Obituaries

DEATHS FOR TUESDAY, NOVEMBER 18, 2008

Tuesday, November 18, 2008 9:59 AM CST

Brenda McCurry

DECATUR — Brenda Sue McCurry, 54, of Decatur died Nov. 8 at her home.

She was born Feb. 4, 1954, at Pine Bluff, a daughter of Billy Denzil and Emma Sue Fielding Kesterson of Pine Bluff.

Other survivors include her husband, Darrell McCurry; two sons, John Mike Layson and Shawn Dewayne McCurry of Huntsville; daughter, Jamie Diane McCurry of Decatur; brother, John Earl Kesterson of Victoria, Va.; sisters, Vicky Carnes of Victoria, and Bobbi Scott of Pine Bluff; five grandchildren; and three great-grandchildren.

A private memorial service was held Saturday at Pine Bluff with the Rev. George Reeves officiating. Cremation arrangements were by Backstrom-Pyeatte Funeral Home at Siloam Springs.

Gloria Boyd

DEWITT — Gloria Belle Rowland Boyd, age 66, of DeWitt died Sunday, Nov. 16, 2008.

She was born Oct. 1, 1942, in DeWitt, to George Edison and Mildred Irene Manis Rowland.

She was an active member of First United Methodist Church, a Sunday school teacher, softball and baseball coach, Rainbow Girls advisor as well as a loving mother, grandmother and wife.

Survivors include her husband of 46 years, Altus Eugene Boyd; daughters, Traci Boyd Davis and husband, Dale of DeWitt, J’Ann Boyd Lessenberry and husband, Lee of Bryant; brothers, George Rowland of Fayetteville, Bill Rowland of Little Rock; daughter-in-law, RayLyn Conley Boyd of DeWitt; grandchildren, Lydia Boyd Davis, Megan Conley Boyd, Ashlyn Belle Lessenberry, Lauren Elizabeth Lessenberry and Robert Ryan Lessenberry.

She was preceded in death by her parents and son, Richard Wayne Boyd.

Funeral services will be 10 a.m. today at First United Methodist Church with burial at DeWitt Cemetery by Essex Funeral Home.

Memorials may be made to First United Methodist Church Library Fund or Debt Retirement Fund, P.O. Box 527, DeWitt, Ark., 72042.

Bobby Petty Sr.

FORT SMITH — Bobby M. Petty Sr., 79, of Fort Smith, Ark., formerly of Pine Bluff, Ark., passed away Saturday, Nov. 15, 2008.

He was born Nov. 12, 1929, in Pine Bluff, Ark., to Henry and Birdie Petty. He retired from Pine Bluff Arsenal Fire Department. He was a member of First Baptist Church in Fort Smith, former postal clerk for the United States Post Office in Pine Bluff, former fireman for the Pine Bluff Fire Department and volunteer fireman for the Watson Chapel Volunteer Fire Department.

Funeral Service will be 2 p.m. Thursday, Nov. 20, 2008, at Chapel of Ralph Robinson and Son Funeral Home in Pine Bluff, Ark. Burial will be at Fitzhugh Cemetery in Pine Bluff, Ark., under the direction of Ralph Robinson and Son Funeral Home. Local arrangements under the direction of Edwards Funeral Home.

He is survived by his wife, Joyce Petty of Fort Smith; one daughter, Lorene Lisenbey Murray of Lantana, Texas; one son, Bobby “Butch” Petty Jr. of Pine Bluff, Ark.; one sister, Emma Jean Bailey of Pine Bluff, Ark.; two grandchildren, Jason Brad Lisenbey of the U.S. Army in Iraq and Rachel Vallance of Pine Bluff, Ark.; two great- grandchildren, Alex Lisenbey of Shreveport, La., and Anna Vallan Bailey, Jim Bailey, Jerry Bailey, and Daniel Vallance.

Visitation will be today, Nov. 18, 2008, from 6 p.m.-7:30 p.m. at Edwards Funeral Home in Fort Smith, Ark.

Memorial contributions may be made to Alzheimer’s Arkansas, 10411 W. Markham, Suite 130, Little Rock, Ark.

James Barnes

MONTICELLO — James Francis Barnes, 85, of Monticello died Sunday at Drew Memorial Hospital.

He was born Oct. 15, 1923, at Esther, Mo., a son of the late James Allen Barnes and Delora Sample Barnes.

Survivors include three daughters, Sandy Erlansan and husband, Raymond, and Debbie Feeser and husband, Ronnie, all of Monticello, and Delora Kindel and husband, Larry of Gray, Tenn.; one sister, Virgie Ingracia of Springfield, Mo.; eight grandchildren; and 14 great-grandchildren.

Funeral service is 1 p.m. Wednesday at Stephenson-Dearman Chapel, burial in Oakland Cemetery with military honors.

Family visitation is 6-8 p.m. today at the funeral home.

All arrangements by Stephenson-Dearman Funeral Home of Monticello.

Cathy Robison

REDFIELD — Cathy Hankins Robison, 47, of Redfield, died Monday, Nov. 17, 2008.

She was born, July 19, 1961, in Pine Bluff, Ark., to Larry Hankins and Billie Jean Culpepper Hankins of Redfield, Ark.

She was reared and educated in Pine Bluff and attended Dollarway Schools.

Cathy worked as an executive administrative assistant in multiple businesses throughout her career. She enjoyed reading and music, especially the Blues, and spending time with her children and grandson.

A brother, Ira Steven Hankins, predeceased her.

Other survivors include her husband, Jon Gregory Robison, whom she married June 16, 1995; three sons, Jeremy Vanderpool of Watauga, Texas, Mick Wilson of Baltimore, Md., and Michael Wilson of Fort Collins, Colo.; two stepsons, Cody and Kyle Robison of Dallas, Texas; one stepdaughter, Breia Wilson of Pine Bluff, Ark., a brother, Bill Hankins and his wife, Lisa of Pine Bluff; a sister, Cindy Hankins Welch and her husband, Bobby of Redfield; and a grandson, Adrian Vanderpool of Watauga, Texas.

Funeral services will be Wednesday, 2 p.m. at Fuller Hale-South Chapel with Brother Steve Monk officiating. Burial will be in Graceland Cemetery.

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

Memorials may be made to Hospice Angels, 3801 Camden Road, Pine Bluff, Ark., 71603.

Online condolences: www.FullerHaleSouth.com

Lois Calvert

RISON — Lois L. Calvert, 80, of Rison died Sunday at home.

She was born March 25, 1928, in Van Buren County, a daughter of Minnie Holley of Rye and the late James Hillard Holley.

Other survivors: husband, Delbert Calvert; sons, Steven Calvert of Portland, Tenn., Randy Calvert of Sheridan of Sheridan; daughters, Lisa Himes of Rockland, Calif., Susan Moak of White Hall; three brothers, Bill Holley of Hope, Sam Holley, Jimmy Holley, both of Rye; one sister, Mary Janes Ashcraft of Rye; and 11 grandchildren.

Funeral services: 1:30 p.m. Wednesday at Frazer’s Funeral Home at Warren. Burial: Garrison Cemetery.

Visitation: 6-8 p.m. today at the funeral home.

Thurzia Corker

RISON — Thurzia Corker, 65, of Rison died Saturday.

Survivors include her husband, Leland Corker; son, Mark Pitchford; daughters, Leanna Socia, Debbie Machado and Brenda Dubois; brothers, Walter Mathis, Jerry Mathis, Glen Mathis; sisters, Alene Cunningham, Linda Smith; four grandchildren; two great-grandchildren.

Funeral services: 11 a.m. Thursday in the chapel of Buie Funeral Home at Rison with Wade Totty officiating. Burial will be in Greenwood Cemetery.

Visitation: 6-8 p.m. Wednesday at the funeral home.

Josephine Robinson

SPRINGFIELD, Mo. — Josephine Butcalis Robinson, 77, of Springfield, Mo., formerly of Pine Bluff, Ark., passed away Saturday, Nov. 15, 2008, at Manor Care Nursing Home in Springfield.

Born July 28, 1931 in Pine Bluff, she was a daughter of the late Paul and Rose Butcalis.

She was reared and received her early education in Pine Bluff, attending and graduating from Pine Bluff schools. She also attended Memphis Vocational Technical School, where she received her nursing degree.

On April 28, 1949, she married Laddie L. “Red” Robinson in Pine Bluff. They moved to Memphis, Tenn., due to his career and lived there for 37 years, returning to Pine Bluff in 1980. After the death of her husband, Mrs. Robinson moved to Springfield.

She worked as a licensed practical nurse at Shelby County Hospital for several years until her retirement in the 1970s.

She was a member of Saint Joseph Catholic Church in Pine Bluff.

She was preceded in death by her parents, her husband of over 35 years, Laddie L. “Red” Robinson; a sister, Lorraine Salvador; and a brother, Tony Butcalis.

She is survived by her two sons, Larry Robinson, of Springfield, Mo., and Michael Robinson, of Republic, Mo.; her daughter, Vickie McBee and husband Don of Strafford, Mo.; one sister, Mary Moore of Pine Bluff; and two grandchildren.

A rosary will be held 11 a.m., Wednesday, Nov. 19, 2008, in the Chapel of Ralph Robinson & Son. A graveside will follow at 1 p.m. at White Hall United Methodist Cemetery with Noel F. Bryant officiating.

Friends may sign the online register at www.ralphrobinsonandson.com.

Memorials may be made to The American Diabetes Association, 320 Executive Court, Suite 104, Little Rock, Ark., 72205; or the Cancer Research Foundation, P.O. Box 50226, Henderson, Nev., 89016-0226.

I gave you all my love, and you can only guess, How much you all have given me through life in happiness.

Though you can’t see or touch me, I will always be so near, And if you listen with your heart, I’m sure that you will hear, My love around you always, so soft and very clear.

Then, when you come this way alone, I’ll greet you with a smile and a gentle “Welcome Home.”

Alfonso Carter, 87, of Pine Bluff died Sunday at Jefferson Regional Medical Center. Funeral arrangements will be announced by Brown Funeral Home of Pine Bluff.

Ester Johnson, 86, of Pine Bluff died Friday at the University of Arkansas for Medical Sciences Medical Center at Little Rock. Funeral arrangements will be announced by Brown Funeral Home of Pine Bluff.

Martha B. Wright, 90, of Pine Bluff died Sunday at home. Funeral arrangements will be announced by Brown Funeral Home of Pine Bluff.

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