Biographical And Historical Memoirs of Pulaski, Jefferson, Lonoke, Faulkner, Grant, Saline, Perry, Garland And Hot Spring Counties, Arkansas
Bobby J. "Sarge" Brown
Mr. Bobby J. "Sarge" Brown, age 74, of Newport, died Friday, Feb. 22, 2002, at Harris Hospital in Newport.
Mr. Brown was born Feb. 5, 1928, in Wynne, and was the son of T.E. and Betty Brown. He was retired from the U.S. Army after serving 26 years and was a veteran of World War II, the Korean and Vietnam wars. Mr. Brown was also retired from the Newport School District where he was an R.O.T.C. instructor for 13 years. He was a member of First Christian Church of Newport, Collier-Massey Post #4683 V.F.W. of Newport and the Masonic Lodge.
He was preceded in death by his brother, Donnie Brown and one sister, Juanita Brown Brice.
Mr. Brown is survived by his wife of 52-years, Mariella Reese Brown of Newport; a son, Bobby Brice Brown of Lansing, Kan.; two daughters, Cindy Kinard of Jonesboro and Linda Sue Rundell of Newport; a sister, Mozella Hudson of Houston, Texas and four grandchildren.
A funeral service for Mr. Brown was conducted today, Monday, Feb. 25, 2002, at 10 a.m., at Jackson's Newport Funeral Home with Mr. Ewing von Schmittou officiating the service. Committal services will be held today, Monday, Feb. 25, 2002, at 2 p.m., at Forrest Park Cemetery under the direction of Jackson's Newport Funeral Home.
Ray Hurt Sr.
Mr. Ray Hurt Sr., age 69, of Palestine, died Saturday, Feb. 23, 2002, at his home.
Mr. Hurt was born Jan. 10, 1933, in Palestine, and was the son of Hubert Hurt and Lillie Gwathney Hurt. He lived in Palestine all of his life where he was a farmer and a member of Old Fashion Baptist Church.
He was preceded in death by two sisters, Theresa Staggs Luker and Karola Hurt.
Mr. Hurt married Johnie Good in 1954, and she survives him along with two daughters, Debbie Hurt Myers of Forrest City and Madeline Hurt Parker of Colt; a son, Ray Hurt Jr. of Wynne; a sister, Rita Jayroe of Palestine; a brother, Dr. C.H. Hurt of Henderson, Texas; 10 grandchildren and one great-grandchild.
Funeral services for Mr. Hurt were conducted today, Monday, Feb. 25, 2002, at 11 a.m., at Stevens Funeral Home, with Bro. Kevin Snider officiating the service. Burial followed at Bell Cemetery in Palestine under the direction of Stevens Funeral Home.
The family request memorials be sent to Old Fashion Baptist Church.
Herman Powell Jr.
Mr. Herman Powell Jr., age 66, of Forrest City, died Wednesday, Feb. 20, 2002, at Baptist Hospital -- East in Memphis.
Mr. Powell was a stockman and a member of Lane Chapel CME Church.
He was preceded in death by his wife.
Mr. Powell is survived by four daughters, Sherry Lynn Powell of Dallas, Texas, Sharon Lynnett Powell and Lisa Powell Mixon, both of Chicago, Ill., and Jacqueline Powell of Scottsdale, Ariz.; his mother Pearl Lacy Bowen and two grandchildren.
Funeral services for Mr. Powell were held Monday, Feb. 25, 2002, at noon, at Lane Chapel CME Church with Rev. Ronald Williams officiating the service. Burial followed in Forrest City Cemetery under the direction of Kennedy Funeral Home.
Billy Gene Hedrick
Mr. Billy Gene Hedrick, age 53, of Forrest City, died Saturday, Feb. 23, 2002, at his home.
Mr. Hedrick, born Sept. 5, 1948, in Forrest City, was the son of Gene Hedrick and Eva Lynaugh Hedrick. He lived in St. Francis County all of his life and was a heavy equipment operator. He was a former employee of the St. Francis County Road Department and attended the Faith Baptist Church.
In 1981 Mr. Hedrick married Judy Heath and she preceded him in death in 1996. He is survived by two step-sons, Billy Byrd and Donnie Byrd, both of Forrest City; a step daughter, Karen Brown of Marianna; two brothers, Bobby Hedrick and Kenny Hedrick, both of Forrest City; five sisters, Glenda Faye Richerson, Kay Hughes, Brenda Hill, Judy Watlington and Cheryl Dearing, all of Forrest City.
Visitation services for Mr. Hedrick will be held Wednesday, Feb. 27, 2002, from 6 p.m. to 8 p.m. Funeral services will be Thursday, Feb. 28, 2002, at 2 p.m. in the Chapel of Stevens Funeral Home. Burial will follow in Hughes Cemetery under the direction of Stevens Funeral Home.
Alma Ruth Casalman Holland
Mrs. Alma Ruth Casalman Holland, age 80, of Wynne, died Feb. 26, 2002 in Cross Ridge Community Hospital in Wynne.
Mrs. Holland was born March 4, 1921, in Ozark, and was a retired inspector for Levi Straus Co. She was a member of the Calvary Apostolic United Pentecostal Church of Wynne.
She was preceded in death by her husband, Wallace Oliver Holland; a daughter, Billie Jean Holland; a brother, Alfred Casalman; two sisters, Bonnie Courier and Grace Abney; and a grandson.
Mrs. Holland is survived by two sons, John Oliver Holland of Forrest City and Wallace Eugene Holland of Friendship; two daughters, Patsy Ellen Goodwin and Peggy Louise McCommon, both of Wynne; a brother, Monroe Casalman of Fontana, Calif.; 11 grandchildren, 26 great grandchildren and five great-great grandchildren.
Visitation will be held Thursday, Feb. 28, from 6 until 8 p.m. at Kernodle Funeral home in Wynne. Services will be held at Kernodle Funeral Chapel in Wynne, at 11 a.m. Friday, March 1, 2002. Burial will be in Vanndale Cemetery with Rev. T.G. Ramsey officiating. Kernodle Funeral Home of Wynne is in charge of arrangements.
The family requests memorials be sent to Calvary Apostolic United Pentecostal Church of Wynne.
Jerry Lee Kelso
Mr. Jerry Lee Kelso, aged 67, of Forrest City, died Thursday, Feb. 28, 2000.
Mr. Kelso was born April 26, 1934 in St. Francis County, the son of Floyd Monroe Kelso and Jenny Florence Melton Kelso. He moved back to St. Francis County in 1971, was retired from Airtherm, and was a Baptist.
He is survived by two sons, Gary Minnick and Terry Minnick, both of Sandwich, Ill.; a daughter, Carol Ann Dillion of Sanford Fla.; a brother, Roger Kelso of Forrest City; five sisters, Nettie Bateman and Ruby Nichols of Forrest City, Ruth Barnes of Illinois, Peggy Godair of Mississippi and Carolyn Paulette Ramsey of Lexa; four grandchildren and two great-grandchildren.
Visitation will be held Friday, March 1, from 6 until 8 p.m. Funeral Services for Mr. Kelso will be held at Stevens Funeral Home Chapel at 2 p.m., Saturday, March 2, 2002 at Stevens Funeral Home, with burial following in Hughes Cemetery. Stevens Funeral Home is in charge of arrangements.
Alice Mae Williams
Mrs. Alice Mae Williams, age 83, of Forrest City, died Saturday, Feb. 23, 2002, in her home.
Mrs. Williams, born Aug. 28, 1918, was a retired nutritionist with Crestpark Nursing Home. She is survived by seven sons, John W. Williams and Jesse Williams, both of St. Louis, Mo., Clarence Hughes, of Chicago, Ill., Donald Williams and Ronald Williams, both of Forrest City, Charlie Williams of El Dorado and Culus Williams of Dallas, Texas; seven daughters, Clarice Haynes of Kansas City, Mo., Claudia Brown, Evelyn Rayford and Lenora Williams, all of Forrest City, Johnetta Crumbly of Widener, Margie Young of Dallas, Texas and Alicia Lewis of Desoto, Texas; 50 grandchildren and 25 great-grandchildren.
Visitation services for Mrs. Williams will be held Friday, March 1, 2002, from 11:30 a.m. to 5 p.m. in the Chapel of Clay Funeral Home and Saturday, March 2, 2002, from 10 a.m. to 11 a.m. at Taylor's Chapel CME Church. Funeral services will follow the Saturday visitation at 11 a.m. at Taylor's Chapel CME Church with Rev. Ronald Williams officiating. Burial will follow in Casteel Cemetery under the direction of Clay Funeral Home.
G. W. Spears
G. W. Spears, born to the late Betty and Fon Spears, January 7, 1929, passed away at Baptist East Hospital on February 3, 2002. He is survived by Betty Gail Spears, wife of 34 years. One daughter, Gwendolyn Cheryl Taylor of Jonesboro, AR. Two sons and daughter-in-laws: Gregory Edwin and Carol Spears of Searcy, AR and Timothy Scott and Yvonne Spears of Perryville, MO. Six grandchildren: Breanne May, Nell Taylor, Greyson Spears, Alexandria Spears, Mallory Spears and Sydney Spears. One sister Ebbertine Phillips of Harrisburg, AR and one brother Carl Spears of Marion, AR. He is preceded in death by 3 sisters: Jude Blansett, Betty Louise Reece and Clara Staggs.
He was a member of First United Methodist Church of Forrest City, AR, a 33rd degree Mason and retired from Life of Georgia Insurance Co. after 34 years of dedicated and honored service. He was an avid sportsman. G. W. was a beloved family man and loved by all that knew him.
Visitation will be held at Roller-Citizen Funeral Home in West Memphis, AR from 6-9 p.m. on Tuesday, February 5, 2002. Graveside services will be held at Forrest Park Cemetery in Forrest City, AR, Wednesday, February 6, 2002 at 10 a.m.
Honorary Pallbearers are: T. C. Pope, Stan Phillips, Terry Phillips, Michael Phillips, Carl Spears, Jr., Bill Staggs, Herman Harthcock and 1st National Bank of Eastern Arkansas Employee's.
If you wish to leave a lasting memorial the family request they be sent to the American Lung Association.
Lou Ann Mercer
Mrs. Lou Ann Mercer, age 66, of Forrest City, died Monday, Feb. 4, 2002, at Baptist Memorial Hospital -Forrest City.
Mrs. Mercer was born March 5, 1935, in Marianna, and was the daughter of Elmer Huckaba and Irene Burress Most. She lived in Forrest City most of her life, was a housewife and a Methodist.
Mrs. Mercer married Marvin Mose Smith in 1953 and he preceded her in death in 1965.
She is survived by one daughter, Deborah Ann Smith O'Neal of Citrus Springs, Fla.; one son, Marvin Michael Smith of Alton, Ill.; and one sister, Betty Stough of Widener.
Visitation for Mrs. Mercer will be held on Wednesday, Feb. 6, 2002, from 5 to 7 p.m., at Stevens Funeral Home. Graveside funeral services for Mrs. Mercer will be conducted on Thursday, Feb. 7, 2002, at 2 p.m., at Forrest Park Cemetery under the direction of Stevens Funeral Home.
Valara Louise Crow
Mrs. Valara Louise Crow of Forrest City, died Monday, Feb. 4, 2002, at her home.
Mrs. Crow was the daughter of J.F. Downey and Alberta Milton Downey. She lived in Forrest City all of her life, and was a case worker for the welfare office for many years. Mrs. Crow was also a Methodist.
She married Johnny Crow and he preceded her in death in 1960.
Mrs. Crow is survived by her caretaker, Joann Campbell of Forrest City and three cousins, Juanita Rainey of Tyronza, Wella M. Bell and Joan Welch , both of Marion.
Graveside funeral services for Mrs. Crow will be conducted on Thursday, Feb. 7, 2002, at 11 a.m., at Forrest Park Cemetery, with Rev. Burlyn Davis officiating the service under the direction of Stevens Funeral Home.
