Biographical And Historical Memoirs of Pulaski, Jefferson, Lonoke, Faulkner, Grant, Saline, Perry, Garland And Hot Spring Counties, ArkansasNorma Johnson
Norma McKennon Johnson, 81, a lifelong resident of Clarksville, passed away at her home Monday, April 28, 2008, after an extended illness.
She was born to State Senator Paul McKennon and Pearl Blackard McKennon on Oct. 12, 1926.
She was a loyal and lifetime member of the First United Methodist Church of Clarksville. She was predeceased by her husband, Earle King 'E.K.' Johnson; and by her siblings, one sister, Pauline McKennon Amos and twin brothers, Clyde and Claude McKennon.
Norma is the last surviving Clarksville member of a large group of McKennons who migrated to Clarksville at the end of the Civil War. She was descended from a pioneer Johnson County family on her maternal side, the Blackards. She was a great-great-granddaughter of Tolliver Goldstone Blackard, who arrived in Johnson County in the 1830s.
Following graduation from Clarksville High School, she was proud to have worked for the War Department during World War II at the Los Angeles Port of Embarkation. She returned to Clarksville after the war, where she met her husband, E.K., at the Palace Drug Store. They married Jan. 26, 1947, and immediately worked together to build their family business, Eureka Brick and Tile Co. in Clarksville. The family continued operation of the business for 53 years.
In healthier years, she enjoyed playing bridge, boating on the Arkansas River and landscaping. She also enjoyed a lifelong love of poetry. She was a member of the Supper Club which met at the Johnson Family Lodge on Little Piney. She was a member of the T.T.T. Society and considered sharing time at the river with her "Cousin" group as one of the highlights of her life. Her greatest joy on earth was her devoted family.
She is survived by her daughter, Paula Johnson Glasgow and her husband, Roger, and by her beloved grandson, Kingsley Johnson Glasgow and his wife, Angela, all of Little Rock. She is also survived by her son, Bradford Earle Johnson and his wife, Suzanne, and two step-grandchildren, Justin and Anthony Webb, all of Clarksville.
Memorials may be made to First United Methodist Church, P.O. Box 535, Clarksville, AR 72830 or to the University of the Ozarks, Earle K. and Norma M. Johnson Communications Program Endowment, 415 N. College Ave., Clarksville, AR 72830.
Visitation will be from 5:30-7:30 p.m. today at Hardwicke Funeral Home.
A private graveside service will be held Thursday, May 1, 2008, at Oaklawn Cemetery. A memorial service to honor Norma's life will be at 2 p.m. Friday, May 2, 2008, at First United Methodist Church in Clarksville.
The family is deeply grateful to the dedicated and loving caregivers who extended Norma's life who brought her much love and joy. The Johnson family asks your prayers in the days ahead, as we give thanks for Norma's life which provided the heartbeat of our family for 61 years.
Honorary pallbearers include Carroll Bumpers, Paul Bumpers, Dane Clay, Dudley Flint, Harold Lewis, Drew Linder, Ross McCarley, Dr. Richard McKelvey, Dierk Pulliam, Dr. W. Ernest King, Virgil Knight, Dr. John Rommel and Stewart Willey.
Imogene Reed
Imogene Reed, age 71, of Atkins, went to be with her Lord on Monday, April 28, 2008, at Saint Mary's Regional Medical Center in Russellville.
A daughter of the late Liston and Oklia Pack Yarber, she was born May 16, 1936, in the Zion Hill Community in northern Pope County. She was the widow of Raymond Reed, and was also preceded in death by a brother, Eldie Yarber.
She was a faithful member of the Newton Springs Full Gospel Church, and was a loving mother and grandmother. All who knew her wanted to spend time with her, because they found in her a trusted and loyal friend. Even the animal world found her to be truly loving and kind.
Survivors include two sons and a daughter-in-law, Larry and Robin Reed, and Deon Reed, all of Atkins; two daughters and sons-in-law, Connie and Rickey Green of Pottsville and Carol and Roy Wygal of Hector; two brothers, Clevon Yarber of Hector and J. W. Yarber of Dover; four sisters, Regina Pack, Wanda Campbell and Christine McNinch, all of Hector, and Carolyn Wade of Pottsville; four grandchildren, Jessica and Mickey Wygal, both of Hector, and John David and Michelle Walker, both of Atkins; and a number of nephews and nieces.
The funeral service will be at 2 p.m. on Thursday, May 1, 2008, at the Hillcrest Pentecostal Church of God in Atkins, officiated by the Rev. Bob Branch. Burial will be in Shiloh Cemetery near Atkins by Shinn Funeral Service.
Active pallbearers will be John David Walker, Mickey Wygal, Terry Lunningham, Jeff Howell, Terry Rudder and Vince Pack.
Honorary pallbearers will be Randy Pack and Steven Wade.
The family will receive friends from 5-7 p.m. today at the funeral home.
Memorials may be made to the Russellville Animal Shelter, 3115 S. Mobile Ave., Russellville, AR 72802.
The family would like to express a special "Thank You" to Dr. Chris Horan for the years of care given to Mrs. Reed.
James Felkins
CLARKSVILLE - James Wilson 'Dub' Felkins, 76, of Hagarville died Monday, April 28, 2008, at Johnson Regional Medical Center.
He was born Nov. 21, 1931, and was a heavy equipment operator. He was preceded in death by his parents, Burl Staton and Lena King Felkins; and wife, Ruth Willine Rogers Felkins.
Survivors include a son, Randy Felkins and wife, Donna, of Hagarville; daughter, Phyllis Bedore and husband, Ray, of Marquette, Mich.; brothers, Vester 'Nap' Felkins, and Bill Felkins and wife, Alice, of Clarksville; four grandchildren, Tanya and James Bedore, Ivy 'Eugene' Wilkinson, and Randy Felkins; two step-grandchildren, Shanna and Billy Jean Stout; three great-grandchildren, Isaac and Robert Lee Felkins, and Roselynn Wilkinson; and a step-great-grandchild, Jadelynn Stout.
Graveside service will be at 10 a.m. today at Stillwell Cemetery with the Rev. Max King officiating. Arrangements are by Roller-Cox Funeral Home.
Visitation will be 6-8 tonight at the funeral home.
Honorary pallbearers include Dean Dlugosh, Dewayne Dlugosh, Lance Dlugosh, Ed White, Quinton Hughes and Randy Dub Felkins.
Ruth Brewer
Ruth Brewer, 89, of Russellville died Monday, April 28, 2008, at St. Anthony's Medical Center in Morrilton.
The daughter of Claud and Audra Patton Reynolds, she was born Dec. 3, 1918, in Dover. She was a homemaker and a member of the St. Paul Methodist Church. She was preceded in death by her husband, William Gerald Brewer; her parents; three sisters, Mozelle Boland, Betty Johnston and Annalee Reynolds; and a brother, John Edward Reynolds.
She is survived by her daughter, Audra Hunter of Cypress, Calif.; son, Jerry Brewer of Dragoon, Ariz.; two grandchildren; four great-grandchildren; daughter-in-law, Liz Brewer of Tucson, Ariz.; beloved sister, Judy Hottinger of Russellville and a sister, Twyla Bench of Dover; special cousin, Otto Ingram and wife, Judy, of Russellville; and several nieces and nephews.
Funeral service will be at 2 p.m. Thursday, May 1, 2008, at Humphrey Chapel. The Rev. Blake Bradford will officiate. Burial will be at McFadden Cemetery at Dover under the direction of Humphrey Funeral Service.
Visitation will be 6-7 p.m. today at the funeral home.
Sharon McMillon
CLARKSVILLE - Sharon Ann McMillon, 55, of Clarksville died Monday, April 28, 2008, in Clarksville Convalescent Home.
She was born Nov. 1, 1952, at Clarksville, widow of David McMillon, graduate of Clarksville High School and a member of First Assembly of God Church. She was an employee of Johnson Regional Medical Center as an EMT for 13 years and as home health clerical support for 10 years. She was preceded in death by her mother, Alice Binegar; son, Gary Robinson; paternal grandparents, Oliver and Jewell Taylor; maternal grandparents, Riley and Lilly Carter; and brother, Vernon W. Taylor.
Survivors include her father, Vernon D. Taylor of Clifton, Colo.; brother, Ricky Brinegar of Gorman, Texas; sisters, Brenda K. Robinson of Clarksville and Carla S. Bridges of Venus, Texas; stepfather, Rod Brinegar of Gorman, Texas; grandchild, Savanna Robinson of Lamar; uncles, Pat Taylor and Wayne Carter of Clarksville; aunt, Helen Burch of Clarksville; and niece and nephew, LaDonna Hamilton of Clarksville and William Martin of Clarksville.
Funeral will be at 2:30 p.m. today at First Assembly of God Church with the Rev. Terry Cameron officiating. Burial will be in Shady Grove Cemetery under the direction of Hardwicke Funeral Home.
Dot Couch
DARDANELLE - Margaret 'Dot' Couch, 83, of Dardanelle died Tuesday, April 29, 2008, at River Valley Medical Center.
Funeral will be at 2 p.m. Thursday, May 1, 2008, at Cornwell Chapel. Burial will be in Brearley Cemetery. Arrangements are by Cornwell Funeral Home.
Visitation will be 6-8 tonight.
Bobbye Danner
FAYETTEVILLE -- Bobbye Jean Danner, 82, of Fayetteville died Thursday, May 18, 2006, at North Hills Life Care and Rehabilitation Center.
She was born Jan. 28, 1924, in Russellville, the daughter of Elbert and Ollie Gibson Burris. She accepted Christ at an early age and served him as a loving and caring pastor's wife of 55 years. She was actively involved in church music and women's ministries.
She is survived by her husband, the Rev. Wayne Danner; two sons, Philip Danner and wife Nancy of Lebanon, Mo., Mark Danner and wife Gayla of Fayetteville; one brother, Bill Burris of Springfield, Mo.; six grandchildren, Justin Danner, Maci Danner and Kaid Hopper, all of Fayetteville, Jeff Blue and wife Christie of Louisiana, Joe Blue and wife Ginger of Missouri, Jill Willoughby and husband A.J. of Missouri; and 14 great-grandchildren.
Services will be held at 10 a.m. Tuesday at First Assembly of God Church with the Revs. Bobby Johnson, Bill Burris, Tim Smith and Red Dixon officiating. Burial will be Baptist Ford Cemetery under the direction of Moore's Chapel.
Memorials may be made to Hillcrest, Assemblies of God Children's Homes, 2325 Malvern Road, Hot Springs, Ark. 71901.
Visitation will be from 5:30-7:30 p.m. Monday at Moore's Chapel.
Thomas Simpson
Thomas "Junior" Simpson, 76, of Russellville died Saturday, May 20, 2006, at St. Mary's Regional Medical Center in Russellville.
Funeral will be at 2 p.m. Tuesday at Humphrey Chapel. Burial will follow at Rest Haven Memorial Park in Russellville. Arrangements are under the direction of Humphrey Funeral Service.
Visitation will be from 6-8 p.m. Monday at the funeral home.
