Elsie McElroy
HOWE, Okla. Elsie Lee McElroy, 93, of Howe, Okla., died Saturday, Dec. 25, 1999, in a Pocola nursing home. She was a homemaker and the widow of Russell McElroy.
Graveside service will be 11 a.m. Tuesday at Caulksville Cemetery in Caulksville under the direction of Smith Mortuary of Charleston.
She is survived by one brother, Travis Lee of Caulksville, and several nieces and nephews.
The family will visit with friends from 4 p.m. to 6 p.m. today at the funeral home.
Bobby Maxwell
Bobby J. Maxwell, 55, of Fort Smith died Saturday, Dec. 25, 1999, in Fort Smith. He was an electrician for Planter Peanuts for 21 years and a member of Mixon Baptist Church in Booneville.
Funeral will be 1 p.m. today at Edwards Funeral Home Chapel, with burial at 3 p.m. at Caulksville Cemetery.
He is survived by his wife, Mary; one daughter, Sherry Woollum of Castro Valley, Calif.; one son, Bobby Jr. of Bend, Ore.; two stepsons, Marty Price of Ratcliff and Kris Price of Greenwood; two brothers, Donald Maxwell of Denver and Kenneth Maxwell of Benton; two grandchildren; and six step-grandchildren.
Pallbearers will be Russell Bell, Russ Evans, Paul Howard, Billy Wilson, Russell McDaniel, Jim Steele, Bill Rider and Otis Arnold.
Grace Singleton
BOLES Grace Lou Singleton, 63, of Boles died Friday, Dec. 24, 1999, in her home. She was a homemaker.
Memorial service will be 2 p.m. today at Chant Pentecostal Church of God. Cremation was under the direction of Martin Funeral Home of Waldron.
She is survived by her husband, Herman; five daughters, Virginia Jones of Tulare, Calif., Denise Hines and Stacy Willingham, both of Y-City, Patricia Hegwood of Houston and Melody Chorley of Janesville, Calif.; three sons, Harvey Hargis and Herman J. Singleton, both of Y-City, and Kenneth Singleton of Waldron; her mother, Iona Burns of San Diego; five sisters, Charotte Hargis and Ardrey Frary of Tulare, Darolyn Gaylor of Texas, Sherry Kelly of San Diego and Carol Sue; three brothers, Samuel Burns of Cave Junction, Ore., Robert Bryant of Clover Dale, Calif. and Gatlin Bryant; 13 grandchildren; and one great-grandchild.
James Whitlock
ALMA James Fred Whitlock, 88, of Alma died Friday, Dec. 24, 1999, in a local hospital. He was an Army veteran of World War II. He was a retired service station attendant.
Funeral service will be 1 p.m. Tuesday at Edwards Van-Alma Funeral Home Chapel in Van Buren, with burial at 10 a.m. Wednesday at the U.S. National Cemetery in Fort Smith.
He is survived by his wife, Ruby; a daughter, Sandra Henson of Broken Arrow, Okla.; a brother, Jerry of Fort Smith; and two grandchildren, Perry Henson Jr. and Christina Nalley, both of Tulsa.
Pallbearers will be Mark Nalley, Perry Henson Jr., Toby and Todd Medlock, Robin Cameron and Rusty Cagle.
The family will visit with friends from 6 p.m. to 8 p.m. today at the funeral home.
Floriene Lamb
PARIS Floriene Rose Phillips Lamb, 76, of Paris died Saturday, Dec. 25, 1999, in Paris. She was a member of Presbyterian Church in America in Russellville, Frontier Researchers, Daughters of the American Revolution, North Logan County Hospital Auxiliary and the widow of Elmo Marion Lamb.
Funeral service will be 1 p.m. Wednesday at Lewis Funeral Chapel in Fort Smith, with burial at the U.S. National Cemetery in Fort Smith.
She is survived by two daughters, Beverly Lamb Hall of Padre Island, Texas, and Kay Lamb Newman of Greenwood; three sons, Richard of Paris, Dennis of Navarre, Fla., and Pat of Greenwood; 18 grandchildren and 10 great-grandchildren.
Pallbearers will be Joe D. Hall Jr., Tony Newman, John Hall and Rick, James, Bill R., Bill M., Tyson and Michael Lamb.
Memorial contributions may be made to the Elmo Lamb Trust Fund PCA, 1852 Century Place, Suite 205, Atlanta, GA 30345-4305 or the Genealogy Department, Fort Smith Public Library, 61 South 8th St., Fort Smith, AR 72901.
Chester McElhaney
OZARK Chester Argest McElhaney, 96, of Ozark died Thursday, Dec. 23, 1999, in his home. He was a retired owner/operator of small businesses in the Ozark area, including restaurants, grocery stores and rental property. He was the widower of Attie (McKenzie) McElhaney.
Funeral service will be 11 a.m. today at Shaffer Funeral Home of Ozark, with burial at Highland Cemetery.
He is survived by a daughter, Barbara Hyler of Ozark; six sons, Dean of Conway, Bob of Ozark, Bill of Bennett, Colo., Argest of Hooks, Texas, Louis of Lawrence, Kan., and Ealeard of Tuttle, Okla; one brother, Luther of Lake City, Fla.; 20 grandchildren; 24 great-grandchildren; and four great-great-grandchildren.
Pallbearers will be Dean, Bob, Bill, Argest, Louis and Ealeard McElhaney.
Mayme Craig
POTEAU Mayme Lenore (Taff) Craig, 78, of Poteau died Saturday, Dec. 25, 1999, in the Eastern Oklahoma Medical Center in Poteau. She was an employee of the Selective Service local board No. 40 for 16 years and the City of Poteau for 14 years. She was a member of the First Christian Church in Poteau.
Funeral service will be 10 a.m. Tuesday at First Christian Church in Poteau, with burial at Oakland Cemetery in Poteau under the direction of Evans & Miller Funeral Home of Poteau.
She is survived by six daughters, Gwendolyn Reynolds of Coffeyville, Kan., Meredith Sue Hutton of Richland, Mo., Sharon Kay Hickman, Patricia Ann Ballard and Jacqueline Slone, all of Poteau, and Rebecca Harwell of Tulsa; two sons, Robert T. and James M., both of Poteau; 20 grandchildren; and 17 great-grandchildren.
Garland Cheek
SALLISAW Garland W. Cheek, 82, of Sallisaw died Saturday, Dec. 25, 1999, in Sallisaw. He was retired from the Bureau of Mines as an electrician in Bartlesville, Okla., a World War II Marine veteran and member of Eastside Baptist Church in Sallisaw.
Funeral service will be 10 a.m. Tuesday at Eastside Baptist Church in Sallisaw, with burial at Sallisaw City Cemetery under the direction of Agent Funeral Home of Sallisaw.
He is survived by two sisters, Nadine C. Mitchell of Sallisaw and Kathleen Mitchell of Coronado, Calif.; two brothers, Barnei Cheek of Sallisaw and Bernie Cheek of Tulsa; two grandchildren, Michelle of Tuscaloosa, Ala. and Jennifer of Sulphur Springs, Texas; and two great-grandchildren.
Pallbearers will be members of the Maverick Class of Eastside Baptist Church.
Anna Russell
VIAN Anna Mignon Yancey Russell, 92, of Vian died Thursday, Dec. 23, 1999, in Sallisaw. She was a homemaker, member of the First United Methodist Church in Vian and the widow of Albert Nolan Russell.
Funeral service will be 10 a.m. Tuesday at First United Methodist Church in Vian. Graveside service will be 2 p.m. Tuesday at Maple Grove Cemetery in Seminole, Okla. under the direction of Agent Funeral Home of Sallisaw.
She is survived by one daughter, Molly Nell Thomason of Vian; two grandsons, Albert Gene Thomason of Lavaca and Jimmy Dean Thomason of Ellicott, Colo.; and four great-grandchildren, Joseph Saenz of Sallisaw, Dustin Thomason of Ellicott, Shelby Lynn Thomason and Jena Ann Thomason, both of Pocola.
Pallbearers will be Bill Dalton, Albert Gene Thomason, Jimmy Dean Thomason, Jim Thomason, Charles Sloan and Kenney Morris.
Essie Mae Gibbons
MULDROW Essie Mae Gibbons, 83, of Muldrow died Friday, Dec. 24, 1999, in Fort Smith. She was a homemaker, member of Cottonwood Freewill Baptist Church and the widow of James Elbert (Elb) Gibbons.
Funeral service will be 2 p.m. Tuesday at Cottonwood Freewill Baptist Church, south of Muldrow, with burial at Cottonwood Cemetery under the direction of Agent Funeral Home of Muldrow.
She is survived by two daughters, Margaret Nichols and Wanda Carter, both of Muldrow; three sons, George and James Jr., both of Muldrow, and Gary Don of Roland; four sisters, Marie Chapman, Hazel Shackelford, Ruth LaFern Shackelford and Lela Waldrop, all of Muldrow; two brothers, Edward Owens of Muldrow and Donald Owens of Missouri; six grandchildren; 17 great-grandchildren; and two great-great-grandchildren.
Altie Benson
HEAVENER Altie May Bunt Benson, 75, of Heavener died Saturday, Dec. 25, 1999, at a Fort Smith hospital. She was a member of Assembly of God and a lifelong resident of Heavener.
Funeral service will be 2 p.m. Tuesday at Hontubby Baptist Church in Hontubby, Okla., with burial at Hontubby Cemetery under the direction of Evans & Miller Funeral Home of Poteau.
She is survived by her husband, Delmer; five daughters, Virginia Hickman of Reserve, N.M., Carolyn Evans and Patricia Benson, both of Heavener, Peggy Terry of Poteau and Janis Tucker of Hackett; four sons, Bobby, Jesse and Eugene, all of Heavener, and Kenneth of Pryor; three sisters, Eva Janway and Mildred Benson, both of Heavener, and Louise Hill of Blackfork; two brothers, Arvil Woodral Sr. and Oda Woodral, both of Heavener; 16 grandchildren; and 18 great-grandchildren.
Virgie Waters
Virgie Louise Waters, 81, of Fort Smith died Friday, Dec. 24, 1999, in a local hospital. She was a retired clerk for Shipley Baking Company, member of Trinity Baptist Church and the widow of Army Lt. Col. James H. Waters.
Funeral service will be 10:30 a.m. Wednesday at Fentress Mortuary Chapel, with burial at the U.S. National Cemetery in Fort Smith.
She is survived by one daughter, Barbara Oswald of Fort Smith; one son, Robert Sr. of Atlanta; two sisters, Rose Crow of Phoenix, Ariz., and Belle Collyar of Fort Smith; four grandchildren; and five great-grandchildren.
Pallbearers will be John Furness, Butch Hendricks, Clay Binyon, Rick Sharp, Kevin Shade and Brandon Walker.
The body may be viewed from noon today until 9 a.m. Wednesday at the funeral home.
Memorial contributions may be made to the American Diabetes Association, 212 Natural Resource Dr., Little Rock, AR 72205.
Pauline Wright
Pauline Tiny Wright, 76, of Fort Smith died Saturday, Dec. 25, 1999, in a nursing home. She was a member of Grand Avenue Baptist Church and a homemaker.
Graveside service will be 1 p.m. today at Mayberry Cemetery in Central City under the direction of Lewis Funeral Chapel of Fort Smith.
She is survived by her husband, Clifford Sr. of Fort Smith; three daughters, Sharon Loop of Lavaca, Linda Skidmore of Ramona, Okla., and Pam Lokey of Booneville; a son, Clifford Jr. of Fort Smith; a stepbrother, Ivan Hall; eight grandchildren, Chad Buker, Robert and Richard Strunks, Sandra Moon, Marcus Dean, Angie Million, Bryan Wright and Jessica Lokey; and 11 great-grandchildren.
Dewey Murphree
Mrs. Dewey Hassie Murphree, 94, of Fort Smith died Saturday, Dec. 25, 1999, in a local nursing home. She was a retired nurses aide at Sparks Regional Medical Center and a member of First Baptist Church in Fort Smith.
Funeral service will be 1 p.m. today at Putman Funeral Home Chapel, with burial at Heavener Cemetery in Heavener under the direction of Putman Funeral Home of Fort Smith.
She is survived by a daughter, Ellene Rebsamen Polk of Fort Smith; two sons, Rhonald of Fort Smith and Derrell of Mobile, Ala.; eight grandchildren, Cynthia Galloway, Bill Rebsamen and Bob Murphree, all of Fort Smith, C.B. Rebsamen Jr. of Fort Myers, Fla.; Kelly Nye of Austin, Texas, and Chris, Whitney and Preston Murphree, all of Mobile; and eight great-grandchildren.
Pallbearers will be grandsons, Robert and Chris Murphree, Bill and Aaron Rebsamen, Ryan Galloway and Carroll Satterfield.
Memorial contributions may be made to First Baptist Church, 14th and Grand, Fort Smith, AR 72901.
Irene Gantt
MULDROW Irene Gantt, 67, of Muldrow died Sunday, Dec. 26, 1999, in Fort Smith. She was a homemaker, concessionaire at Bingo Outpost in Roland and a member of Victory Temple Pentecostal Church.
Funeral service will be 1 p.m. Tuesday at Agent Chapel in Muldrow, with burial at Cottonwood Cemetery, south of Muldrow.
She is survived by seven daughters, Kathy Coleman of Fort Smith, Alice Duty, Sherry Mason and Debra Mabray of Muldrow, Myra Franklin of Van Buren, Nettie Ascencio of Houston and Susan Gilbert of Roland; two sons, James Crabill of Muldrow and Bill Irvin of Nashville, Tenn.; two sisters, Kahleetah Miller of Stilwell and Sue Gregory of Muldrow; one brother, Earl Seaton of Liberty Community, Okla.; 17 grandchildren; and eight great-grandchildren.
Imogene Johnson
STIGLER, Okla. Imogene Melba Johnson, 54, of Stigler died Friday, Dec. 24, 1999, in Fort Smith. She was a homemaker.
Funeral service will be 2 p.m. today at First Baptist Church of Keota, Okla., with burial at Iron Bridge Cemetery in Keota under the direction of Mallory Funeral Home of Stigler.
She is survived by a daughter, Linda Smith of Broken Arrow, Okla.; two sons, Terry of Granite, Okla., and Rodger of Stigler; two sisters, Leta Didway of Fort Smith, Georgia Masters of Modesto, Calif., and Joann Duncan of Keota; three brothers, Mike and Eddie Copeman, both of Keota, and Charles Copeman of Stringtown, Okla.; and three grandchildren.
Pallbearers will be Raymond Weece, Lawrance Burris, Gary and Harvey Bishop, Gary Marris and Charley Davis.
The body may be viewed at the funeral home.
James Whitlock
ALMA James Fred Whitlock, 88, of Alma died Friday, Dec. 24, 1999, in a local hospital. He was a World War II veteran, having served in the U.S. Army. He was a retired service station attendant.
A funeral service will be held at 1 p.m. Tuesday at Edwards Van Alma Funeral Home Chapel with burial at Fort Smith National Cemetery.
He is survived by his wife, Ruby; a daughter, Sandra Henson of Broken Arrow, Okla.; a brother, Jerry of Fort Smith; and two grandchildren, Perry Henson Jr. and Christina Nalley, both of Tulsa.
Pallbearers will be Mark Nalley, Perry Henson Jr., Toby and Todd Medlock, Robin Cameron and Rusty Cagle.
The family will visit with friends from 6 p.m. to 8 p.m. Monday at the funeral home.
Minnie Belle Andrews
SPRING, Texas Minnie Belle Andrews, 85, of Spring, Texas, formerly of Fort Smith and Sallisaw, died Tuesday, Dec. 21, 1999, in Spring. She was a homemaker and the widow of Dennis Andrews.
Funeral services are 11 a.m. Tuesday at Ocker Memorial Chapel of Van Buren with burial at Gracelawn Cemetery in Van Buren.
She is survived by a daughter, Betty Mattox of Spring, Texas; two sons, Burl of Catoosa, Okla., and Charles of Tulsa; 21 grandchildren; 36 great-grandchildren; and one great-great-grandchild.
