Biographical And Historical Memoirs of Pulaski, Jefferson, Lonoke, Faulkner, Grant, Saline, Perry, Garland And Hot Spring Counties, Arkansas
Mrs. Gwendolyn Bray
Mrs. Gwendolyn Elise Jenkins Bray, age 61, a resident of Fouke, Arkansas passed from this life on Tuesday, March 12, 2019 in Texarkana, Texas.
She was the second of five children born to Jerry Bilbo and Marian Mildred Smith Jenkins on August 8, 1957 in Indianola, Mississippi. She worked in Food Service for the Fouke School District for 10 years and was a member of the Fouke First Assembly of God. She had been a member of the church for over 33 years and considered herself a founding member. She was involved with anything the church had going and enjoyed reading. Most of all, she cherished the time spent with her children and grandchildren.
She was preceded in death by her parents and a brother, David Jenkins.
She leaves to cherish her memory, her husband of 18 years, Charles Dillard Bray, III, of Fouke; one daughter, Elisha Yates and husband Joel of Fouke; two sons, Joshua Minchew and husband Pablo of Charleston, South Carolina and Jerry Minchew and wife Krystal of De Queen; step-sons, Charles Stanley Bray and wife Bettina of Nash, Texas and Brandon Lewis Bray and his wife Tina of Hope, Arkansas; 15 grandchildren; her siblings, Rudy Jenkins and wife Paulette of Genoa, Jerrie (Peanut) Brisendine and husband Ronnie of Plaquemine, Louisiana, Susie Donaldson and husband Floyd of Merrero, Louisiana and Deborah Crossland and husband Terry of Fouke; her sister of heart, Karen Chambless-Lynch and husband Jesse of New Boston; one sister-in-law, Margaret Jenkins of Texarkana, Arkansas; as well as, nieces, nephews, other relatives and a host of friends.
Memorial Services will be held at 10:00 A.M., Saturday, March 16, 2019 in the Fouke First Assembly of God with Pastors Jerry Minchew, Keith Barr and Ray Reynolds officiating. Cremation arrangements are under the direction of Chandler Funeral Home, De Queen.
In lieu of flowers, the family ask that memorials be made to the De Queen First Assembly of God, P.O. 146, De Queen, Arkansas 71832, for the purchase of Fire Bibles.
Mrs. Thelma Richmond
Mrs. Thelma Ruth Richmond, age 95, a resident of De Queen, passed from this life on Sunday, March 10, 2019 in De Queen.
She was born to Ace Clinton and Alice Ray Smalley on February 22, 1924 in Tioga, Texas. She was a 1942 graduate of the De Queen High School and worked as a Beautician. She married the love of her life, James Robert Richmond, Jr., in 1945. She owned the De Queen Beauty Salon where she served her clients for over 59 years. Thelma loved the Lord, was a member of the First Baptist Church in De Queen and enjoyed animals, especially her cats.
She was preceded in death by her parents; her husband, in November of 1974, James Richmond, Jr., with whom she shared over 32 loving years; two brothers, Ace Oliver Smalley and A.C. Smalley, Jr.; and one sister, Francis Louise Goode.
She is survived by one sister, Wilma Ray Doucette of Roseville, California; four nephews, Jimmy Goode of Cabot, Joe Goode of Dalzell, South Carolina, Galen Smalley of Manteca, California and Dennis Doucette of Carmichael, California; seven nieces, Linda Nelson and Janet Azevedo, both of Stockton, California, Neva Ramos of Manteca, California, Terea Doucette of Citrus Heights, California, Kimberly Doucette of Roseville, California, Nicolle Henderson of Rocklin, California and Sherry Ruth Goode of Texarkana, Texas; special friends, the Gentry family: Dink, Delois, Bud and Jimmy Ray, all of De Queen; as well as, other relatives and friends.
Graveside Services will be held at 4:00 P.M., Thursday, March 14, 2019 in the Redmen Cemetery with Bro. Charles Krudwig officiating. Funeral arrangements are under the direction of Chandler Funeral Home, De Queen. Visitation will be general, at the funeral home.
Lester Eugene Foreman
Lester Eugene Foreman, age 73, a resident of Foreman, Arkansas passed away on Friday, March 8, 2019 in Ashdown, Arkansas.
He was born May 19, 1945 in Texarkana, Arkansas. He was a retired claims representative for Social Security, worked for Cadence Environmental in Foreman, and served in the U.S. Navy during Vietnam.
Mr. Foreman was preceded in death by his parents, Lester Noel and Jewell Horn Foreman; a brother, Walter Foreman; and a sister, Bessie Horn.
He is survived by two daughters, Beverly Foreman and David Litchford, and Carrie Foreman, all of Horatio, Arkansas; one son, Kevin Foreman of Arkinda, Arkansas; one sister, Faye Simer of Arkinda; 10 grandchildren, six great grandchildren; and a number of beloved nieces and nephews.
Graveside funeral services for Mr. Foreman will be held at 2:00 p.m. Monday, March 11, 2019 in the Blackland Cemetery in Foreman with Bro. Audie Dawson officiating, under the direction of Wilkerson Funeral Home in De Queen.
Family will receive friends from 4-6 p.m. Sunday, March 10th at the funeral home.
Phyllis Jeanette Phillips Kesterson
Phyllis Jeanette Phillips Kesterson, age 76, a resident of Lockesburg, Arkansas died Friday, March 8, 2019, at her home.
She was born June 7, 1942, in De Queen, Arkansas. She was a cook for De Queen public schools for 40 years and was a member of the Church of Christ.
Mrs. Kesterson was preceded in death by her parents, Laymond and Mary Barnes Phillips; a daughter, Sandy Kesterson; two grandchildren; and four great grandchildren.
She is survived by her husband, Redd Kesterson of Lockesburg; two daughters and sons-in-law, Pam and Rod Harder and Pat and Chuck Leathers all of Lockesburg; one son and daughter-in-law, Tony and Kristy Kesterson of Gillham, Arkansas; one brother, Gale Phillips of De Queen, Arkansas; one sister, Joyce Casey of Kentucky; and a number of grandchildren, great grandchildren, and nieces and nephews.
A graveside memorial service for Mrs. Kesterson will be held at 2:00 p.m., Monday, March 11, 2019, at New Bethel Cemetery with Donnie Davis officiating, under the direction of Wilkerson Funeral Home in De Queen.
Margaret Elaine McPhillips Tollett
Margaret Elaine McPhillips Tollett, age 70, a resident of Horatio, Arkansas gained her angel wings Wednesday, March 6, 2019, in Texarkana, Texas.
She was born December 15, 1948, in Port Arthur, Texas. Margaret loved the Lord and was a member of Grace Baptist Church in De Queen. She was a homemaker, enjoyed making flower arrangements, estate sales, fishing, and being with her family.
Mrs. Tollett was preceded in death by her parents, Hugh and Orville Pickens McPhillips of Port Arthur and her husband, Joe Franklin Tollett.
She is survived by two sons and a daughter-in-law, Jess and Ashley Tollett of De Queen, Arkansas and Adam Tollett of Horatio, Arkansas; four grandchildren, Ashley Nicole Tollett of Camden, Arkansas, Erika Tollett, Kaytlynn and her husband Valente Olalde, and Zoey Tollett all of De Queen; one great grandson, Tobias Olalde; two brothers and sisters-in-law, Jess and Dolly McPhillips and Larry and Ileana McPhillips all of Port Arthur; and numerous nieces, nephews, and special friends.
A memorial service for Mrs. Tollett will be held at 2:00 p.m., Sunday, March 17, 2019, at the Grace Baptist Church with Tim Johnson officiating. Cremation arrangements by Wilkerson Funeral Home in De Queen.
In lieu of flowers, all love gifts received will be given to B.E.A.M.S. to purchase Bibles for missionaries. Please send to Grace Baptist Church 487 Hwy. 71 N. De Queen, Arkansas 71832 and the love gift amount will be forwarded.
Justin Watkins
Justin from Wickes, Arkansas born on November 8, 1980 in DeQueen, Arkansas left this life at 38 years old on Ash Wednesday, March 6, 2019. Justin was surrounded by love ones and Christian music for his transition to one of Gods mountains in Heaven.
Justin bravely battled with severe traumatic brain injury (TBI) he sustained seven years ago when he was struck by a vehicle operated by an intoxicated driver while in a crosswalk.
Left to treasure his memory are Mother: Cathy (Don) Talley of Wickes, Arkansas; Father: W.C. (Gail) Watkins, Jr. of Wickes, Arkansas. Brothers: Joe (Lista) Watkins of Tahlequah, Oklahoma and Gerald (Heather) Watkins of Wickes, Arkansas. Step sisters: Kari ( Pete) Winters of Farmington, Arkansas. Kristin (Sohn) Morris of Pea Ridge, Arkansas; Grandparents: Joseph and Joan Compagna of Wickes, Arkansas; Uncles: David (Cheryl) Compagna of North Little Rock, Arkansas, Ken (Dee) Compagna of Wickes, Arkansas, Aunts: Carol Petross, Elizabeth (Don) Richardson and Charlotte Hartley all of Wickes, Arkansas
He cherished his nieces, nephews, cousins, and friends. He never failed to pick on them.
He was preceded in death by Grandparents Paul Joseph, Lerntine Compagne, W.C. Watkins, Sr. Christine Watkins, James Smalley, Mary Millaway, David and Mary Talley, and an Aunt June Weishmer.
Justin was sent for cremation under the direction of the Beasley Wood Funeral Home of Mena.
A Private Memorial service will be at a later date.
Nina J. Alexander Bailey
Nina J. Alexander Bailey, age 45, a resident of De Queen, Arkansas died Wednesday, March 6, 2019, at her home.
She was born February 5, 1974, in Antlers, Oklahoma. She was a homemaker.
Mrs. Bailey was preceded in death by her parents, Roger Alexander and Mildred Jean Bayles Bailey; one brother, Frankie Lee Allen; and her father-in-law, Junior Bailey.
She is survived by her husband, Billy Bailey; two sons and daughters-in-law, Dustin and Leah Bailey and Cody and Rebecca Bailey of De Queen; her step father, Bud Bailey also of De Queen; three sisters, Elive Scott of Durant, Oklahoma, Bessie and husband Johnny Bailey of Horatio, Arkansas, and Nora Hill of Oregon; two brothers, Charles Bailey and Eddie and his wife Maria Bailey all of Oregon; her adopted daughter, Savannah Bailey; her mother-in-law, Frances Bailey; four grandchildren, Dayten Wayne Bailey, Jeramiah Bailey, Keith Bailey, Tommy Bailey, and grandchild on the way, Timothy Bailey; and a number of nieces and nephews.
No services are scheduled at this time. Cremation arrangements by Wilkerson Funeral Home in De Queen.
