Obituaries
DEATHS FOR WEDNESDAY, MARCH 4, 2009
Wednesday, March 4, 2009 10:16 AM CST
E.R. Backus
E.R. “Pop” Backus, 86, of Pine Bluff, died Monday, March 2, 2009, at Jefferson Regional Medical Center.
Mr. Backus was born Aug. 6, 1922, in Cotton Valley, La., to the late Joe Omar and Annie McMichael Backus.
He was reared and received his education in Cotton Valley, where he graduated from Cotton Valley High School. He joined the United States Army and served in World War II.
Mr. Backus married Maxine Gatling on Aug. 6, 1946, in Cotton Valley, La. Mrs. Backus died on December 18, 2004.
Mr. Backus was a Greyhound bus driver for 35 years.
He was a member of Commerce Road Baptist Church.
Mr. Backus is survived by two sons, Danny Backus of Sheridan and Joe Backus of Tyro; three grandchildren; seven great-grandchildren; and a sister, Dorothy Black of Texarkana, Texas, and numerous relatives and friends.
He was preceded in death by his parents; his wife, Maxine Gatling Backus; a son, Donald Backus; a brother, Bud Backus; and an infant sister, Gladys Evelyn Backus.
A graveside service is scheduled for Thursday, March 5, 2009, 2 p.m., at Moss Cemetery in Bearden, Ark., with Rev. James Watson officiating by Ralph Robinson & Son Funeral Directors.
Online register: www.ralphrobinsonandson.com.
Climmie Hughes
Funeral services for Climmie Hughes, 83, of Pine Bluff, who died Feb. 27 at JRMC, will be Thursday, 2 p.m., New Salem MBC, Pastoria, Rev. Clark E. Thomas pastor, Rev. Ulysses Dunlap officiating.
She was born Jan. 7, 1926, Sherrill, Ark., daughter of the late Mr. and Mrs. Lamert Hughes.
She was a Baptist member of New Salem MBC.
Survivors one sister, Therita Banks, Altheimer, Ark.; caretaker, Ira Williams, Pine Bluff, cousin.
Visitations may be made today, 2-5 p.m., at the funeral home.
Burial will be in Elvin Smith Cemetery at Pastoria, Ark., by Perry Funeral Home.
Johnnie Reed
Johnnie C. Reed, 77, of Pine Bluff, Ark., died Monday, March 2, 2009, at his home.
He was born Oct. 31, 1931, in Woodlawn, to Fred and Laura Phelps Reed.
He was reared in Woodlawn, graduating from Woodlawn High School in 1950, before moving to Pine Bluff.
He had worked for the Cotton Belt Railroad for 41 years, before retiring in 1994 as a conductor. He also had been owner-operator of Reed’s Kwik Stop.
He was a member of South Pinewood Baptist Church. He enjoyed hunting, fishing and singing was his passion.
He was preceded in death by his wife, Lucille (Case) Reed, whom he married on Nov. 22, 1978, in Pine Bluff; his parents; and a brother Howard Reed.
Survivors include, a son, Jeff Reed and wife, Renea of Allen, Texas; three daughters, Debra Waits and husband, Carl of White Hall, Gail Heroman of Plano, Texas, Melanie Molsbee and husband, Charles of Royal; nine grandchildren; nine great-grandchildren; two brothers, Billy Kenneth Reed of Woodlawn, and Homer Allen Reed of Woodlawn.
Funeral services will be 2 p.m., Thursday, March 5, 2009, in the Chapel of Ralph Robinson & Son with Rev. Roger Stewart and Rev. Bill Lewis officiating.
Burial will follow in Rowell Cemetery.
Visitation will be Wednesday evening from 6 to 8 p.m. at Robinson’s.
The family will be at the home of Johnnie Reed, 12 Southern Pines, Pine Bluff, Ark.
Online register at www.ralphrobinsonandson.com
Marion Riggs
FAYETTEVILLE — Marion McKay “Mac” Riggs, 84, of Fayetteville, died Monday, March 2, 2009, at Washington Regional Medical Center.
He was born Oct. 16, 1924, at Prescott, Ark., the son of Floyd Burton and Vera Ward Riggs.
He was a retired electrical engineer for Arkansas Power & Light and executive director for Southwest Power Pool. He received a bachelor of science degree in electrical engineering from the University of Arkansas in 1947. He was a U.S. Navy veteran of World War II. He was a member of the Arkansas Academy of Electrical Engineers, the Rotary Club of Pine Bluff and the Rock’n Rebs Square Dance Club. He was also a member of Central United Methodist Church in Fayetteville and was a former member of Lakeside United Methodist Church in Pine Bluff for 55 years. He received a Silver Beaver Award in the Boy Scouts.
He is survived by his wife, Virginia Riggs; two sons, Thomas M. Riggs and his wife, Kim of Bellview, Neb., William F. Riggs and his wife, Sharon of Tulsa, Okla.; a daughter, Kathleen Riggs of Fayetteville; three granddaughters.
A memorial service will be held at 2 p.m. Thursday, March 5 in the Memorial Chapel of Central United Methodist Church in Fayetteville. Officiating will be Rev. Clefton Vaughan.
A memorial service will be also be held at 2 p.m., Saturday, March 7 at Lakeside United Methodist Church in Pine Bluff. Officiating will be Rev. Jim Brooks.
Memorials may be made to Central United Methodist Church, P.O. Box 1106, Fayetteville, Ark., 72702; or Lakeside United Methodist Church, 1500 Olive, Pine Bluff, Ark., 71601.
To sign the online guest book, visit www.mooresfuneralchapel.com.
Lura Young
McGEHEE — Lura Everett Young of McGehee died Tuesday, March 3, 2009, at McGehee.
She was born in Hebron, Texas, the daughter of the late Roy W. Everett Sr. and Lucy Collier Everett.
While attending Hebron Baptist Church, she met and married Rev. J.O. Young, a seminary student who was pastoring the church at that time. She followed him for almost 50 years as he ministered to many people in numerous churches until his death in 1982.
She was a member of the Eastern Star and a faithful member and Sunday school teacher at the First Baptist Church of McGehee.
She was preceded in death by her husband, Rev. J.O. Young; and one grandson, Jared Wilson Young.
She is survived by one son, Dr. James Everett Young and wife, Johnnie Young of McGehee; one granddaughter, Jennifer Young; one niece; numerous nephews; and the faithful members of her Sunday School class.
Visitation will be from 5 to 8 p.m. today at Griffin Funeral Service in McGehee.
Funeral services will be 2 p.m. Thursday at the First Baptist Church in McGehee with Dr. Tommy Cunningham and Dr. Ed Balducci officiating. Burial will follow in McGehee Cemetery under the direction of Griffin Funeral Service of McGehee.
In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made to the Honduras Mission Team, the First Baptist Church of McGehee, or the Gideon Memorial Bible Plan at 312 Seamans Drive, McGehee, Ark., 71654.
Eva Howard
MONTICELLO — Eva Mae Knowles Savage Howard, age 98, of Monticello, passed away Monday, March 2, 2009, at Drew Memorial Hospital.
She was born March 1, 1911, in Drew County, Ark.
She was the widow of Claude Savage and Melvin Howard, an antique dealer and a member of Second Baptist Church of Monticello. She was preceded in death by her parents, McCager B. Knowles and Bessie Trussell Knowles.
Survivors include one daughter, Loretta Meeks and husband, Kirby of Monticello; three grandchildren; and seven great-grandchildren.
Funeral service is 11 a.m. today at Stephenson-Dearman Funeral Home with burial in Sixteenth Section Cemetery.
Arrangements by Stephenson-Dearman Funeral Home of Monticello.
John Overman
WHITE HALL — John Alex Overman, age 81, of White Hall, Ark., died Monday, March 2, 2009, at his home.
He was a World War II Air Force Veteran, a member of Victory Baptist Church of Pine Bluff and curator of the White Hall Museum. John was a quiet man with a gentle heart and he loved the Lord.
He is preceded in death by his parents, Robert W. and Lula Gaston Overman; daughter, Brenda Overman; brothers, Marris Overman, England Overman and Bob Overman.
He is survived by his son, Tony Marlon Overman and wife, Dawn of San Antonio, Texas; grandchildren, Ashley Rogers, Chad Overman, Chris Overman; great-grandchild, Abigael Rogers; sister, Linda Arnold of Alabama.
Funeral services will be 10 a.m. Thursday, March 5, 2009, at Proctor Funeral Home with burial in Holly Springs Cemetery.
Visitation will be from 6 p.m. to 8 p.m. today at the funeral home.
To sign the online guest register, visit www.proctorfuneralhome.com.
FORT WAYNE, Ind. — Markevious Quartez Jackson of Fort Wayne, Ind., formerly of Dumas, Ark., died Monday. Funeral arrangements will be announced by Serenity Gardens Funeral Home of Dumas.
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