Obituaries

DEATHS FOR SATURDAY, FEBRUARY 28, 2009

Friday, February 27, 2009 11:38 PM CST

Leona Dragoo

Leona P. Dragoo, 80, of Pine Bluff, Ark., died Thursday, Feb. 26, 2009, at Jefferson Regional Medical Center.

She was born Dec. 20, 1928, in Sellersburg, Ind., to Charles Frederick and Mary Jane Vest Hall.

She was reared and educated in Indiana.

Mrs. Dragoo had worked at Stant Manufacturing Inc., for 44 years before retiring as a supervisor at the Pine Bluff plant.

She was a volunteer at Jefferson Regional Medical Center.

She was preceded in death by her husband, James McCormick Dragoo, whom she married in Indiana; her parents; two brothers, Charles Hall, and Marvin Hall.

Survivors include a daughter, Cheryl (Chuck) Gabbard of Pine Bluff; a brother, Darrell Hall of Connersville, Ind.; a sister, Brenda Smith of Union City, Ind.; two grandchildren; four great-grandchildren; and a special companion, Pugs.

Visitation will be 1:30 to 3 p.m., today, Feb. 28, 2009, at Ralph Robinson & Son in Pine Bluff.

Further funeral arrangements will be handled by Urban-Winkler Funeral Home in Connersville, Ind.

Memorials may be made to the donor’s choice of charity.

Online guest register at www.ralphrobinsonandson.com

Henry Beaty

COLLINS — Henry Lee “Buddy” Beaty, 73, of Collins passed away Thursday at his home.

He was born May 19, 1935, in Drew County, Ark.

He was a retired farmer, Korean War veteran and a Baptist. He was the son of the late Jack Beaty and Willie Mae Beaty and was preceded in death by one sister, Willie Jean Guin.

Survivors include his wife, Jimmie Mae Devine Beaty of Collins; three sons, Rickey Lee Beaty and wife, Wanda Lynn of West Monroe, La., James Wayne Beaty and wife, Lisa of Monticello, Jackie Dewayne Beaty and wife, Nancy of Collins; one daughter, Kimberly Diane Slaughter and David Donovan of Rock Springs; one sister, Jackie Pace and husband, Roger of Monticello; 11 grandchildren; and five great-grandchildren.

Funeral services will be 1:30 p.m. today at Stephenson-Dearman Chapel. Burial in Rock Springs Cemetery with military honors.

Elvan Shaw

DERMOTT — Elvan Ray Shaw, 53, of Dermott died Feb. 21 at his home.

He was born Aug. 25, 1955 at Dermott, a son of Hazel Chatman of Dermott and the late Ivory Shaw.

Other survivors include his wife, Lasandra Shaw; two sons, Elvan Shaw Jr., of Killeen, Texas, and Raymon Shaw of Livingston, Texas; three daughters, Tammy Johnson of Dermott, Tekisha Poole of Conway and Roslyn Shaw of Little Rock; five brothers, Ivory Shaw Jr., Edward Shaw, James Shaw, Leotis Shaw and Donnel Shaw, of Little Rock; three sisters, Brenda Jones and Alice Mays of Fort Smith and Margaret Taylor of Little Rock; and 11 grandchildren.

Funeral services: noon today, Antioch Missionary Baptist Church, the Rev. Samuel A. Brooks officiating. Burial: Cox Cemetery at Jerome by Davis-Strickland Funeral Home of Dermott.

Ruel James

GREENBRIER — Ruel Samuel James, age 80, of Greenbrier passed away Thursday, Feb. 26, 2009, at Conway Regional Medical Center.

He was born June 15, 1928, in Enola, Ark.

He was the son of the late John Wesley James and Litha Girtrue Davis James.

Survivors include two brothers, Jim James of Texarkana, Ark., and Carl James of Tillar, Ark.; four sisters, Bertie Herring of Warren, Lou Ella Skomp and Minnie Pearl McGlaughlin, both of Monticello, and Hazel Baker of Greenbrier.

Funeral service is 10 a.m. Sunday at Stephenson-Dearman Funeral Home with burial in Selma Cemetery.

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

Arrangements by Stephenson-Dearman Funeral Home of Monticello.

Marcella Forrest

HERMITAGE — Marcella F. Forrest, 83, of Hermitage died Thursday at Jefferson Regional Medical Center at Pine Bluff.

She was born Sept. 25, 1925, in Bradley County, a daughter of the late John V. Ferrell and Eva Lou Senn Ferrell.

Survivors include her husband, Aubrey E. “Jack” Forrest; one son, James A. Courtney of Warren; one daughter, Joanie Mauldin of Hermitage; two sisters, Katherine Hearnsberger and Varnice Newby, both of Hot Springs; two grandchildren; and two great-grandchildren.

Funeral services: 1:30 p.m. today at Frazer’s Funeral Home at Warren. Burial will be in Smyrna Cemetery.

Jessie Moring

LITTLE ROCK — Jessie Geneva DeMoss Moring, 89, of Little Rock passed away on Feb. 26, 2009.

Born on April 22, 1919, in Clarksville, Ark., to Harry and Mary De-Moss, she grew up and graduated from school in Grapevine, Ark.

She was preceded in death by her husband, A.D. Moring; her parents; sister, Delma Brewer; brothers, John DeMoss, Harry DeMoss Jr., Paul DeMoss, and Edward DeMoss; stepsons, Jerrell Moring and Jimmy Moring; grandson Jeffery Moring; and great-granddaughter, Hannah Moring.

She is survived by sons, Gene and wife Glenda Moring of Little Rock, Glen and wife Nancy Moring of Jonesboro; stepson, Billy and wife, Glenda Moring of Ball, La.; sisters, Jean Bragdon and Nancy Donaldson of Pine Bluff; grandsons, Greg and wife, Deitra Moring and Dale Moring of Little Rock, Brad and wife Angie Moring and Brian Moring of Jonesboro; great-grandchildren Kelsey, Tyler, Curtis, Haylea, Cheyanne, and Jess; plus a host of nieces, nephews, other family and friends.

Geneva enjoyed her career as a dental assistant in Dumas and Little Rock for over 30 years. She was devoted to and happiest when spending time with family and friends. She was dearly loved and will be greatly missed, but will always be with us in our hearts and memories.

Visitation will be today, Feb. 28, 2009, from 5-7 p.m. and funeral services on Sunday, March 1, 2009, 2:30 p.m. at Buie Funeral Home in Sheridan with Brother Julius Carter officiating. Interment following at Philadelphia Cemetery in Prattsville.

Please sign the online guestbook at www.buiefuneralhome.com.

Arrangements are under the direction of Buie Funeral Home of Sheridan, (870) 942-3231.

Eleanor Dodds

MCGEHEE — Eleanor Matthews Dodds was born in McGehee, Ark., on Sept. 27, 1926, the third daughter of Benjamin Shelby Matthews and Mary Elizabeth McDonald Matthews, she departed this life on Feb. 25, 2009.

She is preceded in death by her husband, Charles Nathan Dodds, whom she married on March 3, 1947, in the First Presbyterian Church of McGehee.

She is survived by her children, Shelby Kaider and her husband, Al of Southport, Maine, Charles Nathan Dodds Jr. of McGehee, Ark., Sue Pitt and husband, Mike and their daughters, Dr. Eleanor Pitt and Marcella Kragel; her sisters, Anne Isch of Batesville, Miss., and Arralee Presley of Baton Rouge, La., and nieces and nephews.

Eleanor was a talented homemaker. She was a founding member of the Irving Texas Hospital Auxiliary. She was a two-time president of the Irving, Texas Latin American Auxiliary.

She and Charles moved back to McGehee in 1977 and Eleanor became active in General Henry Lee Chapter of Daughters of the American Revolution. She served as a two-time Chapter Regent. She was a district parliamentarian and served two terms on the National Resolutions Committee in Washington, D.C.

Eleanor was a member of the McGehee Garden Lover’s Club and served as president, vice president, parliamentarian and chaplain. She was the South Region director and a nationally accredited Flower Show judge.

Eleanor will be missed by friends and family. Women like her leave the world a brighter place.

Visitation will be today from 5 p.m. to 8 p.m. at Griffin Funeral Service of McGehee.

Graveside funeral services will be Sunday at 2 p.m. at Woodlawn Cemetery in El Dorado, Ark., under the direction of Griffin Funeral Service of McGehee.

In lieu of flowers, please make donations to the Arkansas Hospice Association.

Howell Hicks

REDFIELD — Howell Burton Hicks, age 81, of Redfield, died Thursday, Feb. 26, 2009.

Born Dec. 10, 1927, at Shreveport, La., he was the son of the late Howell Luther Hicks and Bessie Caroline Spinks Hicks.

He enlisted in the military when he was 17 years old and retired in 1971 with over 27 years of service in the Navy and Army. After his retirement, he worked for several civilian contractors.

A granddaughter, Amanda Ferguson; and a sister, Virginia Colvert also predeceased him.

Survivors include his wife, Mary Catherine Lea Hicks, whom he married on April 28, 1963, at Pine Bluff; two sons, Kennon Hicks and Keith Hicks, both of Redfield; a daughter, Mindy McWhirter of Ashdown; two grandchildren, Whitney McWhirter and Jessica Marie Hicks; and special friend and caregiver, Linda Patterson.

Graveside services with full military honors will be Monday, 10 a.m., Arkansas State Veterans Cemetery at North Little Rock.

Visitation will be Sunday from 2-4 p.m. at Fuller Hale-South Funeral Services in Pine Bluff.

Please make memorials to Arkansas Hospice, 5600 W. 12th St., Little Rock, Ark., 72204.

Online condolences: www.FullerFunerals.com

Kartha Trantham

STAR CITY — Kartha Trantham, age 47, of Star City, passed away Thursday, Feb. 26, 2009, at JRMC.

She was born Aug. 3, 1961, in Dumas.

She was a member of Garrett Bridge Assembly of God and a homemaker.

Survivors include her husband, Walter Trantham of Star City; one daughter, Samantha Carter and husband, Josh of Star City; her mother and father, Marvin and Margie Henley Burnett of Star City; five brothers, Allen Burnett, Danny Burnett, Randy Burnett and Johnny Burnett, all of Star City, and Jackie Burnett of Gould.

Funeral service is 1:30 p.m. Sunday at Stephenson-Dearman Funeral Home. Burial in Green Mount Cemetery.

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

Arrangements by Stephenson-Dearman Funeral Home of Monticello.

Blue Wells

OLIVE BRANCH, Miss. — Mrs. Blue Bell Wells, 92, former resident of Tillar, Ark., born April 5, 1916, in Cedar Creek, Ark., member of Tillar Baptist Church, retired postal service employee, died Feb. 26, 2009, in Olive Branch, Miss.

Visitation 1-3 p.m. Sunday, Griffin Funeral Home, Dumas and 2 p.m. Monday, March 2, 2009, followed by services at 3 p.m., First Baptist Church, Olive Branch, Miss., Dr. P.J. Scott officiating.

Graveside services on Tuesday at 1 p.m. in Tillar Cemetery.

Survivors: daughter, Joyce Haynie of Olive Branch, Miss.; three sisters, Lee Light, Charlene Bootsman and Frances Shireman; five grandchildren; 10 great-grandchildren; and three great-great-grandchildren.

Arrangements: Griffin Funeral Home, Dumas, Ark.

C. Edward Akines of Pine Bluff died Thursday. Funeral arrangements will be announced by Buie Funeral Home of Rison.

RISON — Samuel Owens of Rison died Friday. Funeral arrangements will be announced by Buie Funeral Home of Rison.

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