Obituaries
DEATHS FOR WEDNESDAY, NOVEMBER 19, 2008
Wednesday, November 19, 2008 10:04 AM CST
Esterleen Johnson
Mrs. Esterleen Johnson, 86, of Pine Bluff died Friday, Nov. 14, 2008.
She was born in Rison to the late Sanders and Cora Rucks.
Her survivors include sons, Jack Johnson Jr. of Rison, George Johnson of Pine Bluff and Gleen Johnson of Birmingham, Ala.; daughters, Helen York, Bennie Thompson, both of Las Vegas, Nev., Cora Hollie of San Diego, Calif.; 15 grandchildren.
Her graveside services will be Thursday, Nov. 20, 2008, at New Cemetery in Rison by Elder Frank Phillips Jr. at 11 a.m. Burial will be by Brown Funeral Home of Pine Bluff.
Visitation is today from 6-7 p.m. at the funeral home.
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. 13, 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; 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 Vallance of Pine Bluff, Ark.
Pallbearers will be G.J. Pierce, Bryan Pierce, Joe Bailey, Jim Bailey, Jerry Bailey, and Daniel Vallance.
Visitation was Tuesday, 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.
Virginia Merrell
MONTICELLO — Virginia “Ginny” Moody Merrell died peacefully in her home on Nov. 16, 2008, in Monticello, Ark.
She was born July 9, 1935, near Brinkley, Ark.
Preceding her in death were her parents, Flora Smith Moody and Edward Lawrence Moody; a brother, James Moody of Idaho; a sister, Alice Koepke of San Antonio, Texas; a half-brother, Joe Moody, of Searcy; and a half-sister, Flossie DeClue, of Heber Springs.
Survivors include her high school sweetheart and loving husband of 54 years, Dr. Curtis Merrell; three sons, Colonel Scott Merrell (and wife, Alecia) of Clifton, Va.; Craig Merrell of Oxford, Miss., and Drew Merrell (and wife, Kim) of Monticello; three grandsons, Peyton and Reid Merrell of Monticello and Andrew John (AJ) Merrell of Clifton, Va.; two granddaughters, Aubrey Kate and Riley Elizabeth Merrell of Oxford, Miss.; and three sisters, Jean Harney of Texas and Becky Beck and Connie Flickinger of Stuttgart.
After Ginny’s mother died when Ginny was 11 years old, she and some of her siblings moved to King’s Ranch, near Kingsville, Texas, to live with grandparents. Ginny moved to Forrest City at age 15 to live with an aunt and uncle where she met Curtis in the 10th grade and they were soon dating. Ginny was a very good student and very popular. She was vice president of the Student Council, Miss Forrest City High School, Halloween Queen, Homecoming Queen, a class beauty in the 10th, 11th, and 12th grades, and runner up to Miss St. Francis County. Ginny received faculty awards for “Most Valuable Service to the School” and “Outstanding Senior.”
Ginny attended college in Memphis for one year, then she and Curtis married and she moved to Arkadelphia, where he was enrolled at Ouachita Baptist College. Ginny worked for a prosecuting attorney until Curtis graduated in 1957. They then moved to Fort Bragg, N.C., while Curtis served in the U.S. Army for two years. They then moved to Baton Rouge, La., where Curtis received his master’s degree, followed by a move to Helena where Ginny worked for a local attorney while Curtis taught math and coached for seven years. They then moved to Pomfret Hall on the University of Arkansas-Fayetteville campus, where Curtis served as head resident while he earned his doctoral degree in education administration, and Ginny took care of their sons, Scott, who was born in 1965, and Craig, who was born in 1967.
In 1969, the Merrells moved to Monticello after Curtis accepted a job in education administration. Curtis and Ginny joined the First Baptist Church of Monticello that same year, and their son, Drew, was born in 1971.
Ginny volunteered many hours for school and community activities while taking care of the boys. She received an award as Outstanding Junior Auxiliary Member, took the kids to swim team, T-ball, baseball, football practice and games and still found time to continue her education. She took about 20 hours of correspondence from the University of Texas, Austin, Texas, in gerontology, went to the University of Arkansas at Monticello part time, and drove to Pine Bluff three nights a week to attend classes at University of Arkansas at Pine Bluff for two years to get her certification as a licensed social worker, specializing in gerontology. Ginny volunteered a lot of her time with the Senior Citizens’ Center, later working there for four days a week, then three, until 2000, as a social worker and activities coordinator.
Ginny loved spending time in the outdoors, fishing with Curtis, and playing tennis. She and Curtis won the Monticello Country Club Mixed Doubles Senior Championship when they were 43 years old. Ginny was a chairman of “Safety Town USA” for Arkansas from 1978 to 1985. She was Child Immunization Volunteer of the Year while serving as chairman for Drew County and working with Betty Bumpers in the statewide immunization program. She was honored with a lunch with Betty and Governor Dale Bumpers at the Governor’s Mansion for her efforts. She was later recognized as an Arkansas Volunteer of the Year in 1982, and Hillary Clinton and Mrs. Rosalynn Carter honored her at a picnic at the Governor’s Mansion along with the other nominees.
Ginny was known as one of the better bridge players in Monticello and cherished the time spent with longtime friends and members of her bridge club. She also took time to teach many others how to play. She always supported Curtis in his career and his environmental work, as well.
Ginny will be remembered as a beautiful lady, a loving wife, mother, grandmother, and friend to many people of all races, ages, and social status. She was a joy to all who knew her.
The family requests that, in lieu of flowers, contributions in her name be made to: Options, Inc. (women’s crisis intervention services), Attn: Brenda Noble, P.O. Box 554, Monticello, Ark., 71657; the First Baptist Church Building Fund, 413 N. Main St., Monticello, Ark., 71655, or your charity of choice.
Visitation will be at the Stephenson-Dearman Funeral Home in Monticello from 6 to 8 p.m. on Wednesday, Nov. 19.
Services will be held at the Stephenson-Dearman Funeral Chapel at 11 a.m. on Thursday, Nov. 20 followed by burial in the Gaster Hill Cemetery on Highway 35N near her home on Wake Robin Drive.
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 today, 2 p.m. at Fuller Hale-South Chapel with Brother Steve Monk officiating. Burial will be in Graceland Cemetery.
Memorials may be made to Hospice Angels, 3801 Camden Road, Pine Bluff, Ark., 71603.
Online condolences: www.FullerHaleSouth.com
Josie Anderton
SHERIDAN — Josie Whiteaker Anderton, 88, of Sheridan died Monday at Hot Spring County Medical Center at Malvern.
Survivors: four sons, Harold Anderton of Malvern, Garland Anderton and Delbert Anderton, both of Sheridan, and Dwight Anderton of Pine Bluff; one daughter, Alice Webb of Bartlett, Tenn.; 14 grandchildren; and 16 great-grandchildren.
Funeral services will be at 2 p.m. today in the chapel of Memorial Gardens Funeral Home of Sheridan with Phil Whiteaker, Al Michael and Jim Baker officiating. Burial will be in Providence Cemetery.
Visitation will be from noon until time of service today.
James Threlkeld
SHERIDAN — James L. Threlkeld, 67, of Sheridan died Monday.
Survivors include his wife, Barbara Billings Threlkeld; son, Mike Threlkeld of Fayetteville; daughter, Teresa Selman of Sheridan; brother, W.M. “Bill” Threlkeld of Livingston, Texas; and seven grandchildren.
Funeral services will be at 2 p.m. Thursday in the chapel of Buie Funeral Home at Rison. Burial will be in Varnell Cemetery.
Visitation will be from 6-8 p.m. today at the funeral home.
Majorie E. Clark, 63, of Pine Bluff died Tuesday. Funeral arrangements will be announced by Brown Funeral Home of Pine Bluff.
Jannette Wilkins, 66, of Pine Bluff died Friday. Funeral arrangements will be announced by Christian Way Funeral Home.
Print this story | Email this story
|
