Obituaries

Dustin D'Wayne Lucas, 39, of Piggott, Ark., passed away June 21, 2017, at St. Bernards Medical Center in Jonesboro, Ark. He was born on May 26, 1978, in Van Buren, Ark., and is the son of Ira Robert and Theresa Ann (Deason) Lucas. Dustin enjoyed hunting and fishing, spending time with his kids and watching Cardinals baseball and San Diego Chargers football. He was a "happy-go-lucky" person who tried to make everybody laugh...

Elsie Annette Davis, 90, of Paragould, Ark., and formerly of Rector, Ark., passed from the cares of this life to be with her Savior on Tuesday June 20, 2017, at the Arkansas Methodist Medical Center in Paragould. She was born on April 29, 1927, in Holcomb, Mo., to the late Bud and Mary (Ayers) Key. Annette enjoyed spending time with her loving family and friends, cooking and working in her flowers. She was a member of the Alexander Baptist Church in Mounds...

Mary Lawrence, 85, of Rector, Ark., passed away on June 14, 2017, at the Green Acres Nursing Home, Paragould, Ark. She was born May 2, 1932, in Hayti, Mo., to John and Marie (Meredith) Wheeler. To Mary, life was about family and church. She taught Sunday School for 25 to 30 years in the Junior High and High School Department, she loved singing in the Church choir and performing solos. ...

David Bradley Burr, 54, of Marble Hill, Mo., passed away June 20, 2017, at Jackson Manor Nursing Home in Jackson, Mo. He was born on May 12, 1963, in Columbia, Mo., and was the son of Ronnie C. and Patricia Ann (Howell) Burr. He was preceded in death by his father, Ronnie C. Burr, Sr. and sister, Melissa Lynn Burr Loughary...

Charles Ray Divine, 79, of Piggott, Ark., passed away June 20, 2017, at the General Baptist Nursing Home in Piggott. He was born on November 6, 1937, in Poplar Bluff, Mo., and was the son of the late Raymond and Veda (Thurston) Divine. He was united in marriage to Barbara Permenter on Nov. 23, 1979...

Gerald Monroe Lamb, 77, of Rector, Ark., passed away Monday, June 19, 2017, at the Flo and Phil Jones Hospice House, Jonesboro, Ark. Mr. Lamb was born January 18, 1940, in Clay County, Ark., to the late Clyde and Olar Lamb. An Army veteran, he retired from Emerson Electric and was a member of First Baptist Church of Rector. He was also a member of the Kennett VFW and the Eagles Club of Kennett...

Michael V. Fielder, 55, of Doniphan, Mo., passed away on June 17, 2017. Mr. Fielder was born on May 30, 1962, in Marmaduke, Ark. He was self employed, working as a painter/artist and was a member of the West Point United Pentecostal Church. He enjoyed art, fishing, hunting, woodworking and working on mowers and cars...

Doyle R. Haywood, son of the late Bernard “Petie” Haywood and Floya Haywood, was born on March 11, 1947, in Piggott, Ark., and passed away on May 5, 2017, at the Poplar Bluff Regional Medical Center, Poplar Bluff, Mo., at the age of 70 years. Mr. Haywood retired from Emerson Electric Company, in Kennett, Mo., and previously worked at Riggs Hardware in Poplar Bluff. He was a St. Louis Cardinals fan, enjoyed working outdoors and was a resident of Wappapello, Mo., previously of Kennett...

Lillian Butler Wood was born October 12, 1921, and died June 17, 2017. Throughout her life she was known by most people as a great cook, by a few people as a gifted teller of old family stories, by her children as a selfless and loving parent and by all who knew her as an optimistic, gentle, unassuming example of what a good human being might aspire to be. ...

Mrs. Wilma J. Vaughn, of Troy, Mo., passed away on June 15, 2017, at St. Joseph Hospital, Lake Saint Louis, Mo. She was born on July 7, 1934, in Pollard, Ark., to Louis and Meda (Latta) Gossett. Wilma was an only child and very special to her parents...

Carolyn Kay Wylie, 69, of Piggott, Ark., passed away June 17, 2017, at the St. Bernards Medical Center, Jonesboro, Ark. She was born on January 12, 1948, in Piggott, and was the daughter of Raymond and Junell Fish Davis. She was united in marriage to Rickey Wylie on Aug. 15, 1966, and to this union two children were born...

Randy Nelson Hoggard, of Campbell, Mo., the son of the late Nelson "Dude" Junior Hoggard and Mamie Elizabeth Higdon Bounds, was born in Normandy, Mo., on July 16, 1967. He passed away at home in Campbell, Mo., on June 10, 2017, at the age of 49 years and 11 months...

Alma Lorene Crossfield, 92, of Piggott, Ark., passed away June 10, 2017, at the Piggott Community Hospital, in Piggott. She was born on September 12, 1924, in Clay County, Ark., and was the daughter of the late Ernest Hollis Sr. and Tessie Cosby. She was united in marriage to Vernon "Stub" Crossfield on June 27, 1942, and to this union two daughters were born...

“Ben” Robley B. Stirnaman, 36, of Piggott, Ark., passed away on June 11, 2017, at Piggott Community Hospital. He was born on August 6, 1980, in Kennett, Mo., to Glen and Paula (McCurry) Stirnaman. He enjoyed cattle ranching, hunting, fishing, gardening and spending time with his family and friends...

Kevin Manley Edmunds, Sr., 51, of Malden, Mo., died Friday, June 9, 2017, in the St. Francis Medical Center in Cape Girardeau, Mo. He was born July 26, 1965, in Alexandria, Va., the son of the late James Edmunds and Sarah Lou Gouldman. He was also preceded in death by a sister, Karen Morley...

Harold Holman, 81, of Rector, Ark., passed from this life on June 7, 2017, at the Baptist Memorial Hospital in Memphis, Tenn. He was born November 30, 1935, in Campbell, Mo., to the late Oscar Holman and Beulah (Price) Gordon. Harold served in the United States Army for three years and retired from the Rector Sportswear. He also helped when needed at the Rector Housing Authority and Glen Sain GMC...

Robert “Bob” David Harrison of rural Pollard, Ark., formerly of Clarkton, Mo., departed this life on June 5, 2017, in Pollard. Bob was the son of the late Walter and Lena Mae (Ray) Harrison. He was born on July 18, 1926, in the Little Walnut Community near Gideon, Mo...

Rilla M. Cox, 91 of Campbell, Mo., passed away on Thursday, June 1, 2017 at the Rector Nursing Home in Rector, Ark. Mrs. Cox, daughter of James Carl McDaniel and Anna Grace (Goodman) Rudisill, was born on Monday, September 28, 1925 in Hatfield, Ind...

Jackie Ray Howe was born December 27, 1937, at 311 West Hunt Street in Paragould, Ark. He was the son of Ray Howe and Isabella (Acton) Howe, and the grandson of Virgil and Nina Acton and Enos and Cynthia Carolyn (Fowler) Howe. He passed away Tuesday, May 30, 2017, at St. Bernard’s Medical Center, Jonesboro, Ark...

Ailene “Granny” Oakley Terry, 87, of Paragould, Ark., passed away Thursday, May 25, 2017. She was born April 19, 1930, in Nimmons, Ark., to Norvy and Tisha Tuggle. Ailene was a member of Oak Grove Church of Christ for 40 years. She loved everything about farm life especially gardening, fishing and canning. Ailene was an excellent cook, and a Jill of all trades, who was always willing to open her heart and home to those who needed it...

Sandra Brown Laveen, 75, of Malden, Mo., passed away May 27, 2017, at the Malden Nursing home in Malden. She was born on March 29, 1942, in Toledo, Ohio, and was the daughter of the late Clyde E. Brown and Agnes M. Brown Hooks. She was preceded in death by her parents and her son, Timothy Minton...

Agnes Irene Moore, 87, of Piggott, Ark., passed away May 25, 2017, at the Piggott Community Hospital in Piggott. She was born on March 30, 1930 in Carryville, Ark., and was the daughter of the late George Franklin and Minnie (Carlson) Fisher. She was united in marriage to Clevel "Elmo" Moore on Dec. 25, 1948, and he preceded her in death on May 26, 2015...

Lorene Petty, 100, of Memphis, Tenn., formerly of Piggott, Ark., went home to be with her Lord on May 16, 2017. Mrs. Petty was born to Barney and Ilah Morrisett on March 26, 1917, in Boydsville, Ark. She graduated high school and married Dallas Petty in 1944, and he preceded her in death in 1996. Also preceding her in death were her parents; sisters LouVinnie Bradberry and Delona Spinks, and brothers Richard and Norman Morrisett...

Calvin Edward “Bob” Yow, 73, of Pevely, Mo., passed away Thursday, May 18, 2017, at his home. He was born February 15, 1944, in Piggott, Ark., the son of the late Dovie (nee Holifield) and Henry Yow. He is survived by his wife, Teresa (nee Burgess) Yow; his daughters, Carolyn (Rick) Allender of Fenton, Mo. ...

Freda Catharine Gott, 76, of McDougal, Ark., passed away May 16, 2017, in Corning, Ark., surrounded by family and friends. She was born on December 22, 1940, and was the daughter of the late Clyde Everett and Miriam Ellen (Sherrill) VanGordon. She was united in marriage to Jackie Clyde Gott on April 28, 1962, and to this union two children were born. She shared 52 wonderful years of marriage to Jackie before he preceded her in death on March 21, 2015...

Mary Janice Martin was born March 3, 1934, to Jerry and Mary Lewis of Piggott, Ark. She departed this life on May 16, 2017, in Monticello, Ark., where she had lived for the last three years. She married Charles Martin on Jan. 4, 1963, in Jonesboro, Ark...

Betty Jo Wikowsky, 81, of Rector, Ark., passed away May 15, 2017, at the St. Bernards Medical Center in Jonesboro, Ark. She was born on September 13, 1935, in Greenway, Ark., and was the daughter of the late William Rodney and Josie Pearl Lewis. She was united in marriage to the late Dale Aaron Wikowsky on April 13, 1950...

George Eli “Skip” Britton, 68, of Pollard, Ark., passed away Monday, May 8, 2017, at the John J. Pershing VA Medical Center in Poplar Bluff, Mo. He was born on April 23, 1949, in Campbell, Mo., to Imogene Finley. He was united in marriage to Dolores Britton on May 21, 1969, and to this union they had two children, John Britton and Thrista...

Marjorie Joyce Holifield, 70, of Pollard, Ark., passed away May 14, 2017, at her home surrounded by her family. She was born on September 24, 1946, in Piggott, Ark., and was the daughter of the late Weldon Green and Dessie Marie (Haywood) Green. She was united in marriage to Curtis Holifield on October 17, 1964, and to this union three children were born...

Billy Henry Benson, of Rector, Ark., entered Heavens gates on May 11, 2017. He was born to Eric and Alice Benson, in Boydsville, Ark., on November 22, 1937. Bill was a cherished husband, dad, and paw-paw. He was a longtime member of the Fifth and Pine Church of Christ congregation. ...

Patsy A. Dickerson, 83, of Piggott, Ark., passed away May 10, 2017, at NHC Healthcare in Kennett, Mo. She was born on February 23, 1934, in Piggott, and was the daughter of the late Raymond and Cora (Stallings) Mowery. She was united in marriage to James W. "Bill" Dickerson on Aug. 17, 1957, and to this union a son, Mike, was born...

Judith Lynn Abbey, 64, of Paragould, Ark., died Sunday, May 7, 2017, at her residence. Judy was a retired elementary school reacher in the Paragould School System, having taught at Baldwin Elementary for 23 years in the same classroom. She was of the Baptist faith...

Fannie Frazier, 94, of Piggott, Ark., passed away May 4, 2017, at the Heritage Nursing Center in Kennett, Mo. She was born on September 22, 1922, in Nimmons, Ark., and was the daughter of the late Charley and Mary Gertie (Ridgeway) Harmon. She was a member of Emmanuel Baptist Church and worked at General Motors for several years...

Margie Lea Ward, 73, of Piggott, Ark., passed away May 6, 2017, at the Piggott Community Hospital in Piggott. She was born on September 3, 1943, in McDougal, Ark., and was the daughter of the late Oscar Wiley and Erma Elizabeth (Fry) Greene. She was united in marriage to James Lee Ward on Aug. 9, 1958, and to this union five children were born...

James Ray, 87, of Rector, Ark., passed away Saturday, May 6, 2017, at his home. He was born April 20, 1930, in Hornersville, Mo., and was a veteran of the U.S. Army. Mr. Ray retired from Darling Store Fixtures after 27 years of service and was a member of Oak Grove Church of Christ. He was a member of the Teamsters, and enjoyed shooting pool...

Edith Jewell Burgfeld, 96, of Pocahontas, Ark., passed away May 3, 2017, at the Randolph County Nursing Home in Pocahontas. She was born on October 20, 1920, in St. Francis, Ark., and was the daughter of the late N.D. and Ida Mae (Hall) Oxley. She was united in marriage to Leo Burgfeld and he preceded her in death in December 1990...

Don Mobley, 86, of Pollard, Ark., passed away May 3, 2017, at the St. Bernards Medical Center in Jonesboro, Ark. He was born on July 16, 1929, in Cave City, Ark., and was the son of the late Elmer and Ruthel (Pinkston) Mobley. He was united in marriage to Wilma Dye for the second time on May 9, 2009, and to this union six children were born...

Ronnie Payne, 65, of Poplar Bluff, Mo., passed away May 3, 2017, at his home. He was born on September 27, 1951, in Piggott, Ark., and was the son of the late Virgil Doyle "Poodle" and Jessie Lee (Neely) Payne. He was preceded in death by his parents; his brother, Clifford Payne and sister, Phyllis Payne McNulty...

James Watson, 75, of Rector, Ark., passed from this life on May 2, 2017, at the St. Bernards Regional Medical Center, Jonesboro, Ark. He was born July 26, 1941, in the Rector area, to the late Ruel and Dora Watson. In addition to his parents he was preceded in death by a brother, Charles Watson; his step-mother, Mildred Watson and a grandson, Jerry Ryan Vangilder...

Chad Dunlap, 34, of Piggott, Ark., passed away May 3, 2017, at the Piggott Community Hospital, in Piggott. He was born on August 24, 1982, in Paragould, Ark., and was the son of Gary and Teresa (Pobst) Dunlap. He was preceded in death by his paternal grandparents, Dee and Imogene Dunlap...

Adon Mann, 81, of Cape Girardeau, Mo., passed away Tuesday, May 2, 2017, at his home in Cape Girardeau. He was born September 28, 1935, in the Piggott, Ark., area to Everett and Artie (French) Mann. He and Ina Rae (Johnson) Mann were married September 3, 1960, at Black Rock, Ark. She passed away September 2, 2016...

Johnny Rowton, 73, of Greenway, Ark., passed away May 1, 2017. He was born July 6, 1943, to the late James Rowton and Thelma (Carter) Higgs in Hickoria, Ark. In addition to his parents he was preceded in death by his first wife, Diana McCord Rowton...

Jerry Bedwell, 55, of Jonesboro, Ark., passed away April 30, 2017, at the Flo and Phil Jones Hospice House in Jonesboro. He was born on December 8, 1961, in Piggott, Ark., and was the son of the late James David and Virginia (Kitchen) Bedwell. He was preceded in death by his father, James David Bedwell...

Judith Ann (Hitt) Hensley, 71, of Memphis, Tenn., passed away Friday, April 28, 2017, at the Baptist Reynolds Hospice House in Collierville, Tenn. She was born on October 13, 1945, in Piggott, Ark., and was the daughter of the late Louie and Helen (Sneed) Hitt...