Obituaries
DEATHS FOR SUNDAY, APRIL 12, 2009
Saturday, April 11, 2009 10:53 PM CDT
William Heroman
FAIRFIELD BAY — William L. “Bill” Heroman age 89 of Fairfield Bay, went to be with his Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ on April 9, 2009. He left this life with his loving family at his bedside.
Bill was born on April 28, 1919, in Monticello, Arkansas to George F. and Winnie Heroman. He is survived by his beautiful wife of 62 years, Hazel Lavone Tucker of Fairfield Bay; his sons, William Mitchell “Mitch” Heroman and daughter-in-law Karen of San Diego Calif., and Kenneth Leslie “Kenny” Heroman and daughter-in-law Lydia of Pine Bluff; and daughter-in-law, Alesia.
He is preceded in death by his middle son, Philip Darrel Heroman.
Other survivors are his grandsons, Philip Ryan Heroman of Bentonville, Todd Heroman and Chad Heroman of Plano, Texas; granddaughters Leslie Heroman and Ashley Thompson of Pine Bluff and two great-grandchildren, Morgan and Nash Heroman of Plano, Texas.
Bill was an ardent member of his church, Westside First Baptist, Greers Ferry, Ark. One of the joys of his life was talking with others about his Savior Jesus Christ. He was ordained a Deacon in the Baptist Church and served in that capacity for 38 years in a faithful and honorable manner. As a Sunday School teacher, he taught the Bible to many members of the church.
Bill was active as a youth and enjoyed working with youths as an adult. He was one of the two first Boy Scouts in Monticello to attain the status of Eagle Scout. Later, he served as Troop Boy Scout Master for several years. He taught many children swimming, baseball, football, and scouting.
He served five years with the U. S. Army (7th Infantry Regiment, 3rd Infantry Division) during World War II. He attained the rank of Technical Sergeant and served in North Africa and three years in the European Theater. Although he seldom spoke of it he was most proud of the Combat Infantry Badge among his several awards. After discharge from military service, he attended Arkansas A&M (now U of A at Monticello) for two years, and two years at Texas A&M, College Station, Texas studying engineering. After gaining experience in practical engineering, he was awarded a Certificate of Professional Engineering by the State of Arkansas. He served as President of the Arkansas Chapter of the American Society of Mechanical Engineers.
After over 25 years in engineering at the Pine Bluff Arsenal, he retired as Director of the Engineering and Technical Directorate and as the “Post Engineer.”
Bill was instrumental in the incorporation of the city of White Hall in 1964 and was elected as one of the city’s first five Aldermen. He was active in the American Legion (62 years membership); the Gideons International (over 40 years membership) and contributed regularly to many religious and charitable organizations.
Although he was an accomplished professional, he took greatest pride in his role as husband, father, and follower of our Lord.
Services will be held on Monday at 11 a.m. at the Westside First Baptist Church. The family asks that in lieu of flowers, memorials be sent to Westside First Baptist Church, Greers Ferry, 7025 Greers Ferry Road, Greers Ferry, Ark., 72088, or to the Gideons International.
Arrangements provided by Roller McNutt of Clinton. 501-745-2151.
www.rollerfuneralhomes.com
Ruth Jones
LITTLE ROCK — Ruth Taylor Jones, 96, of Little Rock, formerly of Pine Bluff, died April 10, 2009. She was born May 5, 1912 in Milan, Tenn., a daughter of George M. and Alice Tate Taylor.
She was the devoted wife of Paul F. Jones for 53 years before his death in 1985. Together they owned and operated Long's Book and Gift Shop in Pine Bluff from 1951 until retiring in 1980. In Pine Bluff, she was a member of First United Methodist Church, the Sorosis Club, active member of United Methodist Women, and charter member of the Garden Lovers Club.
A loving mother and grandmother, she was affectionately known as “Nana” to her children, grandchildren, and all their friends. Her survivors include her daughters and their husbands, Suzanne and Howard Wiechern of Little Rock, Vicky and James Stobaugh of Fayetteville, Ark.; her grandchildren, Alice Rogers, Howard Wiechern III, Ellen Caveness, and John Stobaugh; and eight great-grandchildren.
Her memorial service is Tuesday, April 14, at 2 p.m. in Wheeler Chapel at First United Methodist Church in Pine Bluff with Rev. David Moseley officiating, directed by Ralph Robinson & Son. Committal services will be private.
In lieu of flowers, the family requests that memorials be made to First United Methodist Church, Box 8003, Pine Bluff, Ark., 71611 or to Arkansas Hospice, 5600 W. 12th Street, Little Rock, Ark., 72204.
Online register: www.ralphrobinsonandson.com.
Helen Mason
MALVERN — Helen Mason, 82, of Malvern passed away Thursday, April 9, 2009, at her home, with her family by her side.
She was born August 6, 1926, at Grady, Ark., to the late Ned E. Nelson and the late Bernice Johnson Nelson. She was a member of the Linwood Baptist Church. She was a homemaker, a wonderful wife, mother, grandmother and great-grandmother. She enjoyed gardening but most of all she loved to spend time with her family.
She was preceded in death by her parents, a sister, Betty Hubbell, twin brothers and a son-in-law, Rodger Ostlund.
She is survived by: Her husband of 64 years, George W. Mason of Malvern, Ark.; one son, George E. Mason and his wife Shirley of Malvern, Ark.; three daughters, Deborah Robinson and her husband Steve of Sanger, Texas, Vickie Ostlund of Sarasota, Fla., Anita Vazquez and her husband Edgar of Mena, Ark.; one sister: Mary Lillian Webb of Argyle, Texas; 12 grandchildren; and 21 great-grandchildren
Funeral services are scheduled for 10 a.m. Monday, April 13, 2009, at Reyburn Creek Missionary Baptist Church with Bro. Todd Bray officiating. Visitation will be 9 a.m. until service time.
Pallbearers: Donnie Earnest, Jeff Lowry, Kelly Anderson, Billy Brown, John Whitworth and Michael Webb.
Honorary pallbearers: Ned Mason, Steve Robinson, P.J. Webb, Scotty Webb and Eric Vazquez.
Interment will be in Rockport Memorial Garden, Malvern, Ark.
Arrangements are under the direction of Atkinson Funeral Home of Malvern, Ark. 501-332-2711
You may sign the guestbook at www.atkinsonfuneralhome.net.
Louise Byers
WHITE HALL — Louise Carter Byers, 86, of White Hall, passed away Friday, April 10, 2009.
She was born June 2, 1922 in Conway, Ark., to the late Julius and Nettie Andrews Carter. She attended schools in Conway and was a member of the White Hall United Methodist Church.
She helped start and organize the first PTA for the White Hall schools and helped with the Polio programs in the public schools and county.
She was an Eastern Star (Pines Chapter 517) and a Worthy Matron in 1957.
She retired from the United States Postal Service as a rural mail carrier for over 32 years.
She loved her music and books.
She is preceded in death by her husband John E. Byers Sr.; brothers James, Charles, Robert, Eddie, Lish and Buddy; sisters Francille Fisher and Dorothy Prichard.
She is survived by son, John E. (Tami) Byers Jr., of White Hall; daughters Pat Adair, Carolyn Campbell, both of Marshall, Ark., Rosemary (Don) Moore and Barbara (John) Wagner, both of White Hall; sister Julia Miller of Waterford, Calif.; nine grandchildren; 15 great-grandchildren; and one great-great-grandchild.
Graveside services will be at 1 p.m. Monday at Memorial Park Cemetery with Revs. Bill Ferguson and Dewey Howell. Funeral arrangements are by Cranford Funeral Home of White Hall.
The family would like to make a special thanks to Hospice Angels.
Memorials may be made to Hospice Angels, 8301 Camden Road, Suite 12, Pine Bluff, Ark., 71603.
The family will be at 908 Gamble Road, White Hall.
Roy Grizzell Jr.
MONTICELLO — Roy Ames Grizzell Jr., age 91 of Monticello passed away April 11, 2009, at his home in Monticello. He was born March 14, 1918, in Sweetwater, Tenn., to the late Roy Ames Grizzell, Sr. & Rena Bee Williams Grizzell. Also preceding him in death was a sister, Tiny Elliott.
As a teenager, Roy held leadership roles in Boy Scouts, achieving the rank of Eagle Scout. He graduated from The University of Georgia in 1939 with a BS in Forestry. He continued his education after World War II at the University of Michigan receiving a Masters degree in Forestry and a Ph.D. in Wildlife Management in 1951.
He served his country proudly as an Army Captain in World War II where he was stationed in North Africa and Italy. He was Head of Security at Oak Ridge, Tenn., during the Manhattan Project and was honored to secretly carry components of the Atom Bomb across the country where it was tested and later used in Hiroshima, Japan. He then served in the Korean War at Arlington Hall as Head of Security for intelligence.
Roy pursued his career as a Wildlife Manager at Kentucky Woodlands in Western Kentucky. He went on to become State Biologist in the Soil Conservation Service in Georgia, later serving as the State Biologist for the SCS in Little Rock, Ark., until retirement in 1978. Upon retirement, he and his wife Virginia moved to Monticello, Ark., where he built five catfish ponds acting as a consultant for the catfish industry and taking part as an exoficio for the Forestry Dept. at the University of Arkansas at Monticello.
Roy was a devoted family man and lived his life showing them how much he loved them. He had great interest in others and had a heart for serving. He spent much of his time during retirement active in his community. He was active in the Lions Club where he served as President, Secretary-Treasurer, District Governor & Council Chairman of Arkansas Lions. He was recently awarded the Distinguished International Lions Award of Everyday Heroes and was honored for enrolling 101 Lion’s Club members across the state. He also enjoyed serving in the Historical Society, Museum Board, Public Facilities Board, American Legion, VFW, Masons & SEARK Concert Association.
He was selected as Drew County “Man Of The Year” in 1988, won the Monticello “Hometown Spirit Award” in 1990. Roy was also active and interested in continuing education in the Forestry Dept. at UAM. He was devoted and very active in his church, the First Presbyterian Church of Monticello, where he served as Elder, Sunday School teacher & many other roles.
He and his wife, Virginia had traveled in all 50 states and numerous countries abroad. His devotion to God, family, education & serving his community will long be remembered. He desired to make a difference in preserving God’s earth by devoting his life to helping make the earth a better place. He loved nature and was an expert at identifying trees, flowers & shrubs. He had a great interest in water management, keeping quality water for future generations. He was proud of serving his country in the Army and felt honored to have been a part of preserving democracy.
Survivors include his wife of 59 years, Virginia Roe Grizzell of Monticello; two daughters, Linda Baker of Monroe, N.C., and Diane Thompson & husband, David of Lead Hill, Ark.; two sisters, Rena Grizzell & Julia Kyle of Atlanta, Ga.; five grandchildren, Amy Johnson, Justin & Ginny Baker, Abbie & Ben Thompson; two great grandchildren, several nieces & nephews and many dear friends.
Funeral services will be held 10 a.m. Tuesday, April 14, 2009, at the First Presbyterian Church in Monticello by Rev. Richard Wood. Burial will be in the Arkansas State Veterans Cemetery in North Little Rock, Ark., with military honors. Memorials may be made to the First Presbyterian Church, Monticello Lions Club or the UAM Forestry Dept. Family visitation will be from 6-8 p.m. Monday evening at Stephenson-Dearman Funeral Home.
Ruby Lindsey
MONTICELLO — Ruby Nelson Lindsey, 85, of Monticello, formerly of Selma, passed away Saturday, April 11, 2009 at her home. She was born Jan. 24, 1924 in Greene County, Ark.
Survivors include six daughters, Joyce Donaldson and husband George, Louise Linsey, Velma Lindsey and Donna Pickett and husband J.L., all of Monticello, Katherine Donaldson and husband James of Lake Village and Ouida Carter and husband Gordon of Eudora; 14 grandchildren; 12 great-grandchildren; and many nieces, nephews, other relatives and friends.
Graveside services will be 2 p.m. Monday at Mt. Tabor Cemetery. Arrangements by Stephenson-Dearman.
Visitation will be 6-8 p.m. Sunday at the funeral home.
Print this story | Email this story
|
