Judy Karr
Mrs. Judy Karr, 62 of Van Buren, Arkansas died Saturday, January 8, 2005 in a local hospital. She was a homemaker.
Graveside service will be held at 2:00 pm Tuesday, January 11, 2005 with at Fairview cemetery in Van Buren, with burial at Fairview cemetery under the direction of Edwards Van-Alma Funeral Home of Van Buren.
A daughter Donna Thomas of Van Buren, a son Eric Karr of Alma, Arkansas, a sister Sharon Pawlowski of Murrieta, California, two brothers; Olen Adams of Covina, California, Carl Adams of Santa Ana, California and three grandchildren survive her.
There will be no public viewing.
Floyd Thorman
Floyd Thorman, 85, of Van Buren, died Tuesday, January 11, 2005 in Van Buren. He was a manager for the Co-op Feed Department in Van Buren for 50 years, attended City Heights United Methodist Church and was also a cattleman.
He is survived by his wife, Regina of the home; one daughter, Carolyn Stevens of Van Buren; two sons, Fred Thorman of Van Buren, Wesley Thorman of Fort Smith; six grandchildren; nine great grandchildren.
Funeral services will be 10:00 A.M. Friday, January 14, 2005 at Edwards Van-Alma Funeral Home Chapel in Van Buren with burial at Gracelawn cemetery also in Van Buren.
Pallbearers will be Fred, John and Frederick Thorman, Tommy McMellon, Sonny Stevens.
Family will visit with friends at Edwards Van-Alma Funeral Home from 6:00 P.M. to 8:00 P.M. Thursday evening.
Velta Rogers
Velta Rogers, 70, of Fort Smith died Thursday, January 13, 2005 in a local nursing home. She was a retired supply technician for St. Edward Mercy Medical Center. She is preceded in death by her husband, Buddy.
She is survived by two sons, Wayne Smith of Fort Smith, Earl Smith of Mulberry; one sister, Mary Bentley of Edmond, OK; one brother, Dewey Cecil of Arkoma, OK; two grandchildren.
The memorial service will be Monday, January 17, 2005 at Edwards Van-Alma Funeral Home Chapel. Her body was donated to medical science and there will be no public viewing.
Margaret Nora Dickson
Margaret Nora Dickson, 83, of Fort Smith passed away January 13, 2005 in Fort Smith. She was a member of Faith Assembly of God Church, she was a foster parent for the Department of Human Services. She was the widow of J.W. Dickson.
Funeral Services will be 10:00 a.m. Tuesday, January 18, 2005 at Edwards Funeral Home Chapel with burial at the U.S. National cemetery in Fort Smith, Arkansas under the direction of Edwards Funeral Home.
She is survived by two daughters: Janice Gosnell of Houston, Texas and Carolyn Tucking of Kearney, Missouri; two sons: Ronald Rathburn of Brinkley, Arkansas and Ken Rathburn of Fort Smith, Arkansas; one sister: Montie Rowland of Paragould, Arkansas; sister-in-law: Valley Casey of Barton, Arkansas; twelve grandchildren; twenty four great grandchildren; one great grandchild.
Tom Hart
Tom Hart, 63, of Fort Smith passed away January 19, 2005 in Fort Smith. He was a self employed painter for Hart painting. He was a U.S. Navy veteran of Vietnam.
Funeral Service will be 10:00 a.m. Saturday, January 22, 2005 at Edwards Funeral Home Chapel with burial at Gill cemetery under the direction of Edwards Funeral Home.
He is survived by his wife Karen; one daughter: Rebekah and her husband Kevin Robertson of Fort Smith, Arkansas; four sons: Michael Hart and his wife Cheryl; Christopher Hart; Thomas Hart and John Hook all of Fort Smith, Arkansas; six grandchildren: Ashli Hart , Addyson Hart, Laten Hart, Justin Robertson, Katelyn Robertson and Jacob Robertson all of Fort Smith, Arkansas.
Pallbearers will be Kevin Robertson, Mike Hart, Chris Hart, Tommy Hart, John Hook, and Derek Caldwell.
Family will greet friends Friday evening from 6:00 p.m. -8:00 p.m. at Edwards Funeral Home.
Layton Gray
Layton Norman Gray age 93, died January 21, 2005 after a relatively short illness. He is survived by his wife Helen of 63 years, his daughter Ann Scott Gray Winters and her husband Robert L. Winters of Fort Smith, his sister Lucille Cochran of Batesville, his step-grandson Matthew and great grandson Joseph Mark Winters of Fort Smith, and a host of nieces, nephews, and close cousins.
He was a member of the First United Methodist Church, the Gleaner's Sunday School Class, the men's Thursday Bible Study, the Breakfast Bible Group, and Bible Study Fellowship. After 40 years service he retired as an engineer with Southwestern Bell Telephone Company and was a member of the Pioneers, a SBC retirement association.
He graduated from Arkansas State Teacher's College where he was actively involved in all athletic activities, holding the state high hurdle record from 1937 until it was broken in 1961. Layton was an avid sportsman from childhood on. He especially enjoyed fishing and hunting. He was a member of the Ouachita Anglers Fishing Club. Layton's anchors were his faith, his family, his friends, and fishing.
Memorial Services will be at 1:00 PM Tuesday in the Sanctuary of the First United Methodist Church of Fort Smith under the direction of Edwards Funeral Home. The family will greet friends at Edwards Funeral Home on Monday evening from 6-8 PM.
Honorary pallbearers will be the Gleaner's Sunday School Class of First United Methodist Church.
Memorials may be made the First United Methodist Church 200 North 15th Fort Smith, AR 72901 or the Charity of one's choice.
John Relyea
John Robert Relyea, 49, died on Tuesday, January 11, 2005 in Madang, Papua New Guinea. He was born on April 9, 1955 in Augsburg, Germany. John was a missionary with Pioneer Bible Translators in Papua New Guinea.
Funeral will be 10:00 AM Saturday at Central Christian Church in Fort Smith, Arkansas, with burial at Oak cemetery under the direction of Edwards Funeral Home.
He was preceded in death by his father, Benjamin Relyea. He is survived by his wife Marsha; his children Heather, Brigette, and Bobby; his mother Betty Relyea of Memphis, TN; his brother George Relyea and his two sisters Cindy Isaminger and Mary Rashed all of Memphis.
Pallbearers will be George Relyea, Alan Bickell, Gordon French, David Snyder, Elton Rambin, and Don Freeland.
The family will visit with friends from 6 to 8 pm, Friday at Central Christian Church in Fort Smith.
Memorial contributions may be made to Central Christian Church Memorial Fund, 400 North Waldron, Fort Smith, AR 72903
Jessica Lynn Vaughan
Jessica Lynn Vaughan, 21, of Muldrow, Oklahoma passed away January 19, 2005 in Fort Smith. She was employed at Choctaw Gaming Center in Pocola, Oklahoma.
Funeral Service will be 10:00 a.m. Saturday, January 22, 2005 at Roland Church of Christ with burial at Roland City cemetery in Roland, Oklahoma under the direction of Edwards Funeral Home in Fort Smith.
She is survived by her husband Thomas Hardbarger; mother and step-father: Sandi and Carl Piersant of Howe, Oklahoma; Father: James Robert Vaughan of Muldrow, Oklahoma; one sister: Megan Perkins of Howe, Oklahoma; one brother: Joshua Perkins of Howe, Oklahoma; Maternal Grandparents: Donnie and Jackie Woodard of Roland, Oklahoma; Aunts and Uncles; Kathy Luper and Jimmy Turner of Moffett, Oklahoma; Kelly and Chad Bordelon of Roland, Oklahoma; Gary Vaughan; Bridget and Glen Stephens of Louisiana; Timothy Bauer of Louisiana; Step-grandmother: Mary Magon of Louisiana.
Pallbearers will be Jamie McMillan, Scotty Nofire, Milton Perkins, David Bacon, Will Stiz, John Vincey, Carl Piersant, Sr., and Richard Piersant.
Family will visit with friends Friday evening from 6:00 p.m.-8:00 p.m. at Edwards Funeral Home.
Jesse Harold Gilmore
Mr. Jesse Harold Gilmore, 80, of Alma, AR died Friday, January 21, 2005 in a local nursing home. He was a retired Ironworker for Buckner and Flemings Construction, a member of The Solid Rock Tabernacle Church in Alma, member of Ironworker's local #584 in Tulsa, OK and was a Navy veteran of World War II. He was preceded in death by his wife; Edna Mae Dillard Gilmore.
Funeral service will be 1:00 pm Monday, January 24, 2005 at Butterfield Assembly Of God Church in Van Buren, with burial at Alma cemetery in Alma, AR under the direction of Edwards Van-Alma Funeral Home of Van Buren.
Mr. Gilmore is survived by three daughters; LaVonne Whitlock of Alma, LaVerne Stephens of Grove, Oklahoma, and LaNelle Schmelzer of Alma, two sons; Reverend Harold Lee Gilmore of Kibler, AR and Reverend Ronnie Gene Gilmore of Alma, AR, a half sister; Peggy Fuqua of Indianapolis, Indiana, 15 grandchildren, 19 great-grandchildren, and 1 great-great grandchild.
Pallbearers will be his grandsons; Curtis and John Housley, Michael and Tim Whitlock, and Cody, Jason, Steven, and Travis Gilmore. Honorary pallbearers will be members of Mr. Gilmore's Sunday School Class at The Solid Rock Tabernacle Church in Alma, AR.
Mr. Gilmore may be viewed until the funeral hour.
The family will visit with friends from 4:00 pm to 6:00 pm Sunday, January 23, 2005 at Edwards Van-Alma Funeral Home in Van Buren.
Memorial contributions may be made to The Solid Rock Tabernacle Church in Alma, AR.
Kathleen Evergreen Marriette
Kathleen Marriette,93, of Fort Smith passed away January 15, 2005 in Fort Smith. She was of Presbyterian faith, and a retired cook for the Pasadena, California school district. She was preceded in death by her husband Paul V. Marriette, one sister Fay Waldo and her two brothers Homer and Tom Farrill.
Graveside service will be 2:00 p.m. Thursday, January 20, 2005 at the U.S. National cemetery under the direction of Edwards Funeral Home.
She is survived by one sister: Marie Coleman of Fort Smith, Arkansas; and several nieces and nephews.
Memorials may be made to Methodist Nursing Home 1915 South 74th, Fort Smith, AR 72903.
Ben O. Holmes
Ben O. Holmes, 81, of Fort Smith, Arkansas, passed away Thursday, January 20, 2005. He was retired from the United States Army after 25 years of service, after his retirement from the Army he worked on heavy equipment and he worked in the Medical Supplies Field. He was a Veteran of World War II, Korean Conflict and Vietnam. He was a member of First Baptist Church, Sebastian Masonic Lodge #706 F & AM, Scottish Rite of Freemasonary, Amrita Grotto and Center of Arts for Education in Van Buren. He was a member and Past Commander of American Legion Post #31.
Funeral Service will be 10:00 A.M. Monday, January 24, 2005, at Edwards Funeral Home Chapel with interment in National cemetery will full military honors under the direction of Edwards Funeral Home of Fort Smith, Arkansas.
He is survived by his wife of 54 years Carolyn, one daughter Paula Vaughn and husband Jerry of Pocola, Oklahoma, two sons Charles Holmes of Chester, Arkansas and Ben Holmes, Jr. of Conway, Arkansas, one sister Mamye Brooks of Dallas, Texas, two brothers James Holmes of Fort Smith, Arkansas and Don Holmes and wife Yvonne of Mexia, Texas and one grandson Jeremy Vaughn of Pocola, Oklahoma.
The family will receive friends Sunday afternoon, January 23. 2005, from 4:00 P.M. to 6:00 P.M. at Edwards Funeral Home.
Joette Heister
Joette Heister, 61, of Alma, died Sunday, January 23, 2005 in a local hospital. She was a retired salesperson at Spear Hardware and a member of New Vision Worship Center in Van Buren.
She is survived by her husband, Hubert Heister of the home; two sons and one daughter-in-law, Bradley and Tammie Heister of Dyer, Scott Heister of the home; four sisters, Lorena Wells of Van Buren, Pauline Anderson of Van Buren, Betty Reeves of Van Buren, Sharon Scamardo of Fort Smith; numerous nieces, nephews, great nieces and great nephews; nine grandchildren.
Funeral will be 10:00 Friday, January 25, 2005 at Edwards Van-Alma Funeral Home Chapel with burial at Gill cemetery also in Van Buren.
Pallbearers are Brian McClellend, Gerald Henson, Justin Hooten, Kevin Haney, Shannon Morse, Shane Reeves, and Darrel Wells.
The family will meet with friends from 6:00 P.M. to 8:00 P.M. Thursday at the funeral home.
