Obituaries

Louise Chalmers was born April 24, 1945, in Gray Ridge, Mo., to Kaiser Sam and Rosie Lee Allen. She loved her family and close friends. She loved to cook and bake. She also loved her church and church family. She was a faithful member of New St Paul Baptist Church for 11 years where she served under the leadership of Pastor Clark Phillips...

Jerry Dwayne Moore, 67, of Blytheville, passed away Wednesday, Jan. 13, 2021, at his home. Jerry was born in Luxora to James Henry and Bonne Jean Noble Moore. He was retired from Dildine Farms and was of the Baptist faith. Jerry served his country with honor in the United States Air Force during the Vietnam War. He was an avid outdoorsman and loved to hunt, fish and camp...

Robert Lee Howard, Jr., 30, of Wilson, died Jan. 10, 2021 in Memphis, Tenn. He was a factory worker and of the Baptist faith. Mr. Howard was born Jan. 1, 1990 in Blytheville to Robert Lee Howard, Sr. and Martha Garth. He was preceded in death by one brother, Quincy Howard, and one sister Quita Howard...

Bobbie Sue Williams, 87 of Bentonville, former longtime Leachville resident and widow of Estus Williams, passed from this life Monday, Jan. 11, 2021, at her home. Born in Lake City to the late Robert and Mildred Strickland Parham, she had lived most of her life in Leachville before moving to Bentonville 10 years ago. ...

Elmer Arlin Roberts, 83, of Jonesboro, passed from this life Monday, Jan. 11, 2021, at his home. Born and raised in Leachville, he was the son of the late Isaac Bailey and Juanita Inez Barnes Roberts and had been a longtime resident of Jonesboro. He was a retired auto mechanic, having worked for Abernathy Motors in Jonesboro retiring in 1996. ...

Georgia Mae Hodge, 73, of Marion died Dec. 29, 2020, at Northwest Regional Medical Center in Clarksdale, Miss. She was a retired home health employee, member of Living Word COGIC in Osceola and the Motherboard. Ms. Hodge was born Jan. 21, 1947, in Keiser to George Bailey and Estelle Battles Reed. ...

Jerry Hauptman, 79, of Lake City passed away Monday, January 11, 2021 at NEA Baptist Hospital. He was born Oct. 1, 1941, in Dyess to the late Eddie and Kittie Hutcheson Hauptman. Jerry was a truck driver and retired from Yellow Freight Company. He enjoyed watching and coaching baseball, gardening and yard sales. He loved his family dearly and loved taking his grandchildren fishing. In December he and Shirley celebrated their 60th wedding anniversary...

Barry Augustine Bunch was born July 11, 1958 in Blytheville to Hugh Edward Bunch and Nannie Hessie Bunch. He passed away Jan. 5, 2021, in Blytheville at the age of 62. He was employed at Nibco in Blytheville. His favorite hobby was fishing and he especially loved crappie tournaments. ...

Michael Anthony Selvy was born in Chicago, Ill., Feb. 3, 1972, to the union of Robert L. Selvy and Elnora Beasley Selvy. Michael departed this life Tuesday, Jan. 5, 2021, at Great River Medical Center in Blytheville at the age of 48. Michael’s parents Robert and Elnora Selvy, preceded in death along with two older sisters, Gloria Robinson Herron and Mary Vance...

Jessie James McDuffey of Blytheville was born March 4, 1942, in Armorel to the late Richard McDuffey and the late Eddie Mae Cartwright McDowell. He retired from Eaker Air Force Base and was of the Baptist faith. Mr. McDuffey passed away Jan. 8, 2021, at NEA Baptist Memorial Hospital in Jonesboro at the age of 78. He was preceded in death by his father, Richard McDuffey; his mother, Eddie Mae Cartwright McDowell; and his wife, Mary L. Wilson McDuffey...

Antonette Lynn Anderson of Blytheville was born June 20, 1974, in Blytheville to the late Arthur Anderson Sr. and the late Earnestine Golden Anderson. She was a receptionist for Mississippi County EOC and was of the Pentecostal faith. Ms. Anderson passed away Jan. ...

James M. Barner, Jr. of Joiner was born June 22, 1977, in West Memphis to James and Patricia Ford Barner. He was a graduate of Rivercrest High School, studied computer network engineering technology at ASUN-Newport and was employed at Hytrol Conveyor in Jonesboro. James was of the Baptist faith and was an active member of First Missionary Baptist Church at Frenchman’s Bayou where he played the drums...

Lynda Sue Duggin of Bay departed this life Wednesday, Jan. 6, 2021, at the age of 69 years, 1 month and 10 days at the family residence. She was born Tuesday, Nov. 27, 1951, in Union City, Tenn., to the late Conley and Ruby Lynch Harris.  She was raised in Phoenix, Ariz., before moving to Nashville to attend David Lipscomb College.  Her love of a blue eyed soldier saw her to several different military bases before settling in Bay. ...

Dessie Lee Moody of Trumann departed this life Friday, Jan. 8, 2021, at the age of 85 years, 4 months and 24 days at NEA Baptist Hospital in Jonesboro. She was born Thursday, Aug. 15, 1935, to the late Edgar and Bevie Brewer Corter in Mountain View and had lived most of her lifetime in Trumann. ...

Carolyn Blankenship Yarbrough was born April 1, 1962 to the late Rev. L.C. Blue and Elnora Blankenship in Philipp, Miss. Carolyn departed this life Sunday, Jan. 3, 2021, at Great River Medical Center in Blytheville at the age of 58. She was preceded in death by her parents...

Authur J. Goodman was born to Silas Goodman and Virginia Goodman in Osceola. Authur passed away Friday, Jan. 8, 2021, at Barnes-Jewish Hospital in St. Louis, Ill., at the age of 56. He was preceded in death by his parents. Authur is survived by his aunt, Bessie Goodman of Osceola, and a host of cousins. His aunt Bessie Goodman was his caregiver...

Charles Wayne George, 66, of Steele, Mo., passed from this life Friday, Jan. 8, 2021, at his home. Born in Monette, he was the son of the late James and Laura Pauline Slankerd George and had been a resident of Steele since 2000. Charles was a retired farmer having worked for the Stutts Farms near Manila and the Starnes Farms in Caraway. ...

Allen Franklin, 58, of Steele, Mo., passed away Friday, Jan. 8, 2021, at St. Bernards Medical Center in Jonesboro. Allen was born in Blytheville to Larry T. and Barbara Lucy Franklin. He was the owner of K&A Tire and Auto and attended Trinity Baptist Church. He served as the former youth pastor at Ruddle Road Church of God. Allen loved the outdoors and was an avid hunter and fisherman. He was a member of Fishers of Men and participated in all of the bass tournaments for St. Jude...

John Wayne "Johnny" Warhurst, 69, of Keiser died Jan. 9, 2021, at his home. He was a farm tech for UofA, employed 48 years at the Extension Center in Keiser, of the Baptist faith and 35 plus years he was an umpire and a referee. Mr. Warhurst was born Aug. 29, 1951, in Blytheville to Otto and Katherine Hepler Warhurst, Sr. He was preceded in death by his parents; two sisters, Ann Adams and Mildred Russell...

Gary Lee Bright, 64, of Bolivar, Mo., passed away Wednesday, Jan. 6, 2021, in Kansas City, Kan. Gary was born in St. Louis, Mo., on April 4, 1956, to parents, Frank and Virginia Bright. Gary was recently retired from his 40 year career in the steel industry. ...

Doris Marie Bandy, 84, of Leachville, died Monday, Jan. 11, 2021, at the Arkansas Continued Care Hospital in Jonesboro. Born in Manila to the late J.J. and Margie White Wilson, she was a 1955 graduate of Manila High School and had been a Leachville resident since 1964. ...

Barbara “Barbie” McCormick, 42, of Blytheville, passed from this life on Wednesday, Jan. 6, 2021, near Lepanto. Barbie was a graduate of the Arkansas Northeastern College LPN program. A previous nurse with the Gosnell Nursing Center, Barbara had just started work as a nurse at the Federal Corrections Institute. ...

Gloria Robinson Newbern was born Aug. 12, 1964, in Blytheville, the daughter of Love and Luecressie Sanders Robinson. She was a 1982 graduate of Blytheville High School. She also married the love of her life James on Oct. 15, 1982. Knowing the value of hard work, Gloria was employed at Chickasawba Hospital, now Great River Medical Center, for more than 20 years. ...

James Wayne Walker, 79, of Senath, passed from this life Wednesday, Jan. 6, 2021, at his home. Born in Melrose Park, Ill., he was the son of the late William and Mildred Seegras Walker and had been a longtime resident of Southeast Missouri. He was retired from the LA Darling Company in Paragould with 32 years in the maintenance department. He was also the owner operator of Walker Bail Bonds in Kennett for over 28 years. ...

Turner Matlock, Jr. 52, of Luxora died Jan. 4, 2021, at SMC Medical Center in Osceola. He was a farm worker and a member of New Mt. Pleasant MB Church in Osceola. Mr. Matlock was born July 17, 1968, in Osceola to Turner Matlock, Sr. and Bertha Campbell Killian. He was preceded in death by his parents...

Billy Whitaker Byrd, 82, of Damascus went to be with our Lord on Dec. 28, 2020. He was born Dec. 28, 1938, in Deventer, Mo., to the late Eula and Elmer Byrd. Bill was also preceded in death by two sisters, Wanda Nolen and Kathleen Bone; one brother, Paul Davis; and one grandson, Nicholas Carnopis...

Joan “Jo-Ann” Brewer Thompson passed away Jan. 2, 2021, at her home in Marked Tree at the age of 85. Joan was born Nov. 11, 1935 in Lepanto to parents Henry Ervin Brewer and Maddie Odell Moore Brewer. She is survived by her husband Bill Thompson; her two sons, Billy Thompson (Don May) of Memphis, Tenn., and Allan Thompson (Kevin Falk) of Kauai, Hawaii. She also leaves her sister, Mary Elizabeth Weeks of Bruce, Miss...

Donald Paul McFadden, 76, of Highland, passed away Wednesday, Nov. 4, in Ash Flat. Donald was born in Wynne on March 12, 1944, to parents, Robert Paul McFadden and Veola Wilson. Donald was an active member of the Highland Hills Baptist Church in Highland. ...

Joe Henry Fletcher, 79, of Blytheville, passed away Wednesday, Jan. 6, 2021, at his home. Joe was born in Watts, Oklah., to Homer and Anna Dixon Fletcher and he was a retired district manager for Ryder Truck Rentals. Joe served his country with honor in the United States Air Force in the Vietnam War...

Hattie Mae Evans was born Feb. 8, 1931, in Crawfordville. She departed this world on Wednesday, Dec. 30, 2020 in Salinas, Calif. She was preceded in death by her mother, Elnora Corder, and father, Ben Woodard; husband, Eddie B. Evans; three children, Shellie McLoyd, Tony Evans and Geraldine Smothers; two grandsons, Marcus Griffin and Clarence Evans Jr.; a granddaughter, Cheryl Annette Bright; two brothers, Theodore Bates and Lincoln Billiups; and one great-great-grandson, TyLin Leonard...

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...

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...

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...

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...

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...

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. ...

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. ...

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...

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. ...

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. ...

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...

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. ...

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. ...

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. ...

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...

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. ...

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...

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. ...

James “Jim” Nance, of the Tyler, Mo., Community, went to be with his Heavenly Father Saturday, Dec. 26, 2020, at the age of 81. Jim was born in Cooter, Mo., and was the youngest of five children. His love of farming led him to work in the grain business, and he was formerly employed with Farmers Soybean Corp and retired from Bunge Corporation in 2007. ...