Biographical And Historical Memoirs of Pulaski, Jefferson, Lonoke, Faulkner, Grant, Saline, Perry, Garland And Hot Spring Counties, Arkansas
Gertrude E. Johnson
Gertrude E. Johnson, 84, widow of Herman H. Johnson of Lamar, died Tuesday, March 11, 2008, in Lawton, Okla.
She was a native of Random Lake, Wis., daughter of the late Andrew and Clara Droetzmann Goetsch, lifetime member of the Lutheran Church, attended St. John Lutheran School and graduated from Random Lake High School in 1940, former resident of Tacoma Wash., Germany and Missouri, was employed in defense plants in Milwaukee, Wis., during World War II prior to being employed as a bookkeeper for many years, and was preceded in death by two brothers; one sister-in-law; and one niece.
Survivors include one brother, Herbert Goetsch and wife, Myra,; two sisters-in-law; and several nieces and nephews.
Graveside services and burial were at 2 p.m. Friday, March 14, at Fort Sill National cemetery in Elgin, Okla., with Rev. Richard Mayer of St. John Lutheran Church officiating. Arrangements were under the direction of Whinery-Huddleston Funeral Service.
Dora Lelan Casey
Dora Lelan Casey, 103, of the Strawberry Community died Wednesday, March 12, 2008, at Barling.
She was a member of the Church of Christ, widow of Esther Casey, and was preceded in death by one son, Armand Mooney; three brothers; and six sisters.
She is survived by two daughters, Pauline Hamilton of Fort Smith and Christine Turner of Chico, Calif.; one stepdaughter, Nedra Thompson of Lonoke; five grandchildren; 15 great-grandchildren; and ten great-great-grandchildren.
Funeral was at 10 a.m. Friday, March 14, at Roller-Cox Funeral Home Chapel with Rev. Bill Hickman officiating. Burial was in Minnow Creek cemetery.
Pallbearers were Jerry Gardner, Jim Gardner, David Lee Dunlap, Ronald D. Dunlap, Randall Young, and Dale Rowbotham.
Claudia J. Holt
Claudia Joan Holt, 69, of Lamar died Friday, March 14, 2008, at Countryside Manor Nursing Home.
She was a factory employee, daughter of the late Olvie and Mary Olson, widow of J. Dennis Holt; and preceded in death by one son, Arnold Holt; two sisters, Judy Martin and Evelyn Johnston; and three brothers, Don, Bob and Warren Olson.
She is survived by two sons, Paul Gleason II and wife, Julia, of Coal Hill and Joe Holt and wife, Patsy, of Lamar; two daughters, Sally Fitzjurls and husband, Bobby, of Magazine and Odetta Dietz and husband, Harry, of Warrenton, Va.; 13 grandchildren; and 12 great-grandchildren.
A memorial service will be held at 2 p.m. Wednesday, March 26, at Roller-Cox Funeral Home Chapel with Rev. Robbie Jackson officiating.
Ernestine Smith
Ernestine Smith, 74, of Clarksville died Monday, March 17, 2008, at her home.
She was a daughter of the late Charlie and Ida Ellis Duncan, retired Ore-Ida employee, and was preceded in death by one son, Stephen Dobbs; three sisters; and eight brothers.
Survivors include her husband, Maxie Smith; four daughters, Brenda Dobbs of National City, Calif., Mary White and husband, Roger, of London, Gail Buchanan of Paris, and Linda Price and husband, David, of Clarksville; one brother, Jimmy Duncan of Mt. View, Mo.; 11 grandchildren; and 18 great-grandchildren.
Funeral will be at 2 p.m. Thursday, March 20, at Roller-Cox Funeral Home Chapel with Rev. Amos Pledger officiating. Burial will be in Oakland cemetery.
Pallbearers will be Stephen Franklin, Scotty White, Kent White, David Collins, Rodney Gibson, and Mark Price.
Visitation will be from 6-8 p.m. Wednesday, March 19, at Roller-Cox Funeral Home Chapel.
Corbin Lee Moses
Corbin Lee Moses, infant son of Joshua and Victoria Ann Balkcom Moses of Clarksville, died April 5, 2008, at Johnson Regional Medical Center.
Other survivors include one brother, Isaac Jayden Moses; grandparents, Deanna Savell of Russellville, Joseph and Theresa Balkcom of Clarksville, Larry Moses of Van Buren and Brenda Moses of Fort Smith; and great-grandparents, Chuck and Carol Harris of Hagarville and Glenn and Ronella Amos of Clarksville.
Funeral was at 2 p.m. Monday, April 7, at Roller-Cox Funeral Home Chapel with Rev. David Qualls officiating. Burial was in Oakland cemetery.
Pallbearers were Josh Moses, Joseph Balkcom, Larry Moses and Chuck Harris.
Geneva B. Williamson
Another angel has entered the gates of Heaven. On April 4, 2008, Geneva Bell Williamson, 87, of Mabelvale, Arkansas, passed away peacefully from this earth while surrounded by her family and was welcomed into her Lord's arms and was once again reunited with her husband. She was born March 15, 1921, in Hartman, Arkansas.
She was preceded in death by her husband of over 70 years, Omer Steve Williamson; her parents, Edgar and Iva Hardgrave Bell; and two brothers, Dwight Bell and Earl Bell.
She is survived by two sons, Tom Williamson of Mabelvale, Arkansas, and Carl Williamson (Wendy) of Prim, Arkansas; two granddaughters, Lori Hartwick (Robert) of Mabelvale, Arkansas, and Amber Beale of Salt Lake City, Utah; one grandson, Shawn Williamson (Minette) of Bossier City, Louisiana; one great-grandson, Kevin Williamson of Bossier City, Louisiana; and one great-granddaughter, Abigail Beale of Salt Lake City, Utah.
Mrs. Williamson retired from Teletype Corporation in 1980. Always placing others before herself, she was a wonderful Mother and Grandmother, and her sweet smile and spirit will be deeply missed.
The family wishes to express their sincere thanks to the following for their outstanding care and support: Dr. Eric Bravo at Baptist Hospital, Chaplain Charles Collins, Arkansas Hospice, and Southwest Residential Care Facility Staff.
The family also wishes to express their heartfelt thanks to Dr. Michael Z. Chesser for his continued love and care for their family over the past few years.
A memorial graveside service is scheduled for Saturday, April 12, 2008, at 1:00 PM, at Hess cemetery (Hwy 164) near Coal Hill, Arkansas. Arrangements are by Hardwicke Funeral Home in Clarksville, Arkansas.
In lieu of flowers, the family asks that memorial donations be made to the Humane Society of Pulaski County, 14600 Colonel Glenn Road, Little Rock, Arkansas 72210.
James H. Ragsdale
James Hilliard Ragsdale, 74, of Waterford, Mich., died March 14, 2008, in Ann Arbor, Mich.
He was a native of Hagarville, raised in Lamar, attended Lamar High School, veteran of the U. S. Navy and was honorably discharged after four years of service, retired General Motors Corporation employee after 32 years of service, member of St. Andrew's Episcopal Church and the Church Vestry, and was preceded in death by his mother, Hildred, and stepfather, Roy Faucett; and one nephew, Raymond Michau.
Survivors include his wife, Jeanette Ragsdale; one sister, Sharon (Gordon) Michau of Ratcliff; one brother, Edmund Ragsdale; and two nieces, Roberta (Lee) Berna of Arkoma, Okla., and Ann Michau of Ratcliff.
Funeral was Wednesday, March 19, at St. Andrew's Episcopal Church in Waterford, Mich., with burial at Crescent Hills cemetery. Arrangements were under the direction of Riverside Chapel Simpson-Dodetz Funeral Home.
JoAnn L. Valentine
JoAnn Lemley Valentine, 76, of Knoxville, Tenn., died Tuesday, April 1, 2008, at Park West Hospital in Knoxville, Tenn.
She was a native of Muldrow, daughter of the late Rufe and Bobbie Sue Condren Lemley, widow of Carroll Dean Valentine, graduate of Arkansas Tech University in Russellville, Methodist, retired bookkeeper for Whitson-Morgan Motor Company, and was preceded in death by one brother, Harold King Lemley; sister, Robbie Lemley and one infant sister.
Survivors include two daughters, Mary Freels and husband, Clay, of Rockwood, Tenn., and Bobbie Dyer of Knoxville, Tenn.; one son, Joe Valentine and wife, Marjorie, of Kingsport, Tenn.; six grandchildren, Hayden, Samantha, and Katelyn Freels and Patty, Carol and Dillon Dyer; and mother-in-law, Mary Irene Volentine of Clarksville.
Funeral was at 10 a.m. Saturday, April 5, at Roller-Cox Funeral Home Chapel with Rev. David Hanshaw and Gary Condren officiating. Burial was in Oakland cemetery.
Pallbearers were Gary Condren, Eugene Harris, Bill Porter, and Jack Phillips.
