on September 4, 1941, in Everett, Washington, he was the son of Frederick Eugene and Dorothy Hunt Knutson. He attended school in Seattle and Tacoma, Washington; he graduated from the University of Puget Sound in 1963.
He entered the Claremont Graduate School, graduating with a Ph.D. in Religious Studies in 1970. Specializing in Assyriology, he translated letters from Ras Shamra for his dissertation, becoming proficient in the process in Languages such as Cuneiform, Hebrew, New Testament Greek, and German. He joined the faculty at the University of Arkansas at Little Rock in 1971, teaching Hebrew as well as courses in the Old and New Testaments, Ancient Near Eastern Religions, Islam and the Modern Middle East, and the History of Christian Thought. He served as chair of the Department of Philosophy and Religious Studies from 1981 to 1989. Although he had a severe stroke in 1989, he continued to teach one course a semester. When he died, he was happily teaching himself Sumarian and working on his scholarly passion, a monograph on attitudes toward the poor in the Ancient Near East. He had the coolest books.
He is survived by his wife, Roslyn Lander Knutson, of Little Rock, his mother, Dorothy Knutson of West Covina, California, his brother, Brian Knutson of Tacoma, Washington, his sister, Barbara Lindberg of West Covina, California; his sons, Brent R. Knutson and wife Jeanette of Boise, Idaho, Nathan B. (Knutson) Kaplan of Reno, Nevada; his step- children, Roslyn Donald and husband Garin Hiebert, of Redwood City, California, Ford Donald and wife Lisa, of Flower Mound, Texas, and two granddaughters, Hailey H. Knutson and Margaret E. Donald.
There was a memorial funeral service Thursday at 11 A.M. at Trinity Episcopal Cathedral officiated by The Very Reverend Henry Hudson. Burial will follow at Roselawn Cemetery. Arrangements are by Ruebel Funeral Home.
Memorials in lieu of flowers should be made to the Department of Philosophy and Religious Studies at UALR and to the Central Arkansas Beagle Club.
Ralph Edwin Jones
Ralph Edwin Jones, age 72, of Little Rock, died 
Thursday, December 26, 2002. Ralph was born
in DeVall's Bluff, Arkansas. After graduating from high school in Mabelvale he joined the Air Force serving in Great Britain, where he met and married
Betty Murray. They were later transferred to New Mexico where their son Carl was born. After the service Ralph and family returned to Arkansas where he graduated from the University of Central Arkansas in Conway. He was awarded a B.S. degree in Sociology. He began working for the University of Arkansas Social Services Department and in 1961 began working with the Arkansas Rehabilitation Services in Little Rock, retiring in 1993. Ralph enjoyed being with his family, deer hunting, fishing and especially working on his land in West Little Rock.
He is survived by his wife Betty Murray Jones of Little Rock, his mother Anna Belle Buchanan of Quitman, Arkansas, one son, Carl R. Jones and wife Natalie of Little Rock, two sisters, Clara Norris and husband Harry of Quitman, Frances Jackson and husband Jackie of Little Rock, one grandchild Jason R. Jones and wife Mary, and two great-grandchildren, Drake R. Jones and Corwyn E. Jones.
There will be a memorial service Saturday at 11 A.M. at the Ruebel Funeral Home Chapel, officiated by Reverend Jay Weaver.
Memorials in lieu of flowers should be made to the University of Arkansas Medical Sciences Cancer Research Center, 4301 West Markham Street, Little Rock 72205.
Alice Amanda Burke Jones
Alice Amanda Burke Jones, age 101, of Little Rock, passed away, November 28, 2002. She was born
in Grand Prairie, Arkansas on December 25, 1900, the oldest of seven children to Harvey Edward Burke and Rose Anna Maynard Burke. At 21 she taught elementary school in Charleston, Arkansas. In 1922 she married
William M. Jones and in 1924 had a daughter, Norma Sue. Alice and Bill celebrated 50 years of marriage in 1972. Mr. Jones died in 1979. Throughout her life she was active in the Methodist Church and volunteered her services at nursing homes and the Oasis Center, a religious retreat facility. She was a member of PEO, Eastern Star, Daughters of the American Revolution, and the Pulaski Heights United Methodist Church. She is survived by her daughter Sue Gill of Little Rock, two granddaughters; Alexandra Fairbanks, and Jacqueline Coulter, two great-grandchildren; Tristan and Sean, and one great great grandson, Will, and many nieces and nephews.
There will be a graveside service Friday, November 29th, at 9:30 A.M. at Pinecrest Cemetery
officiated by Reverend Jeffery Hampton. Services are under the direction of Ruebel Funeral Home.
Vera B. Jackson Simard
Vera B. Jackson Simard, of Little Rock, died Wednesday, July 17, 2002. She was born
November 1, 1907 to Fay Moore Jackson and Walter E. Jackson. Vera lived in Fort Smith, Arkansas for 90 years before moving to Little Rock in 1998. She loved her home, family, and friends. She will be missed by many.
Vera is preceded in death by her husband Joseph G.E. Simard, brother, Walter Jackson, Jr., sister, Buena Thompson, and grandson, Rodney Simard. She is survived by son, Houston Simard and wife Co of Memphis, daughter, Julie Newsum and husband Jon of Little Rock, and grandchildren, Timothy Simard of Memphis, Jennifer Sperry and husband Steve of Little Rock and Kathryn Newsum of Philadelphia.
There will be graveside memorial service Monday, July 22nd, at 1 P.M. at the National Cemetery
of Fort Smith, Arkansas officiated by Reverend Bill Cheyne. Funeral services are under the direction of Ruebel Funeral Home.
Memorials should be made to Presbyterian Village, 510 Brookside Drive, Little Rock, AR 72205.
Alfred Edwin Shirey
Alfred Edwin Shirey, age 80, of Little Rock died Sunday, April 28, 2002. He was born
in Little Rock where he graduated from Little Rock High School. He joined the U.S. Marines serving during World War II at Guadalcanal, and Solomon Islands. Upon his return to Little Rock hee attended Little Rock Junior College and later he went in to radio broadcasting managing KGHI and worked with several other local stations. He was also involved with radio sales until in 1962 he began working with Shoppers News newspaper for 17 years. Al was a member of the First Church of The Nazarene.
He is survived by his wife Reba Teal Shirey of Little Rock, 3 sons George A. Shirey and wife Marisa of Lake In The Hills, Illinois, Peter Shirey and wife Carole of Olathe, Kansas, Troy D. Shirey of Brinkley, Arkansas, one brother Dr. C.E. Ballard of Little Rock one sister Dorothy Mills of Little Rock, and 3 grandchildren, Josh, Joel and Sarabeth Shirey, one stepson Dr. Shelby A. Heflin of Russellville, two step grandchildren, Shelby A. Heflin, Jr. and Lisa Heflin.
There will be a graveside funeral service Tuesday at 2 P.M. at Pinecrest Cemetery
officiated by Dr. Dan Casey. Arrangements are under the direction of Ruebel Funeral Home.
Memorials in lieu of flowers should be made to the First Church of The Nazarene Building Fund.
Margaret Moore Shelton
Margaret Moore Shelton, age 89, of Little Rock, retired head of data processing for the Arkansas Health Department died Friday, October 25, 2002. Born in Little Rock, Margaret graduated from Little Rock High School and the University of Arkansas at Little Rock, receiving her Masters in Business Administration. She was a member of Pulaski Heights United Methodist Church and past member of the Primrose United Methodist Church. She was a member of the Order of The Eastern Star, past Grand Royal Matron of the Order of the Amaranth, Little Rock Business and Professional Women's Club, Little Rock Business Women's Social Service Club, State Hospital Auxiliary, Order of The White Shrine of Jerusalem, and the Gardenia Garden Club.
She is survived by 3 nephews; Fred M. "Ricky" Moore, George E. Moore, David B. Moore, 3 nieces Katie Moore Hellums, Dianne Moore Benton, Anita Moore McGinity and many great, and great-great nieces and nephews. She is predeceased by her mother and father, Juanita who died in 1983 and Fred who died in 1950, her brother Fred Moore, Jr. who died in 1985, sister Middie Moore Smith who died in 1997 and a nephew Kenneth Poteete who died in 2001.
There will be a visitation Sunday from 3 to 5 P.M. at Ruebel Funeral Home followed by a funeral service Monday at 10 A.M. at Primrose United Methodist Church officiated by Reverend Lynn Lindsey. Burial will follow at the Primrose Cemetery. Services are under the direction of Ruebel Funeral Home.
Memorials maybe made to Primrose United Methodist Church, 3006 West Dixon Road, Little Rock 72206.
Elijah Rhys Scarborough
Elijah Rhys Scarborough, age 1 year, of Little Rock, died August 8, 2002. He was born
July 25th, 2001 to his parents, Fred and Mary Katherine Holt Scarborough of Little Rock. Elijah is also survived by his paternal grandmother Betty Scarborough of Harrison, Arkansas and his maternal grandparents Ken Holt of Dallas and Mary Holt of Little Rock.
There will be a memorial funeral service Monday at 11:00 a.m. at the Ruebel Funeral Home Chapel.
Memorials in lieu of flowers should be made to Arkansas Children's Hospital, 800 Marshall Street, Little Rock 72202-661.
Glen Franklin Rogers
Glen Franklin Rogers, age 86, of Little Rock, departed this life May 27th, 2002, to be with his Lord. A true Arkansas native, Glen was born
December 3, 1915. He attended Little Rock Schools and graduated from the University of Arkansas with a B.B.A. degree. After graduation he joined the audit staff of R.A. Lile and Company in Little Rock. Following a year as comptroller of the Housing Authority of Little Rock, Glen rejoined R.A. Lile as a partner in 1951. He became a partner with Peat, Marwick and Mitchell and Company when the two firms merged in 1961. He served his country as an Ensign in the Navy Air Corp and a flight instructor in World War II. Glen had a distinguished professional record in accounting, including member of Beta Alpha Pie scholastic business fraternity, past president of the Arkansas Society and State Board of Accounting, member of the National Institute of Certified Public Accountants, former member of the American Institute of Certified Public Accountant Council, and member of Central Arkansas Chapter of the National Association of Accountancy. His record in Community service is just as notable. He was former chairman of the Board of Commissions of the Little Rock Housing Authority, former member of the Little Rock Civil Service Commission, a member of the Board of Trustees of Baptist Medical Center, and past president of the Medical Center Foundation, former member of the Board of Trustees Baptist Health Foundation, former member of the Board of Trustees of Parkway Village, 32nd Degree Mason, Scimitar Shrine and Royal Order of Jesters. He was a devoted member of Pulaski Heights Baptist Church for 60 years where he served in numerous capacities including a Deacon, Treasurer of Finance Committee and member of the Board of Trustees. In addition he was Treasurer of Arkansas Reality Company that built the tower building, President of Transportation Properties, former member of Board of Directors of the Brick Lile Foundation, and Pleasant Valley Country Club. He is preceded in death by his parents, wife Iris B. Rogers, brother Fred and Gene Rogers and great grandson Tray Jones. He is survived by his wife Lorene daughter Charlotte Sorrel of Houston, sisters Lucille Hefley, Aillene Wells, Polly Lewis all of Houston, grandchildren Ginny Jones and husband Buddy, Glen Sorrel and wife Deanna, seven great-grandchildren, step children Howard and wife Judy Martin, Diane Bryant and her daughter Jackie, Al Martin and wife Anilma and their families and numerous nieces and nephews to cherish his memory. There will a visitation Thursday from 5 to 7 P.M. at the Ruebel Funeral Home followed by a funeral service Friday at 10 P.M. at Pulaski heights Baptist Church officiated by Dr. Randy Hyde. Burial will follow at Pine Crest Cemetery. Services are under the direction of Ruebel Funeral Home. Memorials may be made to the Baptist Medical Center or Pulaski Heights Baptist Church.
Bernice Noakes Richards
Bernice Noakes Richards, 87, of Little Rock died Saturday, September 7, 2002. She was a medical secretary for the Veterans Hospital and a member of St. Paul's United Methodist Church.
She was preceded in death by two brothers Roland and John Byrd and two sisters Pearl Daly and Inez Varner Schubert. Her survivors include sister Melba Munnerlyn and husband Rip of North Little Rock; two brothers Robert Byrd and wife Colleen of North Little Rock and Gerald Byrd and wife Jaye of Shreveport, Louisiana; a stepson Bill Richards and step daughter Jackie Gentry; special friends Glenda Bailey and Jimmy and Beverly Williams and numerous nieces and nephews.
A visitation will be held at Ruebel Funeral Home on Tuesday from 2 to 4 P.M. with
Graveside services being held Wednesday 10:30 A.M. at Pinecrest Memorial Park followed by a Memorial Service at 2 P. M. at St. Paul's United Methodist Church.
Memorials may be made to St. Paul's United Methodist Church, Salvation Army Auxiliary or a charity of one choice.
