DEATHS FOR TUESDAY, MARCH 17, 2009
William Bell
William D. “Billy” Bell, loving husband, father, grandfather and friend to many, passed peacefully into heaven on Saturday, March 14, 2009, at the 91st year of his long and exemplary life.
Billy was born on Aug. 6, 1917, to Mable Thomas Bell and George Hugh Bell in Clovis, N.M.
Billy Bell grew up in Little Rock and attended Little Rock Central High School and John Brown University. In 1944 he married Doris Jean Reichenbach from Middletown, Ky., in New Albany, Ind., and was immediately shipped overseas by the United States Army to serve in Okinawa during World War II.
Major Billy Bell in coordination with the State Adjutant General was successful in the building of the George N. Holmes Jr. National Guard Armory at Grider Field in Pine Bluff. The Armory now contributes over one million dollars into the community annually.
Major Bell received a Purple Heart on April 14, 2004, by Rep. Mike Ross, almost 60 years after he was wounded by shrapnel in WW II.
In 1950, Billy moved to Pine Bluff and became the owner of The Maru and in 1961 opened and owned Billy Bell’s Men Store. He was a member of the First United Methodist Church, the Sahara Shrine Temple, Pine Bluff Rotary Club, and the president of Senior Men’s Golf Association.
Billy Bell was an accomplished well-known participant in golf and tennis for over 60 years. Although a fierce competitor, he was always honest, fair and a gracious loser.
He is survived and will be missed by his devoted wife, Jean; daughter, Billie Jean Bell-Gunnell and husband, Duke of Benton; son, Tom Bell of Searcy; and four grandchildren, Corry Fulton Hull II of Fayetteville, Eden, Josh and Emily Bell of Searcy.
A memorial service will be held 2 p.m. Wednesday, March 18, 2009, at the Chapel of Ralph Robinson and Son, with Rev. David Moseley officiating. The family will receive friends immediately after the service.
Memorials may be made to First United Methodist Church, 200 W. Sixth Ave., Pine Bluff, Ark., 71601; or to a charity of the donor’s choice.
Donald Funderburg
Donald Gene Funderburg, age 63, of Pine Bluff, passed away Sunday, March 15, 2009, at JRMC.
He was born July 10, 1945, in Monticello.
He was a truck driver and a member of Assembly of God faith.
He was preceded in death by his father, Olen Funderburg.
Survivors include one son, Flint Funderburg of Bigelow; two daughters, Tonya Avant of Pine Bluff, Samantha Dickey and husband, Richard of Monticello; his mother, Dee Merris Lacey of Monticello; one brother, Raymond Funderburg and wife, Marnie of Huntsville, Ala.; five grandchildren; and one great-grandchild.
Funeral service is 1 p.m. Wednesday at Stephenson-Dearman Funeral Chapel. Burial in Oakland Cemetery.
Visitation is 6-8 p.m. today at the funeral home.
Arrangements by Stephenson-Dearman of Monticello.
Lawrence Clark
WARREN — Lawrence Elmo Clark, 80, of Warren died Sunday at Bradley County Medical Center.
He was born March 4, 1929, at Warren, a son of the late Elmo Clark and Myrtle Douglas Clark.
Survivors include one son, Larry Clark of Hope; two daughters, Laura Mobbs of Maumelle and Ruthie Courtney of Warren; one sister, June Shelton of Sherwood; and two grandchildren.
Funeral services will be at 2 p.m. Wednesday at Frazer’s Funeral Home at Warren. Burial will be in Oakland Cemetery.
Visitation will be from 6-8 p.m. today at the funeral home.
Martha Robinson
WHITE HALL — Martha Nell Carr Robinson, age 75, of White Hall, went home to be with the Lord on Sunday, March 15, 2009, after battling a severe lung disease for several years.
Born Feb. 11, 1934, at Star City, she was the 11th child born to Walter Carr Sr. and Minnie Carrington Carr. She resided in Pine Bluff for most of her life, was a retired seamstress for the Pine Bluff Arsenal, and a member of Pinecrest Missionary Baptist Church.
Predeceasing her are her parents; sisters, Molly Carr, Marie Byerly, Betty Socia, Nettie Deweese and Huzell Tew; and brothers, Oliver, Havis, Ben, and Walter Carr Jr.
She leaves behind her devoted husband of 35 years, Morris Robinson; sons, Terry Robinson and wife, Gay of Pine Bluff and Ricky Carr and wife, Lorraine of Crossett; daughters, Cathy Hendricks and husband, John and Jimmie Hobson and husband, Roger, all of Redfield, and Sue Griffin and husband, Billy of Pine Bluff; brother, Colin Carr of Star City; sister, Myrtle Bragdon of Pine Bluff; 11 grandchildren; 20 great-grandchildren; and a host of nieces and nephews.
Funeral services will be Wednesday, 10 a.m. at Fuller Hale-South Funeral Chapel with Brother Elmer Byerly officiating. Burial will be in Memorial Park Cemetery.
Pallbearers will be Terry Robinson, Bryce Clark, Cody Mattox, Joey Hobson, Justin Robinson, Ernest Rogers, and Gordon Langley.
Visitation will be today from 6-8 p.m. at the funeral home.
The family wishes to express a special thank you to hospice nurses Kim and Summer, and asks that memorials be made to Hospice Home Care, 3063 W. 28th Ave., Pine Bluff, Ark., 71603.
Online condolences: www.FullerFunerals.com
Barbara Adams, 40, of Pine Bluff died Sunday. Funeral arrangements will be announced by Brown Funeral Home of Pine Bluff.
I.M. “Peewee” Commer, also known as Pete, 77, of Pine Bluff died Sunday. Funeral arrangements will be announced by Fuller Hale-South Funeral Services.
Virginia Gentry, 79, of Pine Bluff died Monday. Funeral arrangements will be announced by Brown Funeral Home of Pine Bluff.
Steven Smith McField, 71, of Pine Bluff died Sunday. Funeral arrangements will be announced by Brown Funeral Home of Pine Bluff.
MALVERN — Gracie Mae Broughton, 79, of Malvern, formerly of Fordyce, died Sunday. Funeral arrangements will be announced by Brown-Williams Funeral Home of Fordyce.