Obituaries

Elliot Shane Hill, beloved son of Duane and Angelyn Hill and brother to Lilian Arnold and Kenneth Hill, grandson of Terry Thomas, Jerry and Jeannie Hill, Darleen Hildebrand and great-grandson of Charles Thomas, was born sleeping on Jan. 24, 2021, at NEA Baptist Hospital in Jonesboro...

James Tharp of Monette peacefully passed away after years of failing health at the age of 64 with his family by his side, Saturday, Jan. 23, 2021. On Sept. 30, 1978, James married Robin Billingsley, together they had children, Misty, Gene and Zac. His family was everything to him. He tried to give them everything they wanted...

Melton A. Byerly, Sr. of Trumann departed from this life Sunday, Jan. 24, 2021, at NEA Baptist Hospital in Jonesboro at the age of 72 years, 11 months and 2 days. He was born Sunday, Feb. 22, 1948, in Trumann and lived most of his lifetime in Trumann. In his neighborhood the neighbors were known as his people and family was his upmost importance. He loved people and helping people from the bottom of his heart and it gave him the most enjoyment. Not only was he a great butcher, he was a great gardener and was always available to give free rides on his Ford tractor to his grandkids and great-grandkids. Melton was a retired business owner of Byerly’s Meat Market for over 40 years and attended First Assembly of God Church. He was preceded in death by his parents, Hubert and Alba Canamore Byerly.. ...

Lester Armstrong, Sr., 83, of Osceola died January 23, 2021 at his home in Osceola. He was a retired factory worker and a member of Tabernacle MB Church in Osceola. Mr. Armstrong was born Sept. 2, 1937 in Turrell to William Armstrong, Sr. and Ethel Mae Boyce Armstrong Beech. He was preceded in death by his parents, four brothers and four sisters...

Rutha Mae Staten Brown was born July 4, 1951, to the late Andrew and Eva Staten in Lake Cormorant, Miss. Rutha departed this life Wednesday, Jan. 20, 2021 at Ozarks Medical Center in West Plains, Mo., at the age of 69. She was preceded in death by her parents, Andrew and Eva Staten; her sister, Leslie Boyce; her brother, Andrew Staten Jr.; her son, Robert Earl Alexander Jr.; and her granddaughter, Alicia Alexander...

James Roy Douglas, Sr., 71 of Bryant, departed this life Jan. 21, 2021, at Baptist Medical Center in Little Rock. He was born Sept. 22, 1949, in Jonesboro to Fred Durell, Jr. and Wanda Louise Roach Douglas. Roy is survived by his wife, Marian Miller Douglas, of 47 years; son, James Roy Douglas, Jr. ...

Letroy Gathen was born April 18, 1951, in Osceola, the son of Roosevelt and Essie Mae Spencer Gathen. Growing up in Luxora, Letroy’s parents stressed the importance of hard work and and the value of a good education. While a student at Luxora High School, Letroy broke racial barriers, becoming the first African American to play on the football team. ...

Tammy Lynn Carter, 51, of Manila, widow of Byron Carter, passed from this life Sunday, Jan. 24, 2021, at the NEA Baptist Memorial Hospital in Jonesboro. Born and raised in Manila, she had been a lifelong resident of Northeast Arkansas. She was a homemaker and enjoyed shopping and spending time with friends and family, especially her grandchildren...

Alberta Miller, 68, entered eternal rest Monday, Jan. 18, 2021, due to complications from COVID 19. She leaves to cherish her memories her devoted husband, Curtis Miller, whom she wed in 2002; daughter, Quantia Fletcher (Derrick); son, J.D. Ronate Mills (Angela); three stepsons, Calvin Johnson, Michael Bingham, and Andre Miller; two stepdaughters, Tomika Seaberry (Robert) and Angela Miller; two sisters, Patricia Felix (Isaac) and Georgia Roy; and a host of grandchildren, nieces, nephews, and other relatives and friends. ...

Peter Bryan Hart, 53, of Keiser, died Jan. 24, 2021, at St. Bernards Medical Center in Jonesboro at the age of 53. He was a farmer and a lifetime resident of Mississippi county. Mr. Hart was born Jan. 16, 1968, in Osceola to Wendell and Virginia Macon Hart. He was preceded in death by his father, Wendell Hart, and one brother, Douglas Hart...

Tommy Dewey Johnson, 65, of Marked Tree, died Jan. 20, 2021, at Baptist East in Memphis, Tenn. He worked for the water department in Osceola. Mr. Johnson was born May 1, 1955, in Lepanto to Chester Duncan and Kelly Jones. He is survived by two daughters, Jamie Johnson and Christy Short of Osceola; one brother, Larry Johnson of Virginia; one sister, Brenda Johnson of Virginia; and three grandchildren, Zander Thompson, Koby Short and Hannah Short...

Shirley Schmeisser of Trumann departed this life Sunday, Jan. 3, 2021, at the family residence at the age of 82 years, 3 months and 21 days.  She was born Tuesday, Sept. 13, 1938, in Marked Tree to the late Tilmon and Myrtle Hosford McCoy. She was a 1957 graduate of Trumann High School, a retired sales person for Dillard’s and of the Baptist faith. Shirley loved to read, shop, decorate and her favorite thing was vacuuming. She was preceded in death by four sisters, one brother and her parents. ...

Cora Sue “Susie” Fagan of Trumann departed this life Thursday, Jan. 21, 2021, at Three Rivers Nursing and Rehab in Marked Tree at the age of 82 years, 11 months and 28 days.  She was born Monday, Jan. 24, 1938, in Belmont, Miss., to the late Otho and Hazel Taylor Vinson and lived most of her lifetime in Trumann.  Sue was retired from Salant & Salant in Marked Tree. She was preceded in death by two brothers, James Vinson and Carroll Vinson; three sisters, Billie Jean Killian, Willa Presley, Fredia Vick; and her parents.. ...

Danell Wood of Trumann departed this life Thursday, Jan. 21, 2021, at the family residence at the age of 85 years, 1 month and 7 days.  She was born Saturday, Dec. 14, 1935, in Caruthersville, Mo., to the late Benjamin and Pearlee Russell Taylor and lived most of her lifetime in Trumann.  ...

James Linzy Green, 64, of Blytheville, passed away Thursday, Jan. 21, 2021. He was born Nov. 9, 1956, in Lepanto to Barney and Ruth Green. He was a retired farmer and a member of New Life UPC in Osceola. He is survived by his wife, Annette Soto Green of Blytheville; son, Jay Linzy Green of Blytheville; granddaughter, Jaycee Nicole Green of Gosnell; grandson, Jacob Green of Keiser; brother, Buford (Candy) Green of Marie...

Jane Willoughby Cote was born April 21, 1929, and passed away Jan. 18, 2021. She was the daughter of Carl and Bernice Willoughby and is survived by her daughters, Betsy Jane Hurles (Donald) and Sue Ann Cummings (Patrick). She has four grandchildren, Rose Marie Hanks (Patrick), Lori Beth Carpenter (Stephen), Mandy Jane Chandler, and Jordan Thomas Chandler (Dani). ...

Shirley Richard (“Richard”) Hipp, 83, of Lakewood, Colo., passed away at home on Monday, Jan, 11, 2021, after a long and hard-fought battle with cancer. Born in Monette, Richard was the one and only son of the late Shirley Hipp, Sr. and Dorothy Hipp of Blytheville. ...

Jimmy Maxwell Flanigan, 76, of Manila, passed from this life Thursday, Jan. 21, 2021, at The University of Arkansas for Medical Science Hospital in Little Rock. Born in Harrisburg, he was the son of the late Jesse and Ida Bollinger Flanigan and had been a lifelong Manila resident. ...

Charles Robert Boyd, Sr., 74, of Manila died Jan. 17, 2021, at St. Bernards Medical Center in Jonesboro. He was a farmer and of the Baptist faith. Mr. Boyd was born Dec. 29, 1946 in Cornwall, Tenn., to Charles Edward and Verna Spraddling Boyd. He was preceded in death by his parents, one son Charles Robert Boyd, Jr. and one sister Diane Long...

Aaron Nicholas Gawthrop was born in Franklin, Tenn., on July 22, 1999, to Betty Jane Johnson and Ricky Wayne Gawthrop. He was a 2017 graduate of Hayti High School. He was an active member of the Church of Jesus Christ in Hayti, Mo. He always made time for his friends and family and would often go out of his way to visit them as often as he could. ...

Ada Bell Campbell was born April 10, 1919. She departed this life Monday, Jan. 18, 2021. She was 101 years old. She leaves to cherish her precious memories one son, Mark Hullum; her family of 44 years, Don and Robin Houseworth and the entire Houseworth family; and many others that loved her dearly...

Frederick D. Moore was born Nov. 20, 1943, in Blytheville to John and Hettie Margerum Moore. He was a 1961 graduate of Richard B. Harrison High School and was an active member of Harrisonites. Following graduation, he enrolled in Saints Junior College in Lexington, Miss., there he received his Associates Degree. ...

Billie Jean Abbott Barnes, 95, formerly of Blytheville, passed away Friday, Jan. 15, 2021, in Wetumpka, Ala. Billie Jean was born in Blytheville to Charles Milo Abbott and Mattie Mae Thompson Abbott. Billie Jean was a long-time member of The First Baptist Church in Blytheville, where she was very active in several areas of the church. ...

Mary H. Rapert, 94, of Blytheville, passed away Saturday, Jan. 16, 2020, at St. Bernards Medical Center in Jonesboro. Mary was born in Supply, Ark., to John Duff and Pearlie Fowler. She retired from West Department Store, in which she was the first one to be hired and the last one to leave when the store went out of business. ...

Terry Lee Welch, 67, of Bassett died Jan. 18, 2021, at his home. He was the city manager for the Lawrence Group in Wilson, of the Baptist faith, 35 plus years baseball and football coach and an avid outdoorsman. Mr. Welch was born Feb. 10, 1953, in West Memphis to Vernon and Tanna Elder Welch. He was preceded in death by his parents and three sisters, Patricia Ann Welch, Laura Duck and Kimberly Westbrook...

Judith Kay “Judy” Boyd of Bay departed this life Thursday at St. Bernards Medical Hospital in Jonesboro at the age of 76 years, one month and one day. She was born Wednesday, Dec. 13, 1944, in Carthage, Mo. to the late Loren Edward and Roszetti Campbell Poulson and had lived in Bay for the past three years and was formerly of Trumann and California. ...

Gary W. Ingle, 63, died Jan. 15, 2021, with his family by his side, at TriStar Horizon Medical Center in Dickson, Tenn. He was born Aug. 29, 1957, in Lepanto, the son of Bernice D. and Ruby J. Ingle. Gary graduated from Marked Tree High School with the class of 1975. ...

Gloria Mae Clark Perry, 73, of Osceola died Jan. 12, 2021, at Jackson Madison Hospital in Jackson, Tenn. She confessed her hope in Christ at the age of 12 under the leadership of the late G.H. Conway at New Bethel Church in Blytheville. She was a member of New Salem MB Church and Motherboard in Luxora under the leadership of Rev. ...

Sister Freddie Richardson-Taylor was born Feb. 7, 1945, to the late Alonzo and Mattie Richardson in Blytheville. She was one of three children born to the Richardson marriage: Totise Paul, Freddie Taylor and Robert Mileage. Freddie departed this life on Thursday, Jan. 14, 2021. She was preceded in death by her parents...

Ella “Oleva” Jackson, 87, of Jonesboro coming from Blytheville passed from this life Saturday, Jan. 16, 2021, at the Flo and Phil Jones Hospice House. She was born Dec. 19, 1933, in Eaton to the late Perry Douglas and Mary Elizabeth Culver. Ella was a member of South Caraway Baptist Church. She enjoyed talking with friends and family. Ella was married to the late Rufus Garlen Jackson for 41 years. They were married in the Powhatan Courthouse...

Gerald Ray Glidewell of Trumann departed this life Jan. 11, 2021, at the family residence at the age of 71 years, one month and four days. He was born Wednesday, Dec. 7, 1949, in Tracy, Calif. and lived most of his lifetime in Trumann. Gerald was co-owner with Randy McClung of McWell MFG, a Vietnam veteran of the U.S. ...

LaVonda Mae Walker, 82, of Senath, Mo., widow of James Walker, passed from this life Wednesday, Jan. 13, 2021, at NEA Baptist Memorial Hospital in Jonesboro. Born and raised in Leachville, she was the daughter of the late Elmer and Zona Jones Gooch and had been a longtime resident of southeast Missouri. ...

Louise Chalmers was born April 24, 1945, in Gray Ridge, Mo., to Kaiser Sam and Rosie Lee Allen. She loved her family and close friends. She loved to cook and bake. She also loved her church and church family. She was a faithful member of New St Paul Baptist Church for 11 years where she served under the leadership of Pastor Clark Phillips...

Jerry Dwayne Moore, 67, of Blytheville, passed away Wednesday, Jan. 13, 2021, at his home. Jerry was born in Luxora to James Henry and Bonne Jean Noble Moore. He was retired from Dildine Farms and was of the Baptist faith. Jerry served his country with honor in the United States Air Force during the Vietnam War. He was an avid outdoorsman and loved to hunt, fish and camp...

Robert Lee Howard, Jr., 30, of Wilson, died Jan. 10, 2021 in Memphis, Tenn. He was a factory worker and of the Baptist faith. Mr. Howard was born Jan. 1, 1990 in Blytheville to Robert Lee Howard, Sr. and Martha Garth. He was preceded in death by one brother, Quincy Howard, and one sister Quita Howard...

Bobbie Sue Williams, 87 of Bentonville, former longtime Leachville resident and widow of Estus Williams, passed from this life Monday, Jan. 11, 2021, at her home. Born in Lake City to the late Robert and Mildred Strickland Parham, she had lived most of her life in Leachville before moving to Bentonville 10 years ago. ...

Elmer Arlin Roberts, 83, of Jonesboro, passed from this life Monday, Jan. 11, 2021, at his home. Born and raised in Leachville, he was the son of the late Isaac Bailey and Juanita Inez Barnes Roberts and had been a longtime resident of Jonesboro. He was a retired auto mechanic, having worked for Abernathy Motors in Jonesboro retiring in 1996. ...

Georgia Mae Hodge, 73, of Marion died Dec. 29, 2020, at Northwest Regional Medical Center in Clarksdale, Miss. She was a retired home health employee, member of Living Word COGIC in Osceola and the Motherboard. Ms. Hodge was born Jan. 21, 1947, in Keiser to George Bailey and Estelle Battles Reed. ...

Jerry Hauptman, 79, of Lake City passed away Monday, January 11, 2021 at NEA Baptist Hospital. He was born Oct. 1, 1941, in Dyess to the late Eddie and Kittie Hutcheson Hauptman. Jerry was a truck driver and retired from Yellow Freight Company. He enjoyed watching and coaching baseball, gardening and yard sales. He loved his family dearly and loved taking his grandchildren fishing. In December he and Shirley celebrated their 60th wedding anniversary...

Barry Augustine Bunch was born July 11, 1958 in Blytheville to Hugh Edward Bunch and Nannie Hessie Bunch. He passed away Jan. 5, 2021, in Blytheville at the age of 62. He was employed at Nibco in Blytheville. His favorite hobby was fishing and he especially loved crappie tournaments. ...

Michael Anthony Selvy was born in Chicago, Ill., Feb. 3, 1972, to the union of Robert L. Selvy and Elnora Beasley Selvy. Michael departed this life Tuesday, Jan. 5, 2021, at Great River Medical Center in Blytheville at the age of 48. Michael’s parents Robert and Elnora Selvy, preceded in death along with two older sisters, Gloria Robinson Herron and Mary Vance...

Jessie James McDuffey of Blytheville was born March 4, 1942, in Armorel to the late Richard McDuffey and the late Eddie Mae Cartwright McDowell. He retired from Eaker Air Force Base and was of the Baptist faith. Mr. McDuffey passed away Jan. 8, 2021, at NEA Baptist Memorial Hospital in Jonesboro at the age of 78. He was preceded in death by his father, Richard McDuffey; his mother, Eddie Mae Cartwright McDowell; and his wife, Mary L. Wilson McDuffey...

Antonette Lynn Anderson of Blytheville was born June 20, 1974, in Blytheville to the late Arthur Anderson Sr. and the late Earnestine Golden Anderson. She was a receptionist for Mississippi County EOC and was of the Pentecostal faith. Ms. Anderson passed away Jan. ...

James M. Barner, Jr. of Joiner was born June 22, 1977, in West Memphis to James and Patricia Ford Barner. He was a graduate of Rivercrest High School, studied computer network engineering technology at ASUN-Newport and was employed at Hytrol Conveyor in Jonesboro. James was of the Baptist faith and was an active member of First Missionary Baptist Church at Frenchman’s Bayou where he played the drums...

Lynda Sue Duggin of Bay departed this life Wednesday, Jan. 6, 2021, at the age of 69 years, 1 month and 10 days at the family residence. She was born Tuesday, Nov. 27, 1951, in Union City, Tenn., to the late Conley and Ruby Lynch Harris.  She was raised in Phoenix, Ariz., before moving to Nashville to attend David Lipscomb College.  Her love of a blue eyed soldier saw her to several different military bases before settling in Bay. ...

Dessie Lee Moody of Trumann departed this life Friday, Jan. 8, 2021, at the age of 85 years, 4 months and 24 days at NEA Baptist Hospital in Jonesboro. She was born Thursday, Aug. 15, 1935, to the late Edgar and Bevie Brewer Corter in Mountain View and had lived most of her lifetime in Trumann. ...

Carolyn Blankenship Yarbrough was born April 1, 1962 to the late Rev. L.C. Blue and Elnora Blankenship in Philipp, Miss. Carolyn departed this life Sunday, Jan. 3, 2021, at Great River Medical Center in Blytheville at the age of 58. She was preceded in death by her parents...

Authur J. Goodman was born to Silas Goodman and Virginia Goodman in Osceola. Authur passed away Friday, Jan. 8, 2021, at Barnes-Jewish Hospital in St. Louis, Ill., at the age of 56. He was preceded in death by his parents. Authur is survived by his aunt, Bessie Goodman of Osceola, and a host of cousins. His aunt Bessie Goodman was his caregiver...

Charles Wayne George, 66, of Steele, Mo., passed from this life Friday, Jan. 8, 2021, at his home. Born in Monette, he was the son of the late James and Laura Pauline Slankerd George and had been a resident of Steele since 2000. Charles was a retired farmer having worked for the Stutts Farms near Manila and the Starnes Farms in Caraway. ...

Allen Franklin, 58, of Steele, Mo., passed away Friday, Jan. 8, 2021, at St. Bernards Medical Center in Jonesboro. Allen was born in Blytheville to Larry T. and Barbara Lucy Franklin. He was the owner of K&A Tire and Auto and attended Trinity Baptist Church. He served as the former youth pastor at Ruddle Road Church of God. Allen loved the outdoors and was an avid hunter and fisherman. He was a member of Fishers of Men and participated in all of the bass tournaments for St. Jude...