Biographical And Historical Memoirs of Pulaski, Jefferson, Lonoke, Faulkner, Grant, Saline, Perry, Garland And Hot Spring Counties, Arkansas
Donald Bruce Chaney
Don was born August 14, 1941 in Tulsa, Oklahoma and died November 14, 2020 at the age of 79 years and three months in Hot Springs, AR. He was the son of DB and Doris Monroe Chaney. Don graduated from Dierks High School, enlisted in the U.S. Air Force on October 1963, retiring after 20 years of service as a weather technician. He later worked many years in a Denver, Colorado hospital.
Dons hobby was collecting model cars. He loved his family dearly, spending untold hours gathering items, giving constantly to family and friends. He believed “It is more blessed to give than receive.” He was a member of First Methodist Church, in Dierks.
He is survived by three sisters Nancy Roberts, Mary Gammill and Carolyn Griffin and several nieces and nephews.
Graveside services will be 2:00 p.m., Thursday, November 19, 2020 at the Dierks Cemetery with Dr. David Blasé officiating, under the direction of Wilkerson Funeral Home in De Queen.
General viewing for Mr. Chaney will be held Wednesday, November 18, 2020 from 10:00 a.m. – 5:00 p.m. at Wilkerson Funeral Home in De Queen.
The family requests that everyone wear a face mask and practice social distancing for safety.
Donald Alton Clay
Donald Alton Clay, age 97, a resident of Lockesburg, Arkansas, died Sunday, November 15, 2020 in his home.
He was born June 25, 1923 in Wetumka, Oklahoma. He was an X-ray Technician and retired from the Federal prison system. He served in the United States Navy during World War II as a medic. He enjoyed gardening, was an avid golfer and a member of the Methodist Church of Lockesburg.
Mr. Clay was preceded in death by his parents Joel Washington and Leta McKellar Clay; five brothers, Herman “Dago” Clay, J.T. Clay, L.B. Clay, Robert Henry Clay and Cecil Clay; three sisters, Nelda McPherson, Joyce Gore and Marilyn Groves.
He is survived by his wife, Ernestine Dixon Clay; two sons, Bill Clay and John Clay; two daughters, Linda Baker and Toni Russell; one step daughter, Pam McAnelly, two step sons, John Smith and Scott Smith and one special grandson Dalton Smith; one sister, Melba Gore and one brother, Wayne Clay and a number of grandchildren, great grandchildren and nieces and nephews.
Graveside funeral services with Military Honors for Mr. Clay will be held at 2:00 p.m., Wednesday, November 18, 2020, at Coulter Memorial Cemetery with Terry Chapman officiating under the direction of Wilkerson Funeral Home in De Queen.
Phillip Michael Blakney
Phillip Michael Blakney, age 73, a resident of Bismarck, Arkansas, died Friday, November 13, 2020 in Arkadelphia, Arkansas.
He was born January 11, 1947 in De Queen, Arkansas to James Warner and Mabel Humphrey Blakney. He was a Child Support Enforcement Officer, a U.S. Army veteran and a Baptist.
Mr. Blakney was preceded in death by his parents and a sister, Jimmye Lou Smith.
He is survived by his wife, Linda Sue Dillahunty Blakney, three brothers; Gary Blakney, Robin Blakney, and Glen Blakney; two sisters, Cindy Blakney and Joyce Blakney; and a number of nieces and nephews.
General viewing will be held from 10 a.m. – 5 p.m. Thursday, November 19, 2020 at the funeral home.
Graveside funeral services, with military rites, for Mr. Blakney will be private.
Martha Jane McGunegill Butler
Martha Jane McGunegill Butler, age 80, a resident of Horatio, Arkansas died Thursday, November 12, 2020.
She was born July 1, 1940, in Mecca, California. She was a homemaker, 2010 Artist of the year and a member of Cossatot Arts and Crafts Association.
Mrs. Butler was preceded in death by her parents, Charles Edgar and Betty Lou Abernathy McGunegill; one brother, Thomas Michael McGunegill and one sister Judith Marie Collis.
She is survived by her husband of 63 years Samuel Jerry Butler; three sons, Mark Allen Butler of Horatio, Arkansas, John Tracy Butler of California and James Patrick Butler of North Carolina; four grandchildren; Christopher David Butler of Virginia, Melissa Danielle Butler of Arkansas, Nicholas Allen Butler of Arkansas and Dylan James Butler of North Carolina and a number of nieces and nephews.
Graveside funeral services for Mrs. Butler will be held at 3:00 p.m., Sunday, November 15, 2020, at Overturf Cemetery with Bro. Jerry Hill officiating under the direction of Wilkerson Funeral Home in De Queen.
General viewing for Mrs. Butler will be held Saturday, November 14, 2020 from 1:00 p.m. – 8:00 p.m. at the Wilkerson Funeral Home in De Queen.
The family requests that everyone wear a face mask and practice social distancing for safety.
Mary Floreen Pullen
Mary Floreen Lankford Pullen, 98, of Little Rock, died November 9, 2020. She was born January 15, 1922 in McKenzie, TN to Charles Newton and Lorene Mebane Lankford. Growing up the daughter of sharecroppers during the Great Depression, when not in school Flo and her brother regularly worked the fields with their parents planting, tending, harvesting and selling the family’s share of cotton, peanut, and sweet potato crops.
Her father encouraged his children to “make something of yourself.” These words inspired her lifelong dedication to education. The day after high school graduation, Flo left home to attend a nurse’s aide program in Alabama. Upon completion she attended the University of Tennessee Nursing School, obtaining an RN degree. She then proudly joined the U.S. Army Nurse Corps, assigned to the care of soldiers in stateside hospitals.
After the war she earned a BS degree in Nursing Education and Public Health from Vanderbilt University. In recognition of her ambition, she was recommended for a post graduate nurse anesthetist program in New Orleans, where she earned a CRNA. She paid for this education along the way with stipends, private duty nursing, grants, teaching classes, and GI Bill.
Following these years of study Flo accepted a job at Jefferson Davis Hospital, Houston. Here she met an intern and eventually married, Wayne Grey Pullen from Foreman, AR. They made their home in DeQueen, AR, worked in the local clinic and hospital, while raising a family and enjoying life in a closely knit community. After 25 years and an empty nest, their final move was to Little Rock where Wayne finished his career at the VA Medical Center before retiring.
Flo grew up in the Cumberland Presbyterian Church and spent her adult life as an active member of First United Methodist Church. A woman of great faith, she had prayers and devotions clipped and tucked away in every drawer. She was a 50 year member of PEO and participated in numerous organizations through the years. She was a prolific seamstress, spending hours making clothes for herself and family. She insisted they take pride in appearance, but championed the thriftiness instilled by her humble upbringing.
Flo loved Razorback football, the Sunday newspaper, all dogs, and a good joke. She loved socializing at any chance and treasured old friends. She was resilient, disciplined, and passionate with high expectations. She always pulled for the underdog.
She was preceded in death by her husband, Wayne and her brother, Charles Lankford. She is survived by daughter, Carol Hill, Heber Springs, AR; two sons, Scott Pullen, MD, Knoxville, TN and Bill Pullen, San Antonio, TX.; two grandchildren, Paul Hill and Allison Chiuminatto (Michael), two great-granddaughters, Leah and Madeline Chiuminatto, all of Dallas, TX.
The family expresses special appreciation to angels on earth: Denise Andres and husband, John; Seniors Serving Seniors; UAMS House Calls Program; Saline Memorial Hospice; Caretaker, Addie Bowman Carter; loyal friend, Dickie Thomasson; First United Methodist Church; and wonderful neighbors.
Service will be held at 1:30 p.m. Tuesday, November 17, 2020 at Dollarhide Cemetery in Foreman, Arkansas. In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made to Humane Society of Pulaski County 14600 Colonel Glenn Road, Little Rock, AR 72210, www.warmhearts.org, or First United Methodist Church for the Butler Child Development Center, 723 Center Street, Little Rock, Arkansas 72201. Online guestbook at www.smithfamilycares.com.
Richard Minor “Ricky” Athey
Richard Minor “Ricky” Athey, age 72, a resident of Little River Club, Arkansas died Wednesday, November 11, 2020, at Falls Chapel.
He was born August 30, 1948 in De Queen, Arkansas. He was retired from Domtar and was a master plumber. He enjoyed playing golf, hunting, fishing, and working in his garden.
Mr. Athey was preceded in death by his parents James Richard and Zella Slaton Athey.
He is survived by his wife Sandi Loden Athey; three daughters and sons-in-law, Jennifer and Chad Withers of Benton, AR, Rebecca and Kennedy Young of Lockesburg, AR and Liz and Luke Power of De Queen, AR; one brother and sister-in-law Muggs and LeeEllen Athey of Bossier City, LA and one sister and brother-in-law, Jimmy Lynn and Mike Huskey of De Queen, AR and “Poppy” to six grandchildren; Leighton Withers, Carson Withers, Braden Young, Griffin Young, Macy Young and Sam Power and a number of nieces and nephews.
Graveside funeral services for Mr. Athey will be held at 2:00 p.m., Sunday, November 15, 2020, at Belleville Cemetery with John Lindsey officiating under the direction of Wilkerson Funeral Home in De Queen.
The family will receive friends from 1:00 p.m. to service time.
Mrs. Verlon Pressley
Mrs. Verlon Ellen Holland Pressley, age 87, resident of De Queen, Arkansas, passed from this life on Monday, November 9, 2020, in Mena, Arkansas.
She was born to Bill and Mary Holland on March 23, 1933 in Mena, Arkansas. She married the love of her life, Alvie Clermon Pressley, on December 12, 1970 in De Queen. She was a member of Chapel Hill Baptist Church in De Queen and worked for Weyerhaeuser Company. Verlon worked in the Post Mill at the treating plant in De Queen. She enjoyed fishing, reading, crocheting baby blankets and spending time with her family and friends.
She was preceded in death by her parents; her husband of over 44 years, Alvie Pressley; four children, Benny Wilcox, Beverly Carter, Charles Wilcox and Gladys Wright; and three sisters, Doris Smith, Myrtle Cox and Rosa Dilbeck.
She is survived by two daughters, Wanda Carter and husband Leon, and Patty Bradshaw and husband David; two brothers, Ervin Holland, and Bill Holland and wife Mary; three sisters, Ruby Henery and husband Carl, Linda Rosson and husband Hollis, and Carolyn Jones and husband Billy; as well as, a number of grandchildren, great-grandchildren, great-great-grandchildren, nieces, nephews, other relatives and friends.
Graveside Services for Mrs. Verlon Pressley will be held at 10:00 A.M., Thursday, November 12, 2020 at West Otis Cemetery, Horatio. Burial will follow under the direction of Chandler Funeral Home, De Queen. Viewing will be general.
The use of a face mask or covering will be required during your time at the funeral home.
