Biographical And Historical Memoirs of Pulaski, Jefferson, Lonoke, Faulkner, Grant, Saline, Perry, Garland And Hot Spring Counties, Arkansas
Benjamin Franklin Branson, Jr.
Benjamin Franklin Branson, Jr., age 94, a resident of Gillham, Arkansas died Thursday, January 31, 2019, in Ashdown, Arkansas.
He was born October 29, 1924, in Gillham. He was a WWII United States Army Veteran, a cattle rancher, and was a Christian.
Mr. Branson was preceded in death by his parents, Benjamin Franklin and Nancy Ann Davis Branson; four siblings, Alma Branson, Iva Branson, Carl Branson, and Billy Branson; two nieces, Marilyn Joyce Ferguson, and Mona Lee Shelton; and three nephews, Branie Branson, Benny Jo Branson, and William Benjamin Branson.
He is survived by six nieces, Roseann Paslo, Nancy McCoy, Billie Ann Benton Boca, Alma Gene Huthmacher, Beth Walling Branson, and Billie Jeanette Lemke and four nephews, Carl Anthony Branson, Terrance Girard Branson, Mike Branson, and James Stephen Branson.
Funeral services for Mr. Branson will be held at 2:00 p.m., Saturday, February 2, 2019, in the Wilkerson Funeral Home Chapel in De Queen, Arkansas with Bobby Tatum officiating. Burial with military rites will follow in the Gillham Cemetery.
The family will receive friends from 1:00 p.m. until service time on Saturday.
Mr. Bobby Smith
Mr. Bobby Joe Smith, age 20, a resident of Lockesburg, Arkansas, died Sunday, January 27, 2019, from injuries received in an automobile accident south of Lockesburg.
He was born to Sandra Joann Bone on June 14, 1998, in Greenville, Illinois. He was a graduate of the Dierks High School and worked in Automotive Repair for Scott’s Auto Body in Nashville. He attended church at the New Hope Freewill Baptist Church and enjoyed working on cars, fishing and spending time with family and friends, but most of all he cherished the time spent with this son, Eli.
He was preceded in death by his maternal grandparents, Roy and Wanda Bone, and a cousin, Zachary Smith.
He leaves to cherish his memory, his son, Eli Bentley Smith of Lockesburg; his mother, Sandra Joann Denning of Horatio; the mother of his son, Morgahn Parson of Lockesburg; one brother and sister, Colton Thomas Bone-Denning and Harlee Lynn Denning, both of Horatio; aunts and uncles, Sara Edwards and her husband David of Oklahoma, Bill Bone, Sherrie Bone, Dale Dye and Tommy Smith, all of Illinois; as well as, two special friends that were as close as brothers, DJ Vaughn of New Hope and Trent Downing of De Queen; other cousins, relatives and a host of friends.
Memorial Services will be held at 2:00 P.M., Saturday, February 2, 2019, in the Chandler Funeral Home Chapel. Cremation arrangements are under the direction of Chandler Funeral Home, De Queen.
Julia Ann Whisenhunt Miller
Julia Ann Whisenhunt Miller, age 91, a resident of Texarkana, Texas died Sunday, January 27, 2019, in Texarkana.
She was born December 8, 1927, in Goree, Texas. She was a Baptist and was retired from Poulan.
Mrs. Miller was preceded in death by her parents, Charles Lee and Virgie Bell Lane Whisenhunt; her husband, William David Miller; and her children, David Miller, Shirley Scott, Charles “Billy” Miller, Lillie Jane LaFlore, Tommy Miller, and Johnny Miller.
She is survived by numerous grandchildren, great grandchildren, great-great grandchildren and a number of nieces and nephews.
Funeral services for Mrs. Miller will be held at 11:00 a.m., Wednesday, January 30, 2019, in the Wilkerson Funeral Home Chapel with Rev. Tim Johnson officiating. Burial will follow at Campground Cemetery in Winthrop, Arkansas.
The family will receive friends from 5:00-7:00 p.m., Tuesday the 29th at the funeral home.
Ella Josephine Bender Murray
Ella Josephine Bender Murray, age 88, a resident of De Queen, Arkansas died Saturday, January 26, 2019, at her home.
She was born May 13, 1930 in Broken Bow, Oklahoma to Paul and Mary Bender. She was a retired USDA inspector for Pilgrims.
Mrs. Murray was preceded in death by her parents, her first husband, J.T. Dunn; two sons, Thurman Ray Dunn and Charles Dunn; a daughter, Mary Christine Dunn; and a number of brothers and sisters.
She is survived by two sons, Thomas Dunn of De Queen and John Dunn of Gillham, Arkansas; three brothers, Charlie Bender, Jerry Bender and Paul Bender, all of Oklahoma; a sister, Pauline Dailey of Omaha, Texas; and a number of grandchildren, nieces and nephews.
Graveside funeral services for Mrs. Murray will be held at 2:00 p.m. Monday, January 28, 2019 in the Chapel Hill Cemetery with Andrew Arnold officiating, under the direction of Wilkerson Funeral Home.
Family will receive friends from 2:00-5:00 p.m., Sunday, January 27th at the funeral home.
Royal Ray Blanton
Royal Ray Blanton, age 81, a resident of De Queen, Arkansas died Wednesday, January 23, 2019, in De Queen.
He was born on August 6, 1937 in Wickes, Arkansas. He worked at Poag Saw Mill in Dierks, worked as a trash collector in Idabel, Oklahoma, played guitar in church and was of the Pentecostal faith.
Mr. Blanton was preceded in death by his parents, John and Ola Marie Kesterson Blanton and his baby sister, Geraldine Blanton.
He is survived by his son, Gary Blanton and daughter, Teresa Golden of Ohio; two grandchildren, Jennifer Golden and Nickelous Chase Blanton; a cousin, Mae Dean Ferguson who he thought of as a sister; and a number of other relatives and friends.
Memorial services for Mr. Blanton will be held at a later date. Cremation arrangements by Wilkerson Funeral Home in De Queen.
Steve Steven “Lightnin” Forrest
Mr. Steve Steven “Lightnin’” Forrest, age 73, a resident of Winthrop, Arkansas died on Sunday, January 20, 2019, in a Texarkana, Texas hospital.
He was one of eleven children born to Custer Lee and Bessie Marie Johnson Forrest on March 23, 1945 in De Queen, Arkansas and was a 1964 graduate of the Winthrop High School. He married the love of his life, Ivie Mae Howard, on December 28, 1965 in Winthrop. He was a handyman and worked in the timber industry. He was a member of the First Baptist Church in Winthrop and enjoyed fishing, hunting, and his sweet dog Wendy, but most of all, he cherished the time spent with his family and precious great-granddaughter, Ava.
He was preceded in death by his parents; his wife of over 48 years, Ivie Mae Forrest; one son, Ronnie Lee Forrest; one grandson, John Luke Shomo; six brothers, Richard, Bobby, Jimmy, Sammy, Donald and Roy Lynn Forrest; and four sisters, Nell Bean, Nancy Lambert, Susie Keeton and Linda Wilcox.
He is survived by one daughter, Mary Beth Forrest of Winthrop; two grandchildren, Matthew Forrest Lee and his wife Kayla, and Maycee Brooke Shomo, all of Winthrop; one great-granddaughter, Ava Lee of Winthrop; as well as, nieces, nephews, other relatives and a host of friends.
Funeral Services for Mr. Steve “Lightnin’” Forrest will be held at 2:00 P.M., Wednesday, January 23, 2019 in the First Baptist Church, Winthrop, with Bro. Audie Dawson and Steve Ward officiating. Burial will follow in the Campground Cemetery under the direction of Chandler Funeral Home, De Queen. The family will receive friends from 6:00 to 8:00 P.M., Tuesday, January 22nd, at the funeral home.
Mr. Roy Holder
Mr. Roy Lee Holder, age 75, a resident of De Queen, died Friday, January 18, 2019 at his home.
He was born to Robert E. Lee and Jewell Pauline Stone Holder in Gillham, Arkansas, on February 26, 1943. He served in the U. S. Army, and was retired from Dun Transportation & Stringing, Inc, Sherman, Texas, where he was a pipe line superintendent. He enjoyed deer hunting, fishing, and practical jokes, and cherished the time spent with family.
He was preceded in death by his parents, and his siblings, Mable Dunnigan, Mozelle Herman, Florence Hovland, Ruby, Alice, and Robert Holder.
He is survived by his wife of over 37 years, Doris Stultz Holder of De Queen, three sisters, Thelma McMinn of League City, Texas, Mamie Lynch of Pagosa Springs, Colorado, and Mae Frances Homan of Oklahoma City, Oklahoma.
Graveside funeral services for Mr. Roy Holder will be held at 2:00 P.M., Tuesday, January 22, 2019 in the Chapel Hill Cemetery with Wes Tudor officiating, under the direction of Chandler Funeral Home, De Queen, Arkansas
