Biographical And Historical Memoirs of Pulaski, Jefferson, Lonoke, Faulkner, Grant, Saline, Perry, Garland And Hot Spring Counties, Arkansas
Thomas "Tommy" Leslie Staten, Jr.
(May 5, 1939 - August 22, 2011)
U.S. Veteran - Thomas Leslie “Tommy” Staten, 72, of Jonesboro, went home to be with Jesus August 22, 2011.
He is remembered by Audrey Dunnam Staten; his son, Thomas Staten, III; his daughter and son-in-law, Tonya (Staten) & John Wade; grandchildren, Joshua and Sophia Wade; brothers; John Staten, William Staten; a sister Yetcha Stubblefield; and countless friends and family around the country.
He was a graduate of Walnut Ridge High School and Arkansas State University and a veteran of the Army. He was known as the travel king. He visited all 50 states and drove over one million miles. He loved visiting people and telling a good story. With him in heaven are his first wife, Linda Staten; his parents, Thomas “Leslie” Staten, Sr. & Elizabeth Chaney Staten; and even more family and friends. He is greatly missed.
Funeral services will be held on Saturday, August 27, 2011 at 3:00 p.m. at Central Baptist Church with Rev. James Lumpkin officiating. Emerson Funeral Home is in charge of arrangements. Visitation will be Saturday 1:00 – 3:00 p.m. at Central Baptist Church.
For lasting memorials, the family asks that consideration be given to The International Gideons, P.O. Box 140800, Nashville, Tennessee, 37214 or to the local Veterans Association.
Toxey Christopher and Briar Lynn Henderson
(August 29, 2011 - August 29, 2011)
Toxey Kristopher and Briar Lynn Henderson, infant twin sons of Angie and Kris Henderson, of Williford, Arkansas, died Monday, August 29, 2011 at Methodist Healthcare in Germantown, Tennessee. They were preceded in death by their great grandparents, J.C. and Jane Hall.
Survivors are the parents, Angie Hall Henderson and Kris Henderson, of the home; grandparents, Jay and Debby Hall of Jonesboro; Lynn and Freda Henderson of Williford, Arkansas; great grandparents, Naomi Seats and Floyd Cooksey; and Roy Henderson all of Jonesboro.
Graveside services will be 11:00 AM, Thursday, September 1, 2011 at Sweet Moments cemetery with Roger Hutcheson officiating and Emerson Funeral in charge of arrangements. Pallbearers are Bobby Cooksey and Teddy Hall. Visitation will be from 9:30 – 10:30 Thursday, at Emerson Funeral Home.
For those wishing to leave lasting memorials, the family requests you please consider the Fertility Associates of Memphis, 80 Humphreys Center, Suite 307, Memphis, Tennessee 38120.
Marc Evan Despain
(April 16, 1977 - August 24, 2011)
Marc Evan Despain, 34, of Jonesboro, died Wednesday, August 24, 2011, at his home.
A native and life-long resident of Jonesboro, Marc was a real estate appraiser and member of Central Baptist Church. He was a 1995 graduate of Nettleton High School where he was a member of the football team and many other sports. Marc enjoyed the beach, hunting, and scuba diving. He was a sports fan and supporter of the Valley View Blazers.
He was preceded in death by his grandmother Loretta Blankenship, grandfather Lawrence Despain, and a brother-in-law Brant Luke.
Survivors include his wife of 14 years, Michelle Despain of the home; 1 daughter, Brooke Despain; 2 sons, Zac Despain and Blake Despain, all of the home; his maternal grandfather, J.C. Blankenship and paternal grandmother, Doris Despain, both of Lake City; His father-in-law, Carl Kelley of Paragould; mother-in-law and husband, Kathy and Kevin Luke of Jonesboro; his aunt and her husband, Mandy and Kevin Turman of Houston, Texas; sister-in-law; Mary Kelley of Paragould; sister-in-law and husband Jaelyn and Daniel Goodwin of Jonesboro; brother-in-law and wife, Tyson and Nikki Luke of Campbell, Missouri; cousins, Alex Turman and Austin Turman both of Houston, Texas; his parents, Jack and Tana Despain of Jonesboro;1 sister, Jacquelyn Clayton of Jonesboro; 3 nieces, 2 nephews and many more loved ones and friends.
Funeral services will be held Monday afternoon at 2:00 at Central Baptist Church with Rev. Don Blackmore officiating. Burial will follow in Jonesboro Memorial Park cemetery with Emerson Funeral Home in charge of arrangements.
Active pallbearers include Jason Marshall, Matt Cossey, Josh Bean, Joey Perry, Kevin Cook and Jon Stotts. Honorary pallbearers include Jeremy Ragsdale, Nate Webb, Nick Thompson, Dave Tomlinson, Kevin Rouse, Mark Thurman, Brian Priddy, Jody Waleszonia, Mike Barkley, Jeremy Stracener, T.L. Davis, Michael Alexander, Clay Cahoon, Denver Ferguson, Jared Seeman, Jason Deatherage, Preston Ergle, Scott Holden, Chris Mitchell and the Nettleton Raider Class of 1995.
Visitation will be held Sunday 5:00 p.m.- 7:00 p.m. at Central Baptist Church.
Donations may be made to the Michelle Despain Fund benefitting Brooke, Zac and Blake at any BancorpSouth Bank location.
Wanda Thursia Harrell
(Died August 24, 2011)
Wanda Thursia Harrell, 84, went home to be with her Lord on Wednesday, August 24, 2011 after a brief illness. The only child born to Elmer and Buena Driskell on November 6, 1926 at Powhatan, Arkansas, Wanda spent her young years in Powhatan and Black Rock. At the close of WWII when the love of her life was discharged from the Navy, she married
Marcy Monroe Harrell in Detroit, Michigan where they made their home for the next twelve years. They had two daughters during this time, Pamela Lea and Candis Kay.
In 1958, the Harrell’s moved back to Walnut Ridge to be closer to family and help Mr. Albert Harrell in his shoe store in Black Rock. This was the beginning of Harrell's Shoe Outlet in Walnut Ridge which closed in 1971. Mrs. Harrell retired from the Lawrence County Cooperative School (Portia, AR) as physical therapy aide. She loved the children there and was a much loved care giver. Immediately upon her retirement, Mrs. Harrell sought activities and causes to keep her busy and was active in the First Baptist Church of Walnut Ridge and delivered Meals on Wheels, and helped with the care of her parents. Finding a job in her area of expertise, Ms. Harrell became a Wal-Mart greeter at the Walnut Ridge store and continued as a greeter in Parker Road Wal-Mart in Jonesboro until the day she entered the hospital, 17 years later. Mrs. Harrell loved her job, her colleagues, and considered them a second family.
The Harrell’s moved to Jonesboro in 2004 and became active in First Baptist Church and many community events. Her neighbors on Oak Meadow Cove and her Sunday school members became her close friends, and she treasured the time spent with each of them.
Mrs. Harrell was preceded in death by her parents and her husband of 63 years. Her living family includes her daughter Pamela Harrell Bush and husband Ben of Jonesboro, and daughter Candy Harrell of Fayetteville. She loved her precious grandchildren, Tanner Bassett of Fayetteville, Tiffany Bush Meyer of Evansville, Indiana, and Jordan Bush McIntire of Jonesboro. Their spouses became her grandchildren, too: Sarah Bassett, Ryan Meyer, and Jeremy McIntire. The great-grand children were more treasures to love: Ella and Grace Bassett, Aiden and Saylor Meyer, and Haley-Anne, Brinlea, and Bracken McIntire. "Nanny" was loved by all her family and will be missed forever. It was a privilege for her family members to be by her side when she left to be with her Lord.
Mrs. Harrell has many friends and extended family members whom she talked about often and continued to keep as a special part of her life.
Funeral Services will be Saturday, August 27, 2011 at 2p.m. at Emerson Memorial Chapel with Dr. Bruce Tippit officiating with Emerson Funeral Home in charge of arrangements. Burial will follow at Lawrence Memorial cemetery in Walnut Ridge.
Visitation will be from 1230p.m. until service time.
Honored to serve as active pallbearers will be Ben Bush, Tanner Bassett, Jeremy McIntire, Dr. Ryan Meyer, Jerry D. Bassett, and Lonnie Gilbreth.
Honorary Pallbearers will be Tom Sloan, Leroy Lacy, Max Harrell, and Dr. Ralph Joseph.
Dennis Barber
(September 24, 1949 - August 22, 2011)
Dennis Barber, 61, of Jonesboro, died Monday, August 22, 2011 at his home. He had lived in Jonesboro for the past 15 years, moving here from Mansfield, Ohio. Dennis was an avid Golfer, enjoyed woodworking and home projects. He loved spending time with his family and grandchildren. He was preceded in death by his parents.
Survivors are his wife of 28 years, Sandra Barber of the home; daughter, Stephanie Knight and husband Brian of DeGaff, Ohio; sisters, Cindi Barber of Newark, Ohio; Julie Merriman and Chris White of Mt. Vernon, Ohio; three grandchildren, Samuel Knight, Gillian Knight and Valerie Knight.
A memorial service will be 2:00 PM, Saturday, August 27, 2011 at the Faith Free Will Baptist Church with Kenneth Winningham officiating and Brian Knight as the Eulogist. Emerson Funeral Home is in charge of arrangements. There will be no public visitation.
For those wishing to leave lasting memorials please consider the American Cancer Society, 1205 S. Madison, Jonesboro, Arkansas 72401 or Stuttering Foundation of America, P.O. Box 11749 Memphis, TN 38111-0749.
Allan C. Jaress
(June 25, 1938 - August 20, 2011)
Allan C. Jaress, 73, of Jonesboro, died Saturday, August 20, 2011 at his home. He had lived in Jonesboro for the past 10 years, moving here from Jupiter, Florida. Allan was a member of the Greensboro Road Church of Christ and was preceded in death by his parents.
Survivors are his wife of 51 years, Barbara Jaress, of the home; son, David Jaress and wife Jennifer of Gainesville, Florida; daughter, Debra Smith and husband Scott of Hobe Sound, Florida; one brother, Leonard Jaress of Venice, Florida and five grandchildren.
Funeral services will be 10:00 AM, Friday, August 26, 2011 at Jonesboro Memorial Park Mausoleum with Terry Jo Kee and Bill Willard officiating and Emerson Funeral Home in charge of arrangements. The US Coast Guard will provide military honors. There will be no public visitation.
For those wishing to leave lasting memorials, the family requests you please consider the Greensboro Road Church of Christ, 2008 Old Greensboro Road, Jonesboro, Arkansas, 72401.
Jimmy Max Shockley
(July 22, 1941 - August 18, 2011)
Jimmy Max Shockley, 70, of Truman died on Thursday August 18, 2011, at NEA Baptist Hospital.
Jimmy was preceded in death by his Parents, Shelby and Lady Maude Shockley.
Survivors include his daughters, Charlotte Peters(Gerry) of Reidsville, GA, Sheila Chapman(Jerry) and Sharon Million(Lanny) all of Jonesboro; a companion, Lynda of the home; and her son, Wayne of Walnut Ridge; a sister Carolyn Chambers of Jonesboro; two uncles, Marvin and Clarence Higgins of Jonesboro; an aunt, Patsy Stephens also of Jonesboro; seven grandchildren, Deanna McNamee, Jimmy Shockley, Johnny Shockley, Justin Shockley, Jeremy Shockley, Alan Million, and Preston Million; and two great grandchildren, Ruthie and Rylan.
Graveside services will be Tuesday at 11 a.m. in Jonesboro Memorial Park cemetery with Winston Burton and Mike Martin officiating, and Emerson Funeral Home in charge of arrangements.
Visitation will be on Monday from 6-8pm at Emerson Funeral Home.
