Obituaries

OBITUARIES Information for the obituaries and funeral notices below was supplied to the Arkansas Democrat-Gazette Advertising Department by funeral homes. For more information including cost and deadlines contact the advertising department at (501) 378-3889.

BENTONVILLE — Carson Fultz was a wonderful man, and his legacy for kindness will always be cherished by family and friends. Carson was born Sept. 24, 1943, and died on Dec. 25, 2018, in Springdale, Ark.

Born in Carroll County, Ark., Carson’s early love for the outdoors continued strong throughout his entire life. His parents moved their family of eight children to Greenfield, Calif., in 1956, where he later met Rachel, the love of his life. They married in 1962 and raised five children who learned from their father to always keep their word and always lend a hand to those in need.

Carson was a lifelong Sabbath keeper and an ordained deacon and elder. He loved to study scriptures to gain understanding and wisdom. At the end of his life, he was a member of Church of God, A Worldwide Association. He was a truck driver by trade but mostly loved to spend his time gardening, beekeeping, fishing, and working on building projects. He knew how to enjoy the results of his labor and hosted many a gathering around a bonfire for friends and family throughout his life.

Carson’s kids and grandkids were his pride and joy. He spent countless hours with them telling stories from family history and exploring the outdoors. He will be loved and missed all our lives.

Carson is survived by his wife Rachel Jean Moss Fultz; his children Julie Rowland, Shelly Couston, Kenneth Fultz, Dennis Fultz and Nathan Fultz; his siblings Daniel Fultz, Mary Jernigan, Patty Cunha, Margaret Zemak and Gayle Gardner; seven grandchildren Krista Rowland, Kelsey Reed, Jennifer Couston, Jocelyn Fultz, Jessica Fultz, Jayne Fultz and Carson Fultz; four great-grandchildren Colton Reed, Kellen Reed, Evelyn Reed and Carson Johnson.

Visitation is 6-7:30 p.m. on Jan. 3 at Benton County Funeral Home, 306 N 4th, Rogers. Graveside service on Jan. 4 at Gobbler Cemetery in Rule, Ark. Memorial Service on Jan. 5 at Hope Church in Bentonville, Ark.

Online condolences can be shared at www.bentoncountyfuneralhome.com.

DECATUR — Jeanne Sibyl Leeman, 92, of Decatur, Ark., passed Dec. 30, 2018, in Bentonville, Ark. Jeanne was born to William (Dutchie) Orland Stellmon and Gladys Irene Willert Stellmon in Decatur, Ark.

She graduated from Decatur High School in 1944. She married Ervin M. Leeman in October 1945. Together, they raised five children in Decatur, Ark. Jeanne was a homemaker most of her life and worked for the county clerk’s office as well as Peterson Industries of Decatur.

She leaves as her legacy five children, Russell Leeman and wife Dianne of Decatur, Susan Pate and husband Ken of Fort Smith, Frank Leeman and wife Donella of Gravette, Lisa Edmiston and husband Tom of Huntsville, and Elizabeth Skinner of Fort Smith, as well as many grandchildren and great-grandchildren.

She also leaves sisters in-law Betty Etris Vale and Marjorie Ferrell.

Jeanne was preceded in death by her husband, Ervin; her parents; brothers, Billy and Joseph; and brother-/ sisters-in-law, Bill, Dorothy and Mary.

Visitation will be held from 1-2 p.m. before the funeral. Services are scheduled for Jan. 2 at 2 p.m. in Siloam Springs, Ark., at Backstrom-Pyeatte Funeral Home in Siloam Springs. Burial will follow at Falling Springs Cemetery in Decatur.

Arrangements are under the direction of Backstrom-Pyeatte Funeral Home.

FARMINGTON — On Dec. 29, 2018, a great soul passed from this world. Margaret R. Hess’ spirit was released and is now exploring paradise.

Margaret was born Dec. 16, 1945, in Dover, Ark., to Lee Roy and Margaret (Martin) Singleton. She was an honest woman who was not afraid to speak her mind. She loved her family and cared for them through good times and bad.

In 1991, Margaret married Barry Hess Sr. and became mother to his children. Throughout the many years they had together, she watched the children have children of their own. She loved them unconditionally, doting on each of her grandchildren and great-grandchildren.

Margaret had a career in retail. She worked and retired from K-Mart. She became a stay-at-home wife, then decided to return to the workforce, working and retiring from Walmart.

She was a woman of strong beliefs and faith. She was a member of Mayfield Bible Church.

She was preceded in death by her parents and brothers, Artis Singleton, Arvil Singleton and Arlee Singleton.

Margaret is survived by her husband of 27 years, Barry Hess Sr.; two daughters, Jean Shad of Topeka, Kan., Liz Walker and her husband Derrell of West Fork, Ark.; two sons, Barry Hess Jr. of Oregon, Josh Hess of Farmington, Ark.; two sisters, Gail Bick of Little Rock, Ark., and Charlotte Singleton; one brother, Roy Singleton; and numerous grandchildren and great-grandchildren.

Visitation will be 5–7 p.m. Thursday, Jan. 3, 2019, at Moore’s Chapel. Funeral service will be 10 a.m. Friday at Moore’s Chapel.

To place an online tribute, visit www.mooresfuneralchapel.com.

FAYETTEVILLE — Inza Lee Fort, 103, of Fayetteville, Ark., passed away peacefully into life eternal on Dec. 30, 2018. Inza was born on March 28, 1915, in Birmingham, Ala., to John H. and Mattie DeShazo Lee. She was a loving and devoted wife, mother, daughter, sister and friend.

Inza was preceded in death by her beloved husband, Samuel Burwell Fort, Jr.

Inza lived most of her life in Birmingham and Bessemer, Ala. In the 1930s, she worked for the new Social Security Administration and during World War II for the Office of Defense Transportation. With the births of her children, she became a full-time wife and mom. Inza was active in her community – serving terms as President of the Bessemer Sinawik Club, the Bessemer Literary Forum Club, and the Women of the Church for Bessemer First Presbyterian Church (the congregation is now Shepherd of the Valley Presbyterian Church in McCalla, Ala.).

Inza was a woman of deep faith, strength and love for her family and friends. She was a great homeroom mom for her three children throughout school, lending her cooking and artistic talents for school events. Inza loved teaching Sunday School and did so for over 40 years at Bessemer First Presbyterian Church. She also served on the building committee for the sanctuary, authored a history of the church, and contributed to the design and creation of the beautiful needlepoint and chrismons of the church.

Inza was a giver – of love, life lessons, and lots of laughter. She possessed a wry, intelligent, sometimes bawdy, but never mean, sense of humor. Inza had a knack for card and board games and was an avid crossword puzzle solver. She embraced computer technology and enjoyed iPads for reading, games, and all sorts of creative projects. She enjoyed drawing, oil painting, and needlepoint design and played a great game of bridge. We are sure the “girls” are waiting for her with a game in Heaven. Inza was a fabulous cook and made wonderful family meals and great tailgate lunches for our trips to see our Auburn Tigers. She greatly loved fun with family and friends, fine food, and the felines that graced her life. She truly blessed our lives with laughter, joy and love.

Inza moved to Fayetteville in 1997 and thoroughly enjoyed being a part of the Fayetteville community. She was a fan of Razorback sports and activities at the University of Arkansas and the Walton Arts Center.

Inza is survived by her three children, Samuel Burwell Fort, III, and wife Merry of Macon, Ga., Inza Lee Fort and Susan Fort Dawson of Fayetteville, Ark.; two grandchildren, Rad Evans and Brandie Phillips and husband Danny; and two great-grandchildren, Dane Phillips and Eryn Phillips, all of Macon, Ga.

A graveside service will be held at 1 p.m. on Saturday, Jan. 5, 2019, at Elmwood Cemetery and Mausoleum in Birmingham, Ala., with Rev. Becky Davis officiating.

The family would like to extend deep appreciation to her wonderful caregivers at Washington Regional Hospice and Katherine’s Place.

In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to Washington Regional Willard Walker Hospice Home, 325 Longview St., Fayetteville, Ark. 72703, or Shepherd of the Valley Presbyterian Church, 5081 Eastern Valley Road, McCalla, Ala. 35111.

To place an online tribute, visit www.nelsonberna.com.

GENTRY — Larry Leroy Bates, 58, of Gentry, Ark., passed away on Saturday, Dec. 29, 2018, at the Mercy Hospital in Rogers. Larry was born on Feb. 10, 1960, in Grove, Okla., a son of Ernest Leroy Bates and Delores Darlene Knight Bates.

Larry was a diesel mechanic for the Valley View Trucking Co. in Gentry, attended the First Christian Church in Gentry, loved working on cars with his son and was very proud of his 2017 Mustang.

Survivors include his wife, Sally Bates of the home; his stepmother, Paula Jane Hutton of Siloam Springs; two sons, Cody Smith and Caleb Bates, both of Gentry; two daughters, Christina Crozier of Lebanon, Ore., and Tabitha Dagley of Gravette; two stepdaughters, Lina Lewis of Springdale and Tabitha Lingo of Pineville, Mo.; one stepson, Odis Anthney of Huntsville, Ark.; two sisters, Janie Hamilton of Ulysses, Kan., and Jerri Peachee of Siloam Springs; 17 grandchildren; and his dog, Charlie.

He was preceded in death by one sister, Connie Pederson.

Visitation will be held at the Backstrom-Pyeatte Funeral Home in Siloam Springs on Wednesday, Jan. 2, 2019, from 5 p.m. to 7 p.m. Funeral service will be held at the Backstrom-Pyeatte Chapel on Thursday, Jan. 3, 2019, at 10 a.m.

Arrangements are under the direction of the Backstrom-Pyeatte Funeral Home. To sign online guestbook, please go to www.backstrompyeatte.com.

HUNTSVILLE — Doris Jane Keck, 85, of Huntsville died Dec. 29, 2018, at Huntsville.

Funeral services will be 10 a.m. Thursday, Jan. 3, 2019, at Brashears Funeral Home. Graveside services at noon at Oakley Chapel Cemetery, Rogers, Ark. Services are entrusted to Brashears Funeral Home and Crematory of Huntsville.

ROGERS — Clarence “Bill” William Hoffman, 86, of Rogers, Ark., died Sunday, Dec. 30, 2018, at Promenade Health & Rehabilitation in Rogers. He was born in Joplin, Mo., to Herbert and Marie Hoffman. He was a member of the First United Methodist Church in Rogers. Bill is survived by his wife, Beth Dillard Hoffman; three children; and several grandchildren and great-grandchildren. No services are scheduled. Arrangements have been entrusted to Stockdale-Moody Funeral Services of Rogers.

ROGERS — James Franklin “Jim” Thompson, 71, of Rogers passed away Dec. 28, 2018. He was born Jan. 12, 1947, in Ottumwa, Iowa, the son of Elmer Park and Gladys Mae Kelly Thompson.

Jim was a machinist supervisor and served in Vietnam in the 101st Airborne division, 1968-1969, of the United States Army.

Preceded in death by his parents; one son, James Elmer Thompson; and one sister, Suzanne Thompson Kirkland.

Survived by his wife, Kathleen; children, Shannon Lyn Dowdy and Ryan James Thompson; his siblings, Parks Thompson, Kathy Jean Craddick, Debra Mae Parker, Danny K. Thompson and Kelly Ray Doyle.

Arrangements by Benton County Funeral Home, 306 N. 4th, Rogers. www.benton countyfuneralhome.com.

Burial will be 10 a.m. Friday, Jan. 4, 2019, at the Fayetteville National Cemetery.

SPRINGDALE — Maggie “Jaunita” Young, 95, of Springdale, died Saturday, Dec. 29, 2018. She was born Oct. 4, 1923, in Gilbert, Ark., to Elmer and Martha Killion Schlitt.

Maggie loved her family dearly. She enjoyed fishing and playing horseshoes and games, especially with her grandchildren.

She was preceded in death by her husband, Dave Young, in 1974; a son, Larry Young; and two sisters.

She is survived by four children, Shirley Bolin, Jack Young and wife Alice, Frank Young and wife Carolyn, Mary Epley and husband Jim; eight grandchildren; 10 great-grandchildren and four great-great-grandchildren.

Funeral services will be 2 p.m. Friday, Jan. 4, at Heritage Funeral Home Chapel. Burial will be at Friendship Cemetery. Visitation will be from 5 to 7 p.m. Thursday at the funeral home.

Online obituary and guestbook at www.heritageofnwa.com.