7/23/2008
Edith Ford, 89, of Van Buren died Thursday, July 17, 2008, at Peachtree Care Unit in Fort Smith.
She was a native of the Harmony Community, daughter of the late Abraham J. and Jennie Fowler Ford, Baptist, member of the Coal Hill VFW Post No. 8532 ladies auxiliary, and was preceded in death by her 11 brothers and sisters, Abe Ford, Howell Ford, Henry Ford, Kenneth Ford, Lottie Allen, Alta Standen, Effie Johnson, Elsie Sparks, Noredia Brooks and Bertie and Gertie Ford.
She is survived by two daughters and sons-in-law, Jo Ellen and H. B. Chronister Jr. of Van Buren and Jonnie Maxine and Jim Smith of Lamar; one son, Don Allen Reeves of Ozark; four grandchildren, Belinda Shelly of Alma, Donnie Chronister of Van Buren, Rebecca Williams of Clarksville and Cathy Lease of Lamar; and six great-grandchildren, Charity and Christopher Shelly, Amber Chronister, Zachery and Alyssa Williams and Harlie Sawyers.
Funeral was at 2 p.m. Monday, July 21, at Hardwicke Funeral Home Chapel with Rev. Bill Milam officiating. Burial was in Minnow Creek Cemetery.
Pallbearers were Christopher Shelly, Donnie Chronister, Russell Williams, Paul Hicker, Jim Sullivent, and Allen Lewis.
Joyce Marie Hicks
She was born at Lone Pine, daughter of the late Coy Levi and Gertrude Elizabeth Moffitt Pitts, widow of Joe Hicks, attended Strawberry Assembly of God Church and was preceded in death by one brother, Ray Gene Pitts.
Survivors include one daughter, Rita Joyce Spellman and husband, Larry, of Canyon City, Colo.; four sons, Donny Joe Hicks and wife, Denise, and Coy Lee Hicks and wife, Betty, all of Lamar, Jerry Dean Hicks and companion, Shannon, of Hagarville, and Doyle Lynn Hicks and wife, Karen, of Hector; three sisters, Bobbie Lou Callahan of Deming, N. M., Ida May Lantz of Trout Creek, Mont., and Mary Alice Mullanax of Fort Worth, Texas; two brothers, Troy Dean Pitts of Deming, N. M., and Willie Lee Pitts of Oark; 17 grandchildren; 17 great-grandchildren; and companion, Jerry Pentzer.
Graveside services and burial were at 11:30 a.m. Saturday, July 19, at the Union Cemetery on Mt. Levi Road with Rev. Donald Carey officiating. Arrangements were under the direction of Roller-Cox Funeral Home.
Active pallbearers were Quiton Hughes, Chuck Hughes, Johnny Vick, Loren White, Jeremy Hatchett, and Steve White.
Honorary pallbearers were Dewayne Dlugosh, Dean Dlugosh, Levi Hicks, Jerry David Pentzer, Larry Pentzer, and Bobby Taylor.
Larry A. Keys
He was a son of the late Jimmy and Barbara Clayborn of Lamar, attended Lamar School, Army veteran, and retired Whirlpool employee.
Survivors include his wife, Nona Keys; one daughter, Stephanie Morse of Cedarville; one son and daughter-in-law, Jeremy and Tanya Keys of Cedarville; three sisters, Pat Lofgren and Donna Underwood, both of Longview, Texas, and Jeanie Rives of Oark; one brother, Eugene Clayborn of Longview, Texas; and two grandchildren, Jacob and Joshua Keys, both of Cedarville.
A memorial service was held at 10 a.m. Friday, July 18, at Ocker Memorial Chapel in Van Buren. Burial of the cremains was in the U. S. National Cemetery in Fort Smith.
Memorials may be made to St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital ALSAC, 505 N. Parkway, Box 3704, Memphis, TN 38173-0704.
Orville T. White
He was a native of Booneville, son of the late Thomas and Sidney Smith White, member of Hartman United Methodist Church, retired bus driver for the city of Fort Smith, and was preceded in death by two sisters, Minnie Wisley and Velma Adams.
Survivors include his wife, Dorothy Peters White; three nieces, Nora Jean Boatright of Van Buren, and Lois Peterson and Wanda Kay Adams, both of Maryland; and several great-nieces and great-nephews.
Graveside services and burial were at 2 p.m. Saturday, July 19, at the Kendall Cemetery with Rev. Regina Turner officiating. Arrangements were under the direction of Hardwicke Funeral Home.
Reva Roberta Dotson
She was a native of Waverly, Kan., daughter of the late Guy and Carrie Copple Ellis, member of East Mount Zion Trinity Baptist Church, widow of Vesta B. Dotson, and was preceded in death by one son, Donald Hile; and one stepson, Jack Dotson.
She is survived by two daughters, Jerry Lou Beattie of Clarksville and Sandra Sue Reddell of Kansas City, Kan.; two sons, Lawrence D. Hile of Sanford, N. C., and Dal Bryan Hile of Temple City, Calif.; one stepdaughter, Jeanette Kelley of Walnut Grove, Mo.; three stepsons, Gordon Dotson of Morrisville, Mo., Paul Dotson of Wichita, Kan., and Arthur (Buzzy) Dotson of Walnut Grove, Mo.; 22 grandchildren; numerous great-grandchildren; and numerous great-great-grandchildren.
Funeral was at 2 p.m. Tuesday, July 22, at East Mount Zion Trinity Baptist Church with Rev. Robbie Jackson officiating.
Burial was in Mossville Cemetery under the direction of Hardwicke Funeral Home.
Active pallbearers were James Reddell, Mark Beattie, Richard Hile, Gary Hile, James Kelley, and Jerry Kelley.
Honorary pallbearer was Bill Mason.
Johnnie B. Skidgel
Johnnie Bell Skidgel, 74, of Clarksville died Saturday, July 19, 2008, at Ozark Nursing Home.
She was a daughter of the late Charles and Lily Shoot Nickolson and a native of Vaveland.
Survivors are her husband, Thomas A. Skidgel; two daughters, Linda Kimbriel of Deatsville, Ala., and Lisa Skidgel of Clarksville; four sons, Jimmy Duncan of Oakdale, Calif., Michael Duncan and Richard Duncan, both of the Flat Rock Community, and Terry Skidgel of Clarksville; two sisters, Norma Haire of Star City and Lola Caliote of Rio Loso, Calif.; one brother, Joe Nickolson of Star City; 13 grandchildren, Steven Duncan, Stephanie Palmore, Michael Duncan, Heather Foster, Aaron Skidgel, Ashley Duncan, Jennifer Duncan, Shadow Skidgel, Jimmy Duncan, Chance Skidgel, Jake Duncan, Alex Skidgel, and Shane Peterson; and 11 great-grandchildren, David Duncan, Michael Foster, Jamie Duncan, Caleb Palmore, Levi Duncan, Alexis Skidgel, Cohen Palmore, Thomas Skidgel, Jessie Duncan, Justice Casto, and Jermiah Mee.
Graveside services and burial were at 10 a.m. Tuesday, July 22, at Shady Grove Cemetery with Rev. David Zeiler officiating. Arrangements were under the direction of Hardwicke Funeral Home.
Pallbearers were Michael Duncan, Aaron Skidgel, Ashley Duncan, Shadow Skidgel, Jimmy Duncan, Jake Duncan, and Alex Skidgel.
Heartsill G. McSwain, 91, of Fort Smith died Monday, July 21, 2008, at Fort Smith.
He was owner of City Trading Post for 35-plus years, member of Spradling Avenue Baptist Church in Fort Smith, Mason, member of the Grotto, dealer in Coca Cola collectibles, and was preceded in death by his first wife, Irene Dillahunty McSwain; one brother, Dr. H. T. McSwain; and one sister, Drucilla Geisel.
Survivors include his wife, Gean Harman McSwain; one daughter, Betty McSwain of Fort Smith; one son, Thomas McSwain of Fort Smith; one sister, Ruth Brasuell of Eugene, Ore.; and numerous nieces and nephews.
Funeral will be at 10 a.m. Friday, July 25, at Shaffer Funeral Home Chapel in Ozark with Rev. Harold Walker officiating. Burial will be in Highland Cemetery at Ozark.
Pallbearers will be Charles Seratt, Joe Holmesley, Doyle Dillahunty, Chaz Dowe, Dean Castleberry, John Dillahunty, and Jody Taylor.
