Jewell Inez Bowden, age 96, of Little Rock, formerly of Russellville, departed this earth to be with her Lord on Monday, February 4, 2008, at The Greenbriar on Stagecoach.
A daughter of the late Fred Thompson and Hattie Mae Vick Dollar, she was born June 14, 1911, in Russellville.
She was the widow of Dallas Bowden, and was also preceded in death by two children, Clarence Bowden of Russellville, and June E. Bowden Bagley of Alexander; and a sister, Mildred Martin Lawrence of Little Rock.
She is survived by her granddaughter, Darlene Bagley of Little Rock, and an adopted granddaughter, Shari Bryan of Little Rock; three other grandchildren and some great-grandchildren; a sister-in-law, Mrs. Sybil Lowe of North Little Rock; and various nephews, nieces and cousins.
Mrs. Bowden was a long time member of First Cumberland Presbyterian Church. She and Dallas were married 70 years when her husband passed away. She was a homemaker and assisted her husband with his starter and alternator rebuilding shop in Russellville. Mrs. Bowden had been an active member of a local quilting circle in Russellville. She was a tremendous cook and loved helping her husband with the enormous vegetable garden they raised every year, from which she canned and prepared a multitude of food. She was an accomplished seamstress. Mrs. Bowden was an avid domino player, even up until her death. She grew up during the depression and, as a result, she understood the value of family and the simpler things in life.
A special "thank you" goes to Pamela Prescott and the staff of Greenbriar Assisted Living Center of Little Rock. Mrs. Bowden had resided there during the last two years of her life. The Greenbriar staff helped her family care for Mrs. Bowden and showed her the love and respect a grandmother deserves.
The graveside service and entombment in the mausoleum of Rest Haven Memorial Park in Russellville will be at 1 p.m. on Friday, Feb. 8, officiated by the Rev. Steve Mosley. Arrangements are by Shinn Funeral Service of Russellville.
In lieu of flowers, the family requests donations be made to the First Cumberland Presbyterian Church, 1200 North Arkansas Avenue, Russellville, AR 72801; or the Pulaski County Humane Society of Little Rock, 14600 Colonel Glenn Road, Little Rock, AR 72210.
James Friar
James M. Jim Friar, 44, of Pottsville, died Wednesday, Jan. 30, 2008, at his home.
Survivors include his mother, Gay Varjenski of Pottsville; his father and stepmother, James M. and Diane Friar of Meridan, Idaho; three sisters and brothers-in-law, Jamie and Mike Kelly of Vestal, N.Y., Jill and Travis Riggs of Dover, and Lori and Deric Yoakley of Fayetteville; a grandmother, Lillie Marchant of Wellington, Colo.; an uncle and aunt, Tom and Sue Friar of Wellington; nine nephews and nieces; and a grandnephew.
A graveside service and burial were Saturday at Pisgah Cemetery near Pottsville, officiated by Elder Deric Yoakley. Arrangements were by Shinn Funeral Service.
Active pallbearers were Mike and Michael Patterson, Travis Riggs, Paul Lieblong, Deric Yoakley and George Riggs.
Memorials may be made to Arkansas Children's Hospital, P. O. Box 2222, Little Rock, AR 72203-9984.
Margaret Egbert
Margaret Louise Egbert, 82, devoted wife, mother, grandmother, aunt, and friend passed away Dec. 10, 2007, after a long and courageous battle with cancer.
She was born Jan. 7, 1925, to William L. Wooten and Georgia Hurley in Hector. She graduated high school in 1943 and moved the same year to Wichita, Kan., with her sister, her sister's family, and worked at the Boeing Aircraft Company. She helped make the B59 airplane used in World War II, becoming experienced as an airplane electrician. She worked for Boeing for 10 months, then worked for Beach Aircraft till the end of the war. In September 1945, she moved to Chicago, Ill. and attended Coyne Electric School to study radio. She met and fell in love with her instructor Albert LeRoy Egbert. They were married in Hector on Feb. 14, 1946. She loved working in her flower garden, especially her 14 rose bushes. She loved working in the Family History Center and doing genealogy. She was a devoted member of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints for 60 years. She loved her family dearly and will be greatly missed. Her caring heart warmed every one she met and her great sense of humor kept them laughing.
She was preceded in death by her parents; and her husband, Albert LeRoy Egbert; one brother and two sisters.
She is survived by a daughter, Linda Egbert of Tulsa, Okla.; a son, Gary Egbert and wife, Penny, of Cypress, Texas; grandchildren, Brian Egbert of Austin, Texas, Jennifer of the Woodlands, and Holly and husband, Steven, Bartenfeld of Houston, Texas.
Funeral services were in December at the Church of Latter-Day Saints in Tulsa, Okla. Interment was in Floral Hays Cemetery.
Jean Montero
Jean Montero, 63, of Pottsville, died Thursday, Jan. 31, 2008, at her home.
The daughter of Marvin Bewley and Myrtle Turner Clayton, she was born Dec. 31, 1944, in Las Vegas, Nev.
Before her retirement, Jean was a manager at K-Mart and a nurse's aide at Russellville Nursing. She was a loving mother and grandmother. Her family will miss her dearly, as well as her little dog, Chica.
She was preceded in death by her husband, Nelson Leon Montero; her parents; one brother, Allen Bewley and a sister, Aliece Schaeffer.
She is survived by two sons, Dale Duvall and wife, Jeanie, of Russellville, and Tony Duvall and wife, Melanie, of Conway; one daughter, Crystal Hill of Russellville; five grandchildren, Carla Duvall of Lonoke, Angel Duvall of Morrilton, Samantha Duvall of Lonoke, Shane Duvall of Conway, Ashton Duvall of Conway; two sisters, Margaret Archer of Redwood, Calif. and Sheila Mealer of Paragould; several nieces, nephews and other friends and family.
Funeral services were Monday at Humphrey Chapel with the Rev. Don Erwin officiating. Burial was at Shiloh Cemetery at Atkins, by Humphrey Funeral Service.
Joseph Rowland
Joseph M. Rowland, 84, of Russellville, died Thursday, Jan. 24, 2008, at his home in the Appleton Community.
The son of Jim and Rosey Lee Rowland, he was born Feb. 26, 1923, in Scottsville. He was a United States Army Veteran of WW II. He worked 35 years at Firestone in the Mill Room. He was the youngest man to ever retire from Firestone. He was a member of the Moose Lodge, American Legion, VFW Post #2283.
He was preceded in death by his parents; his wife, Mildred Rowland; a son, John Kaylor; four sisters; and two brothers.
He is survived by five daughters, Joan Ausherman and husband, Myron, of Las Vegas, Nev., Barbara Myers of Russellville, Alice Elmore of Russellville, and Betty Lou Shearl and husband, Stan, of Folton, Ohio; two sons, Joseph M. Rowland Jr. of Vancouver, Wash., and Anthony Kaylor and wife, Carol, of Mentor, Ohio; 17 grandchildren; 41 great-grandchildren; two brothers, Raymond Rowland of Hector and Harold Wayne Rowland of Virginia.
Funeral services were Thursday at Humphrey Chapel. Burial was at Rest Haven Memorial Park by Humphrey Funeral Service.
John Curtis
John T. Curtis, 53, of Russellville, died Thursday, Jan. 31, 2008, at St. Vincent's Infirmary in Little Rock.
The son of Doyne Curtis and Pauline Hankins, he was born Sept. 1, 1954, in Camden.
He was a 1972 graduate of Dover High School and also from Petit Jean Vo-Tech where he studied diesel mechanics. He married Maxine Collins on Nov. 12, 1978, at Dillon, Ark. John worked in construction throughout the southern United States. He built the new highway between Russellville and Dover.
He was preceded in death by his father, Doyne Curtis; his maternal grandparents, Tom and Elsie Hankins; and his paternal grandparents, John and Verda Curtis.
Survivors include his wife, Maxine Curtis of Dover; two sons, TJ Curtis and his wife, Jessica, of Pottsville and Dustin Curtis and fiancée, Sara Smith, of Dover; his mother, Pauline Hankins of Russellville; a stepdaughter, Rita Short and husband, Tony, of Dover; a stepson, David Harris of Texas; two step-grandchildren, Angela Short and Tony Short; a sister Annie Norris and husband, Alan, of Benton; a brother, Dennis Curtis and wife, Lyn, of Cabot; a niece and three nephews, Kelley Dunlap, Dennis Curtis, Jr., Andrew and Aaron Norris; several aunts and uncles; his mother-in-law, Arbelle Collins of Paris; two sisters-in-law, Alice and husband, Lewis Simmons of Petit Jean Mountain and Aldene Key of Beebe.
Funeral services were Monday at First Assembly of God Church of Russellville. Rev. Roy Chisum and Rev. Ronnie Morris officiated. Burial was at Rest Haven Memorial Park at Russellville by Humphrey Funeral Service.
Memorials may be made to Russellville Boys and Girls Club, P.O. Box 1477, Russellville, AR 72811 or the Dover Sports Complex, c/o Royce Moore, 1201 Rushing Road, Dover, AR 72837.
Earl Freeman
Earl J. Freeman, 80, of Hector died Tuesday, Jan. 29, 2008, at his home.
He was born Sept. 29, 1927, in Treat, and was the son of the late William Lee and Liz Hull Freeman.
He was also preceded in death by his wife, Carole Freeman; a daughter, Deborah Freeman; brothers, Allen, Bill and J. T. Freeman; and sisters, Tommie Bakaitis, Floy Mae Dwyer and Wilma Reece.
Survivors include his two sons, Jack Freeman and Edward James "Fuzzy" Freeman, both of Hector; two grandchildren, Jessica Hollis of Conway and Greg Coffman of Russellville; and two great-grandchildren.
Funeral services were Friday at the Hector First Assembly of God Church with the Rev. Keith Underhill officiating. Burial was in Rock Springs Cemetery by Lemley Funeral Service.
Pallbearers were Billy Joe Crouch, Kenny Bull, Mick O'Donnell, T. A. Standridge, Don Freeman, and David Garrigus. Honorary pallbearers were Billy Floyd Mason, Ed Bishop, Billy Ray Freeman, Bob Bennett, James Hull, Jerry Don Freeman, and David Freeman.
Memorials can be made to Hector First Assembly of God, P.O. Box 160, Hector, AR 72843.
Edna Eledge
Edna Doris Eledge, age 98, of London, the widow of Obie Lon Eledge, died Tuesday, February 5, 2008, at the Russellville Nursing and Rehabilitation Center.
A daughter of the late Charles and Viola Chambers Harris, she was born Sept. 19, 1909, at Springfield, Ark.
She was a member of the London First Assembly of God for over 65 years.
She was preceded in death by her parents and her husband; a two-week-old daughter, Melba Mae Eledge; a brother, Othal "Buddy" Harris; and two sisters: Mable Scott and Emma Craddock.
Survivors include two sons and daughters-in-law: Jimmy and Irene Eledge of London; and Gene and Patsy Eledge of Hot Springs; a daughter and son-in-law, Wanda and Sylvester Gipson of Roff, Okla.; a sister, Lorene Patrykus of Arlington, Wash.; three grandchildren: Doris Hull of Oklahoma City; Charles Thompson and his wife, Pam, of Roff; and Michael Eledge and his wife, Sharron, of Wichita, Kan.; four great-grandchildren: Kristie Meyers and her husband, Matt, of San Antonio, Texas; Terry Hull of Oklahoma City; and Morgan and Hunter Thompson, both of Roff; and two great-great-grandchildren, Kathryn and Ariana Meyers of San Antonio.
The funeral service will be at 2:30 p.m. on Saturday, Feb. 9, at the London First Assembly of God, officiated by the Rev. Jerry Schlinker. Burial will be in PriceCemetery at London, by Shinn Funeral Service.
Active pallbearers will be Mike Eledge, Hunter and Charles Thompson, Dennis Steuber and Kevin and Keith Lemarr. Honorary pallbearers will be Clarence Robberson, R. J. Cochran, John Whorton, Bill Coffman, Dr. Stanley Bradley and the staff of Russellville Nursing Center.
The family will receive friends on Friday evening from 5 to 7 p.m., at the funeral home.
Memorials may be made to the London First Assembly of God, Post Office Box 244, London, AR 72847.
Anna Grigsby
Anna Grigsby, 102, of Dardanelle, died Wednesday, Feb. 6, at River Valley Medical Center in Dardanelle.
The daughter of Joseph and Lou Bannister Gross, she was born July 3, 1905, in Yell County. She was a homemaker. She was a member of the Grace Chapel Trinity Pentecostal Church.
She was preceded in death by her husband, Homer Grigsby, and was also preceded in death by her parents; one son, Bobby Gene Grigsby; one daughter, Reba Loyd; and one grandaughter, Jessica Michelle Medlin.
Survivors include five sons, Charles Grigsby and wife, Joyce, of Dover, Homer Dean Grigsby and wife, Mary, of Russellville, Joe Grigsby and wife, Ruth, of Dardanelle, Bob Grigsby and wife, Betty, of Dover, Jerry Grigsby and wife, Katherine, of Atkins; one daughter, Lou Wood of Sallisaw, Okla.; 24 grandchildren, many great-grandchildren, great-great-grandchildren and great great great-grandchildren and a host of other family and friends.
Funeral services were Friday at Grace Chapel Trinity Pentecostal Church. The Reverend James Miller and Reverend Jerry Vinson officiated. Burial was at Oakland Cemetery at Russellville under the direction of Humphrey Funeral Service.
Pallbearers were her grandsons.
Oneta Sweeden
Oneta Sweeden, 86, of Atkins, died Monday, Feb. 11, 2008, at St. Mary's Regional Medical Center.
She was born Feb. 7, 1922, in Pope County and was the daughter of the late Wade and Dovie Austin. She was a member of the Bells Chapel Methodist Church and the VFW Auxiliary.
She was preceded in death by her parents and a son-in-law, Bill Fike.
She is survived by her husband, Herbert "Son" Sweeden of Atkins; two daughters and a son-in-law, Anna Fike of Russellville and Nina and Jerry Davis of Atkins; grandchildren, Missy Haney, Ronnie Davis, Keith Fike, Kevin Fike, Terri Poynter, and Roxanne Jones; 10 great-grandchildren and nine great-great-grandchildren.
Funeral services will be 2 p.m., Thursday, Feb. 14, at Lemley Funeral Chapel with the Rev. Robert Woody officiating. Burial will be in Atkins City Cemetery by Lemley Funeral Service.
Visitation will be 6-8 p.m. Wednesday.
Pallbearers will be Ronnie Davis, Keith Fike, Kevin Fike, Eddie Higman, Toby Whitcomb, Shawn Crites and Tyler Haney.
James McElroy
James "Mac" McElroy, age 66, of Perryville, passed away Sunday, Feb. 4, 2007.
He was born Feb. 2, 1941 in Morrilton, a son of Geneva Baugh Lewis and the late James Houston McElroy. "Mac" was of the Assembly of God faith and was a North Little Rock policeman for seven years, then joining the Arkansas State Police starting in Camden with Troop F. He then transferred to Troop J., where he retired after thirty-one years. After retirement he continued his service to the public as mayor for the city of Perryville, which he was presently serving.
Survivors include his wife of forty-seven years, Wanda Egger McElroy of Perryville; son, Travis McElroy of Perryville; mother, Geneva Lewis and step-father, Robert, both of Morrilton; brother, David McElroy of Atkins; sister, Francis Gibby of Morrilton; and grandson, Brodie McElroy of Morrilton.
Funeral services were Wednesday at Harris Chapel in Morrilton with Bro. Danny Baker officiating. Burial was at Elmwood Cemetery by Harris Funeral Home. Pallbearers were Preston Hurst, Allan Hixon, Wayne Lovell, Scott Skinkle, Ben Lee, Tim Parker, Tony Holland, and Melvin Brand. Honorary pallbearers were the Perryville City Aldermen.
Hettie Hull
Hettie Hull, 80, of Russellville, died Monday, Feb. 12, 2007 at Saint Mary's Regional Medical Center in Russellville.
The daughter of Silva and Stella (Waterman) Meadows, she was born June 11, 1926 in Treat. She was a member of the Pleasant Grove Assembly of God Church.
She was preceded in death by her husband of fifty-five years, Carl Hull and preceded in death by her parents; two brothers, Troy Meadows and Clinton Meadows.
She is survived by her son, Lloyd Hull and wife, Sandra of Dover; two grandchildren, Mike Hull and wife, Renee of Russellville and Melanie Burris and husband, Jamie of Atkins; one great granddaughter, Courtney Hull of Dover; two brothers, W.B. Meadows and wife, Laverne of Dover and Troy Meadows and wife, Bennie of Dover; two sisters, Dessie Bell and husband, Monroe of Dover and Mildred Henderson of Russellville and a sister-in-law, Lily Meadows of Dover.
Funeral services will be at 10 a.m. Thursday at Humphrey Chapel with the Rev. Jamie Burris officiating. Burial will be at Shannon Cemetery at Treat by Humphrey Funeral Service. Visitation will be 5:30 - 6:30 p.m. Wednesday at the funeral home.
Internet obituary and on-line guest book available at www.humphreyfuneral.com.
Pallbearers will be Lonnie Meadows, Scott Meadows, Dennis Meadows, Paul Hull, Robert Hull and Calvin Henderson. Honorary pallbearers will be Bob Merritt, Earl Hull, Richard Hull, William Hull and all of her other nephews.
The family would like to thank the staff at the Russellville Nursing Home for their special care and attention given to Hettie over the last couple of years.
Rev. Alvie Burris
Rev. Alvie E. Burris, 76, of Russellville, died Monday, Feb. 12, 2007, at St. Mary's Regional Medical Center.
He was born Feb. 22, 1930, and was the son of the late William H. and Esther Darter Burris. He was a member of the First Free Will Baptist Church of Russellville, a Free Will Baptist minister for 20 years and a life member of the Master's Men.
He is survived by his wife, Marie Duvall Burris of Russellville; two sons and daughters-in-law, Randall and Sandra Burris and Paul and Regina Burris, all of Russellville; two daughters and sons-in-law, Barbara Ann and Bill Wiley of Russellville and Jan and Michael L. Evants of Tulsa, Okla.; two brothers, James Burris of Atkins and Melvin Burris of Russellville; four sisters, Arkie Darter of Appleton, Audra Ennis, Shirley Young and Jean Cothren all of Atkins; seven grandchildren, Linda Wiley, Craig Wiley, Tina Burris Allen, Travis Burris, Michael Evants, Emily Evants, Chris Guizar and eight great-grandchildren.
Funeral services will be 2 p.m, Wednesday (today) at Lemley Funeral Chapel with the Rev. Jimmy Lee Chronister officiating. Burial will be in Shiloh Cemetery north of Atkins by Lemley Funeral Service.
Pallbearers will be Doug Dodd, William Price , Philip Haney, Earl Lusk, Glen Heaton, Bill Pendergraft and C. B. Haney.
Memorials may be made to the American Lung Association, 211 Natural Resources Drive, Little Rock, Ar. 72205-9869
William May
William H. "Doe" May, 82, of Atkins, died Tuesday, Feb. 6, 2007, at St. Mary's Medical Center in Russellville.
He was born in Atkins, the son of Clyde and Ava Barefield May. He was an Army veteran of World War II, and a Navy veteran of the Korean War, and was of the Assembly of God faith.
He was preceded in death by his wife, Annie Pope May; twin daughters, Glenda Sue and Linda Sue May; a daughter-in-law, Brenda May; three sisters, Viva May, Sue Brashear, Jewel Aston; and two brothers, Bernell May and Alton May.
He is survived by a son, Danny May and fiancée Anita Smith; two daughters and sons-in-law, Nancy and Jim Parker of Dardanelle and Patsy and Rick Garrigus of Russellville; two grandsons, Jodi May and wife, Jessi of Booneville and Jacob Garrigus of Russellville; granddaughter, Cindi Parker and husband, Tony; four great-grandchildren, Daisy Parker, Jackson Parker, Paige May, Braydon May; a brother, Coy May of Atkins; sister and brother-in-law, Shirley and Weldon Woodard of Barstow, Calif.; and numerous nieces and nephews.
Funeral services were Saturday at Lemley Funeral Chapel, the Rev. Bobby Norman and the Rev. Norman Chenowith officiating. Burial was in Bells Chapel Cemetery by Lemley Funeral Service. Pallbearers were Bill May, Michael May, Jerry May, Wayne May, Willard Rogers and Robert McCain.
Edwin Pierce
Edwin Martin Pierce, 58, of Russellville went to be with our Lord Wednesday, Feb. 7, 2007, at his home after a long illness.
He was born Feb. 14, 1948, in Pine Bluff, he was the son of Milford and Maylee Pierce in Grapevine. He was a member of Rison United Methodist Church. He was previously employed by Champion Builders as a project manager.
He is survived by his wife, Cherie Pierce, whom he married on Oct. 3, 1969; a son and daughter-in-law, Steven and Bethany Pierce of Russellville; a daughter and her fiancée, Jessica Hylton and Robert Taylor of Russellville; two brothers and sisters-in-law, John and Sandra Pierce of Pine Bluff and Freddie and Sissy Pierce of Grapevine; four sisters and brothers-in-law, Linda and David Stewart of Austin, Texas, Diane and Bill Abington of Russellville, Beth and Donald Lee Ruffin of Dewitt, and Janie and Mark Rogers of Russellville; three grandsons, Tyler and Isaac Pierce and Spencer Hylton all of Russellville and a number of nieces and nephews.
Funeral services were Friday, at Buie Funeral Home in Rison with Brother Donald Ruffin and Greg McClellan officiating. Burial was in Black Cemetery by Lemley Funeral Service of Atkins.
Pallbearers were Chris Abington, Nathan and Jake Bailey, Aaron Goodnight, Sam Pierce, Brian and Luke Polczynski, Luke and Josh Rogers, Ben Ruffin, Ronnie and Jason Spradlin and Matthew Stewart. Honorary bearers were members of the Rison High School Class of 1966.
Memorials may be made to UAMS Family Home, 4300 West Markham, Little Rock, Ar. 72117 or Black Cemetery Fund, 270 Brewer Road, Rison, Ar. 71665.
Luther Smith
Luther Burl Smith, 79, of Wichita, Kan., passed away Monday, Feb. 5, 2007 at the Wesley Medical Center in Wichita.
A son of the late Walter and Addie Walker Smith, he was born Jan. 18, 1928 in Russellville. He was a former salesman for Scholfield Pontiac in Wichita, and was a retired life insurance agent. He was a United States Army veteran, and was a member of the Evangel Assembly of God Church in Wichita.
He was also preceded in death by a brother, Virgil Smith; and three sisters, Rev. Opal Reddin, Mary McCutcheon and Violet Ruth Smith.
Survivors include his wife, Lawanda Smith; a daughter, Kristi Bakhtiar of Wichita; two sisters, Reba Woods of Bedford, Ind. and Faith Price of Pomona, Calif.; and five grandchildren, Keilah, Keisha, Keitiza, Keiley and Keison Bakhtair, all of Wichita.
A graveside service and burial was conducted by Shinn Funeral Service on Friday at Ball Hill Cemetery near Russellville. The Rev. Bob McCutcheon officiated. Military honors were provided by the Veterans of Foreign Wars Rogers-Rye Post #2283.
Memorials may be made to the Evangel Assembly of God Church Children's Department, 11444 West 21st Street, Wichita, Kan. 67205.
Loyd Burris
Loyd F. "Papa" Burris, 83, of Delaware, died Thursday, Feb. 8, 2007, at his home.
He was born Oct. 24, 1923 at Nordheim, Texas to Delbert F. and Nancy L. Hill Burris.
He was a member of the First Baptist Church of Delaware and loved gardening and painting.
He was preceded in death by his parents; a brother, Ernest Burris; and a sister, Roza Morgan.
Survivors include his wife of 28 years, Laura J. Burris of Delaware; two daughters and a son-in-law, Susan Marie Burris of New Jersey and Jennifer Joanne and Toby Horn of Danville; two step-daughters and step-sons-in-law, Debra and Bill Smith of Wyoming and Sue and Steve Puckett of Watauga, Texas; a step-son and step-daughter-in-law, Tom and Mary Miller of Delaware; a brother and sister-in-law, Jack and Cathy Burris of Delaware; three sisters, Sarah Coulburn of Florida, Nancy Jay of Delaware, and Margie Jones of Dardanelle; nine grandchildren; seven great grandchildren; and numerous nieces and nephews.
Funeral services were held Monday at the First Baptist Church of Delaware with Bro. Wiley Jones and Chaplain Elden Thomas officiating. Burial was in Graves Cemetery at Delaware, under the direction of Shinn Funeral Service.
Active pallbearers were Bruce Burris, Loyd Miller, Willie Burris, Dwight Jones, Ivo Jones, and Gerald Mercotte. Honorary pallbearers were Frank Jay and Tom Miller.
