Greene
County, Arkansas
Obituaries April 2005
Donnie 'Red' Greenway
Donnie Mack "Red" Greenway, 63, of Rector died Saturday, April 2, 2005, at
Arkansas Methodist Medical Center.
Born at Walcott, he was a truck driver and of the Baptist belief.
Survivors include his wife, Pat Greenway of the home; one son, Donnie Greenway of Corning;
three stepsons, Mario Pankey, Patrick Dickinson and Michael Dickinson; two daughters,
Tammy Hill and Maria Vowell, both of Rector;
three sisters, Clara Ann Highfill, Sue Harris and Neva Kirkpatrick, all of Rector; 12
grandchildren; and two great-grandchildren.
He was preceded in death by his parents, Leon and Frankie Smith Greenway, and two
brothers.
Graveside services will be at 10 a.m. Tuesday in Mount Zion Cemetery at Walcott, with
Ronnie Stevens officiating.
Visitation will begin at 6 p.m. today at the funeral home.
Amos Dalton Staggs
Amos Dalton Staggs, 69, of Rector died Sunday, April 3, 2005, at his residence.
Born in Rector, he had worked for Emerson Electric in Kennett, Mo. He was a veteran and
was of the Baptist faith.
Survivors include his wife, Annie B. Wayland Staggs of the home; three sons, Roy Staggs
and Jeff Staggs, both of Rector, and Wade Staggs of Seattle; and one grandchild, Atasha
Sue Staggs of Rector.
He was preceded in death by his first wife, Ava Sue Staggs; his parents, Joe and Luvina
Staggs; two daughters; two brothers; and one sister.
Funeral services will be at 2 p.m. today in the chapel of Mitchell Funeral Home in Rector,
with Futrell Butler officiating. Burial will follow in Pleasant Grove Cemetery near
Rector.
Active pallbearers will be Phillip Greenway, Gary Redman, Don Caldwell, Ivan Smart, Glen
McKay and Dennis Wheeler.
Honorary pallbearers will include Alvie Chilcutt, Charlie Beck and Hewey Burdin
Ruby Alline Lewis
Ruby Alline Lewis, 84, of Harker Height, Texas, died Sunday, April 3, 2005, at Cornerstone
Hospital of Austin, Texas.
Born in Brookland, she was a homemaker and a member of Clark's Chapel Baptist Church.
Survivors include a son, Norman Wayne Lewis of Cardwell, Mo.; four daughters, Margaret
Meidema of Harker Heights, Shirley McFadden of Tupelo, Miss., Trudy Campbell of Killeen,
Texas, and Dorothy Louise Simmons of Coloma, Mich.; a stepsister, Lena May Trowbridge of
Henry, Ill.; 23 grandchildren; 50 great-grandchildren; and five great-great-grandchildren.
She was preceded in death by her husband, Clarence Norman Lewis; her parents, James and
Sarah Jane Adams; and one stepbrother.
Funeral services will be at 3 p.m. Friday at Clark's Chapel Baptist Church, with the Rev.
Truman Wycoff and the Rev. Billy Davis officiating. Burial will follow in Clark's Chapel
Cemetery at Paragould under the direction of Heath Funeral Home.
Active pallbearers will be James Arnold, Mickey Lewis, Warren Arnold, Johnny Arnold, Danny
Arnold and Norman Lewis Jr.
Honorary pallbearers will include Marion Hendrix and David Payne.
Visitation will be from 6-9 p.m. today and Thursday at the funeral home.
Memorials may be made to the Clark's Chapel Cemetery Fund.
Alma Sue Cline
Alma Sue Cline, 74, of Paragould, died Wednesday, April 6, 2005, at Arkansas Methodist
Medical Center. She was born September 13, 1930, in Pocahontas.
Survivors include two sons, Barry Gibson of Paragould; Mike Cline, and wife, Brock of
Paragould; one daughter, Paulette Gibson and companion, Anita Gorham of Jonesboro. She is
also survived by two brothers, Emmett L. Massey of Pocahontas, Delmer Massey, Jr. of
Walcott; two sisters, Bonnie Fender of Walnut Ridge, Henrietta Stone of Light; seven
grandchildren; and by four great grandchildren.
She was preceded in death by her parents, Delmer and Stella Massey; and by one sister,
Mary Wilson Wenoma.
Funeral services will be 10:30 Saturday morning, graveside, at Greene County Memorial
Gardens, with Sam Stewart officiating. The procession will leave Mitchell Funeral Home at
10:15 a.m.
Visitation will be from 6:00-8:00 p.m., Friday, at Mitchell Funeral Home, Paragould.
Joe Wesley Hosier
Joe Wesley Hosier, 63, of Lafe, died Thursday, April 7, 2005, at his residence.
Born April 26, 1941, in Harrisburg, Mr. Hosier was a truck driver and an employee of
Southern Bank of Commerce. He was a Catholic.
Survivors include his wife, Kathy Hosier of the home; one son, Jeffrey Hosier of Alton,
Illinois; and two daughters, Kahsha Hosier and Carol Cornett, both of the home. He is also
survived by five brothers, Ruben Andrew Hosier of Lafe, George Hosier of Bethalto,
Illinois, Johnny Hosier of Worden, Illinois, Mickey Hosier of Paragould, David Hosier of
Jonesboro; five sisters, Betty Hackworth, and Mary Hosier, both of Paragould, Caroline
Bridges of Union City, Tennessee, Bertha Lopez of Saginaw, Michigan and Ann Alasta of West
Monroe, Louisiana; and by two grandchildren, Dezrae and Dylan Hosier.
He was preceded in death by his parents, Robert and Violet Hosier.
Graveside service will be conducted at 2:00 p.m., Monday, at New Bethel Cemetery with
Billy Dowdy officiating. Visitation will be Monday from 10:00 a.m. until 1:30 p.m. at
Mitchell Funeral Home, Paragould.
George Brown
George Brown, 83, of Dixie died Thursday, April 7, 2005, at his residence.
Born in the Coffman community in Greene County, he had lived in Dixie for most of his
life. He was retired from the Dixie Gin Co. after 39 years and was a Baptist.
Survivors include his wife, Betty DeBrock of the home; a daughter, Joan Brewer of Fort
Smith; two stepsons, David Bellomy of Lake City and Gary Bellomy of Paragould; four
sisters, Jean Guertin of Phoenix, Rose Bailey and Alberta Biehl, both of Rockford, Ill.,
and Dorothy Burgess of Cabot; two brothers, Alvin Brown of Lake City and Odie Brown of
Yuma, Ariz.; and three grandchildren.
He was preceded in death by one son, Benny W. Brown; one daughter, Sue Brewer; his
parents, Albert and Edna Smith Brown; two sisters; and two brothers.
Funeral services will be at 1 p.m. Saturday in the chapel of Gregg Funeral Home of
Jonesboro, with the Rev. G.W. Endicott officiating. Burial will follow in Wood's Chapel
Cemetery near Paragould.
Visitation will be from 5-7 p.m. today at the funeral home.
Rosealynd A. Ragsdell
Rosealynd Alberta Ragsdell, 85, of Walnut Ridge died Thursday, April 7, 2005, at St.
Bernard's Medical Center of Jonesboro.
Born in Senath, Mo., she was a homemaker.
Survivors include a brother, Bill Biggs of Paragould.
She was preceded in death by her husband, Jimmy F. "Shot" Ragsdell; her parents,
William Andrew and Rena Holloway Biggs; one brother; and one sister.
Funeral services will be at 2 p.m. Sunday in the chapel of McNabb Funeral Home of
Pocahontas, with Melvin Shelton officiating. Burial will follow in Warren's Chapel
Cemetery at Walcott.
Visitation will be from 5-7 p.m. today at the funeral home.
Bobby Gale Gibson
Bobby Gale Gibson, 57, of Paragould died Thursday, April 7, 2005, at Arkansas Methodist
Medical Center.
Born at Paragould, he was a former employee of Monroe Auto Equipment at Paragould.
Survivors include two sons, Bobby Gibson of Jonesboro and Phillip Shane Gibson of San
Francisco; one daughter, Kelly Ivy of Tallahassee, Fla.; two brothers, Orvel Lee Gibson of
Gainsville and the Rev. David White of Paragould; seven sisters, Mary Fisher of DeSoto,
Mo., Rose McCummiskey of Lakeland, Fla., Judy Utley and Violet Roe, both of Paragould,
Dulcie Marie Norman of Steele, Mo., Bertha Riley of Vienna, Ill., and Beth Exler of Port
Charlotte, Fla.; and one grandson, Jeremy Dewayne Gibson of Manila.
He was preceded in death by one infant; his parents, Virgil Lee and Mabel Blanche Berry
Gibson; one sister; and one brother.
Graveside services will at 11 a.m. Monday in Pine Log Cemetery at Brookland, with the
Revs. David White and Terry Hazelwood officiating.
Visitation will be from 9:30-10:30 a.m. Monday at Heath Funeral Home.
Mary Ida Horn
Mary Ida Horn, 77, of Odessa, Texas, died Thursday, April 7, 2005, at the Medical Center
Hospital. Formerly of Paragould, Mrs. Horn was born on February 22, 1928, in Paragould,
Arkansas. She was a homemaker and a member of the Church of Christ.
Survivors include: her husband: Verlon Horn of the home, one son: Charlie Horn of Ft.
Worth, Texas, three daughters: Mary Catherine Huse of Ft. Worth, Texas, Peggy Marie Van
Horn, Patricia Jo Horn, both of Pleasington, California, one brother: Burin Dearin of St.
Louis, Missouri, four sisters, Javeen Thurman of Paragould, Pauline Moore of Pedmont,
Missouri, Margie Brewer and Charlene Johnson, both of Paragould, nine grandchildren and
four great-grandchildren.
Graveside services will be 10 a.m. Tuesday at the Greene County Memorial Gardens Cemetery
with Bro. L.R. Smith officiating.
Visitation will be from 6 p.m. to 9 p.m. Monday at the Mitchell Funeral Home in Paragould.
Verneal Thompson
Verneal Thompson, 88, of Paragould, formerly of Marmaduke, died Friday, April 8, 2005, at
Greene Acres Nursing Home.
Born in Greene County, she was a homemaker and member of Ramer's Chapel United Methodist
Church.
Survivors include one son, Jerry Thompson of Oak Grove; three grandsons, Stacy Thompson
and Bryan Thompson, both of Oak Grove, and Jason Thompson of Brookland; and three
great-grandchildren.
She was preceded in death by her husband, Earl Thompson; her parents, Moses and Nancy Bell
Staires Starnes; one brother; and eight sisters.
Funeral services will be at 10 a.m. Tuesday at Ramer's Chapel United Methodist Church,
with Everett Isom and Dan Walker officiating. Burial will be in Ramer's Chapel Cemetery
under the direction of Irby Funeral Home of Marmaduke.
Active pallbearers will be Johnny Arnold, Norman Arnold, Stephen Hardin, Teddy Hardin,
Dewayne Boone and Glen Gibson.
Visitation will begin at 6 p.m. Monday at the funeral home.
Glenn Wilburn Wilcoxson
Glenn Wilburn Wilcoxson, 81, of Kennett, Missouri, died Thursday, April 7, 2005.
Born in Greene County, he grew up near Walcott and graduated from Walcott High School. He
attended then-Arkansas State College and then-East Texas State College.
He was an Army veteran of World War II, serving in the 99th Infantry Division. He was
captured in the Battle of the Bulge and received a Purple Heart.
He co-founded Wilcoxson and Sons Furniture Co. at Gideon, Mo., with his father and
brother.
Survivors include his wife, Evelyn, of the home; three sons, Gary Wilcoxson, Ron Wilcoxson
and Daryl Wilcoxson; eight grandchildren, Shannyn Wilcoxson, Chris Wilcoxson, Doug
Wilcoxson, Ashley Wilcoxson, John Wilcoxson, Josh Wilcoxson, David Wilcoxson and Kathryn
Wilcoxson; and two great-grandchildren.
He was preceded in death by his parents, Cletis Wilburn and Georgia Z. Wilcoxson; two
brothers; and two sisters.
Funeral services will be at 10:30 a.m. Monday at First United Methodist Church at Kennett.
Visitation will be from 4-8 p.m. today at McDaniel Funeral Home at Kennett.
Roy Steed
Roy Steed, 70, of Marmaduke died Saturday, April 9, 2005, at his residence.
Born at Hartselle, Ala., he lived at Marmaduke for the past 26 years. He was a maintenance
worker with Rockford Tool and Die, a Navy veteran and member of Stonewall Community
Church.
Survivors include his wife, Dorothy Steed of the home; two sons, Rusty Zorn and Lee Steed,
both of Paragould; four daughters, Tracy Seago of Tishomingo, Miss., Dawn Farmer of
Marmaduke, Diane Sims of Knob and Micki Cox of Sugar Hill, Ga.; one brother, Joe Steed of
Campbell, Mo.; 13 grandchildren, Bobby Farmer, Crystal Hood, Jonathan Kersey, Mitchell
Farmer, Carrie Sims, Shayla Farmer, Jacob Kersey, Travis Kersey, Bradley Cox, Amanda
Steed, Matthew Zorn, Faith Steed and Julie Cox; and four great-grandchildren.
He was preceded in death by his parents, Emmett and Ruby Woods Steed; one brother; and one
grandchild.
Funeral services will be at 10 a.m. Wednesday in the chapel of Irby Funeral Service at
Marmaduke, with Gary Holcomb officiating. Burial will be in Providence Cemetery west of
Marmaduke.
Visitation will be from 6-8 p.m. Tuesday at the funeral home.
Dorothy Aline Jones
Dorothy Aline Jones, 75, of Oak Grove died Saturday, April 9, 2005, at Oak Grove.
Born at Parkin, she was retired from the Browns Shoe Factory and of the Baptist belief.
Survivors include one son, Doyle Jones of Marion; two daughters, Sandra Robertson of
Paragould and Sharon Sauheaver of Sherwood; one brother, Bobby Fahr of Rector; five
sisters, Jan Sanborn of Ash Flat, Lindall Farmer of Lancaster, Calif., Carolyn Latta of
San Diego, Sue Smith of Rector and Darlyn Pole of Union City, Tenn.; 11 grandchildren; and
13 great-grandchildren.
She was preceded in death by her parents, Henry and Jewell Fahr; two brothers; and one
great-grandchild.
Funeral services will be at 2 p.m. Tuesday at Mitchell Funeral Home of Rector, with the
Rev. Miles Cook officiating. Burial will be in Harvey's Chapel Cemetery at Marmaduke.
Pallbearers will be Logan Jones, Nathan Henderson, Chris Robertson, Brian Amaden, Rick
Ellis, Brandon Chambers, Carl Jordan and Mike Mazzarisi.
Visitation will be from 6-8 p.m. today at the funeral home.
Beverly Ann Potter
Beverly Ann Potter, 55, of Light, died Saturday, April 9, 2005, at her home. Born December
8, 1949 in Paragould, she was a 28-year employee of Emerson Electric, and a member of the
Pine Knott Church of Christ.
Survivors include: her mother, Clara Ford of Paragould; her husband, Dewey Lee Potter of
the home; two sons and daughter-in-law, Jeff and Deborah Potter of Bono, and Gary Potter
of Light; two daughters and sons-in-law, Laura and Jamie Weaver of Bono and Dora and Shane
Harrelson of Light; three brothers, Steve and Darrell Ford, both of Paragould, Danny Ford
of Stanford; three sisters, Linda Slatton, Arlene Brogden, and Darlene Ford, all of
Paragould; six grandchildren, Daniel Weaver, Megan Weaver, Seth Potter, Savannah Potter,
Macy Harrelson, and Hunter Harrelson.
She was preceded in death by her father, B.C. Ford.
Funeral services will be today, 1:30 p.m. at the Mitchell Funeral Home with Jody McFadden
and Adrian Denham officiating. Burial will be in Pine Knott Cemetery. Visitation was
Monday, 6:00 p.m. until 9:00 p.m. at the funeral home.
Lottie Mae Blackshear
Lottie Mae Blackshear, 87, of Paragould, Arkansas, passed away April 8, 2005, in
Paragould.
She was preceded in death by her husband, Robert O. Blackshear. Survivors include: son,
Rev. Jay Blackshear; daughter, Pat Warren; sisters, Donna Edwards, Dorothy Byrd, Louise
Shelton; brother, Louie Cordell; many grandchildren, great-grandchildren, family, and
friends.
Funeral services will be Monday, April 11, 2005, at 2 p.m. at the Solid Rock Church of
Kennett, Missouri.
Visitation will be today from 1 p.m. till 3:30 p.m. at the Mitchell Funeral Home of
Rector, Arkansas.
Mary Katharyn Wilson Back
Mary Katharyn Wilson Back, 72, of Paragould died April 10, 2005 at the Regional Medical
Center of NEA in Jonesboro. She was born September 23, 1932 at Goobertown, Arkansas.
She was preceded in death by her first husband, Loyd Brown, mother Edna Norton Hall and
stepfather Claude Hall; sister, Norma Hall; and granddaughter, Sherry Brown.
Survivors include her husband, John E. Back of the home; sons, Thomas Brown of
Christiansted, St. Croix, Virgin Islands, Wilson Brown of Atwater, California; six
grandchildren: Anthony Thompson, Angelina Clark, Hannah Herms; sisters, Lola McAllister,
Claudia Thomas, Joyce Hill and Alice Fuller; brother, Lee Hall of Michigan.
Visitation will be Tuesday, 6:00-9:00 p.m. at Heath Funeral Home. Funeral service will be
Wednesday at 1:30 p.m. at the Heath Colonial Chapel with Reverend Glenn Smith officiating.
Burial will follow at Pine Knot Cemetery. Pallbearers: Jim Brotemarkle, Charlie Yeargain,
Nathan Yeargain, Randal Garner, Mark Reed and Jack McKelvey.
Durward Clark Morrow
Durward Clark Morrow, age 89, of Springdale, died April 9, 2005, at Heritage Park Nursing
Center in Rogers. He was born January 8, 1916 in Sugar Creek Community, Greene County,
Arkansas, to Thomas and Sylvia Clark Morrow. He moved to the Northwest Arkansas area 55
years ago grom Greene County, Arkansas, and was a retired Mail Room Clerk with the local
newspapers. He was a member of West End Church of Christ and enjoyed gardening,
photography, collecting antiques and geological specimens.
He was preceded in death by his two wives, Lavinia Christine Bookout Morrow in 1975 and
Patricia Hovis Morrow in 1995.
He is survived by two daughters Katrina Battenfield and husband Frantz of Wesley and
Cynthia Dickinson and husband Joel of Lowell, one brother, Thurston Morrow of Prairie
Grove, five sisters, Tomazine Reeves of Albuquerque, N.M., Carmyn Pitts and Sula Jo
Traphagan both of Fayetteville, Joy Nunnally of Abilene, Texas and Una May Crabtree of
Lake Jackson, Texas, two grandchildren, Parker Dickinson and Kaitlin Dickinson both of
Lowell.
Funeral services will be 10:00 a.m. Wednesday, April 13, 2005 at Sisco Funeral Chapel of
Springdale with Gene Siemens officiating. Burial will be in Stuckey Cemetery in Johnson.
Pallbearers are: Bud Cantrell, Frantz Battenfield, Joel Dickinson, George Donnell, A.E.
Erwin Jr. and Gene Lovell.
Visitation will be today from 11:00 a.m. until 8:00 p.m. with the family present from 5:00
p.m. to 7:00 p.m.
Glenn Wilburn Wilcoxson
Glenn Wilburn Wilcoxson was born to Cletis Wilburn and Georgia Z. Wilcoxson in Greene
County, Arkansas on July 29, 1923.
He grew up outside Walcott and after graduating Valedictorian of Walcott High School, he
attended Arkansas State and East Texas State Colleges. He served our country in the 99th
Army Infantry Division in World War II until he was captured in the Battle of the Bulge,
for which he earned the Purple Heart.
Upon his release, he, in partnership with his father, C.W., and brother Bill, started
Wilcoxson and Sons Furniture Company at Gideon, Mo. Shortly afterward he met and married
Evelyn Lois Jones of Gideon.
They had three sons and 57 years of marriage together. Then on Thursday evening, April 7,
2005 surrounded by family and friends, Glenn slipped out of his world and into the arms of
Jesus.
He was preceded in death by his father and mother, and two brothers, Edward and Bill, and
by two sisters, Emma Nell and Vonda.
He is survived by his wife Evelyn. He is survived by sons Gary and his wife Cheryl, Ron
and his wife Angela, Daryl and his wife Vickie. He is also survived by grandkids Shannyn
Wilcoxson, Chris Wilcoxson and his wife Anna, Doug Wilcoxson and his wife Melanie, Ashley
Wilcoxson, John Wilcoxson, Josh Wilcoxson, David Wilcoxson, and Kathryn Wilcoxson.
Additionally, he is survived by two great-grandkids: Olivia and Elyse Wilcoxson. And by
many other close relatives and dear friends.
Visitation Sunday, 4 to 8 p.m., at McDaniel Funeral Home in Kennett, Missouri. Funeral
services: Monday, April 11, 2005, 10:30 a.m. First United Methodist. Church, Kennett,
Missouri.
Angelina Renae Garner
Angelina Renae Garner was born May 14, 1982 in Paragould, Arkansas. She died on April 11,
2005 in Paragould. She was preceded in death by maternal grandparents, Estell and John
Wheeless; paternal grandfather, Hardin David Garner; uncles Delbert and Mark Wheeless,
Charles Tomlinson; and one cousin, Tommy Wayne Wheeless.
Survivors include parents, Dennis and Martha Garner of the home; brother and
sister-in-law, Allan and Tammy Garner of Jonesboro; sister and brother-in-law, Valerie and
Sammy Leisure and one niece, Hannah Leisure all of Paragould; paternal grandmother, Arbie
Mae Garner Claxton; uncles and their wifes, Tommy and Sandra Wheeless, David and Katherine
Garner, Michael and Pam Garner, Kelley and Sherry Garner; aunts and their husbands,
Deloris and Eugene Dunn, Joyce Langston, Sandy Harbison; many cousins and friends.
Visitation, today from 6-9:00 p.m. at Greater Vision Ministries, 1004 South Rocking Chair
Road, Paragould. Services will be 11 a.m., Thursday at Greater Vision Ministries with
Reverends Rick Ethridge, Bruce Sheppard and Sammy Leisure officiating. Interment will
follow at Memorial Gardens Cemetery.
Active pallbearers: Michael Garner, Kelley Garner, Joel Hopkins, Bobby Sims, Jo Von
Barnes, Joe Simpson. Honorary pallbearers: David Garner, Eugene Haskins, William Herring,
and the ministers of Greater Vision Ministries.
Juanita Esther Brummett
Juanita Esther Brummett, 85, of Paragould died Tuesday, April 12, 2005, at Arkansas
Methodist Medical Center.
A homemaker, Miss Brummett was born October 13, 1919, in Paragould. She was of the Baptist
faith.
Survivors include a sister-in-law, Mathel Brummett of Paragould; and several nieces and
nephews.
She was preceded in death by her parents, Ike and Gertie Brummett; one brother, Robert
Brummett; and by one sister, Dellalee Phillips.
Visitation will be today, from 10:00-10:45 a.m., at Mitchell Funeral Home, Paragould.
A graveside service will be conducted 11:00 a.m., today, April 14, at Linwood Cemetery.
The procession will leave Mitchell Funeral Home at 10:50 a.m., today.
In lieu of flowers, the family requests memorials be made to the charity of donor's
choice.
Patsy Ann 'Pat' Greenway
Patsy Ann "Pat" McClung Greenway, 63, of Rector died Wednesday, April 13, 2005,
at Arkansas Methodist Medical Center at Paragould.
She was born in Greene County and was a lifelong resident of the area. She was a retired
Wal-Mart sales clerk and a Baptist.
Survivors include four sons, Michael C. Dickinson and Mario Pankey, both of Mounds, John
Patrick Dickinson of Marmaduke and Trent Dorris of Paragould; one daughter, Maria Vowell
of Rector; one brother, James Edwin McClung of Illinois; two sisters, Lois While of
Marmaduke and Nadine Woods of the Finch community; and six grandchildren.
She was preceded in death by her husband, Donnie "Red" Greenway; her parents,
Earl James "E.J." and Sally Marie Eddington McClung; and one brother.
Funeral services will be held at 10 a.m. Saturday at the Irby Funeral Service chapel, with
Ronnie Stevens officiating. Burial will be in Woodland Heights Cemetery at Rector.
Visitation will begin at 6 p.m. today at the funeral home.
Memorial donations may be given to the Benjamin Project or the Children's Home.
Gerald McDowell
Gerald Dwight McDowell, age 78, of Marmaduke, passed away on April 15, 2005, in the
Arkansas Methodist Medical Center.
He was born August 8, 1926, to the late Archie and Lucinda (Gibbs) McDowell in Greene
County. He was a retired farmer and a member of Ramer's Chapel Methodist Church. In
addition to his parents, he was preceded in death by a son Phil McDowell, a brother,
Henry; six sisters, Bessie Starnes, Mary James, Lillian Walker, Edna Vantrese, Ollie Bibbs
and Laura Dortch.
Survivors are his wife, Geraldine of the home; two sons and daughters-in-law, Tony and
Vicki McDowell and Ricky and Becky McDowell, all of Marmaduke; three sisters, Martha
Ragsdale of Dexter, Bertie Wyatt of Rector and Mathel Wyatt of Marmaduke; four
grandchildren, Nicki and Connie McDowell, Tonya and Dale Drope, all of Marmaduke; Shannon
and Wendy McDowell of Little Rock, and Shawn McDowell of Paragould; great-grandchildren,
Tyler McDowell, Chelsea Drope, Zackary McDowell, and Colby Drope.
Funeral service will be Sunday, at 2:00 P.M. in the Ramer's Chapel Methodist Church.
Visitation will begin at 6:00 P.M. today in the Irby Funeral Home Chapel in Marmaduke.
Interment in the Ramer's Chapel Cemetery.
Nora Ellen Sullivan
Nora Ellen Sullivan was born November 2, 1913 in Greene County Arkansas, the daughter of
William Bowers and Mary (Stroud) Bowers.
She departed this life April 15, 2005 at the age of 91 years, 5 months and 13 days.
Nora Ellen (Bowers) Sullivan united in marriage to James Madison Sullivan on December 1,
1929. He preceded her in death March 7, 1996.
Mrs. Sullivan is survived by four sons, James, Jonesboro, Gene, Hammond, IN., Junior,
Imperial, Mo. and Chuck Sullivan, Leachville, Ar.
Three daughters: Lorene Dacus, Paragould, Joyce Barkley, Jonesboro and Judy Montgomery,
Cabot, Ar.
18 grandchildren, 33 great-grandchildren and one great-great-grandchild. One sister, Leona
Herring, Corning, Ar. And a host of friends and family.
Mrs. Sullivan was preceded in death by her husband, one son J.L. Sullivan and a grandchild
Linda Dacus.
Funeral services will be at 10 a.m. Monday at Ermert Funeral Home, with the Rev. Terry
Gage officiating.
Burial will be in Pirtle Cemetery in Peach Orchard.
Grandsons will serve as pallbearers.
Visitation will be from 4-7 p.m. today at the funeral home.
Alvie B. White Textor
Alvie B. White Textor, age 97 years, 9 months and 28 days, departed this life Sunday,
April 17, 2005, at Green Acres Nursing Home.
Born June 19,1907 in Greene County, she was retired from Ely & Walker shirt factory
and a member of Griffin Memorial United Methodist Church.
Survivors include four sisters, Selma Highfill of Paragould, Bernice Holland of Buckner,
Missouri, Geraldine Bentz of Batesville, Arkansas, and Dorothy Smith of Paragould; she is
also survived by three nieces, Kathryn Wade, Carol Foster and Patsy Massey; and three
nephews, Wymon Highfill, Bill White and George Edward Bentz, Jr.
She was preceded in death by her husband, Burl P. Textor; her parents, Luther and Emma (Bibb)
White; one brother, Wm. Eugene White and one sister, Ruth Lona Shoopman.
Funeral services will be 11:00 a.m., today, graveside at Linwood Cemetery, with Everett
Isom officiating. Visitation will be from 9:30 a.m. to 10:45 a.m., today, at the Mitchell
Funeral Home, Paragould. The procession will leave at 10:50 a.m., today.
photo and obituary contributed
by: PR Massey, niece
Guy Dwight Barnes
Born March 31, 1928, at Lafe to John Guy and Letitia (Tishie) Wyatt Fielder Barnes, Guy
died on April 16 at his home in Fayetteville.
A graduate of Lafe High School and the University of Arkansas at Fayetteville, he spent 20
years in the Air Force, serving tours of duty in France, Germany, Japan, French Morocco,
Turkey, Iceland, the Philippines and the Pentagon. A communications center supervisor, he
retired from the Air Force in 1967 with the rank of master sergeant.
He was a reporter, feature writer and humor columnist with the Springdale News and The
Morning News for approximately 17 years. After retiring from the paper in 1991, he
participated in 20 stage productions at the Arts Center of the Ozarks Theater in
Springdale; was a featured extra in an episode of "Unsolved Mysteries"; was an
extra in three episodes of "Outlaws and Lawmen," a documentary on the Discovery
Channel; and was an extra in a Wal-Mart commercial.
In 1992, he resumed writing his Barnestorming column in The Morning News until November
2004.
He is survived by his wife, Dorothea; sons, Dennis and Daniel; a daughter, Thea Phipps; a
sister, Nerene Cudd; and two grandchildren. A graveside memorial service will be held on
April 20 at the National Cemetery in Fayetteville.
Maxine Bone Black
Maxine Bone Black, 81, of Paragould, died Tuesday, April 19, 2005, at Arkansas Methodist
Medical Center.
Born September 8, 1923, in Franklin, Arkansas, Mrs. Black was a homemaker and a member of
the First Baptist Church. She was a member of the hospital auxiliary for 20 years and
worked as a volunteer in the Gift Shop at Arkansas Methodist Medical Center. An avid
golfer, she was also a member of the Glee Club trio that won the Arkansas High School Trio
State Championship in 1940, 1941, and 1942.
Survivors include her husband, Pete Black, Jr. of the home; two sons, Dr. Gary Black of
Little Rock, and Pete Black III of Paragould; one brother, Milford Bone of Hanford,
California; and two sisters, Wanda Collinsworth of Griffithville, Arkansas, and Grace
Goatcher of Batesville, Arkansas. She is also survived by four grandchildren, Rhea
Middleton and Dawn Hook, both of Little Rock, Sally Black and Sonni Black, both of
Paragould; and by two great-grandchildren, Lindsay Middleton, and Lauren Middleton.
She was preceded in death by her parents, Leland and Mary Bone; three brothers, Noel Bone,
Buel Bone, Harold Bone; two sisters, Geta Bird and Geraldine Carbonaro.
Visitation will be from 6:00-8:00 p.m., today, at the Mitchell Funeral Home in Paragould.
Funeral service will be 10:30 a.m. Friday, April 22, at the Mitchell Funeral Home Chapel,
with Scott Neathery and Joe Marsden officiating. Burial will follow in the Linwood
Cemetery.
Jay Dollins, Mark Middleton, Tim Hook, Roy McSpadden, Roland Rogers, and Bill Holmes will
serve as pallbearers. Honorary pallbearers will be John McKenzie, Alfred Herget, Bill
Block, Emmie Witt, Dr. Asa Crow, Ray Rankin, Ron Valentine, Dr. Robert Fahr, and Euclid
Green.
Memorials to the First Baptist Church, Paragould, or to the Arkansas Methodist Medical
Center Foundation would be appreciated.
Nelda Sue Phillips
Nelda Sue Phillips, 71, of Marmaduke, died Wednesday, April 20, 2005 at Arkansas Methodist
Medical Center.
A homemaker, Mrs. Phillips was born August 20, 1933 in Greene County. She attended the
Marmaduke Church of Christ.
Survivors include her husband, Herbert Phillips of the home; and one son, Jeffery Phillips
of Paragould.
Graveside service will be conducted at 2:00 p.m. Friday, at New Liberty Cemetery with
Arvil Hill officiating. The procession will leave Mitchell Funeral Home at 1:40 p.m.,
Friday. Visitation will be Friday from 1:00-1:40 p.m. at Mitchell Funeral Home, Paragould.
Fred Watson, Jr.
Fred Watson, Jr., 86, of Paragould died Wednesday, April 20, 2005, at his residence.
He was born February 7, 1919, in Jonesboro to Fred and Beulah Watson.
Mr. Watson retired from Great Southern Coaches after 35 years as a bus driver. In the
1950's and 1960's he was the designated driver for the ASU football teams. He served four
and one-half years in the Army, 2nd Division, during World War II. He took part in the
Normandy landing and was injured in the Battle of the Bulge. He was a member of the First
Baptist Church.
Survivors include his wife, Ruth Wood Watson of the home; one son, Tommy Clark Watson; one
daughter, Margot Herren, both of Paragould; four grandchildren, Carrie Bateman and Cindy
Weaver, both of Paragould, Willie Watson and Amy Ingmire, both of Russellville, Arkansas.
He is also survived by nine great-grandchildren.
A graveside service will be conducted 3:00 p.m. today, April 21st, at Finch Cemetery, with
Scott Neathery officiating. The procession will leave Mitchell Funeral Home at 2:40 p.m.,
today.
No public visitation is scheduled.
Opal Inez Bryson
Opal Inez Bryson, 85, of Flint, Michigan formerly of Paragould died Wednesday, April 20,
2005 at Genesys Convalescent Center in Grand Blanc, Michigan. She was a homemaker and a
member of River of life United Pentecostal Church in Paragould.
She was preceded in death by her parents, Linnie and Iva (Walker) Barber and an infant
son, Jerry Wayne Bryson.
Survivors include her husband, James Bryson of Flint; daughters, Billie Jo McPherson and
Ernestine Lively of Flint; sons, Jackie Ray Bryson of Rose City, Michigan and James Conway
Bryson of Paragould; 12 grandchildren and 20 great grandchildren.
Visitation will be tonight from 6:00-9:00 PM at Heath Funeral Home. Services will be 1:30
PM Saturday at the Heath Colonial Chapel with Reverends Floyd Ryles and Tony Moody
officiating. Interment will follow at Greene County Memorial Gardens.
Pallbearers: Ernie Bryson, Kevin Lively, John Lively, Kelly Bryson, Jesse Bryson.
Anna Purcell Poindexter
Anna Purcell Poindexter, 95, of Paragould, died Wednesday, April 20, 2005 at Greene Acres
Nursing Home.
Born May 6, 1909, in West Salem, Illinois, Mrs. Poindexter was a homemaker and a member of
Unity Baptist Church. For years she was active in the Greene County Women's Home
Demonstration Club, and she was an avid traveler.
Survivors include two sons and daughters-in-law, John and Barbara Purcell, and Don and
Sherri Purcell of Paragould; five grandchildren, Seth, Herrel, and Shea Purcell of
Paragould, Carol Fortune of Hawaii, and Sumer Hall of Maumelle. She is also survived by
two great-granddaughters, Naomi and Sarah Purcell of Paragould; a stepson and
daughter-in-law, Ron and Dee Poindexter of Flushing, Michigan; a stepdaughter and
son-in-law, Janice and Lloyd Markell of Davison, Michigan; six step grandchildren and 10
step great-grandchildren.
She was preceded in death by her parents Ernest and Sarah Lorenz; her first husband, John
Junior Purcell; her second husband, Ralph Oral Poindexter; two sisters, Alma Pigue, her
twin, Emma Walden; and by three brothers, Raymond, Karl, and Bill Lorenz.
Visitation will be Friday evening from 6:00 to 8:00 at the Mitchell Funeral Home,
Paragould.
Funeral service will be at 10:30 a.m., Saturday, April 23, at the Unity Baptist Church in
Paragould with Terry Songer officiating. Burial will follow in Greene County Memorial
Gardens.
Harrel Purcell, Seth Purcell, Kendall Walden, Jim Cunningham, Frank Curtis, and Ronnie
Ryles will serve as pallbearers.
Mary Lou Brewer
Mary Lou Brewer, 60, of Paragould, died Friday, April 22, 2005, at Jonesboro.
She was an employee of Monroe Auto Equipment and a member of First United Methodist
Church.
Survivors include her husband, Jeff Brewer of the home; a son, Scott Brewer of Nixa, Mo.;
a daughter, Robin Pindell of Paragould; a brother, Bill Holmes of Paragould; a sister,
Anna Rose Rogers of Marion; a foster brother, Gene Nipper of Rockford, Ill.; and four
grandchildren, Jackson Brewer, Cameron Brewer, Elyse Pindell and Ryan Pindell.
She was preceded in death by her parents, W.A. and Ola Holmes.
Funeral services will be at 10:30 a.m. Monday at Mitchell Funeral Home, with David Moseley
officiating. Burial will be in Greene County Memorial Gardens Cemetery.
Pallbearers will be Mardy Holmes, Tim Guinn, Den Rogers, Steve Dixon, Marlin Dixon and
William Dixon.
Visitation will be from 4-6 p.m. today at the funeral home.
Hazel Malderine Harmon
Hazel Malderine Harmon, 78, of Lafe died Friday, April 22, 2005, at her residence.
Born at Carmi, she was a retired postmaster at Lafe and member of Gainesville Church of
Christ.
Survivors include three sons, Michael Harmon of Lakeland, Fla., Danny Harmon of Mammoth
Spring and Ricky Harmon of Paragould; one daughter, Patricia Johns of Paragould; five
brothers, J.D. McDaniel of Van Buren, Mo., Charles McDaniel, Talmadge McDaniel and Kenny
McDaniel, all of Richland, Mo., and Donald McDaniel of Mansfield, Mo.; three sisters,
Loreta Ellis of Paragould, Glenna Scott of Waynesville, Mo., and Deloris Bates of
Springfield, Mo.; 10 grandchildren; and nine great-grandchildren.
She was preceded in death by her husband, Odis Harmon; her parents, James William and
Laura Edith Hudson McDaniel; and one brother.
Funeral services will be at 10 a.m. Monday at Gainesville Church of Christ, with Chad
Wagner officiating. Burial will be in Gainesville Cemetery under the direction of Heath
Funeral Home of Paragould.
Active pallbearers will be Heath Johns, Robby Kemmett, David McDaniel, Mike Weddington,
Jason Trayler and Travis Harmon.
Honorary pallbearers will include Ron Parker and Roger Knight.
Visitation will be from 6-9 p.m. Sunday at the funeral home.
Memorials may be made to the Children's Home of Paragould.
Lyman 'L.A.' Brooks
Funeral services for Lyman A. "L.A." Brooks, 80, of Van Buren, formerly of
Leachville, who died Friday, April 22, 2005,
at his residence, will be at 10 a.m. Tuesday at Howard Funeral
Service of Leachville.
David Lawrence will officiate. Burial will follow in Gainsville Cemetery near Paragould.
Born at Portageville, Mo., he was a longtime Leachville resident. He was a World War II
Army Air Corps veteran and worked for several cotton gins in Northeast Arkansas. He was a
member of Veterans of Foreign Wars, the Masonic Lodge, the American Legion and was of the
Protestant faith.
Survivors include his wife, Ruby Fortson Brooks of the home; five daughters, Tina McCoy of
Leachville, Mary Lewis of Van Buren, Terrie Broyles of Barling and Joyce Brooks and Judy
Brooks, both of Missouri; a son, Lyman Brooks Jr.; six grandchildren; and two
great-grandchildren.
He was preceded in death by a son; his parents, Walter J. and Mary Ramsey Brooks; two
brothers; two sisters; and a grandson.
Visitation will be from 5-9 p.m. today at the funeral home.
Harold "Cooney" Adams
Harold Norris "Cooney" Adams, 73, of Paragould died Monday, April 26, 2005, at
Arkansas Methodist Medical Center.
Born at Lorado, he was a retired material handler for Monroe Auto Equipment.
Survivors include a son, Randy Anderson of Portland; three daughters, Sheila Adams of
Delray Beach, Fla., Julie Feemster of Heber Springs and Regina Gregory of Palestine; and
eight grandchildren.
He was preceded in death by his parents, Homer and Mildred Wilcockson Adams.
Graveside services will be at 1:30 p.m. Thursday in Lorado Baptist Cemetery, with the Rev.
Jerry Jolly officiating. Heath Funeral Home of Paragould is in charge of arrangements.
Active pallbearers will be Gene Burrow, Randy Adams, Harold Diggs and Buford Adams.
Hollis Beasley will serve as honorary pallbearer.
Visitation will be from 6-9 p.m. today at the funeral home.
Memorials may be made to Lorado Baptist Cemetery.
Letha Wanda Lee Dial
Letha Wanda Lee Ketcherside Dial, 65, of Paragould died Tuesday, April 26, 2005, at St.
Bernard's Medical Center in Jonesboro.
Born September 23, 1939 at Chloride, Mo., she was a member of East Side Baptist Church and
a retired salesclerk for Arnold's Jewelry.
Survivors include her husband, Leo Dial; three daughters, Letha Dial of Little Rock and
Debbie Carroll and Nancy Ritter, both of Paragould; a son, Jeff Dial of Wichita, Kan.; two
brothers, Larry Ketcherside and Eric Krzton, both of Paragould; one sister, Jo Pierson of
Beech Grove; and eight grandchildren.
She was preceded in death by her parents, Clay Ketcherside and Goldie Ketcherside Krzton.
Funeral services will be at 11 a.m. Thursday at East Side Baptist Church, with the Revs.
Jeff Dial and the Rev. Dennis Scudder officiating. Burial will follow in Clark's Chapel
Cemetery under direction of Mitchell Funeral Home of Paragould.
Visitation will begin at 6 p.m. today at the funeral home.
Memorials may be made to the Clark's Chapel Baptist Cemetery Fund, in care of Gordon
Ellington, 1708 Linwood Drive, Paragould 72450.
James F. Barton
James F. Barton, 89, of Paragould died Wednesday, April 27, 2005, at his residence.
Born at Colt, he was a self-employed farmer.
Survivors include his wife, Thelma Stewart Barton of the home; a son, Richard Barton of
Jonesboro; a sister, Berniece Blake of Big Lake, Texas; and a grandson, Darrell Wayne
Barton of Bono.
He was preceded in death by his parents, Jim and Addie Sweaney Barton, and one sister.
Graveside services are scheduled for 1:30 p.m. Friday in Greene County Memorial Gardens at
Paragould, under the direction of Heath Funeral Home.
Pallbearers will be Daniel Steele, Mark Miles, Gary Steele, Steve Stewart, Michael Stewart
and Darrell Steele.
Visitation will be from noon-1 p.m. Friday at the funeral home.
Albert Caraway Payne
Albert Caraway Payne, 93, of Paragould, died Wednesday, April 27, 2005, at Paragould
Nursing Center.
A retired farmer, Mr. Payne was born April 1, 1912, in the Finch Community of Greene
County. He was a member of the Finch Baptist Church.
Survivors include several nieces and nephews. He was preceded in death by his parents,
O.H. and Caroline Payne; his wife, Grace Payne; one daughter, Fausteena Payne; two
brothers, Mark and Carroll Payne; and by four sisters, Callie Levins, Pearl Tennison,
Parlee Stricklin, and Alice Levins.
Funeral
services will be Saturday, April 30, at 2:30 p.m., at the Finch Baptist Church with Jon
Stricklin and Terry Gage officiating. Burial will follow in Finch Cemetery. Visitation
will be Friday, 6:00 p.m. until 8 p.m. at Mitchell Funeral Home, Paragould.
Memorials to the Finch Baptist Church Building Fund would be appreciated.
Van Mace
Van Mace, 78, of Paragould died Friday, April 29, 2005, at Arkansas Methodist Medical
Center.
Formerly of Manila, he had lived in Paragould for 35 years and was a retired farmer, real
estate broker and auctioneer. He was a Mason and of the Baptist faith.
Survivors include his wife, Lottie Veda Mace of the home; a son, Vance Mace Jr. of Manila;
a daughter, Alice Jo Banks of Paragould; four grandchildren, LeAnne Presson and Scott
Mace, both of Paragould, Jason Mace of Manila and Ginger Johnson of Jonesboro; and four
great-grandchildren.
Private funeral services will be held at a later date under the direction of Gregg Funeral
Home of Monette.
Visitation will be from 6-8:30 p.m. today at Grace United General Baptist Church of
Paragould.
Michael Alan Clark
Michael Alan Clark, 48, of Paragould died Friday, April 29, 2005, at Arkansas Methodist
Medical Center.
He was a shift leader at ARI and was of the Baptist belief.
Survivors include his wife, Debbie Clark of Marmaduke; one son, Eric Alan Clark of
Paragould; his father, Cecil Clark of Paragould; one sister, Patricia Ann Howard of
Paragould; and one grandchild, Payton Leighann Clark of Missouri.
He was preceded in death by his mother, Velma Clark.
Funeral services will be at 10 a.m. Tuesday at Heath Funeral Homes Colonial Chapel.
Visitation will be from 6-8 p.m. Monday at the funeral home.
Kenneth Gerald Priest
Kenneth Gerald Priest, 64, of Lafe died Friday, April 29, 2005, at his residence.
He was retired from the Army serving from 1957-77.
Survivors include his wife, Doris Priest of Lafe; one son, Alex Priest of Chicago; two
daughters, Debra Fuller of Elgin, Texas, and Lisa Priest of Austin, Texas; his mother,
Geraldine Priest of Knob; four brothers, Randall Priest of Paragould, Joel Priest and
Robert Priest, both of Joliet, Ill., and Ray Priest of Knob; and four grandchildren.
He was preceded in death by his father, Marion Priest.
Funeral services will be at 1:30 p.m. Tuesday at Heath Funeral Homes Colonial
Chapel, with Daryl Fears officiating. Burial will be in Memorial Gardens Cemetery.
Visitation will be from 6:30-8 p.m. Monday at the funeral home.
Tommy Cook
Tommy Cook, 68, of Lafe died Saturday, April 30, 2005, at the VA Medical Center at
Memphis.
Born at O'Kean, he was a retired veteran of the Air Force and member of Grace United
General Baptist Church.
Survivors include his wife, Nadine Cook of Lafe; four sons; two daughters; one brother;
and several grandchildren.
He was preceded in death by his parents, Sylvester and Irene Ragsdell Cook.
Graveside services will be at 1:30 p.m. Thursday in Croft Cemetery at Stanford, with the
Rev. Kevin Edgar officiating. Burial will be under the direction of Heath Funeral Home of
Paragould.
An Air Force military honor guard will serve as pallbearers.
Visitation will be from 11 a.m.-12:30 p.m. Thursday at the funeral home.
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