Biographical And Historical Memoirs of Pulaski, Jefferson, Lonoke, Faulkner, Grant, Saline, Perry, Garland And Hot Spring Counties, Arkansas
Lawrence D. Dickson
Lawrence Dale Dickson of Stuttgart died Thursday, April 17 at Baptist Hospital in Little Rock after a six-month battle with cancer. Dale was born Jan. 23, 1943 and was a lifelong resident of Stuttgart. He was a graduate of Stuttgart High School, where he was student body president, and John A. Gupton School of Mortuary Science in Nashville, Tenn., where he served as secretary/treasurer of his class. He served in the Arkansas Army National Guard for six years. He was active in the Stuttgart City Council from 1973-1975, holding the positions of alderman and mayor. He was also a former director and secretary/treasurer of the Stuttgart Chamber of Commerce and served on the city planning commission. He was owner of Turpin Funeral Home in Stuttgart.
Paul D. Shafer once said, “The most important single influence in the life of a person is another person ... who is worthy of emulation.” Dale’s positive influence on those he came in contact with is remembered fondly by family, friends and those who knew him well. His strong faith in God was shared with others on a daily basis through his work at Turpin Funeral Home in Stuttgart, where he counseled many families over a span of 40 years. He was an active member of Southside Baptist Church, where he served as a deacon. He and his wife, Marian, taught the couples Sunday school class. He was an avid outdoorsman who loved hunting. He was also a strong supporter of sporting events for children.
Dale was preceded in death by an infant son, and by his parents, Lawrence E. and Evelyn J. (Rittman) Dickson. His is survived by his wife of 38 years, Marian Tull Dickson; two daughters, Laura Anne Bednar and husband Rick, and Sarah Ellen Bednar and husband Bart; two brothers, Charles Dickson and John Dickson; one sister, Nansi Orlicek; and four grandchildren, Trey Bednar, Mari Kristen Bednar, Nathan Bednar and Jack Bednar, all of Stuttgart.
Funeral services were Monday, April 21 at 2 p.m. at Southside Baptist Church in Stuttgart, with Rev. Gregg Greenway officiating. Pallbearers were to be Bruce Burdett, J.W. Green, Dr. Chris Morgan, Terry Ward (all of Stuttgart); Armand Janssen (Cabot); Robert Erwin, Presley Melton (both of Little Rock); and Neal Vickers (Lonoke). Honorary pallbearers were the deacons of Southside Baptist Church. Visitation was Saturday evening, from 5-7 p.m., at Turpin Funeral Home. The family requests memorials be made to Southside Baptist Church of Stuttgart or to any organization that the donor knows Dale loved and supported.
Special thanks are given to Dr. Brad Baltz and the staff of Arkansas Hematology and Oncology Associates, Dr. Art Squire and Dr. Randal Hundley for their kindness and compassion during the past six months.
Lera Wilburn Miller
Lera Wilburn Stuart Miller of Carlisle died April 14, 2003 at Chambers Nursing Home.
She was born April 24, 1908 in Novle, La. She was preceded in death by her husband, Cecil Guy Stuart; her parents; brother, Lorsi Wilburn; sister, Linnie Cox of Port Arthur, Texas; and daughter, Jerri Brown of Texas.
Survivors include two daughters, Gloria Garrich and Frances Smith of Carlisle; three grandsons, Danny Smith of Carlisle, and Mike and Rusty Brown of Texas; one granddaughter, Stephanie McGhee of Tuscaloosa, Ala.; nine great-grandchildren; two great-great-grandchildren; and a sister, Ima Sprouce of Port Arthur, Texas.
Graveside services were held April 16 at Carlisle cemetery.
Memorials may be made to Carlisle First Baptist Church or Carlisle cemetery.
Freddie D. Goodnight
Freddie D. Goodnight, 56, of North Little Rock, died April 14, 2003. He worked for Max Scoter Transmission for 35 years and Reiley Nursing Home for seven years.
He is survived by his mother, Maxine Goodnight of North Little Rock; daughter, Kristal Goodnight of North Little Rock; stgepdaughter, Denise Crow of Jacksonville; stepson, Troy Crow of Cato; sister, Linda Ballentine of Cabot; two grandchildren; three step-grandchildren.
Funeral services were Thursday, April 17, at Roller-Owen Funeral Home. Interment followed at Memorial Park cemetery in Pine Bluff.
Theodore Anderson
Theodore Anderson, 55, of Little Rock, died Sunday, April 13, 2003.
He is survived by his wife, Annetta Anderson; four sons, Anthony and Theodore III of Little Rock, Mark Anderson of Tulsa, Okla., and Adrian Anderson of Jacksonville; two brothers, Ronnie Anderson of Carlisle, and Robert Anderson of North Little Rock; three sisters, Judy Lewis of Lonoke, Odessa Anderson of Carlisle, and Bernice Parham of Hot Springs; and 12 grandchildren.
Funeral services were Saturday, April 19, at Mt. Zion Baptist Church in Carlisle. Burial was in Carlisle cemetery. Services entrusted to Premier Funeral Home, Little Rock.
Mavis Syble Ray
Mavis Syble Ray, 79, of Little Rock died Wednesday, April 16, 2003.
She is survived by three sons, John “Pete” Ray of Jacksonville; Kenneth “Cody” Ray of North Little Rock; Charles “Wayne” Ray of Little Rock; 12 grandchildren; 18 great-grandchildren; two brothers, Jay Berryman of North Little Rock, Buck Berryman of Cabot; two sisters, Joyce Kerr and Ruby Williams both of North Little Rock.
Memorials may be made to the American Cancer Society, 901 North University, Little Rock, Ark. 72203.
A graveside service was held Friday, at Arkansas Memorial Gardens. North Little Rock Funeral Home in charge.
Jo Ann R. Andrews
Jo Ann Rockwell Andrews, 71, of Carlisle, went to be with her Lord April 18, 2003.
She is survived by her husband, David Lee Andrews Sr.; sons, David Lee Andrews Jr. of California, and Delbert Carl Andrews of Carlisle; daughters, Janie Sue Edge of Hazen and Debbye Ann Ingle of Carlisle; one brother, William Orville (Boots) Rockwell of Arizona; sisters, Mary Sue Coburn of Humnoke, Martha Jean Andrews of Bald Knob and Shirley Lou Achenbach of Summit; nine grandchildren; five great-grandchildren; and numerous cousins, nieces and nephews.
Funeral services were at 10 a.m., Monday, at New Horizon Baptist Church, with interment in Carlisle cemetery by Boyd Funeral Home of Lonoke.
Monnin J. Mattingly
Monnin J. Mattingly, of Cabot died April 14, 2003, at the age of 69.
He worked 20 years in the United States Air Force and 20 years in Civil Service as a firefighter.
He is survived by his wife of 47 years, Shirley; two sons, Bobby John Mattingly of Shelbyville, Ind., and William Mattingly of Ft. Sill, Okla.; one daughter, Rebecca Rivera of Abilene, Texas; 10 grandchildren and three great-grandchildren; his sister, Nellie Reed of Hardingsburg, Ky.; and his brother, J.A. Mattingly of Louisville, Ky.
A celebration of his life was held Friday, April 18, at Griffin-Leggett-Rest Hills funeral home, North Little Rock, with burial at Rest Hills Memorial Park.
Lucille Raper Murray
Lucille Raper Murray, age 85, died April 14, 2003.
She is survived by three children, Bob Raper of Ward, Juanita Henderson of Georgia and Earlene Lewis of Lonoke; one brother, Herman Tucker, Pine Bluff; two sisters, Rosie Bailey, Pine Bluff, and Clois Ratliff of Heber Springs; 19 grandchildren; 21 great-grandchildren; seven great-great-grandchildren; and eight step-grandchildren.
Services were Thursday at Boyd Funeral Home Chapel, Lonoke, with interment in New Liberty cemetery, Vilonia.
Lera Wilburn Miller
Lera Wilburn Miller, 94, of Carlisle died Monday, April 14, 2003.
She is survived by her sister, Ima Sprouce of Port Arthur, Texas; two daughters, Gloria Garrich and Frances Smith of Carlisle; three grandsons; one granddaughter; nine great-grandchildren; and two great-great-grandchildren.
Memorials may be made to the First Baptist Church of Carlisle, or the Carlisle cemetery.
A graveside service was held Wednesday at Carlisle cemetery. Arrangements by North Little Rock Funeral Home.
Jim Porter John
Jim Porter John, 61, of Fort Worth, Texas, died April 12, 2003.
He played football for the Arkansas Razorbacks and was awarded the C.G. “Crip” Hall Award. Following graduation he served in the United States Army attaining the rank of Major. He served two tours in Vietnam.
He is survived by his wife, Janet John of Fort Worth, Texas; son, David John of Little Rock; daughter, Jennifer John Murphy of Plano, Texas; sisters, Joan John Stephens of Dickinson, Texas, Margaret John Osborne of Clarksville, Tenn.; stepbrother, Tommy Hillman of Carlisle; stepsisters, Charlene Lee, Sandy Caveneau of Little Rock, and Dixie Harrison of Greers Ferry; and four grandchildren.
Funeral services were Thursday at Shannon’s Funeral Home in Fort Worth, Texas, followed by a burial service Saturday in Stuttgart, at Lone Tree cemetery.
Grapelle S. Stevens
Grapelle Smith Stevens, 82, of North Little Rock died Friday, April 18, 2003.
She was a retired school principal and teacher in Harrison and North Little Rock. She was a member of First United Methodist Church in North Little Rock and Delta Kappa Gamma Society.
She is survived by a daughter, Betty Flowers of Cabot; brother, Bill Smith of Millington, Tenn.; five grandchildren; two great-grandchildren.
Memorials may be made to the American Cancer Society or First United Methodist Church in North Little Rock.
Funeral services were Tuesday at the North Little Rock Funeral Home Chapel. Burial was in Rest Hills Memorial Park.
