Biographical And Historical Memoirs of Pulaski, Jefferson, Lonoke, Faulkner, Grant, Saline, Perry, Garland And Hot Spring Counties, Arkansas
Opal Bean Palmer
Opal Bean Palmer, 88, formerly of Clarksville, died Sunday, Dec. 21, 2008, in Castro Valley, Calif.
She was preceded in death by her parents, Herbert and Bessie Bean, and her husband of 55 years, Lloyd Palmer.
Survivors include one son, Stanley Palmer and wife, Maggie, of Anthem, Ariz.; one daughter, Janice Palmer of Hayward, Calif.; three grandchildren, Michael Palmer of Aliso Viejo, Calif., Jason and wife, Kelli, of Rockwall, Texas, and Stuart Palmer of Austin, Texas; two sisters, Loleita Whiteis of Tulsa, Okla., and Eileen Stumbaugh of Clarksville; and several nieces and nephews.
Burial was in San Joaquin Valley National cemetery in Gustine, Calif.
Memorials may be made to Hope Hospice, 6500 Dublin Blvd., Suite 100, Dublin, CA 94568 or a charity of the donor's choice.
Patricia Ann Wing
Patricia Ann Hobbs Wing, 66, of Fort Smith went to be with our Lord and Savior on December 13, 2008. She was born in Bakersfield, CA and lived most of her life in and around Santa Maria, CA until she moved to Arkansas in the year of 1985 where she spent her last years in the Fort Smith area prior to being a resident of Clarksville where she was an employee in the deli department of the Piggly-Wiggly Store.
Pat was someone who enjoyed reading her Bible and talking about the Lord. What she loved and valued the most in her life was her family, whom she loved spending time with. Over the years she also spent much of her time crocheting blankets for those that she loved, putting love into every stitch. She will be most remembered for her sense of humor and for her big heart. She was a mother to everyone and loved by all that met her. She was a loving mother, grandmother, and friend. She will be truly missed.
She is survived by her children, Jimmy Burson of Bakersfield, CA., Babette Olson of Greenwood, AR., and Dee Dee Hobbs of Fort Smith; nine grandchildren and two great-grandchildren.
Memorial service was Thursday, December 18, 2008 at 6:00 p.m. in Edwards Funeral Home Chapel. Cremation was under the direction of Edwards Funeral Home.
The family greeted friends at Edwards Funeral Home before the memorial service from 5-6 p.m.
Memorials may be made to Peachtree Hospice, 4300 Rogers Ave., Fort Smith, AR 72901 or St. Jude Children's Research Hospital, 539 Lane Avenue, Memphis, TN 38105.
Stella Irene Harmon
Stella Irene Harmon, 90, of Oark died Saturday, Dec. 27, 2008, at Countryside Manor Nursing Home at Lamar.
She was a daughter of the late Thomas and Eva Jenkins Adams, widow of Leroy Clark Harmon, member of the Assembly of God Church, served as the Batson correspondent for The Graphic for several years, and was preceded in death by two brothers, George Proctor Adams and Gerald (Pete) Adams; and one sister, Lena Marie Lovell.
She is survived by one daughter, Peggy Stepp and husband, Dwight, of Oark; one sister, Lois Bounds of Woodford, Va.; one brother, Willard Adams of Anderson, Ind.; two grandchildren, Karen Young and husband, Brad, of Coal Hill and James Stepp and wife, Lavahnda, of Clarksville; two great-grandchildren, Melody Rose Vickers of Coal Hill and Tara Lee Stepp of Clarksville; and two step-great-grandchildren, Denver and Chance Young, both of Coal Hill.
Funeral was at 2 p.m. Monday, Dec. 29, at Roller-Cox Funeral Home Chapel with Rev. Amos Pledger and Rev. George Willis officiating. Burial was in Oak Grove cemetery.
Active pallbearers were Tommy Adams, Bobbie Adams, Ronnie Adams, Jody Cooper, Carroll Sherrell, and Jody Sherrell.
Honorary pallbearers were Willard Adams, John Bruce Cresap, Delorn Cooper, Gurvis McCartney, Art Stepp, Tooter Stepp, and caregivers at Countryside Manor Nursing Home.
Wendell Riddell
Wendell Riddell, 92, of Clarksville died peacefully December 22, at home.
He was the son of Buford and Ethel Riddell, a lifelong member of Clarksville Presbyterian Church, a member of the Masonic Lodge for over sixty years, and was active in Boy Scouts of America dating from 1931. He was employed as an auditor by the State of Arkansas for many years.
He was preceded in death by his wife of 72 years, Katherine, and two children, Marian Cargile and Forrest Riddell.
He is survived by one son, Mark of Seattle, WA.; four grandchildren, Eden Riddell Hennessy and Marc Riddell, both of Seattle, WA., Kevin Cargile of Sugarland, TX, and Jason Cargile of Oceanside, CA.; and several great-grandchildren, nieces and nephews.
A memorial service will be held at a later date.
Buddy Markes
Buddy E. Markes, 80, of Ozark, father of Gloria Sams of Hartman, died Sunday, Nov. 16, 2008, in Ozark.
He was a native of Kentucky, son of Ervin Markes, farmer and member of St. Paul Baptist Church.
Other survivors include his wife, Izola Davis Markes, one other daughter, Teresa Farmer of Ozark; five sons, Randy Markes, Danny Markes and J. C. Case, all of Ozark; Herman Davis of St. Paul and L. V. Case of Altus; 12 grandchildren and 10 great-grandchildren.
Funeral was at 2 p.m. Wednesday, Nov. 19, at Shaffer Funeral Home Chapel in Ozark with Rev. Sam Judd officiating. Burial was in Highland cemetery.
Pallbearers were Felix Milligan, Joe Woods, Ronnie Sherrell, Simon Keck, Carl McComas, Kay Whitmore and Leroy Nather.
Charles Benjamin Smith
Charles Benjamin Smith, age 74, passed away November 19, 2008, at the Clarksville Convalescent Home.
He was born July 17, 1934, in Pownal, Vermont. He attended Perkins School for the blind in Boston, Massachusetts, where he made many friends.
He moved to Arkansas in 1961 and resided in Hartman with his sister, Ethel and husband, Raymond Oberste. After moving to Clarksville in 1985, he was a member of the Second Baptist Church in Clarksville.
Charles is survived by one brother, Eugene Smith and his wife, Sally of Effingham, New Hampshire. Two nieces, Barbara Hilton and Anita Tighe, both of Clarksville, Arkansas. He is also survived by many nieces and nephews, great-nieces and nephews in many states.
He was preceded in death by his parents, Ralph and Francis Smith. Three sisters: Ethel Oberste of Clarksville, Geraldine Blackler of New Hampshire and Elizabeth Smith of Vermont; 3 brothers: Francis Smith of Florida, Albert Smith of Massachusetts and Alton Smith of Vermont.
Charles was a huge country music fan and loved listening and singing along. Because he was legally blind, the Association for the Blind provided him with “Talking” Books. With those records he read The Bible daily and tried to memorize it. He also enjoyed westerns.
He also loved getting to know the many caring people at the Clarksville Convalescent Home, having been the longest living resident there after 23 years. They were all part of his family.
Memorial service was Friday, 10 a.m. Nov. 21, 2008. Burial will be in Vermont.
Clara M. Ritchie
Clara Marie Ritchie, 54, of Lamar died Tuesday, Nov. 25, 2008, at her home.
She was a native of Clarksville, daughter of the late Gus Henry and Clara Ovilee Davis Skaggs, employee of Johnson Regional Medical Center, member of Hedgeway Church, and was preceded in death by two infant brothers.
Survivors include her husband, Robert Ritchie; two daughters, Tonya Qualls and husband, Duane, of Clarksville and Shauna Beck and husband, Claye, of Lamar; one son, Kevin Ritchie of Lamar; four sisters, Alice (Faye) Goni and Villia Day Ruffaner, both of Oark, Wanda May Frantz of Clarksville, and Sharon Kay Hodge of Lamar; one brother, Dallas Skaggs of Oark; and 11 grandchildren, Tiffany, Sheridan, Tia, Ryann, Trenton, Marina, Maranda, Kaylee, Destiny, Austin, and Shyanne.
Funeral will be at 2 p.m. Friday, Nov. 28, at Hedgeway Church with Rev. Don Alexander officiating.
Burial will be in Patterson Springs cemetery under the direction of Roller-Cox Funeral Home.
Active pallbearers will be Tom Mingo, John Hodge, Dale Williams, Larry Don Ruffaner, Mike Skaggs, and Robert Lastoria.
Honorary pallbearers will be Kelly Ritchie, Kite Castillo, Darrell Cowell, Fred Ritchie, Donnie Ritchie, Robbie Ritchie, and Jimmy Suggs.
