Biographical And Historical Memoirs of Pulaski, Jefferson, Lonoke, Faulkner, Grant, Saline, Perry, Garland And Hot Spring Counties, Arkansas
Bernard Wayne Thompson
Bernard Wayne Thompson, MD, 78 of Little Rock, died 
June 18, 2003. He was born
June 2, 1925 in Bakersfield, California. He attended Bakersfield Junior College and the University of Notre Dame.
Dr Thompson graduated from the University of Arkansas College of Medicine in 1949, where he became a member of the Alpha Omega Alpha Honor Medical Society. At the time of his death, he and his wife, Dr. Dola Thompson, served as co-chairs of the UA College of Medicine class ‘49 of Alumni Society.
He served in the U.S. Navy as a Corpsman in WWII and as a physician in the Korean War. Between the wars, he did his internship at Highland-Alameda Co. Hospital in Oakland, CA and his residency at UAMS. For over 30 years, he served as surgeon and professor at the Little Rock VA and the UAMS College of Medicine. He was a founder and past president of the Southern Association of Vascular Surgeons.
His other professional memberships include:
Southern Surgical Association, American Medical Association, Fellow of the American College of Chest Physicians, Fellow of the American College of Surgeons, International Cardiovascular Society, Southwestern Surgical Congress, and the Western Surgical Association. Dr. Thompson was a diplomate of the American Board of General Surgery and was certified by the American Board of Surgery for Special Qualifications in General Vascular Surgery. He frequently lectured and made film presentations of procedures at meetings of these and other organizations. His studies and research were published in journals such as Archives of Surgery, American Journal of Surgery, and Journal of Cardiovascular Surgery.
Following his retirement in 1993, Dr. Thompson and his wife traveled extensively and he frequently shared their journeys through presentations to the Shepherd’s Centers in Little Rock, and North Little Rock, and to other senior citizen groups. The Thompsons are charter members of the UAMS Founders Society.
In addition to his wife of 55 years, Dola Searcy Thompson, MD, former professor and Chairman of the UAMS Department of Anesthesiology, Dr. Thompson is survived by his daughters Elizabeth Ann “Lissa” Thompson, of Memphis, Tennessee, and Cynthia Thompson Feinberg, son-in-law Thomas R. Feinberg, MD, and grandsons, Stephen Neil Feinberg and Peter Thompson Feinberg all of Little Rock, and a sister Arlene Thompson Saffell of Murrieta, California.
Funeral services will be held at Westover Hills Presbyterian Church on Friday, June 20, 2003 at (2:00) p.m. The family will receive visitors at the church following the service. In lieu of flowers, memorials in honor of Dr. Thompson may be made to Arkansas Cancer Research Center (ACRC) Foundation, University of Arkansas for Medical Sciences (UAMS), 4301 W. Markham, #623, Little Rock, Arkansas 72205, Telephone (501) 686-6000, or charity of your choice. Cremation arrangements are by Ruebel Funeral Home.
Averell Woodruff Reynolds Tate
Averell Woodruff Reynolds Tate, 94, of Little Rock, great-granddaughter of William Edward Woodruff, founder of the Arkansas Gazette, died Saturday, January 25, 2003. She was born
in Little Rock to the late Francis Bennett and Eva Woodruff Bell Reynolds. Mrs. Tate was a graduate of Little Rock High School, the University of Arkansas, Fayetteville, and she attended classes at University of Arkansas-Little Rock 1979-2001. She was a very active member of Trinity Episcopal Cathedral, a retired schoolteacher and member of the Aesthetic Club. Many of Mrs. Tate’s historic collection of artifacts being displayed in museums across Arkansas. She lived many years in the Walters-Curran-Bell-House, 615 East Capitol Avenue, now Curran Hall the Little Rock Visitors Center.
She is predeceased by her husband Fred Lemuel Tate and brother Sam Bell Reynolds and survived by daughter Joan Huot and husband Joseph of Lowell, Massachusetts, son Fred Lewis Tate of Pasadena, California, stepson, George Tate of Bozeman, Montana, brother, Francis Bennett Reynolds and wife Mary Jean of Conway, grandchildren; Michael E. Huot and wife Ada of Nashua, New Hampshire, Denise Huot Carlson of Milton, New Hampshire, Brian M. Huot of Lowell, two great-grandchildren, Christina Huot and Katherine Huot of Nashua, and several nieces and nephews.
The family would like to express their thanks and love to Dr. Ann Riggs and staff of Woodland Hills Nursing Center, and Arkansas Hospice.
Rosemary Moses Sullivan
Rosemary Moses Sullivan, age 73, of Little Rock, died Wednesday, July 9, 2003. She was born
in Pine Bluff, where she graduated from high school. She attended the University of Arkansas, where she was a member of Chi Omega Sorority. Rosemary was also a past active member of The Junior League of Little Rock and a member of Christ Episcopal Church. She is survived by one son Dabbs Sullivan, III and wife Ann of Little Rock, three daughters; Kim Sullivan Fletcher and husband Jeff of Lonoke, Toni Sullivan Diavatopoulos of Fayetteville, Angela Sullivan McSwain and husband John of McKinney, Texas, and 9 grandchildren.
There will be a funeral service Friday at 2:00 p.m. at the Ruebel Funeral Home chapel officiated by The Reverend Larry Benefield. Burial will follow at Graceland Cemetery
in Pine Bluff. Arrangements are under the direction of Ruebel Funeral Home.
Memorials may be made to Christ Episcopal Church of Little Rock.
Lt. Col. Ralph M. Sudderth, Jr.
Lt. Col. Ralph M. Sudderth, Jr., beloved husband of Emily "Robin" Sudderth, died on Sunday, January 12, 2003, at St. Vincent Infirmary. The son of Annie Beam and Ralph M. Sudderth, Sr., he was born
in Huntington, West Virginia, on July 19, 1921. He attended Marshall College. Serving as a bombardier in the 303rd "Hell's Angels" Bomb Group, he flew thirty missions over Germany in a B-17 and was awarded the Distinguished Flying Cross. In addition, he served in the Office of Special Investigation as a Special Agent and a Detachment Commander both in the United States and overseas. Following his Air Force career, he was an administrator for the Arkansas Crime Commission. Sud, as he was known, was a member of St. Mark's Episcopal Church where he was active in the men's group known as "The Marks Brothers." He is survived by his wife of 57 years; his daughter and son-in-law, Kimball and Mabry Ford of Memphis, Tennessee; his two sons, Ralph Sudderth III and his wife Lorell Young Sudderth of Little Rock, and Dr. Brian F. Sudderth and his wife Lynn Reecer Sudderth of Benton, Arkansas; and two grandchildren, Lauren Marie Sudderth and James Manning Sudderth. A memorial service will be held at St. Mark's Episcopal Church at 2 p.m. Wednesday, January 15, 2003, followed by interment
in the St. Mark's Columbarium. Arrangements are under the direction of Ruebel Funeral Home. In lieu of flowers, the family requests that memorials be made to St. Mark's Memorial Fund.
Astrid Stavenas Stoakes
Astrid Stavenas Stoakes, age 89, of Little Rock, formally long-time residence of Sioux Falls, South Dakota, died July 29th, 2003. She was born
July 9th, 1914, in Minneapolis, Minnesota. She was married
to Homer Stoakes May 30th, 1936 and he died in 1992. She taught school before her marriage at Hardwick, Minnesota. She also taught at Lincoln, Franklin, and Laura Anderson grade schools in Sioux Falls, South Dakota. Mrs. Stoakes was resident of Woodland Heights.
She is survived by 2 daughters, Diane Mackey of Little Rock, Sharron Tatham of Ponte Vedra Beach, Florida, 5 grandchildren and seven great-grandchildren.
There will be a memorial service Saturday morning at 11 AM at Trinity Episcopal Cathedral officiated by The Very Reverend Henry Hudson. The family will receive friends in the church courtyard following services. Arrangements are under the direction of Ruebel Funeral Home.
Memorials in lieu of flowers should be made to Arkansas Hospice, 2200 Fort Roots Drive, North Little Rock 72114.
Reverend William A. Stewart, Jr.
Reverend William A. Stewart, Jr. 87, of Little Rock, went to be with the Lord on Saturday, December 13, 2003. He was born
March 22, 1916 in Marshall, TX, the son of William A. Stewart, Sr., and Lena P. Rogers. He received his early education at Little Rock High School, now Central High and his formal education at Hendrix college where he received his B.A. degree. He also attended Vanderbilt and Southern Methodist University, Perkins School of Theology, where he received a masters in Divinity. Reverend Stewart, became an ordained minister in the Methodist church in 1933 and served as a minister for 70 years. During his tenure as a Methodist pastor, he served in 21 churches in 12 counties throughout Arkansas. He also served on numerous boards and committees of the Little Rock and North Arkansas Conference of the United Methodist Church. He was a veteran and served in the Navy during WWII.
He is preceded in death by his wife of 64 years, Ava Jean Cunningham Stewart, and his son, Ronald Allen Stewart. He is survived by his daughter Sue Russell of Fayetteville, AR, his son Drew Stewart, and daughter-in-law Rita Stewart, who he called his "guardian angel", of Little Rock, a daughter-in-law, Debbie Stewart, of Bryant. Eight grandchildren, Enid Stewart, Sam Stewart, Scott Stewart, Amy Cate, Drew Thompson, Brittany Smith, Mandy Stewart, Jeff Stewart and seven great-grandchildren whom he cherished and adored.
He will be remembered for the countless people he served while serving the Lord as a minister. His love for his family and lives he impacted will be his legacy.
He was a member at First United Methodist Church in Little Rock. A Celebration of Life service will be held 1:30 Friday, Dec. 19th at First United Methodist Church in Little Rock.
Memorials may be made in his name to the Endowment Foundation c/o First United Methodist Church, 723 Center Street, Little Rock, AR 72201.
Cremation arrangements by Ruebel Funeral Home.
Shirley Lorene Wagner Stewart
Shirley Lorene Wagner Stewart of Ajo, AZ, passed away on September 17, 2003. She was born
September 27, 1932 in Cleveland, OH, to the late Thelan and Arline (Domke) Wagner. Her husband, W.D. Stewart, preceded her in death. She is survived by her sister Carole Braden, Hope AR, five daughters: Dr. Terri Crook, husband John Crook, Little Rock AR., Kris Souter, husband Dr. Ray Souter, Athens GA., Karen Wesson, Little Rock, Betty Peterson, husband Dr. Mark Peterson, North Little Rock, Sandra Wesson, Little Rock, six grandchildren, five nieces and nephews, many friends through out the world, and her faithful German shepherd Tasha. She spread love and generosity to everyone she met throughout her lifetime. She was a retired R.N. She was a 1953 graduate of the Good Samaritan School of Nursing in Phoenix, AZ. She retired from nursing in 1985 from the Jeddah Medical Center in Saudi Arabia. During her lifetime she traveled extensively in Europe, Asia, Southeast Asia, South America, and the Middle East. She made her retirement home in Ajo, AZ, where many dear friends surrounded her. She enjoyed golf, mah jong, reading, and handwork.
All who knew her will miss her dearly. Her family wishes to recognize the tireless efforts and compassion of Drs. Paul Zelnick, Joseph Beck, Rich Satre and their nurses, Sindy Smith, Dale Selakovich, and Lisa Garrison. Special thanks to Rev. Dr. Joanna Seibert for her spiritual support and kindness. They wish to thank Arkansas Hospice, and Carol Warden R.N.
The family requests any memorials be made to American Cancer Society (colon cancer research fund), or to the Central Arkansas Library System. A celebration and remembrance of her life will be held on October 11, 2003 at 11:00 am at St. Margaret's Episcopal Church, 20900 Chenal Parkway, Little Rock, AR (501) 821-1311.
Local arrangements are under the direction of Ruebel Funeral Home.
Capt. Ronald Allen Stewart
Capt. Ronald Allen Stewart, USMC Ret. 66, of Benton, AR died Tuesday, April 29, 2003.
He was born
in Little Rock to William Allen and Ava Jean Cunningham Stewart. He graduated from Castle Heights Military Academy in Tennessee and served in the U. S. Marine Corp. for twenty-five years. After his military retirement he attended Hendrix College, Parks College in Missouri and the University of Arkansas, Fayetteville and received his PHD from the University of Palmer's Green in Edinborough, Scotland. On March 22, 1978 he married
Deborah Evans. Capt. Stewart was a 32nd degree Scottish Rite and York Rite Mason, a member of the Scimitar Shrine Temple and Bendemeer Grotto. He is also a member of the DAV, VFW, the Military Order of the Purple Heart, the American Legion, and the Marine Corp League. He was of the Methodist faith.
He is survived by his wife, his father, of Little Rock, two sons, Scott Allen Stewart and his wife Teresa, of Bryant, Samuel Aaron Stewart of Benton and Enid Aimee' Stewart of Tucson, AZ, a brother, Drew Stewart and his wife Rita of Little Rock, and a sister, Sue Russell of Fayetteville, one grandson, Nicholas Allen Stewart and numerous nieces and nephews.
A visitation will be held from 5-7:00 p.m. Thursday at the Ruebel Funeral Home followed by graveside services at 2:00 p.m. Friday at the Arkansas State Veterans Cemetery
in North Little Rock. Memorials in lieu of flowers may be made to the Shriner's Hospital for Burned and Crippled Children.
