Clara Wright
SPRINGDALE — Clara Wright, 79, of Springdale died Dec. 24, 2009, at Circle of Life Hospice in Springdale. She was born March 29, 1930, in Springdale to Marion William and Jessie Mae Riggins Fields.
She was a homemaker.
Survivors include two sons, Mike Wright and wife Barbara of Fayetteville, and Marion Wright of Rogers; two daughters, Marcia Stamps and husband Rick of Springdale, and Belinda Reynolds and husband John of Ozark; a brother, Jim Fields of Springdale; three sisters, Lela Pianalto and Betty Reed, both of Springdale, Nadine Holland of Gentry; nine grandchildren; nine great-grandchildren.
Visitation will be from 5 to 7 p.m. today at Sisco Funeral Chapel in Springdale
Services will be at 2 p.m. Tuesday at the funeral home.
Burial will be in Zion Cemetery.
Memorials may be made to Circle of Life Hospice, 901 Jones Road, Springdale, AR 72762.
Kenneth Carl Nelson Jr.
FAYETTEVILLE — Family and friends are mourning the loss of Kenneth Carl “K.C.” Nelson Jr., 65, of Fayetteville, who passed away on Dec. 22, 2009, in Fayetteville.
He was born May 22, 1944, in Glendale, Calif., to Kenneth Carl Nelson Sr., a World War II veteran, and Frances Eleanor Kennedy, a nurse and loving mother. After spending most of his childhood in Sunnyvale, Calif., K.C. moved with his family to Northwest Arkansas in 1961.
He is a 1962 graduate of West Fork High School, where he lettered in football, basketball and track, in addition to meeting his future wife, Pat. That fall, K.C. enrolled and attended the University of Arkansas in Fayetteville before electing to follow in his father’s footsteps by joining the military. Sgt. Nelson served four years in the United States Marine Corps, including a tour of duty in Cuba during the Cuban Missile Crisis as a tank commander.
On Sept. 27, 1966, he married Patricia Faye Durning Nelson, who gave birth on March 16, 1971, to the pride and joy of his life, his only daughter, Natasha Francine Nelson.
After completing his military service in 1967, K.C. worked 10 years at Standard Register Company and then worked for more than 32 years in the trucking industry. He loved traveling the nation’s highways from coast to coast and was a passionate automobile enthusiast, having refurbished dozens of antique cars, trucks and roadsters. He enjoyed being with his friends, but most of all, he loved his family.
K.C. is survived by his loving daughter, Natasha Francine Nelson of Fayetteville; his dear friend and former wife, Pat D. Nelson of Fayetteville; two brothers, Mark Nelson of Chicago and Dan Nelson of Fayetteville; and two sisters, Georgia Almadova of Las Vegas, and Patrica Dunn of Crestview, Fla.
In lieu of flowers, the family asks that memorial donations be made to the Boys & Girls Club 560 N. Rupple Road, Fayetteville, AR 72704; or Humane Society of the Ozarks, 413 N. College Ave., Fayetteville, AR 72701
Memorial services will be held at 10 a.m. Wednesday, Dec. 30, 2009, at Moore’s Chapel. Private interment will be held at National Cemetery.
To sign the online guest book, visit mooresfuneralchapel.com.
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Geneva Geraldine Thrash
BENTONVILLE — Geneva Geraldine Thrash, 87, of Bentonville died Thursday, Dec. 24, 2009, at the Circle of Life Hospice House in Springdale. She was born on Sept. 23, 1922, in Amity to Lewis Latch and Madie East Latch.
She was a grade-school teacher for 25 years, having taught in Glenwood and Kirby.
Survivors include a son, Stanley Thrash and wife Tina of Bentonville; a daughter, Vicky Cowart and husband Phil of Bentonville; six grandchildren; nine great-grandchildren.
Visitation will be from 11:30 a.m. to 1 p.m. today at First Baptist Church in Bentonville.
Services will be at 1 p.m. today at the church.
Burial will be at the Bentonville City Cemetery.
Memorials may be made to the Circle of Life Hospice House, 901 Jones Road, Springdale, 72764; or to the First Baptist Church of Bentonville Building Fund, 220 S. Main St., Bentonville, 72712.
Marie Joyce Tessaro
TONTITOWN — Marie Joyce Tessaro, 78, of Tontitown died Friday, Dec. 25, 2009, at Northwest Medical Center in Springdale. She was born Feb. 10, 1931, in Paulding, Miss., to Monroe and Veronica Harrington Hawkins.
Marie was the youngest of seven children; she was preceded in death by four brothers Austin Hawkins, Thomas Hawkins, Carl Hawkins, Earl Hawkins and one sister, Sister Mary Juanita Hawkins.
Marie retired from Dorman Clinic in Springdale where she was an X-ray technician. She was a member of St. Joseph Catholic Church in Tontitown, The Legion of Mary and Altar Society. She enjoyed sewing, crocheting, cooking and celebrating holidays and birthdays with her family.
Survivors include her husband, James R. Tessaro of the home, to whom she married Oct. 24, 1953; three sons, Kenny Tessaro and wife Debbie of Tontitown, Mike Tessaro and wife Shelley of Dallas and Tim Tessaro and wife Melissa of Tontitown; one daughter, Janice Della Rosa and husband Mike of Tontitown; one sister, Aletha Jones of Paulding, Miss.; 12 grandchildren and four great-grandchildren.
Mass of Christian Burial will be at 10 a.m. Tuesday, Dec. 29, at St. Joseph Catholic Church in Tontitown with Fr. Joseph Marconi officiating. Burial will be in St. Joseph Cemetery in Tontitown.
Visitation will be from 5 to 7 p.m. at the church.
Rosary services will be at 7 p.m. Monday at St. Joseph Catholic Church.
Pallbearers will be Russell Della Rosa, Jeffrey Della Rosa, Brian Tessaro, Tyler Tessaro, Jason Tessaro, Chad Tessaro.
Memorials may be made to the American Diabetes Association — Northwest Arkansas, 1732 Moberly Lane, Suite B, Bentonville, AR 72712.
To sign the guestbook online, please visit www.siscofuneral.com.
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Russell Paul Turner
SPRINGDALE — Russell Paul Turner, 56, of Springdale died Tuesday, Dec. 22, 2009, in New Orleans.
Paul was born on Oct. 2, 1953, in Springdale, AR, a son of John Russell and Betty Marie (Dennis) Turner. He was owner/operator of RP Turner Construction.
Survivors include his companion, Robin Soliz of the home; one daughter, Brandy M. Furner and husband John of Bentonville; two sons, Jason P. Turner and wife Kelly of Siloam Springs and P.J. Turner of the home; a daughter, Michelle Soliz of the home; his mother, Betty Marie Turner of Springdale; five grandchildren, Dylan Furner, Madison Furner, Juliana Furner, Jenna Kate Furner and Adam Turner; one brother, Johnny Turner and wife Linda of Springdale; two sisters, Carolyn Blackard and husband C.O. of Clarksville and Millie Turner of Springdale; numerous nieces and nephews; and a host of friends.
He is preceded in death by his father, John Russell Turner and his grandparents.
Funeral services will be held at 2 p.m. on Wednesday, Dec. 30, 2009, at the Backstrom-Pyeatte Funeral Chapel with Pastor Euel Bilderback of Mercy Grace Cathedral in Springdale officiating the services. Pallbearers will be Allen Pinkley, Tim McCoy, Rex Waggoner, Steve Allen, Larry Medhaug, Tim Bair, Les Kimbrough and Steve Moore. Committal service to follow at Friendship Cemetery in Springdale.
A visitation will be held from noon to 5 p.m. at the Backstrom-Pyeatte Funeral Home on Tuesday, Dec. 29, 2009.
Memorials may be made to Arkansas Game & Fish Commission/Youth Hunt, 2 Natural Resources Drive, Little Rock, AR 72205 (800) 364-4263.
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Inez Selby
FAYETTEVILLE — Mrs. Inez Selby, 83 of Fayetteville passed away Saturday, Dec. 26, 2009, in Springdale. She was born Nov. 28, 1926, in London to Charles Turner and Jenny (Lamb) Turner.
She was a homemaker and a member of Unity Missionary Baptist Church in Farmington.
Mrs. Selby was a loving wife, mother, grandmother, great-grandmother, sister and friend.
She was preceded in death by two sisters, Mary Caswell, Ruby Young; two brothers, Nolan and Marvin Turner; and a grandson, Wayne Selby.
She is survived by her husband of 62 years, Vincent “Jim” Selby; two sons, Ken Selby and wife Jeanne of Rogers, Jerry Selby and wife Cindy of Fort Smith; two daughters, Janet Linebaugh and husband Scott of Springdale, Denise Rapier and husband Mickey of Rogers; three sisters, Etta Brown and Floy Clubb of Knoxville, Charlene Meechem of Ely, Nev.; 18 grandchildren, nine great-grandchildren, and a host of nieces and nephews.
Visitation will be held from 5 to 7 p.m. Tuesday, Dec. 29, 2009, at Nelson-Berna Funeral Home.
Funeral services will be held at 2 p.m. Wednesday, Dec. 30, 2009, in the chapel of Nelson-Berna Funeral Home with the Rev. Mickey Rapier officiating. Burial will follow at Mount Comfort Cemetery in Fayetteville.
Memorial contributions may be made to The Alzheimer’s Association.
To sign the online guest book, please visit www.nelsonberna.com.
Arrangements are under the direction of Nelson-Berna Funeral Home and Crematory of Fayetteville.
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Frank A. Sunday
GARFIELD — Frank A. Sunday, 83, of Garfield died Dec. 27, 2009, in Rogers. He was born Oct. 28, 1926, in Rockford, Ill., to Albert and Francis Sidell Sunday.
He was a retired bartender in Las Vegas and served in the Army.
Survivors include his children, Lisa Carlson and husband Art of Garfield, Allison Wilson and husband Robert of Valley Center, Kan., and John Sunday and wife Julie of Weaverville, N.C.; nine grandchildren and seven great-grandchildren.
Private interment will be in Crosses at a later date. Arrangements are by Benton County Funeral Home.
Forrest A. Lawson
ELKINS — Forrest A. Lawson, 71, was born Jan. 22, 1938, in Elkins to Ellic Arden Lawson and Belva Pearl Robbins Lawson of the Mount Olive Community.
Forrest served in the U.S. Army and Army National Guard. He returned home where he met and married the love of his life, Mary Lee Thomas, April 7, 1965. Forrest proudly served the citizens of Washington County as a law enforcement officer with the City of Fayetteville Police Department from 1964 to 1984 and the Washington County Sheriff’s Office from 1984 to 2001.
He was an active member of the Baptist Ford Community Church. Forrest loved life and never met a stranger; if he did they soon became a friend. He always told a good story and he will be missed greatly by his family and everyone who knew him. He loved his Harley-Davidson motorcycles and his Corvette and took many cross-country trips with his son.
He was preceded in death by his wife, Mary Lee Lawson; father, Elliott Arden Lawson; mother, Belva Lawson; and by four siblings; Floyd Lawson, Flavis “Bill” Lawson, Mildred Ray and Murtha Jones.
Forrest is survived by one son, Keith Arden Lawson and his wife Rebecca of Greenland; one grandson, Cooper James Lawson; three sisters, Marthel Hensley of Broken Arrow, Okla., Marjorie Stout of Elkins, Murrel Alderson of Fayetteville.
Services will be held at 2 p.m. Wednesday, Dec. 30, 2009, at Moore’s Chapel. Burial will be in Baptist Ford Cemetery.
Visitation will be from 5 to 7 p.m. Tuesday at Moore’s Chapel.
The Rev. Ervin Hutchins will officiate.
In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made to Washington Regional Hospice, 34 W. Colt Square, Fayetteville, AR 72703
To sign the online guest book, visit mooresfuneralchapel.com.
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Katherine Lee Boyer
SPRINGDALE — Katherine Lee Boyer, of Springdale, died at age 50 on Saturday, Dec. 26, 2009, at the Circle of Life Hospice.
Kathy was born in Springdale on July 12, 1959, to Max and Jessie Joy Reid. Kathy had an enormous zest for life despite her 24-year courageous battle with ovarian cancer. From skiing and horseback riding to hand bells and volunteer work, Kathy combined her passion for life with witnessing and serving others. Firsthand experience as a cancer patient inspired her to become a registered nurse. She was an active member of First United Methodist Church, where she was involved with hand bells, Bread of Life, local mission projects, and was a Stephen Minister.
She was preceded in death by her father and her grandparents. She is survived by her two sons, Shaun Penny and wife Sarah, and Brandon Boyer, all of Springdale; her mother, Joy Reid of Springdale; one brother, Ken Reid and wife Eileen of Chandler, Texas; and one sister, Joene Ray and husband Russ of Springdale. She was an inspirational aunt to six nieces and nephews and one great-niece.
A memorial service will be held at 11 a.m. Tuesday, Dec. 29, at First United Methodist Church in Springdale. The family will be greeting guests beginning at 10 a.m. Memorials may be made to National Ovarian Cancer Coalition and Circle of Life Hospice Foundation.
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Jerry Wayne Bailey
SPRINGDALE — Jerry Wayne Bailey, 70, of Springdale died Dec. 27, 2009, at his home. He was born Feb. 2, 1939, in Fayetteville to Lloyd William Bayley and Irene Elizabeth Starr Bayley.
He was a U.S. Air Force veteran and a carpenter.
Survivors include his wife, Evadne Bailey; a son, Steve Bailey of Springdale; a daughter, JoAnn Mallard of Springdale; two brothers, Lloyd and Leonard Bayley; three grandchildren.
No services are planned at this time. Cremation arrangements are by Nelson-Berna Funeral Home.
Margaret Elaine McGinnis
FAYETTEVILLE — Margaret Elaine McGinnis, 54, of Fayetteville died Dec. 21, 2009, at her home. She was born May 14, 1955, in Springdale to Burl Eugene and Audrey Mae Crumley McGinnis.
She was an employee of Lindsey Management and a member of the First Baptist Church of Fayetteville.
Survivors include a brother.
Services will be at 1 p.m. Tuesday at the First Baptist Church of Fayetteville.
Private burial will be in the Colbaugh Cemetery near Hindsville.
Cremation arrangements are by Brashears Funeral Home in Huntsville.