Biographical And Historical Memoirs of Pulaski, Jefferson, Lonoke, Faulkner, Grant, Saline, Perry, Garland And Hot Spring Counties, Arkansas
Larry Don Sparks
Larry Don Sparks, 53, of North Little Rock, died Friday, May 30, 2003.
He was employed by Reliable Reports Inc.
He is survived by his wife of 15 years, Nancy Sparks; daughters, Cynthia Farley of Elkridge, Md., and Teresa Sparks of Jacksonville, Fla.; two grandchildren; his mother, Margaret Sparks of Beebe; sister, Becky Harrington of Austin; and brother, Tim Sparks of Beebe. He is also survived by stepchildren, Debbie Root, Darrin Ketter, David Ketter, and their children.
Funeral services were June 3 at Crystal Hill Baptist Church. Burial was in Evans cemetery in Greenwood. Huson Funeral Home, Sherwood, was in charge.
William Clinton Ward
William Clinton Ward, 73, of Cabot died Friday, May 30, 2003.
He is survived by his wife, Mary Sue Ward of Cabot; three daughters, Donna Whitworth, Traci Pogue, and Toni Lynch; three sons, Kenneth, Rodney, and Troy; one sister, Eola Livingston; and 11 grandchildren.
Funeral services were June 2, at Bethel Baptist Church. Arrangements by Cabot Funeral Home.
Rena Marie Wagner
Rena Marie Wagner, 73, died Thursday.
Survivors son, Trapper Wagner, Ward; daughters, Debra Wagner, Jacksonville, Veronica Grammer, Jonesboro, Katherine Mirenberg, Cabot, Karry Shaffield, Gravel Ridge; 13 grandchildren; and seven great-grandchildren.
Funeral was Saturday at Roller Coffman Chapel. Burial was in Farris cemetery by Roller Coffman Funeral Home.
Kara Joy Isaac
Kara Joy Isaac, 23, of Arkadelphia, died due to an unknown heart condition on May 30, 2003, at Baptist Health Hospital in Arkadelphia.
Kara was a 1998 graduate of Sheridan High School, and attended Henderson State University, where she played percussion in the band. She was employed at Cracker Barrel in Arkadelphia.
Kara is survived by her mother and step-father, Zelda and Russell Riley, and father, Wayne Isaac; two sisters, Andrea Isaac Adams of Grapevine and Dina Wills of East End; grandparents Lorrane Baker Gunter, J.O. and Bernetta Isaac, Ruby Riley and great-grandmother Myrtle McCormick.
Memorial services were held at East End Baptist Church on Monday, June 2.
Jeff Harley Bolin
Jeff Harley Bolin, 93, of Beebe, died Wednesday, Oct. 29, 2003. He was a retired farmer and formerly ran B & B Curb Market in Beebe.
He is survived by wife, Stella Mae Bolin; two daughters, Christine Harrison of Ward and Nova Lee Byrd of Beebe; one sister, Minnie Owen of Pine Bluff; six grandchildren; 11 great-grandchildren and four great-great-grandchildren.
Visitation was Thursday, Oct. 30, at Westbrook Funeral Home, Beebe. Funeral was Saturday at Westbrook Chapel, with burial at Beebe cemetery.
Eugene McKenzie
Eugene McKenzie, 76, of Cabot died Nov. 1, 2003. He was preceded in death by his parents, Ronald McKenzie and Robbie Nelson McKenzie and is survived by 2 aunts and 1 uncle.
Visitation will be Wednesday, November 5 from 2-4 p.m. at Cabot Funeral Home. Funeral Service will be Thursday Nov. 6 at 10 a.m. at Cabot Funeral Home Chapel with interment at Bayou Meto cemetery. Arrangements by Cabot Funeral Home, 501-843-5816.You may sign the on-line guestbook at www.cabotfuneralhome.com .
Joseph Russo
Joseph Russo, 38, of Jacksonville died Oct. 31, 2003. He is survived by parents, Sebastiano Russo of Clarksville and Sylvia Russo of Jacksonville; wife, Brenda Armstrong; 2 sons, Michael and Adam Russo; 3 step-sons, Sid, Jarrod and Randy Armstrong; 3 sisters, Mary Moncrief, Kathy Howard, and Kelli Ross; 1 brother, Tony Russo; 1 grandchild; several nieces and nephews.
Visitation was Monday, Nov. 3 from 12-2 p.m. at Cabot Funeral Home. Service was at 2 p.m. Cremation arrangements by Cabot Funeral Home, 501-843-5816. On-line guestbook at www.cabotfuneralhome.com .
Betty Bennett
Betty Ann Bennett, wife of Wayne Bennett, Sr., of Lonoke, died on Sunday, November 2, after a long illness. She was 81 years old.
She was born Elizabeth Ann McHaney, December 12, 1921, in Little Rock. She was the youngest of six children of her beloved parents, Judge Edgar Lafayette McHaney and Gail Roena Myers McHaney.
She graduated Little Rock (Central) High School in 1939, Hollins College in 1941 and the University of North Carolina in 1943. She was a member of the Pi Beta Phi sorority.
In 1947 she married
Wayne Bennett of Lonoke, beginning a lifelong partnership in service to family and community.
In the 1980s, pursuing her passion for historical preservation, she played a leading role in the campaign to save the Lonoke Depot, which was in peril of being razed. She donated the paving bricks to replace the original ones which had been removed, and worked to make sure that the depot was restored according to preservation standards.
She promoted awareness of the National Historic Register and encouraged many homeowners in Arkansas to have their homes listed.
She was an active supporter of the Arkansas Art Center, a member of the Little Rock Junior League and the Committee of 100.
She was instrumental in Lonoke’s participation in the Main Street Arkansas program, had played a part in the “Yard of the Month” program in Lonoke and was an early supporter of the Lonoke High School Band. She was a long-time member of the Lonoke First United Methodist Church.
Largely for her involvement in the Depot restoration, she was named Woman of the Year by the Lonoke Chamber of Commerce in 1985.
She was preceded in death by her parents, her brothers Buddy (Edwin Lafayette) McHaney and Jimmy (James Monroe) McHaney, her sister Ellen Miriam McHaney and Virginia McHaney Thayer.
She is survived by her husband Wayne Bennett, her two sons, Wayne Bennett, Jr., of Lonoke and Mac Bennett of Nashville, Tennessee, daughter-in-law Maura O’Connell, a grandson Jesse Bennett of Nashville, Tennessee, and a brother, Col. Gailon Myers McHaney of Ft. Walton Beach, Florida.
She is remembered by her family and friends for her strength, compassion and love of life.
Known as “Bette” to her many friends, she is perhaps best remembered for her infectious laugh.
Even in her last years, as she slowly succumbed to the ravages of Alzheimer’s disease, she did not lose her sense of humor or her indomitable air of grace and dignity.
Visitation was on Tuesday, November 4, between 6 and 8 p.m. at Boyd Funeral Home in Lonoke. Funeral services were held at the Lonoke First United Methodist Church on Wednesday, November 5, at 10 a.m.
Pallbearers will be Andy Berry, Gene Eagle, Jim McHaney, Jr., Bill McNeil, Wayne Smith, Mert Thayer, Jr., Robert Wayne and Ed Willman
In lieu of flowers, please make donations to the Arkansas Alzheimer’s Association or the Lonoke County Historical Society.
The family would like to thank Norma Scott for her loving care during Bette’s illness.
