Clay County Times-Democrat: Obituaries from July 2003

Orlan E. Lee Johnson (07/23/03)
Orlan E. Lee Johnson, 19, of Rector died Saturday, July 19, 2003, at Pierce Landing near Hornersville, Mo. He was a 2002 graduate of Rector High School and was employed by Black River Contracting of Paragould. He was also a member of the Arkansas Army National Guard...

Earl James "Cotton" Howell (07/23/03)
Earl James "Cotton" Howell, 81, of Corning died Sunday, July 20, 2003, at his residence. He was born March 23, 1922, in Piggott, the son of the late Robert James Howell and Olla Marie (Harper) Howell. He was a farmer, and a member of Morris General Baptist Church...

Malinda Lucille (Lucy) Brewer (07/23/03)
Malinda Lucille (Lucy) Brewer, 88, of Fenton, Mich. , formerly of Marmaduke, died July 15, 2003, at Hurley Medical Center. She was born Nov. 15, 1914, in Marmaduke, the daughter of the late George Herbert and Mary Anna Webb French. She had been a resident of Fenton since 1953. Mrs. Brewer was employed by D & C Store for 20 years, where she made many friends selling penny candy...

Pauline Hartsfield (07/23/03)
Pauline Hartsfield, 79, of Rector died Sunday July 20, 2003, at Piggott Community Hospital. She was born Sept. 17, 1923, in Craighead County, the daughter of the late Doyle Hood and Lee (Drafton) Hood. She was a homemaker, a member of Rector Extension Homemakers Club, and was of the Baptist faith...

Kathy Fay Raney (07/30/03)
Kathy Fay Raney, 45, of Corning died Friday, July 25, 2003, in an automobile accident eight miles west of Corning. She was preceded in death by her father, John Raney, and one brother, David. She was a 1976 graduate of Rector High School. Survivors include her mother, Mazie Raney of the home; four sisters, Janet Mason and Lesia Simpson of Rector and Dorothy Boozer and Frances Raney of Piggott; five brothers, Johnny Raney of Corning, Robert Raney of Marion, Ark., Max Raney of Piggott, Roger Raney of Pollard and Gaylon Raney of Mt. ...

Leon Presson (07/16/03)
Leon Presson, 92, of Rector died Friday, July 11, 2003, at his residence. He was born Oct. 3, 1910, in Tennessee, the son of the late Jesse and Elsie Presson. He was preceded in death by his wife, Erma Geraldine Presson. He is survived by one daughter, Jo Ann Kirklin, and son-in-law, Don, of Rector; one brother, Wayne Presson of Rector; three sisters, Mary Smith of Horn Lake, Miss., Wanda Blaloch of Maryland Heights, Mo., and Oleda Ford of Mission, Texas; two grandchildren, Scott Kirklin and Leigh Ann Jones; and four great-grandchildren, Tiffany Kirklin, Tyler Kirklin, Kylee Beshears and Kirk Beshears.. ...

Eugene Edmond Gilkison (07/02/03)
Eugene Edmond Gilkison, 79, of Piggott died Tuesday, June 24, 2003, in the Piggott Nursing Center in Piggott. He was born July 31, 1923, in Rector, the son of the late Joe Sherman and Julia Ann Lane Gilkison. He was united in marriage to Velma Gail Jones on Sept. 1, 1974...

Mary Lucille Bearden (07/16/03)
Mary Lucille Bearden, 72, of Rector died Wednesday, July 9, 2003, at St. Bernards Regional Medical Center in Jonesboro. She was born Jan. 4, 1931, in Clay County, the daughter of the late Rev. Burl Howell and Fannie Denning Howell. She was retired from Rector Sportswear, was a lifelong member of the community, and attended Rector First General Baptist Church...

Windol D. "Bud" Vaden (07/16/03)
Windol D. "Bud" Vaden, 83, of Glennie, Mich., died June 28, 2003. He was a retired supervisor from the GMC Truck and Coach Division in Pontiac Mich., where he had made his home for many years. He was a Navy Veteran of World War II and was an avid fisherman and hunter. He was very well loved and will be missed by all...

Ann Annette Duff (07/16/03)
Ann Annette Duff, 54, of Corning died Monday, July 14, 2003, at her residence. She was born Dec. 19, 1948, in Whitehall, Ark., the daughter of the Ollie Owen and Flora Mae Cook Crosno. She was united in marriage to Jerry Wayne Duff on Sept. 8, 1973...

Mildred Phillips (07/16/03)
Mildred Phillips, 74, of Corning died Sunday, July 13, 2003, at her residence. She was born Nov. 23, 1928, at Hickoria, the daughter of the late Bob and Anna Woods. She was retired from Basler Electric and was a member of Smith Chapel Baptist Church in Boydsville...

Shirley Joan Earls (07/09/03)
Shirley Joan Earls, 73, of Lafe died Monday, June 30, 2003, at St. Bernards Regional Medical Center in Jonesboro. She was born June 28, 1930, in Cuba, Mo, the daughter of the late Blaine G. Joste and Olla M. Nichols. She was a waitress and a member of Marmaduke First Baptist Church...

Oneida Sigsby Tull (07/02/03)
Oneida Sigsby Tull, age 89, of Little Rock, a native of Rector and formerly of Crossett, Texarkana and Bauxite, died Thursday, June 26, 2003. Born in Rector, she was the daughter of the late Vesta Tidwell and Louis Bert Sigsby. A retired schoolteacher as well as a voice teacher, she loved music and flowers and shared them generously with family and friends...

Frances W. Copeland (07/02/03)
Frances W. Copeland, 83, of Rector died Thursday, June 26, 2003, at her residence. She was born Oct. 22, 1919, in Pine Bluff, the daughter of the late Ira Winchester and Gladys (McDonald) Winchester. She was a school teacher and a member of the First General Baptist Church...

Elvis Clyde Rodgers (07/02/03)
Elvis Clyde Rodgers, 76, of Rector died Saturday, June 28, 2003, at his residence. He was born Dec. 14, 2003, in Marmaduke, the son of the late William Rodgers and Susan (Robinson) Rodgers. He married Betty L. Powell on July 25, 1964, in Rector. He was employed with Bolen Security. He was a 26-year Army veteran, having served in Korea and Vietnam, and he was a member of Disabled Veterans. He had lived most of his life in the community and was of the General Baptist faith...

Mary Drucilla Dortch (07/02/03)
Mary Drucilla Dortch, 88, of Rector died Wednesday June 25, 2003, at Arkansas Methodist Medical Center. She was born on June 23, 1925, in Leonard, the daughter of the late Claude Boyd and Shirley( Phorahauer) Boyd. She was a homemaker, a member of Rector First United Methodist Church, United Methodist Women, Rector Woman's Club and Rector Square Dance Club. She was a lifelong resident of the community...

Brenda Underwood (07/30/03)
Brenda Underwood, 56, of Russellville, Ark., died Friday, July 25, 2003, at St. Mary's Regional Medical Center in Russellville. The daughter of J.D. and Louise Jones Wood, she was born May 13, 1947, in Heber Springs, Ark. She was a 1965 graduate of Heber Springs High School. She was a member of the Cumberland Presbyterian Church...

Beverly Jean Throgmorton (07/30/03)
Beverly Jean Throgmorton, 67, of Piggott died Saturday, July 26, 2003, in the Piggott Community Hospital. She was born Nov. 5, 1935, in Denver, Co., the daughter of the late Harry and Rose Gallo Powers. She was united in marriage to Eldon Dale Throgmorton on May 30, 1973...

Sarethna "Dina" Embry Robertson Stickney (07/30/03)
Sarethna "Dina" Embry Robertson Stickney, 95, of Centralia, Mo., formerly of Renick, Mo., died at 6:35 a.m. Saturday, July 26, 2003, at Loma Linda Nursing Home in Moberly, Mo. Mrs. Stickney was born Feb. 18, 1908, in Crockett, to the late Allison Butler and Flora Katherine Embrey Embry. She grew up as a child in Piggott and later moved to St. Louis when she was a teenager...

Bruce Thrasher (07/30/03)
Bruce Thrasher, 69, of Piggott died July 14, 2003, in the Arkansas Methodist Hospital in Paragould. He was born March 15, 1934, in Piggott, the son of the late John Green and Lora Rosalyn Jackson Thrasher. He was united in marriage to Jo Ann Higdon on Feb. 13, 1969. She preceded him in death on May 7, 2001...

Mattie (Doris) V. Ball (07/23/03)
Mattie (Doris) V. Ball, 81, of Holiday, Fla., died July 17, 2003, in Florida. She was born July 4, 1922, in Piggott. The daughter of the late William L. and Hazel Lee Farmer Turner. She was united in marriage to W.L. Ball on Oct. 29, 1937. To this union four children were born. He preceded her in death in 1990...

Shirley Byrd (07/23/03)
Shirley Byrd, 86, of Pocahontas, formerly of Pollard, died Tuesday, July 15, 2003, in Randolph County Medical Center in Pocahontas. He was born May 18, 1917, in Pollard, to Sam and Mamie Brown. He was united in marriage to Norene Conley on Feb. 27, 1934. To this union one son was born...

Lewis E. Haywood (07/23/03)
Lewis E. Haywood, 84, of Mt. Carmel, Ill., died July 13, 2003, in Piggott. He was born in Piggott on Nov. 26, 1918, to the late L.W. "Sam" and Susan Haywood. Mr. Haywood was a WWII Navy Veteran and a retired tool and die specialist. He was preceded in death by his parents and his wife, Victoria...

Gaylon Leon Montgomery (07/30/03)
Gaylon Leon Montgomery, 71, of Piggott died July 24, 2003, at his home in Piggott. He was born Sept. 2, 1931, in Rector, the son of the late George and Ether Beaver Montgomery. He was united in marriage to Veila Doris Holland Burnine on Nov. 8, 1969...

Ballard Doyne Mann (07/30/03)
Ballard Doyne Mann, 76, of Piggott died Saturday, July 26, 2003, in the Piggott Community Hospital. He was born Jan. 20, 1927, in Pollard, the son of the late Jeff Davis and Lida Settlemoir Mann. He was united in marriage to Geraldine Davis on Nov. 7, 1947...

Kathy Fay Raney (07/30/03)
Kathy Fay Raney, 45, of Corning died Friday, July 25, 2003, in an automobile accident eight miles west of Corning. She was preceded in death by her father, John Raney, and one brother, David. She was a 1976 graduate of Rector High School. Survivors include her mother, Mazie Raney of the home; four sisters, Janet Mason and Lesia Simpson of Rector and Dorothy Boozer and Frances Raney of Piggott; five brothers, Johnny Raney of Corning, Robert Raney of Marion, Ark., Max Raney of Piggott, Roger Raney of Pollard and Gaylon Raney of Mt. ...

Neeley Stinebrook (07/02/03)
Neeley Stinebrook, 79, of Piggott died June 30, 2003, at Three Rivers Medical Center in Poplar Bluff. He was born Aug. 22, 1923, in St. Francis, the son of the late Earl and Dorothy George Stinebrook. He was united in marriage to Norma Green on Jan. 25, 1944. To this union two daughters were born...

Cecilia Watson Bond (07/30/03)
Cecilia Watson Bond, 99, of Poplar Bluff, died on July 6, 2003, in Jacksonville, Fla. Mrs. Bond was born on Feb. 20, 1904, in Benton County, Tn., to George Riley Watson and Mary Jane Smothers Watson. She was united in marriage to Elmer Riley Bond on Dec. 24, 1924. He died on Feb. 17, 1981...

Earl James "Cotton" Howell (07/23/03)
Earl James "Cotton" Howell, 81, of Corning died Sunday, July 20, 2003, at his residence. He was born March 23, 1922, in Piggott, the son of the late Robert James Howell and Olla Marie (Harper) Howell. He was a farmer, and a member of Morris General Baptist Church...

Pauline Hartsfield (07/23/03)
Pauline Hartsfield, 79, of Rector died Sunday July 20, 2003, at Piggott Community Hospital. She was born Sept. 17, 1923, in Craighead County, the daughter of the late Doyle Hood and Lee (Drafton) Hood. She was a homemaker, a member of Rector Extension Homemakers Club, and was of the Baptist faith...

Orlan E. Lee Johnson (07/23/03)
Orlan E. Lee Johnson, 19, of Rector died Saturday at Pierce Landing near Hornersville, Mo. He was a 2002 graduate of Rector High School and was employed by Black River Contracting of Paragould. He was also a member of the Arkansas Army National Guard...

Mary Brawner (07/02/03)
Mary Brawner, 88, of Piggott died Sunday, June 29, 2003, at Three Rivers Medical Center in Poplar Bluff. She was born Jan. 4, 1915, in Crockett, Ark. She was the daughter of the late Robert and Eula Rogers. She was united in marriage to Truman Brawner on March 10, 1934...

Myna Jo Gray (07/02/03)
Myna Jo Gray, 66, of Ash Flat, Ark., died Friday, June 27, 2003, in Galax, Va. She was born Sept. 25, 1936, in Blue Cane, Ark. She was the daughter of the late Earl and Edna Bell Chilcutt. She was united in marriage to Chester Gary on October 29, 1955. To this union one daughter was born...

Ruby Ethel Snider (07/02/03)
Ruby Ethel Snider of Wappapello, formerly of Campbell, died Thursday, June 26, 2003, at River Oaks Care Center in Steele, Mo., at the age of 86 years, eight months and 25 days. She was born Oct. 1, 1916, in Malden to Joseph H. McLemore and Carrie Isabell Pittman McLemore...

Dorothy Vincent Alstadt (07/02/03)
Dorothy Vincent Alstadt, 85, of Rector died Tuesday, June 24, 2003, at St. Bernard's Regional Medical Center in Jonesboro. She was born Nov. 20, 1917, in the Blue Cane Community near Rector to Albert and Bertha Vincent. She and her husband, the late Melvin Alstadt, were former joint owners of The Alstadt Farm and Town Market Grocery. ...

Stephan Charles Eubanks (07/09/03)
Stephan Charles Eubanks, 15, died June 14, 2003, in Littleton, Colorado. In 1991, while living near Chicago, at the age of four he was saved when he prayed with his mother at bedtime. In 1998 he made another significant step in his spiritual journey by being baptized by his Dad along with one of his best friends...

Rachel Bridges (07/09/03)
Rachel Bridges, 87, of Pollard, died Tuesday, June 24, 2003, in St. Bernard's Regional Medical Center in Jonesboro. She was born Dec. 20, 1915, in Greenbrier, Mo., the daughter of the late Fred and Lou Ellen Bostic Pollard. She was united in marriage to James R. Bridges. He preceded her in death...

Archie Saltzman (07/09/03)
Archie Saltzman of Campbell died Tuesday, July 1, 2003, at the General Baptist Nursing Home in Campbell at the age of 86 years, six months, and 27 days. He was born Dec. 4, 1916, in Van Buren, Ark., the son of Fred M. and Callie May White Saltzman. He was united in marriage to Pauline Gardner on March 23, 1935, in Piggott...

Stephan Charles Eubanks (07/16/03)
Stephan Charles Eubanks, 15, died in a tragic accident June 14, 2003, in Littleton, Colorado. In 1991, while living near Chicago, at the age of four he was saved when he prayed with his mother at bedtime. In 1998 he made another significant step in his spiritual journey by being baptized by his Dad along with one of his best friends...

Thelma Crouch (07/16/03)
Thelma Crouch, 88, of Piggott died July 10, 2003, in the Piggott Community Hospital in Piggott. She was born May 8, 1915, in Holcomb, the daughter of the late William Edgar and Sarah Bean McKenzie. She was united in marriage to Louie Crouch on Oct. 6, 1933. To this union two daughters were born...

Virginia Lorene Raines (07/16/03)
Virginia Lorene Raines, 73, died June 28, 2003, in Scottsdale, Az. She was born Sept. 26, 1929, in Piggott to the late John and Clara Gettings. She was also preceded in death by her husband, Ted Raines; and three sisters, Betty Gettings, Martha Gettings and Kathern Young...

Mabel Stewart (07/16/03)
Mabel Stewart, 90, of Manila died July 12, 2003, at St. Bernard's Regional Medical Center in Jonesboro. She was born July 24, 1912, in Pollard, the daughter of Joe and Donna Settlemoir Brady. She was preceded in death by her husband, Marion Stewart; one daughter, Lois Hillis; one son-in-law, Asa Hillis; two brothers and two sisters...

Mildred Phillips (07/16/03)
Mildred Phillips, 74, of Corning died Sunday, July 13, 2003, at her residence. She was born Nov. 23, 1928, in Hickoria, Ark., to Bob and Anna Taylor Woods. She was united in marriage to Donald Rex Phillips on Nov. 10, 1951. To this union two sons were born...

Madison Blake (07/16/03)
Madison Blake, 87, of St. Peters, Mo., formerly of Piggott, died Thursday, July 10, 2003, in the Brookview Nursing Center in St. Louis. She was born July 4, 1916, in Piggott, the daughter of the late Jessie Brown and Hattie Bailey. She was united in marriage to Clyde Blake in October of 1935. To this union two daughters and two sons were born...

Sandra Lynn Davis (07/16/03)
Sandra Lynn Davis, 49, of Piggott died Saturday, July 12, 2003, at her home in Piggott. She was born Nov. 19, 1953, in Poplar Bluff, the daughter of Earl H. "Scott" and Geraldine McLeskey Davis. Miss Davis graduated from Piggott High School in 1972. She was a lifelong resident of the Piggott and Pollard areas and a member of the First United Methodist Church in Piggott...

Ann Annette Duff (07/16/03)
Ann Annette Duff, 54, of Corning died Monday, July 14, 2003, at her residence. She was born Dec. 19, 1948, in Whitehall, Ark., to Ollie Owen and Flora Mae Cook Crosno. She was united in marriage to Jerry Wayne Duff on Sept. 8, 1973. Mrs. Duff was retired from Basler Electric Company where she was an assembler. She attended New Hope Baptist Church in Pollard...

Eugene Edmond Gilkison (07/02/03)
Eugene Edmond Gilkison, 79, of Piggott died Tuesday, June 24, 2003, in the Piggott Nursing Center in Piggott. He was born July 31, 1923, in Rector, the son of the late Joe Sherman and Julia Ann Lane Gilkison. He was united in marriage to Velma Gail Jones on Sept. 1, 1974...