12/24/2003
Rev. Chester Higgs Jr.
Rev. Chester R. Higgs Jr., 74, of Russellville died Thursday, Dec. 18, 2003, at AMI St. Mary’s Regional Medical Center in Russellville.
A native of Knoxville, he was a son of the late Mr. and Mrs. Chester Richard (Anna Bell Ketcheside) Higgs Sr., retired preacher having preached in different area churches for 30 years-plus, former custodian for Dwight Elementary School in Russellville, United States Army veteran of the Korean War, member of the Pottsville Free Will Baptist Church, and was preceded in death by one stepson, Randy Moore; three brothers, Albert Higgs, J. W. Higgs, and Everett Higgs; and one great-grandchild, Landon Pritchard.
Survivors include his widow, Norma Higgs; one son, Timothy Higgs of Russellville; four daughters, Cynthia King of Ruston, La., Deanna Dunlap of Lamar, and Tonya Smith and Carla Cossey, both of Russellville; one stepson, Gary Moore of Russellville; one stepdaughter, Debbie Sanders of Dover; one brother, Virgil Higgs of Russellville; one sister, Marilyn Hankins of Dover; 22 grandchildren; and 18 great-grandchildren.
Funeral was at 2 p.m. Monday, Dec. 22, at Shinn Funeral Service Chapel in Russellville with Rev. Bud Walker and Rev. David Downum officiating. Burial was in Rest Haven Memorial Park.
Active pallbearers were Frank Hicks, Geno Johnston, Joe Matt Freeman, Buster Chronister, Carroll Hanna and J. C. Kinder.
Honorary pallbearers were Jason Barlow, Jeremy Barlow, Josh Heardman, Justin Heardman, Mikel Cossey, Randy (Bubba) Cossey Jr., Jonathan Cossey, Bryan King, Dillon Moore, and Mitchell Moore.
Clarence E. Morris
Clarence Eugene Morris, 74, of Clarksville died Friday, Dec. 19, 2003.
He was a retired auto-body repairman, Army veteran, member of the First Presbyterian Church, and son of the late Buster and Dorthy Mae Standridge Morris.
Survivors include his widow, Georgia McLain Morris; two sons, Harold William Morris of Colorado and Clarence Eugene Morris II of California; one sister, Margaret McNeely of Rison; one brother, James Morris of California; two grandchildren and three great-grandchildren.
A memorial service was held at 10 a.m. Tuesday, Dec. 23, at the First Presbyterian Church with Rev. Lance Jones officiating. Arrangements were under the direction of Roller-Cox Funeral Home.
Memorials may be made to the First Presbyterain Church, P. O. Box 1068, Clarksville, AR 72830.
Howard D. Clinton
Howard D. Clinton, 89, of Hartman died Sunday, Dec. 21, 2003, at his home.
He was a son of the late Jasper and Leona Lee Clinton.
Survivors include his widow, Elaine Garrett Clinton; one niece, Carol Enderling of Conway; two nephews, James Henson of Hunt and Charles Clinton of Clarksville; and four great-nephews, Jim Henson of Little Rock, Dr. Clint Henson of Hot Springs, Larry Clinton of Colorado, and Greg Clinton of Clarksville.
Funeral was at 2 p.m. Monday, Dec. 22, at the Liberty Hill Church at Hunt with Rev. Orla Lawson officiating.
Burial was in Liberty Hill Cemetery at Hunt under the direction of Roller-Cox Funeral Home.
Active pallbearers were Don Garrett, Charles Jones, Paul Timmerman, Keith Garrett, Jerry Jones, and Don Castleberry.
Honorary pallbearers were Mike Jacobs, Argus Castleberry, Arlis Pelts, Steve Jacobs, Vernon Jones, and Wayne Jones.
Hazel L. Dewberry
Hazel L. Dewberry, 90, of Clarksville died Sunday, Dec. 21, 2003, at Countryside Manor Nursing Home.
She was a member of Landmark Missionary Baptist Church, native of Baldwin, and was preceded in death by two sons, Robert Over and George Over; and one daughter, Loretta Ritchie.
She is survived by one brother, George Allen Williams of Illinois; 14 grandchildren; 21 great-grandchildren; and six great-great-grandchildren.
Graveside services and burial were at 10 a.m. Tuesday, Dec. 23, at Hogan Cemetery with Rev. Vernon Bass officiating. Arrangements were under the direction of Hardwicke Funeral Home.
Irene Wiley
Irene Wiley, 87, of Searcy died Wednesday, Dec. 10, 2003.
She was a native of Hagarville, widow of Lester Wiley, retired dietitian from Central Arkansas Hospital and a member of McRae Church of Christ. She was preceded in death by her parents, Lee and Annie Gertrude Troop Neal and Verna Neal; three sisters, Norma Bramlett, Kate Hodges, and Annie Neal White Quinton; and four brothers, Nathan Neal, Hugh Neal, James Neal, and Champ Clark.
Survivors include one daughter, Carolyn Jane Wiley of Searcy; three sons and daughters-in-law, Jim and Edith Wiley of Searcy, Bob and Ann Wiley of Austin, Texas, and Larry and Isophene Wiley of Ash Flat; two sisters, Gertrude Barr and Jessie Mae Brown, both of Clarksville; seven grandchildren, Denise Covington, Kim Gentry, Janet Wright, Jason Wiley, Michelle Wiley, Shawna Wiley and Jeff Cass; and nine great-grandchildren.
Funeral was at 2 p.m. Saturday, Dec. 13, at Searcy-McEuen Chapel with interment in Gum Springs Cemetery.
Jimmie Lee Bush
Jimmie Lee Bush, 72, died on December 16, 2003 at the Johnson Regional Medical Center in Clarksville, Arkansas.
He was the son of the late Dennis Bush of Clarksville, Arkansas and Alva Bush of Clarksville, Arkansas. He was a native of Clarksville, Arkansas. He served as a Sergeant in the U.S. Army during the Korean War, providing service for his country in Korea for two years. He was a retired coal miner and a member of the United Mineworkers of America.
He leaves behind one son, Jimmie Carl Bush of Fort Smith, Arkansas; one brother, Harold Dean Bush of Clarksville, Arkansas; various nephews and nieces; and a special friend, Nan Holland of Clarksville, Arkansas.
Funeral was at 2 p.m. Friday, December 19, at Roller-Cox Funeral Chapel in Clarksville, Arkansas with Rev. Gary Blair officiating. Burial was at the Union Grove Cemetery. Pallbearers were David Bush, Ron Bush, Glen Canion, Brian Clinton, Roy Elkins, and Tim Rich. Honorary pallbearers were Tony Delk and John Helmert.
Visitation 6:00 P.M. to 7:00 P.M. Thursday, at Roller-Cox Funeral Home, Clarksville, AR.
Arrangements were by Roller-Cox Funeral Home, Clarksville, AR.
Jack R. Hobbs
Jack R. Hobbs, 71, of Clarksville died Monday, Dec. 22, 2003, at Johnson Regional Medical Center.
A native of Mountainburg, he was a son of the late Joseph Bradford Hobbs, graduate of Mountainburg High School and the University of Arkansas, member, deacon and Sunday school teacher at First Baptist Church, former football, basketball and baseball coach at Clarksville High School, and former purchasing agent at Formal Company.
Survivors include his widow, Bettye Furlow Hobbs; two sons and daughters-in-law, Brad and Dana Hobbs of Clarksville and Ray and Debbie Hobbs of Rogers; mother, Zora M. Hobbs of Van Buren; and four grandchildren, Darcy Hobbs and Chelsey Hobbs, both of Clarksville, and Amanda Hobbs and Jonathan Hobbs, both of Rogers.
Funeral will be at 10 a.m. Wednesday, Dec. 24, at First Baptist Church with Rev. Robert Brown officiating.
Burial will be in Oakland Cemetery under the direction of Hardwicke Funeral Home.
Pallbearers will be Lonnie Qualls, Alan Brooke, Dan Leeds, David Ross, Dane Woodard, and Earl Green.
Memorials may be made to First Baptist Church Building Fund, P. O. Box 525, Clarksville, AR 72830.
Louise Vaught
Louise Vaught, 94, of Clarksville died Saturday, Dec. 20, 2003.
A native of Clarksville, she was a daughter of the late Tom and Maud Porter Hervey, widow of Odra M. Vaught, graduate of Clarksville High School, lifelong member of the First Presbyterian Church, where she was also a member of the Presbyterian Women’s Group, and former employee of Clarksville Florist and the University of the Ozarks.
She is survived by one son, Tommy Vaught of Greenville, Texas.
Funeral was at 10 a.m. Monday, Dec. 22, at the First Presbyterian Church with Rev. Bill Woodard officiating.
Burial was in Oakland Cemetery under the direction of Hardwicke Funeral Home.
Pallbearers were Tommy Frank, Mike Vaught, James Walker, Virgil Knight, Jimmy Dickerson, and Todd Jacobs.
Leola M. Williams
Leola M. Williams, 92, of Clarksville died Monday, Dec. 22, 2003, at Johnson Regional Medical Center.
She was a native of Clarksville, daughter of the late Jesse and Mattie Minney Martin, widow of Roger S. Williams, seamstress, former employee of ARVAC, the Johnson County Circuit Clerk’s office and the Johnson County Tax Assessor’s office for several years, nursery attendant at First Baptist Church for many years, and was preceded in death by one son, Archie L. Johnson.
Survivors include one stepdaughter and spouse, Verladean and Loy Park of Clarksville; one daughter-in-law, Charlsie Johnson of Clarksville; one sister, Florence Medford of New Orleans, La.; six stepgrandchildren and spouses, Barry and Debbie Park, Sandra and Jackie Cline, and Lisa and Jerry Martin, all of Clarksville, Sheila Vincent of Connecticut, Debra Brogan of Maryland, and Brenda Wilson of Oklahoma; and several stepgreat-grandchildren, stepgreat-great-grandchildren, and nieces and nephews.
Funeral was at 2 p.m. Tuesday, Dec. 22, at Hardwicke Funeral Chapel with Rev. Robert Brown and Rev. Billy Usery officiating. Burial was in Oakland Cemetery.
Pallbearers were Brian Park, Gerald Laster, Virgil Knight, Carl Kirshberger, Duane Steele and Danny Leeds.
Mildred V. Bennett
Mildred Vernice Bennett, 72, of Little Rock died Thursday, Dec. 18, 2003, in Little Rock.
She was a daughter of the late Yell and Etta Wheeler Bennett, artist, class valedictorian, and was preceded in death by four brothers, Alfred, Clark, Rowland, and R. H.
She is survived by one sister, Juanita Meadows of Dover; two brothers and sisters-in-law, William D. and Olitta Bennett of Hot Springs and Yell (Junior) and Bonnie Bennett of Whittier, Calif.; and several nieces and nephews.
Graveside services and burial were at 3 p.m. Friday, Dec. 19, at Fort Douglas Cemetery with Rev. David Zeiler officiating. Arrangements were under the direction of Hardwicke Funeral Home.
Margaret M. Dilks
Margaret M. Dilks, 70, of Knoxville died Wednesday, Dec. 17, 2003, at her home.
She was a native of Woodbridge, N. J., daughter of the late Louis and Margaret Paston, widow of Robert W. Dilks, member of the Knoxville Extension Homemakers Club, and an employee of Ellison Enterprises for 12 years.
She is survived by one son, Lewis Palmer of Knoxville; two stepsons, Steven Laney of Skillman, N. J., and Michael Dilks of Clarksville; one stepdaughter, Michelle Dilks of Bradenton, Fla.; one sister, Helen Barsi of Woodbridge, N. J.; two grandchildren, Scotty Palmer of Arkadelphia and Ashley Goodman of Lamar; and one great-grandchild, Abby Goodman of Lamar.
Funeral was at 10 a.m. Friday, Dec. 19, at Hardwicke Funeral Chapel with Rev. Leon Ketcherside officiating. Burial was in Knoxville Cemetery.
Pallbearers were Art Jennen, Art Hinch, Ike Eichelberger, Mike Morgan, Jerry Watson, and Charlie Manns.
Memorials may be made to Arkansas Hospice, 1310 West Main, Suite 200, Russellville, AR 72801 or the American Cancer Society.
Mary K. Pyron
Mary Katherine Pyron, 73, of Hartman died Saturday, Dec. 20, 2003, at her home.
She was a daughter of the late William Lee and Mary Enola Smith Dyce, widow of Leroy Pyron, Baptist, and member of the Coal Hill VFW Post 8532 Ladies Auxiliary.
Survivors include two daughters and sons-in-law, Karen and James Hurst of Hartman and Judy and Don Williams of Sheridan; three sisters, Gwin Ray of West Helena, Lois Kelley of Haskell, Stella Sharp of Jacksonville; two brothers, Gene Dyce of Alvarado, Texas, and Walter Dyce of Othella, Wash.; two grandchildren, Melissa Bittle of Hartman and Vicki Parrish of Sheridan; and three great-grandchildren, Kaylee and Gabriel Bittle of Hartman and Alexis Johnson of Sheridan.
Funeral was at 10 a.m. Tuesday, Dec. 23, at Roller-Cox Chapel with Rev. Amos Pledger officiating. Graveside services and burial followed at 4 p.m. at the Sunset Cemetery Memorial Park in West Helena with Rev. Rudy Davis officiating.
Pallbearers were Bill Duke, Coy Rimmer, Jim Lane, Eddie Pyron, Rufas Ray, and Dean Mayfield.
Paul C. Leonard
Paul Clayton Leonard, 94, of Clarksville died Friday, Dec. 19, 2003, in Clarksville.
He was a native of El Dorado, Okla., son of the late Eerie and Grace Harvel Leonard, World War I veteran, retired USDA inspector, Methodist, and lifetime member of the Arkansas Cattleman’s Association. He was preceded in death by two brothers, Bennie Leonard Sr. of Pleasant Plains and Denvil Leonard of Oklahoma City, Okla.; one sister, Faye Tholen of Lubbock, Texas; and one niece, Maxine Daniels of Shreveport, La.
Survivors include his widow, Elna Leonard; one nephew, Bennie Leonard Jr. of Clarksville; three nieces, Belinda Horton of Mayflower, Francis Dee Aldridge of Oklahoma City, Okla., and Carol Ann Carter of Pine Bluff; and several great-nieces and great-nephew.
Funeral was at 2 p.m. Tuesday, Dec. 23, at the Willis-Hays Chapel in Batesville with Rev. Rommie Chesier officiating. Burial was in Maple Springs Cemetery near Oil Trough.
Pallbearers were Bennie Leonard Jr., Rob Leonard, Aaron Sample, Dub Freer, Calvin Yeargian and William Smith.
Raymon T. Ford
Raymon T. Ford, 70, of Hickory, Ky., died Tuesday, Dec. 16, 2003, at Lourdes Hospital in Paducah, Ky.
He was a former resident of Johnson County, son of the late Dewey Ford, member of the Hickory Baptist Church, retired from the Air Force, and was preceded in death by his first wife, Hazel Ford.
Survivors include his widow, Jane Johnson Ford; mother and stepfather, Florence and David Wells of Delaware, Ohio; one daughter, Cathy Cummings of Grand Junction, Colo.; one son, Steven Ray Ford of Russellville; two stepsons, Greg King of Wingo, Ky., and Steve King of Hickory, Ky.; one brother, Gene Ford of Delaware, Ohio; one half-brother, Jim Wells of Delaware, Ohio; five grandchildren; three great-grandchildren; and two stepgrandchildren.
Funeral was at 1 p.m. Friday, Dec. 19, at Brown Funeral Home in Mayfield, Ky., with Rev. Matt McClure officiating. Burial was in Mayfield Memory Gardens.