Obituaries

LITTLE ROCK — OBITUARIES Information for

the obituaries and funeral

notices below was supplied

to the Arkansas Democrat-

Gazette Advertising Depart

ment 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, arkansasonline.com/obituaries/.

PULASKI COUNTY

Michael David Runnells, 35, of Sherwood.

Mary Juanita Sheffield, 87, of Mabelvale.

Curtis Whitmore Sr., 65, of Little Rock.

Virginia R. Williams, 74, of Little Rock.

ELSEWHERE IN ARKANSAS

BENTON Jerry Ellen Farrow, 69.

CABOT Robert Anderson Green, 80.

Frances L. LeMay, 92.

CLARENDON Georgia Dean Thetford, 87.

CLINTON Kenneth W. Welborn, 71.

HERMITAGE Esther McKenzie, 98.

LAKE VILLAGE Martin Len Donald, 46.

MARVELL Betty Shannon Thompson, 71. WARD Ronny D. Spence, 57.

WARREN Ray Van Stedman, 83.

OUT-OF-STATE

VALLEJO, Calif.

Maryette Caraway Lee, 97.

NEOSHO, Mo.

Calvin Lane, 87.

HOUSTON, Texas Debbie (Meurer) Junior, 58.

Pulaski County

MICHAEL DAVID RUNNELLS, 35, of Sherwood, passed awayFriday, Oct. 21, 2011. He was born June 18, 1976 in Little Rock, Ark., a son of Maurice and Barbara Smith Runnells. He graduated from Bryant High School and worked as aNurse's Aide for Baptist Health Medical Center in Little Rock for the past 10 years, where the care of his patients was his highest priority. He was a member of the Booze Fighters M.C., Jacinto Masonic Lodge, active member of The Bear Clan in Russellville, he was a member of the Order of the Arrow BSA. Michael loved to ride, draw and all animals.

He was preceded in death by his grandparents, Paul and Ola Smith, M.H. and Inez Runnells. Michael is survived by his loving wife, Sheiree Runnells; two sons, Jeffrey Allen Walker and James Daniel Walker of Sherwood, Ark.; parents; sister, Dana Jacks and her husband Earl; two brothers Richard Paul Runnells and Jeffrey Allen Runnells and his wife, Gail; four nephews, Canyon Jacks, Justin, Jacob and Joshua Runnells; one niece, Samantha Jacks all of Little Rock, Ark.; and many, many friends.

The family will receive friends from 6 p.m. until 8 p.m., Monday, Oct. 24, 2011, at Roller-Chenal Funeral Home, (501)224-8300. Funeral services will be held 10 a.m., Tuesday, Oct. 25, 2011, at the funeral home. Burial will follow at Forest Hills Memorial Park. Online guestbook: www.rollerfuneralhomes.com/chenal.

--◊--

On Wednesday, Oct. 19, 2011, MARY JUANITA SHEFFIELD left this world to join her husband, Alton M. Sheffield. Juanita was preceded in death by her mother, Norine Eilers and father, Elbert Pruett; brother, John Pruett; sisters, Jean Morehart and Helen Hicks. Survivors include son, Tom Sheffield and wife, Linda; daughter, Dotty Hamilton and husband, Jim; grandson, Karl Rekus and wife, Manisha and great grandson, Remington Rekus; brother, Herman (Sonny) Eilers and her favorite companion, Penny (the dog).

Juanita was a graduate of Mabelvale High School. Juanita most recently lived in Enola, Pa. after leaving her home and many good friends and neighbors in Astor, Fla. Juanita was a full time mother and competent coordinator for the many relocations of her family due to Alton’s work. She enjoyed the friendship of numerous ‘pipeliner' friends throughout the U.S. Juanita has left many beautiful results of her hobbies, knitting, crochet, beadwork and needlepoint. But Juanita’s favorite past time was time spent with Karl, her grandson and Penny her four legged little girl.

In lieu of flowers donations may be made to The Jewish Home of Greater Harrisburg (Pa.), the Hospice of Central Pennsylvania or the charity of your choice. Funeral services will be 2 p.m., Tuesday, Oct. 25, 2011 at Roller-Drummond Funeral Home, 10900 Interstate 30, Little Rock, Ark. 72209 (501) 455-5800 with interment to follow at Pinecrest Memorial Park. Family will receive friends 6-8 p.m., Monday at the funeral home. Online guestbook: www.rollerfuneralhomes.com/drummond.

--◊--

CURTIS WHITMORE SR., of Little Rock, Ark. born May 9, 1946 and passed Oct. 17, 2011. Survived by six sons; two daughters; three brothers; seven sisters; mother, Claudia Campbell, a host of grandchildren, nieces, nephews other relatives and friends. Visitation will be held Monday, Oct. 24, 2011 from 1-6 at Gunn Funeral Home. Funeral services Tuesday, Oct. 25, 2011 at 11 a.m. GFH Chapel. Services entrusted to Gunn Funeral Home 4323 West 29th Little Rock, Ark. 72204.

--◊--

Our lives and our gardens will never be the same. On Friday,Oct. 21, 2011, our most loved wife, mother, sister, aunt, grandmother and friend, VIRGINIA R. WILLIAMS, passed away in the evening due to complications recovering fromsurgery. Married 53 years this May, to E. Grainger "Bish" Williams II and Mother to three children: Helon Quiggins, Beth Yandell, Bill Williams, Virginia will always be remembered as a powerful woman and loving person. She was sister to Betty Markle (deceased), Kathleen Black, Wanda Holden, Lois Ann White and Grandmother to Sean, Robin, Shelby, Katie, Will, Jenna (deceased), Ben, Sam and Caroline. She was also a great friend to many who will miss her. Before retiring in 1987, Virginia worked as an attorney at Davidson, Horne & Hollingsworth. Virginia attended the University of Arkansas at Little Rock School of Law in 1983 where she served as Assistant Research Editor for the UALR Law Journal, after graduating from University of Arkansas at Little Rock magna cum laude in 1980. Virginia was honored as an outstanding graduate in political science and criminal justice and received numerous honors and awards including Best Student Writing in 1980-81. In 1978 and 1979, Virginia was a member of the Supervisory Board of the Arkansas Crime Commission. She was co-chair of ERA Arkansas for four years, beginning 1974. She also spent 10 years working on various councils and commissions for the advancement and welfare of women. A devoted churchperson, Virginia attended Unitarian Universalist Church in Little Rock, spending a short time as President, eventually leaving to explore avenues of independent religious studies while maintaining strong ties to Unitarianism. Virginia was respected for her ability to take on difficult circumstances and achieve success. Virginia was also an extremely talented oil painter and an even more talented and respected landscape designer and gardener. She will be deeply missed in our gardens and in our hearts. Visitation will be Monday, Oct. 24, from 6 to 8 p.m. at Griffin Leggett Healey & Roth, 5800 West 12th Street, LittleRock. Memorial services will be held on Tuesday at 10 a.m. in the chapel of Griffin Leggett Healey & Roth with Revs. Barbara and John Kilgore officiating. Virginia's online guestbook is available at www.griffinleggetthealeyroth.com.

Arkansas

BENTON - Jerry Ellen Farrow, 69, Benton, died Sunday. Survivors: son, Bob Farrow (Judy); daughter, Ellen Renee Farrow; brother, Ralph Clemmons; sister, Elsie Barrow (James); sister-in-law, Marie Clemmons; grandchildren, Chad Farrow,Makayla Johnson, Taylor Huddleston, Brandi Huddleston; great-grandchildren, Juliet and Jimi. Graveside, 2 p.m. Tuesday, Hicks Cemetery with visitation at 1 p.m.

--◊--

CABOT - Robert “Bobby” Anderson Green of Cabot, age 80, passed away on Saturday, Oct. 22, 2011. He was born in Trumann, Ark., on Aug. 13, 1931. Bobby made his way to Little Rock as a teenager, becoming an apprentice as a sheet rock finisher. He would later own his own business, spending 50 years in the trade, and was referred to as the “Best Sheet Rock Finisher in Town.” In a cafe in Little Rock, on the corner of 10th and Main, Bobby met Louise Sharp whom he courted for four years.On Sept. 10, 1954, they married and would ultimately make their home on “the hill” off of Mount Tabor Road in Cabot for 47 years. It was here where he lived a life filled with peace and contentment, for he loved his land (affectionately known as “Green Acres”), his home, and most importantly, his family. In his early years, Bobby had a love for Beagle trial competitions, and a lifelong love for fishing bream and crappie at Lake Conway. His love of animals was passed down to his two daughters. Family was important, for he cherished his wife and adored his girls. His eyes always sparkled when spending time with his grandchildren. Although Bobby Green was a man of few words, he led by example. His actions were what defined him; he was well respected and a man true to his word. His quiet strength, his humbleness, his gentle nature, and his cheerful sense of humorcan also be seen in his daughters and grandchildren. Survivors include his wife, Louise Sharp Green of Cabot; daughters, Debi (Joe) Waddle and Pam (Steve) Burks of Cabot; grandchildren, Brittani Baldwin Gracey (Ethan) of Little Rock and Drew Burks of Cabot; step-granddaughter, Tracy (Joe) Hurdle of North Little Rock, and step-great-grandson, Alex; and special family, Pam and Savannah Hickman of Little Rock; sisters, Maggie Coker of Memphis, Patricia Powell of Trumann, and Betty Reynolds of Helena. Visitation will take place at Moore’s Funeral Home in Cabot from 6-7 p.m. Monday evening.Funeral service will be held at Mount Carmel Baptist Church in Cabot on Tuesday at 10:30 with Brother Bill DuVall officiating. Burial will follow at Mount Carmel Cemetery under the direction of Moore’s Cabot Funeral Home (501)843-5816. Please sign the online guestbook at www.moorescabotfuneralhome.com.

--◊--

CABOT - Frances L. LeMay, 92, of Cabot passed away Saturday,Oct. 22, 2011 at her home. She was born July 30, 1919 in Lonoke County to Thomas Edmond and Annie Sally Staggs Lingo. Ms. Lemay was an elementary educator for over 35 years.She was a graduate of the Arkansas State Teachers, and George Peabody College. She was a member of the Mount Tabor United Methodist Church. In addition to her parents she was preceded in death by her husband, Roy Lemay, and sister, Esther Jean Robinson. Cherishing her memory are two daughters, Sammye Kay Temby of Seattle, Wash., and Joy Frances Clark of Fort Smith, Ark.; one grandson, Jon; her sister, Mary Ellen James of Cabot; and a host of other relatives and friends. A celebration of her life will be held at 10 a.m. Tuesday at the Mount Tabor Methodist Church, 4100 Hwy. 89 South, Cabot, Ark. The family will receive friends from 6 to 8 p.m. this evening, at Griffin Leggett-Rest Hills Funeral Home, 7724 Landers Road, North Little Rock (501)835-3515. The online obituary, guestbook, and memorial tribute are available at www.griffinleggettresthills.com.

--◊--

CLARENDON - Georgia Dean Thetford, age 87, passed away on Saturday, Oct. 22, 2011. Survivors include husband, Russell Thetford; brother, Wheat Dean, and sisters, Mildred Ashmore and Mary Jean Dyer. Services 11 a.m. Monday, Bob Neal & Sons Funeral Home Chapel in Clarendon. Guestbook www.bobnealandsons.com.

--◊--

CLINTON - Mr. Kenneth W. Welborn, age 71, of Clinton died Oct. 21, 2011 in Clinton. He was born Sept. 18, 1940 in Albuquerque, N.M. All services will be private. Arrangements are by Roller-McNutt Funeral Home in Clinton. Online guestbook: rollerfuneralhomes.com.

--◊--

HERMITAGE - Esther McKenzie, age 98, of Hermitage, Ark., died Saturday, Oct. 22, 2011 at Wagnon Place Nursing Home. She was born Dec. 31, 1912, in Ingalls, Ark. Funeral services 10 a.m. Tuesday, Oct. 25, at Frazer’s Chapel. Burial Union Hill Cemetery. Visitation 6 p.m. till 8 p.m. Monday at Frazer’s Funeral Home. guestbook www.frazerfuneralhome.com.

--◊--

LAKE VILLAGE - Martin Len Donald, 46, of Lake Village, died Friday. Survivors are his wife, Shirley, two stepsons, one brother, four sisters and several nieces and nephews. Visitation is 6 to 8 p.m. Sunday, Oct. 23, at the funeral home. Services are 2 p.m. Tuesday at Bishop Funeral Home Chapel. Burial: Holy Innocents Cemetery. www.bishop-funeralhome.com.

--◊--

MARVELL - Betty Shannon Thompson, age 71, died Saturday at her home. Survivors: husband, A. B. Thompson Jr.; son, Art Thompson (Kim) of Tulsa, Okla.; daughter, Beth Thompson of Little Rock; sister, Dottie Yancey (Ken)of Jonesboro; grandson, Henry Thompson of Tulsa, Okla.

Visitation: 5-7 p.m. Monday, Bob Neal-Brickell Chapel. Funeral services: 11 a.m. Tuesday, First Christian Church, Marvell. Burial; Marvell Cemetery. The family wishes to thank Dr. Lawrence Mendelsohn and staff and the North Little Rock Chemo Lab and Cecelia Smith and patient’s choice hospice of Forrest City for excellent care. Guestbook: www.bobnealandsons.com.

--◊--

WARD - Ronny D. Spence, 57, of Ward, born Dec. 13, 1953, passed away on Saturday, Oct. 22, 2011. He was Presbyterian and a member of Sylvania Evangelical Presbyterian Church. He was preceded in death by his father, Walter G. Spence, and grandparents, Ernie and Birdie Spence and Ernest and Emma Lane. Ronny is survived by his son Chauncey Spence and his wife, Mary. He is also survivedby his mother, Mora Lou Lane Spence Duke and stepfather, Guy Duke; two brothers, Donald Spence (Donna) and Jamie Spence (Myra); two sisters, Shelba Dixon (Dearl) and Teena Paintin (Pat); one stepbrother and four stepsisters; grandson, Samuel D. Spence; and numerous nieces, nephews and cousins. Visitation will be at 1 p.m. Tuesday, Oct. 25, at the Sylvania Evangelical Presbyterian Church, 2419 Hwy 321 N. Ward, Ark. Service will follow at 2 p.m. with interment in Sylvania Cemetery. To sign his guestbook, please visit www.arkansasfuneralcare.com. Arrangements made by Arkansas Funeral Care, 2620 W Main Street, Jacksonville, Ark. 501-982-3400.

--◊--

WARREN - Ray Van Stedman, age 83, of Warren, Ark., died Saturday, Oct. 22, at Wagnon Place. Funeral Services 10 a.m. Wednesday, Oct. 26, at Frazer’s Chapel. Burial in Oakland Cemetery by Frazer’s Funeral Home of Warren. Visitation 6 p.m. to 8 p.m. Tuesday, Oct. 25, at Frazer’s. Online obituary/guestbook www.frazerfuneralhome.com.

Out-of-state

VALLEJO, Calif. - Maryette Caraway Lee. Dec. 16, 1913 - Oct.19, 2011.

Maryette Caraway Lee passed away in Vallejo, Calif. She was preceded in death by her husband, Louie H. Lee and daughter, Veda (Lee) Norwood.

Maryette issurvived by her sons, Louie C. Lee and Ernest Lee; daughters, Mary Cooper, Embry Stephenson, Gwendolyn Shields and Merril Jackson; brother, Ernest Caraway and a host of other relatives and friends.

Funeral services will be held at 11 a.m., Saturday, Oct. 29 at Skyview Funeral Chapel, 200 Rollingwood Dr., Vallejo, Calif. 94591. Arrangements are under the direction of Skyview Memorial Lawn.

--◊--

NEOSHO, Mo. - Calvin Lane, former Head Football Coach at Neosho High School, passed away Saturday morning, Oct. 22, 2011, at the age of 87, following a short illness. Coach Lane was born Sept. 5, 1924, in Dierks, Ark .,to Fred and Betty (Moore) Lane.

After graduating from Dierks High school, he attended the University of Arkansas on a football scholarship, where he was a member of the Razorbackfootball team and was a starting quarterback his freshman and sophomore years. While at U of A, he met and married the love of his life, Mary Beth Dorsey Lane, June 29, 1946. She survives.

After graduation from the University of Arkansas, Calvin had the opportunity to apprentice at North Little Rock, Ark., under his former high school coach, Sam Cook. He was subsequently offered the position of Head Football Coach at Neosho, a position he held for 23 years. During that time, his team won 10 Conference Championships, including five undefeated seasons. He had the most wins of football in Neosho history. He was also track and field coach at Neosho High School for several years.

Because of his distinguished career with the Neosho football program, he was often referred to as “The Dean of Southwest Missouri Football.” In 1992, he became a charter inductee into the Missouri High School Football Coaches Association Hall of Fame, which was later incorporated into the Missouri Sports Hall of Fame in Springfield, Mo. The Neosho football field house was named after him.

In addition to his wife, Mary Beth, Coach Lane is survived by two children, Betsy King, and her husband, Lee, of Arkadelphia, Ark., Jim “Bud” Lane and his wife, Dianna, of Neosho; his sister, Tonier Clevenger and family, of Doris, Calif.; his sister, Bonnie Grenache and family of Rhonert Park, Calif.; his brother, Jerry Lane, and family ofClackamas, Ore.; six grandchildren and eight great-grandchildren. Coach Lane was preceded in death by his parents and two brothers, Pascal and Bob Lane.

Services will be held at 2 p.m., Tuesday, Oct. 25, at the Neosho United Methodist Church, with Rev. Dr. Sara Chaney officiating. A private graveside interment will be held prior to the service. Honorary pallbearers will be grandsons, James Lane, Cal Lane and Austin King, and husbands of granddaughters, Kevin Robinson, Shawn Kinsch and Derek Moore. Also serving as honorary pallbearers will be George Olive, Paul Anderson, Bob Stults, Bob Johnson, Roy Cochran and all former football players.

Friends may call at Clark Funeral Home, Neosho, from 9 a.m.-8 p.m., Monday, where the family will receive friends from 6-8 p.m. In lieu of flowers, the family requests memorial contributions be made to the Neosho Booster Club for football programs, or The Razorback Foundation, in honor of Calvin Lane, c/o Clark Funeral Home, PO Box 66, Neosho, Mo. 64850.

Arrangements are under the direction of Clark Funeral Home, Neosho, Mo. Online condolences may be posted at www.clarkfuneralhomes.com.

--◊--

HOUSTON - Debbie (Meurer) Junior, 58, of Houston, Texas, formerly of McRae, died Oct. 21, 2011. She was born Oct. 5 1953 to Gerald and Helen Meurer.

She is survived by sons, Byron, Joshua, and Timothy; two step-sons, Jeremy and Steven and husband, Shane; four grandsons, Brayden, Evan, Jackson, and Ethan; mother, Helen Anderson and two brothers, Robert and Tim Meurer. Debbie is preceded in death by her father.

Visitation will be Monday, Oct. 24 from 6-8 p.m. at Westbrook Funeral Home, Beebe, Ark., and funeral services are Tuesday at 10 a.m. at Westbrook Funeral Home with burial in Lebanon Cemetery, McRae.