Biographical And Historical Memoirs of Pulaski, Jefferson, Lonoke, Faulkner, Grant, Saline, Perry, Garland And Hot Spring Counties, Arkansas
Mr. Richard Lewis “Beaver T” Johnston
Mr. Richard Lewis “Beaver T” Johnston of Heber Springs, Arkansas, passed away Thursday, July 31, 2003, at Heber Springs. Born October 8, 1946, in Heber Springs, Beaver was 56 years of age. He was the son of Mildred Maxine (Lewis) Johnston and the late James Raymond Johnston. Beaver was a descendant of General Albert Sidney Johnston, who led in the Civil War. Beaver served his country, his church, and his community. In 1972, he received an honorable discharge from the U.S. Navy. He served as a veteran’s service officer, probation officer, and deputy sheriff of Cleburne County. He held many church callings including youth minister, Sunday School teacher, worship team member, and assistant in jail and prison ministry. A lifetime resident of Heber Springs, Beaver served on the School Board, City Council, Optimist Club, and F.O.P. He owned the local skating rink, “Beaver T’s Skateland”, and he coached soccer, baseball, basketball, and football teams. Beaver was talented musician and writer. From a young age, he played drums and sang in bands, including the “T-birds” and “Retreads”. He played for church bands, toured, and recorded “Save the Last Dance”, (Flat-tail Records). Beaver was an accomplished author, publishing the children’s book “A Beaver’s Tale” in 1980. Beaver “never met a stranger”. He enjoyed meeting people and had many friends of all ages and walks of life. He was kind, compassionate, and always willing to help. Beaver was a loving father and grandfather. He was always “there” to listen and advise. He taught his children to love the Lord and serve others. He would spend hours talking and playing with the children. He was a father, a friend, a hero. He once wrote “I figure when I get as old as I’ll ever be, I’ll be as young as I want to be.” Beaver was preceded in death by his father, James Raymond Johnston, and by one brother, Jim Johnston. He is survived by: two sons, Josh Johnston and his wife, Jennifer, of Hopewell, AR and Will Johnston of Hopewell, AR two daughters, April Kapu and her husband, Paul, of Nashville, TN and Summer Johnston of Austin, Texas his mother, Mildred Maxine Johnston of Heber Springs, AR one sister, Jamie Warren and her husband, James, of Little Rock, AR, and their children, James and David, and five grandchildren, Paul, Nicole, John, Gabriel, and Jacob. Beaver is also survived by other relatives and his many friends.
Visitation will be held Saturday, August 2, from 5:00-7:00 P.M. at Olmstead Funeral Home. Funeral services will be held Sunday, August 3, at 2:00 P.M. in the Olmstead Chapel with Rev. Kay Mansell officiating. Interment will follow in the Henderson cemetery. Pallbearers will be Bill Johnson, Sam Querry, Kent Latch, and Danny Byrd.
Arrangements are by Olmstead Funeral Home, Inc., 601 W. Main, Heber Springs, AR 72543.
Mrs. Edna Chalk Rickert
Mrs. Edna Chalk Rickert of Higden, Arkansas, passed away Monday, July 28, 2003, at Baptist Health Medical Center in Little Rock, Arkansas. Born July 27, 1915, at Higden, Arkansas, Mrs. Rickert was 88 years of age. She was the daughter o the late Steve and Sada (Hammond) Chalk. Mrs. Rickert was a homemaker. She was Episcopalian and attended both West Side Baptist Church and Pleasant Ridge Baptist Church of Greers Ferry, Arkansas. She was preceded in death by her husband, Wilhelm Rickert of Scappoose, Oregon, on June 3, 1985. Mrs. Rickert was also preceded in death by her parents; one brother, Willie Chalk; and one sister, Bessie Gadberry, all of Higden, Arkansas. She is survived by: her sister, Virginia Chalk Sanders Cullum of Higden, AR two nephews, Luther Gadberry of Texarkana, Texas and Scotty Gadberry of Greers Ferry, AR two nieces, Janette Jennings of Memphis, Tennessee and Doris Nipp of Greers Ferry, AR two great-nephews, Junior Gadberry of Shirley, AR and Jeremy Gadberry of Greenbrier, AR seven great-nieces, Donna Liebert of Houston, TX Erma Cole of Guy, AR Yvette Boyles of Memphis, Tennessee Lauren Placencia of Huntington, Tennessee Brooke Toelle of Omaha, Nebraska Dana Carek of Little Rock, AR and Reanna Smith of Sunny Slope, AR Mrs. Rickert is also survived by many other relatives. She is loved by her family and many friends, both deaf and hearing. Visitation will be held Saturday, August 2, at the West Side Baptist Church at 1:00 P.M. with funeral services beginning at 2:00 P.M. with Rev. Van Harness officiating. Interment will follow in the Higden-McLehaney cemetery. Pallbearers will be Jeremy Gadberry, Jimmy Lynn Jennings, Charlie Carek, Junior Gadberry, Richard Liebert, and John Farrar. In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made to the Greers Ferry Ambulance Fund. Arrangements are by Olmstead Funeral Home, Inc., 601 W. Main, Heber Springs, AR 72543.
Mr. Marvin Jack Dreher
Mr. Marvin Jack Dreher of Rose Bud, Arkansas, passed away Monday, July 28, 2003, at John L. McClellan Memorial Veterans Hospital in Little Rock, Arkansas. Born November 5, 1942, at Ironton, Arkansas, he was 60 years of age. Mr. Dreher was a dispatcher for Caldwell Milling of Rose Bud. He was a veteran of the Vietnam War, having served in the United States Navy. Mr. Dreher was a member of the Rose Bud Church of Christ. He was preceded in death by his mother, Norma McDonald Dreher, and by one brother, Paul Dreher. Survivors include his wife, Sandra (Moon) Dreher of Rose Bud, AR; one son, Michael Ross of Rose Bud, AR; one daughter, Leslie Singleton and her husband, Todd, of North Little Rock, AR; his parents, Jack and Susan (Brown) Dreher of Heber Springs, AR; one brother, John Dreher of North Little Rock, AR; one sister, Lou Dreher of North Little Rock, AR; and three grandchildren, Shane Dreher, Madallene Ross, and Loren Singleton. Mr. Dreher is also survived by other relatives and his many friends. Memorial services will be held Sunday, August 3, at 2:30 P.M. at the Rose Bud Church of Christ. Interment with military honors will follow in the Rose Bud cemetery. Arrangements are by Olmstead Funeral Home, Inc., 601 W. Main, Heber Springs, AR 72543.
Mrs. Linda Darlene (Towell) Matthews
Mrs. Linda Darlene (Towell) Matthews of Edgemont, Arkansas, passed away Monday, July 28, 2003, at St. Vincent Infirmary Medical Center in Little Rock, Arkansas. Born in Heber Springs, Arkansas, on November 21, 1948, Linda was 54 years of age. She was the daughter of Anna (Wood) Towell and the late Leonard Towell. A resident of Cleburne County most of her life, Linda grew up in Ida. During the past five years, she had lived at Edgemont, and she was a member of the Fairfield Bay Humane Society. Linda was a bookkeeper, and she was employed by Turner Burkett & Associates in Heber Springs. Known as “Nana” to her grandchildren, she was a wonderful grandmother. She was a member of the Presbyterian Kirk of the Hills at Fairfield Bay. Linda was preceded in death by her father, Leonard Lynn Towell. She is survived by her mother, Anna Towell of Heber Springs, AR two sons, Stephen Chastain and his wife, Carla, of Rogers, AR and Mark Chastain and his wife, Robyn, of Arkadelphia, AR two brothers, Leonard Glen Towell of Benton, AR and Irwin Lynn Towell of Heber Springs, AR her husband, Lawrence (Larry) Matthews of Edgemont, AR his three daughters, Laurie Brown, Linda O’Donnell, and Vicki Amen and three grandchildren, Quentin, Cahl, and Cade. Linda is also survived by other relatives and her many friends.
Visitation will be held Wednesday, July 30, from 5:00-8:00 P.M. at Olmstead Funeral Home in Heber Springs. Funeral services will be held Thursday, July 31, at 10:00 A.M. in the Presbyterian Kirk of the Hills with Rev. Bob Hadley officiating. A private interment will follow in Cleburne County Memorial Gardens for family members. Pallbearers will be Donald Southerland, Bruce Southerland, Phillip Smith, Cody Mosier, Gary Endsley, and Mark Goetze. Honorary pallbearers will be Terry Majors, Gary Majors, George Keeter, Bill O’Donnell, John Headen, Chip Blenden, Scott Glaze, and Myron Taylor. Memorials may be made to the Baptist Medical Center Heber Springs Oncology Department. Arrangements are by Olmstead Funeral Home, Inc., 601 W. Main, Heber Springs, AR 72543.
Leona Troxell Dodd
Leona Troxell Dodd, 90, of Rose Bud, died Saturday, July 26, 2003, at Oakdale Nursing Home in Judsonia, Arkansas. She was born April 22, 1913, at Johnstown, New York, and was the daughter of Frank and Clara Anderson. She was a member of Rose Bud First Baptist Church. Mrs. Dodd was a strong church supporter, working with the youth, choir, and WMU. She established the Nolan and Leona Troxell Perpetual Church Scholarship. The church education building was dedicated in 1994 to Mrs. Dodd. She was a member of the National Republican Women’s Committee and had a large part in establishing the Republican party in Arkansas. She was chairman of Arkansas Heart Association, a member of Eastern Star, and PEO. Mrs. Dodd was Dean of Women at Drake University. She is survived by two nephews, Karl Gustafson of Boulder, Colorado, and Dick Gustafson of Oenonta, New York. She was preceded in death by her parents; her husbands, Nolan Troxell and Russell Dodd; and one sister, Jeanette Gustafson. Visitation will be held Tuesday, July 29, at Olmstead Funeral Home from 6:00-8:00 P.M. Funeral services will be held Wednesday, July 30, at 10:00 A.M. at Rose Bud First Baptist Church with Bro. Harrel Cato officiating. Interment will follow at 12:00 noon at the National cemetery at Little Rock. Pallbearers will be C. D. Wright, Kenneth Snider, Don Martin, Clifford Stark, Dale Jobe, and Denny Jobe. Arrangements are by Olmstead Funeral Home, Inc., 601 W. Main, Heber Springs, AR 72543.
Beulah Marie Westerman
Beulah Marie Westerman of Owasso, Oklahoma went to be with the Lord on Wednesday July 23, 2003. Born in Prim, Arkansas on May 15, 1921. Mrs. Westerman was 82 years of age. She was the daughter of the late Charles Edward and Sarah Addie (Everett) Six. She was preceded in death by her husband Floyd D. Westerman on October 20, 1995. She is survived by her son Wendell Westerman, daughter-in-law Doris Westerman, grandson Michael Westerman, daughter Paulette Brannen, son-in-law David Brannen, grandsons Jonathan & Matthew Brannen, sister Vertie Stone, brother Everett Six, sister-in-law Florine Siddall, brother-in-law Otis Westerman. Mrs. Westerman is also survived by other relatives and many friends.
Visitation will be held Saturday, July 26, at Olmstead Funeral Home in Heber Springs between 6 and 8 pm. Funeral services will be held on July 27 at 2 pm at the First Assembly of God Church, 1009 West Searcy, Heber Springs. Interment will be at Shiloh Cross Roads cemetery at Greers Ferry.
Mr. James Allen Williams
Mr. James Allen Williams of Heber Springs, Arkansas, formerly of Pinole, California, passed away at his home on Tuesday, July 22, 2003. Born in Wilburn, Arkansas, on February 27, 1912, Mr. Williams was 91 years of age. He was the son of the late Grover A. and Eva Myrtle (Webster) Williams. Mr. Williams had been a resident of California most of his life and retired from C & H Sugar of Crockett, California, in 1974. He was a veteran of World War II, having served in the United States Navy, and was a lifetime member of the V.F.W. Mr. Williams was a member of the First Southern Baptist Church of Pinole, California. His wife Ruby Jane (Chandler) Williams preceded him in death on July 29, 1987. Mr. Williams was also preceded in death by his parents; three brothers, Edward L. Williams, Charles L. Williams, and Howard L. Williams; one sister, Ruby Warren; and three infants. Survivors include: three brothers, Richard Dale Williams and his wife Joan of Heber Springs, AR Roy F. Williams of Alicia, AR and Eldon Gene Williams of Collinsville, Oklahoma one sister, Beatrice B. Cockrum of Wilburn, AR his nieces and nephews and special friend, Edward C. Delgato and his wife Pam of Pinole, California. Mr. Williams is also survived by other relatives and his many friends.
Visitation will be held Saturday, July 26, from 7:00-9:00 P.M. at Olmstead Funeral Home, Inc. Funeral services will be held Sunday, July 27, at 2:00 P.M. in the Olmstead Chapel with Rev. J. R. DeBusk officiating. Interment will follow in Magness Chapel cemetery. Arrangements are by Olmstead Funeral Home, Inc., 601 W. Main, Heber Springs, AR 72543.
DAVID T. NEIGHBOURS
DAVID T. NEIGHBOURS, A LIFETIME RESIDENT IN THE PANGBURN AREA, passed away SATURDAY, JULY 19, 2003 AT WHITE COUNTY MEDICAL CENTER IN SEARCY, ARKANSAS. BORN AUGUST 10, 1923 TO THE LATE DeWITT AND MARTHA ELIZABETH (BOOKER) NEIGHBOURS, DAVID WAS 79 YEARS OF AGE. HE WAS A RETIRED EMPLOYEE OF THE STATE HIGHWAY DEPARTMENT, A FARMER, AN ARMY VETERAN OF WW11, AND A MEMBER OF WEST PANGBURN COMMUNITY CHURCH, BESIDES HIS PARENTS, DAVID WAS preceded in death BY A BROTHER, WESLEY NEIGHBOURS. HE IS SURVIVED BY HIS WIFE, BERNICE (HALL) NEIGHBOURS OF HEBER SPRINGS, 2 DAUGHTERS, SHIRLEY EVERETT OF CONWAY AND SHARON MOORE OF HEBER SPRINGS, 3 SONS, DAVID D. AND JODY NEIGHBOURS, BOTH OF HEBER SPRINGS, AND DICKIE NEIGHBOURS OF PANGBURN, A BROTHER, MILTON NEIGHBOURS OF CONWAY, A SISTER, ESTELLE COVINGTON OF SEARCY, 10 GRAND-CHILDREN, 4 GREAT GRANDCHILDREN, OTHER RELATIVES, AND MANY FRIENDS.
VISITATION WILL BE HELD MONDAY, JULY 21, FROM 5:00-7:00 P.M. AT OLMSTEAD FUNERAL HOME, INC. IN HEBER SPRINGS. FUNERAL SERVICES WILL BE HELD TUESDAY, JULY 22, AT 2:00 P.M., IN THE OLMSTEAD CHAPEL WITH REV. BENNIE FOSTER AND REV. HENRY HUCKBEA OFFICIATING. INTERMENT WILL FOLLOW IN THE HOWELL cemetery. GRANDSONS AND GRANDSONS-IN-LAW WILL SERVE AS PALLBEARERS: RICHARD NEIGHBOURS, THOMAS NEIGHBOURS, BRIAN DAVIS, CHRIS ACOCK, TONY HODGE, DAVID DRENNAN, JOHN SHOCK, AND RANDY BOOKER. ARRANGEMENTS ARE BY OLMSTEAD FUNERAL HOME, INC., 601 W. MAIN, HEBER SPRINGS, AR 72543.
David H. Hall
David H. Hall, a resident of Edgemont, Arkansas for the past thirteen years passed away Saturday, July 19, 2003 at Baptist Health Medical Center, Heber Springs, Arkansas. The son of the late Thomas Hall and Lucille (Wilder) Hall. He was born June 23, 1943 in Overland, Missouri. David and his family lived in North Little Rock and Jacksonville, Arkansas before making Edgemont their home. He worked as A civil service technician for the Arkansas Army National Guard. He was a member of the National Guard Association, VFW Post #1, American Legion post #1, Hot Springs Showman's Association and North Little Rock Elks Lodge #1004. He was preceded in death by his parents, a son, David Glen Hall and brother Paul T. Hall. Survived by his wife, Jeanette (Jernigan) Hall, daughters, Beverly Hall, North Little Rock, Arkansas, Kimberly Vann Dill of Little Rock, Arkansas and Kathy Hall of Ft. Lauderdale, Florida, two grandchildren, Candice Coyle, North Little Rock, Arkansas and Krystle Morris of Broken Arrow, Oklahoma. He is also survived by other relatives and His many friends.
Visitation for family and friends is at Olmstead Funeral Home Monday evening 6-8 pm. The funeral service is Tuesday at 10:00 am in the Olmstead Funeral Chapel with Rev. D.C. Moody conducting the service. Interment services are at Rest Hills cemetery at Sherwood Arkansas. David made friends every where he went, and had so many friends that his family would like to consider all of you honorary pallbearers. Arrangements are by Olmstead Funeral Home, Inc.
Mrs. Virginia Winter
Mrs. Virginia Winter of Pangburn, Arkansas, passed away Thursday, July 17, 2003, at Baptist Health Medical Center in Heber Springs. Born in Keeler, California, on January 19, 1935, Mrs. Winter was 68 years of age. She was the daughter of the late Cruz and Francis (Baxter) Sainz. Mrs. Winter had been a resident of Ridgecrest, California, most of her life before moving to Pangburn, where she and her husband Joseph have lived for the past year. She was a mother and homemaker and enjoyed painting and crocheting. Mrs. Winter was a member of St. Albert’s Catholic Church in Heber Springs. She is survived by her husband, Joseph Winter of Pangburn, Arkansas two sons, Douglas Winter and his wife, Andrea, of Nipmoma, California and Richard Winter and his wife, Debbie, of Carson City, Nevada three daughters, Debra Grimes and her husband, Robert, of Ridgecrest, California Elaine Dean and her husband, Terry, of Hesperia, California and Susan Poore and her husband, James, of Heber Springs, AR one brother, Jerry Sainz and his wife, Pat, of California two sisters, Judy McCloud and her husband, Keith, of Arizona and Patty Battelo of California fifteen grandchildren, Christian Foster of Heber Springs, AR Brianna Branson of California Hunter Poore of Heber Springs, AR Colby McElory of Heber Springs, AR Jason Branson of California Tim Poore of Heber Springs, AR Jennifer McElory and her husband, Michael, of Heber Springs, AR Bertiz Haile and her husband, Matthew, of Heber Springs, AR Daniell Dean of California James Poore of Heber Springs, AR Justine Winter of California Brian Dean of California Anthony Winter of Nevada Lacy Winter of Nevada and Kile Winter of California and four great grandchildren: Brandon Grimes, Samantha Grimes, Daniell Grimes, all of California and Issac Dean of Arizona Mrs. Winter is also survived by other relatives and her many friends.
A Rosary will be held Sunday, July 20, at 7:00 P.M. at St. Albert's Catholic Church. Funeral mass will be held Monday, July 21, at 9:00 A.M. at St. Albert’s Catholic Church. Arrangements are by Olmstead Funeral Home, Inc., 601 W. Main, Heber Springs, AR 72543.
Mrs. Charlsie Virginia Wheatley
Mrs. Charlsie Virginia Wheatley of Rose Bud, Arkansas, passed away Thursday, July 17, 2003, at White County Medical Center in Searcy, Arkansas. Born in Pearson, Arkansas, on August 3, 1920, Mrs. Wheatley was 82 years of age. She was the daughter of the late R. E. and Carrie (Bailey) Simmons. Mrs. Wheatley was a resident of Texas City from 1947 until she moved to Rose Bud in 1980. She was a babysitter and homemaker. Mrs. Wheatley was a member of the Home Extension Club and enjoyed crocheting and crafts. She was a member of the Friendship Free Will Baptist Church. Her husband Ashley T. Wheatley preceded her in death in 1979. Survivors include: one brother, Doyle Simmons of Heber Springs, AR and three sisters, Floy Elliott of Alexandria, Louisiana Annie Jewell Brooks of Rose Bud, AR and Blanche Stogsvill of Vermillion, South Dakota Mrs. Wheatley is also survived by other relatives and her many friends.
Visitation for Mrs. Wheatley will be held Saturday, July 19, from 6:00-8:00 P.M. at Olmstead Funeral Home, Inc. Funeral services will be held Sunday, July 20, at 2:00 P.M. in the Friendship Free Will Baptist Church with Rev. Michael Morrison officiating. Interment will follow in the Pearson cemetery. Doyle Simmons, Steven Simmons, Larry Brooks, Sean Brooks, Tukie Severe, and Frank Bumpus will serve as pallbearers. Arrangements are by Olmstead Funeral Home, Inc., 601 W. Main, Heber Springs, AR 72543.
Mr. James Watson Luster
Mr. James Watson Luster of Heber Springs, Arkansas, passed away Tuesday, July 15, 2003, at Beverly HealthCare in Heber Springs. Born in Batesville, Arkansas, on April 30, 1903, Mr. Luster was 100 years of age. He was the son of the late Mark and Erie (Grimes) Luster. Mr. Luster was a former resident of Batesville and had lived in Heber Springs for twenty years. He was a retired wholesale meat distributor. Mr. Luster was a member of the First Baptist Church of Heber Springs. He is survived by his wife, Murle Bell Luster of Heber Springs, AR one daughter, Jimmie Lynn Watters of Batesville, AR two stepsons, Larry Bell and wife Royia of Lake Charles, Louisiana and Don Bell and wife Elaine of Eudora, Kansas two stepdaughters, Linda Hutchinson and husband Bernie of Fairhope, Alabama and Diane Johnston and husband Bill of Heber Springs, AR ten grandchildren, five great-grandchildren, and his special friends, Mr. and Mrs. Buford Bettis of Batesville, AR Mr. Luster is also survived by other relatives and his many friends.
Visitation will be held Wednesday, July 16, from 6:00-8:00 P.M. at Olmstead Funeral Home in Heber Springs. Funeral services will be held Thursday, July 17, at 2:00 P.M. in the First Baptist Church of Heber Springs with Rev. J. R. DeBusk officiating. Interment will follow in Oaklawn cemetery at Batesville, AR. Memorials may be made to the Central Avenue United Methodist Church of Batesville or the First Baptist Church of Heber Springs. Arrangements are by Olmstead Funeral Home, Inc., 601 W. Main, Heber Springs, AR 72543.
Mr. Oscar Odell Patchell
Mr. Oscar Odell Patchell of Heber Springs, Arkansas, passed away at his home on Monday, July 14, 2003. Born in Quitman, Arkansas, on September 12, 1919, Mr. Patchell was 83 years of age. He was the son of the late Thomas Earl and Ethel (Hicks) Patchell. Mr. Patchell was a lifetime resident of Cleburne County and was a retired wholesale grocer and owner of Heber Springs Wholesale Grocery. He served as a member of the School Board for 18 years and was a member of the Heber Springs Hospital Board at the time the new hospital was built. Mr. Patchell was a past board member of the Heber Springs State Bank and a member of the Young Men’s Business Club. He was a member of the First United Methodist Church of Heber Springs and taught the Friendly Sunday School Class for over 50 years. Mr. Patchell was preceded in death by his wife, Wilma Annis (Beasley) Patchell, on November 25, 1993. He was also preceded in death by three brothers, Cecil Patchell, George Patchell, and Leon Patchell, and one sister, Nellie Patchell. He is survived by one son, Jim Patchell and his wife, Jackie, of Heber Springs, AR one brother, T. E. Patchell of Heber Springs, AR one sister, Mildred Love of Springdale, AR two grandchildren, Jimmy Patchell of New Orleans, Louisiana and Brent Patchell and his wife, Vacal, of Heber Springs, Arkansas and two great-grandchildren, Drew and Sydney. Mr. Patchell is also survived by other relatives and his many friends.
Visitation will be held Tuesday, July 15, from 5:00-6:00 P.M. at Olmstead Funeral Home, Inc. in Heber Springs. Funeral services will be held Wednesday, July 16, at 10:00 A.M. in the First United Methodist Church with Rev. Charle Cayton and Rev. William Womack officiating. Interment will follow in Cleburne County Memorial Gardens. Pallbearers will be Mark Duncan, Jack Rhodes, Keith Cathey, Otto Laster, Jade Goldman, and Emery Bittle. Honorary pallbearers will be Jerome Johnson, Chuck Buchman, Bill Kingsbery, Joe Wilson, Bill Rankin, Doy Duncan, Felts Rector, S. B. Rector, Earl Lang, and Roy Eden. Arrangements are by Olmstead Funeral Home, Inc., 601 W. Main, Heber Springs, AR 72543.
Mrs. Lola Muriel Willis
Mrs. Lola Muriel Willis of Heber Springs, Arkansas, passed away Saturday, July 12, 2003, at her home. Born in Prim, Arkansas, on October 28, 1914, Mrs. Willis was 88 years of age. She was the daughter of the late Dennie G. and Sena E. (Butler) Calhoun, Sr. Mrs. Willis was a mother and homemaker, and she had been a resident of Arkansas most of her life. Her religious belief was of the Baptist faith. She was preceded in death by her husband, James Roy Willis, Sr.; one son, Melvin Curtis Willis; and two sisters, Edna Hoppe and Ina Pauline Evans. Mrs. Willis is survived by four sons, James Willis, Jr. and his wife, Oraetta, of Heber Springs, AR Sidney Clabe Willis and his wife, Violet, of Heber Springs, AR Buddy Willis and his wife, Betty, of Duncan, Oklahoma and Ronnie Willis and his wife, Sandra, of Beebe, AR three daughters, Edna Deloris Boucher and her husband, Floyd, of Heber Springs, AR Charlotte Clark and her husband, Wenzell, of Kellyville, Oklahoma and Linda Howell and her husband, Lannie, of Benton, AR four brothers, Eugene Calhoun, Dennie Calhoun, Jr., Clay Calhoun, and John Norris three sisters, Earline Dodd, Cassie Michaud, and Camilla Kipertes 28 grandchildren, 46 great grandchildren, and 3 great, great grandchildren. Mrs. Willis is also survived by other relatives and many friends.
Visitation will be held Monday, July 14, from 6:00-8:00 P.M. at Olmstead Funeral Home, Inc. in Heber Springs. Funeral services will be held Tuesday, July 15, at 10:00 A.M. in the Olmstead Chapel with Bro. Rick Hershberger officiating. Interment will follow in the Everett cemetery. Pallbearers will be Donald Clark, Jonathan Willis, Clinton Howell, Matthew Howell, David Clark, and Roy Dean Willis. Honorary pallbearers will be David Weston, Douglas Evans, Kale Willis, and Mark Tilley. Arrangements are by Olmstead Funeral Home, Inc., 601 W. Main, Heber Springs, AR 72543.
