Biographical And Historical Memoirs of Pulaski, Jefferson, Lonoke, Faulkner, Grant, Saline, Perry, Garland And Hot Spring Counties, Arkansas
Mr. James Ruth
Mr. James A. Ruth, age 87, resident of De Queen, Arkansas, passed from this life on Sunday, April 26, 2020 at his family’s farm near De Queen.
James was the eleventh of twelve children born to Isaah Francis and Beulah Burris Ruth on March 12, 1933 in De Queen. James was a logger, working for Willis Brothers Logging, and was a farmer. He married the love of his life, Bobbie Jean Gentry, on June 16, 1955 in De Queen and to this union, four children were born. James was a member of Rose Hill Gospel Mission and enjoyed farming, logging and spending time with his children, grandchildren and great-grandchildren.
He was preceded in death by his parents; his loving wife of over 64 years, Bobbie Jean Ruth; six brothers, Clarence, Albert, Elvin (Pete), Lee, Henry and Ernest; and five sisters, Elizabeth, Opal, Mae, Velma and Marie.
James leaves to cherish his memory, four children and their spouses, Judy and Billy Don Weeks, Sr. of De Queen, Barbara and Gene Lile of Hatfield, Evelyn and Russell Yandell of De Queen and Richard and Joan Ruth also of De Queen; fifteen grandchildren, Billy Don, Jr., Wynona, Jonathan, Wynita, LaJeanna, Daniella, Brandon, Aaron, Amanda, James (J. Bo), Sherra, Sandra, Shavonna, Travis and Carrie; thirty-four great-grandchildren; as well as, nieces, nephews, other relatives and a host of friends.
Graveside Services for Mr. James Ruth will be held at 11:00 A.M., Wednesday, April 29, 2020 at Chapel Hill Cemetery, De Queen, with Bros. Billy Don Weeks, Sr., Billy Don Weeks, Jr. and Brandon Burt officiating. Arrangements are under the direction of Chandler Funeral Home, De Queen. Visitation will be general.
Laurie Deanna Broach
Laurie Deanna Broach, age 46, a resident of Lockesburg, Arkansas, died Saturday, April 25, 2020, at her home.
She was born May 12, 1973 in De Queen, Arkansas. Mrs. Broach was a homemaker and she loved her husband, children and grandchildren.
Mrs. Broach was preceded in death by her father, Larry Dale Deer.
She is survived by her husband, Kevin Broach; mother and step-father, Delores Dixon Oglesby and Larry Joe of De Queen; two daughters, Laken Gentry and Laura Beth Amhed both of Lockesburg; one son, Kenneth Wayne Hoffman of Gillham, Arkansas; two brothers; Billy Joe Oglesby of Dierks, Arkansas; Shane Utah Oglesby of De Queen; one sister, Amanda Sales of Fort Smith, Arkansas; five grandchildren; Matilynn, Kaylee, Kinlynn, J.C. and Nova; and a number of nieces, nephews, and many friends.
Memorial services for Mrs. Broach will be held at a later date. Cremation arrangements by Wilkerson Funeral Home in De Queen.
Jewelene Crawford
Jewelene Crawford, age 99, passed away on Wednesday, April 22, 2020, in Ashdown, AR. She was a lifelong resident of Ashdown, Arkansas, residing at Pleasant Manor Nursing and Rehab since 2008.
She was born on Friday, December 24, 1920, in Ben Lomond, AR and was one of 13 children born to Emmett and Jessie Lee Smith Griffin.
She was retired from Day and Zimmermann (Lone Star) in Texarkana, TX.
In addition to her parents, she was predeceased in death by her two husbands: A. D. Crawford and Hank DeWees. She was also predeceased in death by two brothers: Jewell Griffin, Louis Eugene Griffin and nine sisters: Effie Carver, Iva Crawford, Dorothy Griffin, Macie Aylor, Dee Griffin, Mae Dell Payne, Tressie Carver, Beatrice Conatser, Luda Fay Lummus.
Jewelene is survived by her sister, Betty Jo Johnson, of Texarkana, Arkansas. She is also survived by many nieces, nephews, and a host of friends.
Cremation arrangements by Wilkerson Funeral Home in De Queen, AR with plans for a graveside memorial service at a later date.
Memorials may be made in her name to the National Kidney Foundation or to a charity of choice.
The family would like to thank Pleasant Manor Nursing and Rehab for the many years of love and care.
Floyd Allen Morris, Sr.
Floyd Allen Morris, Sr., age 92 a resident of Gillham, Arkansas, died Tuesday, April 21, 2020, at Dierks Health and Rehab in Dierks, Arkansas.
He was born November 23, 1927 in Nathan, Arkansas. Mr. Morris was a farmer, owner of Morris TV Sales and Service for over thirty years, a veteran of the Army Air Force, a 32nd degree Mason and a member of the De Queen Church of Christ.
Mr. Morris was preceded in death by his parents, Thomas Jefferson and Annie Lillie Tidwell Morris; his wife of sixty-one years, Rowena Hargis Morris; one grandson, Scotty Presson and one sister, Lottie Jane Morris.
He is survived by one daughter and son-in-law, Brenda and Jim Presson of De Queen, Arkansas; one son and daughter-in-law, Floyd, Jr. and Kim Morris of Horatio, Arkansas; one granddaughter, Jennifer and (Joe) Collier; one grandson, Clay and (Laci) Morris; four great grandchildren, Ty and Tate Collier and Heidi and Zane Morris; one sister, Mary B. Lewis of King, Arkansas and a nephew, Paul Lewis, Jr. and wife Elaine of De Queen.
Graveside service for Mr. Morris will be held at 11:00 a.m., Saturday, April 25, 2020 at Overturf Cemetery in Gillham with Toney Stowers and Bobby Tatum officiating under the direction of Wilkerson Funeral Home in De Queen.
Viewing will be held from 10:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m., Friday, April 24th.
Mrs. Pauline Penney
Mrs. Pauline Bell Penney, age 90, resident of De Queen, Arkansas, passed from this life on Sunday, April 19, 2020 at Howard Memorial Hospital, Nashville.
Pauline was the fifth of seven children born to Richard James and Emma Lucretia Autry Bell on January 7, 1930 in De Queen. She was a 1948 graduate of De Queen High School and married the love of her life, Kenneth Nolan Penney, Sr., on June 28, 1952 in Ashdown. Pauline worked as a switchboard operator for the telephone company in De Queen and later worked in Administration for Rubber Corp of Arkansas. She was a Baptist and enjoyed crossword puzzles, watching golf, Wheel of Fortune and Jeopardy on television and talking on the telephone, but most of all, she cherished the time spent with her family and friends. Pauline never met a stranger and enjoyed visiting at every chance.
She was preceded in death by her parents; her husband of over 45 years, Kenneth Penney, Sr.; and six siblings, Archie Bell, Josephine Vaughn, Bessie Stewart, Lawrence Bell, Pat Hall and Betty Anderson.
She leaves to cherish her memory, two sons, Kenneth Nolan “Junior” Penney, Jr., of De Queen and Richard Thomas Penney and his wife Lisa of Angleton, Texas; five grandchildren, Magon Gentry and her husband Ron of West Columbia, Texas, Kailey Rae Empfield and her husband Ben of Angleton, Texas, Tripp Penney and his fiancé Lauren of Dover, Arkansas, Cade Penney and his wife Katie of Brazoria, Texas, and Tate Penney of De Queen; one great-granddaughter, whom Pauline adored, Emma Belle Empfield; one brother-in-law, Dale Janes of Pantego, Texas; as well as, nieces, nephews, other relatives and a host of friends.
Graveside Services for Mrs. Pauline Penney will be held at 11:00 A.M., Thursday, April 23, 2020 at the Redmen Cemetery Pavilion with Bro. Jason Carlton officiating. Visitation will be general. Arrangements are under the direction of Chandler Funeral Home, De Queen.
Tripp Penney, Cade Penney, Tate Penney, Ben Empfield and Ron Gentry will serve as pallbearers.
Michael Fredrick Spillman
Michael Fredrick Spillman, age 64, a resident of De Queen, Arkansas, died Friday, April 17, 2020, at his home.
He was born August 22, 1955 in Alexandria, Louisiana. Mr. Spillman was a truck driver and a member of St. Barbara Catholic Church in De Queen.
He was preceded in death by his parents, Wesley James and Ollie Ruth Brossett Spillman; and three sisters, Charlotte Ruth Spillman, Doris Lynette (Lynn) Brossett, and Judy Ann Massey.
He is survived by his daughter, Michelle Spillman of Pineville, Louisiana; a sister, Jackie Haskins of Alexandria, Louisiana; and a number of nieces and nephews.
Cremation arrangements by Wilkerson Funeral Home.
Ronnie Clorell Dinwiddie
Mr. Ronnie C. Dinwiddie, age 77, resident of De Queen, Arkansas, passed from this life on Thursday, April 16, 2020 at his home.
Ronnie was born to Elmer L. and Sallie O. Wommack Dinwiddie on March 3, 1943 in De Queen. He married the love of his life, Carol Jean Stark, on April 22, 1966 in Horatio, Arkansas, and to this union, three children were born. He worked as an Engineer for the D&E TO&E Railroad and was a member of the United Transportation Union and Memorial Missionary Baptist Church in De Queen. Ronnie enjoyed gardening, hunting and his horses, but more than anything, he cherished the time spent with his family and friends.
He was preceded in death by his parents; one son, Brian Clorell Dinwiddie in 2007; one daughter, Donna J. Dinwiddie in 2009; and two sisters, Kathryn Taylor and Jean Rowell.
He leaves to cherish is memory, his loving wife of over 53 years, Carol Dinwiddie of De Queen; one daughter and son-in-law, Rachell and Tracy Runnels of De Queen; six grandchildren, Kayla, Kinlee, Madison, Trevor, Kasey and Konner; one brother, Roy Dinwiddie and his wife Robin of Bethany, Louisiana; his mother-in-law, Hazel Stark; as well as, nieces, nephews, other relatives and a host of friends.
Graveside Services for Mr. Ronnie Dinwiddie will be held at 10:00 A.M., Monday, April 20, 2020 at Millwee Cemetery with Bro. Jason Carlton officiating. Arrangements are under the direction of Chandler Funeral Home, De Queen. Visitation will be general.
