Rev. Al Sparkman
September 24, 1931 - February 7, 2015
Rogers, Arkansas
Rev. Al Sparkman, of Rogers, Arkansas was born September
24, 1931 in Smackover, Arkansas to Lloyd Sparkman and Edith
Spillman Sparkman. He graduated from Pine Bluff High School
in 1949 and graduated from Ouachita Baptist University in
1953, earned his master of Divinity degree in 1956 from
Southern Baptist Theological Seminary, Louisville, KY and
Master of Theology in 1957.
His pastorates’ were Anderson Chapel Baptist Church, Dumas,
Ark; Cedar Creek Baptist Church, Bardstown, KY; First
Baptist Church, Mt. Washington, KY; Shively Baptist Church,
Shively, KY, Levy Baptist Church, North Little Rock, Ark;
First Baptist Church, Crossett, Arkansas; Staff Associate, First
Baptist Church, Rogers, Ark; Interim pastor, Faith Baptist
Church, Sandusky, OK; Crow Mountain Baptist Church,
Russellville, Ark; Interim pastor, First Baptist Church, Atkins,
Ark; Pastor of Hopewell Baptist Church, Atkins, Arkansas.
Through the radio ministry of First Baptist Church in Crossett,
Ark his sermons were broadcast to Arkansans for a number of
years. Other ministries including revivals in many states,
teaching and preaching on college campuses, teaching seminary
extension, preaching and teaching in New Zealand and
Baumholder, Germany.
He served his denomination as a member or Chairman of the
State Baptist and associational committees and boards in
Kentucky and Arkansas, and on the Kentucky Baptist
Executive Board 3 years and Ark executive board 11 years,
served as president of the Former Students association of
Ouachita Baptist University and president of Ark Alumni
Association of Southern Seminary. He served on the Board of
trustees, Ouachita Baptist University; Board of International
Baptist Ministries. He served on the Stewardship Commission
of the Southern Baptist Convention 1984 - 1992.
Rev. Al Sparkman died Saturday, February 7, 2015, at the age
of 83. Survivors include his wife of 62 years, Bobbie Stephens
Sparkman; his children, Susan Bradford and her husband, Vic
of Rogers, Stephen Sparkman and his wife, Sandy of Stillwell,
OK, his grandchildren, Leslie Cotton, Crystal Mullen, Laura
Young, Jacob Sparkman, four great grandchildren and he was
eagerly awaiting the arrival of his fifth.
Memorial services will be at Grace Baptist Church in Rogers,
Ark at 2:00 pm, Tuesday, February 10, 2015 with Pastor Randy
Parks officiating.
In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made to Circle of Life
Hospice, 900 NE Verdant, Bentonville, AR 72712, Grace
Baptist Church, 2409 West New Hope Road, Rogers, AR
72758 or to the charity of the donor’s choice.
Mary Elizabeth Williams
February 5, 1922 - January 11, 2015
Rogers, Arkansas
Mary Elizabeth Williams, 92, formally of Rogers, passed away Sunday,
January 11, 2015 in Dallas, Texas. She was born February 5, 1922 in
Sioux City, Iowa to Gustav Adolph Hansen and Elvira Wold Hansen.
Mary lived most of her life in St. Paul, MN. However, during WWII,
she spent time in New Jersey, New York City, and later Hattiesburg,
MI, while her husband Maury trained and later fought with the famed
442nd army unit. In St. Paul, she worked as a secretary at Luther
Seminary prior to retiring with Maury to Rogers AR in the late 70’s.
Her favorite hobby, sewing, resulted in a constantly changing wardrobe
of clothes and many beautiful quilts. She enjoyed an active life in
Rogers that included participation in Peace Lutheran Church activities,
golf, square dancing, and walking a mile every day.
Mary was preceded in death by her husband of 64 years, Maurice
Williams in 2005.
She is survived by one son, Craig T. Williams and daughter-in-law
Mary Cay Burke; one daughter, Christine D. Williams; brother, Harold
Hansen and sister-in-law Dolly Hansen; sister, Elsie Wishon and
brother-in-law Robert Wishon; one sister-in-law, Ione Hansen; one step-
granddaughter; four nephews and five nieces.
Memorial services will be held Saturday, February 7th at 10:00 a.m. at
Peace Lutheran Church in Rogers with Pastor Dale Jirousek
officiating. Burial will be at the National cemetery in Fayetteville.
Memorials may be made to: Alzheimer’s Association, through the Alz.
org, as a memorial/tribute donation to Mary E. Williams who lived with
Alzheimer’s disease for over 7 years.
Chad Allen Burdo
October 7, 1981 - December 31, 2014
Rogers, Arkansas
Chad Allen Burdo, 33, of Rogers, Ark. died Wednesday, December 31,
2014 at his residence. He was born October 7, 1981 in Henderson, NV
to Ricky Lee Burdo and Tammy Ann Shupe Burdo.
He was a wonderful person, very giving, funny and had a laugh that was
contagious. He had a passion for animals, especially pit bulls.
Chad is survived by his father, Rick Lee Burdo and wife, Randi; his
mother, Tammy Ann Burdo; four brothers, T. J. Darling, Jacob
Darafrine, Timothy Grego, and Eric Burdo; one sister, Kayla Burdo and
his two pit-bulls, Roman and Reyah.
Also, In loving memory of the best man we’ve ever known, Chad. Chad
had more family than we could name. His aunt Carrie who helped raise
him to be the amazing man he turned into; his best friend Amanda was
by his side everyday to the every end and Brian was more than just a
roommate to Chad, he was his friend, brother and partner in crime.
Savannah, his girlfriend, stuck by him thru thick and thin and always put
a smile on his face. There are too many more to name, but he is greatly
loved and missed by us all.
Memorial services will be held at 1:00 pm, Saturday, January 3, 2015 at
Stockdale-Moody Funeral Chapel in Rogers.
In lieu of flowers memorials may be made to Pit-Bull Ambassadors of
NWA, www.isavepitbulls.com.
Allen Eugene "Gene" Edwards
May 19, 1918 - May 8, 2015
Rogers, Arkansas
Allen 'Gene' Edwards, died May 8, 2015 in Rogers. He was
born May 19, 1918 in Blue Mountain, Mississippi to George and
Clara Edwards.
He was a faithful member of Rogers First Assembly and served
as an honorary greeter for many years. Everyone that attended
the church would meet him at the door and were met with a
friendly handshake and a warm 'how you doing this morning.'
In his younger years, Gene worked in the CCC camps in
Mississippi, was a diesel mechanic, farmer and plumber but his
best role was 'Papaw Gene' to his many grandchildren and great
grandchildren. He will be long remembered and missed very
much by those who knew and loved him well.
Gene is survived by two sons, Robert Edwards of Rogers, Stan
Edwards and wife, Cordelia of Rogers; and one daughter,
Patricia Newsom and husband, John of Memphis, TN; He was
the oldest of 12 children and is survived by three sisters,
Paulene Reed, of Ashflat, AR, Maxine Richardson of Texarkana,
AR, Jeanette Smith of Blythville, AR; 7 grandchildren; 15 great-
grandchildren and 4 great-great-grandchildren.
Visitation will be held from 5:00 to 7:00 pm, Monday, May 11,
2015 at Rogers First Assembly.
Graveside services will be held at 10:00 am, Tuesday, May 12,
2015 at Tucks Chapel cemetery with Danny Cheney officiating.
Molly Rose Rich
December 31, 1926 - August 4, 2015
Rogers, Arkansas
Molly Rose Rich, 88, longtime business owner and resident of
Rogers, AR died Tuesday, August 4, 2015 in Fayetteville.
She was born December 31, 1926 in Avant, OK to Max and
Lilly Weinberger Simon.
Molly owned and operated Molly’s Ring’s N Things in
downtown Rogers for many years and was passionate about
Rogers. She was a volunteer and avid user at the Rogers
Wellness Center.
She is preceded in death by her parents.
Molly is survived by one daughter, Libbye Rich and husband,
Richard Schoeny of Mt. Pleasant, SC.
Visitation will be held from 2:00 pm to 4:00 pm, Thursday,
August 6, 2015 at Stockdale-Moody Funeral Services in
Rogers.
Private burial will be held.
Memorials may be made to Washington Regional Hospice
Home, P.O. Box 356, Fayetteville, AR 72702.
Arrangements have been entrusted to Stockdale-Moody
Funeral Services in Rogers.
Dewey Eugene Zentner
September 6, 1944 - November 10, 2015
Gravette, Arkansas
Dewey Eugene Zentner, 71, of Gravette, Arkansas received his
heavenly reward on Tuesday, November 10, 2015 in Bentonville,
AR. He was born September 6, 1944 in Fairmont, MN to John
Fredrick and Dollie Armstrong Zentner.
He loved God’s creation and enjoyed being outdoors. Dewey was a
member of the Bella Vista Assembly of God. He loved his family
and especially his seven grandchildren.
He was preceded in death by his parents and one sister, Joyce Hiatt.
Dewey is survived by his wife of 49 years, Anita Bowman Zentner;
one son, Brian Hiatt and wife, Lisa of Mesquite, TX; two daughters,
Terri Dawson and husband Jeff of Bentonville, AR, Lynn Packnett
and husband, Scott of Bentonville, AR; one sister, Shirley Iliff and
husband, Maurice of Croquet, MN; grandchildren, Savannah
Nichols and husband, Andrew, Ashton Batten and husband, Cody,
Matthew Hiatt, Beau Packnett, Cade Packnett and many dear family
members and friends.
Visitation will be from 6:00 to 8:00 pm, Thursday, November 12,
2015 at the Bella Vista Assembly of God, 1771 Forest Hills Blvd in
Bella Vista, 72715.
Funeral services will be held at 10:00 am, Friday, November 13,
2015 at the Bella Vista Assembly of God with Pastor Jonathan
Watson and the Rev. James Longmate officiating. Burial will follow
in Mt. Pleasant cemetery near Hiwasse, AR.
Memorials may be made in memory of Dewey Zentner to the
Mission Fund at Bella Vista Assembly of God.
Rex Graves Bowlin
August 31, 1929 - April 10, 2015
Bentonville, Arkansas
Rex Graves Bowlin, age 85, was born to R.W. Bowlin and
Christle Graves Bowlin of the Lone Star community, on
August 31, 1929. He passed away April 10, 2015 at his home
in Bentonville. He married
Dolores Guthrie on Feb. 11, 1954.
He was preceded in death by his parents; an infant daughter,
Sherrie Bowlin; a brother, Dennis and sister-in-law, Mary
Ann Bowlin, and a brother-in-law, Bill Hutton.
Rex was survived by his wife, Dolores Bowlin; a son, Wesley
Bowlin and wife Paula, a daughter, Mary Ann Mayer and
husband, Don; four grandchildren, Miles Bowlin, Paul Mayer
and wife, Kristin, Drew Mayer and wife, Leslie and Kati
Evans and husband, Bryan; two great-grandchildren,
Makaela Mayer and Maddison Mayer; two brothers, Connie
Bowlin and wife, Eyvonne, and Rev. Max Bowlin and wife,
Jeannie; four sisters, Vita Todhunter and husband, Vernon, ,
Joan Hutton, Patsy Roberts and husband, Bob and Joyce
Penzo and husband, Arthur; and numerous nieces, nephews
and Guthrie family.
Rex served in the US Army in Korea. He served as President
and Board member of Farmers Mutual Insurance of Gentry,
Ark. He also served on the Bentonville School Board from
1971-78. He enjoyed hunting and fishing, especially with his
grandsons. He was an avid golfer, and enjoyed playing cards
with his close family. Rex and Dolores wintered in South
Texas for 27 years.
In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to the Lone Star
Community building fund in care of Max Bowlin, 1074
Madison 8340, Hindsville, Ark. 72738.
Private Family Graveside Service
Tuesday, April 14, 2015 - 11:00 am
Clifty cemetery, Clifty, Arkansas
