Obituaries

LITTLE ROCK — OBITUARIES Information for

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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

Wendell Jack “Duke” Ellington, 87, of Little Rock.

Gerald “Butch” Gordon, 69, of Sherwood.

Margaret Ellen Kilbury Smith, 67, of Little Rock.

Ruth Ann Strickland, 82, of Little Rock.

Evelyn Wilson, 78, of Little Rock.

ELSEWHERE IN ARKANSAS

BEARDEN Mary Helen Arnold, 78.

BRINKLEY Frederick “Tiny” Rutherford, 64.

BRYANT Maxine Raney, 68.

CAMDEN Eula Mae Rogers, 63.

FORDYCE Eula Mae Todd, 70.

MAGNOLIA Martha Sue Roberson, 81.

MALVERN Evie Darlene Breashears, 80.

MENA George “Mike” Raymond Evans, 89.

ODEN Carlton Charlie Fryar, 87.

RUSSELLVILLE Bradley Keith Wilson, 38.

Pulaski County

WENDELL JACK “DUKE” ELLINGTON, age 87 of Little Rock,Ark., died Thursday, Oct. 27, 2011. He was born on Aug. 2, 1924, to his late parents Ausbun Ellington and Myrtle Wood in West Plains, Mo., and then raised in Peach Orchardand Heber Springs. Trained as a machinist through the National Youth Association, he was sent to Seattle, Wash., where he worked for Boeing Aircraft and in the shipyards. He joined the Army Air Corps June 2, 1943, and attended Butler University and the Lockheed Factory School. After serving in France and Germany, he returned to Arkansas where he was employed by the U.S. Postal Service. We will miss his great stories, secret ingredients and unconditional love. He is survived by his wife Maxine Ellington; daughter Jacquelyn; granddaughter, Kimberly Mooney; great-granddaughters, Searcy and Darby Mooney and sisters Willo Dean “Rusty” Davis and Margie Jefford. Funeral services will be 1 p.m. Monday, Oct. 31, 2011, at Griffin Leggett Healey & Roth Funeral Home, 5800 W. 12th St., Little Rock, Ark. (501) 661-9111 with Pastor Gary Hollingsworth officiating.Burial will follow at Forest Hills Memorial Park. A visitation will be from 2 p.m. until 4 p.m. on Sunday, Oct. 30, 2011, at the funeral home. To sign the online guest book, please visit www.griffinleggetthealeyroth.com.

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GERALD “BUTCH” GORDON, 69, of Sherwood, passed from this life Oct. 29, 2011, born to Alva and Athalene Tiner Gordon of Morrilton on July 18, 1942. Mr. Gordon was a true example of a Christian and was a great witness to all who knew him. He was a 32nd degree Mason and was a Deacon for many years. He enjoyed golf, hunting, camping and Nascar. He will be greatly missed by many. He is survived by his loving wife of 51 years, Loretta Gordon; two daughters, Pamela Jones of Hot Springs and Rhonda Nestor (Charles) of Sherwood; one grandson, Stephen Christensen (Caitlin) of North Little Rock; three granddaughters, Angela Boast (Bradley) of White Hall, Tina Armstrong (Gerad) of White Hall and Alyssa Koen (Michael) of Hot Springs; one great-granddaughter, Lily Boast of White Hall; one sister, Sharon Eubanks (Bob) of Edgemont; one uncle, AC Tiner (Martha); a special dog, Sandie and a host of friends and family. Visitation will be from 6-8 p.m. On Tuesday, Nov. 1, 2011, at Huson Funeral Home of Sherwood. Services will be held at 10 a.m. on Wednesday, Nov. 2, 2011, at Sherwood First Baptist Church. A graveside service will be held at 2 p.m. on Wednesday, Nov. 2, 2011, at Elmwood Cemetery in Morrilton. In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made to the National Kidney Foundation, 30 East 33rd St., New York, N.Y., 10016. You may sign the online guest book at www.husonfuneralhome.com.

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MARGARET ELLEN KILBURY SMITH, 67, went to be with the Lord on Oct. 29, 2011. She was born on June 12, 1944. She was raised in DeWitt, Ark., graduating from Dewitt High School in 1962. Margaret received her BA in accounting in 1966 from Ouachita Baptist University, where she met Allen F. Smith. Margaret and Allen were married two weeks after graduation.They have three grown children, Richard A. Smith of Little Rock,Katherine Smith Cothern, married to Chris Cothern, of Fayetteville and Jennifer Smith Haskett, married to Russ Haskett, of Franklin, Tenn. Margaret was the proud grandmother ofEvan and Elliott Cothern, and Brooke Haskett. Margaret was preceded in death by her parents Ralph and Louise Kilbury. She is also survived by her brother Larry Kilbury and his wife Catherine. Growing up Margaret’s father ran the movie projector in DeWitt. Margaret would sit in his lap and watch movies. This started a lifelong love of going to the movies. On most Friday nights you could find Margaret and Allen at the movie theatre sharing popcorn. Margaret joined Immanuel Baptist Church in 1969, where she cared for babies in the nursery each Sunday for over 30 years and worked as the bookkeeper/accountant for nearly 25 years. Margaret was a founding member of the church handbell choir and played with them for over 25 years. She was also a member of the church choir. She loved all music, but she especially loved hymns and other Christian music. She had a passion for newborn babies, sewing bibs for each baby inthe nursery for approximately 20 years. She also loved crossstitching and smocking, making dresses for her daughters as they grew up. She lived her life according to her life verse Joshua 24:15, “Choose this day whom you will serve; ...as for me and my house, we will serve the Lord.” She was a Godly woman, loving wife, and caring mom who loved to make others smile. Visitation will be at Immanuel Baptist Church, 501 N. Shackleford Rd., Little Rock, Ark., on Tuesday, Nov. 1, 2011, from 5-7 p.m. The funeral service will be on Wednesday, Nov. 2, 2011, at 11 a.m. at the church, with interment to follow at Forrest Hills Memorial Park. Arrangements are with Roller-Chenal Funeral Home, (501)224-8300. In lieu of flowers, the family asks for donations to be made in Margaret’s memory to the Immanuel Baptist Church nursery ministry or the Alzheimer’s Association, 10411 West Markham, Slot 130, Little Rock, Ark. 72205. Onlineguestbook: www.rollerfuneralhomes.com/chenal.

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RUTH ANN GARRISON STRICKLAND, 82, of Little Rock, passedaway Saturday, Oct. 29, 2011. Born Oct. 24, 1929, she was the daughter of Fred and Ruth Duncan Garrison. She was retired from IRS as a tax payers assistant. She was precededin death by her parents; her husband and her sister, June. She is survived by her children, Deborah Malbrough (Lynn) and Lee Strickland (Heather); grandchildren, Amber Jackson, Ashley McElhaney, Mark Malbrough, Paul Malbrough, and Lauren Keppel; great-grandchildren, Kay and Duncan Jackson, Scarlett and Fionna McElhaney. She is also survived by one sister, Margie (Garrison) Brown. Visitation will be from 5 to 7 p.m. Tuesday, Nov. 1 at Griffin Leggett Healey & Roth, 5800 W. 12th St. Little Rock (501)661-9111. Graveside services will be at 11:30 a.m. Wednesday at Pinecrest Cemetery in Bryant. Memorials may be made to the Multiple Sclerosis Society. You can also share your memories at www.griffinleggetthealelyroth.com.

The family is rejoicing that Ruth is dancing with “her Bill” in Heaven.

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EVELYN WILSON, age 78, passed away Friday morning,Oct. 28, 2011. God prepared a place for her and called her home to be with Him. She was born April 22, 1933, to Joseph and Ethel Wilson in Dover, Ark. She attended schoolin Dover and moved to Little Rock after graduating. She completed her degree at Draughn’s Business School and took a job at Metropolitan Life Insurance Company where she worked for more than 20 years as office manager. Evelyn was a devoted daughter, sister and aunt and was deeply loyal to her family. She loved cats and spoiled them as much as possible. One of her favorite past-times was shopping and she enjoyed taking her friends along to shop for hours. Her special time of the week was her hair appointment and always looked forward to getting her hair and nails done.She had a great eye for fashion and never left the house unless she was perfectly dressed. Evelyn was a member of Immanuel Baptist Church and on Sunday mornings dialed into the Tele-Bible class and rarely missed a Sunday. When she did miss a class, Linda would call and check on her to make sure she was all right. Evelyn was such a sweet person who was devoted to family and many dear friends. Late in life, she was a wonderful caregiver to her sister Delena. We will all miss her deeply. Evelyn was preceded in death by her parents, Joseph Henry Wilson and Ethel Jones Wilson; her sister, Delena, and her brotherin-law, Cecil Loveless. She is survived by nephews Bob and wife Kathy Loveless and Larry and wife Kimberly Loveless; great-nephew Jacob and wife Kelly Loveless, great-niece Rebecca Loveless; and cousin John Ed and wife Nancy Moore. Visitation will be Tuesday, Nov. 1 at 10 a.m. at Roller-Chenal FuneralHome, (501)224-8300. Funeral service will follow immediately at 11 a.m. with Pastor Rick Jaggars officiating. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to Immanuel Baptist Church in Little Rock, or the charity of your choice. Online guestbook: www.rollerfuneralhomes.com/chenal.Arkansas

BEARDEN - Mary Helen Arnold, 78, of Bearden died Saturday, Oct. 29, 2011. Visitation will be Monday, 6 p.m. until 8 p.m. at Benton Funeral Home in Bearden. Funeral services will be 2 p.m. Tuesday at First Southern Baptist Church in Bearden. Burial at Moss Cemetery in Bearden. Arrangements by Benton Funeral Home in Fordyce/Bearden. To sign the online register, visit www.bentonfuneralhome.com.

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BRINKLEY - Frederick “Tiny” Rutherford, 64, Brinkley, died Friday.

Survivors include wife Karrol; three sons; one daughter; one brother; one sister; 47 grandchildren; 19 great-grandchildren; three great-great-grandchildren.

Graveside services Tuesday, 11 a.m., Arkansas State Veterans Cemetery, North Little Rock. Visitation Monday, 6-7 p.m. at Thompson-Wilson Wynne Funeral Home. 238-9400.

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BRYANT - Mary Maxine Raney, age 68, of Bryant died Oct. 28, 2011, at Baptist Memorial Hospital in Little Rock. She was born May 31, 1943, in Redfield, Ark., to the late Walter and Tessie Hyde. Maxine loved God, her family, her friends, golf, the Razorbacks and old Westerns ... in that order. She was a lifetime member of Society Hill Missionary Baptist Church in Benton,Ark. She attended Benton High School as well as the University of Arkansas at Little Rock and Holiday Inn University in Olive Branch, Miss. She worked for Holiday Inns for over 30 years, opening several new locations in the Central Arkansas area. Up until the time of her death, she worked for EGP, LLC Accountants in Bryant, Ark. Maxine is survived by her children, Chele, Missy, JP and his wife Elaine; her grandchildren, Matt, Dus’, Dyl’, Jordy and Sloan; two greatgrandchildren, Kendal and Lila Grace, as well as her two sisters, Vern and Pauline.

Visitation will be held from 6 to 8 p.m. Tuesday, Nov. 1, 2011 at Ashby Funeral Home in Benton, Ark.

Online guest book at www.ashbyfuneralhome.com.

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CAMDEN - Eula Mae Rogers, 63, of Camden died Sunday. Preceded by parents, Claude and Bonnie Canada and three brothers. Survivors: sons, Brian Kidd and Danny Kidd; six brothers; three sisters and seven grandchildren. Proctor Funeral Home of Camden in charge of arrangements. To sign the online guest register, visit www.proctorfuneralhome.com.

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FORDYCE - Eula Mae Todd, 70 of Fordyce died Friday, Oct.28, 2011 at Jefferson Regional Medical Center in Pine Bluff. She was born March 17, 1941, in Benton, Ill. She was a Baptist and a retired C.N.A. for Dallas County Nursing Home.She is preceded in death by her parents, John R. Todd and Zella Todd Sellers; husband, Elmer Todd Sr.; daughter, Rosemary Banks. She is survived by three sons, Daniel Stephens of Stroudsburg, Pa., James Stephens of Beattyville, Ky., Elmer Todd Jr. of Fordyce; one daughter and son-in-law, Angela and Calvin Sartin of Thornton; son-in-law Willie Banks of San Antonio, Texas; two brothers, Buddy Todd of Fordyce, Clyde Sellers of Bluford, Ill.; three sisters, Catherine Atkinson of Drexel Hill, Pa., Thelma Harris of Sheridan, Shirley Bryant of Cahokia, Ill.; five grandchildren and six great-grandchildren.Visitation will be Monday, 6 p.m. until 8 p.m. at Benton Funeral Home in Fordyce. Funeral services will be 2 p.m. Tuesday at Benton Funeral Home with Rev. James Givens officiating. Burial at Ebenezer Cemetery. Arrangements by Benton Funeral Home in Fordyce. To sign the online register, visit www.bentonfuneralhome.com.

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MAGNOLIA - Funeral services for Martha Sue Roberson, 81 of Magnolia will be Monday, Oct. 31, 2011 at 2 p.m. at the Asbury United Methodist Church. Burial will follow at Village Cemetery under the direction of Lewis Funeral Home of Magnolia.

Memorials may be made to the Asbury United Methodist Church. www.lewisfuneralhome. biz.

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MALVERN - Evie Darlene Breashears, 80, Malvern died Oct. 29. Survivors: Children, James, Curtis, Eddie and David Breashears, Mary Jo Carter, Georgia Sveda, Dorene Duncan, Corene Bragg, Kitty Porta, Jessica Bates.

Visitation Monday, Oct. 31, from 4-6 p.m. at Regency. Funeral Tuesday, Nov. 1, 11 a.m., Refuge Baptist Church, Story, Ark. Guestbook, regencyfuneralhome.com.

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MENA - George “Mike” Raymond Evans, age 89, of Mena, passed away Friday, Oct. 28, 2011 in Mena. Graveside services will be Tuesday, Nov. 1, 2011, 2 p.m. at Six-Mile Cemetery in Hatfield, Ark. Services are under the direction of the Beasley-Wood Funeral Home of Mena.

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ODEN - Carlton Charlie Fryar, age 87, of Oden, died Saturday. Services will be 2 p.m., Monday, in the Mt. Olive Missionary Baptist Church with interment in the Mt. Olive Cemetery under the direction of Davis-Smith Funeral Home, Glenwood. Visitation will be Sunday, 6 p.m.-8 p.m. Guest registry at www.davis-smith.com.

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RUSSELLVILLE - Bradley Keith Wilson, 38, of Russellville,Ark., passed away on Friday, Oct. 28, 2011.

Born in Dardenelle, Ark., on April 16, 1973, he was a son to Keith Wilson and Rhoda Ann Irby Cole. Bradley attended college atEast Texas A&M University and worked in technical support for N.E.W.

He was a loving son who enjoyed peace and quiet and loved to read.

He was preceded in death by his paternal grandfather Winfred Farris Wilson and his maternal grandparents, William and Catherine Irby.

Survivors include his parents Keith Wilson and wife Dede of Russellville and Rhoda Ann Cole and husband John of Corpus Christi, Texas, and a host of extended family and friends.

Graveside services will be held at 11 a.m. on Tuesday, Nov. 1, at Oak Bowery Cemetery in Conway.

Roller McNutt Funeral Home in Conway will direct the service. Online guest book: www.rollerfuneralhomes.com.