Obituaries

Charles Harry Ross, 82, of Jonesboro passed away peacefully on Oct. 20, 2021, at NEA Baptist Hospital. He was born Feb. 9,1939, in Caruth, Mo., to Viola Elizabeth Thompson Ross and Raymond Harrison Ross. Charles graduated from Caruth High School and Arkansas State University. ...

Peggy Lou Barch, 82, of Luxora passed away Wednesday, Oct. 20, 2021, at Flo and Phil Jones Hospice House in Jonesboro. Peggy was born in Fox, Ark., to Charles and Edith Berry Johnson. She graduated from Burdette High School and then married her husband, Joe. She retired from First National Bank in Osceola and was a member of the Keiser Church of Christ...

Lisa “Dodie” Bell was born Jan. 9, 1967, to Pearlie Mae Bell and Jack Bell Sr. in Osceola. She departed this life on Oct. 11, 2021, at the age of 54, at Conway Regional Hospital in Conway. She was preceded in death by her parents. Gloria leaves to cherish her loving memories two daughters, Dadrienne Miles and Kayla Sutton; one son, Michael Gates Jr., all of Conway; three sisters, Barbara Howard of Blytheville, Pamela Bell of Olive Branch, Miss., and Paulette Bell of Walls, Miss.; four grandchildren and a host of other family members and friends.. ...

Barry Lynn Wilson, 74, of Leachville passed away Oct. 17, 2021, at St. Francis Hospital in Bartlett, Tenn. He was born May 20, 1947, in Leachville to Delmar Gene and Francis Newberry Wilson. He was a member of Bethabara Church in Lake City. He was a Mason and an avid houseman...

Ryan Akeem Thomas of Jonesboro was born March 19, 1987, in Blytheville to Esua Cade and Vanessa Thomas Goldsmith. He worked at Lowe’s and was of a non-denominational faith. Mr. Thomas passed away Oct. 14, 2021, at UAMS Medical Center in Little Rock at the age of 34. He was preceded in death by two daughters, Rylin Charity Thomas and Rylah Serenity Thomas; and his brother, Esua Cade V...

Arthur Mangum was born July 31, 1951, in Blytheville to the late Joe and Nellie Mangum. Arthur departed this life Thursday, Oct. 14, at Heritage Square Nursing Center at the age of 70. He was preceded in death by his parents and 11 siblings. Arthur accepted Christ at an early age and was later baptized under the leadership of the late Pastor Lawrence Echols. ...

Larry Hall Jefferson “Bone” was born July 19, 1953, in Blytheville to Will Jefferson and Irene McKinney Jefferson. Larry was a graduate of Richard B. Harrison High School, Class of 1971. He was preceded in death by his parents; one brother, Joe Matthews; two sisters, Verlene Baskins and Proginger Crutcher. Larry transitioned on Friday, Oct. 15, 2021, at St. Bernards Medical Center in Jonesboro at the age of 68...

A memorial service for Mazie I. Henry will be held 2 p.m. Saturday, Oct. 23, 2021, at St. Mark’s Episcopal Church, 531 West College, Jonesboro. Committal of ashes will be immediately afterwards at Philadelphia Cemetery, 3200 North Culberhouse, Jonesboro. Mrs. Henry passed away in August of 2020. She was born in Corning to Charley Jackson (CJ) and Eula (Mahan) Freeman...

Clarence Edward Chew, 77, of Osceola, passed away Oct. 12, 2021, at NEA Baptist Hospital in Jonesboro. He was a retired factory worker and of the Baptist faith. Mr. Chew was born May 14, 1944, in Coldwater, Miss., to Willie and Evie Warner Chew. He was preceded in death by his parents; his wife, Dorcus Chew; two brothers, Percy Chew and Eugene Chew; and one sister, Carol Hill...

Gloria J. Bohannon was born Oct. 23, 1950, to the late Booker T. Marshall and Ester Walton Lyons in Luxora. She departed this life Oct. 14, 2021, at the age of 70, at St. Bernards Medical Center in Jonesboro. She was preceded in death by her parents...

On the bright morning of Aug. 18, 1967, a bouncing baby girl was born to Homer Moore and Dorothy Cushinberry and she was named Kymberli Sophia Bennett. Kymberli was one of two children. Kymberli gained her education through the Blytheville High School and later attended college at Parks Community College where she earned her diploma in Medical Secretarial/Transcription. Later Kymberli went to serve her county in the United States Army with exemplary service...

Charles Sterling Tart, 82, of Armorel, went home to be with the Lord Thursday, Oct. 14, 2021, at NEA Baptist Hospital in Jonesboro with his loving wife and family by his side. Charlie was born in Blytheville to Charles and Ethel Tart. He served his country with honor in the United States Navy during the Vietnam War. ...

Bernadine Burgess Hawkins Herren, 80, of Blytheville, went to be with her heavenly Father on Oct. 13, 2021, at the Flo & Phil Jones Hospice House in Jonesboro. Born July 12, 1941, in the Childress Community, she was the daughter of the late Claude Cecil (C.C.) and Maudie Ann Burgess.  ...

Jack D. Merryman, 72, of Osceola, formerly of Blytheville, passed away at home on Oct. 9, 2021. He was born and raised in Blytheville by his parents, Horace and Lillian Merryman. He was of the Baptist faith. Jack drove a truck over the road for 25 years and he loved every minute of it! He drove for Eastern Express and his CB handle was “Budman.” He loved his truck driving friends. ...

Patricia Chancery Myrick, 74, passed away Saturday, Oct. 2, 2021, in a Conway hospital. Mrs. Myrick was born in Flomaton, Ala., and was a long-time Arkansas resident. She loved to cook for her family, work in her flower garden and loved her fur babies. She attended the Nazarene Church in Greenbrier...

Colonel Paul Franklin Porter, USAF (Ret.), 80 of Wilson, passed away peacefully into the loving hands of his Savior, Lord Jesus Christ on Tuesday, Oct. 12, 2021, at his home. He was born in Hayti, Mo., Oct. 24, 1940, to Olen Porter and Hazel (Drye) Porter. He later moved to Manila, where he grew up as a child and met his future wife, across the cotton patch between their houses, Wanda Ann Vermillion.  He enjoyed flying, sky diving, riding his Harley motorcycle that has been in the family for over 33 years, watching old Westerns and, most of all, spending time with his son and grandkids. Paul was a 1958 graduate of Manila High School. Right after graduation he enlisted in the United States Air Force at the age of 17. Paul proudly served his country in the USAF, retiring as a colonel after 31 years of active-duty service. He was selected by the AF to attend the University of Wyoming where he received his BS in Civil Engineering and was then commissioned 2nd lieutenant. Later he was selected to attend the University of Cincinnati where he received his MS in Environmental Engineering. He was stationed throughout the USA, Iceland, Turkey, Philippines, Thailand and other overseas countries. ...

DeMarcus Robinson was born Feb. 10, 2002, in Blytheville to Terrance Holloway and Laverne Robinson. DeMarcus was a part of the Blytheville School District Class of 2021. DeMarcus loved his family dearly. DeMarcus began his journey into eternity on Oct. 10, 2021...

Joann Wilbanks of Gosnell was born Dec. 28, 1953, in Lost Cane to the late Lawerence Lee Wigginton and the late Alie D. Smith. Mrs. Wilbanks was a homemaker and was of the Pentecostal faith. Mrs. Wilbanks passed away Oct. 8, 2021, at her home in Gosnell at the age of 67. She was preceded in death by her father, Lawerence Lee Wigginton; her daughter, Alie Marie Scissell; and two brothers, Lawrence Wigginton and Cleasy Wigginton...

Mary Christva Tolbert, 86, of Marion, passed away Oct. 8, 2021, at Baptist Memorial Hospital Crittenden in West Memphis. She was a retired factory worker and of the Pentecostal faith. Ms. Tolbert was born Oct. 22, 1934, in Whitton to Claude and Dora Gibbs Hunt. She was preceded in death by her parents; her husband, Bill Tolbert; one daughter, Paula Phillips; three brothers, William Hunt, James Hunt and Roy Hunt; and one sister, Sarah Ann Oliver...

Bessie Mae Thomas was born July 8, 1949, in Burdette to the late YZ Thomas and Juanita Dexter Aldridge. She departed this life Monday, Oct. 4, 2021, at the age of 72 at her home in Blytheville. She was preceded in death by her parents. Bessie leaves to cherish her loving memories one daughter, Carolyn Faulkner; two sons, Tony Shannon of Bethany, Okla., and Earnest Blair of Blytheville; six grandchildren; 10 great-grandchildren and a host of other family members and friends...

Jo'Marilah L. Newmy of Osceola passed away Oct. 7, 2021, at Great River Medical Center in Blytheville. Jo'Marilah was born Oct. 7, 2021, in Blytheville to Joe Newmy Jr. of Blytheville and Jo'Laiasha Spears of Osceola. She was preceded in death by her great-great-grandmother, Willie Mae Nash, and great-great-grandfather, James "Jake" Williams. She is survived by her parents; one brother, Kevin Taylor Jr. of Osceola; one...

James Edward Coleman, 74, of Tyronza passed away Oct. 5, 2021, at NEA Baptist Hospital in Jonesboro. He was a farm worker and of the Baptist faith. Mr. Coleman was born May 8, 1947, in Lepanto to Orby Coleman and Mayo Johnson Sipes. He was preceded in death by his parents; his wife, Glenda Coleman; one daughter, Donna Sitzes; two brothers, Robert Sipes and Bobby Phillips; two sisters, Liz Hasley and Ruth Smallwood...

Michael William Clark was born March 4, 1957, in Yarbro to Thomas Clark and Clara Mae Patterson Clark. He was raised from an early age by his brother and sister-in-law, Ernest and Hazel Clark. Michael was a graduate of Armorel High School. Following high school, Michael went on to serve his country in the United States Army during the Vietnam Conflict and was a one hundred percent service-connected veteran. ...

Jermaine Brown was born Dec. 16, 1976, in Osceola to Johnny Brown and Shirley Faye Lewis. Jermaine began his journey into eternity on Thursday, Oct. 7, 2021, in Milwaukee, Wis. He was preceded in death by his grandparents, Bernice Buford, Jesse Ewing, Rosie Lee Brown and David Brown; and a brother, Marcus Brown...

Charles Edward Bateman Jr., better known as CJ, was found Oct. 2, 2021. Born and raised in Blytheville, CJ was in the Class of 1984. After high school he moved to Houston, Texas, where he worked as a floor supervisor for MacMillian Bloedel. In 2012 he returned to Northeast Arkansas. ...

Autra Nell Baldridge, 95, of Blytheville, passed away Wednesday, Oct. 6, 2021, at Flo and Phil Jones Hospice House in Jonesboro. Nell was born in Gosnell to Glenn and Dora Vallence Lambert and was a lifelong resident of Blytheville. She was a homemaker and was a member of Ruddle Road Church of God. Nell was the past president of the Rebekah Assembly of Arkansas. Nell enjoyed traveling and being involved in her church...

Miller Ross Jr., 59, of Luxora, passed away Sept. 30, 2021, at Methodist University Hospital in Memphis, Tenn. He was a sanitation worker for the city of Luxora and of the Baptist faith. Mr. Ross was born Jan. 5, 1962, in Osceola to Miller Ross Sr. and Willie Mae Buchanan. He was preceded in death by his parents and one brother, Johnny Neal Cook...

Joyce Pate, 78, of Mountain Home passed away peacefully Oct. 3, 2021, at Hospice of the Ozarks in Mountain Home. Joyce was born May 17, 1943, in Blytheville to Lonnie Edgar and Grace Langston Miller. Joyce was fiercely devoted to her family and was a faithful member of The Bridge Missionary Baptist Church in Mountain Home. Joyce was preceded in death by her husband, Aaron E. Pate; her parents; her siblings, Jerome Miller, David Miller, Elizabeth Miller and Lois Pace...

Jerry Thomas Rodgers of Blytheville was born June 27, 1946, in Little Rock to the late Rubye Scrivner, he was adopted and raised by the late Bobby Rodgers and the late Lucille Roberts Rodgers. He was an Army veteran who served in the Vietnam era, worked as a welder for over 40 years and was of the Baptist faith. ...

Danny Joe Bratcher of McKinney, Texas passed away Oct. 4, 2021, at the age of 81. He was born on June 26, 1940, to James Edward Bratcher and Geraldine (Sigers) Bratcher in Blytheville. Joe married Judy Friedl on Oct. 12, 1963 in Little Rock. He was a retired teacher and coach after graduating from The University of Central Arkansas. ...

Roy Lee Marshall of Blytheville was born July 30, 1961, in Osceola to Raymond Marshall of Blytheville and the late Julia Robinson. Mr. Marshall was an assistant basketball coach, a member of Omega Psi Phi Inc, as well as a Freemason. Mr. Marshall passed away Sept. 30, 2021, at Baptist Health Medical Center in Little Rock at the age of 60. He was preceded in death by his mother, Julia Robinson, one son Larry Croom, two brothers Sam Robinson and Tommy Mosley, and one sister Mary Robinson...

Georgia Maxine Wilson, 88, of Jonesboro, formerly of Leachville, passed from this life Monday, Oct. 4, 2021, at St. Bernards Medical Center in Jonesboro. Born in Heber Springs, she was the daughter of the late John and Ruthie Belle Mayfield Winfrey. ...

Lila Denise Treece, 66, of Osceola, passed from this life Sunday, Oct. 3, 2021, at St. Bernards Medical Center in Jonesboro. Born in Niles, Mich., she was the daughter of the late Monroe Dillard and Bertha Mae McConnell Reid and had lived in Michigan, Germany, Texas and Oklahoma before making her home in Northeast Arkansas in 1999. ...

Jimmy William Davis, 78, of Osceola, passed from this life Monday, Oct. 4, 2021, at South Mississippi County Regional Medical Center in Osceola. Born Nov. 17, 1942, to the late James (Jim) and Willie Jackson Davis, he was a 1961 graduate of Missco High School. Jimmy was employed with American Greetings from Feb. ...

Thelma Louise “Lucy” Crawford, a Christian since the age of 11, met her Lord and Savior, Jesus, face to face on Sept. 20, 2021. Lucy was born in the hospital on Blytheville Air Force Base to R.B. and Thelma Koehler Crawford, where her father was stationed during World War II. ...

Ruth Annette Carter, 81, of Topeka, Kan., formerly of Cardwell, widow of Paul Carter, passed from this life Monday, Oct. 4, 2021, at the Aldersgate Village Assisted Living Center in Topeka. Born in Dudley, Mo., she was the daughter of the late Frank and Lois Morgan Woolard. ...

Evelyn Kay Sieving, 76, of Louisville, Ky., passed on Tuesday, Oct. 5, 2021 at Baptist Health Hospital. Born in Blytheville to the late David L. and Addie Holstead, Evelyn retired as a payroll clerk from Naval Ordinance. Evelyn was preceded in death by her son, Jeffrey Thomas Sieving, and her brother, Edwin L. Holstead...

Malinda Rose White, 57, of Manila, passed from this life Monday, Oct. 4, 2021, at the NEA Baptist Memorial Hospital in Jonesboro. Born in Pekin, Ill., she was the daughter of the late Charles Hampton, Jr., and had been a Manila resident since 1977. Malinda was a 1983 graduate of Manila High School and had been an employee of EIS formerly of Manila before she began working for Sonic Drive-In as part of the management team. ...

Claudia Louise Yancey, 66, of Leachville, widow of David Yancey, passed from this life Wednesday, Sept. 29, 2021, at her home. Born in Osceola and raised in Manila, she was the daughter of the late Odie Eugene And Juanita Johnson Smith. Claudia was a longtime employee of the Mississippi County Correctional Center in Luxora, retiring as the dietary supervisor in 2018. ...

Cleveland Pannell, Jr. "Bubba", 55, of Osceola died Oct. 4, 2021, at his home in Osceola. He was an electrician and of the Baptist faith. Mr. Pannell was born May 14, 1966, in Osceola to Cleveland and Willie Mae Boone Pannell, Sr. He was preceded in death by his parents; one brother, Eugene Pannell; one sister and her husband Donna Gail and Rusty Delancey...

Doris Jones was born Aug. 29, 1956, in Clarksdale to the late Bennie Jones and Erma Lee Fields. She departed this life on Wednesday, Sept. 29, 2021, at St. Bernards Hospital in Jonesboro at the age of 65. She was preceded in death by her parents; a son, Michael Jones; a daughter, Tamiko Jones; and a brother, Leroy “Jack” Fields...

Essie lee Smith was born to the late Ben and Elnora Russell Woodard on Sept. 16, 1927, in Round Pond, Ark. She was a factory worker. Mrs. Smith passed away Sept. 30, 2021, at her home in Cincinnati, Ohio. She married Dewitt Smith and to this union 10 daughters and four sons were born. ...

Miller Ross Jr., 59, of Luxora, passed away Sept. 30, 2021, at Methodist University Hospital in Memphis, Tenn. He was a sanitation worker for the city of Luxora and of the Baptist faith. Mr. Ross was born Jan. 5, 1962, in Osceola to Miller Ross Sr. and Willie Mae Buchanan. He was preceded in death by his parents and one brother, Johnny Neal Cook...

Gerald O’Brien, 81, of Marked Tree departed this life Friday, Oct. 1, 2021, at NEA Baptist Hospital in Jonesboro. He was born April 22, 1940, in Trumann to Mervin and Mildred Meeks O’Brien. He was a member of Marked Tree First Baptist Church, a National Guard veteran, and a retired body shop manager...

Terry W. Franklin was born March 8, 1963, in Blytheville to the late Emanuel Franklin and Velma Campbell. He departed this life Monday, Sept. 27, 2021, at the age of 58, at St. Bernards Hospital in Jonesboro. He was preceded in death by his parents...

Betty Jean Caradine Muhammad “Miss Betty” of Blytheville was born Feb. 20, 1953 in Chicago, Ill., to George and Johnnie B. Mitchell Caradine. “Miss Betty” moved to Blytheville in 1990 from Chicago. She was a caregiver to family and friends and was employed by MCAEOC as a cafeteria worker. To know “Miss Betty” was to love her, she had a quick wit and an eclectic style that naturally drew people to her...

John Thomas Yankaway Jr., 66, passed away Sept. 26, 2021, at his residence in Osceola. He was a retired factory worker, a deacon and a member of Macedonia M.B. Church in Wilson. Mr. Yankaway was born May 9, 1955, in Osceola to John and Rebecca Branch Yankaway Sr. ...

Charlotte Rice, 74, of Peabody, Kan., longtime Manila resident, passed from this life Sunday, Sept. 26, 2021, in Peabody. Born in Manila, she was the daughter of the late J.B. and Helen Hedge Rice and was a 1964 graduate of Manila High School. Charlotte was a retired clerk for the Union Pacific Railroad and was a longtime member of the Bethany Baptist Church in Manila. ...

Shirley Lapa of Trenton, Tenn., formerly of Blytheville, passed away Sept. 10, 2021, after a five-year battle with Alzheimer's dementia. Shirley was preceded in death by three of her children, Kelly, Mackie and Valorie; her parents, Jean and Homer Connell; two brothers, Homer Gene and Jimmy Connell...

Georgia Eva Rodgers, 92, of Lepanto, passed away Sept. 27, 2021, at Flo & Phil Jones Hospice House in Jonesboro surrounded by her family. She was a homemaker, of the Baptist faith and a member of First Baptist Church in Lepanto. Ms. Rodgers was born Sept. ...