Biographical And Historical Memoirs of Pulaski, Jefferson, Lonoke, Faulkner, Grant, Saline, Perry, Garland And Hot Spring Counties, Arkansas
Leroy White
Helena-West Helena, Ark. - Leroy White, 80, of Hughes, died April 20, 2009 at his home in Hughes. He was born Dec. 23, 1928 to Henry and Bessie White
His mother and father, two sons Edward Charles White and W.C. White and a brother Issac White , preceded him in death.
Survivors are a brother, William White of Helena-West Helena; three sisters, Leana White of Louisiana, Susie White of Helena-West Helena and Anna Mae Tye of Chicago; eight children, Willie Edward White, Nathaniel White (Debra), L.C. White (Theresa), Brenda Lee White, Edward James White (Priscilla), Roy Lee White, Connie White, Nicole White, all of Chicago; 10 stepchildren; a special friend, Frances Braddock of Hughes; 35 grandchildren; 22 great- grandchildren; and a host of aunts, uncles, nieces, nephews, cousins, and friends whom he loved dearly.
Funeral Services will be held 11 a.m. Saturday May 2, 2009 at the Greater Power House Church of God in Christ in Helena-West Helena. Visitation will be from noon to 5 p.m. Friday at Stephens Funeral Home.
Burial will be held at Pilgrim Guide Church cemetery in Modoc.
Stephens Funeral Home is in charge of arrangements.
Lois Smith Gregory
HELENA-WEST HELENA - Lois Smith Gregory, 70, of Helena-West Helena passed away Friday, April 24, 2009. Lois was born May 26, 1938 to Claud and Iva Whitworth Smith in West Helena.
Her parents Claud and Iva Smith, bother Harold Smith and her husband, Odis D. Gregory, preceded Lois in death.
Lois spent 41 years of her life in the banking business. She was a loving wife, mother, grandmother, sister and aunt to her family.
Lois leaves 2 sons, Odis Gregory and wife, Vickie of Wabash, Phillips Gregory and wife, Shawndus of Helena-West Helena; 2 daughters, Deana Gregory of Helena-West Helena and Mona Gregory Hirsch and husband Alan Jr. of Fayetteville; 10 grandchildren, Dusty Ferguson, Jackie Chisnall, Rene Batts, Al Hirsch III, Drew Haynes, Tripp Gregory, Mollie Gregory, Matt Gregory, Joylyn Gregory and Jackson Gregory; 5 great-grandchildren, Collin Chisnall, Morgan Ferguson, Peyton Finley, Caleb Chisnall and Hannah Batts; 3 sisters, Juanita Turner and husband Frank of Helena, Sarah Bradshaw and husband, Oscar of Helena-West Helena and Virginia Alexander and husband, B.D. Marks of Mississippi; sister-in-law Virginia Smith of McGehee along with a host of nieces and nephews.
Pallbearers are Al Hirsch III, Drew Haynes, Tripp Gregory, Matt Gregory, Jackson Gregory, Logan Ferguson and Chad Chisnall. Honorary pallbearers are Alan Hirsch Sr., Oscar Bradshaw, B.D. Alexander, Frank Turner Sr., Bud Gregory, Jimmy Yates and Ervin Mullally.
Services will be held 10 a.m. Tuesday, April 28, 2009 at the Twin City Church of Christ in Helena-West Helena with Brother Steve Reeves officiating. Burial will follow in Sunset Memorial Park on Highway 49 West. Visitation will be from 6 to 8 p.m. Monday, April 27, 2009. Roller-citizens Funeral Home has charge of arrangements.
Wilma Ann (Johnston) Newton
Helena-West Helena, Ark. - Wilma Ann (Johnston) Newton, 69, of Fort Smith died Sunday, May 3, 2009. She was born July 25, 1939 to Cleatus and Lorene (Maybry) Johnston in Elaine. Wilma was a childcare provider for many years and attended the Evangel Temple Assembly of God Church in Fort Smith.
Newton leaves her husband of 30 years, John Newton; two daughters, Jeanne Yalsh of Cullman, Ala. and Roxanne Crawford of Cox Valley near Paris, Ark.; a sister, Wanda Hensley of Scranton; two brothers, Tommy Johnston of Scranton and Roger Johnson of Lake Jackson, Texas; six grandchildren; and two great grandchildren.
Graveside services and burial will be at 10 a.m. today, May 6, 2009 at the McKendree cemetery in Subiaco, under the direction of Roller Funeral Home-Paris.
Della Lee Miller
Helena-West Helena, Ark. - Funeral services for Della Lee Miller, 51, of Helena-West Helena will be held 11 a.m. Saturday, May 9, 2009 at Seals Funeral Home at 8354 Marquette Ave. in Chicago. Visitation will be from 10 to 11 a.m. Saturday at the Seals Funeral Home. Burial will follow in Restvale cemetery in Chicago.
A local visitation will be held from 5 to 7 p.m. tonight in the Robert Lee Brown Memorial Chapel in Helena.
Miller was born on July 31, 1957 to the late Bernice Jones and Bennie Robinson in Helena. Miller received her formal education at the Raymond Douglas Middle School and Phillips High School in Chicago.
Miller accepted Christ as her Savior at an early age. She married
James “Killer” Miller in June 1972 in Chicago. Their union was blessed with three children.
Her parents, a son, James Deion Robinson and two sisters, Betty Jean Pickens and Dorothy Robinson of Helena, preceded her in death.
Miller died April 21, 2009 at Methodist Hospital in Memphis.
She leaves to cherish her memory, a daughter, Bernice Miller; a son, Archie (Brenda) Robinson; six sisters, Ollie Jones, Sheila Tompkins, Lashell Sanders, Tara (Joe) Upshaw, Melody Bridges and Patricia Robinson; four brothers, Clarence Jones, Richard Jones, Johnnie Jones and Harry Robinson; six grandchildren, Deion, Alexis, Doenta, Donta, Andrea and Brittany; and a host of nieces, nephews, relatives and friends.
Orville Faxon Hill
Helena-West Helena, Ark. - Orville Faxon Hill, 83, of Russellville passed away Sunday, May 3, 2009 in Russellville. Hill was born Oct. 16, 1925 in Marvell to the late Melvin Hill and the late Ruth Thompson Hill. Hill was a member of the Cleburne Avenue Presbyterian Church and the Masonic Lodge.
He served in the U.S. Army and was a veteran of World War II. He retired from AP&L as a quality control inspector.
He leaves a son, Dr. Don Hill and wife, Carol of Russellville; four grandchildren, Paul Hill, Joseph Hill and Nathan Hill, all of Little Rock, and Allison Hill of Russellville; a daughter-in-law, Cid Kizewski-Hill of Little Rock; and a sister-in-law, Billie Hill.
His wife, Irene “Midge” Carruth Hill, his parents, Melvin and Ruth Hill, a son, Allen Hill and a brother, Clarence Hill, preceded him in death.
Services for Hill will be held at 2 p.m. Thursday, May 7, 2009 at the Cleburne Avenue Presbyterian Church in Helena-West Helena. Rev. Don Montgomery will officiate Visitation will be from 6 to 8 p.m. tonight at Roller-Citizens Funeral Home. Burial will be in Sunset Memorial Park in Helena-West Helena.
Pallbearers will be Joe Tom Cunningham, Julian Treadaway, Bobby McCarty, Buron Griffin, Jr., Robert Scott, Glen Estes and Cliff Clark. Honorary pallbearers will be W.A. Rogers, Floyd Castleman, Hershal “Sonny” Slaughter, Don Hudson, Kent Estes, Doug Simmons and Harold Boals.
Memorials may be made to the Cleburne Avenue Presbyterian Church, P.O. Box 2516, Helena-West Helena, AR 72390, or to Arkansas Hospice, 2405 E. Parkway Dr., No. 3, Russellville, AR 72802.
Roller-Citizens Funeral Home will direct services.
Charles Russell Caery
DEKALB, TEXAS - Charles Russell Caery, 85, of DeKalb, Texas died at his home Saturday, May 2, 2009 after a lengthy illness.
Charles was born May 28, 1923 at Manila. He was the oldest of the eight children of W.W. and Opal Caery. The Caery’s moved to the Blackwater community when Charles was two years old.
During his early years, Charles farmed, served in the Army Air Corps in World War II and worked with his father in all of his endeavors. During these years, he was an active member of the Blackwater Baptist Church where he served as a deacon and song director.
His education included Blackwater High School, Southern Baptist College at Walnut Ridge, Arkansas State College and California College at Riverside, Calif.
After he was ordained at the Blackwater Baptist Church, Charles served as pastor of many churches in Arkansas including Delaplaine, Valley View in Harrisburg, Calvary in Harrisburg, Westside in Manila and Friendship in Marianna.
When he no longer served as a pastor, he lived at his home in DeKalb, did supply preaching and served as a Sunday school teacher at the Malta Baptist Church.
Besides his parents, his father-in-law, Eulin Wayne Reynolds and his three siblings, Walt Jr., Wandara and Kenneth, preceded him in death.
Survivors include his wife, Eula Mae of the home; and his daughter, Sundi of Texarkana; a brother, Jerry Caery Sr. and his wife, Frances of Elaine; three sisters, Ora Lee Castleman of Campbell, Calif., Willie Vel Whitney of Manila, and Trudene and Tommy Hatcher of Covington, Tenn.; and two special friends, H. O. and Ima Faye Russell of DeKalb, Texas.
Serving as active pallbearers were Sam Caery, Kent Caery, Kirk Caery, Jerry Caery Jr., Brian Caery, Heath Reynolds, Lonnie Wayne Reynolds and Craig Harvery. Honorary pallbearers are member of the Cross Bearers Sunday School Class at the Malta Baptist Church.
Services were held Monday, May 4, 2009 at the Malta Baptist Church under the direction of Bates-Rolf Funeral Home of DeKalb with Rev. Shawn Bailey, Rev. James Boyd and Rev. Wayne Stringer officiating. Burial is in Sunset Memorial Park in Barton at 11 a.m. today. Officiating at the graveside services were Charles’ nephews, Rev. Sam Caery and Dr. Guy M. Whitney.
Lasting memorials may be made to Opportunities Inc., 6101 North State Line Ave., Texarkana, Texas 75506, or to the Blackwater Baptist Church in Manila, Ark.
Christine Williams King
Helena-West Helena, Ark. - Christine Williams King, 88, of Tullahoma, Tenn., formerly of West Helena, died Sunday, May 17, 2009, at the Lynchburg Nursing Center in Lynchburg, Tenn. from complications following a stroke.
A native of Phillips County, she was the daughter of the late Fred and Louise Williams of West Helena. Besides her parents, she was preceded in death by two brothers, Lewis Williams of San Diego, Calif. and James Edwin (Jim Ed) Williams of Memphis and a sister, Mary Louise Dailydas of Mountain Home. Her husband of 59 years, Bruce B. King Sr. of West Helena and a son, Bruce B. (Buddy) King Jr. of Oxford, Miss. also preceded her in death.
Her husband was a West Helena city councilman for many years before his death and a long-time employee of Doughboy Industries. Mrs. King was a 1938 graduate of Sacred Heart Academy and was an active member of St. Mary’s Catholic Church in Helena before moving to Tullahoma. She was employed for many years as a bookkeeper for Farmer’s Oil and Supply, Mohawk Tire and Doughboy before retiring.
She was an avid bowler for many years and participated in 40 consecutive Arkansas State Women’s Bowling Tournaments. She enjoyed golfing at the Marianna Golf and Country Club with her husband for many years and later at the West Helena Municipal Golf Course, but her favorite pastime was playing bridge with her many friends. After moving to Tullahoma in 2005, she continued playing bridge and was a member of the Tullahoma Senior Citizen Center bridge group and St. Paul’s Catholic Church.
Her daughter and son-in-law, Alice and Bruce Huskey of Tullahoma; several nieces and nephews; and other loving family and friends survive her.
Visitation will be from 5 to 8 p.m. Wednesday, May 20, 2009 with rosary at 7 p.m. at Roller-Citizens Funeral Home in Helena-West Helena. Funeral mass will be conducted at St. Mary’s on Thursday, May 21 at 11 a.m. with Father Joe Marconi officiating. Interment will be in Sunset Memorial Park in Helena-West Helena.
Pallbearers include Jeff Watts, Tyler Watts, Howard (Bo) Aaron, Henry King, Melvin Snyder and Terry Leslie.
In lieu of flowers, memorial donations may be made to partners for Healing, 109 West Blackwell St., Tullahoma, Tenn. 37388 or St. Mary’s Altar Society, 123 Columbia St., Helena, AR 72342.
Leona “Tump” Tilson
Helena-West Helena, Ark. - Funeral services for Leona “Tump” Tilson, 51, of Helena will be held 1 p.m. Saturday, May 22, 2009 at the Saint Mary No. 1 Baptist Church at 509 Anderson St. in Helena-West Helena. Pastor Chester Gentry will officiate. Burial will be in the Oak Grove cemetery in Helena-West Helena.
Visitation will be from 4 to 6 p.m. today at the Jackson and Highley Funeral Home Chapel in Helena-West Helena.
Leona was born March 28, 1958 to Bernice Jones Tilson and the late Leon Tilson. She confessed her faith in Christ at an early age. She graduated form Central High School in 1976 and attended Phillips Community College. She raised five nieces, Fanesha, Lakesha, Erica, Moneeka Tilson and Vickie Britton and a nephew, Cleveland “C.K.” Tilson Jr.
Leona was preceded in death by a son, Shawn Austin, her father, Leon Tilson, a sister, Dorothy Wilson and her grandmother, Cleola Garner Branch.
She leaves to cherish her memory a loving mother, Bernice Tilson of Helena-West Helena; two sisters, Ferry Britton of Aurora, Ill., Shelia (Ricky) Stiggers of Dallas, Texas; 11 brothers, Cleveland (La’Shonda) Tilson Sr., of Helena-West Helena, Robert Bailey Sr. of Little Rock, John (Cynthia) Jones of Killeen, Texas, James (Naice) Tilson Sr. of Fort Smith, Napoleon Tilson of Helena-West Helena, Willie (Sheletta) Tilson Sr. of Gary, Ind., Reginald (Sabrina) Wilson of Atlanta, Ga., John Tilson of Helena-West Helena, Fabian (Sylvia) Lewis of Little Rock, Willis (JoAnn) Lee of Helena-West Helena and Ferrnan Lee of Helena; an aunt, Delois (James) Bell III of Helena-West Helena; a special cousin, James “Boo” Bell IV of Helena-West Helena; a special friend, John (“Pork chop) Pierce of Helena-West Helena; four best friends, Carol Hudson, Ivy Newsom, Virginia Henry and Debra Mills; and a host of nephews, nieces, cousins and friends.
Jackson and Highley Funeral Home will direct services.
Earlon Major
Helena-West Helena, Ark. - Funeral services for Earlon Major of Helena-West Helena will be held 11 a.m. Saturday, May 23, 2009 at the True Vine M.B. Church in Helena-West Helena. Visitation will be from noon until 5 p.m. today at Stephens Funeral Home. Rev. Lonnie Whitfield will officiate. Burial will be in Jackson Memorial cemetery.
Major joined her Savior early Monday, May 18, 2009 at her home while quietly resting.
Earlon celebrated her 61st birthday on April 29. She was the oldest daughter of Leon Major and Willie Applewhite. Earlon graduated from Eliza Miller High School in 1966. As a student she cheered for the mighty Buccaneers, danced with the Modern Dancers, and played on the basketball team. After graduation, she attended Los Angeles City College in Los Angeles, Calif. and Phillips County Community College.
Major worked with the Civil Rights movement in the 60s. She worked to ensure that young people had opportunities to be successful and to improve the Helena-West Helena community. She served as a member of the Legal Aid Board of Arkansas. She also was a member of the Philips County Parent Advisory Council and a member of the California State Parent Association.
Earlon enjoyed working for the Helena-West Helena School District at the Alternative School for many years. She collected and donated clothes to the needy in the community.
Her mother, Leon Major, grandparents, Levi and Nancy Major and Sally Applewhite and a host of aunts and uncles, preceded her in death.
Earlon leaves her father, Rev. Willie (Neil) Applewhite of Grand Rapids, Mich.; her special companion, Lester Morris of Helena-West Helena; four children, Melvin (Jackie) Major of Fuquay-Varina, N.C., Keynon Bragg Jr., of Lancaster, Calif., Darnell (Elaine) Bragg of Helena-West Helena and Charmonique (Milton) Jones of Memphis; her sisters and brothers, Linda (Henry) Ross of Detroit, Carolyn (Walter) Davis of Lexa, Willie Applewhite Jr. of Michigan, Tonya Applewhite, Crystal Applewhite, Stacey Applewhite, Celestine Applewhite and Lisa Applewhite, all of Grand Rapids; an aunt, Mary Banks of Detroit; her grandchildren, Keynon Bragg III of Lancaster, Calif., Josalynne Cottery, of Memphis, Dominique Bragg of Helena-West Helena, Joshua Bragg of Lancaster, Calif., Jacqueline McGowan of Memphis, Kenya Bragg of Robinsonville, Miss., Kylan Jefferson of Memphis, Darliesha Bragg of Helena-West Helena, Geoni Berry of Texas and Dwayne Major of Fuqua-Varina, N.C.; an adopted grandson, Kavatious Hart of Tunica, Miss.; her special nieces and nephews, Tonya (Charles) Jones, Marilyn Renee Outley, Karla (Willie) Lewis and Alfred Cobson; her sister-in-law, Lula Mae Braggs; her best friend, Orlena Hill; and special cousins, Cory Major, Charles Suggs, Sharon Horton, Michelle London, Stacy Brown, Ramona Jackson, Angela Sims and Sandra McEntire; and a host of other relatives and friends.
Stephens Funeral Home in Helena-West Helena will direct services.
Glenna Barnes Billingsley
HELENA-WEST HELENA - Funeral services for Glenna Barnes Billingsley, 61, of Elaine will be held at 2 p.m. Thursday, May 21, 2009 at the chapel of Roller-Citizens Funeral Home. Brother Harold Danley and Brother Wayne Gore will officiate. Burial will be in Sunset Memorial Park in West Helena.
Billingsley, born March 3, 1948 in Monette, to the late Charlie Emerson Barnes and the late Helen Pitts Barnes, died Tuesday, May 19, 2009 in Clarksdale, Miss.
She leaves her husband, Bob Billingsley of Elaine; a son, Juston Billingsley and wife, Christy of Marianna; four daughters, Cheri Wallace and husband, Clark of Mellwood, Becky Holt and husband, Andy and Sharon Lawrence and husband, Wesley of Elaine and Andrea Whitehead and husband, Tommy of Marianna; ten grandchildren, Jessica Holt, Scottie Patton, Tate Lawson, Kaitlyn Holt, Courtney Patton, Lauren Billingsley, Landy Holt, Gracee Fitzhugh, Dixie Jo Billingsley and C.T. Whitehead; and a brother, Jerry Barnes and wife, Faye of Elaine.
Her parents, Charlie and Helen Barnes, preceded her in death.
Pallbearers will be Mark Billingsley, Dan Billingsley, Jerry Herron, David Herron, Ronnie Hall and Roland Williamson. Honorary pallbearers will be Willis Franklin and Laymon Piercy.
Roller-Citizens Funeral Home will direct services.
