Biographical And Historical Memoirs of Pulaski, Jefferson, Lonoke, Faulkner, Grant, Saline, Perry, Garland And Hot Spring Counties, Arkansas
Mr. Virgil Randy Heath
Mr. Virgil Randy Heath, age 59, a resident of Cove, Arkansas, died January 30th at his home.
He was born to Colis France and Betty Viola Babcock Heath in Albany, Oregon, on December 21, 1957. He was an employee of Polk County, where he worked on the road department.
He enjoyed hunting, fishing, and cherished the time spent with family.
He was preceded in death by his nieces and nephews.
He is survived by two sons and daughters-in-law, Jimmy Douglas and Lorene Heath of Pangburn, Arkansas, and Paul David and Vanessa Heath of Mena, Arkansas, four grandchildren, Brenden, Cooper, Jayden, and Joycelynn, three brothers, Bob Dobkins of Nevada, and Colis Heath of Ono, California, Rollie Nunn of Cove, Ark., two sisters, Gloria Jean Frances and Kathleen Rawsthrone, both of Oregon City, Oregon, and a number of nieces and nephews.
A private memorial service will be held at a later date.
Mr. Romie C. Ray
Mr. Romie C. Ray, age 77, a resident of De Queen, Arkansas died Tuesday, January 31, 2017, at his home.
He was born on September 15, 1939 in Mena, Arkansas. He was retired from SWEPCO after 36 years, was a member of the De Queen Hunting Club, and a U.S. Navy veteran.
Romie was preceded in death by his parents, J.C. and Isabell Holman Ray, one brother, Kenneth Bruce Ray; and two sisters, Lennis Sue Westmoreland and Deloris Parliment.
He is survived by his wife of almost 58 years, Charlotte Overton Ray of De Queen; two daughters and sons-in-law, Kisha and Kevin Devasier of Dierks, Arkansas, and Kim and Joe Conley of Frisco, Texas; one sister and brother-in-law, Sharon and Donnie Jewell of Hatfield, Arkansas; four grandchildren, Kishanda and Marcus Beasley, Sean Smith, Kortny Fitzsimmons, and Parker Conley; two great grandchildren, Kelsea Beasley and Kassidy Beasley, and a number of nieces and nephews.
Graveside funeral services for Mr. Ray will be held at 11:00 a.m., Thursday, February 2, 2017 in the Pinecrest Cemetery in Mena with Donnie Jewell and Randy Davis officiating, under the direction of Wilkerson Funeral Home in De Queen.
Family will receive friends from 6:00-8:00 p.m., Wednesday, February 1, 2017 at the funeral home.
Memorials may be made to St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital.
Mr. James Otis McElroy, Sr.
Mr. James Otis McElroy, Sr., age 60, a resident of Lockesburg, Arkansas, died Wednesday, January 25th in Texarkana, Texas.
He was born to Otis James and Mae Frances Hill McElroy in Chandler, Arizona, on January 23, 1957. He served in the U S Army military, and was a journeyman electrician. He was a Methodist, and enjoyed blues music, drawing, and painting, but most of all, he cherished the time spent with family.
He was preceded in death by his father.
He is survived by his wife of almost 39 years, Marilyn Kaye Shelley McElroy, a son, James O. McElroy, Jr. of Nashville, two daughters and a sons-in-law, Telisa and Kalonji Benson of Truman, Arkansas, Shelley and Grifford Chendor of Fayetteville, Arkansas, ten grandchildren, Kishauna, Gyasi, Kalonji, Jr., Kianna, N’Jeri, Mia, Justice, Tatianna, Arhianna, and Zyion, his mother, Mae Frances McElory of Ashdown, Arkansas, two brothers and a sister-in-law, Charles and Tisha McElroy of San Diego, California, and Anthony McElroy of Lockesburg, two sisters, Marie McElroy Oklahoma City, Oklahoma, and Debra and Ramon Butler of Springfield, Virginia, and a number of nieces and nephews.
Funeral Services for Mr. James McElroy, Sr. will be held at 10:00 A.M., Saturday, February 4th to be announced. Burial with military rites will follow in the Oak Grove Cemetery, under the direction of Chandler Funeral Home, De Queen, Arkansas. Visitation will be from 5:00 – 7:00 P.M., on Friday, February 3rd at the funeral home.
Mr. David Richard McWhorter
Mr. David Richard McWhorter, age 57, a resident of Lockesburg, Arkansas, passed from this life Wednesday, January 25, 2017 in a Texarkana hospital.
He was born to Allen “Windy” and Lilly Lea Liggin McWhorter, on December 29, 1959 in De Queen, Arkansas. David was raised in Lockesburg and resided there until marrying his wife, Penney of 32 years in 1984. David spent his career as a logger who among others were the first to log much of Southwest Arkansas and the Pond Creek Bottoms. His favorite pastimes were spending time with his loving family, hunting deer, and fishing the Saline, Cossatot, and Little Rivers. He was a member of the Falls Chapel Cumberland Presbyterian Church and was the founding member of the Hillbilly Hunting Club at Lockesburg.
He was preceded in death by his parents, one brother, Lewis McWhorter, two sisters, Phyllis Green, and Tava Gordon.
He is survived by his wife, Penney Rene Midgett McWhorter of Lockesburg, two sons and a daughter-in-law, Shawn and Libby McWhorter of De Queen, Jacob McWhorter of Lockesburg, a daughter and son-in-law, Jessica and Dusty Roan of Ashdown, Arkansas, five brothers and sister-in-law, George and Sarah McWhorter of Kirby, Dale Green, Sr., Phillip “Jr” Gordon, Reece Midgett and Kelli Stivers, and Keith and Karen Midgett all of Lockesburg, a sister and brother-in-law, Genetta and Willie Adams of De Queen, seven grandchildren, Kalyn, Kashlynn, Kalib, Kaden, and Kailey McWhorter of De Queen, Karsyn and Cutter Roan of Ashdown, a friend like a son, Trey Mitchell of Falls Chapel, Arkansas, his mother-in-law, Virginia Keith of Lockesburg, and a number of nieces and nephews.
Funeral Services for Mr. David McWhorter will be held at 2:00 P.M., Saturday, January 28th in the Old Union Missionary Baptist Church with Bro. Clayton Crow officiating. Burial will follow in the Old Union Cemetery, Lockesburg, under the direction of Chandler Funeral Home. Visitation will be on Friday, January 27th from 6:00 to 8:00 P.M.at Chandler Funeral Home, De Queen. You may send an online message at www.chandlerfuneral.com.
Mrs. Lola Lee Dirickson Bertling
Mrs. Lola Lee Dirickson Bertling, age 51, a resident of Horatio, Arkansas died Wednesday, January 25, 2017 at her home.
She was born June 17, 1965 to Albert and Lucille Phelps Dirickson in De Queen, Arkansas, and was a LPN and EMT, as well as a homemaker. She was a member of the Old Center Church, and enjoyed taking care of people, listening to music, reading, community events, and her grandchildren.
She was preceded in death by her father, and a brother, Alton Dirickson, and her husband, Duane Bertling.
She is survived by two daughters and sons-in-law, Tiffany and James French of Fort Sill, Oklahoma, and Krystal & Matthew Robinson of Horatio, two step-sons, Vicent Bertling of Arizona, Karl Ray and his wife, Paige Rose of Arizona, a step-daughter, Darlene Michelle Bertling of Los Vegas, Nevada, six grandchildren, Adreonia, Macie, and Grayson Robinson, Carrson, Makenna, and Makayla French, her mother, Lucille Dirickson of Horatio, three brothers, Anthony Dirickson of Beckley, West Virginia, Albert Allen Dirickson of Grady, Arkansas, and Casey Dirickson of Horatio, as well as other family members and host of friends.
Funeral Services for Mrs. Lola Lee Bertling will be held at 2:00 P.M., Sunday, January 29th in the Old Center Church, Horatio, Ark. with Bro. Sam Hendricks officiating. Burial will follow in the Old Center Cemetery, Horatio, Arkansas, under the direction of Chandler Funeral Home, De Queen, Arkansas. Visitation will be on Saturday, January 28, 2017 from 5:00 to 7:00 P.M.
Edna Mae Van Voast
Edna Mae Cowell Van Voast, age 100, of De Queen, Arkansas, died Monday, January 23, in a De Queen Nursing Home.
Mrs. Van Voast was born June 15, 1916 in Freeport, Kansas to Bert Francis and Lola Hope George Cowell. She was a homemaker and was a member of the Memorial Missionary Baptist Church in De Queen. She had received a plaque for being one of the eldest Ladies in Sevier County for the past 3 years. She was preceded in death by her parents, her husband, Glen B. Van Voast and a son, Bruce Dean Van Voast.
She is survived by 2 daughters and a son-in-law: Donnie Dee Van Voast of De Queen, Arkansas and Glenda Kay and Jim Mills of De Queen, Arkansas; three Grandchildren and their spouses: Linda and Steve Snider of Dequeen, Arkansas, Timmy Glen and Amy Mills of De Queen, Arkansas and Jimmy Lynn and Kelly Mills of Lockesburg, Arkansas; five Great Grandsons: Kaleb Mills, Trevor Mills, Brodey Mills, Jed Mills and Tristan Snider; one Great-Great Granddaughter: Haylinn Grace Mills; and a host of friends.
Funeral services for Mrs. Edna Van Voast will be held at 2:00 PM Friday, January 27, 2017 Chandler Funeral Home Chapel with Bro. Jason Carlton, Bro. Joe Prayer, and Bro. Josh Herweck officiating. Burial will follow in Chapel Hill Cemetery under the direction of the Chandler Funeral Home of De Queen.
The family will receive friends Thursday, January 26, 2017 from 6:00 to 8:00 PM at the funeral home.
Those wishing to memorialize Mrs. Edna Van Voast may make donations to the Gideon International, P.O. Box 713, De Queen, Arkansas 71832.
Maurena Gail Pannell
Maurena Gail Pannell, age 63, of De Queen, Arkansas, died Monday, January 23, 2017, in
Paris, Texas Hospital.
Gail was born February 11, 1953 in De Queen, Arkansas. She was a former employee of Pilgrim’s Pride.
She is survived by her husband: Sandy Pannell of De Queen, Arkansas; a brother and two sisters: Carl, Juanee and Edwina; and several other relatives and friends.
Graveside services for Mrs. Gail Pannell will be held at 2pm Thursday, January 26, 2017 in Redmen Cemetery under the direction of the Chandler Funeral Home of De Queen.
