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Surnames Beginning with B

BALLAUF, Mrs. Edith
Surnames: Ballauf, Goldberg, Alexander, Jones, Rogers, Finks, Green, Bass, Borders, Forbes
Funeral service for Mrs. Edith Ballauf, who died Tuesday morning, was held Wednesday morning at 10 o'clock at the Beasley - Wood Funeral Home with the Rev. Charles Burgess officiating. Following the service the body was taken to the former home at Jefferson, Texas, where burial took place at Oakwood Cemetery at 3 o'clock Wednesday afternoon with Rev. Johnson of the first Baptist Church of Jefferson officiating. The pallbearers were B. G. Alexander, Ray Jones, James Rogers, W.A. Finks, W.I. Green, Arthur Bass, Charles Borders and Guilford Forbes. Mrs. Ballauf was born October 18, 1877, at Gibsland, La. She had been a member of the Baptist Church since 1900 and was active in church work until her health failed. With her husband, she came to Mena in 1920 from Texas and Mr. Ballauf, a mining engineer and prospector, preceded her in death January 19, 1934. She is survived by a sister-in-law, Mrs. I. L. Goldberg, Jefferson, Texas, and six cousins.
Mena Star, April 5, 1951
Contributed by Janet

BALLEW, Elverda Cooper
Surnames: BALLEW, CROW, VAUGHT, BOGARD, HUGHES, HENSLEY, STOCKTON, MASTERS, CORLEY, GARRISON, BAKER, BAIN, COOPER, KNOWLES, MORRIS, THOMAS, STEWMAN
Funeral service for Mrs. Elverda Cooper Ballew, wife of Jeff Ballew of the Nunley community who died Friday, December 30, was held Sunday afternoon at 2:30 o'clock at the Dallas Avenue Baptist church with the Rev. M.LO. Wallis officiating, assisted by the Rev. Douglas Fried. Burial at Nunley Cemetery was directed by the Beasley-Wood Funeral Home. The pallbearers were Hershell Crow, Bird Vaught, Reed Bogart, Richard Hughes, Hobart Hensley, Roy Stockton and T.C. Masters. Mrs. Ballew was born in Polk County November 12, 1905 and had lived in this country all her life. She was married to Mr. Ballew July 21, 1928. She was a member of the Baptist Church. Besides her husband, she is survived by three daughters, Mrs. Helen Corley, Mena; Miss Patsy Ann Ballew and Miss Martha Jo Ballew, Nunley; a son, Tommie Ballew, Nunley; three sisters, Mrs. Allie Garrison, Brentwood, Calif; Mrs. Susie Baker, Wickes; Mrs. Pauline Bain, Mena; four brothers, Seaborn Cooper, Grass Valley, Calif; Omar Cooper, Oakley, Calif, Lonnie and Alfred Cooper, Victor, Calif, and two grandchildren. From out of town attending the funeral were Mr. and Mrs. E.D. Knowles, Kingman, Kans; Mr. and Mrs. Jack Ballew and daughter, Muskogee, Okla; Mr. and Mrs. Jewell Morris, Houston, Texas; Mr. and Mrs. Chester Baker and Mrs. Albert Baker, Wickes; Mr. and Mrs. Clyde Thomas, Gillham, Ark; and Anderson Stewman, Fort Smith, Ark.
Mena Weekly Star, Jan. 5, 1956

BARTON, Gilbert Henry
Surnames: Barton, Emerson, Elem, Melton, Gower, Crow, Roberts
Gilbert Henry Barton, age 86, of Cove, died Tuesday, March 17, 1998, in the Mena Medical Center. He was born Aug. 29, 1911 in Cove, AR the son of the late Claudius Barton and the late Carrie Bell Emerson. He was united in marriage to Hattie Marie Elem on Aug. 4, 1934, in Cove. He made his home in Cove all of his life, was a farmer and a member of the Pleasant Grove Nazarene Church. Survivors include his wife, Marie Barton, Cove; 2 sons, Walter Barton and wife Joyce, and Kenneth Barton and wife Glenda; two daughters, Florence Melton and husband Raymond, and Rena Gower and husband Bill; sisters: Ruth Crow and Velma Roberts; 8 grandchildren, 14 great grandchildren, 2 great great grandchildren and several nieces and nephews. Funeral services were held Friday, March 20 in the Pleasant Grove Nazarene Church with Bro. Gaylon White officiating. Interment followed in the Pleasant Grove Cemetery under the direction of Hall Funeral Service of Mena. Pallbearers were the grandsons.
From the Mena Star newspaper - 9 Apr 1998

BATES, Martin Stephen
Surnames: Bates, Brookfield, Brooks
Martin Stephen Bates, aged 75 years, 6 months and 22 days, passed away Friday morning at his home on South Fourth Street, after having been in feeble health for some weeks. He was born March 20, 1842, in Cherokee County, Georgia, and grew to manhood in this state. He served four years in the Civil War. He was married on November 30, 1867, to Miss Sarah Elizabeth Brooks and to this union were born fifteen children, six daughters and nine sons. Of these, seven, with the mother, survive the father. The surviving children are T.R.Bates, Hatfield; Mrs. Sally Brookfield of Egger; J. T. Bates of Siloam Springs; John C. Bates, Mena; Stephen M. Bates, Ink; Harrison Bates, Possey Hollow; Charles Bates, Mena. Mr. Bates united with the Primitive Baptist church in 1865 and lived a consistent Christian life to the time of his death, serving his church for several years as minister. The funeral services, conducted by the Rev. L. Smith of the First Baptist Church, was held at the home Saturday morning at 9 o'clock. Burial was in the I.O.O.F. Cemetery.
The Mena Star - Date-Of-Death: 9 October 1917
Contributed by: Diane Jordan Jones

BATES, Nancy Ann
Surnames: Bates, Rowe, Pigg, Butler
Funeral service for Mrs. Nancy Ann Bates, widow of the late T.R.Bates, former Mena merchant, who died Tuesday, October 31, at the home of her daughter, Mrs. Doyle T. Rowe at Little Rock just one week following the death of her husband, October 24, was held Thursday morning at 10 o'clock at the Beasley-Wood Chapel with the Rev. A.L. McDaniel, pastor of the First Baptist Church officiating. Burial at Pinecrest Memorial Park was directed by the Beasley Wood Funeral Home. The pallbearers were Horace Rowe, Ray Jordon, Ross Goodner, Bill Bates, W.I. Green, Ralph Turner, Kelsie Skinner and Fred Philpot. Mrs. Bates was born April 16, 1870 at Mount Ida, Ark. She was married to Mr. Bates July 24, 1885 at Old Dallas, Ark., three miles south of Mena which at that time was the county seat of Polk County. She was a member of the Primitive Baptist Church. She is survied by three daughters, Mrs. Rowe, at whose home she died; Mrs. Levi Pigg, Muskogee, Okla.; Mrs. J.J. Butler, Cyril, Okla.; three sons, Samuel Bates, Locksburg, Ark.; Lee Bates, Oklahoma City, Okla.; Albert Bates, Fort Worth, Texas; a brother, T. J. Goodner, Lindsey, Okla.; 17 grandchildren and 19 great grand children. Out of town relatives and friends attending the funeral included: Rev. and Mrs. D.T. Rowe, Little Rock; Mrs. and Mrs. J.J. Butler, Cyril, Okla.; Mr.and Mrs. Albert Bates and son, Fort Worth, Texas; W.S. Bates, Locksburg, Ark.; Mr. and Mrs. Lee Bates, Oklahoma city; Ross Goodner, Lindsey, Ok.; Mrs. Ona Goodner, Maysville, Ok.; Mrs. Delia Dejraffenreid, Maysville, Ok.; Franlin D. Bates, Oklahoma City, Rufus and Lester Goodner, Mt. Ida, Mr. and Mrs. Joe Washkill, Hot Springs. Mr. and Mrs. Stephen Bates, Locksburg; Mr. and Mrs. Horace Rowe, De Queen; Mr. and Mrs. Ray Jordon, Muskogee.
Mena Weekly Star
October 1950

BATES, Sarah Elizabeth Brooks
Surnames: BATES - BROOKS
Funeral service for Mrs. Sarah Elizabeth Bates <nee Brooks> who died June 23 at the home of her son, M.S. Bates Jr., at Mount Ida, was held Thursday afternoon at 4 o'clock at the Primitive Baptist Church in Mena with The Rev. W.B. McMillan, pastor, assisted by The Rev. Robert Beasley, pastor of the Methodist Church at Mount Ida, officiating. Burial took place at Pinecrest Memorial Park with the Beasley Funeral Home directing. The pallbearers were S. M. Cunningham, G.W. Petty, J. F. Averitt, J. B. Goss, Frank M. Jones and D.A. Daniels. Deceased was born at Powder Springs, Ga., June 26, 1850. She came to Arkansas in 1866 and had made her home in the state since that time. Until the past year, when she moved to Mount Ida to live with her son, at whose home she died, she had lived in Mena for a number of years. Mrs. Bates' husband, M.S. Bates, a Civil War Veteran, preceded her in death in October, 1917. She is survived by five sons, T.R. Bates, Healdton, Okla.; M.S. Bates, Jr., Mount Ida; Joe Bates, Dallas Texas; Harrison Bates, San Diego, California; Charles Bates, Mena; also 35 grandchildren and 27 great grandchildren.
The Mena Star - Date-Of-Death: 23 June 1937
Diane Jordan Jones

BATES, Stephen
Surnames: Bates, Smith, Edwards, Newman, Holmes, Holman, Lewis
Funeral service for Stephen Bates, retired Polk County Farmer who died Wednesday at his home in the Big Fork Community, was held Sunday morning at 11 o'clock at Pleasant Grove Cemetery near Big Fork with Oren R. Wood of Mena in charge. Burial was directed by the Beasley-Wood Funeral Home. The pallbearers were Boss Bilbeck, Walter Lawrence, Fred Embry, R.E. Lee, Ellis Goss, Grover Roach, J. B. Wallace, Sr., and Buster Brown. Mr. Bates was born at Big Fork, May 21, 1856 and spent his entire life in that community. In 1875, he was married to Miss Sarah Elizabeth Smith, who preceded him in death in 1945. He is surveved by five daughters, Mrs. Sarah Edwards, Big Fork; Mrs. Mary Newman; Mrs. Cora Holmes, Mena; Mrs. Tom Holman; Mrs. Dollie Lewis, Board Camp; three sons, Frank Bates, Opal; Litt Bates, Board Camp; Luther Bates, Norman; 31 grandchildren, 52 great grandhildren and six great-great grandhildren.

The Mena Star
Diane Jordan Jones

BATES, Thomas R.
Surnames: Bates, Pigg, Rowe, Jordan, Goodner, Butler, Sekrovic
Funeral service for Thomas Royal Bates, former Mena resident who died Tuesday, October 24 at the home of a daughter, Mrs. Levi Pigg at Muskogee, Okla., was held Sunday afternoon at 2 o'clock at the Beasley-Wood Chapel with the Rev. A.L. McDaniel, pastor of the First Baptist Church, officiating. Burial was at Pinecrest Memorial Park. The pallbearers were Claude Bates, Waltham Bates, Cleo Bates, Bill Bates, Horace Rowe and Ray Jordan. Mr. Bates was born March 4, 1867 at Marietta, Ga. He was married to Miss Nancy Ann Goodner, July 24, 1885 at Old Dallas, then the county seat of Polk County. He operated mercantile stores in Mena, Potter and Hatfield, Ark.; Rigland and Sulphur, Okla., and in 1949 sold his Sulphur store to Jim Turner and sons of Mena. He was a member of the Primitive Baptist Church and former member of the Elks and Odd Fellows Lodges. Besides his wife, Mr. Bates is survived by three daughters, Mrs. J.J.Butler, Cyril, Okla. Mrs. Levi Pigg, Muskogee, Okla.; Mrs. Doyle Rowe, Little Rock; three sons, Sam Bates, Lockesburg, Ark.; Lee Bates, Oklahoma City, Okla.; Albert Bates, Fort Worth, Tex.; two brothers, Stephen Bates, Lockesburg, Harrison Bates, Los Angeles, Calif.; 17 grandchildren and 19 great grandchildren. Out of town relatives and friends attending the funeral were Mr. and Mrs. Waltham Bates, Pasadena, Calif.; Mr. and Mrs. Lee Bates, Oklahoma City; Mrs. and Mrs. D.T. Rowe, Little Rock; Mr. and Mrs. Albert "Abb" Bates, Forth Worth, Texas; Mr. and Mrs. Claude Bates, Mrs. Charles Bates, Miss Pauline Bates, Miss Wanda Bates, Oklahoma City, Mrs. and Mrs. Stephen Bates; Samuel Bates, Lockesburg, Ark.; Mr. and Mrs. J.J. Butler, Cyril, Okla.; Mr. and Mrs. Horace Rowe, De Queen; Mr. and Mrs. J.S.Fisher and children, Okeemah, Okla.; Ray Jordan, Muskogee, Okla.; Mr. and Mres Cleo Bates, De Queen, and Mr. and Mrs. Rufus Goodner and Mrs. Milos Sekrovic and daughters of Mt. Ida.
The Mena Star - Date-Of-Death: 24 October 1950
Contributed by Diane Jordan Jones

May Jane Bowen Beck
The Mena Star, Mena, Arkansas, Wednesday, May 19, 1982, page 12A, columns 2 & 3
MRS. MAE JANE BECK
Mrs. May Jane Beck, 79, of Sulphur Springs died Saturday afternoon in St. Joseph Hospital at Hot Springs. She was born May 16, 1902 at Alf, Arkansas.
Funeral services were conducted Monday in the Beasley-Wood Funeral Home Chapel at 2 p.m. with the Rev. Emmett Sherman officiating. Interment was in Caddo Cemetery under the direction of Beasley-Wood Funeral Home.
Pallbearers were Mike Mullenix, Jeff Mullenix, John Byrd, Wayne Free, Richard Free, Joe Free, Eddie Black, Jeff Black, Michael Adams, and Phillip Poliquin.
Mrs. Beck was the daughter of the late Monroe Bowen and Mrs. Sarah Hughes Bowen and was married to Wayne W. Beck December 23, 1917 at Sulphur Springs. Mrs. Beck was a member of the Hillside Baptist Church.
Survivors are her husband Wayne W. Beck, Sulphur Springs; four daughters, Mrs. Hazel Free, Hot Springs, Mrs. Floriece Black, Benton, Mrs. Marie Mullenix, Mt. Ida, and Mrs. Bertie Roberts, Texarkans; seven brothers, Wesley Bowen, Decatur, Ark., Wiley Bowen, Lamar, Colo., Cecil Bowen, Charley Bowen, Morris Bowen, Odis Bowen, and Nick Bowen, all of Mena; two sisters, Mrs. Ida Harris, Mena, and Mrs. Mary Lacefield, Perry, Ga.; 20 grandchildren; and 1 great-grandchild; several nieces and nephews and a host of friends.
Mrs. Beck was also preceded in death by two daughters: Ester Jewell Beck in 1920 and Ilene Graves in 1977.

Wayne Winton Beck
The Mena Star, Mena, Ark., Wednesday, March 26, 1986
WAYNE WINTON BECK
Wayne Winton Beck, 89, of Sulphur Springs community, died Saturday in a Hot Springs hospital. He was born November 7, 1896 at Alf.
Funeral service was held Monday afternoon at 2 in the Beasley-Wood Chapel with Bro Emmett Sherman officiating. Interment was in the Caddo Cemetery under the direction of Beasley-Wood Funeral Home.
Pallbearers were Mike Mullenix, Jeff Mullenix, John Byrd, Wayne Free, Richard Free, Joe Free, Larry Black and John Free.
Honorary pallbearers were James Swindle and Austin Swindle.
Beck was the son of the late Johathan (sic) Beck and the late Mrs. Rhoda Owensby Beck and was united in marriage to Miss May Jane Bowen December 23, 1917 at Sulphur Springs. She preceded him in death May 15, 1982. He had lived in the Sulphur Springs community most of his life, was a member of the Hill Side Baptist Church and was a retired farmer and timber worker.
Survivors are four daughters, Mrs. Hazel Free, Hot Springs, Mrs. Floriece Black, Benton, Mrs. Marie Mullenix, Mount Ida, and Mrs. Bertie Roberts, Texarkana, Tex.; one sister, Mrs. Florence Logan, Longview, Wash.; 19 grandchildren; 40 great-grandchildren; two great-great grandchildren.
Beck was preceded in death by two daughters, Ester Jewell Beck in 1920, Mrs. Ilene Graves in 1977, one sister, Mrs. Ethel Swindle of Black Springs.

BICKLE, Fannie
Mrs. Fannie Bickle 65, died April 18 at Quinton, Okla.
Sheriff Bud Bickle has received word of the death of Mrs. Fannie Bickle, which occurred near Quinton, Okla., on April 18. Mrs. Bickle was the wife of John Bickle, a pioneer resident of Polk county, and was herself one of the early settlers of the highlands. Burial took place at the family home in Oklahoma on April 19. Mrs. Bickle was 65 years of age and still has numerous relations in Polk county. John Bickle is the oldest brother of Sheriff Bickle and he and his wife formerly lived near Old Potter, John Bickle having homesteaded what is known as the Pigg farm on the Jefferson highway. The family left here about 20 years ago for a new home in Oklahoma.
THE MENA STAR 28 APRIL, 1927
Wanda

BISSELL, Alsetta
Surnames: Bissell, Larkin
Mrs. Alsetta Bissell, wife of C. H. Bissell, passed away to spirit life at 4:50 this morning surrounded by members of her family. Mrs. Bissell, as quite generally known, had been aflicted with consumption for a long time, and though everything had been done that was possible, she gradually grew worse, especially since the death of her son a few weeks ago and the end came this morning, as stated above. She was born at Xenia, Ohio, on September 29, 1850, and married C. H. Bissell on October 1, 1871 at Lincoln, Ill. There are three children; Mrs. Larkin, Charlie and Clara.
Mena Star - Dec 23, 1902
County Coordinator

James Shelton Monroe Bowen
The Mena Weekly Star, Thursday, April 3, 1941, page 5 column 8
Funeral Service for J. M. Bowen Was Held Sunday
Funeral service for James Shelton Monroe Bowen, well-known retired Polk County farmer who died Saturday at a local hospital, was held Sunday afternoon at 2 o'clock at the Lower Big Fork church. Ministers who took part in the service were the Rev. Sam Sherman, the Rev. L. D. Summers, the Rev. Bud Moore and the Rev. J. B. Liles. Burial at Lower Big Fork cemetery was directed by the Beasley-Wood Funeral home. Masonic funeral rites at the grave were in charge of Dallas Lodge No. 128, F. & A. Masons of Mena. The pallbearers were G. A. Liles, W. L. Lunsford, J. F. Lunsford, Lon Lunsford, Joe Russell, A. A. Loftis, A. F. Betts and Ed Lewis.
Mr. Bowen was born in Polk county November 9, 1878, and spent his entire life in this and Montgomery county. He had been a member of the Missionary Baptist church since 1896. On January 3, 1897, he was married to Miss Sarah Emma Hughes in the Sulphur Springs community. He had been a member of the Masonic lodge since 1903.
Besides his wife, Mr. Bowen is survived by thirteen children, J. G., Cecil J. and W. H. Bowen of Opal; W. L. Bowen and Mrs. Adrian Lacefield, Mena; W. R., Cornelius and Mrs. Ida Harris, Lamar, Colo.; Mrs. W. W. Beck, Alf; A. W. Bowen, Amherst, Texas; Rev. Charles C. Bowen, Arkadelphia, Ark.; T. M. Bowen, U. S. navy in south Pacific; Odus Bowen, Fort Sill, Okla.; a brother, Thomas Bowen, Phoenix, Ariz.; nineteen grandchildren and three great grandchildren.

Sarah Emmaline Hughes Bowen
The Mena Weekly Star, Thursday March 1, 1973, page 4A, Col. 4-5
SARAH BOWEN
Mrs. Sarah Emmaline Bowen of 604 Fourth Street died Saturday morning in the Polk County Memorial Hospital.
Born June 19, 1880, at Arkadelphia, she was 92.
Funeral services were conducted Monday afternoon in the Union Mission Church, with Rev. Bill Dunahoo officiating. Interment was in Lower Big Fork Cemetery under the direction of the Beasley-Wood Funeral Home.
Casketbearers were Michael E. Lacefield, Patrick A. Lacefield, Charles A. Bowen, James M. Bowen, Kenneth J. Bowen, T. Gerald Bowen, Cleston C. Bowen and M. Rodney Bowen.
Hon. casketbearers were Kennith E. Harris, James M. Bowen, James W. Bowen, W. Jerry Bowen, D. William Bowen, Jim M. Bowen, J. D. Bowen, and Garry L. Bowen.
Mrs. Bowen was the daughter of the late Rev. J. Mark Hughes, and Erma (sic - Emma) Fulton Hughes. Mrs. Bowen became a member of the Baptist Church at an early age. For the past several years, she had attended the Union Mission Church. She was united in marriage to James Monroe Bowen on Jan. 3, 1897, at Black Springs. He preceded her in death on March 21, 1941. Five children preceded her in death, including one daughter, Gladys, and four sons, Osie, Guilford, Granville, and William.
Survivors include eight sons, Cecil Bowen, Rev. Charley Bowen, Morris Bowen and Odis Bowen, all of Mena, Hugh Bowen of Texarkana, Wiley Bowen and Nick Bowen of Lamar, Colo.; and Rev. Wesley Bowen of Claremore, Okla.; Three daughters, Mrs. Ida Harris and Mrs. May Beck, both of Mena, and Mrs. Mary Lacefield of Perry, Ga.; one brother, W. O. Hughes of Mena; 32 grandchildren; 57 great-grandchildren; 23 great-great-grandchildren and several nieces and nephews.
[Note: James M. Bowen, casketbearer, was James Milford Bowen, the son of Charles C. Bowen. Hon. casketbearers, James M. Bowen and Jim M. Bowen, were sons of Wesley Bowen and Wiley Bowen, both named James Monroe Bowen.]

James Granville Bowen
The Mena Weekly Star, Mena, Ark., Thursday, May 6, 1943, pages 4 and 6
James G. Bowen
Funeral service for James Granville Bowen, member of a widely known Polk county family who died Thursday at his home at Opal, was held Tuesday morning at 10 o'clock at Lower Big Fork church with Rev. J. B. Liles and Rev. Sam Sherman officiating. Burial at Lower Big Fork cemetery was directed by the Beasley-Wood Funeral Home.
The pallbearers were Olen Lambert, Bill New, Ollie Hughes, Teal Hughes, Willis Bates and Drew Standridge.
Mr. Bowen was born at Alf, Ark., April 7, 1899. He had been a resident of the Opal community for the past 20 years. He was married to Miss Vida Lively in 1919 and besides his wife is survived by a daughter, Mrs. Cleo Miller, Opal; a son, Sgt. Cleston Bowen, U. S. army, Fort Sill, Okla.; his mother, Mrs. Monroe Bowen, Mena; three sisters, Mrs. May Beck, Alf, Ark.; Mrs. Ida Harris, Lamar, Colo.; Mrs. Mary Lacefield, Dayton, Ohio; nine brothers, William and Hugh Bowen, McAlester, Okla.; Wesley Bowen, Olton, Texas; Wiley Bowen, Lamar, Colo.; Cecil Bowen, Opal; Charles C. Bowen, Oklahoma City, Okla.; Morris Bowen, U. S. navy, somewhere in Pacific; Sgt. Odus Bowen, U. S. army, Fort Sill, Okla.; Sgt. Nick Bowen, U. S. army, San Diego, Calif.; and one grandchild.

William Louis Bowen
The Mena Weekly Star, Thursday, September 11, 1947
WILLIAM L. BOWEN
Funeral service for William Louis Bowen, who died Wednesday at his home on Fourth Street, with Rev. Jim Liles officiating. Burial at Cherry Hill cemetery was directed by the Beasley-Hill Funeral home. The pallbearers were John Ivan Suit, Ernest Miller, Henry Gosnell, Wayne Roberts, Ora Brewer and Jack Beck.
Mr. Bowen was born in Montgomery county, Arkansas, May 16, 1902. He was married to Miss Zula Garmon, October 15, 1923, at Opal, Ark. For the past several years he had been living at Gustine, Calif., but due to failing health had returned to Mena last July 10. Besides his wife he is survived by his mother, Mrs. Monroe Bowen, Mena; a daughter, Miss Ollie Lou Bowen, Mena; two sons, J. D. Bowen, Pampa, Texas, and J. W. Bowen, Gustine, Calif.; three sisters, Mrs. Ida Harris, Lamar, Colo.; Mrs. May Beck, Alf, Ark.; and Mrs. Mary Lacefield, Dayton, Ohio; eight brothers, Wesley Bowen, Muleshoe, Texas; Wiley Bowen, Florence, Colo.; Cecil and Hugh Bowen, Opal, Ark.; Morris Bowen, Ink, Ark.; Rev. Charles Bowen, Arkadelphia, Ark.; Odus Bowen, Mena, and Nick Bowen, Lamar Colo. Also three grandchildren.

Joseph Wesley Bowen
from a clipping - no date line
Rev. Joseph Wesley Bowen
Rev. Joseph Wesley Bowen, 82, of Avondale, Ariz., died January 15 at Boswell Hospital in Sun City, Ariz. He was born October 9,1904 at Alf.
Funeral services were January 20 at Greer Chapel in Phoenix. Officiating were Rev. Clint McDaniel and Rev. Dale Davis of Burbank, Calif. Music was by Mrs. Irene Bobb. Songs were "How Great Thou Art" and "To God Be the Glory," sung by the Life Tabernacle singers.
He moved to Avondale, Ariz., four years ago from Decatur. He was a minister, ordained on September 23, 1923 at Opal. He had been a pastor in his early ministry. The past several years he evangelized in most of the United States, Canada and Mexico.
Bowen was a member of Home Missions Association of Los Angeles, Calif., and International Life Sharing Fellowship and Life Tabernacle Church of Phoenix, Ariz.
Survivors are wife, Mary, of Avondale, Ariz.; one son, James Bowen, Dallas, Tex.; one step-daughter, Virginia McLemore, Avondale, Ariz.; seven grandchildren; seven great-grandchildren; one sister, Mary Lacefield, Perry, Ga.; six brothers, Wiley, Lamar, Colo., Cecil, Charles, Thomas, Nick and Odis, Mena.

Cecil J. Bowen
Mena Star, Mar. 19, 1991
Cecil J. Bowen, 83 of Mena died Wed., Mar. 13, at his home. He was born Jan. 20, 1908 at Sulphur Springs, AR. He was the son of the late James Monroe Bowen and the late Mrs. Sarah E. Hughes Bowen and was married to Willie Mae Foster on Dec. 22, 1934 at Opal, AR. He was a retired farmer and carpenter and was survived by two sons: Kenneth J. and Gerald and five brothers: Wiley, Lamar, Rev. Charles, Morris, Odis, and Nick Bowen.
[Note: Wiley was from Lamar, CO; there was not a brother named Lamar.]

Hugh Bowen
The Mena Star, Thursday, April 4, 1974, page 4A Column 5
HUGH BOWEN
Funeral services were conducted Friday afternoon in the Beasley-Wood Chapel with Rev. Orval Heath officiating. Interment was in the Lower Big Fork Cemetery.
Casket-bearers were Ode Garmon, Vester Hooper, Walter Philpot, Arlie Liles, Wade Hooper and Wade Morris.
Bowen was the son of the late, Mr. and Mrs. Monroe Bowen and was married to Miss Eltha Mae Standridge on Oct. 8, 1932,at Opal. He was a member of the Lower Big Fork Baptist church, and was a retired carpenter.
Survivors are his wife, Mrs. Eltha Mae Bowen of Texarkana; one daughter, Mrs. Hughla Diffenbacher of Texarkans; seven brothers, Cecil Bowen, Rev. Charley Bowen, Morris Bowen and Odis Bowen, all of Mena, Wiley Bowen and Nick Bowen of Lamar, Colo. and Rev. Wesley Bowen of Claremore, Okla.; three sisters, Mrs. Ida Harris and Mrs. May Beck of Mena, Mrs. Mary Lacefield of Perry, Ga., and two grandchildren.

Thomas Morris Bowen
The Mena Star, Thursday, April 4, 1996, page 3A, Columns 1 & 2
Thomas Morris Bowen
Thomas Morris Bowen, 81, of Mena died Wednesday, March 27, at his home.
He was born Feb. 13, 1915 in Alf to the late James Monroe Bowen and the late Sarah Emiline Jane Hughes Bowen.
He married Mary Catherine Sterner on June 15, 1945 in Mena. He was a lifelong resident of the Polk County area. He served seven years in the US Navy as Chief commissary Officer, was a survivor of the Pearl Harbor attack and was a recipient of the Congressional Pearl Harbor Commemorative Medal. After being honorably discharged from the Navy on Aug. 28, 1945 he reenlisted in the U.S. Army where he served as a staff Sergeant during the Korean Conflict.
Survivors include his wife; Mary C. Bowen of Mena; two daughters: Sherry L Ray of Kingman, Ariz., Susan Frizzell of West Fork; two brothers; Charles Bowen of Ink, Odis A. Bowen of Mena; four grandchildren; one great-grandson; and one nephew.
He was preceded in death by 14 brothers and sisters.
Graveside services were held March 30 at Pinecrest Memorial park with Bro. Dean Egger officiating under direction of Beasley-Wood Funeral Home.
Pallbearers were Brian Sterner, Aubry Sterner, Rod Bowen, Frank Ray, Richard Ray, Kenny Steel, Charles Sterner and Billy Hull.

Odis A. Bowen
The Mena Star, Thursday, March 22, 2007, page 2A, col. 5-6
Odis A. Bowen
Odis A. Bowen, age 90, of Mena, Ark., passed away Tuesday, March 13, 2007 in Mena.
He was born February 16, 1917 in Big Fork, Ark., to the late James M. Bowen and the late Sallie Hughes Bowen.
He was united in marriage to Agnes June Wallace on April 25, 1942.
He was a window clerk for the United States Postal Service for 20 years and also raised cattle on his farm in the Holly Springs community.
He was also a veteran, serving his country in World War II.
He was a loving father, grandfather, great-grandfather, and friend.
Survivors include sons, Jerry Bowen and wife Sharon of O'Fallon, Ill., Rodney Bowen and wife Kay of Mena, Ark.; grandchildren, Clark Bowen of St. Louis, Mo., Belinda Anslinger of O'Fallon, Ill., Brandon Bowen of Bentonville, Ark., Tim Bowen of Mena, Ark., Josh Thrash of Russellviile, Ark., Tori Thrash of Mena, Ark., Lori McEvoy of St. Louis, Mo., Lisa Kohler of St. Louis, Mo., Kurt Boeck of Lusby, Md.; great-grandchildren, Brett Bowen of St. Louis, Mo.
He was preceded in death by his parents; his wife, Agnes; four sisters, and 11 brothers.
Funeral services were held Friday, March 16, 2007 at 10 a.m. at the first Christian Church in Mena with Bro. Gary Garrett officiating. Interment followed at Pinecrest memorial Park under the direction of Beasley-Wood Funeral Home.
Pallbearers were Clark Bowen, Jeff Anslinger, Brandon Bowen, Tim Bowen, Josh Thrash, and Tommy Earhart.

Agnes June Bowen
from a clipping
Agnes June Bowen, age 80, of Mena, Ark., passed away Wednesday, Sept. 18, 2002 in Mena.
She was born May 23, 1922 in Mena to the late Samuel Oscar Wallace and the late Hattie Shirley Wallace. On April 25, 1942 she was united in marriage to Odis A. Bowen in Brownwood, Texas. She was a floor lady at Renova Shirt Factory and a member of the First Christian Church. She was a loving homemaker, wife, mother, sister and grandmother.
Survivors include husband, Odis Bowen of Mena, Ark.; two son, Jerry and his wife Sharon Bowen of Huntsville, Ala. Rodney and his wife Kay Bowen of Mena, Ark.; two sisters, Sally Patterson of Ft. Smith, Ark., Virginia and her husband Tom Earhart of Mena, Ark.; grandchildren, Clark Bowen of St. Louis, Mo., Belinda Anslinger of O'Fallon, Ill., Brandon Bowen of Fayetteville, Ark., Timmy Bowen of Glenwood, Ark., Josh Thrash of Glenwood, Ark., Tori Thrash of Mena, Ark., Lisa Thacker of St. Louis, Mo., Kurt Boek of Lusby, Md.
She was preceded in death by her parents, her brothers Loyd Ellison and Clayton Ellison and her sister Marie Wallace.
Funeral services were Saturday, Sept. 21, 2002 at 10 a.m. at the First Christian Church with Bro. Gary Garrett and Bro. A.J. Cole officiating. Interment followed in the Pinecrest Memorial Park under the direction of Beasley-Wood Funeral Home.
Pallbearers were Clark Bowen, Jeff Anslinger, Tim Bowen, Brandon Bowen, Josh Thrash, and Tommy Earhart.
Memorials may be made to the National Parkinson's Foundation, 1501 NW Ninth Avenue, Miami, Florida 33136.

from a clipping
Cornelius Bowen
Mr. Cornelius Nick Bowen, of Mena, died Wednesday, December 16, 1992 at his home.
He was born January 13, 1919 in Alf, Arkansas, his age being 73 years, 11 months and 3 days.
He was the son of the late Mr. James Monroe Bowen and the late Mrs. Sarah E. Hughes Bowen and was united in marriage to Miss Amanda Johnson on November 9, 1940 in Boise City, Oklahoma.
Mr. Bowen was a retired Postal worker and a member of the Lower Big Fork Baptist Church.
As a young man, he settled in Lamar, Colorado. He moved to Polk County in 1978. Mr. Bowen was a Veteran of World War II.
Survivors are his wife, Amanda Bowen, Mena; one son, Gary Bowen, Opal; one daughter, Nickolett Renee' Bowen, Denver, Colorado; two grandsons, Mark Bowen, Austin, Texas; Brady Bowen, Germany; four brothers, Wiley Bowen, Lamar, Colorado; Odis Bowen, Thomas Morris Bowen, and Charles C. Bowen, all of Mena.
Funeral was held Saturday, December 19 at 2;00 p.m. in the Beasley-Wood Chapel with Bro. Emmett Sherman officiating. Interment was in the Pinecrest Memorial Park under the direction of Beasley-Wood Funeral Home.
Pallbearers were Tom Earhart, Charles Sterner, Ed. Metcalf, Rodney Bowen, and James Boger. Honorary Pallbearers were Charles A. Bowen, Sr., Charles A. Bowen, Jr., Kenneth Bowen, Gerald Bowen, Charles Deffenbocker and Bill Roberts.

Gladys Loraine Bowen
The Mena Weekly Star, Thursday, August 12, 1937, page three, column 5
Funeral of
Gladys Bowen
Held Wednesday
Funeral service for Miss Gladys Loraine Bowen, 14 year old daughter of Mr. and Mrs. J. Monroe Bowen who died at the family home near Cherry Hill August 2, was held Wednesday afternoon at 2:30 o'clock at the Lower Big Fork cemetery with the Rev. Sam Sherman officiating. Burial was directed by the Beasley Funeral Home. The casket bearers, all school girl friends of the deceased, were Neurancy Lambert, Otholee Standridge, Arentha Standridge, Lurena Hickey, Pauline Wimberly and Mabel Little.
Deceased was born at Cherry Hill March 20, 1923. She graduated from the eighth grade at Cherry Hill at the last term. She was a member of the Baptist church. Besides her parents she is survived by three sisters, Mrs. Wayne Beck, Alf; Ida Bowen, Lamar, Colo.; Mary Bowen, Cherry Hill; ten brothers, J. G. Bowen, Opal; William Bowen, Mena; J. W. Bowen, Brownfield, Tex.; Wiley R. Bowen, Lamar, Colo.; Cecil and Hugh Bowen, Opal; Charles, Morris, Otis and Cornelius Bowen, Cherry Hill.

BROCK, Marvin Lee
Surnames: Brock, Kanna
Marvin Lee Brock died in Oklahoma City on Sunday, December 17, 1997. He was born 3 miles west of Hatton, Arkansas. Mr. Brock is survived by one sister, Sadie Kanna, Hatton, Ar.; and three brothers, Charles Brock, Hatton, Ar., B. V. "Peat" Brock of Watson, Oklahoma, and Ray Brock of Copperas Cove, Texas; three children, Kevin and Clifton of Oklahoma City and Shanna Brock of Denver, Colorado, and a host of nieces and nephews. Mr. Brock was 56 years old.
From the "Mena Star," Thursday December 18, 1997
Contributed by Wanda

Bruce, Giles

Funeral service for Giles Bruce, age 90, of Plunkettville, Okla., was held Thursday afternoon at 2:00 o'clock at the Plunkettville Community Church with Rev. Charles Estes and Rev. Artie Atchley officiating. Interment was in the Cecil Chapel Cemetery under the direction of the Geyer-Quillin Funeral Home.

Pallbearers were Paul Lloyd, Carl Griffith, Dan Armstrong, H. L. (Dick) Johnson, Alfred Huff and Glen Porter.

Mr. Bruce was born June 5, 1880 at Bluefield, Va., and died Dec. 8, at Mena. He grew to manhood in Virginia, later living in Arkansas for about ten years before moving to Oklahoma, where he spent the remainder of his life. He was a member of the Pentecostal Church. Mr. Bruce married Alice Dora Wilson on Dec. 22, 1908, who survives him.
Besides his wife he is survived by six sons, Mitchell Harvey of the home, Elvis Eugene, Plunkettville, Okla., Alfred Edwin, Watson, Olka., Henry, Kansas City, Kan., Theodore Victor, Lone Grove, Okla., and Barney David, Ft. Worth, Texas; one daughter, Mrs. Ester Lorene Wilson, Pasadena, Calif., three brothers, Houston Bruce, Randlett, Olka., Arnie Bruce, Cleburne, Texas, and Bobby Bruce of California; 25 grandchildren and 11 great grandchildren.

17 Dec 1970
"Mena Weekly Star"
Mena, Polk, Arkansas

headstone picture available at http://freepages.genealogy.rootsweb.ancestry.com/~b4us/Cecil%20Chapel%20Cemetery/cecilchapelcemeterypage.html

Submitted by E. Cecil Laney@citlink.net I am not related.

MR.HARRISON MONROE BURKHART
Obituary, 5 Apr 1992

" Mr. Harrison Monroe BURKHART, 78, of Mena died Sunday, April 5, in the Mena Medical Center. He was born on February 11, 1914 in Big Fork, Arkansas to the late Mr. William Daniel BURKHART and the late Mrs. Martha CRAWFORD BURKHART. He was united in a marriage to Mrs. Lillie STANDRIDGE BURKHART on May 15, 1934 in Big Fork. He has made his home in Mena most of his life. He was a night watchman for Dale Rodger Lumber Company and most recently a janitor for the Polk County Road Department He was of the Baptist faith. Funeral services were held a 2:00 p.m. Tuesday April 7, in the Geyer-Quillin Chapel with Elder Everett ABERNATHY officiating. Interment was in the White Oak Cemetery under the direction of Geyer-Quillin Funeral Home. Pallbearers were Wingo JOHNSON, Sam VARNER, Donny SMITH, Roy HARRIS, Todd CAMPBELL, and Bill WHITE. Mr. BURKHART is survived by his wife, Lillie BURKHART, of Mena two brothers, Orville BURKHART of Florida and George BURKHART of Indian, two sisters, Dottie HEAD of Mena and Ellen WILCOX of Mena. He was preceded in death by two sister Dorothy MCDOUGLE and Nadene Rinke."

MRS. NORA DAVIS

Mena Evening Star, Monday, January 28, 1985 - Page 10

MRS. PRISCILLA BABER

Mrs. Priscilla Baber, 80, of Old Dallas community, died Saturday night in the Wilhelmina Medical Center.

Funeral services will be conducted Tuesday afternoon in the Beasley-Wood Chapel at 2 with Rev. Autrey Sirmon officiating. Interment will be in the Center Cemetery under the direction of Beasley-Wood Funeral Home.

Mrs. Baber was the mother of Reece Baber.
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She was the daughter of William Smiley Parson and Victoria Abbiegale/Abbigale Carter Parson. Her husband was Orval Leston Baber and her son was Morgan Maurice "Reese" Baber.

Southwest Times Record, Fort Smith, AR, 08 October 1995 - Page 13-A

C. C. Barnes, 86, of Fort Smith died Friday, Oct. 6, 1995, in a local hospital. He was the widower of Rosetta Barnes. He served as a manager for Kroger and Piggly Wiggly, owned his own store, and was the oldest active employee of Fleming Foods until shortly before his death. He attended Calvary Baptist Church for 55 years and was a member of Woodmen of the World, a 32nd degree Mason, a member of the Belle Point Lodge No. 20 F&AM, and a volunteer at Sparks Regional Medical Center.

Funeral will be 2 p.m. Oct. 10 in Lewis Funeral Home Chapel with burial at Roselawn Cemetery with masonic graveside services.

He is survived by two daughters, Besma Counts of Fort Smith and Connie Ambler of Edmond, Okla.; a sister, Sevilla Davis of Athens; a brother, Bartie Pate of Fort Smith; four grandchildren and seven great-grandchildren.

Pallbearers will be Masons.

The family will visit with friends from 6:30 p.m. to 7:30 p.m. Oct. 9 at the funeral home.

Memorial contributions may be made to Calvary Baptist Church, 2301 Midland, Fort Smith, Ark.
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His wife was Minnie Rosetta Parson Barnes, who was from Mena, Polk Co., AR. His full name was Columbus Childress Barnes.

Southwest Times Record, Fort Smith, Ark., May 18, 1993 - Page 9A

Rosetta "Zet" Barnes

Rosetta "Zet" Barnes, 81, of Fort Smith died Sunday, May 16, 1993. She was a homemaker and attended Calvary Baptist Church.

Funeral will be 2 p.m. today in Edwards Funeral Home Chapel with burial at Roselawn Cemetery.

She is survived by her husband, Columbus C.; two daughters, Besma Lee Counts of Fort Smith and Connie Ambler of Edmond, Okla.; a sister, Helen Boyette of Fort Smith; a brother, Nesbitt Parson of Austin, Texas; four grandchildren and five great-grandchildren.

Pallbearers will be Marty Ambler, Caleb Bruce, Stephen Baber, Frank Folsum, Charles Guillory, Guy Kolb, Tom Parson and Bartie Pate. Honorary pallbearers will be members of Cal McClure's Adult 6 Sunday School Class at Calvary Baptist Church.

The family will visit with friends at 4320 Wynnewood Drive.
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She was born in Mena, Polk Co., AR, a daughter of William Smiley Parson and Victoria Abbiegale/Abbigale Carter Parson.

Southwest Times Record, 04 December 1996 - Page 4-A

Helen Boyette

Helen Boyette, 74, of Fort Smith died Tuesday, Dec. 3, 1996, in a local hospital. She was a member of Calvary Baptist Church, Order of Eastern Star Harmony Chapter No. 455 and DAV Auxiliary Fort Smith Chapter No. 1.

Funeral will be 10 a.m. Thursday in Edwards Funeral Home Chapel with burial at Forest Park Cemetery.

She is survived by a son, Hal Boyette of Fort Smith; a brother, Nesbitt Parson of Van Buren; two grandsons, Wes and Bob Boyette, both of Fort Smith, and a number of nieces and nephews.

Pallbearers will be West and Bob Boyette, John and Kevin Mays, Caleb and Sean Bruce.
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Helen A. (Abbiegale/Abbygail) Parson Boyette was the daughter of William Smiley Parson and Victoria Abbiegale/Abbygail Carter Parson.

Southwest Times Record, Monday, March 5, 1990 - Page 2-A

Howell Boyette

Howell K. Boyette, 78, of Fort Smith died Sunday, March 4, 1990, in a Fort Smith hospital. He was a former employee of the U.S. Forest Service and a retired employee of Harding Glass. Additionally, he was a member of Calvary Baptist Church, a 32nd Degree Mason, a member of Harmony Chapter No. 455, Order of the Eastern Star, Blue Lodge No. 20, Fort Smith, Chapter No. 1, past commander of the Disabled American Veterans, past vice chairman of the Sebastian County Veterans Committee and a Navy veteran of World War II.

Funeral will be 2 p.m. Monday in Edwards Funeral Home Chapel with burial at Forest Park Cemetery.

He is survived by his wife, Helen Parsons; a son, Hal of Fort Smith; and two grandchildren.

Pallbearers will be Jack Sprouse, Oren Atchley, Henry Tow, Henry Walker, Harold Burns and James Boatman.

Memorials may be made to the Boys Shelter, Inc., 5904 S. Zero St., Fort Smith.
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His wife was Helen A. (Abbiegale/Abbygail) Parson.

Fort Smith Times Record, Fri., August 5, 2005 - Page 4-A

UMPIRE - Morgan Maurice "Reese" Baber, 80, of Umpire died Thursday, Aug. 4, 2005, in Hot Springs. He was born Nov. 19, 1924, in Athens. He was the area manager for Caney Creek Wildlife Management Area for Arkansas Game and Fish Commission and a member of Mountain View Baptist Church in Umpire.

Graveside service will be 2 p.m. Saturday at Center Cemetery in Hartley under the direction of Beasley-Wood Funeral Home of Mena.

He is survived by his wife, Evelyn; a son, Stephen Baber of Umpire; and three grandchildren.
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He was a son of Orval Leston Baber and Priscilla Parson Baber, both of Mena, Polk Co., AR.

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