Biographical And Historical Memoirs of Pulaski, Jefferson, Lonoke, Faulkner, Grant, Saline, Perry, Garland And Hot Spring Counties, Arkansas
Jessie Ann Barge
June 5, 1933 - November 24, 2015
Jessie Ann Barge, age 82, of Mena, died Tuesday, November 24, 2015 at the Peachtree Hospice in Fort Smith. She was born on Friday, June 5, 1933 to Ivor Runkle and Eliza Hoffman Adams in Newton, Ohio.
Jessie enjoyed raising a garden and canning the produce with her husband, Leo. She was a homemaker and enjoyed cooking for her family and making her homemade fruit pies for her family. She enjoyed traveling, making bread and knitting. Jessie was a loving wife, mother, sister, grandmother, aunt and friend and will be greatly missed by all who knew her.
She is preceded in death by her parents and two brothers, Herman Lee Adams and Everett Adams.
Jessie is survived by her husband of 63 years, Leo Barge of Mena, her son, Leo Barge Jr. of Mena; three daughters, Susan Frantz of Weslaco, Texas, Connie Barge of Greenville, Ohio and Leona Petho of Greenville, Ohio; two brothers, Gene Adams of Arcanum, Ohio and Russell Adams of Florida; eight grandchildren; six great grandchildren; several nieces and nephews and a host of other relatives and friends.
A graveside memorial services will be held at a later date at the Miami Memorial Park in Covington, Ohio. Cremation services are entrusted to Bowser Family Funeral Home of Mena.
Tanya Linette Denton
May 7, 1974 - January 2, 2016
Tanya Linette Denton, age 41, of Watson, Oklahoma died, Saturday, January 2, 2015 at the Baptist Health Medical Center in Arkadelphia. She was born on Tuesday, May 7, 1974 to Glen Alex and Wanda Lugena Phillips Tunnell in Mena.
Tanya enjoyed listening to her son Tyler playing his guitar and singing George Jones songs and dancing. Her hobbies were making crafts, making flower arrangements and spending time with her nieces and nephews. Tanya was an avid OU fan and always looked forward to game day, always ready to yell, “BOOMER SOONER.” Tanya was a loving mother, daughter, sister, auntie and friend and will be missed by all who knew her.
She is preceded in death by maternal grandparents, Roy and Cleo Phillips; Maternal grandparents, Everett and Mabel Tunnell.
Tanya is survived by her parents, Al and Wanda Tunnell of Smithville, Oklahoma; three sons, Tyler Denton of Watson, Oklahoma, Cameron Denton of Watson, Oklahoma and Jeremy Pruitt of Smithville, Oklahoma; her fiancé, David Rather of Delight and his children, Dalton Rather, Dylan Rather, Drew Rather, Darla Rather all of Delight; brother, Aaron Tunnell and wife, Jessica of Acorn; two sisters, Tina Hudson and husband, Shane of Smithville, Oklahoma and Kim Larucci and husband John of Mena; special friend, Wanda Fairless of Zafra, Oklahoma; seven nieces and nephews, Lucas, Brantlee, Tessa, Kiersten, Regan, Alaina, and Tanner; one great niece, Hazely; and a host of other relatives and friends.
Funeral services will be Tuesday, January 5, 2016 at 2:00 P.M. at The Crossing in Mena. Interment will follow in the Smithville Cemetery. Visitation will be Monday, January 4, 2016 from 6-8 P.M. at the Bowser Family Funeral Home Chapel in Mena.
Pallbearers will be Tanner Hudson, Wayland Fairless, Doug Rose, Skyler Tanner, Chance Speaks and Brody Werst. Honorary Pallbearers will be Tyler Pruitt, Jody Higgins, James Foster and Greg Cunningham.
Ray Noble Knight I am a Veteran.
July 26, 1930 - June 16, 2015
Ray Noble Knight, age 84, of Mena, died Tuesday, June 16, 2015 at his home. He was born on July 26, 1930 to John Lewis and Mary Argel Noble Knight in Andrews, Indiana.
Ray served in his country for 26 years in the United States Air Force during the Korean Conflict and Vietnam Era. After the military, Ray started working in construction and was an excellent concrete finisher and contractor. Ray was a loving father, brother, grandfather and friend and will be greatly missed by all who knew him.
He is preceded in death by his parents; his wife, Zada Knight; one brother, Wilbur Knight and one sister, Ruth Lee.
Ray is survived by his two sons, Terry Knight of Huntington, Indiana and Lewis Knight of Abilene, Texas; daughter, Roni Whitas of Panama City , Florida; step daughter, Beverly Weed of Mena; two brothers, Norman Knight of Lexington, Kentucky and Lewis Knight of Cary, North Carolina; three sisters, Neva Stonebraker of Huntington, Indiana, Phyllis Hoke of Clearwater, Florida and Judith Lee of Fort Wayne, Indiana; five grandchildren; ten great grandchildren; several nieces and nephews and a host of other relatives and friends.
No services are planned at this time with cremation services are entrusted to Bowser Family Funeral Home in Mena.
Bob Gene Gorden - I am a Veteran.
November 2, 1933 - September 14, 2015
Bob Gene Gorden, age 81, of Mena, died Monday, September 14, 2015 at his home in Mena. He was born on November 2, 1933 to George Washington and Beulah Nash Gorden in Rocky, Arkansas.
Bob served his country in the United States Air Force during the Korean Conflict. He flew 44 night interdiction missions as a B-26 aerial gunner with the 3rd Bomb Wing’s “Grim Reapers” squadron, receiving the Air Medal for meritorious achievement. After the service, he marriage Sarah Cross on October 8, 1957 and moved back to Polk County to start his life. He was the owner and operator the Lion Service Station in Mena for many years. He then worked as agent for M.F.A. Insurance Company, winning awards for his achievements. For over 45 years, Bob owned Bob Gorden Livestock Auction in Potter. The proudest moment in Bob’s life was winning Polk County Farm Family of the Year in 2013, followed by winning the Western District of Arkansas that same year. Bob was a loving, husband, father, grandfather, uncle and friend, and will be missed by all who knew him.
He is preceded in death by his parents; two brothers, Dennis Gorden and Argus “Buck” Gorden; one sister, Mary Primm; two nephews, Bill and Dan Walston.
Bob is survived by his wife of 58 years, Sarah Gorden of Mena; two sons and daughters in law, Brent Gorden and Deidra Garrison of Mena and Kent and Dena Gorden of Jacksonville, Arkansas; four grandchildren, Tosha Lance and husband, Mike of Waldron, Kyle Gorden and wife, Treell of Bryant, Katy Gorden of Jacksonville, and Ally Hull of Jacksonville; five great grandchildren, Kailie Brewer, Abigail Lance, Andrew Lance, Archer Gorden and Timber Gorden; special friend, Kim Trickey and his sidekick Petie Dog; several nieces and nephews and a host of other relatives and friends.
Funeral arrangements will be Thursday, September 17, 2015 at 1:00 P.M. at the Dallas Avenue Baptist Church with Brother Max Deaton and Brother Chad Hill officiating. Internment will follow in the Pinecrest Memorial Park under the direction of Bowser Family Funeral Home in Mena. Visitation will be general.
Pallbearers will be Brent Gorden, Kent Gorden, Kyle Gorden, Jamie Williams, Mike Lance, Gary Vaught, Sam Waters, and Jeff Johnson.
Honorary Pallbearers will be C.F. Brumbelow, Jerry Beaty, Kent Reading, James Quick, Grady Mays, Greg Peek, Tony Hooper, Roger Judkins, Billy Hull, Farrell Cole and Bill Perry.
Charles G. Smith
December 6, 1950 - August 26, 2015
Charles (Charlie) G Smith died peacefully at Days Off in Hatfield, Arkansas at the age of 64 years.
Charlie was born on December 6, 1950 in New Orleans, Louisiana to Dr. Charles G. and Mrs. (Charlotte) Smith. After graduating from Texas High School he attended college at Stephen F. Austin University. Upon graduation with a degree in geology, he worked in Houston and Denver. He returned to Texarkana to be with his father in his later years.
Charlie was the family historian story teller. He always had a good joke and enjoyed playing pranks. He enjoyed forging, knife making, and could fix anything. He was a very kind and compassionate person. Charlie found his niche taking care of his beloved Days Off where he planted an orchard and a garden. No nicer person walked the earth.
Charlie is survived by his brother, John R. Smith of Round Rock, Texas and his sister, Charlotte (Schatzie) Smith of the Rio Grande Valley, Texas. In addition, he left behind a niece, Eleanor (Austin) and two nephews, George and James (Round Rock) along with numerous cousins.
A graveside service is scheduled for 1:00 P.M. on September 5, 2015 at Molly Gann Cemetery in Hatfield, Arkansas. A reception will follow at the family’s Days Off.
In lieu of flowers, please make donations to the charity of your choice or the Iron Munchers of Texarkana.
George Michael Mulloy I am a Veteran.
November 30, 1951 - September 20, 2015
George Michael Mulloy, age 63, of Mena, Arkansas, died Sunday, September 20th, 2015 at his home. He was born on Friday, November 30th, 1951 to George and Emilie Mulloy in Detroit, Michigan.
George was a graduate of Cody High School in Detroit and a Veteran-having served in the United States Navy during the Vietnam era. George was a member of the First Presbyterian Church in Mena. His passion for collecting rocks and crystals, so abundant in Arkansas, endeared him to the Mena area. He enjoyed working with his hands-painting, gardening, tinkering-anything needing fixing. With a kind, compassionate nature and a great sense of humor, George was always there to offer a helping hand to those in need. He was a loving son, brother, uncle and friend-he will be missed by all who knew him.
He was preceded in death by his father, George Mulloy Sr.
George is survived by his mother, Emilie Mulloy of Sparks, Nevada, brother, Sam Mulloy of DeLand, Florida; and four sisters, Danielle Mulloy of Chesterfield, Missouri, Paulette Mulloy of Phoenix, Arizona, Emilie Roberts of Sparks, Nevada and Michele Mulloy of Nemo, Texas; as well as several nieces and nephews and a host of other relatives and friends.
A private memorial service will be held on Saturday, October 10th, 2015 in Nemo, Texas. Cremation services entrusted to Bowser Family Funeral Home in Mena, Arkansas.
