Obituaries

Mike Statler, 60, of Jonesboro, formerly of Norfolk, Vir., passed away Wednesday, Sept. 23, 2020, at St. Bernards Medical Center. He was born Sept. 18, 1960, in Jonesboro to Janet Cassiday and the late James R. Statler. Mike was of the Baptist belief. He was a graduate of Blytheville High School. Mike was a retiree of the Navy after 27 years in the service. After retiring from the Navy Mike started driving a big truck for Energy Carriers formerly known as Petro Tank Lines out West Memphis...

Ruby Kennedy Harris, 69, of Osceola, died Sept. 22, 2020, at Baptist East Hospital in Memphis, Tenn. She was a retired school teacher, banker and housewife. She was a member of Tabernacle MB Church and Sunday school teacher. Mrs. Harris was born Jan. 14, 1951, in Wilson to Thomas Jefferson and Mary Lou Lewis Kennedy. She was preceded in death by her parents; two sons, Cortez Kennedy and Gordon Keith Harris; one brother, Thomas Kennedy; two sisters, Shirley Smith and Jackie Coleman...

Joycelyn Reed (Joy) Robertson, 88, recently of Memphis, Tenn., passed from this life on Tuesday, Sept. 22, 2020. She was born in 1932 to Charles Blythe Childress and Novelle Reed Childress. Joycelyn grew up in Manila, along with her younger sister Jane Roths, and married her loving husband E.W. ...

Emon “Lady T” Thompson was born in Holly Springs, Miss., to Emon and Coretha Echols Houston on April 22, 1943. In 1953 at the age of 10 the family moved from Mississippi to Blytheville. Emon came on the scene as a local disc jockey using the name “Lady Taurus”, she later shortened it to simply “Lady T”; spinning records at all the local clubs in the Blytheville area, and having the distinction as the first female DJ in Arkansas. ...

Oscar Perez, 58, of Leachville, passed from this life Sunday, Sept. 20, 2020, at St. Bernards Medical Center in Jonesboro. Born and raised in Rio Bravo, Mexico, he was the son of the late Jesus Perez Garcia and Juanita De Leon Rodriguez and had been a Leachville resident since 1999. He was employed by Miller Farms and of the Catholic faith. Oscar enjoyed grilling, spending time with his family and working in his yard and garden...

Phyllis "Penny" Moreland, 73, of Payson Ariz., passed away Wednesday, Sept. 16, 2020. She was born in Blytheville on March 2, 1947. Penny had a career with the USPS from which she retired. She had a passion for animals and volunteered at Blytheville Humane Society. Penny was preceded in death by her youngest son, Billy Cawthon, and is survived by her oldest son, George Cawthon...

James Albert “Jim” Sims went to be with his Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ, on Sept. 20, 2020. He was born on Nov. 8, 1952, in Jackson, Miss., the son of Bob and Susie Sims, stepson of Lum Creed, and the brother of Bob Sims, Jr., all deceased. He graduated from Central High School, and attended University of Arkansas at Little Rock. He married Peggy Herlein in 1975 and they had two children...

Jimmy L Rogers, Sr. of Blytheville was born Feb. 28, 1947 in Blytheville to the late Ezell Rogers and the late Willie Mae Peterson. He was an Army veteran, a farmer and a member of Prince of Peace Church in Blytheville. Mr. Rogers passed away Sept. 13, 2020, at Great River Medical Center in Blytheville at the age of 72. ...

Billy Wayne Teague went to join Jesus on Monday, Sept. 14, 2020, at the age of 85 years, 5 months and 6 days. Billy Wayne was born Monday, April 8, 1935, to Albert James and Mildred Christina Teague in the community of Shady Grove Arkansas. Bill Teague was a lifelong resident of Trumann. ...

Charles Eldon Oakes, 64, of Lepanto died Sept. 20, 2020 at St. Bernards Medical Center in Jonesboro. He was a farm worker and of the Pentecostal faith. Mr. Oakes was born June 29, 1956, in Wilson to Norman Presley and Etheline Mofield Oakes. He was preceded in death by his parents, one brother Floyd Oakes, two sisters Diane Alexander and Ann Smith...

Kelly Crites of Trumann departed this life on Friday, Sept. 18, 2020, at Flo & Phil Jones Hospice House in Jonesboro at the age of 69 years, 9 months, and 28 days. He was born Tuesday, Nov. 21, 1950 in Leachville and lived most of his lifetime in Trumann. ...

Donna Sue Russell Southern, 58, of Manila, passed from this life on Thursday, Sept. 17, 2020, at the Flo and Phil Jones Hospice Center in Jonesboro. Born to Howard “Buddy” and Evelyn Lambert Russell in Blytheville, she was a past employee of Jordan’s convenience store in Manila and a member of the Yarbro Baptist Church. ...

Diana Sue "Susie" Williams, 47, of Cardwell, Mo., passed from this life Monday, Sept. 21, 2020, at St. Bernards Medical Center in Jonesboro. Born at Kennett, she was the daughter of the late Charles Henry Williams and had been a lifelong resident of Cardwell. She was a home healthcare provider with B.A.I.L.S. ...

Deborah Ann Pace, 66, passed away Friday, Sept. 18, 2020, at St. Bernards Medical Center. She was born Nov. 29, 1953, in Monette to Burnis and Janelle Campbell Henry. Deb was a county clerk for Craighead County in Lake City for many years. She was an active member of the Black Oak Church of Christ. ...

Helen Mae Mitchell was born July 11, 1931, in Osceola to Ethel and Caleb Tyson Sr. She departed this life on Friday, Sept. 18, 2020, at the age of 89. She was preceded in death by her parents; her husband, Lushion “Shep” Mitchell; four children, Princess Davis, Charles Mitchell, Milton Mitchell and Ronald Mitchell Sr.; three grandchildren, Sharon Mitchell, Travie Mitchell and Bishop Gerald Mitchell...

Viola McConkey, 87, of Leachville, passed away Saturday, Sept. 19, 2020, at the Monette Manor Nursing Center. Born in Venice, Ill., she was raised in Edwardsville, Ill., and had attended the Lincoln State School. Viola had been a Leachville resident since 1962 and was a member of the Happy Corner Assembly of God. She was preceded in death by a brother, James McConkey, and two sisters, Margie McDonald and Catherin Edgin...

Laura Beth Dunkerson, 63, of Harrisburg, died Monday, Sept. 14, 2020, at her home. She had lived in Harrisburg most of her life and was of the Christian belief. She was a lifelong student. She worked as a black jack dealer for many years. She was preceded in death by her parents and one niece...

It's with heavy hearts we announce the passing of Terri L. Bell. Terri was born Nov. 30, 1954, to Sybil Channel and Jesse Willard Scott. While she grew up working the cotton fields around Holland, Mo., she was always determined to have more for her family. ...

Richard Dunn Sanders, 69, passed away Aug. 24, 2020, after a lengthy battle with lymphoma. Dr. Sanders was born July 20, 1951, and grew up in Lepanto. After graduating from Lepanto High School in 1969, Richard attended the University of Arkansas before gaining early admission to the University of Arkansas Medical School in 1972. ...

Jimmie Charles Wilkerson III of Blytheville was born Oct. 1, 1996, in Blytheville to Sherry Toliver and the late Jimmie Charles Wilkerson II. He was a factory worker and was of the Baptist faith. Mr. Wilkerson passed away Sept. 14, 2020, in Memphis, Tenn., at the age of 23. He was preceded in death by his father Jimmie Charles Wilkerson II and his daughter Jamiyah Mima Wilkerson...

Jettie M. Miller was born Nov. 24, 1946, in Luxora, to Robert and Mattie Mabins Miller. Jettie was of the Baptist faith and attended Gospel Temple Baptist Church in Luxora under the pastorage of Reverend Michael McKinney. She received her bachelor’s degree from AM&N College in Pine Bluff in 1967 and taught in the Blytheville School District...

Jerry Junior Jackson, 75, of Gosnell, former Leachville resident, died early Friday, Sept. 11, 2020, at the NEA Baptist Memorial Hospital in Jonesboro. Born in Watervliet, Mich., and raised in Leachville, he was the son of the late Ira and Thelma Harrell Jackson and had attended Leachville High School. ...

Dewey Edward Walker, Jr. of Blytheville, was born Sept. 16, 1950, in Leland, Miss., to the late Dewey Walker, Sr. and the late Margie Fortner Pay. He was a musician, a handyman and was of the Methodist faith. Mr. Walker passed away Sept. 13, 2020, at River Oaks Nursing Center in Steele, Mo., at the age of 69. ...

Hazel Wiline Tilley of Monette was born Jan. 19, 1929 in Fifty Six and passed from this life Sept. 13, 2020. Mrs. Hazel was a homemaker and a faithful member of the Monette Assembly of God. She was preceded in death by her husband Billey Ray Tilley; her parents, W.A. and Gertha Corter; and two great-grandchildren, Samantha Nunley and Rebecca Lynn Jarrell...

Gerald F. Rainbolt, 84, formerly of Mountain View and Manila, passed away Saturday, Aug. 22, 2020, at the William F. Green State Veterans Home in Bay Minette, Ala., where he had moved to be closer to his son, Gerry and his family. Gerald, known as “Bud” to many family members and friends, was one of three sons born to the late James Luther and Rebecca Rainbolt of Leachville, where he was raised. ...

Charles Cobb, 78, of Gosnell, passed away Sept. 11, 2020. Charles, known to many as "Red", was born in Blytheville to Charles and Melba Cobb. He attended the University of Arkansas at Monticello (formerly Arkansas A&M), where he was an all-star athlete for the baseball and basketball Boll Weevils. ...

Terry Joe Carr, 68, of Manila, passed from this life Sunday, Sept. 13, 2020, near Salem, from injuries received in an automobile accident. Born in Tupelo, Miss., he was the son of the late Billy Joe Carr and was raised by his mother and stepfather, Ed and Avis Robinson Arnold. ...

John L. Swanagan, 73, of Blytheville, passed away Saturday, Sept. 12, 2020, at his home. Born Dec. 29, 1946, in Haynes, John was the son of the late Leroy and Mae Willie Tolbert Swanagan. John was preceded in death by his parents; one son, Erice Swanagan; two brothers, Leroy Swanigan and Willie Burks...

Rita Faye Wood, 67, of Marked Tree passed away Sept. 9, 2020, at St. Bernards Medical Center in Jonesboro. She was a homemaker and of the Church of Christ faith. Ms. Wood was born Sept. 23, 1952, in Michigan to Henry Wilze and Emma Jean Inman Tillman. She was preceded in death by her parents; her husband, John Williams Wood; two brothers, Terry Tillman and Steve Tillman; and one sister, Janie Tillman...

Minister Arlene Veasley Randolph was born March 16, 1935, in Tunica, Miss., to Albert and Annie Mae Jackson Veasley. She was the second of 10 children born to their union. She accepted Jesus as her Lord and Savior under the leadership of her father, Elder Albert Veasley, and served faithfully as an active member of Solomon Temple. ...

John Jerry Neel, 87, of Belleville, Ill., passed from this life suddenly Tuesday, Sept. 8, 2020, at his home. Born in Hornersville, Mo., to the late Andrew Jefferson and Nellie Cady Neel, he was a 1950 graduate of Canalou High School and served in the U.S. ...

Wava Louevelyn Martin, 66, a lifelong Leachville resident, passed from this life early Sunday morning, Sept. 13, 2020, at her home. Born in Monette, she was the daughter of the late Edward Dee and Faye Christine Lentz Puckett and was a 1972 graduate of Leachville High School. ...

Kenneth Bell of Trumann departed this life on Sunday, Sept. 6, 2020, at Flo & Phil Jones Hospice House in Jonesboro at the age of 82 years, 8 months and 11 days. He was born Sunday, Dec. 26, 1937, in Rector and lived in the Trumann area most of his life. He was an auto mechanic and a member of Central Community Church. He was preceded in death by one son, Larry Luna; one grandson, Jonathon Bell; two sisters; five brothers; and his parents, Sid and Gurtie M. Little Bell...

Dorothy Jean Hanna, 91, of Luxora, passed away Friday, Sept. 11, 2020, at SMC Regional Medical Center in Osceola. Dorothy was born in Detroit, Mich., to John and Susie Feezor Barch and was retired from the Arkansas Revenue Department in Osceola. She was a faithful member of the Luxora Church of Christ. ...

Edward Eugene “Gene” Handley was born April 12, 1939, in Blytheville to Roy Handley and Annie Stalcup Handley. He passed away Sept. 6, 2020 in Jonesboro at the age of 81.  He served his country in the U.S. Army and was a member of the Pentecostal Church of God. He was a journeyman electrician. He retired from Cache Valley Electric after being employed there for 18 years. He was superintendent there for 14 years. He was a member of the IBEW for over 55 years. ...

Bertha Lorine Galloway, 101, of Manila, passed from this life Friday, Sept. 11, 2020, at the Monette Manor Nursing Center. Born in Marks, Miss., she was the daughter of the late James Henry and Esther Pearl Barnes and had lived most of her life in Manila. ...

Earnest Hamilton “Ham” McLaughlin of Trumann departed this life on Tuesday, Sept. 8, 2020, at the family residence at the age of 76 years, 11 months and 20 days. He was born Sunday, Sept. 19, 1943, in Effingham, S.C., and lived in Trumann and was formerly of Effingham, S.C. He was a sheet metal worker and of the Nazarene faith. He was preceded in death by one sister, two brothers and his parents, Elarice and Blanch Mixon McLaughlin...

Tanner was born March 24, 1999 in Blytheville. He passed away Sunday, Sept. 6, 2020. He was 21 years old. Tanner was an amazing brother to all four of his siblings. He was a wonderful loving son and uncle. Tanner was the best friend to all of us. He was an all-around great human being. He would give you the shirt off his back if it would help. Tanner had a huge heart, and his girlfriend had a big part of it. He loved her with everything he had...

Mandie Robinson Nash was born Jan. 30, 1945 in Dell, the daughter of John and Hester Jones Robinson. She was a former employee of Borg Warner and was of the Baptist faith. Mandie was preceded in death by her parents, John and Hester Robinson, and her sisters and brothers. Mandie departed this earthly life on Sept. 5, 2020, at Methodist Hospital in Germantown, Tenn., at the age of 75...

David Allen Lane, 80, lifelong Monette resident, passed from this life Wednesday, Sept. 9, 2020, at his home. Born June 19, 1940, in Monette, he was the son of the late Lacy Clay "Mutt" and Dorothy Ellouise Lane and was a 1958 graduate of Monette High School. ...

Dorothy Bell Cherry was born Feb. 28, 1948 in Dell to William and Mattie Packard Bell. Dorothy spent the early years of her life in Arkansas. She later moved to Apopka, Fla., where she began her career at Hermann Englemenn Greenhouse from 1996 to 2016 until her health failed. While in Florida, Dorothy enjoyed spending time with her family and especially her grandchildren. She spent the last few years of her life with family and friends in Blytheville...

Mable Burris, 99, of Blytheville, passed away Wednesday, Sept. 2, 2020 at her loving family’s home in Jonesboro. Mable was born in Lepanto to William Clayton “Preacher” and Rosie Mae Roberts Cotton and was a member of Heartland Pentecost Church of God. ...

Martha Elizabeth Bowman Teaster, 82, of Jonesboro, died peacefully at her home, Sept. 3, lovingly surrounded by her family.  Martha was born March 10, 1938 to Acy and Irene (Snead) Bowman in Malden, Mo. She was joined in marriage to Dr. Leonard L. Teaster Jr. ...

Matthew James “Matt Matt” Howard of Trumann departed this life on Tuesday, Sept. 1, 2020, at the family residence at the age of 19 years, 4 months and 12 days. He was born Friday, April 20, 2001, in Jonesboro and lived his lifetime in Trumann. Matthew was a 2019 graduate of Trumann High School and a freshman at ASU in Marked Tree. Matthew loved to play video games and take pictures. He had a heart of gold and loved to help anyone in need and attended Calvary Pentecostal Church...

Robbie May Stone, 90, of Manila, widow of Mr. Theodore Stone, passed from this life Wednesday, Sept. 2, 2020, at St. Bernards Medical Center in Jonesboro. Born and raised in Manila, she was the daughter of the late Robert and Irene Hale Holt and was of the Baptist faith. She was a homemaker and enjoyed cooking for her family, fishing, working puzzle books and spending time with her dog. In addition to her parents and husband, she was preceded in death by five brothers; one son, Lee Roy Stone; one daughter, Mary Stone; one granddaughter, Elizabeth Perkins; one grandson, Jessie Stone; and one great-grandson, Keaton Sharp.. ...

Barbara Ann Teas, 86, of Drasco, passed from this life Tuesday, Sept. 1, 2020, at the Beebe Retirement Center. Born in Cardwell, Mo., she was the daughter of the late Benjamin and Mary Jane Grady Burrell and a 1952 graduate of Cardwell High School. She had been employed by Maybelline and General Electric when she and her family lived in Memphis. ...

Judith Ann “Judy” Kaulfurst, 76, of Blytheville passed away Tuesday surrounded by loved ones at Flo and Phil Hospice Home in Jonesboro. After a six-month battle from cancer and leukemia, she is no longer in pain and is now dancing in the Streets of Gold with her husband...

Georgia Lee Howry, 98, of Keiser, died Aug. 30, 2020 at St. Bernards Medical Center in Jonesboro. She was a homemaker and of the Baptist faith. Ms. Lowry was born Aug. 28, 1922, in Henderson, Tenn., to Tom and Bula Rollin Shackleford. She was preceded in death by her parents, her husband, Ellis Eugene Howry, her son, Lonnie Eugene Howry, her daughter, Hazel Howry, one brother Locie Shackleford, and one sister, Ruth Buhler...

Billy Harmon Holt, 69, of West Memphis passed away on Aug. 28, 2020, at Baptist – Desoto hospital in Southaven, Miss. He was born to Carsie and Lydia Holt in New Tazwell, Tenn., on Sept. 28, 1950. He was a member of the Marion Church of God. He was a roofer all his adult life until his illness required him to retire. ...

Sandra Diane Tennyson, 64, of Columbia, Mo., formerly of Blytheville, passed away on Tuesday, Sept. 1, 2020 surrounded by her family. She was remarkable in many ways, but primarily in that she maintained an unwavering enthusiasm for life. She loved to share all her favorite things with her family and friends, often declaring they must try this or that dish, must hear this particular song, must travel to this specific locale, and absolutely must float the Current River or watch a Cardinals ballgame. ...