Alma Burgess

Alma Percilla Selby Burgess, 90, of Lamar died Friday, June 13, 2003, at Johnson Regional Medical Center.

She was a member of Lamar Baptist Church, widow of Coleman Burgess, daughter of the late Samuel Oscar and Mary Agnes Boley Selby, and was preceded in death by five brothers, Coleman Selby, Vaughn Selby, Ray Selby, Earl Selby, and Jack Selby.

She is survived by one brother, Jim Selby of Fayetteville.

Funeral was at 2 p.m. Monday, June 16, at the Lamar Baptist Church with Rev. Bill Milam officiating.

Burial was in Lamar Cemetery under the direction of Roller-Cox Funeral Home.

Pallbearers were Bud Selby, Ron Selby, Kenny Selby, Larry Selby, Jerry Selby, and Danny Selby.

Lucile L. Murphy

Lucile Lucas Murphy, 90, of Clarksville died Thursday, June 12, 2003, at her home.

She was a retired librarian of the University of the Ozarks, daughter of the late Marcus A. and Mary Lou Mitchell Lucas, widow of J. O. Murphy, received a bachelor of arts degree from the University of the Ozarks in 1933 and a degree in library science from the University of Illinois in 1934, with further graduate studies at Columbia University School of Library Science. She also attended Middlebury School of French in Middlebury, Vt.

During 1934-39, she worked as a librarian at Rio Grand College in Ohio, Sue Bennet College in New London, Ky., and in New York City at the New York Institute for the Blind. She returned from Europe in 1939 and while living in Clarksville in the early 1940s was employed by the Ozark Regional Library. As assistant state supervisor of WPA Library Project, she organized the first public regional library in the state. In 1953, she began working as head librarian at the University of the Ozarks until her retirement in 1975. In 1988, she received the Frances P. Neal Award by the Arkansas Library Association.

Her retirement years were spent painting outdoors with friends. She created a slide show “Painter of the Ozarks. She studied with several artists in Gloucester, Mass. She was a member of the First Presbyterian Church in Clarksville, the Clarksville Historical Association, and The Culture Club, and a long-time supporter of the University of the Ozarks.

She was preceded in death by one sister, Lena, and one brother, Marcus.

She is survived by one daughter and son-in-law, Ann and Mike Lafferty of Gloucester, Mass.; two granddaughters, Kathleen Lafferty of Two Harbors, Calif., and Sarah Lafferty of Brooklyn, N. Y.; one sister-in-law, Virginia Lucas of New Canaan, Conn.; one nephew, John Mitchell Lucas and wife, Kathy, of Darien, Conn.; one niece, Mary Lucas of San Francisco, Calif.; one great-nephew, J. Z. Lucas, his mother, Maria, and his children, all of Seattle, Wash.

A memorial service was held at 11 a.m. Tuesday, June 17, at the First Presbyterian Church in Clarksville with Rev. Lance Jones officiating.

Local arrangements were under the direction of Hardwicke Funeral Home.

The body was cremated.

Memorials may be made to the University of the Ozarks or the First Presbyterian Church in Clarksville.

Mattie G. Laurell

Mattie S. Bretz Griffith Laurell, 87, of London died Sunday, June 15, 2003, at AMI St. Mary’s Regional Medical Center in Russellville.

She was employed as a medical and dental assistant, adult literacy teacher in Zimbabwe, Africa, in advertising sales and as editor of various newsletters and periodicals.

She was the daughter of the late Charles Montecello and Verna Amelia Raymond Bretz, widow of Kenneth Herman Griffith and John Leonard Laurell, and was preceded in death by one son, Timothy James Griffith; two sisters; and three brothers.

Survivors include two daughters, Verna Ruth Peters of Holiday, Fla., and Esther Marian McDaniel of New Richmond, W. Va.; two sons, Herman Charles Griffith of Blanchard, Mich., and Kenneth Earl Griffith of London; 20 grandchildren; 39 great-grandchildren; and two great-great-grandchildren.

A memorial service will be held at 11 a.m. Monday, June 23, at the Seventh-Day Adventist Church at 4th and Gilson streets in Edmore, Mich.

Local arrangements were under the direction of Roller-Cox Funeral Home.

Paul Tipton

Paul Tipton, 74, of Hartman died Saturday, June 14, 2003, at his home.

He was a native of Johnson County, son of the late Issac and Thelma Goodin Tipton, graduate of Hartman High School, retired Peden Foundry employee, member of Free Jesus Name Church at Coal Hill, and was preceded in death by one brother, Silas Tipton.

He is survived by four sisters, Margaret Terrill and Lavern Kerr, both of Hartman, Nadean Bradley of Clarksville and Louise Mills of Atkins; one brother, J. D. Tipton of Clarksville; and several nieces and nephews.

Funeral was at 2 p.m. Monday, June 16, at Hardwicke Funeral Chapel with Rev. David Zeiler officiating. Burial was in Union Grove Cemetery.

Active pallbearers were Burley Shook, Charles Jones, Daniel Hoffman, Roy Goodin, Darrin Phillips, and Wayne Peden.

Honorary pallbearers were Darrell Terrill, Stevie Terrill, Don Ray Terrill, and Bryan Tipton.

Wanda Fay Williams

Wanda Fay Williams, 85, of Clarksville died Friday, June 13, 2003, at Johnson Regional Medical Center.

She was a native of Cecil, daughter of the late George and Dolly Cunningham Simmons, and a member of Oakland Street Full Gospel Church and the Johnson County Senior Activity Center.

Survivors include three daughters, Edna Hern, Wanda Mayner and Martha Jennings, all of Clarksville; four sons, Franklin Williams of Mulberry, Thurman Williams of Hartman, and Steven Williams and Johnny Williams, both of Clarksville; 28 grandchildren; and 46 great-grandchildren.

Funeral was at 2 p.m. Tuesday, June 17, at Oakland Street Full Gospel Church with Rev. Carl Sory officiating.

Burial was in Kingland Cemetery at Mulberry under the direction of Hardwicke Funeral Home.

Pallbearers were Danny Hern Jr., John Wayne Hern, Joseph Hern, Mark Jennings, Dewayne Williams, Johnny Frank Williams, and Michael Nichols.