Biographical And Historical Memoirs of Pulaski, Jefferson, Lonoke, Faulkner, Grant, Saline, Perry, Garland And Hot Spring Counties, Arkansas
Mrs. Martha McDougal
Mrs. Martha Alice Bourns McDougal, age 83, a resident of De Queen, passed to her Heavenly Home on Wednesday, December 11, 2019. She was born to Wiley Martin and Mary Alice Griggs Bourns on April 11, 1936 in De Queen, Arkansas. She graduated from Lockesburg High School, received her BA degree from Ouachita Baptist University, and her Master’s Degree in Conway. She was a school teacher, as well as a homemaker. She married the love of her life, Earl Vance McDougal in June of 1959. Mrs. McDougal loved her Lord and was a member of the Geneva Missionary Baptist Church. She loved singing in Church, and cherished the time spent with her family.
Mrs. McDougal was preceded in death by her parents, her beloved husband of 38 years, Earl Vance McDougal, a son-in-law, Don Knighton, and a grandson, John Thomas McDougal.
She is survived by two sons and two daughters-in-law, John and Sheryl McDougal of Valley Grande, Alabama, and James and Teresa McDougal of Ogden, Arkansas, three daughters, Earlene Davis and Thalia McDougal both of De Queen, and Kaye Knighton of Hope, Arkansas, twelve grandchildren, and eight great-grandchildren.
Funeral Services for Mrs. Martha McDougal will be held at 2:00 P.M., Saturday, December 14, 2019 in the Geneva Missionary Baptist Church with Bro. Travis Lane officiating. Burial will follow in the Fairview Cemetery under the direction of Chandler Funeral Home, De Queen. In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made to the Geneva Missionary Baptist Church or to the Memorial Missionary Baptist Church.
Billy W. Blakeney
Billy W. Blakeney of Foreman, Arkansas passed away Monday, December 9, 2019 in a Texarkana, Texas care facility. He was 94.
Billy was born June 23, 1925, in Sunset, Texas to Clarence Young and Jewell Louise Barksdale Blakeney. He was the Minister for Foreman Church of Christ where he served for over 30 years. He was a member of Kiwanas, American Legion, Lion’s Club, the De Kalb Chamber of Commerce and served on the Board of Directors for Mountain Fork Christian Camp.
He was preceded in death by his parents; his wife, Cornez Robeson Blakeney, one daughter, Joyce Blakeney Rowe, two granddaughters, Heather Waters and Kristen Stuart; and one grandson, Lanny Ray Cox.
He is survived by one daughter and son-in-law, Linda and Steve McIntosh of Texarkana, Arkansas; one son, Randy Blakeney of De Kalb, Texas; eight grandchildren; thirteen great grandchildren; one great-great grandchild and numerous other relatives and friends.
Services will be 1:00 P.M. Friday, December 13, 2019 at De Kalb Church of Christ in De Kalb, Texas with Steve McIntosh officiating. Interment will follow at Woodmen Cemetery in De Kalb, Texas.
Visitation will be held 5:00 P.M. to 7:00 P.M. Thursday, December 12, 2019 at Bates Family Funeral Home in De Kalb, Texas.
Memorials may be made to Mountain Fork Christian Camp, PO Box 6671, Texarkana, TX 75505.
Charlene Clements Smith
Charlene Clements Smith, 86, formerly of De Queen, passed away on Tuesday, December 10, 2019, in Mansfield, Texas.
Charlene was born on August 5, 1933 to Lester and Ruby Clements in El Dorado, Arkansas. She graduated from El Dorado High School in 1951 and was a 1955 graduate of Ouachita Baptist College (now University). She attended Golden Gate Baptist Theological Seminary (now Gateway Seminary) in Mill Valley, California. She married Edward Lee (Buster) Smith on September 6, 1955 at Immanuel Baptist Church in El Dorado. Charlene taught piano and served as a church pianist and organist. In 1971 Charlene and Ed were appointed as missionaries by the Foreign Mission Board of the Southern Baptist Convention (now International Mission Board) to Botswana, Africa where they served until 1992. Upon retirement, Charlene and Ed moved to De Queen. Charlene was a member of First Baptist Church where she was actively involved in missions and the Food Closet ministry.
Charlene was preceded in death by her husband and parents. She is survived by her son, Charles and wife, Debbie, of Grand Prairie, Texas; daughter, Kathy Johnson and husband, Lonnie, of De Queen; sister-in-law, Kathryn Wilson and husband, Ray, of De Queen; five grandchildren: Erin Smith of Grand Prairie, Texas, Dr. Sarah Cobb and husband, Dr. Jason Cobb, of Little Rock; Jordan Smith of Grand Prairie, Texas; Tyler Johnson and Austin Johnson of De Queen; and five great-grandchildren: Buster and Canon Smith; Solomon, Ezekiel, and Naomi Cobb.
In a final act of stewardship, Charlene donated her body to the University of North Texas Medical School in Fort Worth, Texas. Memorial gifts can be made to the Food Closet at First Baptist Church of De Queen or the Lottie Moon Christmas Offering for International Missions.
Mr. Willie Hatton, Sr.
Mr. Willie Earl Hatton, Sr., age 70, a resident of Horatio, died Saturday, December 7, 2019 in Texarkana, Texas.
He was born to Earl Anderson and Lillie Mae Cryer Hatton on April 26, 1949 in Clinton, Oklahoma. He worked as a rancher and enjoyed watching westerns and spending time with his family and friends. Willie was a free-spirit and he spent much of his younger days traveling.
He was preceded in death by his parents and one daughter, Charlotte Hatton.
He is survived by two sons, Willie Hatton, Jr. and his wife Tina of Tecumseh, Oklahoma and Odes Hatton of Durant, Oklahoma; two daughters, Cynthia Grubbs and her husband Glenn of Lockesburg and Jeannie Hatton and her husband Jimmy Long of Durant, Oklahoma; 12 grandchildren, LaTasha, Brett, Whitney, Summer, Shelby, Glenn, Devon, Tyler, Hunter, Stormy, Jimmy and Dillon; several great-grandchildren; as well as, a number of siblings, nieces, nephews, other relatives and a host of friends.
Memorial services will be announced at a later date. Cremation arrangements are under the direction of Chandler Funeral Home, De Queen.
Ronny Parrish
Ronny Parrish, age 64, of De Queen, Arkansas passed away at his home on December 9, 2019.
He was born November 10, 1955 in De Queen.
Mr. Parrish was preceded in death by his parents Earl Alvin and Clara Annie Hockaday Parrish and his son Brad Alvin Parrish.
She is survived by his wife, Twylla Parrish; his three daughters: Amanda (Michye) Parrish, Jessica Hudson, and Amy Wolcott; his brother, Jerry Parrish; and seven grandchildren: Jordan, Brianna, Benjamin, Makenzie, Jerome, Wyatt, and C.J.
Ronny grew up in De Queen while his parents owned Parrish Grocery. He later worked at the De Queen Pizza Hut where he made lifelong friendships. For years, he worked at the Cossatot Technical College where he was the groundskeeper and maintenance man. If you knew him, you know he could fix anything.
He will be greatly missed by everyone he knew. The family is thankful for all the prayers and calls.
Ronny donated his body toward finding a cure for cancer. A memorial service has not been scheduled.
Marian Frances Peat Hickman
Marian Frances Peat Hickman, age 82, a resident of De Queen, Arkansas died Wednesday, December 4, 2019, in Little Rock, Arkansas.
She was born June 16, 1937, in California. She was a Catholic and a bookkeeper for Service Transport.
Mrs. Hickman was preceded in death by her parents, Rusty and Betty Quinn Peat; a niece, Vickie Hodge; a great grandson, Albert Oren Owen, and a great granddaughter, Lilly Perry.
She is survived by two sons and a daughter-in-law, Fred and Tammy Owen of De Queen and Kenneth Owen of Sacramento, California; one daughter, Pam Owen and husband Dennis of Alabama; one sister, Joyce Hodge; one nephew, Keith Hodge; one niece, Sherry Hodge; seven grandchildren, Orin and wife Duluce Owen, Kayla Owen, Sean and wife Maria Owen, Kim and husband Scott Perry, Lindsey Owen, Brandon Owen, and Kelly Owen; and a number of great grandchildren.
Cremation arrangements by Wilkerson Funeral Home in De Queen.
Kenneth Murray Lofton
Kenneth Murray Lofton, age 96, a resident of Dierks, Arkansas died Wednesday, December 4, 2019, in Dierks.
He was born July 4, 1923, in Dierks, Arkansas. Mr. Lofton served in WWII in the 8th Air Force and returned home after being injured in an explosion. He worked with his mother running Lofton Hardware until he purchased it and ran it with his wife “Floss” until he was 93 years old. He was also a member of the First United Methodist Church in Dierks.
Mr. Lofton was preceded in death by his parents, O.L. Lofton, Sr. and Callie Ethel Murray Lofton; his wife, Florine Lofton; two brothers, Thomas Lofton and O.L. Lofton, Jr.; and one sister, Mildred Cothren.
He is survived by daughter, Peggy Walston and Bud “ his favorite son-in-law” of Hot Springs, Arkansas; one grandson, Scott Walston and his wife Rachael of Hot Springs; four great-grandchildren, Allie and Austin Barnes and Knox and Brax Walston; one sister, Mary Lee of Athens, Texas; a number of nieces and nephews; a host of friends and customers; and two special friends, Donald Joe Chandler and Jackie Jones.
The family will receive friends from 10:00-11:00 a.m., Saturday, December 7, 2019, at the First United Methodist Church in Dierks.
A graveside funeral service will be held immediately following the visitation at Dierks Cemetery with Bro. Carroll Jackson officiating, under the direction of Wilkerson Funeral Home in Dierks.
