Phyllis White
(November 8, 1951 - December 24, 2012)
Phyllis White age 61 of Amity died Monday, December 24, 2012 in Hot Springs. She was born November 8, 1951 in Arkadelphia the daughter of Clifton and Helen L. Neighbors Partridge. She was a member of Bethsaida Church of Christ.
She was preceded in death by her mother, Helen L. Partridge, her aunt, Eutha Fern Neighbors and uncle, Raymond Neighbors.
Survivors are her father, Clifton (C-boy) Partridge; two sons, Corey White, Cliff White and wife, Shayla all of Amity; three granddaughters, Hayley White of Story City, Iowa, Bethany Swearingim of Amity, Shayley Lacey and her family of Midland, Texas and one grandson, Stoney Swearingim and wife, Danell of Oklahoma; an honorary son by choice, Bobby Richardson; a very special significant friend of twenty years, Robert (Bob) Alan Flowers; mother -in-law, Marie White of Arkadelphia; and many friends whose hearts she has touched and helped in many different ways.
Funeral services will be at 10:00 AM Saturday, December 29th at Bethsaida Church of Christ with Wallace Alexander and Joe May officiating. Interment will be in Bethsaida cemetery. Visitation will be 6-8 PM Friday at Ruggles-Wilcox Funeral Home in Arkadelphia.
Pallbearers will be Ted Gaither, Kenny Francis, Tim Harvey, Josh Francis, Geron Harvey, Darrell Franklin, Jerrod Henthorn, Jimmy Chancellor and Dallis Carroll. Honorary pallbearers are Larry Ramsey, Jarrett Ingram, Amy Majors, Mary Kitchens, Gary Francis and her classmates of Amity High School from the class of 1969.
Steve Wood
(September 1, 1949 - April 28, 2012)
Steven Alan Wood of Maumelle, formerly of Arkadelphia, died Saturday, April 28th after a short illness. Born September 1, 1949 in Arkadelphia to Carroll and Dorothy Wood, Steve was the oldest of four children. He grew up in Sparkman, DeQueen, Arkadelphia, and Stamps, Arkansas, graduating from Stamps High School in 1968. Steve was a gifted athlete throughout high school and college, playing football, basketball and running track. He was high point man at 1968 Arkansas Meet of Champs track meet. Steve was awarded a football scholarship to East Texas State University in Commerce, Texas, and was a punter and receiver until sidelined by a knee injury. He returned to Arkadelphia, where he played baseball and finished his degree in Biology at Henderson State College. Steve married
his life-long love, Donna Bridges, in 1972, and together they raised three great kids. Their family was full of fun and family vacations were legendary. Steve spent many years in the insurance industry, worked as a timber buyer for International Paper Company, and spent several years coaching and teaching. Steve enjoyed helping people, whether it was insurance customers or kids at school. He went the extra mile to make sure people’s needs were met. He was a gifted artist, but his greatest gift was his quick wit. Steve’s sense of humor was amazing and he could have a roomful of people laughing with just a look or comment. Besides his family and friends, Steve most loved the Hogs, Dallas Cowboys, and his beloved St. Louis Cardinals. Steve was preceded in death by his parents and his brother Carroll Wood, Jr. He is survived by his wife of 39 years, Donna, and his children Shelley (Adam) Buck of Bryant, Stephanie (Jason) Smith of Conway, and Scott Wood of Little Rock. The lights of Steve’s world were his grandchildren – Max, Maddie, and Asa Buck and Kohen and Saylor Smith. They were adored by their Poppy and he was their favorite playmate and best buddy. Steve is also survived by his sister Kathy (Tommie) Campbell and brother Stan (Kellye) Wood all of Arkadelphia, as well as Donna’s sisters Rose Ellen, (Charles) Woods of Stamps, Christie (David) Phelen of Rogers, and Connie (Michael) Britt of Benton, many beloved nieces and nephews, cousins, and friends. Services will be Wednesday, May 2, at 1 PM in the Ruggles-Wilcox Funeral Chapel in Arkadelphia with Rev. Robbie Horne officiating. Burial will be in the Richland cemetery. Visitation will be 6-8 PM Tuesday at the funeral home. Memorials may be made to the Richland cemetery Fund C/O Sue Thomas, 973 Central Rd., Arkadelphia, AR 71923, or Disabled American Veterans, Box 14301, Cincinnati, OH 45250-0301.
Arthur Dixon
(January 24, 1926 - October 18, 2012)
Arthur Dixon, age 86, passed from this life on Thursday, October 18, 2012 at Sandalwood Retirement Center in Little Rock.
Arrangements are pending.
Judy Thomason
(December 4, 1942 - December 9, 2012)
Judy Ann (Daggett) Thomason age 70 of Bismarck passed from this life on Sunday, December 9, 2012 at Baptist Medical Center in Arkadelphia. She was born December 4, 1942, in Osceola, AR the daughter of the late Wesley Lewis and Susan Wheeler Daggett. Judy was a retired supervisor for Levi Strauss and a member of Antioch Missionary Baptist Church.
She is survived by her husband Charles Thomason of Bismarck, one son, Jerry (Carrie) Wrinkle of Gurdon, one daughter, Janet (Terry) Purifoy of Gurdon, one step son Mike (Donna) Thomason of Bryant, one step daughter, Tammy (Joe) Frazier Beeler of Rogers, five sisters, Martha Womack of Friendship, Shirley Gray and Linda Schoonover both of Rome, GA, Frances Key of Gurdon and Eunice West of Bismarck, three brothers, Wayne Daggett of Malvern, Johnny Daggett of North Little Rock and Dale Daggett of Mountain View, nine grandchildren, Jordan Swayze, Kyle Purifoy, Chris and Ricky Frazier Jr., Mickey, Aaron and Timothy Thomason, Jordan and Ashley Young, and ten great grandchildren.
Funeral services will be held at 10:30 AM Wednesday, December 12, 2012 at Antioch Missionary Baptist Church, 5107 Antioch cemetery Rd Donaldson, AR 71941 with Bro. Doyle Caldwell officiating.
Visitation will be from 6:00 to 8:00 PM Tuesday at Welch Funeral Home.
Nephews will serve as pallbearers.
Memorials may be made to American Cancer Society, 901 N University, Little Rock, AR 72207.
Final arrangements are entrusted to The Welch Funeral Home of Arkadelphia.
Virginia Orr
(November 9, 1931 - October 17, 2011)
Virginia C. 'Jina' Orr, 79, of Gadsden, AL died Monday, October 17, 2011 at McGuffey Health and Rehab Facility in Gadsden. Cremation services provided by Collier-Butler Funeral Home and Cremation Services. She was born November 9, 1931 in San Marco, TX, the daughter of the late Dr. Raymond m. Cavness and Maureen Sweeten Cavness. Growing up she lived in several locations in Texas, Florida and New York following her father’s Navy assignments during WWII. She graduated from Uvalde High School in Texas in 1948. She began her college years at the University of Corpus Christi the following year. This is where she met her soul mate of 61 years, James (Jim) Orr, who passed away last week. They transferred to Jim’s hometown of Arkadelphia, Ark. to attend Ouachita Baptist University. She graduated magna cum laude in 1952 and received a Masters degree from OBU in 1967. She began her teaching career in a one-room school house in Curtis Junction, Ark. In 1968 she became Director of Social Work Services at the newly opened Arkadelphia Unit of the Arkansas Childrens Colony for developmentally delayed children. In 1975, the family moved to San Angelo, TX where she taught school there until she and Jim moved to Angel Fire, NM in 1985. While in Angel Fire she thoroughly enjoyed living the mountain lifestyle. She worked as a concierge for the Angel Fire Resort Hotel and spend a couple of seasons working in the Kids Ski School. She was a long time member of Angel Fire Unity Church. For the last 10 years of her life, her husband Jim was constantly by her side as her primary caretaker as she battles Alzheimer’s disease. After 6 years at Harbor Place in Corpus Christi, they moved to Regency Pointe in Gadsden, AL to be closer to family. Survivors include one daughter, Rozanne Yancey (Don) of Pflugerville, TX; two sons, Dr. Frank E. Orr (Susie) of Gadsden, AL and Blake A. Orr (Ruth) of Marquette, KS; six grandchildren, Rebekah Brunton (Jason) Pflugerville, TX; Dr. Brian Orr, Tampa, FL; Scott Orr (Natalie), Birmingham, AL; Austin Orr, Corpus Christi, TX; Katie and Lisa Orr, Marquette, KS; and 2 great-grandchildren, Carrington Orr and Jake Brunton; two sisters, Ramona Cavness Quirey (Jack), East Bernard, TX; Rosalind Cavness Rambie (Johnny), Uvalde, TX; one brother, Dr. Lattie Cavness (Lynn), Piney Flats, TN. A memorial service will be 11:00 AM Tuesday October 25, 2011 at Rose Hill cemetery, Arkadelphia by Ruggles-Wilcox Funeral Home in Arkadelphia. Special thanks goes to the caring staffs of the Memory Unit at Royal Haven; McGuffey Healthcare and Rehab Center; Gadsden Regional Medical Center 7 South and Lawley Premier Hospice Care for their outstanding care and sincere compassion.
Susie Ann Purifoy
(January 10, 1943 - November 12, 2012)
Susie Ann Purifoy, age 69 of Gurdon, passed from this life on Monday, November 12, 2012 at St. Joseph's Mercy Hospital in Hot Springs. She was born January 10, 1943 in Donaldson the daughter of the late Andrew and Addie Hixon Boyett. Ann was a homemaker, a member of Whelen Springs Baptist Church, a very active member of the Gurdon Senior Citizens Center and voted their Valentine Queen two times. She was preceded in death by her husband Larry Purifoy, one grandchild Morgan Purifoy.
Ann is survived by one son Tim Purifoy of Aurora, CO, one daughter Tammy Humphries of Jacksonville, two sisters, Mary Lou Burris and Louise Edwards, two brothers, Bo Boyett and James Boyett all of Donaldson, four grandchildren and three great grandchildren.
Funeral services will be held at 11:00 AM Thursday, November 15, 2012 at The Welch Funeral Home with Bro. Darren Green officiating.
Visitation will be from 6:00 to 8:00 PM Wednesday at the funeral home.
Interment will be in Rose Hill cemetery at Sycamore.
Memorials may be made to Arkansas Children's Hospital 1 Children's Way Little Rock, AR 72202.
Final arrangements are entrusted to The Welch Funeral Home of Arkadelphia.
Creed C. Tolson Jr.
(January 27, 1949 - March 1, 2015)
Creed C. Tolson Jr. age 66, of Arkadelphia, passed away Sunday, March 1, 2015. He was born January 27, 1949 in Russellville, Arkansas to the late Creed C. Tolson Sr. and Melba Davidson Tolson. He owned and operated Tolson Heating and Air in Arkadelphia for many years.
Survivors are one son, Jay Tolson of Little Rock; two daughters, Robin Rudkins and husband, Justin of North Little Rock and Jill Fiser of Little Rock; one brother, Judson Tolson of Little Rock; two grandchildren, Gunnar Rudkins and Harlow Fiser.
No services are planned.
Tommy Burton
(November 12, 1942 - March 4, 2015)
Tommy Burton age 72, of Okolona, passed away on Wednesday, March 4, 2015 in Arkadelphia. He was born November 12, 1942 in Gurdon, Arkansas to the late Claude 'Red' and Coda Ethel Terry Burton. Tommy was a member of Mt. Zion Methodist Church. He was a retired truck driver and carpenter.
Survivors are his wife, Charlene Burton; five daughters, Marla Brown and husband, John of Okolona, Belinda Land of Maumelle, Brenda Smith and husband, Russell of Okolona, Jennifer Cantrell and husband, Tim of Magnolia and Marlene Hooker and husband, Dwayne of Camden; two sons, Kennith Burton of Caddo Valley and Bill Wilson and wife, DeAnna of Chidester; one sister, Wanda Lee Patterson of Lake Jackson, Texas; fifteen grandchildren and five great-grandchildren.
Visitation will be 6-8 PM Saturday, March 7th at Ruggles-Wilcox Funeral Home. Funeral services will be 2:00 PM Sunday, March 8th at Ruggles-Wilcox Funeral Home with burial in Bethel cemetery near Okolona.
Memorials may be made to Mt. Zion Methodist Church or to Bethel cemetery Fund, Bama Blanton 211 N. 7th St. Gurdon, Arkansas 71743.
Ann Shepherd Shaw
(October 6, 1924 - June 28, 2012)
Evelyn Ann Shepherd Shaw age 87 of Decatur, AL, formerly of Arkadelphia, died Thurs, June 28. She was born October 6, 1924 the daughter of William Harrison and Ida Thompson Shepherd. She was a member of First United Methodist Church. She was preceded in death by her parents and her husband Col (RET) Ambrose Cash Shaw.
Survivors include one daughter, Susan Shaw Estes (Ned), two grandchildren, Brian (Taylor) Estes and Karen Estes Last (Jerry), and two great grandchildren, Kirby Last and Rhodes Estes.
Graveside funeral services will be 10:00 a.m. Saturday, July 7 in Rose Hill cemetery in Arkadelphia with Rev. Carroll Jackson officiating. There will be no formal visitation.
Memorials may be made to Hospice of the Valley, Box 2745, Decatur, AL 35601 or First United Methodist Church, 805 Canal St., Decatur, AL 35601.
Mildred P. Webster
(September 25, 1915 - April 6, 2012)
Mildred Patishall Webster age 96 of Arkadelphia died Friday, April 6, 2012. She was born September 25, 1915 in Marmaduke, AR the daughter of Ira and Ola Grace Early Patishall. She was a 1937 graduate of Ouachita Baptist University, a retired teacher of English, Speech, and Drama, and was a member of First Baptist Church of Arkadekphia. She was preceded in death by her husband Col. Daniel Webster, her son Daniel K. Webster and a granddaughter, Lisa Webster.
Survivors include one son, Dr. Bob Webster and his wife Mary Kathrine of Bryant, a daughter-in-law, Michael Ann Webster of Clinton, VA, four grandchildren, Daniel, Ashley, Victoria, and Jessica and seven great grandchildren.
Funeral services will be 2 PM Tuesday in the Ruggles-Wilcox Funeral Chapel in Arkadelphia with Dr. Scott Holsclaw officiating. Visitation will be from 12:30 PM till service time at the funeral home. Interment will be in Arlington National cemetery, Arlington, VA.
Memorials may be made to Ouachita Baptist University.
Wanda Lynn Martin
(March 1, 1942 - April 5, 2012)
Wanda Lynn Martin, age 70, died April 5, 2012, at her home in Arkadelphia. Wanda was born March 1, 1942, in Lexington, Mississippi, to J.L. and Pauline Horne. After graduating from Lambert High School, she earned a degree in art from Mississippi State College for Women. While pursuing a Master of Arts degree in art history, she met the man who would become her husband of 46 years, Edwin Martin. They were married
in 1965 in Tallahassee, Florida. While Ed served on the faculty at Indian River Junior College, Wanda worked in the Public Relations Department of the college, mainly as a photographer. At IRJC, she performed in the college's theatrical productions. In 1967 the couple moved to Arkadelphia, Arkansas, and Ed joined the art faculty at Henderson State University. Wanda volunteered with the Head Start program and was involved with the Arkadelphia Community Theatre. After she became a mother, Wanda focused her community service efforts in support of her daughters. She volunteered to teach art classes at Central Elementary School. She also served a Girl Scout troop leader and as an Arkadelphia Band Booster.
Wanda was a talented artist who won awards in regional art competitions She combined her interest in local history with her art, creating watercolor paintings and pen and ink drawings of Clark County's historic homes and buildings. She was commissioned to paint portraits of private homes and those works are treasured by their owners. She was also an expert seamstress and later in her life became skilled at digital embroidery design.
She is survived by her husband, Edwin Martin of Arkadelphia; her daughter, Valerie Martin and her husband, Patrick Mullen, of Lafayette, Louisiana; her daughter, Elaine Kneebone and her husband, Andrew Kneebone, of Arkadelphia; her granddaughter, Alice Kneebone of Arkadelphia; her mother, Pauline Horne of Clarksdale, Mississippi; her sister, Faye Mills and her husband Terry of Darling, Mississippi; her brother, Joe Horne and his wife, Shera, of Pope, Mississippi; and her dearest friend since her MSCW days, Margaret Bond of Santa Rosa, California. She was preceded in death by her beloved McLellan grandparents; her father, J.L. Horne; and her brother, Dale Horne.
The family will receive friends on Wednesday, April 11, 2012, from 4PM to 6PM at the Captain Henderson House Bed & Breakfast on the campus of Henderson State University. There will be no services. In her later years, Wanda enjoyed water aerobics at the HSU swimming pool, so the family suggests that donations in Wanda's memory be made toward the purchase of a handicapped accessible pool lift through the Henderson State University Foundation, c/o Angie Bell, HSU Box 7540, Arkadelphia, AR 71999.
Irene Ausley
(February 19, 1922 - January 27, 2015)
Bessie Irene Ausley age 92, of Bismarck passed away Tuesday, January 27, 2015 in Arkadelphia. She was born February 19, 1922 in Delight, Arkansas to Richmond Hart and Blanche Carmen Hill. Irene was a member of the Lambert Assembly of God Church..
She was preceded in death by her parents, husband, Glenn Ausley; a infant son, Norman Eugene Ausley, three brothers, Vance Hill, Neil Hill and Richmond (Bud) Hill; and an infant great-granddaughter.
Survivors are one daughter Gayle Ausley of Bismarck; one son, Gary Ausley and wife, Donna of Bismarck; one sister, Marie Brewer of Malvern; seven grandchildren, eighteen great-grandchildren and two great-great grandchildren.
Visitation will be 6-8 PM Thursday, January 29th at Ruggles-Wilcox Funeral Home in Arkadelphia. Services will be at 10:00 AM Friday, January 30th at Ruggles-Wilcox Funeral Home with Bro. Doug Fendley officiating. Burial will be in Marcus Gardens cemetery at Lambert. Pallbearers will be Brandon and Chris Williams, Tim, Chad, Brett and Blake Ausley.
