Biographical And Historical Memoirs of Pulaski, Jefferson, Lonoke, Faulkner, Grant, Saline, Perry, Garland And Hot Spring Counties, Arkansas
Alma Geraldine Yearley
Mrs. Alma Geraldine McClure Yearley, affectionately known as “Jabo”, resident of Foreman, Arkansas and former resident of Newcastle, Oklahoma, passed peacefully from this life on Tuesday, January 19, 2021, in Texarkana, Texas. She was 87.
Jabo was born to Alex and Irene Byington McClure on January 23, 1933 in Haworth, Oklahoma. She was a 1951 graduate of Haworth High School and held an Associate’s Degree. She was a banker, starting her career at First National Bank in Oklahoma City in the early 1950s. Jabo retired from First National Bank of Newcastle in 1995, after more than 40 years of service. She married the love of her life, William “Bill” Yearley, on December 21, 1967. She and Bill were life-long members of Newcastle Heights Church of Christ, Newcastle, Oklahoma. She enjoyed coloring, cross-stitching, Sudoku, crossword puzzles and visiting with her friends on Facebook, but most of all, she cherished the time spent with her children, grandchildren, great-grandchildren and great-great-grandchildren. Jabo was very proud of her heritage and was a member of the Choctaw Nation of Oklahoma.
She was preceded in death by her parents; her loving husband, Bill Yearley in 2016; a son-in-law, Lynn Fiedler; and two sisters, Florence Spalding and Isabel Clampet.
She leaves to cherish her loving memory, one son, Johnny Draper and Susie Owens of Tom, Oklahoma; one daughter, Kathy Draper of Foreman, Arkansas; one daughter-in-law, Nancy Draper of Norman, Oklahoma; four grandchildren, Cari (Matt) Corley of Horatio, Amy (Michael) Chaney of Pocasset, Oklahoma, Jamie Draper of Shreveport, and Grant Draper of Seattle, Washington; six great-grandchildren, Cullyn (Casey) Corley, Lacey Corley, Kelly Corley, Jacob (Bethanie) Chaney, Dalton Chaney, and Lillie Draper; three great-great-grandchildren, Lyndi, Orion, and Leina; three sisters, Lee Foye of Edmond, Oklahoma, Betty Lou Hunkapillar of Talihina, Oklahoma, and Virginia (Roy) Dodson of Edmond, Oklahoma; one brother-in-law, Clarence and Joann Yearley of Mustang, Oklahoma; a special niece, Sandra Holt of Talihina, Oklahoma; her caregiver and dear friend, Ruth Altenbaumer of Foreman; special friends, Reba Knapp of Newcastle, Oklahoma and Elaine Dake of Norman, Oklahoma; as well as, her church family, other relatives and many friends.
The family of Mrs. Geraldine Yearley will receive friends from 5:00 to 7:00 P.M., Friday, January 22, 2021 in the Chandler Funeral Home Chapel. Graveside services will be held at 2:00 P.M., Saturday, January 23, 2021 at Newcastle Memorial Gardens, Newcastle, Oklahoma. Burial will follow, under the direction of Chandler Funeral Home, De Queen.
The use of face mask or covering will be required during your time at the funeral home.
Harvey Call Prince, Jr.
Harvey Call Prince, Jr. , age 88, a resident of De Queen, Arkansas, died Tuesday, January 19, 2021, in Texarkana.
He was born October 26, 1932, in Flat River, Missouri. Mr. Prince was preceded in death by his parents, Harvey Call and Jimmie Dell Tabler Prince. He is survived by his wife of 67 years, Patrecia LaGasse Prince of De Queen; one daughter and son-in-law, Sherri and Jimmy Hodges of Horatio; two grandchildren, Wayne and Stephanie Hodges of Simms, TX, and Kathryn Hodges of Cove, AR; one great-grandson, Jacob Hodges, and a number of cousins and friends.
Mr. Prince graduated from De Queen High School, and then attended Henderson State Teachers College, where he was in top 10 of his class. He taught math and science for 3 years at Dierks Schools; he retired after 26 years of teaching in De Queen. He was a farmer most of his life and was a U. S. Army Veteran. He enjoyed camping, hunting, fishing and spending time with Jacob. He was a member of the First United Methodist Church, Sweet Home Lodge, Eastern Star, and the Rusty Relics Tractor Club.
Graveside funeral services for Mr. Prince will be held at 2:00 p.m., Thursday, January 21, 2021, at Redmen Cemetery with Stephen Copley and Therral Wilson officiating, under the direction of Wilkerson Funeral Home, De Queen.
General viewing will be held from 4:00 p.m. – 8 p.m. Wednesday, January 20, 2021, at the funeral home.
The family requests that everyone wear a face mask and practice social distancing for safety.
Ruth Elizabeth Kolb
Ruth Elizabeth Cowgill Kolb, age 87, a resident of Lockesburg, Arkansas, died Saturday, January 18, 2021 at her granddaughter’s home in Benton.
She was born March 10, 1933, in Flint Hill, Virginia. She retired as the Sevier County District Court Clerk. She was a member of the Greens Chapel Methodist Church for over 40 years. Mrs. Kolb was a wonderful cook and she enjoyed flowers.
Mrs. Kolb was preceded in death by her parents, James Alfred and Josie Jacob Bradford Cowgill and her husband of 63 years, Joseph Kolb; two brothers and two sisters.
She is survived by two sons and daughters-in-law, Joseph, Jr. and Terrie Kolb of Dallas, TX and Ronald and Christine Kolb of Hot Springs, AR; one daughter and son-in-law, Susan and Mark Kordie of Orange, Texas and numerous grandchildren, great-grandchildren, nieces and nephews.
Funeral services for Mrs. Kolb will be held at 11:00 a.m., Saturday, January 23, 2021, at Greens Chapel Church with Carroll Jackson officiating. Burial will follow in the Greens Chapel Cemetery, under the direction of Wilkerson Funeral Home, Dierks.
General viewing will be held from 4:00 p.m. – 8 p.m. Friday, January 22, 2021, at the funeral home chapel in Dierks.
In lieu of flowers, the family requests that donations be made to the Green’s Chapel Methodist Church. Dierks United Methodist Church, P.O Box 117 Dierks, AR, 71833.
The family requests that everyone wear a face mask and practice social distancing for safety.
Richard Weldon Belcher
Richard Weldon Belcher, age 83, a resident of Gillham, Arkansas, died Sunday, January 17, 2021.
He was born January 24, 1937 in Bowie, Texas. Mr. Belcher worked for Pilgrims Pride. He enjoyed fishing, hunting and camping.
Mr. Belcher was preceded in death by his wife, Velma June Belcher; one daughter, Melinda Sue Brown; one son, Jamie Lee Belcher; his parents, Travis and Melvia Reed Birdsong Belcher; two brothers, C.H Belcher and Kenneth Belcher; three sisters, Wilma Ford, Dorothy Belcher and Martha Odom and one grandchild.
He is survived by two daughters, Beverly Prince of Oklahoma City and Renee Pierce of Van Buren, AR; four sons Ray Belcher of Wickes, David Belcher of Gillham, Kevin Belcher of Gillham, Richard Belcher of Oklahoma City; one sister, Velva Norman of Medford, Oregon; eleven grandchildren and a number of great grandchildren, nieces and nephews.
Graveside funeral services for Mr. Belcher will be held at 3:00 p.m., Monday, January 18, 2021, at Overturf Cemetery, under the direction of Wilkerson Funeral Home, De Queen.
The family requests that everyone wear a face mask and practice social distancing for safety.
Jim Edwin Pearce
Jim Edwin Pearce, age 81, a resident of De Queen, Arkansas, died Saturday, January 16, 2021, in Nashville, AR.
He was born January 3, 1940, in the Kellum Community. He served in the Army National Guard for a number of years. He graduated from the University of Arkansas with an accounting degree, worked for De Queen General Hospital for eighteen years; and later owned and operated De Queen Home Health for twenty-two years and then retired in 2010. He enjoyed hunting, traveling, cooking and spending time with family especially with grandchildren and great-grandchildren.
Mr. Pearce was preceded in death by his parents, Paul and Beulah Pearce; one brother, Bob Pearce and one grandson, Kevin Castillo.
He is survived by his wife of 61 years, Shirley Ann Wilson Pearce; one son and daughter-in-law, Richard and Monica Pearce of De Queen; two daughters and sons-in-law, Paula and Vic Smith of De Queen and Jimna and Doug Stinnett of De Queen; two brothers and one sister-in-law, Bill and Lou Pearce and Jack Pearce; six grandchildren, Brent Smith, and Kaytlon Everitt and husband Brad, Brittany Satterfield and husband Matt, Kenzie Seal and husband Dan, Camryn Mitchell and husband Eric, Jordan Icenhower and husband Blake and Lane Pearce; six great grandchildren, Genevieve Satterfield, Mason Satterfield, Grady Seal, Hayleigh Seal, Emmett Mitchell and Garrett Mitchell.
Due to COVID-19 there will be a private family service.
General viewing for Mr. Pearce will be from 9:00 a.m. – 11:00 a.m. Monday, January 18th at the funeral home.
In lieu of flowers donations can be made to Sevier County Medical Center Foundation Board P.O. Box 746 De Queen, Arkansas 71832.
The family requests that everyone wear a face mask and practice social distancing for safety.
Freida Renee “Rita” Evans
Freida Renee “Rita” (Huetter) Hansbrough Evans passed away Friday, January 15, 2021. Rita was born April 5th, 1951, in Hamilton, Montana, and was the daughter of the late Karl and Marie (Balzer) Huetter.
Rita was a seamstress of the highest order, a cake decorator for friends, owned a ceramics shop named Rita’s Ceramics. Her artistic abilities blessed her friends and family for many years.
Rita is preceded in death by her husband, Albert Evans and her husband, George Hansbrough. Her step-daughter, Nancy Hansbrough. Her brother Marvin Huetter, and her sisters Lois Irene Huetter, Karleen Cadieux, and Connie Neel.
Rita is survived by her daughter, Rhonda Renee Hansbrough, step-daughters, Sharon Hansbrough, Sheryl Harmon, Darla (Allen) Clement, and one step son, George Hansbrough. Three grandchildren, Christopher Albright, Nathan Karl Thomas, and Stephanie (Clement) Moreland. One beloved friend of the family, Kara McConnon, and who is considered as a granddaughter. Three great grand-children, Avery Albright, Holland Albright, and Oscar Owen Moreland IV.
She also leaves behind her sister, Louise (Al) Ammann of Kalispell, Montana, her brother Ron (Sandra) Huetter of Stevensville, Montana.
A family graveside service will take place at a later date at Old Liberty Cemetery, Umpire, Arkansas. Cremation arrangements by Wilkerson Funeral Home.
In lieu of flowers, contributions can be made with a cancer affiliation or a cancer survivor.
Alice Verlene Jester
Alice Verlene Jester (BlueEyes), 88 years old, passed away at her home in Brownstown, AR on January 15, 2021. She was born April 26, 1932 in Brownstown, AR, the daughter of the late Jewel Orus and Willie Mae Gentry.
She was also preceded in death by her stepmother Mable Gentry; her sister Jewel Gentry; sister Fern and husband Herschel Jester; and brother Robert and wife Irene Gentry.
She leaves behind her husband of 70 years, Robbie Virgil Jester, and their six children. Robbie Dean and Gayle Jester of Brownstown, AR; Sue and Ricky 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 Lomand, AR. Also left to cherish her memory are her 17 grandchildren and their spouses; 33 great grandchildren; and 1 great-great grandson; brother Wesley and wife Sammye Gentry of Myrtle Springs, TX; stepsister Edith and husband Bobby Deloney of Mineral Springs, AR; along with numerous nieces, and nephews.
BlueEyes was a Methodist and a member of the Brownstown Community church where she served as Treasurer for the Methodist for many years. She also served as Treasurer of the Brownstown Cemetery Association. She spent the early years of her 70 year marriage being a full time wife to Robbie and mother to her six children. Once the children were all of school age she worked outside the home for the next 30 plus years until retirement age. In her spare time she loved to garden, work in her yard and quilt. She spent countless hours quilting and has easily made over 200 quilts in her lifetime. She gifted a quilt to her kids, grandkids and great grandkids for special occasions like Christmas, graduation, marriage and the birth of a child. She had a way of making each grandchild and great grandchild feel like the favorite and they all referred to her as “Granny Blue. She also had a passion to cook for anyone that visited her home. She never let anyone visiting her home leave hungry. She loved her family dearly and spent her entire life putting her family first.
The family wishes to give special recognition for all the love and excellent care provided to her by caregivers Gayle Jester, Becky Harberson, Jeanie Green Marion, Dean Winship, Kayle Helms and Dierksen Hospice over the last year.
Graveside services and burial will be held at 1:00 pm on Sunday, January 17, 2021 at Wrights Chapel Cemetery near Lockesburg, AR with Nick Box officiating under the direction of Wilkerson Funeral Home in De Queen, AR.
The family request that everyone follow COVID guidelines including wearing masks and practice social distancing.
General viewing for Mrs. Jester will be held from 4:00 p.m. until 8:00 p.m., Saturday January 16, 2021 at the funeral home.
