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Mary Grist
MAUMELLE — Mary “Sue” Grist, 73, of Maumelle, formerly from Scranton, died Monday, Sept. 3, 2001, in North Little Rock. She was a homemaker and a retired cook at Subiaco Academy and Abbey. She was the widow of Troy Kemp and William L. “Bill” Grist.
Funeral will be 10 a.m. Thursday in Roller Funeral Home Chapel in Paris with burial at Atkins City cemetery in Atkins.
She is survived by three daughters, Eula Faye Wootton of Paris, Kaye Wilson and JoAnn Sory, both of Scranton; two sons, Robert Kemp of Sherwood, and Monroe Grist of Fort Smith; 16 grandchildren, and 14 great-grandchildren.
Pallbearers will be T.J. Brown, Charlie Allen, Joe Don Koenigseder, Ray Sharum, Harold “Pee-Wee” Schluterman and David Whitman.
The family will visit with friends from 6 to 8 p.m. today at the funeral home.
Richard Davis Sr.
BOONEVILLE — Richard Max Davis Sr., 69, of Booneville died Monday, Sept. 3, 2001, in Fayetteville. He was a veteran of the 
Korean War and Vietname War.
Funeral will be 2 p.m. Friday in Glendale Baptist Church with burial at Callahan cemetery in Booneville under the direction of Roberts Funeral Home of Booneville.
He is survived by his wife, Lela Mae; two daughters, Tony Ann Davis of Booneville, and Pam Hall of South Carolina; a halfsister, Irda Raney of Booneville; a brother, Howard Davis of Nevada; a halfbrother, Rex Davis of Booneville; six grandchildren, and one great-grandchild.
Pallbearers will be Doug Shipman, Randy Earls, Larry and Darrell Terry and Robert and Tommy Shelton.
The family will visit with friends from 6 to 8 p.m. Thursday at the funeral home.
David Speer
David Lane Speer, 56, of Fort Smith died Friday, Aug. 31, 2001, in North Little Rock. He was a member of the VFW and served in the Vietname War.
The body was cremated. Graveside memorial service will be 11 a.m. Saturday at Dyer cemetery in Dyer under the direction of Lewis Funeral Chapel of Fort Smith.
He is survived by a daughter, Tracy Speer of Berwyn, Ill.; his mother, Ethel L. Thurman of Lancaster, Calif.; two brothers, Timothy Speer of Garland, Texas, and Mark Speer of Long Beach, Calif.; one grandchild, Jacob Caligo of Berwyn, Ill.; and a special cousin, Tammy Speer of Little Rock.
Tonya Lawarson
KIBLER — Tonya Lawarson, 32, of Kibler died Sunday, Sept. 2, 2001, in Crystal Springs. She was a homemaker and was a Baptist.
Funeral will be 1 p.m. Thursday in Lewis Funeral Chapel in Fort Smith with burial at Liberty cemetery in Greenwood.
She is survived by her fiancee, Raymond Newton of Kibler; two sons, Jimmie Michael Lawarson of Greenwood, and Joseph Isaac Newton of Kibler; her father, Jimmie D. Clark of California, her mother and stepfather, Danny and Norma Jean Garnes of Jenny Lind; paternal grandparents, John and Geraldine Clark of Yukiah, Calif; two sisters, Cassie Marie Clark of Kibler, and Jamie Garnes of Greenwood; three brothers, Billy Clark of Barling, Daniel J. Garnes of Greenwwod, and Johnny Clark of Boone, Iowa.
Pallbearers will be Billy Clark, John and Richie Taylor, Chad McClain, Don and Michael Rush.
The family will visit with friends from 6:30 to 7:30 p.m. today at the funeral home.
Juliette Gosnell
RUSSELLVILLE — Juliette Gosnell, 86, of Russellville died Monday, Sept. 3, 2001. She was born Aug. 15, 1915, in Fort Smith. She graduated from St. Anne’s Academy in 1933. In 1937, she was a manager at the Ward Hotel in Fort Smith. In 1939, she was merchandise manager for Arcade Department Store. In 1940, she started her own business, K’s Boarding House and Restaurant. She was a member of Women’s National Aviation Association, Arkansas Private Flyers and Flying Farmers of Arkansas. She received a citation for work in Arkansas Air Age Education by Governor Francis Cherry. She and her husband purchased the Jackson-Lemley Chevrolet-Buick dealership in Russellville. She was an active member of St. John’s Catholic Church, St. John Altar Society, council of PTA Life Membership Group and the Open House Drug Program. In 1997, she was awarded the Catholic Service Medal and Commendation for 42 years of dedication. She is the widow of Angus L. Gosnell.
Rosary will be 6 p.m. today in Shinn Funeral Service in Russellville.
Mass will be 2 p.m. Thursday in St. John’s Catholic Church with burial at Rest Haven Memorial Park.
She is survived by a daughter, Michelle Brefeld of Trenton, Ill.; three sons, Jimmy and Jerry Gosnell, both of Russellville, and Michael Gosnell of Conway; 14 grandchildren, and 13 great-grandchildren.
Pallbearers will be Karl, Robert and Greg Gosnell, Robert Moody, Willie Watson and Ken Shaw.
Memorial contributions may be made to St. John’s Altar Society, 1914 W. Main St., Russellville, AR 72801.
Major Larry A. McConnell
Major Larry A. McConnell, Air Force Retired, who was awarded the Silver Star, the Distinguished Flying Cross and the Bronze Star for gallantry in action in Vietnam, died Monday at his home in Greenwood at the age of 69.
McConnell served in the Air Force for 20 years, including two long tours of duty as a jet fighter pilot in Europe, where he helped train NATO forces. However, he was assigned as a forward air controller in Vietnam and was in charge of FAC spotter planes from Da Nang to the border with North Vietnam. He flew 200 combat missions and a total of 691 hours as a forward air controller, for which he was also awarded the Air Medal with seven Oak Leaf clusters.
He was the son of the late Ellis M. Bun McConnell and Thelma Davis McConnell and was born June 8, 1932, in the Cornish community near the center of what is now Fort Chaffee. His great-grandfather, Robert Houston McConnell, settled in the area in the 1850s, fought for the Confederacy in the Civil War and later served in the Arkansas House of Representatives and state senate.
He is survived by his wife of 43 years, Ruth Winford McConnell; two sons, Russell and his wife, Cindy, of Fort Smith and Michael and his wife, Barbara, of Greenwood; three grandchildren, Wesley, Rachel and Alyssa McConnell; a step-granddaughter, Crystal Beam, and a stepgreat-grandson, Andrew Beam; a sister, Joicie Pyle of Greenwood; a brother, Jerry McConnell and his wife, Jo, of Greenwood; three nieces, a nephew and numerous cousins.
The funeral will be 11 a.m. Thursday in Greenwood First Baptist Church, of which McConnell was a lifelong member, with burial at Liberty cemetery under the direction of McConnell Funeral Home of Greenwood. Viewing will be from 1 to 9 p.m. today at the funeral home, and the family will receive friends from 6 to 8 p.m. today at the funeral home.
McConnell was a graduate of Greenwood High School, where he played football and was all-district in basketball (as were both of his sons). He attended Arkansas Tech for one semester where he went out for basketball, but then enlisted in the Air Force. At that time, the Air Force required a college degree to enter pilot’s training, so McConnell served as a jet mechanic for three years until the Air Force changed its rules. McConnell passed the required tests and won his wings.
After retiring from the Air Force, he and his wife built a home on the site of a home once owned by his parents and before that his grandparents, Reuben Jefferson Davis and Rhoda Davis. He became manager of Greenwood Industries, which manufactured electronic harnesses, and served on the Greenwood City Planning Commission.
Odell Prine
Odell Prine, 66, of Fort Smith entered into eternal rest Monday, Sept. 3, 2001, in Fort Smith. He was born Jan. 27, 1935, in Fort Smith. He was the son of Lum and Otha Lee Albritton Prine. He was a retired carpet layer, a member of Northside United Pentecostal Church and a Navy veteran. He is survived by his wife, Betty of the home; one sister, Maxine Graziono of Columbus, Ga., and nieces and nephews. Funeral service will be 2 p.m. today in Northside United Pentecostal Church, officiated by the Rev. B.J. Thomas. Burial will be at Macedonia cemetery in Uniontown. Pallbearers will be Anthony Allen, Jon Phillips, the Rev. Ron Patrick, David Thomas, the Rev. Dennis Dobbins and Bill Myers. Arrangements are under the direction of Lewis Funeral Chapel of Fort Smith.
Bob Center
Bob Coy Center, 72, of Van Buren died Monday, April 22, 2002, in a local nursing home. He was an Army veteran of the
Korean War, retired from Beatrice Foods and was of the Baptist faith.
Graveside service will be 11 a.m. Friday at U.S. National cemetery in Fort Smith under the direction of Ocker Funeral Home of Van Buren.
He is survived by a sister, Betty Harrower of Van Buren; and several nieces and nephews.
The family will visit with friends from 6 to 8 p.m. today at the funeral home.
E.J. Kincannon
BARLING — E.J. “Joe” Kincannon, 75, of Barling died Monday, April 22, 2002, in Barling. He was an Army veteran of World War II, a retired PBX installer for AT&T after 37 years of service and retired from Procom after 10 years of service, a member of Pioneers of America, a active volunteer with the Northwest Arkansas Food Bank.
Funeral will be 1 p.m. today at Edwards Funeral Home Chapel in Fort Smith with burial at Forest Park cemetery in Fort Smith.
He is survived by his wife, Betty; four daughters, Melinda Vest of Wichita, Kan., Betty Jo Rivaldo and Cynthia Abel, both of Barling, and Dana Crabtree of Eufaula, Okla.; four sons, Darrell Opine of Corpus Christi, Texas, Stephen Dye of Greenwood, Jay Dye of Van Buren and Mike Dye of Fort Smith; a sister, Georgia Lou Lowrey of Fort Smith; 25 grandchildren and 14 great-grandchildren.
Pallbearers will be Jim Minor, Dave Jones, Jim Sweeden, Ken Perry, Kenneth Spicer and Don Dennis.
Memorial contributions may be made to Northwest Arkansas Food Bank, 1420 N. 32nd St., P.O. Box 4069, Fort Smith, AR 72914.
John Boatright
FIREBAUGH, Calif. — John Larry “Bo” Boatright, of Firebaugh, Calif., died Tuesday, April 16, 2002. He was born June 9, 1944, in San Angelo, Texas. He was raised and graduated from high school in Fort Smith. He was a Marine veteran of the Vietname War.
Funeral was April 23 at St. Joseph Church in Firebaugh, Calif., with burial at San Joaquin Valley National cemetery in Gustin, Calif., under the direction of Whitehurst Funeral Chapels in Dos. Palos, Calif.
He is survived by his wife, Elvia; three children, Fred, Lisa and John; a sister, Barbara Truitt of Fort Smith; and seven grandchildren, Steven, Hillary, Haley, Kassidy, Ethan, Landon and Rowdy.
David Saunstaire
MENA — David K. Saunstaire, 75, of Mena died Tuesday, April 23, 2002, in his home. He was born Feb. 21, 1926, in Ottowa, Kan. He was a Navy veteran of World War II and a Protestant.
The body was sent for cremation under the direction of Hall Funeral Home of Mena.
He is survived by a daughter, Myra Lynn Saunstaire of Alexandria, Okla.; four sons, Kenneth W., David Doyle, David Dale and David Leon Saunstaire, all of Mena; 10 grandchildren and four great-grandchildren.
Katie Wilson
Katie Wilson, 87, of Fort Smith died Sunday, April 21, 2002, in her home. She was retired from Southern Steel and Wire and was a member of First Church of God in Christ, where she was a deaconess, church mother, president of YPWW and Bible study.
Funeral will be 11 a.m. Friday at First Church of God in Christ with burial at Washington cemetery in Fort Smith under the direction of Rowell-Parish Mortuary of Fort Smith.
She is survived by a daughter-in-law, Bertha Wilson of Fort Smith; five grandchildren, Valerie, Phil, Antoinette and Tameka Wilson and Janice Owens; and six great-grandchildren.
Pallbearers will be James McDade, Gerry Hall, Michael Sanders, Steve Owens, Chris Jackson and Xavier Wesley.
Honorary pallbearers will be First Church of God in Christ Mother’s Board.
The family will visit with friends at 1437 May Ave.
Ruth Elmore
HUNTINGTON — Ruth S. Elmore, 58, of Huntington died Wednesday, April 24, 2002, in a Fort Smith hospital. She was employed by Southern Steel and Wire and Pink Bud Nursing Home and was a member of Huntington First Assembly of God.
Graveside service will be 2 p.m. Saturday at Huntington City cemetery under the direction of McConnell Funeral Home of Greenwood.
She is survived by her husband, Jerry; three daughters, Robin Williams of Independence, Mo., Jennifer Garrett of Pocola and Lorie Elmore of the home; a son, Jerry D. Elmore of Greenwood; two sisters, Alice Sweeten of Fort Smith and Mary Cochran of Greenwood; and four grandchildren.
Pallbearers will be Jerry. D. Elmore, Harold Freeman, Weldon Bratton, Rocky Hughes, Tommy Body and Larry Hardman.
The body may be viewed noon to 9 p.m. Friday at the funeral home.
John Council
RATCLIFF — John B. Council, 82, of Ratcliff died Wednesday, April 24, 2002, in his home. He was born Feb. 6, 1920, in Franklin County. He was an Army veteran of World War II, a milk program specialist for Arkansas Department of Health, a member of the Grade “A” Milk Board Advisory Committee, the Albert Pike Masonic Lodge No. 714 in Little Rock, a 32nd degree Mason and a member of Faith Missionary Baptist Church in Etna. He was the widower of Nina Mathews Council.
Funeral will be 10 a.m. Friday at Smith Mortuary Chapel in Charleston with burial at Mount Hope cemetery north of Caulksville.
He is survived by two daughters, Donna Slone of Fayetteville and Virginia Dennie of Little Rock; a son, John David Council of Ratcliff; two sisters, Eula Mae Spicer of Scranton and Norma Brown of Ratcliff; a brother, G.S. “Junior” Council of Charleston; five grandchildren and six great-grandchildren.
Pallbearers will be Johnny Goodson, John Fox, Kevin Crumpacker, Danny Council, David Stone, Leslie and Robbie Dennie.
The family will visit with friends from 6 to 8 p.m. today at the funeral home.
Betty Brewer
Betty Jean Brewer, 69, of Fort Smith died Saturday, April 20, 2002, in Fort Smith. She was a homemaker and a member of Cavanaugh Free Will Baptist Church.
Memorial service will be 11 a.m. Saturday at Woodlawn Memorial Chapel with burial at Woodlawn Memorial Park in Fort Smith under the direction of Fentress Mortuary of Fort Smith.
She is survived by two daughters, Valerie Greenberg of Austin, Texas, and Melissa Braddy of Fort Smith; a son, Bradley Brewer of Fort Smith; a sister, Kathryn Gray of Canyon Lake, Texas; a brother, Richard Crow of Russellville; and five grandchildren, Shawn and Scott McCabe, Nick, Tara and Neil Braddy.
