Biographical And Historical Memoirs of Pulaski, Jefferson, Lonoke, Faulkner, Grant, Saline, Perry, Garland And Hot Spring Counties, Arkansas
Florence Bradford Adams
Florence Bradford Adams, widow of B.C. Adams and daughter of M. E. and Gertrude Bradford, died Sunday, April 6, 2003. She was a faithful member of Pulaski Heights United Methodist Church, the Rudd-Streepy Fox Sunday School Class and The United Methodist Women.
Survivors are her daughters Florence Albright and husband Clint of Little Rock, Betty Deaton and husband Claude of Little Rock, and Evelyn Brawley and husband Roger of Oklahoma City, OK ; grandsons, Clint and Mark Albright, Steven and Gary Shrider ; granddaughters Chris Morgan and Beth Tanzy; nine great-grandchildren and one great-great grandchild.
Graveside services will be held at 2 pm Wednesday at Roselawn Memorial Park with Rev. Vic Nixon officiating. The family will receive friends between 5-7 pm on Tuesday at Ruebel Funeral Home.
Memorials may be made to The Pulaski Heights United Methodist Church or the Arkansas Hospice. Arrangements are under the direction of Ruebel Funeral Home.
Phillip M. Price
Phil Price, 70, of Maumelle went to be with the Lord on January 30, 2003. He was born in Bryan, TX, on October 16, 1932.
Survivors are his wife, Marge; daughter, Susan, and her husband, Darrell Powell; and their children, Allison and Shawn of Azle, TX; his sister, Linda, and her husband, Jack Crawford of Irving, TX; a niece, Pam, and her husband Eugene Oard; and a nephew, Russell Rubac and his wife, Susan.
He was preceded in death by his son, David. After graduating from Texas A&M University, he was a civil engineer in Texas and California from 1954-1967, with two years, serving as an officer with the U.S. Army from 1955-1957. He remained a member of the Texas A&M University Former Student Association until death. From 1967-1983 he served on staff with Campus Crusade. He was a pastor at Christ Community Church in Omaha, Nebraska, from 1983-1989. As pastor at Fellowship Bible Church in Little Rock, he encouraged many people from 1990-1995. In 1995 he and Marge retired to Pagosa Springs, Colorado, where he continued to disciple men.
Visitation will be from 5-7p.m. Friday, January 31, at Ruebel Funeral Home. A memorial service will be held in the Special Events Center at Fellowship Bible Church at 11:00 a.m., Saturday, February 1, with David Bruns and Ray Williams officiating. A graveside service will be held at Mt. Olivet Cemetery in Fort Worth, TX, on Monday, February 3, at 11:00 a.m. with the Pastor of New Hope Baptist Church, Jim Edwards officiating. Memorials may be made to the Building Fund of New Hope Baptist Church, 782 New Hope Rd., Boyd, TX 76023 and Bethany Christian Services, 1100 North University Av., Little Rock, AR 72207 Arrangements are by Ruebel Funeral Home.
Emma Louise French Ford Byrd
Emma Louise French Ford Byrd, age 89, of Little Rock, died January 11, 2003. She was born in Perry, Arkansas.
She was a graduate of City Business College, the Draughon Business School and became a stenographer for the United State Government.
She was active with the St. Vincent Ladies Auxiliary, a member of Our Lady of Holy Souls Catholic Church where she was a member the Ladies Alter Society.
She was also a member of the Little Rock Scripture Study Group, the Abby Retreat League, Coury House at Subiaco, a member of Cursillo #22 and a member of the American Association of Retired Persons.
She is preceded in death by her husband William Frank Byrd who died in 1976, two stepsons; William F. Byrd, Jr., and Charles Robert Byrd, and her son Elbert Hugh Ford.
She is survived by one daughter-in-law Joan Ford Collierville, Tennessee, two sisters Mary Elizabeth Roberts of Lexington, South Carolina, Helen Hayes of Mabelvale, one brother, Elder T. French and wife Billie of Benton, 7 grandchildren, 16 great-grandchildren and 6 great-great-grandchild.
There will be a visitation Monday from 5 to 7p.m. followed by a Rosary at 7 P.M. There will a Mass of Christian burial Tuesday at 11 A.M. at Our Lady of Holy Souls Catholic Church. Burial will follow at Roselawn Cemetery. Arrangements are under he direction of Ruebel Funeral Home.
Mamye Ora Gerald Goodman
Mamye Gerald Goodman, 94, of Little Rock and widow of William Ward Goodman, Sr. died, Tuesday, January 18, 2005. She was born in Miller County, AR to Walter Lee and Mary Edna Zylks.
Mrs. Goodman is survived by one son, William Goodman, Jr and his wife Virginia, of Little Rock, a sister Mary Jane Newhouse of Shreveport, LA, grandchildren; Dr. William Goodman, III and his wife, Dr. Allyson Goodman, of Springfield, MO, Chris Goodman and his wife, Karen of Little Rock, Catherine Lynn Nesmith of Little Rock, great-grandchildren, Emily Margaret Goodman, William Ward Goodman, IV, Lawson Christopher Goodman, Thomas Andrew Nesmith and Grant Christopher Nesmith. She is also survived by nieces, Mrs. Jan Grogan, Mrs. Gwen Thomas, Mrs. Cathy Nielson, Mrs. Janice Byerley, Mrs. Judy Greer, Cindy Newhouse and Mrs. Betty Cole, nephew, Johnny Therrell and other nieces and nephews.
The family would like to thank the nursing staff and aids of Lakewood Plaza Nursing Home for their love and care.
A visitation will be held from 5-7 p.m. Wednesday at Ruebel Funeral Home. A graveside funeral service will be held at 11:00 a.m. on Thursday in Roselawn Memorial Park by the Rev. Canon Scott Lee.
Arrangements are by Ruebel Funeral Home.
Sue Darby Gaston
Sue Darby Gaston, of Little Rock, passed away Tuesday, January 24, 2005, with her family at her side. She is preceded in death by her parents William Edson Darby and Maurine McVicar Darby. She attended Little Rock High School and graduated from the University of Arkansas at Fayetteville with a BSE degree. She was affiliated with Kappa Kappa Gamma sorority. Sue was president of the Little Rock Boys and Girls Club women's auxiliary, Arkansas Children's Hospital auxiliary, CARTI auxiliary and served as a Trustee of the College of the Ozarks in Clarksville, Arkansas. She was currently a member of the Voluntary Board of the Donald W. Reynolds Center on Aging. She was also very involved with her sorority, assisting in the colonizing of the chapter at the University of Arkansas at Little Rock and served as both rush advisor and chapter advisor. At the Fayetteville chapter she served as the board president, and rush advisor for several years. She served on the national level as providence director of chapters in Arkansas, Oklahoma, Kansas, and Missouri.
Sue is survived by her husband James E. Gaston of Little Rock, daughter Maurine J. Gaston of Little Rock, sons James Edward Gaston and wife Rebecca of Little Rock, William Edson Gaston and wife Cherie of Little Rock, and Richard Darby Gaston and wife Carrie of Stuttgart, sisters Lucette White and husband Harold of Gloucester, Massachusetts, Phoebe Norman of Little Rock, and Anne Kocinski and husband Jerry of Little Rock. She is also survived by 8 grandchildren, Courtney, Margot, Phillip, Margaret, Sarah, William, Richard and Daniel.
A memorial service will be held at 11:00 a.m. on Friday at St. James United Methodist Church officiated by Reverend John Miles, Reverend Kirk Bogan and Reverend Fred Haustein A reception at the Fellowship Hall will follow services. Services are under the direction of Ruebel Funeral Home.
The family request that in lieu of flowers, donations may be directed to The Arkansas Children's Hospital Foundation, Hope Lodge, or St. James United Methodist Church.
The family would also like to thank the people with Arkansas Hospice for their wonderful love and care.
Dr. Don D. Downs, D.D.S.
Dr. Don D. Downs, D.D.S., 81, of Little Rock, died Thursday, January 27, 2005 at Good Shepherd Nursing Center. He was born in Snyder, Oklahoma on October 13, 1923 to the late Rex and Estelle Gray Downs.
Dr. Downs attended Eastern Oklahoma A&M, the University of Arkansas, and later received his D.D.S. from the University of Missouri at Kansas City School of Dentistry. He was a Charter Member of the Pleasant Valley Country Club, Charter Member and Past President of the Pulaski Heights Kiwanis Club, member of the Pulaski County Dental Society, and the National Implant Denture Club. He was also a member of Pulaski Heights United Methodist Church. For 37 years, his dental practice was at 1919 N. Fillmore. He served his country during World War II and was a Gunnery Instructor in the Air Force.
Dr. Downs was preceded in death by his loving wife of 58 years, Letitia Shanks Downs. Survivors include his children, Donna Nielsen and husband Raymond John of Conway, Gregory Downs and wife Patricia of Little Rock, and Jennifer Downs of Maumelle; a brother, A. Scott Downs of Dallas, Texas; and three grandchildren, Christopher Nielsen of Conway, Lauren Downs and David Downs, both of Little Rock.
Visitation will be 5:00 to 7:00 p.m. on Sunday at Ruebel Funeral Home. Funeral services are scheduled for 10:00 a.m. on Monday, January 31, 2005 in the Chapel of Ruebel Funeral Home with Mr. Tracy Shelton officiating. Burial will follow in Pinecrest Memorial Park.
Memorials should be made to the Methodist Children's Home, or Pulaski Heights United Methodist Church.
William "Bill" Degrasse
William F. Degrasse, 83, of Little Rock, passed away January 5, 2005, after a short illness. He was born April 16, 1921 in Los Angeles, California. Mr. Degrasse worked as a medical secretary in the Orthopedics Department at UAMS for the past 20 years. He was a graduate of Oxford University, England, and was a WWII veteran.
Mr. Degrasse loved the theater, and was active in many Community Theater and Arkansas Rep productions. He was a supporter of the local symphony and theater arts.
He is survived by one son, William (Frank) Degrasse, Jr. of San Antonio, TX, and two daughters, Pat King of Surfside, SC, and Alice Watts of Greenbrier, AR, five grandchildren as well as three great-grandchildren.
Bill was a generous, friendly man who will be missed by his many friends and his family.
Visitation will be at Ruebel Funeral Home, 6313 West Markham in Little Rock on Friday, January 7, from 3 to 5 p.m. A memorial service at the funeral home will be Saturday, January 8, at 11 a.m. with Rev. Garnett Quimby officiating. Memorials can be sent to the Humane Society in LR, the LR School for the Blind, or the Kidney Foundation, all concerns of Mr. Degrasse.
Rev. James Christie
The Rev. James Edward Christie, age 79, of Little Rock, died Sunday, January 2, 2005. He was born December 7, 1925, in Bauxite, AR, the son of Rev. Andrew J. Christie and Florence Wildbur Christie. He is survived by his wife of 57 years, Marie Harrell Christie, a son, James Kenneth Christie and his wife Phebe, a grandson, James Aaron Christie, all of Little Rock, a sister-in-law, Ginny Shreeve, a nephew, Michael Shreeve, and two nieces, Kay Marie Shreeve and Jane Lee Smith.
He was a graduate of Hendrix College (1945) and Perkins School of Theology of Southern Methodist University (1948), and following his ordination as a United Methodist minister began his ministry as associate pastor at First Methodist Church, Texarkana. He continued his ministry serving churches in Louisiana, including pastorates in Baton Rouge, Amite, Alexandria, Plaquemine, Crowley, Franklin, Monroe, Ruston and New Orleans. Moving to Little Rock in 1980, he joined the executive staff of the General Board of Global Ministries, directing fund-raising campaigns for numerous local churches across the nation and for the Oklahoma, Florida, Nebraska, Little Rock, Kentucky and North Georgia annual conferences.
After being sent on a preaching mission to Great Britain by his Bishop, his congregation in LA insisted that he take them there on his vacation time. Coming home from a tour of Methodist historical sites in England they began to plan his next tour and vacation and whom they would invite from all over the state - enlarging friendships - and touring the Holy Land, Greece, Europe and Scandinavia. He was Chair of the Louisiana Conference Commission on Worship, and the Commission on Archives and History at which time interested history buffs organized the Louisiana Conference Historical Society in Bristol, England.
He loved photography and one bathroom of every parsonage was turned into a darkroom for processing beautiful black and white photographs patterned after Ansel Adams. With his camera, he was part of the press at Jurisdictional Conference, allowing his access everywhere. After retirement he enjoyed the Order of Bookfellows, Shepherd's Center of Little Rock, and the Board of Stewards of St. James United Methodist Church, and for fun and fellowship the Fraternal Order of Geezers.
Rev. Christie had a sustained devotion to God, family and friends and we are all the richer for knowing a life shared so beautifully and in so many ways that touched the lives of others.
Following entombment at Rest Hills Memorial Park, a memorial service will be held 11 a.m. Wednesday, January 5, 2005, at St. James United Methodist Church in Little Rock. Visitation will follow the service at the church. Memorials may be made to a charity of the donor's choice.
Arrangements are by Ruebel Funeral Home.
