Biographical And Historical Memoirs of Pulaski, Jefferson, Lonoke, Faulkner, Grant, Saline, Perry, Garland And Hot Spring Counties, Arkansas
Emogene Fudge
Emogene Glendene Perkey Fudge, age 88 of Searcy, resident of Indian Rock Village, Fairfield Bay, completed her earthly journey on Tuesday, July 15, 2014. It was a journey traveled with faith in God and love for others.
She is preceded in death by her husband of 65 years, Robert Maurice Fudge, her parents William M. (Boss) and Ruby Perkey, and brother Charles W. Perkey.
She was born Oct. 31, 1925, in Cave City, Arkansas. Following graduation from Cave City High School in 1942, she worked in the cotton fields to save money to move to Little Rock to fulfill her dream of becoming a beautician. She attended the Fern Eaton Beauty College and completed the course of Beauty Culture on April 2, 1945, and was employed with the Gus Blass Company in Little Rock. Emogene married
her high school sweetheart after his return from serving in World World II on April 12, 1946.
Emogene was a loving wife, mother, grandmother, and “Aunt Gene.” She will be deeply missed by all. She treasured her family, and the times they were all together. She was a talented seamstress, homemaker, and an amazing cook. She was a caring, compassionate and loving friend to many. Those who knew her were touched in a special way by her kindness and her servant’s heart. She was a member of First United Methodist Church in Searcy serving as an active leader and member of United Methodist Women. She was a long-time member of the Murray Sunday School Class, and the Tuesday Night Supper Club sharing great friendships.
Left to cherish her memory are her daughters Carole Evans, Cathy Robertson (Jim); grandchildren, Rhonda Evans, Robert Evans, Jayme McDonald (Kevin), Ashley Robertson, great-grandson Dylan Evans, sister Marie Turner, sister-in-law Wanda Perkey and a host of nieces and nephews.
The family wishes to extend a heartfelt thanks to Dr. Keith Coward for his excellent and compassionate medical care, along with the staff of Ozark Health Medical Center. Also, a special “Thank You” to the staff of Indian Rock Village.
Visitation was July 18 from 10-11 a.m. at Searcy First United Methodist Church and a celebration of Emogene’s life followed. Interment was at White County Memorial Gardens. Memorials may be made to the First United Methodist Church, 304 North Main, Searcy, AR 72143. Arrangements are by Powell Funeral Home of Searcy.
Evelene Clutts
Evelene Clutts, 92, of Shirley passed away July 25, 2014, in Clinton, Arkansas. She was born Nov. 17, 1921, at Eglantine, Arkansas, to the late Lester and Bessie Dempsey Hunt.
She was preceded in death by her husband, Ray Keith Clutts; stepson Berlin; and a sister, Joy Johnson.
Evelene was a member of Eglantine Church of Christ and was the record keeper for the Eglantine cemetery for many years.
She is survived by her brother, Ben Hunt (Veatrice); sisters Martha Goldman and Lucille Bradford, all of Shirley, Arkansas; stepson Kobal Clutts of Russellville, Arkansas, plus several nieces and nephews .
Funeral service was Sunday, July 27, at Eglantine Church of Christ officiated by John Carey. Interment was in Eglantine cemetery. Pallbearers were Jade Goldman, Paul Smith, Ben Smith, Rodger Bradford, Dan Cates and Mitchell Cates. Arrangements by Olmstead Funeral Home.
L.D. Parish
L.D. Parish, 80, of Bee Branch, Arkansas, passed away Saturday, July 19, 2014. He was born June 13, 1934 in Morganton, Arkansas, to Arnold and Ruby (Johnson) Parish.
He was preceded in death by his parents, and his beloved wife, Paula (French) Parish. He is survived by his children, Rhonda Parish of Boulder, Colorado, Charlotte (Parish) Ward (Ricky Ward) of Bee Branch, Arkansas, Louis Parish (Loretta Edwards Parish) of Bee Branch, Arkansas, Jan (Parish) Dawson (Mark Dawson) of Skiatook, Oklahoma, and Melissa Parish of Bee Branch, Arkansas. He is also survived by seven grandchildren, Rachel (Parish) Thomas, Heather (Parish) Pfrenger, Cade Ward, Stacy Dawson, Katie (Parish) Gross, Clint Dawson, and Kara Parish; and four great-grandchildren.
Mr. Parish’s career began and ended as a school teacher. He taught at Morganton, Arkansas, Mountainburg, Arkansas, and South Side, of Bee Branch, Arkansas. He left teaching for a period of time from 1963 to 1975 to pursue a career with Social Services. At the time he left social services to return to his first love of teaching, he was serving as Director of Social Services for Van Buren County and Stone County, Arkansas. He returned to South Side Bee Branch, where he taught fifth grade, drove a school bus and was the scorekeeper at the South Side basketball games. He and his wife, Paula, retired in 1996 to enjoy traveling together and spending time with their grandchildren.
Mr. Parish received a Bachelor of Science in Education Degree from the University of Central Arkansas (formerly Arkansas State Teachers College) in Conway, Arkansas. He was instrumental in the formation and the early development of the summer baseball program in Bee Branch, where he also served as a coach for many years.
Mr. Parish also served on the Bee Branch Water Board, the Council for Aging and the Hardin cemetery Board. In 2004, he was selected as the South Side Distinguished Alumni. He was a member of the Colony Church of Christ.
Pallbearers: Carroll Bradford, Smitty Bonds, Joe Lee, Darrell Moore, L.B. Pavatt, H.C. Wallace, Charles Wood and Ed Wood.
In lieu of flowers donations can be made to the Hardin cemetery Fund, 3624 Highway 92 East, Bee Branch, Arkansas 72013 or the Diabetes Association, 320 Executive Court Suite #104, Little Rock, Arkansas 72205.
Visitation was 6-8 p.m. Tuesday, July 22, 2014, and Funeral service will be 1 p.m. Wednesday, July 23, 2014, at Roller-McNutt Funeral Home, Clinton, Arkansas, with Carl Thomason officiating. Burial will follow in Hardin cemetery, Bee Branch, Arkansas. Funeral Arrangements are under the care and direction of Roller-McNutt Funeral Home of Clinton, Arkansas.
Cletes Blantz
Cletes Samuel Blantz, 73, of Clinton, Arkansas, passed away Tuesday, July 15, 2014. He was born Sept. 26, 1940, in Lancaster, Pennsylvania, to the late Cletes William Blantz and Lila Elaine Blantz. Cletes was also preceded in death by one brother, Clair Blantz, granddaughter Cynthia Dawn, and grandson William Brett Bowyer.
Cletes was a veteran of the United States Navy and served in the Vietnam Conflict. He later retired as a Navy Chief. He was owner/operator of PEH Supply for many years. Cletes was a lifetime member of the NRA and a strong supporter of the United States Constitution. He was an avid hunter and fisherman. Cletes was an honest man who enjoyed helping others, especially his customers at PEH Supply. He was very active in the community and sponsored many athletic activities. Cletes was affectionately known as Clete and was a loving father, brother, grandfather, and friend to many.
Cletes was survived by his significant other, Tommie Fox; two sons, Cletes William Blantz (Hiroko) of Clinton, Arkansas and Samuel Clair Blantz of Chicago, Illinois; two daughters, Tina Marie Salisbury and Carolyn Patricia Slack, both of Clinton; brother, William Earl Blantz; sister, Carolynne Burkey (Barry), all of Palmyra, Pennsylvania; and five grandchildren, Andrea, Robby, Haley, Ryan.
Graveside service with full military honors was 10 a.m. Saturday at Culpepper cemetery in Clinton with Brother Dean Housley officiating. Serving as pallbearers were Winston Yates, Roger Willoughby, Robby Slack, Richard Vance, Dustin Kling and Billy Bunker. Honorary pallbearers were Gary Kling, Harvey Linn, Richard Bass, and all friends and customers of PEH Supply. Visitation was Friday at Roller-McNutt Funeral Home in Clinton.
Leman Bradford
Leman Bradford, born Aug. 1, 1931, departed this earth on Sunday, July 20, 2014, after a short illness with multiple myeloma.
Leman was a lifelong resident of Shirley. He spent many years in the logging industry and as a lumber-yard manager for Mass Merchandisers in Clinton. He supervised substation building for Arkansas Electric Cooperatives and partnered with his bride for a convenience store/gas station business for many years on Highway 16E as well as farming and cattle ranching.
He was preceded in death by his parents Bryson and Carrie Bradford, brother J.D. Bradford , sister Sue Heslep and son-in-law David Weaver.
He is survived by his bride of 62 years Beth Kirkendoll Bradford; daughters Marilyn McKimmey and Byron McKimmey of North Little Rock, Beverly Weaver and David Lafferty of Shirley, Sheila Mayden and Bob Mayden of North Little Rock, Becky Guthrie and Wally Guthrie of Hollister, Missouri; grandchildren Mandy Bradford and Allen of Damascus, Joshua Weaver and Shannon of Greenbrier, Chase Mayden and Kayla of Fayetteville, Hayley Taylor and Chad of Little Rock, Dillon Yielding of Fayetteville, Caleb Mayden and Hannah of North Little Rock, Lance Berry and Abby of Maumelle, Spenser Mayden of North Little Rock; great-grandchildren Mackenzie, Jarrett and Tyler Weaver; a sister, Reva Dowdy and Ray of Shirley; a sister-in-law, Violet Elliott and Thurman of Clinton; and brother-in-law Raymond Heslep. He is also survived by a host of extended family and friends.
Visitation was Tuesday at Shirley First Baptist Church. Funeral service will be 2 p.m. Wednesday at the church. Interment will follow at Woodland Memorial Park.
Pallbearers are Ronnie Dowdy, Richie Dowdy, Mike Heslep, Chris Heslep, Brooks McRae, and Nick Lafferty. Honorary Pallbearers are Wade Lucas, Chad Parker and Tommy Elliott.
Bobby Shaver
Bobby Thomas Shaver, 79, of Clinton, Arkansas, passed away July 20, 2014. He was born Oct. 5, 1934, to the late John Edwin and Levata Provance Shaver in Grafton, W.Va. He served his country in the Army and spent his career working as a heavy equipment operator. He was a Baptist and enjoyed fishing and hunting.
Bobby was preceded in death by his parents. He is survived by son Bobby Wayne Shaver of Clinton and daughter Betty and John Slavens of Shirley; sister Linda Rainey of LaGrande, Oregon. He is also survived by grandchildren Samantha Ann Slavens, Amanda Slavens, Tommy Slavens, Jacob Shaver, Keith Shaver, Jesse Morgan and Kelli Morgan; and great-grandchildren Joey Slavens, Mickey Slavens, Zoe Slavens, McClain Slavens and Riley Conway. Bobby is also survived by many nieces, nephews and a host of other family and friends.
Memorial services will be held at 2 p.m. Friday, July 25, in the Clinton Funeral Service Chapel.
Funeral arrangements entrusted to the care of Clinton Funeral Service.
Ruby Crouch
Ruby Nell Wilson Crouch 94, of Clinton, Arkansas, departed this life Sunday, July 20, 2014. She was born June 14, 1920, in Springfield, Arkansas, to William Curtis and Alcie (Pearce) Wilson.
Nell is preceded in death by her husband, Bob, a long-time resident of Van Buren County.
She is survived by her sons, Don and Robert Crouch; six grandchildren; and sister Reda Anderson from Shalimar, Florida.
Visitation will be 9 a.m. and funeral service will be 10 a.m. Thursday, July 24, 2014, at Clinton United Methodist Church with Pastor George Odell officiating. Burial will follow in Springfield cemetery.
Funeral arrangements are under the care and direction of Roller-McNutt Funeral Home of Clinton, Arkansas.
Wanda Bramlett
Wanda Mae Watts Bramlett, 58, of Clinton, passed away July 18, 2014. She was born Sept. 8, 1955, to Richard Lee and Beulah Mae Tippett Watts. She loved spending time with her family, gardening and spending time outdoors.
Wanda is survived by her husband, Wade Bramlett, of the home; daughters Trina Mae and Azhar Qureshi of Bentonville and Tanna Lee and Kevin Bramlett of Clinton. She is also survived by brother, Theodore Oliver Watts of Springfield Illinois, and grandchildren Maliha Mae Qureshi, Daniel Azeen Qureshi and Lance Kevin Smith, as well as many nieces and nephews and a host of other family and friends. Wanda was preceded in death by her parents and brother Donald Lee Watts.
Visitation was 2-4 p.m. Sunday, July 20, 2014, at the Clinton Funeral Service Chapel. Graveside service was 11 a.m. Monday, July 21, 2014, at Half Moon cemetery with Brother Bob Bagley officiating.
Funeral arrangements entrusted to the care of Clinton Funeral Service.
Jamie Barnum
Jamie Cathryn Barnum, 30, of Bee Branch went to be with Lord on Thursday. July 17, 2014. She was joined in death by her daughter Paizlee Ann. Jamie was born April 30, 1984 in Sumter, South Carolina., to James R. Johnson Jr. and Rebecca A. Smith Johnson. She attended Bee Branch Baptist Church.
She is preceded in death by grandparents Betty Margaret Patterson Smith, Eugene C. Smith Sr. and James R. Johnson.
She is survived by her husband Rusty Wayne Barnum of Bee Branch; parents James and Rebecca Johnson of Greenbrier; and a sister, Laura D. Johnson of Memphis, Tennessee. Other survivors include grandmother Beverly Johnson of Falconer, New York, and a host of extended family and friends.
Visitation was 6-8 p.m. Sunday, July 20, 2014, at Bishop-Crites Funeral Home in Greenbrier. Funeral services were 2 p.m. Monday, July 21, 2014, at Bee Branch Baptist Church with Brother CW Blood officiating. Burial was in Higden-McLehany cemetery. Arrangements by Bishop-Crites Funeral Home of Greenbrier, (501) 679-4400.
