Biographical And Historical Memoirs of Pulaski, Jefferson, Lonoke, Faulkner, Grant, Saline, Perry, Garland And Hot Spring Counties, Arkansas
Georgea Black McKinley
Georgea Black McKinley, of Little Rock, died 
July 30, 2004. She was born
in Dewitt, AR, the daughter of the late Lester Asher and Mary Boone Black. She was the widow of Edward Ivie McKinley Jr.. Mrs. McKinley attended DeWitt schools, Ward Belmont in Nashville, TN, and Randolph Macon Woman's College in Lynchburg, Virginia. She was a Methodist. She was a member of the Aesthetic Club, The Colonial Dames of America, Little Rock Garden Club, Junior League of Little Rock, Edelweiss Club, Daughters of the American Revolution, United Daughters of the Confederacy and Arkansas Pioneers.
Mrs. McKinley is survived by her two daughters; Mary McKinley Jennings of DeWitt, AR and Georgea McKinley Greaves of Greenville, SC; a son, Lester Asher McKinley of Dewitt, AR; grandchildren, Warren Arthur Jennings, Jr., Mary Jean Jennings Johnston, Georgia Jean, Page Radford and Ivie Duval Greaves, Mary Katherine and Edward Ivie McKinley, III; great-grandchildren, Carole Frances Jennings, Sara Wallis Jennings, Robert McKnight Johnston III, and Mary Asher Johnston. Her sister, Mrs. George Dunklin of Pine Bluff, also survives her. She was preceded in death by her sister, Hattie Boone Black of DeWitt.
Graveside services will be held Saturday, July 31, at 4:00 PM at Roselawn Memorial Park. In lieu of flowers memorials may be made to The DeWitt Hospital and Nursing Home Foundation, PO Box 32, DeWitt, AR 72042.
Melanie Dement McKay
Melanie Dement McKay, 41, of Maumelle, died December 13, 2004 in Hot Springs. A loving daughter of Bruce and Helen Dement of Keller, Texas, Melanie was born
in Fairfield, California, March 31, 1963 at Travis Air Force Base. She grew up in Conroe, Texas, and graduated from Conroe High School in 1981. She later attended Southwest Texas State University and Texas A&M University. Melanie had a great love for animals and shared a business with her husband Mike, caring for and grooming animals in Little Rock.
In addition to her parents, survivors include husband Michael McKay of Maumelle, step-sons Kristopher and Matthew McKay of Sherwood; sisters Darla Reed and husband Mark of Southlake, Texas, and Colleen Harris and husband Donald of Austin, Texas, and their families.
Memorial services will be held at 11:00 a.m. on Saturday, December 18, in the Chapel of Ruebel Funeral Home. Visitation will be 5:00 to 7:00 p.m. on Friday at the Funeral Home.
Sidney Garnier "Gar" Puryear
Sidney Garnier "Gar" Puryear, age 92, of Little Rock, died Tuesday, September 21, 2004. He had been living in Colorado Springs, where his son lives. He was born
in St. Louis, Missouri, graduating from Cleveland High School and attending St. Louis University for two years. After his schooling, he worked for Shell Petroleum in St. Louis and Tulsa, Oklahoma, and Standard Parts Company in Tulsa, before moving to Little Rock, in 1951 where he eventually became President of 555 Inc. He was a 32nd Degree Mason, charter member of 50 For The Future and he was a member of Pulaski Heights United Methodist Church. He also served a President for 2 years of Automotive Warehouse Distributors Association from 1970-71, and as President of Riverdale Country Club, now Pleasant Valley Country Club, served on Board of Directors of Arkansas Children's Hospital, and was very proud of his participation of forming the American Legion Baseball League.
Gar and his deceased wife, Mary Emily, had two children; Elizabeth Ann Meibergen who is deceased and Garnier K. Puryear who lives in Colorado Springs, Colorado, with his wife, Susan, and one sister Betty Tritschler. In 1981, he and Jacquilene Thompson were married
in Little Rock, Arkansas. Mr. Puryear is also survived by Jacquilene's children; Lawrence L. Thompson, III, Melissa Thompson, Jan Ellen Thompson Chastain, and Bke Thompson Millwee.
There will be a memorial funeral service Friday at 1pm at St. James United Methodist Church officiated by Reverend John Miles.
Arrangements are under the direction of Ruebel Funeral Home. Memorials may be made to First United Methodist Church Foundation, Patricia L. Puryear Music Ministry Scholarship Fund, 420 North Nevada Avenue, Colorado Springs, Colorado 80903.
Iva Sullivan Pearce Prewitt
Iva Sullivan Pearce Prewitt, of Little Rock, died Monday, November 1, 2004, at Nursing and Rehab at Good Shepherd. She was born
March 13, 1912 in Ramer, TN, to the late James Alfred and Floy Ethyl Ramsey Sullivan. She was also preceded in death by her husbands, Freeman Pearce of Marshfield, MO, and John Prewitt of Memphis, TN.
Mrs. Prewitt attended high school in Ramer, TN. She was a real estate agent in Memphis, and moved to Little Rock in 1991. She was a Methodist.
She is survived by two sisters, Edna Sullivan Daniels of Little Rock, and Frieda Sullivan Cohen (Herbert) of Stuart, FL; step-son, John Prewitt (Regina) of Mississippi; three step-daughters, Joyce Prewitt of Texas, Billie Brown of Olive Branch, Mississippi, and Wendy Nottingham of Hazelhurst, Mississippi.
Visitation will be from 4 to 6 p.m. Wednesday at Ruebel Funeral Home in Little Rock. There will be a graveside service at Eureka Cemetery
in Marshfield, Missouri on Thursday, Nov. 4, at 1 p.m.
In lieu of flowers, memorials are requested to the American Cancer Society, 901 N. University Ave., Little Rock, AR 72203.
Edward Plummer
Edward Terry Plummer, 63, of Little Rock, died Sunday, October 10. He was born
November 6, 1940, in Little Rock, to Edward and Sally Terry Plummer. He was preceded in death by grandparents, David and Adolphine Terry.
Edward spent much of his life living in the Pike-Fletcher-Terry House at 7th and Rock Streets in Little Rock. He was employed for many years by Senior Citizens Activities Today (SCAT, Inc.).
He is survived by two uncles, Bill and Joe Terry; and three cousins, Beth Foti, Ellen Terry and Susan Borne`.
Private graveside services will be held Tuesday at Mt. Holly Cemetery
with Rev. Elizabeth Wheatly and Rev. Scott Lee officiating.
James B. Pfeifer
James B. Pfeifer, 88, passed away on October 13, 2004. Mr. Pfeifer and his family figure into a segment of Little Rock commercial history. After the Civil War, his grandfather Philip started a "boat store" in Little Rock's River Market area, which sold supplies to riverboats and plantations along the Arkansas River. Over a hundred years ago part of the family purchased a lumber business which evolved into Mechanics Lumber and OneSource Home and Building Centers, and Mr. Pfeifer was associated with this business for over 60 of these years. The early days of the lumber business were times when deals were still struck with a smile, trust and a handshake. Mr. Pfeifer had graduated second in his class at Central High School, and brought mathematical skills as well as additional trust and honesty to the family business.
He contributed to the community, serving as President of the North Little Rock Chamber of Commerce and in that capacity, on the committee which led the crusade for the establishment of Little Rock Air Force Base. He was at various times President of his Lion's Club, a Chairman of the Community Chest (United Way), supportive of Youth Home, and many other charities. His most recent and treasured community work occurred in his eighties, when, as a volunteer in the public schools, he was a favorite among the young kids he helped with reading. He was a good, kind, smart man and will be missed by all who knew him. Both of his grandfathers had played roles in establishing the first Jewish congregation in Little Rock just after the Civil War, and Mr. Pfeifer later served as President of that institution, Temple B'nai Israel.
He was the son of the late James and Irene Bott Pfeifer, and was married
to the late Janet Loeb Pfeifer for over 50 years. He is predeceased by his brother John, who had a long career as an engineer with Boeing Aircraft Company. He leaves his son Jim, daughter-in-law Dr. Robynn Zinser and beloved nine year old granddaughter Jade Zinser Pfeifer, with whom he had a special relationship. He also leaves many treasured nieces, nephews, and cousins including his 40-year business associate and friend, Eugene Pfeifer III.
Funeral Services will be held at Temple B'nai Israel, 3700 Rodney Parham Road on Sunday October 17, at 2:00 p.m. Burial will be at Oakland Jewish Cemetery.
In lieu of flowers, contributions may be made in Mr. Pfeifer's memory to the Janet Loeb Pfeifer Children's Fund, c/o Jewish Children's Regional Service, PO Box 7368, Metairie LA 70010-7368. This was the successor to the orphanage where Mr. Pfeifer's late wife was raised.
Arrangements are by Ruebel Funeral Home.
Ava Grace Perry
Ava Grace Perry, 4-month old daughter of Steve and Heather Perry of Little Rock, died Thursday, September 9, 2004. Ava is also survived by a brother, Foster, a sister, Madison, grandparents, Judy Averitt of Little Rock, James Perry of Conway, Brenda and Tom Richeson, of Little Rock, aunt Shannon and uncle Brad Cash of Atlanta, GA, and aunt Vikki Jasionowski of Florida and loving cousins.
A private graveside service will be held in Pinecrest Memorial Park followed by a memorial service at 2:00 p.m. Monday at Grace Presbyterian Church by Rev. Ann Russ.
George B. Owens
George B. Owens, age 56, of Little Rock, died on May 29, 2004 at the Little Rock VA Hospital. He is survived by his parents Martha and Raymond Owens of Little Rock; brother, John R. Owens and his wife Joyce; uncle, J.W. Owens of Little Rock; uncle, John P. Corn and his wife Althea of Little Rock; aunt Ginny Drexler of Little Rock; aunt Katie Rogers and husband Charles of Yorba Linda, CA; niece, Tricia Hilpert and husband Jimmy of Maumelle; nephew, Ray W. Owens of Little Rock. Mr. Owens is also survived by many cousins, nieces and nephews and his friends at Custom Outdoor Advertising in Bryant, AR where he worked.
He was a Baptist and a US Army Veteran having served in Vietnam. He graduated from Hall High School in Little Rock and had a special interest in horticulture and popular music.
There will be a Graveside Service at Arkansas State Veteran's Cemetery
in North Little Rock, on Wednesday June 2, at 11:00 AM. The family will receive friends tonight at the Funeral Home from 6-8:00 PM.
Floyd M. Overton, Jr.
Floyd M. Overton, Jr., 80, of Little Rock, passed away on Saturday, March 27, 2004. He was born
in Little Rock, the beloved son of Ivah and Floyd M. Overton, Sr. Floyd was a 1941 graduate of Little Rock High School (now Central High). He was very active and successfully involved in sports. He played for the St. Louis Browns and always treasured his baseball glove. He was a Demolay and a member of the Pulaski Heights Masonic Lodge. He was a 32nd degree Mason and a Shriner.
The U.S. Navy transported him to San Diego where he stayed until he returned to Little Rock, in June, 2002. His parents eventually moved to San Diego to be close to him, returning here upon death to be buried
in Roselawn Memorial Park.
Floyd attended Little Rock Jr. College and received a degree from Arkansas Law School. He completed his college degree at San Diego State University and also continued with law school receiving a doctorate of law degree from Western State School of Law in California. He worked as a volunteer for the Area Agency on Aging helping seniors of San Diego County.
He was a great comedian and entertained seniors in nursing homes and at senior centers. He was treasurer for the El Cajon/La Mesa AARP and served as the Master of Ceremonies for the San Diego AARP Rally Days in Balboa Park. As a comedian, he was known as "Buddy Southern". Until three years ago he was active in Senior Bowling League. He was a member of the United Commercial Travelers for close to 50 years.
Floyd always was a loyal Little Rock High Tiger. He returned for many high school reunions where he enjoyed taking pictures of the attendees. His Little Rock friends remember him for his singing, dancing and piano playing. He was an extremely versatile person.
Floyd will be missed by his surviving wife, Eleanore, of 39 years and his first cousin, A.J. Smokey Stover.
A graveside funeral service will be held at 2:00 p.m. Wednesday at Roselawn Memorial Park.
