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 —

Deanna Clark, 51, of Bentonville, died Feb. 10, 2020, at Northwest Medical Center in Bentonville.

Graveside service is set for 1 p.m. Friday, Feb. 14 at Antioch Cemetery in Jacket, Mo. Arrangements by Sisco Funeral Home in Pea Ridge. Visitation will be 5-7 p.m. Thursday, Feb. 13 at the funeral home.

CAVE SPRINGS —

George Davis, age 88, of Cave Springs, Ark., died Monday, Feb. 10, 2020. He was born March 10, 1931, in Brule, Neb., to George and Hester Davis.

A memorial service will be at 1 p.m. Friday, Feb. 14, Westfield Chapel Funeral Home, 3236 W. Huntsville Ave., Springdale.

Online condolences: www. WestfieldChapel.com.

ELKINS — Patricia Ann

Raap Jeter Lackey, 90, passed away Feb. 9, 2020, at Washington Regional Medical Center in Fayetteville. She was born June 25, 1929, in Webster, S.D., to Harry and Lucy Raap.

She was preceded in death by her parents, spouses Luke Jeter and Ray Lackey, son Doug Jeter and brothers Bert and Steven Raap.

She is survived by her children, Linda Tutt, Mark Jeter (Robin) and Greg Jeter; stepchildren Belinda Grube, Billy Lackey, Danny Lackey, Randy Lackey and Jimmy Smith; brothers Jerry, Chuck and Tom Rapp; sisters Kay Kranzler, Laura Kost, Joan Van Dyke and Allana Novotny; numerous grandchildren; great-grandchildren; nieces and nephews; and a sister-inlaw Gerrine Jeter.

Funeral services will be 1 p.m. Saturday, Feb. 15, 2020, at Patrick Cemetery under the direction of Beard’s Chapel. There is no scheduled visitation.

Condolences at www. beardsfuneralchapel.com.

FAYETTEVILLE — James

Richard “Dick” Latta, age 73, a resident of Fayetteville, Ark., passed away Tuesday, Feb. 11, 2020, at Circle of Life Hospice in Springdale, Ark. He was born Oct. 23, 1946, in Fayetteville, Ark.

He grew up in Morrow, Ark., and graduated from Lincoln High School. He served in the Naval Reserve in Chu Lai, Vietnam. He graduated from the University of Arkansas in 1971 with a degree in marketing and was a member of Acacia Fraternity.

He bought Prince Manufacturing company in 1973 and renamed it LATCO. Later, he formed LATCO Wood Truss and built poultry houses from Colorado to Florida. He built commercial egg production facilities in Iowa and Utah. Delta Egg Farm was the second largest employer in Miller County, Utah, boosting their economy, which still has a lasting influence today. Also, Dick raised pure bred Simmental cattle and started LEAD to train police dogs.

Dick had a second home in Deer Valley, Utah, where he spent much of his time over the past 20 years. Known for his positive outlook, he made everyone he met feel special. He never met a stranger. With a huge heart and generous spirit, he has helped numerous people his entire life.

Dick was infamous for his sense of adventure. The only speed he knew was full throttle. He loved riding snowmobiles, fast boats, white water rafting, cliff jumping, and hot air balloon rides. His zest for life was contagious. Dick will be greatly missed by all who knew and loved him.

He was preceded in death by parents Vernon and Rowena T (Reed) Latta.

Survivors include his wife, Majesta Herrera and her daughter, Athena Herrera;

brother Mike Latta; son Jeremy Richard Latta; daughters Linley Maria Dust and husband Dave, and Lauren Latta Bartholomew and husband Weston; grandson Landyn Latta and granddaughter Reagan Dust.

The family will receive friends Friday, Feb. 14, 2020, from 1-2 p.m. in the CAC Building at Central United Methodist Church in Fayetteville, Ark., with the funeral to begin at 2 p.m. with Pastor Wes Hillard officiating. Burial will be in the Bethesda Cemetery in Morrow, Ark.

Pallbearers will be Brad Bowen, Skip Davidson, Willie Leming, Chris Primm, Kenny Reed and Martin Swope.

In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made to Circle of Life Hospice at info@ nwacircleoflife.org, Pancreatic Cancer Action Network at pancan.org, Healing Hands of Mercy Massage Foundation at hhmmmf.org.

Online guestbook: www. luginbuel.com.

GENTRY — Amanda Sue ‘Mandy’ Richardson,

age 54, of Gentry died Tuesday, Feb. 11, 2020. Amanda was born Aug. 8, 1965, in Green Bay, Wis.

Amanda was a member of the Oneida Indian Nation.

Amanda was preceded in death by her father, George Ledbetter, brother James Ledbetter and son Rory Snodgrass.

Amanda is survived by her husband, Tim Richardson; son Jerrett Snodgrass (Chelsea); step-daughter Keisha Richardson; brother Greg Ledbetter; sisters Rose Clendenen and Lynne Anderson; and grandchildren Brennan LaRue and Blu Waldon.

Services will be held at a later date.

Online condolences: www. WestfieldChapel.com.

GRAVETTE — Lura M. Kemp — mother, grandmother, great-grandmother and great-greatgrandmother — passed away Feb. 10, 2020, at Concordia in Bella Vista, Ark. Lura Mae Kemp was born May 24, 1924, to Thomas Riley McLaughlin and Iva Irene Sooter McLaughlin.

She had eight siblings who are all rejoicing with her arrival in heaven.

She is survived by daughters Sharon Hilliard of Temple, Texas, and Pauline Adams of Gravette, Ark.; grandsons Greg Fowler of Bella Vista, Ark., Chris Fowler of Wichita, Kan., Brian Adams of Deer Park, Texas, and many great, as well as great great-grandchildren.

She was preceded in death by husband William Albert Kemp in 1980.

Lura Mae was from Gravette, Ark., where she resided for over 92 years. She worked serving others unselfishly for over 45 years at the Gravette hospital as dietary manager. She retired and then went to work in the deli for Walmart. She was a member of Eastern Star. She worshipped the Lord as a member of Bethlehem Missionary Baptist Church. She loved life, flowers, family and her church and will be missed greatly.

Visitation service will be held 6-8 p.m. Friday, Feb. 14, 2020, followed by celebration of life at 2 p.m. Saturday, Feb. 15, 2020, at Bethlehem Missionary Baptist Church, 14190 Arkansas 102, Gravette, Ark., by Brother Jheri Roberts with burial in Bethel Cemetery to follow.

Flowers may be delivered to the church Friday 14th. Arrangements are by Bella Vista Funeral Home and Crematory.

Condolences may be expressed at www.funeral mation.com.

KINGSTON — Daniel

Ellis, 60, died Feb. 4. He was a music teacher at Kingston Schools where services will be held. Memorials: Lubbock Children’s Home, P.O. Box 2824, Lubbock, Texas, 79408, or Kingston Music Program, P.O. Box 149, Kingston, Ark., 72742. Cremation is entrusted to Brashears Funeral Home and Crematory of Huntsville.

LINCOLN — Richard Charles Frank of Lincoln passed away Friday, Feb. 7, 2020, at Northwest Medical Center, Springdale, Ark..

He was born Jan. 18, 1936, in Cresco, Iowa, to Charles Burdette and Katheryn Marie Steinmetz Frank.

Richard was a widower, father, grandfather and friend. He loved to drag race hot rods. He was an avid reader and excelled in gardening and woodworking. Richard was an Army veteran that served from Nov. 18, 1958, to Oct 19, 1960, including deployment to Korea until he was honourably discharged from service.

Richard graduated from Upper Iowa University in 1964 with a bachelor’s in political science and history and a minor in sociology. He participated in the Student Education Association for students preparing to be teachers.

Richard didn’t obtain a teaching position but worked in finance, insurance, agriculture and trucking fields. While in finance he was publicly recognised for recovering significant loan amounts for Beneficial Financial. Richard also ran his own businesses in fishing/hunting and farmers markets.

Survivors include son David Charles Frank; daughter Deborah Jo Freeman and husband Steve; brother Robert Frank; nieces and nephews; as well as grandchildren Elysia Freeman, Madeleine Freeman and Hannah Shaw and husband Scott; and great grandchildren Olivia Shaw and Jack Shaw.

A memorial service will be held Saturday, Feb. 15, 2020, at 2 p.m. at Emmanuel Lutheran Church in Fayetteville. Cremation arrangements are under the direction of Sisco Funeral Chapel of Springdale.

Online condolences may be left at www.siscofuneral. com.

MAUMELLE — William “Bill” Lawrence George,

age 87, of Maumelle passed away Feb. 11, 2020, at Arkansas Hospice-St. Vincent’s Hospital. He was born May 12, 1932, in Dardanelle, Ark.

Bill served in the Air Force as a medical staff sergeant in the Korean Conflict. He later was a salesman for Bausch+Lomb before having a long career as an optician for the Carrico Eye Clinic.

Bill was preceded in death by parents James Lawrence George and Jewel Collins George, his beloved wife of 57 years, Virginia J. McDaniel George, brother John George, brothers-in-law Don McDaniel, Dale McDaniel and Ben Hollford.

He’s survived by brotherin-law James McDaniel and wife Barbara; sisters-in-law Wanda McDaniel Rice, Reva Hollford and Letsey McDaniel; and several nieces and nephews.

Visitation will be Friday, Feb. 14, at 9 a.m. and funeral services at 10 a.m. at Griffin Leggett Rest Hills, 7724 Landers Road, North Little Rock. Interment will follow at Arkansas State Veteran’s Cemetery.

Online guestbook is available at www.griffin leggettresthills.com.

PARIS — Paul Wayne

Collier, 63, of Paris passed away Feb. 11, 2020. Survivors include wife Bettye Collier; other family members and friends.

Visitation will be 5-7 p.m. Feb. 13, 2020, at Roller Funeral Home in Paris. Funeral service will be 2 p.m. Feb. 14, 2020, at Paris First Assembly of God.

Online guestbook at www. rollerfuneralhomes.com/ paris.

ROGERS — Norma Faye

Townzen Simpson, 85, of Rogers, Ark., went to be in the presence of her Lord Jesus Christ on Feb. 12, 2020. She was born June 29, 1934, in Avoca, Ark., to O.L. “Bud” Townzen and Gertrude Jordan Townzen.

She grew up in Benton County and attended Rogers Schools.

On May 16, 1953, she married the love of her life, Melvin Simpson of Cave Springs.

They moved to Wichita, Kan., where they lived for 10 years as Mel worked for Boeing Aircraft Co. Norma worked in a local bank until their first child arrived the following year, then took on the fulltime job of raising three energetic sons — Ron, Mark and Jeff, who were all born during their time in Kansas.

The family returned to Northwest Arkansas in 1963, and except for one brief period, remained there until the present. She continued in the home to raise the boys until they were older and in school, after which she worked for Munsingwear/ Bear Brand apparel company, and then many years in quality control for Walmart Distribution. She was a charter member of Believer’s Baptist Church in Rogers, where she served faithfully for many years. She also volunteered for several years at the Thrift Store supporting the NWA Women’s Shelter.

She was preceded in death by her parents, sister Melba Brace and an infant brother.

She is survived by husband Mel of the home; sons Ron and wife Elaine of Rogers, Mark and wife Gina of Springdale and Jeff and wife Marla of Rogers; sister Linda Kissinger and husband Ronney of Siloam Springs; brothers Dean Townzen and wife Patsy and Lonnie Townzen and wife June, both of Rogers; 10 grandchildren and 18 great-grandchildren, with another great-grandson due in May.

Funeral services will be held 2 p.m. Saturday, Feb. 15, 2020, at Temple Baptist Church, 1812 S. Dixieland Road in Rogers. Visitation will be 5-7 p.m. Friday, Feb. 14, 2020, at Benton County Funeral Home, 306 N. 4th St., Rogers, Ark.

In lieu of flowers, memorials are suggested to be provided to Believer’s Baptist Church, 924 S. C St., Rogers, Ark., 72756.

Interment will be in Little Flock Cemetery.

Online condolences can be made at www.benton countyfuneralhome.com.

SPRINGDALE — Nora

Ann Lockard, age 79, died Tuesday, Feb. 11, 2020, in Springdale. She was born Feb. 24, 1940, in Chester, Ark., the daughter of Herschell and Stella Allen

Rains.

She was preceded in death by former husband Kenneth Bruce.

She was a clerical nurse for Washington Regional Medical Center, Springdale Memorial Hospital and St. Mary’s Medical Center.

She enjoyed being a mother and homemaker.

She is survived by sons Wayne Lockard and wife Brenda of Fayetteville, Jeffrey Lockard of Pineville and William Lockard and wife Penny of Huntsville; and sister Janet Floyd of Boise, Idaho.

Visitation will be held 6 p.m. to 8 p.m., Thursday, Feb. 13, 2020, at Moore’s Funeral Chapel. A graveside service will be held at 11 a.m., Saturday, Feb. 15, 2020, at Freedom Cemetery in Chester, Ark.

To sign the online guest book, visit www.moores funeralchapel.com.

SPRINGDALE — Juanita

Elise “Nita” Story, 92, died Sunday, Feb. 9, 2020, in Springdale. She was born Jan. 18, 1928, in Manchester, Ga., to Arthur Hodges and Pearl Mae Collier

Nesmith.

Nita was the youngest of five siblings. She spent her early years in Manchester until attending Georgia State College for Women in Milledgeville, Ga. She taught school until her marriage in 1955 to Capt. Robert P. Story. Nita spent her young adult married years a devoted military wife where she lived in many different places including Zama, Japan, where she was active in establishing Protestant churches and even experienced climbing Mt. Fuji!

Nita and Robert also spent time in North Carolina where she served as president of the Officers Wives Club on base at Fort Bragg. The next move was to the D.C. area where Robert served at the Pentagon and Nita was the president of the PTA at the local elementary school. During the Cold War, the couple then moved to Berlin, Germany, where Nita was president of the Berlin Infantry Brigade Officers’ Wives Club. Her main focus was in helping hospitals with children afflicted with Thalidomide.

While stationed in Berlin, Nita traveled to various European countries and even into Russia-occupied East Germany. One of her most memorable experiences was witnessing the changing of the guard with Russia at the Spandau prison where Rudolph Hess was incarcerated.

Nita then moved back to Georgia while Robert served in the Vietnam War and eventually returned to D.C. where Robert again worked for the Pentagon while stationed at Fort Belvoir. Upon retirement from the military the couple made their way to Harrison, Ark., where Nita served the community by supporting women’s domestic abuse victims’ safe houses.

She also taught 3rd grade for 10 years. Nita was a member of the First United Methodist Church in Springdale and attended the Builders Class Sunday School. She also served 28 years for The Bread of Life from its beginning in 1992. She was an active member of United Methodist Women and P.E.O.

Nita is survived by daughter Susan Abram and husband Julian; son Robert P. Story Jr; grandchildren Kelly McCauley, Natalie K. Abram and Nicole L. Abram; grandson Gabriel Soto-Story; brother George Collier-Nesmith; and many nieces and nephews.

A graveside service will be 10 a.m. Monday, Feb. 17, at Fayetteville National Cemetery followed by a meal at First United Methodist Church Springdale and a memorial service beginning at 1 p.m. at the church.

Memorial contributions may be made to the Bread of Life Church Foundation, c/o First United Methodist Church, 206 W. Johnson Ave., Springdale, the Springdale Senior Citizens Center, 203 Park St., in Springdale, and Circle of Life Hospice, 901 Jones Road, Springdale. Arrangements with Heritage Funeral Home.

Online guestbook and obituary at www.heritageof nwa.com.

WEST FORK — Joyce

Dunlap Graves, age 75, a resident of West Fork, Ark., passed away with her family by her side on Tuesday, Feb. 11, 2020, at Willard Walker Hospice Home in Fayetteville, Ark. She was born Dec. 9, 1944, in Joplin, Mo., the daughter of Granville F and Lola Mae (Lucky) Buchanan.

Joyce retired from Bell Telephone Service after a career as an evaluator.

She was preceded in death by her parents and stepson Jamie Graves.

Survivors include husband Jim L. Graves, of the home; son Rocky Lee Dunlap and wife Roxanna of West Fork, Ark.; stepchildren Kimberly Graves, Teresa Glenn and husband Steve and James Graves and wife Nikishas; sister Joan Robertson and husband Dave of Sarcoxie, Mo.; nine grandchildren; one great-grandchild; and numerous nieces, nephews and a host of friends.

The family will receive friends Sunday, Feb. 16, 2020, from 2-3 p.m. at Luginbuel Funeral Home. Funeral service will be held Tuesday, Feb. 18, 2020, at noon at Fayetteville National Cemetery in Fayetteville, Ark.

Online guest book: www. luginbuel.com.