Obituaries
DEATHS FOR TUESDAY, MARCH 24, 2009
Tuesday, March 24, 2009 9:51 AM CDT
William Clemmons
William Hampton Clemmons Sr. was a model businessman who was always willing to lend a helping hand whenever needed, according to those who knew and loved him.
Clemmons died Wednesday at Jefferson Regional Medical Center. He was 85.
An entrepreneur, Clemmons owned Collegiate Barber Shop where he helped many barbers get their start.
Born April 28, 1923, at Almyra, he was one of eight children born to Lettie Wofford Clemmons and John Standford Clemmons.
Growing up on a farm in Arkansas County, Clemmons helped his family earn money by plowing the fields, harvesting crops and selling vegetables door to door to neighbors and friends.
He attended elementary and junior high school at Immanuel School at Almyra then moved to Pine Bluff and completed high school at J.C. Corbin School in 1942. He graduated from AM&N College (now the University of Arkansas at Pine Bluff) in 1950 with a major in vocational education and served in the U.S. Air Force for three years.
Dr. Lawrence A. Davis Jr., UAPB chancellor, said from the time he was in short pants until shortly after he graduated from college, Clemmons was the only barber he had.
“He was a very good man. He was a role model as a business person,” Davis said.
“What might not be known by many is that he helped a lot of people. During the years after World War II, when they were returning home, many found it difficult to manage their money between paychecks. Mr. Clemmons provided financial support to a lot of them,” he recalled.
Clemmons graduated from Woods Barber College in 1946 and opened a barber shop in the Lion’s Den on the campus of AM&N and worked there until 1950. He then opened his own barber shop at 1408 N. Cedar (now University Drive) and operated there until 1998, when UAPB purchased his property, which now houses the Ronald McNair Scholars Program.
Clemmons relocated his business to Collegiate Barber Shop at 613 University Drive, which culminated more than 60 years of service to the Pine Bluff community.
William H. Clemmons Jr. said his father, through his leadership, served as an example for many others to pursue their careers.
“He was an entrepreneur and was one of few individuals who, even though he graduated with a degree, decided to become an entrepreneur. Many barbers around the state got their start working in the barber shop under him,” he said.
Clemmons Jr. recalled that up until Clemmons Sr.’s retirement people from around the state would come and let him cut their hair.
According to family members, Clemmons was a strong supporter of UAPB athletics, attending practically all of the football and basketball games.
“After he became ill, he still went to go the football games. The last game he was able to attend was homecoming 2008,” Clemmons Jr. said.
“During his final few months, he never lost his humor. He always found a humorous and very positive comment to say about everything. He was very positive-minded,” he said.
Thedora Trammell, Clemmons’ youngest sister, said she worked in his shop until she opened her own business.
“He was a great brother, businessman and father. He did a lot of good for those who wanted help,” she said.
“And he always thought a lot of the college.”
Clemmons was a member of St. Paul Baptist Church, where he was a member of the budget committee. He was also an active member of AM&N/UAPB Class of 1950 and served as treasurer. He also received numerous awards and certificates for community involvement.
Clemmons’ grandson, Chris Bradley, said he will remember his grandfather as a provider.
“All the kids in the neighborhood, his nieces, nephews, if something was needed, he would step in and do it. He had a deep impact on the community,” Bradley said.
Funeral services for Clemmons will be at 2 p.m. today at St. Paul Baptist Church. Arrangements are by Brown Funeral Home of Pine Bluff.
Simon Allen
Funeral services for Simon Porter Allen, 73, of Pine Bluff, Ark., who died March 20 at St. Vincent Medical Infirmary, Little Rock, will be held Wednesday, 1 p.m. at Perry Funeral Home Chapel, Rev. Brames Jackson officiating.
He was born Dec. 11, 1935, in Moscow, Ark., son of the late Booker T. Allen and Bessie Allen.
Survivors: wife of 25 years, Willo Dean Allen of Pine Bluff, Ark.; two sons, Tracey (Sabrina) Welch and Jessie Darrough; one brother, Booker T. Allen Jr., Pine Bluff; two sisters, Myrtis Holiman and Bessie Smith of Pine Bluff; and 12 grandchildren.
Visitation may be made today, 4 p.m. until 6 p.m. at the funeral home.
Burial will be in P.K. Miller Cemetery by Perry Funeral Home.
The family will be at 1909 Beech St.
Jay Brothers III
Jay Vernon Brothers III of Pine Bluff died Thursday at Arkansas Children’s Hospital at Little Rock.
He was born Feb. 4, 2009, at Pine Bluff, a son of Jay and Tara Brothers.
Other survivors include his grandparents, Jay Brothers, Kaye Brothers and Bernitta Bacon.
Graveside services will be at 11 a.m. Wednesday in Mount Olive Cemetery with the Rev. Stanley Blair officiating. Arrangements are by Brown Funeral Home of Pine Bluff.
Ethel Doles
Ethel B. Doles, 91, of Pine Bluff died Thursday at Baptist Medical Center at Little Rock.
She was born Feb. 14, 1918, at Emmerson, a daughter of the late James Paschal and Daisy Jermany Paschal.
Survivors: son, Wayne M. Stewart of Pine Bluff; daughter, Betty Rich of Little Rock; sister, Ozella Stewart of Muskegon Heights, Mich.; four grandchildren; four great-grandchildren.
Funeral services: 11 a.m. Wednesday, New Bethlehem Baptist Church, Rev. Christopher Jackson officiating. Burial: Henson Memorial Garden, Henson Mortuary.
The remains will be at the church from 10 a.m. until funeral time Wednesday.
Visitation will be Tuesday afternoon from 5:30 to 6:30 p.m. at the mortuary.
The family will be at 1113 W. Scull.
Bobbie Naquin
DUMAS — Bobbie Jean Poole Naquin, 73, of Dumas died Sunday.
She was born Sept. 7, 1935, at Chatham, a daughter of the late Henry Poole and Bertie Poole.
She was a homemaker.
Survivors include one son, Greg Naquin; daughters, Denidse Sullivan, Shelby Wilkerson and Lisa Fortenberry; sister, Betsy Alloway; 10 grandchildren; and eight great-grandchildren.
She was also preceded in death by her husband, Robert A. Naquin Sr.; and one son, Robert A. Naquin Jr.
Private memorial services will be held at a later date. Arrangements are by Griffin Funeral Home at Dumas.
Herchel Archer
ENGLAND — Herchel Alba Archer, 87, passed away Monday, March 23, 2009.
He was born in England, Ark., Dec. 7, 1921.
Mr. Archer was a beloved husband, father, grandfather, great-grandfather, and special friend to many people; he was loved by many and will be greatly missed. Mr. Archer was a farmer and ginner at Wright, Ark., for many years.
He was a member of Plum Bayou Baptist Church for 62 years, where he served as a deacon and Sunday School teacher. He was a 32 degree Mason and a veteran of both WWII and the Korean War; in WWII, he was the flight engineer on a B26 Bomber. He was a founding member of the Wright-Pastoria Fire Department.
He is survived by his wife of 63 years, Betty Covington Archer; son, Gary Archer (Donna) of Greenwood, Miss.; daughters, Karen Whitehead (William) of England, Ark., Patsy Dean (Ronny) of Stuttgart, Ark., and Gail Nunez (Hugo) of England, Ark.; 10 grandchildren, Beth Whitehead of Honolulu, Hawaii, Fran Dean Beasley of Rogers, Ark., Brad Whitehead (Jill) and Jennifer Nipps Word (Mark), all of England, Ark., Jessica Nipps Sims (Jim David) of Scott, Ark., Bubba Dean (Amy) and Russ Dean (Pam), all of Stuttgart, Ark., Marc Archer (Laura Anne) and Rosanne Archer Hodges (Rich), all of Greenwood, Miss., and Chelsea Nunez of Hinsdale, N.H.; 12 great-grandchildren, Abigail Beasley, Mallory and Lauren Whitehead, Jackson and Harper Hodges, Rhett and Colby Dean, Paige Dean, Griffin Word, Luke Archer, and Blaine and Hunter Sims; one uncle, Melvin White of Humbolt, Ariz.
Mr. Archer was predeceased by his parents, Alba and Willie White Archer; brothers, Clyde Archer and Otis “Doc” Archer; and sister, Maxine Archer.
Pallbearers will be Marc Archer, Bubba Dean, Russ Dean, Brad Whitehead, Kevin Archer, Jim David Sims, Mark Word, and Rich Hodges.
Visitation will be Tuesday, March 24, 2009, 6-8 p.m., Roller-England Funeral Home (501) 842-3939.
Funeral Services will be Wednesday, March 25, 2009, at 10 a.m. at Roller-England Funeral Home.
In lieu of flowers, the family requests that donations be made to Easter Seals Arkansas, 3920 Woodland Heights Drive, Little Rock, Ark., 72212, in memoriam of Herchel Archer and in gratitude for the loving care that they have provided Rhett Dean.
Online guestbook: www.rollerfuneralhomes.com
Vera Johnson
WILMAR — Vera Mae Johnson, 65, of Wilmar died Friday at the University of Arkansas for Medical Sciences Medical Center.
She was born Aug. 22, 1943, at Fountain Hill, a daughter of the late James O.C. and Viola Brock.
Survivors include her husband, John “Buster” Johnson; one son, two daughters, eight siblings, eight grandchildren and two great-grandchildren.
Funeral services will be at 11 a.m. Wednesday at West Central Church of Christ at Warren with R. Waller officiating. Burial will be in Bethel Cemetery at Wilmar by Hammons Funeral Home at Warren.
Rose Mary Hunt, 63, of Pine Bluff died Monday. Funeral arrangements will be announced by Christian Way Funeral Home.
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