Mr. John Garland Cooper of Quitman, Arkansas, passed away Tuesday, August 19, 2003, at Arkansas Hospice in North Little Rock, Arkansas. Born January 17, 1936, at Quitman, Arkansas, Mr. Cooper was 67 years of age. He was the son of the late John B. and Ola M. (White) Cooper. Mr. Cooper had been a resident of Quitman most of his life. He and his wife, Leona Faye (Goff) Cooper, had been married
for forty and a half years. He was a veteran and was retired from the United States Army. Mr. Cooper enjoyed gardening, coin and stamp collecting, and helping others. His religious belief was Baptist. Mr. Cooper was preceded in death by his parents; one brother, Thomas Cooper; one sister, Lucille Shaw; and two stillborn children. He is survived by his wife, Leona Faye Cooper of Quitman, AR one son, Doug Cooper of Heber Springs, AR one daughter, Tonya Vinson of Quitman, AR three sisters, Gladys Holliman of Westville, Oklahoma Myrtle Hensley of Quitman, Arkansas and Irene Burroughs of Conway, Arkansas and three grandchildren, Zach Willis, Bethlea Vinson, and Rayanna Vinson. Mr. Cooper is also survived by other relatives and his many friends.
Visitation will be held at Olmstead Funeral Home, Inc. Funeral services will be held Saturday, Aug. 23, at 2:00 P.M. in the Olmstead Chapel with Rev. Miles Evans officiating. Interment will follow in the Flat Rock cemetery. Arrangements are by Olmstead Funeral Home, Inc., 601 W. Main, Heber Springs, AR 72543.
Mr. Claren O. Martin
Mr. Claren O. Martin of Concord, Arkansas, passed away Wednesday, August 20, 2003, at Baptist Health Medical Center in Heber Springs, Arkansas. Born in Cleburne County, Arkansas, on December 10, 1917, Mr. Martin was 85 years of age. He was the son of the late Hubert M. and Maud (Cranford) Martin. Mr. Martin was a longtime resident of Cleburne County and operated the Martin Brothers Lumber Company. He was a member of the Concord Methodist Church. He was preceded in death by the mother of his children, Lucy Troy Martin, on August 19, 1990. Mr. Martin was also preceded in death by brothers and sisters, Elva Stuart, Clee Martin, Cloyse Martin, Myrtle Jeffrey, Raymond Martin, and Hoyle Martin. He is survived by his wife, Welthy (Lackey) Martin of Concord, AR three daughters, Glenda Winningham of Concord, AR Donna Poynter of Maumelle, AR and Clarita Munsey of Little Rock, AR three stepdaughters, Louise Cartwright of Concord, AR Peggy Reed of Bald Knob, AR and Nelda Casey of Jasper, AR three brothers, Clyde Martin of Cabot, AR Cleston Martin of Concord, AR and Clelan Martin of Maumelle, AR one sister, Lorene Stuart of Heber Springs, AR and six grandsons and four great grandchildren. Mr. Martin is also survived by other relatives and his many friends.
Visitation will be held Thursday, Aug. 21, from 6:00-8:00 P.M. at Olmstead Funeral Home, Inc. Funeral services will be held Friday, Aug. 22, at 2:00 P.M. at the Concord Methodist Church with Rev. Harmon Whitehurst and Rev. Aline McCracken officiating. Pallbearers will be his grandsons: Bruce Poynter, Barry Poynter, Brad Munsey, Brian Munsey, Blaine Munsey, and James Winningham. Interment will follow in Cleburne County Memorial Gardens. Arrangements are by Olmstead Funeral Home, Inc., 601 W. Main, Heber Springs, AR 72543.
Mrs. Lorine Thelma Phillips
Mrs. Lorine Thelma Phillips of Heber Springs, Arkansas, passed away Monday, August 25, 2003, at Baptist Health Medical Center in Little Rock, Arkansas. Born at Ida, Arkansas, on April 12, 1926, Mrs. Phillips was 77 years of age. She was the daughter of the late Earl and Myrtle (Philamlee) Elms.Mrs. Phillips lived for a few years in California. She had been a resident of Cleburne County most of her life. She was a homemaker and enjoyed animals and fishing. Her religious belief was Baptist. She is survived by one brother, Dorise Chastain and his wife, Eva, of Heber Springs, AR two sisters, Bertha Webb and her husband, R. A. of Benton, AR and Lenny Kirkendoll and her husband, Onvil, of Benton, AR and her nieces and nephews. Mrs. Phillips is also survived by other relatives and many friends.
Visitation for Mrs. Phillips will be held Tuesday, Aug. 26, at Olmstead Funeral Home, Inc. Funeral services will be held Wednesday, Aug. 27, at 2:00 P.M. in the Olmstead Chapel with Rev. Lee Brown officiating. Interment will follow in the Miller cemetery. Pallbearers will be Donald Webb, Edward Kirkendoll, David Kirkendoll, Larry Farrow, Bob Farrow, and Chad Farrow. Arrangements are by Olmstead Funeral Home, Inc., 601 W. Main, Heber Springs, AR 72543.
Mr. Ira C. Nick Nicholson, Jr.
Mr. Ira C. Nick Nicholson, Jr. of Bowling Green, Kentucky, passed away Wednesday, August 27, 2003, at the Alive Hospice in Nashville, Tennessee. Born in Arkansas, on January 30, 1933, Mr. Nicholson was 70 years of age. He was the son of the late Ira Carl Nicholson, Sr. and Betty Foster Nicholson. Mr. Nicholson was a retired payroll master and business manager for Guy F. Atkinson Company. Upon his retirement, he became a resident of the Pine Snag area in Cleburne County, Arkansas, in 1993, and he moved to Bowling Green, Kentucky, in 2001. Mr. Nicholson was a veteran of the United States Army and was a member of the American Legion. He was also a member of the Lions Club, the Newcomers Club of Cleburne County, and the Kiwanis Club. His religious belief was Baptist, and he experienced religion and God through nature in the forests, rivers, and streams. He was preceded in death by his wife, Doris Janet Wright Nicholson, who died July 14, 2000. Survivors include one son, Carlin Nicholson and Laura of San Francisco, California four daughters, Renee Hardesty of Spokane, Washington LaRee Ghassemi and Hamid of Kirkland, Washington Marcye Nicholson-McFadden and Karen of Aberdeen, New Jersey and Desiree Jobe and Jerol of Ft. Gibson, Oklahoma one brother, Max Nicholson of Richland, Washington two sisters, Delene Baxter of Kennewick, Washington and Drudeanna Martin of Richland, Washington and ten grandchildren. Mr. Nicholson is also survived by other relatives and his many friends.
Visitation will be held Friday, August 29, from 7:00-9:00 P.M. at the Olmstead Funeral Home in Heber Springs, AR. Funeral services will be held Saturday, August 30, at 2:00 P.M. in the Olmstead Chapel with Rev. Bennie Foster officiating. Interment with military honors will follow in the Good Springs cemetery. Pallbearers will be Carl Nicholson, Hamid Ghassemi, Ameer Ghassemi, Jerol Jobe, Darrell Baxter, and Jim Carlson.
Memorials may be made to Alive Hospice, 1718 Patterson Street, Nashville, TN 37203. Arrangements are by Olmstead Funeral Home, Inc., 601 W. Main, Heber Springs, AR 72543.
Mr. Rodney M. Brown
Mr. Rodney M. Brown of Edgemont, Arkansas, passed away Thursday, August 28, 2003, at the Baptist Health Medical Center in Heber Springs, Arkansas. Born April 2, 1949, at El Dorado, Arkansas, Rodney was 54 years of age. He was the son of the late Arthur and Thelda (Murray) Brown. A former resident of El Dorado, he had lived in the Prim community for fifteen years, and he enjoyed hunting and fishing. Rodney was employed as a serviceman for Townsend of Arkansas. He was a member of the Pleasant Grove Baptist Church. He is survived by his wife, Lisa (Bigham) Brown of Edgemont, AR two sons, Wesley Brown of Edgemont, AR and Jody Brown of El Dorado, AR two daughters, Courtney Brown of Edgemont, AR and Brandy Tubberville of Strong, AR one stepson, Troy Bigham of Edgemont, AR two sisters, Melissa Kennerly and Renee Jeter, both of El Dorado, AR and three grandchildren. Rodney is also survived by other relatives and his many friends.
A memorial service will be announced at a later date by Olmstead Funeral Home, Inc., 601 W. Main, Heber Springs, AR 72543.
Bobby L. Mills
Bobby L. Mills, age 58, a former resident of Heber Springs passed away Saturday, august 30. 2003 in the Baptist Medical Center at Little Rock, Arkansas. She was a retired registered nurse serving in the United States Army as a Lt. Col. for twenty three plus years, and a member of the V.F.W. and a member of the Women of Military Service, a national organization. She was preceded in death by her father, Sherman (Bud) Davis. Bobby is survived by her husband of thirty four years, Dwight K. Mills of Paducah, Kentucky, son, Nicklaus Kenneth Mills of Paducah, daughter, Amanda Lynne Jordan, Port Charlotte, Florida, her mother, Grace Jenkins Davis of Drasco, brother, Harold Thomas Davis of Heber Springs. Three grandchildren, Weston K., Julia Mae and Isabelle L. Jordan. She is also survived by a niece and a nephew.
Graveside services will be at Sypes cemetery, Wednesday, September 3, 2003 at 1:00 pm, with Rev. Dennis Ezell officiating. Serving as Pallbearers were, Leon Ezell, Dewayne Ezell, Dick Wagner, William Shirley, Claude Jenkins, and Marvin Ezell. Honorary pallbearers were, Gene Hall, Eddie Heathcoat, H.L. Cranford and John Brown.
The family will receive friends at 809 West Searcy Street, Heber Springs.
Local arrangements by Olmstead Funeral Home, Inc.
Robert (Bob) M. Hickey
Robert (Bob) M. Hickey, 73, of Heber Springs, Arkansas, passed away Tuesday, September 2, 2003, at White County Medical Center in Searcy, Arkansas. He was born January 28, 1930, in Helena, Arkansas. Bob was a charter member of St. Francis Episcopal Church of Heber Springs, served in the United States Navy, and was a 1962 graduate of the University of Arkansas with a degree in Industrial Engineering. He was retired from the Arkansas State Highway Department. Bob was preceded in death by his mother, Fannie Mae (Larkin) Hall, and his father, John S. Hickey, Sr. He is survived by: his brother, John S. Hickey, Jr. of Dothan, Alabama and two step-sisters, Dorothy Duncan and Frances Dickson, both of Heber Springs, AR. Bob also leaves behind four nieces and five nephews and several great-nieces and nephews. During his retired life, Bob enjoyed watching a good ballgame and sharing stories with his circle of friends at the coffee shop. Bob was a very generous and kindhearted man, and he will be greatly missed by all his family and friends.
Visitation will be Thursday, September 4th, from 6:00-8:00 P.M. at Olmstead Funeral Home in Heber Springs for all family and friends. Graveside services will be Friday, September 5, at 10:00 A.M. at Sunset Memorial Park in West Helena, Arkansas, with The Rev. R. Ewing (Andy) Jackson officiating.
Memorials may be made to: Humane Society of Heber Springs, 49 Shelter Lane, Heber Springs, AR 72543.
Arrangements are by Olmstead Funeral Home, Inc., 601 W. Main, Heber Springs, AR 72543.
Mr. Morgan Lee Watson
Mr. Morgan Lee Watson of Heber Springs, Arkansas, passed away Wednesday, September 3, 2003, at White County Medical Center in Searcy, Arkansas. Born January 14, 1935, at Romance, Arkansas, Mr.Watson was 68 years of age. He was the son of the late Morgan L. and Gean Watson. A resident of Heber Springs for thirty-five years, Mr. Watson was retired from the furniture business. He was a member of the Heber Springs First United Methodist Church. Mr. Watson was preceded in death by one brother, James Pawlowski. He is survived by: his wife: Jeannie (Johnson) Watson of Heber Springs, AR one son and daughter-in-law: Rodney and Bridgette Watson of Heber Springs, AR one daughter and son-in-law: Julie and Rick Long of Heber Springs, AR and four grandchildren: Lee, Seth, Keith, and Madison. Mr. Watson is also survived by other relatives and his many friends.
Visitation will be held Thursday, September 4, from 6:00-8:00 P.M. at Olmstead Funeral Home, Inc. Funeral services will be held Friday, September 5, at 2:00 P.M. in the Olmstead Chapel with Rev. John Miles and Rev. William Womack officiating. Interment will follow in Cleburne County Memorial Gardens.
Arrangements are by Olmstead Funeral Home, Inc., 601 W. Main, Heber Springs, AR 72543.
Ruby Stair
Ruby Stair, 89, of Heber Springs, Arkansas, died at Southridge Village Nursing & Rehab Center on Friday, September 5, 2003 She was born on a farm near Heber Springs on January 23, 1914. Ruby received her high school degree from Hebcr Springs and taught school in Stone County where she met and married
Stanley Stair on June 23, 1935. Ruby belonged to the First Baptist Church of Heber Springs and was president on the Heber Springs Study Club for two years. She was a gifted bookkeeper for her husband and several other- businesses in Heber. She was a caring, loving wife, mother, and grandmother. She was preceded in death by her husband, Stanley Stair; her parents, Edmond Ezra amid Rosa May (Wilf) Powell; two grandsons, George Stanley Patchell and Jeffrey Stair; two sisters and five brothers. She is survived by two sons, Richard Stair of Heber Springs; Bruce Stair and his wife Claudine of Heber Springs; three daughters, Betty Patchell of Houston, Texas; Joyce McMillan of Fairfield Bay, Arkansas; Lynda Stair of St. Louis, Missouri; one sister, Eunice Powell of Little Rock, Arkansas; eleven grandchildren and eleven great-grandchildren. She is also survived by many other relatives and friends.
A memorial service will be held Sunday, September 7 at 2 p.m. at the First Baptist Church in Heber Springs with Bro. J. R. Del3usk officiating. Burialwill follow in the Cleburne County Memorial Gardens of Heber Springs. Pallbearers: Stephen Stair, J. T. Hopkins, David Baldridge, Isaac Baldridge, David Long, and Phillip, Stair. Honorary pallbearers: Ethan Baldridge and Connor Stair.
Funeral arrangements by Olmstead Funeral Home, Inc. of Heber Springs.
Billy Gene Bufford
Billy Gene Bufford of Greers Ferry, Arkansas passed away Sunday, August 31, 2003 at the age of 57 years. Born at Wilburn, Arkansas on June 10, 1946, the son of the late Albert Bufford and Evolee (Philamlee) Bufford. He was a retired oil field mechanic. He is survived by his wife, Carol Bufford, Drasco, Arkansas Son, Bill G. Bufford, Jr., Austin, Arkansas Daughters, Carol Gillespie, Fayetteville, Arkansas & Mailyn Hunt, Greers Ferry, Arkansas Brothers, Addis Bufford, Ida, Arkansas, Ernest Bufford, Indiana, Henry Bufford, Ida, Arkansas Sisters, Levita Armstrong, Heber Springs, Geneva Smith, Vilonia, Arkansas & Sybil Hixson, Ida, Arkansas. He is also survived by six grandchildren, other relatives and friends.
Memorial services will be Saturday, September 23, 2003 at Cherokee Park in Greers Ferry, Arkansas at 2:00 pm.
Arrangements by Olmstead Funeral Home, Inc.
Arles Goodnight
Arles Goodnight, a longtime resident of Prim, passed away Saturday, September 6, 2003, at Conway Regional Medical Center at Conway, Arkansas, following an accident. The son of the late Eugene Goodnight and Pearl (Morrison) Goodnight, he was born April 9, 1939, at Shirley, Arkansas. He was preceded in death by four brothers, Tony, Alvin, Bill, and Melvin Goodnight and one sister, Della. Arles is survived by his spouse, Emma Wahl of Prim, AR his daughter, Tammy Campbell of Cabot, AR his son, Billy Goodnight of Prim, AR one stepson, William Wahl, serving the United States Army in Iraq a special friend and nephew, Jimmy Goodnight of Shirley, AR two sisters, Dorothy and Louise, both of California and two grandchildren, Shae and Kaylee Campbell. He is also survived by other nephews and nieces, other relatives, and his many friends.
A memorial service will be held Thursday, Sept. 11, at 5:00 P.M. at the Settlement cemetery in Shirley. Arrangements are by Olmstead Funeral Home, Inc., Heber Springs.
Mrs. Vauda L. Bolte
Mrs. Vauda L. Bolte of Heber Springs, Arkansas, passed away Sunday, September 7, 2003, at Beverly Healthcare in Heber Springs. Born August 25, 1917, at Morrisonville, Illinois, Mrs. Bolte was 86 years of age. She was the daughter of the late Arza and Esther (Black) Hardy. Mrs. Bolte was a retired bookkeeper for the First National Bank of Raymond, Illinois. She had been a resident of Heber Springs since 1985, and she was a member of the Cleburne County Baptist Church. She was preceded in death by her husband, Ervin Bolte, who died in 1984, and she was also preceded in death by her brother, Wayne Hardy. She is survived by: her sister-in-law, Ruby Hardy of Rose Bud, Arkansas three nieces, Judy Sweeny of Tallahassee, Florida Donna Bishop of Rose Bud, Arkansas and Jo Price of Heber Springs, Arkansas and her friend, Burke E. Coles of Heber Springs, Arkansas. Mrs. Bolte is also survived by other relatives and her many friends.
Visitation will be held Tuesday, Sept. 9, from 4:00-6:00 P.M. at Olmstead Funeral Home, Inc. in Heber Springs, AR. Funeral services will be held Thursday, September 11, in Morrisonville, Illinois, by Moffitt Funeral Home. Interment will be in the Morrisonville cemetery in Morrisonville, Illinois.
Local arrangements are by Olmstead Funeral Home, Inc., 601 W. Main, Heber Springs, AR 72543.
Lester K. Austin, Jr.,
Lester K. Austin, Jr., M.D., age 70, of Greers Ferry, Arkansas, passed away Friday, September 5, 2003, in the Baptist Medical Center at Little Rock, Arkansas. The son of the late Lester Kauffman Austin, Sr. and Margaret M. Archer Austin, he was born at Little Rock, Arkansas, December 9, 1932. He was a graduate of Hendrix College and UAMS. He practiced in the Little Rock Pediatric Clinic and in the towns of Monticello, Jonesboro, and the Greers Ferry Lake area. After graduation from medical school, L. K. served as a flight surgeon with the United States Air Force. He also served in the U.S. Navy during Korea and was the recipient of a Silver Star. All who remember L.K. know how he enjoyed dancing and that he was an especially good dancer. He and his wife, Jean Rankin Austin, who survives him, enjoyed living on Greers Ferry Lake with their two dogs, Fancy Fred and Speedy Girl.
Those who wish to remember L.K. with memorials may send them to The Humane Society, P. O. Box 401, Heber Springs, AR 72543.
Cremation and arrangements by Olmstead Funeral Home, Heber Springs, Arkansas.