Biographical And Historical Memoirs of Pulaski, Jefferson, Lonoke, Faulkner, Grant, Saline, Perry, Garland And Hot Spring Counties, Arkansas
Clara Thomas
(February 13, 1928 - July 3, 2011)
Clara Osburn Thomas, age 83, of Arkadelphia, died Sunday, July 3, 2011 in Arkadelphia. She was born February 13, 1928 in Blevins, Arkansas, one of nine children to A. B. and Clarender Peyton Osburn. Clara was a retired secretary for the Arkadelphia Public Schools and was a member of Pine Street Church of Christ.
She was preceded in death by her husband, Billy D. Thomas on April 23, 1986.
Survivors are her two sons, David Thomas and wife, Linda of Midland, Texas, Kent Thomas and wife, Theresa of Arkadelphia; one sister, Doris Millican of El Dorado, Arkansas; four grandchildren, Micayla Anders and husband, Andy, and Bryce Thomas all of Abilene, Texas, Peyton Thomas and Perri Thomas both of Arkadelphia; and one great-granddaughter, Avery Anders of Abilene, Texas.
Funeral services will be at 2:00 PM Wednesday, July 6th at Pine Street Church of Christ with Jim Buie officiating. Burial will be in Rest Haven Memorial Gardens. Visitation will be 6-8 PM Tuesday at Ruggles-Wilcox Funeral Home.
Natalie Rene Cox
(September 23, 1962 - October 3, 2011)
Natalie "Lee" Rene Cox age 49, of Arkadelphia died Monday, October 3, 2011 in Hot Springs. She was born September 23, 1962 the daughter of James Lee Phillips and Diane Hummell. Lee served in the U. S. Navy and Army Reserve for twelve years, was a Persian Gulf War veteran and received numerous awards. She was a nurse for the Clinic for Children and Young Adults in Arkadelphia for nine years. She loved music and attending various musical concerts with her daughter.
She was preceded in death by her father, James Lee Phillips.
Survivors include her husband of twenty-one years, Wayne Cox; one daughter, Nicole Rene Cox of Arkadelphia; her mother, Diane Hummell of Lakeland, Florida; one brother, Jim Phillips of Michigan.
Funeral services will be 1:00 PM Saturday, October 8th in the Ruggles-Wilcox Funeral Home Chapel with burial in Rest Haven Memorial Gardens.
Richard D. Schmid
(October 22, 1948 - September 14, 2015)
Dr. Richard D. Schmid, age 66, of Arkadelphia, died Monday, September 14, 2015. He was born October 22, 1948, in Joliet, Illinois to Kurt and Shirley Wendt Schmid. He was a retired professor of Counselor Education at Henderson State University and previously taught at Concordia University-Chicago. Dr Schmid served for several years as a board member for Arkansas Board of Examiners and Counseling. As a final gift to others, he was a organ donor.
He was preceded in death by his parents, one son, David Steven Schmid; two brothers, Kurt Schmid and David Schmid.
Survivors are his wife, Patti (Dusty) Schmid; one daughter, Lisa Schmid Fray of Little Rock; two grandchildren, Steven Fray and Sophia Fray; siblings, Ann Nagel, Steve Schmid, John Schmid, Libby Welsch all of Northern Illinois, and special friend, Amy Gilbert Muse.
Visitation will be 5-7 pm Friday, September 18th at Ruggles-Wilcox Funeral Home.
Services will 10:00 am Saturday, September 19th at First Lutheran Church 314 E. 8th St. Little Rock, AR. 72202 with Pastor Ron Bacic officiating. Interment will follow at Rest Hills Memorial Park in North Little Rock.
In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made to the Richard and David Schmid Counselor Education Scholarship Fund at Henderson State University Box 7550 Arkadelphia, AR. 71923.
Carlise Campbell
(March 14, 1930 - May 27, 2011)
Carlise Campbell age 81 of Arkadelphia, passed from this life on Friday, May 27, 2011 at Baptist Medical Center in Arkadelphia. He was born March 14, 1930 in Beirne, Arkansas, the son of the late James Mott & Katie Bozman Campbell. Carlise was a retired New York City Motorman and a member of Mt Morriah Baptist Church at Gurdon. He was preceded in death by one son Keith, six brothers, six sisters and four grandchildren.
Carlise is survived by his wife Willa Dean Smith Campbell of the home, four sons, Derek Campbell of New York City, NY, Carl and Craig Campbell and Brian Carter all of Arkadelphia, three daughters, Karen (Mark) and Julia Campbell both of Arkadelphia and Cyd Charisse Campbell of New York City, NY, fifteen grandchildren and eighteen great grandchildren.
Funeral services will be held at 1:00 PM Wednesday, June 1, 2011 at Greater Pleasant Hill Baptist Church with Dr. Lewis Shepherd officiating. Interment will be in the Beirne cemetery.
Visitation will be from 6:00 to 7:00 PM Tuesday at Welch Funeral Home.
Pallbearers are James Lockett, John Elmer Bell, Cornell Lockett, Cortez Lockett, Hasim Dudley and Vernon Williams.
Honorary pallbearers are Derek R. Campbell, Carl Campbell, Craig Campbell, Brian Carter, Jeffrey Campbell, Derek T. Campbell, David Campbell and Mark Dudley.
Joshua Meeks
(July 2, 1991 - May 9, 2011)
Josh Meeks, age 19 of Gurdon, died Monday May 9, 2011. He was the son of Kevin and Pam Krueger, born in Fayetteville Arkansas July 2, 1991. He was a Graduate of Gurdon High School class of 2010, and was employed by H & P Industries.
He is survived by his parents, Kevin and Pam Krueger of Gurdon, 2 brothers, Christopher Meeks of Nashville, AR., Kevin Krueger Jr. of Gurdon, 2 sisters, Jessica Smallwood and husband (Jason) of Nashville, AR., Tiffany Krueger of Gurdon, grandmother, Mary Premont of Gurdon, 2 aunts, Karen Tucker and Lucy Glass, one niece and nephew Alexcia and Demonta Smallwood, six cousins, Christina Stuart, Tonya Arnold, Justin Tucker, Robert Glass Jr., Crystol Johnson and Johnny Glass . He also survived by many more family members and friends.
Graveside services will be Friday May 13, 2011 at 5:00 pm at the Rose Hedge cemetery in Gurdon. Visitation will be 6-9 pm at the Ruggles-Wilcox Funeral Home in Arkadelphia. Pallbearers will be, Christopher Meeks, Jason and Andrew Smallwood, Justin Tucker, Jacob Blair, and Sharyle Bowie.
Glenda A. McKa
(January 14, 1946 - August 21, 2011)
Glenda Gray McKa age 65 of Malvern, formerly of Arkadelphia, died Sunday. She was born January 14, 1946 the daughter of Leston and Eunice Davidson Grey. She was retired from Arkadelphia Public Schools and a former beautician. Glenda enjoyed cooking and sewing and was an avid Razorback fan. She was preceded in death by her parents and infant son, Scotty DeWayne McKa.
Survivors include one daughter, Shalon Mcka Doss and her husband John of Malvern, three sisters, Adell Riggan and her husband Cletis, Sharon McMahan and her husband Jerry all of Brown Springs, and Wilma Cummings and her husband James of Malvern, two grandchildren, Patrick Doss and Jewell Elise Doss and several nieces and nephews.
Funeral services will be 10 AM Wednesday in the Ruggles-Wilcox Funeral Chapel in Arkadelphia with Rev. Paul Bass and Rev. Caleb Lewis officiating. Burial will be in the Jones cemetery at Brown Springs. Visitation will be 6-8 PM Tuesday at the funeral home.
Lora Marie Langston
(April 7, 1977 - June 1, 2011)
Lora M. Langston, age 34 of Bismarck, formerly of Springdale, passed from this life on Wednesday, June 1, 2011 at Arkansas Hospice in Hot Springs. She was born on April 7, 1977 in Soldonta, Alaska, the daughter of Roy Leon and Karen Sue Henneck Langston. Lora was a manager for Pizza Hut and a member of Bismarck Church of Christ. She was a cum laude graduate of Henderson State University.
Lora is survived by her parents Roy and Sue Langston of Bismarck, two sisters, Lisa Langston of Arkadelphia and Lacy Langston of Hot Springs, John Grotjohn of Springdale, her aunt Liz Chandler and numerous cousins in Malvern and Conway.
A celebration of Lora's life will be held Sunday, June 5th, 2011 at Iron Mountain Lodge at Lake DeGray from 2:00 to 6:00 PM.
Memorials may be made to UAMS, 4301 West Markham #716, Little Rock, AR 72205.
Cremation arrangements are entrusted to Welch Funeral Home of Arkadelphia.
Margell Hartsell
(November 21, 1933 - November 17, 2011)
Margell Efird Hartsell age 77 of Caney, AR died Thursday, November 17, 2011. She was born November 21, 1933 in Hot Spring County the daughter of Vernon and Ruby Simondes Efird. She was a retired billing clerk for CalArk Turcking and a member of the Caney Missionary Baptist Church. She was the widow of Cecil Hartsell.
Survivors include one son, Vernon Hartsell and his wife Donna of Caney, one brother, G. V. "Mutt" Efird and his wife Elderie of New DeRoche, two sisters, Estelle Wilson and her husband Louie and Laverne Cagle and her husband Tommy all of Caney, three grandchildren, Shane (Deana) Hartsell, Brandon (April) Hartsell, and January Baumgardner (Kyle) Schultz, five great grandchildren, Chase, Katelyn, and Cayden Hartsell and Cade and Karigan Beckwith.
Funeral services will be 10 AM Saturday in the Caney Missionary Baptist Church with Brother Robert Cossey and Brother Ralph Ruffin officiating. Burial will be in the Hickory Grove cemetery. Visitation will be 6-8 PM Friday at the Ruggles-Wilcox Funeral Home in Arkadelphia.
Memorials may be made to the Caney Missionary Baptist Church Building Fund C/O Sandy Rogers, 4118 Hwy 128, Bismarck, AR 71929 or Arkansas Alzheimer's Association, 10411 W. Markham, Suite 130, Little Rock, AR 72205-1409.
Marilyn Juanita Malcom
(July 15, 1927 - November 22, 2012)
Marilyn Juanita Chitwood Malcom, 85, of Curtis died Thursday, November 22, 2012 at Twin Rivers Nursing Home in Arkadelphia.
Marilyn was born in Curtis, AR to Earl and Ida Belle Dunn Chitwood on July 15, 1927 and remained a Curtis resident throughout her life. She was a member of Curtis First Baptist Church. Marilyn spent many of her happiest years working at the Holiday Inn in Caddo Valley and lived each day sharing her endearing smile that will be missed by all who knew her.
Survivors include one daughter, Sandra Blanton; two sons, Rusty Malcom(Sue); Tommy Malcom (Karen) all of Curtis; two sisters, Earlene Hughes of the Fendley Community; Peggy Fendley(Ruben) of Arkadelphia; five grandchildren; five great-grand children; and many dear friends.
Visitation will be from 6-8 pm at Ruggles-Wilcox Funeral Home on Saturday, November 24th. Funeral service will be held at Ruggles-Wilcox Funeral Home Chapel on Sunday, November 25th at 2 pm, with burial in the Hart's Chapel cemetery near Curtis.
Memorials may be made to the Hart’s Chapel cemetery Fund.
Weldon Stanley Masters
(October 4, 1932 - July 12, 2011)
U.S. Veteran
Weldon Stanley Masters, age 78 of Bismarck died Tuesday, July 12, 2011. He was born October 4, 1932 in Pittsburg, NH, the son of Weldon Irvin and Florence Foster Masters. He was a Methodist, an Air Force Veteran of the Korean War and a self employed truck driver.
He is survived by his wife of 56 years Laverne Parker Masters, one son Mike Anthony Masters of Michigan, one daughter Stella Marie Seale of Bismarck, AR, one brother, Larry Masters of Virginia, four sisters, Juanita Francour of Westbrook, MN, Ethel Delcort of Graham, Maine, Betty Johnson of Orford, NH and Rita Lyons of Tyler, TX, four grandchildren and two great grandchildren.
A memorial service will be held at a later date.
Jeanette Fite Rinkle
(December 11, 1943 - March 7, 2012)
U.S. Veteran
Grace Jeanette Rinkle, 68, of Gurdon, formerly of New Augusta, Miss., peacefully passed to her Heavenly home to be reunited with her beloved son, Troy, on March 7, 2012. She was surrounded by her family at the moment of her death. She was born Dec. 11, 1943, in Dayton, Ohio. She was preceded in death by one son, Troy Fite; and the fathers of her children, Roy Fite and Daniel Rinkle.
She is survived by her sons, Glen Fite and Wendy Ledbetter-Fite of the home, Cecil Fite and Connie of Joan and Randy Fite and Trish of New Augusta, Miss.; two daughters, Colene Jackson of Joan and Dixie Boggs and Larry of Cabot; grandchildren, Ashley and Troy Fite of New Augusta, Miss., Kevin, Blake and Colton Abbott of Malvern, Jimmy Fite of Hot Springs, Cathy Fite of Haskell, William Bauman of Cabot, Jake Barnett of Malvern, Aaron Barnett of Benton, Eric Barnett of Joan, Tony Stringfellow of Bismarck, John Stringfellow of Leola, Leslie Fite of Arkadelphia, Hollie Trollinger of Lincoln, Alisha Forsman of Fort Smith, Larry Boggs of Clarksville and Amber Boggs of Cabot; and a beloved great-granddaughter, Abbey Grace Dennis.
Graveside services by Ruggles-Wilcox Funeral Home will be Sunday, March 11th, at 2 p.m. at Round Hill cemetery near Joan. A funeral procession from the funeral home will begin at 1:15 p.m. Visitation will be Saturday evening, 6-8 p.m. at Ruggles Wilcox Funeral Home of Arkadelphia. Memorials may be made to Round Hill cemetery fund.
Pamela Joy Zoller
(December 17, 1946 - June 7, 2011)
Pamela Joy Zoller age 64 of Arkadelphia passed from this life on Tuesday, June 7, 2011 at her home. She was born December 17, 1946 in Minneapolis, MN the daughter of the late Robert Alan and Shirley Chapin Judge. Pam was a retired Interior Decorator specializing in custom draperies.
Survivors are her husband James Zoller of the home, one daughter Jennifer Nicole Bailey of Overland Park, KS, one step daughter Tracy Stephens of Cameron Park, CA, one step son Casey Zoller of Elk Grove, CA, one brother Donald Judge of Arkadelphia and nine grandchildren.
No services are planned.
Cremation arrangements are entrusted to Welch Funeral Home of Arkadelphia.
Eula Ruth Harrison
(March 22, 1922 - July 13, 2011)
Eula Ruth "Sissy" Harrison of Little Rock died Wednesday July 13, 2011 at the age of 89 years old. She was born March 22, 1922 in Okolona Arkansas, the daughter of James Oscar and Annie Byrd Feimster Jones. She was a member of the St. Luke's United Methodist Church, a member of the Pilot Club of Little Rock, an active member of the Pilot Club of Ft. Smith, a past Governor of the Arkansas and Oklahoma District of Pilot International, a member of the Gold Star Wives and Telephone Pioneers. Eula Ruth began working for S.W. Bell Telephone Company in 1941 as the first left handed switchboard operator in her area and later retired in 1983 as an Office Administrator. One of Eula Ruth's greatest pleasures was watching Arkansas sports. She traveled to many Razorback basketball and football games over the years with the Back of the Bus Razorback club. She assisted this group with many fundraising activities with proceeds going to the Arkansas Razorback Foundation. Sissy was privileged to attend all the Razorback football games played for fifteen years. She also attended all UALR and Fayetteville basketball games for fifteen years. Eula Ruth enjoyed spending time at Davidson Methodist Campground outside of Arkadelphia. This campground was established in 1884 and is one of the oldest in the nation and the largest in Arkansas. She began attending camp services here every summer as a child with her family and continued to enjoy it throughout her adult life. Eula Ruth was preceded in death by her husband L.T. Harrison, who was killed in action during the Korean War, a daughter Emily Anne Harrison, who died at the age of three, and two brothers James Earnest and Howard Bernice Jones. She is survived by several nieces and nephews and their families. Eula Ruth once said that the most valuable piece of advice she ever received was to be loyal to your friends and your employer, but most importantly be loyal to yourself. Funeral services will be 10:00 am. Monday, July 18, 2011 at the St. Luke's United Methodist Church in Little Rock with Dr. Candace Barron and Rev. Calvin Mitchell officiating. Burial will be 3:00 pm Monday at Rose Hill cemetery in Arkadelphia, Arkansas . Memorials may be made to St. Luke United Methodist Church of Little Rock.
