Biographical And Historical Memoirs of Pulaski, Jefferson, Lonoke, Faulkner, Grant, Saline, Perry, Garland And Hot Spring Counties, Arkansas
Mar-Keila S. Hawkins
HELENA-WEST HELENA - Funeral services for Mar-Keila S. Hawkins, affectionately known as “Keila, ” 20, of Little Rock and formerly of Helena-West Helena will be held 2:30 p.m. on Sunday, July 5, 2009 at the New Light M.B. Church in Helena with the Rev. Kidd Campbell officiating. Burial will follow in the Oak Grove cemetery No. 3 in Helena-West Helena. Visitation will be on Friday, July 3, 2009 from 6-8 p.m. in the Robert Lee Brown Memorial Chapel.
Mar-Keila Shanelle Hawkins was born in Helena on Jan. 28, 1989 to Marvell E. Hawkins and Kimberly V. Robinson. The family recently relocated to Little Rock about four months ago.
Mar-Keila accepted Christ on Dec. 24, 2000 at the Second Baptist Church in Helena-West Helena.
Mar-Keila received her formal education at Central High School and furthered her education at PCCUA. She was an employee of the Isle of Capri as a dealer. She loved the Lord, people, singing, and dressing up. She was attractive, smart and independent.
She was preceded in death by Joe Willie Hawkins, Henry Robinson, Karen Hawkins, Ardra Oliver, and great grandmother, Eula Mae Moore. She departed this life on Friday, June 26, 2009 at her home.
She leaves to cherish her memory, three children, Kimeila Roston, Taylor Hawkins, and Javaris Austi, Jr.; her mother and stepfather, Kimberly and Quilton Shieds; her father and stepmother; Mar-vell and Mary Hawkins; sisters; Keilantis Pool, Keilandria Driver, Torneisha Hudson, and Taylor Hawkins; brothers; Reginald Driver Jr. and Jalen Hawkins; stepbrothers, Clarence R. Allen II, Terrance J. Allen; grandparents Frankie M. Hawkins, Marva J. Bobo, Phyllis and Jimmy White Sr. and Jessie Mae Wilford; her godmother, Rose Austin; her godfather, Reginald Driver Sr.; fiancé’ Javaris Austin Sr.; uncles, Jimmy White Jr., Lonnie Shields, Phillip Keys, Andrew Bridgett, Rene’ Bridgett and Calvin Hawkins; aunts, Venessa Holloway, Jamesha White, Shunta Shields, Raven Morgan, Cortashia Shields, Bianca Wilford, Denice Crosby, Matlean Bridgett, Francine Hawkins and Margie Hawkins; special friends, Valissa McCray and Carletta Scoggins; and a host of other relatives and friends.
Brown’s Home for Funerals, Inc. will direct the services.
Mable Lee Gates-Porter
HELENA-WEST HELENA - Funeral services for Mable Lee Gates-Porter, 57, of Little Rock and formerly of Helena-West Helena, will be held 11 a.m. today at the New Haven M.B. Church 404 West Street in Helena-West Helena with Rev. Charles Gates officiating. Burial will follow in the Oak Grove cemetery No. 3 in Helena-West Helena.
Porter was born Aug. 2, 1951 to J.B. and Mable Gates of West Helena. She was called from this life to be with our Lord on Tuesday, June 23, 2009.
Porter confessed a hope in Christ and was baptized at a very early age. She was a faithful member of Freedonia M.B. Church of Helena. She sang in the choir and participated in other various youth events and activities.
Later in life, she relocated to Little Rock, and joined St. John M.B. Church under the leadership of Rev. C. Dennis Edwards. In Mable’s earlier years at St. John, she sang in the choir and served on the usher board. She remained a faithful member until her health failed in September 2008.
Mable was a 1970 graduate of Barton High School and a 1976 graduate of Droughn Business College of Little Rock.
She was also the founder and director of Baby Bear Daycare Preschools I and II.
Her father, J.B. Gates, preceded her in death.
She leaves to cherish her memory, her mother, Mable Gates of Helena-West Helena; two sons, Carl Porter Jr. (Cynethia) and Micheal Porter of Little Rock; a daughter, Karlisha Porter of Little Rock; six brothers, John Gates (Carolyn) Nashville, Tenn., Carl Gates (Barbara), Charles Gates (Francis) of Kenosha, Wis., Levon Gates of Helena-West Helena, Sammy Gates of DeSoto, Texas and Arthur Gates (Wendy) of Duncanville, Texas; four sisters; Mary Wilborn (E.C.) of Little Rock, Kathy Jones of Cedar Hill, Texas, Jurlene Parker(James) of Marion and Gloria Cole (Kenneth) of Grand Prairie, Texas; four grandchildren; Brittney Jackson, McKayla Porter, Mallory Porter and Meagh Porter, all of Little Rock; a brother-in-law, Charles Jones of Helena-West Helena; 3 aunts, 8 uncles, a great uncle and a host of nieces, nephews, cousins, and friends.
Special thanks go to Annie Goldsberry and Mary Jennings of Little Rock.
Brown’s Home for Funerals, Inc. will direct the services.
Dorothy Sanders Busby
HELENA-WEST HELENA - Dorothy Sanders Busby, 88, of Tuscaloosa, Ala. and formerly of Helena-West Helena, died Saturday, July 4, 2009 at DCH Medical Center in Tuscaloosa. She had resided with her daughter in Alabama following the death of her husband of 61 years, Homer Busby.
She was preceded in death by her husband, Homer Busby, parents, Alice Wallace and Samuel Sanders; a brother, Samuel Sanders Jr.; sisters, Della Staggs, Bessie Staggs and Florence Reynolds.
She leaves two daughters, Deborah Simmons of Northport, Ala. and Miriam Roberts (Richard) of La Combe, La.; grandchildren, Harry Loyd Rye Jr., Deborah Rye, Ann Rye Mc Caa, Melissa Rye Davis, Allison Roberts, Meredith Roberts, Melissa R. Taulin, Angelle Rodriguez, Kellie Roach and the late Casey Roberts; 16 great grandchildren including Olivia Rye and Austin Rye-Crook with whom she lived; 6 great-great grandchildren, former son-in law, Harry Rye, and numerous nieces and nephews. She is also survived by brothers, Rev. Jesse Sanders of Helena-West Helena, Olive Cox, of Cabot, Mory Dorby of Eight Mile, HI, Cornelia Cavette of Springdale.
Our sweet precious mother left us to be with her Heavenly Father following a short illness. She had lived in Helena-West Helena until moving to Alabama in 2003. She was a seamstress for many years. Her home was the gathering place for relatives to stop by for a visit. We will always remember these wonderful times together. She was a wise and Godly person who was always there for everyone. A celebration and remembrance of her life will be held at Roller-Citizen Funeral Home in Helena-West Helena.
Pallbearers are Bobby Mc Caa, Chuck Davis, Sammy Mc Cory, Ronnie Long, Mike Sanders and Richard Roberts.
Services will be Wednesday, July 8, 2009 at 2 p.m. at Roller Citizens Funeral Home Chapel with burial following in Sunset Memorial Park in West Helena. Visitation will be from 6 to 8 p.m. Tuesday at Roller-Citizens Chapel.
Ella Louise Ruff
HELENA-WEST HELENA - Ella Louise Ruff, 89, of Helena-West Helena died Sunday, July 5, 2009 at Baptist Health Care in Stuttgart. Mrs. Ruff was born March 11, 1920 to William Jasper and Ella Rose Autry in Clay County, Miss.
Mrs. Ruff was a 30-year retired Bookkeeper for the Helena Water Co.
She was of the Presbyterian faith and worshiped at the Cleburne Avenue Presbyterian Church.
Mrs. Ruff leaves 3 grandchildren, Jenny Louise Kerr of Calhoun City, Miss., Todd Tipton and wife, Melanie of Wabash and Candace Corder of Horn Lake, Miss.; 7 great grandchildren, Elizabeth Kerr, Erica Kerr, Justin Tipton, Gabrielle Mora, Wyatt Tipton, Clayton James (C. J.) Corder and Meredith Ponder; and 3 great-great grandchildren; sisters Thelma Dee of Columbus, Miss. and Earline Ables of Helena-West Helena, and brother Gwynn Cantrell of Greenwood, Miss.
Mrs. Ruff was preceded in death by her parents William and Ella Rose Jasper; a daughter, Carolyn Tipton; a sister; and a brother.
Graveside services will be held Wednesday, July 8, 2009 at 10 a.m. with Rev. Don Montgomery officiating. Roller-Citizens has charge of arrangements (870-572-2571). Visitation is Tuesday, July 7, 2009 from 6 to 8 p.m. in the Roller-Citizens Funeral Home Chapel.
Martha Jane Reed (Rose) “Baby Jane, ”
HELENA-WEST HELENA - Martha Jane Reed (Rose) “Baby Jane, ” 68, of Helena-West Helena died Friday, July 3, 2009 at Helena Regional Medical Center.
She was a homemaker and had worked at Helena Sports Wear and the Helena-West Helena Schools cafeteria.
She leaves her husband of 49 years, Herman Reed; a son, John David Reed and wife, Tina Reed; 3 granddaughters, Emily, Sara and Becky, all of Tucson, Ariz.
She was the daughter of the late Wilborn Rose. She leaves her mother, Christine Rose, brothers Ronald Rose of Brickeys and Donald Rose of Siloam Springs; sisters, Wilma Anderson of Forrest City, Wanda Smith of Fort Smith, Kay Webb of Marianna and Judie Akin of Lexa.
Preceding her in death was her beloved sister Peggy Ann Vaught of Marianna.
She was loved by many nieces and nephews. She will be greatly missed.
Services will be held Wednesday, July 8, 2009 at 10 a.m. in the Roller-Citizens chapel with Brother Gary Anderson officiating. Burial will follow in LaGrange cemetery. Visitation will be Tuesday, July 7, 2009 from 6 to 9 p.m.
Travis Lavoris Davis Sr.
HELENA-WEST HELENA - Funeral Services for Travis Lavoris Davis Sr., 24 of Helena, will be held 11 a.m. Saturday, July 11, 2009 at Kincaid Funeral Services Auditorium in Helena-West Helena. Rev. Early Hale Jr. will officiate.
Burial will be in Oak Grove cemetery.
Visitation will be Friday, July 10 from 4 to 6 p.m. at Kincaid Funeral Services.
Davis was born March 24, 1985 in Helena to Joyce Price and Michael Davis Sr. He confessed hope in Christ at an early age at Zion Travel M.B.C. in Mellwood. Travis was an honor graduate of Central High School’s Class of 2003. He continued his education at Crowley Ridge Vocational & Technology School where he majored in auto body mechanics. He loved everything about automobiles. He also attended Phillips Community College where he maintained a 3.5 GPA majoring in graphic design.
His grandmothers, Patsy Rattler and Henrietta Davis, preceded him in death.
He leaves to cherish his loving memory, a son, Travis Davis Jr. of Helena; his mother, Joyce Price and father, Michael Davis Sr., both of Helena; five brothers, Kevin Reynolds and Barron Davis, both of Little Rock, Michael Davis Jr. of Jonesboro, Demetrius Price and Kefrin Davis, both of Helena; two sisters, Tomeka Price of Helena-West Helena and Erica Price of Houston, Texas; three great-grandparents, Betty Versie of Helena-West Helena, Cora and Arthur Booker of Crumrod; 12 aunts, 6 uncles, 2 nieces, 3 nephews; a special friend, Wynesha Williams; and a host of cousins and friends.
Kincaid Funeral Services is in charge of the arrangements.
Pearline Brown
HELENA-WEST HELENA - Funeral services for Pearline Brown will be held 11 a.m. Saturday, July 11, 2009 at the Twin City Church of Christ. Burial will follow in the Oak Grove No. 1 cemetery in Helena-West Helena.
Visitation will be from 6 to 8 p.m. Friday in the chapel of Stephens Funeral Home chapel.
Pearline Brown was born March 16, 1930 to the late Ethel and Charlie Bass in Friars Point, Miss.
She made her final transition form this life July 4, 2009 at 11:08 p.m. at Helena Regional Medical Center.
She accepted Christ at an early age and was baptized at the Pleasant Grove Baptist Church in Trenton. At age 12 she began playing the piano at the Star of Bethlehem Church at Barton and continued until her death.
She was married
to the late William (Pete) Brown and six children were born to their union. She leaves to cherish her memory three daughters, Ethel Brown Sanders, Geneva (John) Gillian, both of Flint, Mich. and Bearnice Brown Amos of Houston, Texas; three sons, James (Kalvis) Brown, William (Helen) Brown and Ulysses (Carol) Brown all of Flint; a brother-in-law, J.T. Brown of Helena-West Helena; 21 grandchildren (one of whom preceded her in death); and a host of great-grandchildren, nieces, nephews, relatives and friends.
Stephens Funeral Home will direct services.
Jerry Lee Ewing, Sr
HELENA-WEST HELENA - Funeral services for Jerry Lee Ewing, Sr., 66, of Helena-West Helena, will be held on Saturday, July 11, 2009 at the P.L.M.& D. District Center in Helena Crossing with the Rev. Calvin L. Frierson officiating. Burial will follow in the Oak Grove No. 1 cemetery. Visitation will be held tonight from 5-7 p.m. in the Robert Lee Brown Memorial Chapel.
Jerry Ewing was born on May 3, 1943 in Poplar Grove to Eva Mayfield and the late Leslie Ewing Sr. He confessed a hope in Christ at an early age at the St. Peter M.B. Church in Lake Ridge. He was a loving, friendly person who always had a smile on his face.
He worked for Young’s Farms for many years. He loved riding his bike, fishing, cooking, gardening and eating. He lived life to the fullest.
His wife, Mary Ann Ewing, father, Leslie Ewing, Sr. and brother, Leslie Ewing Jr. preceded him in death.
He departed this life on Tuesday, June 30, 2009 in Helena.
He leaves to cherish his memory; a loving mother, Eva Mayfield; stepfather, Jerry Mayfield of Helena-West Helena; two daughters, Linda Ewing (Rodney) Beckwood of Chicago and Jackie Ewing of Austin, Texas; a stepdaughter, Nicole Lamar of Helena; four sons, Jerry Ewing Jr. (Janice) of Chicago, Tyrone and John Ewing of Helena, Antwon Montgomery of Memphis; eight sisters, Eva Willis and Gwen Ewing of Helena-West Helena, Ann (Robert) Shelton and Rosemary (Eddie) Uwabor of Little Rock, Betty (Kennedy) Harrell of Jonesboro; Elsie Goldsberry of Jacksonville, Arlene Ewing of Poplar Grove and Linda Ewing of Southaven, Miss.; seven brothers, J.C. Ewing, James Mayfield, Larry (Linda) Mayfield and Mack (Gloria) Ewing of Helena-West Helena, Roy (Della) Ewing of Mellwood, Ill.; Carl Ewing of Calico Bottoms, Austin (Vera) Mayfield of Little Rock and James Ewing of Conway; 12 grandchildren; 12 great-great grandchildren; a very special niece, Darlene (Marvin) Clemmons of Helena-West Helena; and a host of aunts, uncles, nieces, nephews, cousins and friends.
Brown’s Home for Funerals, Inc. will direct the services.
Rosie Mary Dunlap
HELENA-WEST HELENA - Rosie Mary Dunlap, 61, of Lexa, died Monday, July 13, 2009, in Helena.
Mrs. Dunlap was born Aug. 23, 1947, in Pace, Miss. to the late Johnny McCollum and the late Alyne Cook Coslet McCollum.
She leaves two sons, David Vaughn and wife, Peggy, of Greenville, Miss. and William Vaughn of Lexa; two stepdaughters, Lanney Giddens and Judy Cooper, both of Monroe, La.; 11 grandchildren; nine great-grandchildren; and a special first cousin who was like a sister to her, Mary McCall of Lexa.
Her parents and a brother, James H. McCollum, preceded her in death.
Chapel services will be held 2 p.m. Friday, July 17, 2009 at Roller-Citizens. Visitation will be 10 a.m. to noon Friday at Roller-Citizens. Burial will be in Odd Fellows cemetery at Helena-West Helena. The Rev. David Vaughn, Rev. Tony Dyce and Rev. Jonathan Toler will officiate.
Pallbearers are Michael Vaughn, Jim McCall, John Allison, Nicholas Sanchez and Nathan Burkeen.
Roller-Citizens Funeral Home will direct services.
