Obituaries

DEATHS FOR FRIDAY, APRIL 10, 2009

Friday, April 10, 2009 9:08 AM CDT

Leon Adams

Mr. Leon Adams, 88, of Pine Bluff died Monday, April 6, 2009. He was born in Homer, La., to the late Clyde and Rose Adams.

His survivors include wife Eloise Adams of Pine Bluff; son Bonnie Adams of Milwaukee, Wis..; daughters Audrey Adams-Bronson of Richardson, Texas and Janet Adams of Pine Bluff; brother Otha Adams of Milwaukee, Wis..; sister Nora Williams of Chicago, Ill.; eight grandchildren; and 18 great-grandchildren.

His services will be Saturday, April 11, 2009 at St. Bethel Baptist Church by Rev. Louis Williams at 10:30 a.m. Burial will be in Forrest Lawn Cemetery.

Visitation will be Friday from 4-7 p.m. at Brown Funeral Home of Pine Bluff.

James Ashcraft

James Othel Edward "Bud" Ashcraft, age 86, of Pine Bluff, died Wednesday, April 8, 2009. He was preceded in death by his wife of 63 years, Elah Marie Ashcraft on Aug. 3, 2008.

He is survived by his son, James R. Ashcraft and wife, Carrol Beth of Jefferson Springs; three grandsons, Ricky Ashcraft of Tampa, Fla., Ronnie Ashcraft of White Hall, and Michael Ashcraft and wife, Shay of Nashville, Tenn.; a great-grandson, Bradley Ashcraft of Sheridan; three great-granddaughters, Tiffany Ashcraft of Sheridan, Sophia Leigh Ann Ashcraft and Sarah Ashcraft of Nashville, Tenn.; a brother, Athel Ashcraft and wife Maxine of Grapevine; three sisters, Earnestine Hedden, Mary Bradshaw and husband Jim, and Esther Ramie, all of Sheridan; also by nieces, nephews, and many friends he was proud to have had through the years.

Mr. Ashcraft had worked for Sugar Creek Creamery and South Funeral Home before joining the United States Navy during World War II and serving for four years in the Pacific Theater. After his honorable discharge, he began a construction business until starting Aggregate Transport, Inc. in 1957. He also started a gravel processing business, Arkansas White Rock, Inc. in 1968 in Grant County. His wife Marie worked with him until their retirement in 1996. He was a member of the Assembly of God Church.

The family thanks the doctors and nursing staff at Jefferson Regional Medical Center and White Hall Nursing and Rehabilitation Center for the care they provided for Bud during his time of failing health. Special thanks to Marcia Ann Dollar for the many hours she attended to him.

Funeral services will be Saturday, 1 p.m. at Fuller Hale-South Funeral Chapel with Rev. Don Ashcraft officiating. Burial will be in Mt. Ida Cemetery in the Dexter community, near Mr. Ashcraft's home.

Visitation will be Friday from 6-8 p.m. at the funeral home.

Online condolences: www.FullerFunerals.com

James Dixson Sr.

James Dixson Sr., 90, of Pine Bluff died April 5, 2009, at home.

He was born Jan. 23, 1919, at Sherrill, a son of the late Robert Dixson and Adora Allen Dixson.

Survivors include his wife, Bessie Dixson of Pine Bluff; two sons, James Dixson Jr., and Theodis Dixson, both of Pine Bluff; daughter Bobbie Jean Dixson of Pine Bluff; sister, Lucille Brown of Pine Bluff; 27 grandchildren; 54 great-grandchildren; and one great-great-grandchild.

Funeral services will be 11 a.m. Saturday at Mt. Olive Baptist Church with the Rev. Ronald Forte officiating. Burial will be in Mt. Olive Cemetery by Henson Mortuary.

Visitation will be Friday from 5 to 8 p.m. at the mortuary.

Samuel Owney Sr.

Funeral services for Samuel Owney Sr., 91, of Pine Bluff, who died Monday at Jefferson Regional Medical Center will be held Saturday, 11 a.m., Mt. Carmel M.B.C. by Rev. Anthony Craig, pastor.

He was born Nov. 15, 1917, at Pickens, Ark., son of the late Dan and Mary Underwood Owney.

He was a former member of Damascus M.B.C. He later joined Mt. Carmel M.B.C. He was a member of the Joyful Five Quartet for more than 20 years.

He was honorably discharged from the Army April 14, 1942.

He retired from the Pine Bluff Arsenal after 21 years.

He was preceded in death by one son; one daughter; three sisters; six brothers.

Survivors include four sons, Perry (Nancy) Jackson, Herman (Earnestine) Heard, Samuel Jr. (Daisie) Owney, Chester Owney, all of Pine Bluff; six daughters, Verna Sparrow, Hamilton, Ohio, Isadora (Roosevelt) Dunkin, Chicago, Ill., Gloria (Jimmy) Polk, Dorris (Michael) Jackson, Linda (Willie) Griffin, Teresa (Derrick) Bethune, all of Pine Bluff; one brother, Johnny Owney of Detroit, Mich.; 33 grandchildren; 15 great-grandchildren; and sister-in-law, Etory Owney, Pine Bluff.

Visitations may be made Friday, 5:30 until 7 p.m. at Mt. Carmel M.B.C., 900 Grant St.

The remains will lie in state at the church, 10 a.m. until funeral time Saturday.

Burial will be in Graceland Cemetery by Perry Funeral Home.

Charles Pierce

Charles A. Pierce, 94, of Pine Bluff, died Wednesday, April 8, 2009, at Davis Life Care.

Mr. Pierce was born Aug. 2, 1914, in Jefferson County, to the late Charles Arthur and Flora Irene Wingard Pierce. He was reared and received his education in Pine Bluff, where he attended Watson Chapel High School.

He married Mildred McAdams on Jan. 21, 1939, in Pine Bluff.

Mr. Pierce worked for the Cotton Belt Railroad for 31 years, retiring on July 1, 1976.

He was a member of Watson Chapel Baptist Church, where he was a member of the David Sunday School Class, and the United Transportation Union of Cotton Belt Railroad.

Mr. Pierce was an avid hunter and fisherman.

He is survived by his wife of 70 years, Mildred McAdams Pierce of Pine Bluff; a son, David Lee Pierce of Mt. Ida, Ark.; a daughter, Faye Sawyers of Jacksonville, Ark.; eight grandchildren; 13 great-grandchildren; and five great-great grandchildren.

Mr. Pierce was preceded in death by his parents, a son, Ray Pierce, four brothers and four sisters.

The family will receive friends Friday, 6 to 8 p.m., at Robinson’s.

Funeral services will be Saturday, April 11, 2009, 10 a.m. in the Chapel of Ralph Robinson & Son with Rev. Todd Howard officiating. Interment will follow at Fitzhugh Cemetery.

The pallbearers will be his grandsons, Jim Humphrey, Charles Humphrey, Ronnie Humphrey, David Pierce, Brett Pierce, and Craig Pierce.

Online register: www.ralphrobinsonandson.com

Paul Watkins Jr.

CARTHAGE — Mr. Paul Watkins Jr., 58, of Carthage died Tuesday, April 7, 2009.

He was born to the late Paul Sr., and Lubie Watkins.

Survivors include his wife Maxine Watkins of Carthage; son Jason Watkins of Princeton, Texas; daughter Brenda Juniel of Bearden; brothers James Watkins of Little Rock, William Watkins of New Edinburg; sisters, Eveline Juniel of Victorville, Calif., Annie Pearl Davis of Arkadelphia; Bernice Nelson of Jacinto; and two grandchildren.

Funeral services will be at 2:30 p.m. Saturday at Bradley Auditorium in Princeton by Superintendent E.B. Lea. Burial will be in Princeton Cemetery by Brown-Williams Funeral Home of Fordyce.

Visitation is Friday from 4:30-6:30 p.m. at the funeral home.

The family will be a 2771 Highway 9, Carthage, Ark.

Billy Calhoun

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

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

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.

Randy Foster

REDFIELD — Randy Eugene Foster, 56, of Redfield died Tuesday at the John L. McClellan V.A. Hospital.

Survivors: daughter, Kristy Thompson of Stroud, Okla.; brothers, Doyle Foster of Mount Pleasant, Texas, Dennis Foster of Madera, Calif., Richard Foster of Murfreesboro, Tenn., Perry Foster of Hope, Earl Foster of Sheridan; sisters: Shirley Justice of Paron; Karla Champagne of Paron; two grandchildren.

Graveside: 2 p.m. Saturday, at Redfield Cemetery.

Visitation will be 7-9 p.m. Friday at the funeral home.

Arrangements by Memorial Gardens Funeral Home of Sheridan (870) 942-1306. www.memorialgardenssheridan.com

Dottye Gillis

SHERIDAN — Dottye Gillis, age 63, of Sheridan passed away Wednesday, April 8, 2009, at St. Vincent’s Infirmary in Little Rock.

She was born May 22, 1945, in East End, Ark., a daughter of the late Melvin and Dorothy Reiff Gravenmier. Dottye graduated from Sheridan High School in 1963.

Following high school, she became employed at Timex while attending cosmetology school. On July 3, 1965, Dottye married Jerry Gillis in East End. She worked as a hairdresser in Sheridan until the family moved to California and then on to Pennsylvania.

The family returned where they resided in Jacksonville during the mid 1970’s. She became a member of Chapel Hill Baptist Church in Jacksonville. Though Dottye kept her cosmetology license, her passion was in floral design.

She worked as a master designer for two florists in Jacksonville for over 10 years. Dottye also worked as an Inventory Specialist with RGIS before retiring in the mid 1990’s.

Following Jerry’s retirement in 2006, they returned to Sheridan. Dottye was an active member and past president of the American Legion Ladies Auxiliary Post 1 in Little Rock. She was also a member of the Auxiliary 8 and 40 groups.

During her retirement years, Dottye enjoyed visits to Branson and spending time with her children and grandchildren. She will be remembered as a kind and generous person who was always willing to help out and to give her time to help the Veterans of Arkansas. She was so proud to be an American.

Dottye’s favorite song was “Proud to be an American” by Lee Greenwood. She will be greatly missed. Dottye was preceded in death by her husband on Feb. 18, 2007, after 41 years if marriage.

She is survived by two daughters and a son in law, Pamela Gillis of Sheridan, Dana and Robbie Johnson of Cabot; two brothers and a sister in law, Terry and Suzy Gravenmier of Nashville, Tenn., Bill Gravenmier of Hensley; two brothers in law and sisters in law, Wayne and Kay Gillis of Sheridan, Ronnie and Jane Gillis, both of Sheridan; aunt, Billie (David) Murphy of Little Rock; three grandchildren, Casey Johnson, Delaina Johnson, Christianna Johnson Littell; two great grandchildren, Matthew and Andrea Littell.

Funeral services will be 2 p.m. Saturday, April 11, 2009, at Buie Funeral Chapel in Sheridan with Brother Tim McMinn officiating. Burial will follow at Salem Cemetery in East End. Visitation will be from 6-8 p.m. Friday, April 10, 2009, at the funeral home.

Please sign the online guestbook at www.buiefuneralhome.com. Arrangements are under the direction of Buie Funeral Home of Sheridan. 870- 942-3231.

Ezzard White

WASHINGTON — Ezzard Charles White, 57, of Washington died Saturday at Hope.

Survivors include his wife, Eva White; two sons, Gerald White of Pine Bluff and Rodney White of Little Rock; and one daughter, Trina White of Wake Village, Texas.

Funeral services 2:30 p.m. Saturday at St. Luke C.M.E. Church at Ozan.

Visitation 11 a.m. to 5 p.m. today with the family hour 6-7 p.m. at Hicks Funeral Home at Hope.

Theodore Gipson Jr., 39, of Pine Bluff died Wednesday. Funeral arrangements will be announced by Brown Funeral Home of Pine Bluff.

Naomi Jones, 94, of Pine Bluff died Thursday at Jefferson Regional Medical Center. Funeral arrangements will be announced by Henson Mortuary.

Juanita Whiley, 70, of Pine Bluff died Wednesday. Funeral arrangements will be announced by Fuller Hale-South Funeral Services.