Biographical And Historical Memoirs of Pulaski, Jefferson, Lonoke, Faulkner, Grant, Saline, Perry, Garland And Hot Spring Counties, Arkansas
Vernon H. "Bill" Rucker
(September 6, 1929 - January 31, 2012)
Mr. Vernon H. “Bill” Rucker, age 82, of Mena, Arkansas, passed away Tuesday, January 31, 2012 in Mena.
He was born August 6, 1929 in Mena, Arkansas. He was a self-employed by profession, but also served his country in the United States Army. Bill married Ella “Marie” Harrell on August 2, 1952 and was devoted to her and his entire family. He had many passions in life, including hunting and fishing and all types of sports, and he had a particular affection for horses. Overall, Bill had a zest for living, and loved his family and friends who will miss and love him in his passing.
He is survived by:
Wife: Ella “Marie” Rucker of the home
Daughters: Debbie Frost and husband Benny of Mena, Arkansas Verna Metscher and husband J.G. of Tontitown, Arkansas Caroline Rucker of Mena, Arkansas
Grandchildren: Tiffany Williams and husband Kevin of Mena, Arkansas Shane Frost and wife Lauren of Fayetteville, Arkansas
Great-Grand- Children: Tessa Williams of Mena, Arkansas Barrett Frost of Fayetteville, Arkansas
Sister: Barbara Magnino of Tulsa, Oklahoma
Brother: Doyal Dean Beck of Mena, Arkansas
He was preceded in death by his parents, Clara Williams Beck and step-father, Elvis “Bub” Beck, and infant brother, Noel Beck, and a step-brother, E.D. Beck.
Funeral services will be Friday, February 3, 2012 at 2:00 p.m. at the Beasley-Wood Chapel with Brother Gary Garrett officiating. Interment follows in Pinecrest Memorial Park under the direction of the Beasley-Wood Funeral Home. Visitation will be general.
Pallbearers will be Benny Frost, J.G. Metscher, Shane Frost, Kevin Williams, Steven Beck, Greg Beck, and Shawn Beck.
Donna L. Ashley
(January 28, 1930 - January 11, 2012)
Mrs. Donna L. Ashley, age 81, of Mena, Arkansas, passed away Wednesday, January 11, 2012 in Little Rock.
She was born January 28, 1930 in Morrilton, Arkansas to the late Shirley McArthur and the late Esther Bell Leach McArthur. She was united in marriage to the late Earl Ashley. She was an insulation cutter at U.S. Motors, and upon retiring, went on to work at Wal-Mart as a door greeter.. She and her husband were devoted to their faith in God and served over 40 years in the ministry in the Assemblies of God. The last 5 years she attended the Mena Church of God. Mrs. Ashley was a loving mother, grandmother, sister and friend, and will be missed greatly by all who knew her.
She is survived by:
Daughter: Pamela Wiles and husband Ben of Hot Springs, Arkansas
Grandsons: Marcus Wiles and Jonathan Wiles of Hot Springs, Arkansas
Brother: Gary McArthur and wife Kay of Conway, Arkansas
Sister: Doloris Wiedower of Little Rock, Arkansas
She was preceded in death by her parents, Shirley and Esther Bell McArthur, her husband, Earl Ashley, a sister, Sherlin Simpson, and 2 children, David Earl Ashley and Donna Ann Ashley.
Funeral services will be held Saturday, January 14, 2012 at 10:00 a.m. At the Beasley-Wood Chapel with Brother Mark Lyle officiating. Interment will be at 3:00 p.m. at McGhee Cemetery in Perry, Arkansas under the direction of the Beasley-Wood Funeral Home. A visitation for family and friends will be Friday evening, January 13th from 6:00 to 8:00 p.m. at the funeral home.
Pallbearers will be Mike Lance, Chris Webb, Scott Sharp, Ben Pacheco, Thomas Scott, and Charles Webb.
In lieu of flowers contributions may be made to the Ashley Ministry Memorial Fund via the Mena Church of God and may be mailed to 400 N. Reine Street, Mena, AR 71953
Joan Dunkum Carver
(January 2, 1934 - January 30, 2012)
Joan Dunkum Carver, of Mabelvale, formerly of Hot Springs died January 30, 2012. She was born January 2, 1934 in Hope, AR. She was retired as Office Manager of International Computer Systems for 30 years. Joan was preceded in death by her husband William S. (Bill) Carver and her parents Archer and Lovena Dunkum.
She is survived by her brother and sister-in-law Bill and Gwen Dunkum of Mabelvale, and nephews and their wives Chris and Sammie Dunkum and John and Robbin Dunkum of Little Rock. Joan was a member of Mabelvale United Methodist Church and an avid Razorback fan.
A graveside service will be held at Pinecrest Cemetery in Mena, AR at 2:00pm February 1, 2012. A memorial service will be held at Mabelvale United Methodist Church with Reverend Bob Marble officiating on Thursday, February 2, 2012 at 2:00pm. In lieu of flowers the family asks that memorials be made to Mabelvale United Methodist Church 10500 Woodman, Mabelvale, AR 72103 or to the Arkansas Rice Depot 3801W 65th Street, Little Rock, AR 72209. Arrangements will be by Beasley-Wood Funeral home of Mena.
Stacy Michelle Bookout
(August 26, 1971 - January 24, 2012)
Stacy Michelle Bookout, age 40, of Mena, Arkansas, passed away Tuesday, January 24, 2012 in Mena.
She was born August 26, 1971 in Athens, Tennessee to the late Jerry Charles Broome and the late Susan Marie Fritz Broome. She was engaged to be married to Mr. Christopher Staggs of Mena and was of the Baptist faith. Stacy was a loving mother, sister, step-daughter, and friend and those who knew her will miss her greatly.
She is survived by:
Daughter: Amber Bookout of Mena, Arkansas
Brother: Chris Broome of Cahoun, Georgia
Step-father: Danny Bookout of Tellico, Tennessee
Fiancé': Christopher Staggs of Mena, Arkansas
Father-in-Law: Willis Staggs of Waldron, Arkansas
Brother and Sister-in-Law: Ronnie Staggs and Debbie Loyd of Norman, Arkansas
Sister-in-Law: Kathy Brown of Cahoun, Georgia
She was preceded in death by her mother, Susan Marie Bookout and an uncle, Donnie Brown.
Graveside services will be Sunday, January 29, 2012 at 2:00 p.m. at Walnut Grove Cemetery in Waldron under the direction of the Beasley-Wood Funeral Home. Visitation for family and friends will be Saturday evening, January 28th, from 6:00 to 8:00 p.m. at the funeral home. Pallbearers are Dale Loyd, Chuckie Rose, Ronnie Staggs, Dawn Brown, Geoffrey Gibson, and Chris Staggs.
Erlene Johnson
(March 24, 1931 - March 3, 2012)
Erlene Johnson, age 80, of Mena passed away Saturday, March 3, 2012 in Mena.
She was born March 24, 1931 in Climax, Georgia to the late John Mitchell Adams and the late Edna Ritter Adams. Mrs. Johnson was a member of the Freewill Southern Baptist Church and loved fishing. She was a waitress by profession and a loving mother, grandmother, great grandmother and great great grandmother.
Survivors are:
Son: James Heard and wife Patricia of Mena, Arkansas
Daughter: Martha Jean Henry of Edwardsville, Kansas
14 Grandchildren 28 + Great grandchildren 3 + Great great grandchildren
She was preceded in death by her parents, John and Edna Adams and a granddaughter, Maritta Heath.
Mrs. Johnson is being sent for cremation under the direction of the Beasley-Wood Funeral Home.
