Obituaries

David Joe Ball, 62, of Cardwell, Mo., passed from this life Tuesday, May 30, 2023, at his home. Born in Cardwell, he was the son of Billy Joe and Gloria Jean Gibson Ball. David was raised in the Buckeye community and attended Leachville and Manila Public Schools. ...

Brenda Permenter East, 78, of Jonesboro passed away May 28, 2023, at Arkansas Continued Care in Jonesboro. She was born April 29, 1945, in Luxora to Junior Permenter and Doris Ellis. She was a homemaker and a member of Central Baptist Church in Jonesboro. She was preceded in death by her parents and her son, Robert Harris...

James Antonio Banks, Jr., 53, passed away May 20, 2023, at SMC Medical Center in Osceola. He was born Dec. 14, 1969, in Osceola to James Banks, Sr. and Theodora Quinn Jackson. He was a U.S. Army veteran and employed at American Greetings in Osceola. He was preceded in death by his parents...

David Allen Jacques, 73, of Hot Springs, passed away Sunday, May 28, 2023, at his home. He was born May 27, 1950, in Blytheville, to Robert Edward Jacques and Katie Louise Lambert Jacques. His favorite hobby was homing pigeons which he began at a young age. He continued to enjoy his pigeons into adulthood. David was a proud graduate of the Blytheville High School Class of 1968. He was also part of the first graduating class of Mississippi County Community College...

James Earl Ward, 91, of Memphis, Tenn., formerly of Leachville, passed from this life Monday, May 29, 2023, at the Methodist Hospice Residence in Memphis. Born in the Pawheen community near Leachville, he was the son of the late Ode and Bea Woods Ward and had been a longtime area resident before making his home in Memphis in 1966...

Tony Lee Nichols, 39, of Peoria, Ill., passed away May 12, 2023, at his home. He was born Jan. 31, 1984, in Tampa, Fla., to Tony Golden and Lena Nichols Johnson. He was a factory worker. He is survived by his parents, Tony Golden and Lena Johnson of Osceola; two sons, Tykell Nichols and Tyaire Nichols of Peoria, Ill.; five daughters, Tyshanti Nichols, Justice Nichols, Love Nichols, Loyalty Nichols and Cali Nichols of Peoria, Ill.; six brothers, Terry Nichols and Vestee Brown of Peoria, Ill.; Malcolm Golden, Tony Golden, Jr. ...

Barbara Walker, 67, died May 26, 2023, at her home in Blytheville. She was a Blytheville High School graduate and member of New Mt. Olive Church. Survivors include her husband, Curtis Walker Sr. of Blytheville; two daughters, Jill (Don) Fleming of Little Rock and Rachel Rand of Blytheville; one son, Curtis (Chanda) Walker Jr. ...

Floyd (Robert) Martin was born in Chicago, Ill. His best childhood memories include going to a Christian elementary school, family picnics in the parks, and visiting the amazing museums. He was a scholar who enjoyed learning from a very young age. He and his family moved back home to Blytheville to be near extended family. ...

Ebony Nicole Andrews, 32, of Blytheville died May 19, 2023. She was born Oct. 22, 1990, in Blytheville to Willie Lee Andrews and Donna Marie Frazier. Ebony was preceded in death by her parents. She is survived by one son, David Lee Rogers of Blytheville; one daughter, Teanna Andrews of Blytheville; three brothers, Willie C. Vaughn III of Gainesville, Ga., Handy Lee Dillard of Huntsville, Ala., and Raphel Torres of Sacramento, Calif.; one sister, Donna Marie Andrews of Blytheville...

Elzie Lee Broadnax, 60, of Osceola, passed away May 27, 2023, at Baptist Hospital in West Memphis. He was born June 15, 1962, in Osceola to Mildred Louise Brown Brittmon. He was a retired factory worker and a member of St. John Full Gospel in Osceola. He was preceded in death by his mother; his brother, John Brittmon; two sisters, Mary Louise Williams and Lela Mae Relph...

Betty Jean Langley Harrison, 93, of Blytheville, passed away on May 25, 2023, in Virginia Beach, Vir., surrounded by her family. Betty was a homemaker and Navy wife, but her proudest accomplishment was her marriage of 50 years, children, grandchildren, and great-grandchildren. She was blessed to have spent the last nine years of her life with them living in Virginia Beach. She will be deeply missed by her family and friends...

Georgia M. Hopkins, 78, of Blytheville, died May 25, 2023, at her residence. She was born Sept. 9, 1944, in Armorel, to Rev. George Neal and Gladys Davis. Mrs. Hopkins retired from Milwaukee Tool as a factory worker and a member of Morning Star MB Church where she served as treasurer...

Chester “Bud” Davis, 85, of Brookland, former longtime Leachville resident, passed from this life early Sunday, May 28, 2023, at Ridgecrest Health and Rehab in Jonesboro. Born in Puxico, Mo., he was the son of the late John C. and Rosa Mae Jackson Davis. ...

Esther Valentina Jaimes Hernandez was born Feb. 14, 1923, in Ottawa, Kan. Born to Jose and Pilar Jaimes, she was the last survivor of seven children (four brothers and two sisters). Growing up in Kansas and for brief periods in Northern Mexico, the family settled in Ottawa and Esther graduated from Ottawa High School. ...

Stanley Lee Smith, 68, of Marion, passed away May 23, 2023, at Willowbend Healthcare in Marion. He was born Dec. 17, 1954, in Osceola to Aaron Smith and Patsy Sue Martin Schmitt. Mr. Smith was of the Baptist faith. He was preceded in death by his parents and one sister, Vickie Phillips...

Ronnie Joe Stigall, 69, of Mountain Home and formerly of Blytheville, passed away Tuesday, March 7, 2023. Ronnie was born in Blytheville to Robert and Avilou Peters Stigall. He worked as a carpenter before retirement. In addition to his parents, he was preceded in death by his son, Joseph Martin Stigall; and siblings, Huey, Roy, Bobby, Billy, Shirley, Cody, Sue, Carolyn, Linda and Pauline...

Rickey Donald Ransom, 63, of West Memphis passed away May 12, 2023, at NEA Baptist Hospital in Jonesboro. He was born Dec. 3, 1959, in Osceola, to Melvin and Jessie Rixter Ransom. He was a factory worker and a member of St. John Full Gospel in Osceola. He was preceded in death by his parents and one sister, Janice Ransom...

Ronald Eugene Mason, 72, of Jonesboro, passed from this life Sunday, May 21, 2023, at Baptist Memorial Hospital East in Memphis, Tenn. Born in Blytheville to the late Curtis and Georgia Ralph Mason, Ronnie had been a longtime Gosnell resident before making Jonesboro his home in 1992. ...

Mary Francis Lavender born was born Jan. 11, 1944. She grew up in Blytheville on the corner of Elm Street. She was better known as Mae to her siblings and Mary Francis to everyone else. She moved to Chicago, Ill., at age 19 until she returned back to Blytheville in 1978. Early in life she accepted Christ. She attended Pilgrim Rest Baptist Church, and she was a gifted singer, who loved singing for the Lord. She later Joined New Mount Olive and stayed a member until God called her home...

Anthony “Tony” Lynn Deason, 53, of Manila, passed from this life Friday, May 19, 2023, at Ridgecrest Health and Rehabilitation in Jonesboro. Born in Osceola to the late Robert and Alberta Webb Deason, Tony had been a longtime Blytheville resident before making Manila his home in 2001. ...

Otho Franklin "Frank" Kelley, 74, of Lepanto passed away May 19, 2023, at Flo & Phil Jones Hospice House in Jonesboro. He was born Jan. 13, 1949, in Armorel to Ozell and Evelyn Herron Kelley, Sr. He was a retired farmer, a member of Harvest Fellowship Church of God in Manila and a resident of Mississippi County for 70 years. Mr. Kelley was preceded in death by his parents; his wife Gladys Kelley; four brothers, Jerry Kelley, Monty Kelley, Jimmy Kelley and Ozell Kelley, Jr...

Emma Jean Gray Banks of Blytheville was born May 4, 1949, the daughter of Rennie Gray and Everlena Gray. She was a graduate of Richard B. Harrison High School and Tennessee State University, receiving her master’s degree from Arkansas State University. Emma worked for 30 years as a social worker for the State of Arkansas. She was a licensed and ordained minister of the gospel and a member of the Zeta Phi Beta Sorority...

Mary Grace Watson, 85, of Marked Tree, passed away May 17, 2023, at her home. She was born July 3, 1937, in Tyronza to Wallace and Mildred Terry Carter. She was a retired employee of Ritter Communications and a member of First Baptist in Tyronza. Mrs. Watson was preceded in death by her parents and two daughters, Debbie Carter and Terrie Grissom...

Margaret Jane Johnson, 79, of Paragould, formerly of Cardwell, the widow of Tonie Johnson, passed from this life Tuesday, May 16, 2023, at the Manila Nursing Center. Born in Coshocton, Ohio, she was the daughter of the late Whitey and Lois Alexander Volk. ...

Mary “Janet” Taylor, 86, originally from Blytheville, was welcomed into the Kingdom of Heaven on April 30, 2023. Janet was predeceased by her parents, James Marcus Taylor and Wilsie Alma Hassell Taylor, and her brother, Dr. Gary J. Taylor. She is survived by her sister, Judy A. Taylor, and nephews Brian Long, Quinn Taylor and Blake Taylor...

Sharon Denise Hill of Osceola was born in Osceola, the daughter of RJ Hill and Geneva Ford Hill, on Nov. 19, 1958. Sharon was a lifelong member of First Baptist Church Frenchman’s Bayou where she sang in the choir. She was a graduate of Osceola High School and attended Arkansas Northeastern College...

Frances Gail Shannon, 79, of Blytheville, passed away Friday, May 12, 2023, at the Methodist Hospital in Memphis, Tenn. She was born in Wilson on Dec. 7, 1943, to Ernest “Bo” McCanless and Gladys (Cissell) McCanless. Gail lived in the Blytheville area all her life. She was a homemaker and loved taking care of her family...

Dwight S. Dillard, 60, of Blytheville passed away Monday, May 15, 2023. He was born in Osceola to Sam Dillard Jr. and Darling Collins Dillard on Aug. 18,1962. Dwight was a 1980 Blytheville High School graduate who had a passion for cooking. He is survived by his wife, Pam Dillard; two children, Ashford (Jillian ) Dillard and Destinee Dillard; seven grandchildren, Shanice Handley, Imari Handley, Niyah Dillard, Jenay Handley, Nasir Pippin, Ava Dillard and Kingston Dillard; five siblings, Berlene Eppright, Theopolis Taylor, Alphonse Taylor, Effie Collins and Judson Collins; and a large host of family and friends.. ...

Frederick Lee Jackson, Sr. was born Dec. 9,1964, in Blytheville to Harvey D. Jackson and Linda Lue Mitchell Jackson. Frederick had a loving and caring heart; he would put a smile on your face just from a conversation with him. He attended Blytheville School District early in his education but as a teenager, Frederick moved to Key Largo, Fla., where he attended Coral Shores High School. On Saturday, May 6, 2023, he transitioned at the age of 58...

Shireta Paulette Rogers, 46, of Blytheville, passed away May 9, 2023, at Baptist Health Hospital. She was a hair stylist and worked for Senath South Healthcare Center. Mrs. Rogers was born Nov. 9, 1976, in Blytheville to the late Lonzo Weatherspoon Jr. ...

Peggy Louise Butler, 79, of Powhatan, passed away May 10, 2023, at her home. She was a retired factory worker and a member of Soul Harbor Pentecostal Church in Cave City. Ms. Butler was born Jan. 29, 1944, in Joiner to Willie and Gene Goldman Barnes. She was preceded in death by her parents; her husband, Clarence Butler; one brother, Donnie Barnes; and one sister, Barbara Wyatt...

Richard D. Harris, 90, of Poplar Bluff, Mo., passed from this life Thursday, May 11, 2023, at Riverways Manor Nursing Home in Van Buren, Mo. Born in Kennett, he was the son of the late Admiral Dewey and Mabel Harrison Harris. He was a longtime Kennett resident and a graduate of Kennett High School. ...

Larry Williams, 62, passed away April 26, 2023, at his place of residence in Blytheville. He was born to Lieutenant Williams and Annie Mae McCoy Williams in Tunica, Miss., on Nov. 21, 1959. Mr. Williams worked for the highway department of Tunica County, Miss. He was preceded in death by his parents and two brothers, Lieutenant Williams Jr. and James Williams, as well as one sister, Baby Sis...

Ruby J. Johnson was born Nov. 8, 1944, to the late L.J. Frazier and the late Trudie Reed Frazier in El Dorado. She departed this life on May 5, 2023, at her home in Blytheville at the age of 78. She was preceded in death by her parents. Ruby leaves to cherish her memories three daughters, Revenna Johnson of Little Rock, Trulisa McBride and Merle Johnson, both of Tracy, Calif.; three sons, Lawrence Johnson of Huntsville, Ala., Baxter Johnson of Stone Mountain, Ga., and Dexter Johnson of Kennett, Mo.; 11 grandchildren; one great-grandchild and a host of and other relatives and friends.. ...

Willie James Brown was born Aug. 27, 1950, in Blytheville to Theodis Brown Sr. and Annie Mae Brown. He was a 1969 graduate of Steele High School. He worked for Delta Spindle, Agrice, and William Freepoint Macmoran and then he became a master welder for Terra and Systems where he trained many to become great welders. Although Mr. Brown never obtained a college degree he was a strong supporter of education and even trained college students...

Horace William Edward Armstrong, Sr., 68, of Lepanto, passed away May 3, 2023 at SMC Medical Center in Osceola. He was a farm worker. Mr. Armstrong was born Feb. 22, 1955, in Joiner to Claude and Lois May Armstrong. He was preceded in death by his parents...

John Richard Archer, 85, of Blytheville, passed away May 7, 2023, in Gosnell. John was born in Jonesboro on March 8, 1938, to Mack and Rosine Archer.  As a 1961 graduate of the University of Arkansas College of Engineering, John was an avid Razorback fan. John enjoyed hunting, fishing, and spending time with his granddaughter. He was a devout Catholic all of his life. He was a local business owner who founded Archer Engineering in 1973 after working for various firms such as Lockheed Martin...

Joe Timothy Carter, 62, of Manila, passed away Saturday, May 6, 2023, at the Great River Medical Center in Blytheville. Born at Keiser to the late Bennie and Margurite Moore Carter, he was raised at Cravens Island and had attended West Ridge Public Schools. ...

Wilma Joyce Roberts, 60, of Manila, passed away May 6, 2023, at Arkansas Continued Care Hospital in Jonesboro. She was a housewife and of the Church of God faith. Mrs. Roberts was born Jan. 7, 1963, in Osceola to Raymond and Marilyn Neal Britt. She was preceded in death by her mother, Marilyn Britt, and one brother, Tim Britt...

Marianell Branum Fink, 89, of Hornersville passed from this life Wednesday, May 3, 2023, at NHC HealthCare in Kennett. Born in Winter Haven, Fla., she was the daughter of the late Ernest and Vinnie Palmer Branum and was a graduate of Hornersville High School. ...

Louise (Tina) Williams Heard was born the sixth child to David Lee and Josiephine Hackett Williams on May 5, 1953, in Dell, both of whom preceded her in death, along with brothers, David Lee Williams Jr., Joel Williams, Larry D. Williams, Alvie Williams, and grandson LaDarius Heard...

Ralph Lee Kemper of Jackson, Mich., passed away Wednesday, April 26, 2023, at the age of 79. He is survived by his loving wife of 40 years, Brenda Diane Kemper; children, Susie (Danny) Beck, Denisa Crane, Christina (Billy) Johnston, Jason Workman, Lena (David) Hawkins, and Kylie (Andrew) Bauer; many grandchildren and great-grandchildren; special brother-in-law Richard Sigers; brother, Elmer (Melissa) Kemper Jr.; sister, Patty Black, as well as many nieces, nephews, loving family members and friends.. ...

Sherry Lynn Shepherd, 61, of Grenada, Miss., passed away at her home May 2, 2023. She was a homemaker of the Pentecostal faith. Ms. Shepherd was born Dec. 30, 1961, in Hughes to Doc and Myrtle Ball Broughman. She was preceded in death by her parents; her husband, James Shepherd; three brothers, Larry Broughman, Little Doc Broughman and James Broughman; one sister, Linda Kelly; and one grandson, Mitchell Shepherd, Jr...

Stacy Renee Williams, 38, of Cardwell, Mo., passed from this life Wednesday, May 3, 2023, at the Arkansas Methodist Medical Center in Paragould. Born in Paragould and a lifelong Cardwell resident, she was the daughter of the late Charles Henry and Linda Ruth McCarty Williams. ...

Jerry M. Lowe passed away April 27, 2023, in Florence, Ky. He was born Feb. 7, 1942, to Cecil and Carmen Moon Lowe. A graduate of Blytheville High School, he earned bachelor’s and master’s degrees from Northwestern University and a doctorate from the University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign. ...

Nicholas Tyler Blackman, 28, of Osceola, passed away April 28, 2023 at his home. He was in steel technology and of the Apostolic faith. Nicholas was born June 7, 1994 in Memphis, Tenn., to Henry Donnie and Georgia Ficklen Blackman, Sr. He is survived by his parents, Henry and Georgia Blackman, Sr. ...

Karen Denise May Holland, 61, of Osceola, passed away April 30, 2023, at St. Bernards Medical Center in Jonesboro. She was a checker at Walmart and a member of Little River Baptist Church in Lost Cane. Ms. Holland was born Nov. 10, 1961, in Manila to Calvin and Betty Dunivan May. She was preceded in death by her parents; her husband, Donald Holland; one nephew, Arthie Kemp; and one brother, Kenny May...

James Duane Privett, 38, of Blytheville, passed away April 28, 2023, at NEA Baptist Hospital in Jonesboro. He was born to Julius Snead and Jaqueline Bogard in Blytheville on May 13, 1984. Mr. Privett worked as a factory worker. He was preceded in death by his mother...