Obituaries from the Pine Bluff Commercial, Pine Bluff, Jefferson Co., AR for Oct 1997 Contributed for use in USGenWeb Archives by Linda P. Smith ************************************************************************ USGENWEB ARCHIVES NOTICE: These electronic pages may NOT be reproduced in any format for profit or presentation by any other organization or persons. Persons or organizations desiring to use this material, must obtain the written consent of the contributor, or the legal representative of the submitter, and contact the listed USGenWeb archivist with proof of this consent. The submitter has given permission to the USGenWeb Archives to store the file permanently for free access. http://www.usgwarchives.net ************************************************************************ Copyright 1997 Pine Bluff Commercial. All rights reserved. Reprinted with permission of the Pine Bluff Commercial. ************************************************************************ PINE BLUFF COMMERCIAL WEDNESDAY, OCTOBER 1, 1997 Pine Bluff, Jefferson Co., Arkansas NEVA MORGAN Neva Lee Morgan, 72, of Warren, died September 29, 1997, at Jefferson Regional Medical Center. She was born in Marion County on September 3, 1925, a daughter of the late Henry Stucks and Erma Woods Stucks. She was a homemaker. Survivors include three sons, Leon Wheeler and Mike Morgan, both of Warren, and Jerry Morgan of Crossett; a daughter, Carolyn Ross of Crossett; three brothers, Clyde Stucks of El Dorado and Oscar Gene Stucks and Edward Stucks, both of Warren; two sisters, Rose Ann Thompson and JoAnn Reddin, both of Warren; nine grandchildren; and eight great-grandchildren. Graveside services are scheduled for 10 a.m. Thursday at Shady Grove Cemetery near New Edinburg. ___________________________________ HUDIE TATE HOT SPRINGS-- Funeral services for Hudie Tate, 67, of Hot Springs, who died September 26, 1997, at his home, are scheduled for 6 p.m. Thursday at Eureka Missionary Baptist Church at Hot Springs with the Rev. Steve Lake officiating. Burial will be at 11 a.m. Friday at the Veteran Cemetery at Little Rock by P.K. Miller Mortuary. He was born at Gurdon on June 14, 1930, a son of the late Gentry Tate and Elsie Ellis Tate. He received his early education in Gurdon public schools and graduated from Bell High School. He served in the Air Force and was a retired employee of LTV Steel Company at Cleveland. He was a member of Eureka Missionary Baptist Church, where he was a member of the deacon board. Survivors include his wife, Pauline Jones Tate; a daughter, Paula Breland of Malvern; three brothers, Lloyd Tate of Hot Springs, Lee Tate of Hacienda Heights, California and Willie Tate of Cleveland; five sisters, Charlie Goza of Detroit, Lila Bell of Gurdon, Vera Ellis of Cleveland and Amy Gilchrist and Inez McRae, both of Camden; two grandchildren; and a great-grandchild. _________________________________ EVERETT GREEN Graveside services for Everett N. Green, 72, of Pine Bluff, who died September 29, 1997, are scheduled for 2 p.m. today at Graceland Cemetery at Pine Bluff with the Rev. Dwight Shanley officiating. He was born at Grapevine on November 4, 1924, a son of the late Elmer Green and Eva Lutrell Green. He graduated from Grapevine High School and entered the Army. He served in the U.S. Fifth Army in Italy and moved to Pine Bluff after his military service. He worked for the Borden Company for 32 years. During most of that time, he was an independent distributor of Borden's Milk. He retired in 1988 and drove a school bus for Dollarway School District. He was a member of First Cumberland Presbyterian Church at Pine Bluff. Survivors include his wife, Barbara L. Green; two sons, Jerry Green of North Little Rock and Dale Green of Pine Bluff; two daughters, Tara Green and Ashley Croft, both of Pine Bluff; a brother, Bill Green of Tucker; a sister, Peggy Stiles of Clarksville, Tennessee; three stepdaughters, Kathy Crowder of Red Water, Texas, Michele Langston of Pine Bluff and Karen Majors of Fayetteville; 13 grandchildren; and a great-grandchild. Arrangements are handled by Ralph Robinson & Son Funeral Directors. ___________________________________ WALTER DENT Walter William Dent, 86, of Pine Bluff, died September 30, 1997, at his home. He was born at Cabot on June 9, 1911, a son of the late Andrew J. and Sarah Hill Dent. He was a mechanic for Wooley-Gandy Motors and went to Shannon Road Baptist Church at Pine Bluff. Survivors include his wife, Jo Davis Dent, whom he married in 1984; three daughters, Bessie Lee Evans of Hot Springs, Ruby Ruelas of Alhambra, California, and Pat McMurtrie of Deer Park, Texas; six grandchildren; and five great-grandchildren. Graveside services are scheduled for 10 a.m. Friday in Bellwood Cemetery at Pine Bluff with Bobby Hartsfield officiating. Hale-South Funeral Home is in charge of arrangements. __________________________________ DAVID WILLIAMS PICKENS-- Funeral services for David Williams, 67, of Pine Bluff, who died September 25, 1997, at Jefferson Regional Medical Center, are scheduled for 1 p.m. Thursday at Smith Chapel Baptist Church at Pine Bluff with the Rev. Harry Mays Jr. officiating. Burial will be in New Light Cemetery at Pickens by Brown Funeral Home of Pine Bluff. He was born at Pickens on August 31, 1930, a son of the late Johnny Williams Sr. and Louizar Willis Williams. He was a security guard at Dayton Public School, an usher and a member of Smith Chapel Baptist Church. Survivors include his wife, Mildred Pennington Williams; three brothers, Johnny Williams Jr. of Houston, C.L. Williams of Pine Bluff and Curtis Williams of Oakland, California; four sisters, Murlean Bennett and Annie Bennett, both of Pine Bluff, Barbara Thompson of Oakland and Bernicesteen King of Toledo, Ohio. ___________________________________ MARY SMALL DEWITT-- Mary Belle Small, 73, of DeWitt, died September 30, 1997, at her home. She was born at Swan Lake on July 16, 1924, a daughter of the late William and May Belle Wood. She was a homemaker and a Baptist. She was preceded in death by her husband, Nick D. Small; and a stepdaughter, Bessie Elizabeth Callahan. Survivors include three sons, Kenneth Franklin Small of DeWitt, William Nickey Small of Pine Bluff and Tommy Ralph Small of Stuttgart; a daughter, Mary Faye Miller of Oyster Creek, Texas; a brother, Richard Ray Wood of Star City; three sisters, Dorothy M. Taylor of Humphrey, Ann Vaughn of California and Regina Hope Neal of DeWitt; two stepsons, David Lee Small of Sheridan and James Edward Small of Idabel, Oklahoma; a stepdaughter, Hazel Marie Small of Diana, Texas; many grandchildren; and many great-grandchildren. Graveside services are scheduled for 2 p.m. today in Bayou Meto Cemetery at Bayou Meto by Essex Funeral Home of DeWitt. Memorials may be made to Area Agency on Aging of Southeast Arkansas Hospice Services. ___________________________________ Submitted by Linda P. Smith DougMIV@aol.com ============================================================== PINE BLUFF COMMERCIAL THURSDAY, OCTOBER 2, 1997 Pine Bluff, Jefferson Co., Arkansas TRAVIS RAWLS Travis Floyd Rawls, 72, of Monticello, died September 30, 1997, at Jefferson Regional Medical Center. Born April 5, 1925, at Monticello, he was a son of the late Eck Rawls and Mollie Bush Rawls. He was a construction worker and a member of Central Baptist Church of Warren. Survivors include a son, Tony Rawls of Monticello; a brother, Curley Rawls of Monticello; three sisters, Audrey Young, Lola Riley and Clara Carpenter, all of Monticello. Funeral services are scheduled for 2 p.m. today at Stephenson-Dearman Funeral Home of Monticello with the Rev. R.V. White officiating. Burial will be in Rose Hill Cemetery in Drew County. _____________________________________ JANET CASEY Janet Casey, 89, of Pine Bluff, died September 27, 1997, at Pine Bluff Nursing Home. Born June 19, 1908, at Simsboro, Louisiana, she was a daughter of the late Milton Adams and Monnie Malcolm Adams. She was a homemaker. She was preceded in death by her husband, Rufus Casey. She was a member of Mount Harmony Baptist Church, where she was a former Sunday School teacher and choir member. Survivors include a son, Donell Tookes of Detroit; three grandchildren; five great-grandchildren; and three great-great-grandchildren. Funeral services are scheduled for 11 a.m. Friday at Mount Harmony Baptist Church with the Rev. Robert Handley officiating. Burial will be in Forest Lawn Cemetery by Brown Funeral Home. _________________________________ FLORA LEE Flora M. Lee, 95, of Pine Bluff, died September 30, 1997, at Trinity Village Medical Center. She was born at Marianna on October 12, 1901, a daughter of the late David Rodgers and Mary Allen Myers. She and her family moved to Pine Bluff when she was young. She was raised and received her early education at Pine Bluff and was a 1918 graduate of Pine Bluff High School. She was a member of First United Methodist Church at Pine Bluff, United Methodist Women, the Junior Mathontes Club and the Birthday Club. She was preceded in death by her husband, Wendell D. Lee, who died in October 1984. Survivors include two daughters, Patsy Lee Menz of Little Rock and Virginia Shepherd of Pine Bluff; a sister, Sue Scott of Dallas; eight grandchildren; and 17 great-grandchildren. Funeral services are scheduled for 2 p.m. today at Ralph Robinson & Son Funeral Directors with the Rev. Charles Settle officiating. Burial will be in Graceland Cemetery. ____________________________________ Submitted by Linda P. Smith DougMIV@aol.com ============================================================= This is in THREE parts due to 15 obits in today's paper. PINE BLUFF COMMERCIAL FRIDAY, OCTOBER 3, 1997 Pine Bluff, Jefferson Co., Arkansas ANNIE ETHERLY, PBHS TEACHER, DIES at 63 (Photo included) Special obit by Kimberly Seamon of the Commercial staff Some would say influencing young minds is a difficult task, but for Annie Pearl Etherly, it was just a part of life. "She made me realize I could do anything I wanted to do," Diana Monk, a former student, said. Etherly, 63, of Pine Bluff, died September 29, 1997, at Jefferson Regional Medical Center. "It's going to be a great loss for anyone who knew her because she touched a lot of lives," said Hal Gunter, who knew Etherly for more than 20 years. Gunter, who is on the Distributive Education Clubs of America (DECA) Advisory Board, said Etherly was a former coordinator for marketing and distributive education at Pine Bluff High School. Through DECA, an organization that familiarizes students with the job market and business, Etherly was influencial. "She really touched a lot of people," Gunter said. Gunter is included in that group. He said it was partly because of Etherly that he became a part of the business community. Her mood was also something that influenced Gunter. "She kept me in an upbeat swing at all times," Gunter said. Etherly's contributions to her students went beyond what some would do. Gunter recalls when Etherly paid for students' trips to the state and national DECA conferences out of her own pocket. Monk was one of the students Etherly had an impact on. Monk said she was a shy child but that it was Etherly who helped her overcome that shyness. Monk said Etherly encouraged her to run for a state DECA office. Etherly also helped Monk get her first job, at age 16. Born at Lou Ann on August 12, 1934, Etherly was a daughter of the late B.W. Gaskin and Lula Elliott Gaskin-Sanders. She went to Ouachita County elementary schools and was a graduate of Lafayette High School at Camden. She was a 1954 graduate of AM&N, now the University of Arkansas at Pine Bluff, where she graduated cum laude. After she began teaching, she continued college at the University of Arkansas at Fayetteville, where she got her master's degree in vocational education in 1972. Juanita Baldwin, a former co-worker, describes Etherly as lovely, caring and a great role model. Baldwin, who started the distributive education program at Pine Bluff High School in 1950, said Etherly began working at the distributive education department at the high school around 1970. Etherly spent more than 20 years there. When Baldwin retired, Etherly took her place as head of the department, Baldwin said. "I loved her dearly," Baldwin said. Etherly's work with students came home to her through the many awards she received. Some awards include Outstanding Young Educator for Jefferson County in 1969. Arkansas Marketing Teacher of the Year in 1976, Arkansas Vocational Teacher of the Year in 1979, Arkansas Teacher of the Year in 1980, Pine Bluff Educator Association Teacher of the Year in 1982 and Agent of Change Award in 1995. Besides being active in school, Etherly was active in her church. She was a member of Shiloh Missionary Baptist Church at Pine Bluff but later became a member of St. James United Methodist Church at Pine Bluff. While a member of Shiloh Church, she was the church pianist, youth director, church secretary and a member for 30 years. She was involved in organizations and community services including Arkansas State Chapter Teacher of the Year, National State Teacher of the Year, Community Oriented Policy Committee, DECA Advisory Committee, Park Christmas Lighting Committee and Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority. Survivors include her husband, John W. Etherly; a son, Jerran Etherly of Detroit; a daughter, DeLisa Jones of Detroit; a brother, Leroy Gaskin of San Francisco; two sisters, Eleanor Gause of Buffalo, New York, and Helen Bolden of San Francisco; a stepdaughter, Kay Alexander of Atlanta; and five grandchildren. Funeral services are scheduled for 10:30 a.m. Saturday at St. John AME Church at Pine Bluff with the Rev. Henry "Hank" Wilkins IV officiating. Burial will be in Forest Lawn Memorial Gardens at Pine Bluff by Brown Funeral Home of Pine Bluff. _________________________________________ JIMMY L. TAYLOR LEAGUE CITY, Texas-- Jimmy L. Taylor, 57, of League City, Texas, died September 29, 1997, at Clear Lake Regional Medical Center. He was born at Grapevine, Arkansas, on November 1, 1939, a son of Opal Davis Taylor Whitehead of Grapevine and the late James E. Taylor. He was raised and educated at Grapevine and Houston. He joined the Navy after high school and served four years. He was a carpenter in Arkansas and Texas all of his adult life. He was employed with Carpenter's Local Union Hall Number 973 of Texas City, Texas, until his death. He was a Baptist. Other survivors include his wife, Reda Wiley Taylor, whom he married at Rison, Arkansas, on April 11, 1975; four sons, Jamie Taylor and Jerry Taylor, both of Pine Bluff, Clint Taylor of Friendswood, Texas, and Chad Taylor of League City; two brothers, Ervin Whitehead of Hot Springs, Arkansas, and Herbert "Buck" Whitehead of Little Rock; four sisters, Betty Jo McClain of Texas City, Joyce Dean of Hot Springs and Mary Sue Cantrell and Myrtis Towles, both of Pine Bluff; and six grandchildren. Funeral services are scheduled for 10 a.m. Saturday at Ralph Robinson & Son Funeral Directors with the Rev. Paul Hollingsworth officiating. Burial will be in Black Cemetery in Cleveland County, Arkansas. James Crowder Funeral Home of Dickinson, Texas, handled the arrangements in Texas. _____________________________________ TY THORNTON MCGEHEE-- Ty Lewis Thornton, 49, of Dermott, died September 25, 1997, at McGehee-Desha County Hospital here. He was born at Monticello on July 3, 1948, a son of Isom Thornton of Dermott and the late Ella Jane Davis Thornton. Other survivors include a son, Timothy Thornton of Little Rock; a daughter, Tamekia Thornton of Little Rock; two brothers, Eddie Thornton of Detroit and Willard Lambert of Gould; and four sisters, Marnell Allen of Dumas, Azilee Brown of Lindale, Texas, Lettie Jean Washington of Monticello and Claretha Thornton of Dermott. Funeral services are scheduled for 1 p.m. Saturday at Ash Street Baptist Church at Dermott with the Rev. R.A. Austin and the Rev. William Freeman officiating. Burial will be in Coleman Cemetery at Dermott by M. Davis Strickland Funeral Home of Dermott. ______________________________________ ELVIN BURKS MCGEHEE-- Elvin Burks, 85, of Dermott, died September 28, 1997, at McGehee-Desha County Hospital. He was born at Dermott on September 15, 1912, a son of the late Ben Burks. He was a retired farmer. Survivors include his wife, Vernett Burks; four sons, Elvin Burks Jr. of Theresa, Wisconsin, Chester Burks and Jimmy Burks, both of Milwaukee, and Earnest Burks of Fayetteville, North Carolina; four daughters, Delores Franklin of McGehee, Linda Armstrong of Pine Bluff, Velma Knuckles of El Dorado and Darlene Little of Little Rock; 28 grandchildren; and two great-grandchildren. Funeral services are scheduled for 2:30 p.m. Saturday at Antioch Missionary Baptist Church at Dermott with the Rev. Jimmy Earl Burks officiating. Burial will be in Davis Cemetery at Dermott by M. Davis Strickland Funeral Home at Dermott. ________________________________ Submitted by Linda P. Smith DougMIV@aol.com =========================================================== PART THREE PINE BLUFF COMMERCIAL FRIDAY, OCTOBER 3,1997 Pine Bluff, Jefferson Co., Arkansas JACK RUPE LITTLE ROCK-- Jack Rupe, 69, of Hensley, died September 29, 1997, at Veterans Hospital here. Born June 12, 1928, at Rolla, Missouri, he was a son of the late William Harrison Rupe and Louisa McCaslin Rupe. He was a retired dispatcher for Coca Cola, a member of First Christian Church and a member of Veterans of Foreign Wars. He served in the Air Force. Survivors include his wife, Rosie Eyvln Beckwith Rupe; two so ns, Bert Rupe of Woodland, California, and Paul Rupe of Folsum, California; a stepson, Donnie Wagner of Munik Oklahoma; three daughters, Carol Snider and Jacqueline Rupe, both of Sacramento, California, and Deborah Peoples of McLoud, Oklahoma; a stepdaughter, Maryan Hargus of Elk City, Oklahoma; three sisters, Lucille Wheeler of Jacksonville, Florida, Marjorie Satori of Lompoc, California, and Pauline Clay of Clinton, Oklahoma; seven grandchildren; and six great-grandchildren. Memorial services will be held at 11 a.m. Saturday at Woodson Cemetery near Woodson by Buie Funeral Home of Sheridan. ____________________________________ MACK TOLBERT SR. ENGLAND-- Funeral services for Mack Tolbert Sr., 70, of Sherrill, who died September 26, 1997, at his home, are scheduled for 2 p.m. Saturday at East Macedonia Baptist Church at England with the Rev. Ulyess Dunlap officiating. Burial will be in Nellum Cemetery at England by Henson Mortuary of Pine Bluff. He was born at England on March 20, 1927, a son of the late Jim and Mary King Tolbert. Survivors include his wife, Ella Mae Tolbert; four sons, Mack Tolbert Jr. and Leveda Tolbert, both of Chicago, and James Leon Tolbert and Jerry Tolbert, both of Pine Bluff; seven daughters, Vivian Tolbert of Chicago, Margie Johnson of Tucker and Jo Ann Winston, Ellouise Tolbert, Rose Gary, Lisa Haynes and Sherry Harris, all of Pine Bluff; two brothers, Leandrew McClain of Flint, Michigan, and Preston King of Pine Bluff; five sisters, Brenda Woods of Little Rock, Marcella Crawfort of Farrocky, New York, Mary Ann Goods of Hazen and Anna Mothershed and Dorothy Pennington, both of Pine Bluff; 37 grandchildren; and 19 great-grandchildren. ____________________________________ JERRY SAELER KINGSLAND-- Jerry Dean Saeler, 54, of Kingsland, died October 2, 1997, at his home. Born August 3, 1943, at Cleveland County, he was a son of Susie Saeler Thompson Torrence of Kingsland and the late Aldo Saeler. He was a log cutter. Other survivors include his wife, Judith Saeler; a son, Ricky Saeler of Kingsland; three daughters, Jo Ann Saeler, Vicky Howard and Rita Barnes, all of Kingsland; three brothers, Jimmy Saeler, Jesse Ray Saler and Jack Torrence, all of Kingsland; and seven grandchildren. Graveside services are scheduled for 2 p.m. Saturday at Crossroads Cemetery at Kingsland with the Rev. Lewis Langley officiating. Arrangements are by Benton Funeral Home of Fordyce. ______________________________ MARTHA WARREN Funeral services for Martha A. Warren, 97, of Detroit, formerly of Pine Bluff, who died September 27, 1997, at Providence Hospital at Southfield, Michigan, will be at 1 p.m. Saturday at New Town Baptist Church at Pine Bluff with Elder DeWitt Hill officiating. Burial will be at Forest Lawn Cemetery by Christian Way Funeral Home. Born August 6, 1900, at Dexter, she was a daughter of the late Milton Hill and Sarah Leak Hill. She was the widow of the Rev. C.H. "Charlie" Warren. A former member of New Town Baptist Church, she served in the missionary society and senior choir. After moving to Detroit, she became a member of True Love Baptist Church. Survivors include a daughter, Ruthie M. Johnson of Detroit; two sons, Herman Rouse of Chicago and Charlie Warren Jr. of Salem Oregon; a grandchild; and four great-grandchildren. __________________________________ MALCOM CAUSEY MONTICELLO-- Malcom "Jack" Causey, 76, of Monticello, died October 1, 1997, at Drew Memorial Hospital. Born March 17, 1921, at Drew County, he was a son of the late Malvin Causey and Lois Fox Causey. He was a retired World War II Navy veteran and retired school teacher. He taught at Drew Central, Fountain Hill and Warren schools. He was a member of the Retired Teacher Association and was a Protestant. Survivors include his wife, Mary White Causey; two sons, John Causey of Monticello and Richard DeSalvo of New Jersey; two daughters, Carrie DuPriest of Little Rock and Dianne Thompson of Fountain Hills, Arizona; a brother, Macon Causey of Fountain Hill, Arkansas; three sisters, Margaret Knowles and Jean Tucker, both of Monticello, and Laverne Bradbury of Star City; and three grandchildren. Funeral services are scheduled for 2 p.m. today at Stephenson-Dearman Funeral Home with the Rev. R. V. White officiating. Burial will be in Oakland Cemetery at Monticello. ___________________________________ Submitted by Linda P. Smith DougMIV@aol.com =========================================================== PART TWO PINE BLUFF COMMERCIAL FRIDAY, OCTOBER 3, 1997 Pine Bluff, Jefferson Co., Arkansas MURRIEL HARRIS Funeral services for Murriel "Merle" Harris, 58, of Fordyce, who died September 28, 1997, at Baptist Hospital at Little Rock, are scheduled for 3:30 p.m. Saturday at St. John AME Church at Fordyce with the Rev. C.H. Roberts officiating. Burial will be in Enon Cemetery at Fordyce by Brown-Williams Funeral Home of Fordyce. Born July 29, 1939, at Fordyce, he was a son of the late Kenneth G. Harris Sr. and Flossie Christine Cone Harris. He was a member of St. John AME Church at Fordyce and was a steward and a senior choir member. He was a member of the Elks Lodge. Survivors include his wife, Lauretta Clinton Hammock Harris of Las Vegas; two sons, Myron Harris and Merle "M.J." Juan Harris, both of Las Vegas; two stepsons, James Domineck and Jerome Domineck, both of Little Rock; a stepdaughter, Janetta Clinton of Las Vegas; a brother, Kenneth Harris Jr. of Arkadelphia; three sisters, Katie Mae Green and Diane Dowd, both of Los Angeles, and Billie Jean Flakes of Las Vegas; and seven grandchildren. ___________________________________ ASIA DYKES Asia Cheyenne Dykes of Pine Bluff, the daughter of Daniel Kevin Dykes Sr. and Sheria Ackward Mannie, both of Pine Bluff, was born and died October 1, 1997, at Jefferson Regional Medical Center. Other survivors include two brothers, Daniel Kevin Dykes, Jr. and Covalus Mannie Jr., both of Pine Bluff; grandparents, Alice Dykes of Pine Bluff, Willie Dykes of Kansas City and Eddie Mae Franklin of West Helena; and great-grandparents, Sarah Ackward of Helena and Minnie Lee Montgomery of El Dorado. Graveside services are scheduled for 5 p.m. today in Forest Lawn Cemetery at Pine Bluff with the Rev. Kenneth Stewart officiating. Arrangements are handled by Brown Funeral Home of Pine Bluff. ____________________________________ CLOUDY PAGE, 104 DUMAS-- Cloudy Page Jr., 104, of Dumas, died September 28, 1997, at Delta Memorial Hospital. Born August 10, 1893, at Louisiana, he was a son of the late Cloudy Page Sr. and Jannie Henery Page. He worked in agriculture. He was a member of Union Baptist Church at Dumas. Survivors include two daughters, Rosetta Blackshire of San Diego and Lydia Davis of Dumas; nine grandchildren; and 11 great-grandchildren. Funeral services are scheduled for 2 p.m. Saturday at Union Baptist Church with the Rev. Howard Bess officiating. Burial will be in Banks Cemetery at Dumas by Christian Way Funeral Home of Dumas. ____________________________________ LUKE GRAY Funeral services for Luke Gray , 66, of McGehee, who died September 25, 1997, at Jefferson Regional Medical Center, are scheduled for 11 a.m. Saturday at Brown Funeral Home with the Rev. Earnest Jenkins officiating. Burial will be in St. Paul Cemetery by Brown Funeral Home of Dumas. He was born April 9, 1931, in Clarksdale, Mississippi. He was a Baptist. Survivors include his wife, Ann Gray of Dumas; a son, Joseph Gray of Dumas; three daughters, Elyria Gray of Dumas, Sharon Daniels of Arlington, Texas, and Kerrie Gray of Gould; a brother, Jobie Gray of California; eight grandchildren; and five great-grandchildren. ____________________________________ JAMES PIPPINS James Pippins, 75, of Pine Bluff, died September 25, 1997, at Jefferson Regional Medical Center. Born December 16, 1921, at Yorktown, he was a son of the late William Pippins and Jeanette Griffin Pippins. He was a Baptist, and a self-employed landscaper. Survivors include his wife, Charity Kirby Pippins; two daughters, Charity Lavern Jones of Dallas and Elizabeth Tillman of Little Rock; two sisters, Earnestine James of Star City and Future Mae Tolefree of North Las Vegas; five grandchildren; and four great-grandchildren. Funeras services are scheduled for 10 a.m. Saturday at Mount Nebo Baptist Church at Yorktown with the Rev. G.L. Ford officiating. Burial will be in Mount Nebo Cemetery at Yorktown by Brown Funeral Home. _________________________________ CONSTANCE EASON LITTLE ROCK-- Constance Torry Eason of Clarendon died October 1, 1997, at Chenal Transitional Rehabilitation Center here. She was the daughter of the late Mr. and Mrs. Harry Torry. She had taught in the public school systems of Lepanto and Clarendon and served as principal of the Clarendon Elementary School. She was preceded in death by her husband, Jerry Lomax Eason. She was a member of First Presbyterian Church at Clarendon. Survivors include two daughters, Jerre Lynn Gilstrap of LaFayette, Georgia, and Harriet Bynum of Pine Bluff; and five grandchildren, Lori Joyner of Hong Kong, Joe E. Joyner of Boynton Beach, FL, Jan Joyner of LaFayette, GA, Daniels Bynum of Little Rock and Marion Bynum of Fayetteville. Funeral services are scheduled for 2 p.m. today at First Presbyterian Church at Clarendon. Burial will be at Shady Grove Cemetery at Clarendon by Brown Funeral Home of Clarendon. ____________________________________ Submitted by Linda P. Smith DougMIV@aol.com ================================================================= PINE BLUFF COMMERCIAL SATURDAY, OCTOBER 4, 1997 Pine Bluff, Jefferson Co., Arkansas MARIE GOODIN LAS CRUCES, New Mexico-- Marie McDonald Goodin, 88, of Las Cruces, New Mexico, died September 24, 1997, at University Terrace Good Samaritan Village. She was born at Sheridan, Arkansas, on October 22, 1908, a daughter of the late Munroe N. and Eva Gean McDonald. She taught school in Arkansas and moved to Las Cruces in 1927. She and her two children moved to Peru to live with her husband in mining communities located above 14,000 feet. She raised her children in the Panama Canal Zone and returned to Las Cruces in 1954 to open Goodin's Refrigeration of Las Cruces. She enjoyed southwest art and the surroundings of New Mexico. She was preceded in death by her husband, Marion J. Goodin, whom she married in 1932. Survivors include a son Jeff Goodin of Abilene, Texas; a daughter, Coila Maphis of Boulder, Colorado; two brothers, James McDonald of Pine Bluff and Donald McDonald of Little Rock; a sister, Eva Sue Crutchfield of Dallas; six grandchildren; and eight great-grandchildren. A private family service was held September 26, 1997, at University Terrace Good Samaritan Village. There was no burial because the body was cremated. Arrangements were handled by Graham Mortuary and Mesilla Valley Crematory at Las Cruces. _____________________________________ EDWARD TALBERT LITTLE ROCK-- Edward "Ed" Heimer Talbert, 90, of Carthage, died October 2, 1997, at St. Vincent Infirmary Medical Center here. He was born in the Saline community on September 28, 1907, a son of the late Charles A. and Mary Etta Cox Talbert. He was a retired, self-employed pulp wood contractor and a member of Hopewell Missionary Baptist Church near Carthage. He was preceded in death by an infant daughter, Barbara Carolyn Talbert. Survivors include his wife, Eula Orr Talbert, his wife of 62 years; a son, Glen Edward Talbert of Sheridan; a daughter, Janie Talbert Kauffman of Bryant; four grandchildren; and three great-grandchildren. Funeral services are scheduled for 2 p.m. today at Buie Funeral Home at Sheridan with the Rev. John O. Brown Jr. and the Rev. John Owen officiating. Burial will be in Hampton Springs Cemetery near Carthage. ___________________________________ Submitted by Linda P. Smith DougMIV@aol.com ============================================================ PINE BLUFF COMMERCIAL SUNDAY, OCTOBER 5, 1997 Pine Bluff, Jefferson Co., Arkansas ALLAN WARE NORTH LITTLE ROCK-- Allan R. Ware, 50, of Little Rock, died October 3, 1997, in the Veterans Administration Hospital here. Survivors include a sister, Lynne Clifton of Little Italy, near Little Rock; and a brother, Hames Ware of Little Rock. A memorial service will be held at 2 p.m. Tuesday at the Lord of Life Lutheran Church at Little Rock. Funeral arrangements are being handled by Ruebel Funeral Home of Little Rock. Memorials may be made to the Oasis Renewal Center or Lord of Life Lutheran Church. ________________________________ GROVER CARTER Grover Lee Carter, 84, of Warren, died October 3, 1997, at Jefferson Regional Medical Center. A native of Lincoln County, he was born June 1, 1913, a son of the late Dan and Minnie Carter. He was a retired farm manager of Sigmon Forest Products. He was a member of the Holly Springs Missionary Baptist Church. He was preceded in death by his wife, Louise Carter. Survivors include three sons, Gary Carter, Carroll Carter and DeWayne Carter, all of Warren; four brothers, J.D. Carter, Lemoine Carter and Moten Carter, all of Monticello, and Claude Carter of Dumas; three sisters, Jewel King and Shirley Ann Robertson, both of Star City, and Lillie Mae O'Briant of Pine Bluff; two grandchildren; and a great-grandchild. Funeral services will be at 2 p.m. today at Stephenson-Dearman Funeral Home at Monticello by the Rev. James Patterson and the Rev. Olen Ward. Burial will be in Pleasant Springs Cemetery in Drew County. ________________________________ OTHA DAVIS SR. Otha Lloyd Davis Sr., 77, of Pine Bluff, died October 4, 1997, at Jefferson Regional Medical Center. A native of Mount Calm, Texas, he was born November 25, 1919, a son of the late Henry Albert and Myrtle B. Cagle Davis. He was a retired railroad conductor, having worked for 40 years. He served in the Army during World War II and was a member of the American Legion and Veterans of Foreign Wars. He attended East Side Baptist Church and taught a Sunday school class at Davis Life Center for 15 years. He was also a Wednesday morning prayer breakfast cook for First United Methodist Church. Survivors include his wife, Winifred Barry Davis; a son, Otha Lloyd Davis Jr. of Pine Bluff; and two grandchildren. Funeral services are scheduled for 10 a.m. Monday at Hale-South Funeral Home with Ray Edmonson and Norman McFall officiating. Burial will be at 10 a.m. Tuesday in Bascolm Cemetery at Tyler, Texas. _______________________________ Submitted by Linda P. Smith DougMIV@aol.com =============================================================== PINE BLUFF COMMERCIAL TUESDAY, OCTOBER 7,1997 Pine Bluff, Jefferson Co., Arkansas CHRISTOPHER ODOM (Photo included) Christopher Wayne Odom, 23, of Pine Bluff, died October 3, 1997, at Pine Bluff from injuries received in a shooting. He was born at Pine Bluff on October 14, 1973, a son of Wayne and Frankie Bishop Odom of Pine Bluff. He was raised and educated at Pine Bluff and was a 1990 graduate of Pine Bluff High School. He was a machinist at Greenfield Industries. He was preceded in death by grandparents, Riley Odom and Jake and Opal Bishop. Other survivors include a sister, Katherine Odom of Pine Bluff; and his grandmother, Mrs. Riley Odom of Pine Bluff. Funeral services are scheduled for 10 a.m. Wednesday at the Ralph Robinson & Son Funeral Directors with the Rev. Zeke Moore officiating. Burial will be in Brown Cemetery in Jefferson County. __________________________________ ANNER BARRY Funeral services for Anner Barry, 85, of Oak Park Nursing Home, who died October 1, 1997, at Jefferson Regional Medical Center, were held at 11 a.m. Monday at Christian Way Funeral Home with Elder DeWitt Hill officiating. Burial was in Lincoln Memorial Cemetery at Grady. She was born at Watson on May 18, 1912, a daughter of the late Cleaven Bradley and Gracie Spriggs Bradley. She was a housekeeper and attended the Assembly of God. Survivors include a cousin, who was a caregiver, Ellen Mason of Pine Bluff. ____________________________________ EDGAR PEARCY HOBBS, New Mexico-- Edgar Toler Pearcy, 74, of Eunice, New Mexico, died September 23, 1997, at Columbia Lea Regional Hospital. He was born at England, Arkansas, on October 1, 1922, a son of the late Edgar Odell and Bertha Pearcy. He and his family moved from Pine Bluff to Eunice in 1946. He was a 1940 graduate from a high school at Olney, Oklahoma and went to Murray College at Tishomingo, Oklahoma. He served in the Army Air Corps during World War II and was a retired Lieutenant Colonel of the Air Force Reserves. He retired in 1991 as the owner and manager of Eunice Meat Locker Plant. He was elected mayor of Eunice in 1992 and served until his death. He was a past president of the Chamber of Commerce at Eunice and was on the city council in 1991. He was a member of the American Legion Post, Odd Fellows and Masonic Lodge, all in Eunice. He was also a member of the Moose Lodge at Hobbs and of the Retired Major Air Force Reserves. He was preceded in death by a brother, W. Odell Pearcy; and a sister, Lillian LeCaptain Matthews. Survivors include his wife, Louise Miller Pearcy, whom he married at Phoenix on July 26, 1945; a daughter, Linda Louise Pearcy Langston of Bowie, Maryland; a sister, Kathleen C. Williams of Pine Bluff; and two grandchildren. Funeral services were held at 2 p.m. September 26, 1997, at First Baptist Church at Eunice with the Rev. Keeney Dickenson officiating. Burial was in Eunice Cemetery by Calvary Funeral Home of Eunice. He received military honors by the American Veterans Honor Guard. He was honored as he was laid to rest by a fly-over of three World War II trainer planes and a bi-plane. The planes were arranged in the traditional Missing Man Formation and the bi-plane was the exact plane he flew during World War II. _________________________________________ ALMA COWART Alma Hillyard Cowart, 95, of Trinity Village Nursing Home, formerly of Rison, died October 5, 1997, at the nursing home. She was born at Phillipstown, Illinois on April 13, 1902, a daughter of the late E.M. Hillyard and Nellie Cleveland Hillyard. She moved to Rison with her parents in 1909. She was a retired legal secretary and a member of First United Methodist Church at Pine Bluff. Survivors include a son, Don H. Cowart of Abescon, New Jersey. Graveside services are scheduled for 11 a.m. Wednesday in Greenwood Cemetery at Rison with Jay Culpepper officiating. Arrangements are by Buie Funeral Home of Rison. _________________________________________ FLORENCE HUGHES FORDYCE-- Florence Gage Hughes, 79, of Kingsland, died October 5, 1997, at Dallas County Nursing Home. She was born near Fordyce on April 18, 1918, a daughter of the late Bell Gage and Grace Wilson Gage. She was a homemaker and a member of Kingsland United Methodist Church. She was preceded in death by her husband, Ila F. Hughes, who died on January 4, 1977; and a granddaughter. Survivors include a son, James Crosby of Kingsland; a daughter, Barbara Neal of Kingsland; two grandchildren; and two great-grandchildren. Funeral services are scheduled for 2 p.m. today at Buie Funeral Home at Rison with George Brandon officiating. Burial will be in Hebron Cemetery near Kingsland. ____________________________________ TONNIE WHITIKER JR. Tonnie Anthony Whitiker, Jr., 20, of Pine Bluff, died at his home September 29, 1997, from injuries received in a shooting. He was born at Little Rock on November 6, 1976, a son of Tonnie Anthony Whitiker Sr. and Wanda Jean Beal, both of Pine Bluff. He was a shift supervisor at Burger King and was a member of the Church of God in Christ. Survivors include a sister, Tamika Whitiker of Pine Bluff; grandparents, Gloria Moore of Pine Bluff and Eugene Beal of Cleveland; a great-grandfather, Esther Simmons of McGehee; and a stepmother, Reneta Whitiker of Pine Bluff. Funeral services are scheduled for 11 a.m. Wednesday at Brown Funeral Home of Pine Bluff with Elder Lee Whitiker officiating. Burial will be in Prairie Lake Cemetery at Pine Bluff. ____________________________________ MAYSEL ROBINSON Maysel Robinson, 77, of Star City, died October 6, 1997, at Jefferson Regional Medical Center. Funeral services are scheduled for 2 p.m. Wednesday at Holly Springs Missionary Baptist Church near Star City. Burial will be in Holly Springs Cemetery near Star City by Griffin Funeral Service of Star City. _______________________________________ Submitted by Linda P. Smith DougMIV@aol.com ============================================================== PINE BLUFF COMMERCIAL WEDNESDAY, OCTOBER 8, 1997 Pine Bluff, Jefferson Co., Arkansas MAYSEL ROBINSON Funeral services for Maysel Donaldson Robinson, 77, of Star City, who died October 6, 1997, at Jefferson Regional Medical Center, are scheduled for 2 p.m. today at Holly Springs Missionary Baptist Church near Star City with J.C. Patterson and Olan War officiating. Burial will be in Holly Springs Cemetery near Star City by Griffin Funeral Service of Star City. She was born in Lincoln County on November 9, 1919, a daughter of the late Clyde and Leo Leal Donaldson. She was a homemaker and a member of Holly Springs Missionary Baptist Church. She was preceded in death by her husband, Havis J.T. Robinson, who died on December 14, 1975; two brothers, Guy Donaldson and J.N. Donaldson; a sister, Ava Waldo; and two grandchildren. Survivors include two sons, Laverl Robinson of Pine Bluff and Harold Robinson of Star City; a daughter, Lillian Doss of Pine Bluff; a brother, Oren Donaldson of Star City; five grandchildren; and four great-grandchildren. _____________________________________ PHYLLIS GLOVER MURFREESBORO-- Phyllis Kay Shaw Glover, 32, of Hot Springs, died October 5, 1997, at Murfreesboro. She was born at Oxford, Mississippi on August 9, 1965, a daughter of Sue Smith Shaw of Harmontown, Mississippi and the late Calvin Shaw. She was a physical therapist and formerly worked for Professional Rehabilitaion Associates at Pine Bluff. Survivors include her husband, Dr. John Michael Glover of Hot Springs; a son, John Calvin "Cal" Glover of Hot Springs; a daughter, Andria Moran Glover of Hot Springs; two brothers, David Alan Shaw of Oxford, Mississippi and Charles Calvin Shaw of Southaven, Mississippi; and a sister, Judy Shaw Hurdle of Slayden, Mississippi. Funeral services are scheduled for 2 p.m. today at Harmontown Baptist Church at Harmontown with the Revs. Don Stanfill, Barry Littlefield and Gary Akers officiating. Burial will be at Harmontown Cemetery by Waller Funeral Home of Oxford. _____________________________________ LAWRENCE GROOMES LITTLE ROCK-- Lawrence Delbert Groomes, 74, of Leola (Grant County), died October 6, 1997, at Veterans Hospital. He was born at Leola on September 6, 1923, a son of Minnie Francis Perser Groomes of Leola and the late Henry Delbert Groomes. He had retired as a service station manager, and was a Navy veteran of World War II and a member of the American Legion. He was preceded in death by a brother, Doyle Groomes, who died in 1967. Survivors include two sons, Kenneth Groomes and Bobby Groomes, both of Omak, Washington; three brothers, Henry "Red" Groomes and Jerry Groomes, both of Leola, and Lloyd Groomes, of Okanogan, Washington; six grandchildren; and five great-grandchildren. Graveside services are scheduled for 10 a.m. today in Leola Cemetery with Donald Greer officiating. Arrangements are handled by Buie Funeral Home of Sheridan. Memorials may be made to Leola Assembly of God. ________________________________________ RICHARD HOLMES SR. Richard R. Holmes Sr., 39, of Pine Bluff, died October 3, 1997, at Jefferson Regional Medical Center from injuries received in a shooting. He was born at Gary, Indiana on August 4, 1958, a son of Roberta Washington Holmes of Gary and the late Thomas C. Holmes. He was a security guard at the University of Arkansas at Pine Bluff and was a Baptist. Survivors include a son, Richard Holmes Jr. of Columbus, Mississippi; six brothers, Thomas Holmes, Willis E. Holmes, James Holmes and Larry Holmes, all of Gary, Timothy Holmes of Fort Walton Beach, Florida and Leasie Washington of Detroit; three sisters, Bernestine Holmes of Flint, Michigan and Dorothy Dickinson and Deborah Holmes, both of Gary; and a grandmother, Luvenia Washington of Altheimer. Funeral services are scheduled for 6:30 p.m. today at Brown Funeral Home of Pine Bluff with the Rev. A.L. Brown officiating. Burial will be Saturday in Evergreen Cemetery at Hobart, Indiana. __________________________________________ JAMES FITE Funeral services for James Edward Fite, 75, of Pine Bluff, who died September 30, 1997, at his home, are scheduled for 11 a.m. Thursday at Brown Funeral Home of Pine Bluff with Hazel M. Wright officiating. Burial will be in Forest Lawn Cemetery at Pine Bluff. He was born at Bauxite on May 21, 1922, a son of the late York and Daisy Smith Fite. He was an Army veteran and a Baptist. He was preceded in death by his wife. Survivors include three sisters, Emma J. Crosby of St. Louis, Hazel M. Wright of Hot Springs and Virginia L. Whiteing of Houston. ______________________________________ REV. FLOYD JONES WARREN-- The Rev. Floyd O. Jones, 85, of Thornton, died October 4, 1997, at Wagnon Place Nursing Center. He was born at Thornton on January 9, 1912, a son of the late Steve Jones and Mary Ella Jane Goods Jones. He was a minister, a retired teacher and member of Oak Grove Baptist Church at Thornton, a former pastor of Greater Olive Baptist Church at Bearden and Harmony Baptist Church at Sparkman, a Navy veteran of World War II and had served as a moderator for Greater Bradley District Association. Survivors include his wife, Mattie Jones; three sons, Donald R. Jones and Stan Jones, both of Thornton, and Arlen Jones of Little Rock; two daughters, Arvye Jean Easter of Thornton and Marva Lois Carter of Moreno Valley, California; a sister, Gladys Neal of Pine Bluff; 10 grandchildren; and nine great-grandchildren. Funeral services are scheduled for noon Saturday at Greater Bradley District Center at Bearden with the Rev. G.H. Jones Jr. officiating. Burial will be in Greenville Cemetery at Fordyce by Marks Funeral Home of Fordyce. ___________________________________ Submitted by Linda P. Smith DougMIV@aol.com ==================================================================== ============================================================ PINE BLUFF COMMERCIAL THURSDAY, OCTOBER 9, 1997 Pine Bluff, Jefferson Co., Arkansas REV. H. P. DONALDSON JR LAKE VILLAGE-- The Rev. Hamp Paul Donaldson Jr., 84, of Dermott, died October 3, 1997, at Chicot Memorial Hospital. He was born at Eudora on July 13, 1913, a son of the late Hamp Paul Donaldson Sr. and Agnes Brooks. He attended the Theological Seminary at Arkansas Baptist College at Little Rock. He was a finance chairman of the 10th District Association at Monroe and was a president of the Southeast District Sunday School and BTU Congress. He was president of the Weekly Fellowship of Dermott and a member of the Star of Bethlehem Masonic Lodge 125. He was the pastor of First Baptist Church at Eudora and Lightwood Baptist Church at Bastrop, Louisiana; and he was a former pastor of Paradise Baptist Church at Grady, Antioch Baptist Church and Bethany Baptist Church, both at Dermott, Mount Lebana Church at Darnell, Louisiana; and St. Paul Missionary Baptist Church at Sterling. Survivors include his wife, Helen Joyce Jackson Donaldson; and a sister, Ocie Gray of Eudora. Funeral services are scheduled for 11 a.m. Friday at Ministers Institute at Eudora with the Rev. Williams Freeman officiating. Burial will be in Hill Cemetery at Eudora by M. Davis Strickland Funeral Home at Dermott. ___________________________________ MICHAEL BREWER HENSLEY-- Michael Leon Brewer, 28, of Pine Bluff, died October 6, 1997, from injuries received in an automobile accident near Hensley. He was born at Little Rock on November 29, 1968, a son of George and Jackie Johnson Brewer of Pine Bluff. He was a ward clerk at Doctors Hospital at Little Rock and was a Baptist. Other survivors include a brother, George Nicholas Brewer of Pine Bluff; two sisters, Cynthia Lingo and Alicia Brewer, both of Pine Bluff; and grandparents, John and June Brewer of Conway. Funeral services are scheduled for 10 a.m. Friday at Buie Funeral Home of Sheridan. Burial will be in Lost Creek Cemetery at Sheridan. ______________________________________ ELIJAH WILLINGHAM MILWAUKEE-- Elijah Lovert Willingham, 98, of Milwaukee, died October 3, 1997, at Sinai Samaritan Hospital. He was born at Tucker, Arkansas, on October 1, 1899, a son of the late Milton and Elizabeth Franklin Willingham. He went to schools at Tucker and was a self-employed farmer and a Baptist. He retired in 1965 after he worked for G. W. Allison Company for many years. He moved to Springfield, Missouri, in 1966. He was preceded in death by his wife, Ethel M. Johnson Roberts. Survivors include three sons, Arnet Willingham, Harrill Willingham and Milton Willingham, all of Milwaukee; a daughter, Deloris Adams of Milwaukee; a sister, Arthielia Strickland-Willis of Pine Bluff; 16 grandchildren; and 16 great-grandchildren. Funeral services are scheduled for 11 a.m. Friday at Brown Funeral Home at Pine Bluff with Elder Joe H. Todd officiating. Burial will be in Mount Olive Cemetery at Pine Bluff. _____________________________________ Submitted by Linda P. Smith DougMIV@aol.com ========================================================== PINE BLUFF COMMERCIAL FRIDAY, OCTOBER 10, 1997 Pine Bluff, Jefferson Co., Arkansas CAMELLIA PRIDGEON (Photo included) Camellia Bernadette Pridgeon, 10, of Pine Bluff, died October 3, 1997, at Jefferson Regional Medical Center. She was born at Pine Bluff on May 26,1987, a daughter of Linda Sue Pridgeon of Pine Bluff. She was a fifth grade student at Belair Magnet School and was a member of St. Peter's Catholic Church at Pine Bluff. Survivors include a brother, Quincy Pridgeon of Pine Bluff; a sister, Marquita Pridgeon of Pine Bluff; and grandparents, Christine Pridgeon of Pine Bluff and Edward "Joe" Pridgeon of Calumet, Illinois. Funeral services are scheduled for 2 p.m. Saturday at St. Peter's Catholic Church with the Rev. Bernard C. Keller officiating. Burial will be in Forest Lawn Cemetery at Pine Bluff by Brown Funeral Home of Pine Bluff. _________________________________ WILLA BUCHANAN GARDEN CITY, Michigan-- Willa Madine Stevens Buchanan of Garden City, Michigan, formerly of Sheridan, died October 7, 1997. Born in Sheridan, she was a daughter of Lois Myrtis Stevens of Sheridan and the late John Thomas Stevens. She graduated from Sheridan High School in 1948 and married her high school sweetheart, Richard Buchanan, on April 25, 1949. They moved to Garden City. She was a retail associate. Survivors include her husband, Richard Hewdell Buchanan; three daughters, Sandra Buchanan of Northville, Michigan, and Judith Leonard and Stephanie Buchanan, both of Garden City; two sons, Richard Buchanan of Dallas and Steven Buchanan of Garden City; three sisters, Juanita Benson of Arlington, Texas, Nancy Tapp of Hensley and Barbara Nichols of Redfield; three brothers, James O. Stevens of Pine Bluff, Tommir Lee Stevens of Sheridan and the Rev. B.G. Stevens of Colbert, Oklahoma; and seven grandchildren. Graveside services are scheduled for 10 a.m. Saturday at Rhodes Cemetery near Sheridan by Buie Funeral Home of Sheridan. ________________________________ LEE MALOY LITTLE ROCK-- Lee D. Maloy, 72, of Hot Springs, died October 7, 1997, at the Veterans Hospital here. He was born December 22, 1924, at Cotton Plant. He was a former policeman in Stuttgart and DeWitt and ran an independent linen route. He was a member of Euclid Lodge 130, the Veterans of Foreign Wars, and the American Legion. He was an auxiliary policeman, helped start Pee-Wee Football in Stuttgart and was a member of the North Maple Baptist Church. He was a World War II Marine veteran. Survivors include a son, Danny Maloy of Pine Bluff; two daughters, Brenda Levey of Ulm and Patricia Maloy Kelly of Stuttgart; two sisters, Katie Mahan of Tunica, Mississippi, and Doris Mosley of West Helena; six grandchildren; and two great-grandchildren. Graveside services are scheduled for 11 a.m. today at Brinkley Cemetery by Turpin Funeral Home of Stuttgart. __________________________________ CHARLES DYKES Charles Marion Dykes, 72, of Kingsland, died October 9, 1997, at Jefferson Regional Medical Center. Born April 21, 1925, at Kingsland, he was a son of the late William L. Dykes and Ludie West Dykes. He was a member of the Church of Christ. He was preceded in death by a brother, Sanford Dykes. Survivors include his wife, Evelyn Darnell Dykes of Kingsland; a son, Leslie Dykes of Little Rock; a daughter, Sandra John Dykes of Maumelle; two stepdaughters, Virginia Ort of Indianapolis, Indiana, and Ruth Ann Garwood of Des Moines, Iowa; two brothers, Odis Frank Dykes and James "J.W." Dykes, both of Conway; three sisters, Grace Ruth Stell of Fordyce and Willie Lorene Brandon and Annie Franklin, both of Kingsland; a grandchild; a stepgrandchild; and two great-grandchildren. Funeral services are scheduled for 2 p.m. Saturday at Benton Funeral Home with George Brandon officiating. Burial will be in Crossroads Cemetery. _________________________________ CHARITY PIGHEE Funeral services for Charity Pighee, 105, of Pine Bluff, who died October 5, 1997, at her home, are scheduled for 10 a.m. Saturday at Brown Funeral Home of Pine Bluff with the Rev. H.C. Curry officiating. Burial will be in Forest Lawn Cemetery at Pine Bluff. She was born at Faith on December 25, 1891. She was a homemaker and a member of Sisters of Charity, Veterans of Foreign Wars and the Order of Eastern Star. She was a member of St. Peter's Rock Baptist Church at Pine Bluff. She was preceded in death by her husband, Earlis Pighee. Survivors include a grandson who was a caregiver, Victor Pighee of Pine Bluff; two other grandchildren; five great-grandchildren; and two great-great-grandchildren. ________________________________ ELMO BATES Funeral services for Elmo Bates, 80, of Pine Bluff, who died October 5, 1997, at Jefferson Regional Medical Center, are scheduled for 11 a.m. Saturday at St. Luke AME Church with the Rev. T.W. Scott officiating. Burial will be in St. Luke Cemetery by P.K. Miller Mortuary. Born May 30, 1917, in the Barnes Community in Jefferson County, he was a son of the late Robert Franklin Bates and Mattie Lever Bates. He received his early education in the public schools of Jefferson County and attended AM&N College (now University of Arkansas at Pine Bluff). He was a member of St. Luke AME Church and Haygood Lodge 407. He served in the Army and was a retired employee of the Pine Bluff Arsenal. Survivors include his wife, Marie Hayes Bates of Pine Bluff; a son, Charles Ray Thompson of Detroit; five daughters, Maxine Bates of Milwaukee, and Evelyn Bates, Nadine Burkett, Bernestine Butler and Eloise Bates, all of Pine Bluff; a brother, Andrew Bates of Pine Bluff; 12 grandchildren; and three great-grandchildren. _________________________________ ACIE MALLETT (Photo included) Funeral services for Acie Mallett, 83, of Tarry, who died October 3, 1997, at Jefferson Regional Medical Center, are scheduled for noon Saturday at Macedonia Baptist Church, near Tarry, with the Rev. Jeff Adams officiating. Burial will be in Macedonia Cemetery at Tarry by Perry Funeral Home. Born in Arkansas November 27, 1913, he was a son of the late Forest and Emma Mallett. He was preceded in death by his wife, Essie Mallett. He was a member of Macedonia Baptist Church where he was a deacon. He was also president of the Greater St. Marion & Big Creek and Reedville Singing Union. He was a retired farmer and had worked at the Pine Bluff Arsenal. He was also a veteran of World War II. Survivors include a son, Earl Mallett of Kansas City; a daughter, Willie M. Edwards of Tarry; a brother, Jessie Mallett of Tarry; and 13 grandchildren. _________________________________ FLOYD TURNER Funeral services for Floyd Turner, 83, of Pine Bluff, who died October 2, 1997, at Jefferson Regional Medical Center, are scheduled for 1 p.m. Saturday at Damascus Baptist Church with Bishop D. DeWayne Rudd Sr. officiating. Burial will be at P.K. Miller Cemetery by Perry Funeral Home. Born September 10, 1914, in Pine Bluff, he was a son of the late Willie and Nannie Turner. He was a member of Damascus Baptist Church. He received his early education in the public schools of Pine Bluff. He was employed at General Waterworks and retired as a welder from Standard Brake Shoe in Pine Bluff. Survivors include his wife, Ruby Coleman Turner of Pine Bluff; seven sons, Charles Coleman of Detroit and Leodis Coleman, William Turner, Bobby Turner, Carl Turner, Jeffery Turner, Timothy Turner, all of Pine Bluff; seven daughters, Betty J. Wade, Annie M. Overs, Juanita Jefferson, Debra Anderson and Sara Carr, all of Pine Bluff, Julia Haliburton of Denver and Lorene Clegg of Chicago; a sister, Dora Humphrey of Pine Bluff; 43 grandchildren; 47 great-grandchildren; and two great-great-grandchildren. __________________________________ IRENE ROSENZWEIG Irene Rosenzweig, 94, of Trinity Village, in Pine Bluff, died October 8, 1997, at Trinity Village Medical Center. Born July 26, 1903, at Pine Bluff, she was a daughter of the late William M. and Pauline Sarason Rosenzweig. She graduated first in her class at Pine Bluff High School in 1920, and earned a bachelor of arts degree in 1924 from Washington University in St. Louis where she was a member of Phi Beta Kappa. She received a doctor of philosophy degree from Bryn Mawr College in Bryn Mawr, Pennsylvania. She received the Prix De Rome fellowship by the American Academy in Rome and did advanced study at the American Academy. She had an interest in Latin and archaeology and remained active with the American Academy in Rome. She was fluent in French, German, Spanish, Latin and Greek. In Pine Bluff, she was a benefactor of Trinity Village Medical Center. At one time she tutored the Roosevelt family in the White House and taught at the Maderia School, a private girls preparatory school in Washington, for several years. A sister, Sylvia Rosenzweig-Schloss, preceded her in death. There are no immediate survivors. A memorial service will be held at 4 p.m. Sunday at Ralph Robinson & Son Funeral Directors with Rabbi Harley Karz-Wagman officiating. ________________________________________ JAKE MEDCALF SR. BENTON-- Funeral services for Jake Mitchell Medcalf Sr., 89, of Benton, who died October 4, 1997, at Saline Memorial Hospital at Benton, are scheduled for 2 p.m. Saturday at St. Paul Baptist Church at Benton with the Rev. Kendell Marshall officiating. Burial will be in Pine Crest Memorial Park at Little Rock by Brown Funeral Home of Pine Bluff. He was born at Lake, Mississippi, on November 25, 1907, a son of the late Mitchell Medcalf and Alma Cleveland Townsend. He was a janitor at Alcoa Aluminum and a member of St. Paul Baptist Church. Survivors include his wife, Ella Liggins Medcalf; eight sons, M.C. Medcalf and Isaac Medcalf, both of Forrest, Mississippi, Jake Medcalf Jr. of Flint, Michigan, George Williams of Columbia, Tennessee, Charles Williams of Tulsa, Mitchell Medcalf of Broken Arrow, Oklahoma, Michael Medcalf of Little Rock and Dwight Nellums of Kansas City; five daughters, Mildred Hatter and Maria R. Abraham, both of Chicago, Pheetus Spears of Flint and Delois Crossley and Elmira Fisher, both of Little Rock; a brother Isaac Medcalf of West Helena; 47 grandchildren; and 59 great-grandchildren. _________________________________ CHRISTINE FREEMAN CHESAPEAKE, VA.-- Funeral services for Christine Freeman, 65, of Chesapeake, Virginia, formerly of Pine Bluff, who died October 7, 1997, at Chesapeake General Hospital, are scheduled for 2:30 p.m. Saturday at Pleasant View Missionary Baptist Church with the Rev. William Shaw Jr. officiating. Burial will be in the Cedar Grove Section of Graceland Cemetery by P.K. Miller Mortuary. Born November 6, 1931, in Pine Bluff, she was a daughter of the late Hugh W. Culler and Martha L. Culler. She received her early education in the public schools of Jefferson County and was a homemaker. She was a member of Pleasant View Missionary Baptist Church. Survivors include six sons, the Rev. Robert J. Freeman of Chesapeake, Virginia, the Rev. Lee L. Jackson of Chattanooga, Tennessee, and Willie Jackson Jr., Samuel Lee Freeman, James Henry Jackson and Karl D. Jackson, all of Pine Bluff; two daughters, Rosie Lee Freeman of Detroit and Emma J. Davis of Pine Bluff; two brothers, Joseph Gilliams of Chicago and Hugh W. Culler Jr. of Pine Bluff; a sister, Carrie Mae Turner of Detroit; 13 grandchildren; and 14 great-grandchildren. _________________________________ ROBERT WEST LITTLE ROCK-- Robert "Bo" Cleveland West, 81, of Dumas, died October 8, 1997, at McClellen Veterans Hospital here. Born February 9, 1916, at Winchester, he was a son of the late John Franklin West and Annie Maude Sweeney West. He was a member of Hopedale Baptist Church, American Legion Walter Hall Post 84, and he served in the Army. He worked in automotives as a service station attendant. Survivors include a daughter, Debbie Darlene West of Fort Riley, Kansas; two brothers, C.F. West of Pine Bluff and Lee West of Dumas, and a sister, Bea Eta West of Searcy. Funeral services are scheduled for 10:30 a.m. Saturday at Hopedale Baptist Church with the Rev. Floyd Lemuell officiating. Burial will be in Scott Cemetery in Winchester by Griffin Funeral Home of Dumas. __________________________________ ABRAHAM BOWIE JR. MILWAUKEE-- Abraham L. Bowie Jr., 52, of Milwaukee, died October 2, 1997, at St. Mary Hospital. He was born at Grady, Arkansas, on January 5, 1945, a son of the late Abraham Bowie Sr. and Mary Ross Bowie. He attended Paradise Baptist Church at Grady when he was younger. He attended Grady High School and got his bachelor's degree in 1967 from AM&N College, now the University of Arkansas at Pine Bluff. He continued his education at the University of Wisconsin at Milwaukee. He worked at the Benton Harbor School System from 1968-69 at Benton Harbor, Michigan. He worked at Opportunity Industrialization Center from 1969 to 1988 when he moved to Milwaukee. He also worked at Milwaukee Area Technical College from 1988 until he retired in 1996. He enjoyed football, boxing and working on his cars. He also went to Grady school and family reunions. Survivors include his wife, Dorothy Brown Bowie, whom he married at Star City, Arkansas, on September 10, 1967; two sons, Undray Bowie and Kevin Bowie, both of Milwaukee; a daughter, Sharon Bowie-Patterson of Pine Bluff; a brother, Henry Bowie of Pine Bluff; seven sisters, Shirley Stubblefield, Maryland Wynne and Carolyn McReynolds, all of Pine Bluff, Deborah White of Grady, Helen Powell of Blakley, Georgia, Joyce Rayner of Bossier City, Louisiana and Willie J. Featherstone of Monroe, North Carolina; and three grandchildren. Funeral services are scheduled for 10:30 a.m. Saturday at Pleasant Grove Cemetery at Grady by Brown Funeral Home of Pine Bluff. _________________________________ BULER WILLIAMS Funeral services for Buler Williams, 86, of Tucker, who died October 4, 1997, at Jefferson Regional Medical Center, are scheduled for 1 p.m. Saturday at St. Paul Baptist Church with the Rev. Larry Blood officiating. Burial will be in Nellum Cemetery in England by Henson Mortuary. Born August 7, 1911, in Wright, she was a daughter of the late Flex and Josephine Wright Danforth. Survivors include two sons, James L. Williams of Conway and Felix E. Williams of Chicago; two daughters, Glenda Adway of Milwaukee and Carol J. Spring of Tucker; two sisters, Luddie Easterwood of Conway and Mary Lee Coleman of Little Rock; nine grandchildren; and eight great-grandchildren. ________________________________ Submitted by Linda P. Smith DougMIV@aol.com ======================================================== PINE BLUFF COMMERCIAL SATURDAY, OCTOBER 11, 1997 Pine Bluff, Jefferson Co., Arkansas CLIFFORD NORTON Clifford Norton, 78, of Pine Bluff, died October 10, 1997, at Jefferson Regional Medical Center. He was born at Randall (Cleveland County) on March 15, 1919, a son of the late Irl Clifton Norton and Effie Mae Hoover Norton. He was raised and educated in Cleveland County and was a 1939 graduate of Woodlawn High School. He was an Army veteran of World War II and moved to Pine Bluff in 1945. He worked for Wimpy Norton's Gulf Station for many years before he began working at the Pine Bluff Arsenal. He retired in 1977 from the arsenal after working there as a security guard for 10 years. He was a member of Hawley Memorial United Methodist Church at Pine Bluff. He was preceded in death by two brothers, Charles Winfred Norton and Herbert Norton; and a sister, Roceail Norton Harper. Survivors include his wife, Margaret Crane Norton, whom he married at Pine Bluff on May 4, 1946; a daughter, Margaret Norton Henneberger of Austin, Arkansas; a sister, Marion Norton Powell of Pine Bluff; and a grandchild. Funeral services are scheduled for 2 p.m. today at Ralph Robinson & Son Funeral Directors with the Rev. Leon Gray officiating. Burial will be in Wesley Chapel Cemetery in Cleveland County. _________________________________ KAYE CLAYTON LITTLE ROCK-- Kaye Christine Clayton, 61, of Stuttgart, died October 9, 1997, at Baptist Medical Center here. She was born at Bradford on September 7, 1936, a daughter of the late Fred and Tena Bueker. She was a homemaker and a member of the Gala Circle and Holy Rosary Catholic Church in Stuttgart. Survivors include her husband, Billy G. Clayton; a daughter, Vicki Riddick of Stuttgart; four brothers, Leon Ozban of California, Willie Dean Ozban of Harrisburg, Eugene Ozban of Oklahoma and Tom Bueker of Stuttgart; and a sister, Barbara Ozban of California. Rosary is scheduled for 6 p.m. Sunday at Turpin Funeral Home at Stuttgart. Funeral services are scheduled for 2 p.m. Monday at Holy Rosary Catholic Church with the Rev. John Janesko officiating. Burial will be in Holy Rosary Cemetery at Stuttgart. ___________________________________ EARSLENE FOGLE CAMDEN-- Earslene Hildreth Fogle, 53, of Louann, died October 7, 1997, at Ouachita Medical Center. She was born at Louann on March 25, 1944, a daughter of the late Ozie Hildreth and Myrdia McElroy Hildreth. She was a member of New Jerusalem Baptist Church at Louann and a 1962 graduate of Lafayette High School. She worked at Smackover Nursing Home until her death. Survivors include her husband, Mike Fogle; a son, Michael Fogle of Louann; three daughters, Barbara Phillips of Dallas and Dean Johnson and Aleah Fogle, both of Louann; two brothers, Billy Hildreth and Rickey Brown, both of Pine Bluff; two sisters, Wilma McClendon of Maywood, Illinois, and Connie Foots of Pine Bluff; and three grandchildren. Funeral services are scheduled for 11 a.m. today at New Jerusalem Baptist Church at Louann with the Rev. E.D. Seals officiating. Burial will be in Jerusalelm Cemetery at Louann. ___________________________________ PAT BRIDGES LITTLE ROCK-- Pat Carter Bridges, 64, of Maumelle, died October 10, 1997, at Baptist Medical Center. She was born at Little Rock on September 10, 1933, a daughter of Imogene Carter of Little Rock and Albert Thomas Carter. She was the executive director of the American Diabetes Association and lived at Pine Bluff for many years. She was preceded in death by her husband, Frank Gordon Bridges III. Survivors include three daughters, Anne King and Amy Bridges, both of Maumelle, and Vive Bridges of Chicago; a brother, Thomas Carter of Little Rock; and three grandchildren. Funeral services are scheduled for 11 a.m. Monday at Griffin Leggett Healey & Roth at Little Rock. Burial will be in Pinecrest Cemetery at Little Rock. ___________________________________ Submitted by Linda P. Smith DougMIV@aol.com =========================================================== PINE BLUFF COMMERCIAL SUNDAY, OCTOBER 12, 1997 Pine Bluff, Jefferson Co., Arkansas RUTH SWANSON SEATTLE-- Ruth R. Swanson, 79, of Kent, Washington, died October 6, 1997, at Providence Hospital. She was born on October 2, 1918, at Pine Bluff. She was a homemaker. She was active in the Star Lake Improvement Club and was a member of First Methodist Church at Pine Bluff. She was a Watson Chapel High School graduate and worked at The Commercial before her marriage. Survivors include her husband, Hilmer S. Swanson; a son, Erik Swanson of Omaha; a daughter, Ellen Smith of Bonney Lake, Washington; two brothers, Elmo Reynolds Jr. of Memphis and James Reynolds of Pine Bluff; a sister, Mary Virginia Reynolds of Pine Bluff; and three grandchildren. Funeral services are scheduled for 1 p.m. Tuesday at Edline-Yahn Funeral Home in Kent, Washington. A private burial will be at Tahoma National Cemetery at Kent. ____________________________________ VERNA WILSON SHERIDAN-- Verna Fielding Wilson, 93, of Sheridan, died October 10, 1997, at the Grant County Nursing Home. Born February 22, 1904, in the Ain Community, near Sheridan, she was a daughter of the late Mac and Minnie Bradshaw. She was a homemaker and a member of Shiloh Missionary Baptist Church. She was preceded in death by her husband, Ralph Wilson, who died on April 18, 1976. Survivors include a son, Jewel Dene Wilson of Prattsville (Grant County); a brother, Jethro Fielding of Heber Springs; two grandchildren and six great-grandchildren. Graveside services are scheduled for 2 p.m. Monday in New Hope Cemetery near Sheridan with Rev. Rick Etheridge officiating. Burial will be by Buie Funeral Home of Sheridan. ____________________________________ EDWIN HICKMAN MABELVALE (PULASKI COUNTY)-- Edwin Hickman, 78, of Mabelvale, formerly of Warren, died October 10, 1997, at his home. Born June 23, 1919, at Warren, he was a son of the late Francis Marion Hickman Jr., and Lessie Ann Smith Hickman. He received his education in the Bastrop, Louisiana, and Warren public schools and the Michigan Trade School at Detroit. He served in the Fifth U.S. Army Air Corp in World War II. He was a member of Post No. 1 American Legion, Little Rock, and was a life member of the Disabled American Veterans and Veterans of Foreign Wars. He retired in 1975 from his job as a mechanic for Odom-Spears Buick of Little Rock. He was a Baptist. He was preceded in death by a son, Eddie Hickman. Survivors include his wife, Virginia Lyon Hickman, whom he married May 11, 1946, at Warren; two daughters, Madeline Carol Haynie of Flower Mound, Texas, and Teresa Ann Laster of Little Rock; and one grandson. Graveside services are scheduled for 2 p.m. Monday in Oakland Cemetery at Warren with burial by Frazer's Funeral Home of Warren. _____________________________________ MARJORIE PLUNKETT LITTLE ROCK-- Marjorie W. Plunkett, 75, of the Grant County Nursing Home at Sheridan, died October 11, 1997, at Baptist Medical Center here. Born November 10, 1921, she was a daughter of the late Lawrence M. Wilson and Della Gartman Wilson. She retired from West Bend at Sheridan as a machine operator. She attended Ain Baptist Church at Grapevine. She was a member of Eastern Star. She was preceded in death by her husband, Huel Plunkett, a daughter, Martha C. Plunkett, and a brother, Shelton Wilson. Graveside services are scheduled for 2 p.m. Tuesday in Ain Cemetery at Grapevine with C.M. Carey officiating and burial by Hale-South Funeral Home of Pine Bluff. ____________________________________ JIM ADAMS WARREN-- Jim L. Adams, 56, of Warren, died October 10, 1997, at his home. Born April 19, 1941, at Warren, he was a son of Maxine Parrott Adams of Warren and the late Melver Leon Adams. He was a registered land surveyor, a graduate of the University of Arkansas at Monticello, and a member of First Baptist Church of Warren. Funeral services are scheduled for 4 p.m. today at Frazer's Funeral Home. Burial will be in McKinney Cemetery near Warren. ____________________________________ Submitted by Linda P. Smith DougMIV@aol.com ========================================================== PINE BLUFF COMMERCIAL MONDAY, OCTOBER 13, 1997 Pine Bluff, Jefferson Co., Arkansas MARTIN WILSON RISON-- Martin L. Wilson, 71, of Calmer (Cleveland County) died October 11, 1997, at the Cleveland County Nursing Home. Born August 3, 1926, at Calmer, he was a son of the late William Ira Wilson and Sarah Berry Wilson. He was a retired fireman and a World War II Army veteran. He was a member of Mount Olivet United Methodist Church. He was also past president of Wilson and Norton Hunting Club. Survivors include his wife, Joyce Wilson; a stepson, Ronnie Payne of Dermott; five daughters, Pat Golden of White Hall, Toni Turchi of Little Rock, Melinda Hall of Cabot, Tamie Green of Alexander (Pulaski County) and Gina Brown of Woodlawn; a stepdaughter, Brenda Williams of New Edinburg; three brothers, Rufus Wilson of Calmer, Bob Wilson of Hot Springs and J.R. "Shorty" Wilson of Pratt (Clay County); two sisters, Virginia Norton of Woodlawn and Margaret May of Pine Bluff; 11 grandchildren and four stepgrandchildren. Funeral services are scheduled for 2 p.m. today at Mount Olivet United Methodist Church with the Rev. William Paul Woolley, the Rev. Rusty Jones and the Rev. Johnnie Brewster officiating. Burial will be in Rowell Cemetery by Buie Funeral Home of Rison. ________________________________ MILDRED EVERETT Mildred Everett, 86, of Pine Bluff, died October 10, 1997, at Jefferson Regional Medical Center. Born June 17, 1911, at Pine Bluff, she was a daughter of the late James Wilborn and Nancy Maud Crawford Everett. She was reared and received her early education at Pine Bluff. She was a graduate of Pine Bluff High School. She attended Southwestern at Memphis (now Rhodes College). A legal secretary, she worked for the late Jay W. Dickey Sr. in the Pine Bluff law firm of Rowell, Rowell, and Dickey; and for the law firm of Dickey and Dickey from 1938 to her retirement in 1988. She was a member of First Presbyterian Church, where she was an active volunteer after her retirement. Survivors include a sister, Elizabeth Everett Meadows of Arlington, Texas. Funeral services are scheduled for 10 a.m. Friday at First Presbyterian Church with the Rev. Wm. Lee Kinney and Dr. J. Howard Edington officiating. Committal services will be private. ________________________________ BILLIE MOORE SR. Billie David Moore Sr., 65, of Monticello, died on October 12, 1997, at Jefferson Regional Medical Center. Born July 9, 1932, he was the son of the late Espie Moore Sr. and Dola Phillips Moore. He was a retired carpenter and textile mill worker and a member of the Second Baptist Church. Survivors include a son, Billie David Moore Jr. of Arlington, Texas; a daughter, Brenda Lytle of Monticello; two sisters, Margaret Cash of Camden and Patricia Lane of Monticello; two grandchildren; two stepgrandchildren; and one great-grandchild. Graveside services are scheduled for 10 a.m. Tuesday at Union Ridge Cemetery in Drew County with the Rev. Richard Wade officiating. Services by Stephenson-Dearman Funeral Home. ________________________________ FRANCES BENNETT Frances Ann Bennett, 69, of Star City, died October 11, 1997, at Jefferson Regional Medical Center. Born August 9, 1928, in Cleveland County, she was a daughter of the late Wiley and Vianna Smith Ashcraft. She was a member of Northside Baptist Church at Star City. Survivors include her husband, James Bennett Sr.; a son, James Bennett Jr. of Star City; four daughters, Joyce Carrington of Star City, and Shirley Randler, Mary Pennington and Betty Edwards, all of Pine Bluff; three sisters, Mary May Harvel of White Deer, Texas, Ruthalee Plunkett of Iowa and Sybil Eubanks of Texas; 26 grandchildren and 28 great-grandchildren. Funeral services are scheduled for 2 p.m. Tuesday at the Chapel Griffin Funeral Home at Star City with Charles Calhoun officiating. Burial will be in New Owen Cemetery near Star City by Griffin Funeral Service of Star City. __________________________________ PATSY DEVINE Patsy Ann Richmond Devine, 55, of Pine Bluff, died October 11, 1997, at Jefferson Regional Medical Center. Born March 20, 1942 at Dyess (Mississippi County), she was a daughter of Nellie Dean Sharp Richmond of White Hall and the late George Ausburn Richmond. She was reared and received her early education at White Hall. She worked in sales for OMI and Clements Office Supply. She attended First Assembly of God at White Hall. She was preceded in death by a brother, George W. Richmond. Other survivors include a daughter, Debbie Cockrell of Pine Bluff; a brother, Joe Richmond of Pine Bluff; a sister, Bonnie Latham of Nacogdoches, Texas; and three stepgrandchildren. Funeral services are scheduled for 10 a.m. Tuesday at the Chapel of Ralph Robinson and Son with the Rev. Dean Caldwell and the Rev. Bobby Spencer officiating. Burial will be in Memorial Park Cemetery. __________________________________ Submitted by Linda P. Smith DougMIV@aol.com ========================================================= PINE BLUFF COMMERCIAL TUESDAY, OCTOBER 14, 1997 Pine Bluff, Jefferson Co., Arkansas DILLARD SWEAZA Dillard Mack Sweaza, 76, of Gould, died October 6, 1997, at Jefferson Regional Medical Center. He was born at Camden on August 20, 1921, a son of the late Frank and Effie Sweaza. He was a self-employed tub enameler, served in the Army and was a Baptist. Survivors include his wife, Marie Freeman Sweaza; two sons, Danny Sweaza of Tempe, Arizona, and Dennis Sweaza of Austin (Lonoke County); a daughter, Donna Amerine of Antioch, California; two brothers, Derwood Sweaza of Richmond, California, and Rex Sweaza of Rock Springs, Texas; four sisters, Earcie Lucas of El Sobrante, California, Auo Rachal of Baton Rouge, Marie Jones of Crockett, California, and Betty Willis of Rio Vista, California; and four grandchildren. Memorial services are scheduled for 2 p.m. Thursday in Watson Cemetery at Watson with the Rev. Al Green officiating. The body was cremated. Arrangements are handled by Griffin Funeral Home of Dumas. ___________________________________ HARLEEN REED Harleen C. Reed, 79, of Pine Bluff, died October 12, 1997, at Jefferson Regional Medical Center. Born September 8, 1918, in Malvern, she was a daughter of the late Robert H. and Verla Cooper Collie. She was reared and educated in Pine Bluff and graduated from Pine Bluff High School. She and her husband were married in Stocktonfield, California. They moved back to the Pine Bluff area in September 1948. She was a member of White Hall United Methodist Church. Survivors include her husband, Russell Reed; a son, Vernon Reed of Austin; a daughter, Roberta Wood of Lees Summitt, Missouri; and two grandchildren. Graveside services are scheduled for 10 a.m. Wednesday in Memorial Park Cemetery with the Rev. Rob Walker officiating. Arrangements are by Ralph Robinson & Son Funeral Directors. ____________________________________ JAMES HENRY FORDYCE-- James Arthur Henry, 73, of Fordyce, died October 8, 1997, at Fordyce. Born December 11, 1923, at Fordyce, he was a son of the late James W. Henry and Viola Shelton Henry. He was a Baptist and had served in the Army. He was employed by Chrysler Corporation. Survivors include two sons, Craig Henry and Freddie Henry, both of Detroit; three daughters, Barbara Blackmon and Marjorie Henry, both of Oak Park, Michigan, and Patricia Henry of Detroit; three sisters, Mamie Stewart and Jessie Hillard, both of Fordyce, and Georgia Henry of Carthage; six grandchildren; and seven great-grandchildren. Graveside services are scheduled for noon today at Mount Tabor Cemetery at Fordyce with the Rev. J.C. Owens officiating. Arrangements are by Brown-Williams Funeral Home of Fordyce. ____________________________________ IVA E. SMITH Iva E. Smith, 68, of Sheridan, died October 13, 1997, at Jefferson Regional Medical Center. Born February 22, 1929, at Oceola, she was a daughter of the late John White and Iva Pearl Pickens White. She was married to Allie Lee Smith on April 12, 1950. He died August 29, 1996. She was a homemaker and attended Calvary Missionary Baptist Church at Sheridan. Survivors include three sons, Chester L. Smith and Johnny Lee Smith, both of Pine Bluff, and Ernest Ray Smith of Sheridan; two brothers, Billy Coleman of Widner and Johnny White of Tyler, Texas; three sisters, Rachael Dickerson and Bessie York, both of Pine Bluff, and Estelle Posey of Wynne; seven grandchildren; and one great-grandchild. Graveside services are scheduled for 2 p.m. Wednesday in Memorial Park Cemetery with Rick Etheridge officiating. Arrangements are by Hale-South Funeral Home. _____________________________________ Submitted by Linda P. Smith DougMIV@aol.com ======================================================== PINE BLUFF COMMERCIAL THURSDAY, OCTOBER 16, 1997 Pine Bluff, Jefferson Co., Arkansas REV. ROBERT PIERCE (Photo included) Funeral services for the Rev. Robert Curlee Pierce, 74, of Pine Bluff, who died October 10, 1997, at Jefferson Regional Medical Center, are scheduled for noon Friday at New St. Hurricane Baptist Church at Pine Bluff with the Rev. L.R. Jones III officiating. Burial will be in New St. Hurricane Cemetery at Pine Bluff by Brown Funeral Home of Pine Bluff. He was born at Winchester on July 7, 1923, a son of the late Lloyd Pierce Sr. and Cassie Manuel Pierce-McCraney. He was a former member of Morning Star Baptist Church. He completed elementary school at Winchester and was a graduate of Corbin High School at Pine Bluff. He was a retiree of the Pine Bluff Arsenal, was in the Army from 1943 to 1946 and was the owner and operator of Pierce Shoe Shop. He went to Arkansas AM&N College, now the University of Arkansas at Pine Bluff. He graduated from American Baptist Theological Seminary at Nashville and Arkansas Baptist College Theological Seminary, where he was a trustee and received an honorary doctor's degree. He served as a Sunday school superintendent and teacher, chief usher, deacon, church treasurer, president of the Gospel Choir, trustee, chairman of the building committee and Scout master of Troop 139 at St. Hurricane Baptist Church. He went into the ministry in 1962. He was the former pastor of Pilgrim Rest Baptist Church for 22 years and of Bethany Chapel Baptist Church for 34 years, where he served until he died. He was a member and a worshipful master of Busy Bee Lodge No. 345. He was the deputy grand master of the Jurisdiction of Arkansas. He was the moderator of St. Marion Consolidated District Association, president of the regular St. Marion District Sunday School and BTU Congress and vice president of the State of Arkansas Home Foreign Mission of the regular Arkansas Convention. He was preceded in death by three nephews who he raised, Percy Terrall, Theotis Terrall and Eugene Terrall; and a niece who he raised, Dorothy Terrall Lasley. Survivors include his wife, Virginia Webb Pierce; a daughter, Rita Cecilia Pierce of Pine Bluff; a brother, Lloyd Pierce Jr. of Carson, California; three nephews who he raised, Harold Scott Terrall, Roscoe Terrall and Hershal Terrall, addresses unavailable; and three nieces who he raised, Doris Terrall Caldwell, Dora Terrall Lewis and Iris Terrall Morton, addresses unavailable. _______________________________ BERNICE CANADY DUMAS-- Funeral services for Bernice Canady, 93, of Dumas, who died October 10, 1997, at Dumas Nursing Center, are scheduled for 1 p.m. Saturday at Jerusalem Baptist Church, Westview Addition with the Rev. W.M. Freeman officiating. Burial will be in Jerusalem Cemetery at the Backgate community near Dumas. She was born at Bastrop, Louisiana on March 24, 1904. She was a former member of Mount Moriah Missionary Baptist Church at Dumas. Survivors include three sons, Thomas Goodwin of Dumas and Isiah Goodwin and Willie Goodwin, both of Fairbanks, Alaska; two grandchildren; and seven great-grandchildren. Services by Washington-Dolls Funeral Home at Dumas. ________________________________ DELORYSE BROWN Graveside services for Deloryse Madeline "Dody" Brown, 67, of Jacksonville, who died October 13, 1997, at Beverly Health & Rehabilitation at Jacksonville, are scheduled for 3:30 p.m. Friday in Graceland Cemetery at Pine Bluff with the Rev. Bill Fitzhugh officiating. Arrangements are being handled by Ralph Robinson & Son Funeral Directors. She was born at Pine Bluff on January 10, 1930, a daughter of the late Joe P. Adam and Thelma Loraine O'Keefe Adam. She was raised and educated at Galveston, Texas, and attended Texas A&I College at Kingsville, Texas. She was an engineering technician for Central-Moloney for many years and was a member of Hawley United Methodist Church at Pine Bluff. Survivors include a daughter, Madeline Brown Taylor of Pine Bluff; and two grandchildren. _________________________________ CONSUELO MITCHELL SAN ANTONIO-- Consuelo Flores Mitchell, 88, of San Antonio, died October 22, 1995, at San Antonio. She was born at Floresville, Texas, on September 19, 1907, a daughter of the late Erasmo Flores and Cleofas Salinas Flores. She was a homemaker. Survivors include her husband, Clyde Lafayette Mitchell, whom she married in 1936; two sons, Gerald Clyde Mitchell of San Antonio and Jan Stanley Mitchell of Las Vegas; a daughter, Evelyn Kay Mitchell of Richmond, California; a sister, Josephine Lopez-Nevrete of Santa Barbara, California; four grandchildren; and three great-grandchildren. Graveside services are scheduled for 4 p.m. Saturday in Graves Cemetery near New Edinburg by Frazer's Funeral Home of Warren. The body was cremated. __________________________________ LENA SLOAN HAMBURG-- Lena Mae Sloan, 81, of Hamburg, died October 14, 1997, at Hamburg Health and Rehabilitation Center. She was born at Benkelman, Nebraska, on August 31, 1916, a daughter of the late Herman Gerdes and Pearl Smith Gerdes. She was a resident of Hamburg the past seven years and was a former resident of Montrose, Snyder, Pine Bluff and McDonald, Kansas. She was a member of First United Methodist Church at Hamburg. She was preceded in death by her husband, Doyle Sloan. Survivors include two brothers, Everette Gerdes of Benkelman and Lee Gerdes of Holdrege, Nebraska; and a sister, Velda Hartman of McCook, Nebraska. Funeral services are scheduled for 11 a.m. Friday at Jones Funeral Home at Hamburg. Burial will be in Snyder Cemetery at Snyder. ________________________________ ROSIE CATER MONTICELLO-- Rosie Cater, 83, of Monticello, died October 15, 1997, at Drew Memorial Hospital. She was born at Monticello on March 16, 1914, a daughter of the late John William Barnett and Offie Jean Marter Barnett. She was a retired nurse's aide and a member of First Freewill Baptist Church. Survivors include her husband, William Cal Cater; two sons, Chuck Cater and Roland Dee Cater, both of Monticello; two daughters, Carolyn Murphy of Monticello and Alice Faye Wolfe of Harrison; a brother, Roy Barnett of Monticello; 12 grandchildren; and 18 great-grandchildren. Funeral services are scheduled for 2 p.m. Friday at First Freewill Baptist Church at Monticello with the Revs. Rudell Smith and Jerry Sadler officiating. Burial will be in Gasterhill Cemetery in Drew County. ____________________________________ Submitted by Linda P. Smith DougMIV@aol.com ======================================================== PINE BLUFF COMMERCIAL FRIDAY, OCTOBER 17, 1997 Pine Bluff, Jefferson Co., Arkansas L. J. FLETCHER Funeral services for L. J. Fletcher, 66, of Pine Bluff, who died October 14, 1997, at his home, are scheduled for 11 a.m. Saturday at United Baptist Church at Pine Bluff with Ira Robertson officiating. Burial will be in Cypress Memorial Garden at Pine Bluff by Christian Way Funeral Home. He was born at Pine Bluff on July 25, 1931, a son of the late Isaac Fletcher and Gertrude Henry. He was a member of United Baptist Church, where he was a trustee. He was a member of William Townsend Lodge (Elks), 100 Black Males and Friends and the American Association of Retired Persons. He was a retired employee of Southern Pacific Railroad, where he was a roadmaster for 21 1/2 years. He served in the Army during the Korean War, where he received a Purple Heart. Survivors include his wife, Patsy Harris Fletcher; a son, Artist Milner of Little Rock; three daughters, Glenda Mack, Shirley Bondon and MyKenya Fletcher, all of Pine Bluff; a brother, Robert Henry Jr. of Sacramento, California; two sisters, Rosie Clary of Detroit and Frankie Allen of Los Angeles; five grandchildren; and a great-grandchild. ________________________________ TANNER LAIN Tanner Duncan Lain, of Pine Bluff, a son of Donald W. Lain and Stephanie K. Branch Lain of Pine Bluff, was born and died October 16, 1997, at Jefferson Regional Medical Center. He was preceded in death by a sister, Baylee Elizabeth Lain; and great-grandparents, Marie Branch and C.C. and Delia Monk. Other survivors include grandparents, A.K. and Katherine Branch and Charlie and JoAnn Lain, all of Pine Bluff; and great-grandparents, C.D. and Margaret Lain, Gene and Eva Dell Wallace and Alvin Branch, all of Pine Bluff Private funeral services are scheduled for 10 a.m. today with Gerald Wingard officiating. Arrangements are handled by Hale-South Funeral Home at Pine Bluff. _________________________________ GARRETT WALLACE LAIN Garrett Wallace Lain, of Pine Bluff, a son of Donald W. Lain and Stephanie K. Branch Lain of Pine Bluff, was born and died October 16, 1997, at Jefferson Regional Medical Center. He was preceded in death by a sister, Baylee Elizabeth Lain; and great-grandparents, Marie Branch and C.C. and Delia Monk. Other survivors include grandparents, A.K. and Katherine Branch and Charlie and JoAnn Lain, all of Pine Bluff; and great-grandparents, C.D. and Margaret Lain, Gene and Eva Dell Wallace and Alvin Branch, all of Pine Bluff Private funeral services are scheduled for 10 a.m. today with Gerald Wingard officiating. Arrangements are being handled by Hale-South Funeral Home at Pine Bluff. _________________________________ GERALDINE TOOKE Geraldine Faver Tooke, 78, of Pine Bluff, died October 16, 1997, at Jefferson Regional Medical Center. She was born at Woodlawn on May 22, 1919, a daughter of the late Garland and Jimmie Coats Faver. She was raised and received her early education at Woodlawn. She moved to the Pine Bluff area in 1941. She was a member of Central Baptist Church at Pine Bluff, where she was a former Sunday school teacher. She was a member of Cotton Pickers Camp. She enjoyed needlepoint and camping, according to her family. Survivors include her husband, Buck Tooke, whom she married at Rowell on May 23, 1936; three sons, Clyde Edward Tooke, Jerry Tooke and Ray Tooke, all of Pine Bluff; three brothers, John A. Faver of Little Rock, A.L. Faver of Pine Bluff and Bill Faver of Festus, Missouri; six grandchildren; and six great-grandchildren. Funeral services are scheduled for 11 a.m. Saturday at Ralph Robinson & Son Funeral Directors with the Rev. Gary Akers officiating. Burial will be in Prosperity Cemetery. ________________________________ LOLA REYNOLDS MABELVALE-- Lola Mae Reynolds, 91, of Mabelvale, died October 16, 1997, at her home. She was born at Cornerville (Lincoln County) on July 19, 1906, a daughter of the late James Perkins and Pearl Nichols Perkins. She was a homemaker, a farmer and a member of Union United Methodist Church at Rye (Cleveland County). She was preceded in death by her husband, Harland Reynolds, who died on March 29, 1969; and two sisters, Merle Adams and Johnnie Tucker. Survivors include three sons, James D. Reynolds of Conway, Cade Reynolds of Monticello and C.W. Reynolds of Rye; two daughters, Maxine Wilson of Mabelvale and Rita Shelby of Wilmar; a sister, Edith Parnell of Herbine (Cleveland County); 21 grandchildren; and 52 great-grandchildren. Funeral services are scheduled for 2 p.m. Saturday at Union United Methodist Church. Burial will be in Union Cemetery at Rye by Frazer's Funeral Home of Warren. ______________________________ RAYMOND BERRYMAN RANCHO CUCAMONGA, California-- Raymond Bret Berryman, 33, of Green Hill, Arkansas, died October 11, 1997, at Rancho Cucamonga from injuries received in an automobile accident. He was born in Drew County, Arkansas, on August 26, 1964, a son of Raymond Joe Berryman and Linda Wilson Berryman, both of Green Hill. He was a welder and a member of Green Hill Methodist Church. He was preceded in death by a grandfather, Keel Wilson. Survivors include a daughter, Emily Grace Berryman of Piedmont, Missouri; two brothers, Jamie Berryman and Bo Berryman, both of Green Hill; a sister, Sissy Jones of Green Hill; grandparents, Robert and Gertrude Berryman of Green Hill and Gladys Wilson of New Hope, Arkansas. Funeral services are scheduled for 4 p.m. today at Stephenson-Dearman Funeral Home at Monticello, Arkansas, with the Revs. Wayman Mann and Jerry Starns officiating. Burial will be in Green Hill Cemetery in Drew County. ______________________________ CLORA JOHNSON NEW EDINBURG-- Funeral services for Clora Johnson, 89, of Kingsland, who died October 13, 1997, at Dallas County Hospital at Fordyce, are scheduled for 11 a.m. Saturday at St. James AME Church at Kingsland with the Rev. Sylvester Reddix officiating. Burial will be in Piney Grove Cemetery at New Edinburg by Brown-Williams Funeral Home of Fordyce. She was born at New Edinburg on September 11, 1908, a daughter of the late Abb Crain and Lillie Mae Crain Crain. She was a homemaker and a member of St. James AME Church. Survivors include a son, Archie L. Mixon of Pine Bluff; a brother, Theodis Rainey of Kenosha, Wisconsin; three sisters, Deree Berger of New Edinburg, Ideal Rainey of Kingsland and Velma Weaver of Pine Bluff; a grandchild; and a great-grandchild. __________________________________ GENEVA WITHERS Funeral services for Geneva Withers, 81, of Pine Bluff, who died October 14, 1997, at Jefferson Regional Medical Center, are scheduled for 11 a.m. Saturday at St. John Baptist Church at Sherrill with the Rev. Carl Johnson officiating. Burial will be in Forest Lawn Cemetery at Pine Bluff by Brown Funeral Home of Pine Bluff. She was born in Arkansas on June 25, 1916, a daughter of the late Frank and Susie Brown. She was a homemaker, a member of St. John Baptist Church, a Sunday school teacher, a choir member and a member of Sisters of Charity. She was preceded in death by her husband, John Withers. Survivors include two sisters, Earsline Johnson and Aline Dorn, both of Houston. ___________________________________ Submitted by Linda P. Smith DougMIV@aol.com ========================================================== PINE BLUFF COMMERCIAL WEDNESDAY, OCTOBER 15, 1997 Pine Bluff, Jefferson Co., Arkansas MERLE McHAN STAR CITY-- Merle Simmons McHan, 73, of Star City, died October 14, 1997, at Beverly Health and Rehab Center. She was born in Drew County on February 15, 1924, a daughter of the late Sylvester Simmons and Irene Perry Simmons. She was a retired textile mill worker and Pentecostal. She was preceded in death by her husband, Hosie McHan. Survivors include a son, Floyd Alton McHan of Grady; three daughters, Barbara Ann Cook of Star City, Linda Jane Sinclair of Monticello and Bonnie Christine Owens of El Dorado; two sisters, Linda Kay Burton of El Dorado and Vera Pitts of Sheridan; a half brother, Leon Simmons of Monticello; a half sister, Pearl Perry of Monticello; 11 grandchildren; and 21 great-grandchildren. Graveside services are scheduled for 11 a.m. Thursday in Union Ridge Cemetery in Drew County with the Rev. Rex Williams officiating. Arrangements are handled by Stephenson-Dearman Funeral Home of Monticello. ________________________________ RONALD NICKELL BENTON-- Ronald "Ronnie" Ray Nickell, 46, of Benton, formerly of Grapevine, died October 12, 1997, at his home. He was born at Clarendon on December 8, 1950, a son of Elois Morris Oldner of Benton. He was a member of Ain Missionary Baptist Church at Grapevine. He was preceded in death by a stepfather, Harold Morris; and a grandmother, Ethel Wiggins. Other survivors include a stepfather, Johnie Oldner of Benton; a brother, Carl E. Morris of Grapevine; a sister, Donna Fisher of Sheridan; a stepbrother, Wayne Oldner of Benton; and three stepsisters, Gloria Oldner, Kathy Davis and Vivian Sheridan, all of Benton. Funeral services are scheduled for 2 p.m. today at Buie Funeral Home at Sheridan with the Rev. Brian Sheridan officiating. Burial will be in Davis Cemetery near Grapevine. ________________________________ LYNDA HAMMETT LITTLE ROCK-- Lynda Sue "Susie" Hammett, 47, of Perryville, formerly of Sheridan, died October 13, 1997, at Baptist Medical Center. She was born at Clarendon on August 19, 1950, a daughter of Lala Reynolds Taylor of Sheridan and the late Sherrill Taylor. She lived at Perryville the past 22 years and was a Christian. Survivors include her husband, Leroy Hammett; two daughters, Gena Jones and Mickie Davis, both of Bigelow (Perry County); a sister, Sherley Hix of Sheridan; two stepdaughters, Courtney Hammett and Briana Hammett, both of Bigelow; and five grandchildren. Funeral services are scheduled for 11 a.m. today at Bob Neal and Sons Funeral Home at Morrilton with Fred Oaks officiating. Burial will be in Volman Cemetery at Bigelow. __________________________________ RANDALL WHITE Randall Joe White, 38, of Rison, died October 13, 1997, at Pine Bluff from injuries received in a traffic accident. He was born at Wichita, Kansas, on July 15, 1959, a son of Elbert Lee White of Kingsland and Bonnie Undernear Haycox of Rogers. He was a truck driver and went to Assembly of God at Rison and Kingsland. He was preceded in death by a brother, Gary "Girt" White. Other survivors include his wife, Susan Lynne Workman White; two sons, Josh White and Klayton White, both of Rison; a daughter, Kristen White of Rison; and a brother, Wayne White of Kingsland; and a half brother, Michael Haycox of Rogers. Funeral services are scheduled for 1 p.m. today at Buie Funeral Home at Rison with the Rev. Louis Langley officiating. Burial will be in Cross Roads Cemetery at Kingsland. __________________________________ ANTHONY BOYKIN SR. Anthony James "Andy" Boykin Sr., 28, of Monticello, died October 13, 1997, at Pine Bluff from injuries received in a traffic accident. He was born at Monticello on September 27, 1969, a son of Roger and Betty Boykin, both of Monticello. He was a partner in Boykin's ARK Trucking Company and was a member of Assembly of God at Monticello. He was preceded in death by grandparents, Fred and Kathleen Nowlen and Willie Boykin; and a brother, Kerry Boykin. Other survivors include a son, Anthony James Boykin Jr. of Monticello; and a grandmother, Grace Derby of Monticello. Funeral services are scheduled for 2 p.m. Thursday at Stephenson-Dearman Funeral Home at Monticello with the Revs. Van McMahon and Terry Newman officiating. Burial will be in Lone Sasafras Cemetery in Drew County. __________________________________ SUSAN BOYKIN Susan Michell Fischer Boykin, 26, of Monticello, died October 13, 1997, at Pine Bluff from injuries received in a traffic accident. She was born at Mexico, Missouri, on January 12, 1971, a daughter of George Fischer of Mexico and Connie Boyd of Vandalia, Missouri. She was a secretary, a homemaker and a Baptist. She was preceded in death by her grandfather, Albert Fischer; and a stepgrandfather, James Boyd. Other survivors include a stepfather, Jimmy Boyd of Vandalia; a stepson, Anthony James Boykin Jr. of Monticello; two brothers, Tony Fischer and Kevin Fischer, both of Vandalia; a sister, Mary Funderburg of Monticello; a stepbrother, Jay Boyd of Vandalia; three stepsisters, Kathy Scheiner of Benton City, Missouri, Millie McCann of Mexico and Margie Seeley of Center, Missouri; grandparents, Fielder and Lucille Bigelow of Laddonia, Missouri, and Georgia Fischer of Mexico; and a stepgrandmother, Katie Boyd of Vandalia. Funeral services are scheduled for 2 p.m. Thursday at Stephenson-Dearman Funeral Home at Monticello with the Rev. Larry Clements officiating. Burial will be in Lone Sasafras Cemetery in Drew County. ___________________________________ TAYLOR BOYKIN Taylor Lynn Boykin, 3, of Monticello, died October 13, 1997, at Pine Bluff from injuries received in a traffic accident. She was born at Monticello on October 26, 1993, a daughter of Tabatha Greer Boykin of Hot Springs and the late Anthony James Boykin. Other survivors include a brother, Anthony James Boykin Jr. of Monticello; grandparents, Roger and Betty Boykin of Monticello, Travis Greer of Little Rock, Sue Greer of Hot Springs and Connie Boyd of Vandalia, Missouri; a stepgrandfather, Jimmy Boyd of Vandalia; and great-grandparents, Willene Greer of Monticello and Grace Derby of Monticello. Funeral services are scheduled for 2 p.m. Thursday at Stephenson-Dearman Funeral Home at Monticello with the Revs. Van McMahon and Terry Newman officiating. Burial will be in Lone Sasafras Cemetery in Drew County. _________________________________ KARA BETH BOYKIN Kara Beth Boykin, 4 months old, of Monticello, died October 13, 1997, at Pine Bluff from injuries received in a traffic accident. She was born at Pine Bluff on June 29, 1997, a daughter of the late Anthony James Boykin and Susan Fischer Boykin. Survivors include a brother, Anthony James Boykin Jr. of Monticello; grandparents, Roger and Betty Boykin of Monticello, George Fischer of Mexico, Missouri, and Connie Boyd of Vandalia, Missouri; a stepgrandfather, Jimmy Boyd of Vandalia; and great-grandparents, Grace Derby of Monticello, Fielder and Lucille Bigelow of Laddonia, Missouri, and Georgia Fischer of Mexico; and a stepgreat-grandmother, Katie Boyd of Vandalia. Funeral services are scheduled for 2 p.m. Thursday at Stephenson-Dearman Funeral Home at Monticello with the Revs. Van McMahon and Terry Newman officiating. Burial will be in Lone Sasafras Cemetery in Drew County. ___________________________________ ERNEST COOPER RIDGECREST, California-- Ernest H. "Bud" Cooper, 76, of Ridgecrest, California, died October 12, 1997, at Ridgecrest Community Hospital. He was born at Herbine, Arkansas, on April 5, 1921, a son of the late Ida and Earle Cooper. He was a retired painter for the Navy and a member of Immanuel Baptist Church at Ridgecrest and a Royal Arch Mason. Survivors include his wife of 51 years, Flossie Strahan Cooper; a daughter, Beverly Hall of Woodland, California; a brother, Jim Cooper of Summerville, South Carolina; and two sisters, Oneita Owen of Pine Bluff and Estelle Parker of Rison, Arkansas. Memorial services are scheduled for 2:30 p.m. Saturday at Immanuel Baptist Church with the Rev. Glen Paden officiating. The body was cremated. Arrangements are handled by Holland & Lyons Mortuary of Ridgecrest. A memorial service will be held in April 1998 in Prosperity Cemetery at Herbine, to coinside with his birthdate. ___________________________________ Submitted by Linda P. Smith DougMIV@aol.com ========================================================= PINE BLUFF COMMERCIAL SATURDAY, OCTOBER 18, 1997 Pine Bluff, Jefferson Co., Arkansas BERNICE YOUNGER LITTLE ROCK-- Bernice Jewel Younger, 88, of Stuttgart, died October 16, 1997, at St. Vincent Infirmary Medical Center here. She was born in Arkansas County on January 23, 1909. She was a homemaker and a member of Grand Prairie Evangelical Methodist Church at Stuttgart. Survivors include her husband, Clint Younger; three sons, Curtis Hammett of Detroit, Eugene Hammett of Westland, Missouri, and Larry Stickland of DeWitt; a sister, Roberta Jackson of Pine Bluff; five grandchildren; and 11 great-grandchildren. Funeral services are scheduled for 10 a.m. today at Grand Prairie Evangelical Methodist Church with the Rev. Thomas Borman officiating. Burial will be in Malcomb Cemetery at Tichnor by Turpin Funeral Home of Stuttgart. _______________________________ WILLIE STOCKER JR. Funeral services for Willie Ed Stocker Jr., 49, of Pine Bluff, who died October 11, 1997, at Arkansas Convalescent Center at Pine Bluff, are scheduled for 2:30 p.m. today at Mount Nebo Baptist Church at Yorktown with the Rev. G.L. Ford officiating. Burial will be in Mount Nebo Cemetery at Yorktown by Brown Funeral Home. He was born at Yorktown on December 19, 1947, a son of the late Willie Ed Stocker Sr. and Leanda Hampton Stocker. He was a Baptist. Survivors include three brothers, Lewis Stocker of Pine Bluff, L.C. Stocker of Yorktown and Solomon Stocker of Flint, Michigan; and a sister, Ocie Lee Stocker of Pine Bluff. _______________________________ JEWEL HOGAN Funeral services for Jewel Lites Hogan, 93, of Pine Bluff, who died October 16, 1997, at Jefferson Regional Medical Center, are scheduled for 3 p.m. today at Ralph Robinson & Son Funeral Directors with the Rev. Alan Stokes officiating. Burial will be in Memorial Park Cemetery at Pine Bluff. She was born in Grant County on January 8, 1904, a daughter of the late Rufus Preston Lites and Georgia Pierce Lites. She was raised and educated at Grapevine and moved to Pine Bluff in 1922. She was a homemaker and a member of Oak Park Church of the Nazarene at Pine Bluff. She was preceded in death by her husband, Carl Hogan; and a son, Gerald Hogan. Survivors include a son, Bruce Hogan of Hot Springs; three daughters, Emma Eastman, Hilda Elkins and Wanda Slater, all of Pine Bluff; nine grandchildren; nine great-grandchildren; and three great-great-grandchildren. _________________________________ Submitted by Linda P. Smith DougMIV@aol.com ================================================================== PINE BLUFF COMMERCIAL MONDAY, OCTOBER 20, 1997 Pine Bluff, Jefferson Co., Arkansas HURSCHEL HURST Hurschel Hurst, 60, of Rison, died October 18, 1997, at Jefferson Regional Medical Center. Born May 24, 1937, in Cleveland County, he was a son of Cecil Hurst and Beatrice McGriff Hurst. He was a retired employee of International Paper Company and a member of Rison Baptist Church. He was preceded in death by a brother, Miles "Dub" Hurst. Survivors include his wife, Frances Reed Hurst; two sons, Randy Hurst and Jeff Hurst, both of Rison; a daughter, Lisa Tuberville of Sparkman; a brother, Calvin Hurst of Rison; two sisters, Laverne Crook of Rison and Marie Linzy of Star City; and four grandchildren. Funeral services are scheduled for 10 a.m. Tuesday at Buie Funeral Home Chapel with Mike White and Leonard Hodges officiating. Burial will be in Greenwood Cemetery. ________________________________ WALTER MAXWELL MONTICELLO-- Walter Wilson Maxwell, 66, of Monticello, died October 18, 1997, at Drew Memorial Hospital. Born March 27, 1931, he was a son of the late Walter Thomas Maxwell and Ritchie Smith Maxwell. He was a retired agent for the Monticello Bus Station and a member of Wood Avenue Presbyterian Church. Other survivors include a brother, Bob Maxwell of Monticello. Funeral services are scheduled for 2 p.m. today at Stephenson-Dearman Funeral Home with the Rev. Mike Garvey and the Rev. Billy West officiating. Burial will be in Oakland Cemetery. ________________________________ HOWARD PHILLIPS Howard W. Phillips, 81, of Pine Bluff, died October 18, 1997, at Jefferson Regional Medical Center. Born June 13, 1916, at Monticello, he was a son of the late Louis and Chellie Sivles Phillips. He was reared and received his early education at Monticello, moving to Pine Bluff in 1959. He retired as foreman from Pinecrest Textiles. Survivors include two sons, Bobby Don Ferguson of Pine Bluff and Tony Phillips of Eufaula, Oklahoma; a daughter, Janis Ann Todd of Sand Springs, Oklahoma; three grandchildren and six great-grandchildren. Graveside services are scheduled for 11 a.m. Tuesday at Merrill Cemetery, near Nashville (Howard County), with the Rev. Jimmy Watson officiating. Visitation is from 6 to 8 p.m. today at Ralph Robinson & Son Funeral Directors. _______________________________ Submitted by Linda P. Smith DougMIV@aol.com ==================================================================== PINE BLUFF COMMERCIAL SUNDAY, OCTOBER 19, 1997 Pine Bluff, Jefferson Co., Arkansas EARL CLEMONS FORDYCE-- Earl B. Clemons, 87, of Fordyce, died October 17, 1997, at Dallas County Hospital. Born July 15, 1910, in Calhoun County, he was a son of Jim Clemons and Lena Gooch Clemons. He was a retired farmer, a Mason, and a member of Assembly of God Church. He is preceded in death by his wife, Mary Jane Harper Clemons. Survivors include two sons, John B. Clemons of Bearden and Marion L. Clemons of Little Rock; four daughters, Frances Green of Warren, Pat Hogg of Fordyce, and Ellene Rice and Eleanor Butler, both of Hensley; a brother, Garland Clemons of West Memphis; three sisters, Edith Avery of Forrest City, Merle Clemons Jackson of Lone Star, Texas, and Ruth Bryant of Bearden; 14 grandchildren; and 14 great-grandchildren. Graveside services are scheduled for 2 p.m. today at Bethel Cemetery in Bearden with the Rev. Donald Nance officiating. _______________________________ LEONA PIERCE Leona C. Pierce, 90, of Pine Bluff, died October 17, 1997, at Jefferson Regional Medical Center. Born March 3, 1907, at Lake City, she was a daughter of the late William Green McHallfey and Sarah McHallfey. She received her early education at Lake City and later moved to Bossier City, Louisiana, where she met and married Therman Pierce. They moved to Little Rock and later to Pine Bluff in 1961. She was a homemaker and a member of Sulphur Springs Baptist Church. She was preceded in death by her husband, Therman Pierce. Survivors include a son, Charles W. Pierce of Pine Bluff; two grandchildren; and five great-grandchildren. Funeral services are scheduled for 2 p.m. Monday at Ralph Robinson and Son Funeral Directors with the Rev. Jim Bynum officiating. Burial will be in Fitzhugh Cemetery. ______________________________ SUE CROW WARREN-- Sue M. Crow, 86, of Warren, died October 17, 1997, at home. Born May 29, 1911, at Warren, she was a daughter of the late Bryan Martin and Neppie Hankins Martin. She received her education in the Warren Public Schools and attended Galloway Women's College at Searcy and the University of Arkansas at Monticello. She taught art, library and kindergarten in the Warren schools for 10 years. She was a lifelong member of the First Presbyterian Church of Warren and served as an elder and Presbytery Council member for women's concerns. She was a founding member and a life member of the Warren Junior Auxiliary and served on numerous beautification projects. She was preceded in death by her husband, Dr. Merl Thacker Crow, whom she married on November 27, 1940, at Warren. He died August 2, 1983. Survivors include two sons, Jim Crow of Charleston, South Carolina, and Tom Crow of Sherwood (Pulaski County); two daughters, Kitty Crow Rubenstein of Pine Bluff and Susan Crow Todd of Conyers, Georgia; 11 grandchildren; and three great-grandchildren. Memorial services are scheduled for 2 p.m. Monday at First Presbyterian Church. Arrangements are by Frazer's Funeral Home. __________________________________ ANDREW BURDETT ARKADELPHIA-- Andrew Burdett, 88, of Detroit, died October 14, 1997, at Baptist Regional Medical Center here. Born January 27, 1917, at Sardis, Mississippi, he was a son of the late Dan and Dora Wells Burdett. He received his early education in the public schools of Sardis. After relocating in Detroit, he became a member of the New Bethel Missionary Baptist Church and was a retired employee of Dayton Construction and Maintenance Company. Survivors include two brothers, Amos Burdett of Sardis and Moses Burdett of Springfield, Missouri. Funeral services are scheduled for 11 a.m. Monday at McKivor Missionary Baptist Church at Sardis with the Rev. Earnest Blair officiating. Burial will be in McKivor Baptist Church Cemetery by P.K. Miller Mortuary of Pine Bluff. ___________________________________ Submitted by Linda P. Smith DougMIV@aol.com ==================================================================== PINE BLUFF COMMERCIAL TUESDAY, OCTOBER 21, 1997 Pine Bluff, Jefferson Co., Arkansas NOVELLA BLASINGAME MONTICELLO-- Novella Mhoon Blasingame, 82, of Monticello, died October 20, 1997, at Countrywood Estates Nursing Home. She was born at Monticello on January 25, 1915, a daughter of the late Carl Mitchell Mhoon and Gracie Leona Scogin Mhoon. She was a retired Dermott City Clerk and accountant, and she attended the Assembly of God. She was preceded in death by her husband, Ruel E. Blasingame. Survivors include a son, David Thomas Blasingame of St. Louis; a daughter, Mauryne Henry of Monticello; a brother, Billy Mhoon of Monticello; three grandchildren; and six great-grandchildren. Graveside services are scheduled for 10 a.m. Wednesday at Dermott Cemetery with the Rev. J.W. Bobo and the Rev. Houston Austin officiating. Arrangements are by Stephenson-Dearman Funeral Home of Monticello. __________________________________ JANICE COBB DUMAS-- Janice Watson Cobb, 81, of Pine Bluff, died October 20, 1997, at her granddaughter's home. She was born at England on May 23, 1916, a daughter of the late Robert Watson and Exa Faver Watson. She was raised and educated at England (Lonoke County) and was a graduate of England High School. She attended Arkansas A&M at Magnolia (now Southern Arkansas University), and later Draughn Business College. She lived at Swan Lake from 1945 to 1978, then moved to Pine Bluff. She had retired from the Altheimer post office where she was postmistress. She was a member of Carr Memorial United Methodist Church at Pine Bluff, United Methodist Women and participated in an Emmaus Walk. She was active with a share group at her church. Survivors include a son, Robert W. Cobb of Altheimer; a sister, Mrs. E.W. (Elizabeth) Copeland of Little Rock; two grandchildren; and six great-grandchildren. Funeral services are scheduled for 2 p.m. Wednesday in the chapel of Ralph Robinson & Son Funeral Directors with the Rev. Deanna McCormack officiating. Burial will be in Bellwood Cemetery at Pine Bluff. ___________________________________ Submitted by Linda P. Smith DougMIV@aol.com =================================================================== PINE BLUFF COMMERCIAL WEDNESDAY, OCTOBER 22, 1997 Pine Bluff, Jefferson Co., Arkansas LAURA DIXSON (Photo included) PALO ALTO, California-- Laura Dixson, 73, of Palo Alto, California, formerly of Pine Bluff, died October 16, 1997, at her home. She was born at Sherrill, Arkansas, on December 16, 1923, a daughter of the late Robert and Aldora Dixson. She was a domestic engineer. Survivors include two sons, Roosevelt Nickson Jr. and Honor Joe Wright, both of Palo Alto; a daughter, Minnie Rea Boyd of Sacramento, California; two brothers, Mose Dixson and James Dixson, both of Pine Bluff; three sisters, Emma Roberts of Palo Alto and Everlean Brown and Lucille Brown, both of Pine Bluff; a niece whom she raised, Earnestine Nelson of Palo Alto; and five grandchildren. Funeral services are scheduled for noon Thursday at Mount Olive Baptist Church at Pine Bluff with the Rev. Willie Morgan officiating. Burial will be in Mount Olive Cemetery at Pine Bluff by Henson Mortuary at Pine Bluff. Services were also held Tuesday at Jerusalem Baptist Church at Palo Alto by Jones Funeral Home at Palo Alto. __________________________________ ED KINGSBY HOMER, Louisiana-- Funeral services for Ed Kingsby, 92, of Pine Bluff, who died October 16, 1997, at Jefferson Regional Medical Center, are scheduled for 10 a.m. Thursday at White Oak Baptist Church at Homer with Dennis Wilson officiating. Burial will be in Wheaton Cemetery at Homer by Christian Way Funeral Home of Pine Bluff. He was born at Homer on May 15, 1909, a son of the late Bill Kingsby and Lucy Grider. He was preceded in death by his wife, Lillie Mae Kirkpatrick Kingsby. Survivors include a sister, Mittie Cannon of San Diego; and a niece who was a caregiver, Margie Anderson of Pine Bluff. _________________________________ MARGARET CLARK Margaret Elizabeth "Liz" Clark, 85, of Pine Bluff, died October 21, 1997, at Arkansas Convalescent Center. She was born at Eagle Mills (Ouachita County) on May 24, 1912, a daughter of the late George Calvin Hall and Vicie Mable Young Hall. She received her education at Bearden and had lived at Pine Bluff for the last 45 years. She was a member of Matthews Memorial Baptist Church at Pine Bluff and enjoyed cooking and fishing. She was preceded in death by her husband, Robert Ben Clark. There were no immediate survivors. Funeral services are scheduled for 2 p.m. Thursday in the chapel of Ralph Robinson & Son Funeral Directors with the Rev. Milton Wilson officiating. Burial will be in Cypress Memorial Gardens at Pine Bluff. __________________________________ ESTELLE FLOYD STAR CITY-- Estelle Smith Floyd, 81, of Star City, died October 21, 1997, at Gardner Nursing Home. She was born at Rowell on November 28, 1915, a daughter of the late W.R. Smith and Clara Thornton Smith. She was retired from Floyd Sawmill Inc. of Star City, where she was a co-founder and part owner. It was founded in 1938. She was also a member of First Baptist Church at Star City. She was preceded in death by her husband, Robert Floyd; a brother, Glenn Smith; and a grandson. Survivors include a son, Robert Smith Floyd of Star City; two daughters, Virginia Harris and Glynetta Burnett, both of Star City; a brother, J.D. Smith of Pine Bluff; two sisters, Gertie Phelps and Mildred Roberts, both of Pine Bluff; seven grandchildren; and five great-grandchildren. Funeral services are scheduled for 2 p.m. today at First Baptist Church with Ed Smith officiating. Burial will be in Drake Cemetery at Star City by Griffin Funeral Service of Star City. ______________________________ JAMES McGRIFF LITTLE ROCK-- James E. "Buddy" McGriff, 54, of Hot Springs, died October 19, 1997, at Veterans Administration Hospital. He was born at Pine Bluff on August 31, 1943, a son of Ellis G. and Maxine Horne of Pine Bluff. He was a Navy veteran and a member of Sahara Shrine Temple of Pine Bluff, Arkansas Street Rods and ABATE. Other survivors include his wife, JoAnn McGriff; a son, Bobby McGriff of Hot Springs; a daughter, Belinda Meeks of Hot Springs; a sister, Gwen Cameron of Pine Bluff; and two grandchildren. Graveside services are scheduled for 10 a.m. Thursday in Memorial Gardens at Hot Springs with the Rev. Mike Smith officiating. Arrangements are handled by Caruth-Hale Funeral Home of Hot Springs. _________________________________ JOHNNY WRIGHT ETHEL-- Funeral services for Johnny Lee Wright, 60, of DeWitt, who died October 14, 1997, at St. Vincent Infirmary Medical Center at Little Rock, are scheduled for 1 p.m. Thursday at Tabernacle Baptist Church at DeWitt with the Rev. Charles Joyner officiating. Burial will be in Butler Cemetery at Ethel. He was born at Elaine (Phillips County) on July 15, 1937, a son of the late Sylvester Wright and Essie Lee Speight Rogers. He was a self-employed laborer, a member of Tabernacle Baptist Church and a member of the Male Choir. Survivors include his wife, Maxine Wyett Wright; two sons, James Wright of Detroit and Eddie Wright of Los Angeles; three daughters, Ella Wright of Elaine, Martha Slater of West Memphis and Rockell Wright of Detroit; two sisters, Alberta Drivers of St. Louis and Marie Wright of Elaine; a stepson, Timothy Gibson of DeWitt; and 11 grandchildren. __________________________________ CECIL HUDSON SHERIDAN-- Cecil Edward Hudson, 90, of Grapevine, died October 20, 1997, at Grant County Nursing Home. He was born in Cleveland County on September 20, 1907, a son of the late Wallace E. Hudson and Ruthie Bell Hudson. He was a farmer and a Baptist. Survivors include his wife, Mildred Milum Hudson, whom he married in November 1969; two sons, Johnny Hudson of Little Rock and Billy G. Hudson of Lenexa, Kansas; a daughter, Ann B. Kincl of North Little Rock; a brother, Hollis Hudson of Grapevine; three sisters, Lorene Wallace, Ruby Wallace and Reba Wallace, all of Texas; and seven grandchildren. Funeral services are scheduled for 2 p.m. Thursday at Hale-South Funeral Home with Kasper Hines officiating. Burial will be in Black Cemetery in Cleveland County. ___________________________________ Submitted by Linda P. Smith DougMIV@aol.com PINE BLUFF COMMERCIAL THURSDAY, OCTOBER 23, 1997 Pine Bluff, Jefferson Co., Arkansas EARSELEAN SMITH (Photo included) Funeral services for Earselean Smith, 62, of Pine Bluff, who died October 17, 1997, at her home, are scheduled for 12:30 p.m. Friday at First Trinity Church of God in Christ with Elder DeWitt Hill officiating. Burial will be in the Cedar Grove Section of Graceland Cemetery by P.K. Miller Mortuary. She was born at Reydell on January 23, 1935, a daughter of the Cleo McCloud Lee of Pine Bluff and the late Freddie McCloud. She received her early education in Jefferson County public schools and was a Vaster High School graduate. She received a bachelor of science degree from Arkansas AM&N College, now the University of Arkansas at Pine Bluff. She received masters degrees from East Texas University at Commerce, Texas, ITC at Atlanta and Arkansas State University at Jonesboro. She was a classroom teacher in the public schools in the state and at the University of Arkansas at Pine Bluff. She worked with many church organizations and social service organizations in the state. Other survivors include two sons, Lawrence G. Smith of Pine Bluff and Antoine C. Smith of Fort Worth; a brother, Leroy Watson of Bronx, New York; three sisters, Charlene Smith of Memphis, Jessie Watson Burns of Queens, New York, and Edna Lee Fagget of Dallas; a stepfather, Eddie Lee of Pine Bluff and two grandchildren. _______________________________ VIRGINIUS BARNETT Virginius J. Barnett, 89, of Pine Bluff, died October 22, 1997, at Trinity Village Medical Center. He was born at Pine Bluff on June 21, 1908, a son of the late Richard Stuart and Elizabeth Collier Barnett. He was raised and received his early education at Pine Bluff and was a graduate of Pine Bluff High School. He was a 1930 graduate of Washington and Lee University at Lexington, Virginia. When he moved to Los Angeles, he began his career with the Aetna Insurance companies as a sales representative for Aetna Life Insurance Company in 1931. He became a group sales manager for the companies at Los Angeles. When he moved to the Chicago area in 1941, he was the group sales manager for the company at Chicago from 1941 until he retired in 1973. During that time, he and his family lived at Winnetka, Illinois. After he retired, he and his wife moved to Pine Bluff. He was a member of Trinity Episcopal Church at Pine Bluff and a member of the Pine Bluff Rotary Club. He was active in many professional insurance-related organizations while he worked at Aetna. Survivors include his wife, Elizabeth Simmons Barnett, whom he married at Pine Bluff on April 20, 1932; a son, W. Collier Barnett of Dallas; a daughter, Elizabeth Barnett McDonnell of Mahwah, New Jersey; a brother, Thomas Collier Barnett of Pine Bluff; five grandchildren; and six great-grandchildren. Funeral services are scheduled for 10:30 a.m. Friday at Trinity Episcopal Church with the Rev. Alan R. McLean officiating. Burial will be in Graceland Cemetery by Ralph Robinson & Son Funeral Directors. ___________________________________ THEORY WALKER EMERSON-- Funeral services for Theory Walker, 85, of Pine Bluff, who died October 21,1997, at Davis Life Care Center, are scheduled for noon Friday at Pine Hill CME Church at Emerson (Columbia County) with the Rev. Jonathan Washington officiating. Burial will be in Pine Hill Cemetery at Emerson by P.K. Miller Mortuary of Pine Bluff. He was born in Doss Town Community, now Emerson, on February 12, 1912, a son of the late York Walker and Cassie Doss Walker. He received his early education at Doss Town School and was a graduate of McMittress High School. He was a former member of St. Stephen's AME Church at Chicago and was a retired employee of Southwest Forest Industries of Chicago. He also served in the Army. He was preceded in death by his wife, Barbara Jean Walker, who died in 1991. Survivors include two brothers, Sam Walker of Texarkana and Fulton Walker of Pine Bluff, three sisters, Travis Kendrick of Texarkana, Elsie Mae Wallace of Oakland, California, and Velma Epperson of Houston. ___________________________________ LELA SCALES MONTICELLO-- Lela Mae "Dear" Scales, 74, of Monticello, died October 19, 1997, at Drew Memorial Hospital. She was born in Ashley County on January 30, 1923, a daughter of the late David and Anna Simpson. She was a homemaker and a member of Mount Olive AME Church at Lacy. She was preceded in death by two husbands, Guice Foster Sr., who died in November 1976, and Howard Scales Sr., who died in August 1997; a daughter, Betty Jean Foster Tolefree; four brothers, David "Bubba" Simpson, Lester "Buck" Simpson, Sterling Gibbs Jr. and Lawrence Simpson; and three sisters, A. V. Gibbs, Mammie Simpson Gibbs and Dollie Simpson. Survivors include five sons, Joe Wilbert Williams Jr., Guice Foster Jr., and Howard Scales Jr., all of Monticello, Johnny Lee Foster Sr. of Pine Bluff and Allen Gibbs of Crossett; three daughters, Ruthie Mae Haynes of Fayetteville, North Carolina, Linda Diane Scales of Milwaukee and Bertha Lee West of Monticello; three sisters, Izolia Simpson of Bastrop, Louisiana, Annie Sue Simpson of St. Louis and Vera Gross of Hamburg; 23 grandchildren; and 16 great-grandchildren. Funeral services are scheduled for 1 p.m. Friday at Mount Olive AME Church with the Rev. Johnny Lee Simpson officiating. Burial will be in Carlock Cemetery at the Pine Hill Community, near Hamburg, by Cromwell Funeral Home of Hamburg. __________________________________ EVA SCROGGINS BENTON-- Eva B. Scroggins, 99, of Hot Springs, died October 22, 1997, at Benton Service Center. She was born in Hill Country, Texas, on January 20, 1898, a daughter of the late Marley A. Bannister and Mitty Cansler Bannister. She was raised at Pine Bluff and was a Hot Springs resident for 30 years. She was preceded in death by her husband, Walter N. Scroggins Sr.; a son, Donald Scroggins; and a granddaughter. Survivors include two sons, Ronald Scroggins and Walter N. Scroggins Jr., both of Hot Springs; a daughter Eva Dean Brooks of Little Rock; a sister, Naomi Ross of Terrell, Texas; 12 grandchildren; 21 great-grandchildren; and four great-great-grandchildren. Graveside services are scheduled for 11 a.m. Friday in Pinecrest Cemetery at Alexander with the Rev. William Buttler officiating. Arrangementes are handled by Huson Funeral Home of Little Rock. _____________________________________ MORELL LOYD Funeral services for Morell Thomas Loyd, 76, of Pine Bluff, who died October 17, 1997, at Jefferson Regional Medical Center, are scheduled for 11:30 a.m. Friday at Solomon Hill Baptist Church with the Rev. Eric Williams officiating. Burial will be in Bellwood Cemetery by Brown Funeral Home of Pine Bluff. He was born at Portland (Ashley County) on March 12, 1921, a son of the late Sam Loyd Sr. and Cleopatra Barnes Loyd. He was a plumber with Whitfield Plumbing Company, a member of the Army, a Mason and member of Haygood Lodge 407, a member of Solomon Hill Baptist Church and a past usher. Survivors include his wife, Ella M. Cooper Loyd; a son, Henry Loyd of Pine Bluff; a daughter, Cleo Brunson of Pine Bluff; two brothers, Alonzo Loyd and Sam Loyd Jr., both of Flint, Michigan; and three sisters, Lottie Rosebrough and Reola McCampbell, both of Los Angeles, and Abbie Reed of San Angelo, Texas. _________________________________ STEVE JOHNSON SHERRILL-- Funeral services for Steve Johnson, 82, of Sherrill, who died October 16, 1997, at Jefferson Regional Medical Center, are scheduled for 1 p.m. Friday at Corinth Baptist Church at Sherrill with Earl Penister officiating. Burial will be in New Salem Cemetery at Sherrill by Christian Way Funeral Home of Pine Bluff. He was born at Sherrill on June 8, 1915, a son of the late Steve and Sarah Johnson. He was a farmer and a member of Corinth Baptist Church. Survivors include two sons, Levi Johnson of Pine Bluff and Edward Johnson of Sherrill; four daughters, Victoria Bannister of Star City, Essie Johnson of Pine Bluff, Alberta Brown of Sherrill and Elnora Johnson Crain of College Station (Pulaski County); 40 grandchildren; and 47 great-grandchildren. __________________________________ ANDREW PARKS Funeral services for Andrew Lee Parks, 50, of Pine Bluff, who died October 16, 1997, at Jefferson Regional Medical Center, are scheduled for 2 p.m. Friday at Indiana Street Baptist Church with the Rev. L.K. Solomon officiating. Burial will be in the Veterans Administration Section of Bellwood Cemetery by Brown Funeral Home of Pine Bluff. He was born at Monroe on May 12, 1947, a son of Lula Hicks Horace of Pine Bluff and the late Walter Whitmore. He served in the Army and was a member of Indiana Street Baptist Church. Other survivors include his wife, Ruby Garner Parks, whom he married on September 17, 1991; seven sons, Undra Parks of Los Angeles, Alvin Franklin of Oklahoma, Oklahoma, Donzell Franklin of Houston, Leroy Franklin of Little Rock and Anthony Franklin, Booker Franklin, and Ben Franklin, all of Pine Bluff; three daughters, Shamell Parks if Los Angeles and Michelle Jordan and Linda Franklin, both of Pine Bluff; six brothers, Freddie Parks and Herman Horace, both of Pine Bluff, Julius Whitman and James Whitman, both of Monroe, Jeremiah Whitman of ElPaso and Troy Whitman of Brinkley; 12 sisters, Eva Murphy of Los Angeles, Joann Parker and Shirley Wells, both of Compton, California, Callie Horace, Jettie Jordan and Annie Smith, all of Pine Bluff, Gloria Hall of Davenport, Iowa, Lula Palmer, Polly Chism, Ruthiel Whitman and Andeana Griffin, all of Monroe, and Katheren Palmer of Brinkley; and 27 grandchildren. __________________________________ MAGNOLIA PACKARD Funeral services for Magnolia Packard, 63, of Pine Bluff, who died October 17, 1997, at Jefferson Regional Medical Center, are scheduled for 10:30 a.m. Friday at Prairie Lake Baptist Church with Elder Lee Whitiker officiating. Burial will be in Prairie Lake Cemetery by Brown Funeral Home of Pine Bluff. She was born at Pine Bluff on July 14, 1934, a daughter of the late Charlie White and Mary Cabb White. She was a homemaker and a member of Prairie Lake Baptist Church. She was preceded in death by her husband, Lee Henry Packard. Survivors include 10 sons, J.D. Williams, Leon Ventry, Norman Packard, Reginal Packard, Johnny Lee Packard, Roger Wallace, Timothy Packard, Christopher Packard, Harvey Packard and Claude Ventry, all of Pine Bluff; two daughters, Brenda Packard and Gloria Hadley, both of Pine Bluff; two brothers, Lester White and Eddie White, both of Pine Bluff; two sisters, Dorothy Owens of Pine Bluff and Willie B. Conley of Little Rock; 32 grandchildren; and 10 great-grandchildren. __________________________________ VIVIAN LEWIS MONTICELLO-- Funeral services for Vivian Lewis, 79, of Monticello, who died Oc tober 19, 1997, at Drew Memorial Hospital at Monticello, are scheduled for 2 p.m. Saturday at Campground AME Church at Monticello with the Rev. T.V. Simpson officiating. Burial will be in Campground Cemetery at Monticello by Henderson Funeral Home of Monticello. She was born at Monticello on March 12, 1918, the daughter of the late Virgil Hall and Janie Hall. She was a member of Campground AME Church and Effie E. Brooks Civic Club and was a homemaker. Survivors include her husband, T. A. Lewis; a brother, Jerry Wimbley of Monticello; a sister, Alvirn Block of Monticello; six stepsons, Ulyess Lewis of Monticello, Ira Lee Lewis of Mt. Morris, Michigan, and Lamar Lewis of Benton; and two stepdaughters, Marva McDaniel of Flint and Ledora Watson of Rison. _________________________________ RAYBORN DOREY LITTLE ROCK-- Rayborn Douglas Dorey, 64, of Bearden, died October 22, 1997, at Heart Hospital. He was born in Calhoun County on July 10, 1933, a son of the late Robert Dorey and Marila Byrns Dorey. He was retired from Dorey Piling Company at Bearden, which he owned for 40 years. He was on the board of directors at the Bank of Bearden up to his death. He was a 32nd-degree Mason, a member of Abana Lodge 271 at Bearden, a Shriner, a member of the Sahara Temple at Pine Bluff and a member of an Assembly of God. Survivors include his wife, Jeanie Rowland Dorey; a stepson, Clifton Humphries of Camden; four daughters, Carolyn Beaver of Locust Bayou (Calhoun County), Becky Newton of Thornton, Martha Holmes of Bearden and Lisa Lewis of Camden; four brothers, Melvin Dorey of Fordyce, Paul Anton Dorey of Curtis (Clark County), Carlton Dorey of Leola and Merle Dorey of Bearden; 14 grandchildren; and seven great-grandchildren. Funeral services are scheduled for 2 p.m. today at Benton Funeral Home at Fordyce with the Rev. Charles Taylor officiating. Burial will be in Bethel Cemetery at Bearden. Memorial contributions may be made to the American Diabetes Association, the Kidney Foundation or the American Heart Association. ________________________________ WILLIAM RAULS RISON-- William Marshall Rauls, 94, of Rison, died October 21, 1997, at Cleveland County Nursing Home. He was born at Herbine (Cleveland County) on November 27, 1902, a son of the late Lonnie Rauls and Jesse Spakes Rauls. He was a retired farmer and a Baptist. He was preceded in death by his wife, Irene Ashcraft Rauls. Survivors include two sons, Junior Rauls of Hamburg and Kenneth Rauls of Warren; two stepsons, Hughie Ashcraft of Pine Bluff and Lewis Brown of Warren; a daughter, Retha Turner of Little Rock; 11 grandchildren; 15 great-grandchildren; and 18 great-great-grandchildren. Funeral services are scheduled for 2 p.m. Friday at Buie Funeral Home at Rison with J.C. Rawls officiating. Burial will be in Prosperity Cemetery at Herbine. _______________________________ ETHEL WATKINS STUTTGART-- Ethel Morris Watkins, 60, of Stuttgart, died October 21, 1997, at Stuttgart Regional Medical Center. She was born on August 23, 1937, a daughter of Lela Morris of Stuttgart and the late Ethel Morris. She was a homemaker. She was preceded in death by two brothers, Paul Morris and Billy Morris; and a sister, Sue Hollis. Other survivors include her husband of 44 years, Ralph Ray Watkins; three daughters, Kathy Watkins Couch of Bremen, Georgia, Linda Wray Watkins of Pine Bluff and Debbie Watkins of Stuttgart; a sister, Lila Milam of Stuttgart; and three grandchildren. Graveside services are scheduled for 10:30 a.m. today in Lone Tree Cemetery at Stuttgart with the Rev. George Rook officiating. Arrangements are handled by Turpin Funeral Home of Stuttgart. _____________________________ ALMA CALLAWAY Alma Bryan Callaway, 92, of McGehee, died October 21, 1997, at McGehee-Desha County Hospital. She was born at the Lone Prairie community on July 21, 1905, a daughter of the late William H. Biggs and Lula Talley Biggs. She was a homemaker and a member of First United Methodist Church at McGehee. She was a former member of the Desha County Fair Association. Survivors include a sister, Hazel Branch of North Little Rock. Graveside services are scheduled for 2:30 p.m. today in Tillar Cemetery at Tiller with Buddy Ratliff officiating. Arrangements are handled by Griffin Funeral Service of McGehee. _________________________________ Submitted by Linda P. Smith DougMIV@aol.com PINE BLUFF COMMERCIAL FRIDAY, OCTOBER 24, 1997 Pine Bluff, Jefferson Co., Arkansas FRANCES VanNESS McGEHEE-- Frances Greer VanNess, 65, of McGehee, died October 23, 1997, at her home. She was born at Eudora on July 31, 1932, a daughter of Erma Dee Haley Ponthier of Granbury, Texas and the late John F. Greer. She was a homemaker, a member of Zion Missionary Baptist Church at Rison and a member of Riveria No. 444 Order of the Eastern Star of Arkansas City. Survivors include her husband of 47 years, the Rev. C.E. VanNess; a son, Charles VanNess of Little Rock; a daughter, Susan Gallion of McGehee; a brother, John Greer of Keithville, Louisiana; a stepfather, Lester Ponthier of Granbury; a stepmother, Bertha Greer of Lake Village; and two grandchildren. Graveside services are scheduled for 2 p.m. today in Pleasant Springs Cemetery at Coleman (Drew County) with the Rev. C.E. VanNess, the Rev. Wayne Newton and the Rev. Floyd Lamuel officiating. Arrangements are handled by Griffin Funeral Service of McGehee. _________________________________ BONNIE HARPER FORDYCE-- Bonnie Jean Harper, 70, of Thornton, died October 22, 1997, at Dallas County Nursing Home here. She was born in Calhoun County on July 27, 1927, a daughter of the late Raymond and Lena Campbell Nance. She was a homemaker and a member of Hopeville Assembly of God (Calhoun County). She was preceded in death by her husband, Hubert Harper; a brother, Marvin Nance; and a sister, Floy Steelman. Survivors include four sons, Hubert Raymond Thomas Harper of Fordyce, Billy Wayne Harper of Holly Springs and Kirby Eugene Harper and John Edward Harper, both of Fayetteville; four brothers, Allen Nance, Edward Nance and Aubrey Lee Nance, all of Bearden, and Donald Nance of Hopeville; three sisters, Gracie Simpson of Thornton, Louise Nichols of Louisiana and Lucille Nowlin of Texas; eight grandchildren; and three great-grandchildren. Graveside services are scheduled for 10 a.m. Saturday in Bethel Cemetery at Bearden with the Rev. Donald Nance officiating. Arrangements are handled by Benton Funeral Home of Fordyce. _______________________________ JAMES BINNS MONTICELLO-- James Binns, 21, of Monticello, died October 19, 1997, at his home. He was born at Little Rock on September 14, 1976, a son of Pearlene Binns of Monticello. He was a member of Mount Zion AME Church and a 1995 graduate of Monticello High School. Other survivors include four brothers, Fredrick Binns and Billy Binns, both of Monticello, Jewel Binns of Arkadelphia and Daniel Binns of Los Angeles; a sister, Vanessa Binns of Cotton Plant (Woodruff County); and a grandmother, Allie Ridgell of Monticello. Funeral services are scheduled for 1 p.m. Saturday at Stephenson-Dearman Funeral Home of Monticello with the Rev. Michael Binns officiating. Burial will be in Mount Zion Cemetery in Drew County. _______________________________ RUTH GUNTHROP Funeral services for Ruth Gunthrop, 84, of Pine Bluff, who died October 17, 1997, at Jefferson Regional Medical Center, are scheduled for 2:30 p.m. Saturday at Brown Funeral Home of Pine Bluff with the Rev. Reuben Camp Sr. officiating. Burial will be in Forest Lawn Cemetery. She was born at DeValls Bluff on September 20, 1913, a daughter of the late Prince A. Camp and Beulah Franklin Camp-King. She was a homemaker, a member of First Baptist Church at Brinkley and a former choir member. She was preceded in death by her husband, Sam Gunthrop. Survivors include two brothers, Arthur Camp and Reuben Camp Sr., both of Pine Bluff; and two sistersl, Dorothy Gridion and Eddie Mae Whitler, both of Pine Bluff. _______________________________ MARVIN CLARK SR. KANSAS CITY-- Marvin DeRay Clark Sr., 23, of Kansas City, died October 18, 1997, at Kansas City from injuries received in an automobile accident. He was born at Pine Bluff on April 12, 1974, a son of Toney Young of Kansas City and Andrew Clark Boston of Pine Bluff. He was a laborer for the city of Kansas City, a Baptist, a student at the University of Arkansas at Pine Bluff and a 1993 graduate of Pine Bluff High School. Other survivors include two sons, Marvin DeRay Clark Jr. of Kansas City and Marvin O'Neal Clark of Pine Bluff; a daughter, Cara Clark of Kansas City; a brother, Kenneth Boston of Pine Bluff; two sisters, Zipporah D. Baker of Pine Bluff and Louise Young II of Kansas City; and two grandmothers, Wilma Clark of Pine Bluff and Louise Young of Kansas City. Funeral services are scheduled for 10:30 a.m. Saturday at Brown Funeral Home of Pine Bluff with the Rev. James Grant officiating. Burial will be in Forest Lawn Cemetery at Pine Bluff. __________________________________ MARGUERITE CARRIGAN MEMPHIS-- Marguerite Willingham Carrigan, 87, of Memphis, died October 23, 1997, at Methodist Central Hospital here. She was born at Rison on December 25, 1909, a daughter of the late John Thomas Willingham and Nancy Elizabeth Reed Willingham. She was a retired executive secretary at Anderson Clayton Cotton Company of Memphis. She was a member of First Baptist Church of Pine Bluff. She was preceded in death by her husband, Jack F. Carrigan. Survivors include a sister, Lucille W. Bradley of Memphis. Funeral services are scheduled for 1 p.m. Saturday at Ralph Robinson & Son Funeral Directors with Dr. John H. McClannahan and the Rev. Jimmy Watson officiating. Burial will be in Friendship Cemetery in Cleveland County. ___________________________________ BRAXTON ALEXANDER Funeral services for Braxton Alexander, 88, of Hensley, who died October 19, 1997, at his home, are scheduled for 11 a.m. Saturday at St. Luke AME Church at Hensley with the Rev. Jerome Green officiating. Burial will be in Rest in Peace Cemetery at Hensley by Brown Funeral Home of Pine Bluff. He was born at Chidester (Ouachita County) on October 18, 1909, a son of the late John Alexander and Janie Mark Alexander. He was a laborer at 3-M Mines. He was a member of St. Luke AME Church and was a Mason and steward. Survivors include his wife, Ella M. Johnson Alexander; a son, Brady Alexander of Los Angeles; a daughter, Evelyn Hagler of Richmond, California; a sister, Maybell Leasure of St. Louis; a grandchild; and three great-grandchildren. ________________________________ CRAWFORD O'BRIEN Crawford Leonard O'Brien, 69, of Benton, died October 23, 1997, at Jefferson Regional Medical Center. He was born at Benton on November 15, 1927, a son of the late C.W. O'Brien and Pearl Leonard O'Brien. He was a businessman at Benton. He was preceded in death by his wife, Dorothy Sue King Terry O'Brien. Survivors include five sons, Danny O'Brien and Bobby O'Brien, both of Louisville; David Terry of Benton, Robert Terry of White Hall and Buck Terry of New Edinburg; three daughters, Elizabeth Glaze of Benton, Wanda Clay of Kingsland and Pansy Washington of Sheridan; a brother, Hugh O'Brien of Pine Bluff; a sister, Frances Reynolds of Atlanta, Texas; 13 grandchildren; and seven great-grandchildren. Funeral services are scheduled for 2 p.m. Saturday at Buie Funeral Home at Rison. Burial will be in Greenwood Cemetery at Rison. _________________________________ Submitted by Linda P. Smith DougMIV@aol.com PINE BLUFF COMMERCIAL SATURDAY, OCTOBER 25, 1997 Pine Bluff, Jefferson Co., Arkansas VENETA FRAZIER (Photo included) Veneta Green Frazier, 67, of Pine Bluff, died October 24, 1997, at Jefferson Regional Medical Center. She was born at Humphrey on June 12, 1930, a daughter of the late Henry Green and Elsie Mae Crouch Brazeal. She was raised and received her early education at Humnoke and was a homemaker. She was preceded in death by her husband, Eugene Delbert Frazier, whom she married at England on January 1, 1947, and who died on January 29, 1990; two brothers; and a sister. Survivors include two sons, Delbert Frazier and Ronald Frazier, both of Pine Bluff; two daughters, Sharon Wiggins and Sheila Frazier, both of Pine Bluff; four brothers, Jimmy George Brazeal of England, Tollie Wallace of Sherrill, Walter Brazeal of Denton, Texas, and Wayne Brazeal of Alabama; four sisters, Virginia Robinson of Coy, Bonnie Dewberry of Stuttgart, Helen Harris of Memphis and Betty Jo Brown of Humnoke; eight grandchildren; and four great- grandchildren. Funeral services are scheduled for 10 a.m. Monday at Ralph Robinson & Son Funeral Directors with the Revs. Ron Woods and Billy Burks officiating. Burial will be in Flynn Cemetery in Arkansas County. ___________________________________ JUANITA RICHARDSON Funeral services for Juanita Richardson, 72, of Pine Bluff, who died October 20, 1997, at Jefferson Regional Medical Center, are scheduled for 1 p.m. today at St. PeterŐs Catholic Church with Bernie Keller officiating. Burial will be in Cypress Memorial Cemetery by Christian Way Funeral Home. She was born at Mexico City, Mexico, on January 24, 1925, a daughter of the late Leon Juarez and Crencia Rangel Juarez. She was a retired cosmetologist. She was preceded in death by her husband, Archie Richardson, who died on March 20, 1995. Survivors include two brothers, Jose Juarez and Catalino Juarez, both of Mexico City; and five sisters, Dolores Rangel, Manuela Rangel, Alicia Rangel, Elena Rangel and Sofia Rangel, all of Me LULA McBRYDE STAR CITY-- Funeral services for Lula Mae Jacks McBryde, 64, of Glendale, who died October 23, 1997, at Star City, are scheduled for 10 a.m. today at New Home Missionary Baptist Church, Highway 54 South, (Glendale Road) with the Revs. Victor McGee and Allen Hagood officiating. Burial will be in New Home Cemetery by Hale-South Funeral Home. Born on October 25, 1932, at Calmer (Cleveland County), she was a daughter of the late Thomas William and Mellie Linzy Jacks. She was a member of New Home Missionary Baptist Church. She was preceded in death by a sister, Jewel McCoskey. Survivors include a son, Billy Wayne McBryde of Star City; two daughters, Debbie Weast of Star City and Judy Rauls of Rison; two brothers, Wilbur Jacks of Pine Bluff and Bennie Jacks of Glendale; four sisters, Rita Stuckey of Sheridan and Hazel Rodgers, Mary Parker and Carolyn Simmons, all of Pine Bluff; and five grandchildren. _________________________________ MACK SMITH SR. Mack Ray Smith Sr., 57, of Monticello, died October 22, 1997, at Jefferson Regional Medical Center. He was born in Drew County on July 10, 1940, a son of the late Mack Smith and Alberta Turner Smith. He was a logger and a member of Mount Pleasant AME Church at Monticello. Survivors include a son, Mack Ray Smith Jr. of Monticello; four brothers, Willie Gene Smith, Wesley Smith and Eddie Smith, all of Monticello, and Earnest Smith of Wisconsin; and three sisters, Dorothy Martin of Wisconsin and Mildred Vincent and Charlie Mae Smith, both of Monticello and four grandchildren. Funeral services are scheduled for 3:30 p.m. Sunday at Stephenson-Dearman Funeral Home of Monticello with Charlie Vincent Jr. officiating. Burial will be in Campground Cemetery in Drew County. __________________________________ ETHEL EVANS CHICAGO-- Ethel Evans, 86, of Chicago, formerly of Tarry, Arkansas, (Lincoln County), died October 18, 1997, at Alden Nursing Home of Chicago. She was born at Pine Bluff on November 4, 1910, a daughter of the late Fred Thomas and Lucille Nels ME Church at Tarry. She moved to Chicago in 1943 and worked at Continental Cans Company for 18 years. Survivors include a sister, Chestanner Moore of Chicago; and a brother, Robert Lee Cole of Pine Bluff. Funeral services are scheduled for 2:30 p.m. today at Mount Olive AME Church with the Rev. G.L. Ford officiating. Burial will be in Cannan Hill Cemetery at Tarry by Brown Funeral Home of Pine Bluff. __________________________________ ESTEEN POWELL HOMER, Louisiana-- Esteen Hollingsworth Powell, 83, of Homer, Louisiana, died October 23, 1997, at Homer Memorial Hospital at Homer. She was born at Jersey, Arkansas (Bradley County) on April 8, 1914, a daughter of the late Samuel and Minnie Reynolds Hollingsworth. She was a retired employee of Gates Supermarket at Hermitage, Arkansas, and was a member of Western Missionary Baptist Church at Emerson, Arkansas. She was preceded in death by her husband, Clifford Powell, who died on September 4, 1991; and a son, Robert William Poole. Survivors include a son, Fred Poole of Sarepta, Louisiana; a daughter, Polly Vines of Shongaloo, Louisiana; a brother, Jack Hollingsworth of Hermitage; two sisters, Gertie Boyette of Gravel Ridge, Arkansas (Bradley County) and Lucille Brooks of El Dorado, Arkansas; nine grandchildren; 13 great-grandchildren; and nine great-great-grandchildren. Funeral services are scheduled for 2 p.m. today at FrazerŐs Funeral Home at Warren with the Rev. Jerry Hines officiating. Burial will be in Gravel Ridge Cemetery. _________________________________ WINNIE STILL CAMDEN-- Winnie Jeanette Owens Still, 58, of Jacinto, died October 23, 1997, at Ouachita County Hospital at Camden. She was born at Eaglette on August 25, 1939, a daughter of Mary Lucille Beeson Owens of Eaglette and the late Odas Monroe Owens. She was a homemaker and a member of United Pentecostal Church at Fordyce. She was involved in the Democratic Party. Other survivors include her husband, Billy G. Still Sr. of Jacinto; three sons, Billy G. Still Jr. of Jacinto, Charles Still o of Holly Springs; two daughters, Mary Still Weathers and Janis Still Raybon, both of Fordyce; two brothers, Havis Owens and Maurice Owens, both of Pine Bluff; and eight grandchildren. Funeral services are scheduled for 2 p.m. today at Benton Funeral Home at Fordyce with the Rev. H.A. Murrell Jr. officiating. Burial will be in Benton Cemetery at Ramsey (Dallas County). ____________________________________ GEORGE NICHOLS MYRTLE BEACH, South Carolina-- George E. ŇNickÓ Nichols, 64, of Forestbrook section of Myrtle Beach, died October 24, 1997, at his home. He was born at Pine Bluff on April 26, 1933, a son of the late Charles and Myrtle Green Nichols. He was retired from the Navy, Aviation branch, where he served for 20 years. He was a veteran of the Korean and Vietnam wars. He was also a retired civil engineer from the Myrtle Beach Air Force Base at South Carolina. He was a former teacher at Horry-Georgetown Tech and St. Leo Colleges. He was a member of Surfside Presbyterian Church at Surfside Beach, South Carolina. Survivors include his wife, Johnnie M. Kiser Nichols; two sons, Gregory A. Nichols and Christopher G. Nichols, both of Myrtle Beach; three sisters, Elizabeth Scifres of Little Rock, Ann Reynolds of Pine Bluff and Sue Goins of Searcy, Arkansas; and two grandchildren. Funeral services are scheduled for 4 p.m. Sunday at Surfside Presbyterian Church. Burial will be in Hillcrest Cemetery by Goldfinch Funeral Home at Murrells Inlet, South Carolina. __________________________________ Submitted by Linda P. Smith DougMIV@aol.com PINE BLUFF COMMERCIAL SUNDAY, OCTOBER 26, 1997 Pine Bluff, Jefferson Co., Arkansas MARY WOODS Funeral services for Mary Ella Price Woods, 93, of Pine Bluff, who died October 22, 1997, at Sunchase Nursing Home, will be held at 1 p.m. Monday at New St. James Baptist Church with the Rev. E.J. Richardson officiating. Burial will be in Forest Lawn Memorial Garden Cemetery by Perry Funeral Home. Born at Madden (Jefferson County) on September 19, 1904, she was a daughter of the late Joseph and Elnora Price. She was a member of New St. James Baptist Church where she was secretary of the Deaconess Board and the Missionary Society, a member of the choir, Sisters of Charity and a Sunday School teacher for many years. She was preceded in death by her husband, Thomas Woods. Survivors include a daughter, Bernice Woods McClendon of Pine Bluff; two grandchildren, four great-grandchildren and eight great-great-grandchildren. ___________________________________ WILLIAM LANE PARAGOULD-- William Lane, 73, of Sheridan, died October 25, 1997, at Paragould. Born August 29, 1924, at Bono, he was a son of the late Arthur and Susie Luttrull Lane. He was a retired self-employed truck driver, a Baptist and a Navy veteran who served during World War II. Survivors include four sons, Willie Don Lane of El Paso, Tommy Lane and Randy Lane, both of Indiana, and Curtis Lane of Michigan; two sisters, Maris Moore of Brinkley and Bertrice Goodman of Jonesboro; six grandchildren and four great-grandchildren. Graveside funeral services are scheduled for 2 p.m. Monday at Bethel North Cemetery near Sheridan by Buie Funeral Home of Sheridan. ____________________________________ ESSIE COOK Funeral services for Essie Lee Cook, 76, of Pine Bluff, who died October 19, 1997, at her home, are scheduled for 2 p.m. Monday at Pleasant Grove Missionary Baptist Church with the Rev. Harold Shirlee officiating. Burial will be in the Cedar Grove section of Graceland Cemetery by P.K. Miller Mortuary. Born June 5, 1921, at Pine Bluff, she was a daughter of the late Ed Wilson and Rosetta Ashley Wilson. She received her early education in the public schools of Jefferson County and graduated from Merrill High School. She earned a bachelor of science degree from A.M. and N. College (now the University of Arkansas at Pine Bluff) and her master's degree from the University of Arkansas at Fayetteville. She served as a classroom teacher in the Pine Bluff School District for 28 years. She was a member of Pleasant Grove Missionary Baptist Church, where she served as a church announcer and Sunday School teacher. She was president of the Missionary Society and a member of the choir, Prayer Group and Bible Study. Survivors include her husband, Charley Cook of Pine Bluff; four sons, Ed Louis Cook, Bennie Roy Cook and Robert Lee Cook, all of Los Angeles, and Alfred Lee Cook of Pine Bluff; two daughters, Charlie Jean Cook-Murphy of Los Angeles and Kaye Frances Cook-Askew of De Soto, Texas; a brother, Ed Wilson Jr. of St. Louis; 25 grandchildren and 18 great-grandchildren. ____________________________________ NEVA FERGUSON SILSBEE, Texas-- Neva Dell Workman Ferguson, 65, of Buna, Texas, died October 19, 1997, at Silsbee Doctors Hospital. She was born at Star City, Arkansas on May 9, 1932, a daughter of the late Jeff and Ivy Dell Workman. She lived at Buna for 32 years and was a retired department store manager. She was preceded in death by a son, Gary Ferguson; and three brothers, Clarence Workman, J.W. Workman and Charles Workman. Survivors include her husband of 49 years, Ray Ferguson; two sons, Jackie Ray Ferguson of Kirbyville, Texas and Kenneth Lynn Ferguson of Palestine, Texas; two brothers, James Workman of Buna and Robert Lee Workman of Cleveland, Texas; a sister, Merine Young of Eunice, Louisiana; and eight grandchildren. Funeral services were held at 2 p.m. Wednesday at E.E. Stringer Funeral Home at Buna with the Rev. B.A. Carlin officiating. Burial was in Anitoch Cemetery at Buna. ___________________________________ BEULAH MONK LITTLE ROCK-- Beulah Meeks Monk, 95, of the Hardin Community, died October 23, 1997, at Riley's Oak Hill Manor in Little Rock. Born January 25, 1902, at Pine Bluff, she was a daughter of the late Tom and Mary Tomblin Meeks. She was a member of Hardin Baptist Church and former member of the American Legion Auxiliary. She was preceded in death by her husband, Lawrence Monk; a son, Tommy Monk; a daughter, Alice Monk; and seven sisters. Survivors include a son, L.F. Monk Jr. of Little Rock, one grandson and one great-grandson. Graveside services are scheduled for 10 a.m. Monday at White Hall United Methodist Church Cemetery. Arrangements are by Ralph Robinson & Son Funeral Directors. __________________________________ LARRY BUZBEE AUSTIN, Texas-- Larry Wayne Buzbee, 47, of Sheridan, died October 23, 1997, at Austin, Texas. Born September 13, 1950, at Dumas, he was a son of Doris A. Whitehead Buzbee of Dumas and the late Ira Buzbee. He was a truck driver for Southern Transit and a member of North Main Baptist Church. Other survivors include his wife, Margaret Mosier Buzbee; and two sons, Larry W. Buzbee Jr. of Dumas and Michael L. Buzbee of Sheridan. Funeral services are scheduled for 10 a.m. Monday at North Main Baptist Church in Sheridan with the Rev. Randy Cross officiating. The body will be cremated. Arrangements are by Buie Funeral Home of Sheridan. Memorials may be made to the American Heart Association. ____________________________________ Submitted by Linda P. Smith DougMIV@aol.com PINE BLUFF COMMERCIAL MONDAY, OCTOBER 27, 1997 Pine Bluff, Jefferson Co., Arkansas BRENDA HOLLAND (Photo included) Brenda Lee Allred Holland, 38, of Pine Bluff, died October 23, 1997, at her home. Born April 6, 1959, at Hot Springs, she was a daughter of the late Claborn and Bernice Logan Allred. She worked for Aramark and attended Oak Grove Baptist Church. She made crafts in plastic canvas, for which she won awards at local and state fairs. She also enjoyed gardening. Survivors include her husband, Ralph Holland; a son, Daniel Holland of Pine Bluff; a daughter, Cathy Lee Holland of Pine Bluff; a brother, James Allred of Ola (Yell County); and a sister, Marilyn Wade of Fort Worth. Funeral services are scheduled for 3:30 p.m. Tuesday at Cranford Funeral Home of White Hall with the Rev. Bob Lamb and the Rev. Bobby Hartsfield officiating. Burial will be in Memorial Park Cemetery. ________________________________ CHESTER HALL Chester L. Hall, 92, of Pine Bluff, died October 22, 1997, at Davis Life Care Center. Born November 13, 1904, at Goshen (Washington County), he was a son of the late William "Bud" Hall and Louise Wiggins Hall. He was a member of Allen Temple AME Church, a boilermaker for the Missouri Pacific Railroad and member of the International Brotherhood of Boilermakers. He was preceded in death by his wife, Leola James Hall. Survivors include a son, Earl Lee Hall of Pine Bluff; a brother, Floyd "Peter" Hall of Oakland, California; and a grandchild. Funeral services are scheduled for 2:30 p.m. Tuesday at Allen Temple AME Church with the Rev. A.O. Hobbs officiating. Burial will be in Forest Lawn Memorial Garden Cemetery by Brown Funeral Home. __________________________________ NELLIE BELCHER BOSSIER CITY, Louisiana-- Nellie C. Davis Belcher, 74, of Bossier City, Louisiana, died October 25, 1997, at Bossier City. Born August 24, 1923, in Lonoke County, Arkansas, she was a daughter of the late George Davis and Minnie McCann Davis Vaughan. She was a retired shoe store sales clerk. Survivors include her husband, Melvin Belcher of Bossier City; two brothers, Mose Vaughan of Seattle and Doyle Vaughan of Camden, Arkansas; a sister, Doshia Wilson of Fordyce, Arkansas; and two stepsisters, Dorothy Gorman of Hampton, Arkansas, and Ruth Gilbert of Harrell, Arkansas. Graveside services are scheduled for 2 p.m. today in Stoney Point Cemetery with the Rev. Larry Ferguson officiating. Arrangements are by Benton Funeral Home of Fordyce. ___________________________________ RUBY FERRIS TYLER, Texas-- Funeral services for Ruby Stone Ferris, 85, of Holly Lake Ranch, Texas, formerly of Pine Bluff, who died October 24, 1997, at Tyler, are scheduled for 10 a.m. today at English Funeral Home at Hawkins, Texas, with the Rev. Larry Taylor officiating. She was born February 24, 1912, at Tucker, Arkansas. A nurse, she was a former member of First Baptist Church at Pine Bluff. She was also a former resident of Grand Prairie, Texas, and was a member of First Baptist Church there. Survivors include three sons, Robert C. Ferris Jr. of Arlington, Texas, William Stone Ferris of Holly Lake Ranch, Texas, and Mark B. Ferris of Sugarland, Texas; five grandchildren; and four great-grandchildren. Memorials may be made to the Hospice of East Texas, 3800 Puluxy, Suite 560, Tyler, Texas, 75703. ____________________________________ HAYWARD JONES ALTHEIMER-- Funeral services for Hayward Jones, 78, of Altheimer, who died October 22, 1997, at Jefferson Regional Medical Center, are scheduled for 1 p.m. Tuesday at Second Baptist Church at Wabbaseka with Glenn Barnes Sr. officiating. Burial will be in Community Cemetery at Altheimer by Perry Funeral Home of Pine Bluff. He was a native of Woodson and a son of the late Lee and Susie Sumner. He was a member and deacon of Second Baptist Church at Wabbaseka. He served as president of the District Singing Union for more than 30 years and the Altheimer Singing Union for 32 years. Educated in the Gillam School District at Gethsamane, he worked for Riceland Foods until his 1980 retirement. He was preceded in death by three sisters, Bessie Donaldson, Louella Harris and Gertrude Stocks. Survivors include his wife, Doris Atkinson Jones; four daughters, Normas Taylor, Janice Ferguson and Faye Jones, all of Los Angeles, and Leslie Jones of Altheimer; and 11 grandchildren. ________________________________________ Submitted by Linda P. Smith DougMIV@aol.com ============================================================== PINE BLUFF COMMERCIAL WEDNESDAY, OCTOBER 29, 1997 Pine Bluff, Jefferson Co., Arkansas BARBARA DEWEY CAPE CORAL, Florida-- Barbara D. "Bobbie" Cunningham Dewey, 54, of North Fort Myers, Florida, formerly of Pine Bluff, died October 27, 1997, at Cape Coral Hospital. She was born at Pine Bluff on December 19, 1942, a daughter of Lucille Cunningham and the late Hayden T. Cunningham Sr. She was a 1960 Pine Bluff High School graduate and a 1964 granduate of Arkansas State Teachers College, now the University of Central Arkansas. She attended Trinity Lutheran Church at Pine Bluff. She moved to Ft. Myers in 1964 and was a physical education teacher at Lee Jr. High School. She then taught at North Fort Myers High School from 1968 to 1988. She was the athletic director of North Fort Myers High from 1988 until she retired in 1997. Survivors include her husband, LeRoy A. Dewey, who she married on June 21, 1966; two sons, L.A. Dewey and Jon Dewey; a brother, H.T. Cunningham Jr.; two sisters, Lura C. Campbell and Susan C. Faulk; and two grandchildren. Memorial services are scheduled for 10 a.m. Friday at Grace United Methodist Church at Cape Coral with the Rev. Jorge Acevedo, the Rev. Gerald Gardner and the Rev. Paul R. Sutterer officiating. There will be no burial because she was cremated. Arrangements are handled by Fort Myers Memorial Gardens Funeral Home. _______________________________ MARION WEEKS RUSSELLVILLE-- Marion L. Weeks, 71, formerly of Pine Bluff, died October 28, 1997, at St. Mary's Medical Center. He was born at Cabot on May 31, 1926, a son of the late James Earnest and Etta Forsythe Weeks, both formerly of Beebe. He was the retired owner of Weeks Appliance Service. He was an Army veteran of World War II and was a member of Roy Horn Veterans of Foreign Wars Post 4455 and American Legion. He was preceded in death by four brothers and a great-grandchild. Survivors include his wife, Ruth Dunham Weeks; three sons, Leslie Weeks and Frank Weeks, both of Star City, and L.T. Hawkes of Texarkana, Texas; two daughters, Charlotte Townsend of Pine Bluff and Michelle Cook of Sheridan; four brothers, James Weeks of Ward (Lonoke County), Ceal Weeks of North Little Rock, John Weeks of McRae (White County) and Norman Weeks of Searcy; a sister, Jeannie Lee Long of Beebe; 13 grandchildren; and five great-grandchildren. A memorial service is scheduled for 2 p.m. Thursday at Martin Chapel Church, north of London, with the Rev. Arlin Elmore officiating. The body will be cremated. Arrangements are by North Little Rock Funeral Home and Cremation Association of Arkansas. __________________________________ TOM GARNER III Tom J. Garner III, 46, of Pine Bluff, died October 26, 1997, at his home. He was born at Little Rock on September 29, 1951, a son of Tom J. Garner Jr., of Noxapater, Mississippi and Ruby Maxine Butler Garner of Jonesboro. He was raised and received his early education in Jefferson and Pulaski counties. He earned a bachelor of science degree in chemistry in 1974 at Hendrix College at Conway and a bachelor of science degree in pharmacy in 1977 at the University of Missouri at Kansas City School of Pharmacy. He received his doctor of osteopathy degree in 1982 from the University of Health Sciences-College of Osteopathic Medicine at Kansas City. He did an internship in 1982 and 1983 at Dallas Memorial Hospital at Dallas. He then did a year of public service practice for the Indian Health Service at Oklahoma. He did a residency in internal medicine from 1986 to 1989 at Detroit Osteopathic and Bi-County hospitals at Detroit and Warren, Michigan. He returned to public service, practicing medicine from 1989 to 1992 at the Webb County Health Department at Laredo, Texas. He served cardiology fellowships from October 1992 to September 1995 at Garden City Hospital at Garden City, Michigan and a Botsford General Hospital at Farmington Hills, Michigan. He was a cardiology special purpose trainee in 1994 and 1995 at the University of Michigan Medical Center at Ann Arbor, Michigan. He studied interventional cardiology from July to December 1995 at St. John Hospital and Medical Center at Detroit. He moved to Pine Bluff in 1996 and practiced cardiology until his death. He was board certified in cardiology in August 1997 and was certified in internal medicine in 1991 by the American Osteopathic Board of Internal Medicine. Other survivors include his wife, the former Deborah D. Rozen, whom he married at Dallas on July 27, 1984; and two sisters, Sherry Jones of Bono and Carol Paneitz of Kansas City. Funeral services are scheduled for 2 p.m. Thursday at Lakeside United Methodist Church at Pine Bluff with the Rev. Charles Murry officiating. Burial will be private. Arrangements are handled by Ralph Robinson & Son Funeral Directors. ___________________________________ VELDA BREMER Velda S. Bremer, 101, of Pine Bluff, died October 27, 1997, at Jefferson Regional Medical Center. She was born at Commerce, Missouri on May 10, 1896, a daughter of the late Edward and Josephine Totty Kaffenberger. She was raised and received her early education at Commerce. She was preceded in death by her husband, Clarence A. Bremer Sr., and a son, Glenn Bremer. Survivors include a son, Clarence Bremer Jr., of Fremont, California; and four daughters, Mary Hubbard of Pine Bluff, Peggy Lively of Minneapolis, Betty Vineyard of St. Louis and Jean Haskins of New Melle, Missouri. Funeral services are scheduled for 2 p.m. Friday at Kutis Funeral Home at St. Louis. Local arrangements are handled by Ralph Robinson & Son Funeral Directors. __________________________________ FRANK PHILLIPS Frank E. Phillips, 87, of Pine Bluff, died October 28, 1997, at his home. He was born in Jefferson County on August 24, 1910, a son of the late Wiley Frank Phillips and Ida Tiller Phillips. He attended Dollarway Baptist Church and was a service station manager. He was preceded in death by his wife, Edna L. Phillips, whom he married on March 2, 1931, and who died on November 14, 1995; and two sons, Leonard Edward Phillips and Bobby Wayne Phillips. Survivors include two daughters, Ewilda F. Armstrong of Beebe and Marisa Lowery of Pine Bluff; 10 grandchildren; 17 great-grandchildren; and four great-great-grandchildren. Graveside services are scheduled for 10 a.m. Thursday in Memorial Park Cemetery with the Rev. Eddie Harrison officiating. ____________________________________ MARIE HERRINGTON DUMAS-- Marie Leek Herrington, 84, of Tillar, died October 27, 1997,at Delta Memorial Hospital. She was born in Desha County on January 20, 1913, a daughter of the late Henry G. Leek and Grace Robertson Leek. She was a homemaker and a lifetime resident of Tillar. She was a member of Newton Chapel United Methodist Church in the Winchester Community. When the church closed in 1991, she became a member of Tillar United Methodist Church. She was preceded in death by her husband, J.P. Herrington. Survivors include a son, John Herrington of Little Rock; a daughter, Ann Hamer of Atlanta; two brothers, H.G. Leek of Dumas and Adrian Leek of Star City; three sisters, Henra G. Harp of Benton, Audrey Stebbins of Mishawaka, Indiana and Kay Ridout of Carson City, Nevada; six grandchildren; and eight great-grandchildren. Funeral services are scheduled for 2 p.m. today at Tillar United Methodist Church with the Rev. Buddy Ratcliff officiating. Burial will be in Jefferson Cemetery at Winchester by Griffin Funeral Home of Dumas. ____________________________________ JOEL KINDALL SHERRILL-- Funeral services for Joel Augusta Kindall, 62, of Sacramento, California, formerly of Pine Bluff, who died on October 23, 1997, at his home, are scheduled for 2:30 p.m. Thursday at P.K. Miller Mortuary with the Rev. Robert Willis Jr., officiating. Burial will be in New Salem Cemetery at Sherrill. He was born at Sherrill on September 2, 1935, a son of the late Augusta "Jack" Kindall and Ardella Jones Kindall. He received his early education at Sherrill and Townsend Park schools. He moved to Sacramento in 1958 and worked for the City of Sacramento. He was retired from the City of Sacramento. Survivors include a son, Casadell Kindall of Los Angeles; a daughter, Diana Womack of Pine Bluff; four brothers, John M. Kindall and Ferda Kindall, both of Flint, Michigan, Veodis Kindall of Kansas City, Kansas and Thomas L. Kindall of Pine Bluff of Pine Bluff; four grandchildren; and seven great-grandchildren. ____________________________________ WILLIE LOUDEN LITTLE ROCK-- Funeral services for Willie Mae Louden, 78, of Pine Bluff, who died October 24,1997, at her home, are scheduled for noon Thursday at Pine Hill Baptist Church with the Rev. Robert Wells officiating. Burial will be in Little Rock National Cemetery by Brown Funeral Home of Pine Bluff. She was born at Flora, Mississippi on September 25, 1919, a daughter of the late Jim Everage and Jessie Fisher Everage. She was a homemaker, a member of Pine Hill Baptist Church and a former choir member. Survivors include her husband, William Louden; a daughter, Louise Louden of Oakland, California; two brothers, L.C. Everage of Toledo, Ohio and Billy James Everage of Jackson, Mississippi; five sisters, Lula Bell Griffin, Corrine Terry, Charles Tea Everage, Loisteen Griffin and Jessie Lewis, all of Toledo; three grandchildren; and two great-grandchildren. ___________________________________ DURWOOD WALDO Durwood F. Waldo, 81, of Pine Bluff, died October 26, 1997, at Jefferson Regional Medical Center. He was born at Pine Bluff on February 27, 1916, a son of the late Emmett F. Waldo and Estelle Word Waldo. He was a native of Pine Bluff and attended Pine Bluff schools. He was a Navy veteran of World War II and worked for Colson Oil Company at Pine Bluff for a long time, retiring in 1976. He was a member of First Christian Church at Pine Bluff and Quapaw Lodge No. 730. He was preceded in death by his wife, Ava Mae Donaldson Waldo, who he married on March 15, 1952, at Pine Bluff. She died on July 3, 1974. Survivors include a daughter, Donna Ann Murray of Benton; a stepdaughter, Zella Mae Stone of Talm Dale, California; a sister, Willie Wooten of Pine Bluff; a caregiver, Catherine Morrow of Pine Bluff; and 10 grandchildren. Funeral services are scheduled for 10 a.m. Thursday at the chapel of Ralph Robinson & Son Funeral Directors with Dr. Jim Robinson officiating. Burial will be in Bellwood Annex Cemetery at Pine Bluff. _________________________________ Submitted by Linda P. Smith DougMIV@aol.com PINE BLUFF COMMERCIAL SATURDAY, OCTOBER 25, 1997 Pine Bluff, Jefferson Co., Arkansas VENETA FRAZIER (Photo included) Veneta Green Frazier, 67, of Pine Bluff, died October 24, 1997, at Jefferson Regional Medical Center. She was born at Humphrey on June 12, 1930, a daughter of the late Henry Green and Elsie Mae Crouch Brazeal. She was raised and received her early education at Humnoke and was a homemaker. She was preceded in death by her husband, Eugene Delbert Frazier, whom she married at England on January 1, 1947, and who died on January 29, 1990; two brothers; and a sister. Survivors include two sons, Delbert Frazier and Ronald Frazier, both of Pine Bluff; two daughters, Sharon Wiggins and Sheila Frazier, both of Pine Bluff; four brothers, Jimmy George Brazeal of England, Tollie Wallace of Sherrill, Walter Brazeal of Denton, Texas, and Wayne Brazeal of Alabama; four sisters, Virginia Robinson of Coy, Bonnie Dewberry of Stuttgart, Helen Harris of Memphis and Betty Jo Brown of Humnoke; eight grandchildren; and four great- grandchildren. Funeral services are scheduled for 10 a.m. Monday at Ralph Robinson & Son Funeral Directors with the Revs. Ron Woods and Billy Burks officiating. Burial will be in Flynn Cemetery in Arkansas County. ___________________________________ JUANITA RICHARDSON Funeral services for Juanita Richardson, 72, of Pine Bluff, who died October 20, 1997, at Jefferson Regional Medical Center, are scheduled for 1 p.m. today at St. PeterŐs Catholic Church with Bernie Keller officiating. Burial will be in Cypress Memorial Cemetery by Christian Way Funeral Home. She was born at Mexico City, Mexico, on January 24, 1925, a daughter of the late Leon Juarez and Crencia Rangel Juarez. She was a retired cosmetologist. She was preceded in death by her husband, Archie Richardson, who died on March 20, 1995. Survivors include two brothers, Jose Juarez and Catalino Juarez, both of Mexico City; and five sisters, Dolores Rangel, Manuela Rangel, Alicia Rangel, Elena Rangel and Sofia Rangel, all of Me LULA McBRYDE STAR CITY-- Funeral services for Lula Mae Jacks McBryde, 64, of Glendale, who died October 23, 1997, at Star City, are scheduled for 10 a.m. today at New Home Missionary Baptist Church, Highway 54 South, (Glendale Road) with the Revs. Victor McGee and Allen Hagood officiating. Burial will be in New Home Cemetery by Hale-South Funeral Home. Born on October 25, 1932, at Calmer (Cleveland County), she was a daughter of the late Thomas William and Mellie Linzy Jacks. She was a member of New Home Missionary Baptist Church. She was preceded in death by a sister, Jewel McCoskey. Survivors include a son, Billy Wayne McBryde of Star City; two daughters, Debbie Weast of Star City and Judy Rauls of Rison; two brothers, Wilbur Jacks of Pine Bluff and Bennie Jacks of Glendale; four sisters, Rita Stuckey of Sheridan and Hazel Rodgers, Mary Parker and Carolyn Simmons, all of Pine Bluff; and five grandchildren. _________________________________ MACK SMITH SR. Mack Ray Smith Sr., 57, of Monticello, died October 22, 1997, at Jefferson Regional Medical Center. He was born in Drew County on July 10, 1940, a son of the late Mack Smith and Alberta Turner Smith. He was a logger and a member of Mount Pleasant AME Church at Monticello. Survivors include a son, Mack Ray Smith Jr. of Monticello; four brothers, Willie Gene Smith, Wesley Smith and Eddie Smith, all of Monticello, and Earnest Smith of Wisconsin; and three sisters, Dorothy Martin of Wisconsin and Mildred Vincent and Charlie Mae Smith, both of Monticello and four grandchildren. Funeral services are scheduled for 3:30 p.m. Sunday at Stephenson-Dearman Funeral Home of Monticello with Charlie Vincent Jr. officiating. Burial will be in Campground Cemetery in Drew County. __________________________________ ETHEL EVANS CHICAGO-- Ethel Evans, 86, of Chicago, formerly of Tarry, Arkansas, (Lincoln County), died October 18, 1997, at Alden Nursing Home of Chicago. She was born at Pine Bluff on November 4, 1910, a daughter of the late Fred Thomas and Lucille Nels ME Church at Tarry. She moved to Chicago in 1943 and worked at Continental Cans Company for 18 years. Survivors include a sister, Chestanner Moore of Chicago; and a brother, Robert Lee Cole of Pine Bluff. Funeral services are scheduled for 2:30 p.m. today at Mount Olive AME Church with the Rev. G.L. Ford officiating. Burial will be in Cannan Hill Cemetery at Tarry by Brown Funeral Home of Pine Bluff. __________________________________ ESTEEN POWELL HOMER, Louisiana-- Esteen Hollingsworth Powell, 83, of Homer, Louisiana, died October 23, 1997, at Homer Memorial Hospital at Homer. She was born at Jersey, Arkansas (Bradley County) on April 8, 1914, a daughter of the late Samuel and Minnie Reynolds Hollingsworth. She was a retired employee of Gates Supermarket at Hermitage, Arkansas, and was a member of Western Missionary Baptist Church at Emerson, Arkansas. She was preceded in death by her husband, Clifford Powell, who died on September 4, 1991; and a son, Robert William Poole. Survivors include a son, Fred Poole of Sarepta, Louisiana; a daughter, Polly Vines of Shongaloo, Louisiana; a brother, Jack Hollingsworth of Hermitage; two sisters, Gertie Boyette of Gravel Ridge, Arkansas (Bradley County) and Lucille Brooks of El Dorado, Arkansas; nine grandchildren; 13 great-grandchildren; and nine great-great-grandchildren. Funeral services are scheduled for 2 p.m. today at FrazerŐs Funeral Home at Warren with the Rev. Jerry Hines officiating. Burial will be in Gravel Ridge Cemetery. _________________________________ WINNIE STILL CAMDEN-- Winnie Jeanette Owens Still, 58, of Jacinto, died October 23, 1997, at Ouachita County Hospital at Camden. She was born at Eaglette on August 25, 1939, a daughter of Mary Lucille Beeson Owens of Eaglette and the late Odas Monroe Owens. She was a homemaker and a member of United Pentecostal Church at Fordyce. She was involved in the Democratic Party. Other survivors include her husband, Billy G. Still Sr. of Jacinto; three sons, Billy G. Still Jr. of Jacinto, Charles Still o of Holly Springs; two daughters, Mary Still Weathers and Janis Still Raybon, both of Fordyce; two brothers, Havis Owens and Maurice Owens, both of Pine Bluff; and eight grandchildren. Funeral services are scheduled for 2 p.m. today at Benton Funeral Home at Fordyce with the Rev. H.A. Murrell Jr. officiating. Burial will be in Benton Cemetery at Ramsey (Dallas County). ____________________________________ GEORGE NICHOLS MYRTLE BEACH, South Carolina-- George E. ŇNickÓ Nichols, 64, of Forestbrook section of Myrtle Beach, died October 24, 1997, at his home. He was born at Pine Bluff on April 26, 1933, a son of the late Charles and Myrtle Green Nichols. He was retired from the Navy, Aviation branch, where he served for 20 years. He was a veteran of the Korean and Vietnam wars. He was also a retired civil engineer from the Myrtle Beach Air Force Base at South Carolina. He was a former teacher at Horry-Georgetown Tech and St. Leo Colleges. He was a member of Surfside Presbyterian Church at Surfside Beach, South Carolina. Survivors include his wife, Johnnie M. Kiser Nichols; two sons, Gregory A. Nichols and Christopher G. Nichols, both of Myrtle Beach; three sisters, Elizabeth Scifres of Little Rock, Ann Reynolds of Pine Bluff and Sue Goins of Searcy, Arkansas; and two grandchildren. Funeral services are scheduled for 4 p.m. Sunday at Surfside Presbyterian Church. Burial will be in Hillcrest Cemetery by Goldfinch Funeral Home at Murrells Inlet, South Carolina. __________________________________ Submitted by Linda P. Smith DougMIV@aol.com ================================================================== PINE BLUFF COMMERCIAL TUESDAY, OCTOBER 28, 1997 Pine Bluff, Jefferson Co., Arkansas WILLIAM McGRIFF STAR CITY-- William Oscar McGriff, 95, of Star City, died October 26, 1997, at Star City Nursing Center. He was born June 15, 1902, in Lincoln County, a son of the late Benjamin Meredith and Evalina Norton McGriff. He was a member of Bethlehem Baptist Church at Palmyra (Lincoln County), where he was a teacher for about 40 years. He was president of the Lincoln County Singing Convention for more than 20 years and was a charter member of the Lincoln County Fair Board. He was a retired cattleman and timber farmer who was active in land aquisitions and trading for more than a half-century. He was preceded in death by his wife, Clara Fish McGriff, whom he married on December 13, 1925; and an infant daughter, who died in 1928. Survivors include a son, William Wayne McGriff of Star City; a daughter, Lena Aileen Martin of Greenville, Texas; three grandchildren; four great-grandchildren; and a stepgreat-grandchild. Funeral services are scheduled for 2 p.m. today at Griffin Funeral Service of Star City with Lynn McBryde officiating. Burial will be in Hickory Grove Cemetery at Star City. ________________________________ MARY PAYNE MONTICELLO-- Mary Miller Payne, 40, of Monticello, died October 24, 1997, at Drew Memorial Hospital. She was born in Drew County on March 3, 1957, a daughter of the late Rastus Miller Sr. and Julia Washington Miller. She worked at Georgia Pacific and was a member of Promise Land Baptist Church at Lacey (Drew County). Survivors include her husband, Gregory Payne of Monroe; a daughter, Kyasha Williams of Monticello; five brothers, Rustas Miller, Eugene Miller, Leron Miller and Marium Miller, all of Monticello,l and L.C. Miller, of Lacey; and two sisters, Luvina Smith of Lacey and Gloria Spencer of Monticello. Funeral services are scheduled for 1 p.m. Wednesday at Promise Land Baptist Church with the Rev. Jerry Minor officiating. Burial will be in Longview Cemetery in Drew County by Stephenson-Dearman Funeral Home of Monticello. ____________________________________ HARVEY CARLSON Harvey J. Carlson, 97, of Pine Bluff, died October 26, 1997, at Trinity Village Medical Center. He was born at Iron Hill, Missouri, on October 18, 1900, a son of the late Anton Carlson and Anna Carlson Carlson. He was raised and educated at Iron Hill. He moved to St. Louis in 1923, where he worked part-time for the post office. He transferred to Park Hill (Flat River), Missouri, in 1927. He and his wife travelled and spent winters at Frostproof, Florida, for 31 years after he retired on October 31, 1960. He was a Mason for more than 50 years and was a past master. He was a deacon emeritus and Sunday school teacher at Flat River. He was a member of South Side Baptist Church at Pine Bluff. Survivors include his wife of 67 years, Lenola B. Carlson of Pine Bluff; a son, Donald L. Carlson of Sharpsburg, Georgia; a daughter Joyce Agerton of Pine Bluff; five grandchildren; and 10 great-grandchildren. Funeral services are scheduled for 1:30 p.m. Wednesday at the chapel of Ralph Robinson & Son Funeral Directors with Dr. J.R. DeBusk officiating. Burial will be in Cypress Memorial Gardens. ____________________________________ ARVIL McEWEN Graveside services for Arvil R. "Mac" McEwen, 90, of Star City, who died October 26, 1997, at Jefferson Regional Medical Centerl, are scheduled for 3 p.m. Wednesday in Graceland Cemetery at Pine Bluff with the Rev. Al Womack officiating. Burial will be handled by Ralph Robinson & Son Funeral Directors. He was born at Jonesboro on January 26, 1907, a son of the late James Franklin McEwen and Callie Casey McEwen Wrenn. He was raised and educated at Jonesboro. He moved to Pine Bluff when he was a young man and worked for the Cotton Belt Railroad. He retired from the railroad as a foreman after 45 years. He served in the Army during World War II as a staff sergeant. He returned to Pine Bluff. He recently moved to Star City to live with his daughter. He was a member of Jacob Brump Lodge No. 160. Survivors include his wife of more than 50 years, Evelyn Rainey McEwen; twin daughters, Charlotte Morrison of Star City and Shirley Williams of Fall Church, Virginia; a sister, Laverne Franklin of Jonesboro; a stepbrother, Thomas Wrenn of Indianapolis; a stepsister, Helen Willis of Memphis; five grandchildren; and five great-grandchildren. ___________________________________ PAULINE GOINS SHERIDAN-- Pauline Verna Goins, 55, of the Ico community near Sheridan, died October 26, 1997, at her home. She was born August 29, 1942, at Stuttgart, a daughter of Marjorie Toll Goins of the Ico community and the late Garfield William Goins. She worked at the Arkansas School for the Blind for 25 years before retiring. She was a member of Bethel United Methodist Church at Ico, Cane Creek Extension Homemakers Club and the Sheridan American Association of Retired Persons. She was preceded in death by a twin sister, Paulette Thomason. Other survivors include a brother, Andy Goins of Ico; and a sister, Becky Goins of Little Rock. Funeral services are scheduled for 2 p.m. today at Bethel United Methodist Church with the Rev. David Smith officiating. Burial will be in Bethel Cemet ery near Sheridan by Buie Funeral Home of Sheridan. ___________________________________ EDWARD MATHEWS LITTLE ROCK-- Edward Larry Mathews, 58, of Little Rock, died October 27, 1997, at his home. He was born on July 30, 1939, at Jefferson, a son of Lucille Duncan Mathews of Pine Bluff and the late James Floyd. He was educated in Redfield and White Hall schools. He worked for AT&T for 30 years and was a part-owner of Larco Manufacturing Company. He was a member of Geyer Springs First Baptist Church. Survivors include his wife of 36 years, Peggy Smith Mathews; a daughter, Kelly Eldridge of Benton; three brothers, James Foister Mathews, A.F. "Pete" Mathews and Bobby Mathewsl, all of Pine Bluff; two sisters, Flossie Eubanks and Lois Jean Owens, both of Pine Bluff; and two grandchildren. Funeral services are scheduled for 10 a.m. Wednesday at Ruebel Funeral Home of Little Rock with the Rev. Paul Sanders officiating. Burial will be in Orion Cemetery near Hensley. _____________________________________ ETHEL BILLINGSLEY Ethel M. Billingsley, 78, of Sheridan, died October 26, 1997, at Jefferson Regional Medical Center. She was born in Jefferson County on December 28, 1918, a daughter of the late John A. Billingsley and Alfie Ramsey Billiingsley. She went to Kearney United Pentacostal at Redfield. Survivors include a brother, Elmer Billingsley of Jefferson. Funeral services are scheduled for 10 a.m. today at Hale-South Funeral Home with Percy Billingsley officiating. Burial will be in Memorial Park Cemetery. ____________________________________ NOAH MINOR DUMAS-- Noah "Junior" F. Minor, 68, of Dumas, died October 26, 1997, at Delta Memorial Hospital. He was born at Horatio (Sevier County) on December 3, 1928, a son of the late F.W. Minor and Iona Leverette Minor. He lived in Dumas for most of his life and owned a service station. He was an Army veteran and went to First Baptist Church at Dumas. Survivors include his wife, Minnie Jo Patterson Minor; a son, Scott Michael Minor of Little Rock; a daughter, Carolyn Jo Minor Newton of Kingwood, Texas; a brother, George Minor of Dumas; a sister, Velva Dean Robertson of Dumas; and four grandchildren. Funeral services are scheduled for 10 a.m. today at Griffin Funeral Home of Dumas with the Rev. Neil Bennett officiating. Burial will be in Walnut Lake Cemetery at Dumas. ____________________________________ JOHN BLAKELY BROKEN ARROW, Oklahoma-- John Randolph "Randy" Blakely, 48, of Coweta, Oklahoma, died October 26, 1997, at Broken Arrow Regional Medical Center. He was born on August 11, 1949, a son of Charlene Blakely of Pine Bluff and the late Jim Blakely. He moved from Pine Bluff to Tulsa in 1986. He worked for Cotton Belt Railroad and was a police officer before he entered sales with Metropolitan Life and Southwestern Bell Yellow Pages. He was preceded in death by an infant son, John Randolph "Rand" Jr. Survivors include his wife, Sue Blakely; children, Erica, Samantha and Lucas, all of Coweta; a sister, Nannette Lewis of Pine Bluff; and a half sister, Mingon Burns of Texas. Services are scheduled for 11 a.m. Wednesday at Floral Haven Funeral Home of Broken Arrow. The body was cremated. _______________________________________ CLELLA MOODY JONESBORO-- Clella L. Moody, 84, of Jonesboro, formerly of Pine Bluff, died October 26, 1997, at St. Bernards Regional Medical Center. She was born at Brookland (Craighead County). She was retired and a homemaker. She founded and managed one of the largest beautician schools in the state. She also operated a beauty shop at Pine Bluff for 45 years. She was a member of First United Methodist Church at Jonesboro. She was preceded in death by her husband, John L. Moody, who died in 1982. Survivors include a son, Lieutenant Colonel Herbert E. Moody of Jonesboro; a daughter, Betty Lea Lee of Jonesboro; two grandchildren; and five great-grandchildren. Graveside services are scheduled for 10 a.m. Wednesday in Pine Log Cemetery at Brookland with the Rev. Fred Haustein officiating. __________________________________ LILA TUCKER HOBBS, New Mexico-- Lila Dale Tucker, 87, of Hobbs, New Mexico, died October 25, 1997, at Hobbs Health Care Center. She was born in Drew County, Arkansas, on August 13, 1910, a daughter of the late Erastus Peacock and Minnie May Shultz Peacock. She was a homemaker and a member of Castle Avenue Baptist Church at Hobbs. She was preceded in death by her husband, Vance Tucker. Survivors include three sons, Roy Tucker of Valla, Texas, and T.J. Tucker and James Tucker, both of Houston; a daughter, Jean Naugher of Hobbs; 15 grandchildren; 32 great-grandchildren; and four great-great-grandchildren. Funeral services are scheduled for 3 p.m. Wednesday at Stephenson-Dearman Funeral Home of Monticello, Arkansas, with the Rev. Jake Lindsey officiating. Burial will be in Mount Tabor Cemetery in Drew County. _________________________________ Submitted by Linda P. Smith DougMIV@aol.com ================================================================== PINE BLUFF COMMERCIAL THURSDAY, OCTOBER 30, 1997 Pine Bluff, Jefferson Co., Arkansas BERNICE MAXWELL WARREN-- Bernice T. Maxwell, 77, of Warren, died October 27, 1997, at Pine Lodge Nursing Home. She was born in Cleveland County on August 31, 1920, a daughter of the late John N. Taylor and Viola Edwards Taylor. She was a homemaker and a member of Prattsville Missionary Baptist Church. She was preceded in death by two husbands, R.D. ŇRedÓ Hall and Howell Maxwell. Survivors include three sons, John W. Hall of New Waverly, Texas, Gary D. Hall of Odessa, Texas, and Don Maxwell of Warren; two brothers, Tom Taylor of Warren and John Taylor of Little Rock; two sisters, Bonnie Hooker of Warren and Bertha Nichols of Rye (Cleveland County); seven grandchildren; and five great-grandchildren. Funeral services are scheduled for 1:30 p.m. Friday at FrazerŐs Funeral Home at Warren with the Rev. Greg Stanley officiating. Burial will be in Union Cemetery at Rye. ___________________________________ IDEAN ROBERSON BANKS-- Funeral services for Idean Roberson, 76, of Oakland, California, formerly of Warren, who died October 19, 1997, at McClary Nursing Center at Oakland, are scheduled for 1 p.m. Saturday in Childs Cemetery at Banks (Bradley County) with the Rev. Billy Reddick officiating. Arrangements are handled by Reddick Funeral Home of Warren. She was born at Jersey (Bradley County) on April 9, 1921, a daughter of the late Bedester and Cordia Roberson. Survivors include two brothers, Robert Roberson and James C. Roberson, both of San Diego; and three sisters, Beulah Ederington of Warren and Bertha Smith and Judy White, both of Berkeley, California. ___________________________________ MOZELL WALKER HENSLEY-- Funeral services for Mozell Walker, 72, of Hensley, who died October 22, 1997, at St. Vincent Infirmary Medical Center at Little Rock, are scheduled for 2 p.m. Friday at New Haven United Methodist Church at Hensley with the Rev. Calvin Griffin officiating. Burial will be in Campbell Cemetery at Hensley by Brown F at Haynesville, Louisiana, on February 1, 1925, a daughter of Dollean Hatter Walker of Hensley and the late Prentice Walker. She was a homemaker and a member of Centennial Baptist Church at Hensley. Other survivors include four sons, Lee Andrew Southall of Pittsburg, California, Harold Southall of Woodson, Gary Carradine of Little Rock and Charlie Walker of Hensley; six daughters, Elene Givens and Helen Sykes, both of Hensley, Juanita Kendle and Faye Baker, both of Little Rock, and Muriel DuChane and Martha Acklin, both of Corona, California; 27 grandchildren; and 20 great-grandchildren. ___________________________________ HURSHEL DAVIDSON MONTICELLO-- Hurshel Russell Davidson, 83, of Monticello, died October 28, 1997, at Countrywood Estates Nursing Home. He was born at Hornersville, Missouri, on November 20, 1913, a son of the late Henry Harrison Davidson and Lena Mayberry Davidson. He was a retired farm machinery mechanic. He was preceded in death by a daughter, Ethelena Lofton; and a grandson. Survivors include three sons, Don Davidson of Siler City, North Carolina, Kenneth Davidson of Monticello and Wayne Davidson of Ashville, Alabama; four daughters, Betty Parker, Barbara Wilson and Ann Reese, all of Monticello, and Barbara Ann Bost of Senath, Missouri; 18 grandchildren; 13 great- grandchildren; and a great-great-grandchild. Graveside services are scheduled for 1 p.m. Friday in Oakland Cemetery at Monticello with Arnold Tiner officiating. Arrangements are handled by Stephenson-Dearman Funeral Home of Monticello. ___________________________________ JACK LYON WARREN-- Jack Lyon, 71, of Warren, died October 28, 1997, at Bradley County Memorial Hospital. He was born at Little Rock on January 21, 1925, a son of the late Odys Carl Lyon and Gretchen Cain Lyon. He was a 1943 graduate of El Dorado High School and a 1949 graduate of the University of Arkansas at Fayetteville with a bachelor of science degree in chemical engineering. He was an outstanding athlete in high school. At college, he was presi f Omicron Delta Kappa honorary fraternity. He served in the Navy during World War II and was a member of First Baptist Church at Warren. He was a chemical engineer for International Paper Company and retired in 1991 after he operated his own construction company at Warren for years. Survivors include his wife, Greta Caston Lyon, to whom he was married on July 9, 1983; a son, Kenny Lyon of Ward (Lonoke County); two stepsons, Steve Gough of Champaign, Illinois, and Greg Gough of Conway; a daughter, Vicki Grimshaw of Maumee, Ohio; a brother, Mayor William Cain Lyon of Fordyce; eight grandchildren; and a great-grandchild. Funeral services are scheduled for 1:30 p.m. today at FrazerŐs Funeral Home of Warren. Burial will be in Oakland Cemetery at Warren with the Rev. Greg Stanley officiating. __________________________________ FRED HARROD SR. LITTLE ROCK-- Fred W. Harrod Sr., 73, of Lonoke, died October 28, 1997, at Baptist Medical Center. He was born in Bradley County on September 2, 1924, a son of the late William Ofa Harrod and Maggie Elizabeth Clanton Harrod. He served in the Army during World War II and a retired salesman for Mississippi Chemical Corporation. He was a member of the Lonoke Baptist Church Seniors MenŐs Sunday School Class and Antioch Primitive Baptist Church at Ingalls (Bradley County). He was a graduate of the University of Arkansas at Fayetteville. He was preceded in death by a daughter, Ramona Elizabeth Harrod; a brother, J.O. Harrod; and two sisters, Maxine Rowell and Glenda Ferguson. Survivors include his wife, Barbara Ann Smith Harrod; a son, Fred W. Harrod Jr. of Hampton; a daughter, Cynthia Ann Smith of Lonoke; a brother, Kirby Harrod of Warren; three sisters, Lourine Hairston of Lonoke, Agness Pappas of Texarkana, Texas, and Faye Chandler of Monticello; and three grandchildren. Funeral services are scheduled for 10 a.m. today at Lonoke Baptist Church with the Rev. Jimmy Wallace and the Rev. Larry Ballard officiating. Burial will be at 4 p.m. today in Union Hill Cemetery at In rangements are handled by FrazerŐs Funeral Home of Warren. __________________________________ SHERETHA HASLEY SHERIDAN-- Sheretha Louria Ray Hasley, 62, of Sheridan, died October 28, 1997, at her home. She was born at Marianna on September 6, 1935, a daughter of Evelyn Ferguson Ray of Pensacola, Florida, and the late John Lige Ray. She was a homemaker. She was preceded in death by her husband, John Hardy Hasley; a brother, David Paul Ray; and a sister, Doris Ray. Other survivors include three sons, John Allen Hasley of Branson, Missouri, Ricky Thomas Hasley of Sheridan and Glen Hardy Hasley of Pensacola; three daughters, Patricia Gaye Pearce of Heber Springs, Linda Genice Strom of Sheridan and Sandra Kay Thrower of Redfield; four brothers, Winford Ray of Tampa, Johnny Ray of Pensacola, Sammy Hall of Louisville and Tommy Ray of Texas; a sister, Martha Langley of Springdale; 22 grandchildren; and 14 great- grandchildren. Graveside services are scheduled for 1 p.m. Friday in Center Campground Cemetery at Prague (Grant County) with Steve Clevenger officiating. Arrangements are handled by Buie Funeral Home of Sheridan. ____________________________________ Submitted by Linda P. Smith DougMIV@aol.com =================================================================== PINE BLUFF COMMERCIAL FRIDAY, OCTOBER 31, 1997 Pine Bluff, Jefferson Co., Arkansas VERDELL BULLARD (Photo included) Funeral services for Verdell Palmer Bullard, 76, of Pine Bluff, who died October 25, 1997, at Sunchase Nursing Center, are scheduled for noon Saturday at St. James United Methodist Church with the Rev. Henry Wilkins IV officiating. Burial will be in Bellwood Cemetery by P.K. Miller Mortuary. She was born at Crossett on November 30, 1920, a daughter of the late James and Louise Palmer. She received her early education at Pine Bluff schools and was a graduate of Merrill High School. She was a member of St. James United Methodist Church, where she was a former choir member, on the usher board and was the church treasurer. She was a member of the United Methodist Youth Fellowship Trustee Board. She was a Girl Scout leader and was a member of the Mutual Up Lift Club. She retired from Universal Life Insurance Company after 26 years. She was preceded in death by her husband, Robert D. Bullard, who died on August 12, 1996. Survivors include a son, Robert D. Bullard Jr. of Pine Bluff; two daughters, Sharon Clemmons and Barbara D. Scott, both of Pine Bluff; seven grandchildren; and seven great-grandchildren. ____________________________________ LOIS DRAPER FRANKLIN, Tennessee-- Lois Keeling Draper, 85, of Brentwood, Tennessee, formerly of Warren, Arkansas, died October 28, 1997, at Williamson Medical Center. She was born at Coolidge, Texas, on January 10, 1912, a daughter of the late L.M. Keeling and Nancy Compton Keeling. She had lived with her eldest son at Brentwood since her husband died in 1966. Her husband, the Rev. James T. Draper, was the pastor at First Baptist Church at Warren for about 20 years. She was also preceded in death by a son, George Draper, who died in 1989. Survivors include two sons, Dr. James Draper of Brentwood and Charles Draper of Tigersville, South Carolina; a brother, L.M. Keeling Jr. of Albuquerque; two sisters, Evelyn Dillard of Albuquerque and Nancy Boren of California; seven grandchildren; and six great-grandchildren. Funeral services are scheduled for 2 p.m. Saturday at Frazer's Funeral Home at Warren with Dr. James Draper officiating. Burial will be in Oakland Cemetery at Warren. A memorial service will be held a 3 p.m. Sunday at First Baptist Church at Euless, Texas. ______________________________________ JAMES McMURRY FORDYCE-- James Alvin McMurry, 87, of Fordyce, died October 30, 1997, at Dallas County Nursing Home. He was born in Dallas County on December 15, 1909, a son of the late Lewis Elmer McMurry and Minnie Gober. He was a member of First Baptist Church at Fordyce and a retired carpenter. Survivors include his wife, Allene McMurry; a son, Jim McMurry of Sherwood; two daughters, Jean Cochran of Fordyce and Joan Hill of Diamondhead, Mississippi; a brother, Raymond McMurry of Sheridan; a sister, Virginia Ruth Fitzsimmons of Alexandria, Louisiana; four grandchildren; and six great-grandchildren. Graveside services are scheduled for 2 p.m. today in Stoney Point Cemetery at Fordyce with the Rev. Ken Shaddox officiating. Arrangements are handled by Benton Funeral Home of Fordyce. _____________________________________ OLETA BROWN Oleta Brown, 78, of Sumpter (Bradley County), died October 29, 1997, at Jefferson Regional Medical Center in Pine Bluff. She was born at Sumpter on April 7, 1919, a daughter of the late Robert S. Ozment and Emma Glennon Ozment. She was a homemaker and a member of Saline Baptist Church in Bradley County. She was a tomato farmer. She was preceded in death by her husband, William Burl Brown, who died on September 28, 1985. Survivors include five sons, Harry J. Brown of Warren, Vic Brown of Pine Bluff, Derrell Dewayne Ozment of Hermitage, William Burl Brown Jr. of Crossett and Johnny Bob Brown of Fort Smith; four daughters, Maxine Doss of Rye, Evelene Ozment of Hermitage, Bethelene Millholland of Dumas and Linda Sue Baker of Hermitage; two brothers, Alfred Ozment and Vance Ozment, both of Hermitage; a sister, Etha Corker of Turlock, California; 35 grandchildren; 70 great-grandchildren; and 42 great-great-grandchildren. Funeral services are scheduled for 10 a.m. today at Frazer's Funeral Home of Warren with the Rev. Tim Smith officiating. Burial will be in Outlaw Cemetery at Sumpter. ____________________________________ LEROY JACKSON DUMAS-- Funeral services for Leroy Jackson, 82, of Dumas, who died October 28, 1997, at St. Vincent Infirmary Medical Center at Little Rock, are scheduled for 11 a.m. Saturday at Mount Moriah Baptist Church at Dumas with the Rev. Jim Poole officiating. Burial will be in Bank Cemetery at Dumas by Washington-Dolls Funeral Home of Dumas. He was born at Redline, now Dumas on October 15, 1915, a son of the late Lee Jackson and Mattie Green Jackson. He was a member of Union Grove Missionary Baptist Church at Gould. Survivors include his wife, Essie Jackson; a daughter, Joy Jackson of Dumas; a brother, Willie Jackson of Rockford, Illinois; a sister, Ovall Davis of Dumas; a stepson, Sullavan Jackson of Oklahoma City; two stepdaughters, Havannah Rogers and Amanda Ward, both of Dumas; three grandchildren; 11 great-grandchildren; and seven stepgrandchildren. _____________________________________ AUGUSTA TYLER Funeral services for Augusta Tyler, 69, of Tucker, who died October 27, 1997, at St. Vincent Infirmary Medical Center at Little Rock, are scheduled for 11 a.m. Saturday at Corinth Missionary Baptist Church at Sherrill with the Rev. Ulysses Dunlap officiating. Burial will be in Henson Memorial Garden by Henson Mortuary. Born May 22, 1928, at Sherrill, she was a daughter of Augusta Brown of Little Rock and the late Joseph Jones. Other survivors include four sons, Lorenzo Akins Sr. of Conway, Donnie R. Akins of Fairfield, California, Lee Archie Tyler of North Little Rock and William L. Tyler Sr. of Tucker; a daughter, Gwendolyn A. Tyler of Tucker; 15 grandchildren; and two great-grandchildren. ___________________________________ JAMES AUSTIN JR. Funeral services for James Austin Jr., 84, of Pine Bluff, who died October 27, 1997, at Jefferson Regional Medical Center, are scheduled for 11 a.m. Saturday at Indiana Street Baptist Church with Dr. L.K. Solomon officiating. Burial will be in Forest Lawn Memorial Garden by Perry Funeral Home. He was born at Pine Bluff on February 16, 1913, a son of the late James and Minnie Clark Austin. He was a member of Indiana Street Baptist Church and went to Missouri Street School. He was a retired Waste Management employee. Survivors include his wife, Elnora Austin; two daughters, Willie L. Demery of Pine Bluff and Ruby L. Mays of Milwaukee; six grandchildren; 13 great-grandchildren; and a great-great-grandchild. _____________________________________ LEONARD WATKINS DeWITT-- Leonard Leroy Watkins, 76, of DeWitt, died October 29, 1997, at his home. He was born at Parkland, Oklahoma, on April 21, 1921, a son of the late Robert and Cora Watkins. He was a carpenter and a member of the Church of the First Born at DeWitt. He served in the Army during World War II and received the Victory Medal and the Purple Heart. He was preceded in death by a daughter, Dorothy Ann Watkins. Survivors include his wife, Dorothy Watkins; four sons, Terry Watkins and Alvin Watkins, both of DeWitt, and Billy Watkins and David Watkins, both of Pine Bluff; five daughters, Patsy Mannis, Deanna Kagebein and Karen Lauderdale, all of DeWitt, Carolyn Young of Pine Bluff and Sharon Holden of Joy (White County); a brother, Jimmy Carl Watkins of DeWitt; three sisters, Lillie Mannis and Lucille Brenneman, both of DeWitt, and Hazel Berhnes of Sacramento, California; 20 grandchildren; 10 great-grandchildren; and six stepgrandchildren. Funeral services are scheduled for 2 p.m. Saturday at the Church of the First Born. Burial will be in Forks LaGrue Cemetery near DeWitt by Essex Funeral Home of DeWitt. _________________________________ THELMA CARTER HARRELL-- Funeral services for Thelma Louise Carter, 72, of San Diego, formerly of Harrell (Calhoun County), who died October 21, 1997, in Cercy Hospital at San Diego, are scheduled for 10:30 a.m. Saturday at First Baptist Church of Harrell with the Rev. Glen Jones officiating. Burial will be in Pleasant Grove Cemetery by Brown-Williams Funeral Home of Fordyce. Born September 3, 1925, at Harrell, she was a daughter of the late Chester Wood and Ola Ware Wood. She was a member of First Baptist Church at Harrell. She was a homemaker. Survivors include three sons, Kenneth Carter of Greenville, South Carolina, Donovan L. Carter of Atlanta and Rodney Carter of San Diego; two daughters, Gwendolyn V. Johnson of Columbus, Georgia, and Denise Carter of San Diego; two brothers, Sylvester Wood and Nathaniel Wood, both of Milwaukee; seven sisters, Pauline Riddock of Harrell, and Marie Lockett, Naomi Richardson, Ruth Chipley, Nartha Toran, Carolyn Staples and Joyce Allen, all of Milwaukee; 12 grandchildren; and a great-grandchild. _________________________________ NEVILLE McNAMARA JR. Neville McNamara Jr., 84, of Pine Bluff, died October 29, 1997, at his home. He was born at Memphis on October 22, 1913, a son of the late J. Neville McNamara and Allie Rogers McNamara. He was raised and attended Christian Brothers Schools at Memphis and the University of Indiana. He moved to Pine Bluff in 1938. He was a cotton buyer for Weil Brothers Cotton Company of Memphis. He served in the Navy during World War II. He returned to Pine Bluff after his military service and was an independent cotton buyer for many years. He later owned and operated a security system company at Pine Bluff. He was a member of the American Contract Bridge League and the Pine Bluff Duplicate Bridge Club. He got a life masters rating in duplicate bridge. He was a member of St. Joseph's Catholic Church at Pine Bluff. He was preceded in death by his wife, Alice Gemmill McNamara; a brother, Jay McNamara; and a sister, Alice Cunningham. Survivors include a daughter, Sondra M. Welch of Pine Bluff; two grandchildren; and four great-grandchildren. Graveside services are scheduled for 10:30 a.m. Saturday in Graceland Cemetery with the Rev. Andrew Smith officiating. Arrangements are handled by Ralph Robinson & Son Funeral Directors. __________________________________ GURTHRIE BROOM Funeral services for Gurthrie "Buddy" Broom, 88, of Pine Bluff, who died October 23, 1997, at Jefferson Regional Medical Center, are scheduled for 2 p.m. Saturday at Watkins Chapel Baptist Church with Christopher Lewis officiating. Burial will be in Cypress Memorial Cemetery by Christian Way Funeral Home. Born May 10, 1909, at Scott, he was a son of the late Gus and Nancy Broom. He was a farmer and a former resident of Forrest City, where he was a member of St. Paul Baptist Church. Survivors include a son, Abraham Broom of Pine Bluff; a daughter, Florene Williams of Detroit; a sister, Ora Jones of Forrest City; 17 grandchildren; and two great-grandchildren; and a great-great-grandchild. ___________________________________ CLARENCE GRIGSBY Funeral services for Clarence Lee Grigsby, 67, of Pine Bluff, who died October 24, 1997, at his home, are scheduled for 2 p.m. Saturday at Palestine Missionary Baptist Church with the Rev. S.W. Weaver officiating. Burial will be in Henson Memorial Garden by Henson Mortuary. Born March 2, 1930, at Sherman, Arkansas, he was a son of the late Clarence Grigsby Sr. and Roxie Lee Reynolds Grigsby. Survivors include his wife, Bessie Lee Grigsby; four sons, Nathan Gilbert of Bay City, Michigan, Kenneth Grigsby and Clarence B. Grigsby, both of Pine Bluff, and Ricky Howard of Calco; four daughters, Kimberly Grigsby of Fort Riley, Kansas, and Jacqueline Grigsby, Francella Grigsby and Carolyn Robinson, all of Pine Bluff; a brother, Joe Nathan Grigsby of Pine Bluff; a sister, Mary Ellen Maldonda of Milwaukee; 15 grandchildren; and three great-grandchildren. ____________________________________ BOYD FRAZIER Funeral services for Boyd Lee Frazier, 42, of Pine Bluff, who died October 23, 1997 at Pine Bluff, will be at 11 a.m. Saturday at Cherry Street Memorial AME Zion Church with William Robinson officiating. Burial will be in Cypress Memorial Cemetery by Christian Way Funeral Home. Born February 27, 1955, in Lincoln County, he was a son of Annie Mae Frazier of Pine Bluff and the late Marshall Frazier Sr. He attended C.P. Coleman High School and was a member of Theresa Hoover Methodist Church at Little Rock. He was a former employee of Southern Pacific Railroad. Other survivors include his wife, Dassie Harris Frazier; three sons, Jerome Frazier and Boyd Lee Frazier Jr., both of Pine Bluff, and Calvin Frazier of Gulfport, Mississippi; three daughters, Laketha Frazier, Dorminita Frazier and Tiffany Frazier, all of Pine Bluff; nine brothers, Herman Frazier, Ulysses Frazier, Marshall Frazier Jr., Larry Frazier, Donald Frazier Sr., William R. Frazier and Dewayne Frazier, all of Pine Bluff, and Thurman Frazier and Marshall Frazier III, both of Chicago; six sisters, Alice Cuba and Flora Monk, both of Pine Bluff, Essie White and Sencie Pettigrew, both of Little Rock, Clorsteen Webster of Midwest City, Oklahoma, and Maxine Lyons of Venice, Illinois; and two grandchildren. ____________________________________ WILL BUCKHANNON JR. Funeral services for Will Buckhannon Jr., 78, of Altheimer, who died October 24, 1997, at Jefferson Regional Medical Center, are schedules for 2:30 p.m. Saturday at District Tabernacle at Altheimer with the Rev. T. Williams officiating. Burial will be 10 a.m. Monday at National Cemetery at Little Rock by Perry Funeral Home of Pine Bluff. He was born at Pine Bluff on December 26, 1918, a son of the late Will and Leatha Buckhannon. He was a member of Eudora Baptist Church at Altheimer. He served in the Army during World War II. Survivors include his wife, Mary Anna Buckhannon; two sons, Acie Lee Murphy of Altheimer and Willie Buckhannon of Pine Bluff; two daughters, Viola Simmons and Vera Buckhannon, both of Altheimer; three sisters, Mable Graham, Ruby Buckhannon and Georgia Buckhannon, all of Chicago; 15 grandchildren; eight great-grandchildren; and three great-great-grandchildren. ___________________________________ EULA DUNLAP Funeral services for Eula Dunlap, 95, of Tarry, who died October 26, 1997, at Gardner Nursing Home at Star City, are scheduled for 11 a.m. Saturday at Bright Star Baptist Church at Tarry with the Rev. G.L. Ford officiating. Burial will be in Bright Star Cemetery at Tarry by Perry Funeral Home of Pine Bluff. She was born at Dermott on November 25, 1901, a daughter of the late William and Minervia Dunlap. She was a member of Bright Star Baptist Church. Survivors include a twin sister, Beulah Dunlap Taylor of Star City. ____________________________________ Submitted by Linda P. Smith DougMIV@aol.com