Obituaries

Kimberly Dawn Brister, 47, of West Memphis, passed away on Sept. 21, 2021 at Baptist Desoto in Southaven, Miss. She was a homemaker and of the Baptist faith. Mrs. Brister was born Feb. 28, 1974, in Osceola to Shirley Allen. She was preceded in death by her mom; her grandfather, J.C. Allen who raised her; one aunt, Linda Moody; and one grandchild, Emmett Palmer...

Sarah L. Moore, 92, of Blytheville passed away Thursday, Sept. 23, 2021. She was born in Memphis, Tenn., to Mr. and Mrs. R.C. Langston of Luxora. Sarah grew up in Luxora and was a graduate of Luxora High School. She also graduated from William Woods College in Fulton, Mo., and the University of Arkansas in Fayetteville where she was a member of the Delta Gamma Fraternity...

Geraldine Coleman, 62, of Jonesboro died Sept. 3, 2021, at her residence. She was a homemaker and a member of Rock of Ages M.B. Church in Tyronza. Ms. Coleman was born Oct. 14, 1958, in Hughes to Frank Gonzalez Coleman and Leeolar Brown Coleman. She was preceded in death by her parents and two sisters, Early Mae Hastings and Annie Mae Cunningham...

Mrs. Josephine Rodgers, 96, of Steele, Mo., was born in Jonestown, Miss., to Samuel and Lenora Cotton Connor. Mrs. Rodgers was a member of Morning Star Missionary Baptist Church in Steele. Mrs. Rodgers was preceded in death by her parents; her husband, Sam Rodgers; sons, David, Arthur Joe, Charles, James and Eddie; and a daughter, Gloria Shun...

John Wayne Parish, 83, of Blytheville passed away peacefully at home on Tuesday, Sept. 21, 2021. He was born Sept. 24, 1937, in New Albany, Miss., to Troy Clarence Parish and Alpha Mae Mannon Parish. John enjoyed his years in law enforcement with Mississippi County Sheriff’s office as a deputy and he was instrumental in starting the Gosnell Police Department. He was the first police officer and the first chief of police and loved his 11 years with the department...

Linda Hannah Marshall Kelley of Jackson, Tenn., formerly of Blytheville, passed away Tuesday, Sept. 21, 2021. Linda was born in Blytheville to Ordell and Willie Anderson Hannah. Linda’s life revolved around her family. Her hobbies included the love of reading, crafting, researching family ancestry, landscape gardening and making her special divinity at the holidays for her family...

Raymond Hodges, 73, of Jonesboro, formerly of Blytheville, passed away Tuesday, Sept. 14, 2021, at St. Bernards Medical Center in Jonesboro. Raymond was born May 3, 1948, in Blytheville to Will and Lucy Johnson Hodges. He was preceded in death by his parents; three brothers, Willie B. Hodges, Willlie “Pete” Hodges and Joe Hodges; three sisters, Betty Hodges, JoAnn Hodges and Lora Hodges...

Jamie Lee Grey was born Jan. 24, 1934, in Osceola to Horace and Ella Dooley Grey. He was employed as a mechanic by Eck Adams Co. in Osceola and was self-employed as an auto mechanic. He was preceded in death by his parents and his beloved wife, Amelia Barbara Veasley Grey. Jamie passed away Monday, Sept. 20, 2021, at his home in Wichita, Kan., at the age of 87...

Vantina Moore, 35, of Marked Tree, passed away Sept. 15, 2021, at NEA Baptist Hospital in Jonesboro. She was of the Baptist faith. Ms. Moore was born April 4, 1986, in Memphis, Tenn., to Kay Moore. She is survived by her mother, Kay Moore of Marked Tree; two brothers, Antwaine Moore of Pine Bluff and Milton Moore of Turrell; three sisters, Jasmine Moore and Sasha Moore of Turrell and Ariel Moore of Marked Tree...

Eddie Lee Stancle of Blytheville was born May 2, 1952, to the late Richard Johnson and Oleatha Junearick in Winstonville, Miss. He departed this life Thursday, Sept. 16, 2021, at St. Bernards Medical Center in Jonesboro at the age of 69. He was preceded in death by his parents...

Rachel Love of Blytheville was born May 10, 1924, in Frenchmans Bayou to the late Willie Williams and Salley Mae Williams. She departed this life on Tuesday, Sept. 14, 2021, at her home at the age of 97. She was preceded in death by her parents. She accepted Christ at an early age and was a member of Miracle Temple COGIC in Luxora...

Michael William Clark was born March 4, 1957, in Yarbro to Thomas Clark and Clara Patterson Clark. He was raised from an early age by his brother and sister-in-law, Ernest and Hazel Clark. Michael was a graduate of Armorel High School and received his Associates of Arts degree at Mississippi County Community College. ...

Bill Crump, 83, of Blytheville, passed away Sunday, Sept. 19, 2021, at his home. Bill was born New Albany, Miss., to Nathan and Frances Graves Crump and was a member of First United Pentecostal Church in Manila. He worked for the Arkansas Highway Department for 14 years as a maintenance supervisor and also at Mid-South Oxygen and NexAir for 29 years. Bill was the former sales manager at AirGas and also worked for Wellsco...

Charles Thomas “Charlie” Rogers, 69, of Beverly Hills, Fla., formerly of Leachville, passed from this life Sunday, Aug. 22, 2021. Born in Beverly, Maine, he was the son of the late Chester Monroe Rogers, Sr. Charlie became interested in becoming an electrician at the age of 15 through the mentoring of his brother-in-law George Tierney. Charlie’s 48-year career began even before graduation working for Helco Electric, Inc. ...

Bobbie Joyce Betts, 69, of Blytheville, widow of Larry Gene Betts, passed from this life Friday, Sept. 17, 2021, at St. Bernards Medical Center in Jonesboro. Born in Caraway, she was the daughter of the late Guy and Geneva Whitehead Dodd, Jr. and had been a lifelong area resident. ...

Gloria Jean Crews, 78, of Paragould, formerly of Leachville, passed from this life Friday, Sept. 17, 2021, at the Flo & Phil Jones Hospice House in Jonesboro. Born in Michigan City, Ind., she was the daughter of the late William Ray and Bertha Shipley Fries and had lived in New York for a time. ...

Heston Walker Qualls, 15, of Trumann passed away Sunday, Sept. 19, 2021, at Arkansas Children’s Hospital in Little Rock. He was born March 29, 2006, in Jonesboro. He was a member a Calvary Baptist Church. Heston adored his church family, especially the babies. He was a huge fan of the Marvel universe, Spiderman being his favorite. Heston also enjoyed basketball, his Xbox, hot rods, motorcycles, collecting fast and furious cars, singing, and loving his dogs, Winnie and Salem...

Loretta Sue Smith Moss Thomason, 64, of Luxora, passed away Sept. 16, 2021, at St. Bernards Medical Center in Jonesboro. She was a homemaker and a member of Luxora Baptist Church. Mrs. Thomason was born Feb. 1, 1957, in Newport to Robert Gene Moss and Margaret Smith Morris. She was preceded in death by her parents and one brother, Robbie Moss...

James Willard French, known to his friends and family as Will, passed away peacefully on Saturday, September 11, 2021. He was surrounded by his wife, Diane and his two daughters, Patricia (Trish) and Cynthia and their husbands. Will was born on July 7, 1925, in Yarbro, Arkansas to Sterling and Clemmie French. ...

Deborah Kay "Debbie" Helms, 64, of Leachville, widow of Mr. Virgil Lee Helms, passed from this life Tuesday, Sept. 14, 2021, at the NEA Baptist Memorial Hospital in Jonesboro. Born in Leachville, she was the daughter of the late Benny Ray James and Barbara Sevier Stirling and lived in DeSoto, Mo., before returning to Leachville in 1973. ...

Larry Williams, Sr. was born Sept. 8, 1952, in Blytheville, the son of Burnell and Virgie Jackson Williams. He was a graduate of Richard B. Harrison High School. Following graduation, Larry enlisted in the United States Army and was honorably discharged. For many years, Larry worked at Nucor Steel Mill...

Sheila Gail Stokes of Blytheville was born April 20, 1961, in Deering, Mo., to Randall Caraway and Mary Ward Caraway. She was a homemaker and was of the Pentecostal faith. Mrs. Stokes passed away Sept. 14, 2021, at her home in Blytheville at the age of 60...

Helen Denise White was born May 18, 1963, in Barfield to the late William and Sylvia Lawson. She confessed a hope in Christ at the age of 10 at St. Paul Baptist Church in Barfield, under the leadership of Rev. W.J. Johnson. Helen was a 1981 graduate of Blytheville High School. While attending Mississippi County Community College, she obtained her Associates Degree in Education. She was employed at the Blytheville Public School District, before retiring after 12 years...

Homer Webb, lifelong resident of Burdette, passed away Monday, Sept. 13, 2021, at the age of 96. Homer was born in Burdette to John and Lucy Newberry Webb. He was a retired farmer and also retired from the Burdette Water Company. Homer was working the cotton field when the United States Navy came to draft him during World War II. ...

Vanessia Ann Smith of Blytheville was born May 14, 1963, in Columbus, Miss., to the late Earnestine Petty. She worked in housekeeping for a factory and was a member of Greater First Baptist in Steele, Mo. Mrs. Smith passed away Sept. 8, 2021, at St. Bernards Medical Center in Jonesboro at the age of 58. She was preceded in death by her mother, Earnestine Petty; brother, Roosevelt Petty; and sister, Shirley Finch...

Derrico Deshawn Davis, "GuttaCity", 32, of North Little Rock, passed away Sept. 5, 2021, at SMC Medical Center in Osceola. He was a maintenance worker. Mr. Davis was born Sept. 26, 1988, in Blytheville to Robert Doss and Marie Chandler Doss. He was preceded in death by his mother, Marie Doss, and one daughter, 7/9/2012...

Joe Charles Perry Jr. of Osceola was born Feb. 7, 1974, in Blytheville to Joe Charles Perry Sr. and Gloria Clark Perry. He departed this life on Sept. 8, 2021, at St. Bernards Medical Center in Jonesboro. He was preceded in death by his parents. Joe Charles leaves to cherish his memories his wife, Pamela Perry of Osceola; one daughter, Re’Annae Perry of Osceola; one son, Juwon Perry of Chicago, Ill.; one grandson, Ivan Washington of Osceola; six brothers; seven sisters and a host of nieces, nephews and in-laws.. ...

Robert Elmer Buckner, Jr., 70, of Payneway passed away Aug. 31, 2021, at St. Bernards Medical Center in Jonesboro. He was a retired police officer, U.S. Army-Vietnam Era-veteran, attended Church of Christ and was a Mason. Mr. Buckner was born Oct. 23, 1950, in Sunset to Robert and Octavia McBride Buckner, Sr. He was preceded in death by his parents and one brother, Cecil Buckner...

Virgie Lee Pulluaim, 92, of Lepanto passed away Sept. 3, 2021, at St. Bernards Medical Center in Jonesboro. She was a homemaker and attended Hope Worship Center. Ms. Pulluaim was born Sept. 22, 1928, in Tyronza to James Willie and Ruby Outlaw Freddrick. She was preceded in death by her parents, James and Ruby "Rosetta" Freddrick, and her husband, Haze Wesson Pulluaim...

Archie R. Cooper, Jr. was born June 10, 1947, in Turrell to Archie R. and Aubra Burns Cooper. Archie was a 1963 graduate of Richard B. Harrison High School where he played drums in the marching band. Following graduating, Archie attended Philander Smith College in Little Rock and served his country in the United States Army. ...

Doris Helen Perkins, 96, of Blytheville, passed away Thursday, Sept. 9, 2021, at Great River Medical Center in Blytheville. Doris was born in Blytheville to Will and Margaret Bishop Perkins. She was a graduate of Gosnell High School and was of the Baptist faith. Doris was a former employee of S.H. Kress and Company, Sterling Five and Dime, West Department Store and Wal-Mart...

Doris Ann Pilgrim "Duke", 72, of Osceola, passed away Sept. 9, 2021, at her daughter's home in West Memphis. She was a homemaker and of the Baptist faith. Ms. Pilgrim was born June 11, 1949 in Benton Harbor, Mich., to William Pilgrim and Judy Mae Ashley Latham. She was preceded in death by her parents; one daughter, Crystal Maness Anderson; and one grandson, Dustin "Bugger" Freeman...

Linda Viola Wilson, 72, of Poplar Bluff, Mo., formerly of Blytheville, passed away Wednesday, Sept. 8, 2021, at her home. Linda was born in Burdette to Brent and Dorothy Wheeler Hamm. She had a big, loving heart and a compassion for people which led her to pursue her career in caregiving. Linda enjoyed watching westerns and listening to gospel music. Family was most important to her. Linda adored her grandchildren and enjoyed spending time with her family...

Lamont Brandon Rogers was born on Nov. 14, 1992, in Blytheville to his parents, Margaree Rogers Jones and John Benjamin McDaniel. Lamont graduated from Blytheville High School in the class of 2011 where he was well known as a young man that loved to smile and keep a smile on everyone's face. ...

Cornelius (Neil) Modinger III, 75, of Houston, Texas, formerly of Blytheville, passed from this life on Aug. 2, 2021. Born to Cornelius “Conny” and Helen Thompson Modinger Jr., in Blytheville, he was a graduate of Blytheville High School and served his country with honor in the United States Army where he achieved the rank of captain during his three years of service and served one year in Vietnam...

Angela Marie "Angie" Jackson, 38, of Manila, passed from this life Thursday, Sept. 2, 2021, at the Great River Medical Center in Blytheville. Born in Jonesboro, she was the daughter of the late Juan Rosales and had been a longtime resident of Jonesboro before making her home in Walnut Ridge then Manila in 2017. ...

Auburn “Midget” Hill, 76, of Gosnell, passed away Sunday, Sept. 5, 2021, at his home. Auburn was born in Birmingham, Ala., to Royal Hill and Evelyn Mae Gould. He worked as a garage door installer and always enjoyed working. He loved buying, fixing and selling used vehicles, and playing Solitaire...

Mildred Smith Fultz of Jonesboro was born June 19, 1937, in Marshallville, Ga., to the late Peggy Smith. She was a homemaker and a member of New Hope M.B. Church for 50 years where she served on the mother board. Mrs. Fultz passed away on Aug. 29, 2021, at St. Bernards Medical Center in Jonesboro at the age of 84. She was preceded in death by her mother, Peggy Smith; her husband, John Lee Fultz, Sr.; one son, John Lee Fultz, Jr.; and daughters, Dorothy Guyton and Murry Soward...

Jimmy Dority, Sr. was born in Frenchman’s Bayou on May 26, 1948, to Willie and Elise Malone Dority. Jimmy was a farmer and was of the Baptist faith. He was preceded in death by his parents. Jimmy passed away Saturday, Sept. 4, 2021, at Regional One Medical Center in Memphis, Tenn., at the age of 73...

Shirley Mae Sumners Dodd was born on May 16, 1936 in Viar, Tenn., to William Grant Sumners and Betty Biggers Sumners Hager. She passed away on Sept. 1, 2021 in Manila at the age of 85. She graduated from Steele High School with Class of 1954. She married James Welton “J.W.” Dodd and had three children, Tommy, Tammy and Michael. ...

Virginia “Ginger” Faye Perkins Tacker, 77, of Tyronza, born Dec. 27, 1943 to Chester and Gladys Perkins, entered peacefully into Heaven on Aug. 17, 2021. She was preceded in death by her parents; sisters, Carol June Perkins and Sandra Kay Green; her brother, Chester Aaron Perkins, Jr...

Paul Nelson Maxwell, 56, of Earle passed away Sept. 6, 2021, at his home. He was a truck driver and of the Baptist faith. Mr. Maxwell was born Jan. 14, 1965, in West Memphis to Jesse and Margie Lewis Maxwell of Earle. He is also survived by one son, Matthew Maxwell of Texas; one daughter, Cossandra "Chia" Suriano of Earle; one brother, Philip Dean Maxwell of Osceola; one sister, Tracy Maxwell of Earle; two grandchildren, Dominic Peavy of Earle and Shyanne Morton of Ozark, Mo...

Robert Lee Sledge of Blytheville was born April 20, 1958, in Sweetwater, Tenn., to the late James Sledge and the late Carrie Brown Campbell. He was a machine operator for American Greetings and was of the Baptist faith. Mr. Sledge passed away Sept. 1, 2021, at Regional One in Memphis, Tenn., at the age of 63. He was preceded in death by his father, James Sledge; his mother, Carrie Brown Campbell; one brother, Larry Sledge; and two sisters, Elmira Sledge and Mary Sue Flowers...

Vera Lou Mitchell, 83 of Memphis, Tenn., passed away Wednesday, Sept. 1, 2021, at Baptist Hospital in Memphis. Born in Ripley, Miss., to the late Hines and Rebecca Whitehead Smith, Vera was retired from Walgreens and was of the Baptist faith. She enjoyed shopping and being outdoors. ...

Cornelius (Neil) Modinger III, 75, of Houston, Texas, formerly of Blytheville, passed from this life on Aug. 2, 2021. Funeral arrangements are incomplete and will be announced when complete. Cobb Funeral Home is in charge of the local arrangements.

Vera Mitchell of Memphis, Tenn., passed away Thursday, Sept. 2, 2021, at Baptist Hospital in Memphis. Funeral arrangements are incomplete and will be announced when complete. Cobb Funeral Home is in charge of the arrangements.

James “Jim” Edward Watson, 72, of Cape Girardeau, Mo., formerly of Blytheville, departed this life on Friday, Sept. 2, 2021, at his home. Born to Edward and Zola Reams Watson in Blytheville, he was a resident for most of his life and a retired postal employee of the United States Postal Service. ...

Alvin “Bo” Huffman, III, 82, of Fairhope, Ala., died Aug. 31, 2021. The son of Alvin Huffman, Jr. and Virginia Myrick Huffman, he was raised in Blytheville. He was predeceased by his first wife, Jane Lewis Huffman, and is survived by his wife, Sally Cook Huffman. ...

Leon Anthony Rand of Blytheville was born Aug. 30, 1982, in Memphis, Tenn., to Tommy Burns and Cheri Rand. He was a clothes designer and was of the Christian faith. Mr. Rand passed away on Aug. 29, 2021, at his home in Blytheville at the age of 38. He is survived by his father, Tommy Burns of Marked Tree; his mother, Cheri Rand of Marked Tree; his wife, Rachel Walker Rand of Blytheville; two sons, Marley Rand and Mase Rand, both of Blytheville; and two sisters, Latonya Rand Clay and Myrtle Rand, both of Marked Tree.. ...

Leon Hogue, 71, of Memphis, Tenn., passed away Aug. 29, 2021, at Baptist Memorial in Memphis. He was a retired director of Calvary Street Ministry Half Way House in Memphis, a U.S. Army veteran and of the Baptist faith. Mr. Nash was born Feb. 27, 1950, in Tyronza to Frank Hogue and Malinda Lewis (Leroy) Nash. He was preceded in death by his father, Frank Hogue; his parents, Leroy and Malinda Nash; and his wife, Carolyn...