John L. Mefford
John L. Mefford, 85, of Springfield, Mo., formerly of Lamar, died Saturday, Oct. 17, 2009, at Maranatha Village Nursing Home in Springfield, Mo.
He was an Army and Navy veteran of World War II and the Korean War, retired firefighter, and of the Assembly of God faith.
He is survived by one daughter, Linda Mefford of Carmichael, Calif.; two sons, Odell Mefford and wife, Tina, of Renton, Wash., and Everett Mefford of Carmichael, Calif.; one sister, Gussie Kellego of Arkansas; two grandchildren; three great-grandchildren; and longtime friend, Wilma Richardson.
Funeral will be at 11 a.m. Thursday, Oct. 22, at Roller-Cox Funeral Home Chapel with Rev. Amos Pledger officiating. Burial will be in Lamar Cemetery.
Visitation will be from 6-8 p.m. Wednesday, Oct. 21, at Roller-Cox Funeral Home.
Ina Gale Smith
Ina Gale Smith, 50, of Russellville, whose brother and sister-in-law, Matthew and Christal Morton, reside in Clarksville, died Wednesday, Oct. 14, 2009, at her home.
She was a native of Kansas City, Mo., seamstress, and preceded in death by her maternal grandmother, Fronie Evelyn Standridge.
Survivors include her husband, Craig Smith; one daughter, Natalea Verwiebe of Russellville; one son, Nathan Verwiebe of Russellville; grandson, Cody Kreutzer of Russellville; mother, Ruth May Hudspeth of Russellville; father, Bill Hill of Mount Judea; one sister, Norma Gmachowski of Russellville; and two other brothers, Wesley Hill of Pine Bluff, and Warren Christopher Coney of Russellville.
A memorial service was held at 11 a.m. Saturday, Oct. 17, at All Saints’ Episcopal Church in Russellville with Father Jos Tharakan officiating. Arrangements were under the direction of Humphrey Funeral Service.
Harold L. Krachey
Harold L. Krachey, 81, of Coal Hill died Thursday, Oct. 15, 2009, at his home.
He was a native of Liberal, Kan., son of the late Edward and Georgia Stuart Krachey, self-employed sub-contractor, owner of H and D Parking Lot, artisan, and was preceded in death by one son, Randy Krachey; two grandchildren, Kevin and Trina Krachey; and three brothers, Donald Harper, Edward Krayca and Claude Krayca.
Survivors are his wife, Dora Krachey; one daughter and son-in-law, Linda Hamilton and Lonnie Miller of Hillsboro, Mo.; two sons and daughters-in-law, Ricky and Doreen Krachey of Oconto, Wis., and Rodney and Lynnette Krachey of Coal Hill; one sister and brother-in-law, Beverly and Joseph Colella of Salem, Mass.; 20 grandchildren; 26 great-grandchildren; and two great-great-grandchildren.
Visitation will be from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Thursday, Oct. 22, and 4-8 p.m. Friday, Oct. 23, at Hardwicke Funeral Home.
The body will be cremated.
Derryle Milholland
Derryle Glyn Milholland, 48, of Lamar died Friday, Oct. 16, 2009, at Johnson Regional Medical Center.
He was a native of McGehee, mechanic, and was preceded in death by one son, Derryle Lewis Milholland; one sister, Gail Thresa Morris; and one brother, Michael Don Milholland.
Survivors are his wife, Christina Bates Milholland; seven children, Mariah, Jazzmon, Savanah and Hunter, all of Lamar, Austin of Mississippi, Sabrina of Smackover, and Cory of Conway; parents, Charles Franklin Milholland and Virgie Ann Freeman of Hartman; two sisters, Francis Milholland of Quitman and Sharon Huffman of Midland, Texas; five brothers, Harold Milholland, Bruce Milholland, Anthony Milholland, Eddie Milholland, and Franklin Milholland; and three grandchildren.
Funeral will be at 3:30 p.m. Wednesday, Oct. 21, 2009, at Roller-Cox Funeral Home Chapel with Mike Mills officiating. Burial will be in Hartman Cemetery.
Active pallbearers will be Carl Holland, Travis Freeman, Issaac Freeman, Harold Freeman, and Ben Holland.
Honorary pallbearers will be Roger Bates, Mike Ralph and all members of Masonic Lodge No. 383.
Rubin Wesley Stepp
Rubin Wesley Stepp, 75, of Coal Hill died Monday, Oct. 19, 2009, at Johnson Regional Medical Center.
He was a native of Catalpa, son of the late Sewell and Sarah James Stepp, mechanic, and Baptist.
He is survived by two daughters, Sarah Knight of Lamar and Jo Ann Marvin of Tulsa, Okla.; four sons, Rocky Robinson of Paris, Roland Stepp of Fort Smith, and Terry Stepp and Jimmy Stepp, both of Oklahoma; and nine grandchildren.
Funeral will be at 2 p.m. Saturday, Oct. 24, at Hardwicke Funeral Home Chapel with burial in Oark Cemetery.
Visitation will be from 6-8 p.m. Friday, Oct. 23, at Hardwicke Funeral Home.
Mollie Hightower-Barnum
Mollie Hightower-Barnum, 86, of El Paso, Texas passed away peacefully on September 22, 2009. Mollie was born in Lamar, Arkansas on December 5, 1922. She received her teaching degree from the University of Texas at El Paso.
She was married to O.D. Hightower until he passed away from leukemia at the early age of 41. After being a widow for many years, she married Darold Barnum who passed away in 1994.
Mollie will be greatly remembered as a person with a great sense of humor. As the matriarch of the family, she instilled character and ethics in her children, grandchildren and great-grandchildren.
Mollie dedicated her life to enriching the lives of others through education.
Although she retired 26 years ago, she had students who still stayed in touch with her.
She is survived by her son Dan and his wife Christine Hightower, daughter Mary Maxon; grandchildren Mark and wife Michaela, Christopher, Brandon and Jenny Hightower; James and Melanie Maxon; great grandchildren Emily, Kaylee, Mollie Maxon and Siena Hightower. Interment will occur in Clarksville, AR at a later date. Memorial contributions may be made to the Boys & Girls Club of El Paso Texas.
(Paid Obituary)