Biographical And Historical Memoirs of Pulaski, Jefferson, Lonoke, Faulkner, Grant, Saline, Perry, Garland And Hot Spring Counties, Arkansas
Billy Paul Joyner
Billy “Paul” Joyner, 73, departed this life on July 16, 2015, at his home in El Dorado, Arkansas. Paul was born April 10, 1942, in Conway, Arkansas, to the late Weldon Andrew Joyner and Ruby Joy Ingram.
He was a graduate of Little Rock University and attended graduate school at the University of Arkansas in Fayetteville. He was a member of the Army National Guard of Arkansas, 125th Medical Battalion and was employed by the Social Security Administration for 30 years. He had a passion for antique and classic cars and enjoyed driving his 1955 Chevrolet Bel-Air. But his greatest delights were his two young grandsons, Zachary and Ryan.
In addition to his parents, he was preceded in death by his grandparents, William Allen and Virgie Sneed Ingram and Clyde and Jane Johnson Joyner.
He is survived by his wife of 47 years, Marilyn Vanhoof Joyner; their daughter, Jacqueline Drescher of Charleston, S.C.; her husband Scott and their children, Zachary Scott and Ryan David. He is also survived by his daughter, Bridget Kennedy, her sons Zane Franks and Syrr Willborn, all of Texarkana, Texas; and a great-grandson, Cody Willborn of Copperas Cove, Texas. In addition he is survived by a brother, James Joyner of Little Rock, his uncle, Harold Dee Joyner of Bee Branch, and numerous cousins, brothers and sisters-in-law, nephews and nieces.
A Memorial Mass will be held at noon Friday, July 24, at Holy Redeemer Catholic Church with Father Edward D’Almedia officiating. A reception will follow.
Burial with military honors will be at 1 p.m. Thursday, July 23, at Bee Branch cemetery with John Evans Jr. officiating under the direction of Young’s Funeral Directors of El Dorado. In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made to St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital or Holy Redeemer Church Building fund.
Mabel Thompson
Mabel Stella Thompson 89, of Clinton, Arkansas, passed away Thursday, July 9, 2015. She was born Aug. 31, 1925, at Shirley, Arkansas, to Sherman and Leona (Anschultz) Watts.
She was preceded in death by her parents; husband Coy Thompson; son Donnie Thompson; brothers Clifford, Roy, Marvin, James and Billy Watts; sister, Crystal Simmons.
She is survived by her daughter, Dorthy (Donald) Bradford; five grandchildren, Randall Bradford, Dena Malone, Billy Don Thompson, Deanna Thompson and Tonya Harp; seven great-grandchildren; and two great-great-grandchildren.
Pallbearers: Billy Don Thompson, David Harp, David MacNear, Devin MacNear, Donald Bradford and Benjamin Bradford.
Visitation was Monday, and funeral service was at 2 p.m. Monday, July 13, 2015, at Full Gospel Tabernacle, Shirley, Arkansas, with Pastor Michael Roberson officiating. Burial will follow in Shady Grove cemetery, Shirley. Funeral arrangements are under the care and direction of Roller-McNutt Funeral Home Clinton, Arkansas.
Jerry Campbell
Jerry Layne Campbell, 73, of Clinton, passed away July 12, 2015. He was born July 9, 1942, to Marion Francis and Dorothy Elizabeth McGehee Campbell in Scotland, Arkansas. He spent his career as a truck driver. He was a member of Main Line Gospel Church and was a bronc rider when he was younger. Jerry loved visiting with friends and neighbors.
He is survived by his grandchildren, Wesley Tomis and Kristen Campbell. Jerry is also survived by two nieces, Gwen Hill and Tami Meyers, and sister Jo Gillham. Jerry was preceded in death by his parents, son Jerry Lynn Campbell and brother Edward Campbell.
Visitation was Tuesday, July 14, 2015. Funeral will be Wednesday, July 15, 2015, at 2 p.m. at Clinton Funeral Service Chapel with Bro. Michael Robertson and Bro. Virgil Lemings officiating. Burial will follow at Hunter Hill cemetery.
Pallbearers will be Mike Meyers, Robbie Hill, Mike Lankford, Kenneth Lemings, Joe Lee and Claude Hankins.
Funeral arrangements entrusted to the care of Clinton Funeral Service.
Geneva Shipp
Geneva Maria Shipp, age 90 of Searcy, transitioned from this life on Monday in Searcy. She was born July 29, 1925, in Scotland, Arkansas, to Clyde Stroud and Ada Millsap Stroud. After a happy childhood in Scotland, Mrs. Shipp lived in Little Rock for 60 years and the last 10 years with her family in Searcy.
She was a faithful Christian, loving wife, mother, grandmother, and a compassionate friend to all. She maintained her sense of humor sharing laughter for all of her days.
She is survived by her husband of 67 years, Henry Junior Shipp; two sons, Phillip Shipp of Little Rock, David Shipp and wife Lynette of Searcy; two daughters, Elaine Justus and husband Dr. Michael Justus of Searcy, Sandra Shipp Ogburn of Searcy; nine grandchildren, Andy Justus and wife Meagan, Sarah Shipp, Allison Justus, Tim Shipp and wife Melissa, Elizabeth Shipp, Anna Justus Ingle and husband Andrew, Seth Ogburn, Hannah Ogburn Barnes and husband Casey, Nathan Ogburn; and six great-grandchildren, Bonnie Justus, Jack Ingle, Maggie Ingle, Annabelle Justus, Justus Ingle and Savannah Barnes. She is preceded in death by her father, Clyde Stroud; mother, Ada Millsap Stroud Scroggins; stepfather, Green Scroggins; one brother, Perry Stroud; and an infant sister.
Funeral services were 10 a.m. Thursday, July 9, at Powell Funeral Home Chapel am with interment at White County Memorial Gardens. Arrangements by Powell Funeral Home of Searcy.
Verva Leebrick
Verva Marie (Pennington) Leebrick, 90, of Conway, daughter of the late Dan and Arbelle Pennington, passed away Friday, Nov. 22, 2013. She was born Nov.r 3, 1923, in Bee Branch, Ark.
Verva was preceded in death by her husband, Fred Leebrick; sister, Opal (Ed) Webber; brothers, J.E. and Olen (Elmus) Pennington; and nephews, Glen and Harold Pennington.
Verva was of the Baptist faith and graduated with the 1941 class of Clinton State Vocational Training School at Clinton, Ark. She learned how the first computers worked and moved on to be employed by Gulf Oil in Houston, Texas, for many years until her retirement. After retiring Verva moved to Conway to enjoy her extended family. Verva took a lot of pride in taking care of her yard and flowers. She loved spending time with her family and friends.
Verva is survived by her sisters-in-law, Virginia Pennington of Harriman, Tenn., and Louise Atterbury of St. Louis, Mo.; nephews, Harvey (Camella), Don (Donna Kay), and Larry (Frieda) Pennington of Bee Branch, Quinton (Linda) Pennington of Damascus, Dan Pennington of Harriman, Tenn., Alan (Mary) Atterbury of Missouri, Don (Petra) White of Texas, and Larry (Judy) White of Missouri; nieces, Ina (Wendell) Cassell and Claudette Pennington of Clinton, Glynna (George) Condray and Donna Jean Pennington of Bee Branch, Mary (Steve) Carrell of Damascus, Marie (Travis) Kennedy of Harriman, Tenn., and Carol (Jerry) Lux of Missouri; and many friends.
Graveside services were 10 a.m. Tuesday, Nov. 26, 2013 at Hardin cemetery in Bee Branch, with Bro. Cary Condray and Bro. Dan Payne officiating. Visitation was Monday at Roller-McNutt Funeral Home in Conway, (501) 327-7727.
John Pate
John Edd Pate, 66, of Morrilton, passed away Thursday, Nov. 21, 2013. He was born Jan. 24, 1947, in Conway, Ark., a son of the late John Edwin Pate Sr. and Edith Mae (Wells) Pate of Clinton, Ark.
He loved his family, friends, the cabin, and hunting. Talking was his favorite pastime and car sales was a natural talent. He retired from Smith Ford. PawPaw took such delight in riding his grandchildren on the rhino and goosing it enough to make them laugh out loud, always being overly concerned about their safety. His friends were everyone he ever meet and friendships were for a lifetime. He was of the Methodist faith.
He is survived by his wife, Ruth Ann Pate; son Shawn Pate and wife Stacy of Perryville; daughter Misty Bailey and husband Chad of Farmington; grandchildren, Ava Pate, Brady Pate, Peyton Bailey, and Paige Bailey; sister, Laura Grimes and husband Charlie of Clinton; uncles, Hugh Wells and Kenneth Wells and Stella of Valley Springs; brother-in-law, Leo Wilcox and wife Katrina.
Memorial services were 2 p.m. Monday, Nov. 25, at the Harris Chapel with Bro. Larry Wilson officiating. Arrangements by Harris Funeral Home of Morrilton.
Wendell Myrick
Wendell C. Myrick, 69, of Leslie, Ark., passed away Sunday, Nov. 24, 2013. He was born May 12, 1944, to Dorsie and Alma Myrick.
He was preceded in death by his dad, Dorsie Myrick, and two nephews, Chip Estlinbaum and Eli Bonds. He is survived by his loving wife of 47 years, Mae (Bonds) Myrick; mother, Alma Myrick of Chimes, Ark.; two sisters, Glenda and Earl Wayne Hendrix of Witt Springs, Ark., and Lavonne and Paul Estlinbaum of Chimes; nine nephews; six nieces; four great-nephews; and 11 great-nieces; and many friends.
Pallbearers: Eric Hendrix, Ricky Hendrix, Shane Hendrix, Tripp Estlinbaum, Cody Gifford, Casey Gifford, Tommy Bonds, Collins Bonds and Joseph Bonds.
Honorary pallbearers: nieces, great-nephews, and nieces, and members of Crow Mountain and Chimes Fire Departments.
Visitation was Tuesday, Nov. 26, 2013, and funeral service will be 10 a.m. Wednesday, Nov. 27, 2013, at Roller-McNutt Funeral Home Chapel, Clinton. Burial will follow at Archey Valley cemetery. In lieu of flowers donations can be made to Archey Valley cemetery Fund or Pee Dee Baptist Church Building Fund. Funeral arrangements are by Roller-McNutt Funeral Home of Clinton.
Guy Matthews
Guy Butler Matthews, age 78, of Maryville, Tenn., passed away peacefully at home with his wife and family by his side on Dec. 4, 2013, after a courageous 20-year battle against cancer.
Guy was born in Clinton, Ark., on Oct. 11, 1935, to the late James and Opal Middleton Matthews. preceded in death by his first wife and mother of his children, Joyce Harmon Matthews, brothers Charles and James; and survived by wife Brenda, sons Tim and Geoff, daughter Theresa, step-son Dwight Burrey, brother Roger, sister Mary Horton, nine grandchildren and two great-grandchildren. Guy graduated Clinton High School in 1953.
Guy lived in San Diego for 53 years, was a business owner and an active member in community affairs, a member of Kiwanis, a 33-degree Mason. Guy was elected Volunteer of the Year 1997 County of San Diego and a Honorary Deputy by the San Diego Sheriff’s Department. Guy was a pilot, active in the Civil Air Patrol and active in Coast Guard Auxiliary. Guy retired in 2003 and moved to Maryville, Tenn.
A celebration of his life will be held at Smokey Mountain Harley Davidson on Highway 321, Maryville, on Saturday, Dec. 14, 2013, from 10 a.m.-noon. Guy was loved by everyone his life touched, he will be sorely missed. In lieu of flowers, Memorial Contributions to St. Jude's Cancer Research is suggested.
Bill Morris
Willie T. “Bill” Morris, 76, of Scotland, Ark., passed away Monday, Dec. 9, 2013. He was born Jan. 22, 1937, in Trace Ridge, Ark., to Omba Lyon and Edith Evelyn (Ennes) Morris.
He was preceded in death by his parents; two brothers, Jimmy Franklin Morris and Charles Morris; sister Betty Jean Morris; and two nephews, Larry Morris and Ricky Morris.
He is survived by his brother, Donnie Morris of Clinton, Ark.; four nieces, Julie Morris, Tammy and Brian Brown, Kim and Tim Linker, and Kathy Brown; four nephews, Donald, Jimmy, Adam and William and Stacy Morris; 11 great-nieces and nephews, Lance, Kevin, Brittany, Rebecca, Babe, Maci, Ryan, Madison, Chase, Kevin, and Jason; many great-great nieces and nephews.
Memorial wake will be 6 p.m. and visitation will be 6:30-8 p.m. Thursday, Dec. 12, 2013, at Roller-McNutt Funeral Home Chapel, Clinton. Funeral service will be 10 a.m. Friday, Dec. 13, 2013, at Trace Ridge Bible Church. Burial will follow in Trace Ridge cemetery. Funeral arrangements are under the care and direction of Roller-McNutt Funeral Home of Clinton.
Linda Blair
Linda L. Tatum Blair, 62, of Clinton, Ark., passed away Wednesday, Dec. 4, 2013. She was born Jan. 17, 1951, in Jonesboro, La., to Ezekiel and Jerlene (Phillips) Tatum. She professed a hope for Christ at an early age with Mountain View Baptist Church in Clinton.
She is preceded in death by her parents; her husband, George W. Blair; two sisters, Zelma Louise Tatum, Jeanette Tatum Myles; and one brother, Billy Ray Tatum.
She leaves to cherish her memory a daughter, Kimberly J. Washington of Little Rock, Ark.; two brothers, Ezekiel Tatum Jr. of Seattle, Wash., Curtis E. Tatum of Jacksonville, Ark.; two sisters, Eula Faye Taylor and Pamela Stroud of Little Rock; two grandchildren, Darion Oneal and Dara Custis; and a host of other relatives and friends.
Open visitation 2-6 p.m. Sunday, Dec. 8, 2013, at Roller-McNutt Funeral Home Clinton. Memorial service 11 a.m. Saturday, Dec. 14, 2013, at Mountain View Baptist Church, Clinton, with Kenoris Saine officiating. Cremation arrangements are under the care and direction of Roller-McNutt Funeral Home, Clinton.
