Biographical And Historical Memoirs of Pulaski, Jefferson, Lonoke, Faulkner, Grant, Saline, Perry, Garland And Hot Spring Counties, Arkansas
James William “Bill” Matthews
James William “Bill” Matthews, age 76, a resident of Danville, Arkansas and formally of Horatio died Tuesday, June 22, 2021 at St. Vincent in Little Rock, Arkansas.
Mr. Matthews was born June 16, 1945 in Horatio, Arkansas. Bill worked for Weyerhaeuser and was HR Director for Pilgrim’s Pride in De Queen. He also worked for DSI Security recently. He was a U.S. Army Veteran and was a member of United Methodist Church in Horatio, Arkansas and of First Baptist Church in Danville. He loved his family and was so proud of his children and grandchildren who lovingly called him Podzu.
He was preceded in death by his parents, Paul and Elvina Hart Matthews, his uncle and aunt, Perry and Frances Matthews; one brother, Jerry Don Matthews; one sister, Paula Sue Matthews.
Mr. Matthews is survived by his wife of 54 years, Thelma Jean May Matthews; two sons and daughters-in-law, Mike and Kristi Matthews of Benton, and Todd and Marcie Matthews of Texarkana, Texas; one daughter and son-in-law, Sabrina and Brett McDuffie of Danville; seven grandchildren, Parker Matthews, Drew Matthews, Avery Matthews, Ethan Matthews, Sawyer Matthews, Gavin McDuffie and Brenden McDuffie; two sisters, Dixie Gabbard of Horatio and Kaye Graves of Hot Springs; one brother, Chuck Matthews of Horatio and a number of nieces and nephews.
Memorial service will be held 10:00 a.m., Saturday, July 3, 2021 at Wilkerson Funeral Home Chapel in De Queen with Travis Langley officiating. Burial will follow at Horatio Cemetery.
Cremation arrangements by Wilkerson Funeral Home.
Mrs. Sue Strube
Mrs. Sue Doerner Strube, age 88, of De Queen, Arkansas, passed from this life on Monday, June 28, 2021, at her home.
She was born May 5, 1933, in Tulsa, Oklahoma, to Erwin Jacob and Gayle Brodie Doerner. She was 1950 graduate of Tulsa Central. She married the love of her life, Dr. William J. Strube, on December 20, 1952, in Tulsa. She worked in the office of the Weyerhaeuser Treating Plant, retiring after ten years of service. Sue enjoyed reading, bowling, and was an avid football fan. She was most fond of the Arkansas Razorbacks. Most of all, she cherished the time spent with her loving family and friends.
She was preceded in death by her parents; her loving husband of over 67 years, Dr. William “Doc” Strube; two sons, John Strube and Infant Joseph Strube; her son-in-law, Danny Carlstead, and her sister, Carolyn Hensley.
Those left to cherish the many memories include, one son, Mark Strube of Tulsa, Oklahoma; two daughters, Cathy Hall of De Queen, and Michele Carlstead of De Queen; four grandchildren, Alisha Reid of Hot Springs, Courtney Reid of Texarkana, Timothy Carlstead and Malloree Carlstead, both of De Queen; one great-granddaughter, Robin Ahrens of Texarkana; one brother, Stuart Doerner of Missouri; as well as, nieces, nephews, other relatives, and a host of friends.
Graveside Services for Mrs. Sue Strube will be held at 11:00 A.M., Wednesday, June 30, 2021, at Chapel Hill Cemetery, with Bro. Del Stone officiating. Burial will follow, under the direction of Chandler Funeral Home, De Queen. The family will receive friends from 5:00 to 7:00 P.M., Tuesday, at the funeral home.
Dana Simmons Brown
Dana Simmons Brown age 48 of Broken Bow, Oklahoma passed June 27, 2021. She was born on July 13, 1972 in De Queen, Arkansas to Jessie Sonny Simmons and Deborah McBride. She went to be with the Lord and all of the proceeding family members: Grandfathers and grandmothers Jessie R and Norma Sue Simmons, Joe and Voisie Wadkins and, Mama Linda Simmons and nephew, Garrett Jones.
Dana was a loving, compassionate, giving, God loving woman who loved to be silly! She always wanted everyone to laugh and be happy. We all have our wonderful memories we had with her. Dana was a beloved wife, mother, daughter, sister, aunt, cousin, niece and friend. She had the most beautiful smile that could light up your soul. She could spend hours staring up at the stars dreaming and if you were lucky enough to be present when she gased into Kenneth or Jacobs faces the pure joy radiating from her world blind you.
Survivors include her husband, Kenneth Brown of Broken Bow, OK, her son Jacob McCoy of Broken Bow; one daughter, Otter of Valliant, Oklahoma; father and wife, Sonny and Vickie Simmons of Texarkana, TX; mother, Deborah McBride of Dierks, AR and brother, Michael Simmons of Dierks; and sister, Nikki Shirley and John of Langley, AR and a slue of other family!
Graveside funeral services for Mrs. Brown will be held at 2:00 p.m. Tuesday, June 29, 2021 in Burg Cemetery near Umpire, Arkansas with Tony Hill and Todd Reed officiating, under the direction of Wilkerson Funeral Home, De Queen.
Alva Lois Rhodes Wimpee
Alva Lois Rhodes Wimpee, 97, of De Queen, died Sunday, June 27, 2021 at Wadley Hospital in Texarkana, Texas.
Lois was born September 23, 1923 in Jacksonville, Arkansas to Ivy Rhodes and Dovie Lemley Rhodes. She married Otha F. Wimpee in 1942, shortly before he went overseas in World War Two.
She was preceded in death by her parents, her husband Otha, her brother Donald Rhodes, infant sister, Dorothy Fay and son-in-law, Jimmie Dunn.
She is survived by her son, Gerald Wimpee of De Queen; daughter, Nelda Dun of De Queen and daughter, Barbara Harrison and her husband, Bobby of Horatio.
She is also survived by six grandchildren, Mandy Wimpee Bowden and husband Scott, Brad Wimpee and wife Diana “Buffy”, Tristin Ritchey Wimpee, Lori Dunn, Jennifer Dunn-Shortridge and husband Mark, Bethany Harrison Baracosa and three great-grandchildren.
Funeral service will be private.
William Franklin Gentry
William Franklin Gentry passed away Tuesday, June 22, 2021, in Granbury, Texas. A beloved husband, father, grandfather, and great grandfather was born on August 25, 1938, in Van Alstyne, Texas to William Carl Gentry and Inez Bishop Gentry.
Love and time ‘those are the only 2 things in all the world and all of life that cannot be bought, but only spent’. William believes this. He was a generous man and his sweet smile captivated all he greeted.
He graduated from De Queen High School in 1958. He attended Sam Houston State University and Bishop College as well as several police departments supervisor courses at SMU Dallas.
William joined the Dallas Police force on Feb 22, 1960. As a sergeant and lieutenant, he was assigned to the Patrol Board and as a Captain he was assigned to the Youth Section and Crimes Against Persons. He retired as Deputy Chief of Traffic. He served 28 years with the Dallas Police Department.
He met his wife Suzette Robinson in 1949. They were united and married on August 30, 1959.
He often said “I would not change a thing in my life. I am a lucky man for I had the love of my life and being a police officer. I enjoyed every day. I am blessed”.
He is survived by his wife Suzette Robinson Gentry, 2 children Chanee Robinson and Jason Randall; 6 grandchildren Charlsy Branson, Zachary Anderson, Frazier, and Mason Anderson, Chase, and Cole Gentry; and 5 great grandchildren Talon, Torin and Tyson Branson, Rayne Anderson and Iris Anderson-Starr.
Memorial services will be Monday, June 28, 2021, at 1:00 p.m. in the Acton Baptist Church, Acton Texas.
Charles Wayne Whitaker
Mr. Charles Wayne Whitaker, age 68, a resident of De Queen, Arkansas, died Saturday, June 19, 2021 at Hot Springs, Arkansas.
He was born September 23, 1952 in Forrest City, Arkansas. He was a truck driver for Lane Poultry. He was a wonderful, awesome father who taught his daughters well.
Mr. Whitaker was preceded in death by his parents, Charles E. and Frances Catherine (Weddington) Whitaker.
He is survived by his wife, Rosemary (Holland) Whitaker of 51 years; two daughters and sons-in law, Beverly and Robin McCollum of De Queen and Charlene and Calvin Underwood of Fort Smith, Arkansas; five grandchildren, Keven, James, Joshua, Priscilla and Robin; twelve great grandchildren; two brothers, James Whitaker of Cabot, Arkansas and Woody Ellison of Georgia; one sister, Sandra Foster of Little Rock, Arkansas and a number of nieces and nephews.
Viewing for Mr. Whitaker will be held at 9:30 a.m., Thursday, June 24, 2021 at Cossatot Cemetery. Burial will follow under the direction of Wilkerson Funeral Home, De Queen.
A memorial dinner will be held at 11:00 a.m., at the home of Mark and Kimberly Vick, 1701 W. Elberta Ave., De Queen, AR.
Mrs. Louise Stinnett
Mrs. Louise Mildred Phelps Stinnett, age 77, resident of Texarkana, Arkansas, passed from this life on Sunday, June 20, 2021, in Texarkana, Arkansas.
She was born to the union of Joseph Franklin and Francis Wood Phelps on July 7, 1943, in Arkoma, Oklahoma. Louise married the love of her life, Jack Stinnett, on March 22, 1962, in Arkoma. She was a homemaker.
She was preceded in death by her parents; her husband, Jack Stinnett; one son, William “Billy” Gray; one sister, Lucille Dirickson; and two brothers, Lonnie and Thomas Phelps.
She is survived by one son, John Thomas Gray of Horatio; two grandsons, William and Dallas Pettigrew of Horatio; and a half-brother, Jimmy Sanders of Fort Smith; as well as, nieces, nephews, other relatives and friends.
Private services for Mrs. Louise Stinnett will be held at a later date. Cremation arrangements are under the direction of Chandler Funeral Home, De Queen.
