Sharon Ann Rutledge

Sharon Ann Rutledge, 63, of Marmaduke, died Saturday, May 1, 2004, at her home.

She was born March 1, 1941 , in Columbus , Ohio . She was a retired factory worker for Emerson Electric and a member of Marmaduke First Baptist Church .

She was preceded in death by her parents, Carl and Charlotte Graves Carroll.

Survivors include her husband, Gail Rutledge of Marmaduke; two sons, David Rutledge of Licking, Mo., and Eric Brown of Marmaduke; two daughters, Becky (Rutledge) Shewmaker of Benton and Debbie (Rutledge) Bearden of Rector; one sister, Brenda Nelson of Marmaduke; and three grandchildren.

The funeral will be at 10 a.m. Tuesday at Marmaduke First Baptist Church with the Rev. Kim Bridges and Ben Whitaker officiating. Burial will be in Hartsoe Cemetery in Marmaduke under the direction of Heath Funeral Home of Paragould.

Pallbearers are Shane Robinson , Shannon McDowell , Shawn McDowell , Shane Jordan , Andrew Dodd , Ronnie Coward and David Fultz .

Visitation will begin at 6 p.m. Monday at Marmaduke First Baptist Church .

Memorials may be made to Marmaduke First Baptist Church .

Verna Williams

Verna Williams, 86, of Wynne, formerly of Marmaduke, died Friday, April 30, 2004 , at Wynwood Nursing Center in Wynne.

She was born Sept. 5, 1918 , in Greene County . She was a homemaker and a member of First Baptist Church of Marmaduke.

She was preceded in death by her parents, Tom and Sylvia Vestal ; and one son, Vesta Gene Williams .

Survivors include her husband, Odis Williams of Wynne; two sons, Earl Dean Williams and Ronnie Lee Williams , both of Widener; one sister, Elsie Brightwell of Paragould ; five grandchildren; and 11 great-grandchildren.

The funeral will be at 10:30 a.m. Monday at First Baptist Church of Marmaduke with Kim Bridges officiating. Burial will be in Harvey's Chapel Cemetery in Marmaduke under the direction of Mitchell Funeral Home of Paragould.

Pallbearers are Bryan Exum , Jim Hitchcock , Bruce Smith , Riley Hitchcock , Ethen Williams , Grant Williams and Grayson Exum .

Dora Frances Cross

Dora Frances Cross, 74, of Mountain Home, formerly of Paragould, passed away Wednesday, April 28, 2004.

She was born June 12, 1929 , in Cherry Valley , Ark.

She was a homemaker and of the Baptist faith.

Mrs. Cross was preceded in death by her husband, Ben Cross ; her parents, Thomas Hall and Bessie Mae Monk; and by her six brothers, Ed , Thomas , Clarence , Elbert, James , and Ronnie .

She is survived by one daughter, Barbara Ashmead of Mountain Home; two sons, Ben Cross of Paragould and David Cross of Alba , Texas ; 13 grandchildren; and 13 great-grandchildren.

A graveside service is planned for 1 p.m. Saturday at Greene County Memorial Gardens.

Imogene Knopp Lewis

Imogene Knopp Lewis, 77, of Jonesboro, died Monday, May 3, 2004, in Jonesboro .

She was a homemaker, a member of First United Methodist Church in Jonesboro , Believers Sunday School Class, Fourth Quarter Club, and was a volunteer at City Youth Ministries.

She is survived by her husband, Austin , of the home; one daughter, Lynn Lewis Ratliff of Jonesboro ; two grandchildren, Allison Camferdam of Dominica , West Indies and Elaine Farris of Newburgh , Indiana ; one sister, Erma Houston of Coffeyville , Kansas and one brother, Neal "Buddy" Knopp of Houston, Texas.

She was preceded in death by one sister, Marvine Fox .

Graveside services will be at 10:30 a.m. Thursday at Linwood Cemetery with Russell Hull officiating.

Visitation will be from 6 to 8 p.m. today at Heath Funeral Home in Paragould . Memorials may be made to City Youth Ministries in Jonesboro , First United Methodist Church in Jonesboro or the church or charity of your choice.

Charles Cherden Nelson

Charles Cherden Nelson, Paragould, Arkansas , died Wednesday morning, 5 May, 2004 from cancer. He was 74 years old. Mr. Nelson was born at Monette , Arkansas , 11 February 1930 , a son of William Edward and Ollie Myrtle (Hill) Nelson .

He was married in Kalamazoo , Michigan , to Evelyn Ewing, now of Haleyville , Alabama . Survivors include his children, Judy R.; James A. Nelson and Janet K. Nelson, both of Haleyville, Alabama; Eddie D. Nelson of Miller's Creek, North Carolina; two granddaughters; five sisters and two brothers: Arveleah Ward of Paragould, Arkansas, El Marie Kirby of Galesburg, Michigan, Ollie Coffey of Edgemont, Arkansas, Lloyd Nelson of Lawton, Oklahoma; Sibbie Sheppard of Beebe, Arkansas; Leamon Nelson of El Paso, Texas, Myrna Joyce Shelley of Kalamazoo, Michigan; his significant other, Edith Fancher and her son, James Livesay of Paragould, Arkansas.

Mr. Nelson was preceded in death by his parents, Ed and Myrtle Nelson; a grandson, Brett Nelson , North Caroline and two brothers, William H. Nelson and Douglas A. Nelson .

Charles Nelson , a U.S. Army veteran, enlisted in 1951 and served in the U..S. Army's 317th Signal Battalion (Construction) in Germany and Japan .

Visitation will be from 10 a.m. to 1 p.m. today at Mitchell Funeral Home, with a graveside service at Gainesville Cemetery , 1:30 p.m. today with Jesse Dollars officiating.

William Jack Townsend

William Jack Townsend, age 82, a native Texan, passed away on May 3, 2004 . A veteran of three wars, World War II , Korea and Vietnam , he always glorified his country to all people of whatever origin. Enlisting in the famed 36th Division of the Texas National Guard in October 1939, he transferred to the regular Army Air Corps in December 1939. Although he never won any prestigious awards during his career, he spent 15,000 hours flying as a Flight Engineer on varying types of aircraft, ferrying troops and supplies to wherever our personnel were stationed.

He is survived by two daughters, Patricia of Redwood City, Calif., and Susan of Portland, Ore.; one granddaughter, Ayanna of Portland, Ore.; one sister, Helma Bell of Dallas , Texas ; and one sister-in-law, Jane , and her husband of Paragould , Ark.

No services are to be held after cremation. Burial of ashes will be in Paragould. Suggested memorials are to be made to Paragould Children's Homes. Arrangements with Porter Loring , 1101 McCullough Ave. , San Antonio , TX 78212.

Donna Michelle Wrather

Donna Michelle Wrather, 32, of Paragould, died Thursday, May 6, 2004.

Mrs. Wrather was born July 14, 1971 , in Kennett , Missouri . She was an employee of W.D. Quick Mart and of the Baptist faith.

Survivors include her husband, Robert L. Wrather of the home; her father and stepmother, Donald W. and Vicky Faries of Paragould; her mother and stepfather, Wilma and Glenn Guiltner of Jonesboro; one daughter, Kailee Michelle Wrather of the home; paternal grandmother, Isie Faries of Rector; maternal grandfather, Enos Pollard of Rector; and three sisters, Beverly Chedister and Kerri Cambron, both of Jonesboro, and Stacey Faries of Paragould.

Her funeral service will be at 10:30 a.m. Monday, May 10, at Mitchell Funeral Home Chapel, Paragould , with Kim Bridges officiating.

Burial will follow in the Greene County Memorial Gardens .

Visitation will be Sunday from 5 to 9 p.m. at Mitchell Funeral Home.

 
Billie Jean Cleveland

Billie Jean Cleveland , 68, of Paragould , Ark. died Thursday, May 6, 2004 , at her residence.

Mrs. Cleveland was born Sept. 13, 1935 , at Corning , Ark. and was a homemaker.

She was married to Carl E. Cleveland . He survives.

Other survivors include one daughter, Debbie Woodson of Paragould , Ark. ; one son, Ricky Townsend of Jonesboro , Ark. ; one sister, Charlotte Medcalf of Paragould ; one brother, Loucian Seagraves of Paragould ; seven grandchildren and seven great-grandchildren.

Visitation was from 6 to 9 p.m. Friday at Ermert Funeral Home in Corning .

The funeral service will be at 2 p.m. today in the funeral chapel. Burial will be in the Pirtle Cemetery in Peach Orchard, Ark.

Billy Gene Adams

Billy Gene Adams, 66, Marmaduke, died Friday, May, 07, 2004 in Jonesboro .

He was retired from Emerson Electric and attended First Freewill Baptist Church .

He is survived by his wife, Amy Adams of the home; mother, Piccola Boone of Paragould; sons and daughter-in-law, Billy Ray and Nancy Adams of California and Keith Taylor of Lafe; daughters and sons-in-law, Pamela And Keith Bryant of Paragould and Kristie and Jeff Foster of Lafe; sisters, Shirley Jackson and Barbara Mullins of Paragould; aunt, Pauline Carmon of Paragould; eight grandchildren; nephew and nieces, Rick Jackson, Debbie Maddox, Brenda Walker, Susan Winchester, Penny Mullins and Randy Mullins.

He was preceded in death by his father, Victor "Bug" Adams and his son, Victor W. Adams .

Funeral services will be at 1 p.m. Monday at Heath Colonial Chapel with Reverends Glenn Smith and Kim Bridges officiating.

Visitation will be tonight from 6 to 9 p.m. at Heath Funeral Home.

Memorials may be sent to the American Cancer Society.

Clyde Alfred Cook

Clyde Alfred Cook, 63, Paragould, died Friday, May, 7, 2004 , in Jonesboro .

He was employed by Smith Precision Machine and was of Pentecostal belief.

He is survived by his wife, Geneva Cook of the home; mother, Maudie Cook of Paragould; sons and daughters-in-law, Adrian Cook of Paragould, Michael and Marie England of Poteau, Oklahoma, Brandon and Jamie England and Gary and Shauna Bailey, both of Paragould; daughters and sons-in-law, April and Michael Fowler of Pocahontas, Michelle and Lance Ayers of Vernon, Texas, Angela Cook and Briana England, both of Paragould; brothers and sisters-in-law, Marvin Cook of Paragould, Sam and Jean Cook of Horton, Colorado, George and Reva Cook of North Carolina, James and Terri Cook of Jonesboro, Gary and Carol Cook of Paragould; sisters, Jr. and Mary Blankenship of Paragould, Sally Shepard of Marmaduke, Peggy and Ray Weaver, Martha and Ruben Rodriquez, both of Paragould; several nieces and nephews; 19 grandchildren and one great-grandchild.

He was preceded in death by his father, Clarence Cook ; sister, Shirlene Oupar ; and brother, John Edward Cook .

Funeral services will be at 4 p.m. Monday at Gainesville Cemetery with Reverend Daniel Simonin officiating.

Visitation will be tonight from 6:30 to 7:30 at Heath Funeral Home.

Memorials may be made to M.D. Anderson Hospital , P.O. Box 4486 , Houston , Texas , 77210-4486 .

  
Walter Lee Holland , Sr.

Walter Lee Holland, Sr., 71, of Marmaduke, died Friday, May 7, 2004. Mr. Holland was born February 8, 1933 , in Lilbourn , Missouri . He was a retired factory worker and a U.S. Army veteran and a member of Stonewall Church of the Rock.

Survivors include his wife, Frances Holland of the home; his sons, Walter Lee Holland, Jr. and Jimmy Dean Holland and one daughter, Teresa D. Brown, all of Marmaduke, Arkansas; four brothers, Jerry Holland of Florida, Alfred Holland of Burton, Michigan, Richard Holland of Dexter, Missouri and Gene Brooks of Phoenix, Arizona; two sisters, Mary Moss of Charleston, Missouri and Ethel Morrison of Pontotoc, Mississippi; seven grandchildren; and two great-grandchildren.

He was preceded in death by: his parents, William and Carrie Holland ; three brothers, William , Albert and Jewel Holland.

His funeral service will be at 1:30 p.m. Monday, May 10, at Mitchell Funeral Home Chapel, Paragould , with Daniel Simonin officiating. Burial will follow in the Providence Cemetery . Visitation will be today from 6 to 9 p.m. at the Mitchell Funeral Home.

Violet O. McGee

Violet O. McGee, 83, of Paragould, died Saturday, May 8, 2004, in St. Louis , Missouri . She was a homemaker, a member of First United Methodist Church , the " Duplicate Bridge " Club and the Glenna Rose Circle of the First Methodist Church .

Survivors include her husband, James McGee of the home; a sister, Lorene Crossno of Paragould , Arkansas and several nieces and nephews. She was preceded in death by her parents, William H. and Claudie Toler, four brothers; and three sisters.

Pallbearers will include: Danny Langston , Marion McGee , Charles Toler , Jimmy Crossno , Roy Crossno and Jerry Toler . Honorary Pallbearers will be the Homemaker Sunday School Class.

Her funeral service will be at 10:30 a.m. Tuesday, May 11th, at Mitchell Funeral Home Chapel, Paragould . Burial will follow in the Greene County Memorial Gardens. Visitation will be Monday from 6 to 8 p.m. at Mitchell Funeral Home.

Mary Mothershed

Mary Mothershed, 67, of Granite City, Illinois, died Wednesday, May 5, 2004, in Granite City , Illinois . Mrs. Mothershed was born on October 10, 1936 , in Tennessee . She was a homemaker and of the Pentecostal faith.

Survivors include her husband, Luthor C. Mothershed of the home, one son, Charles G. Mothershed, three daughters, Loretta G. Mothershed, Barbara L. Mothershed and Toni R. Mothershed, all of Granite City, Illinois; three sisters, Linda McKim and Clara V. Tatum, both of Paragould, Arkansas, Carolyn F. Cupp of Memphis, Tennessee; eight grandchildren; and three great-grandchildren.

She was preceded in death by: her parents, Harrison and Leona Blanton .

Her services will be at 2 p.m. Tuesday, May 11th, a graveside service at the Pine Log Cemetery near Brookland , Arkansas , with Michael Mothershed and Paul Barnhardt officiating. Visitation will be from noon until 1:30 p..m. Tuesday at the Mitchell Funeral Home, Paragould , Arkansas .

Mary Beth Agee

Mary Beth Agee, 64, of Marmaduke, died Sunday, May 9, 2004, at St. Bernards Medical Center.

She was born May 21, 1939 , in Leachville , Arkansas , to Allen and Notra Young Berry. Mary Beth was a 1957 graduate of Crowley 's Ridge Academy and a former houseparent at Paragould Children's Home. She was a farmer's wife, a former employee of Emerson Electric and owner of Mary 's Custom Quilting..

Survivors include one son, Chad Allen Agee and wife, Krista, of Marmaduke; one daughter, Cheryl Fairchild Ward and husband, John, of Hardy, Arkansas; one brother, Allen Spencer Berry of Woodlawn, Tennessee; and three grandchildren, Justin Ward, Derek Agee and Andrew Agee.

She was preceded in death by her husband, Ralph Agee , her parents and one brother, Y.H. Berry .

Funeral services will be Wednesday at 11:30 a.m. in the Mitchell Funeral Home Chapel, Paragould , with Ronnie Stevens officiating. Pallbearers will be John Ward , Earl Parrish , Don Parrish , Justin Ward , Cary Clayton and Spencer Berry . Burial will be in the Greene County Memorial Gardens . Visitation will be from 6 to 9 p.m. today at Mitchell Funeral Home.

Memorials may be sent to Paragould Children's Home.

Laverl Brannon

Laverl Brannon, 77, of Paragould, died Sunday, May 9, 2004 at his home.

He was a retired brick layer.

He is survived by his wife, Bessie McMillin Brannon; daughters, Joan Herbig and Betty Womack of Siloam Springs, Cheryl Poindexter of Paragould ; sons, Terry , Andrew and Matthew Brannon of Paragould ; two sisters, Earline McMillin of Jonesboro , Wanetta Smitherman of North Little Rock ; 11 grandchildren; and 11 great-grandchildren.

He was preceded in death by his parents, Leslie Clarence and Maude Simpson Brannon ; brothers, Arvill and Gerald Brannon ; and sisters, Zola Gatewood and Lola Huggins .

Funeral services will be 10 a.m. Wednesday at the Heath Colonial Chapel with Reverend Futrell Butler officiating.

Visitation will be tonight from 6:30 to 8:30 at Heath Funeral Home.

Memorials may be made to St. Bernards Hospice.

Clarence "Red" Edwards

Clarence "Red" Edwards , 79, of Paragould , died Saturday, May 8, 2004 , at his residence. Mr. Edwards was born February 14, 1925 , in Bunny, Arkansas . He was of the Pentecostal faith.

Survivors include his wife, Lucille Edwards of Paragould; five stepsons, Samuel Roseman of Summerville, Texas, James Cooper, Jerry Cooper, Gary Cooper, and Robert Cooper, all of Paragould; two stepdaughters, Shirley Thomas of Paragould, and Wilma Pierce of Cabot, Arkansas; 20 step-grandchildren, 20 step-great-grandchildren; and by a nephew, Robert Edwards and niece, Betty Harrington, both of Jackson, Michigan.

He was preceded in death by his parents, Henry and Ellen Edwards ; one stepdaughter, Mary Ann Roseman ; two brothers, Gene and Carl Edwards ; and by one sister, Sadie E. Lloyd .

Funeral services will be at 1:30 p.m. , Wednesday, May 12, at Mitchell Funeral Home Chapel, Paragould , with Jimmy Dale Sullivan officiating. Burial will follow in the Mountain Home Cemetery. Visitation will be today from 6 to 9 p.m. at Mitchell Funeral Home.

Carl Tyson

Carl Tyson , age 65, of Marmaduke, died Monday, May 10th in the Arkansas Methodist Medical Center . Services will be Wednesday at 1 p.m. in the Irby Funeral Home of Marmaduke.

He is survived by two daughters, Michele Hardin and Carla Blagg ; seven brothers; three grandchildren, Sharece Whitaker , Ashley Hardin , and Zoe Blagg ; and an expected great-grandchild.

Ruth C. Wiggington

Ruth C. Wiggington, age 92, of Shoreacres, Texas, formerly of Paragould, died Friday, May 7, 2004, at Clear Lake Regional Medical Center in Webster, Texas. She was a homemaker and a member of Third Avenue Baptist Church .

She is survived by her grandchildren, Theresa McNamara, Rob Wiggington, Tina Harper and Kathy Wiggington all of St. Louis, Missouri, Desiree Kraft, Dierdre Rosensky, Brett Via, all of Houston, Texas, and Tracy Wiggington-Eaves of Bartlett, Tennessee; 18 great-grandchildren, one great-great-grandchild, and many nieces, nephews, cousins, sons-in-law and daughters-in-law.

She was preceded in death by her parents, Callie and Ezra Bruce; husband, Benjamin Franklin Wiggington; children, Billy F. Morris, Bobby Ray Wiggington, Nova Joe Via, Jerry Don Wiggington and Nicky Lynn Wiggington; and brothers, Ralph Earl Morris and Alfred Morris.

Visitation will be from 6 to 8 tonight. Funeral service will be held at Heath Colonial Chapel, at noon Wednesday with the Reverend Clyde Cook officiating. Interment will immediately follow at Linwood Cemetery .

Chester Allison Craig

Chester Allison Craig, 75, of Paragould, died Monday, May 10, 2004.. He was a United States Army veteran and a retired copper foundry loader from Chemetco in Alton , Illinois .

He is survived by his wife, Faye Craig; daughters and sons-in-law, Karen and Ron Jones of Jonesboro, Tricia and Dave Albers of Pevely, Missouri and Judy Craig of Paragould; brother, Estes Craig of Paragould; sisters, Jean Grady and Jessie Higginbotham of Cardwell, Missouri; six grandchildren: Ron Jones, Jr., J.W. and Wayne Jones, Justin, Christopher and Kristyn Albers; three great-grandchildren: Dex Gardner and Shianna and Noah Jones.

He is preceded by his parents, Virgil and Onie ( Jackson ) Craig ; brothers, Vester, Homer , Alvin and Carl Craig ; sister, Kate Wood .

Funeral services will be at 4 p.m. today graveside at Cardwell Cemetery with Reverend Floyd Ryles officiating.

Visitation will be today from 2 to 3 p.m. at Heath Funeral Home.

John Bell Hendley

John Bell Hendley, 81, of Paragould, died Tuesday, May 11, 2004

He was a World War II Army veteran and a retired truck driver. He was of Pentecostal belief.

He is survived by his wife, Goldie Hendley; sons and daughters-in-law, Maxie and Patsy Hendley of Trinity, Texas, Danny and Charlotte Hendley of Paragould; daughters and sons-in-law, Betty and Herbert West, Bonnie and Charles Foster, Linda and David Eaton, Donna Ervin and Sandy Hendley, all of Paragould, Dorothy and Ben Johnson of Van Buren, Missouri, and Becky and Tommy Kimble of Harrisburg, Arkansas; sister, Geneva Delancy of Dumright, Oklahoma; twenty-five grandchildren; thirty-five great-grandchildren.

He is preceded in death by his mother, Mattie Kirby; father, Neal Hendley; second mother, Viola Janes Hendley; sister, Earline Cox Sipes.

Funeral services will be 10 a.m. Thursday at the Heath Colonial Chapel with Reverend Wayne Clements and Reverend Ricky Adams officiating.

Visitation will be today from 6 to 9 p.m. at Heath Funeral Home.

Memorials may be made to Hartsoe Cemetery Fund.

Robert Hardy Jones

Robert Hardy Jones, 82, of Paragould died Wednesday, May 12, at Arkansas Methodist Hospital in Paragould .

Born in Brookland, he lived in Little Rock before moving to Paragould 30 years ago. He was a salesman for the Staley Corp. and operated the Holman Bar-B-Q Restaurant in Paragould for several years. He was a member of the First Baptist Church of Jonesboro and was an Army veteran of World War II.

He was also a member of the Benevolent and Protective Order of Elks, the Veterans of Foreign Wars and United Travelers and was a past commander of the American Legion.

Survivors include his wife, Mary Flemon Jones of the home; two daughters, Janis Tucker of Little Rock and Jenny Munn of Germantown , Tenn. ; one sister, Sarah Parnell of Jonesboro ; four granddaughters, Holly Redam, Misty Hebert , Hannah Hoffman and Courtney James ; and six great-grandchildren.

Funeral services will be at 1:30 p.m. today at Emerson Funeral Home's Memorial Chapel in Jonesboro , with Dr. Bruce Tippit officiating. Burial will follow in Pine Log Cemetery.

Memorials may be made to the Paragould Children's Home, 5515 Old Walcott Road , Paragould 72450 .

There will be no visitation.

Mrs. Veona Jones , 91, formerly of Paragould , died May 11th in Farmington , Missouri . Veona was born in Paragould to Claude and Mary "Brummett" Walker . Also preceding: husband, Roy Jones (1981); Daughter, Alma Fay ; Son, Wallace Yates , eight brothers.

Survivors: grandchildren: Wallace ( Mona ) Yates ; Crystal ( Kenneth ) LaForge; Paul Yates ; Claude Yates . Five great-grandchildren, one great-great-granddaughter.

Visitation Saturday, 10:30 a.m., and graveside services 11:00 a.m., at Shiloh Cemetery, Paragould, with Minister Jerry Reynolds officiating, under direction of Taylor Funeral Service, Farmington, Mo. Memorials: *Farmington Senior Center.

Photo obituary online: www.taylorfuneral.com

Myrtle B. Robertson of Paragould passed away on Wednesday, May 12, 2004 , at Rose Skill Care of Jonesboro, Arkansas. A long term resident of Paragould where she was a self-employed beautician, she was a member of the First Baptist Church of Paragould. She was the daughter of the late Flora Turpin Burnett and Doc Turpin of Kennett, Missouri .

She was preceded in death by her husband Loren ( Bill ) Robertson and children: John Paul Robertson and wife Jean , and young Barbara Jean and Billy Robertson .

She is survived by sister, Aliene Goodrich of Kennett, Missouri; brother, Len Burnett of Kennett; son, Bobby L. Robertson and wife Suzanne of Fairfield Bay, Arkansas; grandchildren: John Stuart Robertson of Cape Girardeau, Missouri, Loren (Lori) Robertson of Nashville, Tennessee, Rachelle Vinyard and husband Joel of Plano, Texas, Bradley Hauser of North Little Rock, Arkansas, Traci Reed of Jackson, Tennessee; great-grandchildren, Mary Grace Vinyard and Suzanna Grace Hauser; several nieces and nephews.

Graveside services will be conducted by the Heath Funeral Home of Paragould at the Linwood Cemetery on Sunday, May 16, 2004 , at 2:00 p.m.

Mary Ola Anderson, 75, of Paragould, died Friday, May 14, 2004, at Doctor's Hospital, Houston , Texas . Mrs. Anderson was born October 2, 1928 , in Stonewell , Arkansas . She was a homemaker and of the Pentecostal faith.

Survivors include one son, Cecil E. Wall of Washington , Missouri ; two daughters, Lois Gene Hunter of Houston , Texas , and Patsy Lively of Paragould; one sister, Adeline Matheny of O'Fallon , Missouri ; several grandchildren; and several great-grandchildren.

Pallbearers will be: Paul Wall , Darrell Wall , Ed Jaques , Chris Lively, Randy Lively, Jr. and Billy Don Lively.

Funeral service will be at 2 p.m. , today, May 16th, at Mitchell Funeral Home Chapel, Paragould , with Morolon Wayne Ray officiating. Burial will follow in the Brown's Chapel Cemetery.

Visitation was Saturday from 6 to 9 p.m. at Mitchell Funeral Home.

Funeral services for 31-year-old Jewel Cavaness, of Rector, who died Tuesday, May, 12, 2004 at his residence after being shot, will be Monday, May 17th at the Rector First Baptist Church at 2 p.m. Burial in Harvey's Chapel Cemetery with Irby Funeral Home of Rector in charge of arrangements. Visitation today at 5 p.m. at the church.

Mr. Cavaness was preceded in death by: his father, Jerry Cavaness on February 10, 2000 ; his maternal grandfather, R.C. Weber ; paternal grandparents, Raymond and Pearl Cavaness.

Mr. Cavaness is survived by: a daughter, Emerald Paige Cavaness of Paragould; his mother and stepfather, Debbie and John Graue of Bragg City, Missouri; his stepmother, Debbie Cavaness of Paragould; a brother and sister-in-law, Rocky and Tina Weber of Rector; a sister and brother-in-law, Diamond and Kevin Lowe of Paragould; three nephews, Jade, Casey and Jerrod Lowe of Paragould; stepgrandparents, Delno and Joyce Sandefer of Campbell, Missouri; a host of aunts, uncles and other relatives and friends.

Pallbearers will be Joey Eakins , Lee Jones , Ben Jones , Dae Parrish , Kevin Lowe , Jimmy Lowe , Chad Wheat and Tim Cavaness .

Honorary pallbearers will be Jeff Wilson and Kevin French

Robert L. McComas, 73, of Ash Flat, died May 16, 2004 in Searcy.

Visitation is 6-8 p.m. today at Heath Funeral Home in Hardy.

Funeral service is at 10 a.m. Wednesday. Burial will be in Greene County Memorial Gardens in Paragould at 1:30 p.m.

He is survived by one son, two daughters, four brothers, and two sisters.

Velma Leoma Gilliam, 87, of Paragould, passed away on Saturday, May 15, 2004 , in Paragould .

She was a homemaker and a member of Hope Full Gospel Church .

She was preceded by her husband, Clarence Wesley Gilliam ; parents, Bernard Justice and Margaret Charlotte Dickens Sontag; sons, James Kenneth and Walter Overton Gilliam; 10 brothers; and six sisters.

She is survived by sons and daughters-in-law, Donald Mack Gilliam of Memphis, Tennessee, Roland Wesley and Shirley Gilliam of Gainesville, Albert Lee Gilliam of Paragould, Paul Avery and Diane Gilliam of Marmaduke; daughters and sons-in-law, Vernice and Delmar Potter of Paragould and Linda and Ronnie Fears of Stanford; daughter-in-law, Daisy Gilliam of Paragould; several grandchildren; several great-grandchildren; several great-great-grandchildren.

Funeral services will be 1:30 p.m. today at the Heath Colonial Chapel with Reverend David Stone officiating.

Memorials may be made to Arkansas Methodist Medical Center Foundation.

Martha Louise Wade

Martha Louise Wade, 83, of Paragould died Sunday, May 16, 2004, at Paragould Nursing and Rehab Center.

She was born in Paragould and was a homemaker.

Survivors include a son, Glenn Wade of Paragould; a daughter, Debbie Bratton of Paragould; two grandchildren, Meredith Holden and Melissa Rushton; and two great-grandchildren.

She was preceded in death by her parents, Frazier Q. and Neva Hopkins Hammond.

Graveside services have been scheduled for 3:30 p.m. Wednesday at Linwood Cemetery, with the Rev. David Moseley officiating. Heath Funeral Home of Paragould is in charge of arrangements.

Visitation will be from 7-9 p.m. today at the funeral home.

Estelle Patterson Carter

Estelle Patterson Carter, 87, of Jonesboro died Tuesday.

Graveside Services will be held Friday, May 21, 1:00 PM at Pine Knott Cemetery . Visitation: Thursday 6-9 PM at the Roller-Farmers Union Funeral Home in Jonesboro .

Survivors: two sons, Bob and Glenn Patterson, both of Jonesboro; four daughters, Virginia Nutt of Bono, Carolyn Gibson of Jonesboro, Pearline Adams of Santa Ana, CA, and Donna Presley of Laguna Nigual, CA; three sisters, Norma Treadway of Hoxie, Sadie Tolar of Paragould and Carrie Read of Troy, MO; nineteen grandchildren; and twenty-four great-grandchildren.

William Jackie Vines, 74, died yesterday in Paragould. Survived by sisters: Margie Robb, Paragould; Imogene Brown, Pueblo, CO, Deloris Smith, Beech Grove; brothers: Paul Vines of Beech Grove & Donald Vines of Little Rock; Graveside services are today, 11:00 A.M., Jones Ridge Cemetery, Delaplaine with Heath Funeral Home in charge.

Jessie Lee Whitley, 58, of Paragould, died Monday, May 17, 2004, at her residence.

She is survived by her daughter, Sharon Diane Martin of Paragould; son, Rondel Wayne Sturgeon of Arkansas; son-in-law Brian Martin of Paragould; sister, Mary Agnes Bailey of Paragould; half sister, Shirley Easter of Tennessee; brothers, Tommy, Jerry and Wesley Burns, all of Paragould; grandsons, Larry Wayne and Matthew Newman of Paragould; great-granddaughter, Shalyn Newman of Paragould; seven nieces; seven nephews; and several great nieces and nephews.

She is preceded by her parents, Fred and Pearl Burns; brothers, Walter-DeWitt and Hulen Burns .

Funeral services will be at 11:00 A.M. Thursday, at the Heath Colonial Chapel with Reverend Larry Bulla officiating.

Visitation will be today from 6:00 to 9:00 P.M. at Heath Funeral Home.

Burial will follow at Linwood Cemetery .

Mary Jeanette Childress

Mary Jeanette Childress, 59, of Houston, Texas, formerly of Paragould, died Wednesday, May 19th, at the Houston Hospice.

Mrs. Childress was born March 2, 1945 , in Paragould . She was a homemaker and a revenue officer with the U.S. Treasury Department, Internal Revenue Service and of the Baptist faith.

Survivors include her husband, Gary Childress of the home; one son, Greg Childress; and one daughter, Lisa Gaskill, both of The Woodlands, Texas; three brothers, Bobby Hensley and Bill Hensley, both of Foxworth, Mississippi, Jerry Hensley of Paragould, Arkansas; three grandchildren; and one great grandson.

She was preceded in death by her mother, Ora Thomason and her father, Fred Hensley .

Funeral services will be Saturday at 10:30 a.m. in the Mitchell Funeral Home Chapel, Paragould with Marion Gramling officiating.

Burial will follow in Linwood Cemetery . Visitation will be from 7:00-9:00 p.m. , today, at Mitchell Funeral Home.

Funeral services for 95 year old Homer Simpson , who died May 19th, will be Saturday at 2:00 p.m. in the Irby Funeral Home Chapel.

Visitation will be today at 5:30 p.m.

He is survived by: a son, Velius Simpson ; a daughter, Lou Bateman ; four grandchildren; and twelve great-grandchildren.

Clifford Eugene Gander, 61, of Paragould, died at his home Friday, May, 21 2004. Mr. Gander was born in Walcott. He has lived in Houston , Texas sixteen years and the past twenty-two years in Greene County . He served with the U.S. Marine Corps. during Vietnam era. Mr. Gander was a self-employed Logger.

He is survived by his wife, Patricia Shipman Gander of the home; his mother and stepfather, Miles Clark and Doris Riggs Clark of Cherokee Village, Ark., two sons, Marvin Gander of Walcott, and Mitchell Gander of Beech Grove; one daughter, Lana Neely of Pineville, La.; and six grandchildren, Autumn Hicks, and Andrew Gander, both of Paragould, Brittani Neely of Pineville, La., Brigette Neely of Monroe, La., Ben Gander and Will Gander, both of Beech Grove, Ar.

He was preceded in death by his father, Eugene Gander .

His services will be today at 10:00 a.m. graveside in Warren's Chapel Cemetery with Dan Walker officiating. Pallbearers will be Andrew Gander , Bart Rowe , Bruce Stewart , Rick Williams , Bill Killian , and Justin Killian . Under the direction of Roller-Farmers Union Funeral Home.

James Erben Greer, 62, of Paragould died Friday, May 21, 2004. He was a self employed contractor. He is survived by sons, James Greer of Monette, Arkansas, Larry Greer and Jeff Brasher of Paragould; daughters, Heather Mullins and Dana Smithmier of Paragould; brothers, Otis Hunter of Poplar Bluff, Missouri and David Hunter of Paragould; sisters, Judy Leek of Poplar Bluff, Missouri and Linda Glud of Paragould; companion, Blanche Crafton of Paragould; five grandchildren. He is preceded by his parents, Merle and Lois Greer . Graveside services will be 2:00 P.M. Sunday at Reddick Cemetery with Reverend Terry Songer officiating. Visitation will be today from 6:00 to 9:00 P.M. at Heath Funeral Home.

Alice Grace Tucker Guest, 91, of Paragould, died Friday, May 21, 2004, at her home.

Mrs. Guest was born October 23, 1912 , in Middleton , Tennessee . She was a homemaker and a member of the 7th & Meuller Church of Christ.

Mrs. Guest enjoyed gardening, walking and quilting. Over the past 30 years, she hand quilted over 1,000 quilts. She worked over 8 years as a volunteer at the 7th & Meuller Compassion Outreach.

Survivors include one son: William Guest of Old Orchard Beach, Maine; one daughter, Grace Tyra of the home; 9 grandchildren; 19 great-grandchildren; 3 great-great-grandchildren; one niece, Kay House of Kokomo, Indiana; and 4 nephews. She was preceded in death by: her parents, James and Mary Tucker ; one daughter, Virginia Stringer ; and one sister, Ethel Tucker House Nation.

Funeral services will be 10:00 A.M. Tuesday, May 25, 2004 , at the 7th & Meuller Church of Christ with Larry McFadden officiating. Visitation will be from 6:00 P.M. until 9:00 P.M. Monday at the Mitchell Funeral Home. Burial will follow at the Pine Log Cemetery near Brookland , Arkansas .

Family requests memorials to the 7th & Meuller Compassion Outreach or the Paragould Children's Home.

Margaret Neomia Grimes, 71, of Paragould, died Saturday, May 22, 2004. She was a former nurse's aide at Arkansas Methodist Hospital and a member of Trinity Full Gospel Church .

She is preceded by her husband, David Grimes, Sr.; parents, Sherman Andrew and Julia Jane Medsker Crossno ; brothers, Jerry , Reverend Charles , Joseph and William Crossno ; and a sister, Sterlean Beasley .

She is survived by sons and daughters-in-law, Ronald Gene and Betty Crossno of Paragould, David, Jr. and Wanda Grimes of Batesville, Michael and Kathy Grimes of Beech Grove; sisters, Wilma Howard of Paragould, Stella Robertson of Forsythe, Missouri, Shirley Millay of Wolverine, Michigan, and Vicky Harrington of Billings, Montana; five grandchildren; two step-grandchildren; and several great-grandchildren.

Funeral services will be 11 a.m. Tuesday at the Heath Colonial Chapel with Pastor M.W. Ray and Brother Bill Newman officiating with burial following at Shiloh Cemetery .

Joycie R. Brown , 72, of Swartz Creek and Stuart , Florida , died Monday, May 24, 2004 at McLaren Regional Medical Center .

Joycie was born in Paragould on June 22, 1931 . She retired from AC Spark Plug Division and was a member of UAW Local #651.

She was preceded in death by her parents, Rex and Gayzell Brown ; and two sisters, Doris Fitzpatrick and Octavia Martin .

She is survived by one daughter and son-in-law, Anna Lynn and Norman Wise of Florida ; one granddaughter, Erika ; one sister and brother-in-law, Wanda and Bill Puckett of Lennon ; and several nieces and nephews.

Funeral service will be held at 2 p.m. Thursday, May 27, 2004 , at the Swartz Funeral Home, 1225 West Hill Road , Flint , Mich. , with Rev. William G. McMillen officiating.

Burial will be in Crestwood Cemetery .

Those desiring may make contributions to a charity of one's choice.

Visitation will be 5-8 p.m. today and 12-2 p.m. Thursday, at the funeral home.

Dr. George Hobby , 60, passed from this life on Tuesday, May 25, 2004 , at home. He was born November 24, 1943 , in Livingston , Northern Rhodesia , ( Zambia ) the son of missionaries, Alvin and Georgia Hobby .

He graduated from Harding University in 1961 and the University of Arkansas Medical School in 1970. He served in the U.S. Navy from 1969-1974. He practiced Family Medicine in Paragould from 1977-1998 when he joined the Family Medical Center in Corning where he worked until February of 2004.

Dr. Hobby was devoted to God, his family and his patients. He was a member of the Hillcrest Church of Christ where he served as an elder and a Bible teacher.

He was preceded in death by a brother, Paul Hobby , and his father, Alvin Hobby .

He is survived by his wife of 38 years, Priscilla Baker Hobby; two sons and their families, Christopher and Vicki Hobby , Hayden , Zachary and Maggie of Siloam Springs and Jonathan and Angie Hobby , Michael and Sarah of Jonesboro.

He is also survived by his mother, Georgia Hobby of Searcy; two brothers, David Hobby and his wife, Karen , of Arlington , Texas ; Dr. Kenneth Hobby and his wife, Ann , of Searcy; a sister, Dr. Anita Mitchell and her husband, Dennis , of Monroe , Louisiana ; and a host of family and friends.

Visitation will be from 1:00-3:00 on Saturday at Heath Funeral Home followed by the funeral at 3:00 . Burial will be at Linwood Cemetery in Paragould .

Honorary pallbearers will be the Hillcrest elders: Harrell Austin , Larry Brinkley , Frank Gatlin and Boy Leath. Active pallbearers will be Perry Baker , Aaron Coleman , Jeff Combs, Chuck Conley , Todd Garnett and Don Wilcox .

Adam Broom and Dennis Mitchell will speak.

Lasting memorials may be made to Children's Homes, Inc. of Paragould or Zambian Mission Fund, 3103 East Memorial Road , Edmond , OK . 73013.

Ervin Kersey

Ervin Kersey, 81, of Paragould, died Tuesday.

He is survived by daughters, Barbara McQuay and Sue Herrod; sons, Mike and John Kersey; brothers, Ray and George Kersey; sisters, Lorraine Fast and Hazel Silva; fourteen grandchildren; thirteen great-grandchildren; two great-great-grandchildren.

Preceded by his wife, Mary Kersey; son, Jimmie Dale Kersey; parents, William Vernon and Edna May Wells Kersey; brother, Dee Kersey; sisters, Norma Jean and Bertha Kersey.

Willey Henry Gregory , 71, Paragould , died Wednesday in Paragould . He was a retired construction worker and was of Baptist belief.

He is survived by his wife, Veona Gregory, of the home; daughters, Kimberly Gregory of Ravenden Springs, and Sheila Gregory of Missouri; sisters, Geneva Martin of Paragould, and Berta Shaver of Beech Grove; brothers, Dallas "Bud" Gregory, and Kenneth Gregory, both of Paragould; grandchildren, Nathan Colby, Gregory and Jeremy Michael Gregory.

He was preceded in death by his parents, Samuel and Mary Faulk Gregory .

Funeral services will be 11:00 a.m. Saturday at Heath Colonial Chapel with Reverend Marion Gramling officiating with interment at Linwood Cemetery .

Visitation will be tonight from 6:00-8:00 at Heath Funeral Home.

Memorials may be made to the American Cancer Society, 1204 Robinwood, Paragould , AR 72450 .

Graveside funeral services for 66-year-old Charles Irby , of Piggott, who died May 27, will be Saturday at 10:00 a.m. at the Piggott Cemetery with Irby Funeral Home in charge of arrangements. Jerry Morgan officiating.

He is survived by his mother, Emogene Irby of Piggott; a brother, William C. "Bill" Irby of Piggott and a host of other relatives and friends.

No visitation

Evelyn Oden , daughter of the late Ike and Rebecca Jane Brewer Pankey, was born September 19, 1927 , in St. James , Missouri , and passed away May 25, 2004 , at the Arkansas Methodist Medical Hospital in Paragould , Arkansas at the age of 76 years.

She was married to Mr. William Oden . He preceded her in death.

Survivors include: 2 sons, Roy Brewer of Cardwell and Jim Brewer of Paragould, AR; 3 daughters, Virginia Johnson of Lakeland, Florida, Debbie Wilkin of North Carolina, Becky Yarbrough of Stuttgart, AR; 2 sisters, Edith Triplett of Luxora, AR, May Bell Willard of Campbell, MO; 13 grandchildren; 5 great-grandchildren; a host of nieces and nephews, other relatives and many friends.

Mrs. Oden was preceded in death by 5 brothers and 3 sisters.

Funeral services were held today, May 28, 2004 , at the McDaniel Chapel in Senath with Rev. Benny Isom officiating. Burial was in the Cardwell Cemetery .

McDaniel Funeral of Senath in charge of the arrangements.

Lila Jane Pickler , 80, of Rector, died Thursday, May 27, 2004 , in Nashville , Tenn. of natural causes.

She was born Sept. 29, 1923 , in Detroit , Mich. She was a bookkeeper and a Baptist.

She was preceded in death by her mother and father, Ronald and Ethel Miles ; her husband, Lindell N. Pickler; and two brothers, Keith Miles and Vernon Miles.

Survivors include two sons, Donald L. Pickler of Rector and Roy T. Pickler of Elkhart, Ind.; three daughters, Joy Moss of Clarksville, Ga., Londa Robinson of Rector and Carol Fournier of Grand Blanc, Miss.; two brothers, Richard Miles of Houghton, Miss., and Dean Miles of Piney Flats, Tenn.; two sisters, Ardith Gilchrist of Davison, Miss., and Yvonne Nordstrom of Clio, Miss.; 13 grandchildren; and 15 great-grandchildren.

The funeral will be at 2 p.m. Sunday, May 20, 2004, at Mitchell Funeral Home Chapel of Rector with Bro. Jack Bearden officiating. Interment will be in Harvey 's Chapel Cemetery in Marmaduke under the direction of Mitchell Funeral Home of Rector.

Pallbearers are Danny Moss , Eric Moss , Steven Moss , Todd Misener , Jason Pickler and Mike Finton .

Visitation will be from 6 to 9 this evening at the Mitchell Funeral Home in Rector.

Thomas O. Morrow , 72, of Paragould , died Saturday, May 29, 2004 at his home.

He worked in the Garden Center at Walmart and was retired from Emerson Electric. Tom was a member of Paragould Christian Church and a former City Council member.

He is survived by his wife, Gracelin; sons, John White, Paragould, Curtis White, Cash, Barry Morrow, Paragould; daughters, Tommie Jo Whitby, Troy, Mo.., Debra Stevens, Rogers; brothers, Donnie Morrow, Paragould, Harold Morrow, St. Louis, Mo.; sister, Betty Shrable, Paragould; grandchildren, Emily Grace and Thomas Logan White, Tanner White and 9 other grandchildren and 14 great-grandchildren.

He was preceded in death by his parents, Alvin and Carolyn Ridge Morrow; brothers, Gene Morrow ; sisters, Etaleen Jett and Odean Barger; and daughter, Marsha Morrow .

Funeral Services will be at 10:00 A.M. Tuesday at Heath Colonial Chapel with Duane Dutka officiating. Visitation Monday night from 6:00 P.M. to 9:00 P.M. at Heath Funeral Home.

Memorials may be made to the Greene County Rescue Squad, St. Bernards Hospice or Arkansas Methodist Medical Center .

Elvis Merrion Huffman, 70, of Paragould, died Sunday, May 30th, at his residence.

Mr. Huffman was born April 23, 1934 , in Paragould , to William Merrion Huffman and Sadie Cameron Huffman .

Mr. Huffman retired after thirty years from General Motors in Cleveland , Ohio . He was also a retired Greene County Tech School bus driver and a veteran of the United States Army. He was a member of the American Bowling Congress in Ohio and Paragould for many years.

Survivors include his wife, Wanda June Huffman of Paragould; two sons and daughters-in-law, Bill and Sherrell Huffman of Akron, Ohio, Jim and Julia Huffman of Paragould; three daughters and sons-in-law, Annette and Tim Kempel of Ravenna, Ohio, Sandra Davis and Greg Shack of Owosso, Michigan, and Sharon and Buster McClung of Charmco, West Virginia. He is also survived by three brothers and sisters-in-law, Arthur and Dorothy Huffman, Donnie and Tina Huffman, Larry and Alice Huffman, all of Paragould; one sister, Ina Mae Inman of Plainwell, Michigan; fifteen grandchildren; and eleven great-grandchildren.

His parents preceded him in death.

Funeral service will be 3:00 p.m. , Thursday, June 3rd, at Mitchell Funeral Home Chapel, Paragould , with John Miller officiating. Burial will follow in the Linwood Cemetery .

Visitation will be Thursday from 2:00-3:00 p.m. , at Mitchell Funeral Home

Minnie P. Ruth Miller, 94, of Paragould passed away Sunday, May 30, 2004. She was a Nurse for fifty years and of Baptist belief.

She was the daughter of the late William and Nora Parsley Irvin and was the oldest of ten children. She is also preceded by her husband, Walter Lee Miller and one son, Bobby Poole .

She is survived by her son, Carl Mangrum of Seattle, Washington; daughter, Sylvia Mangrum Street, Las Vegas, Nevada; brother, William Junior Irvin, Paragould; sister, Lucille Nolen, Paragould; 13 grandchildren, 25 great-grandchildren, 5 great-great-grandchildren.

Funeral services will be Thursday at the Heath Colonial Chapel with Reverend Marion Gramling officiating.

Visitation will be Wednesday, 6:00-8:00 p.m.

Opal Trantham, 83, of Kennett , Mo. , died Friday, May 28, 2004 , at Baptist Memorial Hospital in Memphis , Tenn. She was born Dec. 18, 1920 , in Kennett , Mo. She was a member of Slicer Street Church of Christ in Kennett , Mo.

She was preceded in death by her parents, William A. and Mamie Southern Reagan; her husband, George W. Trantham ; and two brothers, Kenneth Eugene Reagan and Enoch Reagan .

Survivors include one son, Tony Trantham of Lenexa, Kan.; one brother, Bill Reagan of Jefferson City, Mo.; two daughters and sons-in-law, Diane and Bobby Pate of Paragould, and Becky and Russ Stevens of Hartford, Ill.; six grandchildren; and ten great-grandchildren.

Funeral services were at 2 p.m. on Tuesday at the McDaniel Chapel in Kennett , Mo. , with Mr. Barry Joiner officiating. Burial was at Memorial Gardens in Kennett , Mo.

Pallbearers were Russ Stevens , Bobby Pate , Rusty Stevens , Everett Shreeves, Phil Stevens , and Lee Stevens .

Visitation was from 6-9 p.m. Monday at McDaniel Funeral Home in Kennett , Mo.

Memorials may be made to Children's Homes, 5515 Old Walcott Road , Paragould , AR 72450 .

Sharon Ann Rutledge, 63, of Marmaduke, died Saturday, May 1, 2004, at her home.

She was born March 1, 1941, in Columbus, Ohio. She was a retired factory worker for Emerson Electric and a member of Marmaduke First Baptist Church.

She was preceded in death by her parents, Carl and Charlotte Graves Carroll.

Survivors include her husband, Gail Rutledge of Marmaduke; two sons, David Rutledge of Licking, Mo., and Eric Brown of Marmaduke; two daughters, Becky (Rutledge) Shewmaker of Benton and Debbie (Rutledge) Bearden of Rector; one sister, Brenda Nelson of Marmaduke; and three grandchildren.

The funeral will be at 10 a.m. Tuesday at Marmaduke First Baptist Church with the Rev. Kim Bridges and Ben Whitaker officiating. Burial will be in Hartsoe Cemetery in Marmaduke under the direction of Heath Funeral Home of Paragould.

Pallbearers are Shane Robinson, Shannon McDowell, Shawn McDowell, Shane Jordan, Andrew Dodd, Ronnie Coward and David Fultz.

Visitation will begin at 6 p.m. Monday at Marmaduke First Baptist Church.

Memorials may be made to Marmaduke First Baptist Church.