Obituaries

LITTLE ROCK — Information for the obituaries and funeral notices below was supplied to the Arkansas Democrat-Gazette Advertising Department by funeral homes.

INDEX

Some obituaries may appear in certain editions of the Arkansas Democrat-Gazette and not in others. This list shows the names of all people whose obituaries are in at least one edition. For obituaries not in this edition, please see our website, Arkansas Online, www2.arkansasonline.com. Choose the Obituaries link under the News section on the top navigation menu.

PULASKI COUNTY

Adolphus Eckwood, 74, of Little Rock.

Kerrigan Anyae’ Edwards, 14, of Little Rock.

Hurshell Gale Harris Jr., 79, of Little Rock.

Cleo Mixon, 76, of Little Rock.

ELSEWHERE IN ARKANSAS

ARKADELPHIA Ed Wrinkle, 79.

BATESVILLE William Sylvester, 80.

BEEBE Dorothy Bell (Pollett) Vaught, 80.

CLINTON Shirley Rose Wilson, 81.

DERMOTT Louatrice West, 46.

DeWITT Dana Turner, 38.

EMMET Jon Todd Dickerson, 45.

FAIRFIELD BAY Carl Junior Mangerson, 91.

FORDYCE Bettye Sue Langford, 70.

HAMPTON Ray Blann Duncan, 84.

HELENA-WEST HELENA Betty Ellen Merrifield Mitchell, 77.

HOPE Pauline VanRiper, 80.

Arlene W. Willis, 92.

HOT SPRINGS Elaine Clifton Welch, 63.

JONESBORO Agnes McDaniel, 82.

KNOXVILLE Allen Lee Kirkpatrick, 68.

MELBOURNE Julion Timmy Streeter, 56.

MOUNTAIN HOME James “Ed” Gilbert, 67.

MOUNTAIN VIEW Janis Sue McGee, 68.

OKOLONA J.C. Smithpeters, 79.

PINE BLUFF Erma Carol Coker, 80.

Florice Pearl Ficklin, 81.

Tishira Nkoyo Harrison, 31.

Johnnie Jackson Sr., 62.

SEARCY Gordon Bristow, 86.

Minnie Lou Davis, 75.

SHERIDAN W. Laverne Williams, 78.

STEPHENS Eloise McCaig Benson, 89.

STUTTGART R.B. Burton, 68.

Imon Ferguson Sr., 94.

TARRY Nathaniel Allen, 54.

OUT-OF-STATE

AMARILLO, Texas Hester Ann Mayes Mann Brown, 61.

HOUSTON, Texas Johnie Gray Scott Trippett, 70.

Pulaski County

ADOLPHUS ECKWOOD, 74, of Little Rock, Ark., passed Thursday, Nov. 18, 2010. Home going services will be Saturday, Nov. 27, 11 a.m., at St. Paul Baptist Church, 2603 Commerce St., Little Rock. Interment will follow at Rest In Peace Cemetery, Hensley, Ark. Viewing: Today, Nov. 26, 2-5 p.m., at Ruffin & Jarrett Funeral Home, 1200 Chester St., Little Rock. (501) 372-1305.

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KERRIGAN ANYAE’ EDWARDS, 14, of Little Rock, departed thislife Nov. 19, 2010. Visitation: 9-11 a.m., Saturday with funeral service beginning at 11 a.m. at Moody Chapel A.M.E, 5630 Mabelvale Pike, Rev. Hezekiah Stewart officiating. Servicesentrusted to Robinson Mortuary, 1201 Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Drive, Little Rock (501) 371-0111. "Service You Can Trust."

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HURSHELL GALE HARRIS JR., age 79, of Little Rock, died Nov. 22, 2010. He was born in Little Rock on April 29, 1931 to the late Hurshell Sr. and Mary Louise Harris. He graduated from Little Rock High School and later became a sales and service representative for Graham Blueprint Co. He was a past member of Henderson United Methodist Church. He is survived by his wife of 61 years, Ernestine Mayer Harris, his daughter, Gaylan Johnson, his son, Gary Harris (Joyce), brother, Bill Harris (Barbara), sister, Mary Brooks (Sonny), granddaughter, Kerri Harris, grandson, Tim Johnson, granddaughter, Jessica Harris and great-grandson, Peyton Andrew Harris. A memorial service will be held on Monday, Nov. 29, 2010 at 2 p.m. in the chapel of Ruebel Funeral Home. The family would like to thank the staff of Madison Healthcare, and requests memorials be made to Odyssey Hospice, 333 Executive Court, Little Rock, Ark., 72205. Cremation arrangements by Ruebel Funeral Home, www.ruebelfuneralhome.com.

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CLEO MIXON “Big 6,” 76, transitioned from earth to glory onNov. 18, 2010. He was born to the late Henry and Queen Esther Mixon in Sutton, Ark. He was a member of Gaines Street Missionary Baptist Church and also a member of the DunbarClass of 1955. He served 21 years in the United States Navy. Leaving to mourn his passing and cherish his memories: dear and loving cousins, Clifford (Ann) Morgan and Lavada Pearson of Little Rock, Ark.; and a host of relatives and friends. Service will be held Tuesday, Nov. 30, 2010, 10 a.m., at Gaines St. Baptist Church, 1601 South Gaines St., Little Rock, Ark. Interment will follow with honors at Arkansas State Veterans Cemetery, 1501 Maryland Ave., North Little Rock. Viewing will be Tuesday, 10-11 a.m., prior to service, at the church. Arrangements by Ruffin & Jarrett Funeral Home, 1200 Chester St., Little Rock (501) 372-1305.

Arkansas

ARKADELPHIA - Ed Wrinkle, age 79, of Arkadelphia died Wednesday. Funeral services will be 2 p.m. Sunday in the Ruggles-Wilcox Funeral Chapel. Visitation will be 6-8 p.m. Saturday at the funeral home. Sign online guest book at www.ruggleswilcox.com.

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BATESVILLE - William “Bill” Sylvester, age 80, of Batesville died Tuesday, Nov. 23, 2010 at Batesville. He was born March 19, 1930 at Pontiac, Miss., to Carl and Mazie Lee Ramsey Moore. Private memorial service will be held at a later date. No visitation is planned.

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BEEBE - Dorothy Bell (Pollett) Vaught, 80, of Beebe, Ark., was born Dec. 7, 1929, at Beebe, to Carlos and Mable (Price) Pollett, and she died Wednesday, Nov. 24, 2010. She is survived by one son, William Vaught Jr. of Warner Robins, Ga.; three daughters, Marilyn Story of Searcy, Lenora Sims and husband Gary of Beebe and Phyllis Weeks and husband Larry of Ward; seven grandchildren; seven great-grandchildren; one brother, Nelson Pollett of Rockwall, Texas; and one sister, Mary Adams of North Little Rock. Memorial service will be 10 a.m. Saturday, Nov. 27, 2010, at Westbrook Funeral Home, Beebe. www.westbrookfuneralhome.com.

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CLINTON - Shirley “Rose” Wilson, 81, of Clinton, Ark., passed away Tuesday, Nov. 23, 2010 at Conway Regional Medical Center. She was born Jan. 25, 1929 at Saint Louis, Mo., to the late Enoch W. and Florence Mae (Keel) Wilson. She is preceded in death by her parents, one great-grandchild Alton Calhoun, two brothers, Robert Wilson and John Shepard, one sister, Lou Hodue.

She is survived in death by her daughter Marie and Lonnie Calhoun Jr. of Glennville, Ga.; two grandchildren, Kelly and Renita Calhoun and John Calhoun; three great-grandchildren, Avery Calhoun, Hunter Calhoun and Keyleigh Calhoun; three nieces, Brenda Brown, Marsha Traffanstedt, and Sandra Wilson; and one nephew, Johnny Wilson.Pallbearers: Colter Brown, Dylan Wilson, Roger Wilson, Charlie Isom, Butch Suiett and Johnny Trujillo. Honorary pallbearers: Payden Brown, Edward Alexander, and Raymond Douglas. Visitation will be 5-7 p.m. Friday, Nov. 26, 2010 and funeral service will be 2 p.m. Saturday, Nov. 27, 2010 at Roller-McNutt Funeral Home Chapel, Clinton, Ark., with Pastor James Lovell officiating. Burial will follow at Hunter Hill Cemetery. Arrangements are under the care and direction of Roller-McNutt Funeral Home of Clinton, Ark. Online guest book: www.rollerfuneralhomes.com.

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DERMOTT - Louatrice West,46, of Dermott, Ark., died Nov. 21. Survivors: husband, Larry West; parents, Rev. and Mrs. Tommie Hudspeth; siblings, Elvin Hudspeth, Sharon Connors, BeatriceHarvest, Debora Hudspeth and Ruthie Hudspeth. Service will be held 12 noon, Saturday, Nov. 27, at St. Paul Missionary Baptist Church, Dermott, Ark.

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DeWITT - Mr. Dana Turner, 38, died Nov. 22, 2010. Services entrusted to Richardson Memorial Funeral Home, 301 South College, Stuttgart, Ark. (870) 672-8901.

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EMMET - Mr. Jon Todd Dickerson, 45, Emmet, Ark., passed away Tuesday, Nov. 23, 2010. Funeral services: 2 p.m. Saturday, Nov. 27, Brazzel/Cornish Funeral Home Chapel, Prescott, Ark. Burial Mt. Moriah Cemetery, Rosston, Ark. Arrangements, Brazzel/Cornish Funeral Home, Prescott. Visitation: Friday, Nov. 26, 6-8 p.m. Brazzel/Cornish Funeral Home, Prescott. Online guestbook: www.brazzelfuneralhomes.com.

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FAIRFIELD BAY - Carl Junior Mangerson, 91, World War II veteran, passed away Nov. 24, 2010. Daughters, Brenda Kirwin and Cathy Mangerson; stepson, Richard Likeness; sisters, Marge Stotts and Mary Mangerson; six grandchildren; six great-grandchildren. Visitation 12 noon Saturday, Olmstead Woodland Chapel. Funeral service following at 1 p.m. Interment: Woodland Memorial Park. www.olmstead.cc.

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FORDYCE - Mrs. Bettye Sue Langford, 70, of Fordyce died Sunday, Nov. 21, 2010. Her services will be Saturday, Nov. 27, 2010 at Enon Baptist Church in Fordyce by Rev. J.L. Brazil at 2 p.m. Visitation Friday from 4-6 p.m. by Brown-Williams Funeral Home of Fordyce.

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HAMPTON - Ray Blann Duncan, 84, of Hampton died Wednesday, Nov. 24, 2010 at the Dallas County Medical Center in Fordyce. Born May 11, 1926 at Harrell, he was a son of the late Doyle B. Duncan and Edna Jewel Blann Duncan. He was a boiler operator for F-S Pre-Stress and an Army veteran of World War II. He was preceded in death by his wife, Christine Duncan and a son, Dainy Ray Duncan. He is survived by a son, Marty Duncan and his wife Connie of Harrell; daughter Peggy Baggenstoss and husband Jim of Fordyce; four brothers, Lucian Duncan of Hampton, Paul Duncan of Hampton, Harold Duncan of Hampton, Billy Max Duncan of Kilgore, Texas; five grandchildren, Elizabeth Perez of the U.S. Army, Monica Pitts of Tinsman, Matthew Duncan of Harrell, Timothy Duncan of Harrell, Chris Duncan of Monticello; six greatgrandchildren. The family will receive friends Friday from 6 to 8 p.m. at Benton Funeral Homein Hampton. Funeral services will be 10 a.m. Saturday at Victory Baptist Church at Hampton with Rev. Garland Skidmore and Rev. Robbie Duncan officiating. Burial will follow at Pickett Cemetery. Arrangements by Benton Funeral Home of Hampton. To sign the online register visit www.bentonfuneralhome.com.

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HELENA-WEST HELENA - Betty Ellen Merrifield Mitchell, wifeof Billy G. Mitchell, died at her home in Helena on Sunday, Nov. 21, 2010. Born to Godfrey and Bernice (Bunny) Wade Merrifield on Aug. 9, 1933 in Helena, she attended Helena publicschools, graduating from Central High School in 1951. She was a member of St. John's Episcopal Church where she was director of the Youth Choir and a Choir member for a number of years. She organized the needlepoint kneelers guild at St. Johns, making possible the creation of uniquely creative needlepoint works of art for each of the kneelers in the sanctuary. She passed on her creative spirit when she taught both kindergarten and piano lessons. As a member of the Phillips County Historical Museum Board, she created a docent program to introduce school children to the many fascinating collections in the Phillips County Historical Museum.She and her husband were active in other local organizations and supported many projects including the Mitchell Science Annex School of Nursing. Betty had a lifelong interest in photography and travel. She and her husband divided their time between Helena and a home in Florida where she was a volunteer docent at the Polk County Museum of Art. Betty loved to entertain and was a gourmet cook. Her home was always open to her family and friends, who will miss her loving and generous heart. Survivors include her husband, Billy; sons: Edward F. Brown (Leslie), Gainesville, Fla.; Sheldon F. Brown (Billye), Germantown, Tenn.; Kevin W. Brown (Kaye), Brandon, Fla.; stepchildren: David A. Mitchell (Lynda), Mandeville, La.; Joseph S. Mitchell, Helena, Ark.; Brenda J. Saunders (Ken), Maumelle, Ark.; and Timothy H. Mitchell, Pittsburgh, Pa. Grandchildren:Austin Brown, Blair Brown, Jason Brown, David Mitchell, Brady Bratcher, Jenna Bratcher, Tim Mitchell, Kim Mitchell and several great-grandchildren. Memorial services will be held at St. John's Episcopal Church at 10 a.m. on Wednesday, Dec. 1, 2010. The family is eternally grateful to Melody Rodgers, Betty's Hospice nurse, who cared lovingly for her. In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made to Hospice, Arkansas Department of Health, Area IX, P.O. Box 788 Forrest City, Ark., 72396; St. John's Episcopal Church, 625 Pecan St., Helena, Ark., 72342; or a charity of your choice.

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HOPE - Mrs. Pauline VanRiper, 80, of Columbus, Ark., passed away Tuesday, Nov. 23, 2010 in Hope, Ark. Visitation, Friday, Nov. 26, 2010 between the hours of 6-8 p.m. at Herndon-Pharr Funeral Home. Service, Saturday, Nov. 27, 2010 at 10 a.m. in the Herndon-Pharr Funeral Home Chapel. Online register book at www.pharrfuneralhomes.com.

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HOPE - Arlene W. Willis, 92, of Hope, Ark., passed away Tuesday, Nov. 23, 2010 in Arkadelphia, Ark. Visitation, Friday, Nov. 26, 2010, 5-7 p.m. at Herndon-Pharr Funeral Home. Services, Saturday, Nov. 27, 2010 at 2 p.m. at Unity Baptist Church under the direction of Herndon-Pharr Funeral Home. Online register book at www.pharrfuneralhomes.com.

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HOT SPRINGS - Elaine Clifton Welch, 63, of Hot Springs, formerly of Beebe and Osceola, died Tuesday, Nov. 23, 2010. Visitation is 6 to 8 p.m. Friday, Nov. 26, at Roller-Daniel Funeral Home in Searcy. Services are 2 p.m. Saturday at the funeral home. For online guestbook, go to www.rollerfuneralhomes.com.

JONESBORO - Agnes McDaniel, 82, of Jonesboro passed from this life on Wednesday, Nov. 24, 2010. Visitation will be 5-7 p.m. Friday, Nov. 26, 2010 at Roller-Farmers Union Funeral Home in Jonesboro. Graveside services and burial will be 11 a.m. Saturday, Nov. 27, 2010 at McDaniel Cemetery. Online guestbook www.rollerfuneralhomes.com.

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KNOXVILLE - Allen Lee Kirkpatrick, 68, of Knoxville, died Wednesday. Graveside service and burial is 10 a.m., Saturday at Knoxville Cemetery by Shinn Funeral Service of Russellville. Visitation: 7:30 to 8:30 p.m., Friday at the funeral home. Online obituary and guestbook: www.shinnfuneral.com.

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MELBOURNE - Julion Timmy Streeter, 56, died Nov. 23. Graveside funeral service will be Saturday, Nov. 27 at 1 p.m. at Mt. Olive Cemetery near Melbourne, Ark. Survivor: Suzi Streeter, wife. Arrangements by Eddie’s Family Funeral Home in Melbourne.

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MOUNTAIN HOME - James “Ed” Gilbert, age 67, of Mountain Home, Ark., went to be with the Lord Monday, Nov. 22, 2010, in Mountain Home. He was born Sept. 5, 1943, at Flippin, Ark., to C.R. “Coke” Gilbert and Connis McCrackenGilbert. A lifetime area native, Mr. Gilbert was a member of Twin Lakes Baptist Church and the Mountain Home Masonic Lodge #225. He married Carolyn Jackson at the Hopewell Baptist Church of Mountain Home on March 25, 1972. Ed was elected Baxter County Assessor in 1970, served until 1974 and was elected vice-president of the Arkansas Assessors Association. He was appointed interim mayor of Mountain Home in 1997. Mr. Gilbert was elected as State Representative in 1976 and served for 18 years. Some of the legislation he sponsored and co-sponsored were: House Bill 91 - the DWI Bill - which Gov. Bill Clinton signed into law in March 1983 and that strengthened penalties for drunk driving; House Bill 576, which required the State Office of Long Term Care to notify the news media when a nursing home had committed two serious violations of the state codefor nursing homes; penalty for motor vehicle operators who unlawfully park in handicapped zones; House Bill 919 to permit funds collected by the Office of Long Term Care as licensure fees from nursing home administrators to be used for the operation of the office on long term care; industrial legislation to make more jobs available for the people of his district; legislation to encourage tourism; legislation for more monies being appropriated for city and county road improvements; legislation that would create better educational opportunities for Arkansas citizens; legislations for veterans’ benefits; and the homestead tax exemption law. He was a member of the Joint Interim Committee on State Agencies and Governmental Affairs and was instrumental in legislationfor the three-day fishing license. He worked for many highway improvements such as Highway 201 North paved, Highways 62 and 101 bridges across Lake Norfork, paving of Highway 201 South and Push Mountain Road and many more.

Mr. Gilbert was one of the founders of the Ozark Community Home for the Developmentally Disabled, the first home of this type in the state of Arkansas, having secured a grant from the state government, and he served on the home’s Board of Directors since its founding. He served on the Board of Directors of the Mountain Home Chamber of Commerce and worked to get Hospice of the Ozarks established. He had owned Ed Gilbert and Associates Realty, had received the “Lifetime Multimillion Dollar Producer” award, and was a homebuilder for over 30 years.

Survivors are his wife, Carolyn Gilbert, of the home; a daughter, Jessica (Josh) Evans, Mountain Home; two brothers: Roland (Marsha) Gilbert and Ron Gilbert, all of Mountain Home; two grandchildren: Calvin and Corbin Evans; nieces and nephews: Connie Ann Sales, Tony (Sally) Gilbert, Terri (Kent) Holder, Todd (Jodi) Gilbert, Angie Gilbert, and Kirk Gilbert. He was preceded in death by his parents. Visitation will be from noon-9 p.m. Saturday at Roller Funeral Home with the family receiving friends from 6-8 p.m. Funeral services will be 2 p.m. Sunday, Nov. 28, 2010, at Twin Lakes Baptist Church with Rev. Dr. Sam Bailey officiating. Interment will be in Baxter Memorial Gardens. Pallbearers are Tony, Todd, Buck and Kirk Gilbert, and Jim McCracken and Roger Morgan. Memorials may be made to Hospice of the Ozarks or the Ozark Community Home. Online guestbook www.rollerfuneralhomes.com.

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MOUNTAIN VIEW - Janis Mc-Gee, 68, died Nov. 20, 2010. Survived by her husband, two sons, two sisters and three grandchildren. Ms. McGee was retired from US Airways as Reservation Supervisor. There are no services scheduled. Online guestbook www.rollerfuneralhomes.com.

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OKOLONA - J.C. Smithpeters, 79, of Okolona, Ark., died Nov. 24, 2010. Visitation will be Friday, Nov. 26, 2010 from 6-8 p.m. at Pharr Funeral Home of Gurdon. Funeral service will be Saturday, Nov. 27, 2010 at 10 a.m. at Pharr Funeral Home of Gurdon Chapel. Interment will follow in Center Ridge Cemetery.

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PINE BLUFF - Erma Carol Coker, age 80, of Pine Bluff, died Wednesday, Nov. 24, 2010, at the Vista Ridge Nursing and Rehabilitation Center in Lewisville, Texas. Mrs. Coker was born Feb. 15, 1930, in Blytheville, Ark., a daughter of the late Finley H. and Violet Arnold Nipper. Mrs. Coker was reared and received her education in Pine Bluff. She was a graduate of White Hall High School. She was a member of Carr Memorial United Methodist Church until later becoming a member of Eastside Baptist Church and a long-time resident of Pine Bluff. Mrs. Coker was preceded in death by her husband, Joe L. Coker, whom shemarried March 12, 1948, in Pine Bluff; her sisters Betty Jean Nipper and Doris Allen George; and her granddaughter, Emily Cristina Coker. She is survived by her son, Jerry L. Coker (Bianca), and granddaughter Violet Coker, of Coppell, Texas, and her sister Bobbie Ann Hogan, of Pine Bluff. Funeral services will be Saturday, Nov. 27, 2010, at 10:30 a.m. in the Chapel of Ralph Robinson & Son Funeral Directors with Rev. Pam Estes officiating. Burial will be in Cypress Memorial Gardens Cemetery. The family will receive friends at Robinson’s Friday evening 6 to 8 p.m. Memorials may take the form of contributions to East Side Baptist Church, 1605 Wisconsin St., Pine Bluff, Ark., 71601. Online register: www.ralphrobinsonandson.com.

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PINE BLUFF - Mrs. Florice Pearl Ficklin, 81, of Pine Bluff, passed away, Saturday, Nov. 20, 2010. Her funeral services will be Saturday, Nov. 27, 2010 at Indiana Street Baptist Church by Dr. L.K. Solomon at 10:30 a.m. Burial will be in Forrest Lawn Cemetery by Brown Funeral Home of Pine Bluff. Online register: www.brownfuneralhomeandmortuary.com.

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PINE BLUFF - Funeral services for Ms. Tishira N. Harrison, 31, of Pine Bluff, died Nov. 17, will be Saturday, 2:30 p.m., Family Time Baptist Church, burial Forrest Lawn Cemetery by Perry Funeral Home. Survivors: four daughters, two sons, mother, father, stepfather, one sister, two brothers, grandfather, grandmother, special friend.

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PINE BLUFF - Mr. Johnnie Jackson Sr., 62, of Pine Bluff, passed away, Friday, Nov. 19, 2010. His services will be Saturday, Nov. 27, 2010 at Wheeler Chapel Baptist Church by Rev. T.W. Scott at 10 a.m. Burial will be in Mt. Lebanon Cemetery in Hooker by Brown Funeral Home of Pine Bluff. Online register: www.brownfuneralhomeandmortuary.com.

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SEARCY - Gordon “Horsefly” Bristow, 86, died Wednesday, Nov. 24, 2010, at a Searcy hospital. Graveside services, Friday, Nov. 26, 2010, at 2 p.m., Wiles Cemetery, Ash Flat. Arrangements by Qualls Funeral Home of Cave City. No visitation. Memorials, Paragould Children’s Home, 5515 Old Walcott Rd., Paragould, Ark. 72450.

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SEARCY - Minnie Lou Davis, 75, of Searcy died Wednesday, Nov. 24, 2010. Visitation will be Friday, Nov. 26 from 6-8 p.m. at the Searcy-McEuen Funeral Home. Funeral services will be 10 a.m. Saturday in the Searcy-McEuen Funeral Home. Interment will follow in Sidon Cemetery directed by Searcy-McEuen Funeral Home. Online: www. SearcyMceuenFuneralHome.com.

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SHERIDAN - W. Laverne Williams, age 78, of Sheridandied Monday, Nov. 22, 2010, at St. Joseph’s Hospice in Hot Springs. She was born on April 4, 1932, to the late Dyer and Althea Veasey Epnett. Mrs. Williams was a memberof the Southwest Missionary Baptist Church of Hot Springs and enjoyed traveling, gardening, and spending time with family.

She was preceded in death by her parents; infant son, Michael Hall Williams; brother, Dewayne Epnett; and sister, Freda Epnett Ruddell. She is survived by her husband, Tola Williams of Sheridan; daughters, Kelley (Dan) Bost and Karen Williams Adams; grandchildren, Dr. Amy Adams, Neil Adams, Natalie Cook, Cole Shuffield; and one great-grandson, Cash Cook.

Graveside services will be 2 p.m. Saturday, Nov. 27, 2010, at Philadelphia Cemetery in Prattsville with Brother Don Goodman officiating. Visitation will be Friday, Nov. 26, 2010, from 6-8 p.m.Interment will be in Philadelphia Cemetery. Memorials may be made to Arkansas Hospice at St. Joseph’s Hospital in Hot Springs. Please sign online guestbook at www.buiefuneralhome.com. Funeral arrangements are under the direction of Buie Funeral Home of Sheridan. (870) 942-3231.

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STEPHENS - Eloise (McCaig) Benson of El Dorado, formerly of Stephens, Ark., died Tuesday, Nov. 23 in El Dorado. Family visitation will be held Thursday from 1 to 5 p.m. at Lewis Funeral Home, Inc. in Magnolia. Funeral services will be held on Saturday by Jeffcoat Funeral Home in Tallassee, Ala.

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STUTTGART - R.B. Burton, 68, of Stuttgart died Nov. 22, 2010. Visitation Nov. 26, 2010, from 5 til 7 at the funeral home. Funeral services held Nov. 27 at 11 at First Baptist Church, 606 North Porter, Stuttgart, Ark. Services entrusted to Richardson Memorial Funeral Home, 301 South College, Stuttgart, Ark., (870) 672-8901.

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STUTTGART - Imon Ferguson, 94, died Nov. 23, 2010. Funeral services held Friday, Nov. 26, 2010. at 1 p.m. at First Baptist Church, 606 North Porter, Stuttgart, Ark. Funeral services entrusted to Richardson Memorial Funeral Home, 301 South College, Stuttgart, Ark., (870) 672-8901.

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TARRY - Funeral services for Nathaniel Allen, 54, of Tarry, Ark., died Nov. 23, will be Saturday, 11 a.m., Marzell MBC at Tamo, burial Marzell Cemetery in Tamo by Perry Funeral Home. Survivors: daughter, Jacquelyn D. (Michael) Darrough of Little Rock; five sisters; three brothers, five grandchildren; a dear friend.

Out-of-state

AMARILLO, Texas - Hester Ann Mayes Mann Brown, 61, bornMay 10, 1949, in Memphis, Tenn., passed away in Amarillo, Texas, on Nov. 24, 2010. Hester was a resident of Amarillo since 1979, and employed with the U.S. Postal Service as a clerk for 22years. She was a member of the American Postal Workers Union, Texas Postal Workers Union and also was a member of South Lawn Baptist Church, where she served the Lord in the Hand Bell Choir. Before coming to South Lawn, she also taught children’s Sunday School, which was very dear to her. She married Fred Brown June 4, 1994, and was a loving wife, mother, grandmother, and great-grandmother. She was very devoted to her family and her church. Immediate survivors: husband, Fred Brown; five daughters, Janet Stewart, Tommie Brown and husband Curtis, Debra Russell and husband Monte, Angie Osborn and husband Steve, Ginger Reed and husband Tom; brother, Shelby Mayes and wife Loretta; 22 grandchildren; 12 great-grandchildren. Preceded in death by: parents, Perry and Catherine Mayes; and her first husband, Garland Ray Mann Jr.Memorial service and officiant: 10 a.m. Saturday, Nov. 27, 2010, at the South Lawn Baptist Church with Rev. Greg Kinch officiating. Interment: Memorial Park Cemetery under the direction of Memorial Park Funeral Home. In lieu of flowers, memorial may be made to Make A Wish Foundation; Harrington Cancer Center; or South Lawn Baptist Church.

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HOUSTON, Texas - Johnie Gray Scott Trippett, 70, died Tuesday,Nov. 23, 2010, at Triumph Hospital North in Houston, Texas. She was born at her parents’ home in Star City, Ark., July 2, 1940, to the late John W. and Ruby Gray Whitehead Scott. She graduated from Star City High School in 1958, attended Arkansas Polytechnic College (Arkansas Tech University) and graduated from Arkansas A & M College (University of Arkansas Monticello) in 1962. Johnie was a member of the concert-marching band and acapella-concert choir and served as Editor of the 1961 Boll Weevil annual. She was a member of the Phi Sigma Chi Sorority. Following her graduation from college, she married Jerry S. Searan of Pine Bluff, Ark. During their first years of marriage, Johnie was a teacher in Springdale, Ark., and Monahans, Texas, school districts. Her daughter, Johnna Lucinda, was born in 1971 and Johnie became a stay-at-home wife and mother.Johnie worked for State Farm Insurance in Houston, Texas, a few years after her first marriage. In 1980, she married James F. Trippett of Houston, Texas. She was a member of St. Stephens United Methodist Church and continued to reside in Houston, Texas, until her death. Preceding her in death were her parents and her second mother, Hannah L. Scott. Survivors include her daughter and son-in-law, Johnna and Sammy Butera of Houston, Texas, her grandson, Stefan M. Diehl of Houston, Texas, her sister, Vicki S. Scott of Pine Bluff, Ark., and her two former husbands, Jerry Searan of Houston, Texas, and James Trippett of Houston, Texas. Many other relatives and friends will remember her. Graveside services will be 11 a.m., Saturday, Nov. 27, 2010, at Leek Cemetery, near Star City. Rev. James Calhoun, Johnie’s cousin, will officiate. Visitation will be from 10:30 a.m. until the time of service at the cemetery.The family requests that memorials be made to a church or charitable organization of their choice. Arrangements by Griffin Funeral Service in Star City. Online obituary at www.griffinfuneralservice.net.