Illa B. Hope

Illa B. Hope, 82, of Fordyce, died Friday, June 26, 2015, at St. John's Place in Fordyce. She was born June 23, 1933, in Clarendon to the late Ernest S. and Mary Jane Johnston Bickerstaff. Mrs. Hope graduated from Clarendon High School in 1952 and received a bachelor's degree in home economics from Henderson State Teachers College in 1956 and a master's degree in secondary guidance and counseling from Henderson State College in 1973. A lifelong educator, Mrs. Hope taught science and home economics at Fordyce Middle and High Schools for 26 years, beginning in 1956. She served as a counselor in the Marvell school district for nine years, retiring in 1995. She returned to Fordyce and worked as a substitute teacher. Mrs. Hope was active in First United Methodist Church of Fordyce and Delta Kappa Gamma Society. Survivors include a son, Robert E. Levins and wife, Gina, of Glendale, Calif.; a sister, Ellen Milner and husband, Dwayne, of Pine Bluff; a niece, Jane Clement of Pine Bluff; and two nephews, Tommy Milner of Nashville and Donald Gene Richardson of San Francisco. A memorial service will be held on Thursday, July 9, at 2 p.m. at First United Methodist Church of Fordyce. A private burial at Oakland Cemetery will follow. In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made to the First United Methodist Church of Fordyce. Arrangements by Benton Funeral Home of Fordyce. To sign the online register visit www.bentonfuneralhome.net.