Biographical And Historical Memoirs of Pulaski, Jefferson, Lonoke, Faulkner, Grant, Saline, Perry, Garland And Hot Spring Counties, Arkansas
Tom Patterson
Tommy Patterson, 63 of Springdale, died Saturday, May 19, 2007 at Fayetteville Veterans Home.
He was born November 16, 1943 in Gould, AR, the son of Loyd and Wilma Billingsly Patterson. He retired from Tyson Foods after 36 years of service. He enjoyed fishing and hunting. He was preceded in death by a daughter, Sandra K. Patterson and two sons, Tommy I and Gerhard L. Patterson.
He is survived by his wife: Deborah Patterson of Springdale, AR
Three daughters:
Sherita Patterson of Kinta, OK
Sarah Ward of Fayetteville, AR
Melissa Immel of Fayetteville, AR
One Son; Chris Patterson of Springdale, AR
One Brother: Demar Patterson of Springdale, AR
Two sisters:
Minnie Jo Miner of Dumas, AR
Debbie Jaro of Elm Springs, AR
Four Grandchildren:
Tammie Hyde,
Amanda Ward,
Devin Immel,
Nathan Ward
Two great grandchildren: Kinley and Mason Hyde
Graveside services will be held at 10:00 a.m. Saturday, May 26, 2007 at Sonora cemetery, under the direction of Moore’s Chapel
Memorials may be made to Fayetteville Veterans Home, 1125 North College, Fayetteville, Arkansas 72703
BETTIE THOMAS
Margaret Elizabeth “Bettie” Thomas, 86, of Fayetteville, died Tuesday, May 22, 2007, at her home.
She was born November 5, 1920, in Charleston, Arkansas, to George Leonard Bumpers and Catherine Cooper Bumpers. She attended Fort Smith Junior College. She was preceded in death by her husband, Grover Cleveland Thomas, Jr., whom she married
on April 5, 1940. In 1947, the couple moved to Fayetteville where they were both devoted members of Saint Paul’s Episcopal Church and were also dedicated to community service.
At her church, Bettie served on the Flower Guild and the Altar Guild, was a member and long-time president of Saint Mary’s Guild, worked with Community Meals, taught Sunday school, and was a major supporter of the music programs. In 1999, she contributed the trumpets for the pipe organ in memory of her husband, who had died in 1997.
For the Fayetteville, community, she served on the board of the American Red Cross, worked at the Community Blood Bank, and served as a Brownie Scout leader. She also served as a poll worker in city, state, and national elections. She chaired the memorial fund for the Washington Regional Hospital Auxiliary for 33 years, was active in the Women’s Golf Association at Fayetteville Country Club and the Year-Round Garden Club, and was an avid golfer, bridge player, cook, and gardener. For years, she arranged the schedule for her husband to play Santa Claus for children throughout Fayetteville; she became known as “Mrs. Santa Claus.”
Survivors are a daughter, Anne Cleveland Thomas, and a granddaughter, Catherine Elizabeth Thomas, both of Fayetteville, and a nephew, James Buchanan of Lewisville, TX.
A memorial and committal service will be at 2:00 p.m., Friday, May 25, at Saint Paul’s Episcopal Church, with The Reverend Lowell Grisham officiating. Arrangements are under the direction of Moore’s Chapel of Fayetteville.
Memorials may be sent to Saint Paul’s Episcopal Church, P.O. Box 1190, Fayetteville, AR 72702.
DORIS COKER
Doris Jean Coker, 59, of West Fork, died Wednesday, May 23, 2007 at Circle of Life Hospice in Springdale.
She was born May 23, 1948 in Bentonville, the daughter of Frank and Ruth Smith Sands.
She was preceded in death by her parents and a brother, Howard Sands.
She was a homemaker & loving wife, mother and grandmother. She was a member of Liberty and Eighty-Six Community Church.
She is survived by: Her husband of 33 years: Kenny Coker
Three sons:
Chris Coker & his wife Diana of West Fork
Ira Coker and Ben Coker – Both of West Fork
Five grandchildren:
Seth Coker, Caitlin Coker, Jackson Coker, Morgan Coker and Harrison Coker
A brother: Wes Sands & his wife Shirley of Cave Springs
Three sisters:
Frankie Burns & her husband Jim of Bethel Heights
Marie Chandler of Bentonville
Glenna Warhurst & her husband Craig of Broomfield, CO
A sister-in-law: Marlene Sands of Cave Springs
Service: 2:30 p.m., Saturday, May 26 at Zinnamon Church
Officiating: Elder L. V. Vickery
Burial: Zinnamon cemetery, under the direction of Moore’s Chapel
There will be no scheduled visitation.
Memorials may be made to: Circle of Life Hospice, 901 Jones Rd., Springdale, AR 72762
OPAL BETH (NEAL)
Opal Beth (Neal), 85, of Elkins, died Friday, May 25, 2007 at Siloam Springs Nursing & Rehabilitation Center.
She was born January 31, 1922 at Health, Arkansas, the daughter of Earl and Clara Bridges Brannon. She was preceded in death by four brothers, Robert, Omer, Oran & Jack Brannon & two sisters, Ruth Tomlinson & Pearl Drain.
Opal Beth (Neal) was a devout Christian, mother, and homemaker. She enjoyed sewing, gardening and cooking. She canned fruits and vegetable from her garden every year and she cooked everything from scratch. Her home made biscuits were acclaimed to be the “best in the world” by all of her grandchildren. She was a dedicated messenger for Christ and often held weekly prayer services at her home where she testified and preached the gospel to large groups. She was devoted to her family and throughout her lifetime held that family close together with her love and sacrifices. She was the focal point of the family, and all of her children and grandchildren would gather at her place for every major holiday. She would spend days in advance of the holidays baking the favorite desserts for all of the children and grandchildren. She made many friends wherever she went and her dry wit and sense of humor was ever present in any situation. She would often catch people off guard by saying exactly what she thought. She never pulled any punches and you always knew exactly where she stood on any issue or circumstance.
Miss Opal will be loved and missed by family, friends and extended family from Siloam Springs Rehab.
She is survived by: Two sons: William E. Beth & his wife Waynita of Harrison, AR
David E. Beth & his wife Carla of St. Charles, MO
Two daughters:
Yvonne E. Larson & her husband Mike of Siloam Springs
Evelyn S. Lock of Elkins
A brother: Tommy Brannon of Fayetteville
Two sisters: Lola Cunningham and Betty Sachs – Both of Elkins
Seven grandchildren: Cody Larson, Matt Larson, Kim Roebuck, Whitney Beth, Ray Powell, David Beth & Cindy Beth
Nine great-grandchildren
Service: 10:00 am, Tuesday, May 29 at Moore’s Chapel
Officiating: Rev. H. M. Shipp
Burial: Brannon Mountain cemetery
Visitation: 5:00 – 7:00 pm Monday at Moore’s Chapel
