Rev. Viola McGowan was called home on Monday, June 11, 2012 at Saline Memorial Hospital in Benton. She was born June 17, 1931 in Clark County, the daughter of the late Albert and Para Lee Blevins McKillon. Viola confessed a hope in Christ at an early age and united with the Mt. Olive AME Church. She served in many capacities of the church. Viola graduated from Sparkman Training School. In 1959 she united in marriage to Bro. Detroit McGowan who was a beloved husband and faithful traveler during her pastoral days until his death in 2003.
She attended the Ministerial Seminary at Shorter College in North Little Rock after accepting her calling to the ministry in 1972. Her first and only charge until her retirement in 2007 was the Princeton circuit of thirty-five years as a faithful servant of God. Viola was a retired employee of Henderson State University having worked for many years at the home of the President.
She was preceded in death by her husband Detroit McGowan and her son in law, James Williams, her brother and one great grandson.
Viola leaves to cherish her memory her devoted daughter, Leola Williams of Little Rock, son Gee Edwards (Jackie) McGowan of Denver, CO, foster daughter Teresa (Michael) Smith of Malvern, faithful sisters in law, Christine Quarles of Arkadelphia and Maye Helen Harris of Camden, ten grandchildren, seventeen great grandchildren and three great great grandchildren, a host of nieces and nephews and special friends Carl Daniels, Jerlene Brim and Odelia Chapman were a part of the three musketeers and faithful church travelers.
A celebration of Rev. McGowan's life will be held at 11:00 AM Wednesday, June 20, 2012 at St Paul AME Church in Arkadelphia with Revs. T.W. Scott, Linda Butler, Clarence Reynolds and Samuel L. Green officiating.
Visitation will be from 1:00 to 5:00 PM Tuesday at Welch Funeral Home in Arkadelphia.
Interment will be in the Rock Springs cemetery near Sparkman.
Arrangements are entrusted to The Welch Funeral Home of Arkadelphia.
Michael Paul Woodall
(June 14, 1983 - September 26, 2011)
Michael Paul Woodall age 28, of Hot Springs, passed away on Monday, September 26, 2011. He was born June 14, 1983 in Hot Springs, a auto body Technician at Allen Tillery Dealership and a member of Hickory Grove Missionary Baptist Church. Michael was always willing to lending a helping hand, putting other people first and never complained about his own hardships. He was a loving father and his boys were his life. His favorite phrase was Keep on, keeping on.
Survivors include his wife, Angela Woodall; three sons, Dawson Lane Woodall, Collin Wade Woodall and Ryan Paul Woodall all of Bismarck; father, Kerry Paul Woodall of Bismarck; mother, Rita Kay Woodall of Hot Springs; one brother, Peter Leon Woodall and wife, Sabrina of Bismarck; and maternal grandparents, Bill and Irene Andry of Mt. Pine.
Funeral services will be at 11:00 AM Thursday, September 29th in Ruggles-Wilcox Funeral Home in Arkadelphia with Bro. Jim Agee and Pastor Steven Duffman officiating. Visitation will be 6-8 PM Wednesday at the funeral home. Memorials may be made to the Michael Paul Woodall Memorial Fund at any US Bank location.
Edward Wood
(November 6, 1927 - March 28, 2012)
Jesse Edward Wood, 84, of Arkadelphia died Wednesday March 28, 2012 at Twin Rivers Health and Rehabilitation. He was born November 6, 1927 in Clark county.
Survivors include his wife Nita Joyce Gaither Wood, 2 daughters Barbra Hemund and Lori Phelps, 4 grandchildren and 2 great grandchildren. He was a retired carpenter and cattle farmer.
Funeral services will be 10:00 am Saturday, March 31st at Ruggles-Wilcox Chapel. Interment will be in Rest Haven Memorial Gardens. Visitation will be 6 to 8 pm Friday at the funeral home.
In lieu of flowers, donations can be made to the Alzheimer’s Foundation
Luke C. Nichols
(May 24, 1927 - March 13, 2012)
U.S. Veteran
Luke C. Nichols age 84, of Lamesa, Texas passed away, March 13, 2012 in Lamesa, Texas. He was born May 24, 1927 in Fordyce, Arkansas and grew up in Arkadelphia, Arkansas graduating from Arkadelphia High School in 1944. He served in the U. S. Army for two years and graduated from Ouachita Baptist University in 1948. He later obtained degrees from Texas A&M; University in 1985 and Southern Methodist University in 1988.
Immediately upon graduation from Ouachita, he went to work in management trainee for J. C. Penney which led him to a thirty-five year career retiring in 1983. While working at the J. C. Penney store in Arkadelphia, he began dating a fellow employee, Madge Buck. They were married
on November 20, 1947 in Arkadelphia.
He was a member of Lamesa First Baptist Church, a member of the Lion’s Club most of his life, was very active in the Lamesa Community serving and holding several different offices.
Survivors include his wife, Madge Buck Nichols of Lamesa, Texas; a son, Sam Nichols of San Marcos, Texas; a sister, Margaret Lollar of Russellville, Arkansas; a granddaughter, Lindsay Richards and four nieces.
Services will be Thursday, March 15th in Lamesa, Texas. There will be a visitation from 1-2 PM Saturday, March 17th at Ruggles-Wilcox Funeral Home in Arkadelphia. A graveside service will follow at 2:30 PM at Rest Haven Memorial Gardens in Arkadelphia.
Lester Ray Arnold
(November 23, 1937 - June 11, 2012)
Lester Ray Arnold, age 74 of Arkadelphia, passed from this life on Monday, June 11, 2012 at Twin Rivers Health & Rehabilitation Center in Arkadelphia. He was born on November 23, 1937 in Gurdon, the son of the late Guy and Estelle Ledbetter Arnold. Ray was a superintendent with the Arkadelphia Street Department for twenty-eight years and was a United States Army veteran. He was a member of Friendship Missionary Baptist Church and was an avid participant in events at the Arkadelphia Senior Adults Center.
Ray is survived by his wife, Vera Howell Arnold, two sons, Tony (Sheila) Bell and Mike (Tamara) Bell of Arkadelphia, one sister, June Potter of Gurdon, seven grandchildren and one great grandchild.
Funeral services will be at 11:00 AM on Wednesday, June 13, 2012 at Friendship Missionary Baptist Church with Hollis McDermott officiating.
Interment will be in Rest Haven Memorial Gardens.
Visitation will be from 6:00 to 8:00 PM on Tuesday at Welch Funeral Home in Arkadelphia.
Pallbearers will be William Wilson, Scott Necessary, John Hardman, Michael Crowder, Joshua Bell and Joe Brosh.
Honorary pallbearers are the current and past employees of the Arkadelphia Street Department.
Memorials may be made to the Arkadelphia Senior Adult Center, 1311 N 10th Street, Arkadelphia, AR 71923 or Friendship Missionary Baptist Church, 85 Church Street, Friendship, AR 71942.
The family will be at the home of Mike and Tamara Bell, 1011 North 26th Street in Arkadelphia.
Services are entrusted to Welch Funeral Home of Arkadelphia.
Elizabeth "Betty" Himes
(December 21, 1937 - April 5, 2012)
Elizabeth "Betty" Himes age 74, of Arkadelphia, formerly of Flint, Michigan, passed away Thursday, April 5, 2012, in Arkadelphia. She was born December 21, 1937, in Michigan, the daughter of the late Frank and Olive Atwood. Betty was a homemaker and a member of the Reorganized Latter Day Saints. She was preceded in death in 1993 by her husband of 31 years, Garry Ray Himes.
She is survived by one son, Norman (Tammy) Himes of Colorado; two daughters, Hollis (Duane) Knaak of Arkadelphia, Kathy Henson (Russ Hill) of Flint, Michigan; eight grandchildren, Kelsey, Ryan, and Kyle Knaak, Christopher Himes, Christie, Carrie, Richie, and Ashley Henson; one sister, Delores (Royal) Ross of Caseville, Michigan; and several nieces and nephews.
No formal services will be held.
Daphana Michelle Holder
(August 16, 1980 - May 29, 2012)
Daphana Michelle Holder, age 31 of Alpine, was given her angel wings after a long and hard battle with leukemia at 10:42 PM on Tuesday, May 29, 2012 at Twin Rivers Nursing Home in Arkadelphia. She was born August 16, 1980 in Camden, the daughter of Randall Wayne and Rhonda Gail Wilson Holder. Michelle was preceded in death by her father, Randy Holder and grandfather, Willie B. "Billy" Wilson, both of Hollywood.
Survivors are her mother and step father, Rhonda (Henry) Hill of Alpine, special friend William Hill of Alpine, grandmothers Ruth Wilson and Marie Holder both of Hollywood, and Sally Hill of Arkadelphia, special aunt Hazel Wells of Okolona. Siblings include Rena Barnett of Camden, Andrea Hill of Jacksonville, April Denise Bennett of Hot Springs, Jon Hill of California, Larry Hill and Kayla Hill both of the home, four nephews and two nieces, several aunts, uncles, cousins and special friends.
A memorial service will be held at 2:00 PM on Friday, June 1, 2012 at Twin Rivers Health & Rehabilitation Center with Rev. Phillip Runyan officiating.
In lieu of flowers memorials may be made to Twin Rivers Health & Rehabilitation Center, 3021 Twin Rivers Dr, Arkadelphia, AR 71923.
The family would like to give special thanks to the staff of Twin Rivers, Sheriff Jason Watson and staff, and Judge Randy Hill for all the support and uplifting of her spirits that they gave to Michelle each and every day. Michelle loved each and every one of you.
Cremation arrangements entrusted to The Welch Funeral Home of Arkadelphia.
William H. Byrd
(August 2, 1923 - May 30, 2012)
U.S. Veteran
William Harold Byrd age 88 of Arkadelphia passed from this life on Wednesday, May 30, 2012 at his home. He was born August 2, 1923 in Benton, Arkansas the son of the late Ted and Martha Hendrix Byrd. William was a United States Army veteran serving in France during World War II. He was a retired restaurant owner and a Master Mason. William was preceded in death by his first wife Shirley Mae Byrd and one son Dennis Harold Byrd.
Survivors are his wife Martha Smith Byrd, one daughter, Laura Marilyn Grant of Nevada, two sons, Ricky Byrd of Nevada and Jimmy (Peggy) Perry of Arkadelphia, two granddaughters, Shannon Rhett of Texas and Linda Davis of Arkadelphia, one sister, Martha Snyder of Alaska, two brothers, J.C. Byrd and Lee Byrd both of California, step son David (Heather) Smith of Caney, step daughter Ann (Roger) Wheeler of Texas.
A memorial service will be held at 2:00 PM Friday, June 8th, 2012 at Baring Cross Missionary Baptist Church with Rev. Ronnie Hardin officiating.
Memorials may be made to Baring Cross Missionary Baptist Church P.O. Box 503 Arkadelphia, AR 71923.
Cremation arrangements entrusted to the Welch Funeral Home of Arkadelphia.
