Biographical And Historical Memoirs of Pulaski, Jefferson, Lonoke, Faulkner, Grant, Saline, Perry, Garland And Hot Spring Counties, Arkansas
Jannie Youngblood
Mrs. Jannie Youngblood, age 92, a resident of Grannis, Arkansas, died Tuesday, June 4, 2019, at her home, surrounded by family.
She was born March 15, 1927, in the Holly Grove Community east of Grannis. She was a homemaker, a loving mother and grandmother, and a beloved friend to all who knew her. We wish we could adequately express our great love, appreciation, and respect for our Momma-her devotion and care will be missed, but always remembered. She was a member of the Grannis Baptist Church. She loved life. Spending time with family and friends was probably one of her greatest joys. She also enjoyed gardening, cooking, writing poetry, watching old westerns, and fishing.
Mrs. Youngblood was preceded in death by her parents, Thomas and Dona (Rose) Duggan; her husband of 63 years, Fred Youngblood; one brother, Willie Duggan; four sisters, Edith Frachiseur, Laura Duggan, Mary Oliver, and Dottlee Meager; and one great granddaughter, Kodi Leah Wheeler.
She is survived by nine children and their spouses, Danny and Carol Youngblood of Greenwood, Arkansas, June Wheeler of Gillham, Arkansas, Donnie and Georgia Youngblood of Whitehouse, Texas, Dennie and Sharon Youngblood, Richard and Andrea Youngblood all of Watson, Oklahoma, Freda and John Moore, Betty Youngblood, Darvin and Jennifer Youngblood, and Andy and Tracy Youngblood all of Grannis, Arkansas; 17 grandchildren; 20 great grandchildren; and a host of family and friends.
Funeral services for Mrs. Youngblood will be held on Sunday, June 9, 2019, at 3:30 p.m., in the Wilkerson Funeral Home Chapel with Don Youngblood officiating. Burial will follow in the Youngblood Cemetery west of the home, under the direction of Wilkerson Funeral Home in De Queen.
Mr. Otho Houser
Mr. Otho Derle Houser, age 76, a resident of De Queen, died Monday, June 3, 2019 in Ashdown, Arkansas.
He was born to Alvie M. and Maxine Ruth Stallard Houser on January 4, 1943, in Lockesburg, Arkansas. He was a veteran of the Vietnam War, having served 20 years in the U. S. Army. He was also retired from Pilgrim’s Pride, where he worked 30 years in maintenance. He was a member of the Friendship Baptist Church, and enjoyed gardening, hunting, fishing, and practical jokes. He had a love for animals, his cows, and especially his dog, Spicy. Most of all, he cherished the time spent with his family and friends.
He was preceded in death by his parents, and two sisters, Deloris Dixon, and Othetta Chilcoat.
He leaves to cherish his memory, his beloved wife of almost 39 years, Marilyn Hennard Houser, a daughter and son-in-law, Sherri and James Caldwell of Mineral Springs, Arkansas, a son and and daughter-in-law, Kevin and Jimmie Acklen of Alma, Arkansas, two daughters and son-in-law, Melissa and David Hill of Nashville, Arkansas, and Kimberly and Brian Mitchell of Horatio; nine grandchildren, David Mattox of Murfreesboro, Arkansas, Dustin and his wife, Brittney of Redwater, Texas, Dalton Acklen, Mackenzie Acklen, and Reliegh Acklen all of Texarkana, Texas, Aaron and his wife, Chelsey Hill of Farmington, Arkansas, Jay Hill of Fayetteville, Arkansas, Cody Mitchell and his girlfriend, Megan Warren of Horatio, Kendra and her husband, Jeremy Pietens of Lockesburg, three great-grandchildren, Lorilie Acklen, Rebel Acklen, and Lyric Acklen; one brother and sister-in-law, Delwin and Carol Houser of Springfield, Missouri, a special friend, whom he loved like a son, Ronald Hughes of De Queen, as well as nieces, nephews, other family members and a host of friends.
Funeral Services for Mr. Otho Houser will be held at 2:00 P.M., Saturday, June 8th in the Chandler Funeral Home Chapel with Rev. George Frachiseur and Rev. Sam Hendricks officiating. Burial with military rites will be held in the Redmen Cemetery, under the direction of Chandler Funeral Home. Visitation will be from 6:00 to 8:00 P.M., June 7th at the Funeral Home.
Nora Lou Bismark
Nora Lou Bismark, age 75, of Mena, Arkansas died Monday, June 3, 2019 at her home surrounded by family. She was born on Saturday, November 27, 1943 to Harvey Tillman and Flora Emaline Cogburn in Mena, Arkansas.
Nora was a member at the Wickes Nazarene Church since 1977 where she worked with the children’s ministry and women’s bible study groups throughout that time. She had a servant’s heart and was one of the friendliest people you could ever meet. Nora and her husband, Bill farmed for many years in Cove and Hatton. She belonged to the Cove Lioness Club and the Witherspoon Cemetery Board. She loved Gospel music, gardening in her flower beds, traveling, and most of all, her family. Nothing gave her more joy than helping her family. Nora was a loving mother, grandmother, sister, aunt and a great friend and will be missed by all who knew her.
She is preceded in death by her parents; her husband, William Bismark; one brother, Billy Ray Cogburn; and one sister, Betty Ansley.
Nora is survived by her four daughters and sons in law; Beth Bismark of McKinney, Texas, Kimberly and Mike Sykora of Hot Springs Village, Arkansas, Deanna and Daniel Kimball of Louisville, Kentucky, and Melinda and Tony Deramus of Mena; one sister, Dessie Mae Evans of Piqua, Ohio; seven grandchildren, Zachary Sykora and wife, Meredith of Hot Springs Village, Tyler Sykora and wife, Samantha of Kansas City, Missouri, Bismark Kimball of Louisville, Kentucky, Bradley Deramus, Brandon Deramus, Jacob Deramus, and Gracie Deramus all of Mena; four great grandchildren; sister in law, Elizabeth Bismark Frachiseur of Grannis; brother in law, Paul Bismark and wife, Jeanie of Magnolia, Arkansas; special nieces and nephew, Darla Brooks of Benton, Arkansas, Donald Ansley of Hot Springs, Arkansas, Bonita Kent of Mena, and Jennifer Simmons of Mena; several nieces and nephews and a host of other relatives and friends.
A funeral service will be held Friday, June 7, 2019 at 2:00 p.m. at the Church of the Nazarene in Wickes, Arkansas with Reverend David Baker officiating. Interment will follow at the Witherspoon Cemetery. No visitation is planned. Funeral arrangements are entrusted to Bowser Family Funeral Home in Mena, Arkansas.
Pallbearers will be Zackary Sykora, Tyler Sykora, Bradley Deramus, Brandon Deramus, Jacob Deramus, Cory Lewellen, Nicolas Kent, and Bismark Kimball.
Memorial contributions may be made to Witherspoon Cemetery, in care of Leola Rye, at 246 Polk 15, Cove, AR 71937.
Online Guestbook: www.bowserffh.com
Jane Mulkey Gregory
Jane Mulkey Gregory, 98, died May 28, 2019, in Paris, TX, after a brief illness. Jane was born on November 27, 1920, in Garland, Arkansas. She was preceded in death by her parents, Norma and Steve Mulkey, her brother, Steve Mulkey, Jr., her husband, Robert Gregory, her son, Rob Gregory, and her grandson, William Gus Geurian. Jane is survived by her daughters, Norma Carey, Betty Hooker and husband, Jim, Laura Roffino and husband, Charlie, and Carrie Kinne and husband, Dave. She is further survived by grandchildren Jane Moore and husband Mac, Sydney McCann, Reina Geurian, Kyle Sistrunk, Charles, Alex, and Greg Roffino, Hannah, Sam, and Thomas Kinne, great grandchildren McGuyre and Evie Moore, Brayden Sistrunk, and Gus Geurian.
Jane was raised at Little River Club in Arkansas, then moved during World War II to Washington, DC, to work for the FBI. After transferring to Dallas, Texas, Jane met Robert (Bob) Gregory, the love of her life. They married in 1946, and the couple raised their five children in Dallas. Following Bob’s death in 1970, Jane worked for and retired from Cokesbury Methodist Bookstore. She returned to Little River after retirement, and she has lived the last few years in Paris, Texas. Jane leaves behind many friends and family who will cherish forever her southern charm and grace. Nana Jane loved her family, her friends, her books, Little River, her hats, The New Yorker, and her evening cocktail. She was dearly loved and will be dearly missed.
A graveside service will be held Saturday, June 1, at 2:00 PM, at Calvary Hill Cemetery in Dallas, Texas. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made in Jane’s honor to the LRC Horticulture Committee, 392 Country Club Road, Winthrop, AR, 71866.
Anita Jean Gentry
Mrs. Anita Jean Gentry passed peacefully from this world on Thursday, May 30. Anita was born in De Queen, AR, March 23, 1937. For our family and the friends who knew our Mother, Anita Gentry, this obituary is much too short to capture the many special things she did for those she loved and loved her. For those who did not know her, the De Queen newspaper does not have enough pages to capture this life well lived.
She and her husband Albert raised chickens for Pilgrim’s Pride for many years. She worked at the De Queen Hospital in the dietary department preparing meals for those in the hospital and received the October 2008 Employee of the Month. Her love of children was a major part of her retirement years as she helped with the Young Expression after-school program. She was a member of the Sevier County Home Extension Club and spent many hours with them sewing and quilting. Anita was a member of the Friendship Baptist Church in De Queen. Once fully retired, she and Albert enjoyed fishing on the De Queen Lake.
She was the beloved mother of daughter Dr. Teresa and son-in-law Dr. Douglas Franklin of Rogers, AR, daughter Dr. Claudia Gentry-Weeks and son-in-law David Weeks of Fort Collins, CO, son Allan and daughter-in-law Denise Gentry of De Queen AR, and son Douglas Gentry of Phnom Penh, Cambodia.
Anita was the proud grandmother of 8 grandchildren and their spouses: Matthew and Whitney Franklin, Nathan, Desiree and Dayton Weeks, Amy (Gentry) and Josh Tadlock, Bradley Gentry and wife Haley, Briony (Gentry) and Chad Jenkins, and Jessi Gentry. She had 4 step grandchildren, Jamie Blankenship, Joni Blankenship Deen, Roy Blankenship and wife Rikki, and Rob Blankenship.
She was also the great-grandmother of 25 great-grandchildren, Emilia and Ellis Franklin, Dakota and Lexie Gentry, Kylie, Jacie, Landrie, Maggie Joe, and Charliekate Tadlock, and Dax and Jax Jenkins, and step-great-grandchildren, Aaliyah, Lyssia, Sephriam, Dagon, Jacob, Parker, and Rychein, Blankenship, Rylie, Khalil, and Kai Blankenship Deen, Ryan, Misty, Analise, and Blue Blankenship.
She is proceeded in her death by her loving husband of 63 years, Albert C. Gentry and parents, Ruth and Jessie Johnson and her sister Charlotte. She is survived by sisters, Carla Currence of Monticello, AR, Margie Christie of Nashville, AR, Phyllis Gaddis of Cincinnati, OH, Wayne Johnson of Houston, TX, and Neal Johnson of De Queen, AR.
Graveside funeral services for Anita Jean Gentry will be on Tuesday, June 4, 2019, at 10:00 am at Redman Cemetery in De Queen, AR. Visitation will be from 6 pm to 8 pm on Monday, June 3 at Chandler Funeral Home in De Queen.
Kathryn D. Jones
Kathryn D. Jones, age 84, of Foreman, Arkansas, passed away peacefully on Tuesday, May 28, 2019, at Wilson N. Jones Hospital in Sherman, Texas.
She was born August 28, 1934, in Duncan, Oklahoma. Kathryn attended Haworth High School and married Joel Jones on July 13, 1962, in Idabel, Oklahoma. She worked at GTE, E-Systems, Texas Instruments, and was a homemaker. Kathryn truly lived life to the fullest through simple pleasures; drinking coffee on the porch, traveling with her husband of nearly 57 years, spending time with her children, grandchildren and great grandchildren. Kathryn had a smile that lit up any room and warmed every heart.
She was preceded in death by her parents, Adrian “Pete” and Elizabeth “Beth” Oglesby and a granddaughter, Elisha Billingsley.
She is survived by her husband, Joel; children, Andrea (Tom) Billingsley, Linda Gauldin, Steve Williams, Jacque (Brian) Chapin, Randy (Kathy) Jones and Jennifer (Chris) Williams. She was blessed with grandchildren, Heather Billingsley, Donald Wayne Gauldin, Steve Williams Jr, Dawndee Deaver, Sarah Grady, Brianna Evans, Delaney Chapin, Alyssa Jones, Alex Jones, Payton Williams, and Jackson Williams. She was also blessed with great grandchildren, Krystal Fowler, Rachell James, Rhiannon Poole, and Claire Grady and a great-great grandson, Kaiden Rhodes.
Graveside memorial services for Mrs. Jones will be held at 2:00 p.m. Saturday, June 1, 2019 in the Piney Cemetery with Dale Oglesby officiating.
Emma Doris Leeper Williamson
Emma Doris Leeper Williamson, age 92, a resident of De Queen, Arkansas passed away from this life Sunday, May 26, 2019, in De Queen.
She was born November 9, 1926, to the late John Thomas and Lelia Leeper in De Queen.
She was the owner/operator of Doris’ Hair Fashion for many years.
Mrs. Williamson was preceded in death by her parents; her husband, Owen E. Williamson; a son, Nathan Williamson; four sisters, Thelma Douglas, Alma Johnston, Mildred Willett, and Mary Taggart; and one brother, Edwin Leeper.
She is survived by two sons and a daughter-in-law, Troy Williamson and David and Vicky Williamson; one daughter, Peggy Williamson; one daughter-in-law, DeDee Williamson; two sisters, Ruth Beeson and Majol Lemley; eleven grandchildren, and many great grandchildren, and nieces and nephews.
Graveside funeral services for Mrs. Williamson will be held at 11:00 a.m., Wednesday, May 29, 2019, in Chapel Hill Cemetery with Tim Johnson officiating, under the direction of Wilkerson Funeral Home in De Queen.
The family will receive friends from 6:00-7:00 p.m., Tuesday, May the 28th at the funeral home.
