Biographical And Historical Memoirs of Pulaski, Jefferson, Lonoke, Faulkner, Grant, Saline, Perry, Garland And Hot Spring Counties, Arkansas
Craig Lawrence Gaylord
Mr. Craig Lawrence Gaylord, age 64, resident of Horatio, Arkansas, passed from this life on Wednesday, April 7, 2021, in the CHRISTUS St. Michael Health System, Texarkana, Texas.
He was born the second of four sons to the union of Donald Warren and Marilyn Ann David Gaylord on December 17, 1956 in Lancaster, California. Prior to retirement, Craig worked in Maintenance for Tyson Foods and formerly for Lockheed Martin. He enjoyed working on vehicles, hunting, floating the river, and being outdoors, but most of all, he cherished the time spent riding motorcycles and with his family.
He was preceded in death by mother, Marilyn Gaylord.
Craig leaves to cherish his loving memory, three sons and two daughters-in-law, Jeremiah and Mandy Gaylord of Taft, California, Jason Gaylord of Lockesburg, Arkansas, and Jasiah and Blayze Gaylord of Fellows, California; seven grandchildren, Peyton, Paige, Kaison, Jasara, Kailee, Cyris, and Zillah; his father, Donald Gaylord of Horatio, Arkansas; three brothers, Mike Gaylord of Horatio, Brian Gaylord and wife Tonya of Pensacola, Florida, and David Gaylord and wife Tonya of Horatio, Arkansas; as well as, nieces, nephews, other relatives and a host of friends.
A private Celebration of Life Service will be held at a later time. Cremation Arrangements are entrusted to the care of Chandler Funeral Home, De Queen.
Mrs. Helen Long
Mrs. Helen Joyce Craig Long, age 91, resident of De Queen, Arkansas, passed peacefully from this life on Wednesday, April 7, 2021, at her home with family by her side.
Helen was born the youngest of ten children to Henry Mack and Grace Augusta Miller Craig on Tuesday, February 18, 1930 in De Queen, Arkansas. She married the love of her life, Edwin Long, on December 24, 1948 in De Queen, and to this union, two daughters were born. Helen was a graduate of the De Queen High School and went on to receive a master’s degree in Science from the Oklahoma City University. She faithfully served thirty years as an Educator with the Oklahoma City Public Schools. After retirement, she returned to De Queen to serve an additional five years as an Educator for the De Queen Public Schools. She and Edwin were members of the First United Methodist Church and Helen enjoyed cooking, gardening and reading, but most of all, she cherished the time spent with her children and grandchildren.
Helen was preceded in death by her parents, Henry and Grace Craig; her loving husband of over 55 years, Edwin Long; and her siblings, Jewel Ward, H.M. Craig, Lucille Whitley, Blanche Willoughby, Chester Craig, Roy Craig, Clovis “Cody” Craig, Oliver Craig, and an infant sibling.
Those left to cherish her precious memory include two daughters and a son-in-law, Cynthia Long of Stillwater, Oklahoma, and Sheryl and Jim Hatcher of Double Oak, Texas; five grandchildren, Craig Buzbee and his fiancé Terry Devlin of De Queen, Bryce Buzbee of De Queen, Ryan Hatcher and his wife Jessica of Stillwater, Oklahoma, Andrew Hatcher of Fort Worth, Texas, and Colin Hatcher and his wife Carlon of Muskegon, Michigan; eight great-grandchildren, Alex and Cash Buzbee, Ivy Buzbee, Elijah, Joseph, Isaac, and Lillian Hatcher, and Errol Hatcher; as well as, a number of nieces, nephews, other relatives and a host of friends.
The family of Mrs. Helen Long will receive friends for a Memorial Visitation to be held Saturday, April 24, 2021, from 2:00 to 4:00 P.M., in the Chandler Funeral Home Chapel. Cremation arrangements are entrusted to the care of Chandler Funeral Home, De Queen.
William “Bill” Powers, Sr.
William “Bill” Hayden Powers, Sr. age 78, a resident of Dierks, Arkansas, died Tuesday, April 6, 2021, at his home.
He was born June 20, 1942, in Dierks, Arkansas. He was an engineer for Weyerhaeuser. He was a U.S. Marine, a Baptist, enjoyed hunting and playing music, and was a Mason for over 50 years.
Mr. Powers was preceded in death by his parents, Hayden Cortez and Jewell Teague Powers; one brother and sister, Jesse Powers and Barbara Johnson.
He is survived by his wife of 60 years, Doris Jean Weaver Powers; one daughter and son-in-law, MaChelle and Brian Reid of Dierks; two sons and daughters-in-law, Bill Jr. and Angela Powers, of Eunice, NM and John David and Mary Powers of De Queen; three grandchildren, Ryan Reid, Maddison Powers and Hayden Powers; one great grandchild, Cooper Reid; two sisters and a brother-in-law, Glenda Allen of Dierks and Linda and Earl Williams of De Queen and a number of nieces and nephews.
A graveside funeral service with military honors for Mr. Powers will be held at 10:00 a.m., Saturday, April 10, 2021, at Greens Chapel Cemetery near Dierks with Bro. Bobby Neal and Bro. Bobby Smith officiating, under the direction of Wilkerson Funeral Home in Dierks.
The family will receive friends Friday, April 9, 2021 from 5:00-7:00 p.m., at the funeral home in Dierks.
Gene Wayne Leverett
Gene Wayne Leverett, age 77, a resident of Horatio, Arkansas, died Wednesday, March 31, 2021 at his home.
He was born April 8, 1943 in Horatio, Arkansas. He retired from the U.S. Army as a Commander Sergeant Major. He enjoyed hunting, fishing and was a deacon and member of First Southern Baptist Church in Crossroads.
Gene was preceded in death by his son, Cary Neil Leverett and his parents, Noel Faye and Ethel Mae Dossett Leverett; two brothers, Raymond Leverett and Noel Leverett; one sister, Bobby McDonald.
He is survived by his wife Louise Armer Leverett; one son Kevin Leverett of Douglassville, Texas; one daughter, Gena Leverett of Horatio; two grandchildren, Keagan Anne Leverett and Elle Mae Sannes and a number of nieces and nephews.
Funeral services for Mr. Leverett will be held at 2:00 p.m., Monday April 5, 2021 at First Southern Baptist Church in Crossroads with Bro. Roy Conatser and Bro. Mark Markle officiating. Burial will follow at Horatio Cemetery, under the direction of Wilkerson Funeral Home in De Queen.
The family requests that everyone wear a face mask and practice social distancing for safety.
Novadean Shelton
Novadean (Davis) Shelton of Geneva, AR moved on from this life Sunday March 28, 2021 with her family by her side in Tahlequah, OK after a long illness. At a wise 75 years of age, she decided it was her time to go see Papaw and Mamaw.
Novadean, also known as grandma, was born to Levi and Vivian Davis of Chapel Hill, AR October 28th 1945. She was the younger sister of Levi Davis Jr and the twin sister of Imagean Packnett. She was raised on a small farm in the Cerrogordo community where she attended primary school at Horatio. She became a student in the De Queen school system her junior year and received her diploma in 1964.
Novadean had many talents and hobbies that were unmistakable to anyone who knew her. She always enjoyed working in her garden, picking blackberries, watching the birds, baking, taking long hikes with picnics and spending time with her fur-babies as well as her children and grandchildren. Her annual vacations with her daughter, Mia, brought her so much joy as they traveled across the country exploring new states and of course, eating the best food. She loved attending all of her children and grandchildren’s sport events, plays, and livestock shows as she was the ultimate supporter in all of her kids.
Novadean spent her life as a devoted loving mother, grandmother, and great-grandmother as well as daughter, sister, and friend to many. She is remembered by her family as a dedicated warrior with resilience and determination with no fear in mind. She adored and loved her family with all of her heart and always made the ultimate sacrifice for the ones she loved. In this life, she was an inspiration of what being a strong, independent woman was and she will always be remembered that way.
Novadean was preceded in death by her parents, Levi and Vivian Davis as well as her brother-in-law Phillip Cox.
She is survived by her brother Levi (Linda) Davis of Monticello, AR and her sister Imagean (Gheri) Packnett of De Queen, AR. She has three children; Mia (James Waffle) Revels of Tahlequah, OK; Charles Revels of De Queen, AR; James (Veronica) Revels of Geneva, AR; Four granddaughters; Sarah Gray of Fort Smith, AR; Tashia (Cole) Baker of Alma, AR; Emily Revels of De Queen, AR; and Raven Revels of Geneva, AR. Two grandsons; Cody (Summer) Revels of Mount Pleasant, TX and Waylon (Summer) Revels of Lockesburg, AR. Eight great-grandchildren; Ashlynn Gray of Fort Smith, AR; Declan and Elliot Baker of Alma, AR; Cedric Mann of De Queen, AR; Madison and Amelia of Mount Pleasant, TX; Natalie Graham and Corbin James Revels of Lockesburg, AR. Her two nephews were John David Cox of Benton, AR, and Ward Davis of Nashville, TN. She had one niece, Susan Phillips of Rogers, AR. She also survived by many aunts and uncles, nieces and nephews, cousins, and many friends who adored and cherished her.
She kept her friends always dear and close to her heart. Willa Gathright of Lockesburg, AR has been Novadean’s lifelong friend who she cared about deeply and always wanted what was best for her. Lazell Wiley of Mount Pleasant, TX always made sure to visit with Novadean and adored their friendship for years.
The family requests in lieu of flowers, please consider sending a donation to the American Cancer Society in Novadean’s name.
Graveside Service will be Saturday April 3rd, 2021 at the Chapel Hill Cemetery in De Queen, AR at 10:00 a.m..
Allen Ray Mallette
Allen Ray Mallette passed from this life into the arms of his Savior on Tuesday, March 30th, 2021. He was born in Atlantic, Iowa, to Gene and Rosemary Mallette on June 10th, 1950. He graduated from Atlantic High School in 1968. He attended Emmaus Bible College in Chicago for a year before enrolling in Iowa State University in Ames, Iowa. He graduated from ISU with a B.S. in forestry in May of 1973.
Immediately after graduation he headed to Rogers, Arkansas, to marry Teresa Gail Brewer on June 2nd, 1973. He and Teresa spent the summer in Hill City, South Dakota, where Allen worked for the U.S. Forest Service. In August of 1973, Allen and Teresa moved to De Queen after Allen began working for Weyerhaeuser, Co. He worked for Weyerhaeuser for 10 1/2 years. He began his forestry consulting business, Mallette Forestry, in 1983. He was semi-retired. He loved people and enjoyed getting to know his many clients, helping them to manage their land and timber. He taught a forestry course at UA Cossatot for several years and got a kick out of the young people he taught.
Allen loved his church and his Lord. He was deacon a First Baptist Church where he sang in the choir for many years and was a much loved adult Sunday school teacher.
He loved hunting and fishing and just spending time in the outdoors. He knew the names of most wildflowers and could usually tell a bird by its call. He loved our cats and dogs. He and Teresa found homes for many stray dogs and cats through the years.
He loved his family and his friends. He is survived by his wife of almost 48 years, Teresa, his son, Kirk Mallette (wife Natasha) and granddaughters, Navah and Marin of Corvallis, Oregon, and son, Lance Mallette (wife Jenn) and grandsons, Silas and Arthur of Boise, Idaho, and a daughter-in-love, Tasma Irons. Other immediate family members are brother, Larry (Mary Ann), of Hot Springs, sister, Annette Lumley (Milt) of Chicago, and sister, Lori Slutz (Randy) of Pocatello, Idaho.
A private graveside service for Mr. Mallette will be held at 10:00 a.m., Saturday, April 3, 2021, at Chapel Hill Cemetery. A memorial service will be held at 11:00 a.m., Saturday, April 3, 2021, at the First Baptist Church in De Queen with Bro. Josh Herweck and Bro. Micah Martin officiating, under the direction of Wilkerson Funeral Home De Queen.
The family will receive friends from 6:00 – 8:00 p.m., Friday, April 2, 2021 at the funeral home.
Memorials may be made to American Bible Society, P.O Box 96812 Washington, D.C. 20090-6812 or First Baptist Church, Food Closet, 1535 W. Collin Raye Drive De Queen, Arkansas 71832.
Fred Lee Payne
Fred Lee Payne, age 89, a resident of Foreman, Arkansas, died Sunday, March 28, 2021 at his home.
He was born January 16, 1932 in Wilton, Arkansas. Fred enjoyed watching wrestling and western movies. He was a farmer and a pulp wood hauler.
Fred was preceded in death by his wife, Cleo Pond Payne; his parents, Ovie Payne and Lula Mae Deaton; step-father, Diego Deaton; children, Nancy Payne Nelson, Janice Payne Jones, and two infant daughters; eight brothers and sisters, Daniel Payne, Bernice Payne, Mildred Glover, Ola Mae Summerell, Christine Hendrix, Martha Kay Cummings, David Payne and Lawrence Deaton.
He is survived by one daughter and son-in-law, Peggy Payne and Glen Batten of Wilton, Arkansas; one son and daughter-in-law, Bradley Payne and Sandy of Foreman; one brother and sister-in-law, Tommy and Martha Payne; three sisters and a brother-in-law, Ada Ruth Russell, Frances Jones, Patty Gail and Mark Sukiennik; eleven grandchildren; thirty great-grandchildren; three great great-grandchildren and a number of nieces and nephews.
Funeral services for Mr. Payne will be held at 10:00 a.m., Thursday April 1, 2021 at Winthrop Baptist Church with Bro. Audie Dawson officiating. Burial will follow at Gravelly Cemetery, under the direction of Wilkerson Funeral Home in De Queen.
The family will receive friends from 5:00 – 7:00 p.m., Wednesday, March 31 at the funeral home.
The family requests that everyone wear a face mask and practice social distancing for safety.
