Biographical And Historical Memoirs of Pulaski, Jefferson, Lonoke, Faulkner, Grant, Saline, Perry, Garland And Hot Spring Counties, Arkansas
Major Billy Gene Hensley
Major Billy Gene Hensley, age 89, a resident of De Queen, Arkansas, died Wednesday, August 31, 2016, in the Talihina Veteran's Center, Talihina, Oklahoma.
He was born to Wiley Jack and Nora Mae Henderson Hensley in Cove, Arkansas, on July 17, 1927. Maj. Hensley served his nation over 20 years in both the Navy and the Army. He was a very highly decorated veteran of World War II, serving in the Asiatic Pacific Campaign, and also highly decorated in the Korean Conflict and the Vietnam War. After retiring from the military, Maj. Hensley was an educator and counselor in the Dallas school system. He enjoyed dogs, music and walking.
He was preceded in death by his parents, five brothers, Dale, Curl, Glenn, Roland, and Dean Hensley, a sister, Sis Hensley, and a great-grandchild, Breccan Sons.
He is survived by two sons and daughters-in-law, Craig and Tina Hensley of De Queen, Steve and Holly Hensley of Horatio, a daughter and son-in-law, Susan and Kirby Wallace of Wallace, Arkansas, seven grandchildren, Jamie Hensley, Robbie Sons, Heather Williams, Nikki Evans, Cheyanne and Adam Wallace, and Lacosta Martinez, four great-grandchildren, Seth Hensley, Ryan Hensley, Zayden Williams and Blakely Sons, and a number of nieces and nephews.
A private memorial services will be at a later date. Cremation under the direction of Chandler Funeral Home.
Mr. Wendell Doyce Sharp
Mr. Wendell Doyce Sharp, age 69, a resident of Newhope, Arkansas, died Monday, August 29, 2016, in Texarkana, Texas.
He was born December 21, 1946 in Howard County, Arkansas. He was retired from Wal-Mart and was a member of the Langley First United Methodist Church.
Mr. Sharp was preceded in death by his father, Obie Doyce Sharp.
He is survived by his mother, Alice Sharp of Newhope; two daughters and a son-in-law, Tricia Threet of Mena, Arkansas and Wendy and Michael Forrest of Pea Ridge, Arkansas; one brother and sister-in-law, Dwight and Phyllis Sharp of Newhope; three grandchildren, James Threet, Faith Forrest and Jarred Forrest; and a number of nieces and nephews.
Funeral services for Mr. Sharp will be held at 11:00 a.m., Saturday, September 3, 2016 in the Bissell Chapel Church with Bro. Michael Forrest officiating. Burial will follow in the Bissell Chapel Cemetery, under the direction of Wilkerson Funeral Home.
Mr. Melton B. "Pete" Hicks
Melton B. “Pete” Hicks, age 84, a resident of De Queen, Arkansas, passed away Monday, August 29, 2016, at Baptist Hospital in Little Rock, Arkansas. Pete was born March 21, 1932 in Big Fork, AR to Jeff and Laura Hicks. Pete is survived by wife, Martha, sons Ron (Ginger) of Heber Springs, AR and Don of Rufe, Oklahoma and daughter Debbie (Mike) Wolfe of Woodworth, LA. He is survived by his brother JD Hicks, as well as, five grandchildren and nine great grandchildren. He was a veteran of the US Air Force.
Mr. Hicks was preceded in death by a sister Hazel Newsom, and two brothers, Ray Hicks and Ralph Hicks.
The family will receive friends at Chandler Funeral Home in De Queen on Friday, September 2nd from 5:00 to 7:00 P.M. Funeral Services for Mr. Hicks will be held Saturday, September 3rd at 10:00 am at the Chandler Funeral Home Chapel with burial at Ink Cemetery in Mena, AR. The family asks that donations to be made to the Unity Health Foundation, in Memory of Pete Hicks, 1200 South Main Street, Searcy, Arkansas 72143.
Oliver Kerwin Gray
Oliver Kerwin Gray, age 81 of De Queen, passed away Sunday, August 28, 2016 at the Little River Nursing and Rehab in Ashdown.
He was born June 26, 1935 in the Stringtown Community of Sevier County to the late Guy Oliver and Golda Stephens Gray.
He was united in marriage to Willene Cox Gray August 21, 1954. Mr. Gray was a member of First Baptist Church in De Queen.
Kerwin worked for KCS Railroad for 10 years. During the latter part of this time, he took correspondence via LSU-Shreveport to get his degree in accounting. He was an accountant for Mid-Continent Steel in Shreveport until 1973, when he established his Certified Public Accountant firm in De Queen, and retired in 2003. During that time, he was involved with the Arkansas Chapter of CPA's as Chairman of Management of the Accounting Practice Committee, Chairman of the Governmental Accounting Auditing Committee, and was the Arkansas State Board of Accounting charter member of the Quality Review Committee.
Mr. Gray was also involved in numerous civic activities, including the DeQueen Chamber of Commerce and the De Queen Rotary Club as President and Board of Directors, the Pine Tree Housing Committee and the Little River Housing Committee as Treasurer and Board of Directors. He served on the Southwest Arkansas Counseling and Mental Health Center Committee as Vice-President, Program Committee Chairman, Finance Committee Chairman, and Board of Directors. He was President of the Sevier County Developmental Center, Inc. and Board of Directors for 29 years. Kerwin was president of the De Queen Booster Club in 1987, served on the Vocational Advisory Council for De Queen Public Schools, and was President and coach of numerous summer youth baseball leagues in the 1980's.
Survivors include: Wife: Willene Gray of De Queen, Son: Steve Gray and wife Tammy of Harrison, Ark., Two daughters: Sherry Chaney and husband Duane of De Queen.
Sandy Salsbury of De Queen Ar. Brother: Bill Gray and wife Judy of Perrysburg, Oh., Two sisters: MJ Cearley of Nashville, Ark., Sue Stinnett and husband James of Malvern, Ark.
Six grandchildren: Rachel, Mackenzie, Nick, Jess, Kristen and Jessica, and two great-grandchildren.
Funeral services will be Tuesday, August 30, 10AM at Chandler Funeral Home, with Bro. Virgil Romine officiating. Burial will follow in Millwee Cemetery, under the direction of Chandler Funeral Home of De Queen. Visitation will be on Monday, Aug. 29th from 5:00 – 7:00 P.M in the funeral home. Memorials may be made to Shriner’s Hospital.
Leon William Stinnett, Jr.
Leon William Stinnett, Jr. age 38, a resident of De Queen, died Monday, August 22, 2016 at his home.
He was born December 30, 1977 in De Queen. He was a former employee of Pilgrim's Pride and Gentry Chevrolet. He was a Baptist.
Leon was preceded in death by his father, Leon "Bo" William Stinnett, Sr. and one sister, Laurie Stinnett.
He is survived by his mother, Brenda Warford; two brothers, Glenn Ray Stinnett and Noel Gene Stinnett; two sisters, Mary Sue Smith and Teressa Louise Stinnett all of De Queen and seven nieces and nephews, Devon Illeen Stinnett, Ethan Ray Stinnett, Dakota Gene Stinnett, Michael Olsen, Darrah Smith, Quinton Stinnett and Cameron Stinnett.
Memorial services are pending.
Cremation arrangements by Wilkerson Funeral Home of De Queen.
John Travis Little
Mr. John "Travis" Little, age 87 of Coke, TX, passed away on Thursday, August 11th, 2016 in Wills Point. He was born August 16th, 1928 in Cromwell, Oklahoma to the late Luiey Little and Johanna Bolen Little of De Queen.
He was retired from a career in the East Texas Oilfield and a Baptist. He was preceded in death by his parents.
He is survived by his loving wife of 69 years, Aleta Autrey Little of Coke; sons T.W. Little and wife Deb of Alba, Mike Little and wife Patti of Coke, Greg Little and wife Kathy of Winnsboro; daughter, Sherry Little Brockway and husband Dan of Mabank; and brother, Bobby Little of De Queen; nine grandchildren, and numerous nieces and nephews.
A memorial visitation will be held on Saturday, August 27th, 2016 from 1:00 pm to 3:00 pm at Sharon Baptist Church in Winnsboro. Donations can be made to Sharon Baptist Church or the Alzheimer's Association.
Ms. Melissa Ann Vinson Eichelberger
Ms. Melissa Ann Vinson Eichelberger, age 44, a resident of De Queen, Arkansas, died Friday, August 19, 2016, at UAMS Medical Center.
She was born to Charley Vinson and Rebecca Hill on April 28, 1972. She enjoyed music and spending time with her family.
Ms. Eichelberger was preceded in death by her grandparents, Royce and Arilla Vinson and Cleve Dickerson.
She is survived by her parents; a grandmother, Bertie Dickerson of Eagletown, Oklahoma; three sons, Andrew Michael Vinson of De Queen, Tyler Ray Charrles Vinson also of De Queen, and Jordan Lee Eichelberger of Sara, Oklahoma; one brother Charles Wayne Vinson of Paris, Arkansas; two sisters and one brother-in-law, Karen and Phillip Downs of De Queen and Amanda Vinson of Vallejo, California; one grandchild, Tonya Leea Vinson; one niece, Sherri Taylor of Mineral Springs, Arkansas; one nephew, Devin Downs of De Queen and many aunts, uncles, and cousins.
Funeral services for Ms. Eichelberger will be held at 3:00 p.m., Wednesday, August 24, 2016, at the Wilkerson Funeral Home Chapel. Burial will follow at the Mt. Ida Cemetery.
The family will receive friends from 6:00-8:00 p.m., Tuesday, August 23rd at the funeral home.
