Biographical And Historical Memoirs of Pulaski, Jefferson, Lonoke, Faulkner, Grant, Saline, Perry, Garland And Hot Spring Counties, Arkansas
Mrs. Rita Luna
Mrs. Rita Hernandez Luna, age 55, of Horatio, passed peacefully from this life on Thursday, March 4, 2021, at home with family by her side.
She was born on May 22, 1965 to Jeronimo Hernandez and Ma. Toribia Monjaras in San Isidro, San Felipe, GTO, Mexico. Rita married the love of her life, Ignacio Luna, on January 17, 1980 in San Felipe, Mexico and to this union, seven children were born. She was a Homemaker and member of St. Barbara Catholic Church in De Queen. Rita enjoyed spending time with her family, crocheting, sewing, cooking, and singing, but more than anything, she cherished the time spent in any activity with her grandchildren.
She was preceded in death by her father and one sibling.
Those left to cherish Rita’s memory include, her loving husband of over 41 years, Ignacio Luna of Horatio; three sons, Juan F. Luna, Juan I. Luna and wife Edith, and Jose R. Luna, all of Horatio; four daughters, Maria H. Cabrera and husband Ismael of North Carolina, Ana SanJuan and husband Juan of De Queen, Maria A. SanJuan and husband Ramiro of Horatio, and Maria R. Luna and husband Rosario of Horatio; her mother, Ma. Toribia Monjaras of Mexico; nineteen grandchildren; seven siblings; and a number of nieces, nephews, other relatives and a host of friends.
Private Funeral Mass for Mrs. Rita Luna will be held at St. Barbara Catholic Church, De Queen, with Father Ramses Mendietta officiating. Burial will be held at the Horatio Cemetery, under the direction of Chandler Funeral Home, De Queen.
Leoda Walker
Leoda Cobb Walker, age 98, a resident of De Queen, Arkansas died Sunday, February 28, 2021.
She was born on March 17, 1922 in the Lyons Community to the late C.L. (Jack) Cobb and the late Floy Knox Cobb. She was preceded in death by her husband, A.R. (Bill) Walker; one son, Dennis Walker, one sister, Laverne Tooke and one brother, Luther Cobb.
Leoda is survived by sons, Gary (Lucretia) of De Queen, AR and Lary (Cynthia) Walker of Benbrook, TX., five grandchildren; Cary Walker, Dallas, TX, Scott (Danielle) Walker, Fort Worth, TX, Jeff (Brenda) Reese, Brazoria, TX, Jenifer (Rick) Seale, Horatio, AR and Sean (Tonya) Cowling, De Queen; eight great-grandchildren, eleven great-great-grandchildren and two special friends, Anita Roberts and Cindy Hale who faithfully visited her in the nursing home.
Graduating from Ashdown high school in 1940, she went to college for a year at Arkansas A&M at Magnolia, received her teaching certificate, taught in the Lyons Community and at Gillham before moving to De Queen in 1943 to work for Lloyd Hill, Circuit Clerk as his deputy. Leoda married Bill Walker in November 1943. She later worked for many years at De Queen Clinic. After retirement, she was very active in the hospital auxiliary. She enjoyed playing bridge with her friends.
Growing up poor during the Depression, she knew the way to a better life was through education and hard work. Her iron will and determination were instilled on her father’s cotton farm. She chopped and picked cotton and saved her money to take piano lessons. She played at country singings, church and at nursing homes for years.
Leoda joined the First Presbyterian Church in De Queen in 1943 and the church was a major part of her life. Hers’ was a quite faith that guided her life and you knew where she stood. She faithfully read her bible and devotional every day.
Blessed with a keen mind, she was interested in everyone and everything. For example, she corresponded for over 60 years with people she and her husband met briefly during WWII. She would also send cards to a wide circle of friends and family whether the occasion was happy or sad. She could give you the genealogy of three generations back of everyone who lived in Sevier County.
In the nursing home, she loved to win at bingo and visit with people in person or on the phone. Mrs. Walker continued to send cards to everyone when she could no longer write but thoughtfully dictated the message to be conveyed.
Graveside services for Mrs. Walker will be held 2:00 p.m., Thursday, March 4, 2021 at Redmen Cemetery Pavilion with Rev. Steven Copley officiating, under the direction of Wilkerson Funeral Home in De Queen.
General viewing will be held from 6:00 – 8:00 p.m., Wednesday, March 3, 2021, at Wilkerson Funeral Home in De Queen.
Memorials may be sent to the Chalice Cupboard food pantry, P.O. Box 488, De Queen or the Sevier County Museum, P.O. Box 528, De Queen, AR 71832.
The family requests that everyone wear a face mask and practice social distancing for safety.
Kristian Leeann Buchanan
Kristian Leeann Buchanan, age 35, a resident of De Queen, Arkansas, passed from this life on Monday, March 1, 2021 near De Queen.
She was born March 13, 1985, in De Queen. She was a member of Assembly of God.
Mrs. Buchanan was preceded in death by her father, Gilbert Buchanan, Jr.
She is survived by one son and one daughter, Maeson Solis and Kinleigh Lee of the home and her mother Myra Buchanan; four sisters, Allie Walker of Houston, Texas, Stephanie Sanders of Franklin, Texas, LaDonna Freeman of Oklahoma City and LaRessa McCarson of Idabel, Oklahoma; one brother, Robert Gober of Franklin, TX; and a number of aunts, uncles, nieces and nephews.
Graveside services for Mrs. Buchanan will be held 10:00 a.m., Thursday, March 4, 2021 at Millcreek Cemetery with Bro. Steve Chenoweth officiating, under the direction of Wilkerson Funeral Home in De Queen.
Visitation will be held from 4:00 – 6:00 p.m., Wednesday, March 3, 2021, at funeral home in De Queen.
The family requests that everyone wear a face mask and practice social distancing for safety.
Mrs. Mildred Lambeth
Mrs. Mildred Belle Lacefield Lambeth, affectionately known as “Moot”, age 95, resident of De Queen, Arkansas, passed peacefully from this life on Saturday, February 27, 2021, in De Queen.
She was the youngest of four children born to Millard Martin and Dona Angeline Pate Lacefield on November 30, 1925, in Eagletown, Oklahoma. She married the love of her life, Jesse Truman Lambeth, on June 5, 1942, in De Queen, and to this marriage, four children were born. Mildred worked in different capacities throughout her life, such as Custodian for the Rose Hill School and a Home Health Aide, but she took the most pride in being the Homemaker and matriarch of the Lambeth family. She preferred for her time to be spent caring for and running her grandchildren and great-grandchildren here and there for their various activities. She was known to be the President of the “Grandma Club” and cherished every opportunity spend with her children, grandchildren and great-grandchildren. She was a member of the Beacon Hill Seventh Day Adventist Church in De Queen.
Mildred was preceded in death by her parents, Millard and Dona Lacefield; her loving husband of over 53 years, J.T. Lambeth; an infant daughter, Sherry Lambeth in 1967; her son-in-law, Ken Brown in 2020; one brother, Lloyd Lacefield; and two sisters, Mavis Turner and Lena Mae Wilsie.
Left to cherish Moot’s loving memory are two sons and daughters-in-law, Gary and Bonnie Lambeth of De Queen, and Barry and Charlene Lambeth of De Queen; one daughter, Terri Brown of De Queen; six grandchildren and their spouses, Shelly (Randy) Farnsworth of Ooltewah, Tennessee, Lori (Paul) Yancey of De Queen, Kyle (Becky) Lambeth of De Queen, Derik (Deborah) Lambeth of De Queen, Jeremy (Nikki) Gingery of De Queen, and Jessica (David) Jensen of Austin, Texas; twelve great-grandchildren, Joshua Farnsworth, Maci (Alex) Donesky, Balee Lambeth, Jared Lambeth, Megan (Garrett) Hutchison, Hunter Lambeth, Ariel Lambeth, Rylie Lambeth, Presli Jensen, Bristol Jensen, Grady Gingery, and Ava Jo Gingery; as well as, nieces, nephews, other relatives and a host of friends.
Funeral Services for Mrs. Mildred Lambeth will be held at 1:00 P.M., Monday, March 1, 2021 in the Chandler Funeral Home Chapel with Pastor Ron Patterson officiating. Burial will follow at the Beacon Hill Cemetery, under the direction of Chandler Funeral Home, De Queen. The family will receive friends from 5:00 to 7:00 P.M., Sunday, at the funeral home.
Pallbearers will be Jeremy Gingery, Kyle Lambeth, Derik Lambeth, David Jensen, Jared Lambeth, and Clifton Lovell.
The use of a face mask or covering will be required during your time at the funeral home.
Sue Wilson
Wanda Sue Smith Wilson, age 88, a resident of De Queen, Arkansas, died Friday, February 26, 2021, in Springdale, Arkansas.
She was born August 21, 1932 in De Queen, Arkansas to Leroy and Birdie Rowlett Smith. She was a homemaker and a member Old Time Missionary Baptist Church.
Mrs. Wilson was preceded in death by her parents; husband, L.D. Wilson on May 3, 1997; and three brothers, Leroy Smith, Jr., Wayne Smith, and Curtis Smith.
She is survived by one son, Rick Wilson of Springdale; one daughter and son-in-law, Beverly and Ronnie Cogburn of Dierks, Arkansas; four grandchildren, Jeff Brown of De Queen, Cory Brown of Rogers, Shay Wilson of Creston, Iowa, and Cody Wilson of Springdale; One great-grandson, Tucker Brown of De Queen; three brothers, Lyndall Smith, Terry Smith, & Randy Smith all of De Queen.
Graveside funeral services for Mrs. Wilson will be held at 10:00 a.m. Wednesday, March 3, 2021 at Redmen cemetery pavilion with Rev. Jason Carlton officiating, under the direction of Wilkerson Funeral Home in De Queen.
General viewing from 10:00 a.m. to 7:00 p.m., Tuesday, March 2nd at the funeral home.
The family requests that everyone wear a face mask and practice social distancing for safety.
Mr. Joe Blair
Mr. Joe Dale Blair, age 68, resident of Lockesburg, Arkansas, passed peacefully from this life on Friday, February 26, 2021, surrounded by his loving family, at his home.
He was the youngest of three children born to J.D. and Jodean Harmon Blair on June 8, 1952, at Mercy Hospital in Oklahoma City, Oklahoma. Joe was a 1970 graduate of Star Spencer High School in Oklahoma City and faithfully served his county with the 45th Infantry Division of the Oklahoma National Guard, joining on September 17, 1971, as we were nearing the end of the Vietnam War. He married the love of his life, Jeanie (Beverly Jean) Mendell, on March 13, 1970, in Gainesville, Texas. Joe traveled the world working for Poulan and Husqvarna, retiring in 2017 as Plastic Injection Molding Manager, after 28 years of service. He was a 3rd degree Mason of the Lockesburg Lodge 135 and enjoyed hunting, fishing and working, but most of all, he cherished the time spent with his wife, Jeanie, their children and grandchildren.
He was preceded in death by his parents, J.D. and Jodean Blair; and one brother, Jim Blair in 2001.
Joe leaves to cherish his memory, his loving wife of over 50 years, Jeanie Blair of Lockesburg; one son, Kirk Weldon Blair of Gillham; one daughter and son-in-law, Amy Lauren and George Ermeling of Norman, Oklahoma; six grandchildren, Bradley, Devin and wife Marissa who is expecting Joe and Jeanie’s first great-grandchild, Tristan, Tyler, Kimberly and Amanda; one brother, Dan Blair of Meeker, Oklahoma; as well as, a number of nieces, nephews, other relatives and a host of friends.
Funeral Services, with Military Honors, for Mr. Joe Blair will be held at 1:00 P.M., Tuesday, March 2, 2021 in the Chandler Funeral Home Chapel with Pastor Randall Cole Lancaster officiating. Cremation will follow, under the direction of Chandler Funeral Home, De Queen. The family will receive friends from 6:00 to 7:00 P.M., Monday, at the funeral home.
The use of a face mask or covering will be required during your time at the funeral home.
Mrs. Debbie Pruitt
Mrs. Debra Dianne Sowell Pruitt, affectionately called, Debbie, age 68, a resident of De Queen, Arkansas, died Friday, February 26, 2021, at her home.
She was born to William Gordon and Gloris Wanda Suagee Sowell on June 8, 1952 in Texarkana, Arkansas. She was a former employee of Pilgrim, as well as a homemaker. She was an avid reader, liked to crochet, shop, and visit with friends, but most of all, she cherished the time spent with her family, especially her grandchildren and great-grandchildren.
She was preceded in death by her parents, a daughter, Toni Ann Thomas, and grandchildren, James Paul Mikulek, Jade Pruitt, and Elliott Rose Noah.
She leaves to cherish her memory, her husband of over 40 years, Jack Pruitt of De Queen; two daughters and sons-in-law, Tamara Cheri and Gary Noah of Broken Bow, Oklahoma, and Dawn DeAnn and James Mikulek of Nashville, Arkansas; a step-son, Jacky Dean Pruitt of De Queen; eight grandchildren, Gary Dewayne Noah, Jr., Lindsey Nicole Noah, Desirae DeAnn Klitz, Victoria Lynn Goodson, Justin Ray Mikulek, Montana Dawn Dallas, Kevin Lynn Jennings, and Kinzidee Alexandria Nakole Martin; ten great-grandchildren, Bentley Dewayne Willis, Brentan Lane Klitz, Ava Marie Goodson, Parker Chase Goodson, Braelyn Wayne Jeanes, Bracen James Jeanes, Shayla Michelle Pruitt, Sarah Dianne Pruitt, Elaina Pruitt, and Ivy Pruitt; as well as, other family members and a host of friends.
Funeral Services for Mrs. Debbie Pruitt will be held at 2:00 P.M., Sunday, February 28, 2021 in the Chandler Funeral Home Chapel with Bro. Alfred Thomas officiating. Burial will follow in the Gravelly Cemetery, under the direction of Chandler Funeral Home, De Queen.Visitation will be Saturday, February 27, 2021 from 4:00 to 6:00 P.M. at the funeral home.
The use of a face mask or covering will be required during your time at the funeral home.
