Biographical And Historical Memoirs of Pulaski, Jefferson, Lonoke, Faulkner, Grant, Saline, Perry, Garland And Hot Spring Counties, Arkansas
Mr. James Lloyd "Baldy" Cooper
Mr. James Lloyd "Baldy" Cooper, 68, of Mountainburg, Ark. died Thursday, March 28, 2002, in a local hospital. He was retired from the Oil and Gas Industry where he worked in Sales and Service. Mr. Cooper was a member of the Pleasant Valley Church of Christ in Van Buren, Ark.
Survivors include his wife, Judy of the home; three daughters, Barbara Bolin of Keota, Okla., Cindy Wareland of Roland, Okla., Caroline Woods of Greenwood, Ark.; one son, James Richard Cooper of Sonora, Texas; four sisters, Celeste Barnes of Pearson, Okla., Modell Brock of Tecumseh, Okla., Donna Newell of Houston, Texas, Jenean Cooper of Orlando, Florida; one brother, Tom Cooper of Tecumsch, Okla.; sixteen grandchildren; eight great-grandchildren.
Funeral services were April 1, 2002, at Edwards Van-Alma Funeral Home Chapel with burial at Gill cemetery in Van Buren, Ark. under the direction of Edwards Van-Alma Funeral Home of Van Buren.
Pallbearers were John Dunnenberg, Arnold Graham, David L. Almond, Mike Qualls, Russell Botin and Danny Seamans.
Honorary pallbearers were his grandchildren.
Joseph William DeVine
Joseph William DeVine, 73 years, two months and three days, passed away at 3 a.m. on March 28, 2002 at Veterans’ Hospital in Livermore, Calif. He was born January 25, 1929 near Mansfield to Joe DeVine and Martha Little DeVine. He served two years in the U.S. Navy and was stationed in Japan and was a faithful member of the Primitive Baptist Church. He was retired employee of the Bureau of Reclamation in California.
He is survived by his wife, Hazel DeVine of Watsonville, Calif., one daughter, Katy Jedlicka of Mt. Hermon, Calif., two sons, Joe Jr. of San Jose, Calif. and Shane DeVine of Aptos, Calif.; one brother, Tommy DeVine of Tahoe, Calif., eight grandchildren, one great grandchild, and a close friend, Edith Kimes along with many other friends.
Graveside service were Wednesday, April 3 at Union Ridge cemetery at Dayton with Cal Kennedy and Steve Jackson, officiating under the direction of Martin Funeral Home of Mansfield.
Pallbearers were Joe Green, John Green, John Wayne Boyd, Bob McCay, Gary James and Larry Goines.
Memorial contributions may be made to the church of donor’s choice.
Eugene Abraham Grim
Eugene Abraham Grim, 90, of Hartford, Ark. died Tuesday, March 26, 2002, in Fort Smith nursing home. He was retired Electronic Technician, a member of Jones Memorial United Methodist Church in Harford, Ark., past school board member for Hartford Schools, He was preceded in death by wives, Mary and Louise.
Survivors include two daughters, Mary Jean Handley of Onaga, Kans., Cindy K. Hays of Enterprise, Ala.; two sons, Richard Grim of Fort Smith, Ark., George Grim of Robert Lee, Texas; one sister, Phyllis Morgan of Colorado Springs, Co.; nine grandchildren and 11 great-grandchildren.
Funeral services were March 29, 2002, at Jones Memorial United Methodist Church in Hartford, Ark. with burial at Slaytonville cemetery in Slaytonville, Ark. under the direction of McConnell Funeral Home of Hartford, Ark.
Tracy Lynn Dodson
Tracy Lynn Dodson, 31, of Fort Smith, Ark. died Sunday, March 24, 2002, in Fort Smith. She was employed at Pure Flow in Fort Smith and a Methodist.
Survivors include her parents, Bob L. and Claudia Neissl of Fort Smith, Ark.; maternal grandfather, Charles Pruitt of Greenwood, Ark.; paternal grandmother, Dorothy Neissl of Fort Smith, Ark.; one brother, Randal Dodson of Fort Smith, Ark.
Funeral services were March 29, 2002, at McConnell Funeral Home Chapel in Greenwood with burial at Dawson cemetery in Milltown, Ark. under the direction of McConnell of Greenwood.
Pallbearers were Randal Dodson, Dennis Williamson, Dennis Williamson, II, Paul Allen Neissel, Kevin Williamson, Mark Williamson, Jim Neissl.
Jimmy Boyd Branham
Jimmy Boyd Branham, 67, of Barling, Ark. died Tuesday, March 26, 2002, in a Dallas, Texas hospital. He was retired from ElPaso Natural Gas after 35 years.
Survivors include his wife, Jeanette Branham of Beeville, Texas; four daughters, Audrey Lee Gibbs of Plano, Texas, Paula Jean Holliday of Ripley, Miss., Valorie Lynn Blevins of Skiatook, Okla., Karla Renee Chapman of Eunice, New Mexico; one son, Kevin Branham of Albuquerque, New Mexico; three sister, Thelma Harris of Greenwood, Ark., Sue Hitt of Danville, Ark., Shirley Wohl of Barling, Ark.; four brothers, Billy Branham of Cypress, Calif., Raymond Branham of Tulsa, Okla., Leory Branham of Spiro, Okla., Tommy Brahnam of Danville, Ark.; eight grandchildren and four great-grandchildren.
Funeral services were March 30, 2002, at McConnell Funeral Home Chapel in Greenwood, Ark. with burial at Hartford Memorial Park in Hartford, Ark. under the direction of McConnell Funeral Home of Greenwood.
Pallbearers were Flynn Williams, James Harris, Jason Broom, David Brown, Kevin Wood, Charles Hilburn.
Jerry Lebert Williams
Jerry Lebert Williams, 69, of Pocola, Okla. died Friday, March 29, 2002, in a Fort Smith hospital. He was a retired truck driver for Roadway Express, an Army Veteran of the Korean War and of the Assembly of God faith.
Survivors include his wife, Barbara Williams of the home.; one daughter, Bobbi McCain of Pocola, Okla.; one son, Jerry Michael Williams of Pocola, Okla.; one sister, Mary Palmer of Pocola, Okla.; two granddaughters, one great-granddaughter.
Funeral services were April 1, 2002, at Assembly of God Church in Arkoma, Okla. with burial at Macedonia cemetery in Pocola, Okla. under the direction of McConnell Funeral Home of Greenwood.
Pallbearers were Shelby Erwin, Elton Rush, Jim Pendergrass, Mike Bryant, Johnny Burns, Frank Palmer.
Memorial contributions may be made to Assembly of God Church, P.O. Box 1005, Arkoma, Okla. 74901.
Ethelyn Doris Dollar
Ethelyn Doris Dollar, 92, of Greenwood, Ark. died Thursday, May 23, 2002, in a Fort Smith hospital. She was a homemaker, a member of Greenwood United Methodist Church in Greenwood. She was the widow of Joel Dollar.
Survivors include one daughter, Martha Efurd of Greenwood, Ark.; one son, Major General Douglas O. Dollar of Stillwater, Okla.; one brother, Owen Vick of Ozark, Ark.; six grandchildren; six great-grandchildren and one great-great-grandchild.
Graveside services were May, 25, 2002, at Liberty cemetery in Greenwood, Ark. under the direction of McConnell Funeral Home of Greenwood.
Relf Efurd, Jr.
Relf Efurd, Jr., Ed.D., 70, of Greenwood, Ark. died Wednesday, May 22 in Greenwood. He was born January 22, 1032 in Greenwood. Dr. Efurd spent most of his adult life in education, teaching secondary through college, and as a school administrator. most recently he retired from his jewelry and pawn business. He was a life member of Phi Delta Kappa, Harris-Hannah V.F.W. Post #6527 in Greenwood, the South Sebastian County Historical Society, and was of the Southern Baptist Faith. He was also a veteran of the U.S. Army and the Korean War.
Funeral services were May 25, 2002 at the Greenwood First Baptist Church with burial at Liberty cemetery under the direction of McConnell Funeral Home.
He is survived by his wife, Martha of the home; two daughter, Martha Carol Mixon and husband Ken of Richardson, Texas, and Meryl Jo Ware and husband Steve of Greenwood; one son, Paul Alan Efurd and wife Karren of Charleston; one sister, Doris Amos of Duncanville, Texas; three brothers, Ted Efurd and wife Verna of Greenwood, Charles Efurd and wife Carolyn of Greenwood, and Dan Efurd and wife Margaret of Marina Valley, Calf.; four grandchildren, Adrianne Ware, Leslie Ware, Beth Mixon and Drew Mixon; one great-granddaughter, Faith Caroline Qualls; eleven nieces and nephews, and twenty great-nieces and great-nephews. He is also survived by his step-mother, Edra Efurd of Witcherville; three step-brothers, Ceril, Cecil and Johnny Cabe, and countless other loved ones and friends.
Pallbearers were Ken Efurd, Jerry Efurd, Gerald Amos, Jr., Carlton Efurd, Conlan Efurd, Mike McConnell, Joe Lajaunie, and Bill Williams.
Memorial may be made to the American Cancer Society, P.O. box 8006, Fort Smith, Ark. 72902.
Roy Clifton
Roy Clifton, 81, of Greenwood, Ark. died Sunday, July 14, 2002, in a Fort Smith hospital. He was the retired owner of Roy Clifton Body Shop, a member of Christ the King Catholic Church and U.S. Army veteran of World War II. He was preceded in death by his father, Alvin Clifton and a brother, Miller Clifton.
Survivors include his wife, Patsy Clifton of the home; two daughters and sons-in-law, Vivian and Terry Ballance of Bedford, Ind., Rebecca and Lonnie Merryman of Clinton, Ark.; three sons and daughters-in-law, Ed and Barbara Clifton, Doug and Doris Clifton and Ron and Sharon Clifton all of Fort Smith, Ark.; his mother, Goldie Merriman of Porterville, Calif.; one sister, Ann Wilburn of Fort Smith; three brothers, Alvin & J.N. Clifton of Porterville, Calif., Wayne Clifton of Neosho, Mo.; 10 grandchildren; 12 great-grandchildren; one great-great-grandchild and several nieces and nephews.
Rosary was July 17, 2002 at McConnell Funeral Home in Greenwood and funeral services were July 18, 2002, at Christ the King Catholic Church with burial at U.S. National cemetery in Fort Smith, Ark. under the direction of McConnell Funeral Home of Greenwood.
Pallbearers were Paul Wade Dunn, Guy Hocott, Richard Dunn, Billy Joe Moody, Don Kelley, Bill Walters.
Honorary pallbearers were survivors of the 447th Field Artillery Battalion.
Memorial contributions may be made to Christ the King Catholic Church, 2112 So. Greenwood, Fort Smith, AR 72901.
Joyce Ann Williams
Joyce Ann Jeffery Williams of Mansfield, Ark. passed away July 17, 2002, at Sparks Medical Center in Fort Smith, after a long courageous battle with cancer. She was born on April 26, 1952. She was former employee of the U.S. Census Bureau, U.S. Forest Service & Bank of Waldron. She was a member of the Waldron Assembly of God Church. She was a Waldron High School graduate and attended Arkansas Tech University.
Joyce loved her family dearly and will be greatly missed. She home schooled her daughters for several years. She had a natural ability for the arts and loved to pencil sketch lovely outdoor scenes and beautiful animals.
Joyce is survived by her husband of nearly 25 years, Arnold, daughters of the home, Julie Nicole and Linda Michelle. Mother Elgie Tinder Jeffery. Her brothers Charles Jeffery and James Jeffery of Waldron. Also, her sister, Dorothy Owens of Waldron and Norma Jeffery Carnahan of Little Rock. Mr. and Mrs. Charlie Williams, her father-in-law and mother-in-law and several nieces and nephews.
Her father, Arthur E. (Slim) Jeffery and a sister, Shirley Ann Jeffery, preceded her in death.
Funeral service were July 19, 2002, at Walrdon Assembly of God Church, with Rev. Ray Reynolds and Rev. Sam Waganer officiating. Interment will be at the Freedom cemetery under the direction of Martin Funeral Home of Waldron.
Pallbearers were Joel Goddard, Matt McCafferty, Mike Owens, Jimmy Jeffery, Phillip Holland, Bobby Owens.
Memorial contributions can be made to the Gideons International Association.
Dempsey Morris
Dempsey Morris, of Midland, Ark. passed away Thursday, July 18, 2002, at a Fort Smith hospital at the age of 81 years, 1 month and 23 days. He was born May 25, 1921 in Gowen, Okla. He was a retired carpenter and a veteran of World War II. He was preceded in death by his parents, Fred and Delphia Morris; one son, Freddie Clark and one brother, Woodrow Morris.
Funeral service were July 20, 2002 at McConnell Funeral Home Chapel with burial at Slaytonville cemetery under the direction of McConnell Funeral Home.
He is survived by his wife, Zelma of the home; his daughter and son in-law, Debbie and David Hudgens of Hartford; a daughter-in-law, Debra Clark of Hackett; two sons and daughters-in-law, Bruce and Pam Clark and Roger and Holley Clark of Midland; two sisters; Dortha Brassfield of Overland Park, Kans. and Bonnie Lovell of Cedarville; nine grandchildren, Greg Clark, Kristy Spruell, Amanda Clark, Brian Clark, Grant Solomon, Kara Solomon, Tyler Hudgens, Hayley Hudgens and Cameron Clark and one expected great-grandchild.
Pallbearers were Preston Lovell, Bennie Lakey, Ronald Morris, Pete Morris, Rossie Morris, Albert Brassfield, Gene Brassfield and Willard Brassfield.
Wilma Dean McCoy-Arbuckle
(Pa Paw)
Wilma Dean McCoy-Arbuckle, 78, of Fort Smith, Ark. died Tuesday, July 16, 2002, in a Fort Smith hospital. She was a retiree of Broadway Grill after 40 years of dedicated service, member of Harvest Time Tabernacle, V.F.W. and the Eagle’s Auxiliary where she served as State Mother for area 208. She was the widow of Fred Arbuckle.
Survivors include three daughters, Peggy Lindsey-Ledbetter of Alma, Ark., Judy Willhite of Alma, Ark., Carolyn Worley of La.; seven grandchildren and 13 great-grandchildren.
Funeral services were July 18, 2002, at McConnell Funeral Home Chapel in Greenwood with burial at Forest Park cemetery in Fort Smith under the direction of McConnell Funeral Home of Greenwood.
Pallbearers were Jackie D. McCoy, Jr., Brad Savage, Terry McCoy, Eric Hadley, Warren Hadley, Zach Wells.
Donna Kay Walker
Donna Kay Walker, 55, of Hartford died Saturday, July 20 at a Fort Smith hospital. She was a retired reading specialist for Hartford Elementary School and was an active member of Midland First Baptist church. She attended Westark College, received a bachelor of science degree in education from Arkansas Tech University in 1976 and a Master of Education from the University of Arkansas, Fayetteville in 1989.
Funeral services were July 23, 2002, at Midland First Baptist Church with burial at the Mount Olive cemetery in Midland under the direction of McConnell Funeral Home of Greenwood.
She was preceded in death by her granddaughter, Paige Walker. She is survived by her parents, Rev. Harold and Effie Nell Plunkett of Hartford; a son and daughter-in-law, Brad and Shelly Walker of Midland; a daughter, Lori Walker of Hartford; a sister and brother-in-law, Kathy and Paul Hester of Hartford; two brothers and sisters-in-law, Ronnie and Claudia Plunkett, and Bill and Lynn Plunkett, all of Fort Smith; two grandsons, Taylor and Chance Walker of Midland; and numerous nieces and nephews.
Pallbearers were Mike and Steve Peoples, Johnny, Pete and Steve Plunkett, and Greg and Tony Roffine. Honorary pallbearers are members of the Midland First Baptist Church men’s prayer group.
Memorial contributions may be made to the Midland First Baptist Church Building Fund, P.O. Box 119, Midland, Ark. 72945; Gideons International; or the Donald W. Reynolds Cancer Support House.
Jessica Lind
Jessica Lind, 26, of Hackett, Ark. died Thursday, July 18, 2002, in a Fort Smith hospital. She was a homemaker.
Survivors include her parents, Edward and Barbara Lind of Hackett, Ark.; maternal grandmother, Fauna Brasher of Hackett, Ark.
Graveside services were July 20, 2002, at Pleasant Hill cemetery in Hackett, Ark. under the direction of McConnell Funeral Home of Greenwood.
Pallbearers were Danny Ray Cowan, Jerrod Hoopengarner, Justin Hoopengarner, Don and Danny Brasher.
Memorial contributions may be made to Jessica Lind Funeral Expense Fund.
