Rev. Stella B. "Granny" Smith, 100, of Russellville, died Thursday, Feb. 8, 2007, at Russellville Nursing and Rehabilitation Center.
She was born Oct. 12, 1906, at Winnsboro, Texas to William Jefferson and Lilliar Kennedy.
She was a retired minister of the Assemblies of God. She and her husband pastored several churches in the Russellville area as well as many other states. She loved helping people, singing, reading the Bible, and above all she loved Jesus. She had no biological children but many spiritual children, grandchildren and great grandchildren.
She was preceded in death by her parents; her husband, Rev. W.L. Smith; and all of her brothers and sisters.
Survivors include two nieces, Nancy Mora of Five Points, Tenn. and Juanita Hodges of Arizona; as well as other nieces and nephews.
Funeral services were Monday at the Shinn Chapel with Bro. Rick Reaves and Rev. David Bolden officiating. Burial was in Rest Haven Memorial Park, under the direction of Shinn Funeral Service.
Memorials may be made to the Hillcrest Children's Home, 2323 Malvern Avenue, Hot Springs, Ar. 71901
William Chronister
William Joe Chronister of Atkins passed away on Feb. 18th 2007 at St. Anthony's Hospital in Morrilton.
He was born March 13, 1929 in Pope County. He retired after 25 years with Russellville Shoe Factory and attended Sweet Home Free Will Baptist Church. He sold the land for the Pea Ridge Fire Department
He was proceeded in death by his parents, Dallas and Floy Duvall Chronister, his wife, Gertrude Chronister, one son, Jimmy Leon Chronister.
He is survived by a daughter, Barbara Edwards of Atkins; a son and daughter-in-law, John and Dena Chronister of Russellville; a daughter-in-law, Viola Chronister of Atkins; sisters, Wanda Jean Ennis and Wilma Johnston both of Atkins; a sister-in-law, Nora Lee Carter of Eureka, Calif., 11 grandchildren, 16 great-grandchildren and two great-great-grandsons and numerous nieces and nephews.
Funeral services will be Wednesday, Feb. 21, at the Lemley Funeral Chapel with Rev. Jimmy Lee Chronister officiating, Burial will be at Shiloh Cemetery by Lemley Funeral Service.
Pallbearers will be Ritchie Davis, Eddie Ray Chronister, Donald Glenn Chronister, David Hughes, Matt Hughes, and Tim Hughes. Honorary pallbearers are John Davis and Dan Davis.
Memorials may be made to Shiloh Cemetery Fund at 402 W. Main St.; Atkins, Ar. 72823.
Dorothy Mortensen
Dorothy Christine Knudsen Mortensen, 85, a resident of Pottsville, died Friday, Feb. 16, 2007, at the Atkins Nursing and Rehabilitation Center.
She was born Feb. 7, 1922, at Hubbard, Nebraska to Henry Mads and Hanna Amanda Mogensen Kundsen. She married Chris Mortensen on Jan. 20, 1944, and the couple became members of the Christian Congregation of Jehovah's Witnesses in 1977.
She was preceded in death by her parents; her husband on July 20, 1994; a brother, Don Knudsen; a sister, Elsie Thomas; and a grandson, James Caleb Mortensen on Sept. 3, 2005.
Survivors include two sons and daughters-in-law, Ron and Ann Mortensen of Pottsville and Gary and Cathy Mortensen of Reeds Spring, Mo.; a brother, Ralph Knudsen of Fremont, Nebr.; a sister, Juanita Nordgren of Springdale; three granddaughters, Casey Mortensen Brown of Hector and Michelle Schmid and Heather Satchel both of Colorado Springs, Colo.; and seven great grandchildren.
Funeral services were held Tuesday at the Shinn Chapel with Ken Morphis officiating. Burial was in Rest Haven Memorial Park under the direction of Shinn Funeral Service.
Pallbearers were Jim Amey, Neil Webb, Loyd Cates, Dan Dennis, Dave Kibler, and Carl Apple.
Leslie Farmer
Leslie Farmer, 48, of Hector, died Sunday, Feb. 18, 2007 at his home.
The son of Otto and Treva Farmer, he was born Sept. 17, 1958 in Newton County.
He is survived by his fiance', Pam Bedlyon of Hector; two sons, Barry Farmer of Neodesha, Kan. and Leslie David Farmer of Springdale; two daughters, Belinda Sisco and husband, Danny of Lowell and Amanda Farmer of Coffeyville, Kan.; 10 grandchildren; his mother, Treva Hampton of Moonhull; and several brothers and sisters.
The family will conduct a Memorial service at the Holiday Inn, Nebo Room, from 2-4 p.m. Wednesday, Feb. 21.
To assist with the funeral expenses, memorials may be made to Leslie Farmer Memorial Fund, 264 Newton Springs Road, Hector, Ar. 72843.
Cremation arrangements are under the direction of Humphrey Funeral Service.
Etha Daggatt
Etha Daggatt, 86, of St. Louis, Mo., died Saturday, Feb. 17, 2007 at her home.
She was born Sept. 30, 1920 at Nogo to Fred and Bessie Price Ford. She was a former employee of the Dye Candy Company in St. Louis, Mo..
She was preceded in death by her parents and a daughter, Claudette Jean McCuin.
Survivors include her special friend and companion, Clyde Cory of St. Louis, Mo.; a brother and sister-in-law, Cleburne and Thealia Ford of Dover; a sister, Bernice Burgess of Russellville; and a nephew, Daniel Ray Ford of Dover.
A graveside service with burial in Nogo Cemetery at Nogo will be at 10 a.m., on Wednesday, February 24, 2007 officiated by the Rev. Roy Cain. Arrangements are by Shinn Funeral Service.
Martha Marks
Martha Eunice Jackson Marks, 77, of Troy Mich. died Sunday, Feb. 18, 2007. She was formerly of Atkins.
Willie Tollison
Willie Lee "Bill" Tollison, 90, of Russellville, died Tuesday, Feb. 13, 2007 at his home.
The son of George and Isabel Wages Tollison, he was born May 28, 1916 in Blue Springs, Miss.
He served in the United State Army during World War II in the European Theatre and Hawaii. After the war, Bill worked as a limousine driver at the Memphis International Airport and later Woody's Auto Dealership in Ontario, Calif where he met Beverly Miron. They married on Nov. 30, 1959 in Las Vegas, NV. He later worked as a property accountant for General Dynamics, in Pomona, Calif., retiring after 17 years.
Bill retired in 1980 and the family moved to Russellville from Upland, Calif. While living in California, Bill and Beverly were avid travelers, visiting nearly every state in the Union. They enjoyed square dancing with the General Dynamics Square Dance Club. Bill considered himself to be a devout Republican.
He was a former member of the Pope County Riding Club and the Pope County Cattlemen's Association. He was a member of the First United Methodist Church in Russellville.
He was preceded in death by his parents; two brothers, Lewis Tollison and James "J.W." Tollison; and three sisters, Lula Walk, Nancy Elizabeth Brazil, and Flora Hatchel.
He is survived by his wife, Beverly Tollison of Russellville; three daughters, Dawn Gott of Russellville, Diane Tollison of La Canada, Calif., and Denise Roys and husband, Bill of Russellville; a son, Gary Tollison and wife, Stacy of Atlanta, Ga.; four grandchildren, Hayden, Logan, and Audrey Roys, and William Tollison, all of Russellville; one brother, John Wesley Tollison of Corning, Calif; and two sisters, Tabitha Walk and Florence Pacillas Wooten, both of Tucson, Az.
Funeral services were Monday at Humphrey Chapel with Rev. Mackey Yokem officiating. Burial was at Rest Haven Memorial Park at Russellville by Humphrey Funeral Service.
Memorials may be made to First United Methodist Church, 304 South Commerce, Russellville, Ar. 72801.
Ted Buford
Ted R. Buford, 94, of Briggsville, died Friday, Feb. 17, 2007, at St. Mary's Regional Medical Center, in Russellville.
He was born May 1, 1912, at Briggsville, to the late Charlie Tolbert and Mary Rebecca McBride Buford.
He worked in construction and was a logger. He was a member of the Briggsville Methodist Church, a United States Army Veteran of World War II, Patton's 3rd Armored Division, serving during the Battle of the Bulge and Siegfried Line Campaigns. He was a member of the Fourche Valley School Board and the Briggsville Volunteer Fire Department for over 20 years.
In addition to his parents, he was preceded in death by two sons, Danny F. and Allen R. Buford; three brothers, Bennie Edgar, Bill and Dale Buford; and three sisters, Dona, Johnnie and Jessie Buford.
Survivors include his wife of 56 years, Eulene Buford; a daughter and son-in-law, Monette and Tommy Hicks of Uniontown; and a grandson and his wife, David and Deanna Lambert of Van Buren and a grandson, Daniel Hicks of Ft. Smith.
Funeral services were held Monday at the Briggsville Methodist Church with the Rev. Steve Lawrence officiating. Burial was in the Mt. Zion Cemetery in Briggsville, under the direction of Shinn Funeral Service of Russellville.
Active pallbearers were nephews. Honorary pallbearers were the members of the Briggsville Volunteer Fire Department.
Memorials may be made to the Briggsville Volunteer Fire Department.
Pat Humphreys
Pat Humphreys, 86, of Russellville, went to his eternal reward on Thursday, Feb. 15, 2007, at Russellville Nursing and Rehabilitation Center.
He was born Aug. 19, 1920, at Dover to Abraham Franklin and Nealie Sue Eakes Humphreys.
He was a veteran of World War II in the United States Marine Corps, and retired from Arkansas Power and Light Company as a Senior Lineman for over 30 years. He was a member of the First Assembly of God at Russellville, the V. F. W Rogers-Rye Post 2283, the American Legion Riggs Hamilton Post 20, the United Electrical Workers Local 647, a member and past president of the Russellville Ruritan Club and was a Russellville City Alderman for several years. He was an avid fisherman and hunter.
He was preceded in death by his parents and his wife of 60 years, Pauline Gibson Humphreys; five sisters, Elizabeth Lavance Humphreys Haskins, Lena Mae Humphreys Smith, Florence Evelyn Humphreys Moore, Nealie Sue Humphreys Mowrey, Anna Belle Humphreys Burnett; nine brothers, Abraham Murl Humphreys, Alva Franklin Humphreys, Jasper Lee Humphreys, Neal Rue Humphreys, William David Humphreys, Doke Eakes Humphreys, Shirley Paul Humphreys, Jack Eustice Humphreys, and Thomas Edward Humphreys.
Survivors include three sons and daughters-in-law, Pat and Sue Humphreys, Richard and Ann Humphreys, and Mike and Kim Humphreys all of Russellville; three daughters and two sons-in-law, Paulette Jackson of Russellville, Willette and Gary Rowlands of Russellville, and Nancy and Darrel Gill of Maumelle; a brother-in-law, Morris Ray Gibson and his spouse, Sybil, of Dover; six granddaughters and their spouses, Suzanne and Darrell Srader of Russellville, Kristen and Dr. Randy Minton of Little Rock, Rebecca and Scott Jackson of Little Rock, Julie and Billy Tillmon of Dardanelle, and Myriah Humphreys of Russellville; three grandsons, Stephen Pat Humphreys and spouse, Karen of Papillion, Neb., Mark Allen Humphreys of Bradley Beach, N.J. and Keith Humphreys of Russellville; two great grandsons, Andrue Humphreys of Papillion, Neb. and Ross Tillmon of Dardanelle; and four great-granddaughters, Elizabeth Srader of Russellville, Emily Srader of Russellville, Arin Humphreys of Dardanelle and Addy Minton of Little Rock.
Funeral services were held Monday at the Shinn Chapel with the Rev. Terrell Bishop officiating. Burial with military honors provided by the V. F. W. Rogers-Rye Post 2283, was in East Point Cemetery near Russellville, under the direction of Shinn Funeral Service.
Active pallbearers were J.B. Underhill, Paul Ed Humphreys, Bill Cox, Conard Villines, Charles Heathcoat, and Doyle Hood. Honorary pallbearers were Leonard Elliott, Jimmy Davenport, Jimmy Hamilton and Morris Ray Gibson.
In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made to Arkansas Hospice, 2405 East Parkway, Suite 3, Russellville, Ar. 72802.
Todd Ballard
Todd Ballard, 34, a resident of Hot Springs, died Thursday, Feb. 15, 2007, at Saint Mary's Regional Medical Center in Russellville.
He was born Aug. 6, 1972, at Cummins, Ga. and enjoyed hunting, fishing, playing with his children, and spending time with his family.
He was preceded in death by two brothers, Ringo Mayberry and Dennis Ballard and his maternal grandparents, Carmel and Martha Dean.
Survivors include his wife, Crystal Ballard of Hot Springs; two sons, Thomas Ballard of Hot Springs and Brennan Hardy of Russellville; two daughters, Alexis and Brookelin Palmer both of Russellville; his father, Sydney Louis Mayberry of Hot Springs; his mother and her husband, Sandra and Dan Hamilton of Pottsville; a brother and sister-in-law, Waco and Casey Mayberry of Pottsville; a sister and brother-in-law, Tabitha and Donald Turner of Atkins; uncles, David, Tony, and Ricky Dean; and numerous nephews and nieces.
Funeral services will be held at 2 p.m. on Wednesday, February 21, at the Shinn Chapel with Mark Proctor officiating. Interment will be private and arrangements are under the direction of Shinn Funeral Service.
Clelon Pearce
Clelon Duard Pearce, 73, of Atkins, died Tuesday, Feb. 26, 2008, at his home.
He was born May 10, 1934, in Atkins, and was the son of the late Roy Franklin and Lillian Goines Pearce. He was an US Navy Veteran, a member of the American Legion and a member of the Church of Christ.
He was also preceded in death by a great-granddaughter, Erica LaRose Soto.
Survivors include his wife, Ola Ann Pearce of Atkins; children, Rick Pearce and wife, Connie, Frank Pearce and wife, Judy, Rod Pearce, Sheryl Davila and husband, Gavino, Pam Sills and husband, Al; brothers and sisters, Edith Duvall and husband, Alfred, Norma Pratt, Rayburn Pearce and wife, Vivian, and Raymond Pearce and wife, Sherry; 10 grandchildren and four great-grandchildren.
A memorial service will be held at 2 p.m. Friday, Feb. 29, 2008, at the Atkins Church of Christ with Edwin Meyers officiating. A private Burial will be held at a later date.
David Poteete
David Leon Poteete, 49, of Russellville, passed away Friday, Feb. 22, 2008.
He was born March 12, 1958, in Morrilton, a son of Cecil Carl Poteete and Willie Mae Huett Poteete. He was a bridge repairman for the Arkansas Highway Transportation Department and of the Baptist faith.
He was preceded in death by his sisters Linda Poteete and Sandy Cook, and a brother Charlie Poteete.
Survivors include his son, Josh Poteete of Little Rock; girlfriend of seventeen years, JoAnn Conley of Russellville; brothers, Kenneth Mahan of Morrilton, Cecil Ray Poteete of Center Ridge, Carl Poteete of Overcup, Ben and Eddie Joe Poteete both of Morrilton; sisters, Frankie Skinner and Betty Trevino both of Overcup.
Funeral services were Monday, at the Harris Chapel with Bro. Leon Hill officiating. Burial was at Camp Ground Cemetery by Harris Funeral Home of Morrilton.
Pallbearers were Kenneth Mahan, Cecil Ray Poteete, Carl Poteete, Ben Poteete, Eddie Joe Poteete, and Dennis Condley.
Honorary pallbearers were Jimmy Skinner, Vic Trevino, and the A.H.T.D. Bridge Crew.
Virginia Staggs
Virginia Estelle Staggs, 85, departed this world Tuesday, Feb. 19, 2008, following a brief illness.
She was born Dec. 3, 1922, and grew to adulthood in Pottsville, the only child of William Sydney and Roberta Lee Kesler. She married Murl Dean Staggs of Crow Mountain on Nov. 11, 1939. The only child of the union, Paul Dean Staggs, was born on June 29, 1941.
Estelle spent her adult years as a bookkeeper for the family business, F&S Plumbing in North Little Rock. She was also a devoted wife, mother, grandmother and great-grandmother. During her retirement years she enjoyed working with church organizations at Park View Baptist Church of North Little Rock and volunteering at Baptist Memorial Hospital of North Little Rock.
She also spent many happy days with her friends in the Good Sam Club camping around the state of Arkansas as well as other parts of the South. Her final years were devoted to family and friends in Stuttgart as well as to friends at Crestpark Retirement Inn of Stuttgart. Of special note are Rhonda Morrow, Debbie Gordon, Judy and John Conrad, Lataaka Harvey and Luvenia Keaton, who filled her days with love and friendship. Virginia was loved and will be missed by many.
She is preceded in death by her parents, her husband of 48 years, and her only child.
Surviving are four grandchildren and four great-grandchildren, Marc Staggs (Jean Gener Staggs) of North Little Rock, Beth Washburn (Neil Washburn) of Stuttgart, Leah Riels of Memphis and Kelly Staggs Sandy (Ed Sandy) of Memphis, Travis Dean Staggs of Iowa, Sarah Staggs of Memphis, and Robert and Will Washburn of Stuttgart; and her lifelong friends, Bill and Jo Crace of North Little Rock.
Funeral services, officiated by Bro. David Inzer, were Thursday at Turpin Funeral Home chapel with intermenty following in Edgewood Cemetery in North Little Rock.
Her family requests memorials be made to Harmony Baptist Church Building Fund, 910 E. 19th St., Stuttgart, AR 72160.
Nina Thompson
Nina Thompson, 84, of Garfield, died Sunday, Feb. 24, 2008, at the home of her daughter.
A daughter of the late Thomas Green and Hettie Sarber Williams, she was born Jan. 12, 1924 ,in Magnet Cove, Ark.
She was the widow of Buster Brown Thompson, and was also preceded in death by her parents; two brothers, Crafton "Capp" and Herbert Williams; and two sisters, Neeley Albriten and Jeannie Williams.
Survivors include three sons and two daughters-in-law, Larry and Fatima Thompson of Garfield, Richard Thompson of Orange, Calif. and Bill and Sherry Thompson of LaMirada, Calif.; two daughters, Leona Cooper and Elizabeth Thompson, both of Garfield; two brothers and sisters-in-law, Eugene and Louise Williams of Magnet Cove and Thomas and Virginia Williams of Greenbriar; three sisters, Coleen Dame, Marylou Pinson and Lila Wooten, all of Little Rock; six grandchildren, Ronald Mead of Calico Rock, Victoria Bush of Rogers, Raymond Thompson of Las Vegas, Nev., Melissa, Brandy and Jacob Thompson, all of LaMirada; five great-grandchildren; and two great-great-grandchildren.
Graveside services and Burial will be at 2 p.m. on Wednesday, Feb. 27, 2008, at Elizabeth HallCemetery near New Blaine, officiated by Pastor Chuck Sackman. A time of visitation will begin at 1 p.m. at the cemetery. Arrangements are by Shinn Funeral Service.
Active pallbearers will be Danny Stevenson, Kyle Walker, David Bush and Donnie Williams.
Memorials may be made to the Cystic Fibrosis Foundation, 200 South Commerce, Suite 100, Little Rock, AR 72201.
Kevin Qualls
Kevin Bruce "Hammer" Qualls, 44, of Moreland, died Monday, Feb. 25, 2008, at Saint Anthony's Healthcare Center in Morrilton.
He was born Aug. 19, 1963, in Modesto, Calif., and was a former automobile mechanic. He attended the Gateway Pentecostal Church of God.
Survivors include his parents, Clovis and Donna Qualls of Moreland; four children, April Magniez of Turlock, Calif., Magen Qualls of Indiana, and his twins, Adam and Karla Qualls of Moreland; two brothers and sisters-in-law, Clovis Edward and Lacey Qualls of Russellville and Donald and Angie Qualls of Siloam Springs; four sisters and three brothers-in-law, Cindy and Lonnie Eden of Russellville, Peggy Qualls-Babakhanian of Oak Grove, Patricia and David Blevins of Russellville, and Rhonda and Doug Hill of Russellville; and his beloved granddaughter, Marissa Magniez of Turlock.
Funeral services will be at 10 a.m. on Thursday, Feb. 28, at the Welcome Home Community Church near Tilly, officiated by the Rev. Jerry Vinson and the Rev. Roy Ragland. Burial will be in Chinquapin Cemetery near Tilly, by Shinn Funeral Service.
Active pallbearers will be Eddie Qualls, Donald Qualls, Lonnie Eden, Travis Eden, Brian Qualls, Adam Qualls and David Blevins.
The family will receive friends on Wednesday evening, from 6 to 7 p.m. at the funeral home.
Memorials may be made to the Building Fund of the Gateway Pentecostal Church of God, 1155 Bradley Cove Road, Russellville, AR 72802.
Erma Sparks
Erma Helen Wilker Sparks, 96, of Dardanelle, died Sunday, Feb. 24, 2008, at Dardanelle Nursing Home in Dardanelle.
The daughter of John and Bertha Wirth Wilker, she was born Oct. 25, 1911, at Crow Mountain. She was a member of the Dardanelle Church of Christ.
She was preceded in death by her parents; one son, Ernest Sparks; five brothers, John "Bud," Vernon "Banny," Raymond, Burvel and Kenneth Wilker; two sisters, Eula Bowden and Janet Davis; and one sister-in-law, Ollie Petray.
Survivors include one son, James Lee Sparks and wife, Sherry, of Russellville; one daughter-in-law, Joan Sparks of Little Rock; three sisters, Lucille Wilson of Pottsville, Orpha Giddieon of Pottsville and Ruth Patterson White of Paris; four grandchildren, Scott Sparks, Darcy Murphy, Rhonda Elliott, and Steven Sparks; four great-grandchildren, Jessica Sparks, Lauren Elliott, Tyler and Jolie Murphy; one sister-in-law, Earnestine Wilker of Marion, Kan.; several nieces, nephews and a host of other family and friends.
Funeral services will be at 10 a.m. Wednesday, Feb. 27, at Dardanelle Church of Christ. Mr. Ralph Weinhold will officiate. Burial will be at Bowden Cemetery at Pottsville under the direction of Humphrey Funeral Service.
Pallbearers will be Steven Sparks, Scott Sparks, Wayne Jones, Dewey Jones, Bruce Elliott, Billy Jim Warren.
Memorials may be made to Dardanelle Church of Christ Youth Group, 209 Union Street Dardanelle, AR 72834; American Cancer Society c/o Judy Murphry 126 Lakeview Circle, Russellville, AR 72802.
Allen Rozzell
Allen R. Rozzell, M.D., 71, of Atkins died Tuesday, Feb.26, 2008, at his home.
Arrangements will be announced by Lemley Funeral Service.
Gaines E. White, 74, of Russellville, died Wednesday, Feb. 20, 2008, at his home.
He was born Feb. 10, 1934, to Joe E. and Grace Pitman White of the Pless Community where he grew up and was a graduate of Lamar High School.
Mr. White was an active member and officer of the United Commercial Travelers. He was also a charter member of Crow Mountain Baptist Church, which began as a mission of Second Baptist Church of Russellville. He was instrumental in the overseeing and actual construction of Crow Mountain Baptist Church; and was an active member of the men's Sunday school class. At the church, he was lovingly known as "Mr. Gaines."
For years he was employed as a sales/service representative for International Multi Foods and for Super Sweet Feeds. Later, he worked as a security officer for Tyson Foods before becoming a supervisor for Securitas Security Services at Tyson Foods.
Gaines was preceded in death by his parents as well as his father-in-law, J. Earl Smith, and mother-in-law, Mildred Baurichter Smith.
Funeral services were Saturday at the Crow Mountain Baptist Church, officiated by the Rev. Don Rose, the Rev. Al Sparkman and the Rev. Danny Green; and honorarily assisted by the Rev. David McLemore. Burial was in East Point Cemetery near Russellville, by Shinn Funeral Service.
Active pallbearers were Lee Owens, Kenny McKnight, Blake Herren, Al Polsgrove, Mack Hayden and Christopher King. Honorary pallbearers were members of the Men's Sunday school class of Crow Mountain Baptist Church.
Gaines was a positive influence on many and will be missed. In honor of his life, donations may be made toward the construction of Fellowship Hall at Crow Mountain Baptist Church.
