Obituaries

DEATHS FOR SATURDAY, FEBRUARY 21, 2009

Saturday, February 21, 2009 4:17 PM CST

Edgar Jacks

Edgar Charles Jacks, 75, of Pine Bluff, died Thursday, Feb. 19, 2009, at Jefferson Regional Medical Center.

Mr. Jacks was born June 18, 1933, in Rowell, Ark., to the late Fred Jacks and Linnie Reed Jacks. He was reared and received his education in Rison, graduating from Rison High School. He served 10 years in the United States Army.

He married Esther Fudge on Aug. 15, 1964, in Pine Bluff.

Mr. Jacks worked for the Ford Stamping Plant in Chicago Heights, Ill., as an electrician. After 27 years, he retired and moved to Conway, Ark., in 1997. In 2000, he moved to Pine Bluff.

Mr. Jacks was a Baptist.

His survivors include his wife of 44 years, Mrs. Esther A. Fudge Jacks of Pine Bluff; a daughter, Carla Hill of Woodlawn; two sons, Perry Jacks of Idaho and Tony Jacks of Arizona; three stepsons; six grandchildren; two brothers, Billy Jacks of Rowell and James Jacks of Illinois; three sisters, Betty Watts of Kansas City, Mo., Helen Patterson of Pine Bluff, and Katy Billins of Camden.

He was preceded in death by his parents.

The family will receive friends Sunday, from 2 to 4 p.m. at Robinson’s.

Funeral services are scheduled for Monday, Feb. 23, 2009, 10 a.m., in the Chapel of Ralph Robinson & Son with Rev. Gene Triplett officiating. The graveside service will be at Springhill Cemetery in Springhill, Ark., at 2 p.m. on Monday, Feb. 23, 2009.

After the funeral service in the Chapel of Ralph Robinson, lunch will be served at Shannon Road Baptist Church in the fellowship hall.

Online register: www.ralphrobinsonandson.com

Graham Johnson

Graham W. Johnson, 82, of Pine Bluff, went home to be with his Lord and Savior Jesus Christ on Thursday, Feb. 19, 2009.

He was born Feb. 5, 1927, in Rison, son of Graham and Mary Elizabeth Tucker Johnson.

Mr. Johnson was reared and received his early education in Rison, graduating from Rison High School.

After serving in the U.S. Army during World War II, Mr. Johnson worked for the U.S. Postal Service as a mail carrier.

He was a member of Immanuel Baptist Church, American Legion Post #32 and VFW Post #4455.

Mr. Johnson was preceded in death by his parents and two brothers, Bert and Oscar T. Johnson.

Survivors include his wife, Katherine Todd Johnson, whom he married Aug. 23, 1955, in Pine Bluff; two daughters, Elaine Hutcheson of Pine Bluff and Debbie Eubanks of White Hall; son, Wayne Johnson of Bryant; sister Maxine Powers of Rison; four grandchildren, Ernie Medlin, Monica Saffle, Melissa Gilbert and Brent Eubanks; and six great-grandchildren, Paige Gilbert, Peyton Gilbert, Cody Saffle, Austin Saffle, Ethan Saffle and Jackson Eubanks.

Funeral services will be 1:30 p.m., Monday, Feb. 23, 2009, in the Chapel of Ralph Robinson & Son with Rev. Don Taylor and Rev. Bobby Smith officiating. Burial will follow in Memorial Park Cemetery. Visitation will be Saturday from 4-6 p.m. at Robinson's.

Online register: www.ralphrobinsonandson.com.

MaeDell McNeely

CROCKETT’S BLUFF — MaeDell B. McNeely, 51, of Crockett’s Bluff died Tuesday at DeWitt City Hospital.

Survivors include her husband, William McNeely; one son, John Dustin McNeely; one daughter, Maelee Shrum; and four stepchildren, Lance McNeely, Lee Ann McNeely, Kim Coit and John Coit.

Graveside services will be in Crockett’s Bluff Cemetery. Arrangements are by McKinzie/Wilson Funeral Home of Gould.

Leato Walker Sr.

LITTLE ROCK — Bishop Leato Thomas Walker Sr., was the only child born to King Emmanuel Walker and Frankie Walker on Dec. 15, 1917, in Nashville, Ark. Bishop Walker was united in holy matrimony to Lottie Mae Jones on Aug. 1, 1944, and the day death departed them, marked 64 years, six months, one week, six days, seven hours and 20 minutes of marital bliss.

Bishop Walker was educated in the Little Rock public school system, graduating from Dunbar High School as the youngest in his class. He then attended Arkansas Baptist College in Little Rock, Ark., where he received a bachelor of arts in theology and later attended ITC Theological Seminary, Atlanta, Ga., where he received a Doctorate of Divinity.

Bishop Walker was employed with Missouri Pacific Railroad for 19 years in the positions of accountant and union representative, before retiring to enter the ministry full time.

Bishop Walker was ordained as an Elder in the Church of God in Christ in 1948. He later served as Chairman of the Elder’s Council for Arkansas First Jurisdiction. Bishop Walker was consecrated as Bishop of First Arkansas Jurisdiction on Sept. 26, 1960. He was the last Bishop to have his Bishop’s credentials signed by our founding father, Bishop Charles Harrison Mason. At the time of his appointment, he was the youngest Bishop in College of Bishops.

Bishop Walker was a passionate and sought after civil leader who was recognized worldwide for his leadership skills and wisdom. He was a member of the Little Rock City Safety Commission, where he helped to formulate programs to address gang violence. He was a member of the NAACP and was instrumental in the establishment of Black Ministerial Alliance, Little Rock, Ark. He was also an establishing member of the United Christian Credit Union, which assisted low-income families and single parents secure loans. Bishop Walker’s spiritual counsel was sought during the Reagan and Clinton administrations and at the request of President Clinton, he attended and was a participant in the 1992 Presidential Inauguration ceremonies.

Bishop Walker chartered the accredited Charles Harrison Mason/L.T. Walker Bible College and School of Theology in Arkansas, which had a main campus and three satellite campuses.

Bishop Walker’s pastorage included East Jerusalem Church of God in Christ, Jackson Memorial Church of God in Christ, Walker’s Temple Church of God in Christ, Adam’s Temple Church of God in Christ, Faith Temple Church of God in Christ, Ebenezer Church of God in Christ, and Holy Temple Church of God in Christ which later became Holy Temple Cathedral Church of God in Christ where he served as pastor until God called him from labor to reward.

As prelate of Arkansas First Jurisdictional, Bishop Walker was overseer of 163 churches. Nationally, he served as Vice-chairman of the national Board of Bishops for 24 years and in 1996, he became chairman of the national Board of Bishops where he proudly served for 10 years until his retirement.

Bishop Walker will be sorely missed by citizens of the community of Little Rock, Ark., the members of Holy Temple Cathedral Church of God in Christ, the entire congregation of Arkansas First Jurisdiction, the Church of God in Christ family worldwide and countless others from around the nation.

Bishop Walker leaves to cherish the memories of his celebration of life, Mother Lottie M. Walker, his loving wife of 64 years; three sons, Elder Leato T. Walker Jr., (Mrs. Sandra Walker, Leato III, DeAndre and Serenity), Archie Walker and Caleb Walker; four daughters, Lydia Walker, Dr. Letha Walker-Richardson (Supt. Dr. Gerald Richardson, Lottie, Leah and LeGeraldyn), Missionary Lisa Walker M.ED (Lyndsey, Dwalisa and Thomas Wheeler) and Eddie Hayes; one sister, Adell Coulter; and two god-daughters, Dana Hervey and Ollie Anderson.

Bishop Walker has left a legacy that stands as a beacon of light of hope to people all over this nation.

Bishop Walker’s body will lie in state from 12 noon Monday until the Jurisdictional and local service at 7 p.m. that evening at the Holy Temple Cathedral Church of God in Christ, 1322 Pulaski St., Little Rock, Ark., 72204.

Then on Tuesday, Feb. 24, Bishop Walker’s body will lie in state from 10 a.m. until the National Service, which is at 12 noon at St. Mark Church, located 5722 W. 12th St., Little Rock, Ark., 72204. The International Bishop, Charles Blake of the Church of God in Christ Inc., will preside. You may also find additional information on the Church of God in Christ web page (www.cogic.org or www.cogic.com).

Both services are open to the public.

All expressions of kindness to the Walker family (cards, flowers, resolutions, etc.), can be sent to: Mother Lottie Walker, 2323 Chester St., Little Rock, Ark., 72206.

The services are entrusted to Christian Way Funeral Home, 1204 W. Fifth Ave., Pine Bluff, Ark., 71601, 870-536-2800.

DeVona Posey

MONTICELLO — DeVona Peebles Posey, 59, of Monticello, passed away Thursday, Feb. 19, 2009, at Drew Memorial Hospital.

She was born Nov. 23, 1949, in Monticello.

She was a homemaker and a Methodist. She was the daughter of the late Carl Burtis Peebles and Carlene Hickam Peebles.

Survivors include her husband of 41 years, Charles Posey of Monticello; one daughter, Candace Johnson and husband, Greg of Monticello; one brother, Tony Peebles and Betty Russell of Lacey; two sisters, Glenda Harper and husband, Max of Camden and Libby Arant of Poplar Bluff, Mo.; one granddaughter, Carly Coston of Monticello.

Funeral service will be 1 p.m. today at Stephenson-Dearman Chapel. Burial in Lacey Cemetery by Stephenson-Dearman.

Carmen Winston

SHERIDAN — Carmen Diane “Connie” Winston, 59, of Sheridan died Thursday.

Survivors: husband, Gerald Winston; daughters, Catherine Worthern, Janet Rickett of Maumell, and Rachel Hillman of Almyra; sister, Barbara Taylor of White Hall; and four grandchildren.

Funeral services: 3 p.m. Sunday at Memorial Gardens Funeral Home of Sheridan. Burial: Lost Creek Cemetery.

Visitation: 5-7 p.m. today at the funeral home.

Memorials: Lost Creek Missionary Baptist Church, P.O. Box 337, Sheridan, Ark., 72150.

H.O. Splawn Jr.

WARREN — H.O. “Sonny” Splawn Jr., 75, of Warren died Thursday at Bradley County Medical Center.

He was born Nov. 19, 1933, at Little Rock, a son of the late H.O. Splawn Sr. and Muzette Hudson Splawn.

Survivors: wife, Joye Johnson Splawn; sons, Harvey Splawn III and Ben Splawn of Warren; daughter, Paula Splawn; four grandchildren; and one great-grandchild.

Graveside services: 3:30 p.m. Sunday in Oakland Cemetery. Memorial services: 4 p.m. Sunday at First United Methodist Church. Arrangements are by Frazer’s Funeral Home of Warren.

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

Memorials: Bradley County Medical Center Hospital Auxiliary or the Chancel Choir Fund of First United Methodist Church.

REDFIELD — Theresa Ann Allbright, 42, of Redfield, died Wednesday at Jefferson Regional Medical Center. Arrangements will be announced by Ralph Robinson & Son Funeral Directors.

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