Biographical And Historical Memoirs of Pulaski, Jefferson, Lonoke, Faulkner, Grant, Saline, Perry, Garland And Hot Spring Counties, Arkansas
Rodney Jerome Laughlin
Rodney Jerome Laughlin, age 51, a resident of De Queen, died Thursday, May 15, 2014 in De Queen.
He was born April 18, 1963 in California. He worked for Pilgrim’s Pride. He accepted Christ as his Savior in January 2013 and was a member of Grace Baptist Church in De Queen.
Mr. Laughlin was preceded in death by his parents, Warren Lee and Maxine Busby Laughlin.
He is survived by six sisters and four brothers-in-law, Cynthia and Cenobil Castaneda and Judy and Stanley Myers all of De Queen, Arkansas, Sheila Waldon of South Carolina, Paula and John Ferraro of California, Linda Laughlin of Arkansas and Teressa and Larry Baugus of South Carolina; one brother and sister-in-law, Michael and Janice Dearing of Illinois and a number of nieces and nephews. He dearly loved his cat, Tails and two dogs, Carlito and Scrappy.
A Memorial service for Mr. Laughlin will be held at 6:00 p.m., Friday, May 30, 2014 in the Grace Baptist Church with Rev. Tim Johnson officiating.
Cremation arrangements by Wilkerson Funeral Home.
Dale Coleman Vann
Mr. Dale Coleman Vann, age 75, a resident of Gillham, died Wednesday, May 14th in the Mena Regional Medical Center, Mena, Ark.
He was born to Issac Coleman and Georgia Alene Bird Vann, in Gillham, Arkansas, on April 29, 1939. He graduated from Gillham High School in 1957, and entered the military in 1961, serving with the U. S. Army. He was quality control manager for Pilgrim’s Pride, retiring after 50 years of service. Mr. Vann was a member of the First Baptist Church, and enjoyed fishing, hunting, and was an avid Razorback fan. Above all, he was a dedicated husband, father and grandfather.
He was preceded in death by his parents, his siblings, Bruce Edwin Vann, Susan Alene Vann, Phillip Vann, and Eddie Vann, and a son-in-law, Randy Kesterson.
He is survived by his wife of over 49 years, Joyce Holder Vann of Gillham, three daughters and sons-in-law, Gwen and Tom Underwood of Sebastopol, Mississippi, Michele and Whit Miles of Wickes and Stephanie Prewett of Alma, Arkansas, seven grandchildren, Karli Underwood, Josh Underwood, Ryan Kesterson, Kaylee Kesterson, Zachary Vann, Addyson Prewett, and Jordyn Prewett, one brother, Donnie Vann of Gillham, and a number of nieces and nephews.
Funeral Services for Mr. Dale Vann will be held at 2:00 P.M., Saturday, May 17th in the Chandler Funeral Home Chapel with Bro. Homer Frachiseur officiating. Burial will follow in the Gillham Cemetery, Gillham, Arkansas, under the direction of Chandler Funeral Home, De Queen. The family will receive friends at Chandler Funeral Home on Friday, May 16th from 4:00 to 6:00 P.M. Memorials may be made to the Diamond Bank in De Queen, as this memorial will benefit The Leukemia and Lymphoma Society, in Dale’s Memory.
William Moland “Bill” Renfrow, Jr
William Moland “Bill” Renfrow, Jr., age 82, a resident of De Queen, Arkansas died Tuesday, May 6, 2014 in Texarkana, Arkansas.
He was born January 1, 1932 in Carmine, Texas. He was a master electrician, a Mason and a member if the I.B.E.W. Union.
He was preceded in death by his parents, William Moland Renfrow, Sr. and Lorene Johana Johle Renfrow; a daughter, Rebecca Ray Renfrow in 1996; a grandson, Charles Daniel Altenbaumer in 1986; a sister, Betty Virginia Renfrow Cox in 2013; and a brother, Robert David Renfrow in 2006.
He is survived by his wife, Lila Merle Gage Renfrow of De Queen; one daughter and son-n-law, Mary Beth and Dallas Altenbaumer of Alleene, Arkansas; one son, Daniel Renfrow of Houston, Texas; two sisters and a brother-in-law, Vivian and Edward Fears of De Queen and Judy Ford of Garland, Texas; one brother, Roger Renfrow of Texarkana; two step daughters and sons-in-law, Cheryl and Don Higgins and Nancy and Randy Gore, all of De Queen; four grandchildren, six great grandchildren and a number of nieces and nephews.
Cremation arrangements by Wilkerson Funeral Home.
A memorial graveside service will be held at 2:00 p.m. on Sunday, May 18, 2014, in the Redmen Cemetery.
Melba Lee Lester Liggan
Melba Lee Lester Liggan, age 70, a resident of Newhope, Arkansas died Monday, May 12, 2014 in Nashville, Arkansas.
She was born September 24, 1943 in Waco, Texas. She was a housewife and a beloved wife, mother, grandmother and great-grandmother.
Mrs. Liggan was preceded in death by her parents, Charles Samuel and Imogene Hamilton Lester; her husband, Massie Dan Liggan; two sisters, Margie Lester and Vickie Burnett.
She is survived by one son, Sammy Edgar Turner of Newhope; one daughter and son-in-law, Becky and Tim Reed of Newhope; one sister and brother-in-law, Dorothy and Larry (Bro) Graham of Prescott, Arkansas; 8 grandchildren, Jennifer Turner of Hot Springs, AR, Travis and Amy Turner, Marlee Stapp, Karley Stapp, Mickinzie Stapp, Turner Reed, McKenzie Reed and Kloe Knighten, all of Newhope; one great-grandson, Kason Dougan of Nashville, AR; three nieces and three nephews, Paula and Leon Tedder of Prescott, Debra and Floyd Payne of Prescott, Susan Cline of Indianapolis, Indiana, David Barnett and Mark Barnett both of Alvin, Texas and Mark Landis of San Antonio, Texas; and a number of special friends.
Funeral services for Mrs. Liggan will be held at 2:00 p.m. Thursday, May 15, 2014 in the Wilkerson Funeral Home Chapel in Dierks with Rev. Kenny Fant officiating. Burial will follow in the Shiloh Cemetery.
The family will receive friends from 4-7 p.m. Wednesday, May 14, 2014 at the funeral home in Dierks.
Barbara Jo Hudson
Barbara Jo Hudson, age 69, a resident of De Queen, Arkansas, died Friday, May 9, 2014 in Christus St. Michael Health System in Texarkana, Texas.
She was born January 4, 1945 in Lexington, Nebraska. She was retired from Pilgrim’s Pride and was a member of the First Presbyterian Church in De Queen.
Mrs. Hudson was preceded in death by her parents, Warren and Josephine Gertrude Spiegel Focks; one son, Horacio “Rosko” Gonzalez; one sister and three brothers.
She is survived by her children, Annette Turner of Wickes, AR, Gene and Lorri Hudson of Henryetta, OK, Sallie and Leo Medina of Batesville, AR, Nina Ahmed and Junior of De Queen, AR, Valentin and Cherie Gonzalez of Batesville, AR, Shalamar and Brandon Dinger of Austin, AR and Cheyenne Hudson of De Queen; one sister, Mildred Bainbridge of Oregon; 20 grandchildren, 30 great-grandchildren and a number of nieces and nephews.
Funeral Services for Mrs. Hudson will be held at 3:00 p.m., Wednesday, May 14, 2014 in the Wilkerson Funeral Home Chapel with Rev. Grant Groves officiating. Burial will follow in the Redmen Cemetery.
Viewing will be from 9 a.m. to 8 p.m. Tuesday, May 13 , 2014 at the funeral home.
Mrs. Melissa Renee Box Hill
Mrs. Melissa Renee Box Hill, age 44, a resident of Nashville, Arkansas, died Sunday, May 11th in Nashville, Arkansas.
She was born on January 11, 1970 in Alexandria, Louisiana, and was a homemaker. She was a Baptist and enjoyed her family, especially her granddaughter.
She is survived by her husband, Kevin L. Hill of Nashville, two sons, Mason Kyle Box of Dry Prong, Louisiana, and Kody Lynn Box of Nashville, one daughter, Meagan LeAnn Hill of Nashville, a granddaughter, Anna Bella Lashay Hill of Nashville, her father and step-mother, Roy Travis and Judy Box of Dry Prong, Louisiana, two brothers, Michael Box of Switzerland, and Kevin Box of Natchitoches, Louisiana, and a number of nieces and nephews.
Graveside funeral services will be held at 2:00 P.M., Wednesday, May 14th in the Harmony Cemetery, near New Hope, Arkansas, under the direction of Chandler Funeral Home, De Queen Visitation will be held on Tuesday, May 13th from 6:00 to 8:00 P.M. at Chandler Funeral Home.
Carole Sue Kimbell
Carole Sue Kimbell, 75, of Magnolia, AR died Sunday, May 4, 2014 at the John R. Williamson Hospice House in El Dorado, AR.
Sue was born December 26, 1938 in Magnolia. She was a member of the Antioch East Baptist Church, was a cosmetologist for Bennye’s Beauty Salon and loved flowers, gardening, and woodworking. She crocheted a countless number of afghans and baby blankets and lovingly gave them away. Sue’s charitable gift was crocheting beanies for the patients at MD Anderson Cancer Center, University of Arkansas for Medical Sciences (UAMS) and the Neonatal Intensive Care Unit at UAMS.
She was preceded in death by her parents, Joseph Perry and Susie (Wallace) Daniel and her brother-in-law Richard Kimbell who passed away within an hour of her passing.
Sue is survived by her husband of 56 years, Raymond Kimbell of Magnolia; daughters Karen Mitchell and husband Keith of De Queen, Penny Smith of Bossier City, LA; brother Charles “Tommy” Daniel and wife Carolyn of Magnolia; grandchildren Chase Smith and wife Brittany of Russellville, Aaron Smith and wife Melissa of Arkadelphia, Haley Smith of Russellville, Toby Hedge of Fayetteville, Tanner Hedge, Tabitha Mitchell, Alisha Mitchell, JC Mitchell, and Erin Mitchell all of De Queen; great grandsons Barrett and Jett Smith of Russellville; one nephew, one niece, several great nephews and great nieces, cousins and a host of friends.
Funeral services were held on Wednesday, May 7th at 2 PM at the Antioch East Baptist Church with Bro. Ron Owen officiating. Burial followed at Memorial Park Cemetery under the direction of Lewis Funeral Home, Inc. of Magnolia. Visitation was Tuesday from 5 to 7 PM at the funeral home.
Pallbearers were Toby Hedge, Tanner Hedge, JC Mitchell, Chase Smith, Aaron Smith, and Jared Fuller. Honorary pallbearers will be the Deacons of Antioch East Baptist Church.
Memorial donations may be made to the Antioch East Baptist Church Building Fund, 370 Columbia 25, Magnolia, AR 71753.
