Obituaries

DEATHS FOR SUNDAY, APRIL 5, 2009

Saturday, April 4, 2009 10:50 PM CDT

Margaret Moran

Margaret Lois West Moran, age 86, of Pine Bluff, died Friday, April 3, 2009.

Born Dec. 17, 1922, at Pine Bluff, Ark., she was the daughter of the late William A. West and Olive Lois Scallion West.

She spent the majority of her working career in nursing home administration, however had also worked for the Ben Pearson Company.

“Ginnie” was a very active member of the Sulphur Springs United Methodist Church, the United Methodist Women, the Wacky Wednesday program and the Gold Star Wives of America. She loved spending time in her yard with her flowers, but more so enjoying anything that had to do with her grandchildren and their children.

She was preceded in death by her husband, Voy G. Moran, whom she lost serving proudly in World War II; she was also predeceased by two brothers, Woodrow West and Willie West.

She is survived by her daughter; Celia Ann Moran (John) Ashcraft of Pine Bluff; sister-in-law, Eva Dell Moran Lusinger of Pine Bluff; four grandchildren, Chris (Kathy) Ashcraft, J. Alan (Rita) Ashcraft, Lois Ann (Joe) Merrell, all of Pine Bluff, and Archie Ashcraft of De Queen; great-grandchildren, Aaron Ashcraft, Krystal (Calvin) Stafford, Kris Johnson, Ethny Ashcraft, C.J. Merrell, Maranda Merrell, and La Donna Ashcraft; eight great-great-grandchildren and many other loving friends and family.

Funeral services will be Monday, 10:30 a.m. at Fuller Hale-South Funeral Chapel with Brother Jim Foster and Brother Billy West officiating. Committal services will be officiated by Brother Roger Armstrong in Fitzhugh Cemetery.

Visitation will be today from 2-4 p.m. at the funeral home.

Family requests memorials be made to Sulphur Springs United Methodist Women, or Wacky Wednesday funds 9238 Sulphur Springs Rd., Pine Bluff, AR 71603.

Online condolences: www.FullerFunerals.com.

Robert Rasco

DERMOTT — Robert Hudson “Bob” Rasco, retired farmer, age 70, of Dermott, born March 11, 1939, in Little Rock to the late Dr. Charles W. Rasco, Jr., and Achsah Hudson Rasco of DeWitt, died April 3rd at home surrounded by family and friends after a short battle with melanoma cancer.

Bob is survived by his wife of 51 years, Donna Eldridge Rasco of Dermott, formerly of DeWitt; a daughter, Jane Jo (Don) Barnett of Bryant; three grandchildren, Kelley Jo Rasco of Monticello, whose father, Jon Park Rasco, died in 1995 at the age of 33 of ALS; Sarah and Hannah Barnett; a sister, Jane (Tommy) Foltz of Fort Smith; and a very special friend, Lee Mabry of Dermott.

He was preceded in death by his son, Jon Park, his brother, Charles W. Rasco III, and his parents.

Bob was educated in the DeWitt Public School system and attended Arkansas A&M with a major in agriculture. He was also a former member of the Arkansas National Guard.

As a long time member of Dermott United Methodist Church, Bob served untiringly as chairman of the board, held other various offices, and taught Sunday School for 40 years. He was a founding member of Montrose Academy and served on the school board for 10 years. He was awarded Outstanding Young Farmer of Chicot County. He served as past board member of Dermott State Bank, past board member of Chicot County Farmer's Association, past board member of Chicot County Farm Bureau, board member and incorporator of Montrose Academy, past-president of Dermott Hunting Club, secretary and treasurer of Chicot-Desha-Drew Watershed District, a member of Yellowbend Port Authority, member and past-president of Dermott Rotary Club, chairman of Chicot County Election Commission, and member of Dermott Chamber of Commerce.

“Poppa” was an extraordinary husband, grandfather, and provider. Every day spent with him was a true blessing. He was caring, loving, and comforting; a truly special person to so many people whose lives he touched in countless acts of kindness. He never met a stranger and his selfless devotion of helping others was ever-present in his life and evident by everyone that love him and miss him. He will always be our “Poppa” and missed dearly.

Pallbearers include: Lee Mabry, Lephiew Dennington, Harold Horton, Butch Phillips, Mike MaHan, Dan Eldridge, and David Wells. Honorary Pallbearers are the members of the Dermott Hunting Club.

Services will be held at 10 a.m. Monday, April 6, 2009, at Dermott United Methodist Church in Dermott, Ark., with Pastor Terrie Lynn Bunnell officiating. Visitation will be held proceeding the service celebrating Bob's life. Burial will be held at DeWitt Cemetery in DeWitt, Ark., at 3 p.m.

In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to Dermott United Methodist Church c/o Betty Tucker, P.O. Box 238, Dermott, Ark., 71638, or the ALS Research Foundation Fund UAMS, 4301 West Markham St., Little Rock, AR 72205. Arrangements by Stephenson-Dearman.

Annie Avant

EUDORA — Annie Maiden Avant, 101, of Eudora died Monday at Lake Village.

She was born March 15, 1908, in Eudora, she was a daughter of the late William Straughter and Estella Powell.

She was a homemaker and a member of Bloomy Shade Missionary Baptist Church.

Survivors include two sons; three daughters; a sister; several grandchildren; great-grandchildren; and great-great-grandchildren.

Funeral services will be held at 11 a.m. Monday at Bloomy Shade Missionary Baptist Church in Eudora. Arrangements are by Griffin-Funeral Service at Eudora.

Faye Williams

SHERIDAN — Faye Koon Williams, 88, of Sheridan died Friday.

She was a member of Hope Pentecostal Church and was retired from the Arkansas Forestry Commission.

Survivors: son, Kenneth Williams; brother and sister, Raymond Koon and Ruth Stubbs, all of Sheridan; three grandchildren and one great-grandchild.

Funeral: 2 p.m. today at Memorial Gardens Funeral Home Chapel. Burial: Lost Creek Cemetery. Arrangements by Memorial Gardens Funeral Home of Sheridan.

Alma Bennett

STAR CITY — Alma Faye Bennett, 69, of Star City died Friday.

Born Jan. 29, 1940, in Stuttgart, she was a daughter of the late J.W. and Nina Bayless Eagle.

Survivors include her husband, Joe Bennett; a son, Lee Sledge; daughters, Dixie Earnest and Terri Sledge; stepsons, Wayne Bennett, Danny Bennett, Clifford Bennett and Tommy Bennett; stepdaughter, Sherry Carrington; brothers, Don Eagle and Gene Eagle; 24 grandchildren and 16 great-grandchildren.

Graveside services will be at 11 a.m. Monday in Bayless Cemetery near Humphrey.

Visitation will be 6-8 p.m. today at Griffin Funeral Service in Star City.

Dicy Smith

TENNESSEE — Dicy May Keesee Smith, 97, of Tennessee, formerly of Prattsville died Thursday.

Funeral services will be 10 a.m. Monday at Buie Funeral Home in Sheridan with Neal Pumphrey officiating. Burial will follow in Philadelphia Cemetery in Prattsville.

Visitation will be from 2-4 p.m. today at the funeral home.

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