Dessie Gertrude Mason, 87, of Russellville, died Monday, May 24, 2004 at Saint Mary’s Regional Medical Center.
The daughter of Paton and Cecil (Roberts) Rudder, she was born Dec. 7, 1916, in Tag, near Dover. She worked in the packaging department for International Shoe Co. for 15 years and then for Saint Mary’s Regional Medical Center in food service. She was a Baptist.
She was preceded in death by her husband, Jess L. Mason; her parents; a daughter, Mary Edna Mason; three sisters, Stella Freeman, Ella Heuback and Goldie Bowman and a brother, Lloyd Rudder.
Survivors include two sons and two daughters-in-law, Jesse and Shirley Mason of Dover and Donald and Jeraldene Mason of Smith Station, Ala.; a daughter and son-in-law, Paula and Odis Aston of Pottsville; seven grandchildren, Jeff Aston, Justin Aston and Ann Aston, all of Russellville, Julie Gregory and Linda Eddings, both of Moreland, Donald Mason, Jr. of Panama City, Fla. and Tracy Wyatt of Kansas City, Mo.; 13 great-grandchildren; and a sister, Pannie Mahan of Russellville.
Funeral services were Thursday at Humphrey Chapel with Rev. Mary Ledford officiating. Burial was at Rankin Cemetery at Russellville by Humphrey Funeral Service.
Pallbearers were Carl McClendon, Brian Roper, Johnny Ragsdale, Justin Aston, Jeff Aston and Virgil Bowman. Honorary pallbearers were Dr. Kelly Meyers, Jonah Mahan and Bro Price .
Pearl Pettit
Pearl Bennett Pettit, 83, of Hattieville died Sunday, May 30, 2004 at her home.
She was born March 18, 1921, at Vian, Okla., to the late Taylor and Stella Nunn Bennett, was a homemaker and affiliated with the Church of God.
She was preceded in death by her husband, Garnett Pettit, and a son, William Earl Pettit.
Survivors include a son, Gary Pettit of Atkins; three daughters, Marilyn Duncan of Higginsville, Mo., Priscilla Keeton of Old Hickory, and Deborah Hedge of Wickes; two sisters, Jennie Jones of Hattieville and Hazel Mathis of Appleton; five grandchildren; six great-grandchildren.
Funeral services were Tuesday at Old Hickory Baptist Church with Pastor Warren Zehrung officiating. Burial was in Old Hickory Cemetery under the direction of Lemley Funeral Service.
Active pallbearers included Jeffrey Jones, Rick Mars, Clay Staggs, Bart Williams, Daren Nelson, Todd Fleharty, John Wood and Shannon Butler. Honorary pallbearers were Randall Mathis, Allen Jones, Henry Anderson, Bruce Jones, Frank Matchett, Jimmy Don Palmer and Harold Maxwell.
Vivian Savage
Vivian Savage, 81, beloved Mother and NaNa, of Wooster, went home to be with the Lord on Friday, May 28, 2004, at Conway Regional Medical Center.
She was born May 24, 1923, in Rush Springs, Okla., the daughter of the late Isom Coy Worden and Mattie Drusilla Shinault Worden. She was a real estate agent and a member of the Independent Real Estate Association. She was a poet and artist. She was a long standing member of the Assembly of God Church, where she served as a secretary, treasurer and Sunday school teacher for many years.
She was preceded in death by her husband of 62 years, Norman Henry Savage, an infant son, Gregory Wayne Savage and a son, Fred L. Savage.
Survivors include daughter, Deborah Savage of Sacramento, Calif.; daughter-in-law, Sherry Savage of Wooster; a brother, J. R. Worden of California; three grandchildren and spouse’s, Alan and Cathy Savage, Kim and Kurt Schrock, and Rene and Eric Knight; six great-grandchildren, Randy and David Schrock, Paul Schaffner, Travis and Kindra Savage and Ethan Knight.
Graveside service will be 10 a.m., Thursday, June 3, at Rest Haven Memorial Park, with Rev. Larry Pyle officiating. Burial will be by Shinn Funeral Service.
Honorary pallbearers are Alan and Travis Savage, Kurt, Randy, and David Schrock, Paul Schaffner, Eric and Ethan Knight.
Visitation will be 6-8 p.m., Wednesday at the funeral home.
Vera Savelle
Vera Savelle, 85, of Russellville, the widow of John Earl Sullivan and Jim Savelle, died Sunday, May 30, 2004, at Legacy Lodge Nursing Center.
She was born Sept. 6, 1918, in Springerville, Az., to the late Walter A. and Eula Pearl Brazil Woods. She was an elementary school teacher and had taught for over thirty years in Arkansas, in towns, which include Oark, Altus, Plumerville, Chester, Fayetteville and Decatur. She was a Presbyterian.
Survivors include a son and daughter-in-law, John L. and Orene Sullivan of Farmington Hills, Michigan; three brothers and two sisters-in-law, Walter and Eltha Woods of Story; John and Ann Woods of Farmington, NM; and Fred Woods of Chula; two sisters and a brother-in-law: Irene Townsend of El Paso, Texas and Dorothy and Donald Billingsley of Russellville; three grandchildren, Karin Nagle of Livonia, Mich., Brian Sullivan of Canton, Mich. and Craig Sullivan of Howell, Mich.; and one great-granddaughter.
The family will conduct a private memorial service at a later date. Arrangements are by Shinn Funeral Service of Russellville.
Memorials may be made to the Arkansas Children’s Hospital, Memorial Gift Program, Post Office Box 2222, Little Rock, Arkansas 72203-9984.
Thomas Tomlin
Thomas D. Tomlin, 84, a resident of Russellville, died Wednesday, May 26, 2004, at Saint Mary’s Regional Medical Center.
He was born May 13, 1920, at Tillitobia, Miss. to the late George W. and Maggie E. Hill Tomlin. He married Mary Frances Powell on Jan. 13, 1946, at Tunica, Miss. He was a United States Army Air Force veteran of World War II, and was captured by the Japanese while serving in the Philippines. After his capture, he was forced on the Bataan Death March for 65 miles before being shipped to Japan where he was a prisoner in many Japanese prison camps where he was forced to mine coal in despicable conditions. He was a Prisoner of War for 3 years, 4 months, and 6 days. He was a member of the Disabled American Veteran’s; Veteran’s of Foreign War Rogers-Rye Post 2283; and Prisoner’s of War Purple Heart. He was a Baptist and enjoyed the outdoors.
In addition to his parents, he was preceded in death by several brothers and an infant sister.
Survivors include his wife of 58 years, Mary Frances Tomlin of Russellville; a son and daughter-in-law, William “Bill” and Lesley Tomlin of Pottsville; a brother, William Enis of Jackson, Miss.; three grandchildren, Scott Tomlin of Russellville, and Tracy and Bobby Tomlin both of Pottsville; and other relatives and friends.
Funeral services were Saturday at Shinn Chapel with Rev. Ray Boyd officiating. Burial, with full military honors provided by the Little Rock Air Force Base Honor Guard, was in Rest Haven Memorial Park at Russellville under the direction of Shinn Funeral Service.
Active pallbearers were Scott Tomlin, Kent Humphrey, Joe Cossey, Jerry Swilley, Earl Enis, and Jackie Townsell. Honorary pallbearers were Bob and Virginia Merritt and Remona Hinesley.
Memorials may be made to the American Heart Association; Post Office Box 1653; Topeka, Kansas 66601-1653.
David Charles Weber
David Charles Weber, 55 of Dardanelle, former managing editor of The Chronicle, died Saturday, June 4, 2005 at Dardanelle Hospital.
He was born Dec. 26, 1949 at Hamilton, Ohio to Wayne and Lenora Schliesman Weber. He pastored United Methodist churches in Arkansas and Georgia for 10 years. His Church home was the First United Methodist Church at Dardanelle. He was past Editor for the Post Dispatch paper in Dardanelle, and a current editor with the Southwest Times Record in Fort Smith. He was a U.S. Air Force Veteran and a member of Boyce-Woods VFW Post #3141 in Dardanelle. Mr. Weber coached youth sports in Dardanelle. He was managing editor of The Chronicle from 1992 until 1994. He also was supply pastor of the Atkins Memorial Presbyterian Church.
He is preceded in death by his mother, Lenora Weber.
Survivors include his wife, Debbie Weber of Dardanelle; son and daughter-in-law, Chris and Rhonda Weber of Dardanelle; daughter and son-in-law, Kara and Jonathon Isaac of Dover; son, Drew Weber of Dardanelle; daughter, Kayla Weber of Dardanelle; father and beloved stepmother, Wayne and Helen Weber of Oxford, Ohio; brother and sister-in-law, Mike and Stephanie Weber of Fairfield, Ohio; sister and brother-in-law, Penny "Sis" and Denny Groves of Milford, Ohio; eight grandchildren, Melissa, Lindsey, Kenedie, Aurora, Annabelle, Luke, Allie and Aerial; and numerous other family and friends.
Funeral services will be today (Wednesday) at 10 a.m. at the First United Methodist Church in Dardanelle with Bro. John Farthing, Bro. Floyd Ervin and Kelly Pearson officiating. Interment will be at Brearley Cemetery with Military Honors provided by Boyce-Woods VFW Post #3141.
Active pallbearers will be Bill Lawson, Sam Woody, Matt Huff, Shane Dulli, Greg Cawein, Josh Cawein, Richie Dulli and Ryan Kauffman.
onorary pallbearers will be Rusty Alley, Steve Peterson, Bob Lawson, Kevin Taylor, Albert Silvers, Jackie Burns and members of Boyce-Woods VFW Post #3141.
In lieu of flowers, memorials can be made to the First United Methodist Church, 100 North 2nd Street, Dardanelle, Ar. 72834.
Arrangements are by Cornwell Funeral Home of Dardanelle.
Justin Darter
Justin Kyle Darter, 27, of Malvern passed away Thursday at the UAMS Medical Center in Little Rock.
He was born Dec. 25, 1976 in Little Rock. Mr. Darter worked in receiving at Dillard’s Warehouse in Little Rock and was a member of the Geyer Springs First Baptist Church.
Survivors include his wife, Lori C. Darter of Malvern; a son, Zachary Kane Darter of Benton; parents, David Wayne Darter and Vickie Lee Darter of Bryant; a sister, Sarah Kimberly Darter of Bryant; grandparents, Robert B. and Ann Darter of Bryant; Elosie Kirkwood of Bryant; Jack and Faye Kirkwood of North Little Rock; father and mother-in-law, George and Becky Chenault, Malvern; brother-in-law, Jason Chenault of Malvern; Wilma Steele, weemaw of Malvern; aunts and uncles, Charlene and Robert Williams of Bryant, Robert D. and Donna Darter of Benton and Joann and Andy Yandell of Mayflower; cousins, Robert Williams, Josh Williams, both of Bryant, Jon Emmerling of Benton, Deanna Kawak of Bismark, Greg Herring of Mayflower, and Suzanne Higgins of Mayflower.
Services were held Saturday at Ashby Funeral Home Chapel with burial at Old Baptist Cemetery at Center Valley. Minister officiating was the Rev. Bruce Chesser.
Pallbearers included Josh Williams, Robert Williams, Josh Chenault, Ronnie Muller, Martin Forrester, Greg Herring, Larry Magness and Greg Copeland. Honorary pallbearer was Rick Darter.
Memorials may be made to the Geyer Springs First Baptist Church in Little Rock.
Jerry Duvall
Jerry Dee Duvall, 49, of Morrilton died Tuesday, July 20, 2004.
He was born Sept. 11, 1954, in Atkins, and was the son of the late Ides Franklin and Nora Annette Powell Duvall. He was a truck driver.
He was also preceded in death by an infant daughter, Amanda Kay Duvall.
Survivors include three daughters, Debbie Schaeffers of Conway, Candi Startzman of Jones, Okla., and Carrie Kopp of Edmond, Okla.; two brothers, Rex Yancy of Van Buren and John Allen Taylor of Antioch, Tenn.; two sisters, Victoria Powell of Springfield and Helene Parks of Van Buren; seven grandsons, and numerous nieces and nephews.
Funeral services were Thursday at Lemley Funeral Chapel with Rev. Donald Hillis officiating. Burial was in Camp Ground Cemetery in Morrilton under the direction of Lemley Funeral Service.
Pallbearers were Michael Driver, Billy Fred Jones, Anthony Powell, Steve Hill, Ralph Byrd, Chris Kopp and Donald Smith.
Rebecca Kutait
Rebecca Nicole Kutait, 21, of Little Rock passed away July 25, 2004.
She was born Nov. 26, 1982, in Denison, Texas to Kemal Eugene Kutait, Jr. and Lisa Gay (Sturch) Kutait. She was attending UCA on a Honor Siciety Program Scholarship, majoring in English and Pre-Law, and was of the Lutheran faith.
She is survived by her parents; sisters, Erica Lee (Kutait) Estoker amd husband, Chris of Lawrence, Kan., and Sara Elizabeth Kutait of Little Rock; grandparents, Kemal and Virginia Kutait of Fort Smith, Bob and Ann Patterson of Shawnee, Okla., and Ernest and Kathy Sturch of Durant, Okla.
Funeral services will be held at the Christ Lutheran Church at 10 a.m. Thursday, July 29 with Rev. James Walter officiating.Burial will be at 4 p.m. at Woodlawn Memorial Park in Fort Smith.
Visitation will be at the Christ Lutheran Church, 315 Hughes Street in Little Rock on Wednesday, July 28 from 6 to 8 p.m.
Pallbearers will be Chris, Jerry, and David Sturch, Page Kutait, Jim Coleman, Ed Kutait, Neumann Dotterweich and Ben Pierce.
Memorials may be made to Mount St. Mary’s Catholic School or UCA Scholarship Fund in the name of Rebecca Kutait.
Arrangements are by Regency Funeral Home in Malvern 501-332-8688.
Bernice Newton
Bernice Newton, 82, of Booneville, died Monday, July 26, 2004, at Oak Manor Nursing and Rehabilitation Center.
She was born Jan. 23, 1922, in Benjamin, Texas, the daughter of the late Ed and Emma Phelps Bush. She was a retired salesperson. She was the widow of Lonzo Beavers and was a Baptist.
Survivors include two sons, Clifton Beavers of Booneville and Clayton Beavers of Miller, Mo.; one sister, Vera Sue Beavers of Oklahoma City, Okla.; five grandchildren, ten great-grandchildren and two great great grandchildren.
Graveside service are at 11 a.m. Wednesday, (today), at Walnut Grove Cemetery, near Hector, with Rev. William Condley and Rev. Jimmy Lee Chronister officiating. Burial were under the direction of Shinn Funeral Service.
Pallbearers were Randy Cook, David and Bryan Condley, Eddie Bush, Roger Hugey and Lyndell Johnson.
Floyd Riddle
Floyd Lee Riddle Sr., 60, of Atkins died Tuesday, July 20, 2004.
He was born Feb. 14, 1944, in Yellville, was the son of the late Calvin Floyd and Myrtle Lovell Riddle. He was a machinist and truck driver.
He was also preceded in death by his wife, Judith Ann Scott Riddle.
Survivors include four sons, John Wesley Riddle and Floyd Lee Riddle Jr., both of Checotah, Okla., and Eric Riddle and Aaron Lyle Riddle, both of Atkins; a half-brother, Don Hudspeth of Oklahoma City; and seven grandchildren.
A private graveside service was held Wednesday at Shiloh Cemetery in Atkins. Burial was under the direction of Lemley Funeral Service.
Carl Smith
Carl R. “Alias” Smith, 41, of Dardanelle, died Saturday, July 24, 2004, at St. Mary’s Regional Medical Center in Russellville.
He was born Dec. 3, 1962, in Russellville, was a heavy equipment operator and attended the Centerville Baptist Church.
He was preceded in death by a son, Nathan Travis Smith; his father, Floyd Lee Smith; and his step-father, Junior Lee Jones.
Survivors include his wife, Kim Smith; a son, Brandon Carl Smith of the home; two daughters: Courtney Lynn Smith of London and Samantha Marie Jones of the home; a step-son, Daniel Eubanks of the home; a step-daughter, Alisha Eubanks of Clinton; his mother, Linda Jones of Dover; two brothers, Gary Lee Jones of Dover and Nathan Joseph Jones of Russellville; and two sisters, Melissa Lynn Gray of Hector and Crystal Ballard of Russellville.
A memorial service was conducted on Tuesday at the Shinn Chapel with Rev. Joe Yates and Billy Roper officiating. Service arrangements were by Shinn Funeral Service of Russellville.
Honorary pallbearers were Ray and Charles Cooper, Mike Battershell, Troy and David Morris, and Leroy Fox.
Memorials may be made to Arkansas Children’s Hospital, Honor/Memorial Gift Program, Post Office Box 2222, Little Rock, Arkansas 72203-9984.
Kelli Michelle Boyd
Kelli Michelle Boyd, 31, of Pleasant Grove Commuity, died Monday, July 5, 2004 at St. Mary’s Regional Medical Center in Russellville.
The daughter of Billy and Janet Huffman Boyd, she was born April 22, 1973 in Russellville. She was a 1991 graduate of Dover High School and attended Arkansas Tech University for 2 years. She was customer service manager with First Arkansas Valley Bank since 1995. Kelli was very active in community affairs including membership in the Leadership Russellville class of 2004, and former chairman of the American Cancer Society’s annual Relay for Life. She served on the Board of Directors for the American Cancer Society and was a member of the Arkansas Children’s Hospital Circle of Friends. She was a member of the Price Grove Assembly of God Church where she served as Sunday School Secretary.
She was preceded in death by her paternal grandparents, Arthur and Syble Boyd.
She is survived by her parents, Bill and Janet Boyd of the Pleasant Grove Community; a sister, Traci Boyd of Dover; her future brother-in-law, Al Patrick of Danville; maternal grandparents, Leemon and Pearl Huffman of Dover; and many other loved ones and friends.
Funeral services will be at 10 a.m. Thursday, July 8, at First Assembly of God Church in Russellville. Rev. Jackie Pledger and Rev. Kenny Partain will officiate. Burial will be at Pollard Cemetery at Dover by Humphrey Funeral Service.
Active pallbearers will be Grady Tracy, Greg Martin, David Owens, Jason Snider, Wink Cravens, Jeff Snider, Clayton Keith and Frank Snider. Honorary pallbearers will be Rick Owens, Ray Boyd II, Dan Boyd, Brooks Canfield, Daniel Pittman, Mike Huffman, and Kelly Wayson.
Visitation will be 6-8:30 pm Wednesday at the funeral home.
Memorials may be made to Kelli Michelle Boyd Memorial Fund, c/o FAVB, P O Box 4026, Russellville, AR 72811.
Oma ‘Sis’ Corder
Oma “Sis” Corder, 88, of Russellville, formerly of Hot Springs, died Sunday, Aug. 15, 2004, at St. Mary’s Regional Medical Center in Russellville.
A daughter of the late Jefferson and Burley Lynch Brown, she was born March 17, 1916 at Hawes, Ark. She was the widow of O.S. Corder, was licensed as a cosmetology instructor and was a member of the Hot Springs Baptist Church.
In addition to her parents and her husband, she was preceded in death by a son, Jack Corder; and three brothers, Lewis, Delbert and Thomas “Bud” Brown.
Survivors include three daughters and two sons-in-law, Bonnie Beckwith of Hot Springs, Betty and Lynn Wilson of Gonzales, Texas and Brenda and Ruddy Short of Russellville; seven grandchildren, eleven great-grandchildren and one great-great-grandchild.
Graveside service and Burial will be 2 p.m., Thursday, August 19 at Memorial Gardens Cemetery in Hot Springs with Rev. Lynn Wilson officiating. Arrangements are by Shinn Funeral Service of Russellville.
Active pallbearers will be grandsons. Honorary pallbearers will be Dr. Andrew M. Monfee and the staff of the Fourth Floor East of St. Mary’s Regional Medical Center.
In lieu of flowers memorials may be made to Hot Springs Baptist Church Senior Activities.
Homer Harris
Homer Harris, 58, of Dover, died Monday, August 16, 2004, at Saint Mary’s Regional Medical Center in Russellville.
He was born October 26, 1945 on Buck Mountain to Eddie and Ethel Mae Rackley Harris. He was a carpenter and enjoyed hunting and fishing.
He was preceeded in death by his father, Eddie Harris, and an infant sister.
Survivors include his wife, Debra Michelle Harris of Dover; two sons and daughters-in-law, Eddie and Patricia Harris of Russellville and Jeffrey and Cindy Harris of Fort Smith; two daughters and a son-in-law, Julie and Alberto Cervantes of Fort Smith and April Hernandez of Dover; his mother, Ethel Mae McDonald of Dover; a sister and brother-in-law, Abbie and Charles Harris of Atkins; 13 grandchildren; four great-grandchildren; and other relatives and friends.
Funeral will be at 10 a.m. Thursday, August 19, 2004, at the Shinn Chapel with Rev. Lee Moore officiating. Burial will be in the Phoenix Cemetery on Buck Mountain, near Dover, under the direction of Shinn Funeral Service.
Active pallbearers will be Steve Payton, Robert Casey, Robert Allen, Jason Allen, Mike Cossey and Tracy Cossey. Honorary pallbearers will be C.L. Freeman and Charlie Harris.
Visitation will be 6-7 p.m. Wednesday, August 18, 2004, at the funeral home.
Memorials may be made to the American Heart Association; P.O. Box 1653, Topeka, KS 66601-1653.
Wallace Cowan
Wallace C. Cowan, 80, of Houston, Texas, formerly of Russellville, died Saturday, Aug. 14, 2004, at the home of his daughter, Lucy.
The only child of the late Wallace and Hazel Faye Oates Cowan, Wally was born July 18, 1924, in Russellville. He was a graduate of Tulane University in New Orleans, and was commissioned as a Lieutenant JG during his service in the United States Navy during World War II. Wally was the former owner of Cowan-Goodwin Company in Russellville and the Kiwanis Club and former treasurer and member of First United Methodist Church in Russellville. Wally also served on the Board of Directors at Potts Inn for several years.
In addition to his parents he was also preceded in death by his wife, Dawn Sallis Cowan.
Survivors include his son, David W. Cowan of Dallas, Texas; twin daughters, Lucy Doskocil of Houston, Texas and Laura Willison of Fayetteville; two grandsons, David C. Cowan of Owings Mills, Md., and Clay Shinn of Russellville; and two great-grandchildren.
A memorial service will be held Wednesday (today) at First United Methodist Church in Russellville with Rev. Mackey Yokem officiating. Arrangements are by Shinn Funeral Home.
The family will recieve friends in the church fellowship hall following the memorial service.
Memorials may be amde to First United Methodist Church, 301 South Denver Ave., Russellville, Ar. 72801.
George Elliott
George Wesley Elliott, 63, of Pottsville died Monday, Aug. 9, 2004, at Saint Mary’s Regional Medical Center in Russellville.
He was born Feb. 22, 1941, at Briggsville, was the son of the late Homer Wesley and Effie Patterson Elliott, and a retired mobile home transporter.
He was preceded in death by a brother, Billy Elliott.
Survivors include his wife of 45 years, Anna Joyce Alexander Elliott; three sons and daughters-in-law, Jim and Trudie Elliott of Russellville, George Timothy and Tina Elliott of West Monroe, La., and Andy and Shantil Elliott of Russellville; two brothers, Homer Elliott and Donald Ray Elliott of Dumas; six sisters, Elizabeth Grant and Bertha Stowe of Dardanelle, Sue Coffman of Russellville, Mary Rose Grant of Dumas, Rhonda Beatty of Watson and Linda Luker of Union, Miss.; five grandchildren, Natalie Bickham, Blake Elliott and Chance Elliott of Russellville, and Clay Elliott and Kristen Elliott of West Monroe, La.; four great-grandchildren; and many nephews and nieces.
Funeral services were Thursday at Cornwell Chapel. Burial was in Needmore Cemetery by Cornwell Funeral Service.
Active pallbearers were Ronnie Price , Terry Fitch, Tim Reichman, Danny Crow, Lance Hamilton and Clay Stowe. Honorary pallbearers were Doye Alexander and Buddy Alexander.
