Obituaries

DEATHS FOR WEDNESDAY, FEBRUARY 18, 2009

Tuesday, February 17, 2009 10:52 PM CST

Floy Smith

Floy Mae Smith, age 77, of Pine Bluff, formerly of Searcy, died Tuesday, Feb. 17, 2009.

She was born April 28, 1931, in Dallas County, a daughter of the late John Marshall and Martha Tucker Ratcliff.

Floy was a homemaker, and loved to work with her hands, especially her quilting.

Mrs. Smith was preceded in death by her husband, Kenneth Smith, whom she married in November of 1952; a brother, Harvey, four sisters, Gladys, Ruby, Janice, and Josephine; and a granddaughter, Sarah Minchew.

Survivors include three daughters, Sharon Minchew of White Hall, Kathy Ashley (Carolton Laster) of Little Rock, and Charlotte Jackson (Gale) of Hermitage; two sons, Wayne Smith (Brenda) of Watson Chapel, and Ronnie Smith (Sharon) of White Hall; brother, Troy Ratliff; sister, Nelda Goltra; nine grandchildren, eight great-grandchildren; and many other loving friends and family.

A memorial gathering will be Wednesday from 6-8 p.m. at Fuller Hale-South Funeral Home.

Online condolences: www.FullerFunerals.com

Elmer Wheeler III

BENTON — Elmer O. Wheeler III passed away at home on Feb. 16, 2009, at the age of 54, surrounded by his family and friends. He had fought a long and courageous battle with multiple myeloma cancer.

He was born on May 20, 1954, in Pampa, Texas, to the late Elmer O. Wheeler Jr. and Betty Wheeler.

He had lived in Central Arkansas for most of his life. He worked at Philips Lighting for more than 25 years.

He was active in the community by coaching football and softball. He also coached for the Haskell Youth Softball Program for more than 20 years. He was an avid outdoorsman, enjoying hunting and fishing with his long time best friend Danny Mitchell.

He is survived by his mother and step father, Betty and Don Stevens and his sisters Cheryl Baglio, Toni Martin, and Denise Smith. He is also survived by his eight children, Michael Wheeler, Heather Sikora, David Wheeler, Tami Meredith, Courtney Shoptaw, April Wheeler, Joshua Wheeler, and Jacob Wheeler as well as 14 grandchildren.

The family will be receiving visitors at Ashby’s Funeral Home in Benton on Friday, Feb. 20, 2009, from 6-9 p.m. Services will be held at Victory Baptist Church on Hwy. 67 near Haskell at 10 a.m. on Saturday, Feb. 21, 2009.

On-line guest book at www.ashbyfuneralhome.com.

Robert Ross

MONTICELLO — Robert Laron Ross, 38, of Monticello died Saturday at Bradley County Medical Center.

Born June 23, 1970, in Monticello, he was a son of Leon Ross of Monticello and Bobbie Lasiter Ross of Wilmar.

Other survivors include his wife, Niki Kelly Ross; two daughters, Skylar Ross and Kaylee Ross; stepdaughter, Audrea Gill; and brother, Rick Ross.

He was preceded in death by his grandparents, Mr. and Mrs. Brad Ross and Mr. and Mrs. Voy Lasiter.

Funeral services will be 10 a.m. Thursday at Stephenson-Dearman. Burial will be in Campground Cemetery.

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

Arthur McGriff

WOODLAWN — Arthur Vernon McGriff, 73, of Woodlawn died Monday.

Born Aug. 3, 1935, in Lincoln County, he was a son of the late Bob M. and Farie Vermillion McGriff.

Survivors include his wife, Montez Williams McGriff; sons, Thomas McGriff, James McGriff; daughters, Susan Wright, Montine Crain, Cathy Blasengame; brothers, Buddy McGriff, Calvin McGriff; sisters, Edna Linzy Nutt, Emogene Reynolds, Eva Cogbill; nine grandchildren; four great-grandchildren.

Funeral services will be 2 p.m. today at Griffin Funeral Chapel, Star City, with Elmer Byerly and John Marler officiating. Burial will be in Friendship Cemetery at Woodlawn.

Lethaniel James Sr.

LOS ANGELES — Funeral services for Lethaniel “Skip” James Sr., 72, of Los Angeles, Calif., formerly of Pine Bluff, who died Feb. 2, will be Thursday, 11 a.m., First Baptist MBC, Rev. Learthur Shelton Sr., officiating.

He was born Oct. 24, 1936, in Chicago, son of the late Crayton E. and Evelyn James Tai.

He graduated from Merrill High School. He served in the Air Force from Nov. 22, 1954, until Sept. 27, 1957.

He was a great chef for many restaurants in California.

He was preceded in death by two sisters, Hazel E. Smith, Juanita M. Jordan; one brother, Joe W. James.

Survivors three sons, Lethaniel James Jr. (Felicia), Pine Bluff, Carlos James, Levi James, both of Los Angeles; one daughter, Yolanda McLemore, Los Angeles; brother Crayton E. James Jr., Inglewood, Calif.; sister, Irene Runnels, Pine Bluff; nine grandchildren.

The remains will lie in state at the church Thursday, 10 a.m. until service time.

Burial Forrest Lawn Cemetery by Perry Funeral Home.

Mildred Forte, 79, of Pine Bluff died Monday at Jefferson Regional Medical Center. Funeral arrangements will be announced by Brown Funeral Home.

Timothy Grady, 28, of Pine Bluff died Monday at Jefferson Regional Medical Center. Funeral arrangements will be announced by Brown Funeral Home.

Linda Rhoades, 56, of Pine Bluff died Tuesday. Funeral arrangements will be announced by Fuller Hale-South Funeral Services.

Augustus Trotter Jr., 82, of Pine Bluff died Tuesday at Jefferson Regional Medical Center. Funeral arrangements will be announced by Brown Funeral Home.

DUMAS — Dean Tatum Jr., 28, of Dumas died Tuesday at Delta Memorial Hospital. Funeral arrangements will be announced by Brown Funeral Home of Dumas.

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