Biographical And Historical Memoirs of Pulaski, Jefferson, Lonoke, Faulkner, Grant, Saline, Perry, Garland And Hot Spring Counties, Arkansas
Jimmy Wayne Gillespie
Jimmy Wayne Gillespie, age 54, a resident of Texarkana, Texas, died Monday, Jan. 9, 2006 at his home.
He was born May 8, 1951 in Huntsville; graduated from Texarkana College having earned an Associate of Applied Science degree in Mid Management in December of 1986, and a certificate in Industrial Electricity in August 1997; was an Army veteran of the Vietnam War; was awarded the Bronze Star and Purple Heart; was retired from the Red River Army Depot; a member of the Village Lodge 1346, Scottish Rite 32nd degree, and Eylau United Methodist Church, and president of Texas High Band Booster Club.
Mr. Gillespie was preceded in death by his parents, Harry Anderson and Gladys Oneta “Neta” Gillespie.
He is survived by his wife, Judy Kaye Axton Gillespie; one daughter, Brittany Anne Gillespie of Texarkana, Texas; four brothers, Charlie Gillespie of Mt. Burg, Don Gillespie of De Queen, Tim Brown and Vernon Brown, both of Fayetteville; and two sisters, Ruby and Nevelta Smith, both of Huntsville.
Funeral services were held at 2:00 p.m., Wednesday, Jan. 11, in the First Assembly of God Church in Dierks with Rev. Jerry Jester officiating. Burial followed in Dierks cemetery, under the direction of Wilkerson Funeral home in Dierks.
The family received friends from 6:00 to 7:30 p.m., Tuesday, Jan. 10, at the funeral home in Dierks.
There will be a memorial service at 6:00 p.m., Thursday, Jan. 12, at the Eylau United Methodist Church in Texarkana with Rev. Mark Bunch officiating.
Leonard Mills
Mr. Leonard Nelson Mills, age 65, resident of De Queen, died Tuesday, January 10, 2006, in the De Queen Medical Center.
He was born to Leonard Jake and Stella Dunagan Mills at Bethel, Oklahoma, on April 25, 1940. He served in the military with the U.S. Marine Corps, was a retired truck driver, and enjoyed fishing, his grandchildren, and family get-togethers.
He was preceded in death by his parents; a brother, Charles; and a son-in-law, Steve Young.
He is survived by his wife, Wilma Chapman Mills of De Queen; two sons, Lee Mills of Washington and Steve Mills of Oregon; two daughters, Lori Young of Fallbrook, California and Lisa and her husband, Doyle Adcock, of De Queen; five brothers, Edward Mills and Gene Mills, both of Oregon, Bob Mills, Jim Mills and Larry Mills, all of De Queen; 11 grandchildren, including Wade and Sabrina of California and Alexandra and Victoria of De Queen; one great-grandchild, Natalee, of De Queen; and a number of nieces and nephews.
A memorial service was held at 4:00 p.m., Wednesday, January 11, 2006 in the Chandler Funeral Chapel, under the direction of Chandler Funeral Home, De Queen.
Mrs. Mary Joan Fant
Mary Joan Fant, age 59, a resident of Horatio, died Wednesday, Jan. 11 2006 at her home.
She was born July 15, 1946 in Horatio to A.C. and Virgie Martin Leverett. She was a registered nurse and worked with the Home Health Department in Sevier County. She attended the First Assembly of God church in Horatio, and enjoyed reading and being with her family.
She was preceded in death by her parents; a daughter, Laramie Fant in 1993; a sister, Nyoka Turner in 1987; and a brother, Dwight Leverett in 1966.
She is survived by a daughter, Nancy Wray of Horatio; a son, Shannon Fant of Fayetteville; two sisters, Carolyn Pearson of Mena and Lucretia Walker of Horatio; three grandchildren, and a number of nieces and nephews.
Funeral services were held at 11:00 a.m., Saturday, Jan. 14 in the Chandler Funeral Home Chapel with Bro. J.L. Walker and Bro. Ralph Staggs officiating. Burial followed in the Horatio cemetery.
The family received friends at the funeral home from 6:00 to 8:00 p.m., Friday, Jan 13.
Jenna Beth Johnson
Jenna Beth Johnson, infant daughter of Jay and Janet Johnson of Del Rio, Texas, died January 9, 2006.
She was born January 9, 2006.
She is also survived by her grandparents: Mr. and Mrs. Kelsey and Diane Johnson of Del Rio; Mr. and Mrs. Phil and Alice Phyillaier of Littlefield, Texas; great-grandparents: Mr. and Mrs. J.T. Houser and James F. Johnson all of Lockesburg and Mr. and Mrs. Paul Phyillaier of Weatherford, Okla.
Funeral services were held Wednesday, Jan. 11 at 2 p.m, at the First Christian Church in Del Rio, Texas with John Cary officiating. Graveside services were held Saturday at 2 p.m. at the Alfalfa cemetery in Alfalfa, Okla. with Rev. Terry Dennis officiating; under the direction of G. W. Cox Memorial Funeral Home of Del Rio.
Mary Ruth Kinney Watkins
Mrs. Mary Ruth Kinney Watkins, age 84, resident of Anchorage, Alaska and former resident of De Queen, and Eagletown, Okla. died Tuesday, January 17, 2006 in the Providence Hospital in Anchorage.
She was born December 24, 1921 in Memphis, Tenn. to Lawrence Marion and Oda Mae Faucett Kinney. She was a retired conservation director for the U.S. Geographical Survey, as well as a homemaker, a member of the First Baptist Church of Anchorage, a member of the Anchorage Women’s Bowling Association, and a former member of the Civil Air Patrol.
She was preceded in death by two brothers; Marion A. Kinney and William Herbert Kinney; a daughter, Patricia Watkins and a granddaughter, Sharon Watkins.
She is survived by two sons; Ben Marshall of Midlothian, Texas and Thomas Ray Watkins of Anchorage, Alaska; two daughters, Helen Glee Lane of Ft. Worth, Texas and Katherine Lorraine Hansen of Anchorage, Alaska; eight grandchildren, four great-grandchildren and a number of nieces and nephews.
Funeral services for Mary Ruth Watkins were held at 2 p.m., Sunday, Jan. 22, in the Chandler Funeral Home Chapel with Bro. Ralph Staggs officiating. Burial followed in the Chapel Hill cemetery.
Linvel E. Nelson
Linvel E. Nelson, age 80, resident of Okanogan, Washington and former resident of De Queen, died Tuesday, Jan. 24, 2006 in an Okanogan Hospital.
He was born April 14, 1925 in Van Alstyne, Texas to James Clarence and Emmer Kennedy Nelson. He was retired from the Okanogan Power and Utility Company.
He was preceded in death by his parents; two brothers, Dewey and Orlin Nelson.
He is survived by his wife of 59 years Ruth Sines Nelson; two sons, Chester Nelson of Sea Tac, Wash., and Richard Lee Nelson of Okanogan; one daughter, Marlen Farrens of Okanogan; one brother, Virgil Nelson of Ft. Bragg, Calif.; two sisters, Betty Jean Shepherd of Prattville, Ala., and Naydean Pogue of De Queen; six grandchildren; one great-grandchild; and a number of nieces and nephews.
Funeral services were Saturday, Jan. 27, at 2 p.m. at the Okanogan Presbyterian Church under the direction of Precht, Harrison, Nearents Chapel, burial followed in the Okanogan cemetery.
Darlene Villa
Darlene Sixta Villa, age 57, resident of Gillham, died Tuesday, Jan. 10, 2006.
She was born, August 26, 1948, at Ponca City, Okla., to Rev. D.E. and Bertha Zella Carpenter Villa. She was an ESL instructor at the Horatio School System and attended the First Assembly of God church in De Queen.
She was preceded in death by a brother, Daniel J. Villa in 2004.
She is survived by her parents, Rev. D. E. and Bertha Villa of Gillham; two brothers, her twin, David Villa of Lexington, Okla., and Rev. D. Enrique, Jr. of Gorman, Tex.; two sisters, April Sword of Edom, Tex., and Deborah Brown of Gillham, and a number of nieces and nephews.
Funeral service were held 2:00 p.m., Friday, Jan. 13, in the First Assembly of God Church, De Queen with Rev. D. E. Villa and Dr. Haskel Rycroft officiating. Burial followed in Mineral cemetery in Gillham, under the direction of Chandler Funeral Home, De Queen.
