Obituaries

Herbert Euvon Bolton, 91, of Piggott, Ark., passed away August 9, 2020. He was born to the late Clyde Herbert Bolton and Beatrice (Thaxton) Bolton in Rector, Ark. In addition to his parents, he is preceded in death by two brothers, Leroy Bolton and Joe Bolton...

Peggy Ann Ferguson, 67, of Paragould, Ark., and formerly of Rector, Ark., passed away on May 3, 2020, at The Cottages, in Paragould, after a brief but bravely fought battle with cancer. She was preceded in death by her Mother, Myrtle Ferguson; one sister, Melba Lanier; and one brother, Dean Ferguson. She is survived by three sisters, Millie, Doris and Lorene; and one brother, James, along with several nieces and nephews...

Lucy Mae (Bond) Carroll was born on Thursday, September 20, 1934, in Pollard, Ark., to Benjamin Harrison Bond, and Florence Fay (Carrico) Bond. Lucy went to live with Jesus on Thursday, July 30, 2020. Lucy was preceded in death by her parents, and her great-grandson, Owen Reese Carroll...

Jewell Dean Marlar Cranford, 92, of Rector, Ark., passed away on Tuesday July 28, 2020, at the Rector Nursing and Rehab in Rector. She was born on January 30, 1928, in Rector, to the late Jewell and Lena Cox Marlar. Jewell was a member of the Rector First United Methodist Church and served faithfully until her health would no longer allow her to do so...

Bobby Joe Wooten, 61, of Pollard, Ark., passed away July 28, 2020. He was born on July 29, 1958, and was the son of Aubry and Mary Ethel (Frisby) Wooten. Bobby was preceded in death by his parents and his brother, Lavon Wooten. He was united in marriage to Anne Black on Aug. 28, 1987...

Julia Jean "Judi" Thompson Parks, passed peacefully on July 29, 2020, at her home in Jonesboro, Ark., surrounded in love by her husband of 57 years, her children and grandchildren. Julia was born on May 20, 1944, in Piggott, Ark. She was preceded in death by her parents, Mildred Duke and Roy Alvin Thompson; her brother, Roy Thompson Junior; and her best friend, Joyce Findley...

Thomas Harley Huggins, 72, of Rector, Ark., passed from the cares of this life to be with Jesus on Wednesday July 29, 2020, at his residence. He was born on September 4, 1947, in Paragould, Ark., to the late Clayton and Virgeen Huggins. Tommy proudly served his country in the United States Army, retiring after 39 years of active service, and then serving 15-plus years as the Clay County Veteran’s Service Officer. ...

James Gerald Runyon, 91, of rural Pollard, Ark., passed away at his home Saturday, July 25, 2020. His greatest pleasure in life was time spent with his wife, Billie, daughters Shelley Warr of Mountain Home and Kelley Lee of Memphis, granddaughter Grace Lee of New Brunswick, N.J. and sons-in-law Otis Warr and Mark Lee...

Jean Stahl, nee Smith, of O’Fallon, Ill., formerly of Piggott, Ark., passed away July 21, 2020, at the age of 91. She was born to Nathan Zelmer and Luda Bell, nee Brandon, Smith on December 19, 1928, in Piggott. She was preceded in death by her parents; her loving husband, Felix Stahl; her six siblings, Ezra, Oral, James, Lem, Mary Ellen and Junell; her daughter-in-law, Teresa; and a granddaughter, Allison Stahl...

Raymond Junior Emmons passed away July 19, 2020, at the age of 79. He was born to Raymond William and Mary Faye (Voncannon) Emmons in Lepanto, Ark. Raymond was preceded in death by his parents and a granddaughter, Nikki Emmons. He is survived by one son, Carroll Emmons of Pocahontas, Ark.; two daughters, Darlene Rix of Florida and Tonya Lax of Mountain Home, Ark.; four grandchildren, Karen Schauer, Mike Emmons, Breanna Wallace and LaTosha Dillard; and a host of great-grandchildren...

Martha Knight, 76, of Sherwood, Ark., went to be with her Lord and Savior on Thursday, July 16, 2020, at St. Vincent Hospital in Little Rock, Ark. She was born July 21, 1943, in Piggott, Ark., to the late Lester Gurley and Edith (Crockett) Gurley. She was preceded in death by her husband, James E. Knight, in 1984...

Mary Joe Lomax, 67, of Rector, Ark., passed from the cares of this life to forever be with Jesus on Thursday July 16, 2020, at Gosnell Health and Rehab, Gosnell Ark. She was born on January 25, 1953, in Boydsville, Ark., to the late Omer and Thelma Francis (Tucker) Bearden. ...

Helen McCrillis, 90, of Saint Francis, Ark., passed away July 15, 2020, at Campbell General Baptist Nursing Home in Campbell, Mo. She was born on September 29, 1929, in Greenway, Ark., and was the daughter of Orville and Clarice (Watson) Schultz. Helen was united in marriage to Charles "Buddy" McCrillis on July 31, 1947, in St. Francis, on the family farm...

Deleta Faye Causey, 84, of Piggott, Ark., passed away July 11, 2020, at General Baptist Nursing Home in Piggott. She was born on April 5, 1936, in Holly Island, Ark., and was the daughter of F. O. and Lena (Cullum) Gibson. Faye was united in marriage to Delmar Ray Causey on July 14, 1956...

Granvill Byron Crawford passed away on July 9, 2020, at the age of 79. Byron was an avid outdoorsman who enjoyed fishing, camping, and golfing as well as spending time with his immediate and extended family. His professional life included positions at Abbott Laboratories in Waukegon, Ill., and working for Darling Store Fixtures in Paragould and Corning, Ark. ...

We regret to announce that Tommy J. Clevenger, 82, of Little Rock, Ark., passed away on July 8, 2020, in Little Rock, due to complications from coronavirus. Tommy was born on September 21, 1937, in Senath, Mo., and grew up in Kennett, Mo., the son of J.D and Pebble Clevenger and the brother of Peggy Eades...

Bobby Uriel Bell, 78, of Cotter, Ark., passed away Thursday, July 2, 2020, in Gassville, Ark., surrounded by his loving family. He was born September 29, 1941, in Greenway, Ark., to the late Glenn and Madeline (Lack) Bell. Bobby loved being with his family and friends. He never met a stranger. He enjoyed spending time outdoors, especially fishing out on the rivers. Bobby married Juanita Clark in August of 1972. He is preceded in death by his parents...

Janice Miller, 63, of Corning, Ark., passed away July 6, 2020, at the Flo & Phil Hospice House, in Jonesboro, Ark., surrounded by her family. Mrs. Miller was born February 25, 1957, in Corning. She worked for Corning School District while wearing many hats including teacher’s aide and bus driver. ...

Vernell Scott Bradshaw, 89, of Piggott, Ark., passed away Friday, July 3, 2020. Vernell was the son of the late Luther and Edith Bradshaw. He was preceded in death by brothers Glen Bradshaw, Joe Wayne Bradshaw and Dale Bradshaw. Sisters preceding him in death were Shelvagene Miller and Janie Barker...

EJ Vangilder, 96, of Marmaduke, Ark., passed from this world on July 1, 2020. He was born in Greene County, Ark., to the late Martin and Ottie Mae (Thompson) Vangilder. He was a farmer and lived in this area his entire life. He was a member of the Bethlehem Missionary Baptist Church where he loved singing those old gospel hymns...

Willa Dean Haley, 89, of Lee's Summit, Mo., passed away June 28, 2020. She was born on April 3, 1931, in Rector, Ark., and was the daughter of Clyde and Nora (Dudley) Smith. Willa was united in marriage to Lee Roy Haley and to this union four children were born...

Margaret Kristine Mitchell, loving wife, mother and grandmother, passed from this life to be with Jesus on Friday June 26, 2020, surrounded by her family and close friends. She was born on November 5, 1950, in Mississippi. Mrs. Kristi was a first grade teacher, serving 38 years with a Master’s degree in education. ...

James Ray Blankenship, born on January 11, 1936 in Reyno, Ark., passed away peacefully on June 15, 2020, at his home in Sugar Grove, Ill., at the age of 84. James, fondly known to many as Jim, lived his life in the service of others. He served his country as a Firefighter for the Strategic Air Command of the United States Air Force and Air Force Reserves from 1957 to 1969. ...

Berah Willyne Thompson Jordan, 87, of Paragould, Ark., passed away Monday, June 22, 2020, at the Flo and Phil Jones Hospice House, Jonesboro Ark. Willyne taught school for 32 years at the Cardwell, Piggott and Marmaduke school districts. After she retired from teaching, she became a Methodist pastor for St. Francis Methodist Church and Wright's Chapel. Her church and family were everything to her...

Stephen Jake Franklin Morrison, 39, of Brookland, Ark., passed away on June 20, 2020. He was born on April 17, 1981, in Cape Girardeau, Mo. Jake was an honors student and a 1999 graduate of Piggott High School. He enjoyed math and science; tinkering with computers, electronics and cars; and drawing, painting and crafting. Importantly, he was kind, generous, passionate and loving. He was baptized at Harmony Baptist Church in Pollard, Ark...

Wendell "Bill" Wyly Melton Jr., 70, of Piggott, Ark., passed away June 22, 2020, at his home. He was born on October 3, 1949, in Memphis, Tenn., and was the son of Wendell and Dorothy (Page) Melton. Wendell was united in marriage to Mary Dickens on March 11, 1992...

Henrietta (Vaughn) Harmon was born May 21, 1948, in Piggott, Ark., to the late Emmis and Bonnie Vaughn. She passed away on April 8, 2020, in Estero, Fla. Henrietta grew up in Pollard, Ark., and attended Pollard School and Trailer's Chapel General Baptist Church. She graduated from Piggott High School in 1966...

Juanita Louise Hill, 96, of Marmaduke, Ark., passed from this world on June 19, 2020, at the Rector Nursing and Rehab, Rector, Ark. She was born in the Hopewell Community, near Rector, to the late Charlie and Allie (Jones) Robertson. She was a teacher in the Marmaduke School District for over 30 years. She loved caring for her family and spending time with them, and was a member of the First General Baptist Church in Rector...

Glenda Joann Purl, 74, of Senath, Mo., passed away June 15, 2020, at UAMS Medical Center in Little Rock, Ark. She was born on January 26, 1946, and was the daughter of the late Marion Ambers and Earlene (Watson) Vernon. Survivors include her son, Timothy James Purl and wife Pam of Senath, Mo.; a daughter, Patsy Finley and boyfriend Alan Wyss of Nimmons, Ark.; her grandchildren, Shelly Machon, Christie Burdin and boyfriend, Chris Eubanks, Annie Hicks, J.W. ...

Frances Marilene Horner, 83, of Swartz Creek, Mich., died Tuesday, June 16, 2020, at McLaren Hospital, Flint, Mich. A graveside service will be held 10 a.m. Friday, June 19, at Crestwood Cemetery, Grand Blanc, Mich., with Pastor Steven Thomas officiating. In lieu of flowers, contributions can be made to the American Diabetes Society...

Dortha Weatherford, 91, a former resident of Rector, Ark., passed away on June 16, 2020, at the General Baptist Nursing Home in Campbell, Mo. She was born to the late Burley and Pearl (Midkiff) Beaton in Paragould, Ark. Dorothy loved taking care of her family, her flowers and her house. She was a beautician for over 25 years. She was a member of the First Baptist Church, of Rector, and of the Women’s Club...

Donald Dell Calhoun, 76, of Corning, Ark., passed away June 12, 2020, at his home. Mr. Calhoun was born November 27, 1943, in McDougal, Ark. He was retired from Hart’s Manufacturing and farming. He enjoyed fishing, hunting and spending time with his family. He loved to play his guitar and had attended Apostolic Fellowship Church of McDougal...

Virgeen Huggins, 91, of Rector, Ark., passed away June 11, 2020, at the Rector Nursing and Rehab. She was the daughter of the late John and Bertha (Poplin) Page. She worked beside her husband on the farm, driving tractors or doing whatever was needed. ...