8/6/2008
Geneva R. Wheeler, 83, of Lamar died Tuesday, July 29, 2008, in Russellville Nursing Rehabilitation Center.
She was a native of Scott County and attended Knoxville Baptist Church.
She is survived by one daughter and son-in-law, Joan and Jim Sutton of Russellville, formerly of Lamar; one brother, Eugene Watkins of Grass Valley, Calif.; two grandsons, Kevin Sutton of Lamar and Marc Smelser and wife, Debbie, of Sierra Vista, Ariz.; and several nieces and nephews.
The body was cremated.
Burial services will be held at the Monroe Cemetery in Harvey at a later date.
Memorials may be made to Needy Paws Animal Shelter, P. O. Box 523, Clarksville, AR 72830.
Bobby Earl (Sweet Darlin’) Mills, 69, of Dardanelle, formerly of the Spadra Community, died Wednesday, July 30, 2008, at River Valley Medical Center.
He was a native of Logan County, son of the late Clarence Edward and Minnie Mae Roberts Mills, 1957 graduate of Hartman High School where he played basketball and baseball, attended the University of the Ozarks, 32nd degree Mason, former resident of Novato, Calif., where he was employed building airplane parts, served in the U. S. Army as a military police officer, former employee of Russellville Firestone and Hardrock Mines in Utah, and a 25-year veteran of the Arkansas State Police having begun as an interstate patrolman in Little Rock in 1966 prior to transferring to Dardanelle one year later where he was stationed in Yell County until his retirement as corporal in 1991. He was preceded in death by one brother, Clarence Edward (J. J.) Mills Jr.
Survivors include his wife of 30 years, Linda Cockburn Mills; one daughter and son-in-law, Mindy and Jerry Crow of Dardanelle; one sister and brother-in-law, Brenda and Mel Hays of Dardanelle; two sisters, Mildred Tillman of Clarksville and Margaret Ralph and husband, Jack, of Salinas, Calif.; and numerous nieces, nephews, great-nieces, great-nephews, and cousins.
Funeral was at 2 p.m. Friday, Aug. 1, at the Dardanelle Community Center.
Burial was in Brearley Cemetery with the Arkansas State Police Honor Guard and graveside Masonic rites by Bright-Star No. 213.
Active pallbearers were the Arkansas State Police Honor Guard.
Honorary pallbearers were all state and local law enforcement officers, members of the Yell County Wildlife Federation and the Bigger Creek Hunting Club.
Arrangements were under the direction of Cornwell Funeral Home of Dardanelle.
Dr. David Leroy Gibbons, whose son, David L. Gibbons Jr. and wife, Iva Nell, reside in Clarksville, died Thursday, July 24, 2008, in Ozark.
He was a native of Ozark, son of the late Dr. William Henry Gibbons Sr. and Carrie Johnson Gibbons, 1942 graduate of Ozark High School, attended Arkansas Tech University in Russellville, 1947 graduate of the University of Arkansas Medical School in Little Rock and interned at Hillcrest Memorial Hospital in Tulsa, Okla., prior to returning to Ozark in 1948 to practice medicine with his father for two years before choosing to serve in active duty with the Medical Corps at 97th General Hospital in Frankfurt, Germany. In 1953 he returned to the Ozark medical practice while serving in the National Guard from which he retired as a major. He continued his medical practice until retirement in 1995, interrupted only by a residency in psychiatry at UAMS in 1972-73.
Dr. Gibbons was a charter and life member of the American Academy of Family Physicians, a diplomate and charter member of the American Board of Family Practice, a life member of the Arkansas Medical Society, the Southern Medical Association, the Franklin County Medical Society and the Arkansas Cardiovascular Institute.
He was a member and held office in several civic organizations and received numerous honors from the city of Ozark including the Thomas Carter Dangers Lifetime Achievement Award from the Chamber of Commerce. He was a member of the Ozark First United Methodist Church where he sang in the chancel choir as well as for weddings and funerals. He was preceded in death by four sisters and one brother.
Survivors include his wife of 61 years, Alice Barnett Gibbons; one other son, James W. Gibbons and wife, Julia, of Stuttgart; eight grandchildren, David L. Gibbons III and wife, Rebecca, Jennifer Carrie Gibbons Forand and husband, David, Andrew Richard Gibbons, Nora Elizabeth Gibbons, Jamie Shea, Jeremy Gunn, Jessie Stillwell and Eli Gunn; and ten great-grandchildren, Dylan, David Anthony, Rebekah, Jackie, Savannah, Eliza, Tori, Bridger, Jaxon, and Christian.
Funeral was at 2 p.m. Saturday, July 26, at First United Methodist Church in Ozark with Rev. Keith Dodson officiating.
Burial was in Highland Cemetery under the direction of Shaffer Funeral Home of Ozark.
Pallbearers were David Forand, Andrew Gibbons, Dylan Gibbons, David Anthony Gibbons and Johnny Maxwell.
Memorials may be made to Turner Memorial Goodwill Fund, 801 West River, Ozark, AR 72949 or the charity of the donor’s choice.
Elva Mae Boen, 86, of Tulsa, Okla., formerly of Salus, died Wednesday, July 30, 2008, at Maplewood Care Center in Tulsa, Okla.
She was a Baptist, daughter of the late Suel M. and Sarah J. James Stepp, and widow of Burlie Boen.
She is survived by one son, Hearl Boen and Linda of Tulsa, Okla.; one brother, Ruben Stepp of Paris; three grandchildren, Kathy Willis, Debra Lybarger, and Karen Clark; and six great-grandchildren.
Funeral was at 10 a.m. Saturday, Aug. 2, at the Salus Church with Rev. Robert Boen officiating.
Burial was in the Rosetta Cemetery under the direction of Roller-Cox Funeral Home.
Active pallbearers were Glenn Stepp, Keith Stepp, Ronnie Stepp, Dolen Stepp, Carl Easley, and Brent Cook.
Honorary pallbearers were Joe Knuckles, James Davis, James D. Stepp, Odell Boen, and Ed Kimbriel.
Geneva Vermelle Armstrong, 85, of Branch, grandmother of Heath Roper of Ozone, died Sunday, July 27, 2008, at her home.
She was a native of Stratford, Okla., daughter of the late Charles John and Maude Wilmer Sykes Lee, was employed at Tinker Field in Midwest City, Okla., during World War II, former employee of Montgomery Ward, member of the American Legion Auxiliary and First Christian Church in Edmond, Okla., and attended First Free Will Baptist Church in Charleston.
Survivors include her husband of 46 years, Clarence Eldon (Red) Armstrong; one daughter, Melanie Armstrong of Pocola, Okla.; one sister, Thelma Rollman of Warren, Mich.; one brother, Charles Lee of Edmond, Okla.; two other grandsons, Aaron Maxwell of the home and Ryan Roper of Midwest City, Okla.; and three great-grandchildren.
Funeral was at 11 a.m. Thursday, July 31, at Brotherton Brothers Funeral Home Chapel in Charleston followed by graveside services at 1 p.m. at the U. S. National Cemetery in Fort Smith with Rev. Jackie Brown officiating.
Active pallbearers were Larry Walthall, Wayne Ayers, James McDaniel, George Ross, Paul King and Richard Hannaford.
Honorary pallbearers were American Legion Post No. 8 and the Ladies Auxiliary.
Memorials may be made to the American Cancer Society, P. O. Box 8006, Fort Smith, AR 72902.
Ila Jean Uptigrove, 67, of Scranton died Wednesday, July 30, 2008, at her home.
She was a native of Dublin, daughter of the late Joseph William and Leona Pearl McNealy Stovall, member of Johnson Freewill Baptist Church, former employee of Ora Ida Foods, and was preceded in death by one son, James Roy Uptigrove.
Survivors include her husband, Bobby Ray Uptigrove; four daughters, Bobbie Jean Thompson, Shela Ray Flaherty, and Mary Jane Bowden, all of Scranton, and Joann Clark of Lamar; two sons, Billy Joe (Bub) Uptigrove of Scranton and John Michael Uptigrove of Dover; one brother, Billy Joe Stovall of Paris; 19 grandchildren; and 12 great-grandchildren.
Funeral was at 2 p.m. Friday, Aug. 1, at Johnson Freewill Baptist Church with Rev. Johnny McCoy and Rev. Jimmy Williams officiating.
Burial was in Wares Chapel Cemetery under the direction of Hardwicke Funeral Home.
Active pallbearers were Bob Cravens, Bobby Clark, Jason Bowden, James Thompson, Tom Flaherty, and Jack Flaherty.
Honorary pallbearers were Matt Byron, Joey McQuade, Jason Holman, Chris Watkins, James Robert Thompson, Zachary Ward, Thomas Flaherty Jr., Hiley Carpenter, Billy Joe Upitgrove Jr. and Kevin Uptigrove.
L. R. (Bub) Fox, 80, of Prairie View died Sunday, Aug. 3, 2008, in Clarksville.
He was a native of Prairie View, son of the late John Henry and Radna Ewing Fox, lifetime livestock dealer, co-owner of Fort Smith Livestock Auction, member of St. Meinrad Catholic Church and was preceded in death by his wife, Betty Spicer Fox.
He is survived by eight daughters, Lawrence Ann Copeland of Prairie View, Gloria Kay Goodin of Pocola, Okla., Carolyn Ward of New Blaine, Cindy Schluterman of Subiaco, and Cherry Kremer, Nancy Neumeier, Debbie Berry and Mary Koch, all of Scranton; six sons, John Fox and David Fox, both of Scranton, and Jim Fox, Don Fox, Richard Fox, and Mark Fox, all of Subiaco; one sister, Doris Jean Fritche of Fort Smith; one brother, Charles Harry Fox of Malvern; 31 grandchildren; and 35 great-grandchildren.
Rosary was at 7 p.m. Tuesday, Aug. 5, at Roller Funeral Home Chapel in Paris. Mass will be at 10 a.m. Wednesday, Aug. 6, at St. Meinrad Catholic Church with burial in St. Meinrad Cemetery at Prairie View.
Pallbearers will be John, Jamie, Ben and Lance Fox, Bill Copeland, Jeff Goodin, Craig Schluterman, Scott Berry and Andy Koch.
Ronnie Lee (Arkie) Honea, 65, of the Cox Valley Community, brother of Brenda Masters of Clarksville, died Tuesday, July 22, 2008, in a Fort Smith hospital.
He was a native of Paris, son of the late Roy Lewis and Joyce Bynum Honea, retired truck driver for Eddie English Trucking Company of Subiaco, member of Free Methodist Church in Oregon and was preceded in death by his wife, Lois Ruth Honea.
Survivors include four daughters, Sondra Reed of Caulksville, Pamela Meador of Charleston, Joyce Martines of Subiaco, and Bonnie Pyle of Cox Valley; one son, Roy Honea of Caulksville; three other sisters, Patsy Pettigrew of Paris, Sharon Kerr of Fort Smith, and Peach Cunningham of Midway; one brother, Billy Lewis of Paris; 22 grandchildren; and four great-grandchildren.
Funeral was at 3 p.m. Friday, July 25, at Brotherton Brothers Funeral Home Chapel in Charleston with Rev. J. L. Bonds officiating. Burial was at Cedar Grove Cemetery south of Caulksville.
Pallbearers were John Paul and Nathan Combs, Kyle and Ryan Honea, Brandon and Mark Swain, and Zach and Travis Parham.
Roy Thomas Davenport, 70, of Hartman died Monday, July 28, 2008, at Johnson Regional Medical Center.
He was a native of Coal Hill, brick layer, Mason, attended the Assembly of God Church, and was preceded in death by his parents, Lonnie D. and Annie B. Marvel Davenport; one daughter, Angela Rose Davenport; three sisters, Vera Sue Davenport, Lonita Ann Davenport, and Anna Lee Davenport; and one brother, Arthur Alan Davenport.
Survivors include his wife, Rosalie Reynolds Davenport; one son, Frankie Paul Reynolds of Coal Hill; two sisters, June Joy Johnson of Cedar Falls, Iowa, and Bonnie Bess McFadden of Hartman; one brother, Dallas Davenport Jr. of Coal Hill; and one grandchild, Matthew Paul Reynolds.
Funeral was at 2 p.m. Saturday, Aug. 2, at Roller-Cox Funeral Home Chapel with Rev. Amos Pledger officiating. Burial was at Hartman Cemetery with Masonic rites.
Active pallbearers were Jerry Estep, Larry Roberts, Alan Bryant, Billy Bert Reynolds, Kermit Warren, and Joe Mitchell Hurst.
Honorary pallbearers were Joe Hoing, Fred Breedlove, L. D. Holland, James Smith, Raymond Roberts, Glen Drum, Don Woodford, and John Suitt.
A nondenominational teacher of life, humanitarian, and genuine Samaritan, Kenneth always put others first, starting with his family whom he would defend to the end. Kenneth enlisted in the Army Air Corps on December 8, 1941, beginning a career dedicated to serving those around him. Upon his discharge in 1945 he joined his local fire department, where he eventually worked his way up to the position of department captain, where he heroically served until his retirement in 1974.
Although raised on the seacoast he decided the sedentary lifestyle of the Ozarks and moved into the rural Burge family farm in Clarksville, in 1975, where he resided always assisting others with his loving and devoted wife, Jane, until his untimely demise on July 27, 2008.
Kenneth is survived by his ailing wife, Jane; a son, Wayne Young of Fort Smith, Arkansas; a brother, Donald Young of Hudson, Florida; and a grandson, Brandon Wayne Young of Fort Smith, Arkansas.
He was preceded in death by his son, Gary Austin Young and his parents Daniel Wicks and Ruth Frances (Buckley) Young.
The body was cremated, a memorial service will be announced at a later time.
Olivia Grace Runer, 89, of Clarksville died Tuesday, Aug. 5, 2008, at Clarksville Convalescent Home.
She was a native of Lookeba, Okla., daughter of the late Arthur Neilon and Una Grace McDaniel Rickerson, widow of Harvey Runer, attended Mountain Home Freewill Baptist Church, where she was a member of the ladies auxiliary, member of Lamar Chapter No. 516 Order of the Eastern Star, Pittsburg Masonic Lodge, Johnson Regional Medical Center Auxiliary and the Hagarville Extension Homemakers Club, and was preceded in death by one son, Charles Postel; and one brother, Robert Rickerson.
She is survived by one sister, Charlene Wilson of Oklahoma City, Okla.; one brother, Kenneth Rickerson of Amarillo, Texas; and several nieces and nephews.
A memorial service will be held at 9 a.m. Thursday, Aug. 7, at the Mountain Home Freewill Baptist Church.
The body was cremated.
Local arrangements were under the direction of Hardwicke Funeral Home.
Memorials may be made to Mountain Home Freewill Baptist Church, 997 CR 3660, Lamar, AR 72846.