Biographical And Historical Memoirs of Pulaski, Jefferson, Lonoke, Faulkner, Grant, Saline, Perry, Garland And Hot Spring Counties, Arkansas
Patricia Mae Rezanka Mattison
Patricia Mae Rezanka Mattison, age 73, of Gravel Ridge, Arkansas, passed away Saturday, April 12, 2008, at the Baptist Health Medical Center in Heber Springs. Born in Chicago, Illinois, on June 5, 1934, she was the daughter of the late Edward and Elizabeth (Smith) Kopp.
Mrs. Mattison was a former resident of Heber Springs where she lived for sixteen years and retired from Sears as a clerical worker. She then moved to Gravel Ridge where she had lived for the past 16 years. Mrs. Mattison was a member of the V.F.W. Post 5220 of Oaklawn, Illinois. She was a member of the Immaculate Conception Catholic Church. She was preceded in death by her first husband, George M. Rezanka, to whom she was married
for 20 years, and by her second husband, Arthur E. Mattison, whom she was married
to for 15 years. Mrs. Mattison was also preceded in death by her parents and one brother, Joseph Kopp.
She is survived by one daughter, Catherine E. Lesko and her husband, Charles, of Grand Rapids, Michigan, and their two children, Catrina and Nicholas; three sons, Matthew E. Rezanka and his wife, Lou, of Tampa, Florida, and their three children, Cathrine, Allie, and Nate; Christopher M. Rezanka and his wife, Donna, of San Diego, California, and their four children, Christopher, Reed, Payton, and Mason; and Mark L. Rezanka and his wife, Leenette, of Heber Springs, Arkansas, and their three children, David Lee, Mecayla, and Erin; one brother, Edward Kopp, and one sister, Elizabeth Kopp, both of Chicago, Illinois. Mrs. Mattison is also survived by other relatives and her many friends.
Visitation will be held Monday, April 14, from 6:00-8:00 p.m. at Olmstead Funeral Home, Inc. in Heber Springs. Funeral Mass will be held Tuesday, April 15, at St. Albert’s Catholic Church of Heber Springs at 10:00 a.m. with Father John Agbakwuo officiating. Interment will follow in Cleburne County Memorial Gardens. Arrangements are by Olmstead Funeral Home, Inc.
Robert Dean Young
Robert Dean Young, age 78, of Heber Springs, Arkansas, passed away Sunday, April 13, 2008, at the Hospice Home Care in Little Rock. Born in Batesville, Arkansas, on July 14, 1929, he was the son of the late Layefette and Audrey (Haggerman) Young.
A resident of Heber Springs for more than twenty-five years, Mr. Young was a retired construction worker. He was a member of St. Albert’s Catholic Church in Heber Springs. Mr. Young was preceded in death by his wife, Dorothy Young, who passed away in 2004. He was also preceded in death by his parents, two brothers, and one sister.
Mr. Young is survived by two daughters, Roberta Martin and her husband, Robert, of Billerica, Massachusetts, and Terri Young of Heber Springs; two grandsons, Justin Young and Michael Young, both of Murfreesboro, Tennessee; and one sister, Mary Presley of Batesville. Mr. Young is also survived by other relatives and his many friends.
Visitation will be held Tuesday, April 15, from 6:00-8:00 p.m. at Olmstead Funeral Home, Inc. in Heber Springs. Funeral Mass will be held Wednesday, April 16, at 11:00 a.m. in St. Albert’s Catholic Church with Fr. John Agbakwuo officiating. Interment will follow at 2:30 p.m. in the Egner cemetery at Salado. Arrangements are by Olmstead Funeral Home, Inc.
Wain Edward Westerman
Wain Edward Westerman, age 58, of Quitman, Arkansas, passed away Thursday, April 3, 2008, at the Baptist Health Medical Center in Heber Springs. Born in Heber Springs on March 29, 1950, he was the son of Dorothy (Pratt) Westerman Stabbs and the late Olan Westerman.
Wain had been a resident of Quitman for the past twenty-five years and installed floor covering. He was a veteran of the United States Army. Wain enjoyed being outdoors and had many hobbies, including golf, coaching youth baseball, boating, hunting, and fishing. He also enjoyed sports and was a true Razorback fan. Wain was raised in the Church of Christ. He was preceded in death by his father, Olan Westerman, and one sister.
Survivors include his wife, Kathy (McDonald) Westerman of Quitman; two daughters, Becky Vines and husband, John, of Quitman and Brandy Reynolds and husband, Jeffrey, of Tumbling Shoals; his mother, Dorothy Stabbs of Quitman; three brothers, Johnny Robbins of Rose Bud, Alan Robbins and wife, Patsy, of Mississippi, and Ricky Robbins and wife, Tammy, of Blytheville; one sister, Brenda Rosier and husband, Wally, of Heber Springs; and five grandchildren. Wain is also survived by other relatives and his many friends.
Visitation will be held Friday, April 4, from 6:00-8:00 p.m. at Olmstead Funeral Home, Inc. Funeral services will be held Saturday, April 5, at 2:00 p.m. in the Olmstead Chapel with Dr. J. R. DeBusk officiating. Interment will follow in the Heber Springs cemetery. Arrangements are by Olmstead Funeral Home, Inc.
Mary Divine (Dyer) Forbus
Mary Divine (Dyer) Forbus, age 85, of Rose Bud, Arkansas, passed away at home on Friday, April 4, 2008. Born in Little Rock, Arkansas, on June 22, 1922, she was the daughter of the late Isom and Bessie Mae Frederick.
Mrs. Forbus had been a lifetime resident of Rose Bud and retired after eighteen years with the Ely Walker shirt factory in Heber Springs. Affectionately known to all as "Granny Mary", Mrs. Forbus was a member of the Sunshine Circle and the Friendship Freewill Baptist Church where she was responsible for organizing the first Vacation Bible School to be held at the Church. Mrs. Forbus was an avid domino player. She was a wonderful and loving mother and grandmother.
Her husband, Robert E. Forbus, preceded her in death on September 21, 1990. Mrs. Forbus was also preceded in death by one brother, James Frederick of Okmulgee, Oklahoma, and one sister, Thelma Mae Butts of Quinlan, Texas.
She is survived by three daughters, Jayne Hannah and husband, Eldon, of Rose Bud, Sandra Healy and husband, James, of Rose Bud, and Eddy Jean Perkins and husband, Ron, of Port Angeles, Washington; two brothers, Jesse Frederick of Broken Arrow, Oklahoma, and Isom Frederick of Claremore, Oklahoma; two sisters, Joy Long of Tulsa, Oklahoma, and Virginia Frederick of Broken Arrow, Oklahoma; four grandchildren, Kerry Blocker, Robin Caldwell, Robert Hannah, and Paige Tallie; seven great grandchildren, Amy Minger, Sydney Woodell, Ridge Tallie, Nicholas Blocker, and Seth, Sarah, and Caleb Caldwell; two great, great grandchildren, Sarah Divine and Tyler Woodell; and several nieces and nephews. Mrs. Forbus is also survived by other relatives and her many friends.
Visitation will be held Saturday, April 5, from 6:00-8:00 p.m. at Olmstead Funeral Home, Inc. in Heber Springs. Memorial services will be held Sunday, April 6, at 2:00 p.m. in the Friendship Freewill Baptist Church at Rose Bud with Rev. Michael Morrison officiating. Arrangements are by Olmstead Funeral Home, Inc.
Inez DeFoor
Inez DeFoor, age 86, of Drasco, Arkansas, died Friday, April 4, 2008, at the Golden Living Center in Heber Springs. Born May 30, 1921, at Drasco, she was the daughter of the late Arlen and Clare (Martin) Markham.
Mrs. DeFoor was a lifetime resident of Cleburne County. She and her husband, Wytie, raised cows and chickens and sold milk and eggs to many in Heber Springs. They also cleaned and mowed the Antioch cemetery for many years. Mrs. DeFoor was a Baptist and a member of the Drasco General Baptist Church. She was an active member of the Ladies Auxiliary of the Drasco Fire Department as long as her health permitted.
Mrs. DeFoor’s love of flowers was evident by visiting her yard.
Her husband, Wytie DeFoor, preceded her in death in 1991. She was also preceded in death by her parents and one brother, Arvin Markham.
She is survived by her nieces and nephews, H. L. Crawford, William Crawford, Gene Crawford, Shirley Logan, Anita Alexander, and Kathy Jolly. Mrs. DeFoor is also survived by other relatives and her many friends.
Visitation will be held Sunday, April 6, from 3:00-5:00 p.m. at Olmstead Funeral Home, Inc. Funeral services will be held Monday, April 7, at 2:00 p.m. at the Drasco General Baptist Church with Rev. Billy Henderson officiating. Interment will follow in the Antioch cemetery. Earl Wayne Crawford, Brian Crawford, Rusty Dillard, Darryl Hicks, Darren Jones, and Mitchell Galloway will serve as pallbearers. Arrangements are by Olmstead Funeral Home, Inc.
Clyde Wayne Gray
Clyde Wayne Gray, 57, of Heber Springs passed away April 4, 2008, at St. Vincent Hospital in Little Rock, AR. He was born in Little Rock, AR, on October 18, 1950. Clyde was preceded in death by his father, Clyde Wilton Gray and his grandparents, Calvin and Vinnie Lil Gray.
He is survived by his wife, Linda Bartlett Gray of Heber Springs; one son, Christopher Gray of South Haven, MS; one daughter, Loretta Hewitt of Heber Springs; his mother, Velvadean Cates Davis of Heber Springs; three stepdaughters, Vicki Gamble of Dallas, TX, Karen Burgess and husband, Bobby, of Cabot, and Sherrie Gamble of Hot Springs; one sister, Deborah Berberich of Cabot; one brother, Richard Gray of Little Rock; 12 grandchildren and one great grandson, many other relatives and friends.
Clyde was a resident of Cleburne County for most of his life, a well known auto mechanic and enjoyed motorcycles with his friends. Visitation will be held at Olmstead Funeral Home on Saturday, April 5, 2008, from 6:00-8:00 p.m. Funeral services will be held at Center Point General Baptist Church in Quitman on April 6, 2008, at 3:00 p.m. with Rev. Terry Hill and Rev. Bennie Foster officiating. Interment will follow in the Center Point cemetery. Pallbearers will be Stanley Williams, Ricky Whisnant, Michael Jones, Eddie Bartlett, Stanley Bartlett, and Jackie Massey. Arrangements: Olmstead Funeral Home, Inc., Heber Springs.
Dwight Douglas "Doug" Garland
Dwight Douglas "Doug" Garland, age 55, of Higden, Arkansas, passed away Sunday, May 25, 2008, at the Baptist Health Medical Center in Heber Springs. Born in Kaiser, Arkansas, on January 21, 1953, he was the son of the late James and Orpha (Morgan) Garland.
A lifetime resident of Higden, Doug enjoyed the outdoors, and he especially enjoyed hunting and fishing. His religious belief was of the Baptist faith. He was preceded in death by both of his parents; four brothers, James Daniel Garland, William Travis Garland, Tommy Gerald Garland, and Paul Gene Garland; and one sister, Betty June Lawson Garland.
Doug is survived by one brother, Roger Garland and wife Karen of Malta, Illinois; two sisters, Barbara Chalk and husband Hollis of Dennard and Linda Garland of Higden; and seventeen nieces and nephews. Doug is also survived by other relatives and his many friends.
Visitation will be held Thursday, May 29, from 6:00-7:00 p.m. at Olmstead Funeral Home, Inc. Memorial graveside services will be held Saturday, May 31, at 1:00 p.m. in the Higden-McLehaney cemetery. Arrangements are by Olmstead Funeral Home, Inc.
Felna Marie (Beasley) Zellers
Felna Marie (Beasley) Zellers went home to be with her Lord on May 28, 2008, at age 69. She was born in the Pearson community on August 1, 1938, and graduated from Quitman High School in 1957. She was a member of the Pine Street Church of Christ in Heber Springs, and loved working for the Lord. She was preceded in death by her mother, Frances (Hodges) Beasley, and an infant brother, Arthur Lee Beasley. She is survived by Ralph W. Zellers, her husband of 50 years, which they celebrated on February 22, 2008; a son, Larry Lee Zellers of Santa Cruz, CA; a daughter, Sandra Marie (Zellers) Powers and son-in-law Mike Powers of San Ramon, CA; her father, Walter Lee (Bill) Beasley of Heber Springs; a sister, Elaine (Beasley) Fisher and brother-in-law Joseph Fisher of Heber Springs; plus many aunts, uncles, cousins, a niece, nephew, and great niece, as well as countless friends. She was an accomplished artist in both oil and water color paintings, some of which she won awards. Her paintings brought joy to all who saw them, and will be a constant reminder of her life and talent. She also enjoyed working in her flower beds were she could make most anything told hold and grow. She was loved by her family and friends, and will be deeply missed, but will live on always in our hearts.
Family will receive friends from 5-7 p.m. Friday at Olmstead Funeral Home. A memorial service will be held on Saturday, May 31, at 2 p.m. at the Pine Street Church of Christ in Heber Springs with burial following in the Pearson cemetery. Memorials, in lieu of flowers, may be sent to the Searcy Children’s Home, 509 North Main Street, Searcy, Arkansas 72143, or to a charity of the donor’s choice. Arrangements are by Olmstead Funeral Home, Inc.
Mrs. Maxine Emily Williams
Mrs. Maxine Emily Williams, age 87, of Heber Springs, Arkansas, passed away Thursday, May 22, 2008, at the Baptist Medical Center Springhill in North Little Rock. Born in Oklahoma on May 13, 1921, she was the daughter of the late Otis and Emma Pierce.
Mrs. Williams was a homemaker who enjoyed spending time with her children and grandchildren. She had been a resident of Heber Springs since 1984. Mrs. Williams’ religious belief was Baptist. Her husband, Robert Williams, preceded her in death in 1981. Mrs. Williams was also preceded in death by her parents, three brothers, and three sisters.
She is survived by one daughter, Donna Henson and husband, Jim, of Heber Springs; one sister, Effie Dull of Seaside, California; three granddaughters, Cheryl Holliday, Sherry Luetchwager and husband, Bryon, and Deborah Massey and husband, Coy, all of Heber Springs; one great grandson, Dylan Keating of Heber Springs; and two great granddaughters, Ashley Luetchwager and Alyssa Keating, both of Heber Springs. Mrs. Williams is also survived by other relatives and her many friends.
Graveside services will be held Tuesday, May 27, 2008, at 4:00 p.m. at Cleburne County Memorial Gardens with Rev. Lloyd Blanton officiating. Arrangements: Olmstead Funeral Home, Inc.
Mr. Jimmy Dale Hipp
Mr. Jimmy Dale Hipp, age 65, of Greers Ferry, Arkansas, passed away Saturday, May 17, 2008 in Little Rock, Arkansas. Born in Heber Springs, Arkansas, on April 11, 1943, he was the son of the late Jim and Velma Marie (Fullbright) Hipp.
Mr. Hipp had been a resident of Cleburne County all of his life and was a fleet manager in the transportation industry. He was a veteran of the United States Army, having served his country for 6 years. Mr. Hipp was also preceded in death by his sister and one great grand child.
Mr. Hipp is survived by his wife, Judy Hipp of Greers Ferry, Arkansas; three daughters, Christie Adcock of Heber Springs, Arkansas, Rita Spradlin of Ward, Arkansas and Debbie Brickley of Greers Ferry, Arkansas; one son, Rodney Dale Hipp of Rose Bud, Arkansas; two brothers, J.B. Hipp and wife Sue of Mabelvale, Arkansas and Larry Hipp of Greers Ferry, Arkansas; one sister, Susie Beasley of Greers Ferry, Arkansas; and nine grandchildren . Mr. Hipp is also survived by other relatives and many friends.
Visitation will be held Sunday, May 18, 2008 at Olmstead Funeral Home, Inc. in Heber Springs, Arkansas from 5:00 – 7:00 p.m. Graveside Services will be held Monday,
May 19, 2008, at 10:00 a.m. in the Shiloh Cross Roads cemetery with Rev. Kenneth Rolland, Jr. officiating.
Arrangements are by Olmstead Funeral Home, Inc.
Mr. Willie Joe Jenkins
Mr. Willie Joe Jenkins, age 73, of North Little Rock, Arkansas, passed away Thursday, May 15, 2008, at Hospice Home Care in Little Rock. Born in Heber Springs, Arkansas, on February 22, 1935, he was the son of the late Anderson Elmer and Martha Lou (Ramsey) Jenkins.
Mr. Jenkins had been a resident of the North Little Rock area for twenty-two years and was a retired engineer for Merico Bakery. He was a veteran of the United States Navy, and his religious belief was Baptist. Martha Jenkins, his wife of forty years, preceded him in death on September 23, 1998. Mr. Jenkins was also preceded in death by one son, Donney Earl Jenkins, on July 19, 1980, and by both of his parents; two brothers, J. W. Jenkins and Elmer Jenkins; and an infant sister.
Mr. Jenkins is survived by one daughter, Carol Calhoun and husband, Jerry, of Jacksonville; one son, Joie Fay Jenkins of Florida; one brother, Claude Jenkins of Heber Springs; one sister, Connie Davis of Heber Springs; his daughter-in-law, Marsha Jenkins of Lonoke; his sister-in-law, Wanda Jenkins of Vilonia; eight grandchildren, Jeremy Edds, Brad Calhoun, Casey Calhoun, Cody Calhoun, Brandon Jenkins, D. J. Jenkins, Amanda Boyer, and Lynn Jenkins; one great grandson, Tyler Davis; and one great granddaughter. Mr. Jenkins is also survived by other relatives and his many friends.
Visitation will be held Friday, May 16, at Olmstead Funeral Home, Inc. in Heber Springs from 6:00-8:00 p.m. Graveside services and interment will be held Saturday, May 17, at 2:00 p.m. in the McNew cemetery at Greenbrier. Arrangements are by Olmstead Funeral Home, Inc.
Mr. Luther Wayne Rowe
Mr. Luther Wayne Rowe, age 77, of Heber Springs, Arkansas, passed away Monday, May 12, 2008, at the Baptist Health Medical Center in Heber Springs. Born in Arbyrd, Missouri, on February 25, 1931, he was the son of the late Fenion and Maudie (Wheeler) Rowe.
Mr. Rowe attended Arbyrd High School. He was a veteran of the United States Navy, having served four years in the military. Mr. Rowe was a retired employee of Frito Lay, and for most of his adult life, he lived in Lodi, California. He had been a resident of Heber Springs since 2000.
Mr. Rowe was preceded in death by his wife, Nadean Rowe; his parents; and one sister, Linda Rowe Sparks.
He is survived by his brother, Dr. James E. Rowe and wife Virginia of Tumbling Shoals; and one stepdaughter, Brenda Qualls of Galt, California. Mr. Rowe is also survived by other relatives and his many friends.
A memorial service will be held Sunday, May 18, 2008, in the Olmstead Chapel at 3:30 p.m. Arrangements are by Olmstead Funeral Home, Inc., 601 W. Main, Heber Springs, AR 72543.
Judith Ann Crider
Judith Ann Crider, age 52, of Heber Springs, Arkansas, passed away Saturday, May 3, 2008, at Baptist Health Medical Center in Heber Springs. Born on April 9, 1956, in Merced, California, she was the daughter of Richard and Modean (Houston) Crider. She was the granddaughter of the late Parish and Nollye Crider and the late Wycliffe and Sallie Houston. She lived in the Cleburne County area most of her life.
She is survived by her parents, Richard and Modean Crider of Quitman; her brother, Les Crider of Quitman; her sisters, Donna Potts and husband Frank of Quitman and Sharon Nordquist of Jacksonville, Florida; one niece, Kelly Potts of Quitman; two nephews, Christopher Crider and Sean Nordquist of Jacksonville, Florida; her friend and soul mate for many years, Steve Glasco of Heber Springs; and many friends and relatives.
Visitation will be held Monday, May 5, from 6:00-8:00 p.m. at Olmstead Funeral Home, Inc. Graveside services will be held Tuesday, May 6, at 2:00 p.m. in the Center Point cemetery with Rev. Johnny Vaughan officiating. Pallbearers will be Bill Houston, Ray Houston, Odis Houston, Donald Glasco, Brian Riddell, Ricky Ringer, Ronnie Hodges, and Jimmy Dale Crider. Arrangements are by Olmstead Funeral Home, Inc.
Dois Alton Owen
Dois Alton Owen, age 81, of Rose Bud, Arkansas, passed away Thursday, May 8, 2008, at the White County Medical Center in Searcy, Arkansas. Born in Mt. Vernon, Arkansas, on May 12, 1926, he was the son of the late Oliver and Eva (Rushin) Owen.
Mr. Owen had been a resident of Rose Bud for most of his life. He retired from Owens-Corning Fiberglass in Kansas City, Kansas, after 26 years of employment.
Mr. Owen was a veteran of World War II, having served in the United States Army.
He was preceded in death by both of his parents.
Mr. Owen is survived by three sons, D. A. Owen, Jr. and wife, Kimberley, Gary Owen and wife, Holly, and Dewey Owen, all of Rose Bud; one sister, Ruth Baldridge and husband, Jack, of Rose Bud; six grandchildren, and several great grandchildren. Mr. Owen is also survived by other relatives and his many friends.
Visitation will be held Sunday, May 11, 2008, at Olmstead Funeral Home, Inc. in Heber Springs from 6:00-8:00 p.m. Graveside services and interment will be held Monday, May 12, 2008, at 10:30 a.m. in St. Mary’s cemetery with Larry Wilhite officiating. Mr. Owen’s grandchildren will serve as honorary pallbearers. Arrangements are by Olmstead Funeral Home, Inc.
Glenna Mae Sartain Thompson
Glenna Mae Sartain Thompson, age 85, of Quitman, Arkansas, passed away Friday, June 13, 2008, at the Baptist Health Medical Center in Heber Springs. Born in Floral, Arkansas, on February 23, 1923, she was the daughter of the late Henry Alec and Anna Elizabeth (Bowen) Moody.
Glenna Mae had been a resident of Cleburne County for most of her life, and she was a retired employee of Skil Corporation in Heber Springs. She was a member of South Cross Roads Church. Glenna Mae enjoyed gospel music and will be remembered for her positive outlook on life. She was preceded in death by her first husband, Rev. Ferrell Sartain, who passed away in 1998, and by her second husband, Hiram Thompson, who passed away in 2007. Glenna Mae was also preceded in death by four brothers, Doyle Eugene Moody, Ernest Moody, Donald Moody, and Aubry Moody; one sister, Jewell Davis; and one grandson, Mark Ramer.
She is survived by two sons, Larry Sartain and wife, Linda, and Steve Sartain and wife, Candy, all of Greenbrier; three daughters, Linda Ramer and husband, Donnie, of Heber Springs, Judy Freeman and husband, James, of Quitman, and Becky Moore and husband, Rich, of Jackson, Missouri; one stepson, Roger Thompson and wife, Vickie; one stepdaughter, Pat Tidwell and husband, Jerry, all of Quitman; 12 grandchildren, 24 great-grandchildren, and 2 great, great grandchildren and several step grandchildren and step great-grandchildren. Glenna Mae is also survived by other relatives and her many friends.
Visitation was held last night at Olmstead Funeral Home, Inc. Funeral services will be held today, June 15, 2008, at 2:00 p.m., at South Cross Roads Church with Rev. Kenneth Rolland, Jr., Rev. Samuel Wildmon, and Rev. Bennie Foster. Interment will follow at Pearson cemetery. Arrangements are by Olmstead Funeral Home, Inc.
Lorene Francis (Moody) Thomas
Lorene Francis (Moody) Thomas, age 78, of Heber Springs, Arkansas, passed away Saturday, June 14, 2008, in Heber Springs. Born in Pleasant Ridge, Arkansas, on March 3, 1930, she was the daughter of the late John and Ora (Carr) Moody.
Mrs. Thomas was a resident of Cleburne County most of her life where she was a homemaker. She was of the Baptist faith. Mrs. Thomas was preceded in death by her husband, Chester Thomas. She is also preceded in death by her parents and a sister, Nadean Hampton.
She is survived by son, Cloel Thomas and wife, Carol, of Heber Springs, Arkansas; two granddaughters, Robin England, of Banner, Arkansas, and Teressa King, of Batesville, Arkansas; grandson, Lloyd McIllwain of Texas; two great-granddaughters, Lauren McIllwain, of Texas, and Meghin England, of Banner, Arkansas; great-grandson, Gage England, of Banner, Arkansas.
Visitation is Sunday, June 15, 2008 from 6:00 - 8:00 pm. Funeral services are on Monday, June 16, 2008 in the Olmstead Funeral Home Chapel at 2:00 pm. Interment will follow at Mt. Pleasant cemetery.
