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.

FAYETTEVILLE — George “Gene” “PopPop” Eugene Staggs, age 71, passed May 21, 2019, in Fayetteville, Ark. Gene was born in Russellville, Ark., on Feb. 21, 1948.

He was preceded in death by his father, George Ruben Staggs of North Little Rock, Ruthie Jenks of Jasper, Ark., and Willie Scaife of Branson, Mo.

Gene began his professional career in 1972 with Ethyl Corporation (Albemarle Corporation) in Baton Rouge, La., as an industrial engineer specializing in finance, then 17 years in Magnolia, Ark., and retired in Baton Rouge in 2008 after almost 36 years all with the same company. After retiring he started work for KiOr, a biofuel startup, working with the team over five years to grow the company to an IPO in 2012.

Although Gene had an immensely successful career, he was always very involved with his family and local community over the years. He enjoyed numerous ball games, dance recitals, band performances and Boy Scout troop activities.

He was active in Junior Achievement, United Way, Magnolia School Board, the United Methodist Church and AAIE. Gene was an avid Razorback fan and loved the outdoors. He was an Eagle Scout, spent days and nights fishing and floating the Buffalo River and working in his shop on many projects. Gene was passionate about pheasant hunting in South Dakota and duck hunting with his friends and the boys in the family in Arkansas and Hackberry, La.

Gene is survived by his loving wife of 46 years, June Ann Staggs; mother Mary Alice Staggs of North Little Rock, Ark.; sister Marilyn Boyett and her husband Frank; sister-in-law Jerry Jenks of Branson, Mo.; bother-in-law Mike Jenks of Jasper, Ark.; daughter Adriane Staggs Harmeling and husband Hook of Dallas, Texas, son Stuart George Staggs and wife Melissa of Fayetteville, Ark., and daughter Sayward Alexis Smith and her husband Bryant of Little Rock, Ark.; his grandchildren who loved him unconditionally, Cayman, Sawyer, Reed, Rowan, Alexis and Beckett and pets Slick and Fuzzy and special “hunting” dog, Gus. Gene is also survived by numerous nieces and nephews who he loved dearly and countless friends and colleagues he made over a lifetime.

The family would like to thank his care team at UAMS, SPOHNC, CUMC family and many friends and neighbors for all their care and support over the past five years.

A memorial service will be held at 2 p.m. Friday, May 24 at Central United Methodist Church in Fayetteville.

In lieu of flowers please, make donations to Arkansas Academy of Industrial Engineering Acedemic Scholarships, aaie.uark.edu/giving; AAIE Academic Scholarship No. 30000213, In Memory of Gene Staggs (June and Gene Staggs Scholarship). To place an online tribute please visit www.nelsonberna.com.

HARRISON — Shirley Dutton Garner, 80, of Harrison passed away Monday, May 20, 2019, at Willard Walker Hospice in Springdale. She was born June 7, 1938, in Mountain Home, Ark., to Earl and Mabel Walker Downing.

Shirley worked in Home Health Care.

She was preceded in death by her parents, husbands Norman Dutton and L.A. Rogers; brother Eldon Downing and his wife Juanita.

Survivors include her husband, Larry Garner of the home; sons Landus Dutton (Denise) of Harrison and Joseph Dutton (Holly) of Texas; daughter Glenda Ashcraft (Lloyd) of Fayetteville; step-daughter Sheri Garner of Fayetteville and many grandchildren and great-grandchildren.

A life celebration will be held at the Walker Cemetery in Mountain Home in June. A date to be announced. When sending flowers please use the Bouquet Palace in Mountain Home, (800) 707-5600. Online condolences may be left at www.siscofuneral.com.

SPRINGDALE — Martha Merie Copeland, 72, of Springdale passed away Tuesday, May 22, 2019, at Washington Regional Medical Center in Fayetteville. She was born Nov. 2, 1946, in Huntsville, Ark., to Charles T. and Ruby M. Thomas Hammons. Martha was a homemaker. She was preceded in death by her parents, husband, J.B. Copeland, son J.B. Copeland II, grandson Dakota Millsap and son-in-law Dennis Gunnels.

Survivors include two daughters, Pearl Prine and Jennifer Millsap (Mike Klutts), both of Springdale; two step-daughters, Carol Gunnels of Rogers and Lora Copeland of Fort Smith; four sisters, Shirley Johnson and Leavern Thompson, both of Springdale, Charlene Hennington of Kansas and Betty Wilson and husband Paul of Springdale; seven grandchildren and one great-grandchild.

Graveside services will be Friday, May 24, 2019, at 10 a.m. at Friendship Cemetery in Springdale. No visitation is planned. Memorials may be made to the Arkansas Leukemia Foundation, 401 Scott St., Suite 2, Little Rock, Ark., 72201. Online condolences may be left at www.sisco funeral.com.

SPRINGDALE — Donna Marie Geabhart, 58, of Springdale, Ark., left for her heavenly home Monday, May 20, 2019. Born Oct. 6, 1960, in Savannah, Ga., Donna was

preceded in death by her stepfather, Larry Kendrick.

Donna is survived by her mother, Marie Chastain and husband Tom of Springdale, Ark.; father Carey Welch and wife Anna Marie of Rogers, Ark.; son Richard Hogle and wife Andrea of Dallas, Texas; daughter Hollie Crabtree of Laurens, S.C.; brother Dennis Welch of Bella Vista, Ark.; sister Wanda Pittman of Ohio. Donna had four grandchildren that were truly her pride and joy, Kennedy, Brody, Berkley Hogle and Coleman Davis.

From an early age, Donna began working in the public. Never afraid of a challenge, she owned a successful Allstate Insurance Agency in Springdale, Ark., for nearly two decades and most recently Benefits Blvd Inc. Insurance Brokerage. A memorial service will be held at 11 a.m., Saturday, May 25, 2019, at Westfield Chapel Funeral Home, 3236 W. Huntsville Ave., Springdale, Ark.

Those who knew Donna, would be hard pressed to the find words expressing the depth of Donna’s heart for people. In Donna’s eyes, friends were always counted as family. One could not meet Donna without being impacted by her energy, knowledge, warmth, generosity and overall presence.

Never one to sit still, Donna worked hard and played hard. Donna’s professional proficiencies brought many honors and accolades. A few of those honors and accolades include being a member of NAIFA, ringing the opening bell at the New York Stock Exchange, being invited to Colonial Life home office several years running for special recognition.

In addition to her professional career, Donna was always on board for a fishing trip, bowling game, working to benefit the VFW and Ladies Auxiliary. Donna loved her church and her church family. But, moreover, Donna loved her Lord and Savior.

In lieu of flowers memorial donations may be made to VFW Ladies Auxiliary Post 2952, P.O. Box 6154, Springdale, Ark., 72766. Online condolences www.WestfieldChapel. com.

SPRINGDALE — Daniel Roach, 34, of Springdale, died Tuesday, May 21, 2019. He was born Dec. 21, 1984, in Fairfield, Calif. Daniel was preceded in death by his mother, Charlotte Ann Roach. He is survived by his father, David Roach; two daughters, Hailey and Hannah Roach; brother Dustin Roach and wife Robyn and brother David Wayne Roach Jr.; and grandmother Mary Alice Roach. He loved spending time with Hailey and Hannah as well as the special times he had at the ballpark both playing and umpiring. A memorial service will be held at a later date. Online condolences www.WestfieldChapel.com.

SPRINGDALE — Bertha Nancy Watson, 96, of Springdale, Ark., went to be with the Lord on May 20, 2019, in Springdale. She was born Jan. 18, 1923, in Swain, Ark., the daughter of the late Robert and Dessie Miers Edgmon. She worked as a cook for many years at AQ Chicken restaurant in Springdale. She enjoyed gardening, growing flowers and going to yard sales. She was preceded by her husband, Virgil B. Watson, in 1980.

Mrs. Watson is survived by two sons, Rev. Ben Watson and wife Gladys of Tahlequah, Okla., and Dennis Watson of Springdale, Ark.; daughter Jenny Kaufman and husband David of Pittsburg, Kan.; sister Rosa Clark of Stark City, Mo.; two grandchildren, Nathan Kaufman of Pittsburg, Kan., and Sarah Marshall of Conroe, Texas; great-grandchild Elijah Marshall of Conroe, Texas, many nieces and nephews and a host of friends.

Funeral service will be Saturday, May 25, 2019, at noon in the chapel of Memorial Funeral

Home, 3926 Willowood Ave., Springdale, Ark., 72762, with the Rev. Ben Watson officiating. Burial will follow in Friendship Cemetery. Visitation will be from 10 a.m. until service time. Online condolences may be made to www. memorialfhspringdale.com.

STAR CITY — Virginia Ann Leach, 82, of Star City, passed away Tuesday, May 21, 2019. She was born Dec. 28, 1936, in Watson to the late Earl “Bud” and Mary Taylor Cox.

She was a member of First United Methodist Church in Star City, where she was a member of the Will Emma Sunday School Class and United Methodist Women.

She was also a member of the Lincoln County EHC and was retired from the Bank of Star City.

Also preceding her in death were her husband, Noel Leach, brothers Earl “Son” Cox and William Eddie Cox. Survivors include son, Michael (Leslie) Leach; daughter Marsha (Jimmy) Hawkins, all of Star City; sister Juanita Jones of Watson; three grandchildren, Lauren (Randall Shreve) Leach, Trent (Ally) Hawkins and Slade (Julie) Hawkins; and three great-grandchildren, Stella Shreve, Charlie Shreve and Annalee Hawkins.

Funeral services are 10 a.m. Saturday, May 25, 2019, at Griffin Funeral Chapel with Bro. Brad Elrod officiating. Visitation is 6-8 p.m. Friday at the funeral home. Burial at Watson Cemetery. Pallbearers are Mike McMillan, Merwin Fowler, Chuck Copeland, Jacob McGehee, Ben McGehee and Damon Jones.

In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made to First United Methodist Church, 300 Washington St., Star City, Ark., 71667, or Lincoln County Relay for Life, c/o Connect Bank, P.O. Drawer 69, Star City, Ark., 71667. Arrangements by Griffin Funeral Service in Star City. Online guestbook at www.griffin funeralservice.net.