Obituaries

Sandra (Byrd) Routszong, 75, of Piggott, Ark., passed away October 15, 2020, at St. Bernard's Medical Center in Jonesboro, Ark. She was born on July 11, 1945, in Clopton, Tenn., and was the daughter of the late Elmer and Irene (McMahon) Byrd. Sandra was united in marriage to Alex Routszong on July 27, 1985...

Jo-Ann Hoots, 77, of Rector, Ark., passed away October 12, 2020, at her home in Paragould, Ark. She was born on December 18, 1942, in St. Francis, Ark., and was the daughter of George and Eulale (Dalton) Clark. Jo-Ann was united in marriage to Gerald W. Hoots on June 13, 1959, and he preceded her in death on December 8, 2015...

Earlin Dwayne “Slim” Moore, 98 years old, passed away on October 12, 2020. He was a lifetime resident of Rector, Ark. Slim loved his family and the land, and was a farmer for 50-plus years. He was a member of the Evangelical Methodist Church at Hargrave Corner...

Jordan Kelsey Benson, of Rector, Ark., passed from this earth on October 7, 2020. Jordan loved life and enjoyed it to the fullest. She dearly loved her cat. She was always busy drawing, writing short stories, reading and eager to assist her neighbors anytime they needed. Her dream was to swim with the sharks...

Charles Robert " Bob" Tanner, 90, of Mountain Home, Ark., formerly of Piggott, Ark. passed away October 7, 2020, at RiverLodge Assisted Living in Mountain Home. He was born on March 26, 1930, at Piggott, and was the son of the late George and Eva (Hampton) Tanner...

Faye Metz, 94, passed away September 23, 2020, in Danbury, Conn. Faye was born May 8, 1926, in Marmaduke, Ark., the daughter of Elbert and Ester (Hopper) Jenkins. Faye always loved school. She graduated from Marmaduke High School in 1943, where she was a member of the Beta Club and played basketball...

Justin Burdain Gilbee, 16, was born on March 20, 2004. He left this life on October 4, 2020. Justin was preceded in death by his grandfather, Ricky Vaughn; his Granny, Lillian Vaughn; and grandmother, Linda Bricker. Justin leaves behind his parents, Jennifer (Vaughn) and Michael Hargrove and Joe and Kylee Gilbee; his brothers, Zachary, Landon and Waylon; and other

Spencer Dewayne Hardin, 20, of Piggott, Ark., passed away October 4, 2020. He was born on December 23, 1999, in Poplar Bluff, Mo., and was the son of Kevin Wayne Hardin and the late Cherie Campbell. He was preceded in death by his paternal grandfather, Robert Hardin; and paternal great-grandmother, Betty Hardin...

nez Williams, 95, of Saint Peters, Mo., passed away September 30, 2020, at St. Joseph Hospital in St. Louis, Mo. She was born on October 31, 1924, in Bono, Ark. and was the daughter of Tillman and Stella (Forrest) Slayden. Inez was united in marriage to Henry Williams on Sept. 30, 1939...

Betty Jean Holland, 89, of Piggott, Ark., passed away October 2, 2020, at the General Baptist Nursing Home in Piggott. She was born on January 10, 1931, in Marmaduke, Ark., and was the daughter of Ezra Dee and Helen (Craig) Crouch. Betty was united in marriage to Gene Wallace Holland on Dec. 23, 1950...

Carl Eugene Pollard, 83, of Piggott, Ark. passed away October 2, 2020, at Piggott Community Hospital in Piggott. He was born on October 19, 1936, in Pollard, Ark., and was the son of Dallas Layton and Elma Marie (Webster) Pollard. Carl was united in marriage to Betty Lou Dover on Nov. 11, 1954, and to this union three children were born...

Jimmy D. Mobley, 77, went home to be with Jesus on September 16, 2020, at his home in Grain Valley, Mo., with his family beside him. Jimmy was a loving, caring, compassionate husband, Dad and brother and will be greatly missed by all who knew and loved him...

Jerry Anderson, 53, of Piggott, Ark., passed away September 26, 2020, at his home. He was born on November 21, 1966, in Flint, Mich., and was the son of Jerry and Carrie Anderson. Jerry was united in marriage to Jacquita ( Morrow) Anderson on Nov. 8, 1986...

Frances Louise Raney was born at Crockett, Ark., to John H. Raney and Neva Mae Ellis on May 30, 1938, and departed this life September 23, 2020. She was preceded in death by her parents; grandparents; three brothers, Gayton Raney, Roger Raney and Dwight Little; three sisters, Kathy Raney, Dortha Boozer and Sharton Marble; son, Mark Lockard; and two grandsons, Stephen Lockard and Jesse Armstrong...

Kent Dewayne Grissom, 53, of Moro, Ark., passed away September 19, 2020. He was born on June 12, 1967, in Piggott, Ark., and was the son of Kenneth Grissom and Mildred O'Dell Johnson. Kent was united in marriage to Rhonda Raynia Hambrick on Feb. 23, 1990...

James William Gilbee, 49, of Rector, Ark., departed this life on September 17, 2020, in Light, Ark. He was born on August 23, 1971, in Ann Arbor, Mich. to William Earl Gilbee and Starlet Rose (Snay) Gilbee. James was a graduate of Marmaduke High School and worked as an Aviation Mechanic...

Pamela Renee Maxwell, 61, of Crowley, Tex., passed away September 12, 2020, at Texas Health Hughley Hospital in Crowley. She was born on October 3, 1958, in Little Rock, Ark., and was the daughter of Lloyd Haynie and Alice (Long) Crowson. She was preceded in death by father, Lloyd Haynie; stepfather, Kenneth Crowson; and sister, Rita Gail Haynie...

Mary Ruth Holloway, 84, of Piggott, Ark., passed away September 15, 2020, at St. Bernard's Medical Center in Jonesboro, Ark. She was born on February 5, 1936, in Piggott, and was the daughter of Montgomery "Gum" and Gladys (Book) Hunter. Mary was united in marriage to Elbert Holloway on Aug. 19, 1981...

Shirley Deborah (Layne) Morgan, 85, of Rector, Ark., passed away on Monday, September 14, 2020, at Rector Nursing and Rehab, in Rector. She was born on August 20, 1935, in Paragould, Ark., to the late Sydney Wallace and Lois (Hayes) Layne. Shirley was the owner of Morgan’s Dress Shop in Rector...

Warren Calvin Owens, 86, of Farmington, Mo., passed away Sunday, September 14, 2020, at Parkland South in Farmington. He was born on Saturday, February 24, 1934, in Patterson, Ark., to Albert Nathanial and Cora Elizabeth (Tippy) Owens. In addition to his parents, Warren was also preceded in death by his wife, Rebecca (Whigham) Barton Owens; six brothers, Floyd Owens, Revis Owens, Doyle Owens, Bobby Owens, Delbert Owens and Robert Owens; three sisters, Marie (Owens) Atnip, Mildred Kathlene Owens and Bertie Lou (Owens) Johnson.. ...

J.D. Chadwick, 92, of Rector, Ark., passed from the cares of this life to forever be with Jesus on Sunday, September 13, 2020, at NEA Baptist Memorial Hospital, Jonesboro, Ark. He was born on September 1, 1928, in Violet Hill, Ark., to the late James and Mary Rosa (Soden) Chadwick...

Mrs. Euvila Jane Fletcher, age 99, passed away Thursday, September 10, 2020, at Bethesda Meadow in Ellisville, Mo. Jane was born September 4, 1921, in Crockett, Ark., the daughter of Lemuel C. Carpenter and Alma D. Carpenter (nee Hamilton), both deceased...

Ella Laverne Vaughn, 82, of Piggott, Ark., passed away September 8, 2020, at the Piggott Community Hospital in Piggott. She was born on November 14, 1937, in Leachville, Ark., and was the daughter of Henry and Lou Jewell (Welch) True. Laverne was united in marriage to Jack Jaques on Sept. 11, 1961, and to this union two daughters were born...

Jimmy Craig Helms, 52, of Piggott, Ark., left us on Saturday, September 5, 2020, flying high in the sky. He was born on August 10, 1968, in Kennett, Mo., and was the son of Danny and Susan (McLeskey) Helms. Jimmy Craig was united in marriage to Tonya Denise Blue on Jan. 9, 2002...

Don Woolf Berry, son of the late Homer Berry and Anita (Woolf) Berry, was born April 12, 1934, in Rector, Ark., and departed this life on September 7, 2020, at the age of 86 years, four months and 26 days. Don married Terry Hopkins on Dec. 6, 1957, in Piggott, Ark...

Lemuel Fair, 69, of Piggott, Ark., passed away September 7, 2020, at his home. He was born on June 2, 1951, in Piggott, and was the son of Calvin and Ruby (Meade) Fair. Lemuel was united in marriage to Susan Shepard on May 20, 1999. He was preceded in death by his parents; a daughter, Penny Poole; and his brother, Tim Fair...

Becky Ann (Smith) Schee, 62, of Gurdon, Ark., passed away on Wednesday, September 2, 2020, in Hot Springs, Ark. She was a member of Bethlehem Baptist Church in Gurdon. Born on December 14, 1957, in Paragould, Ark., to the late Bobby and Dovie Edgin Smith, she enjoyed photography, family ancestry, cooking, gardening and her family. Becky was preceded in death by her father, Bobby Wesley Smith, and brother, Robert “Skip” Wesley Smith...

Terry McLeskey, 78, of Piggott, Ark., passed away September 3, 2020, at his home. He was born on November 1, 1941, in Pollard, Ark., and was the son of Louis Clifford and Charlotte (Davis) McLeskey. Terry was united in marriage to JoAnn Cooper on July 1, 1961...

Sandra Jean (Massey) Gunn, 62, of Piggott, Ark. passed away September 1, 2020, at her home surrounded by her family. She was born on September 5, 1957, in Greenway, Ark., and was the daughter of the late Harry Allen and Nora ImoJean (Fry) Massey. She was preceded in death by her parents; brothers, Barney Eldon Massey and Alvie Eugene Massey; sister, Rosetta Garner; brothers-in-law, Sherman Jorman and Freddie Herren...

Delbert Gene Blackwell, 51, of Piggott, Ark., passed away August 29, 2020, at NEA Baptist Memorial Hospital in Jonesboro, Ark. He was born on June 29, 1969, in Memphis, Tenn. and was the son of Albert and Betty (Wheeler) Blackwell. Gene was united in marriage to Kerri Michelle Cates on Dec. 28, 1998...

Carl Birmingham, 97, of Cape Girardeau, Mo., died Saturday, August 29, 2020, at the Missouri Veteran's Home. He was born August 15, 1923, in Holcomb, Mo., to J.R. and Flossie (King) Birmingham. He was married to Imogene Mullins Birmingham, who preceded him in death...

Loyd Merle Champion, of Rector, Ark., the son of the late John Champion and Myrtle (Haney) Champion, was born January 11, 1931, in Caruthersville, Mo. He departed this life on August 26, 2020, at the age of 89 years, seven months and 15 days. Loyd married Violet Rose Scott on June 5, 1954, in Avondale, Ariz...

Julius Wesley Renfro, 85, of Piggott, Ark., and recently residing in Perry, Ga., passed away August 26, 2020, at Serenity Place Hospice in Dublin, Ga. He was born on January 26, 1935, in Pollard, Ark., and was the son of Leslie and Alma (Conley) Renfro...

Donald Lee Morris blinked his eyes the morning of August 26, 2020, at St. Bernards Hospital in Jonesboro, Ark., and immediately awoke in the arms of our Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ. Brother Don, as many called him, spent 57 years on this earth awaiting this moment, while enjoying God’s blessings of friends, church and family. ...

Joe Ann Parris, 76, of Kennett, Mo., passed away August 26, 2020, at St. Bernard's Medical Center in Jonesboro, Ark. She was born on June 22, 1944, in Nimmons, Ark., and was the daughter of Elaine and Lena (Crow) Gattis. She was preceded in death by her father, Elaine Gattis; mother, Lena Gattis; brothers, Frank Gattis and Denzel Gattis; sisters, Oma Barks, Dorothy Owens, Polly Owens and Faye Simmons...

Claude Farmer, age 69, of Batesville, Ark., and formerly of Marmaduke, Ark., passed away Monday, August 24, 2020, at The Springs of Searcy, in Searcy, Ark. Claude was the son of Arlen B. Farmer and Helen Marie (Bryan) Farmer. Claude was preceded in death by his parents, Arlen and Helen Farmer...

Blake Edward Martin Paige, age 30, of Louisville, Ky., and formerly of Jacksonville, Ala. and Rector, Ark., passed away August 21, 2020, at his home. Blake was the son of Earl Thomas Paige and Jennifer Lea (Martin) Paige. He was known as being an optimist and always looking on the bright side of life. ...

Austin Robert Pruitt, of Piggott, Ark., passed unexpectedly August 22, 2020, at the age of 27. Austin was preceded in death by his late grandparents, Clyde and Eudean Pruitt, of Walnut Ridge, Ark. Austin is survived by his parents, Scott and Stephanie Pruitt; two siblings, Allison Moffitt and Devan Hobbs of Piggott, Ark.; his mother, Michelle Goldbeck; two siblings, Justin Pruitt and Paige Pruitt of Florida; grandparents, Eddie and Jeanette Howell, of Piggott, and Mr and Ms Goldbeck, of Florida; the Uncle Billy Terry family; the Uncle Wayne Tonya family; the Aunt Debra Perkins family; and lots of cousins that live in the surrounding area.. ...

Samuel J. “Sam” Jones, 94, of Piggott, Ark., passed away August 23, 2020, at St. Bernard's Medical Center, Jonesboro, Ark. He was born October 15, 1925, west of Bloomfield Mo., and was the son of the late Bert Jones and Andrea (Sorensen) Jones. He was united in marriage to Betty S. Blackwell, of Poplar Bluff, Mo., on March 9, 1948, and to this union three children were born, Sammy Jr. Jones, of 29 Palms, Calif., Barbara Sue Jones of Jonesboro, and Linda Kay Rainbolt of Palmyra, Va...

Della Evedene (Page) Rachow passed from this life on August 4, 2020, at the age of 89 years, seven months and 12 days. She had been a resident of Woodlands Manor, in Arnold, Mo., since 2014. She was born on January 2, 1931, at Boydsville, Ark., to John Harley Page and Bertha Jewel (Poplin) Page...

Darrell Binkley, 67, of Piggott, Ark., departed the life, Thursday, August 20, 2020, in McCrory, Ark. He was born December 7, 1952, in Piggott, the son of Joseph Osborn and Frances Loraine (Johnson) Binkley. Mr. Binkley was a 1970 graduate of Piggott High School and attended Farrier School in Oklahoma for Horseshoeing. ...

Vicky Lynnette Crouch, 70, of Pocahontas, Ark., passed away August 18, 2020, at St. Bernard's Medical Center in Jonesboro, Ark. She was born on May 16, 1950, in Piggott, Ark., and was the daughter of Arthur and Lorraine Crouch. She was preceded in death by her father, Arthur Crouch; mother, Lorraine Crouch; brother, Bill Crouch; and nephew, Billy Crouch...