Obituaries

LITTLE ROCK — Information for the obituaries and funeral notices below was supplied to the Arkansas Democrat-Gazette Advertising Department by funeral homes.

INDEX

Some obituaries may appear in certain editions of the Arkansas Democrat-Gazette and not in others. This list shows the names of all people whose obituaries are in at least one edition. For obituaries not in this edition, please see our Web site, Arkansas Online, www2.arkansasonline.com. Choose the Obituaries link under the News section on the top navigation menu.

PULASKI COUNTY

Gayla Ruth Bass Collins, 58, of Jacksonville. Eual Dean Criswell, 68, of Jacksonville. James T. Long, 83, of Little Rock. Dale F. Ramsey, 66, of Little Rock. Melissa K. Welsh Read, 43, of North Little Rock.

ELSEWHERE IN ARKANSAS

ALMYRA

Sarah Callene Brickey Ward, 60.

BEARDEN

Jackie D. Pardue, 69.

BEEBE

Thomas E. Kirk, 75.

CABOT

Barbara Jean Perkins, 61. Amy Thigpen, 37.

CONWAY

M. Jeanette Baker, 92.

DUMAS

Carl Richard Manning, 81.

HERMITAGE

Garry Don Grider, 60.

HOT SPRINGS

Mack Rayford Koonce, 75. Lisa Woodrow, 50.

MALVERN

Lorene D. Smith, 87.

PRESCOTT

Nannie Mae Chism Stueart, 87.

REDFIELD

Linda Jean Elliott, 66.

RISON

Hugh Kirk, 83.

RUSSELLVILLE

Earl P. Jackson, 83.

SEARCY

Sarah Duke, 43.

WYNNE

Kenneth Hill, 52.

OUT-OF-STATE

KEY WEST, FLA.

Henry Lee Woods Jr., 58.

VICTORIA, TEXAS

Maxine Curton Northcutt.

Pulaski County

GAYLA RUTH BASS COLLINS, 58, passed away Saturday, Jan. 9. Survivors: Husband, Tom Collins; sons, Nathan and Adam Slatter; one brother; two sisters; four grandchildren. Services: 2 p.m. Tuesday, Jan. 12, Dickie Allen Funeral Home Chapel in Cushing, Texas. Interment: McKnight Cemetery, Cushing, Texas. By Bob Neal & Sons-Morrilton. Obituary/photo/guestbook: www. bobnealandsons.com.

––––– • –––––EUAL DEAN CRISWELL, age 68, of Jacksonville, Ark., passed away on Sunday, Jan. 10, 2010. She was born on Thursday, April 17, 1941 in Little Rock, Ark. to Clyde Columbus Wilson and Lois Halpain Wilson.

Eual is survived by her husband, William Edward Criswell; three sons, Charles Criswell, Jimmy (Sheila) Criswell and Gary (Mary) Criswell; one daughter, Linda Brewer (Tom); nine grandchildren; three step granddaughters and one step grandson; one great-grandson; one sister, Carolyn Hunter; and one brother, Billy Wilson.

Funeral service will be held at the Roller-Owens Funeral Home Chapel at 12 p.m. on Wednesday, Jan. 13, 2010. Interment at Pinecrest Memorial Park. Visitation will be 6 p.m. to 8 p.m. on Tuesday, Jan. 12, 2010 at Roller-Owens Funeral Home, 5509 J.F.K. Blvd, North Little Rock, Ark.

(501)791-7400.

Online guestbook www.rollerfuneralhomes.com/owens,

––––– • –––––JAMES T. LONG, 83, of Little Rock went to be with the Lord, Saturday, January 9, 2010. He was born March 18, 1926 in Hot Springs, Ark. to the late Loyd and Violet (Grisham) Long. Mr. Long was a Surveyor for the Corps of Engineers, a member of Arkansas Society of Professional Surveyors and a member of Geyer Springs First Baptist Church where he served as a Deacon and an usher. He attended the Arkansas State Teachers College, now University of Central Arkansas, where he played on the 1947 AIC National Championship Football Team, he was an avid Razorback fan, served as a spotter at War Memorial Stadium for over 50 years and loved going to Mt. View where he attended the folk music festivals on the square. Mr. Long served in the U.S. Army during World War II.

Mr. Long was preceded in death by his parents and one brother Robert “Bobby” Edward Long.

Mr. Long is survived by his wife, Freda Long; daughters, Laura O’Kelley and her husband, Michael of Little Rock and Carol Long of Fayetteville; sister, Pat Williams of Dallas, Texas; brother-in-law, Ford Massey of Kirby, Ark.; three grandchildren, James Ross O’Kelley and his wife Sally of Fayetteville, Clint Michael O’Kelley and MaryEllen Carol O’Kelley both of Little Rock; and a host of other family and friends.

The funeral service will be 2 p.m., Tuesday, Jan. 12, 2010 at Geyer Springs First Baptist Church with the Rev. Dave Hughey and Dr. Paul R. Sanders officiating. Interment will be at Pinecrest Memorial Park.

The family will receive friends at Roller-Chenal Funeral Home (501) 224-8300 from 6-8 p.m., Monday, Jan. 11, 2010.

Memorials may be made to Geyer Springs First Baptist Church, P.O. Box 31510, Little Rock, Ark. 72260.

Online guestbook: www.rollerfuneralhomes.com/chenal.

––––– • –––––DALE F. RAMSEY, 66, of Little Rock, went to be with the Lord, Saturday, Jan. 9, 2010. He was born Aug. 1, 1943 to the late Bert and Oneta Gandy Ramsey. Mr. Ramsey was retired from Staley Electric, he was an avid fisherman and a member of the Eagles Club of Little Rock.

He is survived by a sister, Dianna Goodson Stevens; and brother-in-law John of North Little Rock; a nephew, Josh Goodson; and a son Wayne Ramsey.

The funeral service will be 12 noon, Wednesday, Jan. 13, 2010 at Roller Chenal Funeral Home Chapel. Interment will be at Rest Hills Memorial Park.

The family will receive friends at Roller-Chenal Funeral Home (501)224-8300 from 6:00-8:00 p.m., Tuesday, Jan. 12, 2010.

Online guestbook: www.rollerfuneralhomes.com/chenal.

––––– • –––––MELISSA K. WELSH READ, 43, of North Little Rock entered Heaven’s gates on Saturday, Jan. 9, 2010. She was born on Oct. 16, 1966 to Larry William and Janet Marie (Hulsey) Welsh in North Little Rock. Melissa graduated from Sylvan Hills in 1985 and was a respiratory therapist. She attended First Baptist Church in Sherwood. Melissa enjoyed singing karaoke and made many friends while singing. She most treasured the time she spent as a mother to her three children.

Melissa leaves to cherish her memory her children, Lauren Elizabeth, Allison Elaine and Daniel Davidson; her parents, Larry and Janet Welsh; her brother, Tim and his wife Tammy Welsh; her nephew Derek Hutchins; and a host of extended family and friends, all who will miss her dearly.

Funeral services will be on Tuesday, Jan. 12, 2010 at 12 p.m. at First Baptist Church in Sherwood with burial to follow in Rest Hills Memorial Park in North Little Rock.

Visitation will be from 6-8 p.m. on Monday, Jan. 11, at Griffin Leggett Rest Hills Funeral Home 7724 Landers Road North Little Rock, Ark. 72117 (501)835-3515.

Please visit www.griffinleggettresthills.com to share your memory with Melissa.

Arkansas

ALMYRA — Sarah Callene Brickey Ward, 60, of Almyra died Jan. 9, 2010, at her home. Funeral services will be 10 a.m. Tuesday at the General Assembly and Church of the First Born, DeWitt, with burial at Thompson Cemetery by Essex Funeral Home, DeWitt.

––––– • –––––BEARDEN — Jackie D. Pardue, 69, Bearden, died Saturday. Survivors: wife, Dorothy; daughters, Jacqui De Shano and Joan Adcock; sons, Stacy , Chuck and Paul Pardue; eight grandchildren; nine great-grandchildren. Visitation: Proctor’s Monday, 6-8 p.m. Funeral 2 pm Tuesday, Proctor’s. Burial: Salem Cemetery. Visit www.proctorfuneralhome. com.

––––– • –––––BEEBE — Thomas E. Kirk, 75, of Beebe, went to be with his Heavenly Father on Sunday, Jan. 10, 2010. He was born on Aug. 15, 1934, in McRae, Ark., to John Casey and Annie Laura Kirk. After serving in the Army for two years, Tom began his career with GM from which he retired after 31 years.

His parents; his first wife, Rowlena Kirk; one brother, Joe Kirk; two sisters, Clara Mae and Arlene Kirk; and one greatgranddaughter, Faith Marie Jackson, preceded Tom in death.

He is survived by his wife, Frances Kirk of Beebe; two sons, David (Colleen) Kirk of Chapel Hill, Tenn., and Robert (Lisa) Kirk of Columbia, Tenn.; two daughters, Becky (Terry) Green of Flint, Mich., and Debbie (Jeff) Watson of Columbia, Tenn.; one stepson, James (Dawn) Lay of Beebe; two stepdaughters, Patricia (Dale) Bass and Pam (Jerry) Gooch, both of Beebe; three brothers, James (Syble) Kirk of Cabot, Leland (Regina) Kirk of Beebe, and J.C. Kirk of Searcy; four sisters, Louise (Charlie) Helsep of Beebe, Billie (Roger) Norman of McKenzie, Tenn., Carolyn (Martin) Ausburn of Searcy, and Joyce Wright of Edmond, Okla.; one brother-inlaw and best friend for over 50 years, Bill (Sylvia) Stephenson of Flint, Mich.; 15 grandchildren; 12 great-grandchildren, with two on the way.

Funeral service will be 10 a.m. Tuesday, Jan. 12, 2010, at Westbrook Funeral Home in Beebe. Visitation will be Monday from 6 p.m. to 8 p.m. at Westbrook Funeral Home. Burial will be at Johnson Chapel Cemetery.

www.westbrookfuneralhome. com.

––––– • –––––CABOT — Barbara Jean Perkins, 61, of Cabot passed away Friday, Jan. 8, 2010, in Little Rock. She was born July 28, 1948, in Dyess Community, Ark., to Mildred Carter Smith, and the late Charles Smith. Barbara was a charter member of McArthur Assembly of God Church in Jacksonville. She worked as a legal clerk of Rose Law Firm.

Survivors include her husband, Tom Perkins of the home; her mother, Mildred Smith of Jacksonville; children, Tom Perkins, Jr. of Jacksonville, Robin and her husband Pat Lander of Oil City, Pennsylvania, and Julie and her husband Ryan Donley of North Little Rock; brother, Larry “L.C.” Smith, and sister, Ann Walker, both of Jacksonville; and five grandchildren

Funeral services will be 2 p.m. Tuesday, Jan. 12, 2010, at Moore’s Jacksonville Funeral Home Chapel with Bro. Larry Burton officiating. Interment will follow in Chapel Hill Memorial Park in Jacksonville. Visitation will be 6–8 p.m. Monday, Jan. 11, 2010, at the funeral home. Funeral arrangements are under direction of Moore’s Jacksonville Funeral Home (501) 982-2136. www.mooresjacksonvillefuneralhome.com. The family expresses their gratitude to Baptist I.C.U. South staff, and especially Dr. Wellons, and Drs. Searcy.

––––– • –––––CABOT — Amy Thigpen, age 37, of Cabot, passed away on Jan. 9, 2010.

Survivors: husband; four children; mother; and two sisters.

Visitation: 6-8 p.m. Monday, January 11th. Funeral services: 2 p.m. Tuesday, January 12th at Liberty Baptist Church. Interment: National Cemetery in Fayetteville.

Arrangements by Thomas Funeral Service. Online condolences www.thomasfuneralservice. com.

––––– • –––––CONWAY — M. Jeanette Baker, 92, Conway, died Saturday. Survivors: daughter, Norma (Bill) Kelley of Conway; granddaughter, Valerie Hayes; great-granddaughter Kelley Hayes, both of Fort Smith. Visitation Monday, 12-1 p.m., Roller-Coffman Marshall. Funeral services Monday, 1 p.m., Roller-Coffman Chapel. Burial in East Lawn Cemetery by Roller-Coffman Funeral Home. online guestbook www.rollerfuneralhomes.com (870) 448-3338.

––––– • –––––DUMAS — Carl Richard Manning, 81, of Dumas, Ark., died Jan. 8, 2010. Visitation will be Monday, Jan. 11, 2010, from 5-7 p.m. at Griffin Funeral Home Chapel in Dumas, Ark., and service Tuesday, Jan. 12, 2010, at Bryan Funeral Home in Hoxie, Ark., burial Manning Cemetery. Arrangements: Griffin Funeral Home, Dumas, Ark.

––––– • –––––HERMITAGE — Garry Don Grider, age 60, of Hermitage, Ark., died Friday, Jan. 8, at home. Funeral services 4 p.m. Monday, Jan 11, at Frazer’s Chapel. Burial in Gravelridge Cemetery near Hermitage by Frazer’s Funeral Home of Warren. Online obituary/guestbook. www.frazerfuneralhome.com.

––––– • –––––HOT SPRINGS — Mack Rayford Koonce, 75, of Hot Springs, Ark., died Friday, Jan. 8, 2010.

He was born Sept. 18, 1934, in Ripley, Tenn., to the late Malcolm and Alma (Mc-Coy) Koonce.

In 1959, Mack earned a bachelor of science from the University of Arkansas. He had a lifelong passion for state and national politics, serving as a political strategist and consultant for many major political races. He was an active civic leader in other areas, serving on the Board of Directors of the United Fund, Heart Fund and the Red Cross Board. He was a member of the U.S. Jaycees, who as President of the Pine Bluff chapter, took the chapter to the number one chapter in the state. Subsequently, he became President of the Arkansas Jaycees and Vice President of the U.S. Jaycees. Mack also served on President Lyndon B. Johnson’s committee for youth sport development.

He had numerous affiliations, some of which include: Agent-Aetna Life 1959-68, President Financial Services, Inc. 1968-present, V.P. and Director with General Life Insurance Company, State Chairman March of Dimes 1967-68, Board of Directors United Fund, Heart Fund, Recipient Distinguished Service Award as outstanding president Arkansas Junior Chamber of Commerce, V.P. and Director National Association Life Underwriters, Arkansas (President), Pine Bluff (President) Junior Chamber of Commerce, Pi Kappa Alpha, President Rosswood Country Club Pine Bluff, Chairman of the State of Arkansas First State Ethics Commission, Honoree of the 1969 class of 10 Outstanding Young Men of America, and a Life Member of the Million Dollar Roundtable.

He is survived by his wife of 25 years, Jana Bonds Koonce; one daughter and son-in-law, Karen and Alan Ytterberg of Houston, Texas; grandsons, William Ytterberg and John Ytterberg of Houston, Texas; brother, Jimmy R. Koonce of Poplar Bluff, Mo.; sister, Alma Dean Rogers of Jackson, Tenn.; and many beloved nieces and nephews.

His brothers Eugene Koonce and Robert Koonce preceded him in death.

Visitation to celebrate Mack’s life will be 5-7 p.m. Monday, Jan. 11, 2010, at Caruth-Hale Funeral Home. Memorial services will be 2 p.m. Tuesday, Jan. 12, 2010, at the First United Methodist Church, 1100 Central Ave., Hot Springs, Ark.

In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made to Arkansas Children’s Hospital Foundation, 1 Children’s Way, Slot 661, Little Rock, Ark. 72202.

Pallbearers are Terry Smith, Mickey Cissell, John Gillenwater, David Dill, Leonard Dunn, William Day, John Crenshaw, John Ytterberg and William Ytterberg.

Honorary Pallbearers are members of the Mount Elba Hunting Club.

Guests may register at www. caruth-hale.com.

––––– • –––––HOT SPRINGS — Lisa Woodrow, 50, of Hot Springs, Ark., died Thursday, Jan. 7, 2010. She was born Aug. 9, 1959, in Houma, La., to the late Jim Carmichael and Lynette Hooks. In addition to her parents, Mrs. Woodrow was preceded in death by a brother, Allan Hooks.

Mrs. Woodrow is survived by her husband, Kevin Woodrow of the home; four daughters, Kristyn (Billy) Sheets, Allisyn (Stephen) Stratton, Eryn (Brady) Zwiefel, Carolyn Carpenter; one son, Mark Staples; step-father, Jerry Hooks; and one brother, Steve Carmichael. On Feb. 15, Allisyn Stratton is due to deliver Miss Hannah Grace.

A graveside service will be 12 p.m. Wednesday, Jan. 13, 2010, at Grizzard Cemetery in El Paso, Arkansas, with Mike Woods officiating.

Arrangements are by Moore’s Cabot Funeral Home (501) 843-5816.

Please sign the online guestbook at www.moorescabotfuneralhome.com.

––––– • –––––MALVERN — Lorene D. Smith, 87, of Malvern died Saturday, Jan. 9, 2010. Graveside: 2 p.m. Monday, Jan. 11, 2010, Fairplay Cemetery, Brothers Wesley Howard and Donis Smead. Survivors: daughters, Suzy Draper (Paul), Jane Evans; brothers, Bo Phillips (Jeanette), C.M. Phillips (Anna); sister, Odell Bartlett; four grandchildren; four great-grandchildren. Online condolences: jafunkfuneralhome.com.

––––– • –––––PRESCOTT — Mrs. Nannie Stueart, 87, of Prescott, Ark., passed away Jan. 8, 2010 in Prescott, Ark.

Visitation Sunday, Jan. 10, 2010, 2-4 p.m. at Pharr Funeral Home of Prescott. Graveside Monday, Jan. 11, 2010 at 2 p.m. in the New Salem Cemetery in Laneburg, Ark. Sign the online guest book at www.pharrfuneralhomes.com. REDFIELD — Linda Jean Elliott, 66, of Redfield, Ark., died Saturday, Jan. 9, 2010, at Jefferson Regional Medical Center. She was born April 1, 1943, in Pine Bluff to Fred and Bonnie Lou Hyatt Williams. She was reared and educated in Pine Bluff. Mrs. Elliott enjoyed working in the home and loved people. She retired from the Dollarway School District after 28 years of service. She was preceded in death by her parents; half brother, Perry Williams; three half sisters, Inez Williams, Ines Williams and Jaynesse Lain.

Survivors include her husband, Billy Elliott Sr., whom she married on May 3, 1962, in Pine Bluff; a son, Billy “Skip” Elliott Jr. and wife Melinda; a daughter, Dalinda Lea Elliott; three brothers, Norris Williams (Janette), Andy Williams (Mary Lee), Aubrey Williams (Sandra); a sister Sharon Murphy (Royce), all of Redfield; a half brother, Austin Williams, of Warren; three grandchildren, Jonathan Foster, Mary Kate Partridge, Emerson Partridge; and numerous nieces and nephews.

Special thanks to the staff at Jefferson Regional Medical Center.

Visitation will be Monday 6 to 8 p.m. at Ralph Robinson & Son. Services are 10 a.m. Tuesday, Jan. 12, 2010, Watson Chapel Baptist Church with Reverend Todd Howard and Reverend Elmer Nugent officiating. Burial will follow in Prosperity Cemetery. Memorials may be made to the American Lung Association, 211 Natural Resources Drive, Little Rock, Ark. 72205. Online register at ralphrobinsonandson.com.

––––– • –––––RISON — Hugh Kirk, 83, of Rison, formerly of Lincoln, Neb., died Saturday, Jan. 9, 2010. Funeral services are 3 p.m. Wednesday, Jan. 13, at Lincoln Memorial Funeral Home in Lincoln, Neb.

Interment will follow in Lincoln Memorial Park. Local arrangements are by Buie Funeral Home in Rison. Online register at www.buiefuneralhome.com.

––––– • –––––RUSSELLVILLE — Earl P. Jackson, 83, of Russellville died Saturday at his home. Survivors include his wife, Ruby Scott Jackson; two sons and a daughterin-law, Robert “Bob” and Debbie Jackson of Russellville, and Gary Jackson of Benton; three brothers; eight grandchildren; and eight great-grandchildren.

Funeral will be 2 p.m. Tuesday at the Shinn Chapel with burial in Rest Haven Memorial Park by Shinn Funeral Service of Russellville. Visitation will be 6:30 to 8 p.m. Monday at the funeral home.

The online obituary and guestbook are available at www.shinnfuneral.com.

––––– • –––––SEARCY — Sarah Duke, 43, of Searcy, passed away Friday, Jan. 8, 2010. She was born June 23, 1966 to the Dunn family. She was a member of the West Point Baptist Church.

She was preceded in death by her father.

She is survived by her mother, June Dunn; her husband of 25 years, Ricky Duke; a son, Allen Duke; and a sister, Cindy Mc-Mullen.

Cremation arrangements are by Searcy-McEuen Funeral Home.

Express your condolences online at www.searcymceuenfuneralhome.com.

––––– • –––––WYNNE — Kenneth Hill, 52, Wynne, died Saturday at home.

Survivors: wife, Lena; one son; one daughter; one brother; one sister; four grandchildren.

Funeral services, Tuesday 2 p.m. at Thompson-Wilson Wynne Funeral Home. Interment at Loughridge Cemetery. Visitation Tuesday 12:30 until service time at the funeral home 870-238-9400 www.thompsonwilsonfh.com.

Out-of-state

KEY WEST, Fla. — Henry Lee Woods Jr., 58, of Key West died Jan. 3, 2010, at Mt. Sinai Hospital in Miami as a result of a brain aneurysm that ruptured on Christmas Day. Born on Feb. 7, 1951, in Malvern, Ark., Henry was a 1969 graduate of Hot Springs High. He then attended college and was a 1973 graduate of the University of Arkansas. He also received a Master’s Degree in Political Science from American University in Washington, D.C., in 1998. While an undergraduate at Arkansas, he was elected editor of the school’s yearbook, “The Razorback” for two years and was named to “Who’s Who in American Colleges and Universities.”

In 1974, Henry moved to Washington, D.C., and spent 25 years on Capitol Hill. There, he served on the staffs of Congressman Bill Alexander, Senator David Pryor, Senator Dale Bumpers and Senator Blanche Lincoln, all of Arkansas.

Henry brought his prolific work ethic and enthusiasm for helping people to his new home in Key West in 1999 where he taught political science at the Florida Keys Community College, wrote grants for AIDS Help and consulted on local political and public relations matters.

He was also dedicated to many community organizations, particularly the Waterfront Theater that he helped to revitalize by serving as its President and by performing in several musicals. He was also active in political groups such as Lambda Democrats, the Key West and Lower Keys Democratic Club, and the LBTG Caucus of the Florida Democratic Party.

He is survived by his partner Lee Skillington of Key West; his parents, Jean and Henry Lee Woods Sr. of Hot Springs; his brother, Danny and his wife, Debby, of Hot Springs; and his brother, Marty and his wife, Jana, of Little Rock; and nieces and nephews in the Woods and Skillington families.

Memorials can be made to the Henry Woods Outstanding Student Leader Award, Office of Student Affairs, 325 Administration Building, University of Arkansas, Fayetteville, Ark. 72701.

Memorial services will be conducted in Hot Springs on Saturday, Jan. 23 at 1 p.m. in Room 207-09 of the Hot Springs Convention Center.

Another service will be conducted in Key West, Fla., later in January at a time and place to be announced.

––––– • –––––VICTORIA, Texas — Maxine passed Jan. 6, 2010. She was born Nov. 8, 1923, in Lanty, Ark. She is preceded in death by her parents, David and Willie Krisell; brother, Wilborn Krisell; daughter Sybil Curton; and her beloved pet Marcy.

Maxine moved to Victoria in 1949, was a member of Northside Baptist Church and a longtime employee of Bealls.

She is survived by her children, Carolyn Curton of Victoria, Texas, David Curton and wife Margie of Goliad, Texas, Larry Curton and Donnie Curton both of Humphrey, Ark., and Ginger Johnson and husband Billy of Azle, Texas; eight grandchildren; and four great-grandchildren; four sisters; one brother; her very dear friend, Marguerite Griffin; and numerous nieces and nephews.

Visitation will be held Saturday, Jan. 9, 2010, from 2 to 4 p.m. at Colonial Funeral Home. A Prayer Service will be held Tuesday, Jan. 12, 2010, at 2 p.m. at Turpin Funeral Home in Stuttgart, Ark. Burial will follow service at Lone Tree Cemetery in Stuttgart, Ark.

Memorial donations can be made to Hospice of South Texas, Adopt-A-Pet, Twin Pines Nursing and Rehabilitation or the organization of your choosing.

In charge of arrangements is Colonial Funeral Home, Victoria, Texas, 361-578-3535 and Turpin Funeral Home, Stuttgart, Ark., 870-673-1502.