Obituaries from December 2009

Judy Ann Copping, 58, of Ward, passed away Nov. 22, 2009. She will be missed and remembered always for her smile and compassion and her ability to make life interesting. She is preceded in death by her parents, George and Mary Esta Bennett; four brothers, Paul, Jack, Dale and Ray Bennett; and a nephew whom she loved as a brother, George Bennett...

Thelma Lucille Doty passed away Saturday, Nov. 28. She was pronounced dead at the NEA Baptist Memorial Hospital in Jonesboro after having a heart attack at her home in Trumann. Mrs. Doty lived in pain for many years refusing to give up and leave her children. ...

Sammy "Fat" Hatley, 74, of Marked Tree died Saturday, Nov. 28, 2009 in Tyronza. A member of First United Methodist Church in Marked Tree, he farmed in Crittenden County for 52 years. He had several farming operations in seven states, but his primary farm was in Arkansas...

Taylor Wayne "Punk City" "Tmac" McPherson, 16 of Trumann died Friday at the Med in Memphis, Tennessee. Taylor was born in Jonesboro, Ark., and was a lifetime resident of Trumann. He was a 10th grader at Trumann High School, played football and basketball and loved hunting and fishing. He was a member of the Calvary Baptist Church in Trumann...

Betty Jean Walker-Phelps, 77, died Sunday, Oct. 25, 2009. She was born Dec. 11, 1931, in Marked Tree, the daughter of William and Clinton (Holbrook) Walker, Sr. Betty grew up in Marked Tree, graduating from Marked Tree High School. ...

Clarence Darrel Reese, 87, of Trumann died Wednesday, Nov. 25 at the family residence. He was born Saturday, July 22, 1922, in Pryor, Mo., and had lived most of his lifetime in Trumann. He was a retired service manager for the former Firestone and Goodyear Stores in Trumann, was a veteran of the U.S. ...

Ravin Almer "R.A." Woodard, 81, of Trumann, died Wednesday, Nov. 25, 2009 at NEA Baptist Hospital in Jonesboro. He was born in Shreveport, La., and had lived most of his lifetime in the Trumann area. Mr. Woodard was an employee of the Singer plant for 28 years and was of the Pentecostal faith. He was the son of the late Clarence Ravin and Mary Veoni McCalister Woodard...

Norma Idell Huff, 77, of Marked Tree, died Saturday, Dec. 5, at the Flo and Phil Jones Hospice House in Jonesboro. Huff was a homemaker and a member of the Marked Tree Church of God. She is survived by three sons, Stanley Huff of Texarkana, Texas, Larry Huff of Savannah, Tenn., and Donald Huff of Marked Tree; and seven grandchildren...

Everett E. Jones, 85, of Trumann, died Tuesday, Dec. 1, 2009 at NEA Baptist Memorial Hospital in Jonesboro. He was born in Scranton and had lived most of his lifetime in Trumann. He was a retired Singer employee, veteran of the U.S. Army and World War II, member of the Ninth Infrantry Cannon Company "Go Devils", was a tech 5 in Arrdens Forest at the Battle of the Bulge, and of the Baptist faith...

William "Sweet Pea" Roark, 64, of Marked Tree, died Dec. 2 at the VA Medical Center in Memphis. Born Aug. 15, 1945, Roark was a farmer and a U.S. Army veteran who fought in Vietnam. He was of the Church of God faith...

Carey Gene Case, 37, of Trumann died Thursday, December 17, 2009 at NEA Baptist Memorial Hospital in Jonesboro. Case was born in Paragould and had lived most of his lifetime in Trumann. He was disabled and was a member of the East Side Baptist Church...

W. D. "Doc" Clem, 83, of Trumann, died Saturday, Dec. 19 at St. Bernard's Medical Center in Jonesboro. Clem was born in Sidney. He had lived in Trumann since 1949 and was formerly of Strawberry. He owned and operated Clem Furniture for many years and was a member of the Parkview Baptist Church...

Ted Secrease, 79, of Trumann died Friday, Dec. 18 at Wynne Healthcare Center in Wynne. He was born in Harrisburg and lived in Trumann for the past 15 years coming from Georgia. He was a retired electrician, veteran of the U.S. Army and of the Pentecostal faith...

Tommy Jack Shuburte, 65, of Trumann, died Thursday, Dec. 17 at St. Bernards Regional Medical Center in Jonesboro. Shuburte was born in Savannah, Tenn., and had lived most of his lifetime in Trumann. He was a retired laborer and of the Pentecostal faith...

John Robert "Bob" Young, 97, of West Memphis died Thursday, Dec. 17 in West Memphis. A beloved and cherished father and grandfather, Young was born Aug. 17, 1912. He made his home in West Memphis since his retirement. Bob spent much of his later years working in his large garden and drinking coffee with his many friends...