Obituaries

Dale Blaylock, 72, of Manila, passed from this life Thursday, May 16, 2019, at his home. Born at the Crossroads community, near Dell, he was the son of the late Tom and Eula Banks Blaylock and was a 1965 graduate of Luxora High School. He was a U.S. ...

Robert “TUPAC” Staples of Blytheville was born March 21, 1962, to Willie Lee Staples and Lorine Greer in Marion. Robert started his education in the Marion School District and finished in the Blytheville School District after his family moved to Blytheville. ...

Tommy L. McCanless, 73, of Manila, formerly of Blytheville, passed away at home on Thursday morning surrounded by his family. He was born in Wilson on June 29, 1945, to Ernest “Bo” Franklin McCanless and Gladys Bernice Cissell McCanless. Tommy really enjoyed to BBQ. His specialties included smoked ham, butts, and drunk chicken. He also was a sportsman. He loved to watch baseball and football...

Jerry Wayne Bratton, 74, of Blytheville, passed away Thursday, May 16, 2019, at Gosnell Therapy and Living Center. Jerry was born in Gosnell to Homer and Mabel Ford Bratton. He was retired from Randall Company and attended Lone Oak Baptist Church. He loved being outside, tending to his garden and singing gospel music...

Elmer Jack "Leroy" Martin, 95, former longtime Manila resident, passed from this life Thursday, May 16, 2019, at Monette Manor Nursing Center. Born in Manila, he was the son of the late Robert and Elsie Baggett Martin and had lived most of his life in Manila and southwest Michigan. He was a U.S. Navy veteran of World War II and was a self employed millwright. Jack was a member of the American Legion, Herman Davis Post #197 and was of the Baptist faith...

Betty Lou Thomas, 92, of Marie passed away May 15, 2019, at SMC Medical Center in Osceola. She was retired from Wilson School Cafeteria and of the Baptist faith. Ms. Thomas was born April 22, 1927, in Carson Lake to Fred and Edith Adams Chamberlin. She was preceded in death by her parents; her husband, Marvin Thomas; two sons, Larry Thomas and Donald Thomas; one daughter, Betty Zieba; three brothers; one sister; and two grandchildren, Joshua Martin and Braiden Howard...

Charlean Heathcock, of Hayti, Mo., was born Nov. 24, 1983 in Kennett, Mo., to Savanah Hobbs and Roosevelt Hearod SR. Charlean departed this life at Pemiscot Memorial Hospital at the age of 35. She leaves to cherish his memories, her husband, Michael Heathcock Sr.; three daughters, Oranna Heathcock, Savanah Heathcock and Kaylee Heathcock; one son, Michael Heathcock Jr.; her father, Roosevelt Hearod; her mother, Savanah Hobbs; three sisters, Rose Lewis, Maratha Howell and Melissa Johnson; two brothers, Fredrick Hearod and Roosevelt Hearod Jr., and a host of family members and friends.. ...

Pauline Johnson Moore, 88, of Osceola died May 10, 2019, at her home. She was a homemaker, a member of Tabernacle MB Church and Motherboard in Osceola. Ms. Moore was born July 24, 1930 in Memphis, Tenn., to Paul Johnson and Littie Taylor Brown. She was preceded in death by her parents; her husband, Johnny Moore, Sr.; and one sister, Jewell Welch...

Quiara “Kiki” Dejour Razor of Little Rock was born March 18, 1997, in Blytheville to Odell Knowles of AL and Tonya Razor of Little Rock. She completed the twelfth and was a member of New Life Deliverance Temple Pentecostal Power Church in Caruthersville, Mo. Ms. Quiara Razor passed away on May 9, 2019, at UAMS in Little Rock, at the age of 22...

Jackie (Jack) Dale Hancock Sr., 93, departed this life on Feb. 19, 2019, in Grove, Okla. He was born Sept. 3, 1925, in Harrisburg, Ill., the son of Arthur and Emma Pearl (Darnall) Hancock. He served with the 6th Marine Division in the United States Marine Corps in World War II. ...

Wilma Jean Ashmore, 84, of Ash Flat, formerly of Blytheville, passed away Friday, May 10, 2019, at Ash Flat Nursing and Rehab Center. Wilma was born in Bearden, Okla., and was raised by her grandparents. She was a homemaker and of the Pentecost faith. Wilma enjoyed playing bingo, singing and listening to Elvis...

Maurine Joy “Dyer” Trantham, 83, of Crossett, passed away Thursday, May 9, 2019, at the Ashley County Medical Center. She was born in Murray, Ky., on August 24, 1935, to her parents, Thomas and Bula Scott Dyer. She was a member of the First Baptist Church of Crossett, Mrs. ...

Ella Lee Brown, of Caruthersville, Mo., was born May 01, 1927 in Marion, Ala., to the late Si Harris and Dora Harrell. Ms. Brown departed this life on Sunday, May 12, 2019, at the age of 92 at Heritage Nursing Home in Kennett, Mo. She was preceded in death by her parents...

Jesse Lee Hughes, 71, of Blytheville, passed from this life on Thursday, May 2, 2019, at the St. Bernards Medical Center in Jonesboro. Born to Geneva Cora Hughes in Sabula, Mo., he was raised by his aunt and uncle, Anna and Herbert Fahland, from an early age following the death of his mother in an automobile accident...

Clinton “Kenny” Godsey, 73, of Blytheville, passed away Wednesday, May 8, 2019. Kenny was born in Haleyville, Ala., to Tolbert and Clara Porter Godsey. He was a truck driver and a member of Trinity Baptist Church. Kenny loved to play his guitar and sing, and loved his dogs and his family...

Shirley Faye Brown, 75, of Lepanto, passed away May 8, 2019, at NEA Baptist Hospital in Jonesboro. She was born Nov. 28, 1943, at Milligan Ridge to Andrew and Ruby Redman Hubble. Mrs. Brown was a homemaker and of the Baptist faith. She was preceded in death by her parents; three brothers, Calvin, Roy and Harvey Hubble; and one great-grandchild Allison Faye Barrett...

Clayton Dale Wilson, known by friends and family as ‘Dale’, passed away April 21, 2019, at the age of 78 in Laguna Hills, Calif. Clayton was born in Cooter, Mo., in 1940 to George Franklin Wilson and Vivian Nadine McClure. Dale worked on the family farm as a boy and received considerable recognition for his invention of a stalk-cutter that could be pulled behind a tractor. ...

Patty Bartholomew Gosa, 87, passed away April 30, 2019 at Woodland Village in Cullman, Ala. Born in Blytheville on Jan. 24, 1932, she was raised by her step-father, E.A. “Alf” Moore, and her mother, Mary Corene Moore. Patty was a farmer’s wife, helping with farms in Dell, Portageville, Mo., and Greenwood, Miss. She was an avid golfer and bridge player. Patty had her pilot’s license and would often fly to the Blytheville Airport and visit relatives...

Harvey Grant Emmert, 72, of Holland, Mo., passed away Sunday, May 5, 2019, at River Oaks Nursing Center in Steele, Mo. Harvey was born in Indianapolis, Ind., to Milfred and Florence Emmert. He graduated from Blytheville High School in 1964. Playing offensive and defensive tackle for the Chickasaws, he was known as “Big Em.” Harvey was a member of Yarbro Baptist Church. He worked in numerous factories and retired from Gilster-Mary Lee in Wilson in 2012...

Michael Eugene Ellis, 59, of Marked Tree, formerly of Blytheville, departed this life on Saturday, May 4, 2019, in Jonesboro. He was born in Blytheville on April 30, 1960. He was of the Baptist faith, he enjoyed fishing, going to the dog track and casino, he was an avid Razorback fan, he loved butter pecan ice cream and spending time with his family...

Darrell Dewayne Gaskin of Gosnell was born Sept. 6, 1955 in Champaign, Ill., to the late Thomas Gaskin and the late Lula Mae Carrie Gaskin. He was a CNA and was of the Baptist faith. Mr. Gaskin passed away on April 30, 2019, at his home in Gosnell at the age of 63...

Bethany Lyn Hamon, 46, of Bay passed away May 2, 2019, at Flo and Phil Hospice House in Jonesboro. She was born Feb. 13, 1973, in Osceola to Jessie Adams and Lela Johnson Relph. Mrs. Hamon was a cosmetologist and a member of Holy City C.O.G.I.C. in Memphis, Tenn...

Willie Lee Birks was born March 26, 1941, in Haynes to the late Leroy Swanigan and the late Mae Willie Tolbert Swanigan. He was a factory worker and was of the Jehovah’s Witness faith. Mr. Birks passed away on May 1, 2019, at Great River Medical Center in Blytheville at the age of 78...

Rosie Lee Taylor Overton, 80, of Rincon, Ga., passed away April 29, 2019, at her home in Rincon, Ga. She was born Oct. 23, 1938, in Manila to Howard Taylor Sr. and Katherine Walker Taylor. Mrs. Overton was the office manager for Overton Painting and Restoration, on the motherboard and the former first lady of New Mt. Pleasant Worship Center in Osceola...

Jerrie Ann Haley Arms Cotton, 62, of Trumann, passed from this life Tuesday, April 30, 2019, at St. Bernards Medical Center in Jonesboro. Born in Kennett, Mo., she was the daughter of the late Jerry and Dora Ann Talbot Haley and had been a longtime Trumann resident. She was a 1974 graduate of Trumann High School and was a longtime employee of the former Trumann Democrat where she worked as editor for many years. She was also the former owner of Jerri's Ad Service...

Bernice Morgan Rice, 85, of Manila, widow of Jake Rice, Jr., went to be with her Lord and Savior Jesus Christ on Tuesday, April 30, 2019, at St. Elizabeth's Place Nursing Center in Jonesboro. Born in the Blackwater Community near Manila, she was the daughter of the late Henry and Zola McCrackin Morgan and had been a Manila resident since 1949. ...

Gary Wesley Holden, 67, of Leachville, passed from this life Tuesday, April 30, 2019, at the Monette Manor Nursing Center. Born in Lepanto, he was the son of the late John Wesley and Ruth Manes Holden and had been a Leachville resident for most of his life. Gary had worked for the former Redbook Floral Directory and Advance Printing Co. of Leachville and later retired from American Greetings in Osceola. He was an avid fisherman and was a member of the Missionary Baptist Church...

Ora Dean Palmore Willis of Blytheville was born March 26, 1934 in Cruger, Miss., to the late Jake Palmore and the late Annie Bell Thomas Palmore. She was a home health worker and was of the Baptist faith. Mrs. Palmore passed away on April 27, 2019, at her home in Blytheville, at the age of 85...

Bobby Alan Brooks Sr., 64, of Osceola, passed away April 28, 2019, at his home in Osceola. He was born July 27, 1954, in Luxora, to W.B. and Ann Sheffield Brooks. Mr. Brooks was a retired street department worker for the City of Osceola and of the Methodist faith...

Harvey A. Stegall, 87, of Blytheville, passed away April 29, 2019, at River Oaks Care Center in Steele, Mo. He was born March 12, 1932, in Steele, to Wilber Green and Effie White Stegall. He was a member of the Church of Christ and was a Navy veteran serving his country aboard an aircraft carrier during the Korean War. ...

Charles Barry Milloway Jr., 56, of Gosnell, passed away April 26, 2019, at St. Bernards Medical Center in Jonesboro. Charles was born Dec. 9, 1962, in Osceola to Charles Milloway Sr. and Linda Jo Brooks Milloway. Mr. Milloway was a riverboat mate for 25 years at Kinder Morgan, of the Pentecostal faith and attended Bethel Church in Osceola...

Mary L. Riley, 81, of Memphis, Tenn., passed away April 25, 2019. Survivors include her daughter, Renita McKinney; goddaughters Felecia Brown and Donna Aldridge; sons, Joel (Leesa) Riley and Merrill Riley; brother, Emmanuel Lofton; and grandsons, LaMontre McKinney and Brandon McKinney...

Catherine Rodgers Harris, 82, of Osceola, passed away Thursday, April 25, 2019, at the Flo and Phil Jones Hospice House in Jonesboro. She was born Oct. 9, 1936 in Weldon and was the daughter of Alcuin and Willie Adams Rodgers. Catherine was of the Baptist faith and was a member of Pilgrim Rest Baptist Church in Osceola where she served as the church secretary for over 30 years and was a member of the Mother’s Board. She retired as a sales associate for Belk’s Department Store in Osceola...

James David Hilburn, 84, of Blytheville passed away April 27, 2019, at St. Bernards Medical Center in Jonesboro. He was born Oct. 24, 1934 in Eaton, to Floyd and Clementine Penn Hilburn. He enjoyed hunting and fishing with his sons and grandsons and dancing...

June Ella Dodd, 80, of Lakeland, Fla., left this world to be in the presence of her Lord and Savior on Tuesday, April 23, 2019, after her battle with breast cancer. June was born in Highbanks community near Monette on Dec. 11, 1938. June has been an Avon representative for 30 years in the central Florida area and was well known for her family owned restaurants in the Monette and Leachville area. ...

Ocle Lee Pierce, 85, of Leachville, passed from this life, Friday, April 26, 2019, at the Arkansas Methodist Medical Center in Paragould. A lifelong Leachville resident, she was the daughter of the late Harry and Cordelia Rodgers Nunnery and was the widow of Frank Pierce. Ocle Lee was retired from the former Brown Shoe Company and was a member of the Eastern Star and the Second Baptist Church in Leachville...

Victoria Gail Lindley, 75, of Steele, Mo., passed away Thursday, April 25, 2019 at River Oaks Nursing Home in Steele. Born in Enville, Tenn., to William and Vera Moore England, Victoria was a graduate of Cooter High School. She was a homemaker and a member of Cole Ridge Baptist Church. Victoria loved to read her Bible, quilt and fish. She was an avid gardener who loved spending time with her family...

Doyle Wayne “Big Daddy” Stevenson, 73, of Blytheville, passed away Wednesday, April 24, 2019 at his home. Doyle was born in Steele, Mo., to Troy and Mary Dotson Stevenson and was a member of Emmanuel Baptist Church. He was retired from the Arkansas Highway Department where he worked as a road crewman and a rest area attendant. Doyle was an active volunteer with the Area 13 Special Olympics...

E.C. “Tenner” Wagner, 84, of Tomato, passed from this life, Friday, April 19, 2019, in Haltom City, Texas. Tenner was born Oct. 25, 1934, to Rev. R.E. and Margaret Wagner. He was a retired carpenter who always enjoyed working with his hands and helping those around him in need. ...

Keaton Dewayne Sharp, infant son of Kevin Sharp and Morgan Malone of Manila, was born into heaven Monday, April 22, 2019, at the Great River Medical Center in Blytheville. Keaton was preceded in death by his great-grandparents, Tillman and Mary Sharp, Theadore Stone, Wayne and Patricia Champion, Eddie and Maggie Malone...

Frankie Johnson Cooper, 70, of Blytheville, passed from this life on Friday, April 19, 2019, at St. Bernards Hospital in Jonesboro. Born to James “Fat” and Louise Hatfield Johnson in Blytheville, she was a retired employee of Nucor Hickman where she worked in the Quality Control Department. ...

Billy Wayne Quinn, 70, of Manila passed from this life Sunday, April 21, 2019, at the Monette Manor Nursing Center. Born in Tyronza, he was the son of the late Alger and Willie Lowery Quinn and was raised in Dowagiac, Mich. Billy was a U.S. Army veteran, serving two tours in the Vietnam War and was a retired fruit harvest worker...

Eldra C. Wells of Blytheville passed away Monday, April 22, 2019, at Kings Daughter and Sons Nursing Home in Bartlett, Tenn. Eldra was born in Collins, Miss., to George Ellis and Pellie Wade Craft and lived 100 amazing years. She was a homemaker and a member of Ridgecrest Baptist Church in Blytheville. Eldra was a former member of the Blytheville C.B. Squad. She enjoyed gardening, fishing and was a great cook...

Mark Allen Johnson, 47, of Leachville passed away April 17, 2019, at St. Vincent's Hospital in Little Rock. He was born Nov. 18, 1971 in Memphis, Tenn., to Sidney Gene "Jim" and Mary Louise May Johnson. He was a van driver for a medical transportation company and a member of Pentecostal Church of God in Etowah...

Lavene Simpson (nee Prince), 87, of Michigan City, Ind., passed away Wednesday, April 17, 2019, at Life Care Center in Valparaiso, Ind. She was born Aug. 5, 1931 in Monette to Emmett and Dessie Lee (Foresythe) Prince who preceded her in death. Lavene is survived by her children, Larry D. ...

Virginia Darby Cable, 79, of Steele, Mo., passed away Wednesday, April 17, 2019, at Arkansas Continued Care in Jonesboro. Virginia was born in Blytheville to Benjamin and Ella Altmon Darby. She was the owner and operator of Cables Barbeque and of the Baptist faith. Virginia loved working, sewing and fishing...

Michael Branch, 55, died on April 15, 2019, at his home. He was born in Steele, Mo., to Billy Sr. and Geneva Branch on Oct. 3, 1963. He liked to cook, work in the yard, be with his family, and loved to make people laugh. He served in the United States Army. He was a giving person and would help if someone were in need...

Paul Douglas Jenkins, 53, of Blytheville passed away at his home on Tuesday, April 16, 2019. Paul was born Aug. 13, 1965 in Blytheville and was the son of Charles and Alma Lee White Jenkins. He was employed by JMS Processing, Inc. and was a member of Morning Star Missionary Baptist Church...

Lee Amos Mathis of Blytheville was born Dec. 9, 1951 in Blytheville to the late Harvey Mathis II and the late Alberta Grant Mathis. He was a carpenter and a United States Army veteran. Mr. Mathis passed away on April 15, 2019, at the Heritage Square Nursing Center in Blytheville at the age of 67...

Eddie “ Shack” Williams, Jr. of Newbern, Tenn., was born Dec. 26, 1948, to the late Eddie Williams, Sr. and the late Jessie Mae Williams. He was a truck driver and a member of First Missionary Baptist Church in Blytheville. Mr. Williams passed away on April 13, 2019, at Jackson Madison Co. Hospital in Jackson, Tenn., at the age of 70...