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Abbie L. Gilyard
OKOLONA - Abbie Lee Gilyard, 81, of Okolona died Sept. 11, 2008, at his home. He was born July 5, 1927, in Okolona, son of the late Clarence and Minnie Gilyard. He was a retired employee of McDonald Douglas Aircraft Co. and a Baptist.
Survivors include: Three sons, William Gilyard of Ypsilanti, Mich., and Jefferey Gilyard and David Gilyard of St. Louis, Mo.; nine daughters, Ann Marshall, Schatoun Gilyard, Robin Goodlett, Susan Johnson, Stephanie Royal, Tracey Parks, Kellie Gilyard, Yolonda Gilyard and Deon Gilyard of St. Louis; one sister, Minnie Sue Hunter of Delight; and 36 grandchildren and 22 great-grandchildren.
Funeral will be 11 a.m. Thursday at Pleasant Grove Baptist Church with Rev. Jefferey Gilyard officiating. Burial will be in Harrison Chapel Cemetery
under the direction of Mitchell Funeral Home.
Johnnie M. Williams
OKOLONA - Johnnie Mae Williams, 88, of Okolona, died Sept. 11, 2008, in Baptist Health Medical Center-Arkadelphia. She was born Jan. 13, 1920, in Okolona, daughter of Charlie and Janie Jones Dixon. She attended Okolona Rural School and was a member of Pleasant Grove Baptist Church. She was a home health worker. She was preceded in death by her parents; husband, L. K. Williams; four brothers and three sisters.
She is survived by: Her children, Sylvia Raibon of Cincinnati, Ohio, James Williams of Oakland, Calif., and Lewis Ray Williams of Fairfield, Calif., and one brother, Samuel Dixon of Berkley, Calif.
Funeral will be at 2 p.m. Thursday in Pleasant Grove Baptist Church with Rev. Rufus R. Hatley officiating. Burial will be in Pleasant Grove Cemetery
under the direction of Williams Funeral Home. Pallbearers will be Bobby Dixon, Johnny Dixon, Williams Gilyard, Greg McDaniel and Henry McDaniel.
Visitation will be from 11 a.m.-7 p.m. Wednesday at the funeral home with family hour 6-7 p.m.
Joshua L. Slaughter
ARKADELPHIA - Joshua Lee Slaughter age 19 of Arkadelphia died Saturday, Sept. 13, 2008. He was born March 17, 1989, the son of Thomas Dean Slaughter and Jenesse Harrington. Josh was a corrections officer for the Ouachita River Unit of the Arkansas Department of Corrections. He was a volunteer for Friendship Fire Department, All-State Band for Arkadelphia High School, and Top Marksman in his class at the ADC Training Academy. Josh was a member of the Arkadelphia Church of Christ.
Survivors include: His parents; two sisters, Chloe Simone Slaughter and Megan Elizabeth Slaughter both of Hot Springs; two brothers, Stephen Lackey and Caleb Kirksey of North Little Rock; paternal grandparents Roy and Barbara Slaughter of Arkadelphia; paternal great-grandmother, Lorraine Duce of Arkadelphia; and maternal great-grandfather, Robert Martin of Caney.
Funeral services will be 10 a.m. Tuesday, Sept. 16, 2008, in the Arkadelphia Church of Christ with Bro. Jim Buie officiating with burial in the Rose Hill Cemetery
in Arkadelphia.
Honorary pallbearers will be Josh McMahan, Josh Carr and officers at the Ouachita River Unit of the ADC.
Memorials may be to the Arkadelphia Band Boosters.
Visitation will be 6-8 p.m. today in Ruggles-Wilcox Funeral Home.
Darlene B. Broadhuhn
BISMARCK - Darlene Benson Broadhuhn, 78, of Bismarck died Sept. 12, 2008. at her home. She was born May 19, 1930, the daughter of Jarome and Nellie Weaver Benson. She was a Baptist and was preceded in death by her husband, Elmer Broadhuhn, and one son, Clark Eichelburger.
Survivors include: Three daughters, Susan Summner of Forsyth, Mo., Pam Williams of Middleton, Tenn., and Vikki McGuire of Bismarck.
No formal services are planned. Cremation arrangements are by Ruggles-Wilcox Funeral Home of Arkadelphia.
Juanita A. Hughes
ARKADELPHIA - Juanita A. "Jonnie" Frost Hughes, 87, of Arkadelphia died Sept. 10, 2008, in Arkadelphia. She was born Aug. 1, 1921, in Arkadelphia, the daughter of the late Dave and Nell Frost. She was a beauty operator for many years; and she co-owned and operated the Pig-Pit Barbecue with her husband, James C. Hughes. She was a member of Second Baptist Church where she served as primary Sunday school teacher for several years. She was the widow of James C. Hughes.
Survivors are one son, Ronnie Hughes of Arkadelphia, and two grandchildren.
Graveside services will be at 2 p.m. Saturday at Rest Haven Memorial Gardens with Rev. Stan Parris officiating.
Visitation is 6-8 p.m. today at Ruggles -Wilcox Funeral Home.
Michael D. Sorensen
ARKADELPHIA - Michael D. Sorensen, age 72, of Arkadelphia died Tuesday, Sept. 9, 2008, in Hot Springs. He was born Aug. 29, 1936, in Des Moines, Iowa, the son of Walter and Dorothy Besisinicker Sorensen. He was a U. S. Marine veteran. Michael was an industrial engineer working throughout the United States, Korea, Europe, South America and Mexico mostly in chemical and explosives manufacturing plants. After retiring in Palm Beach, Calif., he returned to Arkadelphia and became a member of Caddo Valley Baptist Church. Michael was an avid gardener and gun collector. He was preceded in death by one brother, Allan Bell.
Survivors include his wife of 48 years, Linda Nivens Sorensen; one daughter, Shannon Nivens Sorensen of Arkadelphia; three sons, Nels Sorensen of Victoria, Texas, Shawn Sorensen of Little Rock, Patrick Sorensen of Hot Springs; eight grandchildren, Nick and Noah Brumley, Caitlin Talffa, Shawna Michelle Sorensen, Amy Woodall, P. J. Salazer, Stephanie Gibson, Jessica Wills; four great-grandchildren, Hannah, Kassi, Rian, and Lawson; two brothers, David Sorensen of Kentucky, Dennis Sorensen of Virginia; a half brother, Donald Sorensen of Iowa and many friends from Caddo Valley Baptist Church.
Funeral services are 11 a.m. Saturday Sept. 13, 2008, at Caddo Valley Baptist Church with Bro. Phillip Runyan officiating. Burial will be in Caddo Valley Cemetery.
Visitation is 6-8 p.m. Friday at Ruggles-Wilcox Funeral Home. Honorary pallbearers will be members of Michael's Sunday School Class and third floor Advance Care staff at St. Joseph's Mercy Healthcenter.
Amy Hancock
ALEXANDER - Amy Hancock, age 30, of Alexander, formerly of Arkadelphia, died Tuesday, Sept. 9, 2008. She was born July 11, 1978, in Arkadelphia. She was a loving wife, mother, a Baptist and assistant manager for the Otter Creek Homeowner's Association.
Survivors include her husband, Bobby Hancock of Alexander; one son, Tyler Hancock of the home; her mother and step-father, Marsha and Terry Davis; her father and step-mother, Mike and Connie Loy; three brothers, Nathan Loy, B. J. Davis, and Lee Loy all of Arkadelphia; one sister, Sherry Davis of Malvern; her maternal grandmother, Clora Anderson of Arkadelphia, and numerous nieces and nephews.
Funeral services will be at 11 a.m. Saturday, Sept. 13, 2008, at Ruggles-Wilcox Funeral Home chapel with Rev. Mel Vail officiating. Internment will be in Rest Haven Memorial Gardens.
Visitation will be 6-8 p.m. Friday at the funeral home.
Mattie H. Henderson
ARKADELPHIA - Mattie Mae Hill Henderson, 78, of Arkadelphia, died Sept. 5, 2008, at National Park Medical Center in Hot Springs. She was born Oct. 23, 1929, in Arkadelphia, daughter of Percy Lee and Annie Scott Hill. She attended Peake High School and was a member of St. Paul AME Church. She worked in the Foster Grandparent program. She was preceded in death by her father and her husband, Fletcher Henderson.
Survivors include: A son, Swayze Buford of Richmond, Texas; her mother, Annie Hill of Arkadelphia; a sister, Brenda K. Williams of Arkadelphia; four grandchildren and two great-grandchildren.
Funeral will be at 11 a.m. Friday in St. Paul AME Church with Rev. James H. Giles Sr. officiating. Burial will be in Richmond Hill Cemetery
under the direction of Williams Funeral Home.
The pallbearers will be Bruce Bailey, Jr., Gary Davis, Maurice Davis, Willie Davis, George Grandy and Brian Rutherford.
Visitation will be 11 a.m.-7 p.m. Thursday at the funeral home with family hour 6-7 p.m.
Michael Allen Barrett
Hot Springs - Michael Allen Barrett, 49, of Hot Springs, passed died Friday, Jan. 9, 2009, at his home. He was born May 24, 1959, in San Pedro, Calif., the son of George and Evelyn Crabtree Barrett. He was a mechanic and body repairman a U.S. Army veteran. He was the Worshipful Master of Hot Springs Masonic Lodge No. 62, a member of Arkadelphia Masonic Lodge No. 381, a 32-degree Scottish Rite Mason and a member of Unity Full Gospel Church of Hot Springs. He was preceded in death by his father, George Smith Barrett.
Survivors are his mother and stepfather, Evelyn and Harold Keeton of Hot Springs; his wife, Brenda (Shirley) Barrett; one son, Michael Shane Barrett of Hot Springs; one sister, Tammy Hood of Hot Springs; four brothers: Mark Barrett of Dallas, David Barrett of Hot Springs, Chris Campbell of Ft. Sill, Okla. and Adam Keith of Biloxi, Miss.; and one sister, Linda Barrett of Texas.
Funeral services will be 11 a.m. Wednesday, Jan. 14, at Unity Full Gospel Church in Hot Springs with the Rev. Robert Howell officiating. Interment will be in Crabtree Cemetery
near Mt. Pine. Visitation will be from 5-7 p.m. Tuesday at Welch Funeral Home in Arkadelphia. Visitation will also be held from 10 a.m. until service time at the church on Wednesday.
Pallbearers will be Dan Sampson, Darrel Durn, Jack Rushing, Ron Muse, Joe Gunn and Mike Hood. Honorary pallbearers are John H. Lovell, Kevin Tacey, Kevin Hood, Derick Hood, Chuck Watson, Jacob Smith, Dr. Bharany, and the staff of Dirkson Hospice.
Marie Rowe Echols
Amity, Ark. - Marie Rowe Echols, 91, of Amity, died Wednesday, Jan. 7, 2009 in Grand Prairie, Texas. She was born Aug. 6, 1917, the daughter of Paul and Beda Franks Rowe. She was a member of the First Baptist Church of Amity and preceded in death by her husband Ernest Echols and a brother Paul Rowe Jr.
She is survived by one daughter, Nancy Echols of Grand Prairie; one sister, Ellen Childers of Glenwood; one sister-in-law, Frances Echols of Arkadelphia and several nieces and nephews.
Funeral services will be at 2 p.m. Sunday, Jan. 11, in the First Baptist Church of Amity with the Rev. Johnny McAnally officiating. Burial will be in the Jones Cemetery
in Amity. Visitation will be from 6-8 p.m., Saturday at the Ruggles-Wilcox Funeral Home in Arkadelphia.
Evelyn Henshaw Hardage
Bismarck, Ark. - Evelyn Henshaw Hardage, 88, of Bismarck, died Thursday, Jan. 8, 2009. She was born November 10, 1920, the daughter of Roe and Mae Phillips Henshaw. She was retired from Levi Strauss and one of Jehovah’s Witnesses. She was preceded in death by her husband, Byron Hardage; her parents; one brother, Robert Henshaw; one sister, Martha Duboise and one great-great grandchild.
She is survived by one son, W.C. Hardage and wife Joyce of Bismarck; one daughter, Shirley Finley and husband Gregg of West Milford, NJ; two sisters, Ila Cox of Midland, Texas, and Ellen Colvin and husband Bob of Arkadelphia; five grandchildren, nine great grandchildren, two great-great grandchildren and another on the way and several nieces and nephews.
Funeral services will be 2 p.m. Sunday, Jan. 11, 2009 in the Ruggles-Wilcox Funeral Home Chapel with burial in the New Bismarck Cemetery. Visitation will be from 6-8 p.m. Saturday at the funeral home.
Betty Jo DeWoody
Gurdon, Ark. - Betty Jo DeWoody, a longtime resident of Gurdon, was born Sept. 7, 1927 in Prescott, to parents Horace and Jewel Daniels Hale. She departed this life on Monday, Jan. 5, 2009, in Little rock, at the age of 81.
Jo was a committed employee of Arkla Gas Company for 11 years. She was a devoted member of Gurdon First United Methodist Church, where she tirelessly volunteered her time and energy and served as the church secretary for a number of years. Jo was active in her community, attending events at the Senior Center at every opportunity. She truly enjoyed the friendships and the cards of her Canasta group, and loved spending time with her cronies (running mates) whether eating lunch or calling the Hogs. Gran, as she was known by her grands and great-grands, was always ready to sing a song, read a book or play a game. She loved her family unconditionally and without reserve, and was always eager to help a friend in need. She spent her life taking care of others and was a blessing to many.
She is survived by two daughters: Sharon Patterson (David) of El Dorado and Brenda Horne (Tony) of Little Rock; four grandchildren: Gretchen Sanders (Jerry) of Springdale, Sandi Miller of Little Rock, Adam Buchanan (Robin) of El Dorado and Tara Horne of Broomfield, Col.; seven great-grandchildren: Lauren Miller of Little Rock, Austin Miller of Bryant, Janson, Carson and Grayson Sanders of Springdale, Griffin Horne of Broomfield and Sadie Buchanan of El Dorado; two sisters: Jackie Archer (Bob) of Eldorado and Helen Purcell of Benton, and a host of nieces and nephews.
She is preceded in death by her husband, Thomas H. De Woody and by her parents, Horace and Jewel Daniels Hale.
Visitation will be Wednesday from 6-8 p.m. at Pharr Funeral Home in Gurdon. Funeral services will be at 10 a.m. on Thursday, Jan. 8, at Gurdon First United Methodist Church with the Rev. Jerry Westmoreland officiating.
Interment will follow at the Bluff City Cemetery
under the direction of Pharr Funeral Home of Gurdon. Memorial donations may be made to the First United Methodist Church of Gurdon.
Dr. Clarence Allen Botsford
Arkadelphia, Ark. - Dr. Clarence Allen Botsford, 91, of Benton, formerly of Arkadelphia, died Monday, Jan. 12, 2009. He was born September 22, 1917, in Denver to Clarence Allen Botsford and Daisy Irene Goldsworthy.
He was a member of the Benton Ward of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints.
He is survived by his wife of 59 years, Frances Kerr Botsford; two daughters, Amy Daniel and husband Richard of Benton, and Eileen Beyers of Fort Smith; nine grandchildren, Rick Daniel and wife Ginger of Murphy, Texas, Ryan Daniel and wife Karen of Benton, Whitney Beyers Nestlehut and husband Chris of Amarillo, Texas, Rhett Daniel and wife Dana of Centerton, Lindsey Beyers Fowers and husband Matt, of Logan, Utah, Blake Beyers and wife Aubrei of Logan, Utah, Rachel Daniel Willmott and husband Wade of Roanoke, Va., Cameron Beyers and Madison Beyers of Fort Smith; twelve great-grandchildren Riley, Ashby, and Hallie Daniel, Brayden, Bridger, and Brynlee Daniel, Jackson and Miles Crain-Nestlehust, Cooper Daniel, Andrew Beyers, and Mackenzie and Meredith Willmott. He is also survived by two sisters-in-law, Julia and Dorothy Derr of West Point, Miss., and several nieces and nephews.
He received his B.A. in history and M.S.E. degrees from Mississippi State University. He received his Ed.D. in guidance and counseling from the University of New Mexico. He was a professor of psychology and counselor education at Henderson State University from 1966-1982. His hobbies included fishing, wood cutting, yard work and spending time with his children, grandchildren, and great-grandchildren. He was an avid reader with a love of history.
Pallbearers will be Rick, Ryan, and Rhett Daniel, Blake and Cameron Beyers, Matt Fowers, Wade Willmott, and Chris Nestlehut.
The funeral service will be held at Ruggles-Wilcox Funeral Home in Arkadelphia, at 2 p.m. on Saturday, Jan. 17, 2009, with Bishop Rob Glasgow officiating. The family will receive friends at 1 p.m. immediately prior to service at Ruggles-Wilcox. Burial will follow in Rest Haven Memorial Gardens.
The family wishes to extend a special thanks to Dr. Mike Ford and Dr. Mark Martindale for their care and concern over the last few years and also to the fourth and fifth floor nurses at Saline Memorial Hospital.
In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made to the Saline County Senior Adult Center, 210 Jefferson, Benton, AR 72015.
Charles D Howell Conner
Arkadelphia, Ark. - The Rev. Charles D Howell Conner of Waco died Tuesday, Jan. 13, 2009, at Providence Hospital. Brother Conner was born March 11, 1920, in Elgin, Texas to Robert Henderson Conner and Agnes Walker Conner. He was called to preach early in life and was ordained Dec. 9, 1938, at the First Baptist Church in San Marcos.
As a campus boy at Mary Hardin Baylor, he worked in the school dairy and as a carpenter to pay for classes. It was there he met the love of his life, Irene Burton, and they were married Nov. 22, 1942.
As a student at Baylor, Charles worked full time in tire repair and sales while he pastored churches in the surrounding areas. Graduating from Baylor in 1952, he went on to Southwestern Seminary in Fort Worth where he graduated in 1954.
Upon graduation, he and Irene moved to Arkadelphia, where he was called as the Associational Missionary for Red River Baptist Association. Over the next 31 years he became a fixture in the surrounding communities working to establish summer Bible schools and preaching at various churches in the five-county association.
He and Irene worked with local 4-H, and he was elected president of the Clark County Flair Association. He was an active member of the Lions Club in Arkadelphia.
Brother Conner was raised as a Master Mason at John Armstrong Lodge in Valley Mills in 1948 and served as Lodge Chaplain several years and was also a member of the Scottish Rite.
In 1985, Brother Conner and Irene retired and returned to the Central Texas area.
He is survived by his wife of 66 years, Irene Burton Conner of Waco; sisters, Odell Smith of Fayetteville, NC., and Mary Henk and husband, Wilford of San Marcos; two sons: James Charles Conner and wife, Dede of Georgetown, and Michael Howell Conner and wife, Robin of Valley Mills. He is also survived by seven grandchildren and seven great-grandchildren.
Graveside services will be 11 a.m., Friday, Jan. 16, 2009 at Pleasant Grove Cemetery
in Elgin. Visitation will be from 6-8 p.m. Thursday, at Wilkirson-Hatch-Bailey.
