Biographical And Historical Memoirs of Pulaski, Jefferson, Lonoke, Faulkner, Grant, Saline, Perry, Garland And Hot Spring Counties, Arkansas
Omer Jackson Riley, II
(March 1, 1955 - February 14, 2012)
Omer Jackson Riley, II age 56, of Mena, Arkansas passed away Tuesday, February 14, 2012 in Fort Smith, Arkansas.
He was born March 1, 1955 in Evansville, Indiana to the late Ray Riley, Sr. and to Jean Oliver. He was a self-employed handy-man and enjoyed the outdoors, particularly the mountains and fishing. Mr. Riley’s greatest passion, however, was his family, who will miss him very much.
He is survived by:
Daughters: Angela Hudson and husband Donnie of Houston, Texas Catherine Ulmer and husband Bennett of Mena, Arkansas
Mother: Jean Riley of Mena, Arkansas
Brothers: Ray Riley, Jr. of Mena, Arkansas Pat Riley of Mena, Arkansas Sister: Pamela Albin of Mena, Arkansas
Grandchildren: Abbigail and Shannon Hudson of Houston, Texas
Nieces and Nephews: Jean Epperson and David Riley, Rebecca Riley, Ray Riley, III, Amanda Reid, and Nat Riley
Funeral service will be Monday, February 20, 2012 at 2:00 p.m. in the Beasley-Wood Chapel with Dr. Lamar Austin officiating. Interment will follow in Pinecrest Memorial Park under the direction of the Beasley-Wood Funeral Home. Visitation for family and friends will be Saturday evening, February 18th from 6:00 to 8:00 p.m. at the funeral home.
Pallbearers are Ray Riley, Jr., Nat Riley, Dezi Bowles, Bennett Ulmer, Scott Reid, and David Riley.
Edward L. Gates
(July 21, 1940 - February 20, 2012)
Mr. Edward L. Gates, age 71, of Cove, Arkansas, passed away Monday, February 20, 2012.
He was born July 21, 1940 in Paris, Texas to the late Sherwood Tony Gates and the late Mary Esther Dollins Gates. He was a welding supervisor in the construction business and was a loving father, brother, uncle, and friend.
He is survived by:
Sons: Sherwood Michael Loyd Gates of Nashville, Arkansas Richard Edward Gates of Murfreesboro, Arkansas
Daughter: Charlotte Diane Gates of Mineral Springs, Arkansas
Brother: Tony Ray Gates of Grand Prairie, Texas Sister: Essie Mae Jordan of Cove, Arkansas
Niece: Essie Charlene Jewell of Cove, Arkansas
And several nieces and nephews.
He was preceded in death by his parents, Tony and Esther Gates, and by a brother, Jack Gates.
Memorial services will be Saturday, February 25, 2012 at 2:00 p.m. at the Revival Center at Cove with Brother Reggie Fryar officiating. Arrangements are under the direction of the Beasley-Wood Funeral Home.
Thurman Roberts
(September 1, 1928 - March 1, 2012)
Thurman Roberts, age 83, of Mena, passed away Thursday, March 1, 2012 in Mena.
He was born September 1, 1928 in Opal, Arkansas to the late George Roberts and the late Ruby B. Mason Roberts. He was united in marriage September 9, 1950 in Mena, Arkansas to Betty Jayne Little. Mr. Roberts worked for Dale Rodgers Lumber Company for many years. He was a loving husband, father, brother, uncle and friend.
Survivors are:
Daughter: Carolyn Porter of Fort Smith, Arkansas
Sister: Marie Matte of Las Vegas, Nevada
Niece: Mary Jane Roberts of Mena, Arkansas
Numerous nieces, nephews and cousins.
He was preceded in death by his parents, George and Ruby Roberts and his wife, Betty Jayne Little Roberts, and his brothers, George, James, Argus and Sherman Roberts.
In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made to the Humane Society of the Ouachitas or the church of one’s choice.
Graveside services will be Saturday, March 3, 2012 at 2:00 p.m. at the Mt. Gilead Cemetery in Rocky with Brother Niles White officiating. Interment will follow under the direction of the Beasley-Wood Funeral Home.
Visitation is general.
Brett Alan Wheeler
(September 23, 1983 - February 14, 2012)
Brett Alan Wheeler, age 28, and his daughter, Liliania Leann “Lili” Wheeler, age 5, both of Mena, passed away Tuesday, February 14, 2012 in Pine Ridge.
Brett was born September 23, 1983 in Hot Springs, Arkansas to Steve Wheeler and Brenda Parnell, and was raised by his parents, Randy and Brenda Parnell Blevins. Brett worked at Alexis Springs Water Company as a Bottler and was of the Baptist faith. Lili was born April 9, 2006 in Hot Springs, Arkansas. Brett and Lili were devoted to each other and to their family and friends who loved them both and will never be the same without them.
He is survived by:
Father: Steve Wheeler of Tampa, Florida
Mother: Brenda Blevins of Mena, Arkansas
Brother: Brandon Blevins of Hot Springs, Arkansas
He was preceded in death by his father who raised him, Randy Blevins.
She is survived by:
Mother: Michelle Votra of Mt. Ida, Arkansas Grandparents: Brenda Blevins of Mena, Arkansas Steve Wheeler of Tampa, Florida Great- Grandparents: Jerry and Betty Parnell of Mt. Ida, Arkansas Jim and Joyce Stone of Mt. Ida, Arkansas Nancy Hammond of Oden, Arkansas
Brother and Sisters: Todd, Tabitha, Haley, and Harley
Many aunts, uncles and cousins.
Funeral services for Brett will be Saturday, February 18, 2012 at 10:00 a.m. at the Beasley-Wood Chapel with Brother Horace Lawrence officiating. Interment follows in Pine Ridge Cemetery under the direction of the Beasley-Wood Funeral Home. Visitation will be general.
Pallbearers will be B.J. McAdams, Robert Keeton, Jerry Chrisenberry, Gideon Goodnight, Tommy Strother, Robby Strother, Chris Ledbetter, Charlie Chambers, and Jimmy Vanhorn.
Lavada Initia Price
(September 2, 1930 - March 17, 2012)
Lavada Initia Price, age 81, of Wickes, Arkansas passed away Saturday, March 17, 2012 in Mena, Arkansas.
Lavada was born September 02, 1930 in Wickes, Arkansas to the late John Truly Wilcher and the late Ferrie Initia Myers Wilcher. She was married to the late Orman Price until his death. Lavada was a caring and loving teacher with the Wickes Headstart Program for many years. She also was a volunteer in the Grandparent Program in the Wickes Elementary Schools and was loved by many children whose lives she touched. Lavada was a member of the Wickes Pentecostal Church of God. She was a loving mother, grandmother, sister, and a dear friend to all who knew her and loved her.
She is survived by:
Daughters: Brenda Hensley and husband Philip of Wickes, Arkansas Diane Richardson and husband Scott of Wickes, Arkansas
Brother: Robert Lee Wilcher and wife Jean of DeQueen, Arkansas
Three grandchildren and three great-grandchildren
Host of many friends
She was preceded in death by her husband, Orman Price, parents, John Truly and Ferrie Wilcher, one son, Ronnie Price, one sister, and two brothers.
Graveside services will be Thursday, March 22, 2012 at 10:00 a.m. at Baker Cemetery in Wickes, Arkansas with Brother Chris Burke officiating under the direction of the Beasley-Wood Funeral Home of Mena.
Visitation is General
