Obituaries

DEATHS FOR APRIL 9, 2009

Thursday, April 9, 2009 9:04 AM CDT

Janice Ferguson

Mrs. Janice Clark Ferguson, 57, of Pine Bluff passed away Friday, April 3, 2009, at Jefferson Regional Medical Center.

She was born June 23, 1951, in Chicago, Ill., to the late Earnest and Beatrice Clark.

Survivors include her husband, Kenneth B. Ferguson; one son, Kenneth R.F. Ferguson; and one daughter, Kindra Ferguson Bell of Pine Bluff; one grandson, Gregory Bell Jr.; three granddaughters, Mia Bell, Ciera Ferguson and Kendall Ferguson; three brothers-in-law, Robert (Earma) Ferguson and Ed Williams of Chicago, Ill., Edward Harris of Detroit, Mich.; two sisters-in-law, Jeannie (Joseph) Carter of St. George, Utah, Ophelia (David) Walker of Detroit, Mich.; three godchildren, Rosalind Johnson, Gregory Johnson and Mario Johnson.

Funeral services will be 1 p.m. Friday, April 10, 2009, at St. Bethel Baptist Church with Rev. Louis Williams Jr. officiating.

Burial will be in Forest Lawn Memorial Garden.

Visitation will be 5-7 p.m. today at Brown Funeral Home of Pine Bluff.

The body will lie in state at the church from 12:15 p.m. until time of service.

The family will be 1501 W. 37th Ave., Pine Bluff, Ark.

John Foster

John Foster, 87, of Pine Bluff died April 1.

Funeral services will be at 11 a.m. Saturday at Joy Community Church. Arrangements are by Presidential Funeral Home at Stuttgart.

Family visitation will be held from 9:30-10:30 a.m. Saturday at the church.

Billy Calhoun

MCGEHEE — Billy Jean Calhoun, 81, of McGehee died Tuesday at McGehee.

He was born Oct. 12, 1927, at Wilmar.

He was a World War II Army veteran. He was also a mail carrier and member of First Baptist Church of McGehee.

Survivors include his wife, Gerrye Mangun Calhoun; one son, Randy Calhoun; and one grandchild.

Graveside services will be at 10 a.m. Friday in Enon Cemetery. Arrangements are by Griffin Funeral Service of McGehee.

Visitation will be from 5-8 p.m. today at the funeral home.

Darlys Hill

MEMPHIS — Darlys E. Hill, 84, of Memphis, Tenn., (formerly of Pine Bluff), died Tuesday, April 7, 2009, at Baptist Hospital Memphis.

She was born May 28, 1924, in Kedron (Cleveland County), Ark., a daughter of the late Claude and Lillie B. Harden.

Mrs. Hill was reared and received her education in Pine Bluff.

She was a 1942 graduate of Pine Bluff High School. She worked at Simmons First National Bank prior to owning a fabric store in Pine Bluff and attending real estate school.

She later became a real estate broker and co-owner of a Century 21 Real Estate agency.

She was a 40-year member of ABWA (American Business Women’s Association).

She was a charter member and past president of the DuBocage Chapter and was Woman of the Year.

She also served the chapter in many other offices and committees. She was also a member of the Progressive Chapter having served on many committees and holding many offices.

Mrs. Hill was a member of Matthews Memorial Baptist Church in Pine Bluff and since moving to Memphis in 2005, is now a member of First Cumberland Presbyterian Church, where her son-in-law is pastor.

She was predeceased by her husband of 54 years, Morton E. “Red” Hill; a daughter, Sue H. Taylor and son, PFC James E. Hill.

Mrs. Hill is survived by a daughter, Joan H. (Jim) Ratliff of Memphis; grandson, Charles E. Ratliff of Washington; granddaughter, Paula Ratliff of Memphis; two great-grandsons, Chris Jones of Olive Branch, Miss., and Caleb Fitts of Memphis and son-in-law, Jimmy Don Taylor of Little Rock.

Funeral services will be Friday, April 10, 2009, at 2 p.m. at Matthews Memorial Baptist Church by Ralph Robinson & Son Funeral Directors with Rev. Ray Edmondson and Rev. Graydon Hardister officiating. Burial will be in Graceland Cemetery.

The family will receive friends at Robinson’s Thursday evening from 5 to 8 p.m.

The family requests memorials in lieu of flowers to Matthews Memorial Baptist Church, 3820 W. 20th Ave., Pine Bluff, Ark., 71603; or First Cumberland Presbyterian Church, 8161 Germantown Road, Olive Branch, Miss., 38654.

Online register: www.ralphrobinsonandson.com

James O.E. “Bud” Ashcraft, 86, of Pine Bluff died Wednesday. Funeral arrangements will be announced by Fuller Hale-South Funeral Services.

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