Obituaries

Kay Howell, 77, of Pollard, Ark., passed away June 22, 2019, at her home in Pollard. She was born on December 20, 1941, at home in Pollard, and was the daughter of Eugie and Vadala (Johnson) Holifield. Kay was united in marriage to Johnny Ural Howell on May 26, 1961...

After a lengthy battle with congestive heart failure, George Forrest, 85, passed away June 11, 2019 in Bossier City, La. He was born May 28, 1934, in Piggott, Ark. Soon after graduating high school, he joined the Air Force where he served 26 years during which he received a Bachelor’s degree in History. ...

Billy Pete Martin, 79, of Piggott, Ark., passed away June 12, 2019, at his home. He was born on April 26, 1940, in Steele, Mo., and was the son of C.C. and Viva (Heathcock) Martin. Billy was united in marriage to Reba Hampton on Sept. 15, 1962. He was a longtime member of the South Thornton Church of Christ, in Piggott...

Bobby “Bob” D. Ward was born October 7, 1933, at Greenway, Ark. He died December 12, 2018, at his home in Hot Springs Village, Ark., at the age of 85, following an eight year battle with cancer. Memorial services were held Sunday, Dec. 16, 2018, at Caruth Village Funeral Home, Hot Springs Village, with Bro. ...

On a frigid December 19, 1956, Ronald David Floyd and Freeda Jeanette (Thomas) Smith welcomed the birth of a son, whom was affectionately named David Allen Floyd. Little did they know the life of their baby boy would span the next 62 years, five months and 16 days...

Ezra "Junior" Jackson, 84, of Piggott, Ark., passed away June 3, 2019, at St. Bernard's Medical Center in Jonesboro, Ark. He was born on November 5, 1934, in Fagus, Mo., and was the son of Robert Ezra and Mabel (Cooper) Jackson. Junior was united in marriage to Maxine McCrory Jackson on March 13, 1954...

Cleda Lea Faulk, 94, of Kennett, Mo., passed away June 3, 2019, at Piggott Community Hospital in Piggott, Ark. She was born on June 12, 1924, in Arbyrd, Mo., and was the daughter of Roy and Beedie (Carter) Blocker. Cleda was united in marriage to Avis Frank Faulk on Oct. 30, 1941, and to this union one son was born...

Matthew Allen Johnson, 54, of Corning, Ark., passed away June 3, 2019, at St. Bernard's Medical Center in Jonesboro, Ark. He was born on November 17, 1964, in Rockford, Ill., and was the son of Harold and Barbara (Larson) Johnson. Matthew was united in marriage to Cindy Kay (Hendley) Johnson on May 26, 1989...

Cleona Smith, 82, of Piggott, Ark., passed away June 1, 2019, at Rector Nursing and Rehab in Rector, Ark. She was born on February 4, 1937, in Pollard, Ark., and was the daughter of the late Benjamin and Lillie (Hollowell) Howell. Cleona was united in marriage to Billy Ray Smith on May 9, 1953...

Imogene Smith, 98, of Rector, Ark., passed from this life on June 1, 2019, at the Rector Nursing and Rehab, in Rector. She was born May 8, 1921 in McDougal, Ark., to the late George and Lillie(Taylor) Bradshaw. In addition to her parents she was preceded in death by her husband, Claude Smith; her son, Victor Smith; her brothers, M.A. Bradshaw, Floyd Bradshaw, Jesse Bradshaw, Ebert Bradshaw and Loyd Bradshaw; and her sisters, Beatrice Gilbee and Evelyn Kilbreath...

Opal Anita (Woolf) Perryman was born in Greenway, Ark., March 16, 1932, to the late James and Anna Erin Woolf. She passed away Sunday June 2, 2019, at the age of 87 years and 78 days. She was married to Reed Mack Perryman on May 28, 1953. She was a long-time resident of Calico Rock, Ark., where she served in many community improvement projects. ...

Garrett Lee Evers passed away May 14, 2019, in Paragould, Ark., at the age of 27. Garrett was born December 16, 1991, to Vanessa Jean Banning Avery and Larry Joe Evers, Jr., in Paragould. He is survived by his long time girlfriend, Jo Anna Rivera; one son, Rome Elo Evers; one daughter, Karlee Marie Evers; his parents, Larry Joe Evers, Jr., and Vanessa Jean Banning Avery; grandparents, Larry and Joetta Evers, Ronnie and Joy Banning, and Linda Lawrence; four brothers, Coty Banning(Caroline), Jonathan Blake Evers, Jake Graves and Brock Hopper; and two sisters, Sydney Crawford and Brooke Hopper. ...

On a muddy and cold November 15, 1945, the 13th child of Charles and Elodia Robinson was born in Trumann, Ark. She was named Shirley Charline Robinson. All of her siblings said she was spoiled and rotten but she always swore she was NOT. On May 29, 2019, Shirley’s dream came true. ...

Melva Jo Farmer, 79 of Pleasant Plains, Ark., passed from the cares of this life to be with Jesus on Friday, May 24, 2019, at White County Medical Center in Batesville, Ark. She was born on August 23, 1940, in Rector, Ark., to the late Marvin and Alma (Pruett} Mills. Melva was of the Baptist faith...

William “Hoss” Scott, of Rector, Ark., left this world on May 27, 2019. He was well known by many, whom he loved to joke around and laugh with. Hoss was a great outdoors lover. He always wanted the yard to look pretty and raised a beautiful garden, which he worked in four-to-five times a day. He also loved nature, hunting and fishing, and just sitting outside watching his humming birds and the honey bees flying in and out of the hive. Hoss was a very kind and caring person to everyone he met...

Bobby Dement, 86, of Malden, Mo., passed away on Friday, May 24, 2019, at the Ridgeview Living Center in Malden. Bobby, son of Haskel and Cora (Dunivent) Dement, was born on Tuesday, August 23, 1932, in Holcomb, Mo. He ran Hart’s Gin and Elevator for 15 years and then served as manager of Hart’s Grocery for several years. ...

Adam Shrout, 97, of Hot Springs, Ark., and formerly of Rector, Ark., passed from this life on May 26, 2019 at the Pines Nursing and Rehab in Hot Springs. He was born to the late Noah and Zillie (Taylor) Shrout in Kennett, Mo. He was preceded in death by his parents; his first wife, Geraldine (Robinson) Shrout; his second wife, Lee (Frazier) Shrout; =his brothers, Bill Shrout, John Shrout, Tom Shrout and Noah Shrout; and his sisters, Cleather Morris, Elsie James and Juanita Doll...

Joyce Hoggard, 81, of Piggott, Ark., passed away May 22, 2019, at Piggott Community Hospital in Piggott. She was born on February 23, 1938, in Clay County, Ark., and was the daughter of Alfred and Oneida (Pittman) Gatlin. Joyce was united in marriage to Cornelious "Punk" Hoggard, on Dec. 15, 1955, and to this union two children were born...

Teresa Ann (Stahl) Williams, of Piggott, Ark., was born November 2, 1960, to Elwanda Miller and the late J.C. Miller, and passed away at age 58 on May 17, 2019. Teresa is survived by her son, Tyler Williams; daughter, Karri Soileau; brothers, Tim Stahl, Paul Stahl, Sam Stahl and Jeff Miller; and grandchildren, Cole Stahl, Zoey Soileau and Holden Williams...

James Henry Dortch, 96, of Rector, Ark. went to meet his Heavenly Father on May 19, 2019. He was a Man of God and a devoted servant to his Master and Lord. Pastor James loved to preach and had done so for 70 years. He magnified the Lord and exalted His name as he mentored, taught and served others. Pastor James wrote numerous theological papers and was awarded a Doctor of Divinity in 2003 from Oakland City General Baptist College...

Verna Lee Blake, 85, of Piggott, Ark., passed away May 16, 2019, at Piggott General Baptist Nursing Home in Piggott. She was born on January 15, 1934, in Piggott,, and was the daughter of Orlie and Thelma (Beckley) Woodard. Verna was united in marriage to Donald W Blake on Sept. 7, 1952, and to this union two children were born...

Gary Don Robinson, 74, of Rector, Ark., peacefully entered the gates of heaven on May 17, 2019, at the NEA Baptist Hospital in Jonesboro, Ark. Don was born on March 2, 1945, to the late Everett and Mildred (Dickinson) Robinson in Paragould, Ark. Don was united in marriage to Debbie Davis on Dec. 20, 1967. They were blessed with two sons, Joshua and Judson...

Albert Donald Vangilder, of Pine Bluff, Ark., went home to be with his Lord on May 7, 2019, at the age of 85. He was born on July 30, 1933, to Rudy and Mary Thomas Vangilder in Rector, Ark., where he would go on to spend his formative years. When he wasn’t in school, Albert was helping on the family farm and playing baseball...

Amelia Lurene Vangilder, 91, of Rector, Ark., passed from the cares of this life on Tuesday May 7, 2019, at Arkansas Methodist Medical Center in Paragould, Ark. She was born on February 4, 1928, in Greene County, Ark., to the late Linsey Herbert and Olla Belle (Collier) Seay...

On the morning of May 12, 2019, Billy “Joe” Crosno, of Hoxie, Ark., went to be with the Lord. He passed peacefully in his home at the age of 78. Joe was born to Coy and Helen (Patterson) Crosno on December 22, 1940, in Boydsville, Ark. In 1962 he married Jean Crosno in Hammond, Ind., and together they raised two sons, Mike and Steve Crosno...

Kathy Lynn Hatcher, 60, of Rector, Ark., passed from the cares of this life on Thursday May 9, 2019, at her residence. She was born on September 30, 1958, in Rector, to Janice (Hardin) Hatcher and the late Olin Wesley Hatcher. Kathy was preceded in death by her father, Olin Wesley Hatcher...

Charles Marion Ward, 90, of Heber Springs, Ark., passed away May 9, 2019, in Heber Springs. He was born on June 7, 1928, in Clay County, Ark., and was the son of Charlie and Hazel (Totten) Ward. He was united in marriage to Ethellea (Gregory) Ward on Sept. 15, 1948...

Alice Lee Cochran Gregory, of Piggott, Ark., died peacefully in her home with her family on May 3, 2019, at the age of 88 after begrudgingly facing pancreatic cancer for a brief period. She was right with God and just wanted her family to be ready to live on well without her. ...

Oscar Otto Gunn, 86, of Piggott, Ark., passed away May 2, 2019, at his home surrounded by his family. He was born on May 29, 1932, in Mounds, Ark., and was the son of the late Ora Otto and Bessie Irene (Jackson) Gunn. Oscar was united in marriage to Albertine Smith and to this union seven children were born...

Sandra Kaye Willcockson,75, of Paragould, Ark., passed away April 28, 2019, at St. Bernards Medical Center in Jonesboro, Ark. She was born September 4, 1943, in Piggott, Ark., to William and Bronnie (Lane) Bridges. She loved to follow her grandchildren to all of their activities such as sports and pageants. She also loved to travel with companion Doug McLeskey. She worked for The School of 21st Century and attended Piggott High School...

Louis Fithian,76, of Rector, Ark., passed from this life on April 28, 2019. He served his country as a Police Sargent in Detroit, Mich., a job from which he retired. Louis was a man that enjoyed his family gathering around and playing golf. He was preceded in death by his parents, Louis and Lola (Nettles) Fithian...

Velma Inez Dowdy was born November 12, 1928, and left this world on the 27th of April, 2019. She was preceded in death by her husband of almost 65 years, Charles “Pete” Dowdy; her mother and father, Walter “Tucker” and Lula Williams; an older sister, Geraldine Williams; and a younger brother, Billie Ray Williams. She is survived by a sister, Barbara (Bill) Martin of Rector, Ark. and a brother, Jim (Virginia) Williams of Vienna, Ill...

Alvis Turner, 68, of Van Buren, Ark., passed away Monday, April 22, 2019, at his home. He was born December 17, 1950, in Piggott, Ark. He was a retired electrical engineer with Mac Steel, and served in the U.S. Air Force. He was preceded in death by his father, Alvis Turner; and his wife, Regina...