Biographical And Historical Memoirs of Pulaski, Jefferson, Lonoke, Faulkner, Grant, Saline, Perry, Garland And Hot Spring Counties, Arkansas
Jimmy Thompson
Mr. James “Jimmy” Byron Thompson , age 76, a resident of Horatio, Arkansas died Monday, July 22, 2019, in Hot Springs, Arkansas.
He was born November 26, 1942, in Stringtown, Arkansas. He was a retired business owner, owning Thompson Tire and Appliance for 30 years. He was an avid hunter and enjoyed being outdoors. He loved and supported the Horatio Lions. He spent many, many years running the clock at home football games as well as hauling football equipment all over the state for away games. He loved and enjoyed every minute he got to spend with his family.
Mr. Thompson was preceded in death by his parents, Harvey Byron and Annie Lorena Zachary Thompson and infant brother, Kendall Roy Thompson.
He is survived by his wife, Brenda Cheney Thompson; two daughters and sons-in-law, Dee and Jimmy Allen and Terri and Jeff Irvan; two sons and a daughter-in-law, Doug Thompson and Darrell and Susan Thompson all of Horatio; one sister, Theresa Carroll of Cabot, Arkansas; 11 grandchildren; 15 great grandchildren; and a number of nieces, nephews, family, and friends.
Funeral services for Mr. Thompson will be held at 2:00 p.m., Friday, July 26, 2019, in the Wilkerson Funeral Home Chapel with Darrell Thompson and Dwayne Parish officiating. Burial will follow in Millwee Cemetery.
The family will receive friends from 6:00-8:00 p.m., Thursday, July 25, 2019, at the funeral home.
Mary Anna Miller Zacharias
Mrs. Mary Anna Miller Zacharias, age 90, a resident of De Queen, Arkansas, died Friday, July 19, 2019, in Texarkana, Texas.
She was born March 12, 1929, in Frost, Texas. She was a homemaker and a member of the Beacon Hill Seventh Day Adventist Church.
Mrs. Zacharias was preceded in death by her parents, Charles Anton and Willie Pratt Miller; her husband, Ottice Junior Zacharias; one daughter, Sharon Kay Gentry; three brothers, Charles Biram Miller, Darras Lee Miller, and Willie Merritt Miller; and one grandson, Mark Gentry.
She is survived by one son and daughter-in-law, Gary Dwayne and Rosemary Zacharias of Texarkana, Texas; one daughter, Marilyn Sue Wall of De Queen, Arkansas; one sister, Katie Aline Nickerson of Horatio, Arkansas; seven grandchildren; 12 great grandchildren; and several great-great grandchildren, nieces, and nephews.
Funeral services for Mrs. Zacharias will be held at 11:00 a.m., Tuesday, July 23, 2019, in the Beacon Hill Seventh Day Adventist Church in De Queen, Arkansas with Rev. Billy Miller officiating. Burial will follow in the Beacon Hill Cemetery under the direction of Wilkerson Funeral Home in De Queen.
Family will receive friends from 5:00-7:00 p.m., Monday the 22nd at the funeral home in De Queen.
Tony McKellar
Tony McKellar, 64, a resident of Rogers, Arkansas, died Saturday, July 13, 2019 in the Barnes Jewish Hospital in St. Louis, Missouri.
Tony was born July 18, 1954 in DeQueen, Arkansas to Paul and Jo Ellen McKellar. He was a 1972 graduate of Ashdown High School, a 1987 graduate of the University of Oklahoma with a BS of Geology and 1999 graduate University of Arkansas with a degree in Environmental Safety. He worked for Multi-Craft Contractors in Springdale, Arkansas as a safety manager. He loved spending time with his family, traveling, working on his house and yard, reading, watching movies and making copious amounts of soup and cornbread.
He is proceeded in death by his parents and in-laws, Loy and Lorene Poag, and daughter, Emily McKellar.
He is survived by his wife of 45 years, Donna Poag McKellar; daughters Elizabeth McKellar of Columbus, Ohio, Katherine Rooney and son-in-law Jake Rooney of Rogers, Arkansas, and Nicole McKellar of the home. Four sisters, Peggy and Steve Hill and Paulette and Don Morrow of Sapulpa, Oklahoma; Sharon and Tom Larson of Cabot, Arkansas; one brother, Roger and Cheryl McKellar of Ocala, Florida; and numerous nieces and nephews.
A memorial honoring Tony’s life will be held on Saturday, July 27, 2019 at the family home in Rogers, Arkansas. In lieu of flowers, donations can be made in his memory to the American Cancer Society or the American Heart Association.
Dale Newton Kesner
Dale Newton Kesner, age 80, a resident of Little Rock, Arkansas died peacefully in the arms of his Lord and Savior on Wednesday, July 17, 2019, at the Arkansas State Veterans Home in North Little Rock surrounded by family and friends.
Dale was born in Kingston, Arkansas on July 25, 1938, to Loyd Newton Kesner and Ruth Jane (Smelley) Kesner.
He is survived by his loving wife of 31 years, Wanda Kesner of Little Rock.; sister Louise Tharp (Don) of Berryville, Arkansas; one son and a daughter by his first marriage, Daloyd Craig Kesner (Candy) of Green Forest, Arkansas and Danita Diane Kesner Hill (Charlie) of Overland Park, Kansas; daughters Kandi Knod West (Lance) of Little Rock and Kim Knod Parr (Forrest) of Conway, Arkansas; seven grandchildren, Curtis Dale Kesner (Jessica), Christopher Craig Kesner (Jerika), Scott Garrett-Wyman Hill (Taylor), Sarah Jane Abbott (Matthew), Lowery West, Annie West and Tristen Parr; five great grandchildren, Roy Kesner (6), Dylan Kesner (5), Emerson Hill (3), Sullivan Hill (1), Caroline Kesner; and a host of friends and relatives.
He was preceded in death by his parents, Loyd and Ruth Kesner; his sister, Hazel Youngblood and her husband Dale; their daughter, Joy Youngblood Webb; and an infant sister, Ina Belle Kesner.
Dale was a member of Immanuel Baptist Church in Little Rock and a former member of the First Baptist Church in De Queen.
Dale spent his earliest years in Kingston, Arkansas. The family relocated to Berryville, Arkansas when he began school. He and his two siblings, Hazel & Louise spent many happy days playing jokes on one another. Dale was the ultimate prankster and his positivity and loving charm enchanted all he knew with a bit of torment to his baby sister Louise. He loved and played multiple sports throughout school and later in life would share with his grandchildren to remember that “sports were 90% heart and 10% ability”. He was a great encourager and lived his life applying that motto to his own activities, leading with his heart.
In 1957, Dale joined the U.S. Army and proudly served his country for twenty-two years. His ports of call included Texas, Germany, Indiana, New Mexico and Kansas. He served in Da-Nang Vietnam for 18 months beginning in 1968 supervising more than 32 personnel for Military Assistance Command. Retiring from active duty July 27, 1979, at Fort Riley, Kansas he was the youngest person ever appointed to Warrant Officer 4, with his MOS number. This was a special appointment that required approval from the Department of Defense in order to move forward.
During his military service, Dale received multiple awards and commendations including the Vietnam Service Medal, the Bronze Star Meritorious Service Medal, the National Defense Service Medal, the Joint Services Commendation Medal and the Army Commendation Medal. Prior to his retirement he served as the Chief of Computer Operations for a major military command and developed detailed plans and instructions for the tactical air deployment of the entire computer complex to Europe in support of major NATO exercises. He gained the respect of his superior officers for his ability to develop, implement and manage highly cost effective, innovative and productive ADP processes. Those who served under him or worked with him often commented on his ability to get the job done but make all feel welcome and appreciated.
He truly enjoyed working with young people and gave back to the community by being actively involved in coaching football for DODDS children and encouraging them to do their best or teaching a high school or college Sunday school class. The overall theme surrounding almost everything he did outside of work was laughter and silly fun.
After military retirement, Dale worked for the Kansas Secretary of State’s office in Topeka, Kansas and Sperry Univac in Springfield, Missouri. He relocated to Green Forest, Arkansas in 1985. He moved to De Queen, Arkansas in 1987. There he was a popular teacher at Cossatot Community College, where he taught computer science and inspired many young people. In 2003 he was elected Mayor of De Queen where he served that community until his retirement in 2004.
In 2004 he and Wanda relocated to Conway, Arkansas, and subsequently to Little Rock, Arkansas, to be nearer to some of his grandchildren and their activities. His grandchildren have many fond memories of their “Pop Pop” including his silly jokes (that often didn’t make a lot of sense, but made them giggle), his encouragement, (“Pop Pop loves you”), he always told them how proud he was of them, his silly nicknames, (“Rocket 44”, “Miss Lowery”, “Miss Annie” and “Miss Sarah Jane”), and teaching them that no matter what, pressing on was what was important in life.
He became an ordained minister in 1956 and utilized his faith as a guiding principle throughout his life. He was a prolific encourager to his children teaching them about faith, life and perseverance.
When his own father died in 1983, he gave a eulogy that seems fitting for him as well:
“Thanks, dad, for the lessons in courage, understanding and love of life. Thanks for the wonderful memories of joy and happiness. Thanks for the unselfish sacrifices of time, money and your own personal desires, so that we might enjoy for a few moments, the pleasures of a single event or happening. Thanks for your untiring words of instruction and correction, not given with demands, but simply given out of your best experiences and a loving concern for our welfare. Thanks for the many moments of laughter and stories which brightened our days and removed some of life’s pressures. Thanks for the many times you stepped in and took the brunt of a blow that should have been ours to endure. Thanks for being a beautiful example for us to follow, thinking not of yourself, but always of others. Thanks dad.”
Dale Kesner was loved in life by many and will be greatly missed in death. A special thanks to the nursing and hospice staff at the Arkansas State Veterans Home in North Little Rock for their care and loving support
Funeral Services for Mr. Kesner will be held at 2:00 p.m., Monday, July 22, 2019, in Wilkerson Funeral Home Chapel in De Queen with Rev. Wayne King officiating. Burial will follow in Millwee Cemetery with full military honors.
In lieu of flowers, those who might wish to do so, may make a donation in his memory to the Arkansas State Veterans Home
The family will receive friends from 2:00-4:00 p.m., Sunday, July 21st at the funeral home.
Cynthia McCoy
Ms. Cynthia Ann “Cindy” McCoy, age 60, a resident of Shinewell, Oklahoma passed from this life Tuesday, July 16, 2019, in Little River Memorial Hospital.
She was born to Burl “Runt” and Wilma McCoy on September 6, 1958 in De Queen, Arkansas.
She was preceded in death by her parents; one brother, Jimmy McCoy; and a niece, Jessica Wax.
She is survived by her siblings, Dale McCoy, Pam Davis, and Sharon Wax.. She is also survived by her life partner, Crystal Perez, along with many nieces and nephews.
She was a friend to all who knew her. She loved everyone and had the biggest, giving heart. She especially loved children. The loss of this sweet loving soul will be felt by many.
A memorial service will be held at 4:00 p.m.,Thursday, July 18, 2019 in the Wilkerson Funeral Home Chapel in De Queen with Bro. Alan Davis officiating.
J. Octaviano Hernandez
Mr. J. Octaviano Hernandez, age 65, a resident of De Queen, Arkansas died Saturday, July 13, 2019, at his home.
He was born March 22, 1954, in Rio Grande, Zacatecas, Mexico. He worked for Pilgrim’s pride and attended St. Barbara Catholic Church.
Mr. Hernandez was preceded in death by his parents,
He is survived by his wife, Maria Yolanda Hernandez; six children Ma Del Carmen Hernandez of Mexico, Jose Juan Hernandez of De Queen, Aleja Hernandez, Octavio R. Hernandez, Manuel Hernandez, and Liliana Hernandez all of De Queen; five brothers in Mexico; and one sister in Mexico.
Viewing for Mr. Hernandez will start at 6:00 p.m., Monday, July 15, 2019, at the Monsignor Scott Friend Pastoral Center at St. Barbara Catholic Church.
Burial will be in Mexico.
Belva Jean Burnett Jones
Mrs. Belva Jean Burnett Jones, age 64, a resident of De Queen, Arkansas, died Tuesday, July 2, 2019, in Plano, Texas.
She was born June 19, 1955, in Odessa, Texas to Garland Leon and Thelma Allene Merworth Burnett. She was retired from the Arkansas Department of Health where she worked as a Licensed Vocational Nurse.
Mrs. Jones was preceded in death by her parents; three sisters, Sharon Nell Burnett Stewart, Brenda Allene Burnett, and Helen Ruth Burnett Williams; and two brothers, Jimmy Leon Burnett and Richard Garland Burnett.
She is survived by her husband of almost 48 years, Mackie Lee Jones of De Queen; one son, Kevin and wife Angela Jones of Vilonia, Arkansas; one daughter, Amber and husband Michael Williamson of De Queen; nine grandchildren, Mackenzie, Gaberiel, Seth, Annie, Abbie, Adam, Isaiah, Alle, and Daniel; one great grandchild, Madison; three sisters, Doris Truitt and Pam Burnett of Lubbock, Texas and Karen Schmidt of Greenbrier, Arkansas; and a number of nieces and nephews.
A memorial service for Mrs. Jones will be held at 2:00 p.m., Friday, July 19, 2019 in the Wilkerson Funeral Home Chapel with John Lindsey officiating. Burial will follow in the Chapel Hill Cemetery.
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