Stories from Thursday, December 12, 2019

Roosevelt Thomas was born in Chatfield, May 8, 1948, to the late Charlie & Eula Mae Thomas. Roosevelt spent most of his toddler years at John Gaston hospital in Memphis, Tenn. He accepted Christ at an early age and he loved gospel music. He was in a gospel group in his younger years. ...

Robert Dean Trammel, 79, of Monette, passed away Thursday, Dec. 5, 2019 at Flo & Phil Jones Hospice House. He was born Feb. 25, 1940, in Monette to the late R.M. and Willene Trammel. Robert served his country proudly in the United States Army. He sold I.H. farm equipment for many years at Ball Hout Implement in Monette and sold vehicles at Carlock Dealership in Blytheville. He enjoyed fishing and hunting and loved being with his wife, children and grandchildren...

Geraldine May, 84, of Manila, passed away Wednesday, Dec. 4, 2019, at Great River Medical Center in Blytheville. Geraldine was born in Newport to Clarence and Ella Stafford Stevens. She was a retired waitress and a member of First Baptist Church in Manila. Geraldine enjoyed cooking, sewing and fishing with her husband...

Helen Bernice Southern, 89 of Monette, passed from this life Thursday, Dec. 5, 2019, at St. Bernards Medical Center in Jonesboro. Born and raised in Etowah, she was the daughter of the late Fred and Daisy Mansker Knuckles and had lived most of her life in the Manila and Buckeye area. She had worked as a nurses aide and nanny and enjoyed cooking, writing poetry, and painting. Bernice was an ordained minister and was of the Church of God faith...

Willie B. Forrest, 66, of Blytheville passed away at his home on Monday, Dec. 2, 2019, surrounded by his family. Willie B. was born Jan. 9, 1953 in Dell and was the son of Jake and Mattie Packard Forrest. He loved to spend time with his family and friends playing a hand of spades or a game of dominos. Willie B. was an easy-going guy with a quick wit and a warm smile. He was a past employee of Nucor Steel, retiring in February of 2012...

Kenneth Wayne Brandon Cooper, 36, of Blytheville, passed away on the evening of Dec. 1, 2019. After fighting a long-time battle with MS, he peacefully passed away surrounded by his family. Brandon is survived by his two precious children, Kelsey Lynn Vandyke and Nathan Wade Vandyke, both of Steel, Mo.; his mother, Shirlene Edwards (the late Ronnie Edwards); grandmother, Shirley Cooper; brothers, Brent (Mollie) Edwards of Blytheville, Brian (Jana) Edwards of Florida, and Ronnie “Ron Ron” Edwards of Blytheville; his father, Jerry (Tina) Byrd; siblings, Sabrina (Rob) Minyard, Dustin (Hilary) Byrd, Donald Wyles, Andrew (Bethany) Wyles, Lyndee (Danny) Moore, all of Blytheville, Joey (William) Holmes of Lake City, Jeremy Yates of Cooter, Mo., Christopher Griffin of Kissimmee, Fla., Nicole (Kenny) Miles of Piggott, Candis (Scott) Edwards of Marion and several nieces and nephews.. ...

Elmer Whitted, Jr., 76, of Osceola, died Dec. 7, 2019, at Methodist University in Memphis, Tenn. He was a retired maintenance worker and a member of Princess Chapel MB in Osceola. Mr. Whitted was born Aug. 1, 1943, in Osceola to Elmer and Florida Hayes Whitted, Sr...

Summer Arthia Whitfield, 36, of Osceola, died Dec. 6, 2019, at Arkansas Continued Care Hospital in Jonesboro. She was a homemaker and a member of True Grace Gospel Church in Osceola. Miss Whitfield was born June 29, 1983, in Osceola to Luther and Emmie Lee Kelly Whitfield, Jr...

Mae Irene Burt, 91, of Wilson, died Dec. 6, 2019, at Methodist University North in Memphis, Tenn. She was a retired factory worker and of the Baptist faith. Ms. Burt was born June 26, 1928, in Tyronza to E.V. and Nancy Robertson Dillard. She was preceded in death by her parents, her husband William Burt, one son Albert Burt, one daughter Jo Ann Burt, one brother J.B. Dillard, two sisters, Ellen Smith and Louise Odell...

Zeola D. Bell was born May 6, 1922, in Elizabeth, Miss., to the late Bossie Stokes and the late Callie Lloyd Stokes. She was a homemaker and a member of Mt. Nebo M.B. Church in Blytheville. Mrs. Bell passed away on Dec. 7, 2019, at Heritage Square Nursing Center in Blytheville at the age of 97...

Mr. Jimmy McClelland, 72, of Guntersville, Ala., formerly of Monette, passed away at Shepherds Cove Hospice, Tuesday, Dec. 10, 2019. A visitation will be held Thursday, Dec. 12, at Adams Brown Service Funeral Home from 5-8 p.m., funeral services will be held at 3 p.m. Sunday, Dec. 15, at The First Baptist Church of Monette. The family will receive friends at the church from 1 p.m. until time of the service, burial will follow at Monette Memorial Cemetery...

Opal Novella Watson of Blytheville was born Jan. 12, 1926, in Tennessee to the late Johnny Billings and the late Mamie Coffman Billings. She was a homemaker. Mrs. Watson passed away Dec. 7, 2019, at Great River Medical Center in Blytheville at the age of 93...

Amy Nell Carmichael McCain, 62, of Black Oak, widow of Kenneth McCain, passed from this life Tuesday, Dec. 10, 2019, in Caraway. Born in Leachville, she was the daughter of the late Clarence and Margie Smith Carmichael and had been a lifelong resident of the Buffalo Island area. ...