Biographical And Historical Memoirs of Pulaski, Jefferson, Lonoke, Faulkner, Grant, Saline, Perry, Garland And Hot Spring Counties, Arkansas
Robbie Virgil “Diggs” Jester
Mr. Robbie Virgil Jester (Diggs) 95 years old of Brownstown, Arkansas passed away Saturday November 13th 2021 with all 6 children by his side. Mr. Jester was born October 21, 1926 in Lockesburg AR the son of the late Bishop and Jennie Belle Jester.
He was also preceded in death by his wife of 70 years Verlene Jester (BlueEyes): his Sister Royalene Jester: Brothers Cecil, Frank, Merrill, Howard, Herschel and Clarence; and son-in-law, Ricky Ragle.
Survivors include his six children. Robbie Dean and Gayle Jester of Brownstown, AR; Sue Ragle of Canton, TX; Kay and Robert Sanders of Canton, TX; Ricky and Anita Jester of Lockesburg, AR; Malinda and Jeff Winton of Nashville, AR; and Peggy and Ken Friday of Ben Lomond, AR. Also left to cherish his memory are his 17 grandchildren and their spouses; 33 great grandchildren; and 2 great-great grandsons. Also survived by sister Mildred Truly of Lockesburg, sister-in-law Ruby Jester of Lockesburg, AR and Bea Jester of Camden, AR and brother-in-law Wesley Gentry and wife Sammye along with numerous nieces and nephews.
Diggs was a Methodist and a member of the Brownstown Community church. He was a US Navy Veteran serving in World War II and retired from Braswell Sand and Gravel. After retirement from Braswell he spent 25 years mowing yards and cemeteries, building fences, painting houses, and cutting wood. In his spare time, he loved to hunt, to play dominos, throw horseshoes and bags and very few (if any) could beat him.
The family wishes to give special recognition for all the love and excellent care provided to him by caregivers Gayle Jester, Becky Harberson, Jeanie Green Marion and Dean Winship over that last few months.
Graveside services and burial will be held at 11:00 am on Tuesday November 16th 2021 at Wrights Chapel Cemetery near Lockesburg, AR with Nick Box officiating under the direction of Wilkerson Funeral Home in De Queen, AR.
Visitation for Mr. Jester will be held from 6:00 p.m. until 8:00 p.m., Monday November 15th, 2021 at the Wilkerson Funeral Home at De Queen AR.
Cheryl Anne Rudy
Cheryl Anne McWilliams Rudy, age 45, a resident of King of Prussia, Pennsylvania, died on Saturday, November 13, 2021 at her home.
She was born April 4, 1976 in De Queen, Arkansas. She loved her cats and working at the vet office.
Cheryl was preceded in death by her parents, Jacqueline and Clayborne McWilliams, grandparents, Imogene and LD Mack; two brothers, Douglas McWilliams and Randy McWilliams.
She is survived by her husband, Mike Rudy of King of Prussia; Cathy Diggs and Randy Diggs of Horatio; Carole Bearden and Randy Bearden of Ashdown; sisters, Carie Diggs of Horatio, Traci Haile and Will Haile of Midland, Texas; one brother, Joshua Diggs of Dierks; and a number of nieces and nephews. Kevin Mack and Trish Mack, brothers, Woodie and Karla Mack, James and Jenna Mack, Jason and Amber Mack; three stepbrothers.
Graveside funeral services for Cheryl will be held at 2:00 p.m., Saturday, November 20, 2021 in Redmen Cemetery with Larry Fry officiating, under the direction of Wilkerson Funeral Home.
Stephen Patrick Bell
Mr. Stephen Patrick Bell, age 48, resident of Camden, Arkansas, peacefully passed from this life on Thursday, November 11, 2021, at his home in Camden.
Stephen was born November 9, 1973, in De Queen, Arkansas, to Ira Dale Love and Cynthia Ann Bell. Stephen was a 1992 graduate of Lockesburg High School and worked as a Laborer. He was a member of Concord Family Church in Camden and enjoyed listening to music, astrology, and good home cooking. Stephen was a free-spirit and lived life to the fullest. More than anything, he cherished the time spent with his loving family and many friends.
He was preceded in death by his maternal grandparents, who raised Stephen as their own, Mervin and Juanita Bell; one brother, Jamie Don Bell; one sister, April Love; and his stepfather, Fredrick McKinney, Sr.
Stephen leaves to cherish his loving memory, two sons, Dajon Keaire Riley and wife Shannon of Houston, and Deangelo Santana Bell of Little Rock; one daughter, Kalliana Nicole Bell of Benton; his soon-to-be first grandchild; his parents, Ira D. Love and wife Magigor of Old Washington, and Cynthia Ann Bell McKinney of Camden; five siblings, Ashley McKinney of Camden, Fredrick McKinney, Jr. of Camden, Amy McKinney of Camden, Bridget Love-Smith and husband Coven of Glenn Heights, Texas, and Crystal Love of Dallas; his paternal grandparents, Tommie and Ruth Love of Old Washington; special cousin, Ryan Bell of Little Rock; special friend, Dewey Hatley of Little Rock; his Aunt Judy and Uncle Chuck McGhee of Broken Arrow, Oklahoma; Uncle Don Bell, and Uncle James M. and wife Linda Bell, all of Little Rock; as well as a number of nieces, nephews, other relatives, and a host of friends.
Funeral Services for Mr. Stephen Bell will be held at 11:00 A.M., Saturday, November 20, 2021, in the Chandler Funeral Home Chapel with Rev. Reginald Russell officiating. Burial will follow at Holly Springs Cemetery in Lockesburg. General viewing will be held from 10:00 A.M. to 6:00 P.M., Friday, at the funeral home. Funeral arrangements are entrusted to Chandler Funeral Home of De Queen.
Repast will follow the services on Saturday at the First United Methodist Church Community Center in Lockesburg.
Wilma Jean Kennedy Williams
Wilma Jean Kennedy Williams, age 87, a resident of Kilgore, Texas, died Wednesday, November 10, 2021 in Kilgore, Texas.
She was born July 1, 1934 in Dierks, Arkansas. Wilma was a member of the Church of Christ. She liked country music and watching tv. She enjoyed working with her fellow employees at Riff’s Department Store in Longview, Texas.
Wilma was preceded in death by her parents, H.L and Lois Ella Stokes Kennedy.
She is survived by one son, Ricky and (Elizabeth) Williams of Las Cruces, New Mexico; four grandchildren, Katy Williams, Estis “Bubba” Williams, Dustin Williams and Bryan Williams; eleven great grandchildren and one great great grandchild.
Funeral services for Wilma will be held at 10:00 a.m. Monday, November 15, 2021 in the Wilkerson Funeral Home Chapel in Dierks with Minister Terry Martin officiating. Burial will follow in the Dierks Cemetery under the direction of Wilkerson Funeral Home.
The family will receive friends from 9:00 a.m. until service time on Monday at the funeral home.
Margarete Sowell
Ms. Margarete Paula Mertz Sowell, age 91, resident of De Queen, Arkansas, peacefully passed from this life on Saturday, November 6, 2021, at her home.
Margarete was born October 31, 1930, in Stuttgart, Germany.
Margarete was of the Baptist faith and worked different capacities over the years. She worked several years for White’s Cafeteria in Little Rock, Arkansas, and later worked in cleaning services. She enjoyed working in her yard and sewing, but most of all, she cherished the time spent with her family and friends.
She was preceded in death by her parents; three brothers, Paul Mertz, Willie Mertz, and Ernest Mertz; a sister, Annarosa Mertz; and a grandson, Paul Sowell.
Margarete leaves to cherish her memory, one son, James Sowell of Horatio; two daughters, Margaret Morris and special friend Charlie Whisenhunt of Gillham, and Rosemary Sowell of De Queen; three grandchildren, Michael Sowell and wife Amanda of Louisville, Kentucky, Willie Sowell and wife Basilisa of De Queen, and Amanda Davis of Hot Springs, Arkansas; nine great-grandchildren and one great-great-grandchild; as well as nieces, nephews, other relatives, and a host of friends.
Graveside Services for Ms. Margarete Sowell will be held at 2:00 P.M., Wednesday, November 10, 2021, at Redmen Cemetery with Bro. Homer Frachiseur officiating. The family will receive friends from 5:00 to 6:00 P.M., Tuesday, at the funeral home. Funeral arrangements are entrusted to Chandler Funeral Home of De Queen.
James Craig Balch
SFC James Craig Balch, 60, died Friday, Nov. 5, 2021 of complications from a very short battle with cancer. He took his last breath surrounded by his family at the veterans hospital in Little Rock, Ark.
Balch was born March 22, 1961 in Little Rock, Ark., to the union of the late Dr. James I. and Linda M. Balch.
Balch was a veteran of Operation Desert Shield/Desert Storm, having deployed with the Arkansas National Guard’s 148th Medical Evacuation Hospital. Balch served in Arkansas National Guard for almost 28 years.
Balch leaves behind his wife of 15 years, Dr. Ying Hua Gao-Balch; daughter Cloann Jones and daughter Jaycie Jones; son Chaz M. Balch, wife Mindy J. and children Abigail J. Dillon M. and Madelyn R.; sister Lisa Lynn Balch; and brother John Balch, wife Mary and children Sutton and Mary Grace.
Funeral arrangement are pending for Balch to be interred at the Arkansas State Veterans Cemetery in North Little Rock, Ark., under the direction of Smith Family Funeral Home. Please check the funeral home’s website for updates: smithfamilycares.com
Balch, known as J.C. among his friends, was a fun-loving, hard-rocking member of the De Queen High School Class of 1979 who once almost set the school auditorium on fire during a talent show when he breathed fire like KISS’ Gene Simmons.
In lieu of flowers, do something fun that makes you laugh and “Rock and Rock All Nite.”
Carolyn Sue Manry
Carolyn Sue Manry, age 81, of De Queen, Arkansas, passed away on Friday, November 5, 2021.
Carolyn was born August 3, 1940 to Ruby and Earnest Blakely. She attended school in Murfreesboro. She was a member of Biggs Chapel Methodist Church.
Carolyn proceeded to work in multiple fields throughout her life including managing a Holiday Inn in McAlester, Oklahoma; working for Dr. Frank Daniel in DeQueen, and eventually running her own business. She married Earnest Manry in the summer of 1984.
Carolyn is preceded in death by her husband: Earnest Manry; her parents: Ruby Mae and Tannie Folsom; Father: Earnest Lee Blakely; Brothers Larry O’Neal and Roland O’Neal.
She is survived by her son: Michael Robert Cortez; two brothers: Jim Blakely and wife Barbara, Robert O’Neal and wife Wanda; one sister Laurah Orr; and numerous nieces and nephews.
Graveside memorial services will begin at 2:00 p.m. on Sunday, November 14, 2021 at the Roy Cemetery with Rev. Jim Henderson officiating, under the direction of Latimer Funeral Home in Murfreesboro.
