Obituaries

DEATHS FOR TUESDAY, MARCH 3, 2009

Tuesday, March 3, 2009 10:01 AM CST

W.K. Batts Sr.

W.K. Batts Sr., 81, of Pine Bluff died Feb. 23 at Davis Life Care Center.

He was born July 18, 1927, at Mooringsport, La., a son of the late Percy Batts and Cordee Batts.

Survivors: wife, Parthenia Batts; sons, David Batts, Derrick Batts, both of Dallas, Curlee Batts, W.K. Batts Jr., both of Los Angeles and Johnny Batts of California; daughters, Ann Simmons of Las Vegas, Linda Warrior of Memphis and Bernize Patton of Victorville, Calif.

Funeral services: 11 a.m. Wednesday at Henson Mortuary, the Revs. Tommy Breamsey and Leo Inman officiating. Burial: Bellwood Cemetery, Veterans section.

Visitation: 5-6 p.m. today at the mortuary.

Murel Moore

Murel Bagwell Moore, 82, of Pine Bluff, Ark., died Sunday, March 1, 2009, at her home.

She was born, July 24, 1926, in Nash, Texas, to Almer Sidney and Vaneita Thomas Bagwell.

Mrs. Moore was reared in Hensley and received her education in Fuller High School, now Wilbur T. Mills, in Little Rock. She also graduated from the University of Arkansas at Monticello as a registered nurse.

She moved to Pine Bluff in 1947, and had worked at Jefferson Regional Medical Center as a registered nurse for 22 years, before retiring in 1989.

Mrs. Moore was a member of First Immanuel Missionary Baptist Church.

She also enjoyed working crossword puzzles.

She was preceded in death by two sons, James Martin Moore, Gary A. Moore; her parents; and a brother, Rodger Bagwell.

Survivors include her husband, James Moore, whom she married on April 8, 1942, in Redfield; two brothers, Maxie D. Bagwell of Pine Bluff, Richard J. Bagwell of Oklahoma City, Okla.; five grandchildren, Scott Moore, Lee Moore, Suzanne Archer, Kim Board, Jeff Moore; five great-grandchildren, Tanner Moore, Lindsey Frizielle, Whitney Newcomb, Bradley Board, Caleb Board; and one great-great-grandchild, Zoey Newcomb.

Visitation will be 6 to 8 p.m. today at Robinson’s.

Services will be 10 a.m. Wednesday, March 4, 2009, Chapel of Ralph Robinson & Son, with Rev. Chris Garner and Rev. Rick Etheridge officiating. Burial will follow in Memorial Park Cemetery.

Memorials may be made to First Immanuel Missionary Baptist Church, 1500 W. 73rd, Pine Bluff, Ark., 71603 or to the donor’s choice.

Online register at www.ralphrobinsonandson.com

Linda Luft

Linda Lea Luft, 63, of Little Rock, went to be with the Lord on Friday, Feb. 27, 2009.

She was born June 22, 1945, in Pine Bluff to E.C. and Leatrice Zangrel Long.

She was an employee of Maybelline for nine years and a member of St. James United Methodist Church.

Preceded in death by her mother and her brother, E.C. (Sonny) Long Jr., she is survived by her caring and loving husband, Ted Luft; her father, E.C. Long of Pine Bluff; two children of whom she was extremely proud, Tim Luft (Denise) of Little Rock and Karen Yeakley (Kelly) of Mountain Home; sister, Julie Bell (John) of Wichita, Kan.; brothers, Ken Long (Peggy) of Knoxville, Tenn., Raymond Long (Carolyn) of Woodbridge, Va., and Jeff Long (Ann) of Salt Lake City, Utah. She is also survived by her grandchildren who affectionately knew her as “Butter,” Leslie, Janie Blair, Timothy and John Luft and Kaylea and Karoline Yeakley.

Linda loved life and family, most dearly her husband, her father, her children and grandchildren. She was loved by many and will be missed by all that were blessed to know her. The family offers their gratitude to the staffs of Baptist ICU and ARORA for their loving care.

Services will be held at 11 a.m., Monday, March 2 at St. James United Methodist Church, officiated by Rev. Fred Haustein and Rev. Greg Schick. Memorials may be made to the church.

Arrangements by Little Rock Funeral Home, 8801 Knoedl Ct. (NW corner I-630 and Barrow Road), Little Rock, (501) 224-2200.

You may sign Linda’s online guestbook at www.littlerockfuneralhome.com.

Idell Brown

MONTICELLO — Idell Doss Brown, 88, of Monticello, passed away Monday, March 2, 2009, at Drew Memorial Hospital.

She was born July 16, 1920, in Drew County, Ark.

Survivors include three sons, Willie E. Brown and wife, Nancy of Crossett, James E. Brown and wife, Fern of Monticello, and Chester “Lavon” Brown and wife, Rose of Lebanon, Mo., formerly of Monticello; five grandchildren; 14 great-grandchildren; and 10 great-great-grandchildren; and a host of nieces, nephews and other relatives and friends.

Graveside service will be 2 p.m. Wednesday at the Valley Cemetery. Arrangements by Stephenson-Dearman.

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

Charles Young Jr.

MONTICELLO — Charles Edward Young Jr., age 70, of Monticello, passed away Sunday, March 1, 2009, at Drew Memorial Hospital.

He was born Nov. 12, 1929, in Herman, Mo.

He retired from SWB and was a member of Lonoke Christian Church. He was also a flight instructor and a Mason.

Survivors include two sons, Allen Young of Rison and Edward Young of Springdale; one daughter, Anglyn Young Franquemont of North Little Rock; two sisters, Betty Hauk of Lonoke and Dot Bryant of Onalaska, Texas; two grandchildren, Stacey Davis and Jeff Young; and two great-grandchildren, Becca Davis and Annslee Young.

Graveside service is 2 p.m. today at Oakland Cemetery. Rev. Steve Fleming officiating. Arrangements by Stephenson-Dearman Funeral Home of Monticello.

Gary Hamil

WARREN — Gary Hamil, 51, of Warren died Monday at his home.

He was born Dec. 13, 1957, at Warren, a son of Sarah Hamil of Warren.

Other survivors include one brother, James Stanley Hamil of Warren.

Funeral services will be at 10 a.m. Wednesday at First Assembly of God Church at Warren. Burial will be in Oakland Cemetery by Frazer’s Funeral Home at Warren.

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

Phil Collins

RICHMOND, Va. — Dr. Phil Collins, 72, of Richmond, Va., died Feb. 14 at his home.

He was born Jan. 21, 1937, a son of Betty Collins.

Other survivors include his wife, Karen Jaegerman Collins; two sons, Michael Collins and Max Collins; two daughters, Brett Collins and Lily Collins; one brother, Jimmy Collins; and three grandchildren.

Memorial services will be at 2 p.m. today at First Presbyterian Church with Richard Wood officiating. Arrangements are by Hill and Wood Funeral Service at Charlottesville, Va.

Vernon Eichelburger Sr.

MILWAUKEE — Funeral services for Vernon L. Eichelburger Sr., 60, of Milwaukee, Wisc., formerly of Pine Bluff, died Feb. 24, will be Wednesday, 1 p.m. Mount Olive Baptist Church, Rev. R.L. Tisdale officiating.

He was born July 21, 1948, in Pine Bluff, son of the late Hollie and Emma Eichelburger.

He was a member of Mount Olive Baptist Church before moving to Milwaukee. He received his education at Coleman High School. He was employed at Central Moloney for 10 years as a welder. Moving to Milwaukee he worked at Kelley Dock Systems for 18 years.

Survivors include his wife, Maxine S. Eichelburger, Milwaukee, Wis.; four sons, Carl Eichelburger, Vernon L. Eichelburger Jr., Derrick Eichelburger, Willis (Dana) Neal Jr., all Milwaukee, Wis.; two daughters, Felicia Eichelburger, Cheryl (Elandis) Peete, all Milwaukee; one brother, Thomas Eichelburger, Milwaukee, Wis.; 17 grandchildren; one great-grandchild; three special friends, Clarence Carter Jr., Pine Bluff, Anthony Parker, Mary Gofoe, both Milwaukee.

The remains will lie in state at the church Wednesday 11 a.m. until funeral time.

Burial will be in Mount Olive Cemetery, Princeton Pike by Perry Funeral Home.

Mary Clark, 83, of Pine Bluff died Sunday at Jefferson Regional Medical Center. Funeral arrangements will be announced by Brown Funeral Home of Pine Bluff.

Terry George Failla, 71, of Pine Bluff died Monday at his home. Funeral arrangements will be announced by Ralph Robinson & Son Funeral Directors.

Lula Handy, 86, of Pine Bluff died Saturday at Jefferson Regional Medical Center. Funeral services will be announced by Christian Way Funeral Home.

STAR CITY — Ella Smith, 52, of Star City died Sunday. Funeral arrangements will be announced by Brown Funeral Home of Pine Bluff.

COLORADO SPRINGS, Colo. — Jean G. Traylor, 77, of Colorado Springs, Colo., formerly of Pine Bluff, died Sunday in Colorado Springs. Funeral arrangements will be announced by Ralph Robinson & Son of Pine Bluff.

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