Obituaries

LITTLE ROCK — OBITUARIES 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, arkansasonline.com/obituaries/.

PULASKI COUNTY

Bettie Ruth Hibbs, 86, Jacksonville.

Earl Ray Hill, 87, North Little Rock.

Orville W. Meeks, 89, Little Rock.

Charles E. Mulkey Sr., 74, Little Rock.

Rosalie Sullivent, 82, Little Rock.

Robert William Theus, 78, Little Rock.

ELSEWHERE IN ARKANSAS

BERRYVILLE Mary Ruth May, 64.

BRYANT Flora May Linz, 83.

CAVE CITY Mauverine Miller Sewell, 84.

CENTER RIDGE Roberta Sue Donuhue, 74.

DOVER Bruce Elmo Thornton, 80.

EL DORADO Blake Smith Hosford, 57.

MOUNTAIN VIEW Angela Helms Freeze, 81.

NEW EDINBURG Cecil King, 72.

NEWPORT Alan Monday, 80.

PINE BLUFF John P. Gross, 52.

WARREN Mary Ellen Veazey James, 82.

YELLVILLE Rhoda Isaac, 84.

Pulaski County

On March 30, 2012, BETTIE RUTH HIBBS completed her journey onearth. She was born May 11, 1925, in Claremore, Okla., to the late Lewis and Lois Ritter, and later moved with her family to Booneville, Ark. She met and married Albert Hibbs there andabout 1948, they moved to Jacksonville, Ark., where they raised seven children. Our mother will be remembered for her love and dedication to her church and family. She swore she would never be called “Granny,” yet she was called Granny starting with her first grandchild, and will always be called Granny by all of us. Mom could make “Sunday Dinner” to die for, and all were welcome. She was always up for a practical joke, could make every day an adventure. She never gave up on any of us when we disappointed her many times.

She is preceded in death by her husband, Albert; her son Gary; and her son-in-law Charles Rose. She is survived by her sons Larry (Dee Dee), Dick, Glen and Tim (Sue); and daughters Donna Rose and Susan Pope; and two special daughtersin-law, Barbara (Joe) Shilling and Cindy Hibbs. She is also survived by her grandchildren Brian (Patty) Hibbs, Jeff Hibbs, Holly (Darren) Fairchild, Brett (Tina) Hibbs, Chad and David Rose, Richard and Gary Hibbs, and Desiree Roush; greatgrandchildren B.J., Taylor, Matthew, Zach, Jessica, Tiffany, and Melissa Hibbs, Austin Rose, Kris, Damon, Jackson; and a great-great-grandchild, Logan Hibbs; two sisters, Thelma and Agness of Washington State. Mom was a member of First United Methodist Church in Jacksonville, where her service will be on Tuesday, April 3, 2012 at 11 a.m. with Reverend Mark McDonald officiating. Interment will follow in Rest Hills Memorial Park. Visitation will be from 6 p.m. until 8 p.m. Monday, April 2, 2012 at Moore’s Jacksonville Funeral Home. Arrangements by Moore’s Jacksonville Funeral Home, (501) 982-2136. Sign online guestbook at www.mooresjacksonvillefuneralhome.com.

--◊--

EARL RAY HILL, 87, of North Little Rock passed away on Saturday,March 31, 2012. He was born on May 7, 1924, in Milwaukee, Wis., the son of Ida Emma Zeuske Hill and Ray Hill. He grew up in North Dakota and moved to Kansas City, Kan. He was a graduateof Manual High School in Kansas City, Kan., and was drafted before he finished high school. He served in Patton’s Third Army and was a sergeant. He participated in the Battle of the Bulge and received a silver star. If he had stayed one extra day for paperwork, he would have received a Purple Heart, but anyone who knew Earl understands he chose to come home instead. He got called back to Korea, and served two years at Camp Pendleton as a Marine.

He came home and went to Missouri Central State on a GI bill, where he earned double degrees in chemistry and physics with a minor in math. It was there that he met Margaret Lee Hamilton, married and moved to Harrison, Ark., where he was employed by the Treasury Department as an agent for Alcohol, Tobacco and Firearms, as it was known then. He retired as an ATF agent at 51 years old. Earl was an avid golfer and enjoyed going with friends and family to thebeach. He could be found with his friends at the round table at U.S. Pizza in Levy, where he served as past president of the “Table of Knowledge.” Earl helped his friends with their endeavors. He helped Burt Sinkey, a very close friend, and also his friend Judy Waller Breece with the Pizza Companies where he had the “Big Earl” named for him.

Earl was preceded in death by his parents; his brother Roy, who died at age 19 on Okinawa. He is survived by his daughters, Nancy Ragan (Rick), Mary “Resa” Mullins (Joel, who was his best friend); three granddaughters, Shonda Phelps (Michael), Amy Crawford (Randy), and Katie Mullins (Adam); three great-grandsons, Porter, Connor, and Asher; his sister, Grace McCracken (Donald); two nephews; one niece; and numerous great-nieces and nephews. He had many friends, and nicknames for everyone. Visitation will be held from 6 to 8 p.m. Monday at North Little Rock Funeral Home. Graveside service is pending at Arkansas State Veterans Cemetery. Arrangements by North Little Rock Funeral Home, 1921 Main St., 758-1170. Online obituary and guest registry at www.nlrfh.com.

--◊--

ORVILLE WILLIAM MEEKS, 89, of Little Rock died Saturday, March 31, 2012. Born March 5, 1923, in Benton, Ark., he was the son of Robert Homer and Margaret E. Meek Meeks. A veteran of World War II, he was a retired mechanic with Arkansas Best Freight. He attended Mabelvale First Missionary Baptist Church and enjoyed camping and bluegrass music. Survivors include his wife, Bertha, of the home; three daughters, Rhonda Gassaway and her husband, Steven, of Beaver, Ark., Regina Clark and her husband, Kenny, of Berryville, Ark., and Tamara Rummel and her husband, Charles, of Jacksonville, Ark.; seven step children; six grandchildren; and 14 step grandchildren.Graveside services will be held at 11 a.m. Tuesday at Corinth Cemetery (Grant County) with Rev. Robbie Horn officiating. Visitation will be from 5 p.m. until 7 p.m. today (Monday) at Griffin Leggett Healey & Roth, 5800 W. 12th St., Little Rock, (501) 661-9111. Memorials may be made to Mabelvale First Missionary Baptist Church, 10300 Mabelvale West Road, Mabelvale, Ark. 72103. To sign the online guestbook, go to www.griffinleggetthealeyroth.com.

--◊--

CHARLES E. MULKEY SR., age 74, of Little Rock, died March 30, 2012, at Bentonville Manor in Bentonville. He was born in California on Nov. 28, 1937. Survivors include sons Chuck Mulkey and wife Jackie of Cave Springs, David Mulkey of Pine Bluff; and granddaughter Jaelyn Mulkey. No services are planned. Cremation by Callison-Lough Funeral Home of Bentonville.

--◊--

ROSALIE SULLIVENT, 82, found her place in Heaven on March 31,2012. Her laughter, quick wit and chats will be dearly missed by family and friends. Rosalie was preceded in death by her parents, Tom Lee and Savannah Beane; sister, Estelee Rankin; andbrother, Clois Beane. Her survivors include her son, Alton Sullivent Jr. of Marysville, Tenn.; her daughter, Sue Wagner and son-in-law Kenny Wagner of Lake Worth, Fla.; her granddaughters, Sandy Sisson and Debbie Schulze; and two greatgrandchildren. The family invites you to a celebration of her life at Moore’s Funeral Home, 1504 Loop Road, Jacksonville, Ark., from 4-6 p.m. Tuesday, April 3, 2012. The family will be at 109 Cambridge Place Drive, Little Rock, Ark. Graveside services will be held Wednesday, April 4, 2012 at 10 a.m. at Chapel Hill Memorial Park in Jacksonville. Online condolences may be made at www.mooresjacksonvillefuneralhome.com. The family wishes to express gratitude to the staff of Hospice Home Care Inpatient Center and especially to Dr. Morgan Sauer. A special thank you to her sister-in-law Wendi MarnettePennington, who provided extraordinary loving care and comfort to Rosalie and her family during her final illness.

--◊--

ROBERT WILLIAM THEUS, 78, of Little Rock, husband, father, grandfather, educator, and sports enthusiast, who excelled in football and baseball, died April 1, 2012. He was born Dec. 13, 1933 in Moline, Ill., to the late Robert W. Theus and Evelyn Corey Theus. He was a retired professor who taught at Kearney State in Kearney, Neb., and later at Bradley University in Peoria, Ill. He was an undergraduate of Henderson University, and received his Ph.D. at Southern Illinois University in Carbondale, Ill. Robert was a member of 1st Baptist Church, Little Rock. Survivors include his wife of 58 years, Wanda Thomas Theus; five children: Robert Theus (Linda) of Jacksonville, Fla.; Nancy DeWalt (Dane) of Peoria, Ill.; and Jean Theus, Sue Theus and John Theus (Allison), all of Little Rock; 10 grandchildren: Corey, Michael, Winnie, Brandon, Steffi, Annika, J.D., Jacob, Meredith and Owen. He was preceded in death by his parents. Memorial service will be held at 10 a.m. Wednesday at 1st Baptist Church, Little Rock. In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made to Arkansas Hospice, 14 Parkstone Circle, North Little Rock, Ark., 72116. Arrangements by North Little Rock Funeral Home, 1921 Main Street, 758-1170. Online obituary and guest registry at www.nlrfh.com.

Arkansas

BRYANT - On Friday evening, March 30, 2012, Flora May Linz,83, of Bryant passed from this earth surrounded by family and friends. She was born Sept. 2, 1928 in Bauxite to the late Nick and Alice Rodgers Patrick. She was a homemaker and a member ofthe Central Church of Christ (Bryant). Flora enjoyed the nature of their yard, writing poetry, working crossword puzzles and spending time with her family. She is preceded in death by her beloved husband, Max; sisters, Ruthalee Hobbs, Pauline Parsons, Mary Bridges, and Marie Reeves; brothers, Elmer Patrick, Sam Patrick and Charles Patrick. She leaves behind one sister, Mildred Howard of Jacksonville; and one brother, Nick “Sonny” Patrick of Huntsville, Ala.; three sons, Michael Linz (Hermine) of Conway, Corky Linz of Bryant and Stewart Linz (Rhonda) of Benton; one daughter Deborah Hutchings (Larry) of Bryant; 14 grandchildren; and 18 great-grandchildren. Funeral services will be 10 a.m., Tuesday, April 3, 2012 at Roller-Drummond Funeral Home, 10900 Interstate 30, Little Rock, Ark. 72209, (501) 455-5800, with Mr. Reggie Nalls officiating. Burial will follow at Forest Hills Memorial Park on Highway 5. Family will receive friends 6-8 p.m., Monday, April 2, 2012 at the funeral home. This host of loved ones will meet one last time at the home she created to celebrate the life of their sister, aunt, friend, mother, grandmother and great-grandmother. Online guestbook: www.rollerfuneralhomes.com/drummond.

--◊--

CAVE CITY - Mauverine Miller Sewell, 84, of Cave City died Saturday March 31, 2012. Memorial services will be Tuesday April 3, 2012 at 10 a.m. at the Qualls Batesville Funeral Service Chapel in Batesville. Visitation, 8:30 a.m. until service time. Interment, Center Grove Cemetery at Charlotte. Arrangements by Qualls Batesville Funeral Service.

--◊--

CENTER RIDGE - Mrs. RobertaSue Chisam Donahue, 74, of Center Ridge, Ark. went peacefully to be with the Lord Friday, March 30, 2012. Roberta was born Aug. 12, 1937 in Miniville, Mo. to Richard and Daisy Chisam. She wasan obedient child of God and member of Formosa Baptist Church in Formosa, Ark. Roberta was a loving wife of 58 years, mother and grandmother. She especially loved to attend sporting events to watch her children and grandchildren. She had a fondness of the country life with interests in gardening, flowers and farm animals. In her spare time she enjoyed traveling, fishing and crocheting. Roberta was preceded in death by her parents; one sister, Melba Chisam; and one daughter, Pamela Carol Donahue Huie. She is survived by her husband, Jerry Donahue; two sons, Kevin Donahue and wife Aimee of Clinton, Ark., and Jay Donahue and wife Debra of Clinton, Ark.; two daughters, Debra Cargile of Clinton, Ark., and Laurie Flickinger and husband Rusty of Center Ridge, Ark.; 16 grandchildren, one step grandchild; 21 great-grandchildren; and two step greatgrandchildren; one sister, Louella Smith and husband Lyle of Fort Collins, Colo. Pallbearers: Travis Cornwell, Ronnie Donahue, Tim Moore, Clinton Donahue, Weston Donahue, Jonas Donahue, Skyler Donahue, Rusty Flickinger Jr., and Dakota Flickinger. Visitation was 2-4 p.m. Sunday, April 1, 2012 and Funeral Service will be 2 p.m. Monday, April 2, 2012 at Roller-McNutt Funeral Home Chapel Clinton, Ark. with Pastor Gordon Lemings officiating. Burial will follow at Halbrook Cemetery. Funeral Arrangements are under the care and direction of Roller-McNutt Funeral Home of Clinton, Ark. Online guest book: www.rollerfuneralhomes.com.

--◊--

DOVER - Bruce Elmo Thornton, 80, of Dover, died Friday, March 30 at home. Graveside service at 2 p.m. on Tuesday, April 3, at McFadden Cemetery at Dover by Shinn Funeral Service of Russellville. Visitation is from 5-7 p.m. on Monday at the funeral home. The full obituary and guestbook at www.shinnfuneral.com.

--◊--

EL DORADO - Blake Hosford, 57, died Friday. He was a member of St. Mary's Episcopal Church, where Fr. Bob Allen and Fr. Chuck Chapman will celebrate his Requiem, at 2 p.m. on Tuesday. Memorials may be made to St. Mary's Episcopal Church, 512 Champagnolle Road, or to the John R. Williamson Hospice House.

--◊--

MOUNTAIN VIEW - Angela Helms Freeze, 81, died March 31, 2012, in Mountain View. Survived by her husband Ralph; son Larry Freeze and wife Jane; and grandson Mickey Freeze. Funeral service is 2 p.m. April 2, 2012, at School Ave. Church of Christ, Mountain View. Online guestbook www.rollerfuneralhomes.com.

--◊--

NEW EDINBURG - Cecil King, 72, of New Edinburg, died Saturday, March 31, 2012. Services are 2 p.m. Monday at First Free Will Baptist Church in Warren with burial in Shady Grove Cemetery. Visitation is 6 to 8 p.m. Sunday at Buie Funeral Home. Arrangements by Buie Funeral Home of Rison (870) 325-6216. Online guestbook at www.buiefuneralhome.com.

--◊--

NEWPORT - Mr. Alan Monday, 80, of Newport, departedthis life Friday, March 30, 2012, in Batesville. He was born Sept. 15, 1931, in Newport, Ark., the son of Cecil Alan Monday and Mary Mildred Foushee Monday. Mr. Monday was amember of St. Paul's Episcopal Church where he served on the Vestry for 35 years and Jr. and Sr. Warden. He was an active member of Lion’s Club, served on the Newport Water Commission for 30 years, the Newport Fire Department from 1955-1996 and was Assistant Fire Chief for 20 years, he worked at Victor Metal for 25 years, co-owner of Wright’s Hardware and Guinn and Monday Hardware, served in the U.S. Air Force, collected coins and stamps and loved to spend time with his family.

He was preceded in death by his parents, Cecil Alan Monday and Mary Mildred Foushee Monday; sister, Elizabeth Jane Monday Alexander; and grandson Brent Ellis Monday. Mr. Monday is survived by his wife of 57 years, Irene Guinn Monday of Newport; son, David Monday and wife Jan of Newport; daughter, Leslie Cockrill and husband Doug of Newport; grandchildren, Eric Cockrill of Tyler, Texas, Maggie Coe and husband Blake of Jonesboro, and Laci Cockrill of Newport; several nieces, nephews, cousins, and a host of friends.

Funeral service will be 10 a.m. Tuesday, April 3, 2012, at St. Paul’s Episcopal Church with Russ Snapp officiating, burial in Walnut Grove Cemetery. Pallbearers will be Alan Gansz, Jeff Phillips, David Stewart, Delbert Coburn, Gary Bradley, and Mike Mink. Visitation will be from 6 to 8 p.m. Monday, April 2, 2012, at the funeral home. Arrangements by Dillinger Funeral Home. www.dillingerfuneralhome.com.

--◊--

PINE BLUFF - John P. Gross, age 52, of Pine Bluff, died Saturday, March 31, 2012, in Birmingham, Ala., where he had resided for the past few years. Funeral arrangements for John are incomplete and will be announced by Fuller Hale-South Funeral Services. Online condolences to the family may be made at FullerFunerals.com.

--◊--

WARREN - Mary Ellen Veazey James age 82 of Warren, Ark. died Saturday, March 31 at J.R.M.C. in Pine Bluff, Ark. She was born Sept. 28, 1929 in Bradley County, Ark. a daughter of the late Lavoisier Matthews Veazey and Willie Jeanette Martin Veazey. She began her career as an employee with Bell Telephone as a switch operator before it went "Dial," she assisted her husband as secretary of James's Glass and Body, helped pioneer the female entrepreneurial spirit in Warren by opening a Mod-o-Day Clothing Store and eventually opening Mary’s House of Fashion in down town Warren’s main street for 20 years. She was a 50 year active member of Immanuel Baptist Church, served in the Joy Sunday School Class and loved volunteering with the church’s Jerusalem’s Project. She was past president of the Bradley County Chamber of Commerce. She was preceded in death by her husband Luther P. James on July 1, 2006. They were united in marriage on April 25, 1953. Also, preceding her in death is a sister Vivian Ferrell. Mary Ellen James is survived by two daughters, Jennie Lynn James, Bryant, Ark., andPaula Lewis and spouse Randall, Warren, Ark. Two brothers, Ray Veazey, Godfrey Place, Ark., and Gene Veazey, Monticello, Ark. Three grandchildren, Mackenzie Barrett, Dallas, Texas, James Lewis and Haley Lewis both of Warren, Ark. Funeral services 2 p.m. Tuesday, April 3 at Frazer’s Chapel. Burial in Oakland Cemetery by Frazer’s Funeral Home. Visitation 6 p.m. till 8 p.m. Monday at Frazer’s. Memorial's preferred the Immanuel Baptist Church’s “Jerusalem Project,” 701 West Pine Street, Warren, Ark. 71671. Online guestbook www.frazerfuneralhome.com.

--◊--

YELLVILLE - Rhoda Isaac, 84, of Yellville died Friday, March 30, 2012, at her residence. Graveside services will be 3 p.m., Monday, April 2, 2012, at the De Soto Cemetery near Yellville. Burial will be immediately following by Conner-Hankins Funeral Home. The online obituary and guestbook are available online at www.conner-hankinsfuneralhome.com.