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

Vera Bailey, 72, of Little Rock. Roosevelt Bowman, 67, of Little Rock. Virginia A. Brissey, 81, of Little Rock. Kendel Christopher, infant, of Little Rock. Amy Dell Cleveland, 73, of Little Rock. Clara Phillips-Cogshell, 69, of Little Rock. John A. Reeves, 64, of North Little Rock. Deborah Richards, 61, of Little Rock. Harlie Rucker, 94, of Little Rock. Michael Ray Stalnaker, 34, of Little Rock. James Sullivan, 37, of Little Rock. Donald Richard Tillery, 74, of North Little Rock.

ELSEWHERE IN ARKANSAS

ARKADELPHIA

Mary Alice Chambers, 86. Agnes Marie Cox, 96.

AUSTIN

Sharae Elizabeth Bryant, 34.

BENTON

Thomas Glen Bodkin, 25.

CLEVELAND

J.C. Williams, 91.

CONWAY

Lois Lee King McDonald, 85.

FAYETTEVILLE

John Michael (Mike) Davis, 72.

HAVANA

Lavoy Martin Welch, 86.

JONESBORO

Vedith Kirksey Hall, 96.

LAKEVIEW

Dennis E. Jennison, 80.

MOUNTAIN HOME

Edward S. Capps, 91.

MOUNTAIN PINE

Lorena V. Crutchfield Page, 92.

PINE BLUFF

Percy Lee Williams Sr., 84.

POLLARD

Steven Tyler Redmon, 21.

RUSSELLVILLE

Helga Wendelberger, 58.

SEARCY

Dina Ann Darden, 50.

STUTTGART

Jane Hefley Hahs, 89.

VILONIA

Andrea Gayle Thorn, 15.

WYNNE

Laura Simpson Beene, 86.

OUT-OF-STATE

BLUE SPRINGS, Mo.

Marie Evelyn Browner Kimball, 95.

MOSELEY, Va.

Ruby Sue McRee Harris, 100.

Pulaski County

VERA BAILEY, 72, Little Rock, departed this life Dec. 18, 2013. Visitation: 12-6 p.m. Friday at Robinson Mortuary, LR. Funeral service: 11 a.m. Saturday at Holy Temple C.O.G.I.C., 1322 South Pulaski, Little Rock. Service entrusted to Robinson Mortuary, 1201 Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Drive, Little Rock (501) 371-0111. Sign online guestbook at www.robinsonmortuary.com. “Service You Can Trust.”

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•–––––Rev. ROOSEVELT BOWMAN, 67, Little Rock, departed this life Dec. 18, 2013. Family hour: 6:15-7:15 p.m. Friday at Robinson Mortuary Chapel, LR. Funeral service: 11 a.m. Saturday at Liberty Hill Baptist Church, 1215 S. Schiller, Elder Alvin Montgomery officiating. Services entrusted to Robinson Mortuary, 1201 Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Drive, Little Rock (501) 371-0111. Sign online guestbook at www.robinsonmortuary.com. “Service You Can Trust.”

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•–––––VIRGINIA A. BRISSEY (nee Sax), 81, of Little Rock passed away Dec. 22, 2013. Virginia grew up in Philadelphia, Pa. She joined the Navy at 19 and was stationed in Memphis, Tenn., where she met her beloved husband Bob Brissey, who was career Navy. They were married 41 years and they traveled the US, raising their family of three children, before settling in San Diego, where they spent the next 17 years. She told everyone that they couldn’t get the kids to move out, so they did. They settled in Little Rock in 1978.

Virginia wrote for a weekly newspaper in Imperial Beach, Calif., finally becoming the editor. She was involved in many volunteer and paid programs involving senior citizens and children. She spent seven years at St. Augustine Senior/Childcare center. She worked for seven years at Camp Aldersgate in Little Rock. Virginia loved the children who came there and connected with the teenage counselors who worked there, who still call her Mom. She then went to work for a new program called Kids First for the next 23 years. They opened day care centers for at-risk children all over the state of Arkansas. She was involved in the Child Care Food Program, was the Operations Manager & wore many hats.

Virginia loved to travel the world, with multinational organizations such as Rotary, Heifer Project and Sister Cities International. She loved to see and participate in the good they did in the world. Virginia was the first female President of Rotary Club in Little Rock. Virginia was also instrumental in implementing the first Food Bank to open in Arkansas. Virginia served on the boards of many of her favorite charity organizations as well as being involved in her Faith Lutheran Church. She brought joy to so many people all around the globe. She also loved to travel with her 3 dear friends, Mary Dillard, Nan Selz and Judith Faust. Virginia treated her family to cruises and trips so she could enjoy the good fortunes she worked and saved so hard for, and share the time with them. She had a heart bigger than the world and she is loved and will be missed by so many.

Virginia was preceded in death by her beloved husband, Bobby Eugene, son David Fred Brissey, parents, Fred & Anna Sax, and step-father, Dan Morgan. She is survived by her children and grandchildren Douglas Eugene Brissey of Peoria, Ill., Donna Virginia Foglio of Imperial Beach, Calif., Karin Abenido of Maumelle, Daniel Eugene Brissey and wife Laurie of Portsmouth, N.H., Christopher David Brissey of North Little Rock, Torri Donna Foglio of Conway, and Joseph Gino Foglio of San Diego, Calif.

In lieu of flowers, please make contributions to Arkansas Food Bank or Faith Lutheran Church. Virginia’s body will be cremated & her ashes scattered by the US Navy in the Pacific Ocean where she will join her husband Bob & son David.

Memorial service will be held at 6 p.m. at Griffin Leggett Healey & Roth, 5800 West 12th St. Little Rock, Ark. 72204 on Thursday, December 26, 2013, followed by a Celebration of Life reception. Please share your messages of love, comfort and support to www.griffinleggetthealeyroth.com.

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•–––––KENDEL CHRISTOPHER, 3 months, Little Rock, departed this life December 19, 2013. He leaves to cherish his memory: father, Kendrick Christopher; mother, Marquetta Ferrell; sister, Kenya Christopher; grandfather, Lee Braden; grandmothers, Christie Ferrell, Cynthia Yarbrough; great-grandmother, Christine Ferrell; uncle, Jeff Yarbrough; aunt, Crystal Richardson. Visitation: 12-6 p.m. Friday at Robinson Mortuary, NLR. Graveside service: 10 a.m. Saturday at Arkansas Memorial Gardens, Pastor C.B. Robinson officiating. Services entrusted to Robinson Mortuary, 4511 East Broadway St., NLR (501) 374-0111. Sign online guestbook at www.robinsonmortuary.com. “Service You Can Trust”

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•–––––AMY DELL CLEVELAND, 73, Little Rock, departed this life Dec. 16, 2013.

Funeral service: 10 a.m. Saturday at Ministers Institute, 1329 Front St., Eudora, Ark. Services entrusted to Robinson Mortuary, 1201 Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Dr., Little Rock (501) 371-0111. Sign online guestbook at www.robinsonmortuary.com. “Service You Can Trust.”

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•–––––CLARA PHILLIPS-COGSHELL, 69, passed peacefully December 21, 2013. Her loving survivors include: husband, Evins Cogshell; daughter, Contessa Smith; step-children, Tiffany Robinson-Flowers (Gaston), Elvis Cogshell (Gloria), Greg Cogshell, Evins D. Cogshell and Antwan Robinson; three siblings,a host of grandchildren, nieces, nephews, other relatives and special friends. Services will be Friday, December 27, 2013, 11 a.m. at Friendly Chapel Church of the Nazarene, 116 S. Pine St., North Little Rock, Ark., 72114. Visitation: Thursday, December 26, 2013, 6-7 p.m. at Ruffin & Jarrett Funeral Home, 1200 Chester St., Little Rock, Ark. (501) 372-1305.

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•–––––JOHN A. REEVES, 64 of North Little Rock passed December 20, 2013. Memories left to children: John Reeves Jr., Troy Reeves Sr., Antonio Reeves, and Michael Reeves. 16 grandchildren. Visitation December 28th 10-11 a.m.. Homegoing celebration December 28th, 11 am both held at Superior Funeral Services, 5017 E. Broadway (501) 945-9922. Online guestbook http://www.superiorfuneralservices.com/. Trudean Long Brown “Providing Services Your Family Deserves.” –––––

•–––––DEBORAH RICHARDS, 61, born April 15, 1952, passed away on December 22, 2013. She was preceded in death by son, Steve Richards; father, Russell Ratliff; and sister, Rebecca Free. Deborah is survived by son, Bobby Richards; mother, Vera Ratliff; siblings, Mel (Vickie) Ratliff, Patricia Griffin, David (LouAnn) Ratliff, Wayne (Perlita) Ratliff, and Mark (Yolanda) Ratliff; along with a host of extended family. Visitation will be at 9 a.m., Saturday, December 28 at Sandstone Drive Church of Christ. Funeral services to follow at 10 a.m. at the church. Burial will take place at Mt. Zion Cemetery, south of Pine Bluff. To sign her guestbook, please visit www.arkansasfuneralcare.com. Arrangements made by Arkansas Funeral Care.

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•–––––HARLIE “MA HARLIE” MINOR RUCKER, 94, Little Rock, departed this life December 20, 2013. She was preceded in death by her husband, Lugene Rucker; daughter, Linda Kay Foster; three brothers; three sisters. She leaves to cherish her memory: two daughters, Bernice McIntyre of Washington, D.C. and Eddie (W.A.) Boykin of Little Rock; two brothers, M.T. (Lou) Starks of Little Rock and Frank (Corrine) Starks of Carson, Calif.; 10 grandchildren; 20 great grandchildren; a host of family and friends. Family hour: 6-7 p.m. Friday at Robinson Mortuary Chapel, NLR. Funeral Service: 11 a.m. Saturday at Berean Disciple Church, 4509 Rogers St., NLR, Pastor Billy Simmons, officiating. Services entrusted to Robinson Mortuary, 4511 East Broadway St., NLR (501) 374-0111. Sign online guestbook at www.robinsonmortuary.com. “Service You Can Trust.”

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•–––––MICHAEL RAY STALNAKER, 34, of Little Rock, Arkansas passed away on Sunday, December 22, 2013. He was born November 25, 1979 in Little Rock, Arkansas to E. Ray Stalnaker and Teresa Ann McClellan Stalnaker. He graduated from Mills High School in 1998 and attended and played football for ASU in Jonesboro. He was also a member of Alpha Lambda Chi Fraternity. He was a member of East Union Missionary Baptist Church and member of Iron Springs Masonic Lodge #342. He was an avid Razorback and Dallas Cowboy fan.

He was preceded in death by his sister, Tammy Davis; grandparents, Howard and Mildred McClellan and Clark and Margie Stalnaker. He is survived by his parents; five sisters, Joyce (Jack) French of Cabot; Debbie (Fred) McGinnis of San Antonio, Texas; Linda Young of Costa Rica; Karen (Joel) Ray of Raleigh, North Carolina; Cheryl Fulton of Maumelle; brother-in-law, Eddie Davis of Little Rock; and six nieces and nephews.

Funeral services will be 11 a.m. Friday, December 27, 2013 at Roller-Drummond Funeral Home, 10900 Interstate 30, Little Rock, Arkansas 72209 (501) 455-5800 with Brother Paul Roberts officiating with burial to follow at Pinecrest Memorial Park. Family will receive friends 6-8 p.m., Thursday at the funeral home. Memorials may be made to East Union Missionary Baptist Church Youth Missions or Iron Springs Masonic Lodge #342. Online guestbook: www.rollerfuneralhomes.com/drummond.

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•–––––JAMES SULLIVAN, 37, Little Rock, departed this life Dec. 18, 2013. Family hour: 5-6 p.m. Friday at Robinson Mortuary Chapel, LR. Funeral Service: 12 noon Saturday at First Baptist Church, 2015 Main Street, Pastor D.L. Richardson, officiating. Services entrusted to Robinson Mortuary, 1201 Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Drive, Little Rock (501) 371-0111. Sign online guestbook at www.robinsonmortuary. com. “Service You Can Trust.”

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•–––––DONALD RICHARD TILLERY, 74, passed away Monday, December 23, 2013. He was born September 7, 1939 in Little Rock, Arkansas.

He was preceded in death by his parents Harley Olin and Mary Louise Tillery. He is survived by his wife, Jane Ann Massanelli Tillery; son, Donald Richard (Rick) Tillery, Jr. and wife Lisa of Murphy, Texas; daughter, Kathryn Louise (Kallie) McCullough and husband Tom of Midwest City, Oklahoma; sister, Carrie Lou Tillery, and nephew, Randy Seckinger of Alexander; nephew Chris Foor of Sherwood; granddaughters, Alexandria Tillery, Danielle Tillery, Marin McCullough, Aubree Rolin, and Quinn McCullough; also, special caregivers Joyce (Becky) Foor and husband Dennis, and David Wayne Massanelli and wife Kathy and many friends.

He graduated from Central High School in 1957 and served in the United States Navy from 1958 to 1964. He was employed at Baldwin Electronics Inc. in Little Rock, where he met and married his best friend, Jane. They moved to Mountain Home, where he was employed by Baxter Pharmaceuticals. In 1965, they returned to Little Rock, where he joined the Air National Guard and returned to college. After completing his Bachelor’s Degree in Math/Physics in 1971 and his Master’s in Radiation Physics in 1973 from the University of Arkansas, he joined the United States Public Health Service, where he served as Medical Physicist for the Food and Drug Administration, Bureau of Radiological Health in Rockville, Maryland, until 1974. He served as Radiation Control Officer and Special Investigator until 1977 in Kansas City, Missouri. He was then assigned as Director of the Division of Biomedical Engineering Services for the Oklahoma Area Indian Health Service of USPHS. Upon retirement in 1992 as a Colonel, he continued as a consultant in the fields of Electrical Engineering, Radiation Physics, and Biomedical Engineering. He and Jane returned to Little Rock in 2000. He was a Registered Professional Engineer, Adjunct Professor of Math and Science for Oklahoma City Community College, and member of the USPHS Commissioned Officers’ Association, American Association of Physicists in Medicine, and Health Physics Society. He received a number of awards including USPHS Achievement Medal, 1980; USPHS Hazardous Duty Service Ribbon, 1981; USPHS Citation, 1984; and USPHS Commendation Medal, 1988.

Don’s favorite things, besides his wonderful family were working with and learning about Native American cultures, fishing (bass preferred), gardening (edibles only), personal “computering”, crossword puzzles (in ink), watching and reporting the weather (to the wonderful family), cooking dinner most Saturday nights for the family, and working on “Ole Blue,” his 1988 Lincoln Town Car.

The family gives special thanks to Baptist Health CCU, Baptist Rehab, Baptist Home Health, and Arkansas Hospice, and loving caregiver, Rosa Calhoun. They are our special angels.

Visitation will be from 6 to 7 p.m., Friday, followed by a Rosary service at 7 p.m., at North Little Rock Funeral Home. Mass of Christian burial will be at 10 a.m., Saturday at St. Patrick’s Catholic Church, 211 West 19th in North Little Rock.

The family requests memorials in lieu of flowers to be made to Arkansas Hospice Foundation, 14 Parkstone Circle, North Little Rock, Arkansas 72116. Online obituary at www.SmithFamily-Cares.com.

Arkansas

ARKADELPHIA — Mary Alice Freeman Chambers, age 86, of Arkadelphia died Friday, Dec. 20, 2013, at her home. She was the widow of Bill Chambers. Services will be at 10 a.m. Friday, Dec. 27 at Ruggles-Wilcox Funeral Home. Visitation at 6-8 p.m. Thursday at the funeral home. Online register available at www.ruggleswilcox. com.

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•–––––ARKADELPHIA — Agnes Marie Taylor Cox, age 96, of Arkadelphia died Wednesday, Dec. 18, 2013, in Arkadelphia. She was the widow of Carroll Cox. Graveside services will be at 2 p.m. Saturday, Dec. 28 at Carter Cemetery. Visitation will be 6-8 p.m. Friday at Ruggles-Wilcox Funeral Home. Online register available at www. ruggleswilcox.com.

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•–––––AUSTIN — Sharae Elizabeth Bryant, age 34, of Austin went to be with her Lord on Thursday, Dec. 19, 2013. She was born on Nov. 27, 1979, in Little Rock, Ark. She was a mother who adored and lived for her children; her four children were the centerpiece of her world. Moreover, she loved God with all her heart and always had her family in church attendance at McArthur Assembly of God. If she were here today, she would say to you, “Jesus said, I am the way, the truth, and the life, no person cometh to the father but by me!” John 14:6.

As her elderest son, Cole, said, “I loved my mom more than my own life; she was a walking example of how a person should live, and I know Heaven has gained an angel.” Furthermore, his mom would say “O Lord my God, I called to you for help, and you healed me” – Psalms 30:2.

She was preceded in death by her grandmother, Lavern Jones of Beebe. She is survived by her four children, Cole, Carson, Charlie Mac and Cate of Austin; her parents, Marvin and Sharol Jones of Cabot; brother, Brett Jones of Little Rock; a sister, Christa Attaway (Brandon) of Conway; grandparents, David and Sharon Barnett, Marvin R. Jones of Beebe, with numerous aunts, uncles, and cousins.

Visitation will be Thursday, Dec. 26, 2013, from 6-8 p.m. at McArthur Assembly of God Church in Jacksonville with funeral services on Friday, Dec. 27, 2013, commencing at 10 a.m. also at McArthur Assembly of God Church. In lieu of flowers, please send contributions to the Sharae Bryant Children’s Trust account at any Centennial Bank location to care for her remaining four children. Funeral services are provided by Moore’s Funeral Home of Cabot (501) 843-5816. Please sign the online guestbook at www.moorescabotfuneralhome. com.

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•–––––BENTON — Thomas Glen Bodkin, 25, of Benton passed away Thursday, Dec. 19, 2013. Celebration of life will be Friday, Dec. 27 at 1 p.m. at Dial and Dudley Funeral Home in Bryant, Ark. Visitation will be Thursday, Dec. 26 from 6-8 p.m. To sign online guestbook, visit www.dialanddudleyfuneralhome.com.

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•–––––CLEVELAND — J.C. Williams, age 91, of Cleveland passed away on Dec. 18, 2013. He was born in Cleveland, Ark., a son of Jack and Connie “Kissire” Williams. Memorial service will be 10 a.m. Monday, Dec. 30, 2013, at Lost Corner Independent Baptist Church. Private burial will be at a later date.

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•–––––CONWAY — Lois Lee King Mc-Donald, 85, an Arkansas public school teacher, mother of seven sons and a United Methodist minister’s wife for 62 years, died Thursday, Dec. 19, 2013, at Fox Ridge Senior Living Center in North Little Rock.

Born Aug. 29, 1929, in Phoenix, Ariz., she grew up in Conway, Ark., graduating high school there before attending Arkansas State Teachers College (now the University of Central Arkansas) and earning her bachelor’s degree from Hendrix College.

She was known for her unwavering support of her husband and his ministry, for her quick smile and healthy sense of humor, and for an undying love of her large and inclusive family. To her dying days, she maintained an optimistic disposition and a strong belief in the God-given goodness of all people.

In 1950, she married Rev. Charles P. McDonald Jr. Over the years, she gave birth to six sons and took in a seventh as they traveled the “Methodist circuit” to churches and appointments all over Arkansas, including Holly Grove, Ozark, Pocahontas, DeWitt, Rogers, Fort Smith, Searcy, Fayetteville, West Memphis, Conway, Cave City, Paragould, Bear Creek and Jacksonville. They also moved to Las Vegas, N.M., in 2004-06, where the Rev. McDonald served as interim pastor of the First United Methodist Church.

In between and after raising “the boys,” Lois attended the University of Arkansas, earned her teaching certification and taught at schools in Rogers, Farmington and West Memphis.

She is preceded in death by her parents, Chester and Beulah King; her sister, Betty Welch; and a foster son, David Driver. Survivors include her sisters-in-law, Betty Lilly of Tulsa, Okla., and Mary Price of Fort Worth, Texas; six sons, David McDonald of Little Rock, Ron McDonald of Memphis, Don McDonald of Memphis, Tom McDonald of Las Vegas, N.M., Jim McDonald of Mountain Home and Mark McDonald of Jacksonville; 20 grandchildren; four great-grandchildren; and numerous nephews and nieces.

A memorial service will be 11 a.m. Monday, Dec. 30, at Conway’s First United Methodist Church, where she was baptized as a child. The body is being donated to science. In lieu of flowers, the family requests that donations be made to Mount Eagle Christian Center, 935 Beal St., Clinton, AR 72031, or a charity of your choice.

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•–––––HAVANA — Lavoy Martin Welch, age 86, of Havana passed away Dec. 23, 2013, at Salem Place Nursing & Rehab in Conway. She was born June 23, 1927, in Danville, Ark., to the late John Wiley and Dailia Mae Haney Shinn Martin. She was a retired teacher from Western Yell County School.

She was preceded in death by her husband, Ewell F. Welch; and brother, Virgil Shinn. Survivors include daughter and son-in-law, Jean and Larry Hall of Conway; son and daughter-in-law, Ewell R. and Deanna Welch of North Little Rock; grandchildren, Brian and Denise Hall of Jacksonville, Fla.; Sarah and Alan Hahn of Conway; Wesley and Mary Ashley Welch of Little Rock; Natalie and John Huggins of North Little Rock; brothers, Leo Martin of California, Melvin and Joellen Martin of Washington state; seven great-grandchildren and several nieces and nephews.

Graveside service will be 10 a.m. Friday, Dec. 27, 2013, at Havana Cemetery with John Mc-Court officiating. In lieu of flowers, memories may be made to: American Cancer Society, 901 N. University Ave., Little Rock, Ark. 72207. Arrangements are by Cornwell Funeral Home in Dardanelle. Online guestbook and condolences at www.cornwellfuneralhomes.com.

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•–––––JONESBORO — Vedith Kirksey Hall, 96, of Jonesboro died Monday. Survivors include two sons, Kenneth and Bobby Kirksey; 16 grandchildren; 34 great-grandchildren; 31 great-great grandchildren; and a brother. Services will be 11 a.m. Thursday at Roller-Farmers Union Chapel. Burial will follow in Bishop Cemetery.

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•–––––LAKEVIEW — Dennis E. Jennison, age 80, of Lakeview died Monday. Memorial services will be private. He is survived by his wife: Joyce Jennison, a son: Mark Jennison and two daughters: Margo Ways and June Jennison. Arrangements are by Roller Funeral Home. (870)425-2161. Online guestbook:www.rollerfuneralhomes.com.

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•–––––MOUNTAIN HOME — Edward S. Capps, age 91, of Mountain Home died Thursday. Memorial services will be private on Friday. He is survived by his wife: Jeannine Capps, three sons, and three daughters. Arrangements are by Roller Funeral Home. (870) 425-2161. Online guestbook: www.rollerfuneralhomes.com.

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•–––––MOUNTAIN PINE — Lorena V. Crutchfield Page, 92, Mountain Pine, Arkansas, died December 20, 2013. She was born November 1, 1921 in Malvern, Arkansas, to the late Clarence Lee and Edna Mae (Moore) Crutchfield. Service will be at 1 p.m. Friday, Caruth-Hale Funeral Home with Rev. Buddy Leamons officiating. Guests register at www.caruthhale.com.

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•–––––PINE BLUFF — Mr. Percy Lee Williams Sr., 84, of Pine Bluff passed Friday, December 20, 2013. Funeral Service will be 11 a.m., Thursday, December 26, 2013 at Brown Funeral Home Chapel by Rev. George Stepps. Burial will be in Holly Grove Cemetery, Portland by Brown Funeral Home of Pine Bluff. Online Register: www.brownfuneralhomeandmortuary.com.

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•–––––POLLARD — Steven Tyler Redmon, 21, of Pollard, Arkansas, passed away Saturday, December 21, 2013, in Atlanta, Georgia. Services are Friday, December 27, 2013, at 2:00 p.m. in the Hoggard & Sons Funeral Home Chapel in Piggott, Arkansas, with Trent Grimes officiating. Burial is in Piggott Cemetery. Visitation begins 6 p.m. Thursday.

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•–––––RUSSELLVILLE — Helga Wendelberger, age 58, of Russellville, passed away Saturday, December 21, 2013, born September 12, 1955, to Georg and Emilie Wendelberger. Survivors include: a brother Werner Wendelberger of Pittsburg, Texas, and sister: Ingrid Wendelberger of Norfolk, Va. Arrangements by Rosewood Cremation, 301 E. Broadway, Morrilton, Ark. 72110. Obit/Guestbook, www.rosewoodcremation.com.

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•–––––SEARCY — Dina Ann Darden, 50, died Friday. Survivors: Father, Jerreld Phipps (Maggie); siblings, Peggy Humes, Danny Phipps, Judy Cornwell, Wayne Phipps and Bobbie Sue Phipps; daughter, Alexandria Williams; grandmother, Audie Scroggins.

Visitation: Thursday, 5-7 p.m. Services: Friday, 2 p.m., Powell Funeral Chapel. Interment: Evergreen Cemetery. Powell Funeral Home, Bald Knob-Judsonia. www.powellfuneralhome.net.

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•–––––STUTTGART — Jane Hefley Hahs, 89, passed away Tuesday. Survivors are husband, Guy S. Hahs; sons, Ricky Hefley and Dale and Larry Hahs; daughters, Caroline Jones, Hazel Lumpkin, Kathy Morrissey and Debbie Blann; brother, Johnnie Garrison; nine grandchildren; and six great-grandchildren. Funeral services are 2 p.m. Friday at Turpin Funeral Home chapel with burial in Bayou Meto Cemetery. Visitation is 6-8 p.m. Thursday at Turpin. www.turpinco.com.

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•–––––VILONIA — Andrea Gayle Thorn, 15, of Vilonia, traded in her wheelchair for a pair of running shoes on Sunday, December 22, 2013. She is the daughter of Johnathan and B.J. Thorn. Born with her twin and best friend Bailee Jo on November 29, 1998, weighing one pound and 13 ounces.

“Sissy” had many adventures during her time here on earth. She was a cheerleader, dancer, hunter, pageant queen, biker babe, Olympic bowler and possibly a wanted felon in Garland County for the texting incident of 2012.

She was loved by more people than she could count on her toes. She graced many entrances. Sometimes things were not always wheelchair accessible, but she over came and usually ran over lots of things. She put her feet in the sand in Florida and loved going to Branson. She was often seen in the paper, on TV, even on the side of three buses in Conway for the Faulkner County Day School, and the Vilonia school website.

Sissy went on her make a wish trip to Sea World where she touched the dolphins. She loved hunting and fishing with her daddy. Cooking and shopping with her momma. Her light filled anyone who met her. Sissy spent lots of days sitting in her recliner, drinking from her sippy cup and watching movies with her best-est friend and baby sister Lauren Grace. She loved her wiener dog Oscar. Her nanny and pawpaw helped her ride horses and be the cowgirl at heart she was.

Her Mrs. Sandy helped her at school and was her “other momma”. There are too many people she touched to mention individually. She also was a great speller.

Andrea’s legacy will live on forever. She created the Angels Pageant System. She allowed for thousands of special needs angels to have their moment to shine and be crowned for being just what they were … perfect. We love you Sissy. Thank you to each person whoever loved her. To Nick Ryan she loved you most.

Funeral services are set for 2 p.m., Friday, December 27, 2013, at New Life Church in Conway. Interment will follow in Cypress Valley Cemetery with Will Russell officiating. Visitation will be from 6 to 8 p.m. Thursday at Roller-McNutt Funeral Home in Conway. (501) 327-7727. Donations can be made to Memorial Fund for Andrea Gayle Thorn at Regions Bank. Online guestbook: www.rollerfuneralhomes.com.

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•–––––WYNNE — Laura Simpson Beene of Wynne, Arkansas, died on December 21, 2013, in Springdale, Arkansas. Laura was the first child of Samuel Lowell Simpson and Virginia Jones Simpson Billingslea.

She was preceded in death by her husband Guy Marvin Beene and son Guy Marvin Beene, Jr. She is survived by daughters Cozette Beene Vaught and Hannah Beene-Lowder, and husband Larry; granddaughter Leslie Vaught Monroe, and husband John; grandsons Lloyd Beene Vaught, and wife Jessica, and Harrison Beene Lowder; great-grandchildren William Beene Monroe, Hallie Laura Lucy Vaught, and Robert Charles Beene Vaught; sister, Marion Simpson Curtner; nephew, Byron Duke Curtner, and wife Terry; and great-nephews, Russell Byron Curtner and Travis Adams Curtner.

Prior to her illness, Laura was honored to be a member of P.E.O. (Chapter AY), Mid-Southern Watercolorists, Wynne Baptist Church, and Crowley’s Ridge Tennis Ladies. In honor of her lifelong support of Cross County Public Library, memorials may be sent to 410 E. Merriman Ave., Wynne, Ark. 72396. Her family is also grateful for the ministry and support of Wynne Presbyterian Church, and memorials may be sent to 1735 E. Poplar Ave., Wynne, Ark. 72396.

A graveside service will be held at Cogbill Cemetery in Wynne, Ark. Cremation arrangements handled by Nelson-Berna Funeral Home of Fayetteville, Arkansas. To sign the online guest book, please visit www.nelsonberna.com.

Out-of-state

BLUE SPRINGS, Mo. — Marie Evelyn Browner Kimball was born in Pangburn, Arkansas on November 4, 1918, and left this world on December 19, 2013 in Kansas City, Missouri. A 1936 graduate of Cotton Plant High School and 1949 graduate of the University of Arkansas at Fayetteville, in between she had lived in or visited all 50 states and several foreign countries. During WWII she was one of the US Navy’s first half dozen female gunnery instructors, training recruits in the 50 caliber AA gun. Finishing college with a degree in home economics after the war she met her husband of 45 years, the late Vernon L. Kimball, Jr., a Pearl Harbor survivor with whom she had three children.

Preceded in death by her parents, Timothy and Edith Browner of Pangburn, her husband, and her brother Carl, she is survived by children Karl Kimball of Little Rock, Kirk Kimball of North Little Rock, Kristi Bates of Blue Springs, Missouri, four grandchildren, six brothers and sisters, and a host of cousins, nephews, nieces, and countless friends and loved ones.

A lifelong committed Baptist, her final viewing and reception by the family will be at Griffin Leggett Healey and Roth from 6 to 8 p.m. on Friday, Dec. 27, and memorial service there at 10 a.m. on Saturday, Dec. 28. Interment will be with her husband at Crestview Cemetery near Hot Springs at 2:30 p.m. on Dec. 28.

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•–––––MOSELEY, Va. — Ruby Sue McRee Harris, 100, passed away peacefully at home on Friday. She is survived by a son, Daniel Harris, and daughter, Norma Harris, both of Moseley, Virginia. Mrs. Harris will be laid to rest at Hunter’s Chapel Cemetery in Casscoe, Arkansas, at 11 a.m. on Thursday, December 26. www. turpinco.com.

Arkansas, Pages 16 on 12/25/2013

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