DEATHS FOR MONDAY, NOVEMBER 10, 2008

Merlin “Bill” Foerster

Colonel Merlin W. "Bill" Foerster, United States Army (Retired), 88, of Pine Bluff, died Saturday, Nov. 8, 2008, at Trinity Village Medical Center.

Born at Running Water, S.D., Oct. 9, 1920, to Naomi and Adam Foerster, his survivors include his wife, Charlotte Ann Foerster of Pine Bluff; daughter, Meryl K. Freeman (husband: Carl) of Wilmington, N.C.; son, William S. Foerster (wife: Cathy) of Kingsport, Tenn.; step-daughter, Marsha Adams of Jacksonville, Ark.; step-son, Michael James Richardson of Jacksonville; five grandchildren and seven great-grandchildren.

Colonel Foerster resided in Pine Bluff since he and Ann married April 20, 1996.

Bill spent his childhood years in Niobrara, Neb., graduating from high school there in 1938. He graduated with a BA degree in Science and History from Yankton College, Yankton, S.D., in May, 1942. In September 1942, Bill joined the Army and after Basic Training and Officer Candidate School was commissioned a 2nd Lieutenant, Quartermaster Corps on April 3, 1943. During a long and distinguished military career as a Commander and Logistician, he served through WWII, the Korean Conflict and Vietnam War.

During his regular Army career he was awarded the Legion of Merit with Oak Leaf cluster, the Bronze Star, and Meritorious Service and Army Commendation Medals plus many other service medals and awards. He retired as a Colonel on June 30, 1973.

Memorial services are Tuesday, Nov. 11, 2 p.m. at Trinity Episcopal Church with the Rev. Doctor Walter Van Zandt Windsor and the Rev. Darrell L. Stayton officiating. Interment follows in Trinity Columbarium by Ralph Robinson & Son (online register: www.ralphrobinsonandson.com).

Memorials requested to Trinity Episcopal Church, 703 West Third, Pine Bluff, Ark., 71601; Trinity Village, 6400 Trinity Drive, Pine Bluff, Ark., 71603; or Crazy Horse Memorial Foundation, 12151 Avenue of the Chiefs, Crazy Horse, S.D. 57730-9506.

Mamie Smith

Mamie Smith of Pine Bluff died Saturday at the Allegiance Specialty Hospital at Little Rock.

She was born June 3, 1923, at Minden, La., a daughter of the late Hamp and Belluia Banks Mitchell.

Survivors include a sister, Margaret Brewer of Pine Bluff; and her caretaker, Eric Ferguson of Arlington, Texas.

Funeral services will be at 2 p.m. Tuesday at P.K. Miller Mortuary with Rev. Dale Watkins officiating. Burial will be in the Cedar Grove Section of Graceland Cemetery.

Visitation from 1 to 4 p.m. Monday at the mortuary.

Thomas Scott Jr.

MONTICELLO — Thomas Robie Scott Jr., a great American soldier, dedicated husband, father and grandfather, successful businessman and community leader, tragically died in a one vehicle accident south of Monticello, Ark., on Friday, Nov. 7, 2008. Robie had been happily married for 57 years to Opal Belt Scott who passed away at their home in Monticello on Oct. 7, 2008. Robie was born on March 4, 1924 in Monticello, Ark., to Thomas Robie and Bessie Adcock Scott. He was also preceded in death by his father and mother and his sister LaFran Scott Fitzwater.

Robie is survived by sons Thomas Robie Scott, III and his wife, Gale Grice Scott (of Little Rock, Ark.), and their sons Cory and Zeb (of Fayetteville, Ark.); Michael Robert Scott and his wife, Anita Langford Scott and their daughters McKenna, Marit and Micah (of Little Rock, Ark.); and Phillip Roland Scott and his wife Karla Seiter Scott (of Fayetteville, Ark.).

Robie was a very proud World War II veteran, having volunteered for service when his beloved country needed him in November of 1942. He served with the Army's 103rd Infantry Division, seeing combat action in France and Germany. Robie remained active in his Division's reunions held annually throughout the country.

After returning from the war, Robie enrolled at Arkansas A&M (now University of Arkansas at Monticello-UAM) where he was a letterman on the football team and served as president of Sigma Tau Gamma, a men's social fraternity. Robie was a member of the University's first forestry class (1946) graduating in 1947 with a Forest Technician degree. He furthered his education by enrolling at Louisiana State University in Baton Rouge graduating in 1948 with a BS in Forestry. Robie joined the consulting forestry firm of Pomeroy & McGowin in 1948, ultimately becoming the CEO and majority owner. He remained with the firm until his retirement in 1996. Pomeroy & McGowin celebrated 70 years of service to its clients this year ... an accomplishment Robie was most proud to have been a part of.

Robie and Opal were married Jan. 7, 1951, at the First Baptist Church in Woodville, Texas, and soon thereafter returned to Monticello with a new son to begin their life together. Not only was Robie dedicated to the forestry profession he was also a very involved citizen. He so loved Monticello and its people! He invested countless days during his life helping his community become a better place to live. Over the years he served as president of the Monticello PTA, Scoutmaster of Troop 67, president of the Monticello Little League, was a member of the City Council, president of the Lions Club, president of the Rotary Club, served the First United Methodist Church as the 9th grade Sunday school teacher, a choir member, Lay Leader and served on the Board of Trustees. He chaired the Drew County Heart Fund and was a Board Member of the Monticello Country Club. Robie particularly loved watching his sons and grandchildren make their own good “marks,” watching his forest grow ... on a daily basis, his Boll Weevils, Razorback and LSU Tigers football teams and the good times spent with his golf buddies and his Union Bank “coffee drinking committee.”

In 1994 Opal, the love of Robie's life, contracted Alzheimer's disease. Robie provided his “sweetheart” with loving and dedicated care in their home during those 14 years. Robie and Opal's relationship during this time demonstrated to their sons and their families and many others in Monticello, the true meaning of one's wedding vows. Robie Scott led by example.

The family expresses their sincere thanks and love to Marilyn Maxwell for providing to Robie and Opal excellent care, companionship and friendship.

Visitation will be held at the Stephenson-Dearman Funeral Home in Monticello on Monday, Nov. 10 from 6 - 8 p.m. A memorial service will be held at 1 p.m., Tuesday, Nov. 11 (Veterans Day) at the First United Methodist Church in Monticello, Ark. Graveside services will be held at Oaklawn Cemetery following the memorial services. In lieu of flowers, the family is requesting that memorials be made to the Thomas R. Scott Jr. Scholarship at UAM (contact Linda Yeiser at UAM, 1-800-467-8148). This scholarship was established five years ago by Robie's three sons and is awarded annually to a deserving UAM Forestry or Spatial Information Systems student.

We thank you Dear Lord for the life of your good and faithful servant, Thomas Robie Scott Jr.

J.D. Crook

RISON — J. D. Crook, age 81 of Rison, died Sunday, Nov. 9, 2008, at Jefferson Regional Medical Center in Pine Bluff. He was born Jan. 21, 1927 in Rison, a son of the late Earnest Crook and Lydia Mae Edwards Crook Rauls. Mr. Crook retired from the Forestry Department of the International Paper Company and was a member of Prosperity Baptist Church. He was also preceded in death by his wife, Laverne Hurst Crook and step dad, Bo Rauls.

Mr. Crook is survived by a host of family and friends.

Graveside services are 2 p.m. Tuesday, Nov. 11, 2008, at Prosperity Cemetery with Brother Jackie Richardson officiating. Visitation is 1 to 2 p.m. prior to service. Arrangements are under the direction of Buie Funeral Home of Rison (870) 325-6216. Please sign the online guestbook at www.buiefuneralhome.com.

Visitation for Vernell “Mike” Spiller Jr., 52, of Pine Bluff, who died Nov. 5 at home, will be from 6 to 8 p.m. Monday at P.K. Miller Mortuary.

Funeral services will be at 11 a.m. Tuesday at the Greater Fellowship Ministries with Rev. Glen Barnes officiating. Burial will be at 10:30 a.m. Wednesday in the Arkansas State Veterans Cemetery at North Little Rock.

DeWITT — Sylvester E.D. Gaiter of DeWitt died Saturday at home. Funeral arrangements will be announced by McKinzie/Wilson Funeral Home of Gould.