Biographical And Historical Memoirs of Pulaski, Jefferson, Lonoke, Faulkner, Grant, Saline, Perry, Garland And Hot Spring Counties, Arkansas
Gaytan J. Saia
Helena-West Helena, Ark. - Gaytan J. Saia, 88, died Friday, Nov. 28, 2008 in Abilene, Texas.
Funeral Mass with Msgr. Fred Nawarskas officiating was held on Tuesday, Dec. 2 at the Holy Family Catholic Church. A private entombment will be held in Elmwood Memorial Park. Saia will be moved to the new Texas State Veterans cemetery when it opens at a later date.
Gaytan was born the son of Sam Saia and Grace Maggio Saia on June 27, 1920 in Helena where he grew up and graduated from high school. He joined the Navy on his 21st birthday and served until 1947, seeing the invasion of Okinawa in 1945 and witnessing atomic bomb testing at Bikini Atoll in July 1946. After two years away from the service, he enlisted in the Army in 1949 and served until 1963. In 1966 he was recalled to active duty for service in Vietnam and retired a second time in October 1969. Gaytan had accumulated a total of 24 years in service to our country.
After his life in the military, Saia graduated from the University of Las Vegas and became a registered nurse. He worked several years at the El Paso State School and later came to Abilene after taking a position with PASSAR as a nursing home inspector. He was a member of DAV, the American Legion, VFW and NCOA and was an active member of the Holy Family Catholic Church.
Survivors include his wife of 31 years, Carol Saia of Abilene, Texas; two sons, Gaytan Saia Jr. and wife, Jeannette of Georgia and James Saia and wife, Amy of Pennsylvania; a daughter, Kitty Gelberd and husband, Morton of Florida; three stepsons, Anthony Lally and wife, Mary of Hawthorn Wood, Ill., Thomas Lally and wife, Kathy of Romeoville, Ill. and Timothy Lally and wife, Monica of Aurora, Ill.; five sisters, Florine Walters, Sister Grace Saia, SCN, Virginia Egan and husband, Leo, Joy Hibbard and husband, Pete, and Agnes Smith and husband, J.T.; 16 grandchildren, Dory, Jake, Jana, Luke, Riley, Brandon, Emory, Cody, Maggie, Sam, Stacy, Lisa, Tommy, T.J. Ryan and Paul.
His parents and three brothers preceded him in death.
In lieu of flowers, memorial donations are suggested to Rescue the Animals.
Robert Franklin Easley
Helena-West Helena, Ark. - Graveside services for Robert Franklin Easley, 76, of Marvell will be held 11 a.m. today at the Cypert cemetery in Marvell. Brother Mark Spencer will officiate.
Easley, born Oct. 13, 1932 in Marvell to the late Cicero Easley and the late Lillie Walton Easley, died Wednesday, Dec. 10, 2008 at his home.
He leaves his wife, Ella Ruth Stiles Easley of Marvell; a son, Lane Easley and wife, Liz of Marvell; two granddaughters, Heather Easley of Little Rock and Katie Easley of Florence, Miss.; and a brother, Melvin Easley of Columbus, Miss.
His parents and two sisters, Annette Kelley and Julia Pyron, preceded him in death.
Roller-Citizens Funeral Home will direct services.
Rondson (Roxie) Hills
Helena-West Helena, Ark. - Funeral services for Rondson (Roxie) Hills, 41, of Helena will be held 1 p.m. Saturday, Dec. 13, 2008 in the Kincaid Funeral Home Auditorium. Elder Kim Smith will officiate. Burial will be in Oak Grove No.3 cemetery.
Roxie was born Aug. 27, 1967 in Clarksdale, Miss. She died in a tragic fire at her residence on Monday, Dec. 3, 2008.
She leaves to cherish her memory, three children, Terrance Hills and Martavis Hills of Helena and Loletha Hills of St. Paul, Minn.; a grandchild, Qualynn Hills of St. Paul; two brothers, J.C. Jones of Clarksdale and Ricky Hills of Memphis and a host of nieces, nephews, relatives and friends.
Funeral arrangements have been entrusted to Kincaid Funeral Services Inc.
Ambrose Minor
Helena-West Helena, Ark. - Funeral services for Ambrose Minor, 66, known as “Bro”, of Helena will be held 2 p.m. Saturday, Dec. 13, 2008 in the Robert Lee Brown Memorial Chapel with the Rev. Roy Lee Williams officiating. Burial will follow in the Oak Grove No 1 cemetery in Helena-West Helena.
Minor, born Feb. 4, 1942 to Richard and Levertie Minor in Helena, died Wednesday, Dec. 3, 2008 in Helena.
He confessed a hope in Christ accepting him as his personal Savior in September 1953 at the Paradise Missionary Baptist Church.
McCarty Farm and Machinery employed him as a diesel mechanic. He worked for D & D Construction Co. as a brick mason and the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers for 15 years where he retired. He was a member of the James Alexander No. 1 Prince Hall Affiliated Masonic Lodge F.A.&M. and a former member of the original gospel group The Dixie Wonders.
Minor was preceded in death by his father and mother, Richard and Levertie Minor; two sisters, Ollie Mae Minor and Cloteal Minor-Dionaby; his wife, Mary Dean Minor; a son, Danny Gray; and a brother-in-law, Herley James.
Minor was married
to the late Mary Dean White Minor and six children were born to their union – Reynel (Jerry) Crutchfield, Ambrose Minor Jr., Regina Ann Minor, Gwendolyn (Rick) Barnett, Keith (Latonya) Minor and Brenda Sue Minor, all of Memphis.
He also leaves four daughters, Joyce Marie Coldent of Helena-West Helena, Raeshonna Robinson of Conway, Latoshia Chandler and Kizzie Chandler of Little Rock; a sister, Brenda Sue Minor-Kneeland of Helena; two brothers, Richard Minor of Little Rock and Carl Minor of Helena; a great aunt, Rosie Lee of Los Angeles; an uncle, Tom Henry Lee of Indianapolis; three aunts, Etta Mae Brown and Minnie Bell Murphy of Helena and Gertie Beckner of Hanford, Calif.; a grandson, Quinton Minor of Memphis; 24 grandchildren; eight great grandchildren; his father and mother-in-law, Aaron and Lillie Mae Williams; three sisters-in-law, Precious (John) Spencer, Peggy Williams and Wanda Williams, all of Memphis; four brothers-in-law, Harvey Williams, Aaron Williams, Jr., Dennis Williams and Dobbie Williams, all of Memphis; and a host of nieces, nephews, cousins and friends.
Brown’s Home for Funerals Inc. will direct funeral services.
Velma Lois Kale Price
Helena-West Helena, Ark. - Velma Lois Kale Price of Helena-West Helena died after a brief illness on Dec. 3, 2008. She was born to the late Sandy and Luvenia Walker Kale on June 4, 1920 in West Helena.
Price joined True Vine Missionary Baptist Church at an early age. The church and its work became an integral part of her childhood and the activities of her adult life.
Price married
Joseph Harry Price, Sr. in January 1938 in West Helena. That same year, Velma joined Allen Temple African Methodist Episcopal (A.M.E.) Church in West Helena where her husband, Joseph, was a member. In 1939, Joseph was called to the ministry. Her husband, the late Rev. J. H. Price, Sr. preceded her in death.
Mrs. Price learned what it was like to struggle, but she knew that through God, all things were possible. She pulled many cotton sacks and chopped in the cotton fields to help support her family. She also worked as a domestic during the early years. She worked at Westside Elementary School in the Helena-West Helena School District as a custodian for about 11 years and the cafeteria for 20 years.
She was the president of the Westside Elementary Parent Teachers Association for 10 years. She always took time to check on her children when they were in school. If a teacher said that he or she was having trouble with them, Mrs. Price did not spare the rod. She knew that the Bible states, “Foolishness is bound up in the heart of a child; But the rod of discipline drives it far from him”: Proverbs 22:15. Her children affectionately called her “Muddear”.
Mrs. Price served on the trustee board, stewardess board, as a member of the choir, worked with missionaries and served as head of the program committee at Allen Temple A.M.E. Church for 20 years. She was a faithful member of Allen Temple for 70 years. She also served religious causes in the Helena-West Helena area by visiting other churches, whether they were Methodist, Baptist, or other denominations to accept welcomes, serve as mistress of ceremony and do readings or poems. She continued to support Allen Temple A.M.E. Church even after her health began to fail on Oct. 31, 2008.
Mrs. Price was named Outstanding Woman of the Twin Cities (Helena-West Helena) by Zeta Phi Beta Sorority in 1976 for the many positive contributions she made to her community. She was well known and respected throughout the community. Mrs. Price enjoyed singing, cooking, sewing, working in her garden, reading and reciting poetry. She also was an avid wrestling fan.
She leaves 18 children, Gwendolyn C. Long of Temple Hills, Md., Stella M. Brown, of Calumet Park, Ill., Joseph H. Price, Jr., of Detroit, Collier Cale Price of Ft. Worth, Texas, Dr.Velma L. Smith of Houston, Willie R. Price of Helena-West Helena, Addletha J. Bledsoe of Dallas, Mary W. Jones Seaton of Austell, Ga., Wilma S. Smith of Little Rock, AR, Silas L. Price of Detroit, MI, Tennyson L. Price of Hyattsville, Md., Jarva J.Cole of Dallas, Janice M. Shumpert of Marianna, Rev. Benjamin E. Price of Houston, Kenneith J. Price of Helena-West Helena, Zebulon K. Price Reid of Arlington, Va., Charles W. Price of Little Rockand Mark A. Price of Marion; 25 grandchildren; and 26 great-grandchildren; an aunt, Clara Kale Chisom of Helena-West Helena; and a host of nieces, nephews, other relatives and friends.
Visitation will be Friday, Dec. 12, 2008 from 6 to 7 p.m. at the Allen Temple A.M.E. Church, 120 S. Ashlar St.
Funeral services celebrating Mrs. Price’s life will be held Saturday, Dec. 13, 2008 at 11 a.m. at the Twin City Church of Christ, 1615 Highway 49, Helena-West Helena. Funeral arrangements are entrusted to Stephens Funeral Home.
Maudie White Hopkins
Helena-West Helena, Ark. - Graveside services for Maudie White Hopkins, 93, of Lexa will be held 10 a.m. Wednesday, Aug. 20, 2008 at Sunset Memorial Park. Rev. Tommy Jacobs will officiate. Visitation will be from 6 to 8 p.m. tonight at Roller-Citizens Funeral Home.
Hopkins, born Dec. 7, 1914 in Baxter County to the late Dora Acklin and the late Ethel Berry Acklin, died Sunday, Aug. 17, 2008 in Helena. She was a member of the United Daughters of the Confederacy and the Lexa Baptist Church.
She leaves two daughters, Ida Mae Chamness and husband, Fred of Manassas, Va., and Opal Byrd and husband, Robert of Helena-West Helena; a son, Melvin Lee White and wife, Shirley of Helena- West Helena; sisters, Lucille White of Calico Rock and Nora Sinnerman of Lone Rock; a brother, John Acklin of Lone Rock; grandsons, Gary Chamness, Roger Chamness, Robert D. Byrd and Brian White; granddaughters, Brenda Bennett and Donna Holt; 14 great-grandchildren; and two great-great-grandchildren.
She was preceded in death by her first husband, former Confederate soldier, William Cantrell; and husband, Winfred White.
Pallbearers will be Roger Chamness, Robert D. Byrd, Robert Bennett, Brian White, Kaleb Holt and Ryan Holt.
Memorials may be made to the Lexa Baptist Church, 213 Cedar St., Lexa, AR, 72355.
Roller-Citizens Funeral Home will direct services.
Rev. Peggy Bosmyer
Helena-West Helena, Ark. - The Rev. Peggy Bosmyer, 60 of Little Rock died Saturday, Dec. 13, 2008. She was born to the late Thomas Bosmyer and Margarett Markland Vandiver of Little Rock. Peggy was a graduate of Helena Central High School before receiving her B.A. degree in English and philosophy from the University of Arkansas at Fayetteville, her Master’s of Divinity from Virginia Theological Seminary and her Doctor of Divinity from the University of the South, School of Theology -Sewanee.
In 1974, Peggy served her internship as Episcopal deacon at Grace Episcopal Church, Pine Bluff, completing her intern curacy at St. Mark’s Episcopal Church in Little Rock. Upon women’s ordination in the church, Peggy was the first woman ordained in the Episcopal Church south of the Mason Dixon line in 1978. She was also appointed as vicar of St. Michael’s Episcopal Church, program director for the Diocese of Arkansas, which included oversight of Camp Mitchell.
In 1985 she became fulltime vicar of St. Michael’s Episcopal Church. In 1994 she was called to be a professor on the faculty of the University of the South School of Theology - Sewanee for seven years, concurrently serving as the co-vicar at St. James Teaching mission at Sewanee.
In 2001 she returned to Little Rock accepting the call as canon missioner and vicar of St. Margaret’s Episcopal Church. She was also an associate of the Youth and Family Institute.
Peggy loved to preach, to celebrate the Eucharist and exercise her gifts in pastoral care.
She leaves her husband of 24 years, Dennis Campbell of Little Rock; her four children, Caitlin Margarett Bosmyer Campbell, Mary Hannah Bosmyer Campbell, Lauren “Larnie” Elizabeth Bosmyer Campbell and Michael Forrest Bosmyer Campbell all of Little Rock; and her sister, Judy Quattlebaum of Little Rock.
There will be a funeral service at Trinity Episcopal Cathedral Wednesday, Dec. 17 at 11 a.m. with The Right Reverend Larry Benefield and The Right Reverend Canon Dr. J. Neil Alexander, Bishop of Atlanta, officiating.
Following services the internment will be at St. Margaret’s Columbarium at 1 p.m. Arrangements are under the direction of Ruebel Funeral Home. The guest book can be signed at www.ruebelfuneralhome.com.
In lieu of flowers donations may be made to St. Margaret’s Episcopal Church Building Fund, House of Prayer, and Institute for Theological Education, or The Campbell Children’s College Fun, in care of St. Margaret’s, 20900 Chenal Parkway, Little Rock, AR 72223.
Larry Ketton Ward
Helena-West Helena, Ark. - Funeral services for Larry Ketton Ward, 66, of Marvell will be held 11 a.m. Saturday, Dec. 13 in the Robert Lee Brown Memorial Chapel with Rev. Jarvis Smith officiating. Burial will follow in the New Light cemetery in Marvell. Visitation will be from 3 to 5 p.m. tonight in the Robert Lee Brown Memorial Chapel.
Ward, born Sept. 16, 1942 to Mary and New Ketton, died Dec. 2, 2008 at his home in Marvell.
He confessed a hope in Christ at an early age.
He leaves to cherish his memory; his wife, Mercy Beatrice Ward of Marvell; and a host of cousins, relatives and friends.
Brown’s Home for Funerals Inc. will direct services.
Johnnie M. Wilson
Helena-West Helena, Ark. - Funeral services for Johnnie M. Wilson, 98, of Lexa will be held at 2 p.m. Saturday, Dec. 13, 2008 at the Springlake M.B. Church in the Southland Community with the Rev. Robert P. Taylor officiating. Burial will follow in the Springlake cemetery in Lexa. Visitation will be from 5 to 7 p.m. tonight in the Robert Lee Brown Memorial Chapel.
Wilson was born on Sept. 10, 1910 in Farrell, Miss. She confessed a hope in Christ at age 12 at Lone Oak M.B. Church. She moved her membership to Lexa and served at the First Baptist Church in Lexa until her health failed.
Wilson was preceded in death by her parents, Francis and Spencer Coleman; her husband, Earl Wilson; two sisters, Annie Bell and Willa; two brothers, Ernest and Fred Coleman; and her three daughters, Helen, Willa and Earlene.
To share her legacy of love she leaves a son, Freddie (Ruth) Peterson of Rockford, Ill.; daughters, Lillie Mae Banks of Memphis and Ruthie Talley of Lexa; a devoted son-in-law, William Gladney of Lake View; 23 grandchildren; numerous great-grandchildren, nephews, nieces and many friends to cherish her memory.
Brown’s Home for Funerals Inc. will direct services.
Connie Nathan
Helena-West Helena, Ark. - Funeral arrangements for Connie Nathan, 44, of Helena-West Helena are incomplete and will be announced later by Brown’s Home for Funerals. Inc.
Nathan died Thursday, Dec. 11, 2008 at her home.
Sylvester G. Dozier
Helena-West Helena, Ark. - Funeral services for Sylvester G. Dozier, 68, of Jonesboro will be held at 2 p.m. Saturday, Dec. 20, 2008 at the Springlake M.B. Church in the Southland Community with the Rev. Robert P. Taylor officiating. Burial will follow in the Springlake cemetery. Visitation will be from 6 to 8 p.m. this evening at the Springlake M.B. Church in Lexa.
Dozier was born on Aug. 11, 1940 in Cotton Plant to the late Lucian and Dovie Dozier.
Dozier graduated from Cotton Plant Vocational High School in 1958 and enlisted in the United States Army, serving proudly until 1967, including two tours in Vietnam. After leaving the Army, he enrolled in the University of Arkansas at Pine Bluff (UAPB) as a math major and then attended University of Arkansas in Little Rock (formerly Little Rock University). Leaving school, he acquired a job at Southwestern Bell and worked for over 20 years, retiring in 1991. In retirement, he counseled at a local substance abuse center. Sylvester always worked diligently and enjoyed life to the fullest.
Preceding him in death was his brother, William E. (Buck) Dozier.
Dozier passed away on December 15, 2008 at the St. Bernard’s Medical Center in Jonesboro,
Dozier leaves to cherish his memory, three children, Kevin Dozier of King Georgia, Va., Pamela (Carl) Washington of Philadelphia, Penn., and Steven (Kalisha) Dozier of Atlanta, Ga., four grandchildren, Makaya and Sienion Dozier, Pamela E. Washington, and Kennedy Dozier; two sisters, Maureen Billingsley of West Helena and Nadine Allen of Baltimore, MD.; a brother, Byron (Debra) Dozier of Newport; six aunts, Ruby Williams, Ruby Williams of Milwaukee, Wis., Mildred Dorsey of Gary, Ind., Thelma Arbor of Magnolia, Sylvia Picket of Chicago, Ill., Rose Woods of Los Angeles, Calif., and Gloria Arbor of Cotton Plant; a host of nieces, nephews, cousins, and special friends, Kenny Tolbert, Earlene Lindsey, Darlene Dumas and Patricia Gulley.
Brown’s Home for Funerals will direct services.
