Obituaries

TUESDAY DOROTHY LAWRENCE

Dorothy Marie Lawrence, age 97, of Queen City, Texas, went to be with the Lord, Sunday, October 22, 2023. She was born March 13, 1926 in Atlanta, Texas to W.T. and Agnes Jewell Stovall. Dorothy has been a member of First Baptist Church, Queen City for over 75 years. She and her husband volunteered in the church nursery for over 50 years where she affectionately became known as “Aunt Dot”. She loved children and never had a negative comment about anyone.

Mawmaw is preceded in death by her husband of 51 years, Elmer Lawrence; son, W.T. “Dub” Lawrence; sisters, Sybill, Maxine, Irene; brother, Gerald; one granddaughter; two great grandsons; daughter in law, Judy Lawrence; son in law, Ronnie Surratt; and her parents.

She is survived by one son, Charles Lawrence and wife Kathy of Queen City, Texas; two daughters, Patsy Surratt of Texarkana, Texas, Kim Callaway of Queen City, Texas; seven grandchildren, Marty Lawrence and wife Lori, Rebecca Givens and husband Trey, Robin Wilson and husband Zach, Scott Lawrence and wife Kristen, Laura Fuller and husband Andrew, Blake Callaway, Makenzie Callaway; twelve great grandchildren; daughter in law, Janette Coats; and a host of other family and friends.

Funeral services will be 2:00 pm, Wednesday, October 25, 2023 at First Baptist Church, Queen City, under the direction of Hanner Funeral Service, with Charles Lawrence and Bro. Ron Reimer officiating.

Visitation will be 6:00 pm to 8:00 pm, Tuesday, October 24, 2023 at Hanner Funeral Service.

Interment will be in Queen City Cemetery.

The family would like to extend special thanks to Hospice of Texarkana, Beth Pierce, Lydia Hasha and Rhonda Wilson for their kindness and compassion.

Guest registry is available at www.hannerfuneralservice.com.

JUNE JENNINGS

Funeral service for June Faye Jennings, 74, of New Boston, Texas is pending with Haynes Mortuary, Inc. She died on Monday, October 23, 2023, in New Boston, Texas.

RICHARD ROWE

Richard Arlen Rowe, 88, of Rosston, Arkansas passed away on Tuesday October 17, 2023. He was born on February 5, 1935, to William and Bessie Rowe in Holly Springs, Arkansas. Richard was truly what you would call a real farmer. His passion for farming started at an early age and continued throughout his life. His farm animals were just as big a part of his life as was the sun rising over his crops. Richard took pride in his family and saw that each of his girls was raised to know the value of the hard work that was put into the land.

Mr. Rowe was always community oriented. He was a member of Bodcaw Baptist Church, Farmers Home Administration Board, Arkansas Farm Bureau, Arkansas Cattlemen’s Association, Arkansas Soil Conservation Service and Nevada County Hospital Board. He served on the Bodcaw School Board and Nevada School District School Board. He, along with his wife Bettye were a past Nevada County Farm Family of the Year. Richard in more recent years enjoyed tending the yard, watching grandchildren and great grandchildren grow, and taking care of his wife.

Preceded in death by his parents, William and Bessie Rowe; 8 siblings and daughter, Leslie Warner.

He is survived by his wife of 53 years, Bettye Lewis Rowe; daughters, Bettye Cornelius (James) of Prescott, Arkansas, Dawn Tullis (Joe) of Mountain Home, Arkansas and Leah Copeland (Randy) of Fayetteville, Arkansas; grandchildren, Clint Cornelius (along with greats, Wes and Coy) of Prescott, Arkansas, Betsy Mitchael (Jake and greats Elsie and John Lee) of Fayetteville Arkansas, Cassady Atkins, of Boulder, Colorado, Sloan Cross, of Bryant, Arkansas, Sydney Haines, (Austin and great Hayden) of Prescott, Arkansas, Easton Keding, of Jessieville, Arkansas and Kennedy Warner, of Texarkana, Texas; numerous nieces, nephews, family and friends.

A Memorial Service will be held at Bodcaw Baptist Church, Bodcaw, Arkansas, on Friday October 27, 2023, at 2:00 p.m., with Brother Bruce Porter officiating, under the direction of A.O. Smith Funeral Home, Stamps, Arkansas. There will be a visitation prior to the service beginning at 1:00 p.m. Interment to following the service at Columbia Cemetery, Waldo, Arkansas.

GARY WILLEFORD

Services for Gary Parker Willeford, are 11AM Tuesday, October 24, 2023, Hughes Springs Missionary Baptist Church. Visitation 10AM Tuesday at the church. Burial in Hughes Springs Cemetery via Reeder-davis Funeral Home, Hughes Springs.

VANESSA DELAUGHTER

Vanessa Jo “Joey” Chambers Delaughter, age 69, passed away, Tuesday, October 17, 2023 at her home in Stamps, Arkansas. She was born September 25, 1954, in Nashville, Arkansas the daughter of the late Joe and Sylvia Schooley Chambers.

She attended Stamps First Baptist Church but was a lifelong member of Liberty Baptist Church. One of her proudest accomplishments was the time she spent in missionary fields working with women and children in China and Nicaragua. Joey had certifications in International Mission Ministries. Joey was a Christian with a strong and unshakable faith. She encouraged her family, friends, and loved ones in their spiritual journeys. She loved her church families and in her quiet kind manner was always willing to tell you about her Jesus.

Joey graduated from Saratoga High School. After high school she completed cosmetology school and opened two salons, Joeys in Nashville and Cutting Corner in Hope, Arkansas. Later she returned to school at Texarkana College, UALR, and Texas A&M where she completed her master’s degree in psychology. She spent many years working in the mental health field with the ADC, APS, and later as a program director for Geriatric psych facilities. She most recently retired from Baptist Health and Rehab where she was a case manager. Helping others was truly her gift and she found great joy in building relationships with her patients and their families. Recently she was elected to serve as the Lafayette County Republican Election Commissioner.

In addition to her parents, she was preceded in death by one sister Jill Arnold.

Survivors include two daughters Jada Taylor of Little Rock, AR, Christa Coleman (Curtis) of Malvern, AR; four grandchildren Colby Feemster; Gabi Bevill (Michael), Adyson Coleman and Aiden Coleman; great grandchildren, Jonah Feemster, Josephine Feemster, and Brooks Bevill; one sister Kandis Hurley (Jimmy); her brother-inlaw Floyd Arnold; four nephews, five great nephews, four great nieces, and her special great niece Olivia Mcintosh.

Visitation will be 6:00 to 8:00 p.m., Friday, October 20, at Latimer Funeral Home in Nashville.

Funeral services will be 1:00 p.m., Saturday, October 21, at Liberty Baptist Church, with Bro. Mike Turner and Jim Wilson officiating, burial will follow in Liberty Cemetery, under the direction of Latimer Funeral Home in Nashville.

In lieu of flowers memorials may be made to the Arkansas Down Syndrome Association at ardownsyndrome.org/ donate, Liberty Baptist Church Cemetery Fund, or any charity of your choice.

You may send an online sympathy message at www.latimerfuneralhome.com.

WEDNESDAY GWENDOLYN PIERCE

Gwendolyn K. Pierce, 92, of Little Rock, Arkansas, passed away on October 23, 2023, surrounded by her friends and family.

She was born in Texarkana, Texas, on September 25, 1931, to Elmer J. and Willie Edna Kennedy. At age 13, she asked Jesus to be the Lord of her life. She continued to grow in her love for and relationship with Him until the Lord called her home.

On May 10, 1948, she married Earl Pierce, who preceded her in death on September 29, 1995. She was also preceded in death by her parents, her brother, Joe Kennedy, and her sister, Sue Byers.

Earl and Gwendolyn were long-time members of Lowell Street Missionary Baptist Church in Texarkana, Arkansas. After moving to Little Rock, they joined Antioch Missionary Baptist Church. Later in life, she joined her son and daughterin-law as a member of Geyer Springs First Baptist Church.

Gwendolyn was a dear friend to many throughout her life. In the last years of her life, she was a resident at Fox Ridge Assisted Living Home where she developed many lasting friendships.

Gwendolyn was a loving mom and Mamaw to her own family as well as to many others who looked to her as their Mamaw. Gwendolyn will always be remembered for her overwhelming kindness, her quick wit, and the way she made everyone around her smile. Her memory will live on in the hearts of all those who loved her.

She is survived by her son and daughter-in-law, Mike and Carla Pierce; grandson, Mike Pierce Jr. and his wife, Wendi; granddaughter, Hollie Oliver and her husband, Jonathan; great-granddaughter, Grace Oliver; great-grandson, Jonathan David Oliver and his wife, Sydney; and great-granddaughter, Gwendolyn Pierce.

A visitation will take place on Wednesday, October 25, from 3 p.m. to 5 p.m. at Geyer Springs First Baptist Church in Little Rock, Arkansas. There will be a graveside service on Thursday, October 26, at 2 p.m. at Memorial Gardens, in Texarkana, Arkansas.

In lieu of flowers, memorials can be made out to Geyer Springs First Baptist Church for the Arkansas Baptist Children’s Home.

John 11:25-26 Jesus said to her, “I am the resurrection and the life. The one who believes in me will live, even though they die; and whoever lives by believing in me will never die.”

Fond memories and expressions of sympathy may be shared at www.eastfuneralhomes.com for the Pierce family.