Obituaries from May 2011

TRUMANN -- Mr. Charles Andrew Fortson, 78, of Trumann died Saturday, April 30, 2011, at the family residence. He was born in Harrisburg, Ark., and had lived most of his lifetime in He was a retired factory worker and member of the Trumann Revival Center. Mr. Fortson was preceded in death by one step-daughter, Sharon Britton, and his parents, Floyd Edward and Ruby Costner Fortson. He is survived by his wife of 42 years, Loreda Ford Fortson of the home; two daughters, Jean Cooper of Jonesboro and Tammy Whitaker of Russellville; two step-daughters, Paulette Tacker of Harrisburg and Barbara Junyor of Caraway; one son, Wayne Fortson of Paragould; one step-son, Kelly Britton of Lake City; two sisters, Emma Moore of Trumann and Louise Henshaw of Jonesboro; two brothers, Edward Fortson and Eschol Fortson, both of Trumann; 14 grandchildren and 13 great-grandchildren. Graveside services were Tuesday morning at 10:30 a.m. at Bolivar Cemetery near Harrisburg, Ark., with Bro Frank Hardwick officiating. Burial was under the direction of Thompson Funeral Home in Trumann. Pallbearers were Michael Whitaker, Jeff Carlton, Wally Bradsher Bill Wilson, Frank Davidson and Steve Cooper. Visitation was Monday from 5 to 7 p.m. at Thompson Funeral Home in Trumann. An online register book can be signed at www.thompsonfuneralhome.net.

TRUMANN -- Mr. Bryce Milton "Butch" Long, Sr., 67, of Trumann died Saturday, April 30, 2011, at the family residence in Trumann, Ark. He was born in Jonesboro, Ark., and had lived most of his lifetime in Trumann. Mr. Long was a business owner and a member of The Church of God on Balcom Lane. He was preceded in death by one sister, Judy Parnell; his parents, Bryce Jerome and Eldora Lorene Gullet Long, and his grandmother, Beede Gullett. Survivors include his wife of 48 years, Betty Jo Long of the home; one daughter, Marilyn Jo Saddler and husband Joel of Trumann; two sons, Bryce Milton Long, Jr., and wife Sherry of Trumann and James Keith Long of Trumann; two sisters, Cheryl Hall and Janice Page of Trumann; 10 grandchildren and 9 great-grandchildren. Funeral service was Tuesday afternoon at 1:30 p.m. at The Church of God on Balcom Ave., with Bro. Michael Jernigan and Bro. Gary Barker officiating. Burial followed in Jonesboro Memorial Park Cemetery in Jonesboro, Ark., under the direction of Thompson Funeral Home in Trumann. Active pallbearers were Tony Cox, Larry Long, Chad Long, Adam Farmer, Russell Page Jr., Jason Cook, Darek Gartman and Michael Hall. Honorary pallbearers were Frankie Hall, Chris Cox, Richard Hammons, Danny Gartman, Dale Walton, James Wallace, Russell Page, Allen Campbell James Vest and Bobby Davis. Visitation was Monday evening from 5:00 p.m. until 7:00 p.m. at The Church of God, 911 Balcom Lane, Trumann, Ark., 72472 Online guest book can be signed at www.thompsonfuneralhome.net

Herman Eugene Simmons, 73, of Lepanto, died Wednesday, April 27, 2011, at the Phil and Flo Jones Hospice House in Jonesboro. He was of the Baptist belief and was preceded in death by his parents, Herman and Ethel Simmons; his wife, Shirley Simmons; sisters, Virginia Meeks, Ada Lou Hammond, and brothers, Derverl and Robert Ray Simmons. Survivors include daughter, Regina Simmons Fortenberry of Lepanto; brother, James (Jimmy) Simmons of Marked Tree, and two grandsons, Christopher and Brandon (Bobo) Fortenberry. Funeral services were April 30, 2011, at the Murphy Funeral Home with Rick Kimery officiating and burial in Potter Memorial Cemetery. Pallbearers were Dude Armstong, Kevin Saddler, Earnie Hill, Jared Wyatt, Bradley Nelson, and Brian Oakes. Honorary pallbearers were Riverside Ambulance Service and Riverside Home Health of Marked Tree.

Versie Mae Carter, 96, passed away Sunday, May 8, 2011, at Greene Acres Nursing Home. She was born Aug. 29, 1914, in Bay to the late James and Della Mae Morgan. She was a seamstress at a drapery factory in Indiana and member of the Church of Christ. Mrs. Carter loved to quilt, embroidery, garden and raise flowers, especially red roses. Survivors include two sons and their wives, Leon and Freda Carter of Paragould and Floyd and Mary Sue Carter of Elkhart, Ind.; a daughter and her husband, Charlsie "Kitty" and Charles Beaver of Memphis, Tenn.; two daughters-in-law, Carolyn Carter of Earle and Sadie Carter of Trumann; 13 grandchildren and several great-grandchildren, great-great-grandchildren and several nieces and nephews. She was also preceded in death by her husband, Ruben L. Carter; two sons, James Carter and Richard Carter; a daughter, Edna Mae Carter; a grandson, Richard Carter; a great-granddaughter, Jennifer Sue Eller, and 10 brothers and sisters. A celebration of her life was held on Thursday, May 12, 2011, at the Gregg Funeral Home Chapel in Jonesboro with Rev. W.C. Holt officiating. Burial was at Jonesboro Memorial Park Cemetery. Honored to serve as pallbearers were grandsons, Bobby Beaver, Jimmy Beaver, Tony Carter, Doug Carter, Terry Carter, David Carter, Phillip Carter, Dennis Carter, Kenny Carter and Jimmy Carter. Honorary pallbearer was Tyler Howe. Lasting memorials may be sent to the Make-a-Wish Foundation of Jonesboro. Personal condolences may be sent to the Carter family at www.greggfunerals.com.

Barbara E. Shannon, 75, of Joiner, Ark., went home to be with her Lord May 12, 2011. She was a member of Joiner United Methodist church, member of the United Methodist Women's Prayer Group and an Eastern Star member. She is survived by her husband, Kenneth "Red" Shannon of Joiner; her son and daughter-in-law, Bill and Michelle Shannon of Jonesboro; her daughters and sons-in-law, Pattie and Mark Misner of Manila, Ark., and Donna and Ronnie Pilgrim of Lepanto; two sisters, Bonnie Norman of Little Rock and Becky McMillion of Columbia, S.C.; 10 grandchildren and one great-grandson. The service was Saturday, May 14, 2011, in the Roller-Citizens Funeral Home at West Memphis with interment following in Louise Chapel Cemetery in Joiner, Ark. Memorials may be sent to Louise Chapel Cemetery Association, 3670 W. Hwy 118, Joiner, AR 72350. Online guestbook: 222.rollerfuneralhomes.com.

Andrew Stewart "Jiggs" Roberts, age 92 years, died May 10, 2011 at his home in Marked Tree, Ark. Mr. Roberts was a lineman for Arkansas Power and Light for 36 years, a U.S. Navy veteran of World War II, a Mason and a founding member of Central Baptist Church. He is survived by his wife of 72 years, Lula Bernice Roberts, of Marked Tree; sons, Steward Sidney "Butch" Roberts of Pearl, Miss., and Michael Lynn Roberts of Jonesboro; one daughter, Patricia Scarbrough of West Memphis, Ark.; 17 grandchildren, 17 great-grandchildren and three great-great-grandchildren. Services were Friday, May 13, 2011 at Central Baptist Church in Marked Tree. Interment was in the Marked Tree Cemetery. Memorials may be made to Central Baptist Church, P.O. Box 151, Marked Tree, AR 72365.

Mrs. Anna Ruth (Crisp) White, 69, of Trumann died Monday, March 28, 2011. She was born Aug. 16, 1941, at Lawrence County, the daughter of George Crisp and Ruth (Winkles) Williams. She married Mr. Grady William White in September 1962. Mrs. White was a waitress at City Café in Trumann many years and later babysat in her home. She was a member of Central Baptist Church in Trumann, where she taught Sunday school and was a member of the Women's Missionary Auxiliary. Mrs. White enjoyed bingo, playing cards, cooking, taking care of her grandchildren and getting out and going places. She was preceded in death by her husband, Grady William White, on Oct. 2, 1997; one son, Charles Ray White, on Oct. 25, 1987; two daughters, Tressa Kay Simmons and Kathryn Christine White; one grandson, Johnathan Long, and one sister, Maxine Bradley. Mrs. White is survived by two daughters, Wilma Payne and husband Alan of Griffithville, Ark., and Etta Long and husband Marlin of Harrisburg; five grandchildren, Josh Payne, Talia Thompson, Kristen McDaniel, Lin Long and Leah (White) Adkins; seven great-grandchildren, Easton Payne, Addison Long, Gracie Long, Jaxin Hightower, Billie Jean Owens, Garrett McDaniel and Brody McDaniel, and one brother, George Crisp of St. Louis, Mo. Funeral services were Thursday, March 31, at Jackson's Newport Funeral Home Chapel with interment in Gracelawn Cemetery. Arrangements by Jackson's Newport Funeral Home. www.jacksonsfh.com

Burleson, Texas formerly of Blytheville, Ar. passed away Sunday, March 27, 2011 after a short battle with cancer. Memorial Service Sunday 05/29/11, 2 p.m. at Blackwater Church of God, CR 474, Manila, Ar. 72442. Jimmy worked as a truck driver at Osceola Foods until moving to the Fort Worth, Texas area in 1983. He was a driver with Walmart Sams Dist. Ctr. at Desoto, Texas. Survivors; Wife of 42 years Katha Brown Hathcock, sons, Jeff Hathcock and wife Tracy, Mike Hathcock and wife Tatiana, grandsons Tanner and Tristan Hathcock of Fort Worth, Texas, sisters Louise and Martha , brother John Ham of Bassett, Ar.

TRUMANN - Mrs. Katherine Jane James, 86, of Trumann died Sunday, May 22, 2011, at St. Elizabeth's Place in Jonesboro, Ark. She was born in Lilbourn, Mo., and lived most of her lifetime in Trumann. Mrs. James was a cashier at Hammell's grocery store and enjoyed flower gardening. She was also a member of the American Legion and a veteran of the U.S. Army serving in World War II. Mrs. James was preceded in death by her husband, Orin John James Jr.; two brothers, Robert and Merlin Hammell, and her parents, Elmer and Mary Hammell. Survivors include one son, Johnny "O.J." James of Trumann; two daughters, Carolyn Kempton of Gilroy, Calif., and Bonnie Reed of Choudrant, La.; five grandchildren, Kevin James, Dabnie James, Jessica James, Michael Goodman and Katherine Reed, and one great-grandson, Jack Paul Cook. Funeral service was at 10 a.m. Thursday, May 26, in the chapel of Thompson Funeral Home in Trumann with Rev. Billy Barnhill officiating. Burial followed in Jonesboro Memorial Park Cemetery in Jonesboro, Ark. Visitation was Wednesday evening from 5 to 7 p.m. at Thompson Funeral Home. An online register book can be signed at www.thompsonfuneralhome.net.

TRUMANN - Mrs. Lorene Lansdell, 80, of Trumann died Friday, May 20, 2011, at the Flo & Phil Jones Hospice House in Jonesboro, Ark. She was born in and had lived most of her life in Trumann. "Mrs. Lorene" had an in-home daycare where she helped raise many children from Trumann. She enjoyed flowers and watching birds. She was preceded in death by her husband, J.C. Lansdell; her parents, Albert Teague and Mildred Christina (Deckelman), and a son-in-law, DeWayne Walker. Survivors include one son, Keith Lansdell, and one daughter, Donna Walker, both of Trumann; three grandchildren, Brandy Pratt and Clay and Tyler Lansdell; six great-grandchildren, Katie, Elizabeth, Dillon, Jaxon and Cynthia Lansdell and Kyra Pratt; two brothers, Bill and Junior Teague, and four sisters, Gladys Smithson, Eveyln Penter, Carol Montgomery and Kay Jenkerson. Funeral service was at 10 a.m. Monday, May 23, in the chapel of Thompson Funeral Home in Trumann with Bro. Larry Loggins officiating. Burial followed at Jonesboro Memorial Park Cemetery in Jonesboro, Ark., with Thompson Funeral Home of Trumann in charge of arrangements. Pallbearers were Jimmy Richardson, Richard Woodruff, Bill Wagner, Robert Bufford and Dennis Penter Jr. Honorary pallbearers were Bill Cook, Henry Secrease, Junior Roach, James Taylor, Frank Bufford and her nephews. Visitation was Sunday from 4 to 6 p.m. at Thompson Funeral Home. The family requests that those who want to make donations consider the Flo and Phil Hospice House in Jonesboro. An online register book can be signed at www.thompsonfuneralhome.net.

Helen Louise Morrisett, 84, of Marked Tree, Ark., passed away Sunday, May 22, 2011, at St. Bernards Regional Medical Center in Jonesboro, Ark. She was a member of Marked Tree First United Methodist Church and was a member of the Beta Sigma Phi Organization. She was preceded in death by her mother, Christine Morgan; her father, William Allan Liggett, Sr.; her husband, Tommy Morrisett, and her brother, William Allan Liggett, Jr. She is survived by her son, Allan Morrisett of Marked Tree; two daughters, Terri Clayton of Payneway and Carolyn Herring of Marked Tree; seven grandchildren, and seven great-grandchildren. Memorials may be sent to the American Diabetes Association, 5583 Murray Rd. #200A, Memphis, TN 38119-0887, or to Marked Tree First United Methodist Church at 304 Frisco Street, Marked Tree, AR 72365. Visitation was May 24 at the Marked Tree United Methodist Church. The graveside service was May 25, 2011, in the Marked Tree Cemetery with interment following. Online guestbook is www.rollerfuneralhomes.com.