Obituaries

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. ...

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...

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. ...

Donald Herbert Henderson, better known as “JD”, died unexpectedly on Aug. 11, 2019 in Blytheville. Our hearts are breaking today as we realize the depth of our loss. JD was bigger than life, smart, bold, opinionated, controversial, outgoing, wild, and full of laughter. He never met a stranger and never forgot a face...

Janie Paulette Minton, 67, of Caraway, widow of Kenneth Minton, passed from this life Tuesday, Aug. 13, 2019, at her home. Born in Caraway, she was the daughter of the late Paul and Kathleen Pearson Edmondson and had been a lifelong resident of the Caraway and Milligan Ridge areas. A graduate of Caraway Central High School, she later worked as a migrant tutor for Manila Public Schools and was a longtime member of the Milligan Ridge Missionary Baptist Church...

Dorothy Fay Hamm, 88, of Luxora, passed away Friday, Aug. 9, 2019 at Heritage Nursing Home in Osceola. Dorothy was born in Scott Hills, Tenn., to James and Claudie Tucker Wheeler. She was a graduate of Burdette Public Schools and retired from Bush Canning Company and the Armorel School District Cafeteria. ...

Jackie Ann Thompson, 63, of Gosnell, passed away Saturday, Aug. 10, 2019 at Baptist Memorial Hospital in Memphis. Jackie was born in Kennett, Mo., to Lindell “Cotton” and Jewell Haynes Cox. She was a homemaker and a member of the USBC Bowling Association. Jackie enjoyed camping, bowing and spending time with her grandchildren...

Lorinda “Sue” Hill Lee, 74, of Manila, passed from this life Monday, Aug. 12, 2019, at her home. Born in Benton Harbor, Mich., she was the daughter of the late William and Ovie Gray McCain and had been a longtime Manila area resident. She was a former employee of Borg-Warner of Blytheville and American Greetings in Osceola; she retired from the former Hill’s Grocery in 2006, where she was known for her cooking. ...

James Michael Grable, 57, of Manila, passed from this life Tuesday, Aug. 6, 2019, at St. Bernards Medical Center in Jonesboro. Born in West Memphis to the late James Russell and Georgia Lee Wright Grable, he had been a lifelong area resident and was a 1980 graduate of Manila High School. ...

Victor Thomas Chapman, 80, of Blytheville passed at his home on Monday, Aug. 5, 2019. He was born in Goodman, Miss., on Oct. 4, 1938, to Ziner and Blanchie Wise Chapman. He was a member of Open-Door House of Prayer under the leadership of Bishop Henry Mays and retired from the Blytheville Housing Authority where he worked in maintenance...

Jimmy Eugene Lowe, 78, of Gosnell went to be with the Lord on Monday, Aug. 5, at St. Bernards Hospital in Jonesboro. He was born in Reedsburg, Wis., to Elsworth Leroy Lowe and Evelyn Solchenberger Lowe on Aug. 11, 1940. He was a high school graduate and completed two years of college...

Mr. Frank Russell Anderson, age 105, of Blytheville, passed away peacefully in his home on Tuesday, Aug. 6, 2019. Born Dec. 28, 1913 in Mt. Vernon, Ohio, to Dr. Frank Clinton and Ethel Ross Anderson, he would go on to a life of dedicated, faithful service in various ways for his country, family and friends. Preceding Frank in death were his parents, his beloved wife of 52 years , Emma Lou Phillips Anderson, infant son, Russell Anderson, and beloved sister, Elizabeth Maushund...

Mrs. Pairstine Paige of Blytheville, AR was born August 10, 1949 in Frenchman’s Bayou, AR to the late Henry Johnson, JR. and the late Della Kimble Johnson. She was a homemaker and a member of New Mt. Olive M.B. Church. Mrs. Paige passed away on August 2, 2019 at Flo and Phil Jones Hospice House in Jonesboro, AR at the age of 69. ...

Earl Lee Miller, Sr. known to everyone as “Sherwood” was born July 25, 1953 in Armorel, AR to the late Richard Miller, Sr. and the late Daisy Mae Larde Miller. He was a retired farmer and was of the Baptist Faith. Mr. Miller passed away on August 1, 2019 at Flo and Phil Jones Hospice House in Jonesboro, AR at the age of 66. ...

David Ira Gaines, 77, of Blytheville, passed away Saturday, August 3, 2019 at NEA Baptist Hospital in Jonesboro. Born to Ira and Betty Jo Gaines, David was a former employee of Agrico and Walmart and was a member of the First Church of the Nazarene. He served his country with honor in the United States Army. David loved his dogs and reading. He enjoyed watching his nephews play and had a passion for writing...

Mr. Frank R. Anderson, 105, of Blytheville, passed away Tuesday, August 6, 2019 at his home. Funeral arrangements are incomplete and will be announced when complete. Cobb Funeral Home is in charge of all arrangements. Condolences may be expressed to the family at www.cobbfuneralhome.com...

Otha Fay Kennedy, 83, passed away Sunday, August 4, 2019 at his home in Gosnell. Otha was born to Olie and Daisy (Maddox) Kennedy on August 8, 1935. He was self-employed, working as a carpenter most of his life. Otha was preceded in death by both parents; his brother, Jimmy Lee Kennedy; and daughter, Dana Lisenby...

Annie McAuley, 85, of Memphis, Tenn., formerly of Armorel, passed away at NHC Healthcare in Dosloge, Mo., on Aug. 1, 2019. Annie was born to Martin and Bernice Gamble Needham. She was of the Baptist faith. She worked and retired as a secretary at Rhodes College in Memphis. She loved to read, watch Chicago Cubs baseball, listen to Elvis, and always enjoyed her cup of coffee. Annie loved having her grand and great-grandchildren come over for visits...

Bobby Joe Benham, 66, of Manila, passed from this life Friday, Aug. 2, 2019, at his home. Born in Manila, he was the son of the late Charles Mackey Joe and Shirley Ford Benham and had been a longtime Manila resident. As a young man he had worked for Robert Hamilton Farms and later worked for Paul Fleeman Farms where he retired in 2017. Bobby enjoyed his family and was an avid fisherman...

Frances Murphy, 75, of Leachville, passed away Tuesday, July 30, 2019 at St. Bernards Medical Center in Jonesboro. Frances was born in Portageville, Mo., to William and Ethel Wiginton Yarbro and was a homemaker. She was preceded in death by her first husband, Junior White Dean, and second husband, Van Murphy; her parents; two daughters, Janie Faye Dean and Patricia Ann Dean; and two brothers, James and Wesley Yarbro...

Dortha Jean “Dorothy” Puckett, 80, of Leachville, passed from this life Wednesday, July 31, 2019, at St. Bernards Medical Center in Jonesboro. Born in Leachville, she was the daughter of the late Everett Levi and Reba McPike Stockinger and had been a lifelong resident. ...

Gayla Ware Gilvin, 72, of O’Fallon, Mo., died July 16, 2019, in St. Louis. Gayla was a 1964 graduate of Manila High School. She served in the Women’s Army Corp and later became a RN. She was a member of O’Fallon Church of Christ. Survivors include her grandson, Noah Gilvin, two great-grandchildren and her brother, Len Ware...

James Stanley “Jim” Zielinski, 75, of Blytheville, passed away Wednesday, July 31, 2019 at Methodist University Hospital in Memphis. Jim was born in Leavenworth, Kan., to Anthony Steven and Velma Ann Zielinski. He was a member of Immaculate Conception Catholic Church. ...

Valeria Rose Davis “Duck”, 63, of Blytheville passed away peacefully at her home on Tuesday, July 30, 2019. Born Nov. 3, 1955 in Blytheville. She was the daughter of Jeffrey Davis and Pearl Johnson. Valeria leaves to forever cherish her memories, two sons, Carlos Wells (Amber Ramos) and Jhea Davis all of Blytheville; one daughter, Niyett Hall of Dallas, Texas; two sisters, Sandra Wells and Brenda Johnson, both of Blytheville; eight grandchildren, three great-grandchildren and a host of nieces, nephews, other relatives and friends.. ...

Joyce M. Sneed was born Aug. 14, 1956, to Samuel and Genevive Hinklin in Steele, Mo. She passed from this life July 26, 2019 in Jonesboro. Joyce enjoyed family gatherings and being with her grandchildren. She had beautiful flower beds that she liked to garden. She would also ride motorcycles with her husband. She found joy in stopping to look at yard sales as well...

Vivian Elizabeth Shead Robinson, 61, of Osceola, passed away July 25, 2019, at Methodist University Hospital in Memphis, Tenn. Vivian was born July 25, 1958, in St. Louis, Mo., to Raymond and Lillian Mosley Shead. She was a retired home health nurse and a member of Kingdom Hall of Jehovah's Witnesses. She was preceded in death by her parents. ...

Larry Darnell Kelly of Blytheville was born Sept. 20, 1956 in Dell to the parentage of L.C. Kelly, Sr. and Annie Mae Campbell Kelly. He was a maintenance man at Capri Apartments until he became disabled. Larry was known to friends and family as Kelly. ...

James Edward Ashmore (Jim or “Bud”), 84, of Springfield, Mo., passed away at 6:30 a.m. July 26, 2019. Jim was born in Mississippi County, Arkansas, to Edward Lewis Ashmore and Ruth Mae Priest Ashmore on March 29, 1935. He passed peacefully after years of persevering through the challenges of life post brain aneurysm. Jim graduated Armorel High School in 1953 and the University of Mississippi with B.A. ...

Frances Diehl, 76, of Gosnell, passed away in the arms of Jesus on July 17, 2019, at Gosnell HCR in Hospice Care. She was born in Marietta, Ohio, to the late James and Frances Diehl. She was a member of the Fairview Baptist Church in Blytheville, graduated from Marietta High School in 1961, and had been employed at General Dollar Store in Parkersburg, W. Vir. She loved her job and spoke of it often...

Dora Augusta Biggerstaff, 80, of Leachville, passed from this life Saturday, July 20, 2019, at the Flo and Phil Jones Hospice House in Jonesboro. Born in Leachville, she was the daughter of the late Roscoe and Edyth Mae Skidmore Anthony and had lived many years in Wilmington, Ill., before returning to Leachville 20 years ago. Mrs. Dora had worked as a caregiver and was a faithful member of the People of Praise United Pentecostal Church in Leachville...

Derik Dewayne Davis Jr. (DJ) was born Nov. 12, 2010, to Kaishau Kirby and Derik Davis Sr. at Great River Medical Center in Blytheville. DJ departed this life Saturday, July 20, 2019, at St. Jude Children’s Hospital in Memphis, Tenn., at the age of 8 years. Her was surrounded by his family...

Carolyn Combs of Osceola was born Sept. 11, 1948 in West Memphis to the late Joe Johnson and Earnestine Beasley Hall. Carolyn departed this life on Wednesday, July 17, 2019, at Harris Health Care in Osceola at the age of 70. She was preceded in death by her parents...

Norman Eual Clay, of Garden Point/Etowah Community, departed this life Sunday, July 14, 2019, in Osceola. He was born Nov. 7, 1944, to Norman V. and Frances Eual Dodd Clay. He was an Eagle Scout, and a graduate of Missco High School and Arkansas State University. ...

Mary Joan “Joanie” Schafer Hess passed away Wednesday, July 17, 2019, at Arkansas Continued Care Hospital in Jonesboro. Born and raised in Scottsburg, Ind., Joanie was the daughter of Bernard and Josephine Schafer and the wife of Dr. James A. Hess, where they shared a loving marriage of 49 years in Blytheville. Joanie shared a thriving dental practice in Blytheville with her husband after graduating from the University of Louisville School of Dental Hygiene as a licensed dental hygienist...

Roger Dale Bell, 70, of Caraway, passed away after a short battle of pancreatic and liver cancer on Thursday, July 18, 2019. He was surrounded by his children, grandchildren, family and close friends. He was born Nov. 19, 1948, in Jonesboro to the late J.L. ...

Roy Lee Hollands, 72, of Caraway passed away Tuesday, July 16, 2019, at NEA Baptist Memorial Hospital. He was born Dec. 19, 1945, in Portageville, Mo., to the late Floyd Franklin and Minnie Lee Hollands. Roy was a dedicated farmer for most of his life. He enjoyed hunting, fishing, but most of all spending time with family...

Vickie D. Davis, 62, of Beebe passed from this life on July 16, 2019. She was born in Blytheville on July 9, 1957, to the late Billy and Gearldine Davis. Vickie enjoyed many things in life but her family and grandchildren were her greatest joy. She is also preceded in death by her son, Kevin Pay...

Lessie B. Wimbley was born Sept. 20, 1935 in Lambrook, to the late Johnny Parnell and the late Venola Faye McDonald Parnell. She was a homemaker and a member of Nehemiah Temple COGIC for over 60 years. Mrs. Wimbley passed away on July 10, 2019 at Great River Medical Center in Blytheville at the age of 83...

Betty Jo Winchester, 85, of Blytheville, passed away July 13, 2019 at Heritage Square Nursing Home. Betty was born to Edgar and Myrtle Frazier Shultz in Blytheville. She retired from Walmart as a department manager and was a lifelong resident of Blytheville. She loved to learn and put herself through college and obtained her Associates Degree in business. Betty loved to draw and paint oil pictures, as well as sewing and writing poems...

Arlis Clark Long, Sr. of Blytheville—or “Big C” as he was oftentimes called among family, friends and a host of acquaintances near and far, young and old—passed peacefully on July 12 at NEA Baptist Hospital in Jonesboro. He was 67. He is survived by his wife, Sara Hoke Long of the home; three children, Arlis Clark Long, Jr. ...

Clifford Franklin Wood, Sr., 79, of West Memphis, formerly of Osceola, died July 13, 2019, at Baptist DeSoto Hospital in Southaven, Miss. He was a production manager and of the Methodist faith. Mr. Wood was born Aug. 13, 1939, in Keiser to Prentiss and Geneva Whitworth Wood...

James W. “Jim” Hargrove, 88, of Leachville, passed away Sunday, July 14, 2019 at Manila Nursing Home. He was born Sept. 26, 1930, in Leachville to the late James and Hannah Hodge Hargrove. He retired as a chief petty officer after 20 years in the United States Navy serving during the Korean War and Vietnam War. He was also a plumber for 25 years. He was a member of the Leachville Masonic Lodge and enjoyed fishing. He will be remembered as a loving husband and brother...

Robert (Bob) Griggs, 68, won his twenty-eight year war with Parkinson’s disease on July 12, 2019, at his home, surrounded by family and loved ones. He was born August 11, 1950, to Billy Joe and Reba Howell Griggs of Campbell, Mo. Bob attended Holcomb High School, where he graduated as one of the most loved in his class. ...

Raymond (Bubba) Jennings Yates 67, of Jackson, Mo., succumbed to Alzheimer’s at Lutheran Home on July 11, 2019. He was born Jan. 3, 1952 in Blytheville and was a 1970 graduate of Blytheville High School. Ray was a member of New McKendree Methodist Church in Jackson, Mo. Also, he was a member of the Masonic Lodge...

Melvin Dean Wood, 83, of Jonesboro passed away Friday, July 12, 2019, at St. Bernards Medical Center. He was born June 22, 1936, in Caraway to the late William and Pearl Brandon Wood. Melvin served his country proudly in the United States Air Force. He was a founding member of the Caraway Community of Christ Church. He had worked in the printing industry for Boeing Aircraft, McDonnell Douglas and locally for Forrest Office Machines for 40 years. ...

Mary Beth Anderson, 86, passed away on June 19, 2019, at Tobey Hospital in Wareham, Mass. Mary was born May 24, 1933 in Pollard. She was the daughter of Eva Hoggard and Leslie Gossett and spent her childhood in Piggott. When she was a teenager, her family moved to the Detroit, Mich., area. ...

Nancy Jean Myers, 79, of Gainesville, Ga., passed away Monday, July 8, 2019, at her residence. Funeral services were held at 3 p.m. Wednesday, July 10, in the Chapel of Memorial Park Funeral Home with Dr. Tom Smiley and Dr. Jerry Gill officiating. Entombment followed in the Memorial Park Mausoleum...