Biographical And Historical Memoirs of Pulaski, Jefferson, Lonoke, Faulkner, Grant, Saline, Perry, Garland And Hot Spring Counties, Arkansas
Opal 'Pauline' Kirby
December 29, 1930 - June 26, 2015
Centerton, Arkansas
Opal 'Pauline' Kirby, 84, of Rogers, AR passed away peacefully Friday, June 26, 2015 at her home. She was born December 29, 1930 in Centerton, AR to Paul and Bessie Mae Huddleston Koons.
Pauline was known for love of talking with everyone and remembering every detail about them, as well as their families. She was deeply loved by her friends and family.
She was a member of Centerton United Methodist Church.
She was preceded in death by her husband of 65 years, Floyd 'Gene' Kirby; her parents; three grandchildren and brother, Bill Koons.
Pauline is survived by a son, Scott Kirby and wife, Linda of Rogers, AR; three daughters, Debbie Hargrave and husband, Russ of Rogers, AR, Susan Norton and husband, Randy of Centerton, AR and Vicki Booher and husband, Danny of Rogers, AR; a brother, James Koons of Rogers, AR; eight grandchildren and nine great grandchildren.
Funeral services will be held at 11:00am, Tuesday, June 30, 2015 at Stockdale-Moody Funeral Services of Rogers with The Rev. Sandra Wanasek officiating.
Burial will be at Barron cemetery.
Visitation will be at 10:00am until service time.
Amy Jo Lafayette
January 12, 1978 - December 25, 2014
Bentonville, Arkansas
Amy Jo Laizure Lafayette, 36, of Bentonville, Ark passed away Bentonville. She was born January 12, 1978 in Tulsa, OK to David and Gwendolyn Dodson Laizure.
Amy graduated with honors in 1996 from Judson High School in Converse, TX. She married
her high school sweetheart, John Lafayette, on December 19, 1998. Amy graduated from the University of Arkansas at Fayetteville in 2003 with Bachelor's Degrees in French, English, Psychology, and European Studies. She continued her education at the U of A and earned a Master's Degree in French in 2005.
During her undergraduate studies, Amy worked at the Walton College School of Business. During her graduate studies, she taught undergraduate French courses. After graduating with her Master's Degree, Amy continued teaching; she taught English at the U of A's Spring International Learning Center, she taught undergraduate French at Northwest Arkansas Community College, and she taught preschool French at Providence Academy.
Amy was known for her many talents and passions. She was very creative. She loved writing and poetry, as well as scrapbooking and crafts. But her greatest love was her family. Amy considered becoming a mother to be a dream come true and her children were her greatest accomplishment.
Amy is survived by her loving husband of 16 years, John; four children, Lauren, Harrison, Tyler and Ethan all of the home; her parents, David and Gwendolyn Laizure of Rogers, Ark; her brother Charlie Laizure of Harrisonville, Mo, 4 nephews, 1 niece, and a host of aunts, uncles and cousins.
Visitation will be held from 6:00PM to 8:00PM, Friday, January 2, 2015 at Stockdale-Moody Funeral Services in Rogers, Ark.
Funeral services will be held at 10:00AM, Saturday, January 3, 2015 at Colonial Baptist in Rogers, Ark with Bro. Claud Slate officiating with burial at Bentonville cemetery.
Linda Lerae Mark
March 13, 1940 - February 27, 2015
Rogers, Arkansas
Linda Lerae Mark, 74, of Rogers, Ark. passed away Friday, February 27, 2015 at Mercy Hospital in Rogers. She was born March 13, 1940 in Long Beach, CA to Lee Marks and Ozelene Shive Berry.
She graduated St. John Medical School in Tulsa, OK and spent her entire career as a Registered Nurse taking care of others.
On September 1st, 1963 she married
Berley William Mark in Coffeville, KS. Together they raised three children and took care of many foster children.
Linda was known for her kind heart and selfless attention to others.
She was also an artist. She designed and made countless handmade teddy bears, even gaining a patent for one of her designs. True to her spirit she gave all of her bears away to loved ones, children, and even strangers.
Linda loved to read and write. She was a prolific reader of everything she could find. She had just recently moved in to the digital age with a Nook Reader and she had just sent her very first email.
She is preceded in death by her parents and a sister, Judy Childress.
Linda is survived by her husband of 52 years, Berley Mark; a son, Mike Mark of Rogers, AR; two daughters, Lisa Cops and husband, Terry of Rogers and Lori Mark of Lowell; a sister, Joan Plute and husband, Jimmy of Edna, KS; five grandchildren; one great-grandchild; two nieces and two nephews.
Memorial service will be at 2 p.m., Sunday, March 8, 2015 at Jamestown Nursing and Rehab Home in Rogers with Wyatt Irving officiating.
In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made to Havenwood Donations, C/O Linda Mark, 808 N Main Street, Bentonville, AR 72712, or on line at NWAHavenwood.org.
Charles "Gary" Standridge
February 22, 1938 - December 18, 2015
Rogers, Arkansas
Charles 'Gary' Standridge, 77, of Rogers, AR, passed away on Friday, Dec. 18, 2015, at Mercy Hospital in Rogers. He was born Feb. 22, 1938, to Clyde and Juanita Atkins Standridge. He grew up in Mount Ida, AR, where he was active in sports and worked on the family farm.
He attended the University of Arkansas at Fayetteville, where he was a member and leader in the Sigma Nu fraternity. Gary earned three degrees, a BS, an MA, and an Ed. D from the U of A. His career in education included classroom teacher, guidance counselor, independent consultant, Director of Special Projects in Fort Worth ISD, Assistant Superintendent of Fayetteville Public Schools and Special Assistant to Chancellor John White at the University of Arkansas.
Dedicating his life to education, he served as an influential mentor to countless students for over fifty years. He will be remembered for his deep loyalty to friends and family, his ardent support of the Arkansas sports program and his love of golfing.
Gary was an active member of Central United Methodist Church in Rogers and was involved with the Methodist food pantry ministry.
He is survived by his wife of 35 years, Louise Norton Standridge; son, Gray Standridge and wife, Judi of Conway, AR; daughter, Rachel Standridge of Conway; sister, Linda McCarthy of Denver, CO and one brother, Jon Standridge and wife, Margie of Mount Ida. He also leaves three beloved grandchildren, Margaret Ann, Nathaniel, and Ella.
A memorial service will be held at 2:00 p.m., Tuesday, Dec. 22, 2015 in the chapel at Central United Methodist Church in Rogers with the Rev. Carness Vaughan officiating. Interment will be held at a later date at Pinnacle Memorial Gardens.
In lieu of flowers, the family requests that donations be made in memory of Gary Standridge to Central United Methodist Church in Rogers, the Arkansas Children’s Hospital, a local food bank or the charity of the donor’s choice.
Arrangements have been entrusted to Stockdale-Moody Funeral Services of Rogers.
Jimmie A. Coleman
August 27, 1944 - September 10, 2015
Rogers, Arkansas
Jimmie A. Coleman, 71, of Rogers, AR passed away Thursday, September 10, 2015 surrounded by his family. He was born August 27, 1944 in Bentonville, AR to Ora and Jette Louise Autrey Coleman.
He graduated with a Bachelor of Science degree in Industrial Engineering from the University of Arkansas and worked for Preformed Line Products, in Rogers, for thirty years. Jim was a member of the Bentonville Nazarene Church, VFW, Rogers Early Risers Rotary club, and a Razorback Foundation supporter.
Jim proudly served his country in the United States Army, earning the rank of SP4 and completing a tour in Vietnam.
He had a love for his grandchildren, gardening, and the Arkansas Razorbacks.
He is preceded in death by his wife, Mary in 2011; his parents; a brother, Danny Coleman; and a sister, Marilyn Coleman.
Jim is survived by two sons, John Coleman and wife, Suzanne of Bentonville, AR, Mike Coleman of Bentonville, AR; one daughter, Paula Coleman of Centerton, AR; three granddaughters, Kelsi Coleman, Kylie Coleman and Bethany Coleman; one brother, Larry Coleman of Huntsville, AR; two sisters, Linda Webb of Decatur, AR, and Delores Jones of Springdale, AR.
A visitation will be held from 6 to 8PM, Tuesday, September 15, 2015 at Bentonville Church of the Nazarene.
Funeral services will be held at 10AM, Wednesday, September 16, 2015 at Bentonville Church of the Nazarene with the Reverend Mark Snodgrass officiating. Burial will be at Mt. Pleasant cemetery.
Memorials may be made to Bentonville Nazarene Church c/o the Mary Coleman Child Development Center, El Factor, Dominican Republic.
Ernie Glen Kramme
September 30, 1939 - February 18, 2015
Rogers, Arkansas
Ernie Glen Kramme, 75, of Rogers, Arkansas passed away Wednesday, February 18, 2015 at Mercy Hospital in Rogers. He was born September 30, 1939 in Stotts City, Missouri to Fredrick William Kramme and Elfa Oma Magill Kramme.
He proudly served in the United States Army National Guard.
He worked in the trucking industry in the areas of safety and maintenance and served as vice-president of Bray Lines for many years. Ernie was also a pilot and enjoyed anything to do with flying.
He was preceded in death by his parents.
Ernie is survived by his wife of 37 years, Marlene Wolff Kramme; two sons, Bill Kramme of Kansas City, MO, Byrian Kramme and wife, Lisa of Stockton, MO; one daughter, Barbara Reyelts and husband, Steve of Halltown, MO; 8 grandchildren and 20 great-grandchildren.
Visitation will be from 6:00 to 8:00PM, Monday, February 23, 2015 at Stockdale-Moody Funeral Services in Rogers.
Funeral services will be at 1:00PM, Tuesday, February 24, 2015 at Zion United Church of Christ west of Mt. Vernon, MO. Burial will follow in Zion Memorial cemetery.
Memorials may be made in honor of Ernie Kramme to The Michael J. Fox Foundation, P.O. Box 5014, Hagerstown, MD 21741-504 or www.michaeljfox.org
Almus Eugene Laxson
September 2, 1930 - January 6, 2015
Rogers, Arkansas
Almus Eugene Laxson, 84 of Rogers, Arkansas, passed away Tuesday, January 6th, 2015, at Northwest Medical Center in Bentonville surrounded by family after a brief illness. Gene left this life as he lived it; with a positive outlook on his terms, and his life story is remarkable. Gene loved activities that involved other people, which is why he enjoyed traveling on Caribbean cruises, attending Arkansas Razorback sporting events, and belonging to the Masonic Order and the Shriners. Gene was honorably discharged from the United State Air Force as a disabled veteran and was proud of his military service throughout his life.
Gene was born September 2nd, 1930 in Clarendon, Arkansas to Almus G. Laxson and Lena Mae Clark. His early years were difficult in eastern Arkansas, as his family was extremely poor. When he was 10, his mother passed away. To find work, "Grandpa" Deaton was forced to travel, so Gene went to live with his maternal grandmother and aunt, and his half-siblings went to live at an orphanage in Little Rock. It was during this time that the baby boy in the family was adopted away. This would become a significant event for Gene, and his brothers and sister later in life.
Gene graduated from Stuttgart High School and in 1951, enlisted in the Air Force. In December of 1951, he married
Margaret Terhune of Brinkley, with whom he had three children; Darrell Eugene, deceased, Sheryl Laxson Brown and husband, Greg of The Woodlands, TX and Carol Laxson Turley and husband, Scott of Fayetteville, AR.
After his military service, Gene worked as a radio operator for the Arkansas State Police in Forrest City, and later as a design draftsman for the Traveler Boat Company in Little Rock and Ouachita Marine in Arkadelphia. In 1970, Gene and his family moved to Fayetteville for him to attend the University of Arkansas, where he earned his Bachelor's of Science in Industrial Engineering. It was during this time he developed his lifelong love of the Razorbacks. Upon graduation, Gene went to work for International Paper Company in Pine Bluff, Arkansas. Later Gene took a position at the Pine Bluff Arsenal as a production engineer, where he worked to retirement. In 1971, while going to college in Fayetteville, Gene and his siblings were contacted by their infant baby brother, who had been adopted some 30 years prior. It turned out that his half-bother Billy Joe Samuels had been living not more than an hour away from him in Pea Ridge, Arkansas. The amazing thing is that if the separated brothers had crossed paths while living in northwest Arkansas, they would have certainly recognized each other from their striking similarity.
In 1983, Gene married
Loreta Muriel Laxson, his wife of 31 years, till his passing. With Muriel, Gene's family expanded to include Saundra Van Landingham and husband, Terry of Pine Bluff, AR, Cynthia Brennan and husband, Terry of Tulsa, OK, Stephanie Doss of St. Louis, MO, and Greg McAdoo and wife, Julie of Rogers, AR. Gene's family gave him five grandchildren and three great grandchildren to love and cherish.
Gene and Muriel retired to northwest Arkansas in 1994, where they settled into a full and busy life together. They enjoyed frequent trips to Branson, where Gene was known to participate in the shows. Gene and Muriel were regulars with their friends at the McDonald's on Walton Blvd in Rogers every Monday through Friday for their Morning Coffee group. They found their church family at First Christian Church in Rogers, AR, where they were members of the Disciple Sunday School class. Once a month, Gene and Muriel helped to welcome family and friends as church greeters for the congregation.
Gene was a lifelong Mason, and was Lodge Master and Secretary for Masonic Lodge #460 in Rogers. Also, he served as the Secretary-Treasurer for the NWA Shrine Club. As a member of the Nomad Shriners, he played in the Banjo Band, and volunteered for the Shriners Circus held at Parsons Stadium in Springdale. Gene was always eager to distribute a Shriners coloring book and colors for a child or their parent, as appropriate.
Gene didn't mind being in the spotlight. He loved to demonstrate his talent for "calling the ducks" without the aid of a manufactured duck call to everyone. He also liked to dance, and was a member of the Sophisticated Ladies Plus tap dancers of Bella Vista - Gene was the "Plus" of course! He taught his daughters, Sheryl and Carol how to jitterbug, so that regardless of the location - be it at a restaurant or the NWA Mall food court - if there was space to dance and big band music playing, he was dancing.
A memorial service with Masonic rites and military honors, celebrating Gene Laxson's life, will be held at 2:00 PM, Sunday, January 11th, 2015 at First Christian Church (Disciples of Christ), 905 South 13th Street, Rogers, AR, with the Reverend Shawn Wallace officiating. The internment will be held at 10:00 AM, Monday, January 12th, 2015, at the National cemetery in Fayetteville, AR.
In the spirit of Gene's life, and in lieu of flowers, memorials may be made to the Shriners Hospital for Children in St. Louis, located at 2001 South Lindbergh Blvd., St. Louis, MO, 63131-3597.
