Biographical And Historical Memoirs of Pulaski, Jefferson, Lonoke, Faulkner, Grant, Saline, Perry, Garland And Hot Spring Counties, Arkansas
Billy J. Ross, Sr.
Billy J. Ross, Sr., age 66, a resident of Point Texas, died Saturday, June 19, 2021 in Sulphur Springs, Texas.
Mr. Ross was born February 24, 1955 in Dallas, Texas . He was a Christian and enjoyed hunting and fishing.
He was preceded in death by his parents, Charlie Ross, Jr. and Ollie Mae (Bailey) Ross.
Mr. Ross is survived by four children, Mandi Mayo of Ashdown, Arkansas, Tamisa and husband Chris Smith of Wiggins, Mississippi, BJ Ross and wife Christy of Sheridan, AR, Nicole and husband Jason Hilton of Valley View, Texas; one brother, Franky Ross of De Queen, Arkansas; One sister, Debbie Massey of De Queen; grandchildren, Chase and Autumn Ross, Clay Ross, Madison Perez, Danielle, Karlie and Dawson Ross, Jay Sasser and Rilynn Rauschuber; step grandchildren, Kourtney and Kyle, Christopher and Nicholas; great grandchildren, Tate, Lyric and Zuri; step great grandchildren, Klayton and Klaria; girlfriend, Debbie Reynolds Smith and a number of nieces, nephews, other family and friends.
Family will receive friends from 6:00 p.m. to 8:00 p.m., Tuesday, June 22, 2021 at the Wilkerson Funeral Home Chapel in De Queen.
Funeral services for Mr. Ross will be held at 10:00 a.m., Wednesday, June 23, 2021 at Wilkerson Funeral Home Chapel in De Queen with Minister Newman Hance officiating.
A private burial will follow.
Gary Lane Guin
A graveside service for Gary Lane Guin, 69, will be held 11:00 a.m. Tuesday, June 22, 2021 at Mt. Ida Cemetery in De Queen, Arkansas. Visitation will be from 5:00 pm.m till 7:00 p.m. on Monday, June 21, 2021 at Rose-Neath Funeral Home. 2201 Airline Drive, Bossier City, Louisiana 71111. Pastor Brian Miller will be officiating the services.
Gary was born June 25, 1951 in Campti, Louisiana to Travis Daniel and Aleene Wallace Guin. He passed from this life on June 17, 2021 at his home in Blanchard, Louisiana with his loving wife of 36 years, Bonnie Sue Guin, by his side.
Gary started working for the Kansas City Southern Railroad at the age of 19 and retired after 31 years of service as a claim agent. He enjoyed his work at the railroad and cherished the friendships he built there from all his years of service. Gary enlisted in the Louisiana National Guard where he served as an enlisted soldier and an officer. He served at HQ Company Commander with the 527th Engineer Battalion in Bossier City. Louisiana. Gary finished up his military service with the Army Reserves after more than 20 years of service with rank of Captain. He took great pride in serving in the military and cherished the lifetime friends he made through his service.
“Pops”, as he was affectionately called by his grandchildren, was an avid hunter and fisherman. He enjoyed tending to his property, raising cattle, working his garden, and attending his grandchildren’s extra-curricular activities. He had an affinity for catching white perch from the waters of Gillham Lake and the Cossatot River. He looked forward to camping there with Bonnie every year for 38 years. His happy place was out on the waters with a specific-colored jig and a good pole or in the deer stand while drinking hot chocolate with one of his grandkids. Gary was a good man and a smiling face to all that met him. Pops will be missed but not forgotten.
Gary is preceded in death by his parents; brother, Dr. James Aubrey Guin of Ashland, Louisiana; sisters, Rubye Guin Morgan and husband, Joe, of Alexandria, Louisiana, Barbara Guin Vercher of Bossier City, Louisiana, Patsy Guin Thompson and husband, Buddy, of Mansfield, Louisiana; mother-in-law, Mable Faye Hendricks Roberts of De Queen, Arkansas; brother-in-law, Steve Roberts of Wichita Falls, Texas and Wayne Roberts of De Queen, AR; and sister-in-law, Louise Roberts Mulkey of De Queen, AR.
Gary is survived by his wife, Bonnie Guin; children, Jennifer Quada of Bossier City. Louisiana and Shane Guin and wife, Kelly, of Thibodaux. Louisiana; grandchildren, Aspen Quada, Alyssa Quada, Jacob Guin, Zachary Guin, Samuel Guin, Wyatt Guin, and Henson Guin; brothers, Travis Guin and wife, Mary Beth, of Campti, Louisiana and Ronald Guin and wife Pam, of Campti, Louisiana; sisters, Caroline Tauzin and husband, Joe, of Bossier City , Louisiana and Shirley Mustin and husband, John of Campti, Louisiana; sister-in-law, Ruth Ann Little and husband, Tommy, of De Queen, Arkansas; brother-in-law, Mike Vercher of Bossier City, Louisiana; and numerous cousins, nieces, and nephews.
Honoring Gary as pallbearers will be Jerry Cotton, Jacob Guin, Joey Guin, Ronald Guin, Zachary Guin, Tommy Little, and Jacob Sirmons.
Serving as honorary pallbearers will be Clint Little, Jackson Little, Paul Tauzin, Todd Tauzin, Scott Vercher, Steve Vercher, and Mark White.
Betty Ann Griggs
Mrs. Betty Ann Lawrence Griggs, age 63, a resident of Horatio, Arkansas, died Tuesday, June 15, 2021 at Pleasant Manor Nursing Home in Ashdown, AR.
She was born September 2, 1957 in Louisiana. She was a homemaker and a member of the First Assembly of God in Horatio.
She was preceded in death by her mother, Ella Faye Lawrence.
Mrs. Griggs is survived by her husband, James Griggs; one sister, Brenda Helms of Ashdown; two sisters-in-law, Pat Smith and Ann Martin; one brother-in-law, Tim Griggs; two nephews, Dallas Gray and Billy Gray.
Funeral services for Mrs. Griggs will be held at 10:00 a.m., Friday, June 18, 2021 at First Assembly of God in Horatio with John Gutierres officiating. Burial will follow in Clear Creek Cemetery under the direction of Wilkerson Funeral Home in De Queen.
Mr. Basil Regil Kesterson
Mr. Basil Regil Kesterson, age 70, of Wickes, Arkansas, passed away Sunday, June 13, 2021. He was born on December 18, 1950, in De Queen, Arkansas to Charles Kesterson and Ruth Mize Kesterson.
Basil was united in marriage to Penny Kesterson on November 25, 1984, and they enjoyed thirty six and a half wonderful years together. Basil loved his family, friends, and teaching about God and Salvation. Polk County was the focus of his life. He tried every way possible to help in growing his community of Wickes and anyone in need. His motto was “God, Family, and Community”. Basil will be unimaginably missed by all that knew and loved him.
Basil graduated from OSU class of 1971 as an Animal Science Major. He and his wife founded Global Fats & Oils Corp in 1989 which operated export and domestic feed grade animal nutrition. Cattle and horses were their love and passion. Basil was the JP of district 9 since 2002 and served at the Cossatot Senior Center. He was a Christian by Faith.
He is survived by his wife, Penny Kesterson; sons, Tony Gunter and wife Korinda of Wickes, Travis Kesterson and wife Tina of Grannis, and Brandon Courtney and wife Patty of Vandervoort; grandchildren, Tessa Chaney and husband Nathan of Acorn, Kody and Brody Bailey of Hatfield, Ty and Taylar Kesterson of Grannis, Jaden Courtney of Wickes, Vanessa Neal and husband Josh of Vandervoort, Brandi Loyd of Cove, Ashton, Bryor, Jonny and Harley Loyd of Vandervoort, Kortney Landraneaux and husband Ryan of Henderson, TX, Melanie Oney and husband Randy of Carmack, TX, and Eddie and John Dickey of Marshall, TX; nine great grandchildren; brothers, Jeff Kesterson of Gillham, and Clovis Kesterson and wife Jennifer of Vandervoort; God given family members: Diane Warren of Grannis, Brandon Bailey and Family of Wickes, Dood Baker and wife Kathy of Wickes, James Sanders of Wickes, Orvin Foster of Mena, and Andy Marroy; and a host of other nieces, nephews, and other family.
He was preceded in death by his parents; brothers, Coleman Kesterson, and Joe Kesterson; niece, Marietta Kesterson; and sisters in law, Kathy Kesterson and Christine Kesterson.
A funeral service for Mr. Kesterson will be held 10:00 a.m. Wednesday, June 16, 2021, at Beasley Wood Funeral Home Chapel with Brother David Baker officiating. Interment will follow at Gillham Cemetery in Gillham, Arkansas. Visitation will be from 6:00 p.m. to 8:00 p.m. on Tuesday. Arrangements are under the direction of Beasley Wood Funeral Home.
Pallbearers are Tony Gunter, Travis Kesterson, Brandon Courtney, Kody Bailey, Brody Bailey, and Nathan Chaney. Honorary Pallbearers are the Polk County JP’s, and Brandon Ellison, Scott Sawyer, Andy Riner, Dood Baker, James Sanders, and Buck Bailey.
Larry Joe Martz
Larry Joe Martz, age 72, a resident of De Queen, Arkansas, died Friday, June 11, 2021 in Texarkana, Texas.
He was born June 6, 1949 in Mineral Springs, Arkansas. He was a logger, a heavy equipment operator and enjoyed his family.
He was preceded in death by his parents, Joe and Marie Barrett Martz; his wife, Diane Cannon Martz; and two brothers, Charles and Travis Martz.
He is survived by three sons and two daughters-in-law, Brian and Paula Martz, Joseph and Cassandra Martz and Travis Martz, all of De Queen; two step-sons, Jody Roberts of Horatio, Arkansas and Clifton Roberts of Winthrop, Arkansas; his grandchildren, Aaron and Meagan Martz, Cheyenne and Noah Martz, Krista Martz, Alexis and Caden Stuart, Keely and Lane Roberts, Ralee Roberts and Madie Roberts; one brother and sister-in-law, Gwen and Julie Martz of Lockesburg, Arkansas; one sister and brother-in-law, Cindy and Nick Williams; and a number of nieces and nephews.
Memorial services for Mr. Martz will be held at 11:00 a.m. Saturday, June 19, 2021 in the Belleville Cemetery with Jerrel Helms officiating.
Cremation arrangements by Wilkerson Funeral Home.
Mercy Reign Winer
Mercy Reign Winer, born June 8, 2021 at 11:32 am weighing 4 pounds and 3 ounces and 17 ˝ inches long. She went to be with our Heavenly Father in the arms of her parents.
Mercy will forever be remembered by her parents Chris and Katie Winer, her siblings: Elizabeth Winer, Tristan Winer, Copelan Winer, Crimson Winer, and Bradley Winer. Her loving grandparents Danny and Sherri Edge, Randal and Sonya McKinley, and Kevin Winer. Her Aunt Jennifer Edge, Uncle Jesse Edge, Aunt Reagan McKinley, Uncle Jeremy and Aunt Tiffany Craig and many cousins. Along with her great grandparents and a host of family and friends.
Mercy brought immense joy to her family and they are deeply saddened by her passing but we
know she is in the arms of the Lord now, a perfect angel.
A private memorial service will be held at Redman Cemetery.
Donations can be given to the First State Bank in Dierks under Katie Winer and sympathy cards can be sent to 147 Young Loop, Umpire, AR 71971.
Virgilia Ann “Grannie Annie” Gilbert
Mrs. Virgilia Ann “Grannie Annie” Gilbert, age 86, a resident of Greens Chapel, Arkansas, died, Friday, June 11, 2021.
She was born August 22, 1934 in Liberty Hill in Howard County, Arkansas. She was a secretary, homemaker and a poultry farmer. She was a member of Dierks First United Methodist Church where she enjoyed singing in the choir.
She was preceded in death by her parents, Burl and Oca Mae Jackson Vancil; her husband, Keith Reese Gilbert; her infant sister, Sonja Vancil; one son-in-law, Terry Miller; niece, Melinda Gilbert Walls.
Mrs. Gilbert is survived by one daughter, Sonya Miller of De Queen, three sons and daughters-in-law, Van and Jo Gilbert of League City, Texas, Ben and Sheri Gilbert of Little Rock and Steven and Anna Gilbert of Marysville, AR; one sister and brother-in-law, Helen and Ralph Berg of Dierks; grandchildren, Amy (Brian) Crisp, James (Liz) Gilbert, Anna (Christian) Brages, Brooks Miller, Lindsey (Chris) Wimberly, Jackson Gilbert and her great grandchildren, Evan, Avery, Peyton, Parker, Becky, Helen and Emily.
Graveside services for Mrs. Gilbert will be held at 11:00 a.m., Saturday, June 19, 2021 at the Greens Chapel Cemetery in Dierks with Pastor Carroll Jackson officiating, under the direction of Wilkerson Funeral Home in De Queen.
Visitation will be held at Greens Chapel Methodist Church 10:00 a.m., prior to service.
General viewing will be held on Friday, June 18, 2021 from 3:00 to 8:00 p.m., at Wilkerson Funeral Home in Dierks.
Memorials may be made to United Methodist Church of Dierks, P.O. Box 35 Dierks, AR 71833, or the Alzheimer’s Association, Oklahoma and Arkansas Chapter, Inc. 2448 E. 81st Street, Suite 300 Tulsa, Oklahoma 74137.
