Bill H. Elkins
Funeral for Bill H. Elkins, 75, of Alma, who died Thursday, Nov. 26, 2009, was at 11 a.m. Monday, Nov. 30, at Ocker Memorial Chapel in Van Buren followed by burial in Harmony Cemetery north of Clarksville.
He was a former owner of the Mug-N-Jug in Van Buren, Baptist, member of Glazers Union, longtime resident of Van Buren, and was preceded in death by his first wife, Bobbye Elkins; father, Arthur Elkins; one sister; and one brother.
Survivors include his wife, Jeanette Elkins; two sons, Tim Elkins and Mark Elkins, both of Van Buren; mother, Mayme Elkins of Hartman; one stepdaughter, Janice Scaggs of Rudy; two stepsons, Tim and Larry Schumacher, both of Greenwood; one sister, Betty Simms of Clarksville; two brothers, Bob Elkins of Searcy and Don Elkins of Hartman; five grandchildren, Daniel Elkins of Richmond, Va., Michael Elkins of Conway, and Elise, Christopher and Emily Elkins, all of Van Buren; eight stepgrandchildren; and three stepgreat-grandchildren.
Rev. Clayton Rylee
Reverend Clayton Rylee went home to his Heavenly Father on Wednesday, November 25, 2009, at his home, surrounded by his family and immeasurable love. Clayton was born at Salus, Arkansas to James “Jim” Rylee and Verlia Rylee Whitmore. He helped build Foothills Gospel Tabernacle, where he pastored for the past eight years. He is preceded in death by his parents and a beloved grandson, Dustin James Rylee.
He leaves behind an honorable legacy of faith and service to Christ and his loving wife of 60 years, Rachel Fetterhoff Rylee.
Clayton also leaves behind three sons, Michael Clayton Rylee and his wife, Thresa of Bella Vista, Arkansas, James “Jim” Rylee of Van Buren, Arkansas, and Joshua Rylee of Van Buren, Arkansas; five daughters, Paula Kimbriel and husband, Eddie, of Clarksville, Arkansas, Vickie Bazyk of Clarksville, Arkansas, Lisa Alston of Magazine, Arkansas, Robin Harderson and husband, Marty, of Booneville, Arkansas, Stacy Harderson and her husband, Ken, of Ozone, Arkansas; fifteen grandchildren; nineteen great-grandchildren; and two sisters, Auldia James of Jane Lew, West Virginia and Lora James of Lost Creek, West Virginia.
Clayton’s many years of ministry and evangelism began in 1954 and during those years he prayed for, baptized, dedicated, counseled, and married countless people throughout his 55 years of service to God. His family always extended beyond his immediate family, he was a brother or father to anyone who needed love, and counted it a blessing to do so. He never met a stranger and always had a kind word. He will be loved and missed by all who knew him.
Visitation with the family was from 6-8 p.m., Friday, November 27, 2009. He was remembered and honored with a celebration of his life on Saturday, November 28, 2009, at 2:00 p.m., at the Hedgeway Church, in Lamar, with Brother Don Alexander and Brother Kenneth Turpin officiating.
Pallbearers were Dylan Rylee, Gabriel Harderson, Caleb Harderson, Tyler Bazyk, Erick Murders, and Joey Anderson.
Honorary pallbearers were Travis Kimbriel, Jordan Kimbriel, Bryan Rylee, Kevin Rylee, Andrew Harderson, Wesley Rylee, Zachary Rylee, and Clayton’s Great-Grandsons.
He was laid to rest at Shady Grove Cemetery under the direction of Roller-Cox Funeral Home (479) 754-2201.
Online guestbook www.rollerfuneralhomes.com
(Paid Obituary)
Maxine S. Blakely
Maxine Shrigley Blakely, 95, of Clarksville died Saturday, Nov. 28, 2009.
She was born at Coal Hill, daughter of the late William Elias and Bonna Gusta Jaggers Shrigley, graduate of Coal Hill High School, member of Clarksville First Presbyterian Church, widow of Dr. Dwight Blakely and was preceded in death by one sister, Erta Lee Shrigley.
She is survived by two nieces and one nephew.
Graveside services and burial were at 11 a.m. Tuesday, Dec. 1, at Oakland Cemetery with Rev. Marci Ward officiating. Arrangements were under the direction of Hardwicke Funeral Home.
Varnel Dale Nelson
Varnel Dale Nelson, 69, of Clarksville died Thursday, Nov. 26, 2009, at UAMS Hospital in Little Rock.
He was a native of Harmony, son of the late Arles and Helen Harshbarger Nelson, graduate of Clarksville High School, member of Landmark Missionary Baptist Church, owner and operator of Nelson Garage for 40 years, and was preceded in death by one daughter, Linda Sue Nelson.
Survivors are his wife, Glenda Phillips Nelson; two sons and spouses, Dale Alan and Annie Nelson of Clarksville and Dennis Lee Nelson and Carrie Mitchusson of Clarksville; one sister, Rita Griffin of Hartman; two brothers, Kenneth Nelson of Clarksville and J. D. Nelson of Springdale; and seven grandchildren, Savanna, Emily, Waylon and Krista Nelson, and Lexy, Brice and Devin Mitchusson.
Funeral was at 10 a.m. Monday, Nov. 30, at Landmark Missionary Baptist Church with Rev. Frank Shook officiating.
Burial was in Fort Douglas Cemetery under the direction of Hardwicke Funeral Home.
Active pallbearers were Danny Shook, Mark Nelson, Bart English, Duane McGuire, Mike Nelson, Jim Nelson, Paul Kendall, and Gary Ledford.
Honorary pallbearers were J. C. Douglas, Burley Shook, Kenny Bridgewater, John Schuh, Alan Carpenter, Terry Duffel, Robert Qualls, Brian Clinton, and Leroy Warren.