| Greene
County, Arkansas
May 2005 Obituaries
Avery Perry Benton
Avery Perry Benton, 78, of Paragould died Monday, May 2, 2005, at St. Bernard's Medical
Center of Jonesboro.
Born in Paragould, he was a World War II Navy veteran, a retired grocer, a member of
Disabled American Veterans and of the Pentecostal faith.
Survivors include his wife, Bernice Benton of Paragould, and seven stepdaughters,
Charlotte Gazaway, Dorothy Hancock, Gloria Anderson, Emma Haynes, Deborah Hayes, Angela
Cooper and Jennifer Hammon, all of Paragould.
He was preceded in death by his parents, Mr. and Mrs. George Benton, one brother and four
sisters.
Graveside services will be at 1:30 p.m. today in Brown's Chapel Cemetery, with Rick
Ethridge officiating. Mitchell Funeral Home of Paragould is in charge of the arrangements.
Sons-in-law Jim Gazaway, Jerry Hancock, Eddie Anderson, Tommy Haynes, Dewayne Cooper and
Jeff Hammon will serve as pallbearers.
Visitation will be from 12-1 p.m. today at the funeral home.
Walter Slatton
Walter Slatton, 80, of Jonesboro, formerly of Walcott, died Sunday, May 1, 2005, at
Ridgecrest Health and Rehab at Jonesboro.
Born at Walcott, he was retired farmer.
Survivors include four brothers, Leotis Slatton and Alton Slatton, both of Walcott, and
Ray Slatton and Roy Slatton, both of Light; and two sisters, Laura Walker of Light and
Gracie Brown of Boring, Ore.
He was preceded in death by his parents, Jim and Lizzie Layton Slatton, and a brother.
Graveside services will be at 10 a.m. Wednesday in Finch Cemetery at Paragould, with the
Rev. Marion Gramling officiating. Heath Funeral Home of Paragould is in charge of
arrangements.
Pallbearers will be James Walker, Terry Slatton, Donnie Joe Slatton, Maurice Slatton, Jeff
Slatton and Mike Foars.
Visitation will be from 6-8 p.m. today at the funeral home.
Joe C. Bunting
Funeral services for Joe C. Bunting, 69, of Jonesboro, who died Monday, May 2, 2005, at
his residence, will be at 2 p.m. Thursday at Emerson Funeral Home's Memorial Chapel.
Burial will follow in Hartsoe Cemetery at Marmaduke.
Born at Marmaduke, he was a retired owner-operator of Bunting TV Service and an Army
veteran. He was of the Church of God belief.
Survivors include his wife, Claudette Bunting of the home; three sons, Joe Bunting of
Jonesboro, David Bunting of Hardy and Mike Bunting of Jacksonville; one half-sister,
Annabelle McConell of Trumann; nine grandchildren; and eight great-grandchildren.
He was preceded in death by his parents, Orville and Luinna Bunting.
Active pallbearers will be Joe Bunting, David Bunting, David Bunting Jr., Wesley Bunting,
Mike Bunting and Wayne Lore.
Dennis Lore will serve as honorary pallbearer.
Visitation will be from 5-7 p.m. today at the funeral home.
In lieu of flowers memorials may be made to St. Bernard's Hospice.
Bonevia Ross
Bonevia Ross, 77, of Paragould, died Monday, May 2, 2005, at Arkansas Methodist Medical
Center.
Born August 8, 1927, in Paragould, Mrs. Ross was a homemaker and a member of Westview
Baptist Church. She was a former member of the Arkansas Methodist Medical Center
Auxiliary.
Survivors include her husband, Gordon R. Ross of the home; one daughter and son-in-law,
Freddie and Ronald "Butch" Johnson, of Paragould; three brothers, Connie Clark,
Bloyce Clark, and Austin Clark, all of Paragould. She is also survived by two sisters,
Opal Wood of Southaven, Mississippi, Ardith Johnston of Burton, Michigan; one grandson,
Gregory E. Johnson, of Paragould; two great-grandchildren, Jena Johnson of St. Louis,
Missouri, and Mariah Johnson of Mountain Home, Arkansas; one stepson, Gordon R. Ross, Jr.
and by one stepdaughter, Patricia Williams, both of Pascagoula, Mississippi.
She was preceded in death by her parents, Jack and Essie Clark; two brothers, Leon Clark
and T.E. Clark; and by two sisters, Thelma Zumwalt and Bernice Farley.
Visitation will begin Wednesday evening at 6 p.m., at Mitchell Funeral Home, Paragould.
Graveside services will be conducted at 10:30 a.m. Thursday, at Greene County Memorial
Gardens with Ronnie Winn officiating. The procession will leave Mitchell Funeral Home at
10:15 Thursday morning.
Pallbearers will be John Lane, Kyle Lane, Mike Gaskill, Bloyce Clark, Austin Clark, and
Enoch Allbritton. Connie Clark will serve as an honorary pallbearer.
Joy Dee Ambuehl Ford
Joy Dee Ambuehl Ford passed away Sunday morning, May 1, 2005, at her home in Mammoth
Springs, Arkansas. She is survived by her husband, Dewey B. Ford, of the home; one son,
David R. Prince of Rochester, New York; three daughters, Glenda Kelliher of Montgomery,
Alabama, Sunie Grossman of Jonesboro, Arkansas, and Faustina Duffy of Leesville,
Louisiana; and six grandchildren.
She is survived by three brothers, Tom Ambuehl of Galata, Montana, Marvin Ambuehl of Great
Falls, Montana, Fred Ambuehl of Bagley, Minnesota; and one sister, Annette Freeland of
Galata, Montana.
Joy was born in Bagley, Minnesota, on April 25, 1948. She moved to Paragould, Arkansas, in
1977, where she lived until moving to Mammoth Springs, Arkansas, in 2002.
A memorial service will be held at Shiloh United Methodist Church in Paragould, Arkansas,
on Friday, May 6, 2005, at 1 p.m.
The family requests memorials be made to the American Red Cross in the form of blood,
platelets, or monetary donations in the memory of Joy Ford of Paragould, Arkansas.
She was not only "Mom" to us and all of our friends, but she was to all who
needed her. We will miss her greatly for all time.
We love you, Mom!
Glen Edmond Laffoon
Glen Edmond Laffoon, 94, of Paragould died Tuesday, May 5, 2005 at Arkansas Methodist
Medical Center.
Born at Dover, Arkansas, he was a retired carpenter and a Jehovah's Witness.
Survivors include his wife, Noyes Mickler Laffoon of the home, and two sons, Neil Laffoon
of Paragould and Kelvin Laffoon of Jonesboro.
He was preceded in death by his parents, Edgar and Ann Sinclair Laffoon.
Memorial services will be at 3 p.m. Saturday at the Kingdom Hall of Jehovah's Witnesses of
Paragould, with Ronald Floyd officiating. Heath Funeral Home of Paragould is in charge of
arrangements.
Carolyn 'Sissy' Johnson
Carolyn Lee "Sissy" Johnson, 57, of Pocahontas died Saturday, May 7, 2005 at her
residence.
Born at Marmaduke, she was a supervisor for Arkansas Employment Security.
Survivors include her father, Hershel Johnson; two brothers, Stanley Johnson of Oak Grove
and Joe Jeffers of Walcott; and three sisters, Karen Brinkley of Pocahontas, Kathy Fisher
of Paragould and Marsha LaFayette of Jonesboro.
She was preceded in death by her mother, Lillian Lee Henson.
Graveside services will be at 11 a.m. Tuesday in Harvey's Chapel Cemetery at Marmaduke,
with Art Smith and Phil Brinkley officiating. McNabb Funeral Home of Pocahontas is in
charge of arrangements.
Pallbearers will be Dodie Peterson, Kelly Money, Phillip Brinkley, Matt Fisher, Rachel
Miller, Ben Johnson, Courtney Johnson and Hannah Johnson.
Visitation will be from 5-8 p.m. Monday at the funeral home and from 9:30-10:30 a.m.
Tuesday at Marmaduke Church of Christ.
Memorials may be made to Little Rock of Paragould Children's Homes.
Effie Anderson
Effie Anderson, 88, Paragould, died Monday, May 9, 2005 at Arkansas Methodist Medical
Center. She was born, March 25, 1917, in Marmaduke. She was a homemaker.
Survivors include her only son and daughter-in-law, Robert L. and Sheila Anderson of
Paragould; daughters, Thurley Cooley and Brenda Bruce and spouse Edward all of Orange
County, California; eleven grandchildren; twenty-four great grandchildren and three great
great grandchildren.
She was preceded in death by her husband, Leon Miles Anderson; parents, William
"Bud" Eron and Emily Ramer Hendley; three brothers, Burl, Everett and Cecil
Hendley; and three sisters, Esther Spurlock, Ollie Spears and Dellie.
Visitation will be from 6-8 p.m. Wednesday at Heath Funeral Home. Funeral services will be
held Thursday at 10 a.m., Heath Colonial Chapel with he Reverend Bill Snow officiating.
Burial will follow at Greene County Memorial Gardens.
Pharis Angela Hanes
Pharis Angela Hanes, 69, of Paragould died Sunda, May 8, 2005 at St. Bernards Regional
Medical Center in Jonesboro.
Born at Knobel, Arkansas, she was a homemaker/Real Estate Broker and a member of Center
Hill Church of Christ.
She is preceded in death by her parents, A.O. and Erma (Byers) Border; brothers, Ernest
and Rex Border; sister, Alice Locke.
Survivors include her husband, Olan Hanes of Paragould; son, Dennis Hanes of Poplar Bluff,
Missouri; daughters, Angela Hanes of Balch Springs, Texas, Pam Parker of Paragould and Amy
Hanes of Houston, Texas; sisters Geneva Arnold of Poplar Bluff, Missouri, Linda Mora of
Arlington, Texas; brother, Doyle Border of Morrilton, Arkansas; three grandsons and three
granddaughters.
Visitation will be today from 6-8 p.m. at Heath Funeral Home. Funeral services will be
Wednesday, 11 a.m. at the Heath Colonial Chapel with Jon Binkley officiating. Burial will
follow at Greene County Memorial Gardens. Memorials may be made to Crowley's Ridge Academy
or College.
J. Marion Futrell II
J. Marion Futrell II, 95, of Pocahontas died Sunday, May 8, 2005, at Pocahontas Nursing
and Rehab.
Born at Beech Grove, he was the owner of Western Auto and a member of Pyburn Street Church
of Christ.
Survivors include his wife, Lalia Crawford Futrell of Pocahontas; two sons, Phil Futrell
and Byron Futrell, both of Pocahontas; a brother, Woodrow Futrell of Cedar Hill; eight
grandchildren, David Futrell, Mark Futrell, Kara Futrell, Terri Walton and Eric Futrell,
all of Pocahontas, Mel Futrell of Birmingham, Ala., Johna Mannen of Grapevine, Texas and
Kristi Mabry of Spartanburg, S.C.; and 17 great-grandchildren.
He was preceded in death by his parents, six brothers and four sisters.
Funeral services will be at 1 p.m. Thursday at McNabb Funeral Home. Burial will be in
Morrow Cemetery at Beech Grove.
Visitation will be from 4-8 p.m. Wednesday at the funeral home.
Lillian Wayne Cook
Lillian Wayne Cook, 78, of Paragould, died Tuesday, May 10, 2005, at the Arkansas
Methodist Medical Center. A native Arkansan, Mrs. Cook was born July 2, 1926. She was a
retired housekeeper and a member of the Third Avenue Baptist Church.
Survivors include two sons, Donald Cook of Paragould, Marvin Cook of Walnut Ridge; one
brother, Tony Ellington of Greenfield, California; three sisters, Wilma Weatherspoon of
Marmaduke, and Alma Sterling and Tommie Ellington, both of California. She is also
survived by seven grandchildren and three great grandchildren.
Preceding her in death was her husband, Harry Cook and one son, William Lee Cook.
Visitation will be from 6-8 p.m., this evening at Mitchell Funeral Home, Paragould.
Funeral services will be 3 p.m., Friday, at the Mitchell Funeral Home Chapel with Bob Lee
officiating. Burial will follow at Finch Cemetery.
George Thomas Noel
George Thomas Noel, of Arnold, Missouri, died May 10, 2005, at his residence. Born
September 13, 1921 in Paragould to the late George Taylor and Minnie Noel.
He is survived by his loving wife of 59 years, Margaret Shirley (Wells) Noel; daughter and
son-in-law, Shirley and Ron Martin of Pevely, Missouri and Beverly Kukuljan of Fenton,
Missouri, grandsons, Kirk Martin St. Louis South County, Scott Martin of Conway, Arkansas,
Richard and Steven Kukuljan of Fenton; one grandson-in-law Duane Vandborg; sisters and
brother-in-law, Frances Greer of Paragould and Louella and Eldoss Grooms of Swartz Creek,
Michigan; numerous nieces, nephews and friends.
He was preceded in death by two brothers, six sisters and one granddaughter Stacy Lee
Martin Vandborg of Fresno, California.
He was a 40 year member of IBEW local 1. He was a veteran of WWII serving with Company A,
99th Signal Battalion US Army and received a Good Conduct Medal, WWII Victory Ribbon,
Asiatic-Pacific Theater Ribbon, 3 Bronze Service Stars and the Philippians Ribbon and one
Bronze Star.
Visitation will be tonight 6:00-9:00 p.m. at Heath Funeral Home. Funeral services will be
11:00 a.m., Saturday at the Heath Colonial Chapel with Reverend Royce Boling officiating.
Burial will follow at Cardwell Cemetery.
Michael Griffin
Michael Griffin, 50, died Wednesday, May 11, 2005, at St. Bernards Regional Medical Center
in Jonesboro. Born on September 19, 1954, in Chicago, Illinois, Michael had been a
long-time resident of Paragould.
He was preceded in death by his father, Gene Griffin, and a brother, Tim Griffin.
Survivors include his mother, Margaret Griffin of Hollow Rock, Tennessee; brother, Russell
Griffin of San Ysidro, California; step-mother, Angella Griffin of Paragould; step-sister,
Rayella Johns and her husband, Dale, of Paragould; step-brothers, Kevin Huffman and Joseph
Huffman and his wife, Kristie, of Paragould; and many nieces and nephews.
Funeral arrangements are incomplete at Heath Funeral Home.
Lauren Ellen Holloway
Lauren Ellen Thacker Holloway, 36, of Paragould died Friday, May 13, 2005, at St.
Bernard's Medical Center.
Born at Chicago, she was a 1986 graduate of Marmaduke High School and the owner-operator
of CPAP Medical Supply at Jacksonville, Fla.
Survivors include one son, Casey Holloway of Memphis; her mother, Debbie Wilson of
Paragould; her father, Hiram Lester Thacker Jr. of Gadsden, Ala.; and one sister, Bobbie
Lucius of San Antonio.
Funeral services will be at 2:30 p.m. Sunday at Heath Funeral Home's Colonial Chapel, with
the Rev. Jerry Loyd and the Rev. James Warbington officiating. Burial will be in Greene
County Memorial Gardens at Paragould.
Pallbearers will be John Thacker, Keith Brewer, Brian Brightwell, Bobby Keeling, Alton
Keeling and Wayne Keeling.
Visitation will be from 1:30-2:30 p.m. Sunday at the funeral home.
Velma Virginia Ashby
Velma Virginia Ashby, 78, of Paragould died Friday, May 13, at Greene Acres Nursing Home.
Mrs. Ashby was born on May 24, 1927, in Ada, Okla. She was a former cook at Crowley's
Ridge Academy and Crowley's Ridge College and a member of Center Hill Church of Christ.
Survivors include one son, Rickey Lynn Ashby of St. Louis; one brother, Richard Kennedy of
Illinois; six grandchildren; and four great-grandchildren.
She was preceded in death by her husband, Leonard Ashby; her parents, Henry and Essie
Kennedy; and one sister.
Funeral services will be at 1:30 p.m. Tuesday at Mitchell Funeral Home, with J.T. Ashby
officiating. Burial will follow in Liberty Cemetery.
Pallbearers will be Kevin Cable, Randy Cable, Tony Cable, Tim Ashby, Daniel Ashby and Jeff
Thoele.
Visitation will be from 6-9 p.m. today at the funeral home.
Irwin Eugene Walden
Irwin Eugene Walden, 53, of Cabot died Saturday, May 14, 2005, at Jacksonville.
Born at Vallejo, Calif., he was a general laborer and of the Baptist belief.
Survivors include a daughter, Tammy Kellim of Paragould; his father, and stepmother, Bill
and Mary Walden of Paragould; a brother, Bill Walden of Cabot; four sisters, Mary Ann
Kiefer of Cabot, Katie Lewis of Dallas and Darla Burdin of Paragould; a granddaughter,
Madison Kellim; and a great-granddaughter.
He was preceded in death by his mother, Melba Joyce Montgomery; and his grandparents.
Graveside services will be at 2 p.m. Tuesday in Greene County Memorial Gardens Cemetery,
with the Rev. Royce Shanda and the Rev. Billy Joe Dowdy officiating. Heath Funeral Home of
Paragould is in charge of arrangements.
Visitation will be from 7-9 p.m. Monday at the funeral home.
Annie 'Sis' Watson
Annie Louise "Sis' Watson, 86, of Little Rock, formerly of Paragould, died Friday,
May 13, 2005, at Parkway Health Center.
Born at Cuero, Texas, she was a homemaker and a member of First United Methodist Church of
Paragould.
Survivors include a daughter, Ann Black of Little Rock; two grandchildren, Rhea Middleton
of Little Rock and Dawn Hook of Sherwood; and a two great-grandchildren.
She was preceded in death by her husband, John Fisher Watson; and her parents, William C.
and Mehta Buchhorn Schwartz.
Graveside services will be at 1 p.m. Monday at Greene County Memorial Gardens Cemetery,
with the Rev. Zach Roberts officiating. Heath Funeral Home of Paragould is in charge of
arrangements.
Visitation will be from 12:30-1 p.m. Monday at the cemetery.
Memorials may be made to First United Methodist Church, 404 West Main, Paragould 72450; or
Arkansas Methodist Medical Center, 900 West Kingshighway, Paragould 72450.
Vera Ione Eubanks
Vera Ione Eubanks departed from this life on May 15, 2005 in Paragould, Arkansas.
She was born in Golden, Oklahoma, to Isaac and Adela Schwamb Crews, both deceased.
Also preceding her in death were her brothers Theodore, Don, Marion, John R. and James as
well as her sisters Elizabeth and Elsa.
She is survived by her husband, James A. Eubanks; a sister, Bernice Dawson; a daughter,
Sonya Hester; a son-in-law, Daniel Hester; a son, Michael Eubanks; a daughter-in-law,
Sylvia Eubanks; two grandchildren, Colin Hester and Timothy Eubanks; and four
great-grandchildren, Beatrice, Magdalen, J.D. and Eleanor.
She was beloved beyond words by her family and friends. She will forever by missed and her
memory will always be treasured by those touched by her presence.
In this world, she gave of herself unceasingly and now in the next she has found her
reward.
Graveside services will be held at Linwood Cemetery at 2:00 p.m., today, May 17.
Hazel Alene Stafford
Hazel Alene Stafford, 75, of Oak Grove, died Monday, May 16, 2005, at the Arkansas
Methodist Medical Center.
Born July 27, 1929, in Germfask, Michigan, Mrs. Stafford retired from Ford Motor Company.
Survivors include her husband, Gene Stafford of Oak Grove; two sons, Robert Gene Stafford
and William Joseph Stafford, both of Paragould; and two sisters, Helen Brown of Harrison,
Michigan, and Edith Ballinger of Jackson, Michigan.
She was preceded in death by her parents, Frank and Ethel Koschmider; four brothers, Bob,
John, Ted and Joe and by one sister, Lillian Olmstead.
Visitation will be from 6-9 p.m., today, at Mitchell Funeral Home, Paragould.
Funeral services will be 1:30 Thursday afternoon, May 19, at Mitchell Funeral Home Chapel,
Paragould, with Daniel Johnson officiating. Burial will follow at Providence Cemetery.
Jimmy Holland, Walter Holland, Jr., Al Leisure, John Kimberly, Jones Roush and Don Roush
will serve as pallbearers.
Amos Dillon Garner
Amos Dillon Garner, MD, 91, husband of W. Mae Fulkerson Garner, of 420 Longview Terrace,
died Wednesday, May 18, 2005 at his residence.
Born in Paragould, Arkansas, he was the son of the late Gilbert F. and Lou Vinnie Murdoch
Garner.
A Major, having served in the U.S. Army Medical Corps during WWII, Dr. Garner graduated
from the University of Arkansas, Class of 1936. He was also a graduate of Tulane
University Medical College. Dr. Garner was a general surgeon for 50 years. Before retiring
in 1988, he was on staff at Baylor, Parkland, Presbyterian and Gaston Episcopal Hospitals.
He also taught at Southwestern Medical School, Baylor University. Dr. Garner was a Fellow
of The American College of Surgeons and did his clinical practice at the Cleveland Clinic
in Cleveland, Ohio.
Dr. Garner was a member of First Methodist Church in Dallas, Texas and visited First
Baptist Church while in Greenville.
Surviving in addition to his wife of 65 years, are two sons, Phillip Garner and his wife,
Vickie of Mountain Home, Arkansas and Douglas Garner and his wife, Jane Allen of
Greenville; four grandchildren, Edith Kathryn Stewart, Jason P. Garner, Justin P. Garner
and Matthew F. Garner; and adopted daughter, Janis Allene Jelnick, of Dallas Texas; and
six great-grandchildren.
Dr. Garner was preceded in death by a son, Michael A. Garner.
Memorials may be made to First Baptist Church Greenville, Master Plan Building Fund, 847
Cleveland Street, Greenville, SC 29601.
A memorial service was held on Thursday, May 19, 2005 at 5:00 PM at the residence. A
graveside service will be held on Saturday, May 21, 2005 at 11:00 AM in Restland Memorial
Park, Dallas, Texas.
Condolences may be sent to the family by visiting "http://www.thomasmcafee.com"
Juanita Adams Ray Thomason
Juanita Adams Ray Thomason, 82, of Paragould was born on August 21, 1922 in Peach Orchard,
AR. She died May 19, 2005 at Paragould Nursing Center.
She was retired from Ely & Walker Shirt factory and a member of Shiloh Methodist
Church.
She was preceded in death by her first husband, Virgil Ray; second husband, Woodrow
Thomason; parents, Theodore and Edna Stone Adams; son, Larry Ray; daughter, Betty Stanley;
sisters, Oneda Powers and Alene Rowe; and brother, Jim Adams.
Juanita is survived by her daughter and son-in-law, Phyllis and Bill Laymon of Paragould;
brothers and sister-in-law, Ted and Jeanine Adams of Paragould and Bobby Adams of Florida;
sister and brother-in-law, Peggy and Norman Farley of Anderson Texas; brothers-in-law,
Bobby Rowe and Vernon Powers of Paragould; stepsons, Bobby Thomason of Memphis and Jim
Thomason of Little Rock; stepdaughter, Jo-Ann Singleton of Missouri; son-in-law, Larry
Stanley of Paragould; daughter-in-law, Jenny Ray of Jonesboro; seven grandchildren: Karen
Ford, Robert Stanley, Gregory Stanley, Steve Ray, Tim Ray, Mike Laymon and Tony Laymon;
six step grandchildren: Kevin, Sonny, Sabrina, Todd, Tammy, Chris; and several great
grandchildren.
The family will receive friends Saturday from 2-3 p.m. at Heath Funeral Home. Graveside
services will follow at Linwood Cemetery at 3:30 p.m. with Reverend Jim Chapman
officiating. Pallbearers wil be TIm Ford, James Lee Stanley, Greg Stanley, Gene Stanley,
Steve Ray and Tim Ray. Memorials may be made to Paragould Nursing and Rehab Center or
Arkansas Methodist Medical Center Auxiliary Scholarship fund.
Lisa Dianne Cochran
Lisa Dianne Cochran, 36, of Paragould died Friday, May 13, 2005, at her residence.
Born in Paragould, she was a former employee of Emerson Electric and of the Pentecostal
faith.
Survivors include her husband, Delbert Cochran of Paragould; her mother, Lessie Rice of
Paragould; two brothers, Lanny Rice of Overland, Mo., and Danny Rice of Paragould; and a
sister, Nelda Revoir of Paragould.
She was preceded in death by one daughter, Lisa Dianne Cochran, and her father, Fletcher
Rice.
Funeral services will be at 1:30 p.m. Saturday in the chapel of Mitchell Funeral Home,
with Jesse Dollars officiating. Burial will follow in Greene County Memorial Gardens
Cemetery.
Visitation will be from 6-9 p.m. today and Friday at the funeral home.
Rachel Matthews
Rachel Matthews, 97, of Paragould died Tuesday, May 17, 2005, at Greene Acres Nursing
Home.
Born at Lafe, she was a retired school teacher and a member of West View Baptist Church.
She was preceded in death by her husband, Clive Matthews; her parents, John and Lela Hill;
her stepmother, Lillian Hill; one brother; and two sisters.
Funeral services will be held at 2 p.m. Friday at the Mitchell Funeral Home chapel, with
Ronnie Winn officiating. Burial will follow in Greene County Memorial Gardens.
Active pallbearers will be Nathan Thompson, Randy Hannah, Stan Hill, Ed Hill, Matt Hill,
John Hill and Jodi Whitfield.
Lawrence Hamilton will serve as honorary pallbearer.
Visitation will be from 1-2 p.m. Friday at the funeral home.
Dennis James Greene
Dennis James Greene, 38, of Paragould died Friday, May 20, 2005, at Arkansas Methodist
Medical Center.
Born at Pocahontas, he was a self-employed carpet layer and was of the Methodist belief.
Survivors include his wife, Virginia Greene of Paragould; two daughters, Brandi Greene of
Paragould and Nick Greene of Jonesboro; his parents, James and Senoa Greene, both of
Paragould; and a half-sister, Patricia Fourthman of Indiana.
He was preceded in death by a brother.
Graveside services will be at 1:30 p.m. Tuesday in St. Mary's Cemetery, with the Rev. Zach
Roberts officiating. Heath Funeral Home is in charge of arrangements.
No visitation is scheduled.
Lester Thomas Faulkner
Lester Thomas Faulkner, 90, of Light died Saturday, May 21, 2005, at Arkansas Methodist
Medical Center.
Born in Greene County, he was a bus driver for Stanford School District for 22 years and a
farmer. He was a charter member of Light Baptist Church.
Survivors include his wife, Viva Faulkner of Light; two sons, Star Faulkner of Stanford
and Rod Faulkner of Light; one daughter, Reda Orick of Light; two brothers, A.C. Faulkner
of Dallas and Joe Hill Faulkner; four sisters, Bill Anderson of Paragould, Nadine Cupp of
Porterville, Calif., Jenny Boyd of Kenndale, Texas, and Lora Stott of Dupo, Ill., eight
grandchildren; and 10 great-grandchildren.
He was preceded in death by his parents, James David and Donnie Mangrum Faulkner, one
brother and three sisters.
Funeral services will be at 10:30 a.m. Tuesday at Heath Funeral Home's Colonial Chapel,
with the Rev. Raymond Atwood officiating. Burial will be in Shiloh Cemetery at Paragould.
Active pallbearers will be Rodney Orick, Steve Faulkner, Tony Faulkner, Carroll Rice,
Danny Rice and Jerry Shipman.
Honorary pallbearers will include Christopher Hicks, Chad Wood, Brett Bradford and Chris
Boozer.
Visitation will be from 6-9 p.m. today at the funeral home.
Memorials may be made to Light Baptist Church.
Ruby Lee Principi
Ruby Lee Principi, 70, of Paragould, died May 22, 2005, at St. Bernards Medical Center.
She was born December 9, 1934, in Luxora, Arkansas, to Curtis and Sybil Heath.
Mrs. Principi retired from Kimberly Clark in Memphis after thirty-seven years of service.
She was a member of St. Mary's Catholic Church. Memorial contributions to St. Mary's
Church would be appreciated.
Survivors include her husband, Fred J. Principi, Jr,. of Paragould; two sons and
daughters-in-law, John S. and Donna L. Graves of Paragould, and Phillip C. and Cathy
Jones, both of Luxora; and by four grandchildren, Shannon L. Graves, Douglas R. Graves,
Phillip Graves and Jeremy Graves.
She was preceded in death by her parents and by one brother, Raymond Heath.
Visitation will be today from 6:00-8:00 p.m. at Mitchell Funeral Home, Paragould. A rosary
service will be conducted at 7:00 p.m., today, in the Mitchell Funeral Home Chapel with
her son, Phillip C. Graves officiating. Burial will follow in the St. Mary's Cemetery.
Douglas Graves, Jeremy Graves, Phillip Graves, Russell Chism, Donnie Bryeans, and Dean
Brown will serve as pallbearers.
Alma Kathryn Pruitt
Alma Kathryn Pruitt, 87, of Campbell, Missouri, died Sunday, May 22, 2005, at General
Baptist Nursing Home in Campbell. She was retired from Ely & Walker Shirt factory in
Paragould and was a member of Immanuel Baptist Church.
She is preceded in death by her husband, William B. Pruitt; parents, Grover C. &
Bessie Mae (Pope) Hill and sister, Jessie Ruth Davis.
She is survived by her son, H.C. Pruitt of Piggott, Arkansas; grandsons Curtis Taylor and
his wife, Julie and Jeremy Pruitt and his wife, Luchana of Paragould; great grandchildren
Jacob and Emma Taylor of Paragould.
Visitation will be today from 7-9 p.m. at Heath Funeral Home. The funeral will be 10 a.m.
Wednesday at the Heath Colonial Chapel with Reverend Kevin Murray officiating. Burial will
follow at Greene County memorial Gardens. Pallbearers: Sam Staal, David Vuurman, C.L.
Stevens, Jeff Cupples, Jerry Manley. Honorary Pallbearer: R.C. Rogers.
Memorials may be made to the Immanuel Baptist Church.
Roy Lee Wallace
Roy Lee Wallace, of Paragould died Sunday, May 22, 2005. He retired from the U.S. Navy in
1971 and was a retired letter carrier in 1992.
He is survived by his wife, Elise Wallace of Paragould; sons, Louie Wallace of Montgomery,
Alabama, and David Wallace of Paragould; daughter Twilla Nichols of Montgomery; brothers,
Chester William Wallace and Bobby Wayne Ciscell of Paragould and sister, Stella Louis
Smith of Paragould; grandsons, Carl and Dennis of Ramer, Alabama, and granddaughter, Ariel
of Paragould.
He was preceded in death by his parents, Walter A. and Catherine Flora Rennit Wallace.
Visitation will be today from 6-8 p.m. at the Heath Funeral Home. Graveside services will
be Wednesday, 1 p.m. at Brown's Chapel Cemetery with Tim Blankenship officiating.
Pallbearers: Carl Chadwick, Brad Harris, Joe Foresythe, Brian Brightwell, Greg Blackburn,
Rebel Howell.
Braxton Alexander Rabah
Braxton Alexander Rabah, infant son of Aaron Nasim and Brittany Shree Glasgow Rabah of
Lafe, died Sunday, May 22, 2005 at University of Arkansas for Medical Sciences at Little
Rock.
Survivors in addition to his parents include, paternal grandmother, Camela Rabah of Lafe;
paternal grandfather, Martin Rabah of Blytheville; maternal grandparents, Mark and Leah
Glasgow of McDougal; and great-grandparents, Bobby and June Burns of Lafe and Judy and
Donald Rice of the Mounds community.
Graveside services will be at 11 a.m. Wednesday in Friendship Cemetery near Paragould,
with the Rev. Billy Mack Bass officiating. Burial will be under the direction of Irby
Funeral Home of Rector.
Visitation will be from 9-10:30 a.m. Wednesday at the funeral home.
Memorials may be made to the Ben-Buddy Angel Project, 2906 Newcastle Drive, Paragould.
Ella Faye Deis
Ella Faye Deis, 70, of Jonesboro died Sunday, May 22, 2005 at NEA Medical Center.
Born at Placki, Mo., she lived in Jonesboro for several years and was a homemaker and
retired truck driver. She was a member of Pilgrim Lutheran Church.
Survivors include her husband, Donald J. Deis Sr. of the home; a son, Donald J. Deis Jr.
of Jonesboro; two daughters, Cathy Carstens and Donna Stevens, both of Jonesboro; and
several grandchildren.
She was preceded in death by a daughter, Marsha Ellen Pemberton; a son, Robert Edward
Dickeson; and her parents, Wilkie and Elizabeth Overholtz Clark.
Funeral services will be at 1 p.m. Wednesday at Pilgrim Lutheran Church, with Russell
Shewmaker officiating. Burial will be in Crossroads Cemetery near Lorado, under the
direction of Gregg Funeral Home of Jonesboro.
Pallbearers will be Mile Carstens, Roger Stevenson, James Wallington, Donald J. Deis Jr.,
John Pemberton and Henry and Henry Grant.
Visitation will be from 6-8 p.m. today at the funeral home.
William 'Bill' Richardson
William "Bill" Richardson, 75, of Paragould died Thursday, May 26, 2005, at his
residence.
Born at Hornersville, Mo., he was formerly employed by Goins Gravel Pit and was a retired
heavy equipment operator.
Survivors include two grandsons, William Todd Mecker and Roderick Michael Mecker, and four
great-grandchildren.
He was preceded in death by one daughter, Sandra Meeker; his parents, Ray and Mary Gordon
Richardson; and one brother.
Graveside services will be at 11 a.m. Saturday in Morrow Cemetery at Stanford, with L.R.
Smith officiating. Burial will be under the direction of Heath Funeral Home of Paragould.
Active pallbearers will be Todd Meeker, Mike Meeker, Richie Richardson, Steve Goins, A.G.
Allen, Randy Turner, Kevin McCullar and Allen McCullar.
Honorary pallbearers will include Kenneth Richardson, H. Reynolds, Norman Reeves, Donnie
Smith and Kenny Dillon.
There will be no visitation.
C. Marie Rippy
C. Marie Rippy, 84, of Marmaduke died Thursday, May 26, 2005, at Senath, Mo., Nursing
Home.
Born in Greene County, she was a lifelong member of the community, a homemaker and a
member of Marmaduke Church of Christ.
Survivors include a daughter, Sharon Hale of Marmaduke; two brothers, Wilburn Reddick of
Portia and Raymond Reddick of Marmaduke; two sisters, Norma Allison of Farmington, Mo.,
and Ida Underwood of Mountain Home; four grandchildren, Michael Rippy of Marmaduke, Kelly
Rippy of Searcy and Jennifer Rippy and Jessie Hale, both of Paragould; and seven
great-grandchildren.
She was preceded in death by her husband, Merl Rippy; a son, Bob Rippy; her parents,
"Toby" Clarence and Alice Belle Williams Reddick.
Funeral services will be at 2 p.m. Sunday in the chapel of Irby Funeral Home of Marmaduke.
Burial will be in Woodland Heights Cemetery at Rector.
Pallbearers will be Kevin Rippy, Keith Morrow, Clovis Reddick, Bill Reddick and Joey
Vinson.
Visitation will begin at 6 p.m. today at the funeral home.
Glen Tyner
Glen Tyner, 76, of Paragould, died Saturday, May 28, 2005, at St. Bernards Medical
Center in Jonesboro.
Born in Senath, Mo., May 25, 1929, he was a member of Second and Walnut Street Church of
Christ. He enjoyed raising and showing Black Angus cattle, was a member of the Arkansas
Angus Association, served as J.P. of Collier Township, was a member of the National
Farmer's Organization, and was a retired inspector for the L.A. Darling Company.
Survivors include his wife, Martha Stidham Tyner of Paragould; three daughters and
sons-in-law, Glenda and Lanny Thompson and Diann and Clifton Powers of Paragould, and
Darlene and Sonny Hunt of Jonesboro; one son, Scott Tyner of Paragould; one sister, Maxine
Akins of Paragould; nine grandchildren, Lanny Thompson Jr., Keitha Dickson, Nick, Chad and
Kirk Cupp, Seth and Brad Overton, and Kately and Kassie Tyner; five great-grandchildren,
Chance and Abbie Dickson and Austin, Brianna and Garrett Cupp; and several nieces and
nephews.
He was preceded in death by his parents, V.J. and Sylvia Tyner, and one brother and four
sisters.
Funeral services will be 1:30 p.m. Wednesday at Mitchell
Funeral Home of Paragould with James A. Brown and Ed Dye officiating. Burial will be at
Shiloh Cemetery.
Active pallbearers will be Ed Walls, Frank Hyde, Jerry Sample, John Back, Dick Mitchell
and Estes Craig. Honorary pallbearers will include Tim Johnson, Jack Taylor, Charles
Smith, and Weldon McClure.
Visitation will be 6 to 9 p.m. today at the funeral home.
In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made to the American Cancer Society.
Ernest O'Neil Horton
Ernest O'Neil Horton, 68, of Paragould died Friday, May 27, 2005, at St. Bernard's Medical
Center.
Born at Evening Shade, he was a retired Army veteran, serving two tours of duty in
Vietnam.
Survivors include five sons, David Horton, Phillip Horton and Howard Horton, all of
Caraway, and Karl Horton and Charles Horton, both of Paragould; two daughters, Lavanda Sue
Martin of Luxora and Paula Hensley of Caraway; three brothers, Hubert Horton of Seattle,
Herbert Roland Horton of Cherokee Village and Leon Horton of Powhatan; a sister, Sue Jane
Bolt of Strawberry; and six grandchildren.
He was preceded in death by his parents, Arthur and Eunice Horton, and a brother.
A memorial service will be at 2 p.m. Tuesday at the home of his son, Karl Horton, 11159
Arkansas 412 West, Paragould. Arrangements are under the direction of Mitchell Funeral
Home of Paragould.
Walter Hatfield Bynum
Walter Hatfield Bynum, 68, of Memphis, formerly of Paragould, died Monday, May 23, 2005,
at Memphis.
He was a retired banker.
Survivors include his wife, Ophelia Jones Bynum of the home; one son, Joe Bynum of Olive
Branch, Miss.; one granddaughter, Samantha Perepichay of Los Angeles; and one
great-grandson.
He was preceded in death by his parents, Joseph and Mary Hatfield Bynum.
A graveside service was held Monday at Linwood Cemetery under the direction of Heath
Funeral Home of Paragould.
Sherry Kay Rinks
Sherry Kay Rinks, 60, of Paragould died Sunday, May 29, 2005, at Arkansas Methodist
Medical Center.
Born in Paragould, she was a retired assembler for Emerson Electric Co.
Survivors include her husband, Vernon Rinks of Paragould; two sons, Marty Klemmer of
Paragould and Keith Klemmer of Russellville; a daughter, Angela Klemmer of Paragould; two
stepdaughters, Phyllis Bishop of Paragould and Deborah Reif of Chicago; five stepsons,
Michael Matthews of Brookland, Larry Matthews, Stephen Matthews and Bill Matthews, all of
Paragould, and Pete Wilson of Kentucky; four sisters, Betty Nuckles and Terrie Strong,
both of Jonesboro, Brenda Rouse of Knobel and Retha Hawkins of Leachville; and several
grandchildren.
She was preceded in death by one stepson, Richard Matthews, and her parents, Armond and
Viola Wickam Lang.
A memorial service is scheduled for 10 a.m. today at Heath Funeral Home's Colonial Chapel,
with the Rev. George Haygood officiating.
|