Billy Wayne Doss, Sr., age 59, of Heber Springs, Arkansas, passed away Monday, June 25, 2007, at Las Cruces, New Mexico. Born in Dyess, Arkansas, on July 9, 1947, he was the son of the late Louie Morgan and Agnes Christine (McMahan) Doss.
A former resident of Dyess, Mr. Doss had lived in Heber Springs for the past three years. He was a truck driver employed by North American Van Lines, and he also served in the National Guard. Mr. Doss enjoyed truck driving, restoring cars, and his grandchildren. In addition to his parents, Mr. Doss was preceded in death by his long lost love, Linda Ann Smith, and one sister, Nancy Shaffer.
Survivors include two sons, Bill Doss, Jr. and his wife, Tammy, of Heber Springs, and Justin Doss of Heber Springs; three daughters, Stephanie Crouch and her husband, Bill, of Heber Springs, Crystal Doss of Heber Springs, and Hailey Doss of Sierra Vista, Arizona; two brothers, Jim Doss and his wife, Annie, of Sierra Vista, Arizona, and David Doss of Turrell; three sisters, Elsie, Betty Fay, and Shirley; twelve grandchildren, Candace Doss, Katie Doss, Gabby Doss, and Morgan Doss, William Crouch, Elizabeth Crouch, and Tommy Crouch, Jessie LaBorde and Bradley LaBorde, and Justin Doss, Johnny Doss, and Alison Doss. Mr. Doss is also survived by other relatives and his many, many friends.
Visitation will begin Friday, June 29, at 10:00 a.m. at Olmstead Funeral Home, Inc. Funeral services will be held Saturday, June 30, at 2:00 p.m. in the Olmstead Chapel. Interment will follow in the Heber Springs cemetery. Pallbearers will be Billy Doss, Jr., Justin Doss, Don DuVall, Mike Cates, Jimmy Doss, Jesus (Chuay), Mitchell Doss, and Roy Bennett. Arrangements are by Olmstead Funeral Home, Inc.
Frederick C. (Fred) Bender
Frederick C. (Fred) Bender was born in Chicago, Illinois on May 20, 1918 and passed away at Indian Rock Village in Fairfield Bay on June 22, 2007 at the age of 89 years.
Fred worked in the claims department and quality control and had worked for the U. S. G. Company He had been a resident of Greers Ferry since 1984 and was a member of Holiday Hills United Methodist Church.
Fred was a veteran of the United States Army having served in World War II and he was a member of the Veterans of Foreign Wars (VFW).
He is survived by his wife Ester Bertha Manpicil of Greers Ferry, a brother David Bender of Illinois, four sisters Margie Buffin of New Jersey, Ilene Turchi of Texas, Diane Ellison of Arizona and Laurie Gardner of California
besides other relatives and many friends.
Funeral Services were held on Monday, June 25, 2007 at 2:00 P.M. at Cleburne County Memorial Gardens cemetery by Rev. Dan Brand of Holiday Hills United Methodist Church in Greers Ferry. Arrangements by Olmstead Funeral Home, Inc. of Heber Springs.
Blanche Donna Houston
Blanche Donna Houston, 90, died, June 13, 2007. Born in Heber Springs on April 17, 1917, she was the daughter of the late Horace and Annie (Newman) Collins.
A lifetime resident of Heber Springs, Mrs. Houston was a homemaker and a member of First Baptist Church. She enjoyed reading, animals, working in her yard, and spending time with her grandchildren. Her husband, Willie W. Houston, preceded her in death. Survivors include four sons, Bobby J. Houston of Jacksonville,
Jim Houston of Heber Springs, David E. Houston of North Little Rock, and Bill Houston of Bigelow; one brother, Clarence Collins of California; one sister, Lil Mahan of California; nine grandchildren; many great-grandchildren and great-great-grandchildren; and three great-great-great-grandchildren.
Visitation Thursday, 6:00-8:00 p.m., Olmstead Funeral Home, Inc. Funeral service Friday, 2:00 p.m., Olmstead Chapel. Interment Heber Springs cemetery.
Robert (Bob) Lee Paschall
Robert (Bob) Lee Paschall, age 75, of Greers Ferry, Arkansas, passed away Tuesday, June 5, 2007, at the Baptist Health Medical Center in Heber Springs. Born in Chicago, Illinois, on June 18, 1931, he was the son of the late Claud Clark and Rebecca Ann (Davis) Paschall.
Mr. Paschall was a retired policeman for the Memphis Police Department. A resident of Greers Ferry for the past twenty-six years, he was also retired from the Greers Ferry Police Department, and he was a former mayor of Greers Ferry, having served for four years. Mr. Paschall was a veteran of the United States Army. He was a Christian. He was preceded in death by his parents; one brother, Eugene Paschall; and one sister, Rebecca Dogan.
Survivors include his wife, Sandra (Hall) Paschall of Greers Ferry; two sons, Roger Alan Paschall of Choctaw and Steven Clark Paschall of Skaneateles Falls, New York; one brother, Thomas E. Paschall and his wife, Evelyn, of Germantown, Tennessee; and one granddaughter, Alliyah Jane Paschall of Choctaw. Mr. Paschall is also survived by other relatives and his many friends.
Visitation will be held Thursday, June 7, from 6:00-8:00 p.m. at the Higden Church of Christ. Funeral services will be held Friday, June 8, at 2:00 p.m. in the Higden Church of Christ with Carroll Sites officiating. Interment will follow in the Shiloh Cross Roads cemetery. Arrangements are by Olmstead Funeral Home, Inc.
Patricia Ann (Teal) McKim
Patricia Ann (Teal) McKim, 64, of North Little Rock, joined her family in heaven June 2, 2007. She left behind family and friends who loved her and will miss her, but find comfort in knowing her faith and hope was in Jesus Christ. The family will have a private service. Memorials made to Arkansas Hospice.
Gilbert Leonard (Bud) Hearst
Gilbert Leonard (Bud) Hearst, age 83, of Conway, Arkansas, passed away at home on Sunday, June 3, 2007. Born in Sunny Slope, Arkansas, on September 26, 1923, he was the son of the late John and Ruth (Dollar) Hearst.
Mr. Hearst was retired from the logging and timber business, and he was a veteran of the United States Army. He enjoyed gardening, fishing, and spending time with his grandchildren. Mr. Hearst was a member of the Brownsville Church. He was preceded in death by his parents; one brother, Elmer Hearst; and one sister, Louise Cothren.
Survivors include one son, J. C. Hearst of Conway; one daughter, Margie James of Quitman; one sister, Pauline Brownfield of Brownsville; four grandchildren, Nathan James, Jeffery James, Carla Schaumleffel, and Jason Hearst; six great-grandchildren, Jacob Hearst, Hannah Hearst, Joshua Hearst, Austin James, Ryan Schaumleffel, and Aaron James; and four step great-grandchildren, Avery Warren, Ayrica Warren, Nick Pritchard, and Cassie Pritchard. Mr. Hearst is also survived by other relatives and his many friends.
Visitation will be held Tuesday, June 5, from 6:00-8:00 p.m. at Olmstead Funeral Home, Inc. Funeral services will be held Wednesday, June 6, at 10:00 a.m. in the Brownsville Church with Rev. Homer Branscum officiating. Interment will follow in the Brownsville cemetery. Pallbearers will be Jeffery James, Nathan James, Jason Hearst, Melvin Brownfield, Larry Ramer, and Andy Hunt. Honorary pallbearer will be Johnny Bittle. Arrangements are by Olmstead Funeral Home, Inc.
MRS. KATHRYN ANN WELLS
MRS. KATHRYN ANN WELLS, OF TUMBLING SHOALS, ARKANSAS, passed away MONDAY, JANUARY 6, 2003, AT BEVERLY HEALTHCARE IN HEBER SPRINGS, ARKANSAS. BORN MAY 4, 1937, AT GULFPORT, MISSISSIPPI, MRS. WELLS WAS 65 YEARS OF AGE.
SHE WAS THE DAUGHTER OF THE LATE JEFF AND MAGGIE (HERRIN) LEWIS.
MRS. WELLS HAD BEEN A RESIDENT OF CLEBURNE COUNTY SINCE 1982 AND WAS A BEAUTICIAN AND A JEHOVAH’S WITNESS PUBLISHER.
SHE WAS AN ANTIQUE COLLECTOR AND ONE OF JEHOVAH’S WITNESSES.
MRS. WELLS WAS preceded in death BY HER PARENTS AND ONE GRANDSON, JAMISON DUKE.
SURVIVORS INCLUDE:
HER HUSBAND: JACK WELLS OF TUMBLING SHOALS, ARKANSAS, THREE SONS: STEVE DUKE AND HIS WIFE, PAT, OF GULPORT, MS, WAYNE WELLS AND HIS WIFE, KAREN, OF AMARILLO, TEXAS, AND WILLIAM LEE WELLS OF AUSTIN, TEXAS, TWO DAUGHTERS: BONNIE NORRIS AND HER HUSBAND, JERRY, OF WICHITA FALLS, TEXAS, AND CARRI LYNN MOORE OF IRVING, TEXAS, FOUR BROTHERS: ROBERT T. LEWIS, CHARLES G. LEWIS, AND HENRY T. LEWIS, ALL OF LANCASTER, CALIFORNIA, AND EARNIE LEWIS OF PELHAM, ALABAMA, THREE SISTERS: LINDA SLATER OF SPLENDORA, TEXAS, SHIRLEY CONWAY OF BILOXI, MISSISSIPPI, AND MARGARET ENTREKEN OF CHILDERSBERG, ALABAMA, HER SISTERS-IN-LAW: JOYCE CAMPBELL OF HEBER SPRINGS, AR, AND NEVELYN BOSTON OF KINGWOOD, TEXAS AND TEN GRANDCHILDREN.
MRS. WELLS IS ALSO SURVIVED BY OTHER RELATIVES AND HER MANY FRIENDS.
A MEMORIAL SERVICE WILL BE HELD THURSDAY, JAN. 9, 2003, AT 2:00 P.M. IN THE KINGDOM HALL AT HEBER SPRINGS, ARKANSAS WITH C. L. HOUSE OFFICIATING.
ARRANGEMENTS ARE BY OLMSTEAD FUNERAL HOME, INC.
Hope Virginia Brackett
Hope Virginia Brackett, age 74, of Desha, Arkansas, passed away Wednesday, May 30, 2007, at the White River Medical Center in Batesville. Born in Oil Trough, Arkansas, on January 11, 1933, she was the daughter of the late Marley and Birdie (Hayes) Arnold.
Mrs. Brackett was a homemaker and enjoyed quilting, singing, and playing music. She was a member of the Church of Christ. Her husband, Claud W. Brackett, preceded her in death on November 19, 1984. Mrs. Brackett was also preceded in death by her parents; four brothers, L. D. Arnold, Doyle Arnold, Arbon Arnold, and Noel Arnold; and two sisters, Lois Newman and Sylvia Dye.
She is survived by three sons, Michael Brackett of Jacksonville, Mark Brackett of Desha, and Tim Brackett of Ft. Wayne, Indiana; one daughter, Brenda Armijo of Desha; one sister, Dorothy Lafkin of Heber Springs; nine grandchildren and nine great grandchildren. Mrs. Brackett is also survived by other relatives and her many friends.
Visitation will be held Thursday, May 31, from 5:00-7:00 p.m. at Olmstead Funeral Home, Inc. Funeral services will be held Friday, June 1, at 2:00 p.m. in the Olmstead Chapel with Olan Hicks officiating. Interment will follow in the Concord cemetery.
Arrangements are by Olmstead Funeral Home, Inc.
Mr. David Robert 'Pete' Ramsey
Mr. David Robert 'Pete' Ramsey of Pangburn, Arkansas, passed away Monday, February 17, 2003, at the White County Medical Center in Searcy, Arkansas.
Born in West Point, Arkansas, on April 10, 1926, Mr. Ramsey was 76 years of age.
He was the son of the late Robert Alonzo and Mary Magdalene Ramsey.
Mr. Ramsey was a retired truck driver, and he had been a resident of Kensett and Pangburn most of his life.
He was a veteran of the U.S. Army and a member of the American Legion.
Mr. Ramsey’s religious belief was Baptist.
He is survived by:
his wife: Hazel Oden Ramsey of Pangburn, AR, three sons: Billy Wayne Ramsey of Heber Springs, AR, Garlan Wayne Ramsey of Homosassa Springs, Florida, and Robert Dale Ramsey of Louisiana, one daughter: Bonnie Poole of Heber Springs, AR, four stepsons: Richard Lee Brown of Dunellion, Florida, Carlton Lee Wyman of Townsend, Georgia, Dean Wyman of La Porte, Texas, and Stuart Wyman of Pea Ridge, Arkansas, five stepdaughters: Charolotte Winkle of Little Rock, A Florence Turner and Debbie Smith, both of Searcy, AR, Eula Adams of Cabot, AR, and Christene Wyman of Judsonia, AR, one brother: Ed Ramsey of Searcy, AR, one sister: Mary Ellen Beals of Judsonia, AR, and many grandchildren and great grandchildren.
Mr. Ramsey is also survived by his nieces and nephews, other relatives, and his many friends.
Memorial services for Mr. Ramsey will be held Saturday, February 22, 2003, at 5:00 P.M. in the Lightle Center at Searcy. Interment will be in the Kensett cemetery.
Memorials may be made to the American Cancer Society.
Arrangements are by Olmstead Funeral Home, Inc., 601 W. Main, Heber Springs, AR 72543.
Jane Clark Huckelbury
Jane Clark Huckelbury’s life on this earth ended Sunday, July 22nd, 2007, as she slept in her home. She was born April 8th, 1926, in Van Buren, Arkansas, the only child of Ollie and Freida Cook Clark. She was raised with her double-first cousin, who she always considered her "Little Sis", Mary Clark Goodwin, in Mississippi. She married
Albert Charles Huckelbury, a General Motors executive, on January 17th, 1946, and together they lived in Memphis, Tennessee; Charlotte, North Carolina; Dallas, Texas; St. Louis, Missouri; and finally in retirement in Heber Springs, Arkansas.
There was no pretense in the life of Jane Huckelbury. She loved her family, her friends, her garden and her home. A beautiful woman and a gifted athlete, she took up golf at the age of 52 and became the Women’s Club Champion at the Hidden Valley Golf Club in St. Louis, three years in a row. The first time she hit a golf ball, it was measured at 200 yards, and she forever played with men’s clubs.
She is survived by her husband of 61 years, Charles Huckelbury of Heber Springs, Arkansas; her son, Charles Huckelbury, Jr. and wife, Susan, of Concord, New Hampshire; her daughter, Linda Huckelbury Hargis and husband, David, of Little Rock, Arkansas; her grandchildren who she attempted to spoil (and may have succeeded) Clay Chisenhall and wife, Deah, of Little Rock, Arkansas; Christopher Hargis of Fayetteville, Arkansas; Michelle Hargis Wolfe and husband, Jamie, of Bentonville, Arkansas; Michael Hargis and wife, Jessica, of Conway, Arkansas; and two great-grandchildren; siblings Wayne, Ronnie Jack, Betty and Marilyn Clark of Mississippi and numerous extended family and loving friends.
Additionally, the family wishes to acknowledge the excellent care given by Drs. Susan Santa Cruz, Andrew Kumpuris and Dean Kumpuris, whose combined efforts produced some very precious years.
Cremation arrangements were by Olmstead Funeral Home. A memorial service will be held at the funeral home on Wednesday, July 25th, at 1:00 p.m. In lieu of flowers, the family requests memorials be made to Arkansas Children’s Hospital or a charity of choice.
Robbie M. Sutherland
Robbie M. Sutherland, age 91, of Drasco, Arkansas, died Sunday, July 15, 2007, at her home. Born January 14, 1916, in Washington, Oklahoma, she was the daughter of Clara and Ivy Upton, the oldest of nine children. She graduated from Lula High School and attended East Central State College in Ada, Oklahoma. She married
Raleigh Sutherland in 1938 and moved to Arkansas. Mrs. Sutherland was a member of the Oak Grove Church of God. Her hobbies included cooking, quilting, fishing, and gardening.
She was preceded in death by her husband, Raleigh Sutherland; one son, Billy Don; one brother, Ishmal Upton; and four sisters, Nellie Fay, Joy, Pat, and Carolyn Sue.
Survivors include one daughter, Marion Spinks and husband, Dolph, of Drasco; two sons, Morris Sutherland and wife, Wanda, of Concord and Garry Sutherland and wife, Brenda, of Drasco; three sisters, Verlene Colson of Kingston, Oklahoma, Dorothy Fulk of Hillsboro, Kansas, and Vera Lois Ned of El Reno, Oklahoma; eight grandchildren, Shelly Davis and husband, Larry John, Greg Sutherland and wife, Karen; Garry Lynn Sutherland and wife, Angela, Brien Sutherland and wife, Angela, Shannon Bolser and husband, Doug, Jamie Spinks and wife, Judy; Barry Spinks and wife, Lori, and Tammy Sullens and husband, Pat. She had sixteen wonderful great grandchildren. Mrs. Sutherland is also survived by other relatives and her many friends.
Visitation will be held Tuesday, July 17, from 6:00-8:00 p.m. at the Olmstead Funeral Home, Inc. Funeral services will be held Wednesday, July 18, at the Oak Grove Church of God with Rev. Darvin Carlton officiating. Burial will be in the Oak Grove cemetery. Pallbearers will be grandsons Jamie Spinks, Barry Spinks, Brien Sutherland, Garry Lynn Sutherland, Doug Bolser, and Derek Davis. Honorary pallbearers are Ralph Davis, Gilbert Hartwick, Dennis Cranford, Nathan Cranford, and Verdell Stair. Arrangements are by Olmstead Funeral Home, Inc.
Vicky Rena (Burlison) Bynum
Vicky Rena (Burlison) Bynum, age 45, of Heber Springs, Arkansas, passed away Friday, July 13, 2007, at St. Vincent Doctors Hospice in Little Rock. Born in Heber Springs on April 25, 1962, she was the daughter of Roy Lee Burlison and the late Joyce Tackett Burlison.
A lifetime resident of Cleburne County, Vicky was employed as an apartment manager for West Hills Apartments in Heber Springs.
Survivors include her son, Justin Burlison of Heber Springs; her father, Roy Lee Burlison of Heber Springs; three brothers, Mickey Burlison and Alan Burlison, both of Heber Springs, and Danny Burlison of Utah; and her significant other, Doy Armstrong of Heber Springs. Vicky is also survived by other relatives and her many friends.
Visitation will be held Saturday, July 14, from 6:00-8:00 p.m. at Olmstead Funeral Home, Inc. Graveside services will be held Sunday, July 15, at 2:00 p.m. in the Martin cemetery with Rev. Denver Gillespie officiating. Pallbearers will be Dave Johnson, Herb Newman, Bobby Qualls, Randy Qualls, Jim Watts, and Gordon Bradford. Arrangements are by Olmstead Funeral Home, Inc.
Deborah Ann (Bilbrey) Bly
Deborah Ann (Bilbrey) Bly, age 47, of Heber Springs, left her earthly home to meet her Creator on August 17, 2007. Known affectionately to family and friends as Debbie, she loved her God, her church, and her family, never limiting family to those who were blood kin. A sudden illness snuffed the constant joy that bubbled from the depth of her soul and lifted the hearts of family, friends, and co-workers. Two days prior to her death at Baptist Medical Center in Little Rock, Debbie went to her job as Heber Springs Elementary School secretary, enjoyed lunch with co-workers, shopped for her family, and attended choir rehearsal at First Baptist Church. She told her family, "Choir is my best blessing during the week."
Born on Christmas Day in 1959, Debbie grew up in Grand Prairie, Texas. She achieved an Associate Degree in Fine Arts at Mountain View College, Dallas, Texas. In 1983, she married
Thomas R. Bly, a childhood playmate who had visited her Texas home with her Aunt Molly. The couple lived in Texas for three years before moving to Arkansas, making their home first close to Tom’s job at the National Fish Hatchery on Little Red River near Heber Springs and later, in Conway where Debbie worked as a secretary at the University of Central Arkansas. In 1988, they returned to Heber Springs. For nineteen years, she worked as a secretary in the Heber Springs Public Schools.
Her husband, Tom Bly says, "In the 20 years that Debbie lived in Heber Springs, she impacted more lives positively than most people who have been here 80 years. She never met anyone she did not try to like. She took joy from every place and found humor in every situation.
"Growing up as a city girl, Debbie never took for granted the abundant wildlife in and around Heber Springs, " he continues. "She whistled while she filled her bird feeders. She brought home stray cats, dogs, and kids. In any group of people, Debbie found a place to fit in and have fun. She made our marriage a delight."
Debbie was a faithful and giving member of First Baptist Church, Heber Springs, directing the youth choir in recent years. She sang in the worship choir and the ladies ensemble. Although she filled a soprano’s role, she playfully sang all choir parts. On a rousing anthem, her spontaneous enthusiasm spilled over to hand clapping and toe tapping.
In addition to music, art filled another niche in Debbie’s busy life. Around Christmas, she painted dozens of tee-shirts and sweat shirts, filling orders from family and friends. Recently, she explored the medium of watercolor, creating a notebook with sketches of a fish she planned to paint for Tom.
She had a passion for missions, and acted as a sponsor for a church-related youth mission trip to a Sioux Indian Reservation in North Dakota. She also participated in numerous spring ski trips with the young people at First Baptist Church. She dreamed of building houses for Habitat for Humanity in her retirement.
Debbie was preceded in death by her mother, Dorothy Kelley Bilbrey. She is survived by her loving husband, Thomas R. Bly, and sons, Zachary Keegan and Ethan Thomas Bly of Heber Springs, her father and step-mother, Aubrey L. and Frankie Bilbrey of Grand Prairie, Texas, her brother, Keith Bilbrey and his wife, Angie, of Duncanville, Texas, a niece, Lauren McMillan and her husband, Michael, and a nephew, Shawn Foster and his wife, Angie. She is also survived by Tom’s parents, Tom and Barbara Bly, Tom’s brother, Jim Bly and his wife Lisa, and a niece and nephew, Paige and Dylan, all of Heber Springs, and her aunt and uncle, Mollie and Roy Myers, of Jacksonville, Arkansas, as well as a host of friends of all ages.
Family and friends remember Debbie Bly as one who lavished love on individuals who lacked attention. She squeezed the last drop of joy from life and passed it on to others.
In lieu of flowers, the family requests donations to Habitat for Humanity, c/o First United Methodist Church, 1099 West Pine Street, Heber Springs, Arkansas.
