Biographical And Historical Memoirs of Pulaski, Jefferson, Lonoke, Faulkner, Grant, Saline, Perry, Garland And Hot Spring Counties, Arkansas
Eleanor Woods Godbold
Eleanor Woods Godbold, 95, of Little Rock, died 
Friday, July 25, 2003. She was born
in Gulfport, MS and attended Grinell College in Iowa. She then married
Robert W. "Bobby" Godbold in Panama and moved to Cartagena Colombia where they lived for several years before moving to Warren and Monticello. They owned and operated the City Cleaners in both towns. Upon their retirement they moved to Eureka Springs. After Bobby's death in 1985 she moved to Little Rock to be near her daughters. She loved doing arts and crafts and was an avid bridge player.
Eleanor is survived by one daughter, Betty Ferguson, of Little Rock, four grandchildren, Woody Brogdon, Tricia Quertermous, Mari Alice Sumlin and Betty Lea Johnson and eight great-grandchildren. She was also preceded in death, by a daughter, Alice Lea Quandt.
A memorial service will be held at 11:00 a.m. Monday at the Ruebel Funeral Home.
James Wallace Gitchel
James Wallace Gitchel of Little Rock, passed away June 23, 2003, and went to join his beloved wife, Betty, who preceded him in death by just over two months. Wally was born
July 25, 1912, in Little Rock, the son of Guy Wallace Gitchel and Eura Jane Neaville Gitchel, and was a lifelong resident of Little Rock. He attended Little Rock public schools and graduated from Branham & Hughes Military Academy. After spending one year at Hendrix College, Wally returned to Little Rock. He spent most of his working fife as a salesman with Hollis & Company, traveling through the Ozarks selling industrial supplies. On April 17, 1937, Wally married
Betty Denty. Betty was his true love and he devoted the rest of his fife to her and his family.
Wally is survived by his two sons, Wallace Denty Gitchel and his wife Charlotte John of Little Rock and Samuel James Gitchel and his wife Nancy Bleile of Fresno, California; two grandsons, Wallace Denty Gitchel, Jr. and his wife Beth of Fayetteville and James Benjamin Gitchel and his wife Hannah of Eureka Springs; one step-grandson, David John and his wife Melissa of Little Rock; two step-granddaughters, Devon Rush and Anne Bleile-Kratzer of Los Angeles, California; one great-grandson, Quinton Wallace Gitchel; and two step-great-granddaughters, Haley Cashion John and Porter Melissa John.
The family will gather in a private, graveside tribute to Wally. Arrangements are under the direction of Ruebel Funeral Home.
In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made to Pulaski Heights United Methodist Church, Good Shepherd Ecumenical Retirement Center, or a favorite charity.
Hester Elizabeth "Betty" Denty Gitchel
Hester Elizabeth "Betty" Denty Gitchel of Little Rock, passed away April 15, 2003, two days before the sixty-sixth anniversary of her wedding to James Wallace "Wally" Gitchel. Betty was born
December 7, 1914, in Newport, Arkansas, the daughter of Samuel Johnston Denty and Ethel May Bishop Denty. The family moved to Little Rock when Betty was a small child. She attended Lee Elementary and Pulaski Heights Junior High schools and graduated from Little Rock High School. After a short career as a secretary, she married
the love of her life, Wally Gitchel. She spent the remainder of her days as a devoted wife, mother, grandmother, and great-grandmother.
Betty is survived by her husband James Wallace Gitchel; two sons, Wallace Denty Gitchel and his wife Charlotte John of Little Rock and Samuel James Gitchel and his wife Nancy Bleile of Fresno, California; two grandsons, Wallace Denty Gitchel, Jr. and his wife Beth of Fayetteville and James Benjamin Gitchel and his wife Hannah of Eureka Springs; one step-grandson, David John and his wife Melissa of Little Rock; two step-granddaughters, Devon Rush and Anne Bleile-Kratzer of Los Angeles, California; one great-grandson, Quinton Wallace Gitchel; and two step-great-granddaughters, Haley Cashion John and Porter Melissa John.
A memorial service will be held in the chapel at Pulaski Heights United Methodist Church on Friday, April 20, at 10:00 a.m. In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made to Pulaski Heights United Methodist Church.
The family will be at 5801 South Country Club in Little Rock.
Arrangements are by Ruebel Funeral Home
John Wayne Gilleland
John Wayne Gilleland, 57, passed away on Thursday, November 13, 2003, in Beverly Hills, California. He was born
on January 5, 1946, in Norfolk, Virginia. He is survived by his mother, Marjorie D. Gilleland, his father John E. Gilleland, his sister, Jane Newman and her husband, Ron Newman, all of Nathrop, Colorado; his children, Leabeth Gilleland, of Mankato, Minnesota; Carly Gilleland, Haysen Gilleland, and Zak Gilleland, all of Chapel Hill, North Carolina; his grandson Gabe Gilleland of Mankato, Minnesota: and his niece, Ashley Mosely of Little Rock, Arkansas.
Wayne was a 1963 graduate of Hall High School in Little Rock, Arkansas, and a 1967 graduate of Hendrix College in Conway, Arkansas. He served in the US Air Force, where he was assigned at Clark Air Force Base in the Philippine Islands and later as a radio communications technician for Air Force I. He was honorably discharged in 1972. Wayne then moved to Monticello, Arkansas where he opened Mr. G Men's Clothing Store. He operated that business until 1985, at which point he entered the investment business in Little Rock, with E.F. Hutton. Wayne worked in various other states in the investment business and was living in Beverly Hills at the time of his death.
Wayne was a member of Pulaski Heights United Methodist Church and was a leader in Boy Scout Troop 12. As a Boy Scout, he attained the rank of Eagle Scout and received the "God and Country Award." He was an avid golfer and sports fan and was active in coaching his children in sporting activities. Wayne was a loving father, who cherished the time that he spent with his children and grandson.
A memorial service will be held at 2:30 p.m. on Tuesday, November 18, 2003 at Pulaski Heights United Methodist Church, Little Rock, Arkansas, followed by a reception at the church. Arrangements are under the direction of Ruebel Funeral Home.
The family asks that in lieu of flowers, contributions be made to Troop 12, Boy Scouts of America, Pulaski Heights United Methodist Church, PO Box 250768, Little Rock Arkansas 72205; or H.I.R.E. Inc., a non-profit organization which assists individuals with disabilities to achieve independence and employment. The address for H.I.R.E., Inc. is 5919 "H" Street, Little Rock, Arkansas 72205.
Gladys Laverne Caver Gerard
Gladys Laverne Caver Gerard, age 90, of Little Rock, widow of Frank Gerard, Sr., passed away peacefully on Monday. She was born
in Hot Springs, but spent most of her life in Little Rock. She was a Catholic and member of Our Lady of the Holy Souls Catholic Church. Mrs. Gerard led an extremely active life volunteering in the community, church and schools. She was part of the group of patrons responsible for bringing the Community Concerts Association to Little Rock, and raised funds for various other charitable causes including St. Edward's Catholic Church, Catholic High School, Wolfe Street Foundation and Archild School.
She is survived by three sons, Frank Gerard, Jr. of Little Rock, Joseph H. Gerard of Pittsfield, MA, and Gilbert C. Gerard of Los Angeles, CA; a brother, Gilbert Caver of Little Rock, ten grandchildren, and five great-grandchildren.
A Rosary Service will be held at Ruebel Funeral Home on Wednesday at 7:00. A Mass of Christian Burial will be held at Holy Souls Catholic Church on Thursday at 10:00 AM with Monsignor David LeSieur officiating. Arrangements are under the direction of Ruebel Funeral Home.
Memorials can be made to Our Lady of the Holy Souls Catholic Church, 1003 North Tyler Street, Little Rock, AR, or The Wolfe Street Foundation.
John Phillip Geffken
John Phillip Geffken of Little Rock, entered into rest on the morning of Thursday, August 14, 2003 at the age of 54. He was born
on March 20, 1949 to Ann and Phil Geffken in Deep River, Connecticut. John worked for the Corp of Engineers in Little Rock, and previously lived in Mountain Home for 15 years. He enjoyed fishing, camping, and spending time outdoors with his family.
John was preceded in death by his parents. He is survived by his wife Carolyn of 27 years; daughter, Elana; a sister, Susan Kimes of Dallas, and a brother, Bruce Geffken of Maine. A great husband, father, and brother, he will be missed greatly by family and friends.
A memorial service and picnic will be held at the Pinnacle Mountain State Park pavilion, Saturday, August 16, 2003 at 4:30 PM. Anyone who had the pleasure of knowing John is welcome to attend. Cremation arrangements by Ruebel Funeral Home.
Memorials may be made to The Nature Conservancy, 601 N. University Ave, Little Rock, AR 72205, (501)663-6699
Lucinda Elizabeth Blakely Forgy
Lucinda Elizabeth Blakely Forgy, age 77, of Little Rock, died Sunday, May 18, 2003. Born in Little Rock she graduated from Little Rock High School before graduating from the University of Texas, in Austin, with a degree in Sociology. After college she married
John Forgy who died in 2000. They loved traveling and being with their children and grandchildren. She was a member of Immanuel Baptist Church where she enjoyed volunteering in the church library.
She is survived by a brother, Rupert M. Blakely, Jr. and wife Anne of Little Rock, one son Bob Forgy of Oakridge, Tennessee, two daughters, Cindy Grace and husband David of North Little Rock, Nancy Mullen and husband Mike of Fall River, Massachusetts, 6 grandchildren Darby Grace, Jonathan, Josua, and Matthew Mullen, and Brandon and Blake Forgy.
There will be a graveside funeral service Thursday at 10am at Roselawn Cemetery
officiated by Dr. Rex M. Horne, Jr. Burial is under the direction of Ruebel Funeral Home.
Memorials may be made to the Immanuel Baptist Church Building fund or the church library fund.
Albert Vernam Forbes
Albert Vernam Forbes, age 92, of Little Rock, died October 31, 2003. He is an Alumnus of St. Paul's School in Concord N.H.. He entered the service with Squadron A of the New York National Guard which was federalized as the 101st Calvary Regiment in 1941. Later he was assigned the First Calvary Division in the Pacific Theatre. He is a member of the Country Club of Little Rock.
He is survived by his wife, Rose Knox Lincoln Forbes; a brother, Murray Forbes of New London, New Hampshire; two nephews, Murray Forbes, Jr. and Charles Stewart Forbes; and a niece Anne Forbes Bowen.
There will be a private burial service at Mt. Holly. Arrangements by Ruebel Funeral Home.
