Biographical And Historical Memoirs of Pulaski, Jefferson, Lonoke, Faulkner, Grant, Saline, Perry, Garland And Hot Spring Counties, Arkansas
James Henry Chavers
Funeral for James Henry Chavers, 62, of North Little Rock, who died Friday, Jan. 26, 2001, was at 10 a.m. Monday, Jan. 29, at North Little Rock Funeral Home Chapel. Burial followed at 2:30 p.m. in Knoxville cemetery.
He was a son of the late Ben and Margie Chavers, a Baptist, and was preceded in death by three brothers, Charles, Bobby and Billy; and one sister, Doris Ann.
Survivors include his widow, Marlene Forest Chavers; four sisters, Rosemary Mahan of North Little Rock, Wanda Adams and Anna Hancock, both of London, and Sue Sanders of Louisiana; and two brothers, Bennie Jack Chavers of Oklahoma and Jerry Chavers of Morrilton.
James Hoyt Robertson
James Hoyt Robertson, 94, of Plano, Texas, died Thursday, Jan. 25, 2001, in Plano, Texas.
He was a native of Hartman, son of the late James Thomas and Nancy Ann Kykendall Robertson, a retired farmer and building superintendent for the Tulsa Public Schools in Tulsa, Okla., member of the Southeast Freewill Baptist Church in Tulsa, Okla., where he taught a Sunday school class, and was preceded in death by his wife, Annie Robertson.
Survivors include one son and daughter-in-law, William J. (Billy Joe) and Sue Robertson of Plano, Texas; one granddaughter and spouse, Lisa and Chris Tiesman of Houston, Texas; one grandson, Scott Robertson of Atlanta, Ga.; and two great-grandchildren, Carter Tiesman and Clayton Tiesman, both of Houston, Texas.
Funeral was at 3 p.m. Friday, Jan. 26, at Christ United Methodist Church in Plano, Texas, with Rev. Roger Glover and Rev. Todd Harris officiating. Arrangements were under the direction of Ted Dickey Funeral Home of Plano, Texas. Graveside services and burial were at 2 p.m. Saturday, Jan. 27, at Highland cemetery in Ozark with Rev. Roger Glover officiating.
Pallbearers were Al Bond, Mark Bunn, John Hay, David Pearce, George Pipes, and Jack Schulik.
John Wayne Ricco
John Wayne Ricco, 68, died Tuesday, Jan. 23, 2001, in Farmington, N. M.
He was a former resident of Clarksville and preceded in death by his wife, Jean Ricco.
Survivors include two daughters, Sandra Jones of Cortez, Colo., and Sherri Ricco of Aztec, N. M.; four grandchildren; and two sisters-in-law, Joann Massengale of Clarksville and Sue Watson of Fort Smith.
A memorial service was held Monday, Jan. 29, in Farmington, N. M. The body was cremated.
John William Cole
John William Cole, 90, of Clarksville died Tuesday, Jan. 23, 2001, at Clarksville Convalescent Home.
He was a retired farmer, member of the Church of the Nazarene, son of the late Grandville and Maxilene Boling Cole, and was preceded in death by his wife, Eula Holman Cole; two sons, John Edward and John George Cole; one sister, Fay Corley; and one brother, E. D. Cole.
Survivors include two sons, Pierce Omer and William Edward Cole, both of Lamar; two sisters-in-law, Juanita Cole of Tulsa, Okla., and Ruth Sims of Clarksville; two brothers-in-law, Donald Holman of Dallas, Texas, and Morris Holman of Mesquite, Texas; 12 grandchildren; 12 great-grandchildren; and three great-great-grandchildren.
Graveside services and burial were at 2 p.m. Friday, Jan. 26, at the Holman cemetery with Rev. Charles Headrick officiating. Arrangements were under the direction of Roller-Cox Funeral Home.
Pallbearers were Kirwin Cole, Paul Morgan, William Ray Perren, Danny Sims, Sherman Cole, Danny Rigsby, and Wesley Balkcom.
William C. Ragsdale
William Charles Ragsdale, 89, of Hagarville died Wednesday, Jan. 24, 2001, at Fort Smith.
He was a farmer, son of the late John and Irene Ragsdale, and was preceded in death by his wife, Elizabeth Ragsdale.
He is survived by three nieces, Jessie Mae Brown of Clarksville, Amelia Hunt of Salinas, Calif., and Elizabeth Wietstock of Federal Way, Wash.
Funeral will be at 2 p.m. Thursday, Feb. 1, at Roller-Cox Chapel with burial in the Hagarville cemetery.
Pallbearers will be John Hull, Mark Hodge, Dale Rowbotham, Charles Brown, Andrew Hull, and Tim Wietstock.
William I. Sparks
William I. (Sparky) Sparks, 83, of Dallas, Texas, died Friday, Jan. 26, 2001, in Dallas, Texas.
A native of Clarksville, he was an all-state basketball player at Central High in Tulsa, Okla., and continued his education at the University of Tulsa. He retired after 45 years in the insurance industry and was a lifetime member of the Million Dollar Roundtable.
Survivors include his widow, Grace Sparks; two sons, Roger and Randy Sparks of Hico, Texas; one grandson, Lee Wiesenfield of Midland, Texas; and several nieces and nephews.
Graveside services and burial were at 2 p.m. Monday, Jan. 29, in Garden of the Cross, Grove Hill Memorial Park in Dallas, Texas.
Memorials may be made to the American Heart Association, Dallas Division, 1615 Stemmons Freeway, P. O. Box 568806, Dallas, TX 75207-8806.
Johnnie Lee Skidgel
Johnnie Lee Skidgel, 71, of Hartman died Tuesday, Jan. 30, 2001, at his home.
He was a truck driver, member of the Assembly of God Church, U. S. Air Force veteran, son of the late Thomas and Ollie Kilcrease Skidgel, and was preceded in death by two sisters, Patricia Maute and Paralee Morris; and one brother, Paul Skidgel.
Survivors include one daughter, Kimberlee Nybye of Clarksville; three sons, Larry Thomas Skidgel of Clarksville, Michael K. Skidgel of Santa Ana, Calif., and Johnnie L. Skidgel Jr. of Diamond Bar, Calif.; one sister, Mary Morgan of Altus; three brothers, Robert Skidgel and Charles Skidgel, both of Hartman, and Thomas Skidgel of Clarksville; and nine grandchildren.
Funeral will be at 2 p.m. Friday, Feb. 2, at the Fernwood Assembly of God Church with Rev. John Price officiating.
Burial will be in West Mt. Zion cemetery under the direction of Roller-Cox Funeral Home.
Irene J. Gracey
Irene J. Gracey, 90, of Clarksville died Tuesday, Jan. 16, 2001, at Countryside Manor Nursing Home.
She was a native of Newtonia, Mo., daughter of the late John Thomas and Mary Elizabeth Garren Weems, widow of Wayne B. Gracey, and a member of the Jehovah's Witnesses.
She is survived by two sisters, Vera Banke of Pittsburg, Kan., and Dorothy Weems of Clarksville; and one nephew, Robert T. Clugston of Davenport, Fla.
The body was cremated. Local arrangements were under the direction of Hardwicke Funeral Home.
Jeffrey Earl Taylor
Jeffrey Earl Taylor, 40, of Clarksville died Wednesday, Jan. 17, 2001, at Pine Bluff.
He was a native of Santa Rosa, Calif.
Survivors include his father and stepmother, Bob Gene and Sharon Kay Taylor of Morro Bay, Calif.; four sisters, Stephanie Ray of Clarksville, Robin Taylor of Reno, Nev., Cindy Johnson of San Diego, Calif., and Cheryl Howell of Sacramento, Calif.; one brother, Vernon Ross Taylor of Brickers; one niece, Brandie McCarrick of Clarksville; and one nephew, Jason O'Brien of Scranton.
The body was cremated. Local arrangements were under the direction of Hardwicke Funeral Home.
Sister Leonella Spanke
Sister Leonella Spanke of St. Scholastica Monastery in Fort Smith died Sunday, Jan. 21, 2001, in the Monastery Infirmary.
She was a native of Hartman, daughter of the late Hugo and Anna Soerries Spanke, and made her religious profession on June 24, 1936. With a M.A. in history from Creighton University in Omaha, Neb., her professional career included 42 years as an educator in Prairie View, Charleston, Scranton, Altus, St. Vincent, Rogers, Subiaco, Tontitown, and Clarksville and also in Pilot Grove, Mo. In addition she served a number of years as the Monastery's librarian and archivist prior to retiring to the Monastery Infirmary in 1999 where she was a part of the Prayer Team.
She is survived by three brothers, Edwin Spanke of Schererville, Ind., Theodore of Indianapolis, Ind., and Francis of Overland Park, Kan.; and a number of nieces, nephews, and cousins.
Vespers of the Dead was recited at the Monastery at 7 p.m. Tuesday, Jan. 23. A cousin, Abbot Jerome Kodell of Subiaco, will preside at the Liturgy of Christian Burial at 10 a.m. Wednesday, Jan. 24. Sister Elise Forst, prioresses, will preside at the committal service. Sisters of the community will be pallbearers.
Memorials may be made to St. Scholastica's Continuing Care Fund.
