Biographical And Historical Memoirs of Pulaski, Jefferson, Lonoke, Faulkner, Grant, Saline, Perry, Garland And Hot Spring Counties, Arkansas
Rose Berg King
Rose Berg King, 84, of Clarksville died 
Thursday, April 8, 2010, at Johnson Regional Medical Center. She was born
in 1925 in Vienna, Austria, to Jacob and Cilly Essig Berg.
She was a student at a Jewish boarding school in Vienna when Austria was annexed to the German Third Reich in 1938. At age 13 and after one failed attempt to leave Austria and certain deportation to the Nazi death camps, she escaped and eventually made her way to Kibbutz Afikim in the British Mandate of Palestine. She lived and worked on the Kibbutz until she was old enough to join a women’s unit on the British FAF.
She met her future husband Jasper King where they were both stationed in Cairo, Egypt. The two were married
in Norway, where Rose lived for several years after the war. She immigrated to the United States, arriving by boat in New York Harbor on St. Patrick’s Day 1952. She and Jasper lived in Chicago until they moved to Clarksville in 1954, where he helped his father run King’s Jewelry. She was a member of First United Methodist Church.
She was preceded in death by two older brothers, Ludwig and Josef who were involved in the European resistance to the Nazis in World War II.
Survivors are a daughter, Julia Ciaravino and husband, Michael, of Benton, La.; two sons, Aron Mellich of Washington, and Richard King of Massachusetts; a brother, Phillipe Berg of Paris, France; three grandchildren, Jacob, Laura and Joseph King; and one great-grandchild.
Funeral services will be 10 a.m. Tuesday at Hardwicke Funeral Chapel. Burial will be at the Oakland Cemetery
with the Rev. David Hanshaw officiating. Visitation will be 6 to 7 p.m. Monday.
Eugene Goforth
Eugene F. Goforth, 85, of Cabot passed on to be with his Lord Friday, April 9, 2010, at Springhill Baptist Hospital in North Little Rock.
He was born
May 8, 1924, in Cabot to the late Aubrey C. and Roxie Grace Herrin Goforth.
In addition to his parents, Mr. Goforth was preceded in death by five brothers; Claude, Basil, Lee (Hank), Lewis, all of Cabot, and Harold (Jiggs) of North Little Rock; and four sisters; Marie Elmore, Elsie Cole and Helen Bishop, all of Cabot and Regina Jeffcoat of California.
Goforth served his country in the United States Army in the 536th Amphibious Tractor Battalion in the Philippines during World War II. After his service, his first job was at Willy Ray’s service station. He also worked at Fort Roots Hospital as an aid and a substitute mail carrier. From 1953 to 1955 he owned and operated Goforth DX Station.
After 1955 he took Dick Cole as a partner and it was called Goforth and Cole’s, and in 1973 the station was purchased by Jerry Cole. In 1973 Gene built a building a 502 West Main and operated an ice house, bait shop and sporting goods store.
Goforth retired in 1979. In 1980 Gene hired Ray and Boyd to build a Fina station on West Main Street which was rented by Geraldine and Dean Horn who later purchased it. Goforth was a member of the First Baptist Church in Cabot where he was ordained a deacon in October of 1966. He loved to work in the yard and garden, camp and fish. Also he had a great sense of humor and never met a stranger.
He is survived by his wife of 63 years, Fredia Boyd Goforth of the home as well as two daughters, Teressa (Shelby) Robinson of Lamar and Anita (Keith) Ihms of Little Rock. Also surviving him are a brother, Ralph Goforth of Jacksonville in addition to three grandchildren; Jason Tipton of Little Rock, Jennifer Tipton Campbell of Conway and Kalli Tipton of Little Rock and two great-grandchildren, McKinley Grace Tipton and Beau Taylor Campbell.
Funeral services will be 10:00 a.m. Monday at First Baptist Church in Cabot with Reverends Harold O’Bryan and Dick Avey officiating. Burial will follow at Sumner Cemetery. Visitation will be 4-6 p.m. today at Moore’s Cabot Funeral Home (501) 843-5816. The family requests that memorial contributions be made to the First Baptist Church’s Library or the charity of your choice.
Leona Edwards
Leona Edwards, age 97, of Russellville, died Friday, April 9, 2010, at Legacy Lodge Nursing Home. A daughter of the late Aaron and Ada Webb Cook, she was born
Sept. 22, 1912, in Russellville. She was a housekeeper for the Craig Bailey family in Russellville, a member of the Order of the Eastern Star and a mother of New Prospect Missionary Baptist Church.
She was also preceded in death by her husband, Sid Edwards, and three sisters, Augusta Cook, Arnita Russell and Ramous Trice.
Survivors include her cousins, James Linzy, Betty Riddley, Annette Black and Paul Franklin and their families, all of Russellville, Willette Cole and family of Omaha, Neb. and Betty Franklin and family of Blackwell; and the children of Craig Bailey and their families: Margaret Ellen Vega, Pat Jackson, Craig Bailey Jr. and John Bailey, all of Russellville; and Gay Williams of Dallas, Texas.
The funeral service will be at 2 p.m. Wednesday, April 14, 2010 at the New Prospect Missionary Baptist Church, officiated by the Rev. Lee Dorsey. Burial will be in Reed Cemetery, by Shinn Funeral Service.
The family will receive friends on Tuesday evening, from 6-7 p.m., at the funeral home.
Memorials may be made to New Prospect Missionary Baptist Church, 316 South Houston Place, Russellville, AR 72801.
Charles J. Rivas
Charles J. “Jimmy” Rivas, 40, born
May 21, 1969, passed away on the evening of March 24, 2010, following a year-long battle with cancer.
Jimmy was a very loving, fun and hardworking man who enjoyed time with his family and treasured his children, who were the love and joy of his life. He was highly skilled in construction and recently became a certified home inspector. He has made a profound and immeasurable impact on the lives of those who knew and loved him.
He is survived by his mother and stepfather, Celeste and Max Aiken of Nacogdoches, Texas; his brother and sister-in-law, Fred and Tina Rivas, and their children, Landon and Logan of Brenham, Texas; brother, Rudy Rivas-Preis and his children, Colby and Leah of Colfax, Calif. Also his wife of 20 years, Tammy Rivas, and his two young children, Casey, 14, and Cody, 11, of Pottsville.
Jimmy was preceded in passing by his grandpap, Charles G. Preis of Alta, Calif.
Memorial service will be at 6 p.m. Monday, March 29, 2010, at Humphrey Chapel. Cremation arrangements are under the direction of Humphrey Funeral Service.
Janie Gray
DANVILLE - Janie Rosas Gray, 87, of Havana died Friday, March 26, 2010, at Chambers Memorial Hospital.
Funeral will be at 10 a.m. Tuesday, March 30, 2010, at Western Yell County Church of Christ. Burial will be in Havana Cemetery. Arrangements are by Cornwell Funeral Home.
Visitation will be from 6-8 p.m. Monday.
Wilda Nunn
Wilda A. Nunn, age 86, of Russellville, died Friday, March 26, 2010, at Countryside Manor Nursing Home in Lamar.
The funeral will be at 10 a.m. Monday, March 29, 2010, at First Free Will Baptist Church with a time of visitation to follow at the church.
Memorials may be made to First Free Will Baptist Church.
Verzener Woods
DARDANELLE - Verzener Woods, 93, of Dardanelle died Thursday, March 25, 2010, at River Valley Medical Center.
Funeral will be at 2 p.m. Tuesday, March 30, 2010, at Cornwell Chapel. Burial will be in Mount Nebo Cemetery. Arrangements are by Cornwell Funeral Home.
Visitation will be from 6-8 p.m. Monday, March 29, in the funeral home chapel.
Donnagean Stubbs
DARDANELLE - Donnagean Dutton Stubbs, 90, of Dardanelle died Thursday, March 25, 2010, at River Valley Medical Center.
Graveside service will be at 2 p.m. Monday, March 29, 2010, at Brearley Cemetery. Arrangements are by Cornwell Funeral Home.
Visitation will be 2-4 p.m. Sunday at the funeral home.
Bob Legan
Services for Bob Legan will be at 10 a.m. Friday at First Baptist Church in Claremore, Okla., under the direction of Rice Funeral Service (918) 341-0376. Bob will be laid to rest at 2 p.m. at Fort Gibson National Cemetery, Fort Gibson, Okla., with military honors. Friends may visit at the funeral home from 8 a.m. to 8 p.m. on Thursday with the family receiving visitors from 6-8. An Arkansas memorial service will be held at 11 a.m. Saturday at the event center at First Baptist Church, located at 200 S. El Paso Ave. in Russellville. Bob passed away Friday, March 5, 2010. He was 83.
Bob was born
on June 10, 1926, in Halfway, Mo., to Jessie and Zella Legan. He grew up in that very same town and attended Halfway Public Schools. He continued his education at Southwest Baptist University at Bolivar, Mo. and the University of Missouri at Columbia. As a veteran of World War II, he attained the rank of Staff Sergeant while serving in the infantry and in the first guided missile battalion stationed in White Sands, New Mexico.
Bob met his wife, Ruth (Watkins) Legan during their school days in Halfway, Mo. They both played basketball in high school. Their first date was during Bob’s senior year and Ruth’s junior year after a basketball game. They were married
on Jan. 4, 1945, at Camp Hood, Texas, where Bob was stationed during the war. They celebrated their 65th wedding anniversary this past January.
The Legans moved to Russellville from Rogers in 1959 and established Blue Ribbon Hatcheries and sold breeding stock throughout the southern and southeastern parts of the United States. Blue Ribbon Eggs Inc. processed and marketed eggs under the Blue Ribbon label and other private labels. Blue Ribbon Farms Inc. produced broilers as well as turkeys.
In 1967, Bob became involved in the Registered Polled Hereford cattle business building a breeding herd that was recognized throughout the U.S. and Canada. Breeders from 30 states and Canada purchased breeding stock with the LPH brand from 18 production sales so they could improve their breeding herds.
The American Legion was a very important part of Bob’s life. He held all of the offices in the Russellville American Legion Post 20 and District offices as well. Bob was elected Arkansas State Vice Commander in 1965 and Arkansas State Commander in 1967. At the local level Bob coached the American Legion Baseball team and served as the Chairman of that committee for 20 years.
Bob and his best friend, Paul White, were co-founders of the American Legion Children and Youth Committee program for Post 20. The Department of Arkansas adopted this program as its program for the state. Bob was the author of the Operation W.O.D. (War on Drugs) program, a comprehensive illegal drug and alcohol education program for students. It is a state-wide program and part of the program was adopted by the National American Legion Children and Youth Commission which has reached more than five million students. The program was cited by President George H.W. Bush and Bill Clinton, who was the governor of Arkansas at that time.
Bob was awarded the American Legion Department of Arkansas’ highest award, the Arkansas Americanism Award, for the War on Drugs program and was awarded the Children and Youth “Chairman of the Year” of the Southwest Region of the United States by the National Children and Youth Commission of the Legion three times.
The Riggs-Hamilton Post 20 Children and Youth trust fund was established by the Legan and White families in 1991. The proceeds are used for scholarships and addressing problem areas facing our nation’s children.
Bob served on the department’s budget and finance committee for six years, the policy committee for fifteen years, and served as chairman and co-chairman of the children and youth committee. He was awarded the American Legion National Education Award in recognition of outstanding service to the American Legion Scholarship programs.
At the national level, Bob was appointed to the National Cemetery
Committee in 1981 and served as chairman of that committee for 18 years. He was elected to the National Executive Committee, and he was elected to the high office of National Vice Commander at the Houston Convention in 1979. He also served on the American Legion Magazine Commission. He was an honorary life member of the Army, Navy and Air Force in Canada.
Bob’s interest in our youth included the 4-H program as well. The Legans, through their Blue Ribbon Companies, sponsored the 4-H poultry chain in 26 Arkansas counties for 10 years. More than 4, 000 children were provided a 4-H project through this program. The Legans were honored by the University of Arkansas for this contribution in the development of our nation’s youth.
Bob was a member of the Russellville Lions Club and the Russellville Ruritan Club. He served on many boards and commissions including the Arkansas Polled Hereford Association, the Pope County Fair Association, the Mid-South Fair Board, the Arkansas Poultry Federation, the Arkansas Athletic Commission, and the Pope County 911 Advisory Board.
Bob said that one of his most cherished accomplishments was the founding of the American Legion Foundation Department of Arkansas, which was founded to ensure the continued funding of future American Legion youth programs. Bob served as president and treasurer of this foundation.
During Bob’s many years of service to the American Legion, he was privileged to meet seven United States presidents - Richard Nixon, Gerald Ford, Jimmy Carter, Ronald Reagan, George H. W. Bush, Bill Clinton and George W. Bush.
Bob and Ruth were long time members of Second Baptist Church in Russellville, where Bob served as a deacon and choir member for many years. Later, they joined First Baptist Church in Russellville, where Bob was active in church visitation. After joining the First Baptist Church of Claremore, he continued to be active in church visitation. Bob and Ruth belong to the Joy Sunday school class.
Bob and Ruth have three children, Connie (Legan) Wilson and husband Ron Wilson of Glenpool; Ken Legan and wife Mary of Claremore; and Carol (Legan) Erdmann and husband Carl Erdmann of Roswell, New Mexico; six grandchildren, Anora Erdmann Tillman, Ashley Legan VanCleef, Dustin Wilson, Joshua Legan, Brandi Wilson and Myles Erdmann; and five great-grandchildren, Alexandra VanCleef, Hunter Wyrick, Tyson Wilson, Jackson VanCleef and Drue Legan.
In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to the American Legion Post 20, Children and Youth Trust Foundation, P.O. Box 972, Russellville, AR 72811 or American Legion Foundation, Dept. of Arkansas, P.O. Box 3280, Little Rock, AR 72203.
