Obituaries

DEATHS FOR FRIDAY, MAY 22, 2009

Friday, May 22, 2009 12:02 AM CDT

Gwendolyn Bess

Mrs. Gwendolyn West Bess, 54, of Pine Bluff died Monday, May 18, 2009.

She was born in McGehee to the late Jimmy West Sr. and Wessie West.

Her survivors include son, Walter Campbell of Pine Bluff; daughters, Tonya Gillespie of Little Rock, Tukeisha Campbell of Fayetteville, Jwanna Campbell and Mia Key, both of Pine Bluff; brothers, Robert West and Jimmy West Jr., of Little Rock, Frank West and Paul West of St. Louis; sisters, Rev. Amie Watkins, Jimmie Givens, both of McGehee, Dee Smith of Pine Bluff, Ella West of Oakland, Calif., Bonnie Walker of Atlanta, Ga., Karen West, Sharon Briscoe, Wanda Nelson, Pauline West and Madeline Harding, all of Little Rock; eight grandchildren.

Her services will be Saturday, May 23, 2009, at Greater Fellowship Ministries Church by Rev. Elton Simmons at 3 p.m. Burial will be in Cedar Grove Section of Graceland.

Visitation will be today from 4:30-7 p.m. at Brown Funeral Home of Pine Bluff.

The body will lie in state at the church from 2:15 p.m. until time of service.

The family will be at 1601 E. 32nd Ave., Pine Bluff, Ark.

Kenneth Outlaw

Kenneth Outlaw, 33, Pine Bluff, Ark., died Wednesday at his home.

He was born Nov. 26, 1975.

Survivors: wife, Monica Outlaw; sons, Jacob, Elijah, Cristian, Andrew, Matthew; parents, Thomas and Rena Outlaw, Pine Bluff; brothers, Keith Outlaw, Purcell, Okla., Kyle Outlaw, Monticello, Steven Edwards, Timmy Edwards, Tulsa, Okla., Daniel Edwards, Pine Bluff, Jeremy Edwards; a sister, Deborah Edwards; mother and father figure, Velma and Gene Dukes, all of Hobart, Okla.; great-grandmother, Lula Stacy, Pocahontas.

There will not be a visitation.

Graveside services by Ralph Robinson and Son, 11 a.m., Saturday, Fitzhugh Cemetery. Brother David Sloate and Brother Kit Payton officiating.

www.ralphrobinsonandson.com

Diana Rauls

Diana E. Altena Rauls, 64, of Pine Bluff, passed away Tuesday, May 19, 2009.

She was born Feb. 25, 1945, in Sheldon, Iowa, to the late Sam and Annette Rosenboom Altena.

She graduated from Sheldon School District in 1963.

She was a member of Good Faith Carr Methodist Church and member of the Beta Sigma Phi Sorority.

She had worked as an insurance clerk for Family Practice for over 17 years.

She was very active in her church, serving on the Finance Committee, S.P.R. Committee, Altar Committee and a member of the Ella Briley Sunday School Class.

She is preceded in death by her parents, a brother and two sisters.

She is survived by her husband, Buddy Rauls; two daughters, Heather (Rick) Edwards of White Hall and Carla (David) Bush of Dollarway; eight grandchildren; mother-in-law Millie Rauls of White Hall; two sisters and two brothers.

Visitation will be Saturday from 12 noon until service time at 2 p.m. at the Good Faith Carr Methodist Church with Rev. George Odell officiating. Funeral arrangements are by Cranford Funeral Home of White Hall.

The family will be at their home.

Memorials may be made to Hospice Angels, 3801 Camden Road, Pine Bluff, Ark., 71603; or Susan G. Komen Breast Cancer Foundation, 904 Autumn Road, Suite 500, Little Rock, Ark., 72211.

John White Sr.

Mr. John “Johnny” Lee White Sr., 58, of Pine Bluff died Friday, May 15, 2009.

He was born July 19, 1950, in Monticello to the late John Lucas and Beatrice White.

He leaves to cherish his memories his wife, Erma White; son John Lee White Jr. of Marion; daughter, Tabitha White Carpenter of Pine Bluff; brothers, James Green, Alvin Green and Laron White of Monticello and Charles White of Wilmar; sisters, Evelyn Kay Hutson of Little Rock and Marilyn Jones of Monticello; four grandchildren. His services will be Saturday, May 23, 2009, at 10 a.m. at Mount Harmony Baptist Church with Dr. Robert Handley officiating. Burial will be in Brooks Chapel Cemetery in Monticello.

Visitation will be today from 5-7:30 p.m., with a family hour from 6:30-7:30 p.m. at Brown Funeral Home of Pine Bluff.

The body will lie in state at the church from 9:15 a.m. until time of service.

The family will be at 3209 Thicket Drive, Pine Bluff, Ark.

Ky’Aira Reynolds

ALTHEIMER — Ky’Aira Nicole Reynolds was born Feb. 27, 2009, in Pine Bluff, Ark.

She became one of God’s little angels on May 18, 2009, while surrounded by her family.

Those who will cherish her memory include her parents, Latoya Moten and Gregory Reynolds, both of Altheimer, Ark.; her grandparents, Rebecca and Michael Collins of Altheimer, Ark., Ray Eason of Omaha, Neb., Annie Reynolds of Pine Bluff, Ark. Her great-grandparents are Calvin and Robin Cline of Pine Bluff, Ark., Thomas and Gloria Cole, Clarance and Charlesetta Eason, all of Altheimer; great-great-grandmother, Ella M. Moten of Altheimer, Ark.

Graveside services will be held at 11 a.m. on Saturday, May 23, 2009, at Wabbaseka Community Cemetery in Wabbaseka, Ark., with Rev. Michael Reams officiating. Services will be by the P.K. Miller Mortuary of Pine Bluff, Ark.

Eula McDaniel

DUMAS — Mrs. Eula McDaniel, 97, of Dumas, Ark., died Friday, May 15, 2009, at Delta Memorial Hospital in Dumas.

Born Aug. 7, 1911, in Dumas, Ark., she was the daughter of the late Mr. John Smith Jr. She was a member of St. Peter’s Rock MBC in Dumas, where she served as an usher, and she was a homemaker.

Survivors include two stepsons, Willie McDaniel Jr., and Robert McDaniel of Tillar; one stepdaughter, Maggie Davis of Stuttgart; six grandchildren; and four great-grandchildren. Funeral services are scheduled for 2 p.m. Saturday, May 23, 2009, at St. Peter’s Rock MBC with Rev. Larry Alexander officiating. Burial will be in St. Paul Cemetery in Pickens by Brown Funeral Home of Dumas.

Visitation will be from 4-6 p.m. today at the funeral home. The body will lie in state at the church from 1 p.m. until time of service.

Elizabeth Williams

DUMAS — Mrs. Elizabeth Williams, 81, of Dumas, Ark., died Tuesday, May 12, 2009, at Delta Memorial Hospital in Dumas.

Born June 5, 1927, in Winchester, Ark., she was the daughter of the late Mr. Jeff Binns and Mrs. Edna O’Neal Robinson.

She was a member of Union Baptist MBC in Dumas, where she served on the Mothers’ Board and Sunday School teacher.

She was a retired crossing guard attendant for Dumas School District and owner of Williams’ Wig Shop.

Survivors include one daughter, Mary Allen of Dumas; one stepson, Alfred Williams of Little Rock; one brother, Jessie Binns of Liberal, Kan.; one stepbrother, Henry Havis of Winchester; one sister, Sallie Lee Jackson of Crossett; eight grandchildren; 14 great-grandchildren; and 12 great-great-grandchildren.

Funeral services are scheduled for 10:30 a.m. Saturday, May 23, 2009, at Union Baptist MBC with Rev. Isom Cross officiating. Burial will be in Union Cemetery in Gould by Brown Funeral Home of Dumas.

Visitation will be from 4-6 p.m. today at the funeral home.

The body will lie in state at the church from 9:30 a.m. until time of service.

Russell Weaver

GOULD — Russell D. Weaver, 46, of Gould, formerly of Gould, died Wednesday at Conway.

He was born Oct. 1, 1962, at Dermott, a son of the late Elbert Weaver and Nola Weaver.

Survivors include his wife, Goldie Weaver; one son, Nathan Weaver of Gould; two brothers, Thomas Weaver of Monticello and Stanley Weaver of Dumas; one sister, Becky Kendrick of Star City.

He was preceded in death by three brothers, Rodney Weaver, Wesley Weaver and Gary Weaver.

Memorial services will be at 2 p.m. Monday at Griffin Funeral Home at Dumas.

Elzetta Baker

JEFFERSON — Funeral services for Elzetta (Peggy) Baker, 56, of Jefferson, who died May 15 at her home, will be held Saturday at 11 a.m. at Happy Home MBC, Jefferson, Bishop Steven W. Christian officiating.

She was born Oct. 4, 1952, daughter of the late Mary J. Criss.

She attended the White Hall School District. She received a certificate of diploma to work as a certified nursing assistant.

Survivors: father, Hezekiah Criss Sr. (Denise); two sons, Steve (Angela) Criss, Memphis, Tenn., Antoine Baker, Little Rock; seven grandchildren, India, Antoine Jr., Alisha, all of Little Rock, Deandre, Stedon, Tara, Jesse, all of Memphis, Tenn.; two sisters, Betty Smith, Joyce Ballard, both Pine Bluff; four brothers, Curtis (Patricia) Criss, Pine Bluff, Dewayne Criss (Pamela), Hezekiah Criss Jr., Tony (Samantha) Criss, all Little Rock; grandmother, Elnora Conner.

Visitations may be made today 6:30 p.m. until 7:30 p.m. at the funeral home.

Burial will be in Happy Home Cemetery in Jefferson, Ark., by Perry Funeral Home.

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

Robert D. Wilson

McGEHEE — Robert D. “Bob” Wilson of McGehee died Thursday at McGehee.

He was born Jan. 22, 1923, at Wynne.

Survivors include his wife, Laura “Jo” Wilson; daughter, Sherry W. Phelps; son, Mark Wilson; stepchildren, Steve Posey, Janet Cantrell, Beth Boling, Hollis Slade and David Slade; nine grandchildren; and eight great-grandchildren.

Memorial services will be at 2 p.m. today at First Presbyterian Church at McGehee. Arrangements are by Griffin Funeral Service of McGehee.

Visitation will follow the service in the fellowship hall.

Robert Brazeale

MONTICELLO — Robert Joseph Brazeale, 21, of Monticello died Wednesday.

He was born June 6, 1987, at Monticello, a son of Nancy Nave Skomp of Monticello.

He attended First United Pentecostal Church.

Other survivors include one brother, William Brazeale of Monticello; and his grandparents, Mary Nave and Jake Nave, both of Monticello.

He was preceded in death by one brother, David Brazeale.

Memorial services will be at 10 a.m. Saturday in Oakland Cemetery with the Rev. Rex Williams officiating. Arrangements are by Stephenson-Dearman Funeral Home of Monticello.

Curtis Lynn

MONTICELLO — Curtis Lynn, age 77, of Monticello, passed away Thursday, May 21, 2009, at Golden Living Center.

He was born Feb. 14, 1932, at Cominto, in Drew County.

He was retired from Burlington, was a Korean Army veteran and a member of Cominto Baptist Church.

He was preceded in death by his parents, Ardell Lynn and Tommie Jones Lynn; one son, David Lynn; two brothers, Bob Lynn and Billy Lynn; and a granddaughter, Anna Lynn Borden.

Survivors include his wife, Dorothy Phillips Lynn of Monticello; one daughter, Teresa Borden of Monticello; one sister, Mary Ann Copeland of Little Rock; two grandchildren; and one great-grandchild.

A memorial will be 2 p.m. Saturday at Stephenson-Dearman Chapel. Rev. Tom Christmas and Rev. Jim Bates officiating. All arrangements are made by Stephenson-Dearman Funeral Home of Monticello.

Rhonda Harmon-Martindill

RISON — Rhonda Faye Harmon-Martindill, 53, of Rison died May 13.

She was born Jan. 3, 1956, at Houston, a daughter of Charles Dewey Harmon and Dolly Ruth Cook Harmon, both of Kingsland.

Memorial services will be at 2 p.m. Saturday at Buie Funeral of Rison with Jim Tollison officiating.

Barry Murphy

STAR CITY — Barry Alex Murphy, 44, of Star City died Monday at Central Carolina Hospital in Sanford, N.C.

He was born July 17, 1964, in Monticello.

He was a construction worker and was the son of the late Huey Murphy and Geraldine Bodiford Murphy.

Survivors include his wife, Mary Tate Murphy of Star City; two sons, Steven Murphy and Gregory Murphy, both of Star City; one daughter, Rebecca Lynn Sparks of Monticello; one stepson, Danny Carrington Jr. of Star City; one stepdaughter, Leah Carrington of Star City; five brothers, Johnnie Murphy, Gary Murphy, Michael Murphy and Danny Murphy, all of Monticello, and Neil Murphy of West Memphis; four grandchildren.

Visitation will be 5-7 p.m. today at Stephenson-Dearman Funeral Home in Monticello. He will be cremated.

Shashanna Lane

FORT WORTH, Texas — Funeral services for Shashanna A. Lane, 36, of Fort Worth, Texas, formerly of Pine Bluff, who died May 12 at her home, will be held Saturday at 3 p.m. at Family Time Church, Rev. John Jones officiating.

She was born July 30, 1972, in Pine Bluff, daughter of the late Brenda J. Jenkins and James Lane of Pine Bluff.

She was a former member of Travelers Rest MBC, where she was a member of the choir and a junior usher before moving to Fort Worth.

She attended school in the Pine Bluff School District.

She was preceded in death by her mother, grandmothers, Dorothy Jenkins, Lucille Lane.

Survivors include two sons, Jerome Haliburton, Bobby Heard III, both of Fort Worth, Texas; one daughter, Jamelia Walker, Fort Worth, Texas; three brothers, Michael (Sherrie) Jenkins, Arlington, Texas, Toney Wynn, St. Louis, Mo., Kenneth Simpson, Chicago, Ill.; father, James Lane, Pine Bluff; two cousins, Pamela S. Urquhart, Leangelo Wilkerson, both Pine Bluff; grandfather, Horace Jenkins, Pine Bluff; grandson, Jamir Walker, Fort Worth, Texas.

Visitations may be made today 7:45 p.m. until 8:45 p.m. at Perry Funeral Home at Pine Bluff.

The remains will lie in state at the church 2 p.m. until funeral time Saturday.

Burial will be in Mount Gillard Cemetery, Rison, Ark.

Alfred Reams

MEMPHIS — Funeral services for Deacon Alfred Reams, 95, of Memphis, Tenn., formerly of Altheimer, who died May 16 at his home, will be at 11 a.m. Saturday at Mount Bayou MBC, Rev. Lafayette Woods pastor.

He was born March 15, 1914, in Hannaberry, Ark., son of the late Madison and Maggie Reams.

He was preceded in death by his wife, Rosie B. Reams; four sons, Brezell, J.C., Madison, Henry; also a great-grandson whom he raised, Demetres Fountain.

He was a member of Mount Bayou MBC, where he was a Sunday school member, trustee and once served as custodian.

Survivors: one son, Mr. Melvin Reams of Wabbaseka, Ark.; one daughter, Ozie Lampkin, Pine Bluff; special granddaughter and her husband, Rosie and Benjamin Singleton, with whom he lived in Memphis, Tenn.; stepdaughter, Alberta (Aaron) Pruitt, Kansas City, Mo.; four grandchildren, one great-grandson, Barbara Mack, Kansas City, Mo., Johnny Mack, Sandra (Lawrence) Jefferson, Pine Bluff, Billy (Sharon) Reams, Altheimer; Dwaune Williams, San Diego, Calif.; eight grandchildren; 11 great-grandchildren; two great-great-grandchildren.

Visitations may be made today 4:30 p.m. until 6 p.m at the funeral home.

Burial will be in Community Cemetery at Altheimer by Perry Funeral Home.

Arnettie Smith

SPANAWAY, Wash. — Arnettie Smith, 68, of Spanaway, Wash., formerly of Pine Bluff, died May 15.

She was born at Tallulah, La., a daughter of the late Sydney Joyner and Sadie Ransom Joyner.

Survivors include sons, James Barkins Jr. of Arlington, Texas, Charles Barkins and Alex Smith, both of Pine Bluff, and Steven Smith of Mansfield, Texas; daughters, Stephanie Smith of Pine Bluff and Pamela Kinsey of Spanaway.

Funeral services will be at 10:30 .m. Saturday at Greater Mount Calvary Missionary Baptist Church at 10:30 a.m. Burial will be in Forest Lawn Cemetery by Brown Funeral Home of Pine Bluff.

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