Biographical And Historical Memoirs of Pulaski, Jefferson, Lonoke, Faulkner, Grant, Saline, Perry, Garland And Hot Spring Counties, Arkansas
Ralph Dooley
Ralph Rath Dooley, 98, of Fort Smith died Saturday, Dec. 22. 2001, at a local nursing home. He was a retired developer for the gas and oil business, a member of Goddard United Methodist Church, a 32nd degree Mason, a member of Amrita Grotto and the Belle Point Masonic Lodge No. 20. He was preceded in death by his wife, Sarah Byars Dooley.
Survivors include a son, Dr. Edwin G. Dooley of Fort Smith; two grandchildren, Linda Gurlen and Edwin G. Dooley Jr., both of Fort Smith; three great-grandchildren, Sarah Elizabeth Dooley, Eli Robison and Kelly Robison; and three great-grandchildren.
Graveside service was held Dec. 27 at Alma City Cemetery under the direction of Putman Funeral Home of Fort Smith.
Memorial contributions may be made to Goddard United Methodist Church, 1922 Dodson Ave., Fort Smith, AR 72901.
John Hughes
John Harvey Hughes, 76, of Van Buren died Saturday, Dec. 22, 2001, at a local nursing home. He was retired from Sparks Hospital in the laundry department, was a resident of Van Buren for the past five years, and was formerly of Muldrow and Tulsa.
Survivors include his wife, Virginia; a daughter-in-law, JoAnna Turner of Van Buren; a son, Daniel Turner of Van Buren; a brother, Elvie Hughes of Cottage Grove, Ore.; five grandchildren and one great-grandchild.
Graveside service was held Dec. 24 at Gracelawn Cemetery under the direction of Ocker Funeral Home in Van Buren.
Pallbearers were grandsons.
Jessie Faucette
Jessie Lee Sagely Faucette, 85, died Friday, Dec. 21, 2001. She was formerly of Van Buren, retired civil service employee and a member of the Methodist faith. She was preceded in death by her husband, George Faucette Sr.
Survivors include two sons, George Faucette, John Faucette, both of Fayetteville; four grandchildren, Sagely Faucette of Seattle, Wash., Justin Faucette, Jenny Faucette and Christy Faucette, all of Fayetteville; one brother, Hershal Sagely of Van Buren; one sister, Norma Ruth Bradley of Little Rock and several nieces, nephews and cousins.
Funeral service was held Dec. 24 at Central United Methodist Church. Burial was held at Fairview Memorial Gardens under the direction of Moore’s Chapel.
Nora Ward
Nora L. Ward, 83, of Hendersonville, Tenn. died in Hendersonville. She was formerly of Van Buren.
Survivors include one daughter, Kathleen Coscia of Grand Prairie, Texas; three sons, C. Pat Ward of Alma, Mike Ward of Hendersonville, Tenn., Jerry Ward of Warren, Rhode Island; 14 grandchildren and 28 great-grandchildren.
Funeral service was held in Dallas, Texas.
Jessie Williams
Jessie Joe Williams, 29, of Fort Smith died Wednesday, Dec. 26, 2001. He was a Mountainburg native, a graduate of Alma High School and was an employee of Whirlpool Corporation.
Survivors include one son, Alex Williams of Muldrow, Okla.; his mother, Donna Falt of Fort Smith; his father, Dean Williams of Ozark; one brother, Jeff Williams of Charleston.
Funeral service will be held at 11 a.m. Saturday at Ocker Memorial Chapel. Burial was held at Conley Cemetery under the direction of Ocker Funeral Home of Van Buren.
Pallbearers will be Elbert Basham, Michael Turner, Bart Turner, Robert Wilson, Phillip Patterson and David Church.
Memorial contributions may be made to Central Untied Methodist Church.
Ruby McGuire
Ruby McGuire, 71, of Fort Smith died Tuesday, Dec. 25, 2001, at a local hospital. She was a homemaker and a retired cook for Convalescence Center in Decatur, Texas.
Funeral service was held Dec. 28 at Edwards Van-Alma Funeral Home Chapel in Van Buren. Burial was held at Pope Cemetery under the direction of Edwards Van-Alma Funeral Home of Van Buren
Survivors include three daughters, Wendy McMath of Mulberry, Charlotte Patterson of Fort Smith and Wilma Van Brunt of Alma; a son, Roger Brammer of Fort Smith; two sisters, Fern Ford and Freda Myers, both of Decatur, Texas; a brother, Clarence “Sonny” Hale of Keota, Okla.; 11 grandchildren and 10 great-grandchildren.
Pallbearers were Junior Brooks, Aaron Medlock, Harold Higgins, Jeff Brown, Wayne Beckham and Joey Love.
Madison Ryder
Madison Dawn Ryder, infant daughter of Leisa and Ted Ryder of Van Buren, died Wednesday, Dec. 12, 2001, at a local hospital.
Other survivors include a brother, Cody Ryder of the home; paternal grandparents, Pat and Bill Haggard of Van Buren and Ted and Nancy Ryder of Madison, Wis.; maternal grandmother, Barbara Newman of Alma.
Graveside service was held Dec. 28 under the direction of Edwards Van-Alma Funeral Home of Van Buren.
Pallbearers were her brother and her cousins.
Eula Bowles
Eula Dorthula Bowles, 86, of Ozark died Wednesday, Dec. 26, 2001, at a nursing home. She was a homemaker and a member of Jethro Pentecostal Church in Ozark.
Survivors include two daughters, Rachael Cooke and Betty Bowles, both of Ozark; three sons, Joe Bowles, Harlan Bowles and Robert Bowles, all of Ozark; one sister, Helen Rucker of Ozark; 10 grandchildren and eight great-grandchildren.
Funeral service was held Dec. 28 at Jethro Pentecostal Church. Burial was held at Oak Ridge Cemetery under the direction of Ocker Funeral Home of Alma.
Pallbearers were David Bowles Sr., Robert Cooke, James Bowles, Joey Bowles, Herman Murphy, Jerry Cowan and Jerry Howe.
Honorary pallbearers were Melvin Bowles, Coy Ellison, David Bowles Jr. and Fred Crofford Jr.
Emma Posey
Emma Lee Posey, 85, of Lubbock, Texas, formerly of Van Buren, died Tuesday, Dec. 11, 2001. She was a teacher and librarian for more than 25 years. She spent the last 15 years at Van Buren High School before retiring. She was preceded in death by her husband, Merle Posey and was a member of Heritage United Methodist Church in Van Buren.
Survivors include a son, Jerry B. Posey of Lubbock and two grandchildren, Tiffany Posey and Devin Posey, both of Lubbock.
Graveside service was held Dec. 27 at Seligman Cemetery in Seligman, Mo., under the direction of Franklin Bartley Funeral Home in Lubbock. The body was cremated.
Memorial contributions may be made to your local library.
Lura Willhite
Lura Ellen Willhite, 86, of Kibler died Sunday, Dec. 23, 2001, at a local hospital. She was a homemaker and was a member of Kibler Assembly of God, where she had been the church secretary and had also taught Sunday school. She was preceded in death by her husband, Harrison Willhite.
Survivors include three daughters, Lena Aldridge Yakley and Laverne Hicks, both of Kibler, and Agnes Harrell of Alma; a son, Herbert Willhite of Fort Smith; two sisters, Louise Bryan of Alma and Thelma DuHon of Breaux Bridge, La.; a brother, Edward J. Hobson of Kibler; twelve grandchildren, 28 great-grandchildren and three great-great grandchildren.
Funeral was held Dec. 26 at Kibler Assembly of God with burial at Gill Cemetery in Van Buren under the direction of Edwards Van-Alma Funeral Home in Van Buren.
Pallbearers were Tom Harrell, Dennis Willhite, Tracy Lollis, Kevin Hicks, Randal Hicks, Adam Hicks, Randy Aldridge, Tim Aldridge, David Aldridge, Stanley Aldridge, Letitia Willhite and Marcy Blanton.
Sylvia Courtright
Sylvia Elaine Courtright, 86, of Van Buren died Thursday, Dec. 20, 2001, at a local nursing home. She was a former resident of Sutter, Calif. and attended the First Baptist Church in Alma.
Survivors include four daughters, Sheila Graham of Van Buren, Maye Hatcher and Carol Adams, both of Vacaville, Calif., Patricia Jones of Los Nolinos, Calif.; two step-daughters, Rosie Cates of Central Point, Ore. and Clara Jean Snapp of Aripeka, Fla.; one son, Gerald Adams of California; two sisters, Abegail Teeter of South Bend, Ind. and May Paul of San Diego, Calif.; one brother, Marvin Welliver of Rodeo, New Mexico; 18 grandchildren, 43 great-grandchildren and five great-great-grandchildren.
Memorial contributions may be made to: The Gideons International, Alma Camp or the American Red Cross of Fort Smith.
Wayne Kennedy
Wayne E. Kennedy, 61, of Uniontown died Saturday, Dec. 22, 2001, at a local hospital. He was owner of Kennedy Tile and Marble in Fort Smith for 36 years and was of the Nazarene faith.
Survivors include his wife, Linda Kennedy; one daughter, Gina Jeremiah of Fayetteville; one son, Terry Kennedy of Uniontown; four sisters, Lucille Caldwell of Fort Smith, Polly Coulston of Riverton, Wyoming, Peggy Putman and Beverly Todd of Kingman, Ariz.; four brothers, Tony Kennedy, Richard Kennedy, Bobby Kennedy, all of Fort Smith and James Kennedy of Uniontown; and six grandchildren, Amy Jeremiah, Stephanie Jeremiah, Chris Jeremiah, Brett Kennedy, Michelle Kennedy and Kort Kennedy.
Funeral service was held Dec. 26 at Ocker Memorial Chapel. Burial was at held at Woodlawn Cemetery under the direction of Ocker Funeral Home of Van Buren
Brenda Dyer
Brenda Irene Dyer, 60, of Van Buren died Sunday, Dec. 23, 2001, at a local hospital. She was a homemaker and a member of Kenner Chapel Free Will Baptist Church.
Survivors include her husband, the Rev. Robert Dyer; two sons, Robert Dyer Jr. of Van Buren and Jonathan Eric Dyer of Moore, Okla.; two sisters, Patricia Hansen of La Mirada, Calif., and Sandy Mayes of Van Buren; a brother, Paul Harris of Van Buren; and five grandchildren, Cathryn Nicklas of Van Buren, Carson Jane Dyer and Morgan Lee Dyer, both of Greenwood, Jessica Dyer and Samantha Dyer, both of Moore, Okla.
Funeral service was held Dec. 27 at Zion Hope No. 2 Youth Camp near Rudy. Burial was held at Woody Memorial Cemetery under the direction of Ocker Funeral Home of Van Buren.
Pallbearers were Dalton Williams, Kenneth Woodall, Marvin Smith, Richard Blackabee, David Marston and Henry Howard. Honorary pallbearers were deacons.
Herschel Johnson
Herschel Johnson, 75, of Van Buren died Sunday, Jan. 27, 2002, at a local nursing home. He was a member of Westark Church of Chist, a Navy veteran of World War II, a retired printer for Dixie Cup and a member of the Pace #5-0656 local union. He was preceded in death by his wife, Patsy Johnson.
Survivors include three daughters, Deborah Strong of Van Buren, Phyllis Porter of Norman, Okla., Marsha Johnson of Oklahoma City, Okla.; one son, Jimmy Johnson of Van Buren; five sisters, Shirley Ann Shoppach and Patsy MInish, both of Fort Smith and Joyce Thomas, Wanda Fagan and Louise Newton, all of Van Buren; three brothers, Robert Johnson, Richard Johnson, Danny Johnson, all of Van Buren; three grandchildren and five great-grandchildren.
Funeral service was held at 2 p.m. Wednesday at Ocker Memorial Chapel of Van Buren. Burial will be held at Ocker Funeral Home of Van Buren.
Pallbearers will be Tom Porter, Eddie Newton, Charlie Stockton, Brad Thomas, John David Fagan and Steve Shoppach.
Honorary pallbearers will be Bill McCoy and the printing department of Dixie Cup.
Roger Allen Kuykendall Jr.
Roger Allen Kuykendall Jr., infant son of Sandy and Roger Kuykendall of Van Buren died Saturday, Jan. 26, 2002, at Arkansas Children’s Hospital.
Other survivors include one sister, Katelyn Kuykendall; paternal grandparents, Barbara and Larry Elkins of Alma and Gordon Kuykendall of Mulberry; maternal grandparents, Patricia and Luigi DiMarco and William Ray Polly, all of Mulberry; paternal great-grandparents, Fannie Rodgers of Alma, Wayland and Jenece Kuykendall of Mulberry; maternal great-grandparents, Louise Polly and William Oliver McCollum, both of Mulberry and Ruth Campbell of Alma.
Graveside service will be held at 2 p.m. Wednesday at Chastain Cemetery Arbor. Burial will be held at Chastain Cemetery under the direction of Edwards Van-Alma Funeral Home of Van Buren.
Dave McGee
Dave McGee, 80, of Van Buren died Sunday, Jan. 27, 2002. He was retired from the Marine Corps after serving 25 years. During that time he served in eh South Pacific in World War II, in Korea during the Korean Conflict, and in Vietnam. He received the following decorations, Asiatic Pac Medal, Good Conduct Medal, American Theatre, Korean Service W/1, Korean Presidential Unit Citation, United Nations Personal Citation, National Defense Service Medal, Vietnamese Service Medal, Republic of Vietnam Service Medal, Pistol Expert Badge and Rifle Expert Badge. He worked for 12 years as a career counselor for Louisiana, and taught high school vocational training in Louisiana for three years. He was a member of Kibler Road Church of God and V.F.W.
Survivors include his wife, Maxine; two sons, David McGee of Van Buren and Donald McGee of Mukilteo, Wash., one daughter, Helen Medley of Fort Smith; four grandchildren, Dustin Medley, Brian Medley, Angela Medley and Pamela Medley; one sister, Lotus Cagle of Lake Charles, La.; and numerous nieces and nephews.
Funeral service will e held at 1 p.m. Thursday at Edwards Van-Alma Funeral Home Chapel. Burial will be held with full military honors at U.S. National Cemetery under the direction of Edwards Van-Alma Funeral Home of Van Buren.
Pallbearers will be Charles McCord, Earl Summerhill, Layton Davis, Jim Morland, Layne Hurst and Eugene Morse.
Memorial contributions may be made to Kibler Road Church of God Building Fund, 3304 Kibler Road, Van Buren, AR 72956. To send an online tribute go to MEM.com.
Helen Jones
Helen S. Jones, 69, of Alma died Saturday, Jan. 26, 2001. She was a retired vice-president of Commercial Bank of Alma, a member of First Baptist Church of Alma, where she also taught Sunday school.
Survivors include her husband, Arles; two daughters, Tonda Dean of Alma and Dawn Arnold of Kibler; one sister, Betty Teague of Alma; four grandchildren, Timothy Dean of Little Rock, Daniel Dean of Alma; Elizabeth Arnold and Tesia Arnold, both of Kibler.
Funeral service was held Jan. 29 at First Baptist Church of Alma. Burial was held at U.S. National Cemetery under the direction of Edwards Van-Alma Funeral Home of Van Buren.
Pallbearers will be Dickie Teague, Kenneth Hanna, Wesley Warnock, Buddy Teauge, Jerry Osborne and Nathan Teague.
Honorary pallbearers were Bert Meadors, W.R. Teague, Bob Harris, Bill Harris, Tom Harris, Kerry Brown, David Peters, JIm Davenport, Bro. John Evans, Otis Arnold, Tommy Steward, Rick Douglas, Roy Austin, Terry Carson, Dockey Brasher, A.J. Lee, Dr. Bart Sills, Ron Condren, Ron Haught, Dale Austin and Buel Harris.
The family will receive friends at 633 Meadowbrook Drive in Alma.
Memorial contributions may be made to First Baptist Church of Alma Building Fund.
