Miscellaneous Ashley County, Arkansas Obituaries

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Arvie Dean Bridges
Arvie Dean Bridges, 71, of Bastrop, LA,  died Tuesday, March 20, 2001, at LSU Medical Center in Shreveport, LA. He was born on January 26, 1930 to Clarence and Maude Vale Bridges in Jonesboro, LA. Mr. Bridges was a retired truck driver and a member of the First Church of God.  He was preceded in death by a grandson, David Norman, and a sister, Margie Klein.
His survivors include his wife, Shirley Bridges of Bastrop; two sons, Terry Bridges of Monroe, LA, and Brent Jenkins of Bastrop; five daughters, Brenda Cannon of Haughton, LA, Sharon Heath of Swartz, LA, Paula Norman of Choudrant, LA, Debra Hawthorne of Crossett, Monica Naugle of Heber Springs; his step-mother, Vera Bridges of Quitman, LA; two brothers, Orvin Bridges of Jonesboro, LA, and Purvis Bridges of West Monroe, LA; four sisters, Odell Smith and Jeanette Tharpe, both of West Monroe, LA, Jettie Burson of Jonesboro, LA, and Joy Bridges of Oklahoma City, OK; two step-sisters, Mary and Nelda; seventeen grandchildren, and eight great-grandchildren, a host of nieces and nephews and many, many friends.
Funeral services were held at 2:00 p.m. on Friday, March 23, at the First Church of God with the Revs. Steve Casey and Roy Pepmiller officiating. Pallbearers were Ricky Cullom, Brian Heath, Daniel Norman, Brent Jenkins, Ricky Smith and Eddie Smith. Interment was at the Hickory Grove Cemetery under the direction of Jones Funeral Home of Crossett.

Mr. J.D. Dean
Mr. J.D. Dean,  85, of Hamburg, formerly of Wilmot, died Wednesday, March 21, 2001, at Beverly Healthcare of Hamburg.. Mr. Dean was a retired farmer, and a member of Union Baptist Church. He was preceded in death by his wife, Muriel Dean; one son, Willie James Dean; one daughter, Rosie Miller; his parents, Milton and Mattie Davis Dean; one brother, Manuel Dean; and one sister, Eliza Dean.
He is survived by two sons, James Edward Dean of Los Angeles, CA, and Robert Dean of Wilmot; three daughters, Mattie Wilson of Los Angeles, CA, Muriel Evans of Lynwood, CA, and Marilyn Jones of Fort Worth, TX; a brother, Shedrick Dean of Tulsa, OK; 15 grandchildren, 27 great-grandchildren, and 5 great-great-grandchildren.
Funeral services were Sunday, March 25 at 3:00 p.m. at Union Baptist Church with the Rev. Eddie Montgomery officiating. Pallbearers were Jim and A.B. Bass, James Bowman, Harold Moore, Paul Strickland, and Chris Owens. Honorary pallbearers were Charles Raino, Calvin Brown, Albert Dunn Sr., Robert Kitchen, Robert and James Dean, and Vernard Jones.
Interment was in the St. Martha Cemetery under the direction of Cromwell Funeral Home.

Matthew C. Jeffers
Matthew C. Jeffers, age 17, of 9210 Briarbrook Drive NE, Warren, Ohio, died Wednesday, March 14, 2001, at his residence. He was born Nov. 16, 1983, in Little Rock, the son of M.L. and Lora (Demoney) Jeffers.
Survivors include his parents, with whom he made his home; a half-sister, Natalie Benafield of Conway; a half-brother, Jeff Jeffers of Little Rock; paternal grandmother, Marie Jeffers of Hamburg; and a maternal great-grandmother, Lucy McRoberts of North Little Rock.
Memorial services were held 10 a.m., Monday, March 19, at St. Luke's Episcopal Church of North Little Rock with Rev. Don White officiating. He was cremated and his ashes will be placed in the St. Luke's Episcopal Church Columbarium. The family requests memorial contributions to be sent to the American Red Cross.

Mr. Junior Lay 
Mr. Junior Lay, 31, of Longview, died Saturday, March, 17, 2001,  at Longview. A native of Warren,  a resident of the Longview community outside of Fountain Hill for the past 2 and a half years,  he was a  resident of Hamburg for many years. He graduated from Hamburg High School in 1987. He was the maintenance supervisor of Leisure Lodge Nursing Home in Crossett and  a member of the Meeks Hunting Club,  the Ashley County and Drew County Bow Hunter's Association,  the Victory Christian Fellowship and the Woodmen of the World.
He is survived by his wife, Ashley Elton Lay; a son, Regan Hunter Lay; his mother, Sonja McGaughey and stepfather Raymond, all of Longview; his father, Ninuel G. Lay, Sr. and stepmother, Sandy, of Tenaha, TX; a stepbrother, Todd Davis of Romance; a half-brother, Cody Lay of Tenaha, TX; four step-sisters, Jeanette Smith and Ramona Standrige  of North Little Rock; Tiffany Jones of Tenaha, TX and Roxann Prior of Romance; and his maternal grandparents, Charles & Ester Copeland of Star City.
Funeral services were planned for 2 p.m., Tuesday, March 27, in the First Baptist Church in Hamburg with Rev. David Markham officiating. Pallbearers were to be  Chuck & Brian Copeland, Benji Price, Chad & Bear Holleman and Tracey Graham. Honorary pallbearers were to be  Cody Lay, members of the Meeks Hunting Club: Dickie & Larry Meeks, Willard Procell, Wayne Watkins, Jerry & Rambo Spratt, Larry Woods, Bruce Stafford, Danny Hill, Jeff Baker, Bill Shrigley and Michael Elton. Interment was to follow services at  the Hamburg Cemetery under the direction of Jones Funeral Home of Hamburg. Memorials may be made to the Woodmen of the World Arkansas State Youth Camp, c/o Micky Cartner, 5601 JFK Blvd, Suite 201, North Little Rock, AR 72116, or to the Hamburg Rescue Unit, c/o Mrs. Doris Huffman, V.A. Office, Hamburg Courthouse Annex, Hamburg, AR 71646 or to the Crossett Rescue Unit, c/o Mr. Don Reed, 4501 Coronet St., Crossett, AR 71635.

Mr. William Henry Sammons
Mr. William Henry Sammons, 75, of Wilmot, died Thursday, March 22, 2001, at the John L. McClellan Memorial Hospital in Little Rock. A native of Ashley County, a resident of Wilmot for many years and a former resident of Little Rock, he was a retired farmer and an U. S. Navy veteran of World War II, serving as a cook on a ship.  He was a member of the Wilmot Baptist Church and a song leader for many years at the Midway Baptist Church. He was preceded in death by his parents, Henry & Edna Warren Sammons.
He is survived by two sons, Johnny Sammons and wife Shirley & Carl Sammons of Crossett; three daughters, Iris Stark and  husband George of Lake Village, Jennifer Hall and  husband John of Atkins, and Corliss McCain and  husband Floyd of Wilmot; six grandchildren, six great-grandchildren and many dear friends.
Funeral services were at 2 p.m., Saturday, March 24, in the Wilmot Baptist Church with Rev. Carlos Pitts officiating. Pallbearers were Ron Miller, Darrell Clifton, Janet Clifton, Steve Otwell, Mary Otwell and Robert Sims. Honorary pallbearers were Bobby Foster, A.P. Simms, Jr. and Fred Montgomery. Interment followed services at  the Dry Bayou Cemetery under the direction of Jones Funeral Home of Hamburg. 
Memorials may be made to the Dry Bayou Cemetery, c/o Mrs. Polly Wolf, 138 Ashley 378, Wilmot, AR or to the Wilmot Baptist Church, c/o Mrs. Shirley Montgomery, 517 Montgomery Road, Wilmot, AR 71676.

Page Webb
Mr. Page Webb, 87, of Wilmot, died Monday, March 19, 2001, at the Morehouse General Hospital in Bastrop. Mr. Webb was a native of England,  a resident of Wilmot for the past 75 years, a retired farmer, and a member of Second Baptist Church in Wilmot where he was a deacon for over 50 years. He  also served on the board at Ashley Chicot Electric for over 27 years.
He was preceded in death by his parents, Nick and Liza Webb; two brothers, William and Pipe Webb; and four sisters, Mildred Davis, Katie Haney, Ruth Hicks, and Lizzie Kidd.
He is survived by his wife, Sarah Webb; a son, Page Webb Jr. of Oakland, CA; a daughter, Alverse Mitchell of St. Louis, MO; two step-daughters, Tanisha Smith of Wilmot and Lashunda O'Brien of Little Rock; and four grandchildren.
Funeral services were Saturday, March 24, at 1:00 p.m. at the Second Baptist Church with the Rev. L.M. Christian officiating. Pallbearers were Calvin Brown, Leotis Fenceroy, Oliver Fenceroy, James Fenceroy, Carl Fenceroy and Albert Fenceroy. Honorary pallbearers were the deacons and trustees of Second Baptist.  Interment was in the Trouser Hill Cemetery in Collinston, LA, under the direction of Cromwell Funeral Home.
March 21

Jose Guadelupe Aleman
Jose Guadelupe Aleman, 41, of Hamburg died Wednesday, March 14, 2001, at the University of Arkansas Medical Center in Little Rock. A native of Mexico, he was a laborer for P. E. Barnes Lumber Company and a Catholic. He was preceded in death by his grandparents, Martin and Justa Rangel.
Survivors include his parents, Arestal and Alicia Compean Mendoza of Mexico; a brother, Alfredo Aleman of Mexico; a special companion, Pearline Marshall of Hamburg; stepchildren Melissa and Jessie Marshall of Hamburg and a step-granddaughter, LaTara Fields.
Funeral services were at 3:30 p.m. Saturday, March 17, in the Cromwell Funeral Home chapel with Bishop D. C. Mays officiating. Pallbearers were Robert Franklin, Sam McComb, Chilo Garcia and Don Colbert. Burial followed services at the Johnson Memorial Cemetery.

Mrs. Edith T. Atwood 
Mrs. Edith T. Atwood, 80, of Laurel, MS, died Tuesday, March 13, 2001, at the South Central Regional Medical Center in Laurel. A native of Portland, a resident of Laurel for the past three years and a former resident of Parkdale for many years, she retired from the Eudora Garment Factory after 20 years of service. She was a member of the Parkdale Baptist Church, and she was preceded in death by her husband, Jefferson L. Atwood in 1969; her parents, Walter & Willie Burney Gourley, one sister and six brothers.
Survivors include three sons, James Atwood of Hattiesburg, MS, Bill Atwood of Star City, and Jerry Atwood of Laurel, MS; a brother, Levell Gourley of Springdale; nine grandchildren, seven great-grandchildren and a host of nieces and nephews.
Graveside funeral services and interment were 2 p.m., Friday, March 16, at the Old Troy Cemetery with Rev. Harry Noble officiating. Funeral arrangements were under the direction of Jones Funeral Home of Hamburg.

Arie Mae Chester
Arie Mae Chester, 86, of Dermott died Saturday, March 17, 2001, at Chicot Memorial Hospital in Lake Village. She was born January 18, 1915, in Hector to the late Dolphus and Annie Mae Wright Ogles. She was retired from Wells Lamont Glove Factory and was a member of the Collins Baptist Church.
Survivors include her husband of 72 years, George Luther Chester of Dermott; one son, Walter Chester and his wife Wanda of Hamburg; three daughters, Jean Hooks and husband Billy of Halley, Sue Merchant and husband Kenneth of Monticello, and Shirley Kizer and husband Bob of Collins; two half-sisters, Pauline Mitchell of McGehee and Betty Jo Owens of Trenton, TN; eight grandchildren, nine great-grandchildren, and two great-great-grandchildren.
Funeral services were Monday, March 19, at 3:30 p.m. at the Collins Baptist Church with the Rev. Jim Bates officiating. Burial followed in the Rash Cemetery. Pallbearers were Stan Chester, Glen Palmer, Johnny Murphy, Stephen Crane, Mark Hooks, Rusty Merchant, Bruce Kizer, and Danny Delahoussaye. Honorary pallbearers were George Cheramie, Wayne Morris, and Alvin Bates. Arrangements were by Stephenson-Dearman Funeral Home of Monticello. 

Carol Ann Hubbard
Carol Ann Hubbard, 49, of West Monroe, LA, formerly of Crossett, died Thursday, March 15, 2001, at the Glenwood Regional Medical Center in West Monroe, LA. A native of Crossett, she was a homemaker and a member of the Intercontinental Church of God in Monroe. She was preceded in death by her father, James Henry Williams; and two brothers, James Ronald and Rance Henry Williams.
Survivors include two sons, Freddie Hubbard, Jr., of Monroe and Eric Williams of Milwaukee, WI; two adopted daughters, Kayla and LaRance Williams of Monroe; her mother and stepfather, Clara Mae and LeRoy Durley; a brother, Wayne Williams; and three sisters, Cassandra L. Wright and Carla Green, all of Milwaukee, and Kayleen Odoms of Fort Worth, TX.
Funeral services were at 2 p.m. Sunday, March 18, in the Cromwell Funeral Home chapel with Mike Garrett officiating. Pallbearers were Paul Ray, Beck Love, Billy Burchell, Charles Spooner, Jim Coats and Howard Hill. Burial followed services at the Phillip Grove Cemetery. 

Odell Emory Miller
Odell Emory Miller, 71, of Crossett died Wednesday, March 14, 2001, at his home. Born March 8, 1929, in the Pugh community, he was an U. S. Army veteran and a retired city transit bus driver in Houston, TX. He was preceded in death by his wife, Charlotte.
Survivors include a brother, Don Sivils and wife Joyce of Crossett; a sister, Shirley Knight of Channelview, TX; two nieces, Shannon Sivils of Maumelle and Diane Ivins and husband Greg of Channelview; and a nephew, Stephen Sivils and wife Samantha of Benton.
Grave-side services were at 10 a.m. Thursday, March 15, at the Carter Cemetery with Robyn Allen officiating. Pallbearers were Travis Ferrell, Troy Wisecarver, Herman Johnson, Les Black, Billy Jack Ragland and Terry Gray. Arrangements were by Jones Funeral Home of Crossett.

Mr. W. H. "Hamp" Norsworthy
Mr. W. H. "Hamp" Norsworthy, 84, of Portland, died Thursday, March 15, 2001, at the Chicot Memorial Hospital in Lake Village. Born in Hot Springs and a resident of Portland for the past 62 years, he was a retired farmer; a member of the Portland United Methodist Church and  a member of the Portland Masonic Lodge #499 having received his 50 year pin. He was an U. S. Army Air Corps veteran of World War II. He was preceded in death by his wife, Ida Mae Gregory Norsworthy in 1990; his parents, John L. & Jessie B. Lyles Norsworthy, two brothers and three sisters.
He is survived by a son, Bill Norsworthy; a daughter, Nancy Murphy, both of Portland; three grandchildren, Trey, Greg & Rosanne Moyers, and two great-grandchildren, Damien & Tabor Moyers.
Funeral services were at 2 p.m., Saturday, March 17, in the Portland United Methodist Church with Rev. Gerald Myers officiating. Pallbearers were Bill & Fletcher Lassiter, Chuck & Bill Stephens, Tommy Moyers and Joel Newcome. Interment followed services at the Portland Cemetery under the direction of Jones Funeral Home of Hamburg. Memorials may be made to the Portland Cemetery Association, c/o Mr. Tom Pugh, PO Box 37, Portland, AR 71663-0037. 

Mr. James Clyde Barnes, Sr.
Mr. James Clyde Barnes, Sr., 76, of Wilmington, N.C., died Friday, March 9, 2001, at the Cape Fear Hospice in Wilmington. A native of Fountain Hill,  he was raised in Hamburg and graduated from Hamburg High School. He was a resident of Wilmington, N.C. since 1981 and a former resident of Crossett, Columbia, MS, Ruston, LA and Star City. He attended San Angelo College in San Angelo, TX, and the University of Arkansas at Fayetteville. He served his country during World War II in the U.S. Army, 69th Division, in the European Theatre where he received two Bronze Stars during the Battle of the Bulge. He retired in 1991 from Federal Paper Board as vice-president of wood products after spending over 30 years in the lumber industry. A member of the North Grove Evangelical Presbyterian Church, he was preceded in death by his parents, L.T. & Jessie Cleo Byrd Barnes, and four brothers, William Byrd Barnes, Leonard Timothy Barnes, Jr., Robert Barnes and P.E. Barnes, Sr.
He is survived by his wife of 53 years, Linda Collins Barnes of Wilmington; three sons, James Clyde Barnes, Jr., and wife Karen of Clanton, AL, William Lynn Barnes and wife Lydia of Little Rock and Richard Byrd Barnes and his wife Krissi of Vail, CO; a daughter, Deborah Forbes of Vail, CO; eight grandchildren, Deborah Dockery Owen, Sophie Lynn Barnes, Cooper Savannah Barnes, Conner Luke Barnes, Kelli Lindsey, James C. Barnes III, Lindy Brooks Barnes and Zachary Michael Harris; three brothers, Carl Barnes of Sheridan, WY; Jerry Barnes of Hamburg and Michael Barnes of Georgetown, TX; and two sisters, Sue Stell and Betty Murphy of Hamburg.
Funeral services are planned for 2 p.m., Wednesday, March 14, in the First United Methodist Church in Hamburg with Revs. John Miles & Leslee Phillips officiating. Pallbearers are to be Phil, Bob, Andy, Jay, Roger, Bruce, Thomas, Don & Ron Barnes, Richard, John & Jim Moore, Tim Stell, Joe Lynn Collins and Michael Collins. Honorary pallbearers are to be  Mr. Fritz Caudle, Dr. Martin Connelly and Carter Mebane. Interment will be in the Hamburg Cemetery under the direction of Jones Funeral Home of Hamburg. In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made to the North Grove Presbyterian Church Building Fund, 804 Valley Forge Court, Wilmington, NC 28411. 

Brenda Lynn Strebeck Benning
Brenda Lynn Strebeck Benning, 28, of North Little Rock died Saturday, March 10, 2001, in Fort Lauderdale, FL. Formerly of Crossett, she was a homemaker who cared for her three children until the last two years of her illness. She was born October 17, 1972, in Monroe, LA, and was a graduate of Benton High School where she excelled in athletics and creative interests.
Survivors include three daughters, Penelope Bruna Hicks and Freddie Kay Hicks of Little Rock and Bianca Daneile Canley of Crossett; her husband, Edwin Benning of Little Rock; her mother and stepfather, Vada Kay and Ernie Alonzo of North Little Rock; her father and stepmother, Billy Wayne and Mary Pat Stanley of Crossett; a brother, Braska Wayne Strebeck of Ashford, AL; three stepbrothers, Richard Alonzo of Cave City, Michael Alonzo of North Little Rock and Danny Carter of Crossett; three stepsisters, Stephanie Parsons of Myrtle Beach, SC, Joy Brooks of North Little Rock and Christy Carter of Crossett; her grandparents, Billy Wayne and Fay Johnson, Verda Stanley and Eunice Strebeck of Crossett, Heddie Caudillo of Orange Grove, TX, and Manual Alonzo of Laredo, TX. She was preceded in death by grandfathers James Daniel Herrington, Sam  Strebeck and Lecil Stanley and great-grandparents Braska and Lavada Johnson, Dooley and Lorene Johnson and Nelson T. and Alice Randall.
Funeral services were set for 2 p.m. Tuesday, March 13, in the chapel of Jones Funeral Home in Crossett.  Pallbearers were to be Tommy Strebeck, Pat Smith, Buddy Meyer, Mike Smith, Dennis Hill and Eugene Collins with Huey Hicks as an honorary pallbearer. Burial was to follow services at Pinewood Memorial Park. Memorials may be made to Caring Friends of Arkansas Hospice, Building 66, Room 65, 2200 Fort Roots Drive, North Little Rock, AR 72114-1709.

Mr. Dudley Culp 
Mr. Dudley Culp, 83, of Hamburg died Sunday, March 11, 2001, at the Ashley County Medical Center in Crossett. A native of Bradley County and a resident of Hamburg and Fountain Hill all of his life, he was a retired subcontractor in the timber industry. He was a member of the Judson Missionary Baptist Church for 63 years and served as a deacon,  a member of the Fountain Hill School Board for 19 1/2 years, and he served for 25 years as secretary & treasurer of the Judson Cemetery Association. He was preceded in death by his wives, Artie Wells Culp in 1971 and Lula Boyd Culp in 1997; his parents, R. B. & Emma Loveless Culp and two brothers, Thomas William "Pete" Culp and Robert Chalmer Culp; and three sisters, Mary Hunter, Alma Gardner and Ellie Godwin.
He is survived by a son, Wade Culp and his wife, Carol, of Hamburg; a daughter, Shirlene Josey and  husband Larry of Crossett; a brother, James Culp of Hamburg; three sisters, Georgia McNiece, Louise Cox and Ruth Martin of Hamburg; four grandchildren and one great-grandson.
Funeral services were planned for 2 p.m. Tuesday, March 13, in the Judson Missionary Baptist Church with Revs. Roy Craig &  Orville Clark officiating. Pallbearers were to be Frankie, Robert & Jimmy Martin, Carl Hunter, Dewey "Scutter" Kilcrease, Charles "Bull" Wells, Blaine Kilcrease and Willard Erwin. Interment was to follow services at the Judson Cemetery under the direction of Jones Funeral Home of Hamburg. Memorials may be made to the Judson Cemetery or to the Judson Missionary Baptist Church, c/o Dennis Cox, 2512 Hwy 425 N., Hamburg, AR 71646.

Forrest M. Hankins
Forrest M. Hankins, 95, of Arlington, TX, formerly of Crossett, died Sunday, March 11, 2001. Born August 25, 1906, to Walter F. and Maude Deberry Dunn Stoker, Mrs. Hankins was a legal secretary retired from Arnold, Hamilton & Streetman law firm, a member of the Business & Professional Women's Society and a member of the Eastern Star. 
Her survivors include her son, Dan R. Hankins of Arlington, TX, and one grandchild. 
Funeral services will be held at 10:00 a.m., Wednesday, March 14, in the Jones Funeral Home chapel with Rev. Bill Williams officiating. Interment will follow services 

Doris Williams
Doris Williams, 85, of Hamburg, formerly of Portland, died Friday, March 9, 2001, at the Ashley County Medical Center. A native of Portland, she had lived in Hamburg for the past two years and was a homemaker and a member of the New Light Missionary Baptist Church. She was preceded in death by her husband, George Williams; two daughters, Georgie Lee Johnson and Mary Wilkins; her parents, Thurlow and Georgia Ollison Hemmingway; two brothers and one sister.
Survivors include two sons, Sammie Lee Williams and Andrew Williams of Portland; two daughters, Ida Hayes of Crossett and Dorothy Smith of Little Rock; a sister, Inez Thomas of Sioux City, IA; 36 grandchildren and 50 great-grandchildren.  
Funeral services are planned for 1 p.m. Thursday, March 15, in the New Light Missionary Baptist Church with Rev. Eugene Mitchell officiating. Pallbearers are to be James, J. D. and Charles Wood, Phillip Williams, Charles Johnson and John Hughes. Honorary pallbearers are to be Curtis Wilkinson, Herb Ridgell, Marvin Smith, Troy Brown, Clarence Culbreath and Arthur Ray Robinson. Burial will follow services at the Holly Grove Cemetery, directed by Cromwell Funeral Home of Hamburg.
March 7

Willie Bolden, Jr.
Willie Bolden, Jr., 55, of Crossett died Sunday, February 25, 2001. Born March 18, 1945, to Willie and Addie Jones Bolden, he received many safety awards and built a ten-foot stacker saw during his 36 years of service with Georgia-Pacific. He enjoyed fishing and carpentry and was a member of the Church of Christ. 
Survivors include his wife, Peggy Bolden of Crossett; three sons, Terrence Bolden and Tyrone Miller of Dallas, TX, and Cedric Bolden of Crossett; two daughters, Lakesha Douglas and husband Eric of Indianapolis, IN, and Katina Olive and husband Eric of West Monroe, LA; his mother, Addie Bolden of Crossett; five brothers, Charles, Jerry, Terry and Ronald Bolden of Rockford, IL, and Tony Bolden of Madison, WI; four sisters, Dorothy Luster, Emma Bolden, and Lois Bolden of Rockford, IL, and Mary Ann Bolden of Milwaukee; one grandchild, two uncles, two aunts and many nieces and nephews.
Funeral services were at 11 a.m. Saturday, March 3, in the Crossett Municipal Auditorium with Bro. Joe Harding officiating. Pallbearers were Roger Watson, Kirk Doles, Donald Levingston, Terry Rucker, Mack Mansfield, Tommy Shumpert, Lloyd Williams, Donald Wallace, Tommie Simpson and Gary Hamilton. Millwrights were honorary pallbearers. Burial followed services at the Westview Cemetery, directed by Jones Funeral Home of Crossett. 

Mary Ellen Cotton
Mrs. Mary Ellen Cotton, 61, of Montrose died Wednesday, February 28, 2001, at her residence in Montrose. Mrs. Cotton was a lifelong resident of Montrose, a homemaker, and a member of Aulds Baptist Church in Portland. She was preceded in death by her first husband, Leon Barney; her parents, Elmer Lee and Dorothy Mae Mattiebell Allen; and two brothers.
She is survived by her husband, George Wesley Cotton, a daughter Tammy Hallman; a stepson, Kenneth Wesley Cotton, all of Montrose; her step-father, Joe Ayden of Hamburg; a brother, John Pritchard of Missouri, a half-brother, Tommy Peacock of Lake Village; six sisters, Lou Graham and Virginia Bunn of Fountain Hill, Ellen Welch of Harrisburg, VA, Kathy Voltz of Austin, TX, Estelle Allen of Little Rock, and Margie Ann Allen of Orangeville, CA; and two grandchildren, Edward Lee and Derek Anthony Hallman.
Funeral services were Saturday, March 3 at 11:00 a.m. at the chapel of Cromwell Funeral Home with the Rev. Larry Donaldson officiating. Pallbearers were Bob Graham Jr., Glenn Graham, Gene Trantham, Leon Crouch, Larry Bawcom and Willie Griffin. Interment was in the Trafalgar Cemetery under the direction of Cromwell Funeral Home.

Mrs. Betty Lanelle Courson Davis
Mrs. Betty Lanelle Courson Davis, 89, of Hamburg died Saturday, March 3, 2001, at the Ashley County Medical Center in Crossett. A native of Ashley County, a resident of Hamburg since 1948 and a former resident of Crossett, she was a homemaker, a fantastic cook, an avid flower gardener, and she loved to do yard work. She was a member of the First Baptist Church in Hamburg. She was preceded in death by her parents, Bunyan A. & Bertha Richards Courson; two brothers, B.A. Courson, Jr., and Harry Courson; and three sisters, Modell Bunn, Carrie Hill and Peggy Echols.
She is survived by her husband of 70 years, Milam "Mutt" Davis of Hamburg; three sons, Bobby Davis and wife Nancy of Hamburg; Don Davis and  wife Becky of Little Rock and Dennis Davis and  wife Karen of Gulf Shores, AL; a brother, Richard "Dick" Courson of Hamburg; two sisters, Virginia Riley and Mary Sivils, both of Monticello; nine grandchildren and 14 great-grandchildren.
Funeral services were at 2 p.m., Monday, March 5, in the First Baptist Church with Dr. Bobby Pennington & Rev. Klois Hargis officiating. Pallbearers were Ronnie, Alan, Wayne & Barry Davis, Jim Hargis, Bob Sutton, Chris Comstock, Matthew Hargis and Sean Sutton. Interment followed services at the Promise Land Cemetery under the direction of Jones Funeral Home of Hamburg. Memorials may be made to the First Baptist Church, PO Box 352, Hamburg, AR 71646.

Billie Margaret Jackson
Billie Margaret Jackson, 68, of El Dorado died at the Arkansas Heart Hospital in Little Rock on Tuesday, February 27, 2001. Born January 12, 1933, in Hamburg to the late Robert Henry and L. C. Morris Gill, she was a homemaker, a member of American Legion Auxiliary, a Campfire Girls leader, a Cub Scout den mother and a member of the Second Baptist Church. In addition to her parents, she was preceded in death by her husband, Wilbur Gail Jackson, and a brother, Robert Louis Gill. 
Survivors include a son, Tommy Gail Jackson of Norphlet; two daughters, Ester Carol Hollis of Fountain Hill and Billie Jean Carlyle of El Dorado; five grandchildren, and three great-grandchildren.
Funeral services were at 2 p.m. Saturday, March 3, in the Young Funeral Home chapel in El Dorado with Revs. Allen Grimmitt and Dwight Bird officiating. Burial followed services at the Rest Haven Memorial Gardens in El Dorado.

David W. Johnson
Mr. David W. Johnson, 76, of Crossett died Friday, March 2, 2001, at the Ashley County Medical Center. He was born on August 16, 1924 in Crossett to the late James Lonnie and Rosella Rickman Johnson. Mr. Johnson was a veteran of the United States Air Force and was preceded in death by one brother, J.L. Johnson.
His survivors include three sisters, Leona Jordan and Ardelle Seach, both of Crossett, and Thelma Estelle of Hamburg.
Funeral services were held at 2:00 p.m. on Sunday, March 4, in the Mount Olive Baptist Church with Bros. Randy Maxwell and Don Ward officiating. Pallbearers were Billy Jack Ragland, Travis Ferrell, Don Jordan, Bill Rodgers, Dewey Carter, Randy Gifford, Phillip Pennington and Larry Courson. Internment was at the Pinewood Memorial Park under the direction of Jones Funeral Home of Crossett.
Johnny Ray Porter
Mr. Johnny Ray Porter, 53, of Crossett died Monday, February 26, 2001, at the Ashley County Medical Center. Mr. Porter was a native of Orange, TX, but a resident of Crossett for the past nine-and-a-half years. He served in the Army during the Vietnam era and was a member of Hope Freewill Baptist Church in Hamburg. He was preceded in death by a son, King David Porter, and his parents, David and Janice Lum Porter. 
He is survived by his wife, Mary Porter; five sons, Micka, David and Justin, all of Crossett, Johnny Porter Jr. of Houston, TX, and Shon Porter of Orange, TX; two stepsons, Paul and Robert Buffington, both of Bastrop, LA; a daughter, Christian Porter of Crossett; a brother, James Porter of Mauriceville, TX; a sister, Margaret Restelle of Queen City, TX; and five grandchildren.
Funeral services were Thursday, March 1 at 3:30 p.m. at the chapel of Cromwell Funeral Home with the Rev. James McDill officiating. Pallbearers were Willie Barker, Keith Sipes, Martin Restelle, Larry Restelle, Danny Carter and Leroy Laulamandier. Interment was in the Hickory Grove Cemetery under the direction of Cromwell Funeral Home. 

Dr. Claude Collins Snoddy
Dr. Claude Collins Snoddy, 78, a long-time Tullahoma, TN,  physician and 18-year member of the Tullahoma School board, died unexpectedly at his home on Tuesday, February 13, 2001. A native of Birmingham, AL, and the son of the late William Thurlow and Effie Louise Collins Snoddy, he graduated from Birmingham Southern College, the University of Alabama Medical School and the Jefferson Medical School. He was a captain in the U. S. Army Medical Corps in Korea from 1946-1948.
After a University of Alabama internship in Birmingham and surgical residency at Nashville's General Hospital, he opened his medical and surgical practice in Tullahoma in 1952, retiring in 1993 after a 41-year career. After retiring, he worked as a part-time physician for AEDC.
He was an American College of Surgeons Fellow, a member of the Tullahoma First United Methodist Church where he was a choir member for many years and a member of the Tullahoma Rotary Club. He served 18 years, including five years as chairman, on the Tullahoma School Board and was also instrumental in the establishment of the Harton Regional Medical Center. In 1999, he was presented the Tullahoma Lifetime Achievement Award by the city of Tullahoma.
In addition to his parents, he was preceded in death by a brother, Dr. William T. Snoddy of Tuscaloosa, AL.
Survivors include his wife, Jane Pryor Snoddy of Tullahoma; a son and daughter-in-law, Claude and Sherrie Snoddy of Huntsville, AL; his daughters and sons-in-law, Claudia and Frank Van Cleave of Lynchburg; Janet and David Vance IV of Cleveland and Dorothy and Wayne Murphy of Murfreesboro; a sister, Dorothy Ginn of Gardendale, AL, and seven grandchildren, Elizabeth, Katherine, Lauren, Leah, Will, Sarah and Carolyn.
 Services were at 2 p.m. Thursday, February 15, in the First United Methodist Church with Revs. Jim Beaty and A. Richard Smith and Dr. Bill Starnes officiating. Burial followed services at Rose Hill Memorial Gardens.

Stanley P. Tullos
Mr. Stanley P. Tullos, 74, of Snyder, passed away at his home on Sunday, March 4, 2001, with his immediate family around him. He was born July 27, 1926, in Boston, MA. He retired as a 25 year veteran of the Armed Forces.
He is survived by his wife, Kay Tullos of Snyder; four sons and their wives, Ray and Sherry Turner of Snyder, Earl Boyles of Mobile, AL, Allen and Dolly Boyles of Snyder, and David and Vicki Boyles of Lake Village; nine grandchildren, two great-grandchildren, one nephew, John Tullos of Lake Village, and one great-nephew. He was a loving husband and father and will be sadly missed. A memorial service was held on Saturday, March 10, at 2:00 p.m. at the Tullos home in Snyder. All friends were welcome.
February 28

Allen "June Bug" Gibbs, Jr.
Allen "June Bug" Gibbs, Jr., 49, of Crossett died Friday, February 23, 2001, in the Medical Center of South Arkansas. A native of Ashley County, he was a truck driver and a member of the Milo Pentecostal Church. He was preceded in death by his parents, Allen Gibbs and Lela Scales; his adopted mother, Mattie Gibbs Williams; and a sister, Betty Jean Tolefree.
Survivors include his wife, Linda Raley Gibbs; a son, Nathaniel Raley of Crossett; three daughters, Kimberly Gibbs and Terri Gibbs of Crossett and Connie Gibbs of Sacramento, CA; five brothers, Perry Williams of Crossett, Joel Williams, Guice Foster and Howard Scales of Monticello and Johnnie Foster of Pine Bluff; four sisters, Era Campbell of Hamburg, Ruthie Haynes of Fayetteville, NC, Bertha West of Monticello and Linda Scales of Milwaukee, WI; and seven grandchildren.
Funeral services are to be at 11 a.m., Thursday, March 1, in the Pleasant Green Baptist Church with Rev. Byron Bess officiating. Pallbearers are to be Rance Haynes, David Henderson, Otis Miller, Shun Jacob, James Webb and Newt Washington. Burial will follow services at the Pugh Cemetery. Visitation will be from 6-7 p.m. Wednesday, February 28, at Cromwell Funeral Home chapel in Hamburg. 

Mrs. Alta O. Kelley
Mrs. Alta O. Kelley, 92, of Hamburg died Sunday, February 25, 2001, at the Ashley County Medical Center in Crossett. A native of the Extra Community in Ashley County and raised in the Berlin Community, she was a resident of Hamburg since 1918 and a homemaker. Mrs. Kelley was a Methodist, having joined the Extra United Methodist Church at an early age. She later moved her membership to the First United Methodist Church in Hamburg, where she was a member for many years. She served the church in many ways, including a Sunday School Teacher and a member of the WSCS. She was also a member of the Leisure Lodge Auxiliary, helping with the elderly for many years, a member of the Gold Star Wives of America, AARP and a member of the Ashley County Historical Society. She loved the outdoors, fishing and working in her yard. She was preceded in death by her husband, Haskell H. (Hack) Kelley, Sr.; her parents, John Franklin and Saphronia Alice Holland Farmer; two brothers, Rev. Houston Farmer and Luther Farmer; two sisters, Lala McCameron and Estell Haney; and a nephew, Holly Langhan who was killed in Vietnam.
She is survived by a son, Haskell H. Kelley, Jr., and wife Joyce of Little Rock; a daughter, Patsy Kelley White and husband Ed of Hamburg; five grandchildren, Edward H. White and wife Paula, Ron W. White, Byron H. Kelley, Karon K Priest and A. Diane Bush, five great-grandchildren, numerous nieces and nephews and a host of other relatives and friends.
Visitation will be from 6-8 p.m., Tuesday, February 27, at Jones Funeral Home in Hamburg. Funeral services are planned for 2 p.m., Wednesday, February 28, in the First United Methodist Church in Hamburg with Rev. Leslee Phillips officiating. Interment will follow services at the Hamburg Cemetery. Memorials may be made to the First United Methodist Church, 202 S. Main, Hamburg, AR 71646.

Bridgette Monee Lowe
Bridgette Monee Lowe, 35, of Warren died Tuesday, February 20, 2001, at the University of Arkansas Medical Center in Little Rock. A native of Bradley County, she was a homemaker and a member of the Fudge Baptist Church in White. She was preceded in death by her daughter, Raven Monique Logan, and her fiancee, Eddie Logan Jr., on February 11, 2001.
Survivors include a son, DeMarcus Colbert of Warren; her mother, Katie Lowe of Chicago, IL; her father, James Gardner of Little Rock; five brothers, Michael Reeds of Dumas, and James R., Julius H., Berry and Marcus Gardner, all of Los Angeles, CA; and three sisters, Denise Owens of Warren and Shawanda Brown and Demetrius Williams of Little Rock.
Funeral services were at 11 a.m. Saturday, February 24, in the chapel of Cromwell Funeral Home of Hamburg with Rev. Jesse Radford officiating. Pallbearers were Leonard Webb, Harold Tucker, Ed Cason, Ronald Williams, Jerry Pitt and Troy Webb.  Burial followed services at the Ryles Chapel Cemetery. 

Verdell Tucker
Verdell Tucker, 82, of Hamburg died Friday, February 23, 2001, at the Beverly Health Care in Hamburg. A lifelong resident of Hamburg, she was a homemaker and a member of the Mount Zion Missionary Baptist Church. She was preceded in death by her husband, Henry Tucker; a son, Eld. Charles Tucker; her parents, Alfred and Mattie Calloway; a brother, Livel Calloway; and a sister, Lizzell Tucker.
Survivors include two sons, Alfreddie Tucker of Hamburg and Theotis Tucker of Muskegee, MI; four daughters, Lavern Guy of Hamburg, Clay J. Paskell of Muskegee, Willie M. Swinney of Cedar Rapids, IA, and Helen M. Lassiter of Pine Bluff; 19 grandchildren, 22 great-grandchildren, and two great-great-grandchildren.
Funeral services are planned for 1 p.m. Wednesday, February 28, in the Mount Zion Missionary Baptist Church with Rev. Willie R. Taylor officiating. Grandsons are to be pallbearers with deacons and trustees of the church as honorary pallbearers. Burial will follow services at the Carlock Cemetery, directed by Cromwell Funeral Home of Hamburg.
 
Equillo "Hon" Watson
Equillo "Hon" Watson, 78, of Hamburg died Monday, February 19, 2001, at the Ashley County Medical Center. A native of Parkdale, she was a Hamburg resident the past two years, a homemaker, and a member of the Union Baptist Church in Parkdale. She was preceded in death by her parents, Kirk and Annie Liggins.
Survivors include an adopted son, Jessie Lee Polk of Hamburg; two adopted daughters, Jean Watkins of Hamburg and Jessie Mae Polk of Crossett; a brother, Robert Johnson of Chicago, IL; ten grandchildren and 24 great-grandchildren.
Funeral services were at 2 p.m. Friday, February 23, in the Cromwell Funeral Home chapel with Rev. Isaac Snyder officiating. Pallbearers were James Russell, Evermel Russell, Louis Russell, Jr., Leon Watkins, Jr., Frankie Wright and Marvin Walters. Honorary pallbearers were Herbert, Jonathan, Kendron and Marcus Watkins, Michael Polk and Sammie Brown.  Burial followed services at the Union Grove Cemetery.  

Mr. Charles "Pete" Wells
Mr. Charles "Pete" Wells, 30, of Hamburg, died Friday, February 23, 2001 at the University of Arkansas Medical Center in Little Rock. Mr. Wells was a native and life long resident of Hamburg. He graduated from the Hamburg High School in 1989 and worked for Steve Wooten Contracting. He was a member of the Hollis Chapel Missionary Baptist Church and he was an avid hunter and fisherman. He was preceded in death by his wife, Heather Taylor Wells and a son, Kye Wells.
He is survived by a son, John Clifton Wells; a daughter, Kate Wells; a step son, Dustin Edwards;  a step-daughter, Lacey Guy; his parents, Charles T. & Joan Wooten Wells; three sisters, Laura Berryman, Paulette Mitchell and Mendy Berryman all of Hamburg;  Edward & Kathleen Wooten, all of Hamburg; his paternal grandmother, Ellen Wells; his paternal great-grandmother, Mable Fries, both of Little Rock; and several aunts, uncles, cousins, nieces and nephews.
Funeral services were at 10 a.m., Saturday, February 24, in the Hollis Chapel Missionary Baptist Church with Rev. Roy Craig officiating. Pallbearers were Nathan Wooten, Dan Wooten, Steven Wooten, B.J. Pippin, Mike Pippin and Shane Wooten. Honorary pallbearers were the employees of Steve Wooten Contracting. Interment followed services at the Hollis Chapel Memory Garden under the direction of Jones Funeral Home of Hamburg. Memorials may be made to the Hollis Chapel Missionary Baptist Church, c/o Mrs. Joan Wells, 263 Ashley Road 425, Hamburg, AR 71646.

Heather Dawn Wells
Heather Dawn Wells, 25, of Hamburg died Thursday, February 22, 2001, in an auto accident outside Hamburg. Born November 24, 1975, to Larry and Janice Taylor of Delight, she was a housewife and a member of the Missionary Baptist Church. 
Survivors include, in addition to her parents,  her grandparents, D. L. and Dorothy Moody of Delight and James and Mildred Taylor of Houston, TX; two sisters, Carol and husband Jim Keuthan and LaCressia Russom and husband Sean and their families of Houston; a daughter Lacy Leann Guy; a son, Dustin Edwards; a stepson, Cliff Wells; and a stepdaughter, Kate Wells, all of Hamburg. She was preceded in death by her husband, Charles T. "Pete" Wells, Jr., and a stepson, Kye Andrew Wells.
Funeral services were at 11 a.m. Monday, February 26, in the Liberty Hill Missionary Baptist Church in Delight with burial following services at the Pisgah Cemetery in Delight. Arrangements were by Latimer Funeral Home of Murfreesboro.

Kye Wells
Kye Wells, age 3, of Hamburg, died Thursday, February 22, 2001, in Ashley County as the result of an automobile accident. Kye was a native and life long resident of Hamburg. He attended the Church of the Redeemer and he loved children's church. He was survived by his father Charles "Pete" Wells who died several hours later and his step-mother, Heather Wells also died in the same accident as Kye.
He is survived by his mother, Sandy Roberts McCone and his step-father, Robert McCone, Jr. of Hamburg; a brother, Clif Wells of Hamburg; a sister, Kate Wells of Hamburg; two step-brothers, Dustin Edwards of Hamburg and Drake McCone of Crossett; a step-sister, Lacey Guy of Hamburg; his maternal grandparents, Raymond & Christine Roberts of Hamburg; his paternal grandparents, Charles T. & Joan Wells of Hamburg; his maternal great-grandparents, Earl & Jessie Stein of Hamburg; his paternal great-grandmother, Ellen Wells of Little Rock; his paternal great-grandparents, Edward & Kathleen Wooten of Hamburg; his paternal great-great-grandmother, Mable Fries of Little Rock; his step-grandparents, Mickey & June McCone of Hamburg and Larry & Janice Taylor of Delight; and several aunts, uncles and cousins.
Funeral services were at 2 p.m., Saturday, February 24, in the Church of the Redeemer with Rev. Jerry Grant officiating. Pallbearers were Ricky Russell, Danny Carter, Paul Berryman and Randy Mitchell. Interment followed services at the Promise Land Cemetery under the direction of Jones Funeral Home of Hamburg. Memorials may be made to the Church of the Redeemer Memorial Fund, PO Box 150, Hamburg, AR 71646.

Mrs. Minnie Belle Wells
Mrs. Minnie Belle Wells, 94, of Wilmot, died Tuesday, February 20, 2001, at the Foley Nursing Home in Foley, Alabama. A native of Daleville, MS, and a resident of Wilmot for the past 80 years, she was a homemaker and owned and operated the Wells Cotton Gin and farm operations in Wilmot for many years. She was a member of the Wilmot United Methodist Church and a member of the Colonel Francis Vivian Brooking Chapter of the Daughters of the American Revolution. She was preceded in death by her husband, Robert Carl Wells, a daughter, Carolyn Wells Ainsworth and her parents, George & Mary Hicks Fikes.
She is survived by a son, Carl Wells of Gulf Shores, AL; three grandchildren, Dr. Scott Wells Ainsworth of Atlanta, GA; Ann Ainsworth Hawkins of Houston, TX and Robert Carl "Rob" Wells, III of Memphis, TN, a brother, Dick Fikes of North Little Rock and a sister, Adele Stewart of Earle.
Grave-side funeral services and interment were at 10:30 a.m., Monday, February 26, in the Wilmot Cemetery with Rev. Gerald Myers officiating. Funeral arrangements were under the direction of Jones Funeral Home of Hamburg. Memorials may be made to the Wilmot Cemetery Association, c/o Mrs. Margaret Hurley, 506 Ashley Road 362, Wilmot, AR 71676 or to the donor's favorite charity.
February 21

James Taylor Carter
James Taylor Carter, 92, of lifelong resident of Crossett, died Monday, February 12, 2001, at the Ashley County Medical Center. Born October 24, 1908, to Will D. and Katie Johnson Carter, he was a retired farmer and cotton gin operator and also sold and serviced sewing machines. A  member and deacon of the Magnolia Baptist Church, where he served as music director for many years, he founded and taught a Sunday School class at the Crossett Leisure Lodge and was an avid outdoorsman and a dedicated hunter and fisherman. He was preceded in death by his wife, Tommie Wall Carter; and a granddaughter, Karen Whiteside.
Survivors include two sons, James Allen Carter and Thomas Faye Carter of Crossett; a daughter, Betty Lou Whiteside of Hurst, TX; three brothers, Harold Carter and Eugene Carter of Crossett and Buck Carter of West Monroe, LA; six grandchildren and five great-grandchildren.
Funeral services were at 2 p.m. Thursday, February 15, in the Magnolia Baptist Church with Bros. Jody Ganaway and Dan Webb officiating. Pallbearers were Bruce Whiteside, Jim, Stephen and Mark Carter, Eddie Moore, Roy Patterson, James Neeley and Randy Townley. Burial followed services at the Crossroads Cemetery, directed by Jones Funeral Home of Crossett.

Robert Franklin Cone
Robert Franklin Cone, 59, of Eudora died Saturday, February 17, 2001, in his home. He was a pipeline welder, a member of the Masonic Lodge and a member of Aulds Baptist Church.
Survivors are two sons, Donald Cone and wife Linda of Chatham, MS, and Timothy Allen Cone of Cassville, MO; a sister, Dorothy Jones of Springfield, MO; and a grandson, E.J. Pomeroy-Cone.
Grave-side memorial services will be held at 2:00 p.m. Saturday, February 24 at Parkdale Cemetery with Rev. Bud O'Neal officiating. Services are under the direction of Bishop Funeral Home of Eudora.

Mrs. Carry Ruth Grayson
Mrs. Carry Ruth Grayson, 85, of Hamburg died Friday, February 16, 2001, at the Beverly Health Care Center in Hamburg. A native of Hamburg and a resident of Hamburg for many years, she was a former resident of Los Angeles, CA, a homemaker and a member of the Bethlehem Church of Christ Holiness. She was preceded in death by her husband, Ezell Grayson, in 1960; a son, Jewel Pugh; her parents, Jim and Mattie Brandon Robinson; six brothers, Norris, J. M., Clint, Edwin, Leon and Alfred Robinson; and three sisters, Elizabeth Colbert, Roxie Cook and Allene Rucker.
Survivors include a daughter, Clotee Downing of Los Angeles; a brother, Carl Robinson of Hamburg; four sisters, Beatrice Huggin and Ossie Richson of Hamburg and Fannie Joe House and Betty Ruth Robinson of Los Angeles; three grandchildren, four great-grandchildren and two great-great-grandchildren.
Funeral services were planned for 2 p.m. Wednesday, February 21, in the Bethlehem Church of Christ Holiness with Elder Robert Adams, Jr., officiating. Pallbearers were to be Myron Tucker, Archie Lee Huggins, Horace Jr. Harrington, Levell, Glen and Ray Stanley. Honorary pallbearers were to be the deacons of the church. Burial was to follow services at the Robinson Cemetery, directed by Jones Funeral Home of Hamburg.  

Willie "Pony" Green, Jr.
Willie "Pony" Green, Jr., 68, of Crossett died Sunday, February 11, 2001, in an auto accident on Highway 133 near Hamburg. A lifelong resident of Crossett and a retired timber worker, he was preceded in death by his parents, Mitchell and Izora Childress Bryant, and two brothers, Mitchell Charles Green and Willie Lee Green.
Survivors include a brother, Grady Dawson of Greater Rapids, MI, and three sisters, Eula Robinson, Ruby Phifer and Mary Cason, all of Crossett.
Funeral services were at 1 p.m. Thursday, February 15, in the Fudge Baptist Church with Rev. Jesse Radford, Sr., officiating. Pallbearers were Leon Robinson, Jr., Faustino Cason, Artenus Cason, Renard Powell, Cedric Tucker and Amillo Cason.  Burial followed services at the Ryles Chapel Cemetery, directed by Cromwell Funeral Home of Hamburg.

Mr. Johnny "Simp" Kelley
Mr. Johnny "Simp" Kelley, 68, of Hamburg died Saturday, February 17, 2001,at his residence in the Promise Land community. A native of Hamburg; a resident of Hamburg for the past year; a former resident of North Crossett and a former resident of the Promise Land community he worked for the Georgia-Pacific paper mill for 18 years before retiring in 1998. He also worked for the Ashley County Road Department and Deep South Construction for many years. A Baptist and a veteran of the US Navy, he was preceded in death by his parents, Lee Simpson & Lillie Maude Tumlison Kelley; a brother, J.T. Kelley and a sister, Shirley Kelley.
He is survived by a son, Todd Kelley of Hamburg; two daughters, Kendall Brumley of St. Ingace, MI, and Laurie Kelley of Augusta, KA; a brother, Jimmy Kelley of Hamburg; a sister, Dorothy Clark of Hamburg and seven grandchildren.
Funeral services were planned for 2 p.m., Tuesday, February 20, in the Promise Land Missionary Baptist Church with Revs. Charles Pullin and Kenny Williams officiating. Pallbearers were to be  Junior, Billy, Bobby Joe, Willie Claude, Danny & J.D. Kelley and Walter McArthur. Honorary pallbearers were to be Wayne Donaldson, Woody Forrest, Sonny White and Ular "YoYo" Ford. Interment was to follow services at the Promise Land Cemetery under the direction of Jones Funeral Home of Hamburg. Memorials may be made to the Promise Land Missionary Baptist Church Building Fund, PO Box 30, Hamburg, AR 71646.

Eddie Logan, Jr.
Eddie Logan, Jr., 45, of Crossett died Sunday, February 11, 2001, in an automobile accident on Highway 133 near Hamburg. A lifelong resident of Crossett, he was an employee of Bemis and a member of the Fudge Baptist Church. He was preceded in death by his wife, Gladys Moore Logan; his parents, Sammie and Erma Mae Williams Logan; and a brother, Sammie Logan.
Survivors include a stepdaughter, Melanie Martin of Lake Village; four brothers, Eddie Gene Logan and Robert Tucker of Crossett, Ernest and wife Katie Logan and L. C. Logan of Detroit, MI; three sisters, Genevia Logan, Mary and husband Johnny Withers and Annie Bell Wade, all of Crossett; and two step-grandchildren.
Funeral services were at 2 p.m. Friday, February 16, in the Fudge Baptist Church with Rev. Jessie Radford officiating. Pallbearers were Leonard Webb, Jerry Pitts, Ed Cason, Troy Webb, Ronald Williams and Harold Tucker. Burial followed services at the Ryles Chapel Cemetery, directed by Cromwell Funeral Home of Hamburg.

Raven Monique Logan
Raven Monique Logan, 20 months, of Crossett died Sunday, February 11, 2001, in an automobile accident on Highway 133 near Hamburg. 
She is survived by her mother, Bridgette Lowe of Warren; a brother, DeMarkus Calbert of Warren; a sister, Melanie Martin of Lake Village; her grandfather, James Gardner of Little Rock and her grandmother, Katie Lowe of Chicago, IL.
Funeral services were at 2 p.m. Friday, February 16, in the Fudge Baptist Church with Rev. Jesse Radford officiating. Pallbearers were Lawrence Tucker, Terry Williams, Patrick Nalls and Danny Todd. Burial followed services at the Ryles Chapel Cemetery, directed by Cromwell Funeral Home of Hamburg.

Mr. Harry E. H. Noble, Sr.
Mr. Harry E. H. Noble, Sr., 93, of Hamburg was born June 18, 1907, to Charles Luther & Mary Virginia McGough Noble, on the Noble family land on Springhill Road outside of Hamburg and passed away Saturday morning, February 17, 2001, at his home.
He is survived by his wife of 71 years, Opal Elizabeth Upshaw Noble; three children, Rev. Harry Y. Noble, Jr., and wife, Betty Jean Smith Noble, of Parkdale; Mary Imogene Noble Carpenter of Hamburg and Gayle Linwood Noble, and wife, Marylee Smith Noble, of Little Rock; six grandchildren, Robin Elizabeth Noble Harris and husband Herb of Crossett, Harry Y. Noble, III and his Nita of Capitan, NM, Zoe Ann Dozier and husband Gary of Ft. Worth, TX, Robert A. "Rob" Carpenter, Jr. and wife Julie of Hamburg, Jeffery Gayle Noble and wife Carolyn, of Monticello and Amy Leigh Noble Darcey and husband James of North Little Rock; and six great-grandchildren, Joshua Noble, Chad Dozier, and Lauren & Mary Ashley Carpenter, and Samuel & Adelyn Noble.
He attended the Springhill School located on family land outside of Hamburg and  built his home on Noble land across the road from his birthplace.   He married Mrs. Opal Elizabeth Upshaw Noble on September 15, 1929, in Hamburg with the service by Rev. Freeman. He spend the first years of their marriage farming and logging with teams of horses.  He was employed with the Mississippi River Fuel Transmission Corporation as a natural gas pipeline engineer, from 1936-1952 at Perryville, LA, then from 1952-1972 at the Fountain Hill pumping station, receiving many awards and honors for service to his company. He was the oldest ordained deacon of the First Baptist of Hamburg where he served as the superintendent of the Senior Adult Department, and was a tenor in the choir. He was an active church member until his death. He was a member of the Ashley County Fair Board, caretaker of the Noble Cemetery and a member of the Sons of the American Revolution. His  great-great-great-grandfather, Joseph Noble of Virginia, was an ensign in the American Revolution.
Funeral services were at 10 a.m., Monday, February 19, in the First Baptist Church of Hamburg with Dr. Bobby Pennington, Rev. Klois Hargis and Rev. Raymond Atwood officiating. Pallbearers were  grandsons, Harry Y. Noble, III, Robert Allen "Rob" Carpenter, Jr., Jeffery Gayle Noble, Gary Dozier, James Darcey and Herb Harris. Also serving as pallbearers were Tyman Allison, Jack Carpenter, Sr., J. H. Lockwood, Mickey Noble, J. Lee Posey, and Coy Upshaw. Honorary pallbearers were the members of the Men's Bible Class of the First Baptist Church of Hamburg. His interment followed services at the Noble Cemetery on Springhill Road. 
Memorials may be made to the First Baptist Church, PO Box 352, Hamburg, AR or to the Noble Cemetery, c/o Mrs. Imie Carpenter, 403 E. Parker, Hamburg, AR 71646. Funeral arrangements were under the direction of Jones Funeral Home of Hamburg.

Shirley Anne "Sissy" Parker
Shirley Anne "Sissy" Parker, 47, of Crossett died Monday, February 12, 2001, at the Medical Center of South Arkansas. A lifelong resident of Crossett, she was a homemaker and a member of the Pleasant Green Baptist Church and the Crossett High School Class of 1972. She was preceded in death by a daughter, Latorsha Parker; and a brother, George Parker, Jr.
Survivors include a son, Sonwello Detwayne Lewis; a daughter Latekia S and husband Timothy Moses; her parents, George and Ollie Goree Parker, Sr., four brothers, Larry Keith, Ronnie Parker and wife Cheryl, Ricky Parker and wife Linda and Gregory Parker; four sisters, Debra Moore, Evelyn, Hazel,  and Judy Parker, all of Crossett; and two grandchildren, Detarius Lewis and Sonwello Lewis, Jr.
Funeral services were at 3:30 p.m. Saturday, February 17, in the Davis Memorial Church of God in Christ with Rev. Billy G. Williams officiating. Pallbearers were Billy R. Kitchen, Robert E. Kitchen, Pete Harris, Cleveland Parker, Spencer Griffin and Doyle Miller. Honorary pallbearers were Sonwello Lewis, Larry Keith, Ronnie, Ricky and Greg Parker, Elias Duncan, David Dupree, Cedric Keith, Tyrone Moore, Shun Keith and Timothy Moses. Burial followed services at the Westview Cemetery, directed by Cromwell Funeral Home of Hamburg. 

Nancy "Mama Coot" Tharp          
Nancy "Mama Coot" Tharp, 103, of Wilmot died Saturday, February 10, 2001, at the Beverly Health Care in Wilmot. A lifelong resident of Wilmot, she was a homemaker and a member of the Union Baptist Church in Wilmot. She was preceded in death by her husband, Norman Tharp; two sons and three daughters,  her parents, James and Ella Overton and one sister.
Survivors include three sons, Sammie L. Tharp and Freddie Tharp of Crossett  and Mathis Junior Tharp of Chicago, IL; four daughters, Annie Mae Owens, Eula V. Bankston, Beatrice Slack and Pearline Rent, all of Wilmot; 58 grandchildren, and a host of great-grandchildren.
Funeral services were at 11 a.m. Saturday, February 17, in the Union Baptist Church with Rev. David Green officiating. Pallbearers were Ernest Montgomery, Albert Dunn, Robert Mooney, Calvin Brown, Charles Raino and Gregory Walker. Honorary pallbearers were Vincent Fowler, Wilbur Brown, Lee Otis Penn, Norman Grant, Frank Franklin, Terry Williams, LaCalvin Bethea, Sterling Bryant, Mark Johnson and Gene Smith.  Burial followed services at the Walnut Grove Cemetery, directed by Cromwell Funeral Home of Hamburg.
February 14

Logan Shawn Barbee
Logan Shawn Barbee, the infant son of Shawn and Lawanda Barbee of Montrose, died Sunday, February 4, 2001. Survivors in addition to his parents are a brother and sister, Chase Andrew and Haley Nicole Barbee; paternal grandparents Charles and Rita Barbee of Montrose and paternal grandparents Jerry Williams of Lake Village and Mary Williams of Malvern.
Grave-side services were at 2 p.m. Tuesday, February 6, at the Union Cemetery near Montrose with Rev. Larry Donaldson officiating. Arrangements were by Bishop Funeral Home of Lake Village.

Mrs. Eloise Johnson Clark 
Mrs. Eloise Johnson Clark, 72, of Hamburg died Sunday, February 11, 2001, at her residence. A native of Warren and a resident of Hamburg for the past 46 years, she was a homemaker and worked for the Hamburg Shirt Factory for 14 years, and  was a member of the Judson Missionary Baptist Church. She was preceded in death by her parents, Abe F. & Katie Evans Johnson; and three brothers, Abe Johnson Jr., Lovell Johnson & Aubrey Carl Johnson.
She is survived by her husband, Rev. Orville Clark of Hamburg; two sons, Ronnie & Richard Clark of Crossett; a daughter, Gayla Sydoriak of Crossett; a brother, Larry W. Johnson of Crossett; two sisters, Maxine Martin of Hamburg and Robbie Corker of Peel; six grandchildren and six great-grandchildren. 
Funeral services were planned for 10 a.m., Tuesday, February 13, in the Calvary Missionary Baptist Church with Revs. Joey Meredith and Dale Crumby officiating. Pallbearers were to be Jimmy Hines, Davey Farabough, Levi Gray, Dennis Cox, Sluggo Norris and Bryan Smith. Interment was to follow services at the Crossroads Cemetery under the direction of Jones Funeral Home of Hamburg. Memorials may be made to the Calvary Missionary Baptist Church Literature Fund, 400 W. Washington, Hamburg, AR 71646.

Mrs. Mary Morris Foster  
Mrs. Mary Morris Foster, 88, of Parkdale, died Monday, February 5, 2001, at her residence. A native and lifelong resident of Parkdale, a life long member of the Parkdale United Methodist Church and a member of the Colonel Francis Vivian Brooking Chapter of the Daughters of the American Revolution, she was a homemaker and she retired in 1977 from the Ashley County Social Services Department. She was preceded in death by her husband, Claude L. Foster in 1965, a great-grandson, Peter Hawkins Dobberpuhl, and her parents, Herman William & Mable Hunt Ralph Morris.
Survivors include  daughter, Ann Foster Stone and  husband Donald of Daphne, AL; three granddaughters, Kathleen Springer and husband William, Ashley Stone and Holly Dobberpuhl and  husband Joe; and four great-grandchildren, Lindsay & Mary Springer and Samuel and Lily Dobberpuhl.
Grave-side funeral services and interment were at 2 p.m. Wednesday, February 7,  in the Parkdale Cemetery with Revs. John Henley and Harry Noble officiating. Honorary pallbearers were J.D. Grice, Troy Abruagh, Harrison Ralph, Jeff Foster, Joel Dobberpuhl, William Springer and Mark Hawkins. Funeral arrangements were under the direction of Jones Funeral Home of Hamburg. Memorials may be made to the Parkdale United Methodist Church, PO Box 34, Parkdale, AR 71661.

Mr. Joe Brooks Hart
Mr. Joe Brooks Hart, 65, of Monroe, LA died Monday, February 5, 2001, in Portland. Born in Crossett and raised in Monticello, he was a resident of Monroe, LA, for the past two years and was a resident of Wilmot for many years. He was a retired teacher and coach, having taught at the Portland High School, Montrose Academy, Ross Van Ness High School and at Eudora High School for the last 15 years before retiring. An avid fisherman and a member of the Wilmot United Methodist Church, he was preceded in death by his parents, Leland & Dell Brooks Hart.
He is survived by his wife, Joan Thomas Hart of Monroe, LA; two sons, Joey Bennett of Crystal River, FL and Greg Bennett of Franklin, TN; a brother, Don L. Hart of Crossett; and three granddaughters, Chelsea, Sydney & Tara Bennett.
Funeral services were at 2 p.m., Thursday, February 7, in the Wilmot United Methodist Church with Revs Gerald Meyers & Charles Dupree officiating. Pallbearers were Gene Chandler, Robert Sims, James Traylor, Steve Otwell, Stephen Otwell and J. L. McCain. Honorary pallbearers were Allen Chandler, Levin Johnson, Floyd McCain & Frank Powell. It was Mr. Hart's request that his body be cremated. Funeral arrangements were under the direction of Jones Funeral Home of Hamburg. 
Memorials may be made to the Alzheimer's Association Central Arkansas Chapter, 10411 W. Markham, Suite 130, Little Rock, AR 72205-1409.

Dora Dean Smith Howie
Dora Dean Smith Howie, 72, of Crossett died Monday, February 5, 2001, at the Ashley County Medical Center. Born October 3, 1928, to the late Calvin and Carrie Claudia Kelly White, she was a member of the Mount Olive Baptist Church and was preceded in death by her husband, Nelson Smith; two infants, and several brothers and sisters, Dewayne, Bud, Gene, Goldie, Bernice and Olin.
Survivors include her husband, Eugene Howie; two sons, David and Danny Smith, all of Crossett; a stepson, David Howie of Liberty, MO; three brothers, Roy White of Sacramento, CA, Harold White of Benton and Roger White of Hamburg; a sister, Inez Corder of Hollandale, MS; four grandchildren and ten great-grandchildren.
Funeral services were at 3 p.m. Wednesday, February 7, in the Mount Olive Baptist Church with Billy Kite and Randy Maxwell officiating. Pallbearers were Darrell White, Fred Sivils, Harold Farmer, Stephen Smith, Edward Gulledge and Chic Sipes. Burial followed services at the Crossroads Cemetery, directed by Jones Funeral Home of Crossett.

Nell Carpenter Owens
Nell Carpenter Owens,  86, of Crossett, died Friday, February 9, 2001, at the Arkansas Heart Hospital in Little Rock. Born  April 23, 1914, to Frank and Lottie Wallace Carpenter in Hamburg, Mrs. Owens was a waitress at the Angels About Tea Room, librarian for 25 years at the Paul Sullins Library and was a member of the Church of the Redeemer. She was preceded in death by her husband, Noel "Mutt" Owens, and two brothers, Preston and Harold Carpenter.
Survivors include two daughters, Sue Vickers of Crossett and Pam Stell of Hamburg; five grandchildren, six step-grandchildren and seventeen great-grandchildren.
Funeral services were held at 2 p.m. on Monday, February 12, at the Church of the Redeemer with Bro. Jerry Grant officiating. Interment followed services at the Hamburg City Cemetery under the direction of Jones Funeral Home of Crossett.

William Leroy Norrell
Mr. William Leroy "Sonny" Norrell, age 65, of Hamburg, died Wednesday, February 7, 2001, at his residence in Hamburg. A native of Ashley County and a resident of New Orleans, LA, for 25 years, a former salesman for R.T. French and a member of Mt. Olive Baptist Church in Crossett, he was proceeded in death by his parents, Leroy Pete Norrell and Gladys Jones DeRouen.
He is survived by two sons, Dale Norrell of Hamburg and Billy Norrell of Violet, LA; two daughters, Pam Gonzales of Movrovia, CA, and Joanne Cangelosi of Meraux, LA; two brothers, Alpha and Bobby DeRouen, both of Chalmette, LA; ten grandchildren, two great-grandchildren, and a host of other relatives and friends.
Funeral services were Saturday, February 10, at 11:00 a.m., at Cromwell Funeral Home Chapel with Bros. Randy Maxwell and Bro. Brian Peck officiating. Pallbearers were Harold Farmer, Herb Evans, Mike Smith, Jimmy Mills, Ronald Dopson and John Frank Johnson. Interment was in the Carlock Cemetery under the direction of Cromwell Funeral Home of Hamburg.

Helen Little Sawyer
Helen Little Sawyer, 80, of Houston, TX, formerly of Crossett, died Friday, February 9, 2001. She was born on November 4, 1920, to William Carl and Bertha Gray Little. Mrs. Sawyer was a retired manager for Flair Dress Shop in Houston, TX, and a retired restaurant owner in Crossett. She was preceded in death by her husband, W. Farris Sawyer.
Survivors include one daughter, Paula Hamilton and husband Robert of Atascocita, TX; one step-daughter, Lottie Vincent and husband David of Sterlington, LA; two grandsons, Keith Welshimer of Palm Springs, CA, and David G. Vincent of Houston, TX; two granddaughters, Susan Hamilton of Atascocita, TX, and Cheri Ingram of Houston, TX; one great-grandson, Blake Ingram of Houston, TX; one brother, Jid Little of Mesquite, TX; and numerous nieces and nephews.
Funeral services were planned for 2:00 p.m., Tuesday, February 13, at Jones Funeral Home Chapel with Roy Craig and Wayne Wyatt officiating. Pallbearers were to be Ronnie Little, Bo Manion, David Little, Keith Welshimer, Wayne Wyatt, Jid Little, Harold Nelson, and Jimmy Little. Interment was to follow services at Pinewood Memorial Park under the direction of Jones Funeral Home of Crossett.

Ovid T. Switzer, Sr.
Ovid T. Switzer, Sr., 97, of Crossett died Wednesday, February 7, 2001, at the Ashley County Convalescent Center in Wilmot. He was born February 21, 1903, to Fred H. and Lillie Switzer, members of the pioneer Ashley County family who came to the area from North Carolina in 1849 and purchased 2,000 acres of land southwest of what later became Crossett in the area of Sulfur Springs and Petersburg, then a thriving river-front community.
Mr. Switzer attended the Crossett school then housed in the Green building on Gates Avenue (Third Avenue) under Superintendent D. C. Hastings. He attended Mississippi State College from 1919 to 1921. Prior to becoming an attorney, he worked for C. W. Woods at a service station in North Crossett and was also employed at the Crossett Post Office under Postmaster Cammack.
He was admitted to the bar and became the first lawyer in private practice in Crossett in 1929. Because the town was whole owned and operated by The Crossett Company, only company employees were allowed to own a business. He overcame the opposition and, with the aid of his father, State Senator Fred Switzer, was given a corner of the mayor's office, then located in the natatorium. Living first in a YMCA apartment, he was later allowed a house on Third Street (Oak) next to the beanery. He later obtained Dr. Cammack's dental office in the Masonic building and kept his office there until after World War II when he moved to an office on Pine. He and his brother, W. P. "Billy" Switzer practiced there several years until he build the present office where his son, Bruce D. Switzer, now practices law.
Mr. Switzer served the county as deputy prosecutor for twelve years and as state senator from 1935-1938. In addition to his law practice, he was also active in many other business areas. He built and operated the Western Auto Associate Store, the Wagon Wheel Restaurant and the first modern motel in the area, complete with swimming pool. He also owned liquor stores in West and North Crossett when the county was wet. He build his home in West Crossett, paying for lumber from The Crossett Company largely with coupons collected from his customers who were paid in coupons by the company.
One of the greatest aspects of his life was his devotion to the Department of Parks and Tourism, of which he was a commissioner. For nearly 40 years, he was dedicated to the development of parks and recreational facilities with those facilities now a factor in attracting about 20 million visitors to the state each year.
In 1957, he began the Lake Chicot State Park project. Beginning with a $25,000 grant, the park site was cleared. He diligently continued the development of the park, obtaining more grants and appropriations until it has gained the reputation of one of the finest parks in the state. Until this project, Southeast Arkansas had no parks or facilities to attract tourists.
First appointed to the commission in 1953 by Governor Francis Cherry, he served during the tenures of Govs. Orval Faubus, Winthrop Rockefeller, David Pryor and Dale Bumpers until January, 1979. When his term expired, the other commission members asked the state legislature to make him a lifetime member to retain his experience and expertise. State Rep. N. B. "Nap" Murphy and State Senator George "Butch" Locke sponsored House and Senate resolutions designating Mr. Switzer as a life member of the Parks and Tourism Commission, which won unanimous approval. The resolutions became Act 213 of 1979, naming Mr. Switzer Commissioner Emeritus of the Arkansas Department of Parks and Tourism. In March, 1982, the Arkansas Academy for Tourism Achievement inducted Commissioner Switzer in to the Arkansas Tourism Hall of Fame as the first inductee.
He was a member of the Arkansas Bar Association and past president of the Ashley County Bar Association and the Southeast Arkansas Legal Institute, practicing law for 60 years.  He was a Democrat and a charter member and  past president of the Crossett Riding Club, a member of the Crossett Rotary Club and Prairie Country Club and a member of the First Baptist Church.
He was preceded in death by his wives, Marguerite Taylor Switzer and Chloe Courson Switzer; two brothers, Frank and W. P. "Billy" Switzer; a son, Roderick Switzer; and a grandson, Douglas Allen Switzer. Survivors include three sons, Ovid, Jr., Bruce and Phil; his long-time companion, Bettye Melton; eight grandchildren, two great-grandchildren, and one great-great grandchild.
Funeral services were at 2 p.m. Saturday, February 10, in the Jones Funeral Home chapel in Crossett. Pallbearers were Tommy Strebeck, Gayle Deal, Gary Draper, Edgar Chesser, William E. Johnson and Richard Welch. Burial followed services at Pinewood Memorial Park. Memorials may be made to the Paul Sullins Library, Crossett Riding Club or Crossett Centennial Park Project.

W.C. Wigley
Mr. W.C. "Dub" Wigley died on January 9, 2001, in Crescent City, California. He was born and reared in Ashley County and was a former employee of the Ashley County Road crew under then County Judge L.W. Dew.
He is survived by his wife of 65 years, Doris H. Wigley, four children, eleven grandchildren, 27 great-grandchildren and four great-great-grandchildren. Burial was in Crescent City, CA.
February 7

Carl DeWitt Barnett
Carl DeWitt Barnett, 81, of Crossett died Monday, January 29, 2001, at the Ashley County Medical Center. Born August 15, 1919, to Benson and Lula Nancy Barnett, he was employed with Georgia-Pacific for 41 years. He was an U. S. Army veteran of World War II, touring in many countries including  Africa where he drove a Jeep for General George Patton. He was a member of the First Baptist Church of Crossett and served as an usher for many years.
Survivors include his wife, Judy Barnett; a daughter, Roberta Nutter; a brother, Lexie Barnett, all of Crossett; three grandchildren, Nanci Druey, Thomas McKay and Jim Nutter; nine great-grandchildren and three great-great-grandchildren.
Funeral services were at 10 a.m. Wednesday, January 31, in the First Baptist Church. Pallbearers were J. B. Kelley, Tommy Hooks, Louis White, Bobby Richardson, Bob Cooper, Jack Allen and Dean Ray. Burial followed services at Pinewood Memorial Park Cemetery, directed by Jones Funeral Home of Crossett. Memorials may be made to Alzheimer's research.

Dorothy Brooks
Dorothy Brooks, 87, of Eudora died Thursday, February 1, 2001, at the West Carroll Nursing Center in Oak Grove, LA. She was a homemaker and a member of the Calvary Freewill Baptist Church. She was preceded in death by her husband, Lee Brooks, and a son, Robert Lee Brooks.
Survivors include a son, Paul Brooks of Hamburg; seven daughters, Laverne DeLong of Rogers, Donna Venable of Grady, Lucille Crosby of Kosciusko, MS, Colette Smith of Mer Route, LA, Rosemary Bolding of Kilbourne, LA, Christine DeLoach of Sardis, MS, and Geynelle Haygood of Eudora; a brother, Curtis Bowers of Troy, MO; two sisters, Florence White of Springdale, IL, and Ruth Meyers of Lonoke, and many grandchildren, great-grandchildren and great-great-grandchildren.
Funeral services were at 2 p.m. Saturday, February 3, in the Calvary Freewill Baptist Church with Rev. Elmer Holiman officiating. Burial followed services at the Mount Carmel Cemetery, directed by Bishop Funeral Home of Eudora. 

Francis Grider Courson
Francis Grider "Sonny" Courson, 71, a lifelong resident of Crossett, died Wednesday, January 31, 2001. Born October 15, 1929, to W. G. "Guy" and Osa Whitton Courson, he was an electrician who retired after 45 years with Georgia-Pacific during which he participated in the many construction and expansion projects which saw the plant grow from a small paper mill to one of the South's largest diversified mills currently employing more than 1,850. A member of the First United Methodist Church and an U. S. Air Force veteran, he spent many hours in his retirement tracing his family genealogy. He was an avid gardener and spent considerable time taking care of the family 20-acre home place and derived tremendous satisfaction from his annual Christmas light display which drew families from throughout the area. He was preceded in death by a brother, William Courson, and a sister, Neva Courson Mancini.
Survivors include his wife, Claudette Walker Courson of Crossett; two sons, William G. "Bud" Courson and wife Gay of Baton Rouge, LA, and Britt W. Courson of Crossett; two daughters, Beverly Courson Shepherd of Little Rock and Tonya F. Courson of Monroe, LA; and three grandchildren, Chancely Nicole Courson, Christian Grider Courson and Jackson Grider Culp.
Funeral services were at 10 a.m. Friday, February 2, in the South Crossett Missionary Baptist Church with Bros. Don Justice and Roy Craig officiating. Pallbearers were Roy Brockwell, Tommy Pahal, Kenneth Kelley, Grady Shivers, Butch Hill, Robert Cornelius and Lexie Courson. Burial followed services at Pinewood Memorial Park, directed by Jones Funeral Home of Crossett. Memorials may be made to a donor's favorite charity. 

Archie Vernon Craig
Archie Vernon Craig, 73, of Huttig died Monday, January 29, 2001, at his home. Born June 6, 1927, in Tinsman to Archie Monroe and Myrtle Bell Bowen Craig, he was a Master Mason in Lodge #591 in Strong and a Baptist. He was preceded in death by two brothers, Kenneth and Jimmie Craig; and a sister, Myrtle Dean Craig.
Survivors include his wife, Martha Jane Craig of Huttig; two sons, Ralph Eugene Craig of Strong and Jerry Vernon Craig of Mansfield; three daughters, Linda Jean Hughes and Rebecca Lynn Toney of Huttig and Lisa Elaine Myers of Dubach, LA; a brother, Winfred Dale Craig of Felsenthal; 23 grandchildren and 22 great-grandchildren.
Funeral services were at 2 p.m. Thursday, February 1, in the Jones Funeral Home chapel in Crossett with Eldon Dean Alfred officiating. Pallbearers were grandsons Ronald Eugene Craig, Phillip L. Hughes, Richard Adam Green, Timothy Lynn Toney, Jerry Brian Craig, Kevin Bruce Hughes and Scotty Johnson. Burial followed services at the Harper Springs Cemetery. 

Jimmy Louis Edwards
Jimmy Louis Edwards, 58, of Hamburg, formerly of Crossett, died Tuesday, January 30, 2001, at the Beverly Health Care of Hamburg. A native of Crossett and a Hamburg resident for the past 25 years, he was a member of the Ryles Chapel A. M. E. Church.  He was preceded in death by his parents, Louis Garland and Almetter Edwards, and a brother, Levell Edwards.
Survivors include his wife, Melva Collins Edwards; a son, Tommy Edwards; three brothers, Earlie and Cordell Edwards, all of Crossett, and Frankie Gadie of Malvern; and five sisters, Faye Rochelle of Chicago, IL, and Lajoyce Anderson, Lizzie Jean Gibbs, Barbara Kay Edwards and Rosie Block of Crossett.
Funeral services were at 11 a.m. Saturday, February 3, in the New Bethel Baptist Church with Rev. B. J. Jackson officiating. Pallbearers were David Childress, Patrick Nalls, Alfred Davis, Mavis Simmons, Charles Binns and Robert Williams. Burial followed services at the Siloam Cemetery, directed by Cromwell Funeral Home of Hamburg.  

Mrs. Sydney Grantham
Mrs. Sydney Grantham, 76, of Hamburg, died Friday, February 2, 2001, at the North Monroe Hospital in Monroe, LA. Mrs. Grantham was a native of Marvell,  resident of Hamburg since 1978 and a former resident of West Memphis. She was a retired yellow page salesperson, having worked for L.M. Berry Company for 12 years. A member of the Hamburg First United Methodist Church, she was preceded in death by her husband, Roy Grantham, Sr.; her parents, Roscoe and Ada Stingley; a brother, Roscoe Stingley, Jr. and a sister, Mariane McClendon.
Survivors include a son, Harvey Nolen of Bald Knob; three stepsons, Roy Grantham, Jr. of Crossett, Rudy Grantham of Mt. Morris, MI, and Adam Grantham of Corunna, MI; four stepdaughters, Nancy Bundy of Fordyce, Deborah Reed and Karen Smith of Owosso, MI, and Dorothy Walsh of Crossett; a brother, Ted Stingley of Branson, MO; three sisters, Paula Hewitt of Denham Springs, LA, Dixie Wagnon of Warren, and Ada Andrews of Louisville, KY; three grandchildren, four great-grandchildren, twelve step-grandchildren, eight step-great-grandchildren and many nieces, nephews and friends.
Funeral services were at 10 a.m, Monday, February 5,  in the chapel of Jones Funeral Home of Hamburg with Rev. Roy Grantham, Jr. officiating. Grandsons were be honorary pallbearers. Grave-side funeral services were at 3 p.m. Monday in the Sunset Memorial Park Cemetery in Barton. Memorials may be made to the American Lung Association of Arkansas, 211 Natural Resources Drive, Little Rock, AR 72205-9869.

Mrs. Nell Hammond
Mrs. Nell Ferrell Hammond, 67, of Bastrop, LA, died Tuesday, January 30, 2001, at the Oak Woods Home for the Elderly in Mer Rouge, LA. Mrs. Hammond was a native of Jones, LA; a resident of Bastrop, LA for the past 25 years and lived in Wilmot for many years. A homemaker and a member of the Bonita Road Baptist Church, she was preceded in death by her father,  Henry Ferrell, and her mother, Corene Ferrell McCarty, and a brother, Henry "Hank" O. Ferrell.
Survivors include two sons, Eddie Hammond and wife Doris of Wilmot and Stevie Hammond and  wife Diane of Portland; two daughters, Donnice Barham and husband Jim of Little Rock and Gale Miller and husband Ron of Wilmot; three brothers, Carvin Ferrell of Bastrop, Richard Ferrell of Sacramento, CA and Henry Ferrell, Jr. of Bastrop; four sisters, Dee Dee Conley, Wanda Milliren, Joyce Johnson and Patsy Lusby all of Bastrop; eight grandchildren, three great-grandchildren and a host of nieces and nephews.
Grave-side funeral services and interment were at 2 p.m., Thursday, February 1, at the Beekman Cemetery with Rev. Philip Bowles officiating. Pallbearers were grandsons Michael Miller, Scott Miller, Neal Hammond, Mark Barham, Chris Hammond and Nicholas Johnson. Funeral arrangements were under the direction of Jones Funeral Home of Hamburg. Memorials may be made to the Oak Woods Home for the Elderly Memorial Fund, in memory of Nell Hammond, 1400 Davenport Ave., Mer Rouge, LA 71261.

Mrs. Gladys Knight Lynn
Mrs. Gladys Knight Lynn, 69, of McGehee died Friday, February 2, 2001, at her residence. A native of Boydell,  resident of McGehee for the past two years and for many years a  resident of Jerome and Montrose, she retired in 1991 from McGehee Industries. She was preceded in death by her husband, Ferrell Lynn, in 1985; her parents, Charlie & Artie Cunningham Knight; a sister and four brothers.
Survivors include two sons, Ricky Lynn and wife Lealor of Bastrop, LA, and Kenny Lynn and  wife Debra of Jerome; a daughter, Leatha Royce and  husband Sonny of McGehee; two brothers, J. L. Knight of Greenville, MS, and J.C. Knight of Choudrant, LA; two sisters, Margie Hart & Bell Whittington of Winnsboro, LA; 11 grandchildren, 12 great-grandchildren and a very good friend, Joyce Knight of Dermott.
Funeral services were at 2 p.m., Sunday, February 4,  in the chapel of Jones Funeral Home of Hamburg with Rev. Ray Williams & Sonny Royce officiating. Pallbearers were Jeff, Wade, Johnny & David Lynn, Steven Royce & Johnny Chandler. Interment followed services at the Montrose Cemetery. Memorials may be made to the Montrose Cemetery Association, c/o Angie Lynn, 329 Lynn Road, Portland, AR 71663.


 


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