Biographical And Historical Memoirs of Pulaski, Jefferson, Lonoke, Faulkner, Grant, Saline, Perry, Garland And Hot Spring Counties, Arkansas
Alberta Garcia Martinez
Mrs. Alberta Garcia Martinez, age 61, a resident of De Queen, Arkansas died Thursday, June 4, 2020 in Texarkana, Texas.
She was born March 18, 1959, in Tampico, Mexico. She was retired.
Mrs. Garcia was preceded in death by her mother, Ladislada Martinez.
She is survived by three daughters and one son-in-law, Cynthia Garcia Knight and Steven Ray Knight, Jr., Graciela Garcia, and Gabriela Garcia all of De Queen; one son, Mario Garcia, Jr. of De Queen; five grandchildren, Rachel Knight, Michelle Knight, Brandon Steven Knight, Anthony Garcia, and Trinidad Abrego Garcia; four brothers, Daniel Garcia, Mario Garcia, Elias Garcia, and Francisco Garcia all of Mexico; three sisters, Guillevalda Garcia and Cristinia Garcia of De Queen, and Aurelia Garcia of Mexico; and her father, Vidal Garcia of Mexico.
A private funeral Mass for Mrs. Garcia will be held at Wilkerson Funeral Home Chapel with Father Ramses Mendieta officiating. Cremation to follow.
General viewing will be held from 2:00-6:00 p.m., Sunday, June 7th at the funeral home in De Queen.
L. D. Cox
Mr. L.D. Cox, age 90, of De Queen, Arkansas died Thursday, June 4, 2020, in Ashdown, Arkansas.
He was born March 11, 1930, in De Queen. He was a master diesel mechanic, master certified welder, enjoyed fishing and gardening, and spending time with his family.
Mr. Cox was preceded in death by his parents, D.D. and Lela Armer Cox; his wife, Elizabeth Cross Cox; one brother, Odell H. Cox.
He is survived by two sons and a daughter-in-law, Leslie Cox and Shelia Lamb and Travis and Carla Cox; one daughter and son-in-law, Gaylene and Paul McClendon all of De Queen; four grandsons, Scotty (Jaime) McClendon, Sam McClendon both of De Queen, Cody (Nicole) Cox of Texarkana, Texas, and Josh Lamb of Wasilla, Alaska; four granddaughters, Shyanne (Justin) Black of Broken Bow, Oklahoma, Stacey (Tony) Gillespie, Stephanie (Steve) Jones both of Ashdown, Arkansas, and Courtney Lamb of Boyd, Texas; one sister-in-law, Edith Cox;11 great grandchildren; and 3 great-great grandchildren.
Cremation arrangements by Wilkerson Funeral Home in De Queen.
In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to Pleasant Manor, 950 Homestead, Ashdown, Arkansas 71822.
Kevin Dale Black, Jr.
Kevin Black, age 37, of Maud, Texas, passed peacefully from this life on Monday, June 1, 2020, in Fort Smith, Arkansas.
He was born on August 9, 1982, in Wichita, Kansas. He loved working as a maintenance technician, fishing, and his music. He was a committed fan of the Jayhawks, Royals, and Chiefs.
He was preceded in death by his maternal and paternal grandparents.
He is survived by his wife, Rebekah Davis Black, of Maud, Texas; four daughters, Jayden, Hannah, and Cloë Black, of Mulberry, AR, Jordan Black, of Andover, KS; one son, Skyler Zielke, of Andover, KS; his mother, Tina Davis and her husband Dave Davis; his father, Kevin Dale Black, Sr.; one brother and sister-in-law Chris and Jessica Black; one sister and brother-in-law Megan and Cody Phelan, all of Hackett, AR; and numerous nieces, nephews, aunts, uncles, cousins, and friends.
Viewing will be at McConnell Funeral Home in Greenwood, Arkansas on Friday, June 5, from 9:00-11:00 a.m. A memorial service will follow at 11:30 at Bell Park Pavillion in Greenwood with Bro. Todd Reed, FBC Redwater, TX, officiating.
Joyce Louise Allen Smith
Mrs. Joyce Louise Allen Smith, age 92, a resident of Texarkana, Texas, formerly of De Queen, Arkansas died Wednesday, June 3, 2020 in Texarkana, Texas.
She was born April 23, 1928, in Sevier County, Arkansas. She had a master’s degree from Henderson State University. She taught in De Queen and Sevier County for over 45 years and was a freshman English professor at Henderson State University. She enjoyed camping, playing games, bowling and reading. She was a member of First United Methodist and Tri-Lakes Good Sam’s Club.
Mrs. Smith was preceded in death by her parents, Walter Lee Allen, Sr. and Tompie Willmon Allen; her husband of 61 years, Roy Wayne Smith; two brothers, Walter Allen, Jr. and Marlin Allen.
She is survived by two sons; Rodney (Rhoda) Smith of De Queen; and Greg (Denise) Smith of Eagletown, Oklahoma; three sisters, Marolyn and Wendell Needham of De Queen, Carolyn Cowling of Springdale, and Floy Smith of De Queen; four sisters-in-law; Barbara Allen of Frisco, Texas, Jane Smith, Judy Smith and Myrtle Sims all of De Queen; four grandchildren; seven great-grandchildren and a number of nieces and nephews.
Graveside funeral services for Mrs. Smith will be held at 2:00 p.m., Saturday, June 6, 2020, at W. L. Allen Family Cemetery with Bro Mark Cloninger officiating, under the direction of Wilkerson Funeral Home in De Queen.
General viewing will be held from 10:00 a.m. to 7:00 p.m., Friday, June 5, 2020 at the funeral home.
Mr. Jeff Miller
Mr. Jeffery Alan Miller, affectionately known as Jeff, age 51, resident of De Queen, Arkansas, passed from this life on Saturday, May 30, 2020 in Portland, Texas.
Jeff was born to Ray and Pat Miller on July 14, 1968 in South Bend, Indiana. He was a 1986 graduate of White Pigeon High School in Michigan and faithfully served his country with the United States Army, reaching rank of E4. Jeff was honorably discharged on September 16, 1991 as a Veteran of War. He married the love of his life, Terri Dowdy, on July 4, 1992, and to this union, two children were born. Jeff, Terri and their family are members of De Queen First Assembly of God where he was a former Deacon. Jeff was the Co-Owner and operator of Dowdy Miller Incorporated and was a certified inspector, working for 3B Inspection Company.
He was preceded in death by his parents; mother-in-law, Linda Dowdy; and one sister, Janice Stout.
Jeff leaves to cherish his memory, his loving wife of almost 28 years, Terri Miller of De Queen; one son, Marcus Miller of De Queen and his fiancé, Brooke Rose, of Fort Smith; one daughter, Mariah Miller of De Queen; one brother and sister-in-law, John and Heather Miller of White Pigeon, Michigan; two sisters and one brother-in-law, Julie and Jason Wells of Waterford, Michigan and Linette and Todd Glancy of Fairmont, Indiana; father-in-law, Tom Dowdy of Athens, Arkansas; two sisters-in-law, Tina Smith and husband Floyd of Praire Grove, Arkansas and Trina Neal of De Queen; two brothers-in-law, Tommy Dowdy and wife Kim of Wickes, Arkansas and Troy Dowdy and wife Robin of Athens, Arkansas; as well as, nieces and nephews, some of which he was a father-figure to, other relatives and a host of friends.
Jeff loved the Lord, his family and movies. He was a huge fan of ‘80s hair bands and was a great story teller. He loved playing board games with his family and was an avid fan of Notre Dame, Arkansas Razorbacks and Dallas Cowboys football. Jeff was always sure to live life to the fullest.
Funeral Services for Mr. Jeff Miller will be held at 2:00 P.M., Thursday, June 4, 2020 in the Chandler Funeral Home Chapel with Pastor Ray Reynolds officiating. Burial, with military honors, will follow at Chapel Hill Cemetery, under the direction of Chandler Funeral Home, De Queen. The family will receive friends from 6:00 to 8:00 P.M., Wednesday, at the funeral home.
Due to current health concerns, the use of a face mask or covering is recommended during the time of visitation and funeral service. Please refrain from touching or hugging the family and keep a comfortable distance of six (6) foot from one another while inside the funeral home.
Mrs. Shirley Fitzhugh
Mrs. Shirley Sue Fitzhugh, age 82, resident of Horatio, Arkansas, passed from this life on Friday, May 29, 2020 at her home.
She was born Shirley Sue Jackson to the late Isaac and Ruth L. Jackson on December 16, 1937 in Horatio, Arkansas. She married the love of her life, Joseph Henry Fitzhugh on August 1, 1956 in Hugo, Oklahoma, and to this union, one son was born. She was a fifth grade school teacher and enjoyed fishing and spending time at the casino, but most of all, Shirley cherished the time spent with her family and friends.
She was preceded in death by her parents; her loving husband of over 56 years, Joseph Fitzhugh; and one sister, Relda Shrouder.
She is survived by one son, Joseph Lynn Fitzhugh of Horatio; grandchildren, Whitney, Taylor and Andrew; two brothers, Richard Jackson and Jim Jackson, both of Horatio; one sister, Vinita Ann Sanders; as well as, nieces, nephews, other relatives and friends.
Graveside services for Mrs. Shirley Fitzhugh will be held at 2:00 P.M., Sunday, May 31, 2020 at Campground Cemetery, Winthrop, under the direction of Chandler Funeral Home, De Queen.
Michael Thibodeau
Mr. Michael A. Thibodeau, age 73, resident of Horatio, Arkansas, passed from this life on Tuesday, May 26, 2020 at his home.
He was born to Firmance and Jacqueline Forand Thibodeau on May 13, 1947 in Barton, Vermont. Michael faithfully served his county with the Unites States Army, serving in Vietnam from 1967 to 1970, and was a Purple Heart recipient. He was a farmer, raising livestock and operated commercial poultry houses for many years. Michael was of the Catholic faith and enjoyed fishing and watching John Wayne movies, but most of all, he cherished the time spent with his family and friends.
He was preceded in death by his parents.
He leaves to cherish his memory, one daughter and son-in-law, Christy and Tracy DeSaulniers of Ohio; one son and daughter-in-law, Michael and Rachel Thibodeau of Utah; four grandchildren, Taylor, Cael, Jonah and Luke; beloved children from a former marriage, Paul Leal and wife Shannah and Holly Boonstra and husband Matthew; his sisters and brothers, Jeanne Pelletier and husband Claude, Claire Reed and husband Ernie, Paul Thibodeau and wife Deloris, Lucie Dubuc and Peter Thibodeau; his dearly loved best friend, Donald (Virginia) MacGregor; as well as, nieces, nephews and a host of other friends.
Inurnment will take place at Arlington National Cemetery, Arlington, Virginia. Cremation arrangements are under the direction of Chandler Funeral Home, De Queen.
