Biographical And Historical Memoirs of Pulaski, Jefferson, Lonoke, Faulkner, Grant, Saline, Perry, Garland And Hot Spring Counties, Arkansas
Mary Frances Pettigrew
Mrs. Mary Frances Suggs Pettigrew, age 85, resident of Ashdown, Arkansas and former resident of Horatio, passed from this life on Tuesday, August 11, 2020 in the CHRISTUS St. Michael Health System, Texarkana, Texas.
She was born on July 26, 1935 in Wilton, Arkansas to the late Azz and Pearl Roshawn Suggs, one of five children. Mrs. Pettigrew was a Homemaker and faithful member of Horatio Assembly of God Church. She enjoyed going to church, cooking and spending time with her children and grandchildren.
She was preceded in death by her parents; three daughters, Ruby Pauline Rightmire, Louann Vincent, and Mary Ellen Ward; two brothers, William and Fred Suggs; and two sisters, Susie Wilson and Lorene Plunk.
She is survived by three sons and daughters-in-law, Jerry and Kathy Plunk of Idabel, Oklahoma, Carl and Kelly Plunk of Horatio, Arkansas, and Oscar and Amy Pettigrew of Horatio, Arkansas; two daughters and one son-in-law, Frances and Robert Brizendine of Broken Bow, Oklahoma and Connie Strong of Horatio, Arkansas; 26 grandchildren; as well as, a number of great-grandchildren, nieces, nephews, other relatives and friends.
Memorial Services for Mrs. Mary Pettigrew will be held at 10:00 A.M., Saturday, August 22, 2020 at Horatio Fist Assembly of God Church with Bro. John Gutierres officiating. Cremation Arrangements are under the direction of Chandler Funeral Home, De Queen.
The use of a face mask or covering will be required during the memorial service. Any other regulations of Horatio First Assembly of God Church may apply.
Floyd C. Wray
Mr. Floyd Crockett Wray, age 87, a resident of Dierks, Arkansas, and former resident of De Queen, died Tuesday, August 11, 2020. He was one of six sons born to William Thomas and Bertie Eugenia Kinnard Wray. Floyd was born in Lockesburg, Arkansas on December 30, 1932.
He was a veteran of the Korean Conflict, having served in the U. S. Army. He was a retired Ford Mechanic, and a Baptist. He loved to play music, and in later years sit on his porch and watch the deer and birds, but most of all, he cherished the time spent with his family.
He was preceded in death buy his parents, five brothers, Edwin Wray, Charles Wray, Billy Wray, Joe Wray, and Jimmy Wray, and a great-granddaughter, Haley Marie Bell.
He leaves to cherish his memory, his life companion, Roma Jackson of Dierks, two sons, Scotty Wray of Hermitage, Tennessee and Floyd “Bubba” Wray all of Nashville, Tennessee, a great-granddaughter, Maddie Bell of Nashville, Tennessee and a number of nieces and nephews.
A private memorial service will be held at a later date in Mt. Ida Cemetery. Cremation arrangements by Chandler Funeral Home, De Queen.
Fredrick Neal Smith
Frederick Neal Smith, age 89, passed away on August, 10, 2020, in Ashdown, Arkansas, from complications from Covid-19. He was born on February 21, 1931, in Winthrop, Arkansas, to Elisha Frederick and Ruth Ona (Van Eman) Smith. He is preceded in death by his parents, his wife of 64 years, Norma Rae Abshier Smith; three brothers: Nicholas James Smith, Curtis Dale Smith and David Eugene Smith; one sister, Elizabeth (Betty) Smith Culp. He is survived by his sister, Martha June Smith Markwalter, of Texarkana, Texas, and a host of nieces and nephews whom he dearly loved.
He was born and raised in Winthrop, where he attended grade school and high school. Following a year at Southern State College, he married Norma Rae Abshier from Horatio and settled down in the Crossroads community near Winthrop. He worked hard on the farm and in timber until he was called into the Army where he served two years at Camp Chaffe in Fort Smith, Arkansas, and Fort Sill in Lawton, Oklahoma. Following his stint in the service, he returned to the Crossroads where he continued working on the farm and in timber. He soon returned to college at Henderson State University in Arkadelphia and pursued a bachelor’s degree in education. He began his career in Foreman where he filled in for Mrs. Maize Cannon for a semester. For the next 25 years, he thoroughly enjoyed coaching and teaching mathematics. He continued his education receiving a master’s degree from Southeastern University in Durant, Oklahoma, and post graduate studies at the University of Arkansas in Fayetteville.
Throughout his life, he was active in social, educational, fraternal, judicial and charitable organizations. He was a member of the National, Arkansas and Little River Education Associations (active and retired), and a member of Phi Delta Kappa. He was a Past Master of Rocky Comfort Masonic Lodge in Foreman, a member of the Shriners where he served as president numerous times of the Cossatot Shrine Club in De Queen, and a member of the Scottish Rite Bodies. In these capacities, he sponsored and physically took many children to the Crippled Children’s Hospital in Shreveport. He loved helping children. Another fraternal organization in which he took much pride is The Order of the Eastern Star, an organization in which he could share with his wife, Norma Rae. In the Star, he served five years as Worthy Patron and traveled many miles and made good friends. He also belonged to many farm related groups. He was a board member and past president of the Little River County Farm Bureau and a member of the Sevier and Little River Cattlemen’s Association. He served twenty-two years on the Quorum Court as District 1 Justice of the Peace in Little River County and, also filled vacancies after deaths of members in his district.
Although, he was always busy on the farm and enjoyed his many other activities, his greatest love was his church. He was a charter member of the First Southern Baptist Church of the Crossroads which he and several other members literally built. His was a labor of love! He was trustee, chairman of building and grounds committee, a member of the financial crisis committee, Discipleship Training Director, Baptismal Committee member and Men’s Sunday School teacher. Whether he was helping someone who came by for financial help, checking the heat in the baptistery at 6 a.m. in preparation for a baptisms, traveling over a hundred miles to pick up a steeple or nearby for parts, or just cleaning commodes, he felt he was just doing his duty and enjoyed it.
Graveside funeral services for Mr. Smith will be held at 2:00 p.m., Wednesday, August 12, 2020, at the Campground Cemetery Pavilion with Bro. Mark Markle officiating, under the direction of Wilkerson Funeral Home in De Queen, Arkansas.
Julia Annette Cox Stanford
Mrs. Julia Annette Cox Stanford, age 82, a resident of Horatio, Arkansas died Monday, August 10, 2020, in Texarkana, Texas.
She was born September 13, 1937, in Horatio. Mrs. Stanford was a homemaker and a member of the Horatio Assembly of God. She enjoyed reading her Bible and working in the yard.
Mrs. Stanford was preceded in death by her parents, Willie Clifford and Gladys Delcenia Romine Cox; her husband, Dock Stanford; one son, Rickey Stanford; two sisters, Adele Swan and Glendyne Watts; and two brothers, Gerald Cox and an infant brother, Carrol Cox.
She is survived by one daughter, Falicia Stanford; one son, Travis Stanford; one sister, Willene Gray; one grandson and his wife, Cass and Nikki Stanford; one great grandson, Jai Stanford; and a number of nieces and nephews.
A come and go visitation will be held from 5:00-8:00 p.m., Friday, August 14th at the funeral home.
A private memorial service will be held at a later date. Cremation arrangements by Wilkerson Funeral Home in De Queen, Arkansas.
Charles Franklin Butler
Charles Franklin Butler, age 82, a resident of Horatio, Arkansas died Wednesday, August 5, 2020, in Ashdown, Arkansas.
He was born January 15, 1938, in Foreman, Arkansas. Mr. Butler was a car dealer and attended the First Assembly of God Church in Horatio. He was an avid team roper and loved taking care of his yard.
Mr. Butler was preceded in death by his parents, Rufus William and Dorothy Mae Stoker Butler and six brothers.
He is survived by his wife Jamie Marie Abshire Butler; one son and daughter-in-law, Charles Ray Butler and Charlotte McCarley and one daughter and son-in-law, Cheryl and Shannon Fielding all of Horatio; his grandchildren and their spouses, Cody Butler, Falon and Daniel Johnson, Laken and Dustin Plunk, Garrett Fielding, Amanda and Kevin Frachiseur, David and Casey Jones, Allison and Mo Milam, Shelly Johnson, and Shawn Lloyd; his great grandchildren, Knox, Perry, Carter, Livi, Gavin, Evin, Rustin, Bentin, Noah, Lennon, and Everleigh; four sisters, Shirley Oglesby of Arkinda, Arkansas, Helen Smith of Goodwater, Oklahoma, Mary Lincoln of Haworth, Oklahoma, and Lucille Henderson of Arkinda; and a number of nieces and nephews.
A memorial service for Mr. Butler will be held at 10:00 a.m., Saturday, August 15, 2020 in the Wilkerson Funeral Home Chapel with John Gutierres and Jason Caudle officiating. Burial will follow in the Horatio Cemetery.
Family requests that everyone remain safe and please wear a face mask and practice social distancing for safety.
In lieu of flowers memorials may be made to Charles Butler Sevier County Rodeo Scholarship Fund at Horatio State Bank, P.O. Box 437, Horatio, AR 71832.
Lillian Lois McKeller Gore
Mrs. Lillian Lois McKeller Gore, age 104, a resident of Lockesburg, Arkansas died Saturday, August 8, 2020 at her home.
She was born January 15, 1916 in Lockesburg. She was a homemaker, loved quilting and gardening, and was a member of Falls Chapel Cumberland Presbyterian Church. She was a great cook and everyone enjoyed her biscuits and gravy.
Mrs. Gore was preceded in death by her parents, Robert and Lillian Deal McKeller; her husband, Sebren Gore; and a number of brothers and sisters.
She is survived by one daughter, Lena DeLois Lee of Lockesburg; one grandson, Randy (Vickie) Lee; one granddaughter, Tilly (Larry) Hutson; five great grandchildren, seven great-great grandchildren, two great-great-great grandchildren and a number of nieces and nephews.
Graveside funeral services for Mrs. Gore will be held at 11:00 a.m. Tuesday, August 11, 2020 in the Falls Chapel Cemetery with Ann Holley and Bobby McKeller officiating, under the direction of Wilkerson Funeral Home.
Family requests that everyone remain safe and please, if possible, wear a face mask and practice social distancing for safety.
Mattie Evelyn Alexander Walters
Mrs. Mattie Evelyn Alexander Walters, known to many as Big Mama, age 103, a resident of Ashdown, Arkansas formerly of De Queen, Arkansas died Sunday, August 9, 2020, in Ashdown.
She was born April 27, 1917, in Sevier County. She was retired from Mount Air Poultry and a member of the First Baptist Church.
Mrs. Walters was preceded in death by her parents, Jesse and Betty Young Alexander; her husband, Clyde Walters; and two sons, Billy J. Walters and Jimmy Clyde “Mutt” Walters.
She is survived by three daughters, Pat Clay of Lockesburg, Arkansas, Diane Webb of Mena, Arkansas, and Tammy Kitchens of Miami, Florida; 11 grandchildren; 10 great grandchildren;15 great-great grandchildren; and a number of nieces and nephews.
Graveside funeral services for Mrs. Walters will be held at 10:00 a.m., Wednesday, August 12, 2020, in the Greens Chapel Cemetery with Terry Chapman officiating, under the direction of Wilkerson Funeral Home.
General viewing will be held from 10:00 a.m.-5:00 p.m., Tuesday, August 11th at the funeral home in De Queen.
The family would like to thank Pleasant Manor Nursing Home for the special care they gave Mrs. Walters.
