Obituaries

Grover Cleveland Skaggs, 93, of Leachville, passed from this life Monday, Dec. 4, 2023, at the Flo and Phil Jones Hospice House in Jonesboro. Born in Marked Tree, he was the son of the late James W. and Sally Bailey Skaggs and had been a longtime area resident. ...

Thomas Eugene “Tommy” DePriest Jr., resident of Lake City, departed this life on Saturday, Dec. 2, 2023, at St. Francis Hospital in Memphis, Tenn., at the age of 60. Thomas was born in Alton, Ill., on Oct. 9, 1963, the son of Thomas Eugene DePriest Sr. and Margaret (Ball) DePriest...

Leroy Washington Lockhart, 69, of Joiner, passed away Dec. 1, 2023, at his home. He was born May 11, 1954, in Joiner to John and Cora Lee Washington Lockhart. He worked for Viskase for 23 years, retired in 2017 and was a member of First Baptist Church in Joiner. Mr. Lockhart was preceded in death by his parents, John and Cora Lockhart; six brothers, Ossie Love, Vernon Love, Sylvester Lockhart, Roosevelt Lockhart, John Lockhart Jr., Shelley Lockhart; and one sister, Ruthie Sykes...

Carol Yarbro, 81, of Manila, widow of Billy Yarbro, passed away Wednesday, Nov. 29, 2023, at the Flo and Phil Jones Hospice House in Jonesboro. Born in Manila to the late William and Eula Maven McGrew, Carol had attended Manila Public Schools and was a lifelong area resident. ...

Joe Charles Akers, 57, of Blytheville, died Monday, Nov. 27, 2023, in Memphis, Tenn. Born to Lonnie and Melba Ann Wooldridge Akers, he was a supervisor at Tenaris for 24 years. Joe was a great provider for his family and when he wasn’t working, he loved to spend his time with his family. ...

Erica Mechelle Chew was born Aug. 14, 1981, in Blytheville, to Eric Burton and Mechelle Chew. Erica attended Blytheville School District. She enjoyed spending time with her family and friends. Erica was preceded in death by her father, Eric Burton, and grandparents, Eddie and Bernice Chew. She passed from this earthly life on Thursday, Nov. 23, 2023, at Regional One Medical Center in Memphis, Tenn. at the age of 42...

Ronnie Dean Wilkerson, 68, of Manila, passed from this life Monday, Nov. 27, at St. Bernards Medical Center in Jonesboro. Born in Caraway to the late Lonnie and Florence Vinson Wilkerson, he was raised in Northeast Arkansas and was a lifelong area resident. ...

Kaylen Marcel Jacobs, 34, of Osceola, passed away Nov. 22, 2023, at Baptist Crittenden Hospital in West Memphis. He was born Aug. 1, 1989, in Osceola to Bennie Louis Jacobs and Stephanie Wilson Fowler. He was a sergeant for the Earle Police Department in Earle and a member of Westside Ministries in Osceola. Kaylen was preceded in death by his parents, Bennie Jacobs and Stephanie Fowler...

Shirley Jean Larue Adair, 76, of Blytheville, passed from this life Sunday, Nov. 26, 2023, at her home with family by her side. Born in Blytheville, to Herman and Pearl Vernon Larue, she was a retired housekeeper with Baptist Memorial Hospital. Her true passion was cooking and her family. ...

Howard Waterford Jr. of Jonesboro departed from this life on Nov. 25, 2023, at his residence. He was 77 years old. He was born in Little Rock on Oct. 15, 1946, to the late Howard Waterford Sr. and the late Arnetta Holden. Howard retired from the Blytheville School District after 41 years working in maintenance. ...

Anthony Q. Lawson, a.k.a. “Leggs Diamond,” 57, of Blytheville, departed from this life Nov. 18, 2023, at Great River Medical Center. He was born Nov. 23, 1965, in Blytheville, to the late Syelechia Lawson and Mrs. Betty J. Williams Lawson Kelly. Anthony had a love for his friends and a special love for his mother in his own way. He loved his mobility scooter and loved to ride day and night. To him his scooter was his personal vehicle...

After a lengthy battle, Gayla L. Honeycutt slipped the ties that bound her to this mortal plain and stepped peacefully into that good night on Nov. 26, 2023. She faced her illness with the same courage, bravery, and dignity she displayed throughout her life. ...

Barbara J. Pierce, 86, of Manila, the widow of Joe Dean Pierce, passed away Friday, Nov. 24, 2023, at the Monette Manor Nursing Center. Born in Manila, she was the daughter of the late W.E. and Cora Leah Jackson Ballard and was a 1956 graduate of Manila High School. ...

LaSonya PaShun Barnes Mitchell was born to Billy D. Williams and Gloria Dean Barnes on Nov. 21, 1967, in Gary, Ind. She was raised in Blytheville, where she attended the Blytheville High School, graduating in 1986, and was employed at MCAEOC Head Start as a bus monitor...

Robert Lucas Jr. was born Dec. 29, 1951, to the late Robert Lucas Sr. and Viola Lucas, in Luxora. He departed this life Nov. 20, 2023, at the age of 71 at UAMS in Little Rock. He was preceded in death by his parents. Robert is survived by his wife, Lillie Lucas of Blytheville; two daughters, Rainy Cadenhead of Kansas City, Mo., and Tanesa Chew of Jonesboro; five sons, Jerry Chew of Blytheville, Timothy Chew of San Antonio, Texas, Robert Lucas III, Gennuso Jones of Osceola and Virgil Thomas of Blythewood, S.C.; four sisters, Estella Henderson, Linda Blair and Danette Davis, all of Blytheville, and Patricia Jones of Gosnell; five brothers, Herbert Lucas, Henry Lucas, Bishop Vancell Lucas, Andrew Steve Lucas and Darren Lucas all of Blytheville, 22 grandchildren, 13 great-grandchildren and a host of other family members and friends.. ...

Tonya L. Seals was born Nov. 27, 1971, to the late John Seals and Morine Harris in Osceola. Tonya departed this life Nov. 21, 2023, at St. Bernards Medical Center in Jonesboro. She was preceded in death by her parents and two grandchildren. Tonya leaves to cherish her precious memories two daughters, Brittanica Seals and Britney Seals, both of Jonesboro; four sisters, Jennifer Seals of Jonesboro, Tawanna Johnson, Antoinette Harris and Latonya Mosley, all of Osceola; four brothers, Edward Orr of Jonesboro, Antwann Harris and Anthony Harris, both of Osceola, and Carlos Seals of West Memphis; one grandchild, Treasure Lewis of Jonesboro; and a host of nieces, nephews, other relatives and friends.. ...

William Grady Bratton, 80, departed from this life on Nov. 22, 2023, in Jonesboro. He was born Oct. 22, 1943, in Blytheville to the late Alva Bratton and Melba Bratton. William was a retired factory worker and was of the Pentecostal faith. He was preceded by his parents, Alva and Melba Bratton; his beloved wife, Judy Bratton; brother, Leroy Bratton; and two sisters, Betty Uselton and Wanda Sue Chairs...

Donald Wayne Master, 75, of Manila, walked into Heaven Nov. 21, 2023, healed after a 17-year battle with Parkinsons. Born in Leachville to the late Walter Lee and Bessie Meeker Master, he was a 1967 graduate of Leachville High School, then went on to serve his country in the United States Army and served in Korea. ...

Robert F. (Bobby) Lowerins, 80, of the West Ridge community near Osceola, passed from this life Monday, Nov. 20, 2023, at South Mississippi County Regional Medical Center in Osceola. Born in Luxora, he was the son of the late W.F. and Dora Sides Lowerins and had been a resident of the West Ridge community for the past 20 years. ...

Alma Ricks was born April 29, 1946, to Henry James Ricks and Annie Blair in Osceola. Alma departed this life on Nov. 15, 2023, at Methodist University Hospital in Memphis, Tenn. Alma was a homemaker and a factory worker. She was a loving kind and wonderful mother. Mom will surely be missed...

Floyd E. Ollison, 95, of Blytheville, died Sunday Nov., 19, 2023, at NEA Baptist Hospital in Jonesboro. Floyd was born in Wynne to Lewis and Mattie Wells Ollison. He served his country in the U.S. Army during WWII and he was a member of the American Legion and VFW. One of his favorite hobbies was shooting pool. Floyd worked at the Blytheville Courier News for 13 years and retired after working for the Commercial Appeal for 30 years...

Melissa Lynn Bogan, 56, of Fayette, Mo., formerly of Osceola, passed away Nov. 15, 2023, at University Hospital in Columbia, Mo. She was born Aug. 9, 1967, in Osceola to Neal and Shirley Hopper Harshman. Melissa was a homemaker and of the Baptist faith. She was preceded in death by her parents, Neal and Shirley Harshman, and one son, Dewayne Bogan, Jr...

Sarah Jane Logan, 63, of Wilson, passed away Nov. 19, 2023, at her home. She was born Aug. 18, 1960, in Carson Lake to Leonard and Vernice Jones Logan, Sr. Sarah was a caregiver and a member of First Baptist Church in Frenchman Bayou. She was preceded in death by her parents; three brothers, Leonard Logan, Jr., Willie Logan, Sr. and Roger Logan, two sisters Lois Taylor and Mary Holmes...

Alvis Lee Snider, 83, of Monette, was born May 29, 1940, on the same farm where he lived when he passed away on Nov. 16, 2023. His parents were Eston and Veria Hodges Snider. He was united in marriage to Nan Etta Harrell on June 16, 1961. They celebrated their 62nd anniversary this year...

Lela Jeanette Kelley, 66, of Holland, Mo., died Thursday, Nov. 16, 2023, in Holland. Born to Vernon and Allie Ruth Key, she was a phlebotomist at the Mississippi County Health Department in Blytheville. Lela was a member of Greater Vision of Blytheville. She loved her church and her family, especially her grandson. Lela loved to help others in need. Her favorite hobbies were reading Christian novels and talking on the phone to her friends...

James “Q-B-Lee” Rayburn Ellis Jr., 66, formerly from Blytheville, departed from this world Saturday, Nov., 11, 2023. He passed away in Heber Springs in his home with his beloved cat, Maggie Mae. James was born in Osceola to Rayburn and Shirley Ann Ellis. He was a supervisor for Terra Chemical...

Ms. Freddie Mae Smith, 69, of Blytheville, died Tuesday, Nov. 14, 2023, at St. Bernards Medical Center in Jonesboro. She was born April 19, 1954, to the late Fred and Gladys (Hinton) Smith in Blytheville. Mrs. Smith was a retired custodian for Blytheville School Systems. She was also a member of St. Paul Missionary Baptist Church in Blytheville where she served as an usher...

Robert Everett Stephens Jr., 67, of Trumann, passed away Nov. 11, 2023, at St. Bernards Medical Center in Jonesboro. He was born July 13, 1956, in Wynne to Robert E. Stephens Sr. and Dorothy Smithson. He was a truck driver and of the Baptist and Pentecostal faith. Mr. Stephens was preceded in death by his parents and one sister, Barbara Tacker...

Luke Adams, 22, of Caraway, passed on Nov. 12, 2023. He was born in Jonesboro on April 16, 2001, to Greg Adams of Caraway and Kelly Phillips Adams of Portageville, Mo. He graduated from Riverside High School in 2019 and continued his education at ASU Newport to obtain a technical certificate as a welder...

Charles Gregory Adams, 46, of Marmaduke, passed from this life Nov. 12, 2023. He was born in Jonesboro July 21, 1977, to Shirley Shirley (Webb) and Mike Adams. Greg called the fields and turnrows of Caraway home most of his life, growing up with a foundation of row crop farming, livestock, and equipment that would carry him throughout adulthood. ...

Clyde Waymon Williams Sr., 89, passed away Friday, Nov. 10, 2023, at Baptist East Hospital in Memphis. He was born Oct. 29, 1934, in Monette to the late Clyde and Ella Barnum Williams. Waymon graduated from Monette High School and was a member of the Monette First Baptist Church. ...

Bobby “Jason” Yarbro, 43, of Manila, passed from this life Wednesday, Nov. 15, 2023, at St. Bernards Medical Center in Jonesboro. He was a 1999 graduate of Manila High School and was a concrete finisher, having worked for Big Lake Concrete Finishers until 2021. He was a member of Westside Baptist Church in Manila and enjoyed hunting, fishing, frogging and searching for arrowheads. He was preceded in death by his paternal grandfather, Billy Yarbro, and his maternal grandfather, Bobby Jake Rice...

Christopher Allen Marshall departed from this life Nov. 11, 2023, in Kennett, Mo. Christopher was born Nov. 17, 1989, to Bishop Jamie Marshall and Pastor Norma Marshall in Blytheville. Christopher was a devoted father and an active member of Unique Ministry Fellowship Church in Malden, Mo...

Charles Lindel Lipford, 76, of Blytheville, died Tuesday, Nov. 14, 2023, at his home. Born to Charles F. Lipford and Opal Louise Hardin, he was a machine operator at Paco Steel. Charles proudly served his country in the U.S. Navy. He served multiple tours on LST-1073 Outagamie County in San Diego, Calif., in Vietnam. ...

Patsy Jean Lewis was born Aug. 24, 1964, to parents Lacey and Emma Atkins in Hermondale, Mo. Patsy departed this life Monday, Nov. 13, 2023, at UAMS Hospital in Little Rock. She was preceded in death by both parents and four siblings. Patsy accepted Christ at an early age and became a member of Macedonia MB Church, she later became a member of St. Paul MB Church in Barfield, which is now New St. Paul MB Church in Blytheville, Pastor Clark Phillips...

Gregory Lynn Watson, 62, of Blytheville, went to rest with the Lord Monday, Nov. 13, 2023, at St. Bernards Medical Center in Jonesboro. Gregory was born in Blytheville to Bobby and Jerrie Watson and was a lifelong resident of Blytheville. He was a retired crane operator at Ryerson Steel. ...

Sandra L. Hicks, 74, of Jonesboro, passed away Nov. 5, 2023, at St. Bernards Medical Center. She was born Aug. 15, 1949, in Harrisburg to the late Lanoah Thomas and Evangeline Lyons Hicks. Sandra spent the last 25 years of her life in Jonesboro, having moved from Harrisburg, and was a member of Blessed Sacrament Catholic Church. ...

Elizabeth Danley Ruff was born March 17, 1938, to the late Lorenzo Danley Sr. and Elnader Watkins in Luxora. She was preceded in death by her parents. She departed this life on Nov. 6, 2023, at the age of 85. Elizabeth is survived by three daughters, Elizabeth Carter, Borbara Robinson and Christie Northern, all of Blytheville; three sisters, Corene Ware of Blytheville, Molina Wilson of Memphis, Tenn., and Birdella Johnson of Chicago, Ill.; one brother, Lorenzo Danley Jr. ...

Cordie L. Bobo Murphy was born Feb. 24, 1938, in Mississippi County, Arkansas, the daughter of Harvey Lunnie Bobo and Rosie Lee Blackburn Bobo. Cordie attended Richard B. Harrison High School and was an active member of the Harrisonites, Inc. and a former member of the Versatile - 25 Social Club. ...

Susan Denise Presley, 60, of West Memphis, passed away Sunday, Nov. 5, 2023, at her residence. She was born in West Memphis on Nov. 6, 1962, to Vernon and Cathryn Crick Presley. Susan was retired from Family Dollar and a member of Church of God of Prophecy...

Eddie Lee Black, 58, of Osceola, passed away Wednesday, Nov. 1, 2023, at Flo and Phil Jones Hospice House in Jonesboro, Eddie was born in Osceola on July 16, 1964 to the late Solomon and Emma Dean Jackson Black. He was employed at Jim Ross Tires in Osceola for 45 years and was a member of Bethlehem MB Church in Osceola...

Jeri Ann Hicks, daughter of Janet Sue Pridemore Hicks and the late Jerry Wayne Hicks, was born May 28, 1973, in Kennett, Mo. Ms. Hicks died Wednesday, Oct. 25, 2023, in Jonesboro, at the age of 50 years. Survivors include one son, Caleb Gleason of Russellville; her mother, Janet Hicks of Steele, Mo.; companion, Robert Berry of Jonesboro; and a host of aunts, uncles, cousins and other relatives and friends...

Robert Lee Musgraves, 78, of Blytheville, departed from this life Oct. 29, 2023, at St Bernards Medical Center in Jonesboro. He was born May 21, 1945, in Armorel to the late Charlie Musgraves and Marie Musgraves of Missouri. Robert enjoyed working as a truck driver and was of the christian faith...

Mary Kathryn McNeal, 68, of Osceola, passed away Friday, Nov. 3, 2023, at Arkansas Continued Care Hospital in Jonesboro. She was born in Keiser on Oct. 2, 1955, to the late Ike Lee Caruthers Sr. and Emma Strode. Mrs. McNeal was a retired factory worker and a member of Bethel Church of the Lord Jesus Christ in Osceola...

Lynda Lee Byrd, 86, of Blytheville, went to rest with the Lord on Nov. 4, 2023. Born to Doyle and Frankie Lloyd Byrd, she was a retired machine operator at Borg Warner. She was a 1955 graduate of Blytheville High School and was a lifelong resident of Blytheville. Lynda was a loyal member of Immaculate Conception Catholic Church. She was a devoted mother to her children, family and her friends...

Clifford Birklund, 92, of Manila, passed from this life Sunday, Nov. 5, 2023, at his home. Born and raised in Flint, Mich., to the late Eli and Winifred Birklund, he was a graduate of Benton Harbor High School. Clifford had been a Manila resident since 1982. ...

Patsy Bishop King Vance was born May 5, 1941, at Big Lake near Manila, to her parents, Granville Rufus and Lillie Mae Curnutt Bishop, who preceded her in death. Her paternal grandparents were Rufus Riley Bishop, a Civil War veteran, and Clarkie Ann Wilfsord Bishop from Giles/Lawrence County, Tenn. Also, her maternal grandparents were Perry Fountain Curnutt and Vady Lou Ella Holden Curnutt Holden...

Russell Ray Normand, 79, of Blytheville, passed away Friday, Nov. 3, 2023, at Flo and Phil Jones Hospice House in Jonesboro. Russell was born in Marksville, La., to Lorena and Agnes Broussard Normand and was of the Catholic faith. He was the owner of BR Trucking Company and Russell Ray Tug and Towing. He enjoyed working on trucks and tinkering in his shop. Russell was an avid outdoorsman who loved to hunt, especially frog gigging...

Russell Ray Normand, 79, of Blytheville, passed away Friday, Nov. 3, 2023, at Flo and Phil Jones Hospice House in Jonesboro. Funeral arrangements are incomplete and will be announced when complete. Cobb Funeral Home is in charge of the arrangements.

James (Jim) Sales, 70, of Mt. Juliet, Tenn., passed away Oct. 25, 2023. Jim was born in Hayti, Mo., to the late Bernell Sales and Mellie Sales (George) Watterson. He was a proud veteran of the U.S. Army serving as a radio announcer stationed in Alaska. ...