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8/31/2005

Althay L. Gifford

Althay Lavine Gifford, 94, of Clarksville died Thursday, Aug. 25, 2005, at her home.

She was a member of the Hunt Tabernacle Church, daughter of the late Vanvert Jordan and Cora Heath Wilson, widow of Andrew Walker Gifford, and was preceded in death by two sisters; four brothers; three grandchildren; and two great-grandchildren.

Survivors include four daughters, Joyce Evelyn Ponder of Tichnor, Willie Jean Ponder of Madera, Calif., Peggy Dellen Gallardo of Grand Junction, Colo., and Hellen Marie Vaughn of Clarksville; three sons, Andrew Jordan Gifford of Lindale, Texas, Elmer Leroy Gifford of Stuttgart, and Algie V. Gifford of Johnson County; two sisters, Mammie Wright of Stuttgart and Hester Stith of Casscoe; 67 grandchildren; 56 great-grandchildren; and 30 great-great-grandchildren.

Funeral was at 2 p.m. Saturday, Aug. 27, at Roller-Cox Funeral Home Chapel with Rev. Leo Villines officiating. Burial will be in Chowchilla District Cemetery in Chowchilla, Calif., at a later date.

Daniel D. Garrett

Daniel (Dan) Dee Garrett, 84, of Conway, formerly of Clarksville, died Saturday, Aug. 27, 2005, at Arkansas Hospice Hospital in Little Rock.

He was a World War II Army veteran, recipient of the Purple Heart, member of the American Legion, Veterans of Foreign Wars, and Disabled American Veterans, and was preceded in death by one daughter, Danella Langston, and his parents, Dee A. and Effie M. Brown Garrett.

Survivors include his wife of 59 years JoAnn Garrett; one son, Dickey J. Garrett of Conway; four grandchildren, Maridee Hickman of Purcellville, Va., Molly Ann Garrett and Elliott Garrett, both of Phoenix, Ariz., and Mitchell Garrett of Russellville; and three great-grandchildren, Preston and Peyton Garrett and Jessica Madree Hickman.

Graveside services and burial will be at 5 p.m. Wednesday, Aug. 31, at Shrygley Cemetery in Coal Hill with Paul Bates officiating. Arrangements are under the direction of Roller-Cox Funeral Home.

Freddie Lee Porter


Freddie Lee Porter, 69, of Clarksville died Tuesday, Aug. 30, 2005, at his home.

He was a son of the late Fred and Minerva East Porter and a member of Mt. Vernon Community Church.

Survivors include his wife, Loretta Clark Porter; one daughter and son-in-law, Patricia and Felix Shatwell of Clarksville; four sons and three daughters-in-law, Weldon and Evelyn Porter and Robert and Stacie Porter, all of Clarksville, Carl Porter and Phillip and Sissy Porter, all of Lamar; 22 grandchildren; and 16 great-grandchildren.

Funeral will be at 10 a.m. Thursday, Sept. 1, at the Mt. Vernon Community Church.

Burial will be in Mount Vernon Cemetery under the direction of Hardwicke Funeral Home.

Active pallbearers will be Frank Shook, Roy Shook, Doug Bryan, James Overbey, James Childers and Dean Cowell.

Honorary pallbearers will be Jerry Pitts and Freddie Freeman.

Jeremy Ashlock

Jeremy Patrick Ashlock, 26, of Fort Smith, brother of Heath Blasingame of Clarksville and Chance Blasingame of Coal Hill, died Saturday, Aug. 20, 2005, in Fort Smith.

He was a 1995 graduate of the Youth Challenge Program, retail sales employee, and was preceded in death by his grandfather, Willie Ashlock.

He is survived by two daughters, Angel McClure and Joanna Ashlock; one son, Dakota Ashlock; parents, Linda and Troy Blasingame of Ozark and Rick and Theresa Ashlock; five sisters, Joanna Tedford of Van Buren, Sarah Tobin, Malinda Sigman and Lynette Almassri, all of Fort Smith, and Tammy Medly of Spiro, Okla.; three other brothers, Robert Kogutkiewicz of Sparta, Wis., Chris Harris of Van Buren and Chism Blasingame of Altus; maternal grandparents, Don and Joann Swaty of Irving, Texas; and paternal grandmother, Loudema Ashlock of Van Buren.

Funeral was at 10 a.m. Wednesday, Aug. 24, at Shaffer Funeral Home Chapel with Rev. Rich Mitchell officiating. Burial was in New Cemetery at Mulberry.

Active pallbearers were John Tobin, Stacey Medly, Chris Harris, Robert Crachey, Chism Blasingame, and Josh Sigman.

Honorary pallbearers were Eric and Derek McClain, Michael Amos, J. J. Wal-Mart, Robert Kogutkiewicz, Heath Blasingame and Jeff Fox.

John Arlie Clark Jr.

John Arlie Clark Jr., 56, of Van Buren, brother of Mary S. Smith of Clarksville, died Tuesday, Aug. 23, 2005.

He was a member of the Holiness Block Church, retired truck driver having driven for Wilson Brothers and Nolan Faubus, and was preceded in death by his parents, John and Wilma Dawn Trainer Clark Sr., and two brothers, Gerald and Truman Robertson.

Survivors include his wife of 38 years Nora Clark; one daughter, Stephanie Harrison of Mountainburg; one son, Kevin Clark of Fort Smith; one other sister, Joyce Lopez of Bryan, Texas; two brothers, Frankie Robertson of Benton and Kenneth Robertson of Russellville; two grandchildren; and several nieces and nephews.

Graveside services and burial were at 10 a.m. Friday, Aug. 26, at Gill Cemetery in Van Buren under the direction of Ocker Funeral Home.

Active pallbearers were Raymond Grove, David Morse, Jimmy Boyd, John Cliff, Ed Torre, Larry English, John Randolph and Jim Harris.

Honorary pallbearers were drivers of Wilson Brothers Construction.

Jerry Duane Haynes

Jerry Duane Haynes, 72, of Clarksville died Wednesday, Aug. 24, 2005, at Johnson Regional Medical Center.

He was a retired air traffic controller at the Federal Aviation Administration in Jacksonville, Fla., veteran of the United States Air Force, member of Bunch Walton Post No. 22 of the American Legion in Clarksville, attended Russellville Christian Center, and was preceded in death by his parents, Alonzo Augustino and Agnes Derrick Haynes, and one brother, Larry Haynes.

Survivors include his wife, Jean Russell Haynes; two sons, Benjamin and Shane Haynes of Jacksonville, Fla.; three sisters, Margaret Nelson, Judy Laeger and Darlene Green, all of Tulsa, Okla.; and one brother, Edward Haynes of Tulsa, Okla.

A memorial service and visitation will be held from 1-3 p.m. Sunday, Sept. 4, at Roller-Cox Funeral Home Chapel. Private burial will be in the National Cemetery at Fort Smith.

Jobelle King Laster

Jobelle King Laster, 86, of Clarksville died Wednesday, Aug. 24, 2005, at her home.

She was a native of the Harmony Community, daughter of the late Gus and Bonnie Baskin King, widow of Fred Laster, graduate of Clarksville High School, attended the University of the Ozarks, the 1936 state spelling bee winner, member of the Clarksville First Presbyterian Church, AARP, National Association of Retired Federal Employees, Johnson Regional Medical Center Auxiliary, and Johnson County Historical Society, former librarian at Johnson County Public Library for 18 years, former manager of Hurie School cafeteria and snack bar at the University of the Ozarks, and did volunteer work with the Needy Paws Animal Shelter and Meals on Wheels.

She is survived by two daughters, Bonnie Jo Laster of Jacksonville, Fla., and Sue Laster of Clarksville; and several nieces and nephews including Ronald Laster and James Robert Laster of Clarksville.

Funeral was at 10 a.m. Saturday, Aug. 27, at the Harmony Presbyterian Church with Rev. Lance Jones and Denton Tumbleson officiating.

Burial was in Harmony Cemetery under the direction of Hardwicke Funeral Home.

Active pallbearers were Bob Hardin, Larry Don Kinman, Mark McCabe, Rick Wewers, Ewing Cline, Mike Jacobs, Bobby King and Burnett King.

Honorary pallbearers were Phillip Pierson, Fred. D. Laster, and Billy Dickerson.

Memorials may be made to the Johnson County Public Library, # 2 Taylor Circle, Clarksville, AR 72830 or Needy Paws Animal Shelter, 1100 East Main Street, Clarksville, AR 72830.

J. Michael Holman

James Michael Holman, 44, of Clarksville died Friday, Aug. 26, 2005, at Johnson Regional Medical Center.

He was a native of Clarksville, 1979 graduate of Clarksville High School, graduate of the University of Arkansas and University of Arkansas Law School, member of the Arkansas Bar Association, and had been a practicing attorney in Clarksville since 1987. He was preceded in death by his father, J. Marvin Holman.

Survivors include his mother, Carol Barnes Holman of Clarksville; two sisters and brothers-in-law, Andrea and Bill Pearson and Kim and Dennis Stumbaugh, all of Clarksville; four nephews, Wesley Pearson, David Pearson, Mark Pearson and Hunter Stumbaugh, all of Clarksville; and two nieces, Summer Stumbaugh and Aimee Pearson, both of Clarksville.

Funeral was at 2 p.m. Tuesday, Aug. 30, at the Clarksville First United Methodist Church with Rev. Steve Wingo officiating.

Burial was in Oakland Cemetery under the direction of Hardwicke Funeral Home.

Active pallbearers were Steve Libby, David Pitts, Steve Paladino, Kevin Paladino, Scott Talley, Steve Miller, Russell Smith, and Mike Jacobs.

Honorary pallbearers were Dick Bishop, Lynn Holman, Gayland Holman, and Tim Holman.

J. Franklin Russell

James Franklin (Frank) Russell, 79, of Clarksville died Sunday, Aug. 28, 2005, at St. Edward Mercy Medical Center in Fort Smith.

He was a native of Clarksville, son of the late Ed and Frances Hubbard Russell, Navy veteran of World War II having served aboard the Battleship North Carolina in the South Pacific, salesman for Associated Credit Bureaus for many years, and was self-employed in real estate in Texas and Arkansas for several years.

Survivors include his companion, Verna Russell; one stepdaughter, Mildred Myers of San Diego, Calif.; one stepson, Steve Molnar of Clarksville; two sisters and brothers-in-law, Thelma and Eugene Findlay of Culver, Ore., and Faye Mahoney and Bob Albright of Claskanie, Ore.; one brother and sister-in-law, John and Marie Russell of Clarksville; and several nieces, nephews and cousins.

Funeral will be at 10 a.m. Wednesday, Aug. 31, at Hardwicke Funeral Chapel with burial in Woodland Cemetery.

Pallbearers will be Mike Jacobs, Wes Kendrick, Lance Fetters, Travis Fetters, Steve Russell, and Steve Fetters.

Kenneth D. Stewart

Kenneth D. Stewart, 74, of Clarksville died Saturday, Aug. 27, 2005, at Countryside Manor Nursing Home.

He was a supervisor with Metropolitan Transit in Houston, Texas, for 33 years, member of the First United Methodist Church in Clarksville, and son of the late Dewey H. and Myrtle Phillips Stewart.

Survivors include his wife, Marcella Ballard Stewart; one son, Michael D. Stewart of Kingwood, Texas; one sister, Katala (Kay) McGuire of Hensley; two grandsons, Michael D. Stewart Jr. of Houston, Texas, and Chase Foster Stewart of Kingwood, Texas; and one great-grandchild.

Funeral was at 10 a.m. Tuesday, Aug. 30, at Roller-Cox Chapel with Rev. Steve Wingo officiating. Burial was in West Mt. Zion Cemetery near Hartman.

Pallbearers were Frank Brown, Fayne Mooney, Frances (Rube) Conley, Paul Jenkins, Dean Edwards, and Jack Phillips.

Leoma J. Atkins

Leoma J. Atkins, 87, of Clarksville died Friday, Aug. 26, 2005, at Clarksville Convalescent Home.

She was a native of Clarksville, daughter of the late William Perry and Nancy Self Houston, graduate of Clarksville High School and attended the Church of Christ. She was preceded in death by three brothers, Roy, George and Floyd Houston; and five sisters, Estelle Stutts, Rela Bean, Beulah Hardgrave, Edith Williams and Eula Houston.

She is survived by one son, Keith Atkins of Clarksville; two sisters, Pauline Goble of Chula Vista, Calif., and Mae Storts of San Antonio, Texas; one grandson, Bryan Atkins and wife, Jeanette, of Pueblo West, Colo.; and two great-grandchildren, Shanya and Jessica Atkins of Pueblo West, Colo.

Funeral was at 10 a.m. Tuesday, Aug. 30, at Hardwicke Funeral Chapel with John Ballard officiating. Burial was in West Mount Zion Cemetery near Hartman.

Pallbearers were Brent Cater, Dutch Houston, Bryan Atkins, Del Holland, Billy Williams and Jerry England.

Lillian H. Blackard

Lillian Halmes Blackard, 81, of Hartman died Saturday, Aug. 27, 2005, at her home.

She was a retired teacher after 39 years of service of which 23 years were in the Clarksville Schools, member of the Grenade’s Chapel Methodist Church, daughter of the late Fuller and Una Mae Chandler Halmes, and was preceded in death by one brother, Lowell Halmes.

She is survived by her husand of 63 years Paul Blackard; one daughter, Karen Nordin of Clarksville; one son, Larry Blackard and wife, Carol, of Hartman; two brothers, J. E. Halmes of Ozark and Howard Halmes of Hartman; five grandchildren, Jeff Blackard and wife, Deanne, and Eric Blackard and wife, Amy, all of Hartman, Nick Blackard and wife, Lou Ann, of Greenwood, and Bryan Nordin and Callie Nordin, both of Clarksville; and three great-grandchildren, Abby, Wyatt and Tyler.

Funeral was at noon Tuesday, Aug. 30, at Roller-Cox Funeral Home Chapel with Rev. Frank Grubbs officiating. Burial was in Bethlehem Cemetery near Hartman.

Pallbearers were Jeff Blackard, Eric Blackard, Nick Blackard, Bryan Nordin, David Halmes, and Eldon Edgin.

Memorials may be made to the Johnson County Public Library, # 2 Taylor Circle, Clarksville, AR 72830.

Ray L. Johnson

Ray L. Johnson, aged 96, passed away Wednesday, Aug. 24th at the Clarksville Convalescent Home. Ray was born in Hartman on May 10th, 1909. His parents were Sam and Minnie Morgan Johnson. He lived in Hartman most of his life. He was one of the few remaining baseball players from the Coal Hill and Stony Point baseball teams of the 1930s and 1940s. Ray worked at the Sunshine Coal Mines for 14 years and later was an employee of Hanford and Swift companies in Clarksville.

He was a World War II veteran, having entered the Navy in March of 1944 where he was assigned duty on a merchant ship which carried ammunition. He was for many years an avid duck hunter and fisherman.

He was preceded in death by his wife, Bernice Johnson, who passed away on February 15, 2004. They had been married 66 years at the time of her death. A son, Mike Johnson also preceded him in death in 1978. His survivors include a daughter, Phyllis Jones and her husband Sonny from Monticello; a son, Monroe Johnson of Hartman; a son, John and wife Inge of Alma; a sister, Muriel Eichenberger of Clarksville; one granddaughter, Andrea Puyear of Carrollton, Texas; five grandsons, Kirby Johnson of Sheridan, Andy Johnson of Sherwood, Steve Puyear of Little Rock, Brian Johnson of Hartman, and Keith Johnson of Salem, Oregon.

Graveside services were at 10 a.m. Saturday, Aug. 27, 2005, at Hartman Cemetery in Hartman, Arkansas. Visitation was held from 6-8 p.m. Friday at the Roller-Cox Funeral Home.

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