Biographical And Historical Memoirs of Pulaski, Jefferson, Lonoke, Faulkner, Grant, Saline, Perry, Garland And Hot Spring Counties, Arkansas
Virginia Mitchell Bailey
Virginia Mitchell Bailey, of Little Rock, surrounded by her family and loved ones, passed away on June 1, 2003. She was born
in El Dorado, Arkansas on August 7, 1925 to Dr. Joseph Grover Mitchell and Maude Henderson Mitchell. She was preceded in death by her parents and by her brother, Joseph Grover Mitchell, Jr.
Virginia is survived by her husband of almost 58 years, H. A. Ted Bailey, Jr., M.D., whom she married
on June 23, 1945 at First Baptist Church in El Dorado.
Virginia was most proud of what she called her "wonderful family." She and Dr. Bailey have five surviving children, who, together with their spouses, are Mary Maude Shafer and Robert Shafer of Little Rock; H. A. Ted Bailey III and Maranda Bailey of Little Rock; Virginia Jo McCray and Kevin McCray of Bucharest, Romania; John S. Bailey and Patricia Bailey of Little Rock; and Madeline Henry and David Deming Henry of Little Rock. She is survived by 22 grandchildren, Laura, Mary Catherine, Philip, and Sarah Shafer; Ben, Ted IV, Ali, and Barrett Bailey; Virginia, Jason, Mitchell, Elianna, Melissa, James, Emily, and Elizabeth McCray; Rachael, Erik, Eddie, and Rebecca Bailey; and Mary and Johnny Henry. She also is survived by her nephew, Joe Mitchell, of Chicago, Illinois, and by her nephew and niece, Abe Mitchell and Virginia Ann Mitchell, both of Miami, Florida.
Virginia attended El Dorado public schools through the tenth grade. She graduated from Gulf Park By-The-Sea High School in Gulfport, Mississippi in June 1943. She attended the University of Arkansas in the summer and fall of 1943, where she was a member of the Pi Beta Phi Sorority. She also was elected Secretary of the University freshman class. In 1944, she transferred to Lindenwood College for Girls in St. Charles, Missouri for one year. She attended Baylor University in Waco, Texas while Dr. Bailey interned at Scott White Hospital in Temple, Texas. She graduated from Baylor in June 1948. While Dr. Bailey completed his ear, nose and throat residency in New Orleans, Louisiana, she took graduate courses at Tulane University and at the Soulé Business School.
Virginia and Dr. Bailey returned to Little Rock in 1953 after Dr. Bailey completed his service in the United States Navy during the Korean War at the Millington Naval Hospital in Millington, Tennessee. Together they founded Bailey Corporation, a real estate development, management and investment company, in January 1956. Their projects included the Foxcroft, Campus Place, McClellan Place, St. Charles, and St. Thomas Subdivisions and the Foxcroft and Andover Square Townhomes. Virginia personally planned and directed the development of the River Bend Townhomes on the banks of the Arkansas River, where the Baileys made their home.
Virginia was President of Bailey Corporation from 1966 to 1991, which later was reorganized as Bailey Properties, LLC, where she continued as Vice President. She was the Manager and major stockholder of the family-owned Bailey Timberlands in Sabine Parish, Louisiana. She was Executive Director of Bailey Sabine Developments, which developed the Bailey Bluff Condominiums at Cypress Bend Hotel and Resort Park on Toledo Bend Lake near Many, Louisiana. She also developed the Miller Bay, Pegleg Cove, and Little Flock Subdivisions in Sabine Parish.
In 1976, Virginia's leadership in business affairs was recognized by her being the first woman elected to the Eighth District Federal Reserve Bank Board in St. Louis, Missouri, thereby becoming one of the first four women ever to be elected to District Bank Boards of the Federal Reserve nationwide. In 1988, she was chosen to be among the first group of nine women to become members of the Downtown Rotary, Club No. 99.
Virginia served on the Advisory Board of the National Museum of Women in the Arts in Washington, D.C. She was a member of the Fine Arts Club since 1960. She served for 17 years on the Arkansas Arts Center Board of Trustees and for 12 years on the Arts Center Foundation Board. She was Secretary of the Arts Center Board in 1974, President of the Board from 1976 to 1977, and Chairman of the Board from 1977 to 1978. In 1989, she received the Winthrop Rockefeller Annual Award for outstanding service to the Arts Center. In 2001, the Arts Center Board named the Virginia and Ted Bailey Gallery in her honor.
From 1992 to 1995, Virginia served on the Advisory Board of the University of Arkansas School of Architecture. She served as the first President of the Friends of the Arts at the University of Arkansas at Little Rock. In 1988, she and Dr. Bailey received the Builders Award from UALR for outstanding service to the University. Virginia and Dr. Bailey played a significant role in the establishment of the Faculty Excellence Awards at UALR and continue to sponsor the Bailey University Teaching Award for Excellence, inaugurated in 1988. In June 2002, UALR opened the Alumni & Friends Center, named The Bailey Center in honor of Virginia and Dr. Bailey.
In recognition of their philanthropic support for so many charitable groups in the community and elsewhere, and by nomination from UALR, Virginia and Dr. Bailey received the Philanthropist of the Year Award from the Arkansas Chapter of the National Association of Fundraisers in 1994. In 1990, Virginia received one of the annual Outstanding Women of the Year Awards sponsored by Boatmen's Bank. She was honored with the Arkansas Arts and Humanities Award (AAHA) in 1995. She was a long-time member of Fifty for the Future, the CARTI Board, the UALR Foundation Fund Board, the Visiting Nurses Association Board, the Baptist Hospital-operated Parkway Village Board, and the Florence Crittenden Home Board.
Virginia was a sustaining member of the Junior League of Little Rock and a faithful member of Little Rock's First Baptist Church. Together with Dr. Bailey, she was a member of the Country Club of Little Rock since 1954.
Memorials may be made to the Arkansas Arts Center, the UALR Foundation Fund, Little Rock's First Baptist Church, or to a charity of the donor's choice.
Visitation will be at the Ruebel Funeral Home at 6313 West Markham Street from 5:00 to 7:00 p.m. on Wednesday, June 4, 2003. The funeral service will be held at Little Rock's First Baptist Church at 62 Pleasant Valley Drive at 11:00 a.m. on Thursday, June 5, 2003, to be followed by a burial service at Roselawn Cemetery.
Virginia Graydon Arrington
Virginia Graydon Arrington, 90, widow of Newton L. Arrington, of Little Rock died Monday, March 17, 2003. She was born
in Danville, AR to Irby Bascom and Isabella McKenzie Graydon and moved to Little Rock in 1917. She graduated from Little Rock High School in 1930. She worked for Ben M. Hogan Construction Co. from 1936 to her retirement in 1954. Virginia was a member of Pulaski Heights United Methodist Church and served as President of Forest Heights Garden Club. She is survived by a special friend, Harris Owen, a loving nephew, Dr. Douglas Graydon and his wife Linda of LaFayette, GA, a loving niece, Mary Jessen and her husband, Scott of Richardson, TX, three great nieces and two great nephews. A private memorial service will be held at a later date. Arrangements by Ruebel Funeral Home.
Pearle Dunn Arnold
Pearle Dunn Arnold, 98, of Little Rock died Tuesday, March 18. Pearle was born
December 17, 1904 in Hampton, Arkansas. She was preceded in death by her husband John Arnold and her son B. W. Chaffin, Jr. Survivors include her granddaughter Karen Baldwin and her husband, Stephen Baldwin of Charlotte, North Carolina and her grandson, Stephen W. Chaffin and his wife Tricia Chaffin of Little Rock, and six great-grand children. Graveside Service will be Friday, March 21, at 2:00pm in Dunn Cemetery
at Faustina, Arkansas. Memorials may be made to the Faustina Methodist Church, c/o William M. Dunn, Highway 4 West, Hampton, Arkansas 71744. Arrangements by Ruebel Funeral Home
John Wilmar Ansley
John Wilmar Ansley, 93, of Little Rock died Saturday, February 8, in Independence, MO. He was born
in Osborne, Kansas to John B. and Maggie Diella Simpson Ansley. After he attended Southwest Missouri State College in Springfield, MO In 1936 he married
Frances McVay.In 1946 he married
Dessie Merle Cox and they were married
for 53 years before her death in 1999. During those years they lived in Little Rock. In 1975 he retired from the Arkansas Democrat, where he was an advertising salesman. At the age of 75 he received a degree in Library Science from UALR. He was a member of the Delta Sigma Chi fraternity, and Pulaski Heights United Methodist Church, where he and Merle were very active in their Sunday School when they were younger. John was a member of a dance club, was an avid reader and enjoyed hobbies including gardening, fishing, dancing, singing, and geriatric exercises. He truly sang and danced through life. John was one of those special people who everyone loved. As he grew older, he was supported by countless friends who were attracted to his positive spirit and never ending zest for life. He had lived the past 8 months in Raytown, MO to be near his daughter and family. He is survived by his daughter Frances Jane Matson and her husband, Charles of Raytown, MO, a granddaughter Cathie Muschany and her husband Rob, of Kailua. Hawaii, great-granddaughter, Erin Muschany, two nephews, Wade Noxon, of Little Rock and Frank Turner, Dallas, TX and very special friends Ashvin and Diane Vibhakar and their children, Nathan and Abbey of Little Rock. He will be missed by his many friends at Woodland Heights of Little Rock and Bickford House in Raytown, MO. The family would also like to extend a very special thank-you to caregivers, Marijane Burton and Virtus Williams.
Funeral services will be held at 11:00 a.m. Saturday February 15th at the Ruebel Funeral Home. The family will receive friends at 10:00a.m. until service time at the funeral home. Burial will follow in Roselawn Memorial Park. Memorials may be made to Pulaski Heights United Methodist Church, the American Heart Association or the Alzheimer's Foundation.
Elizabeth Anne Hughes Allen
Elizabeth Anne Hughes Allen, age 80 of Little Rock, died Tuesday, October 7, 2003. She was born
in Germantown, Tennessee where she graduated from high school. She also graduated from the University of Mississippi in Oxford with her degrees in Physical Education and History. She was a member of Delta Gamma Sorority. Mrs. Allen was married
to her late husband Harry D. Allen, Jr. February 16, 1946 and moved to Little Rock in 1947. She was a faithful member of First United Methodist Church of Little Rock, and was the first woman to become chairman of the board of Stewards at the church. She was a former President of the 20th Century Club, and former member of Riverdale and Pleasant Valley Country Clubs.
She is predeceased by her husband Harry D. Allen, Jr. who died in 1967, a daughter Lou Anne Allen Blakely of Little Rock, her parents, Lt. Commander Charles Hughes and Anne Heslip Tucker Hughes of Memphis, and her sister Charlotte Power of Memphis.
She is survived by her daughter Beth Allen Harmon and husband Todd of Little Rock, one son Harry D. Allen, III and wife Beverly of Benton, 7 grandchildren; Kimberly Blakely Newton and husband Jason of Nashville, Arkansas, Robert Allen Blakely of Conway, Leslie Harmon Smith and husband Aaron of Springdale, Arkansas, Emily Allen Harmon of Little Rock, Harry D. Allen, IV, Michael T. Allen, and Charles David Allen all of Benton, 2 Great- Grandchildren; Caleb and Ashlyn Newton both of Nashville, Arkansas, and caregiver Anne Hoback.
There will be visitation Thursday from 5 to 7pm at Ruebel Funeral Home followed Friday with a funeral service at 11am at First United Methodist Church in Little Rock officiated by Reverend Jeannie Burton. Burial will follow at Pine Crest Memorial Park.
Services are under the direction of Ruebel Funeral Home.
Memorials may be made to First United Methodist Church.
Thomas Reaves Adams, Jr.
Thomas Reaves (Tommy) Adams, Jr., age 62, of Little Rock died December 22, 2003 at his home. He was born
April 15, 1941 to Thomas Reaves Adams & Margaret Stewert Adams, his mother preceding him in death. Besides his father, he is survived by his wife Betty Hunter Sorensen Adams; his three step children, Karen Whitney, Lisa Struby and Erik Sorensen and his nine grandchildren: Heather Looney, Erica Sorensen, Jessica Struby, Alexandra Whitney, John Sorensen, Rosy Whitney, Jo Whitney, Leila Whitney and Hunter Struby.
Besides his father, Reaves, other grieving relatives include Jane Farabee, Kay Rash, Mildred Adams, Jane Trainham, and Ashley & Brenna Galloway.
Tommy was in the class that wasn't at Central High in 1959 but had enough credits to go on to Hendrix College. He also attended Arkansas State Teachers College and UALR, receiving degrees in History and Education. He taught in elementary and junior high school for a brief period but worked as a time keeper for Burns Security Services from 1980-2000.
Tommy had a gift for music. He played the banjo and guitar and sang country-western music as a young child, entertaining around Little Rock. He won a Barnyard Frolic Competition at age eleven and was upset that he, size 5 x 5, was not sponsored by Colonel Tom Parker over a young truck driver named Elvis Presley. Tommy also sang in early opera productions in Little Rock, the Choral Society, as well as the Church Choir at Pulaski Heights Christian Church.
For many years, Tommy served as a Big Brother, mentoring several fatherless boys. He was an avid, if often unsuccessful, fisherman, a bridge enthusiast and a Razorback Fan who wore his Regalia to watch the game on T.V. He was laid back individual with a wonderful, droll sense of humor.
Tommy and Betty celebrated 30 years of a second marriage for both, going on cruises and overseas travel after retirement.
A service of remembrance will be held 3:00 p.m., Sunday, December 28, at The Pulaski Heights Christian Church. Cremation arrangements are by Ruebel Funeral Home.
Gifts in Tommy's honor may be made to Life Quest, 600 Pleasant Valley, Little Rock 72227 or Little Rock Bridge House, Tanglewood Shopping Center, Little Rock, 72207 or The Pulaski Heights Christian Church 4724 Hillcrest, Little Rock, 72205.
Skipwith Winfield Adams
Skipwith Winfield Adams, age 88, of Little Rock was born
Sept. 30, 1914 in Little Rock, and passed away May 28, 2003 in Austin, Texas. He was the son of Skipwith Winfield Adams and Lottie Fones Reaves Adams. Skip lived in Helena from 1915 through 1932 before moving back to Little Rock until April 2000. In 1932, he graduated from Helena High School, where he was on the football, basketball, track and baseball teams. He also played on baseball and softball teams in Little Rock during the 1930s.
Skip maintained an interest in all sports, particularly Arkansas Razorback football, attending most of the games from 1932 through 1999, and was a longtime member of the Razorback Foundation.
Skip attended Little Rock Junior College (now UALR) for one year before going to work, following his father’s death in 1933. He served in World War II in the U.S. Army Signal Corps as a Cryptographic Technician in New Guinea and the Philippines. After the war, Skip returned to Little Rock, where he worked as an independent insurance agent, eventually opening his own agency.
Skip is survived by his wife of 51 years, Mildred Laux Adams and his daughter, Jane A. Trainham both of Austin, Texas. Other survivors include his sister Jane A. Farabee, brother Reaves Adams; niece Kay A. Rash, nephew Tommy R. Adams; great-niece Ashley Galloway; and great-great-niece Brenna Galloway, all of Little Rock.
A memorial service will be held at Ruebel Funeral Home at 10 a.m. on Thursday June 5, 2003. A committal service will follow at Mount Holly Cemetery
in Little Rock.
Memorials may be made to Therapy Pet Pals of Texas, 3930 Bee Caves Road, Suite 6B, Austin, Texas, 78759 78746, or Christopher House, c/o Hospice Austin, 4107 Spicewood Springs Road, Austin, Texas.
Mildred Della Adams
Mildred Della Adams, 86, of Little Rock passed away on September 4, 2003 at Baptist Medical Center in Little Rock. Mrs. Adams was born
on June 18, 1917 in Coles County, IL.
She was preceded in death by her husband, Voris T. Adams, her parents, Oscar and Lora Key, five brothers and 3 sisters. She is survived by three sons, James H. Adams ( Janet) of Little Rock; Robert F. Adams (Sue) of Bauxite, and David R. Adams (Betty) of Gulfport, MS, two grandsons, Lance Adams and Matt Adams, one granddaughter, Sarah Almstrom, and one great granddaughter, Addison Almstrom, one brother, Johnny Key of Dubach, LA, three sisters, Phyllis Daugherty of Greentown, OH, Hazel Fraker of Sullivan, IL, and Sharon Sanders of Atwood, IL. Mildred was a member of the Order of the Eastern Star, a homemaker and a loving mother who will be missed by all that knew her.
A visitation will be held from 1:00 - 3:00 p.m. Sunday at the Ruebel Funeral Home followed by a funeral service at 10:00 a.m. Monday at the Ruebel Chapel.
Arrangements are under the direction of Ruebel Funeral Home.
Florence Bradford Adams
Florence Bradford Adams, widow of B.C. Adams and daughter of M. E. and Gertrude Bradford, died Sunday, April 6, 2003. She was a faithful member of Pulaski Heights United Methodist Church, the Rudd-Streepy Fox Sunday School Class and The United Methodist Women.
Survivors are her daughters Florence Albright and husband Clint of Little Rock, Betty Deaton and husband Claude of Little Rock, and Evalyn Brawley and husband Roger of Oklahoma City, OK ; grandsons, Clint and Mark Albright, Steven and Gary Shrider; granddaughters Chris Morgan and Beth Tanzy; nine great- grandchildren and one great-great grandchild.
Graveside services will be held at 2 pm Wednesday at Roselawn Memorial Park with Rev. Vic Nixon officiating. The family will receive friends between 5-7 pm on Tuesday at Ruebel Funeral Home.
Memorials may be made to The Pulaski Heights United Methodist Church or the Arkansas Hospice. Arrangements are under the direction of Ruebel Funeral Home.
Howard K. Bell
Howard K. Bell, of Little Rock, left this earth Easter morning (April 20, 2003) to be with his Lord. Mr. Bell was born
December 15, 1918 in Silver City, New Mexico.
Mr. Bell was preceded in death by his mother, long time Little Rock Central High teacher, Carolyn S. Bell and his wife Margaret M. Bell. He is survived by his sister Dorothy Bell Scoggins, nieces and nephews: Carolyn Sue Caughey, Donald R. Scoggins, John K. Scoggins and June S. Wood.
Mr. Bell was a retired school teacher having a long career teaching science and biology at Little Rock Central High School.
Mr. Bell was also retired from the U.S. Army with the rank of Captain in the artillery. Captain Bell commenced his military service immediately following the attack on Pearl Harbor and served through WWII, Korea and Vietnam. Decorations for his service in France included recognition for combat air missions as a forward artillery observer.
Mr. Bell was a long time member of Pulaski Heights Presbyterian Church, taught adult bible class and sang in the choir for over sixteen years. Mr. Bell was a volunteer at Southwest Hospital and in 1997 was recognized for 1578 volunteer hours.
Funeral Services will be at 2:00pm Wednesday at the Pulaski Heights Presbyterian Church with Rev. Floyd Whatley officiating. The family will receive friends one hour prior to the service at the church.
Memorials may be made to Presbyterian Village or Pulaski Heights Presbyterian Church Choir fund. Arrangements are by Ruebel Funeral Home.
