Stories from Tuesday, January 5, 2021

Wilbert Earl Bragg, Jr., 55, of Osceola died Jan. 2, 2021, at St. Bernards Medical Center in Jonesboro. He was a laborer and a member of Zion Chapel MB Church in Luxora. Mr. Bragg was born Jan. 10, 1965, in Osceola to Wilbert Earl and Annie Robinson Bragg, Sr. ...

Charles Lee Brooks was born May 26, 1950, in Blytheville to Henrietta Leverson. Charles departed this life on Tuesday, Dec. 22, 2020 ,at his home in Blytheville at the age of 70. He was preceded in death by his mother. Charles pursued a number of career opportunities for advancement improving his skills; however, groceries meat-cutting was his first love, since his early teenage years. At the time of his death, he was retired from full employment. He will be sorely missed...

Pauline Cornish, 90, of Monette, passed peacefully from this life Sunday, Jan. 3, 2021, at Monette Manor Nursing Center. Born Dec. 9, 1930, to the late Heayron and Ethel Ashburn Perkins, she had been a lifelong Monette area resident. We grieve her passing but take great comfort in knowing she is with the Lord, her husband of 70 years, Rev. ...

Ira Joe Dabney, Sr. of Blytheville was born Dec. 10, 1954, in Driver to the late Lonnie Dabney, Sr. and the late Dorothy Parker Dabney. He was a factory worker and a member of New Mt. Olive M.B. Church. Mr. Dabney passed away Dec. 31, 2020, at his home in Blytheville at the age of 66. He was preceded in death by his father, Lonnie Dabney, Sr., his mother, Dorothy Parker Dabney, and his wife, Patricia Dabney...

Edna Smith Davis, 90, of Trumann died Thursday, Dec. 31, 2020, in Jonesboro. She was born in Florence, Ala., and had lived in Trumann since 1968. She was a homemaker and of the Baptist faith. She was preceded in death by her husband, James H. Davis; four sons, Jim Earl Davis, Bobby L. ...

John Curtis Haag of Trumann passed away Monday, Dec. 21, 2020, at the family residence at the age of 80 years, 4 months and 3 days. He was born Sunday, Aug. 18, 1940, in Bowman and had lived most of his lifetime in the Trumann and Bay area. He was a graduate of Bay High School and a deacon of First Baptist Church in Trumann and sang in the choir. ...

Harvelia Ann Higgins Kelley passed from this life at age 79 on Saturday, Dec. 26,2020. She was born July 30, 1941 in Manila. She was the daughter of the late Mazie Shedd Robbins and Harvey Higgins. Ann was raised by Mazie and her stepfather, Paul Robbins, in Manila where she attended Manila High School.  In December 1958, she married Robert Austin Kelley of Caraway. They raised three children, Kelly Ann Kelley, David Paul Kelley and Robert Allen Kelley in Dallas, Texas. Ann was a devoted housewife and mother. She served as a Girl Scout Brownie leader and a den mother for the Cub Scouts and was involved in PTA, ball games, and her children’s activities. ...

Kenneth Gene Arnold, 61, of Wilson died Dec. 29, 2020, at his home. He was a retired electrician and of the Baptist faith. Mr. Arnold was born July 5, 1959, in Osceola to Kenneth Franklin Arnold and Dora Harrison Roleson. He was preceded in death by his parents...

Lola Bobo was born Dec. 2, 1963, in Blytheville to Otis Murphy Sr. and Selma Bass. Lola was also raised by her stepfather, Clayborn Bass. Lola was a part of the Blytheville School District Class of 1982. In 1996 she married the love of her life, Wendell Bobo, who she was married to for 24 years. ...

Melbourn Wayne “Bo” Sefers of Jonesboro died Thursday, Dec. 31, 2020, in Jonesboro at the age of 91 years and 21 days. He was born Tuesday, Dec. 10, 1929, in Lake City to the late Charlie and Zelma Huggins Sefers and had lived in Jonesboro for 12 years coming from Atlanta, Ga. ...

James Patrick Murphy, 58, of Blytheville, departed this life Jan. 2, 2021, in Blytheville. He was born June 21, 1962, in Little Rock to James Benjamin and Doris Ellen Worthy Murphy. He was a former funeral director and embalmer for Murphy Funeral Home in Lepanto and Marked Tree. He was preceded in death by his parents...

Nina Jane Whitlatch of Trumann departed this life Tuesday, Dec. 29, 2020, at Quail Run Health & Rehab at the age of 84 years, 5 months and 1 day. She was born Tuesday, July 28, 1936, in and lived most of her lifetime in Trumann. She was a retired assistant director for the nursing home in Trumann and was a member of First Baptist Church. ...

Quashawn Larmarcus Chandler of Blytheville was born March 21, 2001, in Carbondale, Ill., to Cedric Spencer and Leeann Chandler Schermerhorn. He was a factory worker and a cashier and was of the Baptist faith. Mr. Chandler passed away Dec. 27, 2020, at Great River Medical Center in Blytheville at the age of 19. ...

Sandra Faye Thomas, 67, of Trumann died Wednesday, Dec. 30, 2020, at her son's house in Murfreesboro, Tenn. She was born Aug. 20, 1953, in Trumann and was a lifetime resident of Trumann. She was a factory worker and of the Baptist faith. She was preceded in death by her husband, Donald Thomas; one sister, Peggy Owens; two brothers, Walter Keith Raymond and Charles R. (Rip) Duboise; and her parents, Bennett, Sr. and Lettie May Bufford Raymon...

Jeff Stribling, 88, of Blytheville, passed away Friday, Jan. 1, 2021, at Murray-Calloway County Hospital in Murray, Ky. Jeff was born in Marks, Miss., to Joe and Lora May Stribling. He was the owner and operator of Jeff’s Battery Shop and was a member of Armorel Baptist Church. Jeff served his country with honor in the United States Navy during the Korean War. Jeff loved the outdoors and enjoyed fishing and vacationing...

Thelma Jean Stancle was born Nov, 24, 1954m to Richard Johnson and Oleather Junearick in Winstonville, Miss. Thelma was a very loving and gentle soul. She loved her family dearly and her close friends. Thelma began her journey into eternity on Jan. 3, 2021...

Gloria Diane Thomas of Jonesboro was born Feb. 16, 1958, in Blytheville to the late John Taylor and the late Elizabeth Taylor. She worked in home healthcare and was a member of the Greensboro Church of Christ in Jonesboro. Mrs. Thomas passed away Dec. 30, 2020, at NEA Baptist Memorial Hospital in Jonesboro at the age of 62. She was preceded in death by her father, John Taylor; her mother, Elizabeth Taylor; one brother, Howard Taylor; and two sisters, Katherine Henderson and Ann Aldridge...

Mary Lucille Wagner, 93, of Blytheville, passed away Sunday, Jan. 3, 2021, at Great River Medical Center. Mary was born in Blytheville to William and Maggie Roberts McCormick. She was retired from Rexall Drug Company and was a member of Bethany Baptist Church...

The Arkansas Agriculture Hall of Fame has announced six individuals will be inducted during 2021 due to their leadership and service to the state’s largest business sector. The newest class represents agriculture education, the seed industry, agri-business, row-crop production, agricultural/political advocacy, timber management, plus agricultural research and outreach...