Biographical And Historical Memoirs of Pulaski, Jefferson, Lonoke, Faulkner, Grant, Saline, Perry, Garland And Hot Spring Counties, Arkansas
Mr. Bobby "Bob" Howard Higgins
Mr. Bobby “Bob” Howard Higgins, age 73, a resident of Jefferson Texas, went to be with the Lord on Monday, October 10th, 2016. He was born to David “Cap” and Ila Higgins in Gillham, Arkansas on January 19, 1943. He worked in road construction and the manufacturing industry, until elected Pct. 1 Marion County Commissioner in 2000; retiring in 2012.
Bob was a man of God serving his Lord as deacon of North Shore Baptist Church, Sunday school teacher, mission work, and through his clown ministry. He loved sports, fishing, and hunting. Throughout his life he coached baseball and softball including his children and grandchildren’s teams. His grandchildren were his joy. Bob loved his community, and was a Mims Volunteer Fireman and First Responder, a board member of the Holiday Properties, and board member of Compassion of Marion County for many years.
He was preceded in death by his parents, wife of fifty-three years, Nadine “Deanie” Jones Higgins, two daughters, Belinda Kay Goins and Rita Higgins Benefield, brother, Russell Higgins, two sisters, Gladys Tabor and Jean Smith.
Bob is survived by his wife, Beverly Higgins, daughters, Lissa Higgins and Jay Horan Sr. of Marshall, Texas, De Anna and Kenneth House of Jefferson, Texas, grandchildren Beau Goins of Blossom, Texas, Steven and Brandi Lemoine of Irving, Texas, Hunter Higgins of Marshall, Texas, and Lane House of Jefferson, Texas and Lane’s finance April Fry of Winnsboro, Texas, brothers Calvin and Patsy Hearn, Jimmy and Linda Higgins, Freeman and Jean Higgins of De Queen, Arkansas, Billy and Sandy of Gillham, Arkansas, sister, Belva Nipper of Lockesburg, Arkansas, special sister-in-law Reba Higgins of Gillham, Arkansas. Extended grandchildren, Taylor and Ryan Coco, Stephanie and Michael Bloodworth all of Marshall, Texas, Lynsey and Lucas Hagan of Karnack, Texas, Jay Horan Jr. of Kilgore, Texas, and seven great grandchildren.
Funeral Services will be held at 10 am Saturday, October 15th, in the North Shore Baptist Church, 120 Woodland Shores Dr. (Hwy 729 West), Mims, Texas with Bro Dennis Whatley and Bro John Whorley officiating. Burial will follow at 3:00 pm in Mill Creek Cemetery, Gilliam, Arkansas with Bro Phil Whorley officiating under the direction of Chandler Funeral Home of De Queen Arkansas. The family will receive friends on Friday, October 14th, from 6pm to 8pm in the North Shore Baptist Church.
Pallbearers include: Beau Goins, Steven Lemoine, Hunter Higgins, Lane House, Darren Higgins, and Windell Higgins Honorary Pallbearers include: Kenneth House, Bobby Davis, and Jay Horan Sr.
Mrs. Phyllis Anne McLean Willis
Mrs. Phyllis Anne McLean Willis, age 68, a resident of Foreman, Arkansas, died Tuesday, October 11, 2016 in Foreman.
She was born July 4, 1948, in California. She was a homemaker.
Mrs. Willis was preceded in death by her mother, Charlotte McLean and one brother, Samuel McLean.
She is survived by three sons and two daughters-in-law, Andy Gauldin of Foreman, Calvin and Kathy Gauldin also of Foreman, and Todd and Carmon Gauldin of Queen City, Texas; 10 grandchildren and 7 great-grandchildren.
Graveside funeral services for Mrs. Willis will be held at 10:00 a.m., Friday, October 14, 2016, at Campground Cemetery with Trent Liggin and Tracy Williams officiating under the direction of Wilkerson Funeral Home.
The family will receive friends from 6:00-8:00 p.m., Thursday, October 13 at the Foreman First Baptist Church.
Mr. Anthony "Tony" DeWayne Jackson
Mr. Anthony “Tony” DeWayne Jackson, age 56, a resident of Mt. Ida, Arkansas, died Sunday, October 9, 2016, at his home.
He was born December 16, 1959, in De Queen, Arkansas. He was a coordinator for the Southwest District Drug Task Force, a former officer for the Dierks Police Department and former deputy for the Howard County Sheriffs Department.
Mr. Jackson was preceded in death by his parents, Wilbur Duane and Lucy Fern Alexander Jackson and one sister, Gloria Giles.
He is survived by his wife, Susan House Jackson; one son and daughter-in-law, Brandon and Heidee Jackson of Mt. Ida; one daughter, Sally Jo Elizabeth Jackson of Newport, Arkansas; one step-daughter, Crystal Leyva of Nashville; one step-son, Mathew Myrick of Nashville, Arkansas; one sister, Beverly Stevens of Mt. Pleasant, Texas; four grandchildren, Riley, Tristan and Brantley Smith and Josie Jackson and seven step-grandchildren, Taylor, Tyler and Nathan Jacoby, Elidia Leyva, Charles “Wilbur”, Jaecee and Maecee Myrick.
Graveside funeral services for Mr. Jackson will be held at 11:00 a.m., Wednesday, October 12, 2016, in Joplin Cemetery in Joplin, Arkansas with Roy Brooks officiating, under the direction of Wilkerson Funeral Home in De Queen, Arkansas.
Mr. James Donald "Jimmy" Wray
Mr. James Donald “Jimmy” Wray of De Queen, Arkansas passed from this life on Saturday, October 8, 2016 at the age of 88.
He was born to William Tom and Bertie Kinard Wray on August 6, 1928.
His family, and all who knew him, appreciated his devotion, commitment, and sacrifice to family. He found a lot of fulfillment in life through honest hard work and gardening.
He was preceded in death by his brothers, Edwin Eugene, Charles Richard, Sr., Billy Thomas and Joe Owen; his daughters, Harriett Sue Rogers and Jennifer Jean Wray Wright.
Survivors include his wife of 59 years, Helen Gary Wray, one daughter, Linda Rogers Miller; three sons and daughters-in-law, Raymond and Mary Sue Rogers, James and Lisa Wray, and Charlie and Tracey Wray; one brother, Floyd Crockett Wray; and a great number of grandchildren, nieces and nephews.
He will be missed by family and all he touched but all will be forever grateful for the life lessons he taught by example.
Graveside funeral services for Mr. Wray will be held at 2:00 p.m. Monday, October 10, 2016 in the Mt. Ida Cemetery Pavilion with Scott O’Rear officiating, under the direction of Wilkerson Funeral Home.
The family will receive friends from 2 p.m. - 4 p.m. Sunday, October 9th at the funeral home.
Mrs. Erma Pressley Flournoy
Mrs. Erma Melinda Crawford Pressley Flournoy, age 93, a resident of Fort Worth, and formerly of De Queen, passed Friday, October 7, 2016 at her home.
Erma Pressley Flournoy, was born March 2, 1923 to John and Tennie Bates Crawford, in Opal, Arkansas. She was a retired USDA Inspector in the Poultry field, as well as a homemaker. She was a member of the Kern Heights Baptist Church, and enjoyed her flowers and quilts. She loved animals, especially her cat, Sassy, and dog, Trixie.
She was preceded in death by her parents, husband Alfred Pressley, husband Jud Flournoy, brother, Carl Crawford, sister, Lola Miller, and son Eric Pressley.
Survivors include her sister Beulah Linn, son Rod Pressley (Rhonda), daughter Gloria Pressley, step daughters Judy Smith (Wayne) and Debbie Davis (Floyd), daughter-in-law Carol Pressley, grandchildren Aaron Pressley, Pam Pressley-Cisneros (Xavier), Nick Pressley (Erin), Zach Pressley, great grandchildren Lacey Waits, Emma, Claire and Tanner Pressley, several nieces and nephews and many others who loved her.
Graveside services will be held at 2:00 P.M., Tuesday, Oct 11th in the Chapel Hill Cemetery, De Queen, with Bro. Sam Hendricks officiating, under the direction of Chandler Funeral Home. Donations may be made to Alzheimer’s Association.
Mr. Otis Tollett
Mr. Otis Tollett, age 87, a resident of Lockesburg, Arkansas, died Thursday, October 6, 2016, in Jacksonville, Arkansas.
He was born May 24, 1929, in the New Bethel Community near Lockesburg, Arkansas. He was retired from Weyerhaeuser and served from 1946- 1953 in the United States Air Force.
Mr. Tollett was preceded in death by his wife, Bertha Tollett and his parents, Luke and Lillie Tollett.
He is survived by one son and daughter-in-law, Keith and Candy Tollett of Philadelphia, Mississippi; two daughters and sons-in law, Odette and Bob Driver of Fulton, Arkansas and Sheri and Eddie Forman of Gloster, Mississippi; one sister, Marie Hughes; seven grandchildren and eleven great-grandchildren.
Funeral services for Mr. Otis Tollett will be held at 10:00 a.m., Monday, October 10, 2016, in the Wilkerson Funeral Home Chapel with J.C. Long officiating. Burial will follow in New Bethel Cemetery, near the Dierks Junction.
The family will receive friends from 4:00-6:00 p.m., Sunday, October 9th at the funeral home.
Charles Kevin Wax
Mr. Charles Kevin Wax, age 52, a resident of De Queen, Arkansas, died Thursday, October 6, 2016, in Dierks, Arkansas.
He was born on September 29, 1964, in Brinkley, Arkansas. He had a Master’s degree in Psychology and a member of the First Baptist Church in De Queen.
Mr. Wax was preceded in death by his grandparents, Clifford and Clarene Simmons and Delbert Wax; one niece, Jessica Wax; and his aunt, Linda Wax.
He is survived by his father, Terry Wax of Gillham; his mother, Marie Wax of De Queen; his twin brother and sister-in-law, Gary and Sharon Wax; his grandmother, Irene Wax; one nephew, Garrett Wax; his second “Mom” and aunt Susan Byrd; and a host of aunts, uncles, and cousins.
Funeral services for Mr. Kevin Wax will be held at 2:00 p.m., Saturday, October 8, 2016, in the Wilkerson Funeral Home Chapel with Jerry Hill officiating. Burial will follow in the Gillham Cemetery.
The family will receive friends from 6:00-8:00 p.m., Friday, October 7th at the funeral home.
