Obituaries

DEATHS FOR SATURDAY, OCTOBER 4, 2008

Saturday, October 4, 2008 12:07 AM CDT

Danny Gerald Johnson

By Erin France/OF THE COMMERCIAL STAFF

“Why me?” is a question often asked by individuals in times of financial, spiritual or emotional stress.

Danny Gerald Johnson, 48, of White Hall, never asked that question, even when he was diagnosed with Lou Gehrig’s Disease, or ALS, about five years ago.

Johnson died at his home Tuesday.

“He did not let the disease define him,” said Amy Johnson, his wife. “He continued to be his same wonderful self.”

The illness causes loss of muscle control. And even when Johnson reached that stage, neighbor and friend Bruce Roberts said Johnson kept his sense of humor.

“Instead of being down on his luck he stayed happy and positive and focused on God,” Roberts said.

After losing his ability to talk on his own, Johnson used a machine voice box to communicate and to entertain.

A son of an acquaintance was completely taken with Johnson’s fake voice, Roberts said.

“This little boy did not understand Danny’s illness at all,” he said. “He crawled up in Danny’s lap and Danny couldn’t move his arms.”

The two of them giggled at the noises Johnson’s machine could make, he said.

“He just had the biggest time that afternoon,” he said. “Both of them had tears running down their cheeks.”

Friends and family also will remember Johnson’s passion for sports, particularly baseball.

After graduating from Watson Chapel High School, he was awarded a baseball scholarship to attend the University of Arkansas at Fayetteville.

He graduated from the University of Central Arkansas and joined Entergy in May 1984. Johnson worked in several capacities for Entergy including as an accountant and systems analyst.

Amy Johnson said he coached his son’s baseball team for many years.

“We did baseball all summer long,” she said. “Wherever the All-Star team was playing.”

Johnson also was active at the First Presbyterian Church in Pine Bluff.

“He was a man of pure joy,” said the Rev. William Lee Kinney, the church’s pastor.

Johnson was involved in an adult Sunday school class.

He attended a Little Rock-based Monday night Bible study class, Roberts added.

“It was something he really loved,” said Kinney.

Kinney and Amy Johnson agreed that Danny Johnson believed in God’s plan for his own life.

“He was a truly great man,” Kinney said, “not because of monuments he built to his own ego or to his own wishes, but to the generosity of his spirit, the joy he had for life and the genuine love he had for his wife, his son, family and friends, and especially for God.”

Funeral services were held Friday at First Presbyterian Church.

Katherine Wallace

Katherine Wallace, 85, of Pine Bluff died Monday at her home.

She was born Feb. 26, 1923, at Cornerstone, a daughter of the late Joe Ford and Deanna Wood Ford.

Survivors include two sisters, Suller Parker and Zuller Sharp, both of Kansas City, Mo.; one stepdaughter, Essie Mae Wallace of California; 13 grandchildren; 37 great-grandchildren; and 19 great-great-grandchildren.

Funeral services will be at 2 p.m. today at New Direction Baptist Church with the Rev. James Wilkerson officiating. Burial will be in Henson Memorial Garden by Henson Mortuary.

Billy Kitchens

JERSEY — Billy Ray Kitchens, 64, of Jersey died Thursday at home.

He was born Dec. 29, 1943, in Bradley County, a son of the late Marlin Lee Kitchens and Zadie Smith Kitchens.

He was a U.S. Army veteran and a Baptist.

Survivors include one brother, Johnny Kitchens of Freeport, Texas; and two sisters, Flora Gilbert of Hampton and Bess Reed of Jersey.

Graveside services will be at 2 p.m. Sunday in Shady Grove Cemetery at Jersey. Arrangements are by Frazer’s Funeral Home of Warren.

Visitation will be from 6-8 p.m. today at the funeral home.

David Parker

MONTICELLO — David Lee Parker, aged 40 passed away Wednesday, Oct. 1, 2008, in Lincoln County, Ark.

He was born May 20, 1968, in Fort Ord, Calif.

He was a registered nurse at Varner having received his AASN at Baptist Medical Center and was a former member of the National Guard. David was raised in the First Assembly Of God Church and later became a member of Oak Grove Free Will Baptist Church.

He was preceded in death by his father, Odis L. Parker; a nephew, Seth Michael Banks; and a brother-in-law, Gage Usry.

The true love of his life was God, his friends and family — especially his wife and son, Jacob and his expectant child due to be born in March of 2009. He was a 1986 graduate of Drew Central High School and was also a member of “Living Proof,” a Christian band where he played and sang.

Survivors include his wife, Tina Usry Parker of Monticello; his son, Jacob Parker of Monticello; his unborn child expected to be born in March of 2009; his mother, Florence Wallace Parker of Monticello; three sisters, Helen Banks and husband, Bud of Monticello, Sandra Davis of Monticello and Debbie Thomas and husband, Randy of Concord, N.C.; his father and mother-in-law, Dozell and Virginia Usry of Wilmar; his sisters-in-law, Angela Davis and husband, Randall and Allison Walls, all of Wilmar; and several nieces and nephews.

Funeral services will be 2 p.m. Sunday at the First Assembly of God Church in Monticello by Rev. Alvin McMahon and Bro. Tim Christmas. Burial will be in the Rose Hill Cemetery in Drew County by Stephenson-Dearman Funeral Home.

Family visitation will be from 6-9 p.m. Saturday evening at the funeral home.

Amy Finley

SHERIDAN — Amy Reed Finley, 38, of Sheridan died Friday at St. Vincent’s Infirmary Medical Center at Little Rock.

She was a daughter of Pauline Reed.

Survivors include her husband, Jason Finley; son, Christian Gammons; daughter, Kelsey Gammons; stepson, Trent Finley; brother, Don Reed; and sisters, Phyllis Macry, Janet Caviness and Sandy Sigman.

Funeral services will be at 2 p.m. Sunday at Memorial Gardens Funeral Home of Sheridan. Burial will be in New Hope Cemetery.

Visitation will be from 5-7 p.m. today at the funeral home.

JEFFERSON — Randy L. Hamilton, 54, of Jefferson died Friday at Jefferson Regional Medical Center at Pine Bluff. Funeral arrangements will be announced by Ralph Robinson & Son Funeral Directors at Pine Bluff.

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