Biographical And Historical Memoirs of Pulaski, Jefferson, Lonoke, Faulkner, Grant, Saline, Perry, Garland And Hot Spring Counties, Arkansas
Lyda Holt Samuel
Lyda Holt Samuel, born
August 24, 1947 to J. Frank and Mary Holt, departed this earth on July 16, 2004, to join her parents. She is survived by her husband of 29 years, Tom, her two sons, Christopher and Andrew, her sister and brother-in- law, Melissa and Tom Vandiver, and their children, Ben and Kate.
After graduation from Hall High School and Southern Methodist University, she worked for Representative Wilbur Mills in Washington, D.C. Along with her involvement in many civic and community organizations, she also served the city as a member of the Little Rock Airport Commission. As a co-owner of the Clothes Horse, and co-founder and owner of Et Cetera, she was known for her creative vision, generous heart and boundless energy. She was recognized professionally, both locally and nationally, for her unique entrepreneurial talents that were reflected at Et Cetera.
Lyda was a beautiful person, in countenance and especially in spirit, who found joy in music, art, people and dogs. She felt her greatest accomplishment was the creation of a home that was filled with love. Her greatest joy on this earth was her family, and with a mother's heart her two sons, whom she believed were her special gifts from God.
Memorials may be made to the J. Frank Holt Educational Scholarship Fund at the Arkansas Bar Association, 400 West Markham, Little Rock, AR 72201, or to the Humane Society of Pulaski County. Visitation will be Monday, July 19th, 5-7 p.m. at Ruebel Funeral Home. A graveside service will be held Tuesday, July 20th, 9:30 a.m. at Roselawn Cemetery.
The Samuel family asks for your prayers in the days ahead, as they seek comfort and give thanks for Lyda's life.
Peter Sammartino
Peter Sammartino, 79, of 8124 Lowell Lane, Little Rock, died Saturday. Peter was born
April 12, 1924 in Rochester, New York. He served in the U.S. Army's 363rd Field Artillery Battalion in the Pacific Theater during World War II and graduated from the University of Rochester with a degree in chemical engineering. A lover of music, especially jazz, and an avid puzzle solver and chess player, Peter was also a certified Life Master in contract bridge.
A loving father and grandfather, Peter is survived by his wife of 52 years, Tina; his son, Fred Sammartino, daughter-in-law, Brenda van der Beek, and grandchildren, Kevin, Mark, and Tessa, all of North Andover, Massachusetts; his daughter, Gael Sammartino, and son-in-law, Jim Hathaway, of Little Rock, and two sisters, Rita Julian and Irene Percas, both of Rochester, New York.
The family will receive visitors at the home of Gael and Jim, 327 Midland, Little Rock, on Tuesday, March 30, from 6:00 p.m. to 7:30 p.m.
Services will be private, and rather than flowers, the family asks that donations be made in Peter's name to the Statue of Liberty - Ellis Island Foundation or Friends of Central Arkansas Libraries.
Lorraine Luce Rooney
Lorraine Luce Rooney, age 77, of Little Rock, passed away January 23, 2004. She was born
Nov. 28, 1926, in Buffalo, N.Y. Lorraine was an active member of Our Lady of the Holy Souls Catholic Church where she enjoyed the seniors' group and sacristy duties. Lorraine was an avid and accomplished bridge player.
Lorraine was preceded in death by her husband, Herbert Rooney (1/23/96), and is survived by her children: Barbara Quigley (Everett), Douglas Rooney (Marilyn), Timothy Rooney (Angela), Margaret James (David), and Wendy Beadle (Daniel); 11 grandchildren and one great-grandchild.
An open visitation will be held from 8:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. on Monday, Jan. 26, at Ruebel Funeral Home, 6313 West Markham, Little Rock, followed by the Rosary at 7:00 p.m. On Tuesday, January 27, at 10:00 a.m. a Mass of Christian Burial will be held at Our Lady of the Holy Souls Catholic Church with Monsignor David LeSieur officiating and burial will follow at Calvary Cemetery.
Memorials may be made to the American Heart Association or the Monsignor Allen Trust Fund, 1003 North Tyler Street, Little Rock.
Reeves Estes Ritchie
Reeves Estes Ritchie, age 90, of Little Rock, died Wednesday, August 4th, 2004.
He was born
in Amarillo, Texas graduating later from high school in Pine Bluff.
He attended the University of Arkansas at Fayetteville, school of business administration, before attending Washington University in St. Louis. During an electric utility industry career that spanned more than 50 years of continuous service,
Reeves steered Arkansas Power and Light Company to a position of "energy independence" based on a combination of domestic nuclear and coal fuels that could not be disrupted by the ups and downs of international petroleum politics and recurring world crisis.
Ritchie retired active company service on August 1, 1997, but continued to serve on the AP&L Advisory Board until May, 1994.
Achieving energy independence for the company during this critical time was a major goal for AP&L's president, chief executive officer, and chairman of the board.
It was just one of many challenges in a long and productive career that began somewhat by chance. Ritchie had accepted a temporary job with AP&L in 1936 as a machinist's helper at the old Little Rock Power Plant.
Newly married
to former Gladys Cook of Oklahoma City, Oklahoma, Ritchie needed to earn a dependable income while waiting for a "banking job" to open up at Pine Bluff. Ritchie, who loved working with his hands, quickly became fascinated with power plants and electric energy and within six years had risen to the position of assistant plant superintendent.
The bank in Pine Bluff never called and Ritchie was now working his life's work. Working with people in something Ritchie enjoys as much as he enjoyed working with tools, so when an opportunity arose to become personnel counselor, at Pine Bluff in 1945, he took it.
He was promoted in 1951 assistant to the division manager.
In 1958 he was elevated to personnel director, vice-president two years later and soon after to executive vice-president.
In 1962, at age 48, he became the fifth man in AP&L history to serve as company president, working for 17 years at the helm of AP&L.
During Ritchie's career, AP&L was an operating company of Middle South Utilities, Inc., now Entergy Corporation. AP&L is now Entergy Arkansas.
He was proud of the AP&L team effort that made his dream of "energy independence" for the company a realization.
Ritchie had announced plans for the construction of AP&L's two-unit Arkansas Nuclear One (ANO) power plant on the Arkansas River near Russellville in 1967. It was the first nuclear station in the Southwest.
In June of 1973, during the oil embargo, he announced the construction of another power plant near Redfield on the Arkansas River that would burn a fuel AP&L had not used for many years, coal.
These nuclear and coal units assured that AP&L and its customers would never again be caught in a foreign oil trap.
In recognition of his insistence that Arkansas achieve electric energy independence through reliance on domestic fuel sources, friends of Ritchie from throughout the country gathered at Arkansas Nuclear One Steam Electric Station in Pope County on December 11, 1979, dedicating the modern new training facility at the station in his honor as the "Reeves E. Ritchie Nuclear Training Center."
Ritchie was active in a broad range of civic and industry activities throughout his long career.
Prior to moving to Little Rock in 1961, he was a member of the Pine Bluff Rotary Club and served as a director of the Pine Bluff Chamber of Commerce for nine years.
Ritchie was president of the Pine Bluff Boys Club for two years and served as a director of the organization for six years. He also served as president of the Pine Bluff Junior Chamber of Commerce, and was elected outstanding man of the year in 1950 by that organization. He also served as a national director of the Junior Chamber of Commerce and as president of the Arkansas State Junior Chamber of Commerce.
He was a director in the Jefferson County Tuberculosis Association and participated in numerous Jefferson County Community Chest fund drives during his time in Pine Bluff.
Ritchie was Deacon and Elder in the First Christian Church of Pine Bluff, where he served as chairman of the Building and Grounds Committee.
After resettling in Little Rock, Ritchie was called upon to serve in a variety of leadership positions for various public service projects, including: president of the Arkansas State Chamber of Commerce and the Little Rock Chamber of Commerce; a director of the United Way of Pulaski County and the Urban Progress Association; board chairman of the Arkansas State Council on Economic Education; and as member and chairman of the board of the Little Rock Branch of the Federal Reserve Bank of St. Louis. Ritchie also served on the boards of the Arkansas Arts Center, Ozark Folk Cultural Center, Little Rock's fifty for the Future, the Committee of 100 for Pulaski County; and many others. He served as a member of the Dean's Business Advisory Committee, College of Business Administration, University of Arkansas.
A Rotarian, he was elected to an honorary membership in the Rotary Club of Little Rock in 1991.
Governor Orval Faubus appointed him to the Arkansas Educational Television Commission, and Governor Rockefeller appointed him to the Executive Committee of the Citizens Advisory Committee to the Governor.
He was on the board of directors and served as president of the Southwestern Electric Exchange; Southwest Power Pool; National Association of Electric Companies; National Association of Manufacturers; and the Edison Electric Institute. He was an honorary member of Beta Gamma Sigma, the professional fraternity of commerce.
He was an enthusiastic duck hunter and fisherman, though he admits to slowing up some in recent years. He was a Master Mason, Little Rock Consistory; Knight Commander of the Court of Honor; and a 33rd Degree Mason.
He was a past potentate of the Sahara Shrine Temple at Pine Bluff. After his retirement, Ritchie devoted considerable time to service on the Civil Service Commission at Little Rock (1983-91). He also found a way to practice his skills with hand tools again. Long member of First Christian Church, and a member of the official board, Ritchie also served as Chairman of the Property Committee, where he was responsible for the maintenance of church properties. "Basically, I kept the congregation warm in the winter and cool in the summer, " he explained.
He is survived by his wife, Gladys Cook Ritchie of Little Rock, one son Robert Estes Ritchie and wife Dana of Little Rock, a daughter Nancy M. Ritchie who died in 1989, 4 grandchildren; John A. Ritchie of Seattle, Washington, Pamela Wilson and husband Greg of Abilene, Texas, Robin McNight and husband Allen of Woodlands, Texas, Susan Ritchie of Little Rock, and three great-grandchildren; Sarah of Abilene, Texas, and Rebecca and Kathryn of Woodlands, Texas.
There will a visitation Monday evening from 6 to 8pm at First Christian Church (corner of Evergreen and Mississippi Avenue) followed by a memorial service at 1pm Tuesday at the church.
Arrangements are under the direction of Ruebel Funeral Home.
In lieu of flowers memorials should be made to the First Christian Church Endowment Fund, 1500 North Mississippi Avenue, Little Rock 72205.
Dr. Paul M. Ridgway
Dr. Paul M. Ridgway, Jr., 66, of Hot Springs Village, Arkansas, died Friday, July 16, 2004 in Little Rock. He was born
in Hillsboro, Kansas on November 6, 1937 to the late Paul M. Ridgway, Sr. and Genevieve Godding Ridgway.
Dr. Ridgway earned his Ph.D. in Anatomy and Physiology from Louisiana State University, Baton Rouge, and went on to teach at Memphis State University. He later received his Doctorate of Chiropractic from Palmer College of Chiropractic in Davenport, Iowa, and began his own practice in Memphis. He served his country in the United States Navy and was a member of Christ of the Hills United Methodist Church in Hot Springs Village.
In the Village, he enjoyed antique cars, golf, tennis, and singing with the Cedar Mountain Singers and his church choir. He had the honor of serving on the Board of Directors of the Paul Bewie Boys and Girls Club.
He is survived by his wife, Cindy Guilkey Ridgway; two sisters, Pat Milburn of Kansas City, Kansas, and Ruth McEwan of Toronto, Ontario, Canada; and numerous nieces and nephews.
Memorial services will be held at 2:00 p.m. on Wednesday, July 21, 2004 at Christ of the Hills United Methodist Church with Rev. Bill Leslie and Rev. Sue Kelly officiating. Cremation arrangements are by Ruebel Funeral Home of Little Rock, Arkansas, 501-666-0123..
Memorials may be made to the Paul Bewie Boys and Girls Club, P.O. Box 8603, Hot Springs Village, AR 71910.
Scott Reeves
Scott Reeves, 67, of Little Rock, died Saturday, May 22, 2004. He was born
August 20, 1936, in New York City, NY, to Rosser and Betty Joy Street Reeves.
Scott was a graduate of the University of Virginia where he studied architecture. He was a retired investment banker. He was a lifelong sailor, and passionate flyer of sail planes. He also worked tirelessly for his community.
He is survived by his wife, Colin Reeves; daughter, Robinson Reeves Rowan and son-in-law, Robert James Rowan of Cary, NC; and two grandchildren.
Memorial services will be held 3 p.m. Tuesday at the Ruebel Funeral Home Chapel.
In lieu of flowers, the family requests memorials be made to the Wolfe Street Foundation, 1210 Wolfe St., Little Rock, AR 72202.
The Honorable Stephen M. Reasoner
Stephen M. Reasoner, who has been a United States District Judge for the Eastern District of Arkansas for Sixteen years, died August 14, 2004 after a long illness. He was 60 years old.
Judge Reasoner was born
in Houston, Texas, and held a B.A. in economics and a J.D. (with honors) from the University of Arkansas. He was editor-in-chief of the Arkansas Law Review. Following graduation from law school in 1969, Judge Reasoner practiced law until 1988 with the firm of Barrett, Wheatley, Smith and Deacon in Jonesboro, Arkansas, until his appointment to United States District Judge by President Ronald Reagan. He served his court with distinction as chief judge for seven years. Although he had taken senior status last year because of his illness, he kept up a significant docket until very recently.
Judge Reasoner revered the law and loved being a judge. He was a favorite of the Arkansas Bar. He won the Arkansas Bar Association Golden Gavel Award in 1999. He presided over his courtroom with courtesy, firmness and dispatch. Judge Reasoner brought a keen energy to all he did. He was mindful of the biblical injunction, "Whatsoever thy hand finds to do, do it with all thy might"
Honor and duty were very important to him and like his heroes, George Washington, Abraham Lincoln and Ronald Reagan, he fought for causes dear to his heart. Those causes have always been family, his friends, the church and the law. Once he saw his duty clearly, he gave his heart fully no matter the obstacles. He fought valiantly until the end.
Judge Reasoner was a devoted Anglican. He was a mainstay at St Mark's Episcopal Church in Jonesboro for years, serving on the vestry and as senior warden, and became an active member of the Episcopal Church in Little Rock. He was an unabashed traditionalist. In a newspaper interview some years ago, he stated that he was "Very old-fashioned", and said that "People should conduct themselves as ladies and gentlemen in my court". He was a life-long Republican and, before his appointment to the bench, was active in party affairs on a local and state level. Some years back, while driving to court, he devised what he called the Federal Judge's Prayer. "Dear Lord", it begins, "Please make the decision I have to make today as obvious and clear as everybody else thinks it is".
Judge Reasoner is survived by Susan, his wife of 36 years, (a Little Rock psychotherapist), his son Brian, a Captain in the U.S. Army who served in Iraq, and his brother, Dr. Melton Reasoner, Jr. of Willow Point Lodge, Canada; nephews, Dr. Colin Reasoner of San Diego, California, Carl Fulton, Jr. and Joshua Fulton both of Quinlan, Texas; and nieces Darcie Reasoner Gorman, M.D. of Salt Lake City, Utah, Stephanie Beaver of Richardson, Texas, and Rebecca Fulton of Quinlan, Texas. His Godchildren are David Jones and Michelle Jones Kooi of Colorado, Megan Henry of Fayetteville, Precious Ugwu of Austin, Texas and Laura Grafton of Little Rock;
Funeral services will be held at 6:00 p.m. on Wednesday, Aug. 18 at Trinity Episcopal Cathedral in Little Rock. Visitation will be from 5:00 to 7:00 p.m. Tuesday, Aug 17 at Ruebel Funeral Home in Little Rock. He will be interred with his grandparents, mother and brother at the family gravesite at Holy Trinity Episcopal Church in Dickinson, Texas.
His pallbearers are Robert Jones III of Ft. Smith, Elwood "Woody" Freeman Jr, The Honorable David Laser, John V. Phelps, Troy Henry & Bobby McDaniel of Jonesboro, AR, P. Mark Ledbetter of Memphis, Robert Cearley Jr, W. Dent Gitchell, and the Hon. Morris S. Arnold of Little Rock.
Donations in the honor of his memory may be made to University of Arkansas Law School scholarship fund, the Arkansas Bar Association, the memorial funds at Trinity Cathedral, St Thomas Reformed Episcopal Church, or St Andrews Anglican Church.
