Obituaries
NOTICE OF PASSING JO ANN HUGHES
Jo Ann Hughes, 72 of El Dorado, passed away Wednesday February 22, 2023 at the John R. Williamson Hospice House.
Visitation will begin at 1:00 p.m. Saturday, March 4, 2023 at Immanuel Baptist Church with memorial services to begin at 2:00 p.m. with Rev. Clark Whitney officiating. Cremation services entrusted to Young’s Funeral Directors.
Memorials may be made to Operation Christmas Child or Immanuel Baptist Church Building Fund, 3209 West Hillsboro Street, El Dorado, AR 71730.
Online condolences may be expressed at www.youngsfuneralhome.com.
OBITUARIES STEVEN GATES
Steve graduated from El Dorado High School in 1971. He did not take the traditional route to college, but later received his BS and MS degrees in Geology from the University of Arkansas.
After graduation, he went to work for Murphy Oil Corporation as a Geologist in their Exploration Department. When the oil business declined in the late 1980’s, Steve followed his other passion and opened Gates Used Cars on N. West Avenue in El Dorado. Anyone that knew Steve, knew of his love of automobiles. He worked to restore many and also loved the world of car racing. He eventually went back to work in the field of oil and gas when he went to work for the Arkansas Oil and Gas Commission at the El Dorado Office as a geologist. In 2006, Steve moved his family to Greenwood, Arkansas and became the Assistant Director for the Arkansas Oil and Gas Commission and ran the Fort Smith office until his retirement in October of 2022. He was a member of the Greenwood United Methodist Church.
Steve is survived by his wife of 43 years, Jan Herrington Gates of Greenwood; two children, Jared Gates and wife, Holly of Greenwood and Emily Stow and husband, Dudley of North Little Rock; two precious granddaughters, Harper Rose Gates and Caroline June “Kai” Gates and two aunts, Shelly Kuhn and Betty Rogers of El Dorado.
A memorial service will be held 10 a.m., Saturday, March 4 at the Greenwood United Methodist Church with a reception to follow in the Family Life Center. Cremation is under the direction of McConnell Funeral Home of Greenwood.
BERNARD SIMPSON GATHRIGHT
Bernard Simpson Gathright, 82, of Smackover, AR, passed away on Wednesday, February 22, 2023. He was born on October 4, 1940 to Deffie and Marjorie Simpson Gathright in Huttig, AR.
He was a veteran of the United States Army, a retired sales manager for the United Parcel Service, and a member of the Smackover First Baptist Church. Bernard loved to travel and was able to visit six continents. During his time with UPS, we moved from Little Rock Arkansas to Billings, Montana to Richmond, Virginia, to San Ramon, California. After an early retirement, we moved back to Arkansas.
Preceding him in death are his parents; and two brothers, John Henry Gathright and Bobby Gene Gathright.
Survivors include his wife, Myrna Corley Gathright; son, Doug Gathright (Ariana); daughter, Misty Boswell (Heath); two brothers, Shelly Gathright (Evelyn) and Ron Gathright (Millette); 8 grandchildren, Katelyn Osborn (David), Katherine Mathews (Madison), Ryan Jerry (Meagan), Alisha Douglas (Mike), Emily Lawson (Tim), Caleb Gathright, Abigail Gathright, and Xavier Gathright; and eight great grandchildren.
The family would like to extend special thanks to Dr. Keith Davis, Nurse Practitioner, Karen Everett and the Smackover Family Practice Clinic.
Visitation will be held from 4:00-6:00 p.m. Sunday, February 26, 2023 at Young’s Funeral Directors.
Funeral services will be held at 1:00 p.m. Monday, February 27, 2023 at the Smackover First Baptist Church with Dr. Scott Hinton and Rev. Carly Davis officiating. Burial will follow at Smackover Cemetery under the direction of Young’s Funeral Directors.
Memorials may be made to www.davidjeremiah.org or to www. livingwaters.com.
Condolences can be expressed online at www.youngsfuneralhome.com
PHILIP MICHAEL GREER
Philip Michael Greer, 75, of Junction City, AR passed away Tuesday, February 21, 2023 at his home.
Philip was born February 2, 1948 in El Dorado, AR to the union of Dan Colon Greer and Thelma Irene Jenkins Greer He was preceded in death by his parents, one brother, Gary Greer.
Philip was a veteran of the U. S. Army and was a carpenter and in the construction business. He will be remembered as a loving son, brother, father, grandfather and friend.
Survivors include his daughter, Kristi Summit and Scott Liles of Cove, AR, three grandchildren Zack, Katie, and McKenzi, two great grandchildren, Dieslynn and Tahlia, two sisters, Sylvia Pennington and husband Howard, Faye New and husband Chester, one brother, Ronald Greer and wife Vickie, and numerous nieces and nephews.
No services are planned at this time. Cremation services provided by Bailey Funeral of Junction City, AR.
KATIE RUTH (ENIS) MAYDEN
Katie Ruth (Enis) Mayden, of Midwest City, Oklahoma, passed away on February 16, 2023, at the age of 33. Katie was born on March 10, 1989 in Magnolia, Arkansas. She was the daughter of John Enis and Doloris (Jones) Enis. Katie grew up in El Dorado, Arkansas, where she was a 2007 graduate of El Dorado High School. While in high school, Katie fell in love with Nathan Mayden and the two were married in August of 2009.
Katie had a passion for helping people. She had a big heart and loved taking care of and spending time with her family. She loved to fish, she also loved country music and singing along to her favorite Mariah Carey songs. Her greatest passion was her two children, Faith and Jocelynn. Katie was a loving mother, wife, sister and daughter and will be missed by many.
Katie was preceded in death by her grandmother, Mildred Enis and her uncle, James Enis.
She is survived by her loving husband, Nathan Francis Mayden; two children, Faith Enis and Jocelynn Mayden; her father and stepmother, John and Darlene Enis; her mother, Doloris; one brother, Waylon Dolden; two sisters, Lauren Enis Sheppard and Jessica Oliver; her father-in-law and mother-in-law, Rodney and Melanie Mayden and host of nieces, nephews, family and friends.
NILA MAE OWENS McMULLAN
Nila Mae Owens McMullan, age 93, of El Dorado, Arkansas, went to be with her Lord and Savior on Saturday, February 18, 2023. Nila was born on May 11, 1929 in Stephens, Arkansas, to Luther and Hazel Taylor Owens.
Preceding her in death along with her parents was her husband of 72 years, L.D. McMullan.
Survivors include her two sons, Rick McMullan (Pam), and Randall McMullan (Diane), both of El Dorado, Arkansas; six grandchildren, Natalie Hull (Stacy), Melodie Britt (Tommy), Leslie Alexander, Mollie Lee, Jodi Williams (Donnie), Katie Skidmore (Justin); 3 step-grandchildren; and 14 great-grandchildren.
Nila was a loving and devoted wife, mother, and grandmother. She began her long career beside L.D. working as his secretary, helping build their successful business with State Farm and more. For 72 years, she was the bookkeeper for their many ventures, working diligently in their home office. She would have happily retired their books this year. Nila truly loved life to the fullest through the simple pleasures; chatting with friends and family, tending to her many animals and maintaining their loving home. She loved to read, with her Bible being her favorite book. Nila was compassionate and believed in the strength of family and the power of prayer. Her hope for her children, grandchildren, and great grandchildren was that they find a way to enjoy life and the work their creator has put them here for and that they are never alone. “The Blessings are there-just ask and be thankful-be positive; not negative. God is Good!”~Nila.
In lieu of flowers, donations can be made to St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital.
A graveside service by Young’s Funeral Directors will be held at 11:00 a.m. Thursday, February 23, 2023 at Rest Haven Memorial Gardens with Austin Alexander officiating.
Condolences can be expressed online at www.youngsfuneralhome.com
JACKIE WARD
Jackie Ward, age 82, of El Dorado, passed away on Friday, February 17, 2023 at the John R. Williamson Hospice House.
She was born on April 6, 1940 in Peace Town, Arkansas. Jackie was a lifelong resident of Union County and was of the Baptist Faith.
Preceding her in death are her husband of 56 years, J.T. Ward; parents, William and Tressie Pyle; sister, Betty Stanford; and her uncles, Wade Davis and Travis Davis.
She is survived by her daughters, Julia Haynes, Jo Anne Perry, both of El Dorado; sons, John Ward (Kelley) of El Dorado, and Jeffrey Ward (Billie) of Hartsford, Arkansas; two sisters, Virginia Horn and Maxine Lawrence both of El Dorado; 11 grandchildren; 26 great grandchildren; and 2 great, great grandchildren.
Visitation will be held from 5-7 p.m. Friday, February 24, 2023 at Young’s Funeral Directors.
Funeral services will be held at 10 a.m. Saturday, February 25, 2023 in Young’s Chapel with Bro. Doug Wills officiating. Burial will follow at Salem Cemetery under the direction of Young’s Funeral Directors.
In lieu of flowers, the family requests donations be made to The John R. Williamson Hospice House, 2301 Champagnolle Rd, El Dorado, AR 71730.
Condolences can be expressed online at www.youngsfuneralhome.com
LELAND WATTS
Leland Watts, 69, of Smackover, passed away Sunday, February 19, 2023 at UAMS in Little Rock. He was born February 20, 1953 to Franklin Leland Watts, Sr. and Wilma Earline Montgomery Watts in El Dorado, AR.
He was a graduate of Southern State College, now Southern Arkansas University, earning his Master’s Degree in Education. He retired from the Smackover School District, where he coached football and track and was the Tech Coordinator at Smackover High School. Leland was a member of Joyce City Baptist Church, where he served as a deacon.
Coach Watts was a simple gentleman whose quiet demeanor made him easy to love. He was an avid football fan who was devoted to his family and church.
He is preceded in death by his parents.
Those left to cherish his memory are his wife of 40 years, Kelly Watts of Smackover; daughter, Rebecca Watts of Texarkana, AR; brother, William Watts (Tammy) of Hot Springs Village, AR; sister, Sandra Morton of El Dorado; four nephews, Heath Watts (Kelsey), Grady Watts, Blake Watts (Peighton), Daniel Morton (Melissa); and several great nieces and nephews.
Funeral services will be held at 2:00 p.m. Friday, February 24, 2023 at the Smackover First Baptist Church with Rev. Phillip Dunn and Rev. Carly Davis officiating. Visitation will begin at 1:00 p.m. prior to the service. Burial will follow at Smackover Cemetery under the direction of Young’s Funeral Directors.
Memorials may be made to St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital, 501 St. Jude Place, Memphis, TN 38105, or to the American Stroke Association, P.O. Box 840692, Dallas, TX 752840692.
Condolences can be expressed online at www.youngsfuneralhome.com