Biographical And Historical Memoirs of Pulaski, Jefferson, Lonoke, Faulkner, Grant, Saline, Perry, Garland And Hot Spring Counties, Arkansas
Marianne Burkett
Marianne Burkett, 59, of Little Rock, passed away suddenly on Thursday, January 20, 2005. She was originally of Fremont, Ohio. Marianne loved music, traveling, new foods and any new adventure that would come her way. She was an honored volunteer for hospice and CARTI and touched the lives of all who met her. Known as "Mom" to many, Marianne celebrated life and mentored many to grab their dreams.
Marianne was preceded in death by her parents, Ernest and Virginia Sielschott. She is survived by her daughter, Amy "Bunz" Berry, Devin Frets, and daughter, Kelly "Jammers" Stabely. She is also survived by a brother, Bill Sielschott and his wife Nancy, a niece, Carrie Sielschott, cousin, Donna Geldin and dear friend Wanda Brophy.
A celebration of Marianne's life will be held at 11:00 AM, on Friday in the Chapel of Ruebel Funeral Home. Memorials may be made to the American Cancer Society, 901 North University, Little Rock, AR 72203.
Chase Stanley Berry
Chase Stanley Berry, 94, of Little Rock, died Wednesday, January 12, 2005 in Little Rock. He was born in San Antonio, TX on October 25, 1910 to the late Albert and Auguste Engel Berry. His family later moved to Miami, AZ in 1915 where he graduated from high school. He moved to Tucson, AZ, completed his undergraduate work and earned his law degree from the University of Arizona in 1932, and became a member of the Arizona Bar Association. However, he never had the opportunity to practice law since the nation was in the middle of the Great Depression. Consequently, he worked on the railroad, in construction, and in the shipyards.
In 1945, his uncle, K. A. Engel, the President and Publisher of the Arkansas Democrat, asked him to come and work at the newspaper. It was at the Arkansas Democrat that he met his wife in 1948, and they were marriage on January 23, 1950. Stanley started his career with the Arkansas Democrat in the advertising department, moved to Business Manager, then became Publisher upon the death of his uncle, K. A. Engel in 1968. He was the Publisher of the newspaper until it was sold in 1974.
Stanley became a member of the Rotary Club on October 1, 1962, and was a Paul Harris Fellow. He was a former Chairman of the Board for the Arkansas Television Co. (KTHV, Channel 11), and was a member of Pulaski Heights United Methodist Church, where he taught Sunday School, sang in the choir, and was a member of the Board of Stewards. He also enjoyed singing with the Arkansas Chorale Society.
Survivors include his wife of 55 years, Arminta Jane Berry; sons, Dr. Keith Berry and wife Susan, and Craig Berry and wife Marian, all of Little Rock; a daughter, Leslie Lynne Berry of Richardson, TX; grandchildren, Laura, Spencer, Jackson, and Rebecca, all of Little Rock; a sister, Joy Henricksen of Sun City, AZ; and a cousin, Marcus George of Little Rock.
A memorial service will be held at 11:00 a.m. on Friday, January 14, 2005 at Pulaski Heights United Methodist Church with Bishop Kenneth Hicks, Rev. Richard Hunter, and Rev. Jeff Hampton officiating. A reception will follow in the church parlor.
The family requests no flowers. Memorials may be made to Pulaski Heights United Methodist Church, 4823 Woodlawn, Little Rock, 72205, or the Humane Society of Pulaski County, 14600 Col. Glenn Rd, Little Rock, 72210.
Arrangements are by Ruebel Funeral Home
Cynthia "Cinny" Polk Walton Beard
Cynthia "Cinny" Polk Walton Beard, age 68, of Little Rock, died Thursday, January 6, 2005. She was born in Little Rock the daughter of the late Caroline Polk and Augustus "Gus" Berry Walton. Cinny was a graduate of Little Rock Central High School in 1954, before attending Bennett College in Millbrook, New York. She later graduated from Finch College in New York City in 1957. Cinny was an active member of St. Mark's Episcopal Church. She was also a Sustainer in the Junior League of Little Rock and a member of the Colonial Dames. Cinny loved to travel and visited many countries with her twin sister Bebe. During her lifetime Cinny worked in retailing at Foster Cochran and Lewie Watkins.
She is survived by her her son Edward "Ed" Little Beard of Atlanta, Georgia, her daughter Virginia "Gigi" Beard Sussman and her husband Ronnie of Dallas, Texas, two sisters, her twin sister, Caroline "Bebe" Walton Stockton of Ponte Vedra Beach, Florida, Sue Layton Walton of Little Rock, and a brother Gus B. Walton, Jr. and wife Ellis Walton of Little Rock. Cinny had two grandchildren that she adored, Layton Olivia Sussman and Samuel Paul Sussman. She is also survived by several nieces and one nephew and several great-nieces and great-nephews.
There will a funeral service Saturday afternoon at 2pm at St. Mark's Episcopal Church officiated by The Reverend Rocky Profitt. Services are under the direction of Ruebel Funeral Home.
Memorials in lieu of flowers should be made to St. Mark's Episcopal Church in Little Rock.
Jeanne Wilson Anthony
Jeanne Wilson Anthony, age 90, a lifelong resident of Little Rock, died on January 7, 2005 at home with her family. She was born June 26, 1914, in Arkadelphia, Arkansas, to Eunice Martin and Winston Peabody Wilson, Sr., both professors at Quachita University. She graduated from Little Rock High School, class of 1932. Miss Jeanne, as many knew her, attended the University of Central Arkansas and graduated from Baylor University in Waco, Texas. She was preceded in death by her husband of nearly fifty years, Allen D. Anthony, who died in 1986.
In 1944, she and her husband co-founded the first secular independent school in Arkansas, The Anthony School, by opening the first kindergarten classroom, renting classroom space at Pulaski Heights Elementary School in Little Rock. Additional grades were developed one year at a time thereafter, ending with the eighth grade. For forty-nine years, she served as the Director of The Anthony School, overseeing its administration while also teaching in the classrooms and knowing every child and his or her progress on a steady basis. She schooled her teachers in a particular methodology that is now common in our educational systems, blending writing and reading to create greater literacy, and teaching in a sequence that was developmentally appropriate. Aside from the academic teaching, Jeanne Anthony directed numerous children's theatre productions with scripts and music written by her parents, and taught many young people to ballroom dance.
She authored several journal articles concerning academic therapies and collaborated with UAMS faculty members, Dr. John Peters and Dr. Sam Clements, to establish the Child Study Center, including the Therapeutic Day School for children with learning disabilities. She co-founded the Arkansas Association for Children with Learning Disabilities, now named Learning Disabilities Association of Arkansas, and served as an officer and board member of the organization. She served as treasurer of the Arkansas Council of Exceptional Children and was a member of the organization's Panel on Gifted and Talented Children. She was a delegate to the first White House Conference for Children and Youth and served as a member of the Governor's Advisory Committee for Early Education.
She developed methodologies individually adapted to the needs of both gifted and learning-disabled children. For this and for her other efforts to improve the lives of Children, Miss Jeanne received the Jean Lukens Award and was honored with a scholarship in her name for teacher training at the UAMS Child Study Center' Day School.
She was a charter member and officer of the Twentieth Century Club and volunteered at Hope Lodge. She also volunteered at the Florence Crittenden Home and the Ada Thompson Home. She was active in church organizations and attended Pulaski Heights United Methodist Church. She enjoyed theatre, dancing, traveling with friends and family, and directing plays.
She was preceded in death by her husband, parents, and older brother, General Winston Peabody Wilson, Jr. of Forrest City and Washington, D.C. She is survived by her brother, Robert Martin Wilson and his wife, Jane McGehee Wilson of Little Rock; her daughters, Andrea Anthony Romine and her husband, James C. Romine of Fayetteville and Dee Ann Anthony Newell and her husband, Frank B. Newell of Little Rock; grandchildren, James Anthony Romine and wife Brandy Shawn Romine of Alma, John Allen Buchanan of Seattle, Washington, Anna Massie Newell of Little Rock, Matthew Moody Romine of Fayetteville, great-granddaughters, Mariah Nichole Romine of Fayetteville, Dylan Kay Romine of Alma, and step-great-grandson, Daniel Grayson Hubbard of Alma; her two nephews, Robbie Wilson of White Cliffs, Florida and Charles Arthur Wilson of Little Rock, and great-nieces, Helen Peabody Wilson and Gillian Herrick Wilson and great-nephew, Robert Martin Wilson III, cousins, Catherine Cockrill and her husband Dr. Howard Cockrill, Virginia Young and Jennifer Wilson Harvey all of Little Rock, and special friends, Elizabeth and Jim Tom Caplinger of Hot Springs, Yolanda Woods of North Little Rock and Evelyn Nwachukwu of Little Rock, Glenda Mosley of Mayflower, and all of the wonderful staff at Arkansas Hospice, Inc.
A memorial service will be held at 1:00 p.m. Saturday, January 15 at Pulaski Heights United Methodist Church with Rev. Dr. Jeffrey Hampton officiating . Following the service, friends are invited to gather at 5414 Edgewood Road. A private burial service will be held at a later date. In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made to Arkansas Voices for the Children Left Behind at 311 North Elm Street, Little Rock, AR 72205 or Centers for Youth and Families/Parenting from Prison Programs at 5905 Forest Place, Little Rock, AR. Arrangements are by Ruebel Funeral Home.
Shirley Walthall
Shirley Walthall, 80, of Mabelvale, died on January 18, 2005 after a lengthy battle with cancer. Shirley was a medical secretary with the State Hospital and retired after thirteen years of service. In her free time, she enjoyed golfing, water aerobics, and spending time with her friends.
She was preceded in death by two children, Marion H. (Skip) Wilmoth Jr. and Jeanne (Wilmoth) DeLille, and three husbands. She is survived by two grandchildren, Nikki Wilmoth of Cabot and Justin DeLille of Little Rock, and lots of friends.
Cynthia Kay Sullivan
Cynthia Kay Sullivan, 57, of Little Rock died Friday, January 28, 2005. She was born October 17, 1947, in El Dorado, AR, to the late Sethel Gene and Carlita Marguerite Hall Eckhardt.
Mrs. Sullivan was a homemaker and a member of the Bailey Street Church of Christ in Jacksonville. She assisted with the food pantry and enjoyed participating in the benevolence ministry of the Church.
Cynthia treasured going to flea markets and yard sales with her mother. She loved animals and had a gentle spirit. She also enjoyed watching classic movies and working crossword puzzles. She enjoyed going on picnics with her family and the dogs. She had a beautiful singing voice, but she did not flaunt it.
She is survived by her husband Gerald Sullivan and her brother Larry Eckhardt of Little Rock. She is also missed by her beloved dog Gabriel.
There will be a visitation from 5 to 7 p.m., Tuesday, February 1, at Ruebel Funeral Home. Funeral services will be at 11 a.m., Wednesday, February 2, at the funeral home with burial to follow in Roselawn Memorial Park.
In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made to the Pulaski County Humane Society, the American Lung Association, or a charity of the donor's choice.
Grayce F. Peterson
Grayce F. Peterson, 93, of Lufkin, Texas, formerly of Little Rock, died Monday, January 3, 2005 in Lufkin. She was born in Chicago, Illinois on January 18, 1911 to the late Andrew and Sine Petersen. She worked as a Medical Records Clerk at St. Vincent's Infirmary and was a member of Lifeway Baptist Church in Little Rock.
Survivors include a niece, Arnette Shaw and husband George of Corpus Christi, Texas; a nephew, James King of Hays, Kansas; great-nieces, Tina May of Lufkin, Texas, and Gina King of Hays, Kansas; great-nephews, Larry King of Hill City, Kansas, and Ricky King of Meridian, Mississippi; nine great-nieces and nephews; and very close friends, Bert and Charlene Henderson of Little Rock.
Visitation will be 5:00 to 7:00 p.m. on Friday, January 7, 2005 at Ruebel Funeral Home. Graveside services are 10:00 a.m. on Saturday at Pinecrest Memorial Park with Dr. David Ard officiating.
In lieu of flowers, memorials should be made to Lifeway Baptist Church.
Arnold "Arnie" Mayersohn
Arnold (Arnie) Linn Mayersohn, age 85, of Little Rock, passed away Monday, January 3, 2005. He was born July 6, 1919 in Albany, New York, son of the late Kate and Louis Mayersohn. Arnie graduated from Albany Academy prior to his graduation from Harvard University in 1941. Serving in World War II, he became a First Sergeant in the 78th Infantry Division seeing action in the Battle of The Bulge. He was awarded the Purple Heart and Bronze Star. Returning from the war, he graduated from Albany University School of Law in 1949. In that same year he and his wife Janet moved to Little Rock where he began his career with Sterling Stores Company, Inc. He served as Vice President and Treasurer for many years and became Chairman of the Board in 1973 until his retirement in 1981. He was a long time member of the Board of Sterling Stores Company, Inc., served on the Board of Trustees at the University of Arkansas at Little Rock, and the Board of Directors of First Commercial Bank. He was a long time member of Rotary Club International, "Club 99", where he was awarded the Paul Harris Fellow. He was also an active member of the Board of Youth Home, Inc., Arkansas Repertory Theatre, and member of the board of NCCJ, and was a long time member of Temple B'nai Israel, serving as President from 1966-1968.
The family would like to extend their sincere gratitude for the special care provided by the doctors and nurses at University of Arkansas Medical Science Center, Hospice Home Care, and our very special private caregivers.
Arnie is survived by his wife of 57 years, Janet Grundfest Mayersohn of Little Rock, a daughter, Loris M. Fullerton and husband Jay of Little Rock, a son, Arnold L. Mayersohn, Jr. and wife Betsy of St. Louis, Missouri, two granddaughters Sarah and Rani Mayersohn, three brothers, Stanley, David and Louis Mayersohn, Jr., a sister-in-law, Loris Grundfest Birnkrant, and numerous nieces, nephews and cousins.
There will be a memorial service Thursday, January 6th, at 2pm at the Temple B'nai Israel officiated by Rabbi Eugene Levy. Services are under the direction of Ruebel Funeral Home.
In lieu of flowers memorials should be made to Temple B'nai Israel, 3700 Rodney Parham Road, Little Rock 72212, and the Center on Aging, UAMSC, 4301 West Markham Street, slot 748, Little Rock 72205.
