Obituaries

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. ...

Floyd Matheny, 79, of Caruthersville, Mo., passed away Sunday, Sept. 8, 2019, at St. Francis Medical Center in Cape Girardeau, Mo. Floyd was born in Huffman to Fred and Martha Singleton Matheny. He loved working and was a farm hand for Billy Poole and was an avid squirrel hunter...

Linda Ray, 71, of Blytheville passed away Saturday, Sept. 7, 2019, at the Phil and Flo Jones Hospice House in Jonesboro. She was born Feb. 3, 1948, in West Helena and was the daughter of James and Mattie Springfield Oliver. Linda was a graduate of Elijah Miller High School in West Helena and received her bachelor’s degree from Arkansas State University. She enjoyed cooking, sewing, knitting and playing spades...

Amire Taylor, 2 month old son of Alphonse Taylor, Sr. and Lornia Turner, passed away Wednesday, Sept. 4, 2019, at his home in Gosnell. He was born in Blytheville on July 22, 2019. He is survived by his parents; his sisters, Leslie Murphy, Ma’Kyeila Jones, E’Niya McDougal, and Ka’Leah Turner; his brothers, Ton’Quez McDougal, Ton’Darrius McDougal, Ay’Dein Taylor, and Al’Phonse Taylor, Jr. all of Blytheville; many aunts, uncles, cousins and other relatives...

Sally A. Foster, 76, of Batesville, formerly of Blytheville, passed away Sept. 3, 2019, at Woodlawn Heights Nursing Center in Batesville. Sally was born in Caribou, Maine, on July 10, 1943, and was the daughter of Pearl and Alta Rogers Thibodeau. Sally moved from California to Blytheville 1973. While in Blytheville, she attended Mississippi County Community College receiving her Associates Degree...

Reba Faye Imler, 91 of Paragould, widow of Mr. Willie B. Imler, passed from this life Thursday, Sept. 5, 2019, at St. Bernards Medical Center in Jonesboro surrounded by her loving family. Born in Russellville, she was the daughter of the late George and Myrtle Ann Chronsiter Montgomery and had been a longtime resident of Paragould where she lived with her grandson Johnny Evett and his wife Tes. ...

Vernon Austin “Dewey” Stillwell, 80, of Manila, died Wednesday, Sept. 4, 2019, at the Flo and Phil Jones Hospice House in Jonesboro. Born in Mounds, Ill., he was the son of the late Linnie James and Susie Bailey Stillwell and had been a Manila resident for the past 38 years. He was the owner and operator of Stillwell Septic Tank Service and was a member of the Church of God in Manila. In addition to his parents he was preceded in death by two sisters and a brother...

Tony Robert Edwards, 64, of Pine Bluff, former Leachville resident, passed from this life Wednesday, Sept. 4, 2019, at the University of Arkansas for Medical Science in Little Rock. Born in Perryville, Ark., Tony was a 1973 graduate of Leachville High School and later attended Southern Baptist College in Walnut Ridge. ...

Jerry Don Austin, 75, of Monette, former longtime Leachville resident, passed from this life Tuesday, Sept. 3, 2019, at his home. Born in Piggott, he was one of 11 children born to the late Shirl and Hazel Wiser Austin, was raised in Leachville and was a U.S. ...

Bill Lionel Donel, 83 of Mountain Home, former Manila resident, passed from this life Wednesday, Sept. 4, 2019, at Hospice of the Ozarks in Mountain Home. Born in Manila, he was the son of the late Arlin and Velma Patterson Donel and had lived most of his life in California. He was a longtime deputy sheriff for the Sutter County Sheriff Department and also served in the California National Guard. He later worked as a manager for Morgan Tire Company in Yuba City, Calif...

Barbara A. Renard, 83, passed on March 12, 2019, at home surrounded by her family in Madison, Ala.  From birth until her passing, Barbara was the most caring and nurturing soul that anyone could have the honor of meeting. Her faith, love and heartwarming meals brought joy and comfort to those around her. Born September 16, 1935, in Greenway to Orville and Dorothy Gurley, Barbara was the oldest of three siblings. She began a life of service at an early age by helping care for her younger brothers Carrol (deceased) and Ronnie while her father and mother ran the family farm. In January of 1955 Barbara married her high school sweetheart and the love her life, Donald Renard.. ...

Richard A. Reid, 87, of Blytheville passed away Tuesday, Sept. 3, 2019 at Gosnell Therapy and Living Center. Richard was born in Blytheville to Max B. and Patsy N. Reid. He graduated from Blytheville High School and graduated from the University of Arkansas with a Bachelor of Science in Business Administration. ...

Billy Ray McClelland, 79, of Turrell, passed away Sept. 2, 2019, at Flo & Phil Jones Hospice House in Jonesboro. A U.S. Army veteran, he was a retired painter and a member of Turrell Baptist Church. Mr. McClelland was born Oct. 18, 1939, in Gilmore to Morris and Doris McFarland McClelland...

Nettie Regenia "Jeannie" Rodgers, 79, of Bay, formerly of Leachville, passed from this life Sunday, Sept. 1, 2019, at St. Bernards Medical Center in Jonesboro. Born and raised in Leachville, she was the daughter of the late Claud and Ollie Bishoff Mathis and had attended Leachville Public Schools. ...

Nola Mae Howard was born in Byhalia, Miss., to Emmitt Benson and Katie Benson. Nola, departed this life on Wednesday, Aug. 28, 2019, at her home in Blytheville, Ark., at the age of 101. She was preceded in death by her husband, Peter Eugene Howard; her parents, Emmitt and Katie Benson; her son, Alvorn Howard; and two daughters, Doris Allen and Gloria Howard...

Johnnie Goff, 75, of Blytheville passed away Friday, Aug. 30, at Great River Medical Center. The daughter of Nola and John Clark, she was born in Luxora on July 24, 1944. She was baptized at the age of 14 and was a member of New Liberty Baptist Church...

Quintin Falls was born Nov. 15, 1964, to Hattie Bradford and John Stanton Sr. in Chicago, Ill. Quintin departed this life Thursday, Aug. 29, 2019, at Jackson Manor Nursing Home in Jackson, Mo., at the age of 54. Quintin was preceded in death by his father John Stanton Sr., his stepfather R.L. Taylor, and his brother Eric Peter Taylor...

Max B. Tarpley, 83, of Blytheville, passed away Wednesday, Aug. 28, 2019 in Jonesboro. Born in Lepanto to Clarence and Macie Andrews Tarpley, Max was retired from Dyersburg State Community College and previously taught for several years at Mississippi County Community College (now Arkansas Northeastern College) in Blytheville. ...

Rex Gene “Bob” Farmer, 87 of Manila, passed from this life Tuesday, Aug. 27, 2019, at NEA Baptist Memorial Hospital in Jonesboro. Born in Manila, he was the son of the late Cly and Christine Assalee Bollinger Farmer and was a lifelong area resident. ...

W.C. Jennings, 81, died Aug. 17, 2019, at Heritage Square Nursing Center in Blytheville. He was born Sept. 29, 1937, in Holland, Mo. Mr. Jennings could do just about anything but was especially good at woodwork. He also loved to dance and was very good at it. He spent most of his time surrounded by family and friends...

Frank Wilson Thompson, 80, of Fayetteville, N.C., formerly of Northeast Arkansas, passed from this life Tuesday, Aug. 27, 2019, at his home. Born and raised in Chadbourn, N.C., he was the son of the late George A. and Winnie Covington Thompson. Frank was a 1957 graduate of Chadbourn High School and was retired from the U.S. ...

John T. “The Tire Man” Stone, 67, of Blytheville, passed away Monday, Aug. 26, 2019, at Great River Medical Center in Blytheville. John was born in Fredrick, Okla., to Roy and Mary Owens Stone and was a self-employed tire technician. He was an avid fan of all sports, especially loving to watch football and wrestling. John was a professional at spoiling his nieces and nephews with each of them believing that they were his favorite...

Dorothy Banks was born Dec. 23, 1936, to the late William Clark and Inell Clark in Itta Bena, Miss. She departed this life on Friday, Aug. 23, 2019, at her residence in Hernando, Miss., at the age of 82. Her parents preceded her in death, She leaves to cherish her loving memories her husband, Walter Banks Jr. ...

George Keck Powell, MD, AAFPFACS (ret.), Colonel U.S. Army (ret.) of St. Marys, Ga., 80, passed away Aug. 20, 2019. He served 26 years in the U.S. Army as a trauma surgeon in Vietnam, with NASA on ocean recoveries for Apollo and Skylab missions, program director for surgical residency programs at El Paso, Texas, and Augusta, Ga., and surgical consultant to the Surgeon General of the U.S. Army. He graduated from Washington University School of Medicine and Colorado College...

On Friday, Aug. 16, 2019, Glenda Sue Gross, loving wife, mother of three children, and grandmother of four children, passed away at the age of 68 in Jacksonville, Fla., after a heart attack. Glenda was born March 27, 1951, in Blytheville, Ark., to Floyd and Gertrude (Martin) Ash...

Dorothy Mae Scroggins, 92, of Blytheville, passed away Monday, Aug. 26, 2019, at her residence. Dorothy was born in Carson Lake to Fred and Edith Adams Chamberlain. She was a homemaker and member of Ridgecrest Baptist Church. Dorothy enjoyed tending to her flower garden, sewing, decorating cakes and was a former member of the Mississippi County Extension Club. Dorothy loved her dogs, Dusty and Skipper, and was a devoted wife, mother and grandmother...

Billy Owens Stotts, 67, of Caraway, passed away on Saturday, Aug. 24, 2019, at UAMS in Little Rock. He was born on Dec. 25, 1951, in Lake Village. He was a retired Arkansas State Trooper who spent the majority of his career in the Executive Protection Section protecting Governors Bill Clinton, Jim Guy Tucker and Mike Huckabee. ...

Juanita Michelle Whitfield Thompson, 43, of Jonesboro formerly of Blytheville passed away, Thursday, Aug. 22, 2019, at St. Bernards Medical Center in Jonesboro. She was born Aug. 8, 1976, to Johnny Whitfield and Shirley Thompson in Osceola. Juanita attended school in Blytheville and was employed by NicePak in Jonesboro...

Nancy Ramey Graham, 69, of Memphis, Tenn., and formerly of Blytheville, passed from this life on Thursday, Aug. 22, 2019, at the Baptist Memorial Hospital East in Memphis. Born to Charles and Dixie Evelyn Howard Ramey in Homewood, Ill., and a graduate of Homewood-Flossmoor High School, she was a member of the First Presbyterian Church of Blytheville and spent several years as a dedicated caregiver for her mother. ...

Terry Wayne Atchley, 62, of Jonesboro, passed away Tuesday, Aug. 20, 2019, at NEA Baptist Hospital. He was born March 1, 1957, in Blytheville to the late Roy Atchley and Bernice Francine Roberts. Terry owned and operated Terry’s Sales and Rentals in Blytheville and loved his community. ...

Eddie Lee Johnson, 66, of Little Rock, formerly of Blytheville, passed away Saturday, Aug. 17, 2019, at his home in Little Rock. He was born May 4, 1953 in Potts Camp, Miss., to James and Freddie Lee Knox Johnson Sr. Eddie graduated from Rivercrest High School, was a machine specialist at American Greetings and a member of Church of Christ...

Jo Ella Cruse, 93, of Sherwood, died Tuesday, Aug. 20, 2019, at the Colonel Glenn Hospice Care Center in Little Rock. Born in Leachville to the late Archer Fletcher and Anna Grace Cook Pierce, she graduated from Leachville High School and later the University of Central Arkansas. ...

Gary Zane Hall of Greer’s Ferry died at home Aug. 19 after a brave battle with cancer. He leaves a wife of 49 years, Brenda Gates Hall; a daughter, Teresa Marie Hall and friend Misti Barner, daughter, Kendyll; sister, Peggy Hall Carson, husband Chris and nephew Zane Carson; “adopted” daughter Michelle Echols-children Dillon and MacKenzie who called him Papa G.; many cousins, nieces and nephews...

Lela Lucindia Ashley, 39, of Monette, passed away Sunday, Aug. 18, 2019. She was born Oct. 13, 1979, in Memphis. Lela graduated Buffalo Island Central High School in 1998 and received her Master of Education in Elementary Education from Arkansas State University. She had taught for 18 years at Cross County, Senath, Riverside and finally at Buffalo Island Central. She was a member of the Alpha Gamma Delta Sorority at Arkansas State University and a longtime member of the Monette United Methodist Church. She loved being a mother and watching her girls play softball. She enjoyed spending time with her family and will be remembered as a loving wife, daughter, mother, sister and friend.. ...

Ronald Crawford “Moondoe”, 70, of Monette passed away Aug. 16, 2019, at Monette Manor in Monette. He was in retail sales and a member of Joiner Methodist Church in Joiner. Mr. Crawford was born Nov. 18, 1948 in Joiner to Rhea and Lois Sheppard Crawford...

Sharon Lou Tamaro of Blytheville was born Dec. 28, 1958 in Owensboro, Ky., to Nancy Harper Ball and the late James Rudisill. She was a custodian. Mrs. Harper passed away on Aug. 17, 2019, at her home in Blytheville at the age of 61. She was preceded in death by her father, James Rudisill, and her husband, Amando Tamaro...

Tyree Johnson Jr. of Blytheville was born Aug. 5, 2019, to Tyree Johnson Sr. and Jakerra Leonard. Tyree passed away on Aug. 5, 2019 at Baptist Memorial Hospital for Women in Memphis, Tenn. He was preceded in death by two sisters, Ava Johnson and Armoni Johnson...

Johnny Lee Hendrix of Blytheville was born July 26, 1959, to the late Quillie Hendrix and the late Robie Vanzant Moore. He was a retired farmer and was of the Pentecostal faith. Mr. Hendrix passed away on Aug. 16, 2019, at Heritage Square Nursing Center in Blytheville at the age of 60...

Kenneth Leroy “Buck” Frasher, 79 of Arbyrd, Mo., passed from this life Friday, Aug. 16, 2019, at the Arkansas Methodist Medical Center in Paragould. Born in Scammon, Kansas, he served in the U.S. Army and had lived much of his life in the Chicago area. He was a retired truck driver and had lived in Arbyrd since 1997...

Ricky Edward Stiles, 70, passed away in his Franklin, Tenn., home on Aug. 15, 2019. He was born in Blytheville to Edward Stiles and Vivian Flagg Stiles and was a graduate of Osceola High School. He served as vice president of his senior class. As a young man, he joined the ROTC and was employed at American Greetings in Osceola. ...

Logan Mark Lawrence, infant son of Kevin and Erin Field Lawrence, passed from this life Thursday, Aug. 15, 2019 in Jonesboro. In addition to his parents, Logan is survived by one sister, Madalynn Lawrence of the home; his maternal grandparents, William Joseph and Shannon Field of Jonesboro; paternal grandmother, Martha Lawrence of Jonesboro; maternal great-grandparents, Bill and Joan Field of Jonesboro and Dennis and Peggy Kissinger of Bessemer, Ala...

Sylvia Mae Smith, 93, of Jonesboro, former Leachville resident, died Friday, Aug. 16, 2019, at the Lakeside Nursing Center in Lake City. Born in Sulpher Rock, she was the daughter of the late Commodore “CD” and Ella Lewis Gilmore and had been a longtime Leachville resident before making her home in Jonesboro in 1986. She was retired from the former Brown Shoe Company in Leachville and was a member of the Nettleton Church of Christ...

Charles Henry Dunn, 85, of Manila, died Friday, Aug. 16, 2019, at his home. Born in Black Oak, he was the son of the late John and Cora England Dunn and had lived most of his life in Manila. Charles was retired from the former Brown Shoe Company in Leachville and later worked as a bus driver for Manila Public Schools. ...

Stewart Braswell Gurley, 89, of Blytheville, passed away Thursday, Aug. 15, 2019 at his home. Stewart was born in Blytheville to James and Virgie Gurley. He was a retired farmer and attended Mississippi State college. Stewart was a member of Luxora Baptist Church where he served as a deacon and taught Sunday school for many years. ...

James Glenn “Jamie” Davidson, 55, of Manila, died Wednesday, Aug. 14, 2019, from injuries received in a motorcycle accident in Manila. The son of the late Mabel Rickard Davidson, he was born in Manila and had been a lifelong area resident. Jamie was a 1983 graduate of Manila High School and was employed by Unilever of Jonesboro. He had a passion for motorcycles and was also a Ford Mustang enthusiast. Jamie was a member of the First Baptist Church in Manila...

Jamie Renee McDermott, 58, of Holland, Mo., passed away Aug. 13, 2019, at St. Bernards Medical Center in Jonesboro. Born Jan. 25, 1961 in Blytheville, she was the daughter of James and Mary Ann (Bateman) McDermott. She attended Blytheville High School and worked in various capacities over the years to include American Greetings in Osceola and bartending at the American Legion in Blytheville. ...