Obituaries
TITUS ARNOLD
Titus Arnold was born December 31, 1945 in Keo, Arkansas to Garner Cleveland Arnold and Josie Lou Gillard—Arnold.
He accepted Christ at an early age. When he moved to El Dorado, he became a member of Douglas Chapel Missionary Baptist Church
On November 8, 1990, he married Effie Maddox—Arnold. To this union two children were born: Chloe and Rachel Arnold.
Titus was proceeded in death by his parents and three brothers: Emmit, Robert, and Jimmy Arnold.
Titus leaves to cherish his memories: his loving wife: Effie (El Dorado, AR), two daughters: Chloe and Rachel (El Dorado, AR), one son: Marvin (Nina) Rohm (Hattersheim, Germany), three bonus children: Julia Rohm (Dietzenbach, Germany), Brandon (Jessica) Maddox (El Dorado), and Brittany Maddox. One brother: James (De’Nita) Arnold (Cabot, AR), two furry friends: Zoey and Denver, and a host of nieces, nephews, family, and friends.
Walk through visitation Friday March 25, 2022 2-5pm at Sims Mortuary. Funeral Service Saturday, March 26, 2022, at 2:30 p.m. at Douglas Chapel Baptist Church; Interment will be at Arlington Memorial Cemetery under the direction of Sims Mortuary. Sign the guestbook at www.simsmortuary.com Face Mask Required
BRUCE W. BLACKWELL
Bruce W. Blackwell, 74, passed away Friday, March 18, 2022, at the Flo & Phil Jones Hospice House in Jonesboro, Arkansas.
Bruce was born November 1, 1947, in El Dorado, Arkansas to Charles and Dorothea Blackwell. He was raised and attended school there graduating from El Dorado High School in 1965. He began his college education at the Arkansas Polytechnic College (now Arkansas Tech University) in Russellville, Arkansas and then continued his education at the University of Arkansas in Fayetteville, Arkansas, where he graduated with a degree in Engineering.
After a very successful career that took him to Missouri, Arkansas, Tennessee, North Carolina and the last thirty years in Manhattan, New York, along with numerous trips abroad, he retired to Jonesboro, Arkansas, to be with his family. During retirement, he enjoyed volunteering at a local hospital, church activities, landscaping, walking his dog, Luke, spending time with his great-grandchildren, attending Arkansas State University sports events and watching all University of Arkansas Razorback athletic events.
He was preceded in death by his parents. He is survived by his daughter, Lorre Gookin (Gary); grandchildren, Erica Gookin Collins (Chris), Emma Gookin Mason (Taylor), and Alex Gookin; and five great-grandchildren. Bruce is also survived by his brother, Phillip Blackwell; sister, Janelle Davis (Bill) and several nephews and nieces.
Services will be private. Those wishing to honor his life may make a donation to the KIF1A.org nonprofit organization, the Northeast Arkansas Humane Society or the American Cancer Society.
ANNE BUTLER MILES BLACK
Anne Butler Miles Black, 88, of Hot Springs, Arkansas, passed away peacefully on Sunday March 20, 2022.
She was born on October 12, 1933, in Temperance Hill, a small community near Fordyce, AR to Otis Butler and Ora Eugenia Fuqua Butler. She graduated from Fordyce High School in 1951 and married Bill Miles of Fordyce in 1953. After his death in 1969, she remarried in 1972 to Robert R. Black, Jr. of El Dorado, AR.
Anne’s life was one of service to her church and community wherever she lived. In Fordyce, she was an active member of First Baptist Church and secretary of the Dallas County chapter of the American Red Cross. In El Dorado, she served on the boards of both the El Dorado Boy’s Club and the Salvation Army. As president of the South Arkansas Arts Center Auxiliary, she was instrumental in forming its all-volunteer restaurant, the SAAC Lunch.
Anne had a passion for genealogy and published books on both the Butler and Miles ancestries. She was proudest of her years spent as a homemaker and mother.
Anne and Bob retired to Gulf Shores, AL where they were both active members of Gulf Shores United Methodist Church. In 2016, they became residents of Hot Springs.
Anne is survived by her husband of 50 years, Robert R. Black, Jr.; son, John Michael “Mike” Miles and wife, Jeanie, of Hot Springs; son, Mark Butler Miles and wife, Kimberly, of Pendleton, South Carolina; stepsons Robert Ross Black, III and William Brian Black and wife, Melissa, of El Dorado; four grandchildren: April Miles Jerry and husband, Adam, of Benton, AR; John Fincher Miles of Harrison, AR; John Michael Miles and wife, Kim, of Duncan, SC; Allison Jordan Miles of Easley, SC; great-granddaughters Addison and Ava Jerry of Benton; sister, Barbara Butler Rascoe, of Arlington, TX.
She is preceded in death by her parents, first husband Bill Miles, and her brother J. Byron Butler of Meridian, TX.
A graveside service will be held at Oakland Cemetery in Fordyce on Thursday March 24th at 2PM. In lieu of flowers, memorial donations may be made to Oakland Cemetery Association, Fordyce or St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital. Arrangements are by Benton Funeral Home of Fordyce. To sign the online register visit www.bentonfuneralhome.net .
VIVIAN McROBERTS
Vivian McRoberts, 75 of Camden passed away Tuesday, March 22, 2022 at Ouachita County Medical Center.
Born March 27, 1946 in Alexandria, Virginia, she was the daughter of Howard Elwood and Grace Carter Metts. She had worked as registered nurse in many different capacities during her life until retiring in
2007 and relocating to Camden from Virginia.
Vivian devoted the remainder of her years to renovating her lovely home and to creating beautiful landscape paintings.
Vivian is survived by her two sons, Steven and Jason, her daughter Rebecca and her husband, Jason and her two children, Edward and Elizabeth.
Cremation services entrusted to Young’s Funeral Directors.
Online condolences may be expressed at www.youngsfuneralhome.com.
ANNE KATHERINE WILLIAMS HAEFNER
Anne Katherine Williams Haefner, of Little Rock, died peacefully on March 19, 2022. Born on August 21, 1932 in Hopkins, Minnesota, the fourth child of Fred and Marie Williams. Anne graduated from Wayzata High School in 1950 and Mankato State in 1954, with a degree in Elementary Education.
On August 31, 1956 Anne married the love of her life, George. They raised two children together.
Anne is survived by her sons, Greg and Dean; daughter-in-law, Victoria; grandchildren, William, Christopher and Robert; and sisters, Helen Hallett and Donna Hasty.
Anne was preceded in death by her parents; husband; sisters, June Kathleen Allen and Georgia O’Connor; and brother, Fred Williams.
Anne loved to play bridge at many bridge clubs in El Dorado and Jackson, Wyoming. She became Life Master of bridge in 1983.
Along with her husband George, Anne was an avid hiker in Grand Teton National Park in Wyoming. Anne loved reading, crossword puzzles, and playing cards.
Anne loved and embraced life, family and friends. She touch countless lives through caring, kindness and humor, as a result, many loved her and will dearly miss her.
Cremation arrangements were entrusted to Young’s Funeral Directors.
SISTER FLORENCE ELLEN CREW HART
Sister Florence Ellen Crew Hart was born in the Old Hillsboro Community to Joe W and Lizzie T. Crew on October 5, 1933.
Florence united in holy matrimony to the late Jackson Hart.
Florence accepted Christ and was baptized at Old Hillsboro Baptist Church. She later united with First Saint James Baptist Church, she was a faithful servant and member of The Golden Pioneer Choir.
Florence worked many jobs, but the one job she truly loved was working with Dr. Ballard as his chair side dental assistant.
She transitioned on March 16, 2022. Preceded in death by her parents, husband, 4brothers; L.B., J.C., Roosevelt, J.K., 6 sisters; Alto, Bessie, Mildred, Ella Mae, Marie, Betty Jo., one great grandson Samaki Rodgers.
She leaves; four sons Johnny Ray Gill (Kathy), Jerry Dean Gill (Betty), LaDarius Hart (Tyana), and bonus son, Ralph E. Williams; Three daughters Betty Woods (J.T.), Patricia Warren Buggs, and Carolyn Hart (Robert), 14 grandchildren Gabriel Harris, Shanda Kesee, Penny Hoosier, Trisha Gill-Rodgers, Keith Woods (AKA Pooh), Jimmy Ray Gill (AKA Gulley), Charlie Buggs Jr., MaKishia Buggs-Heard, Chelsea Stewart, Marques Jamerson; Teresa Fitzgerald, Keith Woods, Lisa Woods, and Teresa Ben , 35 great-grandchildren, and 22 great great-grandchildren.
Service will be held Saturday, March 26, 2022, at 2:30 PM. Service to be held at First St. James Baptist Church in El Dorado, AR. Public Visitation Friday, March 25, 2022, from 3:00-4:00 PM only. Professional care entrusted to Andrews Funeral Home of El Dorado. Mask Required
CAWTHON BAILEY PERDUE, JR.
Life Lived in Service: C.B. Perdue, Jr.
Cawthon Bailey Perdue, Jr., a native of El Dorado who resided in Rockwall, Texas, passed away March 14, 2022, at the age of 97. He was a man known for his life-long service to his country, his unwavering love for his family, and his solid moral compass. A story of perseverance, pride and patriotism, C.B. was a hero to both his country and his family.
Born February 12, 1925, to Cawthon Bailey Perdue, Sr., and Lillian Lockwood Perdue on a farm outside El Dorado, C.B. was the eldest of five children. After graduating from El Dorado High School, he was drafted into the U.S. Army Air Corps.
C.B. soon found himself at Knettishall in England, assigned to a B-17 in the 388th Bomb Group in the 3rd Air Division of the Mighty Eighth Air Force. Flying in the place of a bombardier, C.B. was in charge of dropping bombs on the enemy. On April 7, 1945, C.B.’s B-17 was rammed by a German ME-109 fighter, sending the B-17 into a deathly dive. C.B. escaped through a small hatch. As he parachuted down, an American P-51 Mustang circled him for protection. C.B was captured and taken to Stalag Luft I, a POW camp, where he survived by trading cigarettes he didn’t smoke for semi-sweet chocolate “D bars” he couldn’t get enough of.
C.B. served on active duty in the U.S. Air Force for 30 years, including in the Korean War, with public affairs assignments all over the world He was a recipient of the Purple Heart and Bronze Star medals. After retiring from active duty in October of 1973, as a chief master sergeant, he completed an additional 15 years of civil service. In his later years, C.B. volunteered to educate on the value of freedom to schools, corporations, museums and commemorations, working hard to impart the best lesson from The Greatest Generation: That freedom isn’t free, and that it should never be taken for granted. He maintained a website, www.B17chief.com, and a Facebook page. He was known as the one in the family to respond fastest to text messages.
C.B. survived capture and imprisonment by the Nazis, but he couldn’t escape the spell of a certain redhead upon whom he doted for the next 70 years, Louise Pepper Perdue. They married after his return from Europe and welcomed four children.
C.B. loved to garden, watch baseball, play with his beloved beagle and poodles, and lend a hand to anyone who needed help or sage advice. He was an accomplished baker, his cinnamon rolls as good as currency to family and friends. C.B. loved to play practical jokes. With a twinkle in his eye, he rarely missed the opportunity to present an unexpected deceased insect, scary sound, or tall tale to get a rise out of his intended targets.
C.B. is survived by his daughters Mabel Neel, Carolyn Baker, Pam Blacketer, and their families; his poodle, Jack; and friends and fans the world over.
Services will be held at Rest Haven Funeral Home in Rockwall on April 7, with visitation at 9 a.m. and a memorial service at 10 a.m., for which a livestream will also be available at www. resthavenfuneral.com. Graveside services will be held at DFW National Cemetery at 2 p.m. The public is invited to all. April 7 will be 77 years ago to the date when C.B. survived an enemy attack, an anniversary he celebrated with gratitude. This April 7, we will celebrate his legacy with a hero’s send-off.
In lieu of flowers, please consider a donation to the Military Heritage Collection of North Texas and please, thank a veteran.
PEGGY PERRY
Peggy Perry, 72, of El Dorado, passed away, Thursday, March 24, 2022. She was born on April 29, 1949 to Roger and Irma Cornish Metcalf in El Dorado, Arkansas.
Peggy was a receptionist at First Financial Bank for many years, before her retirement, and she was a member of Immanuel Baptist Church.
Preceding her in death were parents; and brother, William Metcalf.
She is survived by her husband of 50 years, Frank Perry of El Dorado; brother, James Metcalf (Linda) of Little Rock, Arkansas; and several nieces and nephews.
A graveside service will be held at 2:00 p.m., Saturday, March 26, 2022 at Arlington Memorial Park with Rev. James Faith officiating, and under the direction of Young’s Funeral Directors. Visitation will begin at 1:00 p.m. prior to the service at Young’s.
Condolences can be expressed at www.youngsfuneralhome. com
WALTER EVANS JR.
Walter Evans Jr. was born February 24, 1950, in Lisbon, LA, to Walter Evans Sr. and Louria Mc Celland Evans.
Walter attended Rosenwald High School in Junction, City, AR. After high school, he enrolled in a technical college to become a painter. Upon completion of technical college, he moved to
California to pursue his career as a painter.
Walter departed this life on
Monday, March 21, 2022, in
Benton, AR. He was preceded in death by his parents and two sisters, Mary Louise Daugherty and Gladys Canada. He leaves to cherish his memories his son Keith Evans and his daughter Ayiani Evans both of Los
Angeles, CA. Two grandsons
Keith Evans II, Keith Evans III, two granddaughters, Jasmine
Hawkins and Capria Branch, and one great-granddaughter Bella Evans all of Los Angeles, CA. Four sisters, Joyce Hicks (Randy) of El Dorado, AR, Dorothy Furlow of Inglewood, CA, Lena Clark of Sherwood, AR, Inez Grayes of El Dorado, AR, four nieces, and four nephews and twenty-two great-neces and nephews.
Graveside service will be at 11:00 a.m. Saturday, March 26, 2022, at Fellowship Cemetery in Lillie LA. under the direction of Sims Mortuary. Sign the guestbook at www.simsmortuary.com Mask Required
REV. DANNY MALONE
Rev. Danny Malone, pastor of Cornerstone Church in Smackover, Arkansas, went to be with his Lord and Savior Jesus Christ Sunday, March 20, 2022 after a courageous battle with cancer. Danny was born March 31, 1950 to Rev. Charles and Ruth Malone in Laurel, MS.
He served two years in the
United States Navy as a communication tech for the United
States Embassy in Cypress.
Bro. Danny was ordained for ministry in 1972. He pastored churches in Mississippi,
Louisiana and Arkansas. In 1991 he established Cornerstone
Church in Smackover, where he served until his death. As a skilled carpenter, he alongside the men of the church, built
Cornerstone Church in 2010.
Bro. Danny will be remembered as a godly man, who lived what he preached. As a servant of God, he faithfully shared God’s word and God’s love with the people he touched throughout his 50 plus years of ministry. Danny was preceded in death by his father.
Those left to cherish his memory are his wife of 31 years, Jamie Malone; son, Matthew Taylor (Tiffany); grandson Guthrie Taylor all of Tulsa, OK; mother, Ruth Malone; sister, Patti Sims (Walter); nephews, Clay Sims (Ally) and Jamie Sims, all of Flowood, MS.
Thank you to family and friends whose caring support and many prayers for Danny continue to bless us.
Thank you to Life Touch Hospice nurses for their loving care. Thank you to Dr. Rhonda Gentry and caring staff at CARTI. A celebration of life will be held at 11:00 a.m. Saturday, March 26, 2022 at Cornerstone Church Smackover with Rev. Jason Yarbrough officiating.
Memorials may be made to Cornerstone Church, PO Box 511, Smackover, AR 71762.
Condolences may be expressed at www.youngsfuneralhome. com.