DEATHS FOR THURSDAY, NOVEMBER 27, 2008
Benjamin Plumlee Sr.
Benjamin Mitchell Plumlee Sr., age 62, of Pine Bluff, died Monday, Nov. 24, 2008, at Jefferson Regional Medical Center in Pine Bluff.
Mr. Plumlee was born April 26, 1946, in Jackson, Tenn., a son of the late Benjamin Franklin and Ruby Lee Harris Plumlee.
He is survived by two sons, Benjamin Mitchell Plumlee Jr. and wife, Jennifer of Redfield and Bradley Franklin Plumlee of Pine Bluff; one sister, Linda Williams of Woodlawn; and three grandchildren; and several nieces and nephews.
Mr. Plumlee was preceded in death by a brother, Don Franklin Plumlee, in 1983.
No service is planned. The body was cremated.
Friends may sign the online register at www.ralphrobinsonandson.com
Bertie Power
Bertie Estelle Rodgers Austin Power, 79, of Pine Bluff, Ark., died Tuesday, Nov. 25, 2008, at Davis Life Care Center.
She was born Nov. 9, 1929, at Kedron, Ark., to Thomas F. and Birdie Parker Rodgers.
Mrs. Rodgers died during childbirth, leaving Mrs. Power to be raised by her stepmom, Vicie Coats Harris Rodgers. Mrs. Power grew up and received her education in Woodlawn. She was the owner and operator of Austin’s Grocery, located on Highway 15 south for 25 years.
Mrs. Power moved to Pine Bluff in 1980, where she worked as a teacher’s aide for 17 years for the Pine Bluff School District, until her retirement in 1994. She was a member of the First Immanuel Missionary Baptist Church, the AARP, and the Arkansas Retired Teacher’s Association.
She was preceded in death by her husbands, Calvin C. Austin, who died in 1974, and Martin Power, who died in 1994; a son, Phillip Edward Austin; her parents, Thomas F. and Birdie Parker Rodgers; her stepmother, Vicie Coats Harris Rodgers; five brothers, Luther Rodgers, Newton Rodgers, Chester Rodgers, Vic Rodgers, Odis Rodgers; and six sisters, Lillie Keith, Ethel Harris, Vera Reach, Marie Greenlee, Kathryn Rodgers, and Ophie Favor.
Survivors include four sons, Rev. Calvin D. Austin of Gainesville, Fla., Carroll Lee Austin of Kingsland, Billy Joe Austin of Little Rock, James T. Austin of Pine Bluff; a daughter, Ramona Ray of Jasper; a sister, Eula Faye Jenkinson of Pine Bluff; five stepchildren, Marvin Edward Power, James Harold Power, Samuel Allyn Power, Thomas Richard Power, Jeffery Dewayne Power; 30 grandchildren and step-grandchildren; and 18 great-grandchildren and step great-grandchildren.
The family will receive friends from 6 to 8 p.m. Friday at Ralph Robinson’s Funeral Home. Services will be at 10 a.m., Saturday, Nov. 29, 2008, at First Immanuel Missionary Baptist Church with Rev. David Harris and Rev. Chris Garner officiating. Burial will follow in Roselawn Cemetery.
The family will be at the residence of Sonny and Shirley Harrison,
7505 Sorrells Road, Pine Bluff, Ark.
Online guest registry at www.ralphrobinsonandson.com
James Sinks
James A. Sinks of Pine Bluff died Wednesday, Nov. 26, 2008, at Jefferson Regional Medical Center.
Mr. Sinks was born April 15, 1937, in Kingsland, Ark., to the late Samuel Marion and Priscilla Oldner Sinks.
He was reared and received his education in Rison, where he graduated from Rison High School. He served in the National Guard.
Mr. Sinks retired from the Arkansas Highway and Transportation Department following 30 years of service.
He was a member of Matthews Memorial Baptist Church. His hobbies included hunting and caring for his yard.
Mr. Sinks is survived by his wife of 48 years, whom he married June 18, 1960, in Rison, Ark., Mrs. Juanita Guenther Sinks of Pine Bluff; a son and daughter-in-law, Mike and Amy Sinks of Little Rock; a grandchild, Cade Sinks of Little Rock; a brother, Samuel Marion Sinks Jr. of Rison; three sisters, Lorene Sanders of Camden, Corrine Nichols of Locus Bayou, and Margaret Harrell of Texas.
He was preceded in death by his parents and five sisters.
The family will receive friends Friday, Nov. 28, 2008, from 6 to 8 p.m. at Robinson’s.
Funeral services are scheduled for Saturday, Nov. 29, 2008, 1:30 p.m. in the chapel of Ralph Robinson & Son with Rev. James Watson officiating. Burial will follow in Graceland Cemetery.
Online register: www.ralphrobinsonandson.com.
The family has requested that memorials take the form of contributions to the Alzheimer’s Association of Central Arkansas Regional Center, 411 South Victory, Suite 202, Little Rock, Ark., 72201.
The family has also requested to give a very special thanks to his caregiver, Gale Stewart and the staff at Trinity Village Medical Center for all of their support, love and kindness.
Joe Sonny Jr.
Mr. Joe Louis Sonny Jr., 35, of Pine Bluff died Friday, Nov. 21, 2008.
He was born in Milwaukee, Wis., to Joe Sonny Sr. of Camden and Odie Miller of Pine Bluff.
His survivors include brothers, Paul and Arjah Sonny, both of Camden; sisters, Velma and Wilma Sonny of Oakland, Calif., Carolyn Sonny-Davis of Atlanta, Ga., and Lawanda Sonny-Forbes of Milwaukee, Wis.; stepmother, Jeanette Sonny of Camden.
His memorial service will be Friday, Nov. 28, 2008, at Brown Funeral Home of Pine Bluff by Brother Ronnie Atkins with assistant Billy Scott.
The family will be at 4206 W. 13th Ave., Pine Bluff, Ark.
Nora Terry
Nora Graham Terry, 43, of Pine Bluff, formerly of West Memphis, died Nov. 14.
She was a daughter of Alvin Graham of West Memphis and Mary Drone of Pine Bluff.
Other survivors: three sons, Omar Terry, Calvin Graham and Charles Drone; one daughter, Krystal Bohannan; five brothers, Calvin Graham, Charles Drone, Harry Drone, Roy Drone and Tyrone Drone; and seven sisters, Verlinda Harris, Tina Taylor, Schorlett Turner, Tamicia Miller, Linda Townsend, Rhae Johnson and Daniella Drone.
Funeral services: 11 a.m. Saturday at Joy Community Church. Burial: Forest Lawn Memorial Garden by Wolfe Brothers Funeral Home at West Memphis.
Visitation: 6-8 p.m. Friday at the funeral home.
Herman Romine Jr.
RISON — Herman E. Romine Jr. of Rison, Ark., entered this life Christmas Eve 1938 to Herman E. Romine Sr. and Lorene Williamson Romine at England, Ark., and went home to Jesus Wednesday, Nov. 26, 2008.
He leaves behind loving memories to his wife, Barbara of the home in Rison; his daughter, Teresa Romine and grandson, Cole Hicks and sister, Mary Morris of Kansas City, Mo.; stepdaughter, Karyn Felkins of the home; stepson, Gregg Felkins and three stepgrandsons of Crossett, Ark.; and his lap companion, Simon the cat.
He was preceded in death by daughter, Pam Romine; and sisters, Delores Goodman and Phyllis Ramsey of Kansas City; and his parents.
Herman was an avid fisherman in his younger days. He served his country in the Navy in non-war time. He was of the Assembly of God faith. His occupation was warehousing.
Memorial services will be 10 a.m. Friday, Nov. 28, 2008, at Buie Funeral Home Chapel in Rison with Brother Jim Stone officiating.
Arrangements are under the direction of Buie Funeral Home of Rison (870) 325-6216.
Please sign the online guestbook at www.buiefuneralhome.com.
Marcus Peacock Jr.
WHITE HALL — Marcus Henry Peacock Jr. was born and died Nov. 20 at the University of Arkansas for Medical Sciences Medical Center at Little Rock.
He was the son of Marcus Henry Peacock and Keri-Alise Anne Wilson.
Other survivors: grandparents, Paula Kay Wilson, Richard Wilson, Amy Wilson, all of White Hall, Deon Peacock and Dianna Peacock, both of Star City; great-grandparents A.J. Wilson of Gurdon, Henry Peacock, Louise Peacock, Andy Matthews, Angie Matthews and Darrell Owen, all of Star City.
He was preceded in death by a brother, Henry Marcus Peacock; and great-grandparents, Lois Jones, A.C. Jones and Millissiee Wilson.
Graveside services were held Wednesday in Graceland Cemetery. Arrangements were by Ralph Robinson & Son Funeral Directors at Pine Bluff.
Odie Lovett
PANAMA CITY, Fla. — Odie McCool Lovett, 99, of Panama City, Fla., died Monday at her home.
She was born Dec. 26, 1908, at Sheridan, Ark.
Survivors include one son, Tom Lovett of Florence, Ala.; and one daughter, Ann Ingram of Panama City.
Graveside services will be at 10 a.m. Saturday in Lost Creek Cemetery. Arrangements are by Memorial Gardens Funeral Home of Sheridan.
Visitation will be from 5-7 p.m. Friday at the funeral home.
Memorials may be made to Emmaus United Methodist Church, 1206 County Road 2297, Panama City, Fla., 32404.
R.J. Nelson
INDIANAPOLIS — R.J. Nelson, 58, of Indianapolis, formerly of Dermott, Ark., died Nov. 19.
He was born Nov. 3, 1950, at Fresno, Calif., a son of J.C. Nelson of Dermott and the late Fannie Perry Nelson.
Survivors: wife, Rena Nelson; one son, Robert James Nelson; two daughters, Sonya Nelson and Chantele Nelson Thomas; eight brothers, Cecil Nelson, Henry Nelson, Bobby Nelson, Dock Nelson, John Nelson, Timothy Nelson, Bernard Phillip and James Morris; three sisters, Shirley Marion, Lois Nelson and Pearl Price; and five grandchildren.
Funeral services were held Wednesday at St. Paul Baptist Church at Dermott. Burial was in Davis Cemetery by Dillard Funeral Home at Dermott.
Edythe Thompson, 81, of Pine Bluff died Tuesday at Davis Life Care Center. Funeral arrangements will be announced by Ralph Robinson & Son Funeral Directors.
MONTICELLO — George Ruffin, 90, of Monticello died Tuesday at Drew Memorial Hospital. Funeral arrangements will be announced by Serenity Gardens Funeral Services at Dumas.