Contributed Obituaries, "F" Surnames

MISCELLANEOUS SCOTT COUNTY OBITUARIES
SURNAME "F"

The following obituaries were contributed for the use of Scott County researchers. If you have an obituary with a Scott County connection and would like to have it posted here, please send it to Delaine Edwards.

Last Updated 18 June 2008

Contributed by William Highfill
Ft. Smith Times Record (online edition)
Monday, 21 March 2006
GLORIA STEWART FARLEY

Comments: Gloria's father, Matthew Stewart, practiced medicine in Waldron before leaving Scott County and moving to Heavener. My mother, Rosemary Kemmerer, and Gloria were best friends from childhood. Gloria was my godmother. My maternal grandfather, Carl Fletcher Kemmerer, took Mother and Gloria to the "Heavener Runestone" on Poteau Mountain when they were school girls. That apparently sparked an interest in epigraphy and inscription research and exploration which Gloria pursued for the remainder of her life. If you are interested, you can find out more about Gloria by searching the Internet under "Gloria Farley."

Gloria Stewart Farley was born Oct. 21, 1916, in Heavener and died March 18, 2006, at her residence in Heavener. Her father, Matthew Stewart, was the local country doctor. Her mother, Virginia Upchurch Stewart, was the Heavener librarian. Gloria loved Heavener and after seeing the Heavener Runestone started a 50 year endeavor to record and research the evidence about the presence of the Europeans, North Africans and Scandinavians in America before Columbus. Her book “In Plain Sight” was published in 1994, and her second book is due to be published in 2007. There has been considerable recognition of her achievements. She is a fellow of two international organizations, the Epigraphic Society and the Explorers Club. She was a charter member and trustee of the Institute for the Study of American Cultures and received a gold medal for winning the Root Cutter Award from the institute. She has been honored as a charter member of the Oklahoma Women’s Hall of Fame and as an honorary member of Delta Kappa Gamma International. National recognition is typified by her having an award from the Sons of Norway for her professional achievements. She is the author of 66 published articles and has presented over 50 lectures across the country. She has also been interviewed on television many times. Gloria was responsible for the discovery, tracing and recognition of more valid inscriptions than anyone else. Her extensive collection is currently being cataloged to be displayed by the Oklahoma historical society in Oklahoma City. They say it is the most extensive collection in North America. Through the years Gloria had many people from all walks of life call her to look at and research their rocks, coins and caves. She was known to climb over any obstacle, even on crutches once, to research and copy an inscription on the rocks. Many friends, family members and colleagues helped her with her research through the years. Gloria was devoted to her family. She was preceded in death by her husband, J. Ray Farley; brothers, Peck and Buck Stewart; and a sister, Nena Dozier. She is survived by two sons, Scott Farley and wife Jennifer of Wichita Falls, Kan., Mark Farley and wife Sandee of Van Buren; five grandchildren, Aaron Farley, Matthew Farley, James Brown, Shawn Brown and Leslie Whitehead; and five great-grandchildren. Gloria is also survived by many close friends and colleagues that meant so much to her. Gloria was an active member of the First Methodist Church in Heavener. Funeral will be 2 p.m. today at the First Methodist Church in Heavener with the Rev. Roger Wood officiating. Burial will be at Hill Cemetery under the direction of Dowden Funeral Home. Pallbearers will be Aaron Farley, Matt Farley, Shawn Brown, Chuck Dale, Gary Roop, Gary Youree, Lester Rowland and Bob Laval.

Contributed by William Highfill
Heavener (OK) Ledger
Thursday, 07 June 2007, p. 6
SCOTT FARLEY

Comments: One of Scott Farley's grandfathers was Dr. Matthew Stewart, an early-day Waldron physician who later moved to Heavener, Oklahoma. His mother, Gloria Stewart Farley, died March 18, 2006.
Ray "Scott" Farley, 61, of Wichita, Kan., passed away Sunday, May 27, 2007, in Wichita, Kan. He was born October 16, 1945 to Jasper Ray Farley and Gloria Stewart in Columbus, Ohio. He was a Coleman engineer. He is survived by his wife of 40 years, Jennifer (Turley) Farley; a son, Matthew (Ruthann) Farley of Wichita, Kan.; a brother, Mark (Sandee) Farley of Van Buren, Ark.; two grandsons.

Contributed by William Highfill
Booneville Democrat (online edition)
Tuesday, 29 January 2008
VELTA LEA FARMER

Velta Lea Farmer, 87, of Ione, passed away Monday, Jan. 14, 2008 in Fort Smith. She was born April 10, 1920 in Barber. She was a member of the Victory Baptist Church, a homemaker and loved to write. She is preceded in death by her parents, Henry and Lizzie Boss; infant siblings Fern, Henry and Gussie; and son-in-law, Jay Channell. A funeral service was held at 2 p.m., Thursday, Jan. 17, at Victory Baptist Church in Booneville with burial at French Prairie Cemetery, under the direction of Roller Funeral Home of Booneville. She is survived by her husband, Virgil Farmer of Ione; three daughters, Linda Channell of Booneville, Barbara and husband Thomas Harger of Havana and Karen and husband David Walker of Texarkana; a son, Aaron and wife Terrie Farmer of Ione; six granddaughters, Trisha Harvey, Hanna Harger, Kimberly Goff, Kelly Wingard, Erin Bearden and Rachael Birmingham; four great-grandchildren; a sister, Winnie Green of Magazine; and a brother, Dale Boss of Ione. Pallbearers were Richard Myers, Raymond McGrath, James Stone, Claude Watson, Greg Kennedy and Tim Wingard.

Contributed by David Eick
Orange County Register
March 12, 2002
MILDRED G. FARNSWORTH

Mildred G. Farnsworth entered into eternal life March 9, 2002, in Anaheim, CA. She was born to Frank and Eva (Cagle) Neff, October 7, 1915, in Oliver, Scott County, Arkansas. She was married to Otis C. Farnsworth, who preceded her in death. She is survived by sons Lawrence and Leroy Farnsworth, daughter Janice Johnson and 11 grandchildren. Services will be held at (Shannon's) Rose Hills Mortuary in Orange on March 13, 2002. Burial will follow at Fairhaven Cemetery in Santa Ana, CA.

Contributed by William Highfill
Bentonville (AR) Courier
(online edition)
Wednesday, February 04, 2004
VIRGIE ESTELLE FARNSWORTH

Virgie Estelle Farnsworth, 82, of Benton died Friday, Jan. 30, 2004. She was born January 26, 1922, to Berry and Cordie James-Limbocker. In addition to her parents, she was preceded in death by her husband, Glen T. Farnsworth; a daughter, Peggy Farnsworth; two brothers, Chet Limbocker and Robert Limbocker; and a granddaughter, Debbie Farnsworth. She is survived by four sons and their wives, Glendale and Joanne Farnsworth of Benton, Johnny and Gitta Farnsworth of Forney, Texas, Bill and Patricia Farnsworth of Benton, James and Jackie Farnsworth of Bauxite; a daughter and son-in-law, Yvonne and Phil English of Forney, Texas; brother, Edwin Limbocker of Oklahoma City, Okla.; a sister, Chessie Helton of Waldron; nine grandchildren; four step-grandchildren; eight great-grandchildren; five step-great-grandchildren; and several nieces and nephews. She was a homemaker, a gardener and a member of World Wide Church of God. Pallbearers will be Russell English, Andy Farnsworth, Zach Farnsworth, Charlie Farnsworth, Joel Farnsworth and Martin Farnsworth. Graveside services will be held 1 p.m. Monday at Egypt Cemetery in Blue Ball with Leon Steel and Davy Crockett officiating. Visitation will be held from 2 to 4 p.m. Sunday at Ashby Funeral Home. Family comments: Mrs. Farnsworth was a loving and devoted wife, mother and grandmother. She was loved, admired and respected by all having crossed her path in life. She loved the outdoors and was an avid deer hunter and fisherman. Mrs. Farnsworth was a true pioneer of the times. Her legacy will live on in her sons, her daughter and in all the generations of Farnsworth's to come. She will be truly missed.

Contributed by William Highfill
Ft. Smith Times Record (online edition)
Saturday, 22 July 2006
FLOYD FISHER

HACKETT — Floyd H. Fisher, 81, of Hackett died Wednesday, July 19, 2006, in his home. He was a retired farmer, a member of Missionary Baptist Church in Aubrey and the widower of Emma Fisher. Funeral will be 2 p.m. Saturday at McConnell Funeral Home Chapel in Greenwood with burial at Old Union Cemetery in Hackett. He is survived by two daughters, Emma Barnes of Sibley, La., and Bertha Flahrity of Aubrey; two sons, Gayland Fisher of Waldron and Benny Fisher of Hackett; a sister, Annie Baxter of Little Rock; a brother, Willie Fisher of Marianna; 20 grandchildren and 33 great-grandchildren. Pallbearers will be Charles, Eugene and Kevin Flahrity, Floyd and Lynn Fisher and Chris Barnes. The body may be viewed 1 to 9 p.m. today at the funeral home, where the family will visit with friends from 6 to 8 p.m.

Contributed by David Eick
Orange County Register
February 1, 2002
OPAL JESSIE FITCH

COMMENTS: David Eick, great-nephew of Opal.

Opal Jessie Fitch, 88, of Orange, a retired food-service worker, died Jan. 31, 2002, of natural causes. Opal was born to Dora Eva (Cagle) Neff and Frank C. Neff on September 7, 1913, in Scott County and grew up near Winfield, ARK. She was the step-daughter of Ersey Neff. Visitation: 3-8 p.m. Tuesday, with services at 10:30 a.m. Wednesday, February 6, 2002 at Rose Hills Mortuary, Orange, CA. Survivors include daughters, Shirley Fernandez, Anna Boggs of Orange; 15 grandchildren, sister Mildred Farnsworth of Orange and brother Don Neff of Santa Ana. She was pre-deceased by brother Vernon Neff, sisters Ivy Sparks, and Helen Murphy, a son, Joe Oldham; and husband Eddie Fitch.

Contributed by William Highfill
Ft. Smith Times Record
(online edition)
Monday, 8 August 2005
INELL FITZGERALD

Inell Fitzgerald, 74, of Lavaca entered into rest Friday, Aug. 5, 2005, in her home. She was born Sept. 4, 1930, in Waldron, the daughter of the late Thomas and Hettie Parker. She was a retired waitress and of the Missionary Baptist faith. She is survived by three daughters, Rebecca Rudd and husband Tommy of Lavaca, Deborah Fitzgerald of Lavaca, and Lisa Becker and husband Stephen of Barling; three sons, Thomas A. Fitzgerald of Tulsa, Michael Ray Fitzgerald and wife Brenda Lee of Huntington and Danny Craig Fitzgerald of Barling; brother, J.M. Parker of Birmingham, Ala.; three sisters, Rozell Naidone of Fort Myers, Fla., Annalou Mason of Titusville, Fla., and Inez Watson of Cleveland, Ark.; 12 grandchildren and 16 great-grandchildren. Funeral will be 3 p.m. today at Lewis Funeral Chapel in Lavaca with burial at Measles Cemetery in Lavaca, officiated by the Rev. Delbert Hodges. Pallbearers will be R.T., Cameron and Christopher Fitzgerald, Michael Thornton, Stephen Becker and Jesse Rudd.

Contributed by William Highfill
Southwest Times Record
Fort Smith, Arkansas
Thursday, March 21, 2002
FAYE FRANKLIN

COMMENTS: Here's another obit for a person with Scott Co. connections, Faye Leona Franklin. Her father was Elmer Highfill; he, in turn, was a son of Jesse P. Highfill.

OZARK--Faye Leona Franklin, 78, of Ozark died Wednesday, March 20, 2002 in Ozark. She was born August 8, 1923 in Waldron. She was a homemaker and a member of Calvary Baptist Church. She was the widow of Owen Franklin. Funeral will be 2 p.m. Friday in Shaffer Funeral Home Chapel of Ozark with burial at Cemetery Ridge in Ozark. She is survived by a daughter, Phillis Wisdom of Ozark; a son, Paul Franklin of Ozark; a brother, Theo Highfill of San Antonio; four grandchildren, Peni Holderman, Steve Wisdom, Toby and Matthew Franklin and four great-grandchildren. The family will visit with friends from 6:30 to 8 p.m. today at the funeral home.

Contributed by William Highfill
Fort Smith Times Record (online edition)
14 June 2008
WILLIAM L. "BILL" FREE JR.

Williams L. “Bill” Free Jr., 88, of Wister passed away Wednesday, June 11, 2008, in Peachtree Palliative Care Unit in Fort Smith. He was born Nov. 16, 1919, in Wister. He was a retired grocery manager. Funeral will be 10 a.m. Saturday, June 14, 2008, at Bethel Baptist Church in Wister with burial at Ellis Chapel Cemetery in Wister. The Rev. Clyde Steelman officiating. He is survived by two daughters and sons-in-law, Cheryl Emerson and Mike Lamotte of Choctaw, Okla., and Carol and Donnie DeWitt of Wister; two sons and daughters-in-law, Larry and Kathy Free of Bates and Greg and Pam Free of Wister; two sisters, Jeanne Ballew of Wister and Louise Hornbuckle of Wister; two brothers, Bobby Free of Poteau and Tommy (Buddy) Free of Torrance, Calif.; 10 grandchildren and 15 great-grandchildren; numerous other relatives and loved ones; a host of beloved friends. Bill was a member of Oakridge Mission in Wister, a veteran of World War II serving in the U.S. Army and had worked at Poteau Food Market and Holton’s Grocery. Bill was the former mayor of Wister for many years. He served Wister City government in many different capacities for 30-plus years. He was preceded in death by his parents, William L. and Ora Free; his wife, Darlene Free; son, Johnny Free; a grandson, Stephen Emerson; a sister, Geneva; a brother, Nim; and a son-in-law, Frank Emerson. Pallbearers will be Jared DeWitt, Caleb Free, Joshua Free, Daniel Free, Johnny Free, Scotty Free, Adam Emerson and Michael Emerson. The family will be at the funeral home from 6 to 8 p.m. today to visit with relatives and friends. Arrangements under the direction of Evans & Miller Funeral Home, Poteau.

Contributed by Delaine Edwards
The Waldron News
14 January 1988
ROY FREEMAN

Roy Freeman, born to Ida Penick Freeman and William Freeman Jan. 5, 1896, passed away Jan. 6, 1988. He grew up in Boles and loved to hunt. He helped his father and others of Boles to build the first long distance telephone lines to Mena and Waldron. He wanted to be a teacher. He left Boles for college only to be called back home. His mother and father died of cancer. He worked for Douglass Aircraft until retirement. He was preceded in death by sisters Mary, Virgie, Clara, Irene and brothers Fred and Willie, children, baby daughter, sons William and Elmer. He is survived by a son, Earnest of Alma, Ark., and sisters, Bertha and Meddie; 5 grandchildren and several great and great-great grandchildren. Funeral services were held Monday, Jan. 11 at Ocker Chapel in Van Buren with burial in Gracelawn Cemetery.

Contributed by William Highfill
Ft. Smith Times Record (online edition)
Friday, 21 July 2006
DANIEL B. FRIZZELL

Daniel B. Frizzell, 82, of Fort Smith died Wednesday, July 19, 2006, in Fort Smith. He was retired from IBEW Electrical Workers; he was a member of the First Baptist Church, the Elks Club, the American Legion; he was a veteran of the U.S. Navy serving during World War II; and he was an avid Razorback fan. He is survived by his wife, Iva Dale Frizzell of the home; one brother, Reno Frizzell of Roland; and several nieces and nephews. Funeral service will be Friday, July 21, 2006, at 10 a.m. at Edwards Funeral Home Chapel with burial to follow at 1 p.m. at the Seahorn Cemetery near Waldron, all under the direction of Edwards Funeral Home. The family will greet friends from 5 to 7 p.m. at Edwards Funeral Home today. Memorials may be made to the First Baptist Church, 1400 Grand Ave., Fort Smith, AR 72901.