Obituaries from June 2007

Norma Fecher, 58, of Jonesboro, died Wednesday, May 30 at her home. She had lived in Jonesboro for a short while, having lived most of her life in the Truman and Marked Tree areas. She was preceded in death by her husband, Tommy Fecher; her parents, Mitchell and Helen Scott Busby; a brother, Larry Busby; and a niece, Charlotte Ward...

Rusty Byler May, 69, of Lepanto died Saturday, June 2 at St. Bernard's Medical Center in Jonesboro. He was born Aug. 14, 1937, to Clay Franklin and Allie Bishop May. He was a member of the First Baptist Church of Lepanto and was a retired school teacher...

Cameron Smith, 14, died Sunday, May 20. Born in Pine Bluff, Cameron moved to Jonesboro with his family from Marked Tree. He attended Annie Camp Junior High. Survivors include his mother, Rosie Lee Smith; brothers, Johnathan Howze of Detroit and Kelton Smith of Jonesboro; and sisters, Tiffany Adams and Catrina Smith, both of Jonesboro...

Mary Dean Barker, 86, of Bay died Thursday, May 24, 2007 at Craighead County Nursing Center in Jonesboro. She was born in Guntersville, Ala., and she had lived most of her lifetime in the Bay area. She was a homemaker and member of the First Baptist Church in Bay...

Wilma Irene Davies died Tuesday, May 29, 2007 at NEA Medical Center in Jonesboro at the age of 52 years. Born in Trumann Friday, March 18, 1955, she was the daughter of the late Robert L. and Wilma Elnora Kirby Whitlow. She was born in and a lifetime resident of Trumann, a homemaker and a 1973 graduate of Trumann High School...

Judith Dianne "Judye" Presley, 55, of Trumann died Sunday, May 27, 2007, at the family residence in Trumann. Born in Jonesboro, she had lived in Trumann her all her life and was a medical technician, a graduate of Arkansas State University and a member of the First General Baptist Church in Trumann...

Norma Fecher, 58, of Jonesboro, died Wednesday, May 30 at her home. She had lived in Jonesboro for a short while, having lived most of her life in the Truman and Marked Tree areas. She was preceded in death by her husband, Tommy Fecher; her parents, Mitchell and Helen Scott Busby; a brother, Larry Busby; and a niece, Charlotte Ward...

Alan Marple, 43, of Harrisburg died Sunday, June 3, 2007 at the St. Bernard's Regional Medical Center in Jonesboro. He was born Aug. 10, 1963 in Blythe, Calif., the son of Andy Marple and Barbara Ferguson Marple. Marple was a heavy equipment operator and carpenter. He married Laura Qualls in 1981 and they enjoyed 26 years together. He enjoyed fishing, woodworking, drawing, riding three wheelers and horses...

Sgt. Erich Scott Smallwood died Saturday, May 26, 2007 near Balad, Iraq at the age of 23. Born Sunday, May 20, 1984 in Blytheville, he lived most of his lifetime in the Trumann and Jonesboro area. He was a lifeguard at the Trumann Country Club and of the Baptist faith...

William Sipas, 83, of Marked Tree passed away on June 2, 2007 at the St. Bernard's Regional Medical Center in Jonesboro. Born March 14, 1924 in Selmer, Tenn., he was a farmer and a member of the Pentecostal Faith church. Survivors include two sisters: Liddie Mann of Jopin, Mo. ...

Edith Estell Gaither, 93, of Marked Tree died at the Three Rivers Nursing Center on June 8. She was a member of the Broadway Street Church of Christ and was a machine operator at the shirt factory. Survivors include two sons, Bill Bishop of Monticello, Ind. and Dwayne Bullocks of Corinth, Miss.; one daughter, Genell Vanture of Nesbitt, Miss.; seven grandchildren; nine great-grandchildren and one great great grandchild...

John Walter Browning, Jr., 76 of Las Vegas, formerly of Phoenix and Little Rock, died Thursday, June 7 in Memphis. Raised in Lepanto, he graduated from Arkansas State University where he served as president of both the Student Government Association and of Pi Kappa Alpha Fraternity which he later served as field secretary and national rush shairman. ...

Beverly Elizabeth Burns McGill, 53, of Luxora died Friday, June 8 at NEA Hospital in Jonesboro. She was a homemaker and of the Pentecostal faith. She was preceded in death by her parents, John Burns Jr. and Mildred Pickens, and one brother, Kelly Burns...

Corinne Mosby, 95, of Bettendorf, Iowa, formerly of Lepanto, died Saturday, June 9, in Bettendorf. She was the widow of Judge John S. Mosby, Sr. Survivors include her son, Dr. John S. Mosby, Jr. and a grandson, John S. Mosby, III. Funeral services were held Monday, June 11, in Davenport. ...

William D. "Mr. Bill" Bridger, 74, died May 30, 2007 at our Lady Of Lourdes Hospital in Lafayette, La. He was born and raised in Marked Tree and graduated in 1950. As a resident of Breaux Bridge Louisiana since 1988, Mr. Bridger was currently retired and enjoying an active life traveling and playing pool as a member of the American Pool Association. ...

Buddy Huffman, 70, of Bondsville died Wednesday, June 6, at his residence. He was a member of Neals Chapel Baptist Church and a retired farmer. He was preceded in death by his parents, William Rufus and Nettie Mae Huffman; two sisters, Zonoma (Sally) and Maudine Huffman; one half brother, J.C. Huffman; and one grandson, Hunter Chase Nall...

Phillip Edward Calvert, age 88 of Sherwood, formerly of Marked Tree, died Thursday, June 7 at Arkansas Hospice Center in North Little Rock. He was a member of the First United Methodist Church men's Bible class and the Lion's Club. He was a retired Captain in the United States Army where he received the Purple Heart, Silver Star and Bronze Star. He was honored as "Man of the Year" in 2003 by the Marked Tree Historical Society...

Alta Mae Newell, 74, of Trumann died Sunday, June 3, 2007, at St. Bernard's Medical Center in Jonesboro. Born in Bay, she had lived in Trumann for the past 50 years. She was a retired nurses aide and of the Assembly of God faith. Newell was preceded in death by her husband, James Noel Newell; one daughter, Ester Kathleen Addison; two grandchildren, Jimmy Allen Hilliard and Johnny Olen Hilliard; two sisters; three brothers and her parents, Theodore Maxfield and Ester Ellen Davis Henry...

James Robert "Jimmy" Rouse, Jr., age 43, of Bono, died Tuesday, June 5, 2007 in Jonesboro. Born in Elaine, Jimmy lived in Trumann and Jonesboro before moving to Bono seven years ago. He was a driver for KEG Enterprises of Jonesboro. He was preceded in death by his father, James Robert Rouse, Sr...

Charles Franklin Rhoads, 79, of Bay died Friday, June 8, 2007, at the family residence. He was born in Hominy, Miss., and had lived at Bay for 11 years moving there from the Trumann area where he had lived his lifetime. Rhoads was preceded in death by his parents, Ernest and Minnie Hall Rhoads; three sisters, Bertha Weaver, Alta Blankenship and Edna Blankenship and by three brothers, James, Tom and Ted Rhoads...

Stella Hill Duncan Gann, 82, of Trumann died Sunday, May 10, 2007, at the family residence in Trumann. She was born in Henderson, had lived in Trumann for the past 30 years and was formerly of Mountain Home. She was a housewife and of the Pentecostal faith...

Tracy Michelle Academia, 20, of Trumann, died Friday, June 8, 2007, at the Regional Medical Center in Memphis, Tenn., from injuries received in an automobile accident, May 28, 2007, near Harrisburg. Born in Honolulu, Hawaii, she had lived in Trumann for the past eight years and was formerly of Pine Bluff. She was a sales associate for the Sam's Club in Jonesboro, a 2005 graduate of Trumann High School and of the Baptist faith...

Treva Dawne Moss, 23, of Harrisburg died June 3, 2007. She was born in West Memphis on Feb. 7, 1984. She was a graduate of Trumann High School and an Arkansas State University student majoring in early childhood education, where she was on the Dean's List...

Ella Lee "Tootsie" Bishop, 91, of Trumann was died Tuesday, June 12, 2007 at St. Bernard's Medical Center in Jonesboro. Bishop was born on Monday, June 21, 1915, in Leachville and had lived in Trumann for the past 59 years. She was a housewife, mother and of the Baptist faith...

J.T. Adams Sr., 88, of Harrisburg died Sunday, June 17, 2007, at St. Bernards Regional Medical Center in Jonesboro. He was born Jan. 12, 1919, in Tennessee, the son of Corbett A. Adams and Ola Jane Cooper Adams. He was a farmer and of the Methodist faith. He married Vada Marie Forbis on Dec. 19, 1937, and they enjoyed 62 years before her death in 1999. He attended Lebanon Baptist Church in Whitehall and was a member of the Trumann Masonic Lodge for 60 years. His passion was duck hunting...

Laylonnie Renea Dixon, infant daughter of Jennifer Adams and Christopher Dixon died Tuesday, June 12, 2007, at a Hot Springs hospital. She is survived by her parents; paternal grandfather, Chris Dixon of Paragould; maternal grandparents, Virginia and Dalton Adams of Trumann; great-grandmother, Judith Dulaney of Murfreesboro and great-grandmother, Lois Adams of Trumann...

Sarah Louise Stotts, 74, died Thursday, June 14, 2007 at St. Bernard's Medical Center in Jonesboro. She was born on Sunday, April 23, 1933, daughter of Kelsey Bowen and Mabel Fears Bowen Byrd in Caraway. She had lived most of her lifetime in the Trumann area. She was a homemaker and member of the Kirby Woods Baptist Church in Memphis, Tenn...

Rheba Faye Womack, 85, of Marked Tree passed away Thursday, June 14 at Baptist East Hospital in Memphis. Services were held at 10 a.m. Monday, June 18, at the Roller-Citizens Funeral Home Chapel in West Memphis with interment following in Crittenden Memorial Park in Marion...

Leoana G. Palmer Slack of Burton, Mich. died June 18, 2007. Leona was born in Savannah, Tenn. the daughter of Roy and Lorene Palmer. Survivors include: her husband, Edwin; daughter, Pam Korb; son, Ed, Jr; grandchildren: J.R., Alicia, Spencer and Adrienne; three great-grandchildren: Malia, Leona and Kodie; six sisters: Nelda Crace, Linda Wright, Judy Hatfield, Betty Cox, Brenda O'Brien, Debby Rust; two brothers: David Palmer and Ronnie and many nieces and nephews...

William Henry Rodgers, 81, of Marked Tree died Saturday, June 16, 2007, at St. Bernards Medical Center in Jonesboro. Born Oct. 14, 1925 in West Memphis, he was a farmer of the Baptist faith. Graveside funeral services were held Tuesday, June 19 at Shady Grove Cemetery in Evadale with Bro. Jim Roller officiating. Wilson Funeral Home of Osceola was in charge of the arrangements...

Emmitt Norman Nelson, 70, of Lepanto died Saturday, June 16, 2007, at St. Bernards Medical Center in Jonesboro. Born Feb. 19, 1937, in Cushman, he was a crane operator and of the Baptist faith. He was preceded in death by his parents, Henry Nelson and Pearl Nelson; and four brothers, J.H. Nelson, R.V. Nelson, Willie Nelson and Billy Nelson...

Charles M. Baker, 69, of Lepanto died Friday, June 22 in Burlison, Tenn. He was a retired construction worker and was an Air Force veteran. He was preceded in death by his wife, Patricia Ann Parrish Baker; his parents, Luther Baker and Jewel Courtney as well as three brothers and two sisters...

She was a Baptist and a Budget Officer with the U.S. Government. Survivors include her husband, Mark L. Herman of San Diego; two sons, David and Mike Herman both of San Diego; one daughter, Terri Lile of Tulsa, Okla.; two brothers, Buri G. Armstrong, Jr. of Midwest City, Okla., Steven Armstrong of Lepanto; parents, Dude and Oma May Armstrong of Lepanto; three grandchildren, Ashley Arnold, Douglas Lile, and Katlan Lile...

Emmitt Norman Nelson, 70, of Lepanto died Saturday, June 16, 2007, at St. Bernards Medical Center in Jonesboro. Born Feb. 19, 1937, in Cushman, he was a crane operator and of the Baptist faith. He was preceded in death by his parents, Henry Nelson and Pearl Nelson; and four brothers, J.H. Nelson, R.V. Nelson, Willie Nelson and Billy Nelson...

Leland Edward Carter, 89, of Heber Springs died Saturday, June 23 at the Veterans Administration Hospital in Little Rock. Formerly of Lepanto, he was a pharmacist, a member of the American Legion and the Veterans of Foreign Wars. He was a veteran of World War II and a member of the Church of God in Heber Springs...