Obituaries Herald Leader

Frances Alene Beck Frances Alene Beck, 82, of Gentry, Ark., died Jan. 17, 2012, at Washington Regional Medical Center in Fayetteville, Ark. She was born Jan. 3, 1930, in Jay, Okla., to Pete and Bertha Cole Small. She was a homemaker, attended cosmetology school in Illinois and worked for Allens Inc. in Siloam Springs, Ark., for a short time. She is survived by a stepson, Patrick Beck of Illinois; and a stepdaughter, Cindy Desch of Illinois. To sign the online guest book, visit www. wassonfuneralhome. com. Wasson Funeral Home in Siloam Springs was in charge of arrangements. DuVal Carroll Fagan DuVal Carroll Fagan, 79, of Springdale, Ark., formerly of Little Rock, Ark., died Jan. 17, 2012, at Springdale Health & Rehab. He was born Aug. 5, 1932, in Little Rock to Ellis and Medora Fagan. He was raised in Oklahoma City and graduated from Classen High School in 1950. After a brief stint in the U.S. Air Force, he went to California to seek work in the movie industry, where he landed a job as an assistant to the late actor/singer Gene Autry. He attended the University of Arkansas at Fayetteville, where he met his wife, the former Virginia Mitchell of Fayetteville. He enjoyed being involved with politics and served as an aide to Gov. Orval Faubus, as well serving on the staffs of the state legislatures in both Arkansas and Oklahoma. He was preceded in death by a brother, E.M. Fagan III; and a grand son, Will Wasson. He is survived by a son, Mike Fagan, of Springdale; two daughters, Virginia Smith of Helena, Ark., and Carolyn Adams of Miami, Fla.; a sister, Judy Fagan of Cotter, Ark.; a brother, Gary Warmack of Oklahoma City; and seven grandchildren. Graveside services were held at Roselawn Cemetery in Little Rock Jan. 21, 2012, with the Rev. Travis Frank of St. John’s Episcopal Church in Helena officiating. Wasson Funeral Home in Siloam Springs was in charge of arrangements. Vernona Evelyn Snider Vernona Evelyn Snider, 85, of Kansas, Okla., died Jan. 19, 2012, at Siloam Springs Nursing and Rehab in Siloam Springs, Ark. She was born Jan. 14, 1927, in Seymour, Iowa, to Russell and Dorothy Miller Smith. She was a 1947 graduate of John Brown University in Siloam Springs. She was an office manager for various organizations including oil companies and churches. She married Edwin Snider in Siloam Springs on May 26, 1947. She was a member of Bethel United Methodist Church in West Siloam Springs, Okla. She is survived by her husband of the home; a daughter, Pam Weaver and husband Robin of Broken Arrow, Okla.; a son, Allan Snider and wife Coral of Bethany,Okla.; two grandchildren; and three greatgrandchildren. Funeral services were held Jan. 21, 2011, at Wasson Memorial Chapel in Siloam Springs with the Rev. Darrell Maddox officiating. To sign the online guest book, visit www.wassonfuneralhome.com. Wasson Funeral Home was in charge of arrangements. Nina Leona Sprague Nina Leona Sprague, 93, of Gentry, Ark., died Jan. 15, 2012, at North Arkansas Regional Medical Center in Harrison, Ark. She was born Sept. 8, 1918, in McDonald County, Mo., to Benjamin and Alice Forbes Bryant. She lived most of her lifein Gentry and was a homemaker. She married Virgil Thrasher in 1937. After hisdeath, she married Howard Sprague. She was a member of Gentry Assembly of God Church. She is survived by two sons, the Rev. Dennis Thrasher of Gentry, and the Rev. Arlis Thrasher and wife Jan of Harrison; two grandchildren; seven great-grandchildren; and two great-great-grandchildren. Funeral services were held Jan. 19, 2012, at Gentry Assembly of God Church with her sons and Pastor Stowe officiating. Burial followed at New Bethel Cemetery nearAnderson, Mo. To sign the online guest book, visit www.wassonfuneralhome.com. Memorial contributions may be made to Foreign Missions, c/o Assembly of God Church, P.O. Box 58, Gentry, AR 72734. Wasson Funeral Home of Siloam Springs, Ark., was in charge of arrangements. Lynda Loy Springfield Walters Lynda Loy Springfield Walters, 70, of Siloam Springs died quietly at her home on Wednesday, January 18, 2012, after struggling nobly with multiple sclerosis for nearly 35 years. Lynda was born in Siloam Springs on March 2, 1941, to Stewart and Maurine Springfield. She graduated Summa Cum Laude from John Brown University in 1962, then moved to Dallas to take a job with Texas Instruments. It was there that she met Jim Walters, the man with whom she would make a loving marriage for more than 47 years. In 1969, Lynda returned to Siloam Springs, where she and Jim raised their two sons and have lived ever since. A lover of music and gifted musician, she played the organ for years at home, and even in the small country churches she and Jim would visit from time to time. For years and even in the last weeks of her life, a spot would be prepared for Lynda’s wheelchair at local restaurants, theaters, concerts, ball games and more. There are few places in the Siloam Springs community where her irrepressiblesmile and bright presence will not be missed. Lynda is survived by her husband, Jim; son Scott and his wife Ardelle of Little Rock; son Kirk and his wife Randi of Hyattsville, MD; grandchildren, Alden, Maia, Kate, and Ellie; sister Lanita Wright and her husband John of Woodway, WA; sister in law Yvonne Springfield of Rogers, AR; and nephews and nieces Matthew Wright and John Wright of Seattle, WA, Justin Springfield of Dallas TX, and Amanda Ferm of Rogers, AR. She was preceded in death by her parents Stewart and Maurine Springfield, and her brother, Stewart Springfield Jr. In lieu of flowers, memorial gifts may be made to the Dr. Jim and Lynda Walters Endowed Scholarship fund at John Brown University, 2000 W. University, Siloam Springs, AR 72761, or the New Life Ranch Camper Scholarship Fund, 160 New Life Ranch Drive, Colcord, OK 74338. A funeral service for Lynda was held at the Cathedral of the Ozarks on the John Brown University campus at 10 a.m., January 21, with private interment at Oak Hill Cemetery. A reception followed in the Administrative Dining Room in the Mabee Center. Lynda’s family extends their thanks to the good people of Circle of Life Hospice. Online tributes to the family may be made at www.bentoncountymemorialpark.com Arrangements are with Benton County Memorial Park Funeral Home and Crematory of Rogers, Arkansas. PAID OBITUARY