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 — Travis Katherine Banks, age 99, of Fayetteville passed away Friday, Aug. 23, 2019, in Fayetteville. She was born Aug. 23, 1920, in Olustee, Okla., the daughter of Edgar Alexander and Zona Mary Bradley Hestand.

She was preceded in death by her parents, husband Joe L. Banks, two brothers and one sister.

She was a preacher’s wife first then a housewife and loved to spend time with her grandchildren and great-grandchildren.

She is survived by daughter Sandra Roe of Cushing, Okla.; sons Tim Banks and his wife Anne of Brunswick, Maine, and Nick Banks and wife Maria of Fayetteville; 11 grandchildren; 24 great-grandchildren; 10 great-great-grandchildren and many other special family members.

Visitation will be held 10-11 a.m. Monday, Aug. 26, 2019, at Moore’s Chapel with funeral service starting at 11 a.m. Burial will follow at Fairview Memorial Gardens under the direction of Moore’s Chapel.

In lieu of flowers, memorials may be sent to the Missionary’s Fund at Center Street Church of Christ.

To sign the online guest book visit www.mooresfuneralchapel.com.

FAYETTEVILLE — Richard Whittier Nelson, Lt. Col., USAF retired, died Aug. 9, 2019, at the age of 93. He was an eight-year resident at the Arkansas Veterans Home at Fayetteville. Richard was born June 3, 1926, in Moline, Ill., and grew up in Davenport, Iowa, with his mother, aunt, brother and sister.

He enlisted in the V12 Navy College Training Program, March 25, 1944. He went on to attend the U. S. Military Academy at West Point and graduated Class of 1950. Following graduation, he chose the Army Air Force and became a pilot, flying during Korea and Vietnam. Richard proudly served 20½ years from WWII and Korea and retired Nov. 30, 1968, as a pilot in Vietnam. During his service, he completed his master’s in electrical engineering in 1959 at the Air University, Institute of Technology and his MBA in 1961 at the University of Chicago’s Graduate School of Business. He achieved the rank of lieutenant colonel in the Air Force.

Richard married Wilma in June 1970 and they lived in Kansas City. Shortly after moving to Bella Vista in the 1980s, she succumbed to cancer. Richard remained in Northwest Arkansas in Bella Vista, Rogers and Fayetteville. He was a decades-long volunteer at the VA Hospital in Fayetteville, bringing donuts and coffee and interacting with countless visitors.

He was a loving and giving man, who gave of himself to a fault. He played lacrosse at West Point, was a scratch golfer, loved telling stories and spending time with friends.

Richard is survived by two nephews; one niece; one great-nephew; one greatniece; and one great-greatnephew.

A celebration of life will be held at 10 a.m. Saturday, Aug. 24, 2019, at Beard’s Chapel. His cremains will be inurned at Arlington National Cemetery at a later date. Condolences at www.beardsfuneralchapel.com

SPRINGDALE — Carlene Evans, age 84, of Springdale, passed away Friday, Aug. 23, 2019, at Circle of Life Hospice in Springdale, Ark. She was born June 28, 1935, in Fayetteville, Ark., to JC and Doll Gibbs.

She loved her Lord, her family and her church where she loved to sing.

Carlene was preceded in death by her parents and sister Verba Gibbs.

She is survived by her husband of 68 years, Arlie Lee Evans; three children, Tonya Harrison and husband Danny, Vickie Trammel and husband Bob, Rick Evans and wife Marietta, all from Springdale; grandchildren Tony Harrison and wife Christy, Kacee Harrison Philip and husband Sam, Chandra Trammel Rogers and husband Brian, Clinton Trammel, Lindy Evans Janes and husband Clifton, Nicholas Evans and wife Brooke; as well as seven great-grandchildren.

Visitation will be Monday, Aug. 26 from 5-7 p.m. at Westfield Chapel in Springdale. A home-going celebration will be held Tuesday, Aug. 27 at 11 a.m. in the Cathedral Chapel at Christian Life Cathedral, 1285 Millsap Road, Fayetteville, Ark., 72703.

Online condolences: www.WestfieldChapel.com.