Obituaries from January 2012

Richard T. Burke, 83, of South Fulton, Tenn., died Dec. 27, 2011, at 2:19 a.m. at the Parkway Regional Hospital in Fulton, Ky. He was a U.S. Navy veteran having served in World War II, a member of the American Legion, and was a retired employee of the former Goodyear Tire and Rubber Company in Union City, Tenn. He moved to South Fulton in 1966 from Pocahontas, Ark...

Ora Madlyn Cates of Ravenden passed from this life December 23 in the year of our Lord 2011. She was a member of Ravenden church of Christ. She was born Feb. 6, 1937, at Clover Bend, Ark., to Eutah and Eva (Voyles) Evans. ...

Jewell "Dink" Kirk, 95, of Osceola, passed from this life, Sunday, Dec. 25, 2011, at the Osceola Healthcare Center. Born in Murray, Ky., she was the daughter of the late Monroe and Jewell Shadwick Hale and the widow of Mr. Woodrow Kirk. She was a member of the Westside Baptist Church in Osceola...

Mrs. Polly Ann " Annie" Malott, 102, of Russellville, formerly of Cardwell, Mo., passed away Tuesday Dec. 27, 2011, at Russellville. She was born March 27, 1909 at Bradford, Ark., to the late Robert and Sedalia Combs Adams. ...

Janice Lynn McWhirter, 58, of Manila passed away Friday, Dec. 30, 2011, at Flo and Phil Jones Hospice House in Jonesboro. Born at Manila, she was the daughter of the late Kenneth and Mildred Hicks McWhirter and was a lifelong Manila resident. Janice was a 1971 graduate of Manila High School and was a member of First Baptist Church. She was a retired registered nurse...

Mrs. Geneva Arnold Rodman, 93, of Little Rock, former longtime Leachville resident, died Friday, Dec. 30, 2011, at her home. She was the widow of longtime Leachville physician, Dr. T.N. Rodman, who died in 2003. ...

Tommy Dale Seymore, Jr., 29, of Manila, passed from this life Friday, Dec. 30, 2011, at the Arkansas Methodist Medical Center in Paragould. Born at Paragould, he had lived most of his life in Monette and Lake City, and had recently moved to Manila. He was a 2000 graduate of Riverside High School and a member of the Bethabara Baptist Church near Lake City...

Mr. Harold Douglas Smith, 51, of Blytheville, died Friday, Dec. 30, 2011, at Great River Medical Center in Blytheville.

Mr. Jerry Richardson, 67, of Blytheville, passed from this life Sunday, Jan. 1, 2012, at Gosnell Health Care.

Mrs. Louise Moore, 89, of Blytheville, passed from this life Monday, Jan. 2, 2012, at her home.

Ms. Janice Lynn McWhirter, 58, of Manila, died Friday, Dec . 30, 2011, at Flo and Phil Jones Hospice House in Jonesboro.

Mr. Gary W. "Hacksaw" Dawson Sr., 61, of Keiser entered into rest Wednesday, Dec. 28, 2011, in Keiser.

Mr. Fern D. Church, 87, of West Memphis, died Sunday, Jan. 1, 2012, at Crittenden Regional Hospital in West Memphis.

Mrs. Ruth Garrett Bonds, 80, of Sikeston, Mo., died Thursday, Dec. 29, 2011, at Southeast Missouri Hospital in Cape Girardeau.

Mr. Joseph A. Saliba Jr., 84, of Sarasota, Fla., formerly of Los Angeles, passed from this life Saturday, Dec. 3, 2011.

Mrs. Marion Evelyn Payne, 91, of Martin, Tenn., formerly of Steele, passed from this life Monday, Jan. 2, 2012, at Volunteer Community Hospital in Martin.

Mr. Richard Howard Moore, 62, of Trumann, died Sunday, Jan. 1, 2012, at his home.

Mrs. Dana L. Lisenby, 43, was born Aug. 7, 1968, in Blytheville, to Otha Kennedy and Margaret Duncan. She passed away Jan. 2, 2012.

Mrs. Gladys Margaret Kelly Morgan Muggins Kaletta, 93, died Nov. 18, 2011.

Angel Rose Charlotte Fay Howell-James went home to be with the Lord Sunday, Jan. 1, 2012.

Mrs. Ida B. Clayborn, 88, of Blytheville, died Wednesday, Jan. 4, 2012, at Methodist Hospital in Memphis.

Ms. Mary Jane Elrod, 65, of Wilson, died Tuesday, Jan. 3, 2012.

Mrs. Ida B. Clayborn, 88, of Blytheville, died Wednesday, Jan. 4, 2012, at Methodist Hospital in Memphis.

Mrs. Peggy Joyce Grimes, 62, of Lepanto, died Thursday, Jan. 5, 2012, in Jonesboro, after a battle with cancer. Born Feb. 5, 1949, in Moundville, Ala., she was a homemaker and of the Baptist faith. Her parents, Spergin and Estell Cook, preceded her in death, as did one sister, Ruby Averette...

Freddie Cleveland McKemie, 91, of Manila, died early Friday, Jan. 6, 2011, at St. Bernards Medical Center in Jonesboro. Born in Manila, he was the son of the late John William and Viola Bishop McKemie and lived much of his life in Blytheville. He was a U.S. Army veteran of World War II and was the former owner of M&M Motors in Blytheville. He was a longtime member of the Church of God of Prophecy. In addition to his parents he was preceded in death by two sisters and a brother...

Mr. Gerald Steven "Steve" Moody, 59, of Blytheville, departed from this life Saturday, Jan. 7, 2012, at the Great River Medical Center in Blytheville. Born to Gerald Thomas and Mary Alice Johnson Moody in Blytheville, he was a lifelong resident and retired from Tenaris-Hickman Corporation as a slitter operator. Steve was a member of the Ridgecrest Baptist Church and honorably served his country in the U.S. Army during the Vietnam War...

Mr. Austin (A.G.) Green Moody of Hickory, N.C., went to be with his Lord and Savior Jesus Christ Thursday, Jan. 5, 2012, after battling a rare illness known as "Good Pasture" Syndrome. Austin was born in Dell May 13, 1937. Prior to moving to Hickory and joining First Baptist Church, Austin was a member of, and servant in, First Baptist Church in Asheville, N.C., and Providence Baptist Church in Charlotte, N.C...

Arthur Bunch, resident of St. Charles County, Mo., for 48 years, died Dec. 27, 2011. He was 84 years of age. Bunch, born in Manila, Ark., June 7, 1927, served in the United States Army during World War II and the Korean War and the Merchant Marines in the interim. He was a member of the Veterans of Foreign Wars, Free Masons, as well as the Kiwanis...

Ronnie Gene Fortson, Sr., 62, of Leachville, died early Sunday, Jan. 8, 2012, at St. Bernards Medical Center in Jonesboro. Born at Manila, he was the son of the late William Thomas and Delilah Marie Hicks Fortson. Ronnie was a retired farmer and a lifelong area resident...

Mr. William B. Leitzen, 89, of Manila, Ark., died Saturday, Jan. 7, 2012, at Monette Manor Nursing Home. Mr. Leitzen was born June 9, 1922, in Stockton, Ill., to the late Oscar and Lula Susan Hall Leitzen. Mr. Leitzen enjoyed cracking pecans, making wooden ornaments and spending time with family and friends...

Freddie Cleveland McKemie, 91, of Manila, died early Friday, Jan. 6, 2012, at St. Bernards Medical Center in Jonesboro. Born at Manila, he was the son of the late John William and Viola Bishop McKemie and lived much of his life in Blytheville. ...

Richard Howard Moore, 62, of Trumann, died Sunday Jan. 1, 2012, at his home. Born at Sunnyvale, Calif., he had lived most of his life in California and was a retired truck driver. He had been a Trumann resident for the past two months...

Margaret Elizabeth Wallace, 59, of Las Vegas, Nev., formerly of Leachville, died Friday, Jan. 6, 2012, at the Sunrise Hospital in Las Vegas. Funeral arrangements are incomplete and will be announced by Howard Funeral Service of Leachville...

Mrs. Lenora Ramirez, 86, of Luxora, died Sunday, Jan. 8, 2012, at NEA Baptist Hospital in Jonesboro.

Mr. James Robert Lovelace, 93, of Blytheville, passed from this life to be with his Savior on Monday, Jan. 9, 2012, at his home.

Mrs. Mary Frances Crawford Lendennie, 82, of Weiner, formerly of Blytheville, passed from this life Monday, Jan. 9, 2012, at St. Bernard's Medical Center in Jonesboro.

Mr. Rufus Harrell, 59, died Saturday, Jan. 7, 2012, at his home in Osceola.

Mrs. Peggy Joyce Grimes, 62, of Lepanto, died cancer Thurs., Jan. 5, 2012, in Jonesboro.

Mr. Ronnie Gene Fortson Sr., 62, of Leachville, died early Sunday, Jan. 8, 2012, at St. Bernards Medical Center in Jonesboro.

Mr. James Edward Brown, 69, of Blytheville, died Monday, Jan. 9, 2012, at the Great River Medical Center in Blytheville.

Mrs. Marie C. Smothermon, 93, of Blytheville, passed from this life Sunday, Jan. 8, 2012, at Skilcare Nursing Center in Jonesboro after a lengthy illness.

Mr. Marshall O'Neal Guyton Jr., 63, of 3015 W. Willow Knolls Rd., Peoria, Ill., passed away Saturday, Jan. 7, 2012, surrounded by his family, at OSF Medical Center in Peoria.

Clifton Earl McMinn, 5/20/42 - 1/12/12 aged 69, of Irving, Texas, formerly of Manila, Ark., passed away on Jan. 12, 2012. Proceeded in death by his parents, Thurmand and Wonnie McMinn and brothers Jimmy (Laura) and Brian. ...

Mr. Larry Lynn Dildy, 65, of Manila, died Tuesday, Jan. 10. 2012, at St. Bernards Medical Center in Jonesboro. Born in Manila, he was the son of the late Sid and Beulah Briggins Dildy and had lived most of his life in Manila. Larry was a self-employed carpet layer, a member of the First Assembly of God in Manila, and was a U. S. Army veteran. In addition to his parents, he was preceded in death by a great-nephew, Cody Purser...

Mrs. Amelia Barbara Grey, 72, of Osceola, died Thursday, Jan. 12, 2012, at her home. Funeral arrangements are incomplete and will be announced by McDonald-Horne Funeral Home of Blytheville.

Mr. Thomas Julian Mitchell, of Burdette, went to be with the Lord Thursday, Jan. 12, 2012, after a prolonged illness. Julian was preceded in death by his parents, Roy L Mitchell and Rebecca Thompson Mitchell of Blytheville; his son, Gary L. Mitchell; a step-son, Dewayne Beaver; and two brothers, Eugene and Dallas Mitchell...

Mr. Damon Laffoon, 73, of Dover, formerly of Leachvillle, died Saturday, JAN. 14, 2012, at his home. Funeral arrangements are incomplete and will be announced by Howard Funeral Service of Leachville. A Guest register is available at www.HowardFuneralService.com...

Mr. Robert F. "Boss Hog" Mays passed from this life Thursday, Jan. 12, 2012. Born in Holland, Mo., Feb. 12, 1929, to Hattie and Noble Capehart, "Boss Hog" served in the Navy on the USS St. Paul and fought during the Korean War era. He enjoyed spending time with his family, watching Razorback football, and motorcycles...

Mr. Charles Lee Phillips, 81, of Paragould, passed from this life Thursday, Jan. 12, 2012, at the Arkansas Methodist Medical Center in Paragould. Born in Manila, he was the son of the late Raymond and Gennie Mae Boyd Phillips. He was a U.S. Army veteran of the Korean War and had lived many years in Florida where he worked for the Velda Farms Milk Pasteurization Plant. ...

Mrs. Jodie Marie Kummer Robinson, 37, of Forrest City, formerly of Bald Knob, died Thursday, Jan. 12, 2012.

Mrs. Dorothy Bell Parnell, 91, of Osceola, entered into rest Wednesday, Jan. 11, 2012, in Osceola.

Mr. Damon Laffoon, 73, of Dover, formerly of Leachvillle, died early Saturday, Jan. 14, 2012, at his home.

Thelma Jackson, 84, longtime Leachville resident, died Monday, Jan. 16, 2012, at the Gosnell Nursing Center.

Billy Don Garner had been fighting lung cancer for over a year and on Monday, Jan. 9, 2012, the cancer won. He was 71 years old.

Mrs. Donna Day Duggan, born Aug. 1, 1945, in Blytheville, passed from this life Sunday, Jan. 15, 2012, at the age of 66.

Mr. John H. Brooks, 83, of Osceola, entered into rest Friday, Jan. 13, 2012, in Memphis.

John H. Brooks, 83, of Osceola entered into rest Jan. 13, 2012 in Memphis. Born Nov. 12, 1928 in Little Rock, Ark., to the late Harvey and Zelfa Brooks, he was a member of First Christian Church in Osceola, a United States Army veteran, serving in the Korean War and was an HR manager, working at Mid-South Manufacturing, Crompton and Nibco for many years, and was presently employed at Roller-Swift Funeral Home as a funeral assistant.. ...

Larry Lynn Dildy, 65, of Manila, died Tuesday, Jan. 10, 2012, at St. Bernards Medical Center in Jonesboro. Born at Manila, he was the son of the late Sid and Beulah Briggins Dildy and had lived most of his life in Manila. Larry was a self-employed carpet layer, member of the First Assembly of God in Manila, and was U.S. Army veteran...

Damon Laffoon, 73, of Dover, formerly of Leachvillle, died early Saturday, Jan. 14, 2012, at his home. Born at Dermott, Ark., he was the son of the late Duford and Norvell Mason Laffoon. Damon's family moved to Leachville in the late 1940s and he was a 1956 graduate of Leachville High School. ...

Charles Lee Phillips, 81, of Paragould, passed from this life, Thursday Jan. 12, 2012, at the Arkansas Methodist Medical Center in Paragould. Born at Manila, he was the son of the late Raymond and Gennie Mae Boyd Phillips. ...

Wayne Martin, 68, of Hoxie passed away Sunday, Jan. 15, 2012, at St. Bernards Regional Medical Center. He was born July 24, 1943, in Manila to Earnest and Beulah Gould Martin. He had lived in Lawrence County the past 30 years and was self-employed as a used automobile dealer. He also served in the United States Navy...

Mrs. Margaret Elizabeth Wallace, 59, of Las Vegas, Nev., formerly of Leachville, died Friday Jan. 6, 2012, at the Sunrise Hospital in Las Vegas.

Mr. Jessie (J.R.) Meherg, 62, of Harrisburg, died from a brain tumor Monday, Jan. 16, 2012, in his home.

Mrs. Thelma Jackson, 84, longtime Leachville resident, died Monday, Jan. 16, 2012, at the Gosnell Nursing Center.

Mrs. Mary Ethel Roberson, 75, of Manila, died Sunday, Jan. 15, 2012, at Arkansas Medical Center in Paragould.

Mrs. Amelia Barbara Grey, 72, of Osceola, died Thursday, Jan. 12, 2012, at her home in Osceola.

Mr. Hollen Jefferson Sr., 80, died Tuesday, Jan. 17, 2012, at Northeast Arkansas Baptist Hospital in Jonesboro.

Abby Elizabeth Jones, infant daughter of Clinton Wray and Fanny Sarai Luna Jones of Blytheville, passed from this life on Wednesday, Jan. 18, 2012, at The Regional Medical Center in Memphis.

Paul Dean Crews, 62, of Leachville, died Saturday, Jan. 21, 2012, at the Arkansas Methodist Medical Center in Paragould. He was the son of the late Eugene and Ethel Mary Pilgram Crews and had been a lifelong Leachville area resident. He was a former longtime employee of Hytrol Conveyor in Jonesboro and was a member of the First Assembly of God Church in Leachville...

Jayley Kay Harper, infant daughter of Eric Harper and Savannah Hurt, was born into Heaven on Jan. 22, 2012, at St. Bernards Hospital in Jonesboro, Ark. In addition to her parents she is survived by grandparents, Larry and Robin Harper of Caraway, Ark., Donnie Hurt of Blytheville, Ark., and Lisa Parker of Monette Ark...

Helen Louise Henry, 86, of West Memphis, passed away Jan. 17, 2012, in Jonesboro. She was born Oct. 2, 1925 in Nettleton, to the late George and Myrtle Eidson Wyatt. Mrs. Henry was an all star basketball player in her youth and continued her love of the game throughout life. She was a beautician for over 50 years and retired in July 2010...

Thelma Jackson, 84, longtime Leachville resident, died Monday, Jan. 16, 2012, at the Gosnell Nursing Center. She was the daughter of the late Thomas Eugene and Gladys Basinger Harrell and had been a longtime Leachville resident before making her home in Gosnell last year. ...

Ernesto Perez, 44, of Valle Hermosa, Mexico, formerly of Manila, died early Saturday, Jan. 21, 2012, from injuries received in an accident in Valle Hermosa. Funeral arrangements are incomplete and will be announced by Howard Funeral Service of Manila. Guest register is www.howardfuneralservice.com...

Mary Ethel Roberson, 75, of Manila, widow of Mr. Bill Roberson, died Sunday Jan. 15, 2012, at Arkansas Methodist Medical Center in Paragould. Born at Manila she was the daughter of the late James Nolen and Emily Smith Bollinger. ...

Margaret Elizabeth Wallace, 59, of Las Vegas, Nev., formerly of Leachville, died Friday, Jan. 6, 2012, at the Sunrise Hospital in Las Vegas. She was the widow of Mr. Lacey Wallace and had been a Nevada resident for the past 17 years...

Mr. Ernesto Perez, 44, of Valle Hermosa, Mexico, formerly of Manila, died early Saturday from injuries received in an accident in Valle Hermosa.

Mrs. Carolyn Kaye Joiner, 66, of Moody, Texas, formerly of Osceola, died Friday, Jan. 20, 2012, in her home.

Mr. Robert Louis Johnson, 63, of Blytheville, died Thursday, Jan. 19, 2012, at St. Bernards Hospital in Jonesboro.

Mr. Fred Allen Haskins, 65, of Turrell, died Saturday, Jan. 31, 2012, at Crittenden Memorial Hospital in West Memphis.

Mr. Paul Dean Crews, 62, of Leachville, died Saturday Jan. 21, 2012, at the Arkansas Methodist Medical Center in Paragould.

Mrs. Glenna Mae Whisenhunt Biviano, 70, of Searcy, formerly of Blytheville, passed from this life Sunday, Jan. 22, 2012, at UAMS in Little Rock.

Mrs. Otean Anderson, 81, of Blytheville, died Monday, Jan. 16, 2012, at Great River Medical Center in Blytheville.

Mrs. Cindy Kay Houser Smith, 34, of Gosnell, passed from this life Monday, Jan. 23, 2012, at Great River Medical Center in Blytheville.

Mr. Randy Santana, 47, of Kenosha, Wisc., died Saturday, Jan. 21, 2012, at his home.

Mr. Billy Joe Howell, 81, of Hermondale, Mo., died Tuesday, Jan. 24, 2012, at his home.

Jaunice Larue Shinault, 68, of Blytheville, died Wednesday, Jan. 25, 2012, at her home. Funeral arrangements are incomplete and will be announced by Cobb Funeral Home.

Carol A. LaFarlette Wiencek, 57, of Blytheville, died Wednesday, Jan. 25, 2012, at NEA Baptist in Jonesboro. Funeral arrangements are incomplete and will be announced by Cobb Funeral Home.

Mr. Billy Joe Howell, 81, of Hermondale, Mo., passed from this life Tuesday, Jan. 24, 2012, at his home. Born in Oak Ridge, Mo., to Allie Houston and Culpernia Ann Little Howell, he was a retired farmer, who served his country proudly in the United States Air Force during the Korean War. ...

Mrs. Rowena Ruffner Arnold Summerville, 97, of Blytheville, passed from this life Wednesday, Jan. 25, 2012, at Flo and Phil Jones Hospice House in Jonesboro. Born in Hoxie to Roy and Maude Ruffner Arnold, she was a member of the Retired Teacher's Association and First United Methodist Church of Blytheville. She was also a member of the Blytheville Women's Club and Pathfinder Sunday School Class at First United Methodist Church...

Mrs. Geneva Evelyn Woods, 84, of Blytheville, died Wednesday, Jan. 25, 2012, at Heritage Square Nursing Center in Blytheville. Born March 14, 1927, to the late Joe Jones and Mamie Murray Jones, she was a homemaker and a member of the First Baptist Church in Blytheville...

Mrs. Carol Ann LaFarlette Wiencek, 57, of Gosnell, passed from this life Wednesday, Jan. 25, 2012, at NEA Baptist Hospital in Jonesboro.

Mr. James Hampton Smith, 79, of Memphis, died of cancer Wednesday, Jan. 25, 2012, at Baptist East Hospital in Memphis. Born May 27, 1932, in Mississippi, he was a Baptist.

Mrs. Juanice LaRue Shinault, 68, of Blytheville, passed from this life Wednesday, Jan. 25, 2012, at her home.

Dr. Steven Edwin Owens, 56, of Little Rock, passed away peacefully on Tuesday, Jan. 24, 2012, at St. Vincent Infirmary. He was born in Newport Feb. 12, 1955, the son of his late parents, Bernice Ferrell Owens and Thomas Edwin Owens.

Mrs. Seminole Avon Gordon, 91, passed away Thursday, Jan. 26, 2012, at Great Rivers Medical Center in Blytheville.

Mr. Terry Curtis Brackin, 53, of Gosnell, passed away at his home Wednesday, Jan. 25, 2012.

Mrs. Mary Catheline McCormick, 84, of Campbell, Mo., formerly of Piggott, died Friday, Jan. 27, 2012, at her home. She was born Jan. 12, 1928, in Humbolt, Tenn., to the late Albert and Flora Speer and was a member of Calvary's Call Church in Campbell...

Mr. Charles Hubert Warren, 68, of Osceola, entered into rest Thursday, Jan. 26, 2012, in Osceola. Born Aug. 15, 1943, in Baltimore, Md., to the late Hubert and Ora Warren, he was of the Baptist Faith, a farmer and a U.S. Army Veteran. He was preceded in death by his parents and one sister, Freda Prelitz...

Mr. Bobby Joe Tenison, son of the late Roy and Beulah Nunnery Tennison, was born Oct. 4, 1931, in Braggadocio, Mo., and died Thursday, Jan. 26, 2012, at his home in Denton, Mo., at the age of 80. Bob served his country in the U.S. Army and while stationed in England was united in marriage with Patricia Ayers Tenison, who preceded him in death on May 16, 2005...

Velma Alburta Crews, 92, of Caraway, widow of Mr. Luther "Luke" Crews, died Sunday, Jan. 29, 2012, at the Lakeside Nursing Center in Lake City. Born in Keiser, she was the daughter of the late William and Bessie Cater Dewey and had been a longtime Caraway resident. She was retired from American Greetings in Osceola and she was a member of the First Baptist Church in Caraway...

Mr. Gordon Elbert "Jack" Miller, of Leachville, Ark., departed this life Monday morning, Jan. 30, 2012, at his home, at the age of 82. He was born June 4, 1929 in Delfore, the son of Jesse Reeves "Boss" Miller and Mary Edna Barnes Miller. ...

Ernesto Perez, 44, of Valle Hermosa, Mexico, formerly of Manila, died early Saturday, Jan. 21, 2012, from injuries received in an accident in Valle Hermosa. Born at Ciudad Mante, Mexico, he had lived much of his life in Manila and was a self-employed electrician. He had lived in Valle Hermosa since 2010...

Mrs. Darlene Stubbs, 54, of Blytheville, passed from this life Sunday, Jan. 29, 2012, at St. Bernard's Regional Medical Center in Jonesboro.

Mr. Gary Wayne Smullin, 66, of Trumann, died Sunday, Jan. 29, 2012, at St. Bernards Hospital in Jonesboro. Born in Lake City, he was a factory worker and a member of the Church of Christ faith.

Mr. Joe Riley, 74, of Blytheville, died Monday, Jan. 30, 2012, at Baptist Hospital in Memphis

Mr. Gordon Elbert "Jack" Miller, 82, of Leachville departed this life Monday, Jan. 30, 2012, at his home.

Richard Pierce "Dick" Koehn II, 71, of Flower Mound, Texas, passed away Friday, Jan. 20, 2012, at his home.

Mrs. Velma Alburta Crews, 92, of Caraway, widow of Mr. Luther "Luke" Crews, died Sunday, Jan. 29, 2012, at the Lakeside Nursing Center in Lake City.

Retired Air Force Charter Chief Master Sergeant Turner J. "T.J." Bazemore, 89, of Blytheville, died Friday, Jan. 27, 2012, at 10:05 a.m. at the NEA Baptist Hospital in Jonesboro.