Obituaries

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, at arkansasonline.com/ obituaries/.

PULASKI COUNTY Almarene Edwards Cox, 87, of Jacksonville.

ELSEWHERE IN ARKANSAS ARKADELPHIA Clyde Doyce Hester, 86.

ATKINS Dale Kurtz Jr., 35.

BENTON Doris Jean White, 79.

CABOT Sandra Jean Clayton, 73.

CADDO VALLEY Mary Frances Allen, 99.

CAMDEN Viola May Armstrong Bryant, 72.

CAVE CITY John Wayne Newberry, 60.

CLINTON Flossie B Ward, 99.

CONWAY Angela “Angel” Yvonne Blount Schichtl, 67.

EL DORADO Jane (Crosley) Wright, 99.

EUDORA John Joseph Serio, 93.

MALVERN Maria Hawthorne, 84.

Gregory Johnson, 63.

MORRILTON Carl Allen Hill, 61.

PINE BLUFF Peter A. “Pete” Makris, 88.

STUTTGART Merry Christine Newkirk, 52.

WYNNE Cheryl Utley, 65.

OUT-OF-STATE POPE, Miss.

Ruby Jane (Carey) Gibson, 90.

Pulaski County

JACKSONVILLE - Mrs. Almarene Edwards Cox, age 87, of Jacksonville, Ark., formerly of Hope, passed away, Sunday, Dec. 22, 2013 in Jacksonville surrounded by her family. She was born in Columbus, Ark. on July 6, 1926 to Claude and Lillian Faulkner Edwards. Mrs. Cox was a member of Unity Baptist Church in Hope. She was a long-time office manager at Stephens Grocer Co., a member of the Eastern Star, and the Business & Professional Women’s Association. She loved gardening, cooking, being a homemaker, and spending time with her family. She was a dedicated pastor’s wife. She is preceded in death by her parents; her husband, Bro. Charles Merlin Cox; and daughter, Duwana Gail Cox; brothers, Orie, Lehman, Doyle, Lloyd, and Wilton Edwards; and sister, Virgie Hatfield.

Survivors include: one son, Charles Steven Cox, (Kathy) of Dumas, Texas; three daughters, Myrle Cox Swope, (Jerry) of Cabot, Sharon Cox of Sherwood, Anna Cox May, (John) of Sherwood; seven grandchildren, Julie (Miles) Keeney, April (Chad) Tefteller, Justin (Amanda) Swope, Angela (John David) Wilson, Adam May, Kyle (Kim) Cox, Dallas Cox; nine great-grandchildren, Garrett, Jack, Grace, Hannah, Cameron, Trace, Tyson, Lydia, and Sawyer; a host of nieces and nephews; and special friends, Ralph and Elva Pay.

Funeral service will be Tuesday, Dec. 24, 2013, at 11 a.m. with visitation an hour prior to the service at Unity Baptist Church. Burial will follow in Memory Gardens Cemetery in Hope. Bro. Glen Tropp and Bro. Jim Ward will officiate the service. A visitation will also be held at North Hills Baptist Church, 9618 Hwy 107, Sherwood, Ark., today, Dec. 23, 2013 in the evening from 5-7 p.m. Memorials can be made in her memory to Unity Baptist Church or North Hills Baptist Church. Arrangements are by Brazzel The Funeral Home of Hope, Eddie Brazzel, Director. Online guestbook: www.brazzelfuneralhomes.com.

Arkansas

ARKADELPHIA - Clyde Doyce Hester, age 86, of Arkadelphia, died Thursday, Dec. 19, 2013. Funeral services will be at 1 p.m. Monday, Dec. 23 at Ruggles-Wilcox Funeral Home. Interment will be in Shadowlawn Cemetery in Malvern. Family will receive friends prior to the service. Online guest register is available at www.ruggleswilcox.com.

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ATKINS - Dale Kurtz Jr., 35, of Atkins died Friday. Survivors include wife, Cassie Kurtz; two children; parents; three sisters; two stepbrothers.

Funeral services will be conducted at 2 p.m., Monday, interment following at Atkin Cemetery. Visitation 1 p.m. till service time at Thompson-Wilson Wynne Funeral Home. 870-238-9400 www.thompsonwilsonfh.com.

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BENTON - Doris Jean White, age 79, passed away Dec. 20, 2013. She was born to the late Andrew and Elizabeth Barker on April 24, 1934 in Truman, Ark.

Doris is survived by two daughters, Jacqueline (Jackie) Rogers and husband Rick of Lettsworth, La. and Belinda (Binki) Jonesand husband Charles of Benton, Ark.; grandchildren, StephanieBlackwood and husband Jim, Richard Rogers and wife Lacey, Brandi Crabtree and husband Jerry, Brian Jones, and Brooke Lacour and husband Shane; great grandchildren, Tyler, Madison, Jordan, Sydnee, Richard, Oliver, Anna Grace, Hayden, and Braxton; great-great grandchildren, Peyton, Brantley, and soon to arrive Preston; as well as many other extended family members and friends, all who loved her dearly and will miss her always.

Doris was preceded in death by her husband, Conway A. White.

Doris worked for Wal-Mart for over 15 years where she retired. She enjoyed spending time with her family, especially her grandchildren. She is remembered for spending time coloring with her grandchildren and working crossword puzzles. Christmas was her favorite time of the year.

Graveside service will be Monday, Dec. 23, 2013 at 2:30 p.m. at Forest Hills Cemetery. Arrangements are under the care of Smith Family Funeral Home, 322 N. Market, Benton, Ark. For information call 501-778-7100. Online guestbook: www.smithfamilycares.com.

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CABOT - Sandra Jean Clayton, age 73, of Cabot, went to bewith her Lord on Saturday, Dec. 21, 2013. She was born March 22, 1940 in Abernathy, Texas to the late Melvin and Annalee Johnson. Upon her retirement from Louisiana Tech in 2001,she and Carlton moved to Cabot to be closer to their children and grandchildren.

She was a faithful member of Southside Church of Christ in Cabot, member of the Greystone Bunko Club, she was the chaplain of the American Legion Ladies Auxiliary, past treasurer Magness Creek POA, and a member of the 16th Section Neighborhood Ladies Group. Mrs. Clayton enjoyed attending country and western music concerts, and will always be remembered as a people person who never met a stranger. She was known as “Meme” to her grandchildren whom she adored and was very involved in their lives.

She is survived by her husband of 51 years, Carlton Clayton; two children, Carlton Chris Clayton and his wife Julie of Sherwood, Cynthia Jean Hunter and her husband Todd of Searcy; six grandchildren, Marideth Firman and her husband Julian, Allyson Dodds and her husband Brandon, Kyle Clayton, Landon Clayton; one sister, Nita Kaye Douglas of Coppell, Texas; and one nephew, Chad Douglas.

Funeral services will be 3 p.m. Monday, Dec. 23, 2013 at Moore’s Cabot Funeral Home with Minister Bruce Tucker officiating. Visitation will be one hour prior to service.

In lieu of flowers memorials may be made to the Paragould Children’s Home 5515 Walcott Road Paragould, Ark. 72450.

Arrangements by Moore’s Cabot Funeral Home (501) 843-5816. Sign online guestbook at www.moorescabotfuneralhome.com.

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CADDO VALLEY - Mary Frances Allen, 99, of Caddo Valley died Saturday. Private family services will be held.

Memorials may be made to the Foster Grandparent Program, C/O Shirley McMillian, OBU, 510 Ouachita, Arkadelphia, Ark. 71923.

Final arrangements are entrusted to The Welch Funeral Home of Arkadelphia. Visit www.welchfh.net to sign the guest book.

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CAMDEN - Viola May Armstrong Bryant, 72, of Camdendied Saturday Dec. 21, 2013 at Ouachita County Medical Center. Born June 29, 1941 at Kansas City, Mo., she was a daughter of the late Christopher Merle and Ruth TracyArmstrong. She was preceded in death by her husband, Billy Wayne Bryant; a son, David Wayne Bryant; a daughter, Taura Beatrice Bryant; a grandchild, Jerimy Smith; and nine siblings. She is survived by two daughters, Taresa Funderburg of Camden, Tammy Davis of Mt. Pleasant, Texas; two sons, Terry Bryant of Fordyce, Trayson Bryant of Camden; three brothers, Benny Armstrong of Sulphur Springs, Texas, Chris Armstrong of Pendal, Ark., Tommy Armstrong of Houston, Texas; a sister, Alice Armstrong of Sulphur Springs, Texas; nine grandchildren; and eight great-grandchildren. The family will receive friends Tuesday from 12-1:30 p.m. at Benton Funeral Home in Fordyce. Graveside services will be 2 p.m. Tuesday at McCoy Cemetery. Arrangements by Benton Funeral Home of Fordyce. To sign the online register visit www.bentonfuneralhome.net.

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CAVE CITY - John Wayne Newberry, 60, Cave City died Saturday. Survivors: son, Jeremy Newberry Sr.; daughter, Carol Newberry Clark, husband Ray; his dog, Scooter; one brother, Jimmy Newberry; two sisters, Rosie Hutchinson and Tresae Lavelle; and four grandchildren. Funeral: 2 p.m. Monday, Jackson’s Newport Funeral Home Chapel. Interment: Hickory Grove Cemetery. www.jacksonfh.com.

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CLINTON - Flossie B. Ward 99, of Clinton, Arkansas passedaway Saturday, Dec. 21, 2013 at Ozark Health Nursing Center. She was born March 1, 1914 in Center Ridge, Ark. to the late John and Lucy (Gordon) Neal.

She was a member ofHickory Grove General Baptist Church for more than 75 years.

She is survived by her son, Doyne and wife Helen; two grand-daughters, Pamela and husband Steve Bone, and Lisa and husband Stacy Kirk; three great-grandchildren, Dalton Jackson, Emily Kirk, and Abby Bone; three step-great-grandchildren, Ashley Flickinger, Tyler Kirk, and Chase Kirk.

A special thank you to the Ozark Health Nursing Center Staff and Dr. Coward for their compassionate care.

Pallbearers: James Smith, Ralph Bryant, Ronnie Pearson, Brian Bryant, Harold D. Bryant, and Roger Edwards.

Visitation will be 1 p.m. and Funeral Service will be 2 p.m. Monday, Dec. 23, 2013 at Roller-McNutt Funeral Home Chapel Clinton, Ark. with Dr. Bruce Bryant officiating. Burial will follow in Halbrook Cemetery.

Funeral 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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CONWAY - Angela “Angel” Yvonne Blount Schichtl, 67, of Conway passed away Saturday, Dec. 21, 2013. She was born Oct. 10, 1946, in Brady, Texas, to the late Andrew Blount Sr. and Johnnye Hinkle Blount.

Angel was a longtime member of St. Joseph Catholic Church and a skilled draftsman. She retired from University of Central Arkansas after 17 years of service. Granny Angel loved taking care of her grandchildren and was also a mother to children who were not her own andwas always giving them advice. Angel was always willing to lend a hand to others at a moment’s notice.

Angel is survived by her soulmate, love of her life and best friend of 44 years, Butch Schichtl. Her children, Bryna Mitchell (Todd) of Conway, Lance Schichtl (Tracy) of Morrilton, Chata Hickey (Mike) of Conway and Nick Schichtl (Rachel) of Conway. Brother, Andrew Joseph Blount Jr. of Godley, Texas; grandchildren, Tabitha Lasley, Andrew and Brock Mitchell, Kayla and Trey Hickey, Olivia, Lucy and Ty Schichtl of Conway. Close cousins, Bobby and Maureen Green of Godley, Texas, as well as numerous nieces and nephews.

Rosary is at 6 p.m. Thursday, Dec. 26 with visitation after at Roller-McNutt Funeral Home in Conway (501) 327-7727. Christian Mass will be held at 11 a.m. at St. Joseph Catholic Church, Friday, Dec. 27. Serving as honorary pallbearers will be Kirt Blount, Shawn Schichtl, Luke Schichtl, George William Schichtl, Little Jim Schichtl, Sharon Duclos, Clay Hart and Scott Schichtl. A family gathering will follow at the Parish Hall. Online guestbook: www.rollerfuneralhomes.com.

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EL DORADO - Jane (Crosley) Wright, age 99, passed away Saturday, Dec. 21, 2013, at Hudson Nursing Home in El Dorado.She was born Oct. 19, 1914, in El Dorado to George Robert and Winnie (Butler) Crosley.

She was a member of First Baptist Church in El Dorado, Ark. She was a retired deputy clerk for the U.S. government. Jane loved spending time with her family. She will continue to be loved and missed by all who knew her.

She was preceded in death by her parents and husband, Walter L. Wright.

Those left to cherish her memory are her son, Nathan Wisinger, and wife, Marilyn, of El Dorado; two grandchildren, Carol (Wisinger) Nesbit of El Dorado and Michael Nathan Wisinger and wife, Christy, of Little Rock, Ark; five great-grandchildren, Mark Alan Jelks of Russellville, Lauren (Nesbit) Ritchie and husband, Austin, of El Dorado, Jamie Nesbit of El Dorado, Isabella Wisinger of Little Rock, Ark., and Ava Wisinger of Little Rock, Ark.; great-great-grandson, Jaxon Paul Ritchie of El Dorado; one brother, George Robert Crosley Jr,. and wife, Mary Jo, of El Dorado; one niece, Georgene Jones of Baton Rouge, La.; Davis Crosley of Muscatine, Iowa; and a host of friends.

Visitation will be 6-8 p.m. Sunday evening at Bailey Funeral Home in El Dorado.

Funeral services will be at 2 p.m. Monday, Dec. 23, 2013, at Bailey Funeral Home Chapel with Bro. Matt Pearson officiating. Burial will follow at Woodlawn Cemetery under the direction of Bailey Funeral Home in El Dorado.

Sign our online registry at www.baileyfuneralhome.net.

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EUDORA - John Joseph Serio of Eudora, Ark., joined his beloved wife, Dot, in Heaven on Dec. 21, 2013. He was born on March 25, 1920, in Lake Village, Ark., to Vince and Congetta Serio, his father being a Sicilian immigrant. He was a lifelongresident of Eudora (except for the war years) and was known by all as “Mr. Johnnie.” He graduated from Eudora High School in 1938. He was a 1937 co-captain of the Eudora Badgers and was named an all-district guard in the Southeast Conference. He was called to duty by “Uncle Sam” in December of 1941, became part of Co. B, 1st Bn., 127th Inf. Regiment, 32nd Division (the Red Arrows), and in December of 1942, almost 71 years to the day of his death, he participated in the capture of Buna, New Guinea. It was the first U.S. Army ground campaign victory over the Japanese. He was awarded the Bronze Medal. He suffered malaria, was returned to Australia, where he met a beautiful Australian girl who was to be his wife for over 67 years before her death. Their love story was a feature of the Arkansas Democrat-Gazette on April 24, 2011.

He returned to his beloved Eudora after the war to be joined by his wife and young son a year later. The family decided to return to Australia but after a little more than a year, his father invited him to take over Serio’s Grocery and he returned to Eudora, never to depart. He, along with his wife, were the owners and operators of Serio’s Grocery until they retired.

Johnnie served more than 25 years on the Eudora City Council and was a deacon, then an elder of the Eudora Presbyterian Church. He was one of those men who made the “Greatest Generation” great and made small-town Arkansas a wonderful home.

He is survived by his son, Robert G. Serio, and wife, Angie, of Clarendon; and his daughter, Keryn C. Cantrell, and her husband, William “Bubba” Cantrell, of Wright. He is also survived by three grandchildren, Gina Simpson of Bryant, Brian Cantrell of Hernando, Miss., and Rob Serio of Springdale; and six great-grandchildren, Sydney Harrell, Anna Simpson, Kyra Serio, Ian Serio, Caroline Cantrell and Will Cantrell.

Funeral services will be held Monday, Dec. 23, 2013, at 2 p.m. at the Eudora Methodist Church under the direction of Griffin-Culpepper Funeral Home with Rev. John D’Arezzo officiating. Visitation will be from 12-1:30 on said Monday at the Eudora Methodist Church. The family desires that in lieu of flowers, memorials be made to Arkansas Children’s Hospital, P. O. Box 2222, Little Rock, Ark. 72203, the Arkansas Hospice Foundation, 5600 W. 12th St., Little Rock, Ark. 72204,or the Mount Carmel Cemetery Assn. of Eudora. Online guestbook may be signed at www.griffinculpepper.com.

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MALVERN - Maria Hawthorne, 84, of Malvern died Sunday, Dec. 22, 2013.

Children, Elsa Dunan, Mary Lee Watkins, Marsha Alston and Linda Lavelle.

Visitation will be Tuesday, Dec. 24 from 10-11 a.m. at Regency, Malvern.

Funeral, Tuesday, Dec. 24, 11 a.m., Regency. Burial, Francois Cemetery.

Arrangements, Regency Funeral Home. Guestbook, www.regencyfuneralhome.com.

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MALVERN - Gregory Johnson, 63, of Malvern passed away Dec. 18, 2013. Funeral service will be Tuesday Dec. 24 at noon at Mt. Zion Baptist Church. Pastor Orlando Freeman will officiate. Burial in Masonic Cemetery. Arrangements by Johnson Funeral Home. Malvern 337-7967.

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MORRILTON - Carl Allen Hill, age 61, of Morrilton, Ark., passedaway Saturday, Dec. 21, 2013. He was born Nov. 30, 1952, in Morrilton, Ark. He was the co-owner and operator of Warehouse Distributing Company and a member of Sacred Heart Catholic Church.

Survivors include his wife, Janis Kordsmeier Hill of Morrilton; son, Luke Hill (Holly) of Rogers; daughters, Amber Hoyt (Steven) of Little Rock, and Maegen Rees (Andrew) of Morrilton; parents, Leon and Vivian Hill of Springfield; sister, Sharon Kay Collins (Floy) of Henderson, Texas; grandchildren, Jagger Elliot Hoyt, Piper Elaine Hoyt, and Braxton Cole Hill. He was preceded in death by a son, Cole Elliot Noah Hill.

Funeral Mass will be 10 a.m. Tuesday, Dec. 24, 2013, at Sacred Heart Catholic Church with Father Jack Harris officiating. Burial will be at Sacred Heart Cemetery by Harris Funeral Home of Morrilton. Rosary will be 6 p.m. today, at the Harris Chapel with visitation to follow until 8 p.m. Online guestbook: www.harrisfuneralhomes.net.

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PINE BLUFF - Peter A. “Pete” Makris, 88, of Pine Bluff, diedSunday, Dec. 22, 2013. The Pine Bluff native, a son of the late Andrew George and Anastasia Zack Makris, was reared in Pine Bluff, a Pine Bluff High School graduate. Pete servedin the United States Navy in World War II and was a graduate of the University of Arkansas-Fayetteville.

Returning to Pine Bluff, he joined Simmons First National Bank where he worked for several years. He joined his family business and managed MK Distributors for many years. Later, he worked for Arkansas Institutional Foods as a manager until his retirement.

He was a member of Trinity Episcopal Church, the Pine Bluff Rotary Club, Greenback Investors, Sigma Alpha Epsilon Fraternity, and the Sahara Shrine. He was a past member and president of the Pine Bluff Jaycees.

Survivors include his sister, Kula Makris Kumpuris of Little Rock; sister-in-law, Miriam J. Makris of Pine Bluff; six nieces and nephews; and numerous great and great-great nieces and nephews. He was also preceded in death by his brother, George A. Makris.

Services are Tuesday, Dec. 24, 2013, at 1 p.m. at Trinity Episcopal Church with the Revered Dr. Walter Van Zandt Windsor officiating, directed by Ralph Robinson & Son, with a reception at the church following the service. Private interment will be in Graceland Cemetery. The family will be at 7 Arbor Dell in Pine Bluff.

Memorials are requested to Trinity Episcopal Church, 703 West Third Avenue, Pine Bluff,Ark. 71601, or to the Anne Mc-Nair Kumpuris Scholarship Fund, c/o St. Mark’s Episcopal Church, 1000 North Mississippi, Little Rock, Ark. 72207. Online register: www.ralphrobinsonandson.com.

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STUTTGART - Merry Christine Newkirk, 52, passed away at Baptist Stuttgart on Dec. 20, 2013 .

She was preceded in death by her father, James Pierce Jr.; grandparents, Wilburn and Lavern Krisell, and James Sr. and Mavis Pierce.

Crissy was born in Stuttgart, Ark. and was a member of Humphrey Baptist Church. She was a substitute teacher and waitress. She loved fishing and the outdoors.

She was survived by her mother, Elizabeth Krisell Pierce Faver (Altheimer); one son, James Remington Newkirk (Stuttgart); and fiancee, Larry Plumley (Stuttgart).

Funeral services will be today at 2 p.m. by Bro. Joe Meador at Humphrey Baptist Church with visitation an hour before the service.

Memorials may be made to St. Judes.

Please go to www.turpinco.com to sign the online guestbook.

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WYNNE - Cheryl Utley, 65, of Wynne, passed away Friday in Jonesboro.

Survivors are husband, Leslie Utley of Wynne; sons, Eric and Derek Utley; brother, Thomas Franklin; grandchildren, Coen and Thalia Utley.

Visitation is today at 9 a.m. with funeral services following at 10 at Kernodle Funeral Home in Wynne.

Kernodle Funeral Home in charge of arrangements, www.kernodlefh.com.

Out-of-state

POPE, Miss. - Ruby Jane (Carey) Gibson, 90, formerly of Jonesboro, passed away Thursday, Dec. 19. She was born Aug. 30, 1923.

Funeral Services are today at 2 p.m. at Roller-Farmers Union Funeral Home Chapel. Burial will be at Jonesboro Memorial Park Cemetery.

Visitation is Sunday 3-5 p.m. at the funeral home.

Online guestbook: www.rollerfuneralhomes.com.