Biographical And Historical Memoirs of Pulaski, Jefferson, Lonoke, Faulkner, Grant, Saline, Perry, Garland And Hot Spring Counties, Arkansas
Mrs. Billie D. Wilemon Bigham
Mrs. Billie D. Wilemon Bigham, age 90, a resident of Gillham, died Monday, September 29th in the Dierks Health and Rehab, Dierks.
She was born to Joe Aaron, Sr. and Etta Lou Whitley Wilemon in De Queen, Arkansas, on December 31, 1923. She was a member of the Chapel Hill Baptist Church of De Queen, and a homemaker. She was a member of the EHC Club, the Union Quilting Club, and enjoyed sewing, gardening, cooking, and spending time with her family, especially her grandchildren.
She was preceded in death by her parents, her siblings, Bud Wilemon, Marvin Wilemon, and Elizabeth Burchfield, her son, Harlan Bigham in 1982, and in 2007, her husband of 64 years, J. Brice Bigham.
She is survived by two sons and a daughter-in-law, Gary W. Bigham of De Queen, and Bill and Pam Bigham of Gillham, three grandchildren, J. Mark Bigham of De Queen, Ron L. Bigham of Lewisville, Arkansas, and Jessica K. Woodall of Waldron, Arkansas, a great-grandchild. T. J. Bigham of Mena, Arkansas, and a number of nieces and nephews.
Memorial Services for Mrs. Billie Bigham will be held at 10:00 A.M., Thursday, October 2nd in the Chandler Funeral Home Chapel with Bro. Homer Frachiseur officiating, under the direction of Chandler Funeral Home. Memorials may be made to the Friendship Baptist Church, De Queen.
Dana Harris
Dana Harris, 72, of Oklahoma City (and former long-time resident of De Queen AR) passed away on September 26, 2014, while surrounded by family and friends. He was born in Ardmore, OK on February 12, 1942 to Verner and Ruth Harris. He proudly served in the U.S. Navy from 1960-1964, and he was a faithful member of the Central Ave. Church of Christ.
He was preceded in death by his first wife, Jeanne Harris, and his oldest son, Brett Harris. He is survived by his wife, Lela Ann Harris, and their children (and spouses) Ronnie and Melissa of Gillham AR; Tracy of Edmond OK; Kenneth of Oklahoma City OK; Mark and Michele of Midland TX; Kathy of Oklahoma City, OK; Karri and Donnie of Moore OK; 22 grandchildren; and 1 great grandchild.
Dana was a loving, devoted husband and father, and he was a lifelong motorcycle enthusiast. He retired from Cox after many years of service.
Services were held at the Central Ave. Church of Christ on Saturday, Sept. 27th, 2014.
Mary Catherine Kesterson Broyles
Mary Catherine Kesterson Broyles, age 59, a resident of Wickes, Arkansas, died Saturday, September 27, 2014, in Dierks, Arkansas.
She was born September 21, 1955 in Nashville, Arkansas.
Mrs. Broyles was preceded in death by her parents, William Joe and Joyce Lee Wilson Kesterson; a sister, JoElla Trejo; and brother, Roger Dale Kesterson.
She is survived by one daughter, Tambra Knight of Dierks; two sons and their spouses, Joseph Erwin and Dan Wardlow of El Prado, New Mexico, and Tyler and Alison Broyles of Hot Springs, Arkansas; one sister, Rachel Marie Smead of Daisy, Arkansas; a special friend, Clarence “Junior” Lamb of the Greens Chapel Community; and three grandchildren, Katie Ashbrooks, Alexander Broyles and Lexi Hughes.
Graveside Memorial services will be held at 11:00 a.m., Thursday, October 2, 2014, in the Old Liberty Cemetery, under the direction of Wilkerson Funeral Home in De Queen.
Thomas E. Hancock
Thomas E. Hancock, age 70, a resident of De Queen died Friday, September 26th in the VA Hospital, Little Rock, peacefully with his family by his side.
Captain Thomas Everett Hancock was born April 7, 1944 in Archer Hospital in De Queen, Arkansas to Noah and Thrada Everett Hancock, Sr. He attended De Queen Central, Junior and High School. He received a Bachelor of Science degree in Mathematics for Henderson College in Arkadelphia.
Thomas joined the ROTC while in college. Since he had more than enough credits to graduate at mid term, the Army called him into service before the Spring semester of his Senior year. Thomas was sworn into the service on January 27, 1967 in Arkadelphia, Arkansas. He was immediately put through the Ranger training Program. Thomas served two tours of duty in Vietnam. He received the awards of the Bronze Star with Oak Leaf Cluster.
Thomas was employed in De Queen for several years at the Cossatot Community College.
Thomas was an avid antique collector, a hunter and fisherman, and a hard worker.
He is preceded in death by his Father, Noah Hancock Sr., Mother, Thrada Everett Hancock and his beloved brother, Dr. Noah Duke Hancock.
He is survived by a eight cousins, Bobbie White, Mike Quinn, Anthony Quinn, Patti Tudor, Keri Bonner, Mike Everett, Phillip Everett, and Barbara Jones, and a host of friends, including Dr. Dan and Jan Wolfe, Jack Wray, Yankee and Ruby Vallee, Brenda and David Shipman, and Jerry and Christy Ligon all of De Queen.
Graveside funeral Services for Thomas Hancock will be held at 10:00 A.M., Tuesday, September 30, 2014, in Horatio Cemetery, Horatio, AR with Rev. Bobby Neal officiating, under the direction of Chandler Funeral Home, De Queen. Memorials may be made to the Chalice Cupboard or to the Horatio Cemetery.
Kaden Michael Rains
Kaden Michael Rains, infant son of Alex and Nichole Pollard Rains, resident of De Queen, died Thursday, September 25th.
Besides his parents, Kaden is survived by a sister, Hallie Sims, a brother, Bryson Rains both of the home, his grandparents, Melissa and Donnie Lovewell of De Queen, and Jessie Pollard of Gillham, Rae Ridge and Jerry Rains both of Hooks, Texas, five aunts and four uncles
Graveside funeral services for Kaden Rains will be held at 3:30 P.M., Friday, September 26, 2014, in the Lovewell Cemetery, Foreman, Ark, with Rev. Gary Steiner officiating, under the direction of Chandler Funeral Home, De Queen.
Robert Lee Mickey Beck
Mr. Robert Lee Mickey Beck, age 90, a resident of Gillham, Arkansas died Wednesday, September 24, 2014 in Christus St. Michael Health System in Texarkana, Texas.
He was born December 2, 1923 in Ashdown, Arkansas. He was retired from Red River Army Depot and a World War II Navy veteran. He was a 32nd degree Mason, a member of the Silver Hill Masonic Lodge, a Shriner, and member of Gillham First United Methodist Church.
Mr. Beck was preceded in death by his parents, Thomas and Nanny Russell Beck and one son, Robert Milton Beck
He is survived by his wife, Ora Lee Madewell Beck of Gillham; four daughters and a son-in-law, Linda Fox, Sandra Higgins and Diane and Eldren Suggs all of Gillham and Brenda Clowers of De Queen; 12 grandchildren, William Michael Higgins, Chad DeWayne Higgins, Rhonda Jean Gonzalez, Stoney Darrell Driver, Jason Goss, Nancy Lynn Ochoa, Tammy Darlene McWilliams, Kelly Annette Higgins, Joey Denise Rains, William Bryan Higgins, Robby Duane Clowers and Beau Darin Clowers, and a large number of great-grandchildren and great great-grandchildren.
A memorial service will be held at 1:00 p.m., Saturday, September 27, 2014, in Gillham First United Methodist Church with Rev. Ron Newberry officiating. Burial will follow with Masonic rites in the Gillham Cemetery, under the direction of Wilkerson Funeral Home in De Queen.
Wayne M. Sorensen
Wayne M. Sorensen, 90, was born January 23, 1924 in Cedar Rapids, Iowa to Henry M. and Florence Sorensen, passed away September 15. He was a loyal, selfless and caring husband and father. Left to cherish his memory are his wife of 66 years, Betty Dahl Sorensen, daughters Janet and husband Dr. Michael Sheets of Kaysville, UT, Joy and husband Dennis Nentrup of Burleson, TX and Jill and husband Robert Frost of Benton, LA; and four grandchildren, Laura and Nicholas Nentrup and Trey and Katie Frost. He is preceded in death by his parents, twin brothers Ray and Roy Sorensen and sister Norma Schmidt.
Mr. Sorensen was a graduate of Iowa State University with a degree in forestry. Mr. Sorensen, formerly a resident of DeQueen, Arkansas for 44 years, moved with his wife to Benton, LA 6 years ago to be closer to family. He was a faithful member of the First United Methodist Church in DeQueen, AR. He was retired from Weyerhaeuser. He enjoyed walking, gardening, old western movies and spending time with family. Mr. Sorensen was a World War II veteran, having served in the US Army and US Air Force.
A memorial service will be held at the Northwest Louisiana War Veterans Home Chapel in Bossier City, Louisiana, Sunday, October 19 at 1:30 pm.
Should friends desire, memorial contributions may be sent to First United Methodist Church, DeQueen, AR 71832.
