Biographical And Historical Memoirs of Pulaski, Jefferson, Lonoke, Faulkner, Grant, Saline, Perry, Garland And Hot Spring Counties, Arkansas
Joe Hal Hardegree
(March 31, 1929 - May 28, 2012)
Joe Hal Hardegree, age 83, son of Edward and Cora Hardegree, was born March 31, 1929 in Ben Wheeler, Texas and died May 28, 2012, at his home in Mena. He is survived by his wife, Betty : daughters, Alison Hout and son-in-law, Greg of San Diego; Jennifer Hardegree of Mena, and three grandsons, Andrew, Joe, and Ben Hout of San Diego. He was preceded in death by his parents and six siblings.
Joe received his law degree from the University of Houston and served as a State Representative in the Texas Legislature at age 21. He was a captain in the U.S. Air Force during the Korean Conflict. Joe practiced law in Mena for 52 years. During that time, he served as President of the Chamber of Commerce, and was a member and former president of the Mena Lions Club. He served for many years as Mena City Attorney, Deputy Prosecuting Attorney and Prosecuting Attorney from 1965-1971 and 1983-1991. He was a member of the First United Methodist Church where he served in several capacities, and served on the Board of Directors of First National Bank of Mena.
He was a member of the Polk-Montgomery County Bar Association for more than 5o years. He was a devoted member of the organization and had a deep sense of service, commitment to integrity and dedication to the citizens of Mena and Polk County. He was recently honored by the Polk and Montgomery County Bar Associations.
A memorial service will be held Saturday, June 2, 2012 at 11:00 a.m. at the First United Methodist Church in Mena. Visitation will be Friday, June 01, 2012 from 6:00-8:00 p.m. at the Beasley-Wood Chapel in Mena.
Betty Genice Allen
(August 15, 1942 - May 28, 2012)
Betty Genice Allen, age 69, of Mena, passed away Monday, May 28, 2012 in Springfield, Missouri.
She was born August 15, 1942 in Watson, Oklahoma to the late Hershel Toon and the late Lillie Keiss Toon. She was a loving homemaker and was of the Baptist faith. She was a loving mother, grandmother, great-grandmother, sister and friend to all who knew her. She will be dearly missed.
She is survived by:
Son: Mitch Vaught of Eureka Springs, Arkansas
Daughters: Susie Brown of Richmond, Virginia Renee Allen of Eureka Springs, Arkansas
Brothers: Charles Ray Toon of Watson, Oklahoma Arla Toon of Watson, Oklahoma Ivan Toon of Watson, Oklahoma Leon Toon of Kansas City, Kansas
Five grandchildren and two great-grandchildren
She was preceded in death by her parents, Hershell and Lillie Toon, and son, Dennis Vaught.
Funeral services will be Thursday, May 31, 2012 at 10:00 a.m. at the Sulphur Springs Missionary Baptist Church in Watson, Oklahoma with Brother Ed Rogers officiating. Interment will follow at the Watson Cemetery in Watson under the direction of the Beasley-Wood Funeral Home of Mena.
Pallbearers will be Shane Brown, Josh Brown, Daniel Brown, Darrin Toon, Kevin Toon and Brent Toon.
Visitation is General
Virdie "Shortie" Harris
(January 27, 1918 - June 3, 2012)
Virdie “Shortie” Harris, age 94, of Mena, Arkansas, passed away Sunday, June 3, 2012 in Mena.
She was born January 27, 1918 in Wickes, Arkansas to the late Neal Barrett and the late Matilda Brun Barrett. She was united in marriage to the late Shell Harris. She was a homemaker and was of the Protestant faith. She was a loving sister, and friend and will be missed by those who knew her.
She is survived by:
Brothers: John Barrett of Vandervoort, Arkansas Richard Barrett of Vandervoort, Arkansas
Sisters: Ethel Barrett of Vandervoort, Arkansas Velma Rans of Vandervoort, Arkansas Bonnie Barrett of Vandervoort, Arkansas
Sister-in-Law: Edna Mae Barrett of Vandervoort, Arkansas
Numerous nieces and nephews
She was preceded in death by her parents, Neal and Matilda Barrett, by her husband, Shell Harris, by her children, Howard Wayne Harris and Harold Kent Harris, by 4 brothers, Charlie, Waymon, Wes, and Doyle Barrett, and by 3 sisters, Pauline Dean, Orena Milam, and Maggie Sandefur.
Funeral services will be Wednesday, June 6, 2012 at 10:00 a.m. at the Vandervoort Methodist Church with Brother Tim Smedley officiating. Interment follows in Witherspoon Cemetery under the direction of the Beasley-Wood Funeral Home. Visitation will be general.
Pallbearers will be her nephews.
Norma Nelson
(October 21, 1919 - June 14, 2012)
Norma Nelson, age 92, of Mena, Arkansas passed away Thursday, June 14, 2012 in Mena.
She was born October 21, 1919 in Warren, Ohio to the late Marian Jacobs and the late Robert Jacobs. She was united in marriage March 21, 1939 to the late Gilbert Nelson. They were happily married for 61 years.
While Gilbert was in the Navy during WWII, she met him at whatever port he arrived at. She made many trips back and forth across the United States. They were married 8 years before they were together 365 days, as he was out to sea a great deal of the time. She loved to garden and belonged to a garden club in California. She was always rescuing animals. Gilbert and Norma traveled to most of the states in the USA and some of Canada in their mini motor home. She loved to go on cruises. She will be dearly missed by her family and friends.
She is survived by her daughter Lynette Schafer and husband Warren of Mena, Arkansas. Her grandson Steve Schafer and great-granddaughter Monica of Mena, Arkansas. her grandson, Stan Schafer, wife Tracy and great-grandson Brian of Lavaca, Arkansas. Her niece and name-sake Norma Matulich and husband Don of San Pedro, California. Her nephew Terry Rafferty of McCloud, California. Her niece Patty Ashford and husband Larry of McCloud, California. There are a few more nieces, nephews and cousins.
She is preceded in death by her mother, Marian Jacobs Fenkell, and her father, Robert Jacobs. Her brother Bob Jacobs and her beloved husband Gilbert Nelson.
There will be no service per her request. Norma and Gilbert’s ashes will be scattered together in a quiet place in the woods as she requested.
Arrangements are under the direction of the Beasley-Wood Funeral Home.
Johnny Wayne Harwood
(September 24, 1947 - June 20, 2012)
Johnny Wayne Harwood, age 64, of Grannis, died Wednesday, June 20, 2012 at his friends’ jack and Barbara Jones’ home.
He was born September 24, 1947 to Frank and Elizabeth Bell Harwood in Hatton, Arkansas.
Johnny loved being outdoors, fishing, and hunting. He enjoyed spending time with his children and grandchildren. He was loved by all and will be greatly missed.
Johnny is survived by his children: Gregory and Liz White of Broken Bow, Oklahoma: Tammy and Troy Dowdy of Athens, Arkansas; Tracey and Crystal White of Garvin, Oklahoma; Melissa Harwood of Garvin, Oklahoma; Billy and Misty Harwood of Grannis, Arkansas; and Tim and Jessica Harwood of Cove, Arkansas; his brothers and sisters; Earl Dean Harwood of Hatton, Arkansas; Margrette Harwood of Benton, Arkansas; Jane Jewell of Vandervoort, Arkansas; Roger and Karen Harwood of Vandervoort, Arkansas; Linda and Tommy Daniels of Hatton, Arkansas; Peggy and Bud Bailey of Hatton, Arkansas; Leon and Carla Harwood of Vandervoort, Arkansas; and Mike Harwood of Hatton, Arkansas; 22 grandchildren and a host of other relatives and friends.
Johnny was preceded in death by his parents, Frank and Elizabeth Harwood, his brothers, Darrell and Eddie Harwood, and a granddaughter, Sha’Meika Boyles.
Memorial services will be Monday, June 25, 2012 at 2:00 p.m. Wickes Pentecostal Church with Brother Chris Burke and Brother Rodger Robbins officiating. Interment follows in Witherspoon Cemetery at Vandervoort under the direction of the Beasley-Wood Funeral Home. Visitation will be general.
