Daniel Watt, age 82, of Heber Springs, Arkansas, passed away at his home on Tuesday, January 3, 2006. Born in Mt. Ida, Arkansas, on January 9, 1923, he was the son of the late James and Ida (Horton) Watt. Mr. Watt was a civil engineer and a veteran of World War II, having served in the Army Air Corps as a B24 pilot. He was a Mason, a Shriner, and a member of the Rotary Club. Mr. Watt enjoyed playing golf, fishing, woodworking, and music. He was a member of the First United Methodist Church of Heber Springs. His parents and his brother, Robert Watt, preceded him in death. Mr. Watt is survived by his wife, Irma Ann (Ward) Watt of Heber Springs; five sons, Gregory Watt of Michigan, Robert Watt and his wife, Linn, of Massachusetts, Michael Watt and his wife, Ellen, of Michigan, Steven Watt and his wife, Mary, of Colorado, and David Watt and his wife, Teresa, of Colorado; one sister, Dorothy Wilson of Forrest City; and seven grandchildren, Daniel Watt, Sarah Watt, Jamie Watt, Christopher Watt, Alex Watt, Kate Hendricksen, and Jackie Hendricksen. Mr. Watt is also survived by other relatives and his many friends.
Visitation will be held Thursday, Jan. 5, from 6:00-8:00 p.m. at Olmstead Funeral Home, Inc. Funeral services will be held Friday, Jan. 6, at 2:00 p.m. in the First United Methodist Church of Heber Springs with Rev. John Miles officiating. Interment will follow in Cleburne County Memorial Gardens. Arrangements are by Olmstead Funeral Home, Inc.
Dennis Edward Bradford
Dennis Edward Bradford, 46, of North Little Rock set down his tools here on earth in exchange for his new assignment with the Lord on Monday, January 2, 2006. While here with us, he was many things to many people – a devoted husband, father, son, brother, and uncle to many nephews and nieces. He was a treasured friend to all that knew him. Dennis was born in Heber Springs, Arkansas, to Ed and Peggy Bradford on February 13, 1959, the second of five children, the eldest son. He attended the Arkansas School for the Deaf and graduated from there in 1978 where he played football and excelled on their Tumbling Team. From the time he was able, Dennis applied his hard work ethic to everything he did. From working with his father in his teenage years to his last 16 years at the Arkansas School for the Deaf, his reputation for hard work and dependability was widely known and admired. His reputation for hard work was only surpassed by his gift for patience with everyone and everything. He will be sorely missed.
Dennis was preceded in death by his grandparents, George and Mae Bell Bradford and Luther and Jesse Skinner. He is survived by his wife, Shelia Bradford; daughter and son-in-law, Mary Ann and Aaron Peloquin; father and mother, Ed and Peggy Bradford; sisters, Phyllis Knight and husband, Bill, and Paula Reed and husband, Charley; brothers, B. J. Bradford and wife, Tracy, and Jerry Bradford and wife, Wanda; and his nieces and nephews, Cindy Bradford, Misty Reed, Megan Chandler, Shalae Bradford, Emily Reed, Heather Bradford, April Butler, Eddie Bradford, Grant Reed, Ashlee Butler, and Jacob Bradford.
Visitation will be held Friday, Jan. 6, from 10:00-11:00 a.m. at the Highway Baptist Church in North Little Rock with funeral services beginning at 11:00 a.m. officiated by Dr. L. H. McCollough. Pallbearers are Mike Nelson, Charley Reed, Aaron Peloquin, Robert Kelly, Roy Dale Bradford, Porter Bray and John Cook. Graveside services will follow at 2:30 p.m. in the Higden-McLehaney cemetery in Higden. Arrangements are by Olmstead Funeral Home, Inc.
Virginia Rose Aldridge
Virginia Rose Aldridge, of Heber Springs, Arkansas began the new year in the presence of her Lord and Savior on January 1, 2006. Her courage and faith as she lived over 40 years with crippling rheumatoid arthritis was a beautiful testimony of God’s grace and sufficiency. Virginia was born on January 20, 1925 in Heber Springs, Arkansas to W. O. and Terria Connell. After graduating from Heber Springs High School, she attended Central Baptist College in Conway, Arkansas for two years. Virginia married
her high school sweetheart and love of her life on August 30, 1944, and they celebrated 61 blessed years together. Virginia was a life-long member of First Baptist Church in Heber Springs, where she sang in the choir and taught beginner and primary classes. She was also a member of the Home Extension Club and Garden Club. Her calling in life was being a wife and mother which she did with total love, joy and devotion.
Virginia was preceded in death by her parents, W. O. and Terria Connell. She is survived by her husband Walter Aldridge of Heber Springs, three daughters Marilyn Pettit and husband, Roger, of Heber Springs, Vicki Lowe and husband Ray of Nashville, Tennessee, Luanne Birdsong and husband Whit of Searcy. She is also survived by seven grandchildren. Marc Pettit and wife Felicia of Mission, Texas, Krish Merrick and husband Jason of Cabot, Stephen Pettit of Heber Springs, Melody Lowe and Matt Lowe of Nashville, Tennessee, Bridget Price and husband Paul of Maumelle and Wesley Birdsong of Little Rock. She is also survived by five great-grandchildren, Hannah Grace and William Harrison Merrick of Cabot, Ashlyn Faith and Ava Isabella Pettit of Mission, Texas and Marlee Annabelle Price of Maumelle.
The family wishes to express their love and thanks to Loretta Beason, Mariland Heffington and Vickie Shamlin for their loving care and devotion to Virginia over this past year.
Visitation will be January 3, 2006 from 6:00 until 8:00 PM at Olmstead Funeral Home in Heber Springs. Funeral Services will be held at 2:00 PM, January 4, 2006 at First Baptist Church in Heber Springs and burial will follow at Cleburne County Memorial Gardens.
Arrangements by Olmstead Funeral Home, Inc.
Ruth Allene Craig
Ruth Allene Craig, the daughter of William Riley and Maude Francis Doyle was born in Pangburn, Arkansas on October 26, 1921 and passed away in Little Rock, Arkansas on December 31, 2005 at the age of 84 years. Mrs. Craig was a children's attendant at the Heber Springs Hospital for many years taking care of babies. She was a member of the First Baptist Church of Heber Springs and loved the Lord and everyone she came in touch with. She enjoyed dancing and cooking for her children and grandchildren. She was preceded in death by her parents, a daughter Karen Sue, a son Joe Doyle Craig, and two brothers Wayne Doyle and Riley Ray Doyle. Survivors are a sister Ruby Frances Billingsley of Pangburn, four granddaughters Shelli Johnston, Sherri Escovedo, Jessica Craig and Brandy Davis, she is also survived by six great grandchildren besides other relatives and many friends.
Visitation will be Monday, January 2, 2006 at Olmstead Funeral Home and funeral services will be at 2:00 PM, Tuesday, January 3, 2006 at the Olmstead Chapel by Rev. John Watts. Interment will follow in Henderson cemetery in Pangburn, Arkansas. Pallbearers are: Mike Johnston, Dusty Johnston, Jerry Vernon, Eddie Escovedo, David Morton and Danny Vinson. Memorials may be made to The Church at Pinnacle Mountain, 7901 Hwy 300, Roland, Arkansas 72135. Arrangements by Olmstead Funeral Home, Inc. Heber Springs, AR.
Walter Malcolm Puckett
Walter Malcolm Puckett, 80, of Heber Springs, Ark., passed away Thursday, December 29, 2005 surrounded by his family. Walt was born Aug. 7, 1925 in Clarksville, Tenn., the youngest child of Joseph Walter and Lucy (Pace) Puckett. Walt began his life as the son of a sharecropper, and spent his youth working in the tobacco fields and breaking mules. He was fond of telling his children how the good ones were sold and the bad-tempered ones were kept for plowing. He left the farm and enlisted in the Marine Corps in February of 1943 at the age of 17. He had fond memories of boot camp, recalling it was an easy life after the farm and a time when he actually gained weight. He taught sea survival training while stationed in Ewa, Hawaii leaving him with memories of beautiful oceans and sand in his scrambled eggs. After the war in 1946 he left the service and worked as a glazer for Binswanger Glass. Walt joined the Marine Corps reserve in September of 1948. He was then recalled to active service in the Marine Corps in 1949 for the Korean Conflict and learned to pack chutes and jump out of airplanes. Following his second stint in the service he returned to the glass business in North Carolina. He married
Helen Louise Tigar in 1950. Walt rose from glass shop worker to shop foreman and then bought a shop of his own in Salisbury, N.C. During these years he had three sons, Mac, Steve and Jeff. In the 60’s, Walt made the decision to work for himself as a manufacturer’s rep and was very successful at this. Over the years he made many friends, helped many people, and touched many lives. Walt never retired because work was his hobby and he enjoyed his business as he enjoyed the many friends he made in the glass world. Walt’s other hobbies were his cows and his deer, and he spent many happy hours working his farm, building ponds and fences and generally just enjoying his farm. He was able to stay on the farm, right up to the very end of his life, when he finally lost his battle with cancer. Walt will be sorely missed by his friends and especially by his family, who will always keep him in their hearts.
Walter M. Puckett was preceded in death by his parents and his older brother Wilburn Puckett. He is survived by his sister Mildred Hill of Goldsboro, N. C. and his beloved friend Naomi Turpin, as well as his three sons, Mac Puckett (Katherine), Steve Puckett, and Jeff Puckett (Paula); five grandchildren, Jessica Puckett, Joey Puckett, Justin Puckett, Lauren Puckett and Regan Puckett; and one great-grandchild, Breanna Henley.
Visitation will be Sunday afternoon, Jan. 1, 2006 at 3-5 p.m. at Olmstead Funeral Home. Services for Mr. Puckett will be held 10 a.m. Monday, Jan. 2, 2006, at Olmstead Funeral Home with burial at Cleburne County Memorial Gardens. Pallbearers will be his sons, Mac Puckett, Steve Puckett, and Jeff Puckett, his grandsons Joey Puckett and Justin Puckett and fellow Marine, Mark Jeffery. The family requests that in lieu of flowers, donations be made to a favorite charity.
Mrs. Mavis Lucille Baker
Mrs. Mavis Lucille Baker, age 87, of Rose Bud, Arkansas, passed away Friday, December 30, 2005. Born in Rose Bud on October 12, 1918, she was the daughter of the late Gaither and Emma (Reedy) Griffin.
Mrs. Baker had been a resident of Rose Bud for most of her life. In 1949 she began the Market Café located in Conway. She retired in 1983 from the shoe factory in Searcy.
Gospel music was important in the life of Mrs. Baker. The Baker Quartet was formed in the 1940’s. She also sang in a trio with Troy Barrett beginning in the early 1940’s, and they continued to sing gospel songs for about fifty years. She was preceded in death by her husband, Raymond Baker, and one grandson, Clayton McCann.
Mrs. Baker is survived by one daughter, Lois McCann of Rose Bud; one sister, Maxine Dickson; three grandchildren, Lucy Remsing, Eddie McCann, and Jeff McCann; ten great-grandchildren, and three great-great-grandchildren. Mrs. Baker is also survived by other relatives and her many friends.
Visitation will be held Sunday, Jan. 1, from 4:00-6:00 p.m. at Olmstead Funeral Home, Inc. Funeral services will be held Monday, Jan. 2, at 10:00 a.m. in St. Mary’s Church with Rev. H. R. Neal officiating. Interment will follow in St. Mary’s cemetery. Pallbearers will be Wendell Baker, Henry Caldwell, Jimmy Hawkins, Larry Garrison, James Crider, Terry Hussman and E. D. Lester. Arrangements are by Olmstead Funeral Home, Inc.
Edward 'Eddie' Fall
Sunday, February 26, 2006, Edward 'Eddie' Fall, age 59, passed away at home surrounded by his family after a long illness. Eddie spent over 30 memorable years as a District Representative for Green Bay Packaging. He was a strong supporter of the Heber Springs Volunteer Fire Department and retired after serving several positions including Fire Chief. He was a member of the First Baptist Church and dearly loved his home town of Heber Springs and all the people in it.
He enjoyed the many activities of his children including baseball and basketball or any other venture in which they were involved. There were many memorable vacations and four wheeling, fishing, and jeeping trips. He retired two years ago and spent many happy hours rocking and playing with his Granddaughter Olivia.
He would like to pay tribute to all his friends who encouraged and raised his morale during his illness. To Dr. Dan Lister, his staff and the surgical staff at Heber Springs Baptist Medical Center, to Margaret McKnabb with Cleburne County Hospice, to Dr. Pam Speed and Dr. Jim Ashabranner and Dr. Jacqualine Fleckenstien at U T Medical Group we extend our deepest appreciation for there care and love.
Eddie was preceded in death by his parents Leo and Betty Fall and his grandparents Mr. and Mrs. Frank Chastain and Mr. and Mrs. A. O. Fall.
He is survived by his wife of 37 years, Janette Jackson Fall and two children: His son, Franklin Fall and daughter Natalie Fall Norton and her husband Darrell Norton and granddaughter Olivia Norton, all of Heber Springs. Other loved relatives include Polly Chandler, Arline Smith, Debbie Robus, Suzanne Linn and their families.
Services will be held at Olmstead Chapel in Heber Springs on Tuesday, Feb. 28th at 10:00. Burial will be at Heber Springs cemetery. Pallbearers will be: Gary McKenny, Shawn Kelley, Ted Jones, Johnny Haile, Clifton Stark, Chad Evans, Steve Haile, Wayne Rose, David Smith, Bill Allbright. Honorary pallbearers will be fellow employees of Green Bay Packaging and members of the Heber Springs Fire Department, Felts Rector, Jim Ramsey, Bill Kelley.
Arrangements by: Olmstead Funeral Home, Inc.
Nina Marie Robinson
Nina Marie Robinson, 76, of Fairfield Bay, Arkansas, passed away Monday, February 20, 2006, at Baptist Health Medical Center in Little Rock, Arkansas. Born in Missouri, on November 25, 1929, she was the daughter of the late John and Gladys (Freeland) Sample.
A former resident of Farmington, Missouri, Mrs. Robinson had lived in Fairfield Bay since 1985. She was a homemaker and mother. Mrs. Robinson was a member of the V.F.W. Color Guard in Fairfield Bay, Ladies Auxiliary of the V.F.W., Garden Club, and Red Hat Society. She was a member of the First Baptist Church in Fredericktown, Missouri. Her husband, Raymond H. Robinson, preceded her in death on November 20, 2002. Mrs. Robinson was also preceded in death by one stepdaughter, Terry Joseph, and one brother, Bill Sample.
Survivors include three daughters, Delmyra Montgomery of Glen Burnie, Maryland, Renee Cooper of Park Hill, Missouri, and Kimberly Phipps of Fredericktown, Missouri; one stepdaughter, Karen Henson of Farmington, Missouri; six stepsons, Tim Robinson of Dale City, Virginia, Houston Robinson of California, Ron Robinson of Pennsylvania, Mike Kinsey of California, Mark Kinsey of Pennsylvania, and Lee Kinsey of California; three sisters, Jennie Ramey of Marietta, Georgia, Linda Rodenburg of Gold Canyon, Arizona, and Sharon Thurman of Casa Grande, Arizona; eight grandchildren, Chandra Crocopio, Bethany Montgomery, Michael Smith, Jr., Amy Tinnin, Ashley Henson, John Robinson, Michael Varosi, and Cole Robinson; and one great-grandchild, Connor Tinnin. Mrs. Robinson is also survived by other relatives and her many friends.
Visitation will be held at the Olmstead Woodland Chapel on Thursday, Feb. 23, at 12:00 noon with services beginning at 1:00 p.m. officiated by Rev. Van Harness. Graveside services and interment will be held Friday, Feb. 24, at 3:00 p.m. in the Christian cemetery at Fredericktown, Missouri. Arrangements are by Olmstead Funeral Home, Inc.
Floyd D. Brimhall, Sr.
Floyd D. Brimhall, Sr. of Dickson, Tennessee, formerly of Heber Springs, passed away Friday, February 17, 2006 in Dickson. Born in Bono, Arkansas, on December 15, 1910, he was 95 years of age. Mr. Brimhall was a retired farmer. He was preceded in death by his wife Wanda Muriel (Bryant) Brimhall, on March 2, 2001. Mr. Brimhall is survived by six sons, Floyd Brimhall, Jr., Tony Brimhall, and Ricky Brimhall, all of Heber Springs, Jimmy Brimhall of Grand Junction, Michigan, Hershel Brimhall of Lake Wales, Florida, and Larry Brimhall of Fennville, Michigan. six daughters, Pam Harrell of Dickson, Tennessee, Niline Dooley and Dorothy Venable, both of Lake Wales, Florida, Wanda Hickman of Onia, Arkansas, and Debra Decker and Shenna Golden, both of Heber Springs; 75 grandchildren, 25 great-grandchildren, and 2 great-great-grandchildren. Mr. Brimhall is also survived by other relatives and friends.
Visitation will be held Monday, Feb. 20, from 2:00-8:00 p.m. at Olmstead Funeral Home, Inc. Funeral services will be held Tuesday, Feb. 21, at 2:00 p.m. in the Olmstead Chapel with Rev. John Miles officiating. Interment will follow in Cleburne County Memorial Gardens with Bobby Golden, Tony Brimhall, Michael Haggard, Larry Don Dent, Gary Lynn Dent, and Wiley Osborn, Jr. serving as pallbearers. Arrangements are by Olmstead Funeral Home, Inc.
Nancy Diana Richardson
Nancy Diana Richardson, the daughter of L. C. and Rudell Walker Garrison, was born in Memphis, Tennessee, on October 13, 1950 and passed away on February 18, 2006 at her home in the Pine Snag Community at the age of 55 years. Mrs. Richardson was an executive secretary working for Regional Adjustment Bureau in Memphis, Tennessee. She had lived most of her life in Memphis, Tennessee, and moved to Heber Springs 3 years ago. She was a 1968 graduate of Oakhaven High School in Memphis and attended the Pleasant Valley Baptist Church. She enjoyed flowers and gardening, 4-wheeling, and her grandchildren who knew her as Nee Nee. Survivors are her husband Benny A. Richardson, Sr. of Heber Springs, a son Benny A. Richardson, Jr. of Arlington, Tennessee, a daughter Brandy Diane Thompson of Cordova, Tennessee, two sisters Linda Gail Fleming and Jodi Williams both of Memphis, Tennessee and a half brother Keith Smith of Memphis, Tennessee. She is also survived by 4 grandchildren: Zach Richardson, Zoe Richardson, Denver Thompson and Nicholas Thompson besides other relatives and many friends.
Visitation will be on Tuesday, February 21, from 4:00 until 7:00 PM at Olmstead Funeral Home and funeral services will be held on Wednesday, February 22, 2006 at 1:00 PM in the Olmstead Chapel by Rev. Bennie Foster with interment in Good Springs cemetery. Pallbearers will be Mark Fleming, Keith Smith, Mike Richardson, J. C. Fleming, Jerry Richardson, and Max Allen. Arrangements by Olmstead Funeral Home, Inc. of Heber Springs.
Ruth Elmore
Ruth Elmore, the daughter of John William and Mae Bam Braswell Elmore was born in Alverado, Texas on December 20, 1909 and passed away at South Ridge Village in Heber Springs on February 18, 2006 at the age of 96 years. Mrs. Elmore was a retired secretary and member of the Methodist Church where she was active in the UDC Circle. She had been a resident of Heber Springs for the past 10 years and had lived prior in El Dorado, Arkansas. She is survived by a niece Jo Griffin of Heber Springs, two great nieces and one great nephew.
A memorial service will be announced at a later date. Arrangements by Olmstead Funeral Home, Inc. of Heber Springs.
Bobby F. Lowery, Sr.
Bobby F. Lowery, Sr., age 68, of Pleasant Plains, Arkansas, passed away Tuesday, February 14, 2006, at the White County Medical Center in Searcy, Arkansas. Born in Newport, Arkansas, on August 16, 1937, he was the son of the late R. W. and Mabel Lucille (Emmons) Lowery. A former resident of Locust Grove, Mr. Lowery had lived in Pleasant Plains for eighteen years. He was a farmer and loved working on cars. His religious belief was nondenominational. Mr. Lowery was preceded in death by his parents and one brother, Raymond Lowery, Jr. He is survived by his wife, Allene of Pleasant Plains; one son, Bobby F. Lowery, Jr. and his wife, Kathy, of Jonesboro; one stepson, John Foster of Pleasant Plains; two stepdaughters, Sarah Morute of Pacific, Missouri, and Jetta Hays of Clarendon; one brother, Scotty Lowery of Newport two sisters, Pat Munoz of Winters, California, and Betty Salsman of Vacaville, California; and five step-grandchildren, Jason, Cassandra, Amanda, Josh, and John. Mr. Lowery is also survived by other relatives and his many friends.
Visitation will be held Thursday, Feb. 16, from 5:00-8:00 p.m. at Jackson Funeral Home in Newport and Friday, Feb. 17, from 5:00-7:00 p.m. at Olmstead Funeral Home, Inc. in Heber Springs. Graveside services for Mr. Lowery will be held Saturday, Feb. 18, at 2:00 p.m. in the Settlement cemetery at Shirley with Rev. Mike Glover officiating. Pallbearers will be Josh Randall, John Foster, Justin Southern, Kevin Davis, Gary Davis, Cody McArthur, Steve Burgess, and Phillip Burgess. Arrangements are by Olmstead Funeral Home, Inc.
Mrs. Carma Alada Gordon
Mrs. Carma Alada Gordon, age 76, of Heber Springs, Arkansas, passed away Wednesday, February 15, 2006, at White County Medical Center in Searcy, Arkansas. Born in St. Louis, Missouri, on September 27, 1929, she was the daughter of the late Theral and Kathryn (Grassenhopper) Wilson. A former resident of Jacksonville, Arkansas, Mrs. Gordon had lived at Heber Springs for twenty-two years. She was retired from retail sales and was a homemaker. Mrs. Gordon enjoyed flowers and gardening. She was a member of the V.F.W. Ladies Auxiliary and worked with bingo at the V.F.W. Mrs. Gordon’s religious belief was Protestant. She is survived by her husband, Earl Gordon of Heber Springs; her children, Earl Smith of South Carolina, Norma Roberts of Southaven, Mississippi, Allen Smith of Jacksonville, and Shirley Garringer of Foley, Alabama; one stepdaughter, Diana Riedling of Searcy; two brothers, Frank Wilson of Mornington, Missouri, and Thirol Wilson of St. Louis, Missouri; one sister, Norma Wood of Jacksonville, Florida; grandchildren, Natascha Copeland, Natalie Hawks, Joleen Lowes, and Jeremy Smith; step-grandchildren, Michelle Riedling and Allen Daton Smith; and six great-grandchildren. Mrs. Gordon is also survived by other relatives and her many friends.
Visitation will be held at Olmstead Funeral Home, Inc. Funeral services will be held Monday, February 20, at 2:00 p.m. in the Olmstead Chapel with Rev. Bill Sutton officiating. Interment will follow in Cleburne County Memorial Gardens. Arrangements are by Olmstead Funeral Home, Inc.
Thomas Paul Snow
Thomas Paul Snow, age 58, of Heber Springs, Arkansas, passed away at his home on Tuesday, February 14, 2006. Born in Heber Springs on September 8, 1947, he was the son of Ruby (Whitehurst) Snow and the late Samuel James Snow.
A resident of Heber Springs for most of his life, Mr. Snow was a retired employee of General Telephone Company. He enjoyed hunting and was an avid turkey and deer hunter. Mr. Snow was a member of the First Assembly of God Church in Searcy. In addition to his father, he was preceded in death by one sister, Rose Ann Myer.
Mr. Snow is survived by his wife, Nancy (Tilley) Snow of Heber Springs; two sons, Curtis Paul Snow of Neosho, Missouri, and James Aaron Snow of Heber Springs; two daughters, Shannon Rene’ Weatherford of Beebe; and Kristi Lanae Ferren of Heber Springs; his mother, Ruby Snow of Heber Springs; four brothers, Robert Snow of Ward, Donald Snow of Neosho, Missouri, Sam Snow of Stuttgart, and Phillip Snow of Idabel, Oklahoma; two sisters, Marjorie Short of Mississippi, and Mary Martin of Heber Springs; and sixteen grandchildren. Mr. Snow is also survived by other relatives and his many friends.
Visitation will be held Thursday, Feb. 16, at Olmstead Funeral Home, Inc. from 5:00-7:00 p.m. Funeral services will be held Friday, Feb. 17, at 2:00 p.m. in the First Assembly of God Church in Searcy with Rev. Vernon Ables officiating. Interment will follow in the Good Springs cemetery. His nephews Randy Snow, Kenneth Martin, Billy Short, Jackie Snow, Paul Snow, and Phillip Myer will serve as pallbearers. Arrangements are by Olmstead Funeral Home, Inc.
Patsy Ann (James) Hixson
Patsy Ann (James) Hixson, age 58, of Drasco, Arkansas, passed away Monday, February 13, 2006, at Baptist Health Medical Center in Little Rock, Arkansas. Born in South Lyon, Michigan, on July 22, 1947, she was the daughter of Marie (Laster) Lawrence and the late Albert Lawrence.
Mrs. Hixson grew-up in Cleburne County and moved back to the area in 1995. She was employed as a cook for the Heber Springs School system. Mrs. Hixson served as a Boy Scout Leader. Her religious belief was Baptist. She was preceded in death by her father, Albert Lawrence, and her grandmother, Norene Laster.
She is survived by her husband, Willie Hixson of Drasco, two sons, Jeff James of Beebe and David James of Vilonia; her mother, Marie Lawrence of Batesville; one brother, Dale Lawrence of Drasco; three sisters, Freda Neal of Heber Springs, Helen Barnes of Batesville, and Marie Neighbors of Mt. Home; four grandchildren, and one great-grandchild. Mrs. Hixson is also survived by other relatives and her many friends.
Visitation will be held Wednesday, February 15, from 6:00-8:00 p.m. at Olmstead Funeral Home, Inc. Funeral services will be held Thursday, February 16, at 10:00 a.m. in the Olmstead Chapel with Rev. Gary Golbian, Pastor Odell Altom and Rev. Samuel Wildmon officiating. Interment will follow in the Miller cemetery. Greg Neighbors, Jeff James, David James, Josh James, Buddy Lawrence, Chance Williams, Kevin Turner, and Michael Brown will serve as pallbearers. Arrangements are by Olmstead Funeral Home, Inc.
Michael Glenn Runion
Michael Glenn Runion, 47, of Greers Ferry, AR, went to meet the Lord to play golf at the most wonderful Golf Course in the World on February 10, 2006.
He was born on July 11, 1958 at Lafayette, Indiana, the son of Thomas "Glenn" and Linda Runion of Amarillo, TX.
Michael married
his "trophy wife" Janet Marie Dean on October 20, 1990.
Survivors include his wife, one daughter Rebecca Runion, step-daughter Brittany Hines and step-son Christopher Hines all of Greers Ferry, AR, his parents, one brother, Jeffery and his wife Susan of Goodyear, AZ. One Grandfather, Willie Powers of Hartford, KY. Two brother-in-Iaw's, Roy Dean and his wife Rhonda of Carencro, LA and Richard Dean and his wife Deanna of Higden, AR. He is also survived by 3 nephews, 4 nieces and many friends.
Michael served in the United States Navy on the USS Grayling as a sonar technician and diver. Michael was currently employed by Signal Media, in Little Rock, AR. Michael loved the radio business and worked at Signal Media at two different stations, The Point 94.1 and The Buzz 103.7 as "Michael Stone". Michael loved playing golf, especially with his daughter, Rebecca. Michael was a member of the West Side Baptist Church, in Greers Ferry, AR.
Visitation will be held at the Olmstead Funeral Home in Heber Springs, AR on Monday, February 13, 2006 from 6pm to 8pm.
Funeral Services will be held at the West Side Baptist Church in Greers Ferry, AR on Tuesday, February 14, 2006 at Ipm.
In lieu of flowers, a memorial may be made to a College Fund currently being set up at Simmons First Bank in Fairfield Bay, AR for his daughter Rebecca, or to the Greers Ferry Ambulance Fund or to the West Side Baptist Church Youth Group in Greers Ferry, AR.
Naomi Francis Mathison
Naomi Francis Mathison, 90, of Heber Springs, Arkansas, died Friday, February 10, 2006, at Southridge Village in Heber Springs. She was born on November 22, 1915, in Albia, Iowa, the daughter of Esther Myra Rouse and Ralph Ullman Woodcock.
Highlights of her working career include being an employee of Rohr Aircraft in Chula Vista, California, during World War II. In addition she was a lifetime member of International Association of Machinists, lodge 755 for which she worked 20 years as secretary. She later served as office administrator of District 50 in San Diego, California, before her retirement in January 1966. She and her husband of 55 years Alfred E. Mathison, moved from San Diego to Heber Springs in 1991.
She is survived by her husband Alfred, her son, Richard W. Hunter, San Diego, California, stepson Roger Mathison, and wife Rebecca, Heber Springs, Arkansas,
7 grandchildren and 12 great-grandchildren. Her youngest son Daniel Hunter preceded her in death.
A memorial service will be held Saturday, March 11, 2006 at 2:00 pm in the Olmstead Chapel. Arrangements are by Olmstead Funeral Home, Inc.
