Mr. Ralph Fletcher Hensley, age 79, of Quitman, Arkansas, passed away Thursday, December 4, 2003, at the Veterans Administration Hospital in Little Rock, Arkansas. Born at Pearson, Arkansas, on December 7, 1923, he was the son of the late William and Nettie (Jackson) Hensley. Mr. Hensley was a lifetime resident of Quitman and Cleburne County. He was a retired employee of the Corps of Engineers and a farmer. Mr. Hensley was a veteran of World War II, having served in the U.S. Army, and he was a member of the DAV and the Masonic Lodge. His religious belief was General Baptist. He was preceded indeath by 3 brothers , Willie, Manuel, and Earl Hensley, and 2 sisters, Letha Pierce and Eula Holland. He is survived by his wife, Myrtle Lenora (Cooper) Hensley of Quitman, AR two sons, Fletcher Hensley of Conway, AR, and Farris Hensley of Little Rock, AR, one daughter, Vicki Davis of North Little Rock, AR, one sister, Zadie Sartain of Heber Springs, AR, six grandchildren, Felicia Hensley, Paul Hensley, Sara Hensley, Shawnee Jones, Regan Hensley, and Farrah Hensley, and five great-grandchildren, Ethan Pool, Sumner Hensley, Blake Bessent, Anna Bessent, and Colton Robertson. Mr. Hensley is also survived by other relatives and his many friends.
Visitation will begin at 12:00 noon Saturday, Dec. 6, at Olmstead Funeral Home, Inc. in Heber Springs. Funeral services will be held Sunday, December 7, at 2:00 P.M. in the Flat Rock General Baptist Church. Interment with military honors will follow in the Flat Rock cemetery. Arrangements are by Olmstead Funeral Home, Inc., 601 W. Main, Heber Springs, AR 72543.
Mrs. Emma Bell Seymore
Mrs. Emma Bell Seymore, age 81, of Heber Springs, Arkansas, passed away Thursday, December 4, 2003, at Southridge Village Nursing Center in Heber Springs. Born November 5, 1922, at Heber Springs, she was the daughter of the late and Oma (Lacy) Kennedy. Mrs. Seymore was a lifetime resident of Heber Springs. She was a retired employee of Ely and Walker Shirt Factory where she was employed for 15 years, and she was a homemaker. Mrs. Seymore was a member of Pleasant Ridge General Baptist Church. Her husband, Henry F. Seymore, preceded her in death on November 15, 2001. Survivors include: one son, Don Seymore of Heber Springs, AR, one sister, Estlee Nicholson of Floral, AR, and one grandson. Mrs. Seymore is also survived by other relatives and her many friends.
Rev. Lee Vernon Carlton
Rev. Lee Vernon Carlton, age 76, of Prim, Arkansas, passed away at his home on Thursday, December 4, 2003. Born at Woodrow, Arkansas, on March 6, 1927, he was the son of the late Arthur and Ila (Hipp) Carlton. Rev. Carlton had been a lifetime resident of Prim, Arkansas, and the state of Illinois. He served as pastor of the Prim Holiness Church for over forty years. Rev. Carlton was a veteran of the U.S. Army. He was preceded in death by his daughter, Gaila Carlton, and by one brother, Haskel Carlton. He is survived by his wife, Wanda (Thomas) Carlton of Prim, AR, three sons, Ronnie Carlton of Covington, Georgia, and Steve Carlton and Darren Carlton, both of Prim, AR, one daughter, Brenda Carlton of Prim, AR, five brothers, Austin Carlton, James Carlton, Alvin Carlton, Johnny Carlton, and Tony Carlton, all of Prim, AR, one sister, Earnestine Stubbs of Prim, AR, seven grandchildren, Kendall, Jennifer, Jared, Julie, Cade, Calyn, and Caitrin, and one great grandchild, Olivia. Rev. Carlton is also survived by other relatives and his many friends.
Visitation will be held Friday, Dec. 5, beginning at 5:00 P.M. at the Prim Holiness Church. Funeral services will be held Saturday, Dec. 6, at 2:00 P.M. at the Prim Holiness Church with Rev. Archie Jones and Rev. Anthony Woods officiating. Interment will follow in the Everett cemetery. Pallbearers will be Austin Carlton, James Carlton, Johnny Carlton, Tony Carlton, Kendall Carlton, and Jared Carlton. Honorary pallbearer will be Alvin Carlton. Arrangements are by Olmstead Funeral Home, Inc., 601 W. Main, Heber Springs, AR 72543.
Mrs. Dorothy Mae Fitzgerald
Mrs. Dorothy Mae Fitzgerald, age 85, of Fairfield Bay, Arkansas, passed away Tuesday, December 2, 2003, at the Ozark Health Medical Center in Clinton, Arkansas. Born in Omaha, Nebraska, on July 1, 1918, she was the daughter of the late O. Arles and Lola (Bolton) Blankenship. s. Fitzgerald was a homemaker, a poet and writer, and a musician. She was a veteran of World War II, having served in the U.S. Navy. She was a charter member of the Fairfield Bay United Methodist Church. Her husband, Eugene H. Fitzgerald, preceded her in death. She is survived by Roberta Katz Messenger, friend and executor of the estate, of Clinton, AR. Memorial services will be held at Fairfield Bay United Methodist Church on _____day________________ at ______time_________. Arrangements are by Olmstead Funeral Home, Inc., 601 W. Main, Heber Springs, AR 72543.
William Brooks Dublin, Jr.
The Reverend Doctor William Brooks Dublin, Jr., age 64, passed away December 2nd following a short illness. Preceding Dublin in death were his parents Dorothy Spencer Lea Dublin and Dr. William Brooks Dublin, and his first wife Dr. Mary Virginia Charlton. I-fe also leaves his wife Rose, daughters Lee Anne Grace, Colleen Dublin, Mary K. Oglesby, all of the Tupelo, Mississippi area, and Cynthia Brooks Ball of Oxford, Kansas, stepdaughters Denise Rice of Tulsa, Oklahoma, Lynette Edgar of Heber Springs, Arkansas, and step-son Bob Hufford, Jr. of Little Rock, Arkansas, five grandchildren, 8 step-grandchildren, and cousins Richard Lea, John Fisher, and Suzanne Lea, all of California. Dr. Dublin was a retired pastor of the United Methodist Church and served parishes in Tennessee, Virginia, and Arkansas. He was an expert and lecturer on the “small church”, was active in the mission field, hospice, special-needs ministries, and special-needs camping. A life-long sports enthusiast, Dublin was a certified sports official, as well as a sports writer. I-fe most recently served as Sports Editor for the Sun-Times in Heber Springs, Arkansas. He directed a program utilizing volunteers, from the faith community, that helped the infirm and elderly remain in their homes rather than be hospitalized and served as a hospice chaplain. Dr. Dublin devoted his life to ministering to the needs of others. Dr. Dublin graduated Brigham Young University with a B.S. and Master’s degree of Recreational Education. He received his Master of Divinity from Memphis Theological Seminary and his Doctorate of Ministry from Southeastern Baptist Theological Seminary.
Visitation will be Thursday evening, December 4th, from 6 to 8 p.m. at Olmstead Funeral Home in Heber Springs, Arkansas. Funeral services will be held Friday, December 5th at 10 a.m. at Maranatha Assembly of God in Shirley, Arkansas. Interment will be in Dillwyn, Virginia. In lieu of flowers, the family asks that memorials be made in Dublin’s name to your favorite charity.
Reynold Mathew Brown
Reynold Mathew Brown, 85 years old, devoted husband of the late Arlene Brown, died peacefully in his home in Fairfield Bay, Arkansas, on Tuesday, December 2.
Reynold was born in February 22, 1918 in Montrose, MN. He was the son of the late Mike and Teresa (Schneider) Phillips.
Reynold had resided in Fairfield Bay since 1981. He was a veteran of World War II, having served with the United States Marines in the Pacific.
He was a retired employee of the United States Postal Service and a member of St. Francis of Assisi Parish in Fairfield Bay.
A Memorial Mass is planned for 2 p.m. Friday, December 5, at St. Francis of Assisi Church in Fairfield Bay, Arkansas.
Interment will take place at Fort Snelling National cemetery in Minneapolis, MN.
Survivors include David Brown of Centennial, CO; Mary Nistler of Oak Park, IL; Gail Brown of Mt. Vernon; Steven Brown of San Juan Capistrano, CA; Paul Brown of Spokane, WA, and Patricia Brown of Kirkwood, MO. Reynold was a devoted grandfather to his 16 grandchildren; he was also blessed with four great-grandchildren. His many relatives, nieces, nephews, and friends will miss him.
Memorials may be made to the Hospice Program, c/o Van Buren County Health Department, P. O. Box 452, Clinton, AR 72031.
Arrangements are by Olmstead Funeral Home, Inc., 601 W. Main, Heber Springs, AR 72543.
Mrs. Fannie Gertrude Hensley Massey
Mrs. Fannie Gertrude Hensley Massey, age 90, of Searcy, Arkansas, passed away Sunday, November 30, 2003, at White County Medical Center in Searcy. Born at Hickory Flat, Arkansas, on February 19, 1913, she was the daughter of the late Thomas Franklin and Elizabeth P. (Albert) Hensley. Mrs. Massey grew-up in White County, Arkansas, and then moved to Tyler, Arkansas. In 1949 she returned to White County where she remained a resident. She was a homemaker and enjoyed quilting, growing flowers, and gardening. She was a member of the First General Baptist Church in Searcy. Her husband, Norris Massey, preceded her in death on July 5, 1980. Mrs. Massey was also preceded in death by one son, James Rowland Massey, two brothers, Albert Hensley and Calvin Hensley, and one sister, Colline Brannin. Survivors include: one son, Monroe Massey of Vilonia, AR, two daughters, Naomi Simmons of Searcy, AR, and Pearly Ann Chamber of Fordyce, AR, two brothers, Linois Hensley of Hickory Flat, AR, and Thaine Hensley of Benton, AR, two sisters, Leona Mitzler of Sanger, California, and Ethel Aylen of Toone, Tennessee, ten grandchildren and nine great grandchildren. Mrs. Massey is also survived by other relatives and her many friends.
Visitation will be held Monday, Dec. 1, from 6:00-8:00 P.M. at Searcy-McEuen Funeral Home in Searcy. Funeral services will be held Tuesday, Dec. 2, at 2:00 P.M. in the First General Baptist Church of Searcy with Rev. Robert Brumley and Rev. Kevin Rhodes officiating. Interment will follow in the Olive Branch cemetery at Hickory Flat. Pallbearers will be Scott Wilson, David Massey, Phil Pilpot, Thaddaeus Chamber, Arnold Simmons, and Nick Scott. Honorary pallbearer will be Dr. Jim Citty. Arrangements are by Olmstead Funeral Home, Inc., 601 W. Main, Heber Springs, AR 72543.
Mrs. Marian P. Kovacevich
Mrs. Marian P. Kovacevich, age 79, of Fairfield Bay, Arkansas, passed away Sunday, November 30, 2003, at the Conway Regional Medical Center in Conway, Arkansas. Born in Minnesota on January 22, 1924, she was the daughter of the late Harold and Pearl (Danials) Cleveland. Mrs. Kovacevich was a retired secretary for Anaconda Wire and Cable Company. She had been a resident of Fairfield Bay for twenty-two years, and she was a member of St. Francis of Assisi Catholic Church. She is survived by her husband, Nick Kovacevich of Fairfield Bay, AR, one son, Michael Kovacevich of Elburn, Illinois, and two granddaughters, Olivia and Kelsie, both of Elburn, Illinois. Mrs. Kovacevich is also survived by other relatives and her many friends.
A memorial service will be held Friday, December 5, at 11:00 A.M. at St. Francis of Assisi Catholic Church with Fr. Tom Keller officiating. Arrangements are by Olmstead Funeral Home, Inc., 601 W. Main, Heber Springs, AR 72543.
Tillman R. Rodgers
Tillman R. Rodgers, age 44, of Heber Springs, Arkansas, passed away Wednesday, January 28, 2004, at Baptist Health Medical Center in Little Rock, Arkansas. Born in Wichita, Kansas, on August 15, 1959, he was the son of Earl Riley and Margaret Helen (Herman) Rodgers. Tillman was employed by Wal-Mart in Searcy as a fork lift operator, and for nine years he had worked as a truck driver. Tillman had been a resident of the Heber Springs area for fifteen years, and he loved fishing. His religious belief was Baptist. Tillman is survived by one daughter, Ann Marie Rodgers of Heber Springs, AR, his parents, Earl and Margaret Rodgers of Beebe, AR, four brothers, Shawn Rodgers of Mississippi, Kevin Rodgers of Russellville, AR, Rily Rodgers of Kensett, AR, and Basil Rodgers of Quitman, AR, four sisters, Janet Villaverde of Colorado Springs, Colorado, Rose Phillips of Kensett, AR, Ronda Hankins and Sherrie Hutchins, both of Beebe, AR, his fiancée, Donna Burns of Heber Springs, AR, and one grandson, Bradley James Aycock, Tillman is also survived by other relatives and his many friends.
Mrs. Opal Kathleen (Lacy) Chastain
Mrs. Opal Kathleen (Lacy) Chastain, age 74, of Drasco, Arkansas, passed away Monday, January 26, 2004, at White River Medical Center in Batesville, Arkansas. Born November 10, 1929, in Ida, Arkansas, she was the daughter of Nellie (Bartschi) Lacy and the late Jim Lacy of Ida. Mrs. Chastain was a lifetime resident of Cleburne County. She was a grocery store owner and a homemaker who loved her family. Mrs. Chastain was a member of the Pleasant Ridge General Baptist Church. She was married
to Q. L. Chastain for thirty-eight years, and he preceded her in death on Dec. 31, 1984. They had a large family of four sons and two daughters who survive: Quentin (Sonny) Chastain of Heber Springs, Lanny (Bud) and Donna Chastain of Quitman, Jim and Debby Chastain of Drasco, Tommy and Sandy Chastain of Drasco; Mary Ann and Glendal McMullin of Batevesille, and Melanie Derr of Everett, Washington. She is also survived by her mother, Nellie Lacy of Ida; one brother, Jim and Kathy Lacy, of Ida; thirteen grandchildren and nine great grandchildren. Mrs. Chastain is also survived by other relatives and her many friends.
Visitation will be held Tuesday, Jan. 27, from 7:00-9:00 P.M. at Olmstead Funeral Home, Inc. Funeral services will be held Wednesday, Jan. 28, at 2:00 P.M. in the Olmstead Chapel with Rev. Darvin Carlton officiating. Interment will follow in the Oak Grove cemetery. Pallbearers will be Quentin (Sonny) Chastain, Lanny (Bud) Chastain, Jim Chastain, Tommy Chastain, Jim Lacy, and Glendal McMullin. Honorary pallbearers will be her grandsons Stephen Chastain, Mark Chastain, David Chastain, Kyle McMullin, and Nic Derr. Arrangements are by Olmstead Funeral Home, Inc., 601 W. Main, Heber Springs, AR 72543.
Joan E. Bryant
Joan E. Bryant passed away at home here in Fairfield Bay on Sunday morning, Jan. 25. She was born in Greencastle, Indiana on November 6, 1924. She was a war bride, mother, grandmother, great grandmother, sister and a friend. She attended schools in Terre Haute, Indiana and also attended Indiana State University. She was a 50 year member of the Beta Sigma Phi sorority. Preceding her in death were sons Steven and Peter. Surviving are E. Lee Bryant, husband of 59 years, daughter, Jane Ann Swenson, daughter-in-law Karen Bryant of Ohio, grandchildren Kaleb Swenson, Molly McCoy of Kentucky, and Tamara Pillard of Michigan, seven great grandchildren and many nieces and nephews. She was a member of the Fairfield Bay United Methodist Church.
Graveside service at 10:00, Jan. 28, Woodland Memorial Park. Memorials may be made to the Fairfield Bay Animal Protection League. Olmstead Funeral Home in charge of arrangements.
Mrs. Lorene Marguerite Shipley
Mrs. Lorene Marguerite Shipley, age 86, of Heber Springs, Arkansas, passed away Sunday, January 18, 2004, at Baptist Health Medical Center in Little Rock, Arkansas. Born at Box, Oklahoma, on April 26, 1917, she was the daughter of the late Jesse E. and Edith Lee (Saxon) Fink. Mrs. Shipley was a homemaker, and she had been a resident of Heber Springs for several years. Mrs. Shipley’s religious belief was Baptist. She was preceded in death by her husband, Lloyd Marion Shipley, on October 29, 1982. She is survived by one son, Ron Moody and his wife, Cathy, of Mansfield, Texas, three brothers, Jack Fink and his wife, Edna, of Heber Springs, AR, Jesse Fink, Jr. and his wife, Bobby, of Black Gum, Oklahoma, and Donald Fink of Gore, Oklahoma, one sister, Doris Pearson of Muskogee, Oklahoma, two grandchildren, Chris Simkins of Los Angeles, California, and Cheryl and Chad Moses of Arlington, Texas, one great grandchild, Tristan Moses, and many nieces and nephews. Mrs. Shipley is also survived by other relatives and her many friends.
Visitation will be held Tuesday, Jan. 20, at Olmstead Funeral Home, Inc. Funeral services will be held Wednesday, Jan. 21, at 2:00 P.M. in the Olmstead Chapel with Rev. Lloyd Blanton officiating. Interment will follow in Cleburne County Memorial Gardens. Memorials may be made to the American Cancer Society, the Alzheimer’s Association, or the American Heart Association. Arrangements are by Olmstead Funeral Home, Inc., 601 W. Main, Heber Springs, AR 72543.
MARY OPHELIA CLAYTON
MARY OPHELIA CLAYTON, THE DAUGHTER OF MILTON M. AND EFFIE LEWALLEN BOYER WAS BORN IN DeVALLS BLUFF, ARKANSAS ON DECEMBER 3, 1917 AND passed away AT HER HOME ON JANUARY 17, 2004 AT THE AGE OF 86 YEARS. MRS. CLAYTON WAS A MOTHER AND HOMEMAKER AND HAD LIVED MOST OF HER LIFE IN ARKANSAS. SHE WAS A CHRISTIAN AND ATTENDED THE WILBURN COMMUNITY CHURCH. SHE WAS preceded in death BY HER HUSBAND CLARENCE CLAYTON ON JULY 19, 1983 AND A DAUGHTER AND 2 GRANDCHILDREN. SHE IS SURVIVED BY EIGHT SONS WILLIAM M. REEVES, CLARENCE CLAYTON JR. GENE RAY CLAYTON, JOHNNY CLAYTON, HENRY CLAYTON, RICHARD CLAYTON, ROBERT CLAYTON AND JAMES CLAYTON, TWO DAUGHTERS LELA GARRISON AND LINDA REED, ONE SISTER MABLE BULLARD. SHE IS ALSO SURVIVED BY 12 GRANDCHILDREN AND 16 GREAT GRANDCHILDREN BESIDES OTHER RELATIVES AND MANY FRIENDS.
VISITATION WILL BE SUNDAY JANUARY 18, 2004 FROM 6:00 UNTIL 8:00 PM WITH FUNERAL SERVICES ON MONDAY JANUARY 19, 2004 AT 2:00 PM IN THE OLMSTEAD CHAPEL BY REV. LLOYD BLANTON. INTERMENT WILL BE AT ANTIOCH cemetery. PALLBEARERS WILL BE MATT NELSON, DENNY RORIE, GARY TAYLOR, SAMMY SETTLEMIRE, EDWARD RIDER, KEVIN GARRISON. HONORARY PALLBEARERS WILL BE SIDNEY BIRDSONG, DORR B. MOORE AND MACK SHEARER.
ARRANGEMENTS BY OLMSTEAD FUNERAL HOME, INC.
