Biographical And Historical Memoirs of Pulaski, Jefferson, Lonoke, Faulkner, Grant, Saline, Perry, Garland And Hot Spring Counties, Arkansas
Walter Odell Beckwith
Mr. Walter Odell Beckwith, age 72, a resident of De Queen, died Friday, March 6, 2015, at his home.
He was born to Walter and Pearl Wagner Beckwith, in Hatton, Arkansas, on December 29, 1942 and he was retired from the oil fields.
He was preceded in death by his parents, a son, Brian Odell Beckwith, a daughter, Connie Ovell Beckwith, and a brother, Homer Louis Beckwith.
He is survived by four daughters, Sonya Davignon of De Queen and Rhonda Phillips of Grannis, Crystal Yates of Texas, and Angie Heather Beckwith of Texas, a special friend, Starla Sharp of Dierks, eight grandchildren, and six great-grandchildren.
A private memorial services will be at a later date. Cremation under the direction of Chandler Funeral Home, De Queen.
James William “Bill” Irvan, Jr.
Mr. James William “Bill” Irvan, Jr., age 50, a resident of Mountainburg, Arkansas, died Wednesday, March 4th at his home.
He was born to James William “Willie” Irvan, Sr., and Alma Jean Johnson Irvan in De Queen, Arkansas, on August 7, 1964. He was a truck driver, and a Baptist. He enjoyed hunting, fishing, Game chickens, and his dogs, Glitter Bug, and Zeus.
He was preceded in death by his father, and a sister, Patsy Irvan.
He is survived by his wife, Virginia Irvan of Mountainburg, Arkansas, his mother, Jean Irvan of Moutainburg, Arkansas, two sons, James Aaron Irvan, and Casey Lee Irvan both of Mountainburg, Arkansas, four daughters and sons-in-law, Ashley and Tommy Thompson of Alma, Arkansas, Maggie Jean and Chandler Morgan of Conway, Arkansas, Shelby Dawn Irvan of Mountainburg, Arkansas, and Tashia and Cole Baker of Conway, Arkansas, three step-sons and their wives, Joshua Dan and Samantha Cirkles of Oklahoma, Anthony Wayne and Shawna Cirkles, and Jeffrey Lynn Cirkles both of Texas, one brother and sister-in-law, Carroll and Laura Stewart of Abbyville, Georgia, two sisters and a brother-in-law Terry DeLaGarza of Alma, Arkansas, and Toni and Tracy Guymon of Waxahachie, Texas, 18 grandchildren, and a number of nieces and nephews.
Graveside Funeral Services for Mr. Bill Irvan will be held at 2:00 P.M. Monday, March 9th in the Horatio Cemetery with Bro. Heath Daniel officiating, under the direction of Chandler Funeral Home, De Queen. Visitation will be Monday at Chandler Funeral Home from 9:00 A.M until 12:00 Noon.
Mrs. Nancy Louise Easlon
Mrs. Nancy Louise Easlon, age 64, a resident of Broken Bow, Oklahoma, died Monday, March 2nd at her home.
She was born to Arbrey and Ella Faye Perry Boles in Texas on March 24, 1950. She worked in-home elder care, and was a homemaker.
She was preceded in death by her parents, a brother, Lee Boles, three sisters, Nelda Francis, Janice Francis Sellers, Rose Mary Boles, and a niece, Angel Sellers.
She is survived by a daughter, Shami Louise Churchwell of De Queen, a son, Samuel Siefert of De Queen, a granddaughter, Emily Churchwell of De Queen, a grandson, Alex Churchwell of Broken Bow, Okla., a great-grandson, Gevonni Churchwell Comacho of De Queen, two brothers, Nolan Boles of De Queen, and Toby Boles of Texas, a sister, Darlene Selena of De Queen, and a number of nieces and nephews.
A Private Memorial Service for Mrs. Nancy Easlon will be at a later date. Cremation is under the direction of Chandler Funeral Home.
Randy Paul Mitchell
Randy Paul Mitchell passed away Wednesday, March 4, 2015 at Shreveport VA medical center. Randy was born in Idabel Oklahoma 1955. Randy was a loving father of 4 children, son, brother, uncle, nephew and friend. He proudly served in the USAF from 1975-1989 at Edwards AFB CA Rocket Propulsion Laboratory. He separated from the Air Force and moved to Cerro Gordo, Arkansas to be closer to his family. He went to work for USDA as a food inspector until he retired in 2006 and then returned to Cerro Gordo to help care for his mother. Our world was a much brighter place with him in it. We will all miss you! Randy is preceded in death by his father Earl Obie Mitchell, and sister, Sharon Mitchell Owens.
Randy is survived by his mother, Bessie Crowell Mitchell; his children: Michael Wayne Mitchell (Iowa), Douglas Paul Mitchell (Amarillo), Brandee May Mitchell Foster (Amarillo), Adam Carl Mitchell (California); 7 Grandchildren; his siblings: Arlene Mitchell Jones, Kirma Joyce Kohler, James Earl Mitchell, Helen Milam, Glenda Mitchell Tinkes and many nieces and nephews.
Visitation for Randy is scheduled for Thursday March 5, 2015 from 5-7 PM at Wilkerson Funeral Home, De Queen, Arkansas. Services are scheduled for Friday March 6, 2015 at 1:00 PM at the Stateline Baptist Church Cerro Gordo, Arkansas with Pastor Ray Brown officiating. Burial will follow in the Cerro Gordo Cemetery.
Helen Ruth (Barfield) Powell
Mrs. Helen Ruth (Barfield) Powell, age 81, a resident of Gillham, Arkansas went to be with the Lord on Tuesday, March 3, 2015 in Gillham, Arkansas.
She was born to Frank W. and Dolores Hale Barfield on September 7, 1933 in Hico, Texas. She graduated from Gillham High School in 1951, and worked for De Queen Telephone Company and Tri-Lakes Services for many years. She was a member of First Baptist Church of Gillham where she taught Sunday School for more than thirty years. Above all, she was a devoted wife, sister and aunt. She was “Aunt Helen” to not only her family, but to many members of the community.
She was preceded in death by her parents.
She is survived by her loving husband of 43 years, Geary D. Powell, one sister, Faye B. Reid of Nashville, Tennessee, one brother and his spouse, James and Shirley Barfield of Gillham, Arkansas, one brother-in-law and his spouse, J.D., Jr. and Janice Powell, of Mena, Arkansas; two step-sons and daughter-in-law, Victor and Karen Powell of Cheyenne, Wyoming and David Powell of Oklahoma City, Oklahoma; four nephews and their spouses, Steve and Mimi Reid of Petaluma, California, Scott and Amy Reid of Germantown, Wisconsin, Bill and Anita Barfield and Mike and Cherie Barfield; three nieces and their spouses, Patty and Paul Burcham, Manya and Gene Wood all of Gillham and Sherri Faye Reid of Dalton, Georgia; and a number of great nieces and nephews, other family and friends.
Funeral Services for Mrs. Helen Ruth (Barfield) Powell will be held at Gillham First Baptist Church on Saturday, March 7, 2015 at 10:00 a.m. with Bro. Homer Frachiseur officiating. Burial will follow in the Valley Cemetery in Gillham, Arkansas, under the direction of Wilkerson Funeral Home in De Queen.
The family will receive friends from 5:00-7:00 p.m., Friday, March 6th at Wilkerson Funeral Home.
Memorials may be made to The Gideon’s International, P.O. Box 140800, Nashville, TN 37214-0800 or at www.gideons.org.
Ferrell Sophia Butler Lovell
Mrs. Ferrell Sophia Butler Lovell, age 97, a resident of De Queen, Arkansas died Monday, March 2, 2015 in Nashville, Arkansas.
She was born July 2, 1917 in Pattonville, Texas. She was a homemaker, a charter member of the Walnut Springs Church of Christ, and a member of the De Queen Church of Christ.
Mrs. Lovell was preceded in death by her parents, W.C. and Ollie Parker Butler; her husband of 69 years, Carl E. Lovell; a son, Dwayne Lovell; a brother, J.W. Butler; a sister, Maxine Godwin; a grandson, Jonathan Pettigrew; and a granddaughter, Jana Lovell Marshall.
She is survived by one son and daughter-in-law, Leonard and Sharon Lovell of Ashdown, Arkansas; three daughters and two sons-in-law, Edwina and Don McCoy of Krugerville, Texas, Carletta and Robbie Pettigrew of Murfreesboro, Arkansas, and Judy Johnson of De Queen; one brother, W.C. Butler, Jr. of Brawley, California; 12 grandchildren, 24 great grandchildren, 1 great-great grandchild, and a number of nieces and nephews.
Funeral services for Mrs. Lovell will be held at 10:00 a.m. Thursday, March 5, 2015 in the Wilkerson Funeral Home Chapel with Tye Barnett, minister officiating. Burial will follow in the Millwee Cemetery.
CarriBeth Calvery Portwood
CarriBeth Calvery Portwood, 80, of Ashdown, AR passed away February 27, 2015.
Mrs. Portwood was born August 17, 1934 in Mena, AR to Wiley Bearden and Ruby Calvery. She was raised in Mena, AR and met and married her husband, Charles Portwood while he was in the Airforce. They traveled many years with the Airforce before settling in the Redlick Community in Texarkana, TX. After her husband Charles death in 1971 the family moved back to their hometown of Mena, AR. Carribeth went on to further her education and became an LVN. She was a member of Central Baptist Church in Ashdown, AR. She is preceded in death by her husband, Charles Willis Portwood; mother, Ruby Cranfill Calvery; father, Wiley Bearden Calvery; brothers and sisters, Thomas Calvery, Gene Calvery, Marge Gosnell, and Norma Cunningham; one son, Michael Allen Portwood.
She is survived by one son and daughter-in-law, Charles Walter and Marlene Portwood of Montgomery, TX; two daughters, Mary "Penny" Portwood Belcher of Checotah, OK, and Carrielyn and Michael Oden of Ashdown, AR; thirteen grandchildren; sixteen great-grandchildren; numerous nieces, nephews and many many friends.
Memorial Service will be held Saturday, March 7, 2015 from 1:00 pm to 4:00 pm at Michael and Carrielyn Oden's home, 213 Hwy 108 in Ashdown, AR. Memorial donations may be made to your local Nursing Home.
