Obituaries
HENRY TOWERS MONROE
Be on your guard; stand firm in the faith; be courageous; be strong. Do everything in love.” I Cor. 16:13-14
Henry Towers Monroe, 90, of Gainesville, Georgia, passed peacefully into the presence of his Lord and Savior Jesus Christ on March 10, 2024, surrounded by his wife Julie and other family members in his home. A man of faith and family, Henry was known for his quiet and kind demeanor along with his brilliant mind and quirky sense of humor.
Born on December 31, 1933, in Ruston, Louisiana, to Frank and Margaret Monroe, Henry grew up in Ruston with his older sister Frances. Co-valedictorian at Ruston High, he graduated summa cum laude from Louisiana Tech in 1955 and began work as an accountant at Murphy Oil Corporation in El Dorado, Arkansas. He served in the U.S. Army in Germany from 1956 to 1958 followed by four years of reserve duty.
While visiting Louisiana Tech in 1959, Henry met a freshman from New Orleans, Julia Margaret McLendon. They were married on September 24, 1960, and established a life together in El Dorado, where they raised six children. After coming to faith in Christ, Henry and Julie sought Biblical teaching and fellowship in several churches, eventually settling at First Baptist Church.
During his 46 years at Murphy, Henry worked in accounting, information systems, auditing, and downstream accounting. He became a CPA and in 1982 was named corporate accounting manager. Henry was renowned for his eagle eye in proofreading Murphy’s annual report.
Following his 2001 retirement, Henry and Julie relocated to Gainesville and joined Chestnut Mountain Presbyterian Church (Flowery Branch). From 2003 to 2022 Henry volunteered with Lifeline of Northeast Georgia Medical Center, which honored him with the Auxiliary’s Volunteer of the Year Award in 2019. In retirement he loved spending time with his children and grandchildren. An avid birdwatcher, he enjoyed birding with his friend Jimmy Allen. He also found pleasure in books, music, and logic and word puzzles.
Henry leaves behind his wife of 63 years, Julie Monroe; children Tom Monroe (Kim), Sandi Fleming (Bryson), Michael Monroe (Karen), Elizabeth Jobson (Andy), Lesley Davenport (Steve), and Christie Dennis (Michael); sister Frances Stinson (Jerry); and 18 grandchildren. His parents, Frank Edward and Margaret Towers Monroe, and granddaughter Caroline Elizabeth Jobson preceded him in death.
A funeral service took place March 16 at Chestnut Mountain Presbyterian Church. Pallbearers were grandsons Samuel, Thomas, and David Fleming; Benjamin, Adam, Matthew, and William Jobson; and Henry C. Monroe. Granddaughters Allison Monroe, Kathleen Monroe Larson, Emily Fleming, Julia Margaret Fleming Metzger, Susanna and Christina Monroe, Emma Jobson, and Jessica, Joanna, and Elinor Davenport sang at the service.
Contributions in Henry’s memory can be made to the Faith Promise fund, Giving - Chestnut Mountain Presbyterian Church (cmpca.org). Online condolences may be shared at www.memorialparkfuneralhomes.com. Henry will be missed by his family, friends, and all who knew him, but we are grateful for the godly heritage he has left us.
JEFFERY A. WILLIAMS, SR.
Jeffery A. Williams, Sr., 65, of Stephens, AR passed away Sunday, March 31, 2024 at Washington Regional Medical Center in Fayetteville, AR Jeffery was born October 14, 1958 in El Dorado, AR to the union of Samuel Williams and Dorothy Conway Williams.
He was preceded in death by his parents, son, Jeffery A. Williams, Jr., sister, Karen Thornton, brother, Sambo Williams, and aunt, Eunice Kelly.
Jeffery was a self employed mechanic. He was an avid hunter, fisherman and a animal lover.
Survivors include his wife, Virginia Williams, daughter, Ashley Priddy and husband Matt, son, John Williams and wife Holly, step-son, Joe Williams, two step-daughters, Denise Williams, La Tasha Travis, six grandchildren, Ashton Priddy, Kagan Eury, Peyton Priddy, Bubba Priddy, Laykah Eury, Jay Priddy, former wife, Katie Goss, niece, Samantha Anderson and husband Luke, nephew, Willie Thornton.
Visitation will be 10:00 a.m. until 12:00 noon Thursday, April 4, 2024 at Bailey Funeral Home.
Graveside services will be held at 2:00 p.m. Thursday, April 4, 2024 at Crossroads Cemetery with Bro. Johnny Hobbie officiating. Interment to follow under the direction of Bailey Funeral Home of El Dorado, AR.
Please visit www.baileyfuneralhome.net to sign the online register book.
HEATHER MICHELLE ROGERS
Heather Michelle Rogers, age 43, of Hot Springs, AR passed from this life Tuesday, April 2, 2024, in Little Rock, AR surrounded by family. Heather was born September, 24, 1980 in Monticello, AR to parents Ricky Spears and Kristel Tate Sumner.
Those left to cherish her memory include: her two daughters Cheyenne Adams and her husband Cody of Junction City, AR and Megan Spears of Texarkana, TX; three grandchildren Matthew Adams, Waylon Adams, and Brody Adams; two sisters Amye Yount and her husband Robert of Monticello, AR and Ashley Gober and her husband Zach of Whitehall, AR; as well as a host of extended family and friends.
A celebration of life in her honor will be held at 6:00 PM Friday, April 5, 2024, at Perry’s Funeral Chapel in El Dorado, AR. The family invites the public to come early from 5:00 PM until time of service to share memories of Heather.
JOE RICHMOND
Joe Richmond was born on August 29, 1936, to the late Jack and Willie Mae Richmond.
Joe graduated from Rosenwald High School in Junction City, AR. He was at Whelan Pipe Line and Georgia-Pacific Inc., when he was able to work.
Joe united in Holy Matrimony to Seebetha Ford.
Joe is preceded in death by two sisters, Jerelean Richmond Brown and Lorean Richmond Moody, and two sons, Joe Luther Richmond Jr. and Vaughn Lee Richmond.
His memories will be cherished by his wife, Seebetha Richmond of El Dorado, AR; one daughter, Alice Faye Richmond Calloway of El Dorado, AR; four sons, Willie T. Richmond of El Dorado, AR, Jasper E. Richmond of Monticello, AR, Joe Lavern Richmond of Little Rock, AR, one step-son Willie Ford JR. of El Dorado, AR, 13 grandchildren, and several great-grandchildren, special Caregiver Latoya Traylor, along with a host of nieces, nephews, other relatives, and friends who loved him dearly.
Public Visitation Friday, April 5, 2024, from 2:00 p.m. - 5:00p.m. at Sims Mortuary. Funeral Service will be Saturday, April 6, 2024, at 11:00 a.m. at St. James Baptist Church, interment will be at Caledonia Cemetery under the direction of Sims Mortuary. Sign the guestbook at www.simsmortuary.com
BILLIE JEAN MARTINEZ
Billie Jean Martinez, 77, of El Dorado, AR passed away Friday, April 5, 2024 at Timberlane Health and Rehab in El Dorado, AR.
Billie was born August 11, 1946 in Leesville, LA to the union of John French and Kathleen Bryant French.
She was preceded in death by her parents, her husband Willie Jean Martinez, brother, Johnny French, and her sister, Carolyn Sue Hayes.
Billie was a former school teacher at Strong Elementary. She graduated from Nederland High School and Lamar University in Texas. She loved to travel, shop, and go to pow wows, loved her garden and hummingbirds. Billie was a loving wife, mother, and grandmother.
Survivors include two daughters, Cheryl Martinez, Windy Stovall and husband Carl, son, John Martinez, eight grandchildren, Joe Scroggins, Kyle Taylor, Cameron Martinez, Isabella Martinez, Madison Martinez, Lincoln Martinez, Jenny Jackson, Holly Joiner, great grandchildren, Jade Taylor, Saline Taylor, Rowan Martinez, Waylen Castillo, and five additional great grandchildren, uncle, Brittin French.
A private memorial service will be held at a later date. Cremation arrangements provided by Bailey Funeral Home of El Dorado, AR.
Please visit www.baileyfuneralhome.net to sign the online register book.
JOSEPH BURROUGHS
Joseph Leon Burroughs, 85, of El Dorado, Arkansas, passed away at his home Friday, March 29, 2024. He was born in Oklahoma City, OK on January 20, 1939, to Elmer and Beatrice Bloom Burroughs.
He was preceded in death by his parents; brothers David Elmer and his wife Ethelou Burroughs and Jerry Lee Burroughs, and sister LaRue Burroughs.
Those left to cherish his memory include his faithful wife of 66 years, Mary Lou Burroughs, daughter Becky (Roger) Williams of El Dorado, AR, sons Jay (Tina) Burroughs, and Steve (Tonya) Burroughs of Junction City, AR, sister-in-law Bobbie Burroughs of Burbank, CA, and sister-inlaw Dorothy (Robert) Howse of El Dorado, AR. He was “Papaw” to Justin, Tyler (Andrea), Calley (Chris), Taylor (Colby), Abbey (Cameron), Tori (Izzy), Tifani (Conner), Emily, Nathanial, Brittney, Landon, and Mary. He was “Great Grandpa” to Bradey, Amelia, Sheppard, Claiborne, Cadence, Reece, Carsyn, Collins, Amir, and Parker Jane. He was also “Uncle Leon” to many nieces and nephews.
Leon served in the U.S. National Guard and was a dedicated employee for Long’s Roofing & Sheet Metal Works for nearly 57 years. His co-workers became like family to him through the years. He had a nickname for almost everyone he worked with such as Catfish, Fox, Boy, and Pickle to name a few.
Leon loved Mary Lou. He married her on Wednesday, March 5, 1958.
If you saw Mary Lou, you knew Leon wasn’t far behind her. He was very proud of their children and the lives they built with their families. Leon proudly supported his grandkids in all their sporting events, dance recitals, and other activities.
When he wasn’t working you would find Leon fishing, hunting, or cleaning the guns in his collection. He was an avid supporter of the Junction City Dragons and the Arkansas Razorbacks.
Visitation will be 5 p.m. to 7 p.m. on Monday, April 1, 2024, at Perry’s Funeral Chapel. A service celebrating his life will be at 10:00 a.m. on Tuesday, April 2, 2024, at Perry’s Funeral Chapel, with Rev. Tom Williams officiating and his grandson, Tyler Williams, assisting. Interment will follow at Smyrna Cemetery in El Dorado, AR. Pallbearers include Robbie Fox, David Long, Cage Meade, Justin Williams, Bradey Williams, Phillip Strahan, EJ Jarrell, and Chris Eckoff.
The family would like to thank the dedicated nurses and staff at South Arkansas Home Health and Life Touch Hospice for their loving care of Leon. Memorials may be made to Lifetouch Hospice.
SHIRLEY ANN ROGERS JONES
Shirley Ann Rogers Jones, 84, of El Dorado, AR passed away Thursday, April 4, 2024 at Hudson Memorial Nursing Home in El Dorado, AR.
Shirley was born November 17, 1939 in Delhi, LA to the union of Wiley B. Rogers and Venetta Cook Rogers.
She was preceded in death by her parents, her husband Gearl D. Jones, sister, Kay Garner, three brothers, Grafton Rogers, Howard Rogers, and Willard Rogers.
Shirley was a former self-employed bookkeeper and a member of Ebenezer Baptist Church. She was an avid reader and devoted to her family.
Survivors include her son, David Jones and wife Laura, her daughter, Vicki Hicks and husband Richard, five grandchildren, Casey Orr and husband Kyle, Chesney Hill and husband Ryan, Whitney Webb and husband Brian, Sydney Graves and husband Wes, Colt Jones, eight great grandchildren, Cameron Orr, Katlyn Orr, Caden Webb, Jaci Webb, Kennedy Graves, Julianne Graves, Beckett Graves, Sadie Ann Hill, nephew, James Garner and wife Adrianna, special longtime friends, Shirley and Jack McKnight.
Visitation will 1:00 p.m. until 2:00 p.m. Sunday, April 7, 2024 at Bailey Funeral Home.
Funeral services will be held at 2:00 p.m. Sunday, April 7, 2024 at Bailey Funeral Home Chapel with Bro. Donny Hargett officiating. Private interment will be in the Craig Cemetery under the direction of Bailey Funeral Home of El Dorado, AR.
Special thanks to Hudson Nursing Home staff for the loving care. In lieu of flowers the family requests memorials to Ebenezer Baptist Church, or charity of the donor’s choice.
Please visit www.baileyfuneralhome.net to sign the online register book.