. He was born on December 17, 1952 in Hamburg, AR to Willie and Jo May Savage Cross. Before retiring, David worked as an auto mechanic. He was an avid hunter and fisherman.
He is preceded in death by his parents; his wife, Mary Cross and one brother, Herman Cross.
His memory will forever be cherished by his son, Gene Cross of Charleston, AR; one daughter, Leasha Koon of South Korea; five grandchildren, Madalyn Victoria Vega, Peyton Ryan Koon, Isabella Novell Koon, Savanna Grace Koon and Sydney Drew Cross; three brothers, Emory Ed Cross of Hamburg, AR, Lewis Melvin Cross of Crossett, AR and Bobby Wayne Cross of El Dorado, AR along with a host of nieces, nephews and friends.
A Celebration of Life Service was held at 2:00 p.m. on Saturday, July 31, 2021 at Jones Funeral Home Chapel in Crossett, AR with Bro. David Williams officiating. Pallbearers were Devin Triplet, Tracy Agans, Jo Ray, Reggie Cross, Joshua Cross and Richard Cross. Interment is in Carlock Cemetery under the direction of Jones Funeral Home, Inc.
Visitation was held from 6:00 p.m. until 8:00 p.m. on Friday, July 30, 2021 at Jones Funeral Home Chapel. www.jonesservice.com
SARAH CECILE SANDERS HAMMONS
Sarah Cecile Sanders Hammons, 80, of Madison, Alabama passed away on Sunday, August 1, 2021 in Madison, Alabama.
Cecile was born August 23, 1940 in El Dorado, Arkansas. She graduated from El Dorado High School in 1958. She was married to her high school sweetheart, Thomas, for 48 years. Cecile was a United States Air Force wife from 1962 – 1982 supporting her husband and children as they lived across the country and in Okinawa, Japan. She spent the next 18 years in Alamogordo, New Mexico where her husband worked as a civilian test pilot at White Sands Missile Range. Cecile was a devoted wife, mother and member of her community. She and her husband retired to El Dorado in 2001.
Cecile is preceded in death by her husband, Thomas Monroe Hammons; sons, Thomas Christopher Hammons and Ryan Allen Hammons; father, Armand Cecil Sanders; mother, Nancy Frazier Sanders; brother, Chenier Johnny “John” Sanders and sister-in-law, Elizabeth S. Sanders.
Cecile is survived by her son, Jason Monroe Hammons and his wife Amy Ryan of Albuquerque, New Mexico; daughter Sarah Hammons Sledge and her husband George Searcy Sledge of Madison, Alabama; granddaughter, Sarah Searcy Sledge and her husband Andrew Reid Becker of Birmingham, Alabama; grandson, Raney Alexander Sledge of Roanoke, Virginia; great-grandson John Monroe Becker; nephew, Michael Chenier Sanders and his wife Angela Gore Sanders of Missouri City, Texas; nephew, John Coleman Sanders and his wife Laura Jacobs Sanders of Timnath, Colorado; grand-niece and grand-nephews, Jackson Lee Sanders, Harrison Chenier Sanders, Greyson Gore Sanders, Lena Forsty Sanders and Jake Glarner Sanders.
A private graveside service will be held under the direction of Young’s Funeral Directors with the Rev. Robert Wetherington officiating. Condolences may be made online at www.youngsfuneralhome.com
EDDIE SMITH
Eddie Smith, 73 of Magnolia, Arkansas passed away on Monday, August 2, 2021 at his home surrounded by his family.
He was born October 22, 1947 in Magnolia to the late Jessie Edgar Smith and Venetia Oleta (Wisener) Smith. He was a member of Immanual Baptist Church, the American Legion, played bass for twenty plus years, loved music and his family, and anyone he met. He never met a stranger.
He proudly served his country in the United States Army from May 10, 1967 to May 9, 1973. He retired from Magnolia Police Department where he was a dispatcher for over 30 plus years.
Eddie is preceded in death by his parents; grandmother Leola Wisener; brother Jimmy Wayne Smith; sister Martha Cheatham, and three brothers in law, Dewey Cheatham, George Montgomery, and Eddie Souter.
Eddie is survived by his wife Diane Montgomery Smith of Magnolia; daughter Stacy Stanton of Ellwood City, Pennsylvania; brother Derrill Smith and wife Lydia of El Dorado; sister in law Mary Souter of Taylor; three brothers in law, Richard Montgomery, Billy Montgomery, and Bryan Montgomery all of Magnolia; and two nephews, Scott Smith and wife Ashley of El Dorado, Arkansas and Jeff Smith of Fayetteville, Arkansas.
Visitation with the family will be Wednesday, August 4, 2021 from 1:00 to 2:00 pm at Lewis Funeral Home, Inc. with a graveside service to follow at 2:30 pm at Memorial Park Cemetery with Bro. Allen Garrett officiating. Memorial donations may be made to Lewis Funeral Home, Inc., PO Box 38, Magnolia, Arkansas 71753 to assist the family with funeral expenses. To sign the online guest book or share a memory visit www.lewisfuneralhome.biz
JOYS W. (DUKE) KING
The life of Joys W. (Duke) King, a Husband, Father, Grandfather, Brother, Uncle, Hero, Protector, Provider, and Survivor. Joys, also known to most as George, was born on September 9, 1947, to the late Malcolm and Margaret King (preceded in death) in Lawson, Arkansas. The 9th child, he grew up in a large family.
After a courageous battle with cancer for 14 years, he was called home on July 26, 2021 at home surrounded by family.
He leaves to cherish his memories, his loving wife, Blossom
King; four daughters, Adrienne
Hicks (preceded in death),
Ernestine, Andreana, Blossom
(Edward); one son, Joys (Kyra) of Detroit; a nephew he raised as a son, Jamie Barnes of
Detroit; four brothers, Samuel
(Netti), Russel (Helen), Frank, and Donald (Ida); and one sister, Ruth (O.B.), all residing in Arkansas; Twelve grandchildren, one great-granddaughter; one brother-in-law, Elbert (Denise); one sister-in-law, Mattie of Michigan, and a host of nieces, nephews, and other relatives and friends. Joys was welcomed into Heaven by his six brothers and two sisters.
Graveside service will be held today at 3 p.m. at Mt. Zion Urbana Cemetery under the direction of Sims Mortuary. Sign the guest book at www.simsmoratury.com
NORMA JANETTE MCBRIDE
Norma Janette McBride, 72, of El Dorado, Arkansas, peacefully passed on August 5th, 2021 in El Dorado of complications from Multiple Sclerosis, a condition she quietly and resolutely endured for 35 years.
Norma was born May 12, 1949 in Prescott, Arkansas. She was a 1967 graduate of Fairview High School in Camden, Arkansas, and earned her degree in early childhood education from Southern State College (now Southern Arkansas University) in Magnolia, Arkansas, in 1974.
Norma taught kindergarten in public schools in Magnolia, Saratoga and El Dorado for over a decade before taking early retirement due to the progression of MS.
Norma was preceded in death by her parents Millard and Elloene McBride of Bluff City, Arkansas. She is survived by her son Yancey Kyle, his wife Brandy and their children Tallis Kyle, Baylee Jones and Blane Jones of El Dorado. She also is survived by her brother Doug McBride, his wife Sarah and their sons Brandon, Breck, Brady and Bradley McBride, all of Austin, Texas, and by numerous cousins, great-nieces and great-nephews.
She grew up in Bluff City, Magnolia, Chidester and Camden. As a 40-year resident of El Dorado she was a long-time faithful member of the College Avenue Church of Christ. Norma was a devoted and loving mother and grandmother, imparting surprising wit and humor with honest and Godly advice.
She loved and trusted the Lord, as was evident to all who knew her. When others may have succumbed to self-pity or cynicism, Norma turned to her faith throughout her decades-long battle with MS. She faced each day and challenge of the disease with calm resolve, rarely if ever asking, “Why me?” Her example and memory will be cherished by all who knew and loved her.
Her funeral service will be held at 11:00 a.m. on August 9th, 2021 at the College Avenue Church of Christ, 1817 N. College Avenue in El Dorado, under the direction of Young’s Funeral Home, with minister Kent Jobe officiating. A visitation period will immediately precede the funeral service at the church, at 10:00 a.m. Burial will be at 2:00 p.m. on the same date at Bluff City Cemetery on Highway 24 in Bluff City.
The family wishes to express its deepest gratitude to: Tina Thomas, LPN and Dr. Ezinine Nwude of the Medical Center of South Arkansas as well as the entire staff of LifeTouch Hospice in El Dorado for keeping Norma pain-free and comfortable in her final days. Her final years were blessed by her long-time and loving caretakers Michael Hanby and Regina Harris. The family would also like to thank the staff and members of the College Avenue Church of Christ and Norma’s multitude of friends who continually supported and looked after her.
In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to the John R. Williamson LifeTouch Hospice House in Norma’s memory.
Condolences can be expressed online at www.youngsfuneralhome.com
ODELL WALLER
Odell was born on October 29, 1960, to the late Arseller and Catherine Waller in Odessa, Texas.
On July 23, 2021, he departed this life at the Michael unit Hospice in Tennessee Colony, Texas.
He was a member of the union Arc Baptist Church. He attended Junction City, Arkansas School District.
He was preceded in death by his parents, grandparents, and four brothers.
He leaves to cherish his memories one sister, Florine Malone of Three Creeks, AR; two brothers, Archie Waller of Dodge City, Ark, and Ezell Waller of Haynesville, La, three Aunts, three Uncles, and numerous nieces, nephews, relatives, and friends.
The funeral service will be held Saturday, August 7, 2021, at 1:00 p.m. at Union Arc Missionary Baptist Church parking lot. Interment will be at Union Arc Baptist Church Cemetery under the direction of Sims Mortuary. Sign the guestbook at www.simsmortuary.com