Biographical And Historical Memoirs of Pulaski, Jefferson, Lonoke, Faulkner, Grant, Saline, Perry, Garland And Hot Spring Counties, Arkansas
Mary Lukens Reasoner
Mary Lukens Reasoner died 
on October 31, 2003, in Little Rock. She and her twin sister were born
to Dr. H. W. And Lydia Lukens on June 15, 1912, in Highland, Kansas. She moved with her family to Dickinson, Texas, in 1920. There, Dr. Lukens was the principal physician for the town for many years and her mother ran the Lukens' Drug Store.
She attended Dickinson Public schools from which she was graduated in 1930. She then attended Washburn University in Topeka, Kansas, earning her Bachelor of Arts degree in 1934. Later in her life, she was awarded a Master's Degree in Elementary Education from the University of Houston.
Mary taught for many years at Dickinson Primary School. Well-loved and respected as a teacher, she was chosen as a member of the Delta Kappa Gamma honorary teaching sorority.
Mary was a long time member of Holy Trinity Episcopal Church in Dickinson, where she was a member of the choir and the Episcopal Church Women, among many other church activities.
She was a member of the Village Green Committee of the City of Dickinson. She gladly offered her lawn for the Festival of Lights celebration. When she left Dickinson to live near her son in Little Rock, the City honored her for her public spirit and service with a Resolution. She also was honored by the American Legion for faithfully flying the American flag from her front porch daily for years. She was a charter member of the Dickinson Historical Society and was a member of Friends of the Library. She was an active and loyal member of the Bay Area Republican Women and the Republican Party of Texas.
Mary taught her students and family the principles of duty, honor and service in the best way - by being a great example herself.
Mary was preceded in death by her son, Dr. David Lukens Reasoner. She is survived by her sister, Eunice Belle Medcalf of Hiawatha, Kansas, her son, the Honorable Stephen M. Reasoner of Little Rock, and her grand-children, Capt. Brian H. Reasoner, presently serving in Iraq, Dr. Colin Reasoner of San Diego, and Darcie Reasoner, a senior at Vanderbilt University School of Medicine.
Funeral arrangements are incomplete at this time. The service will be at Holy Trinity Church in Dickinson, TX, and she will be interred in the Lukens family plot in the church cemetery. Memorials may be made to Holy Trinity Episcopal Church.
William Blair Putnam
William Blair Putnam, 85, died Monday, June 16, 2003 in Little Rock. He was born
October 31, 1917 in Campbell, Missouri. He served his country as a fighter pilot in WW II (136th Fighter Bomber Wing) and the Korean War (182nd Fighter Bomber Squadron) and flew 100 missions in each War.
Bill began his business career in insurance and was a former Vice President of Guaranty Insurance Corporation and headed its affiliate The Universal Insurance Company. In 1948 he formed Putnam Realty and "imagineered" numerous real estate developments in Little Rock for the past 45 years and was an appraiser. He served two terms (1970-73; 1991-93) on the Little Rock Planning Commission. In the mid-60's, he was a shareholder of The Shack at Third and Victory.
Putt-Putt's joie de vivre was playing and practicing golf and bird hunting. He was the unofficial golf instructor at Pleasant Valley Country Club for the past 35 years imparting his knowledge of golf to legions of willing and unwilling students. No doubt he is now showing God, Ben Hogan, Bobby Jones, and old Tom Morris how to improve their golf games.
Bill was a giving person and helped many people down on their luck and was honored by the Fellowship of Christian Athletes. He was a member of St. James United Methodist Church.
He is preceded in death by his parents, Harry and Lita Putnam, his daughter, Cathy Putnam, and his brother, Tracy Putnam. He is survived by his son, David Putnam, of Austin, Texas, three grandchildren, one great-grandchild, a host of golfing students, and his PVCC "gangsome" understudies.
A burial service officiated by Dr. Guy Whitney will be held 10:00 a.m., Thursday, June 19 at Roselawn Cemetery
under the direction of Ruebel Funeral Home.. Due to libation restrictions, there will be no visitation at the funeral home, but his well-trained understudies will gather to imbibe in light hors d'oeuvres and heavy cocktails. "Keep your head down, left arm straight, turn, fire out with the right hip…."
Phillip M. Price
Phillip Price, 70, of Maumelle, went to be with the Lord on January 30, 2003. He was born
in Bryan, TX, on October 16, 1932. Survivors are his wife, Marge; daughter, Susan, and her husband, Darrell Powell; and their children, Allison and Shawn of Azle, TX; his sister, Linda, and her husband, Jack Crawford of Irving, TX; a niece, Pam, and her husband Eugene Oard; and a nephew, Russell Rubac and his wife, Susan. He was preceded in death by his son, David. After graduating from Texas A&M University, he was a civil engineer in Texas and California from 1954-1967, with two years, serving as an officer with the U.S. Army from 1955-1957. He remained a member of the Texas A&M University Former Student Association until death. From 1967-1983 he served on staff with Campus Crusade. He was a pastor at Christ Community Church in Omaha, Nebraska, from 1983-1989. As pastor at Fellowship Bible Church in Little Rock, he encouraged many people from 1990-1995. In 1995 he and Marge retired to Pagosa Springs, Colorado, where he continued to disciple men.
Visitation will be from 5-7p.m. Friday, January 31, at Ruebel Funeral Home. A memorial service will be held in the Special Events Center at Fellowship Bible Church at 11:00 a.m., Saturday, February 1, with David Bruns and Ray Williams officiating. A graveside service will be held at Mt. Olivet Cemetery
in Fort Worth, TX, on Monday, February 3, at 11:00 a.m. with the Pastor of New Hope Baptist Church, Jim Edwards officiating. Memorials may be made to the Building Fund of New Hope Baptist Church, 782 New Hope Rd., Boyd, TX 76023 and Bethany Christian Services, 1100 North University Av., Little Rock, AR 72207 Arrangements are by Ruebel Funeral Home.
Teresa Marie Metrailer Powers
Teresa Marie Metrailer Powers, 84, passed away quietly on May 28, 2003. She was born
April 26, 1919 in Little Rock, Arkansas, the third of five children born
to Camille Frank Metrailer and Theresa Adleina Ruff Metrailer. She was preceded in death by her parents; brothers, Camille Anthony Metrailer and Joseph Francis Metrailer; sister, Marguerite Elizabeth Metrailer Fransioli; and special friend, John Northern.
She is survived by a sister, Mildred Ann Metrailer Buddenberg of North Little Rock; nephews, Dr. James Metrailer of Little Rock, J. Frederick Metrailer of Tulsa, Oklahoma, and Albert Metrailer of Dallas, Texas; nieces, Camille Annette Metrailer Kagy of Little Rock, Marguerite Elizabeth Fransioli Bunchman of Phoenix, Arizona, and Mary Ann Buddenberg Miller of Bloomfield, New Jersey; plus numerous grand-nephews and grand-nieces.
In her early days, Teresa grew up at 906 McGowan Street, and attended St. Edward's Parochial School and Little Rock Central High School. She worked at an optical shop for a number of years and later opened her own business as Little Rock Optical on Capitol Street in Little Rock. Teresa was one of the first women business owners in Little Rock.
Funeral will be held at 1:00p.m. on Friday, May 30, 2003 at St. Edwards Catholic Church with Reverend Lawrence A. Frederick officiating. Pallbearers will be Mrs. Powers great-nephews. Burial will follow at Calvary Cemetery
adjacent to her mother.
Dorothy Jane Spencer
Dorothy Jane Spencer, age 73, of Little Rock, died Sunday May 25, 2003. She was born
on March 23, 1930 in Bentonville, Arkansas, to Buel B. and Vivian Spencer. Ms. Spencer retired from Southwestern Bell after serving in several management positions for many years. She was also a member of the SWB Pioneers club.She was a member of the Pulaski Heights United Methodist Church.
She was preceded in death by her parents, two sisters, Peggy Looney and Betty Kraus, and one brother, Buel B. Spencer Jr. She is survived by three brothers; Robert Spencer, Tom Spencer, and Bill Spencer. She is also survived by numerous nieces and nephews.
Funeral Services will be held at 10: 00 am Wednesday at the Chapel of Ruebel Funeral Home with the Rev. Lynn Lindsey officiating. Interment
will follow at Pinecrest Memorial Park. The family will receive friends between 5:00 - 7:00 pm Tuesday at the Ruebel Funeral Home.
John Burton Soell
John Burton Soell, age 61, of Little Rock, died Friday, August 22, 2003. He was from Darien, Connecticut, where he graduated form high school before joining the Air Force where he served for 4 years and participated in the invasion of the Bay of Pigs. He had a multitude of skills and talents from the airline industry, to trucking to restaurant management to laying pipeline in the Gulf of Mexico. John was an active member of St. James United Methodist Church where his love was the Agape Sunday School Class. His church mission for years was calling on the homebound, or in receiving home and hospital visitations, doing it 7 days a week.
John is survived by his sister Barb Soell of Little Rock, and his loving cat Precious.
There will be a memorial service Wednesday at 10:00 a.m. at St. James United Methodist Church officiated by Reverend Robin Moore.
Arrangements are under the direction of Ruebel Funeral Home.
In lieu of flowers memorials should be made to St. James United Methodist Church of a favorite charity.
Joseph Y. Smreker
Joe Smreker passed away suddenly on Monday, June 9, 2003. Born on November 26, 1943, in Fort Smith, Arkansas, he received his B.A. and M.B.A degrees from the University of Arkansas and earned the designation of Chartered Financial Analyst in 1989. Joe has been a resident of Austin since 1989. His career in investments spanned 36 years and, at the time of his death, he was a partner in ContraVest, Inc. He was a member of the Austin Chapter of the Association of Investment Management & Research (AIMR) and the former president of the. Tulsa Society of Financial Analysts, the Austin Pond Society, and the Texas Koi and Fancy Goldfish Society. He has served on the Boards of Directors of the Walter and Vera Morris Foundation, the Elizabeth Mitchell Children's Center, and the Little Rock Chamber Music Society.
Joe was a much loved husband, father, brother, son, investment advisor, and friend whose caring, thoughtful, generous support will be greatly missed. Joe's highest priorities were his family, his friends, and his clients.
Joe is survived by Embry, his wife of 36 years, a daughter, Stacey, and her husband, Jesse Beardshear, of Austin; a son, Joe Jr., and his wife, Array, of San Antonio; his mother, Mrs. Joe N. Smreker of Fort Smith, Arkansas; two sisters, Stevie Locke and her husband, George, of Fort Smith, Nancy Speer of Little Rock; two brothers, Charles of Austin and William of Fort Smith.
On Monday, June 16, 2003, at 10 a.m., there will be a memorial service held at the Trinity Episcopal Cathedral in Little Rock with burial following at Roselawn Memorial Park.
Pallbearers will be: John Carl, John F. Conway, Jr., William Cooper, Charles Fagerberg, Robert Fagerberg, Lou Fernandez, Don Jack, and William Mooney.
A memorial service may be held in Austin, at a later date; an announcement will be published.
In lieu of flowers, contributions may be made to either the Austin Public Library or the Little Rock Public Library for the purchase of books for children.
Local arrangements by Ruebel Funeral Home.
Carolyn Slaughter
Carolyn Slaughter, 72, of Little Rock, died Monday, November 18, 2003. She was a graduate of North Little Rock High School. Carolyn deeply loved her family and had spent many years being a caregiver for others in the Little Rock area.
She is survived by her daughter, Sharrell Holcomb and her husband, Steve of Little Rock, her granddaughter, Ashley Hogg and her husband Andreas of Chicago, their son, Jackson Stephan Hogg and her grandson, Jon Holcomb of Little Rock. Carolyn is also survived by her brother, Harrell Davis and his wife, Judy of Benton and her sister, Debbie Cates of Jacksonville. She was preceded in death by her parents, Annie and Harrell Davis, Sr., and a sister, Linda Ann Self.
Memorials in lieu of flowers may be made to St. Vincent's Foundation or the American Cancer Society.
A visitation will be held Wednesday from 4:00 p.m. to 6:00 p.m. at the Ruebel Funeral Home, followed by a graveside funeral service at 1:00 p.m. Thursday in Pinecrest Memorial Park.
