Obituaries

Junior Overton, 86, of Blytheville, passed away Tuesday, Feb. 18, 2020, at his home. Junior was born in Blytheville to Billie and Eva Mae Overton. He was a retired farmer and a member of Lone Oak Baptist Church. Junior was an avid duck hunter. He was preceded in death by his parents; son, Gary Overton; two brothers; three sisters; and one grandson, Jason Ingram...

Judith V. Ray, 83, of Blytheville, passed away Sunday, Feb. 16, 2020, at Gosnell Therapy and Living. Judith was born in Iuka, Miss., to Albert Fowler, Sr. and Arel Wilson Fowler. She was retired from ACCO and attended Bethany Baptist Church. Judith was a fan of George Jones and enjoyed country line dancing...

Calvnita Batton "Nita" Halfacre, 86, of Manila, widow of Dell Van Halfacre, passed from this life Sunday, Feb. 16, 2020, at her home. Born in Manila, she was the daughter of the late Cletus Melton and Dollie Brinkley Batton and had been a lifelong Manila resident. "Nita" was a 1952 graduate of Manila High School and was retired from DVAN VELCO MFG. ...

Prince Sharkey of Blytheville was born Feb. 13, 2020 in Blytheville to Iceland Sharkey of Blytheville. Prince passed away Feb. 13, 2020, at Great River Medical Center in Blytheville. He is survived by his mother Iceland Sharkey of Blytheville; two uncles, Fredrick Sharkey, Jr. ...

Kennedi Jean Denton of Luxora was born Jan. 7, 2020 n Blytheville to Christopher Denton and Courtney Ring. Kennedi passed away at SMC Hospital in Osceola on Feb. 14, 2020, at the age of one month and seven days. She is survived by her mother Courtney Ring and father Christopher Denton, both of Luxora; four brothers, Carson Denton, Tristan Denton, Christian Blake Denton and Nathaniel Stafford, all of Luxora; three sisters, Gabriella Denton, Harleigh Rapert and Faithlyn Denton, all of Luxora; and grandparents, Tracy Lawson and Linniel Lawson, both of Blytheville, Donna and Calvin Williams, both of Lepanto, Edgar and Tina Denton, both of Mountain Home, and Phil and Krystal Wynne, both of Austin.. ...

Roy Wayne Byrd, 73, of Higden passed away Feb. 16, 2020. He was born in Blytheville on Sept. 20, 1946, to the late Ernest B. and Cricket Marie (Green) Byrd. He enjoyed fishing, hunting and raising a vegetable garden. He was an amazing husband, father, grandfather and brother, who was loved and will be missed deeply...

Zachary Renaldo Marquez, 55, of Leachville, passed from this life Wednesday, Feb. 12, 2020, at the St. Bernards Medical Center in Jonesboro. Born in Sacramento, Calif., he was the son of the late Victor Ezekiel and Ramona Martinez Marquez and was a 1984 graduate of Rio Linda High School in Sacramento. ...

Loudeen Cude Nolen, 98, of Walnut Ridge, former longtime Leachville resident, passed from this life Saturday, Feb. 15, 2020, at the Lawrence Memorial Hospital in Walnut Ridge. Born in Blytheville to the late Boyd and Ethel Lane Tomlinson she had lived most of her life in the Leachville area. ...

Joel Scott Downing, 55, of Blytheville, passed from this life Sunday, Feb. 16, 2020, at the Great River Medical Center in Blytheville. Born and raised in Blytheville, he was the son of the late Ben Henry and Peggy Ball Downing and had been a lifelong Blytheville resident. ...

Johnny Mack Combs, 61, of Blytheville, passed away Sunday, Feb. 16, 2020 at his home. Johnny Mack was born in Luxora to John Murphy Combs and Edith Green Combs and was a retired farmhand. He was a very active person and loved to hunt and fish. He enjoyed watching football and tending to his garden. ...

Barbara Lynn Carr, 69 of Manila, passed away Saturday, Feb. 15, 2020, at the Flo and Phil Jones Hospice House in Jonesboro. Born in Pueblo, Colo., she was the daughter of the late Tony and Clara Owens Ruggieri and was raised in the Rocky Community near Leachville by her grandparents, Mollie and Cleve Owens. ...

Phillip Ray Gillette, 76, of Little Rock, passed from this life Thursday, Feb. 13, 2020, in Higden. Born in Blytheville to the late Eugene and Pauline Weaver Gillette, he was raised on the family farm in Reeves, Mo., and graduated from Holland High School in Holland, Mo. ...

Deborah Carleane Simmons, 65, of Jonesboro, widow of Earnest Simmons, died Saturday, Feb. 15, 2020, at the Barnes-Jewish Hospital in St. Louis. Born in Hot Springs, she was the daughter of the late Carl and Nellie Pilgrim Kemp and was raised in the Lepanto and West Ridge areas. ...

Virginia Murphy, 71, of Monette, passed from this life Friday, Feb. 14, 2020, at the NEA Baptist Memorial Hospital in Jonesboro. Born in Russellville to the late Lonnie and Lena Harris Murphy, she had spent much of her youth in the Buckeye community and was a graduate of Leachville High School. ...

Robert Lee Wakefield, 92, of Blytheville, passed away Wednesday, Feb. 12, 2020, at his home. Robert was born in Bounds Creek, Mo., to Ira and Bertha Joy Wakefield. He was the owner of Wakefield Body Company. Robert served his country with honor in the United States Navy and was of the Methodist faith...

Patricia Selby Walpole, 81, of Arbyrd, Mo., passed from this life Wednesday, Feb. 12, 2020, at her home. Born in Arbyrd, she was the daughter of the late Harrold and Jayne Allison Selby and was a 1956 graduate of Arbyrd High School. She lived several years in Kennett before moving to Defiance, Ohio, in 1964, where she worked as a bookkeeper for All Star Industries. She returned to Arbyrd in 2002. Pat was a member of the former Arbyrd Baptist Church and more recently attended Trinity Community Church in Cardwell. In addition to her parents, she was preceded in death earlier this month by her husband of 63 years, Hugh Wayne Walpole.. ...

Samuel Gean Maupin, 75, of Benton, formerly of Blytheville, died Feb. 13, 2020, at home. He was born Jan. 15, 1945, in Wilson. He was a former mechanic for Blytheville Public Schools Transportation Department. He loved to barbecue and go fishing. He was preceded in death by his parents, R.C. Maupin and Estelle (Mccanless) Burchfield; a brother, David Maupin; a sister, Mary “Ann” Kennedy; and a niece Tammy Deason...

Cecil Carl Morgan, Jr., 73, of Pace, Fla., passed away, Thursday, Feb. 6, 2020. Cecil was born in Oxford, Miss., on March 13, 1946. He was the oldest of four children. He graduated from Louisiana High School, Louisiana, Mo., and then later from Community College of the Air Force. He was a U.S. Air Force Vietnam veteran and retired in 1990 as a MSgt. with 26 years of service from Eaker AFB in Blytheville. He then went to work for Sherwin Williams and later for Farmers Bank, both in Blytheville...

Mary Lynn Leggett, 90, of Gosnell, passed away Tuesday, Feb. 11, 2020, at her home. Mary was the daughter of Claud and Vela Tomlinson Duncan. Mary attended school at Dell and graduated from Gosnell High School. In 1959, she began college at Arkansas State University all while working a full time job and raising her children. ...

Betty Dodds Southern, 93, passed away Jan. 26, 2020, in Germantown, Tenn. Betty was born in Dyersburg, Tenn., on June 17, 1926. She attended Freed Hardeman University where she obtained her teaching degree and then moved to Blytheville. It was in Blytheville that she met her future husband, Clyde, on a blind date. ...

Ida B. Fowler Shannon of Blytheville was born Oct. 2, 1925, in Blytheville to the late Troy Fowler and the late Cora Bynum McWay. She was a homemaker and was the oldest member and an usher for Carters Temple C.M.E. Church in Blytheville. Mrs. Shannon passed away Feb. 9, 2020, at NEA Baptist Memorial Hospital in Jonesboro at the age of 94...

Peggy Moore was born Jan. 17, 1970, to the late Charlene Harris and Eddie Lee Moore Sr. Peggy departed this life on Saturday, Feb. 8, 2020, at her residence in West Memphis at the age of 50. She was preceded in death by her parents and one son, Roy Barber Jr...

John Quincy McCray passed away Friday, Feb. 7, 2020, peacefully at his residence surrounded by his family at the age of 55. He was born March 29, 1964, in Blytheville to Edgar and Cora Pulley McCray. He was of the Baptist faith and was a member of Morning Star Missionary Baptist Church...

Luberta (Lawshea) Conley was born April 18, 1954, to the late Frank and Luberta Lawshea in Blytheville. Ms. Conley departed this life on Tuesday, Feb. 4, 2020, at NEA Hospital in Jonesboro, at the age of 65. She was preceded in death by her parents; her husband Tommy Conley; two sisters, Orlean Langston and Rosie Lawshea; and a special Aunt Rosie (Lawshea) Carter...

JC Green, 74, of Manila, passed from this life Feb. 7, 2020, at the Monette Manor Nursing Center. Born in Manila, he was the son of the late Oliver and Mozella Brown Green and was a lifelong area resident. A graduate of Manila High School, he was a U.S. ...

Quitman Larry “Sonny Boy” Cox, Sr., 88, of Osceola, passed away Feb. 4, 2020. He was born March 10, 1931, to Jim and Zetter Cox. He was a United States Army veteran, retired from Delta Products Oil Mill and a self taught carpenter and upholsterer. He was a member of Keiser First Baptist Church...

Ida Maxine Farmer, 94, of Jonesboro, passed away Wednesday, Feb. 5, 2020 at 10:10 p.m. in Jonesboro. Maxine was born April 17, 1925 in Senath, Mo. She was the daughter of Dora (Watkins) and James Edgar Buford. Maxine was a member of Sanctuary church. ...

John Parnell of Blytheville passed away in his home at the age of 62. He was born Oct. 1, 1957, in Blytheville to Arthur and Jearline Randle Parnell. John attended school in Blytheville, following graduation he enlisted in the United States Navy. He had also worked at Nucor Steel in Blytheville...

Edward (Eddie) Wells said farewell to this world on Jan. 16, 2020, in Los Angeles, Calif. He was born Aug. 1, 1956, to the late Fred Wells and Katie Lawshea Wells in Blytheville. Eddie was raised in old mill quarters. He graduated from Blytheville High School Class of 1974. ...

Joanne Tomblin, 83, of Mountain View, formerly of Blytheville, passed away Saturday, Feb. 1, 2020, at The Waters in Mountain View. Joanne was born in Armorel to Thomas D. and Alma R. King Haynie. She was retired from Ramada Inn and Blytheville School District. Joanne was an avid quilter. She made her own patterns and personalized each quilt she made. She also made world famous cinnamon rolls and cookies. People would come from all around to take some of her cookies and cinnamon rolls home...

Christopher Keith Parker, Sr., 43, of Jonesboro died Feb. 1, 2020, at St. Bernards Medical Center in Jonesboro. He was a member of Bethlehem MB Church in Osceola and the Army National Guard. Mr. Parker was born June 28, 1976, in Osceola to George Ellis and Mable Lean Robinson Parker. He was preceded in death by his parents...

Tawanda Diane Kirby “ING” of Blytheville was born Jan. 4, 1977 in Blytheville to the late James Kirby, Jr. and the late Gladys Mae Fleming Kirby. She worked in payroll for the Hilton Cooperation, held an associate degree and was a member of Life Church in Cordova, Tenn. ...

Imogene "Jean" Elmore, 75, of Osceola died Feb. 2, 2020, at Ridgecrest Health and Rehab in Jonesboro. She was a homemaker and a member of First Baptist Church of Osceola. Ms. Elmore was born Feb. 15, 1944, in Blytheville. She was preceded in death by her parents, her husband Chris Elmore, one brother and one sister...

Mr. Ben “Mac” White Jr., 72, of Blytheville, passed from this life on Saturday, Feb. 1, 2020 at the Phil and Flo Jones Hospice House in Jonesboro. Born to Ben McArthur and Jane Williams White in Memphis, Tenn., he was a resident of Blytheville for most of his life. ...

Hugh Wayne Walpole, 80, of Arbyrd, Mo., passed from this life Saturday, Feb. 1, 2020, at the Arkansas Methodist Medical Center in Paragould. Born in Kennett, Mo., he was the son of the late Clyde and Jewel Sutton Walpole and was a 1957 graduate of Kennett High School. ...

Garry Lynn Waddell, 69, of Manila, passed from this life Thursday, Jan. 30, 2020, at his home. Born in Blytheville, he was the son of the late Carroll and Delphia Irene Crouse Waddell and had been a lifelong resident of the Blackwater community near Manila. Garry was a 1968 graduate of Manila High School, had attended Arkansas State University and was a retired farmer. In addition to his parents, he was preceded in death by one brother, Lieutenant Larry Waddell...

Linda Lee Lunbeck Musser, 82, of Blytheville died early Friday morning, Jan. 31, 2020, at the Flo and Phil Jones Hospice House in Jonesboro. Born in Malta Bend, Mo., to Herbert and Mary Lunbeck on June 25, 1937, she was a member of the Blytheville First United Methodist Church, where she was at times a member of the Chancel Choir, handbell choir, Genesis Sunday school class, and United Methodist Women...

Ruby Plunkett, 86, of Blytheville, passed away Jan. 31, 2020, at Gosnell Therapy and Living Center in Blytheville. Ruby was born to Bill and Lavada Owens Noble and was of the Church of God faith. Ruby loved her family and was a devoted mother and grandmother...

Ethan William Martin, 15, son of Mark and Jennifer Martin of Armorel, passed from this life Sunday, Jan. 26, 2020 at his home. Ethan was born in Blytheville and was a member of Gospel Lighthouse Church. He was a student at Armorel Junior High School where he played basketball and ran track. ...

Mr. Robinson Socrates Nunn, 75, of Blytheville passed away peacefully on Tuesday, Jan. 21, 2020, after a swift battle with cancer. Born Sept. 29, 1944, in Blytheville, he was son of Dr. King H. Nunn, III and Dr. Helen Robinson Nunn. Rob was a proud veteran of the United States Marine Corps and life member of Kappa Alpha Psi Fraternity, Inc. and the National Bar Association. Rob retired from the Small Business Administration (SBA) as Chief Counsel for Ethics after over 45 years of service. ...

Bettye Sue Richardson, 82, of Manila, widow of Mr. Carl Richardson, passed from this life Tuesday, Jan. 28, 2020, at the Flo and Phil Jones Hospice House in Jonesboro. Born in Manila, she was the daughter of the late James Samuel and Macie Lee Johnson Murray and had been a longtime Manila resident. Bettye was a 1956 graduate of Manila High School, was a homemaker and a member of Blackwater Baptist Church near Manila...

Joe M. Jolley of Bono passed away Wednesday, Jan. 15, 2020, at the age of 73, at his home in Bono. He lived in Blytheville as a child and teenager and also lived in McKinney, Texas, for many years, before retiring in Bono. Joe was born in Blytheville on Nov. ...

Eesha R. Humphrey, 24, of Blytheville passed away Monday, Jan. 27, 2020, at Baptist East Hospital in Memphis, Tenn. Eesha was born to Elisa Humphrey in Memphis on Feb. 19, 1995. She attended the Blytheville Public Schools and studied at Arkansas Northeastern College...

Mamie Loudean Huddleston, 87, of Manila, widow of Tommie Huddleston, passed from this life Tuesday, Jan. 28, 2020, at the Monette Manor Nursing Center. Born in Manila, she was the daughter of the late Orval and Vera Harmon Needham and was a lifelong area resident. She enjoyed gardening, spending time with her family, and going on shopping trips with her grandchildren. In addition to her parents and husband, she was preceded in death by a daughter, Shirley Dean...

Eugene Chew, Sr., 69, of Luxora, died Jan. 21, 2020, at St. Bernards Medical Center in Jonesboro. He was a former employee for the City of Luxora and of the Baptist faith. Mr. Chew was born April 5, 1950 in Dell, to Willie and Evie Lee Warner Chew, Sr. He was preceded in death by his parents; one daughter, Marengia Williams; two brothers, Percy Chew and Willie Chew, Jr.; and one sister Carol Hill...

Edward Charles Taylor of Sikeston, Mo., was born July 18, 1951, in Jericho, to the late Willie Taylor and the late Orliner McGhee Taylor. He was a farm worker and was of the Baptist faith. Mr. Taylor passed away on Jan. 18, 2020, at the Life Care Center of Cape Girardeau, Mo., at the age of 68. He was preceded in death by his father Willie Taylor; his mother Orliner McGhee Taylor; his wife Jackie Taylor; one brother Willie Taylor, Jr. and two sisters, Ruthie Mae Lewis and Betty Jean Bradley...

Peggy Joan (Willburn) Morehead, 83, of Little Rock, formerly of Blytheville and La Junta, Colo., passed away Friday, Jan. 24, at Presbyterian Village surrounded by her loving family. Peggy was born in Pueblo, Colo., on September 25, 1936, to John and Marguerite (Owens) Willburn. She was a homemaker who was devoted to her family as a wife, mother, grandmother, sister and aunt...

Easton Wayne Stone, 2 month old infant son of Dexter Green and Valerie Stone of Manila, passed from this life Sunday, Jan. 26, 2020, at St. Bernards Medical Center in Jonesboro. He was preceded in death by his great-grandmother, Faye Edwards. In addition to his parents, he is survived by his grandparents, Tony and Andrea Stone, Terry Green, all of Manila, Tammy Mason of Batesville; his great-grandfather, Freddie Edwards of Manila. ...

Angelica Faith Robinson, 28, of Osceola, died Jan. 21, 2020, at Baptist East in Memphis, Tenn. She was employed by Dillards department store and Teletech in Jonesboro and was a member of Green Acres Church of Christ in Osceola. Angelica was born Nov. 20, 1991, in Blytheville to Eddie L. Robinson and Gloria Dudley Robinson. She was preceded in death by her grandparents, Toney Dudley, Sr., Elsie Dudley, Julia Chalk and Eddie Chalk...

Jeffrey Kenny Butler, 54, of Osceola, died Jan. 21, 2020 at his home. He was the shop manager for Jim Ross Tires in Osceola, an employee at Bowles Liquor in Osceola and of the Baptist faith. Mr. Butler was born May 25, 1965 in Osceola to Frank Jackson and Lyvarne Butler. He was preceded in death by his parents; three brothers, Leon Craft, Larry Marshall and Willie Jackson...