Obituaries from February 2009

Madison Elizabeth Vaughn Wilson, one month old daughter of Eddie Joe Wilson Jr. and Amanda Sue Vaughn died Wednesday, Jan. 21, 2009, at NEA Baptist Memorial Hospital in Jonesboro, of natural causes. She was born Dec. 17, 2008 in Jonesboro. Survivors include her father and mother, Eddie Joe Wilson Jr. ...

Police Chief Larry Neal "Red" Blagg was born on Sunday, March 30, 1969, son of Luther Neal and Brenda Gail Halfacre Blagg. Blagg died Tuesday, Jan. 27, 2009 from injuries received during the ice storm in Trumann, at the age of 39 years 9 months and 28 days. ...

Mrs. Cora Lee Mangrum, 84, of Bay died Jan. 20, 2009, at Craighead County Nursing Center in Jonesboro. She was born in Amagon and had lived in the Jonesboro and Bay area since 1980 and was formerly of Payneway. She was a housewife and of the Baptist faith. ...

Mr. Kenneth Alan "Bucky" Walters, 32, of Trumann died Thursday, Jan. 22, 2009 at the family residence. Walters was born in Jonesboro, and had lived most of his lifetime in Trumann. He was an electrician. Walters was preceded in death by his father, Ray Walters. ...

Mr. William Loyd "Willie" Brown, 64, of Trumann, died Wednesday, Jan. 14, 2009, at St. Bernard's Medical Center. Born in Lepanto, he had lived in Trumann for the past 28 years and was formerly of Buttonwillow, Calif. He was a truck driver and an auto repair technician and was a Protestant. He was preceded in death by one brother, Theodore Brown, one nephew and his parents, Anderson and Cleve Brown...

Willard Leroy Spray, 70, of Dierks, died Thursday, Jan. 29 at his home. He was born August 8, 1938 in Blackrock, to Audie and Racheal Fultner Spray. He was a night guard for the Federal Compress. Spray was preceded in death by his parents; his wife, Ellen Authetta Goodwin Spray; two brothers, Leamon Spray and Ernest Spray; and two sisters, Joyce Link and Jewell Bateman...

Barbara Allbright Smith, 76, of Marion, formerly of Marked Tree, died Friday, January 30, 2009 at Methodist North Hospital in Memphis. Smith was a long-time member of Marion United Methodist Church, where she served as secretary for 17 years. She retired from Arkansas Power and Light Company in 1991, after years of service...

Ruthie Mae Morgan, 81, o0f Marked Tree died Feb. 2. She was a cook and of the Baptist faith. She was preceded in death by her husband, Milton May Morgan; two brothers, J.T. McCorkle and Glen McCorkle; and two sisters, Stella Wood and Goldie Brewington...

James Edward Hensley, 77, of Lepanto died Saturday, Jan. 24 at the NEA Baptist Hospital in Jonesboro. He was born May 2, 1931 in Cord, Ark. Hensley was a truck driver and a member of the Air Force. He was preceded in death by his parents, Samuel Milton and Dora Lee Milton...

Robert "R.B." Buchanan, 76, of Clarkesdale, Miss., died Wednesday, Jan. 21 at the Northwest Regional Hospital in Clarkesdale, Miss. He was born May 15, 1932 in Robinsville, Miss. He was a farm worker, a Mason and a member of the Baptist Faith...

Police Chief Larry Neal "Red" Blagg, 39, was born Sunday, Mar. 30, 1969, son of Luther Neal and Brenda Gail Halfacre Blagg. He died Tuesday, Jan. 27, 2009 from injuries received during the ice storm in Trumann...

Mrs. Laura Denise Smith, 48 of Trumann, died Friday, Feb. 6, 2009 at St. Bernard's Medical Center. She was born in San Antonio, Texas and had lived in Trumann since 1978 and was formerly of Maynard. She was a homemaker and of the Pentecostal faith. Smith was preceded in death by her parents, Jack and Earlene Reeves Pennington...

Mrs. Anna Jean Glover was born on Sunday, Oct. 9, 1960, daughter of David Earl and Onita Mitchell Young. Glover died Tuesday, Feb. 3, 2009 at St. Bernard's Medical Center in Jonesboro, at the age of 48 years 3 months and 25 days. She was born in Bowling Green, KY., and had lived in Trumann for the past 17 years and was formerly of Green Bay, Wis. ...

Bradley Palmer, 27, of Dyess died Saturday, Feb. 7, 2009, at Trumann. Born Thursday, July 16, 1981 in Newport to David Lee Palmer and Sharon Ford Brooks, he was of the Pentecostal faith, a 2000 graduate of Rivercrest High School and an Army Veteran...

Gwendolyn "Diane" Loucks, 56, of Trumann died Feb. 7 at St. Bernards Hospital in Jonesboro. Born June 18, 1952 in Blytheville, she was a CAN at NEA Baptist Hospital in Jonesboro and of the Pentecostal faith...

Lillian L. Howington English, 88, formerly of Lepanto, died at Powhattan Nursing Home on Feb. 5. She was born November 21, 1920 in Drew, Miss., the daughter of Harvey H. and Leonnie Brock Howington. She graduated from Lepanto High School and was Valedictorian of her class. ...

Daisy Lou Criddle, 72, of Lepanto died Friday, Feb. 6 at St. Bernards at Jonesboro. She is survived by her daughters, Peggy Wade of Lepanto and Judy Olive of St. Joseph, Tenn.; son, John CRIDDLE of San Antonio; four stepdaughters; three stepsons; sister, Elsie West of Lepanto; brother, Luther Joshlin of Gideon, Mo.; seven grandchildren; and four great-grandchildren...

William Glen Cash, 71, of Trumann died Jan. 25 at his residence. He was born November 5, 1937 at Friendship. He was an auto salvage yard employee, a U.S. Marine and of Pentecostal faith. He was preceded in death by one son, Tony Cash and two brothers, Owen Cash and Dennie Cash...

Laura Denise Smith, 48 of Trumann, died Friday, Feb. 6, 2009 at St. Bernard's Medical Center. She was born in San Antonio, Texas, had lived in Trumann since 1978 and was formerly of Maynard. She was a homemaker and of the Pentecostal faith. Smith was preceded in death by her parents, Jack and Earlene Reeves Pennington...

Gwendolyn "Diane" Loucks, 56, of Trumann died Feb. 7 at St. Bernards Hospital in Jonesboro. Born June 18, 1952 in Blytheville, she was a CAN at NEA Baptist Hospital in Jonesboro and of the Pentecostal faith...

William Glen Cash, 71, of Trumann died Jan. 25 at his residence. He was born November 5, 1937 at Friendship. He was an auto salvage yard employee, a U.S. Marine and of Pentecostal faith. He was preceded in death by one son, Tony Cash and two brothers, Owen Cash and Dennie Cash...

Anna Jean Glover was born on Sunday, Oct. 9, 1960, daughter of David Earl and Onita Mitchell Young. Glover died Tuesday, Feb. 3, 2009 at St. Bernard's Medical Center in Jonesboro, at the age of 48 years 3 months and 25 days. ...

Mrs. Vera Dell Barker was born on June 27, 1935 daughter of the late Albert and Ina Ann Quattlebaum Jenkins. Mrs. Barker died Feb. 11, 2009 at Trumann Health and Rehabilitation in Trumann, at the age of 73 years, 7 months and 15 days. She was born in Guy, Ark., and had lived most of her lifetime in Trumann. ...

Mrs. Betty Jo Crouch, 70, of Trumann died Feb. 9, 2009 at St. Bernard's Medical Center in Jonesboro. She was born in Harrisburg, and had lived most of her lifetime in Trumann. She was a retired employee of the Sanyo Manufacturing Company, member of the Eastern Star and a member of the Pleasant Valley Baptist Church. ...

Nana Lou Smullins Seay, 71, of Cherry Valley died Sunday, Feb. 8, 2009. She is survived by her four children Melissa Seay Ekman of Nashville, Judy Seay Propes of Jonesboro, Brian and Brad Seay of Trumann; and her husband of 50 years, Odas Seay of Cherry Valley; eight grandchildren; two great-grandchildren; two sisters, Marie Terrell and Ella Sue Weaver; two brothers Carles and Gary Smullin; and many nieces, nephews and in-laws...

Mrs. Irma Dean Smith was born on March 7, 1932, the daughter of the late Sherman and Bertha Nora Ross Wilkins. Mrs. Smith died Feb. 10, 2009 at the family residence at the age of 76 years 11 months and 3 days. She was born in Cash and had lived in Trumann since 1965. Mrs. Smith was retired from Parker-Hannifin Corp and a member of Calvary Pentecostal Church of Trumann. She was preceded in death by one sister, one brother and her parents...

Mary Margaret Willis, 78, of Trumann died Feb. 13 at St. Bernards Medical Center at Jonesboro. She was born to James F. and Connie Cole Orr at Burdette. She was married to Garland Eugene Willis on Nov. 7, 1947, at Dyess. He preceded her in death on Feb. 24, 1984. She was a homemaker, a member of the Trumann Housing Authority Resident Advisory Board and of the Baptist faith...

Mary Margaret Willis, 78, of Trumann died Friday, Feb. 13 at St. Bernard's Regional Medical Center in Jonesboro. She was born Oct. 17, 1930 to James F. and Connie (Cole) Orr in Burdette. She was married to Garland Eugene Willis on Nov. ...

Thomas Snell, 78, of Harrisburg died Tuesday, Feb. 10 at the NEA Baptist Medical Hospital in Jonesboro. He was born June 29, 1930 at Manila, the son of Jessie and Annie Mae (McDonald) Snell. Snell married Velma Baker on June 27, 1980...

Terry Wayne Pyland, 49, died Thursday, Feb. 12, 2009, at St. Bernards Medical Center. He was born Feb. 26, 1959, at Jonesboro. A lifetime resident of Caraway, he was a carpenter and member of Community of Christ Church...

When I look back on my childhood, my granny was a big part of it! She was a real "firecracker." She always kept it in line. She kept papa in line too. I can hear her telling him "Now Bud, don't let her drive." Or don't buy her another Barbie. ...

Minnie Moore, 68, of Marked Tree died Thursday, Feb. 5, at home. She was a member of Anderson Chapel Missionary Baptist Church and had been employed as a restaurant cook. Minnie was devoted to her family and will be lovingly remembered by her sons, Charles Woodson of Crawfordsville and Harold Moore of Jonesboro; daughter, Ressie Whitfield of Marked Tree; brothers, John Moore of Marked Tree and Thomas Moore of Boydton Beach, Fla.; sisters, Bennie Faye Lanear of Detroit, Richard Mae Moore of Chicago and Scottie Moore of Phoenix; five grandchildren; an uncle; nieces; nephews; cousins; and many friends.. ...

Johnny "Jack" Van Maness, 73, of Marked Tree died Feb. 12 in Marked Tree. He was born on May 29, 1935 in Booneville, Miss. He was a welder. Maness is preceded in death by his parents, Hubert Maness and Lillie Ruth Pace, one daughter, two sons, two sisters and three brothers...

Irene Goad Hardwick, 85, of Cordova, formerly of Marked Tree died Wednesday, Feb. 11, 2009, at Grace Health Care of Cordova, Tenn. She was of the Church of God faith and was preceded in death by her parents, four sisters and one brother...

Christopher W. Gaskill, 48, of Earle died Sunday, Feb. 15, 2009, at his residence. He was preceded in death by his mother Helen Gaskill. Survivors include his daughter, Sierra Gaskill of West Memphis; father, Dr. Billy W. Gaskill of Paragould; brother, Mike Gaskill of St. Louis, Mo. and a sister Patricia Lynn Gaskill of Paragould...

Dorthy Abbott Castro, 66, of Lepanto died Thursday, Feb. 12 in NEA Baptist Hospital in Jonesboro. She was a retired Nursing Home Administrator at Three Rivers Nursing Home where she was instrumental in the building of the new facility...

Hazel Alexander, 81, of Marked Tree died Thursday, Feb. 12, 2009, at NEA Baptist Memorial Hospital at Jonesboro. She was preceded in death by her husband, Avon Alexander; three brothers; and two sisters...

Inez Pittman Anderson, age 96, of Tumbling Shoals, died Feb. 8, 2009, at her home. Born at Argenta on Sept. 15, 1912, she was the daughter of the late Parker Henry and Dona (Hazel) O'Roark of Marked Tree...

Vera Dell Barker was born on June 27, 1935 daughter of the late Albert and Ina Ann Quattlebaum Jenkins. Mrs. Barker died Wednesday, Feb. 11, 2009 at Trumann Health and Rehabilitation in Trumann, at the age of 73 years, 7 months and 15 days. ...

Betty Jo Crouch, 70, of Trumann died Monday, Feb. 9, 2009 at St. Bernard's Medical Center in Jonesboro. She was born in Harrisburg, and had lived most of her lifetime in Trumann. She was a retired employee of the Sanyo Manufacturing Company, member of the Eastern Star and a member of the Pleasant Valley Baptist Church. ...

Irma Dean Smith was born on March 7, 1932, the daughter of the late Sherman and Bertha Nora Ross Wilkins. Smith died Tuesday, Feb. 10, 2009 at the family residence at the age of 76 years 11 months and 3 days. ...

Mary Margaret Willis, 78, of Trumann died Friday, Feb. 13 at St. Bernards Medical Center at Jonesboro. She was born to James F. and Connie Cole Orr at Burdette. She was married to Garland Eugene Willis on Nov. 7, 1947, at Dyess. He preceded her in death on Feb. 24, 1984. She was a homemaker, a member of the Trumann Housing Authority Resident Advisory Board and of the Baptist faith...

Nana Lou Smullins Seay, 71, of Cherry Valley died Sunday, Feb. 8, 2009. She is survived by her four children Melissa Seay Ekman of Nashville, Judy Seay Propes of Jonesboro, Brian and Brad Seay of Trumann; and her husband of 50 years, Odas Seay of Cherry Valley; eight grandchildren; two great-grandchildren; two sisters, Marie Terrell and Ella Sue Weaver; two brothers Carles and Gary Smullin; and many nieces, nephews and in-laws.. ...

Curtis Dee Green, 70, of Trumann died Feb. 20, 2009, at St. Bernards Medical Center in Jonesboro. He was born and had spent most of his lifetime in Trumann. He was director of transportation, maintenance and housekeeping for the Trumann Public School System...

Roy Wiles Jr., 79, of Weiner passed away on Feb. 20, 2009, at his home. He was born in Jonesboro on May 11, 1929, to Issac and Myrtle Rogers Wiles. Mr. Wiles was the owner and manager of Rice Belt Telephone Co. until his retirement. Brother Wiles was a 32nd Degree Mason. ...

J.B. Ingram, 83, of Trumann died Feb. 17, at St. Bernards Medical Center in Jonesboro. He is survived by one daughter, Renee Ingram of Paragould; one sister, Fern Kirksey of Huntsville, Ala.; one granddaughter, LeAnna Ingram; six nieces; and one nephew...

Thedore Smith, 89, of Jonesboro, passed away on Feb. 19, 2009, in Jonesboro. He was born in Williford on June 18, 1919 to William and Mary Guilliams Smith. Smith was retired from Singer Manufacturing. He was very athletic and loved farming, gardening, softball, bowling, playing golf and socializing with friends. ...

Donald Ray "Donnie" Thomas, 59, of Jonesboro died Feb. 19, at his residence. He was born Jan. 27, 1950, at Jonesboro, the son of Bobby Thomas and Dorothy Jean Jones Thomas. He was an 18-year veteran of the U.S. Navy and enjoyed old movies and reading. He always had a smile and a joke for everyone he met...

Mrs. Laura Denise Smith, 48 of Trumann, died Friday, Feb. 6, 2009 at St. Bernard's Medical Center. She was born in San Antonio, Texas and had lived in Trumann since 1978 and was formerly of Maynard, Ark. She was a homemaker and of the Pentecostal faith. Mrs. Smith was preceded in death by her parents, Jack and Earlene Reeves Pennington...