Biographical And Historical Memoirs of Pulaski, Jefferson, Lonoke, Faulkner, Grant, Saline, Perry, Garland And Hot Spring Counties, Arkansas
Mr. Floyd E. Overbey,
Mr. Floyd E. Overbey, a resident of Fairfield Bay, Arkansas, since 1978, passed away at his home on Sunday, July 13, 2003. Born in Belle Rive, Illinois, on March 18, 1930, Mr. Overbey was 73 years of age. He was the son of the late Charlie E. and Lena (Foster) Overbey. On March 18, 1949, he married
the former Mary L. Helverson in Mt. Vernon, Illinois. Mr. Overbey retired from the United States Air Force with twenty years of service followed by ten years in the Air Force Reserves. For ten years, he was a crew member of the United States Air Force B52 bombers. He was a member of the U.S. Air Force Gunners Association and a life member of the Fairfield Bay VFW. After retiring from the United States Air Force, Mr. Overbey maintained the security systems for the United States Postal Service in Memphis and Shelby County, Tennessee, and also in the states of Mississippi, Louisiana, and Arkansas. Mr. Overbey and his wife came to Fairfield Bay in March of 1978. He served as a Fairfield Bay Volunteer Fireman for 13 years. He and his wife Mary are members of the St. Francis Episcopal Church of Heber Springs. Survivors include his wife, Mary L. Overbey of Fairfield Bay, AR three daughters, Barbara Wagner and her husband, Tom, of Fairfield Bay, AR Karen McTavish and her husband, David, of Kennett Square, Pennsylvania and Debra Lynn Higdon and her husband, Randy, of Memphis, Tennessee one brother, Charles Overbey of Benton, Illinois one sister, Nellie Payne of Belle Rive, Illinois eight grandchildren and five great-grandchildren. Mr. Overbey is also survived by other relatives and his many friends.
Vistation will be held Wednesday, July 16, at Olmstead Woodland Chapel from 6:00-8:00 P.M. Funeral services will be held Thursday, July 17, at 10:30 A.M. in the Fairfield Bay United Methodist Church with The Rev. R. Ewing (Andy) Jackson officiating. Interment will follow at Woodland Memorial Park with military honors. Pallbearers will be Randy Higdon, Dallas Higdon, William Higdon, David McTavish, and Tom Wagner. Honorary pallbearers will be Daniel McTavish, V.F.W. members, and the Fairfield Bay Fire Department. Memorials may be made to Hospice Home Care, 2225 Prince, Conway, AR 72032, or Outreach of the Hills, P. O. Box 1472, Fairfield Bay, AR 72088. Arrangements are by Olmstead Funeral Home, Inc., 601 W. Main, Heber Springs, AR 72543.
Mr. James “Slim” Garland
Mr. James “Slim” Garland, 69, of Glen Rose, Texas, died Sunday, July 13, 2003, in Glen Rose. He was born April 20, 1934, in Beebe, Arkansas, and was the son of the late James W. and Orpha (Morgan) Garland. He was an electrician and retired from Brown and Roots Construction Company. He was a veteran of the United States Marine Corps. He enjoyed coon hunting and working with his thirteen coon dogs and fishing. He was preceded in death by his parents and one sister, Betty J. Lawson. Survivors include five brothers, Paul Garland and wife Mary of Salem, AR Bill Garland and wife Kathy of Creston, Illinois Tom Garland of Sycamore, Illinois Roger Garland and wife Karen of Malta, Illinois and Doug Garland of Higden, AR two sisters, Barbara Chalk and husband Hollis of Dennard, AR and Linda K. Garland of Higden, AR and a host of other relatives and friends.
Funeral services for Mr. Garland will be held Saturday, July 19, at 10:00 A.M. at the Higden-McLehaney Chapel. Interment will follow in the Higden-McLehaney cemetery. His nephews will serve as pallbearers. Arrangements are by Olmstead Funeral Home, Inc., 601 W. Main, Heber Springs, AR 72543.
Sharon Gail Sills
Sharon Gail Sills of Greers Ferry, Arkansas, passed away at her home on Tuesday, August 5, 2003. Born in Hanford, California, on August 8, 1945, Sharon was 57 years of age. She was the daughter of the late Harold Lloyd Sills and Ruby Pauline (Wheat) Sills Phinney. From 1968 to 1996, Sharon lived in Los Angeles, California. She was employed as supervisor of production for Hoffman Electronics for twelve years, where she was elected Chief Union Stewart for five and a half years. She later worked as supervisor of production for Roselm in El Monte, California, for twelve years. In 1996, Sharon moved to Greers Ferry due to health problems. She enjoyed reading, and her religious belief was Pentecostal. Sharon was preceded in death by her parents and one brother, Jerry Sills. Survivors include five brothers, Ken Sills and his wife, Cheri, of Redding, California Larry Sills and his wife, Rhonda, of Oregon Terry Sills and his wife, Brenda, and Mark Sills, all of Tulare, California and Ronnie Sills and his wife, Wanda, of Washington and three sisters, Jeanne Woods and her husband, John, of Greers Ferry, AR Renee Curtsinger and her husband, Bill, of Washington and Lucille Reed of Tulare, California. Sharon is also survived by other relatives and her many friends.
Visitation will be held Thursday, Aug. 7, at Olmstead Funeral Home, Inc. Graveside services and interment will be held Friday, Aug. 8, at 10:00 A.M. in the Shiloh Cross Roads cemetery with Rev. Tommy Covington officiating. Arrangements are by Olmstead Funeral Home, Inc., 601 W. Main, Heber Springs, AR 72543.
Mr. Charles F. Smith
Mr. Charles F. Smith of Quitman, Arkansas, passed away Sunday, August 10, 2003, at the Conway Regional Medical Center in Conway, Arkansas. Born September 7, 1929, in Jackson County, Missouri, Mr. Smith was 73 years of age. He was the son of the late Charles F. and Nora A. (Caryle) Smith. A resident of Quitman for thirty years, Mr. Smith was a retired electronic engineer for RCA Communications. He was a veteran of the United States Army and was a member of South Cross Roads Church at Hopewell. Mr. Smith was preceded in death by his granddaughter, Jonna Paul; his daughter, Kristie Woody, and his granddaughter, Kacie Woody. He is survived by: his wife, Illa M. (Gray) Smith of Quitman, AR one son, Ronald P. Moore and wife, Rosie, of Greenbrier, AR one daughter, Teresa L. Paul of Conway, AR and eight grandchildren. Mr. Smith is also survived by other relatives and his many friends.
Visitation will be held Monday, Aug. 11, from 6:00-8:00 P.M. at Olmstead Funeral Home, Inc. in Heber Springs. Funeral services for Mr. Smith will be held Tuesday, Aug. 12, at 10:00 A.M. at South Cross Roads Church with Rev. Junior Rolland officiating. Interment will follow in South Cross Roads cemetery. Pallbearers will be Eugene Bell, Ward Baldridge, Roger Putt, Leon Adcock, Sam Wildmon, and Michael Crumpler. Arrangements are by Olmstead Funeral Home, Inc., 601 W. Main, Heber Springs, AR 72543.
Mr. James H. Lawson, Sr.
Mr. James H. Lawson, Sr. of Heber Springs, Arkansas, passed away Tuesday, August 12, 2003, at Beverly HealthCare in Heber Springs. Born March 3, 1947, at Sevierville, Tennessee, he was 56 years of age. Mr. Lawson had been a resident of Heber Springs for fifteen years and was a truck driver. He was a veteran of the United States Navy and was a member of the V.F.W. and the American Legion. His religious belief was Baptist. Survivors include his mother, Mary Strange of Heber Springs, AR one son, James H. Lawson, Jr. of Knoxville, Tennessee four grandchildren, and his cousins and aunts. Mr. Lawson is also survived by other relatives and his many friends.
Visitation will be held Thursday, August 14, from 5:00-7:00 P.M. at Olmstead Funeral Home, Inc. A memorial service will be held Sunday, Aug. 17, at 2:00 P.M. at the Rawlins Chapel, 212 Court Ave., Sevierville, Tennessee. Interment will be in the Mattox cemetery at Sevierville, Tennessee. Arrangements are by Olmstead Funeral Home, Inc., 601 W. Main, Heber Springs, AR 72543.
Mr. Ernie T. Davis
Mr. Ernie T. Davis of Greers Ferry, Arkansas, passed away at his home on Tuesday, August 12, 2003. Born November 26, 1932, at Wilson, Arkansas, Mr. Davis was 70 years of age. He was the son of the late Joe Stanley and Birdie (Campbell) Davis. Mr. Davis was the owner of Powell Truck Line and former owner of the Narrows Marina. He was a veteran of the United States Army. Mr. Davis was a member of the West Side Baptist Church at Greers Ferry. He was preceded in death by his parents and a brother, Gaston Davis of Phoenix, Arizona, formerly of Wilson, Arkansas. Survivors include his wife, Shirley Jo (Germany) Davis of Greers Ferry, Arkansas two sons, Clay Davis and Michael Davis, both of Greers Ferry, Arkansas one daughter, Lisa Stracener and her husband, Bill, of Edgemont, Arkansas four grandchildren, Bill Stracener, Jr., Amy Davis Gurley, Chuckie Stracener, and Lindsey Davis Neasand two great grandchildren, Grace Ann Stracener and Garrett Gurley.Mr. Davis is also survived by other relatives and his many friends.
Visitation will be held Thursday, Aug. 14, from 6:00-8:00 P.M. at the Olmstead Woodland Chapel at Edgemont. Funeral services will be held Friday, Aug. 15, at 2:00 P.M. at the West Side Baptist Church with Rev. Al Kerst officiating. Interment will follow in Woodland Memorial Park. Arrangements are by Olmstead Funeral Home, Inc., 601 W. Main, Heber Springs, AR 72543.
Rev. Charles Argus Hall
Rev. Charles Argus Hall of Quitman, Arkansas, passed away at his home on Wednesday, August 13, 2003. Born June 9, 1928, in Wellington, Texas, Rev. Hall was 75 years of age. He was the son of the late Charley and Sybil (Bumpers) Hall. A former resident of Searcy, Arkansas, he was a retired minister and had lived at Quitman for two years. Rev. Hall was a 32nd Degree Mason, and he was an avid hunter, a woodcarver, and a gardener. He was a member of the Howard General Baptist Church at Quitman. Rev. Hall was preceded in death by his parents, two brothers, and three sisters. He is survived by his wife of 56 years, Dean Hodges Hall of Quitman, AR one son and daughter-in-law, Jim and Judy Hall of Searcy, AR one brother, Bill Hall of North Little Rock, AR two sisters, Freeda Hodges of Cabot, AR and Doris Rushing of Heber Springs, AR six grandchildren and seven great grandchildren. Rev. Hall is also survived by other relatives and his many friends.
Visitation will be held Thursday night and Friday at Olmstead Funeral Home, Inc. Funeral services will be held Saturday, Aug. 16, at 10:00 A.M. at Howard General Baptist Church with Rev. Eldin Hodges and Rev. Kerry Smith officiating. Interment will follow in the Goodloe cemetery. Masons will serve as pallbearers. Memorials may be made to Hospice Home Care, Inc. or Gideons Society. Arrangements are by Olmstead Funeral Home, Inc., 601 W. Main, Heber Springs, AR 72543.
James I. McCormick
James I. McCormick of Rose Bud died Thursday, August 14, 2003, at Baptist Medical Center Heber Springs. Born May 24, 1930, in St. Louis, Missouri, he was 73. He was a retired farmer.
He is survived by his wife of 46 years, Veronica McCormick; two sons, Jim McCormick of Heber Springs, and David McCormick, of Rose Bud; two daughters, Debbie Oldham of Dallas, Texas, and Resa Hensley and husband, Eddie of Heber Springs; grandchildren, Preston Oldham of Rose Bud, Damitra Crow and her husband, Colby of Drasco, and Shakonna Hensley of Heber Springs. He is also survived by other relatives and his many friends.
A rosary service was held at St. Albert’s Catholic Church on Sunday evening, August 17, at 7:00 p.m. A funeral Mass was held Monday, August 18, at 11:00 a.m., at St. Albert’s Catholic Church. Arrangements: Olmstead Funeral Home, Inc., Heber Springs.
Willie Joe Nipp
Willie Joe Nipp, of Greers Ferry, was born August 22, 1929 in Obion County, TN and was taken on Friday, August 15, 2003 to the bosom of Abraham to await the Rapture of his Savior.
Joe, as he was known to all, retired from the Navy in 1977 after twenty plus years. As a Petty Officer, Joe commenced his active Naval service in San Diego, CA. From there his duties took him to the USS Floyds Bay, USS Shenandoah, USS Wasp, Patrol Squadron THIRTY, Patrol Squadron FORTY-TWO, Patrol Squadron NINETEEN, Naval Air Station, Memphis, TN and finally Helicopter Combat Support Squadron SIX, Naval Air Station, Norfolk VA. Throughout his extraordinary career, Joe was decorated on numerous occasions, receiving the Navy Unit Commendation, Good Conduct Medal with four stars, Navy Occupation Service Medal, Korean Service Medal, Japanese Occupation Medal, China Service Medal, National Defense Service Medal, Vietnam Service Medal with two stars, United Nations Service Medal, the Republic of Vietnam Campaign Medal, and the Meritorious Unit Commendation. His last tour with the Helicopter Combat Support Squadron SIX was his final chapter in a successful and uniquely productive career.
In 1978, Joe moved to Greers Ferry where he soon began work with the Department of Public Safety in Fairfield Bay, AR. While serving as Chief of Police, he was awarded Manager of the Year in 1988. lie retired from DPS in 1992.
Joe was a member of Pleasant Ridge Baptist Church in Greers Ferry for over twenty years and while serving in many capacities there, he felt the Lord calling him into the ministry. He had served as Pastor there for over eight years until he felt the need to step down due to his Parkinson’s Disease.
In Greers Ferry, Joe served his city as an Alderman on the City Council for many years.
Joe is survived by his wife of twenty five years, Doris Nipp of Greers Ferry; his children Randy Nipp of Jackson, TN; Tim Nipp of Union City, TN; Debbie Griffin of Hixson, TN; and Dana Carek of Little Rock, AR.; his brother Bobby Kent Nipp of Jamestown. NC; his grandchildren, Andrew and Landon Nipp; Don, Melanie and Robert Griffin; and Haden Carek. He was also survived by many other relatives and friends.
He was preceded in death by his parents, Gladys Boston Nipp and Thomas Calvin Nipp of Union City, TN; three sisters, Mary Louise Hurst of Selmer, TN; Margaret Ella Griffin of Union City, TN; and Imogene Bergquist of Tulsa, OK.
There will be a memorial service held on Friday, August 22, which would have been Joe’s 74th birthday, at Pleasant Ridge Baptist Church, Greers Ferry AR at 2 p.m.. Memorials may be made to the Gideons International, P.O. Box 811, Heber Springs, AR. 72543.
Arrangements by Olmstead Funeral Home, Inc.
Mrs. Dicy E. Sparkman
Mrs. Dicy E. Sparkman of Searcy, Arkansas, passed away Friday, August 15, 2003, at Central Arkansas Hospital in Searcy. Born July 9, 1910, at Rose Bud, Arkansas, Mrs. Sparkman was 93 years of age. She was the daughter of the late Milton and Emma (Fortner) Kaylor. A former resident of California, Mrs. Sparkman had been a resident of Searcy for forty years. She was a homemaker, and her religious belief was Baptist. Her husband, George Sparkman, preceded her in death on March 16, 1980. Mrs. Sparkman was also preceded in death by two sons, George A. Sparkman and Charles Dwaan Sparkman. She is survived by one son and daughter-in-law, Thurman and Jo Ann Sparkman of Searcy, AR one daughter, Georgia Sweet of Letona, AR one brother, Pete Kaylor of Heber Springs, AR one sister, Ruby Moore of Sutter Creek, California and several grandchildren. Mrs. Sparkman is also survived by other relatives and her many friends.
Visitation will be Saturday, August 16, at Olmstead Funeral Home, Inc. Funeral services will be held Sunday, August 17, at 2:00 P.M. in the Olmstead Chapel with Rev. Leon Vandivor officiating. Interment will follow in South Cross Roads cemetery. Arrangements are by Olmstead Funeral Home, Inc., 601 W. Main, Heber Springs, AR 72543.
Mrs. Naomi Morgan Thompson
Mrs. Naomi Morgan Thompson of Drasco, Arkansas, passed away Saturday, August 16, 2003, at Baptist Health Medical Center in Little Rock, Arkansas. Born December 3, 1943, at Elaine, Arkansas, Mrs. Thompson was 59 years of age. She was the daughter of the late Baxter H. and Arnettia (Peters) Morgan. On February 11, 1966, she married
Robert H. Thompson. A former resident of Texas, Mrs. Thompson moved to Drasco in 1989 and had lived in the community for fourteen years. She was a homemaker and a loving wife, mother, and grandmother. She enjoyed crocheting, gardening, puzzles and word searches. Mrs. Thompson was a member of the Drasco General Baptist Church and was a Sunday School teacher and also taught Vacation Bible School. She is survived by her husband, Robert H. Thompson of Drasco, AR two sons, Keith Thompson and his wife, Teresa, of Edgewood, Texas and Anthony Thompson of Drasco, AR one daughter, Lorie Thompson of Drasco, AR her stepfather, Leonard Burkes of Smackover, AR three brothers, Larry Morgan of Douglassville, Texas Ralph Morgan of Smackover, AR and Lynn Morgan of Caddo Mills, Texas six sisters, Gloria Jones and Kathleen Burkes, both of Smackover, AR Geneva Wright of Drasco, AR Virginia Roberson of Lufkin, Texas Katherine Lewellyn of Monroe, Louisiana and Tricia Jones of Longview, Texas and four grandchildren, Scott Thompson and Kyle Thompson of Edgewood, Texas and Chris Hipp and Amanda Hipp, both of Drasco, AR Mrs. Thompson is also survived by other relatives and her many friends.
Visitation will be held Monday, Aug. 18, from 5:00-7:00 P.M. at Olmstead Funeral Home, Inc. Funeral services for Mrs. Thompson will be held Tuesday, Aug. 19, at 2:00 P.M. at Drasco General Baptist Church with Rev. Billy Henderson officiating. Interment will follow in the Macedonia cemetery. Pallbearers will be Lester Hipp, Kenneth Martin, Ken Allen, Sam Allen, Kevin Jones, and Randy Jones. Arrangements are by Olmstead Funeral Home, Inc., 601 W. Main, Heber Springs, AR 72543.
Mrs. Sarah May Hester
Mrs. Sarah May Hester of Drasco, Arkansas, passed away Monday, August 18, 2003, at The Lutheran Home in Cape Girardeau, Missouri. Born July 19, 1909, at Concord, Arkansas, Mrs. Hester was 94 years of age. She was the daughter of the late Franklin Pierce and Sarah Ellen (Nelson) Brock. Mrs. Hester was a lifetime resident of Cleburne County. She was a homemaker and a member of the Drasco General Baptist Church. Her husband, Fred Hester, preceded her in death on January 3, 1976. She was also preceded in death by her parents; one son, Arlie Hester; one daughter, Arvena Northrup; and two sisters, Maggie Brock and Emma Brock. She is survived by one son, Arnold Hester of Mt. Home, Arkansas four daughters, Lavella Weldon of Georgia Ava Liles of Drasco, Arkansas Euvon Pool of Cape Girardeau, Missouri and Edith Patulski of Florida and several grandchildren, great grandchildren, and great, great grandchildren. Mrs. Hester is also survived by other relatives and her many friends. Visitation will be held Wednesday, Aug. 20, from 6:00-8:00 P.M. at Olmstead Funeral Home, Inc. Funeral services for Mrs. Hester will be held Thursday, Aug. 21, at 10:00 A.M. at the Drasco General Baptist Church with Rev. Billy Henderson officiating. Interment will follow in the Macedonia cemetery. Arrangements are by Olmstead Funeral Home, Inc.
Mr. Jack W. West, Jr.
Mr. Jack W. West, Jr. of Mabelvale, Arkansas, passed away Tuesday, August 19, 2003, at his home. Born November 7, 1957, at Newport, Arkansas, Jack was 45 years of age. He was a master electrician and was a member of the International Brotherhood of Electrical Workers. Jack was a veteran of the United States Navy. His religious belief was Church of Christ. Jack is survived by his father, Jack West, Sr. of Drasco, AR his mother and stepfather, Barbara and Dean Wallace of Fifty Six, AR one son, Michael Wayne West of Little Rock, AR his former wife, Angie West of Little Rock, AR one brother and sister-in-law, John and Sheri West of Mt. View, AR one sister and brother-in-law, Donna and Charles Coonce of Kansas City, Missouri his grandfather, Delbert West of Drasco, AR two stepbrothers, Doug Wallace and Don Wallace, both of Fayetteville, AR one stepsister, Mary Treat of Timbo, AR two nieces, Alicia Talburt and her husband, Joey, and Shoni West one nephew, Mitchell Havron and one great nephew, Dustin Talburt Jack is also survived by other relatives and his many friends.
Visitation will be held Thursday, Aug. 21, from 5:00-7:00 P.M. at Olmstead Funeral Home, Inc. Graveside services for Jack will be held Friday, Aug. 22, at 2:00 P.M. at the Macedonia cemetery with Bro. Darvin Carlton officiating. Arrangements are by Olmstead Funeral Home, Inc., 601 W. Main, Heber Springs, AR 72543.
