Obituaries

William L. Matthews was born June 22, 1939 in Monticello, to Junior Matthews and Rebecca Sanders. He had a loving stepfather, Nelson Cochran. He departed this life on Friday, Oct. 11, 2019 at his home. William graduated from Drew High School in Monticello in 1957. ...

James Johnson, Jr. of Gosnell was born Dec. 23, 1952 in Steele, Mo., to the late June Jackson and the late Samuel Butler. He was a United States Army veteran of the Korean War, a factory worker and a member of the North Side Church of Christ in Blytheville. Mr. Johnson passed away on Oct. 11, 2019, at St. Bernards Medical Center in Jonesboro at the age of 66. He was preceded in death by his mother, June Johnson, and his father, Samuel Butler...

T.W. (Tommie) Taylor Jr. was born Aug. 25, 1949 in Leland, Miss., to the late T.W. Sr. and June Watkins Taylor. T.W. departed this life on Sunday, Oct. 6, 2019, at his residence in Blytheville at the age of 70. He was preceded in death by his parents and a brother, C.W. Taylor...

Bernice Campbell Smith was born July 2, 1961 to Nathan Campbell Jr. and Joyce Depriest, in Osceola. Bernice departed this life Wednesday, Oct. 9, 2019, at her residence in Luxora, at the age of 58. She was preceded in death by her mother Joyce Depriest and a brother Nathan Campbell III...

Kaden Lemarius Cooper, 15, of Osceola died Oct. 13, 2019, at LeBonheur Children's Hospital in Memphis, Tenn. He was a 10th grade student at Osceola High School, band member, Jr. National Honor Society in Osceola, and he loved playing video games. Kaden was born Aug. 8, 2004, in Blytheville, to Leon Cooper and Katrina Lambert Burton...

Virginia Jane (Ridge) Francis, 73, of Annapolis, Mo., passed away Wednesday, Oct. 9, 2019, at the Iron County Hospital in Pilot Knob, Mo. She was born May 1, 1946, in Walnut Ridge, the daughter of James Ridge and Minnie (Wooldridge) Ridge. Virginia had worked for Greenville Nursing Center and also for Genesis Home Health Care. She was married to Arthur Francis April 22, 1967, in Oregon, Ill., and he passed away Sept. 4, 2006. She was also preceded in death by her parents, James and Minnie Ridge...

Mildred Conway, 76, of Osceola, died Oct. 9, 2019, at her home. She was a homemaker. Ms. Conway was born March 19, 1943, on Island 35, Tenn., to Willard and Adadean Cotton Carr. She was preceded in death by her parents; her husband, Paul Conway; two brothers, Timothy Carr and Bubba Carr...

Joseph Dale “Joey” Shilharvey, 57, of Manila, former longtime resident of Warrenton, Mo., passed from this life Thursday evening, Oct. 10, 2019, from injuries sustained in a motor vehicle accident. Born in Washington, Mo., he had attended Warrenton High School and was a former longtime employee of Watson Concrete before going to work for Microfinish near St. ...

Gloria Jean Fowler, 70, of Osceola, died Oct. 6, 2019, at her home. She was a Christian, a retired nursing home housekeeper and a resident of Mississippi County for over 30 years. Ms. Fowler was born July 18, 1949, in Baton Rouge, La., to John Tillman and Virginia Slater...

Richard Berry Cagle, Jr. 72, of Luxora, died Oct. 5, 2019, at his home. He was a welder and a U.S. Army veteran. Mr. Cagle was born Nov. 16, 1946 in Kilgore, Texas, to Richard and Edna Felts Cagle, Sr. He was preceded in death by his parents. He is survived by one son, Shane Cagle of Osceola; two daughters, Celeta Cagle of Luxora and Christy Cagle of Paragould; 12 grandchildren and three great-grandchildren...

Lynn Royal Clark of Monette very peacefully took his last breath on earth and his first in heaven on Monday evening, Oct. 7, 2019, with his family by his side. He was born Jan. 12, 1942 in Rockford, Ill., to the late Royal John and Evelyn Lenora (Fosler) Clark...

Carolyn Sue Sanderson, 54, of Marked Tree, died Oct. 7, 2019, at St. Bernards Medical Center in Jonesboro. She was a homemaker and of the Pentecostal faith. Ms. Sanderson was born July 25, 1965, in Warsaw, Mo., to James and Sylvia Bittle. She was preceded in death by her parents, her companion Ricky Witt, one brother and one sister...

Stella Louise Barnes, 73, of Luxora, died Oct. 7, 2019, at Methodist University in Memphis, Tenn. She was a retired factory worker. Mrs. Barnes was born Feb. 9, 1946 in Marked Tree to Robert Griffin and Lisa Gibson. She was preceded in death by her parents...

Minnie Marie Graves, 76, of Leachville, widow of Mr. Max Willard Graves, passed from this life Monday, Oct. 7, 2019, at the Manila Nursing Center. Born in Watervliet, Mich., she was the daughter of the late Vernon and Dassie Cornish Schoonover and was a 1961 graduate of Watervliet High School. Minnie was retired from the Manila Nursing Center and was of the Baptist faith...

Janet Sue Hudson Showalter, 72, passed away Oct. 3, 2019, in Fayetteville. She was born Sept. 14, 1947, in Blytheville to the late William Hugh and Viola Louise (Dobyns) Hudson. She was the loving wife of Dr. Hugh Rodney Showalter for 48 years. Janet was a piano performance major and received a Bachelor of Music Degree from Hendrix College in 1969. ...

Kreed Lindale Vernon, infant son of Hunter Vernon and Keila Metheny, was born March 8, 2019, in Blytheville and passed from this life Wednesday, Oct. 2, 2019, at his home in Leachville. He was preceded in death by his paternal grandfather, Steven Dale Vernon, in 2018...

Joseph Whitfield “Joe” England, 86, of Springdale, and former longtime Blytheville resident, died Oct. 5, 2019. He was born July 15, 1933, in Enville, Tenn., to Otis and Vera Moore England. Joe served in the Army during the Korean War. He was active in both the VFW and the Hardy American Legion Post 336 and served as a former officer. He enjoyed hunting, fishing, and was a skilled handyman and builder...

Jimmie Lee Knighten, 67, of Osceola, passed away Oct. 2, 2019, at his home. He was a retired welder and of the Pentecostal faith. Mr. Knighten was born April 20, 1952 in Turrell, to Rosie Lee Knighten. He was preceded in death by his mother one daughter, Michelle Knighten; and  two brothers, Donnie and Jerry Knighten. ...

Betty Lawrence Woodard Alexander, 86, died Sept. 29, 2019, in Fayetteville. She was born Dec. 13, 1932, to John Lawrence and Mapra Sandusky Woodard of Athlestan in Northeast Arkansas. Betty was a very independent and courageous woman who never met a stranger. She loved anyone she came in contact with and often told them so...

Hunter Trent Sanders, 26, of Bassett, died Oct. 2, 2019 at his home. He was born Aug. 11, 1993 in Jonesboro to Rick and Traci LaRue Sones. He was preceded in death by his grandfather Arie McLaughlin. He is survived by his parents, Rick and Traci Sones of Bassett; his grandparents, Diane LaRue of Bassett, Ruby McLaughlin of Lepanto and Patricia and Robert Sones of Saulsbury, Tenn...

Hamil L. Million, 88, of Jonesboro passed away Thursday, Oct. 3, 2019 at the Phil and Flo Jones Hospice House in Jonesboro. Hamil was born June 26, 1931, in Pocahontas to the late Amburs and Mary Ella Wagner Million. He retired after 37 years with Ark-Mo Power and Entergy. ...

Verlene Jacqueline Carter Stancle of Blytheville was born March 19, 1946, in Osceola to the late Albert Carter and the late Lillie Carter. She was retired from NIBCO and was of the Baptist faith. Mrs. Stancle passed away on Sept. 29, 2019, at Baptist Memorial Hospital in Memphis, Tenn., at the age of 73...

Marvel Jean Rosa Hedum, 80, of Janesville, Wis., passed away early Tuesday morning, Sept. 17, 2019, at Mercyhealth Hospital & Trauma Center. Marvel was born June 21, 1939 in Sioux Rapids, Iowa, the daughter of the late Albert W. and Laura C. (Helkenn) Loof. She was active in her church and their activities, loved to quilt and crochet, and loved crafts. She took special joy in keeping up with her grandchildren through Facebook. Family was the most important piece of her life!...

Robert E. Armstrong was Oct. 9, 1932, in Montezuma, Tenn., to late Earl Toney Armstrong and Annie Mae Armstrong. The second of three siblings, Robert was preceded in death by his mother, Annie Mae Dean, father, Robert Armstrong, stepmother, Laura Armstrong, son, Robert Earl Armstrong Jr., and his brother, Nelson Armstrong...

Robert Earl Alexander Sr. was born Feb. 20, 1947, to late Leslie Alexander and Minnie Coffer Alexander, in Lake Cormorant, Miss. Robert departed this life Wednesday, Sept. 25, 2019, at SMC Regional Medical Center in Osceola at the age of 72. He was preceded in death by his parents, a son, Robert Earl Alexander Jr., four brothers, Eddie Lee Alexander, John Alexander, Leslie Alexander, Jim Alexander, and one sister, Minnie Alexander,...

Emily Dawn Loftin McDonald, 37, of the Red Onion community near Cardwell, formerly of Leachville, passed from this life Friday, Sept. 27, 2019, at her home. Born in Jonesboro and raised in Leachville, she was a 2000 graduate of Blytheville High School and graduated from Arkansas State University in 2004, earning a Bachelor of Science degree in Elementary Education. Emily had a devout love for all animals, especially her dogs, and was a member of Cockrum Church of Christ...

Bertha Whitehead, 88, of Blytheville, passed away Thursday, Sept. 26, 2019, at Gosnell Therapy and Living Center. Born to Will and Lettie Smith Baugus, Bertha was a retired factory worker and of the Church of God faith. She loved to walk and spent several hours each day walking and enjoying nature. After retirement, Bertha was dedicated to watching church programs on television and reading religious books...

Gale Hanna, Sr., 91, of Luxora, passed away Tuesday, Sept. 24, 2019, at Flo and Phil Jones Hospice House in Jonesboro. Born to Wilburn Lee and Ethel May Brown Hanna in Lepanto, Gale worked as a farmer in his younger years and he retired from American Greetings where he worked in maintenance. ...

Stephanie Faye Wilson Fowler, 49, of Osceola, died Sept. 22, 2019, at Methodist University Hospital in Memphis, Tenn. She was a childcare provider, a CNA and a member of New Mt. Pleasant Christian Worship Center in Osceola. Mrs. Fowler was born Aug. 15, 1970, in Osceola to Vernon and Susie Glover Wilson. She was preceded in death by her parents...

Virgie Lee Walker, 91, of Blytheville, passed away Monday, Sept. 23, 2019, at St. Bernards Medical Center in Jonesboro. She was born Dec. 7, 1927, in Missouri and was the daughter of Isaiah and Hattie Early Jackson. Virgie was a member of God’s Holy Temple under the leadership of Bishop Randy Crenshaw...

Mrs. Mary Cage “Kitty” Stevenson, 101, of Blytheville, passed peacefully on Sept. 22, 2019, and is now resting and joyfully worshiping at God’s side. Born in Pleasant Hill, La., in 1917, Kitty lived in Blytheville for 77 years. As a girl, she was a talented pianist who also was crowned Miss Ruston and went on to become first runner-up to Miss Louisiana...

Mrs. Imogene Greer Flagg, age 95 of Humboldt, Tenn., and a former longtime resident of Blytheville, passed from this life on Friday, Sept. 20, 2019 at her daughter’s residence in Flippin. Born to Herman Leslie and Mabel Augusta Rustin Greer, she was a cook at Blytheville Elementary Cafeteria for 20 years, enjoyed fishing, and was a member of Church at Sugar Creel Baptist Church. Imogene loved cooking and was always making special cakes and cookies for her grandchildren, whom she loved dearly...

Mary Lee Thro Hotchkiss 77, of Live Oak Island, Fla., died at home, surrounded by family on Tuesday, Sept. 17, 2019. She was a native of Blytheville. She was the owner, founder and operator of H and H Antiques and Furniture in Havana, her career included being a flight attendant, model, designer and mother...

Carrie “Carrie June” Alderman Harper, 71, passed peacefully Friday, Sept. 20, 2019 at Mercy Hospital in Oklahoma City, Okla. She was born March 15, 1948, in Helena to June and Kenneth Alderman. She was a full-time homemaker, farm manager, corporate executive, and once, even a successful campaign manager. Carrie was a loving wife, mother of two sons, and “Gran-muddah” of three “mighty good-lookin’ grandsons”. Carrie loved a good laugh and brought quite a few smiles to others. She was active in her church and spent the last three years of her life as a full-time grandmother and newly-minted Thunder fan in OKC.. ...

Geneva Anna White, 94 of, Glennonville, Mo., passed away Friday, Sept. 20, 2019 at her residence in Glennonville. Geneva, daughter of William Edward Hagan and Mary Emma Swett, was born Friday, March 13, 1925. She was a housewife and a member of St. Teresa Catholic Church in Glennonville. ...

William Ray “Billy” Fitzgerald, 58, of Memphis, Tenn., passed away on Sept. 17, 2019. After a 16 month long battle with cancer the Good Lord called him home to be at peace. Billy will be greatly missed by his family and friends. Billy leaves behind his loving devoted wife and best friend of 28 years Connie McKinney Fitzgerald. ...

Peggy Lou Johnston, 80, of Luxora, passed away Tuesday, Sept. 17, 2019, at Methodist University Hospital in Memphis. Peggy was born in Keiser to Ben and Beatrice Oakley. She was a retired beautician and a member of First Baptist Church, Luxora, where she taught Sunday school for many years. Peggy volunteered as a Pink Lady at South Mississippi County Hospital in Osceola and was the president of the Luxora Book Club. Peggy loved to read, cook and relax at Heber Springs at the lake...

Robert Earl Davis, 83, of Gosnell, passed away Sept. 16, 2019 at Gosnell Health Care. Robert Earl was born to Wesley and Ivy Cooner Davis in Bruce, Miss., and raised by Wesley and Winnie Carter Davis. He lived most of his life in Gosnell and served his country in the U.S. ...

Patricia Ann Jackson, 62, of Manila, passed from this life Saturday, Sept. 14, 2019, at her home. Born in Blytheville, she was the daughter of the late Edmond Earl and Agnes Bernice Hayslip Wilson and had been a Manila resident since 2015. She is survived by her husband, Willard Jackson of the home; her son, Jessie Wilson of Osceola; a very special friend, Kathern Smith of Manila...

Shirley Marie Drury, 72, of Marmaduke, died Sunday, Sept. 15, 2019, at Arkansas Methodist Medical Center in Paragould. Born in Smithville, she was the daughter of the late Jack and Grace Tanner Thacker and had been a Marmaduke resident for the past 30 years. She was a retired factory worker and was a member of Big Creek Baptist Church in Hooker, Ark...

David Leon Brothers, 77, of San Antonio, Texas, passed away Sept. 11, 2019 at Christus Health Center in San Antonio. He joined the Army Sept. 21, 1967 until Sept. 18, 1970. After three years in the reserves he went back into the Army May 23, 1975 until June 1, 1992. ...

Martin Lee Abner, 57, of Wilson, passed away Sunday, Sept. 15, 2019. He was born Aug. 4, 1962 in Turrell to Jesse L. Abner and Linda Brewer. He worked in construction for a number of years and served in the United States Army for four years. He was an avid Notre Dame football fan and loved spending time with his children and grandchildren. He was also a member of the Joiner Baptist Church...

Ollie Pearl McKee, 75, of Manila, widow of Alvin McKee, passed from this life Monday, Sept. 16, 2019, at Monette Manor Nursing Center. Born in Tyronza, she was the daughter of the late Alger and Willie Marie Lowery Quinn and had been a longtime Michigan resident before making her home in Manila in 2012. She had been an employee of Jessup Door Company in Dowagiac, Mich., and was of the Assembly of God faith. ...

Juanita House, 91, of Marion, passed away Sept. 12, 2019, at Methodist University Hospital in Memphis, Tenn. Juanita was born in Blytheville to Will and Necie Johnson Williams. She loved to spend time with her grandchildren and great-grandchildren and loved to garden and read. She was a member of the Emmanuel Baptist Church...

Charles Edward “Butch” Ashley, Jr., 65, of Blytheville, died Sept. 12, 2019, at Methodist University Hospital in Memphis, Tenn. He was retired from farming and of the Baptist faith. Mr. Ashley was born May 2, 1954, in Little Rock to Charles and Dorothy Mowery Ashley, Sr. He was preceded in death by his parents, two brothers, Robert Donald Ashley and Billy Ray Ashley, one sister Nellie Melvin...

Michael Qualika Jones, Jr., 18, of Blytheville, died Sept. 5, 2019 in Osceola. He was a member of Gospel Lighthouse in Blytheville. Michael was born July 5, 2001 in Blytheville to Michael Jones, Sr. and Sabrina Robinson. He was preceded in death by his grandmother Ella Jones...

Nathan Thomas Fraizer, 63, of Leachville, passed from this life Thursday, Sept. 12, 2019, at St. Bernards Medical Center in Jonesboro. Born in Osceola and raised near Keiser, he was the son of the late Mr. and Mrs. Odell Wright Fraizer. He retired from Ritter Agriculture Services of Marked Tree in 2017...

Shirley “Ann” Stevenson, 73, of Blytheville, passed away Wednesday, Sept. 11, 2019, at St. Bernards Medical Center in Jonesboro. Shirley was born in Blytheville to Troy and Ethel Southard Brooks. She was a homemaker and a member of Emmanuel Baptist Church. Shirley was an active volunteer and coach with the Area 13 Special Olympics...

Mary Valentine Robinson, 55, of Osceola, died Sept. 8, 2019, at UAMS in Little Rock. She was a CMA-social worker, a lifetime resident of Mississippi County and a member of Bethlehem MB Church in Osceola. Ms. Robinson was born Feb. 14, 1964 in Osceola to J.C. Robinson and Julia Malden Chalk Robinson. She was preceded in death by her parents; one brother, Tommy Mosley; and one sister, Jacqulin Robinson...

Robert Neal Haynes, 68, of Blytheville, passed away Monday, Sept. 9, 2019 at his home. Robert was born in Blytheville to Ernest and Margaret Wright Haynes. One of Blytheville’s brightest young musicians, he was a disc jockey for KLCN Blytheville from 1967-1969. ...