Obituaries

Barbara Anne Wamble, 49, of Joiner, died May 30, 2020, at her home. She was homemaker and of the Baptist faith. Barbara was born Nov. 5, 1970, in Orlando, Fla., to Billy Bridges and Tawanda C. Taylor. She was preceded in death by her parents. She is survived by her husband, Ronald Wamble of Joiner; two sons, Joshua (Samantha) Jones of Joiner and Jessie (Michelle) Wamble of Anchorage, Ak.; two sisters, Kathy Atchley of Osceola and Karen Bailey of Keiser; two grandchildren, Madilyn Jones of Joiner and Beau Wamble of Anchorage, Ak.. ...

Coelet Weaver was born Sept. 19, 1971, to Edward Blankenship Sr. and Althea Furlow in Blytheville. She departed this life on Thursday, May 28, 2020 at her home in Blytheville. Coelet leaves to cherish her memories her parents, Edward Blankenship Sr., Althea and Burton Furlow Sr., all of Blytheville; three daughters, Kierra Weaver of Munford, Tenn., Jacqueline Bell and Tierra Bell both of Blytheville; two sons, Michael Weaver of Jonesboro and Cordarrel Bell of Blytheville; five sisters, Patricia Weaver and Melony Burks, both of Blytheville, Anita Thigpin of Memphis, Tenn., Denise Burks of Little Rock and Cynthia Burks of Gosnell; eight brothers, Michael Weaver Sr. ...

Virginia Daisy Oberste, 91, of Fort Smith passed away in her home on May 27, 2020. She was born July 25, 1928 in Lepanto to Porter Bryan and Hamer Maclin Bryan. Virginia was retired from Rheem Manufacturing and was a member of the Eastern Star. She enjoyed sewing, needlepoint, anything Elvis Presley and her collection of Beanie Babies...

Calvin May, 89, of Manila, passed away Thursday, May 28, 2020, at his home. Calvin was born in Manila to Noa and Lucille Garrett May. He was retired from Southwire and a member of Little River Baptist Church. Calvin loved being outdoors fishing or riding his bicycle. He loved to talk on his cellphone and watching court proceedings at Manila City Hall...

Edwin Ray “Ed” Hurd passed away May 25, 2020. He was 87 years old. Ed was born Feb. 22 in 1933 at Hurd’s Corner, a farming settlement just west of Trumann where his father and mother, John and Ethel Hurd, owned a country store and farmed cotton alongside John’s large family. ...

Margaret Ann Redditt-Bronner was born March 08, 1944, in Gary, Ind., to Willie and Lucille Redditt. Margaret departed her life on Tuesday, May 26, 2020, at her home in Blytheville at the age of 75. She was preceded in death by her husband, Willie Lee Bronner; her parents, Willie and Lucille Redditt; three brothers, Lamar Redditt, Raymond Redditt and Tommy Harris; her grandparents, Lee and Lelia Ewing; and a granddaughter, Toshika Wheeler...

Johnny Richardson, from Blytheville, died on May 26, 2020, at the age of 81, in Southaven, Miss., surrounded by his immediate family. Johnny was born in Blytheville on Sept. 23, 1938, to Wesley and Helen Richardson. He began his career at NAPA as a bicycle delivery man and worked his way up to machinist. He later became owner of JET Motor Part and Machine Shop. On March 31, 1957, he married the love of his life Betty McFall...

Robert L. Harris was born Oct. 18, 1984, in South Bend, Ind., to Robert Lee Williams and Elizabeth Harris. Robert was of the Baptist faith, joining True Light Missionary Baptist under the pastorage and leadership of Reverend Jay Slaughter. He was a 2003 graduate of Blytheville High School and attended Arkansas State University in Jonesboro. Robert was a former employee of Nucor Steel...

Yvonne Bassett, 85, of Old Appleton, Mo., and formerly of Blytheville, passed away Saturday, May 23, 2020, at Landmark Hospital in Cape Girardeau, Mo. Yvonne was born in Yalobusha County, Miss., to Rev. W.J. and Ivy Gadd Clayton. She worked for 45 years as a certified nurse’s assistant, and worked at Blytheville Hospital, Chickasawba Hospital and Baptist Hospital before retiring. ...

Jimmy Dale Nash, 72, of Hardy, formerly of Leachville, died May 7, 2020, at his home. Most of his life was spent in Mississippi County. He was a truck driver, a U.S. Army veteran and of the Baptist faith. Mr. Nash was born April 19, 1948 in Etowah to Rush and Mildred L. Davidson Nash. He was preceded in death by his parents, Rush and Mildred Nash, and one sister, Betty Gail Harris...

James Randall Wallace of Blytheville was born Sept. 25, 1961, in Sikeston, Mo., to Billie Latham Wallace and the late Buddie Wallace. He was a resident of Mississippi County for the past 24 years. Mr. Wallace passed away on May 22, 2020, at his home in Blytheville at the age of 58. He was preceded in death by his father, Buddie Wallace...

Teresa Fay Shinault, 69, of Lepanto died May 15, 2020, at St. Bernards Medical Center in Jonesboro. She was a homemaker and a member of First Assembly of God in Lepanto. She was born Feb. 12, 1951, in Halabault, Ala., to William Oscar and Ruby Riddle. She was preceded in death by her parents and three brothers Jimmy, Thomas and Morris...

David Lewis Gowen departed this life Tuesday, May 19, 2020, at Flo & Phil Jones Hospice House in Jonesboro at the age of 74 years, four months and 15 days. He was born to Ed and Nell Gowen on Jan. 4, 1946. David joined the Navy in 1965 and served aboard the USS Glennon. After leaving the Navy he worked for Dupont and GE. He was a Mason and a proud member of the DAV...

Judith Ann Parker, 72, of Monette, died Saturday, May 23, 2020, at the Arkansas Continued Care Hospital of Jonesboro. Born and raised in Cardwell, Mo., she was the daughter of the late Sanford Alton and Imogene Harkey Southard and had attended Cardwell Public Schools. ...

James Ronald “Ronnie” Anderson, 71, of Blytheville, passed away Friday, May 22, 2020, at Flo and Phil Jones Hospice House in Jonesboro. Ronnie was born in Blytheville to Jimmie and Jewel Wicker Anderson. He was a retired vice president of Union Planters Bank in Memphis and he loved animals...

Betty Joe Suttles was born Jan. 6, 1966, in Osceola to the late Richard Roosevelt Suttles and Susie Mae Suttles. She departed this life Tuesday, May 19, 2020, at St. Bernards Medical Center in Jonesboro at the age of 54. She was preceded in death by her parents, Richard Roosevelt Suttles and Susie Mae Suttles, and her grandparents, Onie and Sirboner Stanley...

William “Bill” Haven, Jr., 77, of Blytheville, passed away May 16, 2020, at Baptist Hospital in Memphis, Tenn., following a long illness. He was born Feb. 23, 1943, in Nashua, N.H., to William Haven and Pearl (Nash)Haven, who preceded him in death. In 1965 he married Rosalind Bradshaw and they raised six children together. ...

Rebecca Ann Caviness, 60, of Bono, passed away Sunday May 24, 2020, at her home. Rebecca was born in Blytheville to John and Eloise Bullard Roden. She was a homemaker and of the Baptist faith. Rebecca loved photography and enjoyed taking pictures of her family and making photo albums to share with them. Rebecca was a happy, free spirited person who always lit up the room. She loved her family and spending time with her children and grandchildren, who were the lights of her life...

Elizabeth W."Dibby" Howell, 80, of Jonesboro, passed from this life Wednesday, May 20, 2020, at the Flo and Phil Jones Hospice House in Jonesboro. Born in Minneapolis, Minn., she was the daughter of the late Francis and Dorothy Roberts Whiting and had been a Jonesboro resident since 2011. ...

Donald R. Mayerski of La Puente, Calif., husband of Anita Sykes Mayerski formerly of Blytheville, passed away Feb. 16, 2020, surrounded by his loving family. Anita was a graduate of Blytheville High School class of 1949. Donald and Anita were married for 62 years, and raised their three children in the Los Angeles area. ...

Gwen Frazer Williams, 59, of Blytheville, passed away Sunday, May 17, 2020, at her home. Gwen was born in Memphis, Tenn., to Kenneth and Ruth Ann Davis Frazer. She was a former flight attendant for Delta Airlines and was of the Baptist faith. Gwen was a member of the ESA Sorority and she enjoyed cooking and crafting. ...

Kurt K. Sawyer, 39, of Conway, went to be with the Lord Thursday, Feb. 20, 2020. He was born May 10, 1980, in Blytheville to Kenneth and Brenda Noggle Sawyer. Kurt was preceded in death by his father, Kenneth J. Sawyer. Kurt was a 1998 graduate of Gosnell High School and attended UCA in Conway. He professed Christ as his Saviour while still in his early youth. He was a member of Calvary Baptist Church in Blytheville...

Curtis L. Walters was born Jan. 15, 1955, in Osceola to the late Allen Walters Sr. and Hattie Rhines. He departed this life Sunday, May 17, 2020, at NEA Hospital in Jonesboro at the age of 65. He was preceded in death by his parents. Curtis leaves to cherish his memories four sisters, Mae Wimbley, Mable Garrett, Judy Jacobs and Rebecca Whaley all of Osceola; five brothers, W.L. ...

John Watkins, Jr. was born April 24, 1955, to the late John Watkins, Sr. and Clydie White in Luxora. He departed this life Wednesday, May 13, 2020, at NEA Hospital in Jonesboro at the age of 65. He was preceded in death by his parents; a daughter, Stephanie Watkins; a son, Johnathan Watkins; three brothers, Calvin Watkins, Alvin Watkins and Eddied Charles Watkins...

Jessie Lynn Slaughter, 73, of Armorel passed away Saturday, May 9, at Flo and Phil Jones Hospice House in Jonesboro. He was born in Henning, Tenn., on Jan. 13, 1947, to Arch Gilbert “Buster” Slaughter and Allie Pauline Cotton Slaughter. He attended high school in Osceola. He accepted a position at Nibco and was employed there for over 25 years...

Norma Jean Goforth, 82, of Blytheville passed away on May 10 at St. Bernards Hospital in Jonesboro. She was born in Chicago, Ill., on April 9, 1938, to Alvin and Eula Sampson. She lived most of her life around Chicago until she moved to Blytheville approximately 20 years ago...

Etta Orlene McKenzie, 97, passed away peacefully on May 11, 2020, at Brookdale Assisted Living in Fort Smith with a daughter by her side. She was born in rural Arkansas in Buckville. She loved growing up in the hills of Garland County and spending time with the many members of her family. ...

Benny “Jethro” Cochran, 58, of Blytheville, passed away Sunday, May 10, 2020, at his home. Benny was born in Blytheville to Thomas and Shelby Mosley Cochran. He was a carpenter and enjoyed working on cars and motorcycles. Benny loved his dog, Ziggy...

Opal Charlene Parmenter of Jonesboro passed away Sunday, May 10, 2020. She was born in the house of her parents, Owen and Irene Hutcheson, in Lunsford community, Lake City. She was born prematurely with the doctor saying he wouldn’t even give her a birth certificate unless she survived three days. Well, she survived 77 years...

Jan Sanders, 75, of Perryville, passed from this life Saturday, May 9, 2020, at her home surrounded by her immediate family members. Jan was born in Leachville to the late John C. and Alma Miller. Jan was loved for her sense of humor, her work ethic and above all, her commitment to her husband, her children, grandchildren and great-grandchildren. ...

Laura Gaye Welch Duck, 59, of Bassett died May 11, 2020 in Wilson. She was a factory worker and of the Baptist faith. Ms. Duck was born July 17, 1960, in Beaumont, Texas, to Vernon Lee and Tanna Laura Elder Welch. She was preceded in death by her parents, Vernon and Tanna Welch; two sisters, Patricia Ann Welch and Kimberly Irene Westbrook...

Dallas Ali Mitchell, 18, of Carrollton, Texas, formerly of Osceola, died May 7, 2020, At Regional One in Memphis, Tenn. He was a factory worker and of the Baptist faith. Dallas was born Jan. 2, 2002, in Blytheville to Tynagus Mitchell and Alisha Young. He was preceded in death by his father, Tynagus Mitchell; his grandparents, Sharon Williams and Dallas Young...

Turner McDay, 97, of Osceola, died May 8, 2020, at Gosnell Healthcare in Gosnell. He was a retired farmer, a resident of Mississippi County for over 70 years and a WWII U.S. Army veteran. Mr. McDay was born Dec. 25, 1922 in Belzoni, Miss., to Chester McDay and Nellie Williams. He was preceded in death by his parents...

Jimmy “Jim” Handy, 73, of Cherokee Village, passed away Saturday, May 9, 2020, at White River Medical Center in Batesville. He was born July 4, 1946, in Gadsden, Ala., to Jim and Myrtle (Ramsey) Lee. He was retired from Roach Conveyors and was a member of the United States National Guard. In his life, Jim enjoyed woodworking and gardening. He was preceded in death by his parents, Jim and Myrtle, and one son, Rodney Lee...

Ra’Cerrius “Roc” Wilson was born March 11, 2000, in Blytheville, to Michael Caruthers and April Wilson Anderson. He departed this life Wednesday, May 6, 2020, in Jonesboro at the age of 20. Ra’Cerrius leaves to cherish his memories, his parents, April Wilson Anderson (Nathaniel) of Jonesboro and Michael Caruthers of Osceola; three sons, Ra’Cerrius Wilson Jr. ...

Dennis Smith, 67, of Leachville, passed from this life Sunday, May 10, 2020, at his home after a two year battle with two different types of cancer. Born and raised in Senath, Mo., he was the son of the late Chester Lee and Athena "Inez" Smith and had been a longtime Missouri resident before making his home in Northeast Arkansas. He was a 1970 graduate of Senath High School and retired from Viskase Casing Company of Osceola in 2017. Dennis enjoyed hunting arrowhead and Indian artifacts, fishing and John Wayne movies. He was a member of Providence Baptist Church in Kennett. In addition to his parents, he was preceded in death by two brothers, Marrlin Wayne Smith and Terry Gene Smith; and one sister, Brenda Sue Austin.. ...

Mattie Irene Whitright, 79, of Stevensville, Mich., passed away peacefully on Thursday, April 30, 2020, at Hanson Hospice in St. Joseph, Mich. Mattie was born Nov. 19, 1940, in Trumann to Conrid and LaDell (Cassiday) Tucker. She married Howard William Whitright at 23 and lived the rest of her life in southwestern Michigan. ...

Elvie Vernon "E.V.-Bug" McDonald, 92, of West Monroe, La., formerly of Marked Tree, died May 3, 2020, at Willow Ridge Nursing Center in Arcadia, La. He was a retired welder and of the Pentecostal faith. Mr. McDonald was born July 26, 1927, in Oil Trough, to Walter Vernon and Elvie Thompson McDonald. ...

Rhonda Lee Ford, 59, of Blytheville, passed away Friday, May 8, 2020, at St. Bernards Medical Center in Jonesboro. Rhonda was born in Cleveland, Miss., to Charles and Carolyn Hogan Slaughter. She worked as a clerk at Paul Newell’s Collision Center for 16 years and Farmer’s Insurance Company for 23 years. ...

Belma Lucille Adams Coble, 90, of Lake City, formerly of Jonesboro, passed away Friday, May 8, 2020, at the Lakeside Nursing Center. She was born Dec. 2, 1929, to Robert Porter and Gracie Lee (Sipes) Baldridge in Monette. Lucille was a homemaker and was a member of the Wood Street Assembly of God in Jonesboro. She loved reading, sewing, making jelly, canning, and running auctions and yard sales...

Ekylun Ahmad Ramos, 18, of Osceola, died May 6, 2020, in Jonesboro. He was a factory worker and a 2018 Osceola High School graduate. Ekylun was born June 6, 2001, in Blytheville to Nastassia Ramos and Ernest Washington, Jr. He was preceded in death by his grandmother, Mary Langston...

Demario Martez Moore, 34, of Osceola, died May 6, 2020, at his home. He was a construction worker and of the Baptist faith. Demario was born May 3, 1986, in Blytheville to Raymond Mayo and Rosie Moore Butler. He was preceded in death by his grandparents, Mary Ella Mayo and Charlene Harris...

Rhonda Lee Slaughter Ford, 59, of Blytheville, wife of Keith Ford, died early Friday May 8, 2020. Arrangements are incomplete at this time but will be announced as soon as possible by Cobb Funeral Home.

Tracy Lynn Chism, 39, of Searcy, formerly of Blytheville, passed away at home on May 7, 2020. She was born in Blytheville on July 5, 1980, to Billy Ralls and Vicki Jo Ralls. She lived in Blytheville her whole life until moving to Searcy five years ago...

Debbie Anette Robinson was born April 11, 1959, in Blytheville to Love and Luecressie Sanders Robinson. Debbie was a graduate of Blytheville High School class of 1977. She was known in this community for her beautiful gift of song. Her favorite songs were Precious Lord, Any Given Sunday, and I’ve Been in the Storm too Long. Debbie was baptized at an early age at Westend Missionary Baptist Church under the leadership of Reverend P.J. ...

Elizabeth Ann Wells, 73, of Leachville, passed from this life Sunday, May 3, 2020, at Ridgecrest Health and Rehabilitation in Jonesboro. Born Jan. 27, 1947, in Manila to the late Hugh and Elizabeth Hornberger Miles, she was a 1964 graduate of Manila High School and later received a Bachelor of Science in Education from Arkansas State University. ...

Jewel Smith Rouse of Trumann departed this life on Friday, May 1, 2020, at St. Bernards Medical Center in Jonesboro at the age of 85 years, 5 months and 22 days. Mrs. Rouse was born Friday, Nov. 9, 1934, in Lepanto and lived most of her life in Trumann. She was a housewife and of the Baptist faith. She was preceded in death by her husband, Grady Rouse; one daughter, Barbara Ann Rouse; two sisters; three brothers and her parents, Wiley and Clara Evans Smith...

De’ Anthony Jermaine Perry, known as The King of Host, was born Dec. 29, 1986, in Blytheville to Anna Perry Brown and Hossie Woods. He departed this life on Tuesday, April 28, 2020, at his home in Blytheville at the age of 33. He was preceded in death by his grandmother, Rosie Woods, and grandfather, Joe Charles Perry Sr...

William Joey Boone I, 55, of Wilson, died May 2, 2020 at his home. He was a truck driver and of the Baptist faith. Mr. Boone was born June 18, 1964, in Osceola to Roy William and Betty Johnson Boone. He is survived by his parents, Roy and Betty Boone of Osceola; mother of his children,, Rina Boone of Frenchman Bayou; one son, Joey (Adrenne) Boone of West Memphis; one daughter, Heather (Kyle) Waller of Marion; one brother, Rodney Boone of Whitton; one sister, Becky Boone Heugel of Marion; three grandchildren, Denver Boone and Leland Boone of West Memphis, and Emilia Waller of Marion.. ...

Bertha Mae Williams, 103, of Osceola, died April 25, 2020, at her home. She was a homemaker and a member of Anointed Hands in Osceola. Ms. Williams was born Dec. 25, 1916, in Hennings, Tenn. She was preceded in death by her husband, Roy Williams; one son, Harvey Moore; one daughter, Hattie Lamons; two brothers, Willie Allen and Leroy Allen; three sisters, Mattie Martin, Hattie Gary and Juanita Allen...