Leona Helen Wharton Bizzell was born on Feb. 19, 1915, in the Mallettown Community.
Leona was one of eight daughters of William "Will" and Mattie Hite Wharton. Leona entered eternal rest on Sept. 18, 2006 at the home of her daughter, Laura Bradshaw. Leona was a faithful and dedicated member of the Plummerville United Methodist Church.
Leona married Leonard Leland Bizzell on May 9, 1936, Mr. Bizzell died May 3, 1976. Other than her husband and parents, she was preceded in death by six sisters, Othel Wharton, Alta Payne, Lula Johnson, Audrey Wharton, Marvell Smith and Georgia Russell; her son-in-law, Thurman Bradshaw; and a great-grandson, Brian Bradshaw, Jr.
She is survived by three children, Laura Bradshaw of Sardis, Raymond and Betty Bizzell of Morrilton, Namon and Brenda Bizzell of Brandon, Miss.; and her sister, Myra Martin of Morrilton. She loved her grandchildren, Brian and Pam Bradshaw of Morrilton, Lyndon and Dana Colvin of Evansville, Dennis and Cindy Hurley of Russellville, Michael and Andrea Bizzell, and Shawn and Katherine Bizzell all of Jackson, Miss., Elizabeth and Michael West of Lanty; her great-grandchildren are Lorraine Bradshaw, Sammi and Max Hurley, Rhiannon and Gage Colvin, Megan and Kate West, Savannah Mincey, Sofia, Cole and Ava Bizzell.
Funeral services will be 2 p.m. Wednesday, Sept. 20 at Plummerville United Methodist Church with Rev. VonDell Mooney officiating. Burial will be at Old Salem Cemetery by Harris Funeral Home of Morrilton.
Pallbearers will be Michael Bizzell, Shawn Bizzell, Brian Bizzell, Lyndon Colvin, Dennis Hurley, Michael West and Max Hurley.
Iva Cook
Iva Hester Reynolds Cook, 93, of Appleton, died Tuesday, Sept. 19, 2006 at Saint Mary's Regional Medical Center in Russellville.
The daughter of William and Minnie Evelena Henderson Reynolds, she was born Oct. 26, 1912 in Jerusalem. She was a Homemaker and of the Church of Christ faith.
She was preceded in death by her husband, Newton Monroe Cook and was also preceded in death by her parents; two sons, James Cook and Lethal Cook; granddaughter, Michaela Cook and grandson, Harry Keith Buchanan; two brothers and five sisters.
Survivors include three daughters, Leavern Hill of Atkins, Mary Eubanks and husband, J.R. of Jerusalem, and Kay Baker and husband, Marshall of Buttermilk; three sons, Charles Cook of Center Valley, Ramon Cook of Appleton, and William Cook and wife, Carolyn of Appleton; seventeen grandchildren, numerous great-grandchildren and several great great-grandchildren; two sisters, Maxine Dean of Appleton and Leone Beavers of Atkins.
Funeral services were Friday at Appleton Presyterian Church with Brother Bo Coffman and Brother Darwin Barnhouse officiating. Burial was at Appleton Cemetery at Appleton, by Humphrey Funeral Service.
Internet obituary available at www.humphreyfuneral.com.
Active pallbearers were her grandsons and honorary pallbearers were her granddaughters.
Alan Hartman
Alan Kent "Ken" Hartman, 62, of Russellville died Saturday, Sept. 23, 2006 at his vacation home in Kimberling City, Mo.
He was born April 2, 1944 at Glendale, Calif. to Olen Ralph and Louise Pope Hartman. He was a member of the Second Baptist Church in Russellville.
He was preceded in death by his mother, Louise Hartman.
He is survived by his wife, Gloria Hartman, of 41 years; two sons and daughters-in-law, Kevin and Cindy Hartman of Conway and Brandon and Angela Hartman of Greenbrier; his father, Olen Hartman of Russellville; a brother, Jay Hartman of Los Angeles; three granddaughters, Emilee and Kaitlyn Hartman both of Greenbrier and Kobie Hartman of Conway, and a grandson, Cayden Hartman of Conway.
The funeral will be held 10 a.m., Wednesday, Sept. 27, at the Second Baptist Church in Russellville officiated by the Bro. Don Hankins and Bro. Steve Crawley. Burial will be in the Paschal Cemetery at Moreland under the direction of Shinn Funeral Service.
Active pallbearers will be Todd Hartman, Ryan Hartman, Ron Knost, Bob Hope, Chuck Marcoe, Robert Dale and Bill Williamson. Honorary pallbearers will be Larry Maynard, Richard Shultz, Jim Wade and Patrick Young.
Memorials may be made to the Help Network, 312 South Boulder Avenue, Russellville, Ar. 72801, or Feed the Children, P.O. Box 36
Oklahoma City, Okla. 73101-0036.
Ralph Cundiff
Ralph E. Cundiff, Jr., 57, of Atkins, died Sept. 22, 2006, at Atkins Nursing and Rehabilitation Center.
He was born Jan. 28, 1949, in Emporia, Kan. and was the son of Ralph Cundiff, Sr. and Ruth Fowler. He was an USMC Veteran of the Vietnam Conflict and a machinist.
He was preceded in death by his father, and brother, Samuel Cundiff.
Survivors include his mother, Ruth Scott of Atkins; three brothers and sisters-in-law, Darryl and Carol Andrews of Mesquite, Texas, Daimon and Dixie Cundiff of Geneseo, Ill., and Scott and Peggy Cundiff of Emporia, Kan.; one sister and brother-in-law, Rene and Billy Jones of Atkins; one daughter, Kristi Knox of Memphis, Tenn.; one son and daughter-in-law, Ronnie and Lisa Cundiff of Mississippi; two grandchildren, and numerous aunts, uncles, cousins, nieces and nephews.
Funeral services were Monday at Lemley Funeral Chapel with Rev. David Bishop officiating. Burial was at Oakland Cemetery by Lemley Funeral Service.
Pallbearers were Joe Montgomery, Mike Montgomery, Billy Jones, James Jones, Corey Jones, and Scotty Cundiff, Jr. Honorary pallbearers were Atkins Nursing Home Staff.
Sheleen O' Neil
Sheleen Nicole O'Neil, 35, of Fort Riley, Kan. died Sept. 8, 2006. Sheleen fought a brave and courageous battle with cancer. She was born April 27, 1971 at Freeport, Texas.
She was preceded in death by her grandfathers, Alfred M. Thompson and William R. (Bill) Reeves.
She is survived by her husband, Sgt. 1st Class Allen O'Neil of Fort Riley, Kan.; two sons, Ryan and Robert O'Neil of the home; a daughter, Catline O'Neil of the home; her parents, Glenn Thompson of Three Rivers, Texas and Barbara Thompson of Fayetteville; her brother, John Thompson of Atkins; and her grandparents, Adele Thompson of Weesatche, Texas and Eunice Reeves of Atkins.
Sheleen will be missed by a lot of aunts, uncles, cousins and dear friends.
Evelyn Moore
Evelyn N. Moore, 86, of Russellville, died Friday, Sept. 22, 2006 at the Russellville Nursing Home.
She was born April 11, 1920, in McNary, Tenn., and was the daughter of the late James and Kalmia Jane Brock. She was an avid reader, liked fishing and hunting and was a member of Apostolic LightHouse.
She was also preceded in death by her husband, Robert Moore and a daughter, Zona Denton.
Survivors include a son and daughter-in-law, Donald and Peggy Muse of Danville; three daughters and two sons-in-law, Wanona and Sidney Garris of Albuquerque, NM, Sandra Radford of Dover, and Billie Dean and Charlie Harris of Atkins; two brothers, J. C. Brock of Fort Morgan, Ala., and L. D. Brock of Amarillo, Texas; one sister, Marie Allen of Fort Morgan, Ala.; sixteen grandchildren; and twelve great-grandchildren
Funeral services were Monday at Lemley Funeral Chapel with the Rev. Bob Houghton and Rev. David Hutchins officiating. Burial was in Tate Cemetery by Lemley Funeral Service.
Grandchildren served as pallbearers.
Ruth Bailey
Ruth Elaine Bailey, 77, of Atkins died Monday, Oct. 4, 2004, at her home.
The daughter of Otto Neal and Martha Watters Walters, she was born Aug. 8, 1927, in Kansas City, Mo. She was a 1945 graduate of Eureka Springs High School and attended the University of Arkansas at Fayetteville. Ruth and Richard F. “Bill” Bailey were married Oct. 18, 1953, in Eureka Springs. She was the former director of the Senior Companions Program of the Pope County Area Agency on Aging and was a Baptist.
She was preceded in death by her husband; her parents; two brothers, Neal Walters Jr. and Thomas F. Walters; and two sisters, Lola Bell Walker and Sally Mae Fancher.
Survivors include three sons, William Mark Bailey of Texarkana, Texas, Richard David Bailey of Atkins and James Scott Bailey of Fayetteville; two daughters, Martha Anne Bobbitt of Lee’s Summit, Mo., and Amy Ruth Smith of Little Rock; two brothers, James N. Walters and John Steven Walters of Bentonville; four sisters, Dorothy Weiner of Prairie Village, Kan., Martha Jo Pritchard of Kansas City, Mo., Peggy Davidson of Gentry and Patty Sue Stubbs of Centerton; and 11 grandchildren.
Funeral services were Thursday at Humphrey Chapel. Graveside services were Thursday at Eureka Springs City Cemetery by Humphrey Funeral Service.
Active pallbearers included William Mark Bailey, Richard David Bailey, James Scott Bailey, Andrew David Bailey, Richard Aaron Bailey and William Richard Bobbitt.
Memorials may be made to Arkansas Hospice.
Bernell Austin
Former alderman, fried dill pickle inventor dies
Bernell "Fatman" Austin, 78, of Atkins, died Tuesday (Sept. 28, 1999) at St. Vincent's Infirmary in Little Rock.
He was born Feb. 26, 1921, to the late Odis L. and Bertha Rhoades Austin; a retired restaurant owner and operator and creator of the "Fried Dill Pickle." He was an Atkins alderman for eight years, during which he served on the water and police commissions and established the Bells Chapel School reunion.
He was a World War II veteran of the Navy, commander of the Barker-Cheek Veterans of Foreign Wars Post 5223 for 13 years, a four-time past master of Atkins Masonic Lodge 172, where he was a certified lecturer. He was a life member of the Little Rock Scottish Rite 32nd Degree and a past patron of Arkansas Valley 606 of Order of Eastern Star.
He is survived by his wife, Sue Kendrick Austin, five children and their spouses, an uncle, 15 grandchildren and six great-grandchildren.
The funeral service was Thursday.
John L. Bradley
John L. Bradley, 68, of Dover, died Saturday, Oct. 9, 2004, at St. Mary’s Hospital.
He was born Sept. 26, 1936, in Logan, Utah, and was the son of the late John M. and Sarah Parker Bradley.
He was also preceded in death by two wives, Beaulah M. Bradley and Ann Bradley. He was retired from the US Army (21 years) and Tyson Feed Mill and a Member of the VFW and American Legion.
Survivors include his wife, Elsie Bradley; three sons, John D. Bradley, Mark Frazier, Johnny Baker; two daughters, Marilyn Baker and Laura Bradley and a sister, Judy Hopkins; two step-sons, Chuck and Bill; three step-daughters, Claudia, Tina and Pam; 13 grandchildren and five step-grandchildren and several nieces and nephews.
Graveside services and Burial will be at 4 p.m. Wednesday at Old Baptist Cemetery by Lemley Funeral Service with Rev. Michael Burden officiating.
Edward Carroll
Edward J. Carroll, 58, a resident of Russellville, died Monday, Oct. 4, 2004, at Select Specialty Hospital in Fort Smith.
He was born Dec. 28, 1945, at Chicago, Ill. to Joseph Edward and Dorothy Eleen Mundy Carroll. He was a former Bellman at hotels in Chicago, a former employee of Shinn Funeral Service and the Russellville Housing Authority. He enjoyed amateur radio and spending time with his grandchildren. He married Sharlot Elaine Prince on October 12, 1972, at Waukegan, Illinois.
Survivors include his wife of 31 years, Elaine Carroll of Russellville; a son and daughter-in-law, Brian and Barbara Carroll of Rogers; two daughters and a son-in-law, Kristie and Jerry Trotter of Ozark and Katy Carroll of the home; his mother, Dorothy Carroll of Mulberry; a sister and brother-in-law, Patricia and Leonard Cernak of Mulberry; four grandchildren, Brandon Joseph “Hawk Eye” Trotter, Cole Anthony “Trapper” Trotter, Westin Elaine Carroll, and Wren Victoria Carroll; and other relatives and friends.
Funeral services were Friday, at Shinn Chapel with Rev. Roy Cain and Robert O’Bryant officiating. Burial was in Hixon Cemetery at Ozark under the direction of Shinn Funeral Service of Russellville.
Active pallbearers were Jay Winters, Danny Winters, Larry Earls, Buster Majors, Bryan Cernak, and Casey Cernak. Honorary pallbearers were Lincoln Barr, Rusty Avants, and Bill Lewis.
Memorials may be made to the New Beginnings Church of God; Post Office Box 10812; Russellville, Ark 72812.
Stanley Haralson
Stanley L. Haralson, 81, of Atkins died Wednesday, Oct. 6, 2004, at his home.
He was born Feb. 19, 1923, in Atkins, was the son of the late Jack and Erma Cooksey Haralson, worked 39 years for Arkansas Power and Light Co., and was a member of Union Grove Free Will Baptist Church. He was a veteran of World War II, a 32nd degree Mason, a 55-year member of Atkins Masonic Lodge, a member of the Eastern Star and was constable of Atkins for several years.
Survivors include his wife, Janette Wright Haralson; a daughter, Emma Haralson; a brother and sister-in-law, Donnie and Linda Haralson; and a sister, Deane Childers, all of Atkins.
Funeral services were Saturday at Union Grove Free Will Baptist Church with the Rev. David Bishop, the Rev. B.J. Duvall and Neil Jackson officiating. Burial was in Oakland Cemetery by Lemley Funeral Service.
Active pallbearers were Phillip Haralson, Kevin Haralson, Jeff Haralson, Robert Haralson, Dennis Massingill and Kenny Childers. Honorary pallbearers were Arkansas Power and Light employees.
Memorials may be made to ACRC, c/o UAMS, 4301 West Markham, Little Rock, Ark. 72205.
David Michael Cummings
David Michael Cummings, age 40, of Conway, died Sunday, Oct. 10, 2004, at the Conway Regional Medical Center.
David was a graduate of McClellan High School in Little Rock, and also the University of Arkansas at Little Rock, where he majored in music and minored in art. He was an accomplished guitarist and was his happiest when playing music that he loved. His creative talents showed in his ability to compose music, and in his love of photography, which he inherited from his father. He especially liked outdoor and nature settings, and had done wedding photography. He participated in sports in both junior high and high school, and especially excelled in baseball. He also enjoyed hunting, fishing and camping.
He had a lifelong love of animals that showed with the pets that he always had. Whether it was his English setters, Bet and Boo, his brittany spaniel, Belle or his cats, Sydney, Tabby, Star or Mr. C, it was evident that animals responded to him. He also had a special bond with his rat terrier, Buddy, who is still so devoted to David.
David also loved being with his family during family reunions and other family gatherings. Because he had a quiet demeanor and a good sense of humor, his love of family stood out. He had a wonderful smile and a gentle spirit that encompassed his deep spiritual commitment which sustained him throughout all the days of his life.
David was a goal-oriented person who continually had plans for the future. His future plans were to go to graduate school and teach music at the college level, and to be involved in the music industry. For this, and for his love of God, life, family, friends and his animals, he will be greatly missed.
He was preceded in death by his father, Morris Gene Cummings; his maternal grandparents, Leon and Zenia Gray; and his paternal grandparents, George and Clara Cummings.
He is survived by his mother, Sue Carolyn Gray Cummings Stallings of Russellville; his grandmother, Ruth Mildred Cummings of Conway; his step-brother and step-sisters, and numerous uncles, aunts, cousins and many, many friends.
Funeral services were Tuesday at Central Presbyterian Church in Russellville by Rev. Ken Kalvesmaki. Burial was in Oakwood Cemetery in Paris, by Shinn Funeral Service.
Active pallbearers were Bob and Scott Embrey, Tripp Dunn, Jim Teague, Marc Claxton, Randy Childers, Steve, Dolph and Randy Forst, Gary Gray, Richard Olson, G. W. and Paul Cummings and Al Maxwell.
Memorials may be made to the UALR Music Scholarship Fund, UALR Music Department, 2801 South University, Little Rock, Ark. 72204, or to the Boys and Girls Club of Paris, Inc., 717 North 5th Street, Paris, Ark. 72855.
Mae Holland
Mae Elizabeth Holland, 86, of Russellville died Oct. 16, 2004, at her home.
She was born June 10, 1918 at Kensett. She was the daughter of the late John and Rosie Ramsey. She worked for many years in the cafeteria for the Pottsville School District and was a member of the South New Hope Assembly of God.
She was preceded in death by her husband of 53 years, Alvin Holland; two sons, Carroll and William Holland, and two brothers, George and Winburn Ramsey.
Survivors include a daughter and son-in-law, Peggy and Jay Alexander; a son and daughter-in-law, Carl and Janan Holland; a daughter and son-in-law, Mary and Melvin (Buddy) Langley, all of Russellville; three granddaughters and grandsons-in-law, Cindy and Kit Kitterman of Russellville, Regina and Frank Hart, Melissa and Dwight Cothren of London; four grandsons and granddaughter-in-laws, Mark and Cara Holland, Jeff and Teresa Holland and James (Buddy) and Marilyn Alexander, all of Russellville, and Chris and Sandy Alexander of Pottsville; 11 great-grandsons, Shane Holland and his wife Terri of Russellville, Nathan Holland and his wife, Angela of Atkins, Devin, Colby and Kyle Holland, Zackary Kitterman, Justin, Dustin, Daniel and Derrick Alexander, all of Russellville, and Christopher Alexander of Pottsville; 10 great-granddaughters, Megan, Cassy, Jessica and Amanda Alexander, Ashley Holland and Jordan and Ashley Kitterman, all of Russellville, Danni Alexander of Pottsville, and Kassidy and Regan Cothren of London; two great-great grandchildren, Abby Holland of Atkins and Zander Holland of Russellville; and many other relatives and close friends.
Funeral services were Monday at South New Hope Assembly of God with the Rev. C.R. Young and the Rev. Bob Holland officiating. Burial was in Pisgah Cemetery by Humphrey Funeral Service.
Active pallbearers were James (Buddy) Alexander, Chris Alexander, Shane Holland, Kit Kitterman, Mark Holland and Jeff Holland. Honorary pallbearers were Melvin (Buddy) Langley and Dr. Gene Ring.
Jimmy Sweeden
Jimmy Harold Sweeden, 74, of Little Rock, husband of Pamela Boothe Sweeden, passed away on Tuesday, Oct. 17, 2006.
In addition to his wife, Jimmy is survived by his son and daughter-in-law, Tony and Debbie Sweeden; granddaughter, Kelli; two brothers, Ted Sweeden and Emmitt Sweeden; and sisters-in-law, Nina Sweeden and Ailene Sweeden.
Funeral services were Thursday at the Little Rock Funeral Home Chapel, with Reverend Norm Blackaby officiating. Burial followed in the Atkins Cemetery.
Memorials may be made to Markham Street Baptist Church, 9701 West Markham, Little Rock, AR 72205.
Arrangements by Little Rock Funeral Home, (501) 224-2200.
Juanita Russell
Juanita Russell, 86, of Benton, went to her Heavenly Home on Oct. 23, 2006.
She was born July 13, 1920, in Blackwell to Floyd "Shorty" Gregory and Cleo Dutton Gregory.
Mrs. Russell was an LPTN and beautician, retired from Benton Services Center, and a member of Temple Baptist Church.
She was preceded in death by her parents and two husbands, Clifton G. Young and Sidney V. Russell
Survivors are her daughter, Rita Parson and husband, Lee Roy, of Benton; two sisters, Burmell Crawford of Atkins and Burnette Nelson of Benton; two grandsons, Michael Flood of Pacific, Mo. and Wayne Frederiksen of Benton; granddaughter, Kathy Brandes of St. Charles, Mo.; six great-grandchildren and eight great, great-grandchildren; one nephew, Allen Crawford; three nieces, Leta Sue McFarland, Sharon Ward and Barbara McElroy, numerous great and great, great nieces and nephews.
Funeral services and celebration of her life will be at 2 p.m. Thursday, Oct. 26 at Lemley Funeral Home in Atkins with the Rev. Elvis Smith officiating. Burial will follow at Oakland Cemetery in Atkins.
Visitation will be at 1 p.m. prior to the funeral service at the funeral home.
Memorials may be made to Saline Memorial Hospice or Temple Baptist Church, 8601 Highway 67, Benton, Ar.
Katherine Collins
Katherine L. Collins, 84, of Atkins, died Saturday, Oct. 21, 2006, at St. Mary's Hospital in Russellville.
She was born Aug. 22, 1922, in Atkins and was the daughter of the late Eluard (Honey) Embry and Plasana Hayes Smith. She was a member of the Norris Chapel Baptist Church and was a homemaker.
She was also preceded in death by her husband, Willie Collins; a sister, Aretha Marshall, and two brothers, Clarence Smith and James Embry.
Survivors include three sisters, Dorothy Mae Jones of Chicago, Ill., Norma Embry of Kansas City, Mo., and Margaret Smith of Dallas, Texas; a niece, Virginia Thomas Wilson of Russellville; two great-nieces, Lacretia Marsh of Irvin, Texas, Jessica Thomas of Russellville; two sisters-in-law, Jane Smith of Atkins and Aseline Embry of Atkins; a brother-in-law, Isaac Marshall of Atkins; and a hose of nieces, nephews and friends and two foster children.
Funeral services will be at 11 a.m., Thursday, Oct. 26, 2006 at Allen Chapel AME Church with the Rev. Emory Moore officiating. Burial will be in Allen Chapel Cemetery by Lemley Funeral Service.
The family will meet with friends at 10 a.m. until service time at the church.
Pallbearers will be Stanley Stokes, Gary Smith, Leon Cummins and James Allen. Flower Bearers will be Sandra Grubbs, Saundra Dugger and Nakeya Stanley.
Joe Dowdy
Joe Dowdy, 65, of Russellville, died Saturday, October 23, 2004 at his home.
The son of the late Monroe and Jewel (Hughes) Dowdy, he was born Sept. 8, 1939 in Russellville.
He married Dorothyelene Dixon on Sept. 8, 1956 at Russellville. He served in the U.S. National Guard and was a heavy equipment operator during his working life. He was a member of the Damascus Assembly of God Church.
He is survived by his wife, Dorothyelene Dowdy of Russellville; five daughters, Debra Parsons and husband, Jerry of Dardanelle, Sheila Hilburn of Dardanelle, Kathy Chisum of Russellville Freda Denney and husband, Kenny of Russellville, and Brenda Odgers and husband, John of Russellville; five grandchildren, Stacy Nason of Russellville, Tesia Chisum of Russellville, Joseph Dale of Dardanelle, Daniel Denney of Russellville, and Keith Parsons of Dardanelle; five great grandchildren, Erica Dale, Thomas Dale, Sarah and Anna Dale, and Joseph Dale, all of Dardanelle; two sisters, Ellen Hurst and husband, Bobby of Moreland, and Ruby Secrest of Russellville; many nieces and nephews; and other loved ones and friends.
Funeral will be at 2 p.m. Wednesday, Oct. 27, 2004 at Humphrey Chapel. Rev. Ronnie Birgeand and Rev. Wilma Whorton will officiate. Burial will be at Pisgah Cemetery at Pottsville by Humphrey Funeral Service.
Pallbearers will be Tony Dixon, J.D. Horn, Gordon Higgs, Danny Waldron, Barry Waldron and Dr. Wesley Thomas.
