Biographical And Historical Memoirs of Pulaski, Jefferson, Lonoke, Faulkner, Grant, Saline, Perry, Garland And Hot Spring Counties, Arkansas
Imogene Gant
Imogene Gant, 86, of Van Buren, entered into rest Wednesday, March 6, 2002, at a local hospital. She was a homemaker. Edith Imogene Farabough Gant was born on April 17, 1915, in Rogers, the daughter of George and Jessie Alice Farabough. She attended Trinity University in San Antonio and the University of Arkansas. She was a former member of the Eastern Star, the American Legion Auxiliary, and the Crawford County Historical Society. She was a member of the First Baptist Church where she served for many years with the Bereavement Committee. Her life was devoted to giving of herself to family and those in need.
Survivors include a daughter, Linda Beth Harwood of Fort Smith, a son, Paul D. Gant of Van Buren; seven grandchildren, Joe D. Schoolcraft of Owasso, Okla., Jean Schoolcraft Hunt of Greensboro, N.C., Judy Schoolcraft Parsons of Grapevine, Texas, Jim" Schoolcraft of Maumelle, Kyle Harwood of Colorado Springs, Colo., Kristen Harwood Arrington of Allen, Texas, and Kimberly Gant Griffin of Waco, Texas. Also surviving are 13 great-grandchildren. She was preceded in death by her daughter, Alice Margaret Schoolcraft, and one son, Zed George Gant. Her loving husband of 65 years, H. Zed Gant, died on Jan. 13.
Funeral service was held March 9 at the First Baptist Church in Van Buren with burial at Gracelawn Cemetery under the direction of Ocker Funeral Home of Van Buren. Pallbearers were Joe D. Schoolcraft, Jim Schoolcraft, Kyle Harwood, Earl Robinson, Mike Hurst, Gene Bell, Butch Love, and Jimmy Riddle.
Honorary pallbearers were the Adult 7 Sunday School class of the Van Buren First Baptist Church.
Jean Tounzen
Emma Jean Tounzen, 70, of Van Buren, died Saturday, March 15, 2003, in Fort Smith. She attended Jubilee Christian Center.
Graveside service was held March 18 at Roselawn Cemetery under the direction of Edwards Funeral Home in Fort Smith.
She is survived by a daughter, Paula Jean Moore of Van Buren; a sister, Louise Leamons of Fort Smith; a granddaughter, Kirsten Noel Moore of Van Buren; and a great-granddaughter, Macey Noelle Cobley of Van Buren.
Tony Houston
Tony Houston, 58, of Van Buren, died Sunday, March 16, 2003, in Fort Smith.
He is survived by his wife, Joyce; four daughters, Ann Houston and Kerry Franklin, both of Fort Smith, Tammy Hammer of Van Buren and April White of Grand Prairie, Texas; three sons, George Houston of Oklahoma City, Sam Houston of Fort Smith and Nat Hammer of Van Buren; his parents, Nova and Elva Houston of Waldron; four sisters, Nancy Hunt, Kathy Howard and Judy Piles, all of Waldron, and Sammie Simons of Houston; five brothers, Don Houston of Bowling Green, Ky., Scotty Houston of Salinas, Calif., and Jimmy, Terry and David Houston, all of Waldron; and 10 grandchildren.
Funeral service was held March 19 at St. Paul United Methodist Church in Fort Smith with burial at Gracelawn Cemetery in Van Buren under the direction of Fentress Mortuary of Fort Smith.
Pallbearers were Thomas Chick, Orville Dean Chick, Ray Jordan, Jim Moore, Kelly Franklin and Sean White.
Memorial contributions may be made to The American Cancer Society, P.O. Box 8006, Fort Smith, AR 72902.
Ethel James
Ethel James, 90, of Alma, died Wednesday, March 12, 2003, at a local hospital. She was a homemaker, member of Alma United Methodist Church and widow of George A. James.
Survivors include one daughter, Linda White of Tulsa; two sons, Kenneth James of Van Buren and Tommy James of Alma; seven grandchildren and five great-grandchildren.
Graveside service was held March 14 at U.S. National Cemetery in Fort Smith under the direction of Edwards Van-Alma Funeral Home.
Pallbearers were Jeremiah James, Tony James, Travis Henderson, Dewitt Summer, Jason Parks and Shawn Kitching.
Billie Moore
Billie Louise Moore, 85, of Van Buren, died Thursday, March 13, 2003, at a local hospital. She was a member of City Heights United Methodist Church, homemaker and widow of William “Bill” Moore.
Survivors include two sisters, Shirley Hunt of Tucson, Ariz., and Betty Richmond of Heavener; caregiver, Genelle Newton of Greenwood; and several nieces and nephews.
Graveside service was held March 15 at Quinton City Cemetery in Quinton, Okla., under the direction of Ocker Funeral Home of Van Buren.
Betty Boots
Betty Louise Boots, 63, of Van Buren, died Monday, March 10, 2003, in Van Buren. She was a homemaker and volunteer in the community.
Survivors include seven daughters; one son; father and stepmother, Jasper T. and Betty J. Dunn; two sisters; three brothers; 20 grandchildren and seven great-grandchildren.
Memorial service was held March 12 at Fentress Mortuary Chapel.
James Wesley
James E. Wesley, 62, of Cedarville, died Friday, March 14, 203, at a local hospital. He was a machinist, an Air Force veteran and attended the First Assembly of God in Van Buren.
He is survived by his wife, Deloris Wesley of the home; three daughters, Kathy Brothers and Krissy Wesley, both of Cedarville and Karen Burke of Van Buren and her husband, Patrick; two sons, Jim Wesley of Fort Smith and his wife, Teresia, and John Wesley of Cedarville and his wife, Brandi; five grandchildren, Joseph and Kimberly Wesley, both of Fort Smith, Krista and Joshua Jameson, both of Van Buren, and Jamie Wylie of Cedarville.
Funeral service was held March 19 at Ocker Funeral Home Memorial Chapel in Van Buren with burial at Salem Cemetery with military honors.
Pallbearers were Greg Preston, Alan and Joe Hurston, Randy Williams, Vincent Overby and Chet Brothers.
Honorary pallbearers were Lee Henson, David Goodman, Grady Helton, Gerald Cross, Ronnie Dye and Tony Ruckman.
