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Billy Byron Sikes
Mr. Billy Byron Sikes, age 72, a life-long resident of Alleene, Arkansas died Saturday, March 23, 2013.
Born June 13, 1940 in Texarkana, Arkansas he was the fifth of seven boys born to Royle Ray and Theresa Sikes. He was raised working the family farm in Alleene, Arkansas. He graduated from Ashdown High School and later earned a Bachelor’s Degree from Centenary College, Shreveport, Louisiana. He worked thirteen years at Red River Army Depot and twenty-five years at Brown & Root Services, Houston, Texas retiring in 2005.
Billy was preceded in death by his parents, Royle Ray and Theresa Smith Sikes and three brothers: James Buenos “Bean” Sikes, Gerald Maxey Sikes and Royle Ray Sikes Jr.
He is survived by his wife, Alice Clowers Sikes of Alleene; two sons and a daughter-in-law, Jeff and Lynda Sikes of Little Rock, AR and John Edward Sikes of Alleene; three brothers and two sisters-in-law, Johnny Sikes of Alleene, Robert and Jane Sikes of Bryant, AR and Phillip and Janie Sikes of Roundtop, TX; three grandchildren, Erin and husband Frank Harrison, Amy Lewis and Ellen Lewis, several great-grandchildren, cousins, nieces and nephews.
Funeral Services for Mr. Sikes will be held at 2:00 p.m., Wednesday, March 27, 2013, at the Foreman Methodist Church with Jimmy Dale and Phil Smith officiating. Burial will follow in the Alleene Cemetery, under the direction of Wilkerson Funeral Home in De Queen, AR.
The family will receive friends at their home.
Memorials may be made to:
Winthrop Methodist Church Little River Co. Road 51 North Foreman, AR 71836 Or Alleene Cemetery. PO Box 58 Alleene, AR 71820
Dixie Colleen Alexander
Mrs. Dixie Colleen Alexander, age 75, a resident of Horatio, Arkansas, died Saturday, March 23, 2013 at her home.
She was born to Clarence Edward “Jake” and Geneva Waltz Johnson in Bakersfield, California, on September 8, 1937. She was retired from Weyerhaeuser Company with 25 years service, as well as a homemaker. She enjoyed quilting, sewing and painting.
She was preceded in death by her parents, a brother, Clarence Glen Johnson, and one son, Marty Leon Alexander.
She is survived by her husband, Jack W. Koch of Horatio, one daughter and son-in-law, Melisa Burch Hanson and Jerrell D. Hanson of Ruston, La., three grandchildren, Emily Colleen Alexander of Horatio, Matthew “Gilland” Burch and Robert “Garrett” Burch both of Ruston, La., two sisters, Patricia Willard of De Queen, and Jacqueline Johnson of Horatio, one niece, Schelly, and her husband, Kerry Bailey of Eagletown, Okla., two nephews, Colby Farquhar of Stilwell, Okla., and Jesse Farquhar of Bremerton, Washington, one great-nephew, Branson Farquhar of Bremerton, Okla.
Funeral Services for Mrs. Dixie Alexander will be held at 10:00 A.M., Tuesday, March 27th in the Chandler Funeral Home Chapel with Rev. Byron Sullivan officiating. Burial will follow in the Millwee Cemetery, Horatio. The family will receive friends at Chandler Funeral Home on Monday, March 25th from 5:00 P.M. to 7:00 P.M.
Snowie Belle (Coulter) Brown
Snowie Belle (Coulter) Brown was born September 10, 1914, on the family farm in Center Point, Arkansas. She was the 8th of 13 children born to Harvey and Julia (Edwards) Coulter. Her mother, father, and all of her siblings preceded her in death.
She was baptized at an early age in the Wesley Chapel AME Church in Center Point where her father and mother were leaders. That tradition of faithful service continued when she was employed by the Horatio Arkansas School District as the teacher at Cottage Hill (“Colored School”) School, and joined the Mt. Zion United Methodist Church. She served as Sunday School Superintendent and Church Treasurer until her death—for over seventy years.
Snowie completed all course studies offered at Dunbar High School in Center Point, but realized they were not enough to fulfill her dream to become a teacher. She was allowed by her parents to live with her brother, Oscar Coulter, in Hot Springs, Arkansas where, in 1934, she received her high school diploma at Horace Mann High School. With financial assistance from her brothers, Ray (already a teacher), Oscar, and Ferd, she enrolled at Arkansas Branch Normal College (the name later changed to Arkansas AM&N- and then to University of Arkansas at Pine Bluff). In 1938, with family and church moral and financial support, work aide, and scholarships, she earned a Bachelor of Arts Degree in Education. Although she was not the first member of her family to attend college, she was the first to receive a college degree. She always spoke glowingly about how proud she had made her father, Harvey. The love, support, and encouragement of her family to achieve her dream created a Coulter family bond that has inspired our family values of love, faith, and education. After obtaining her Bachelor’s Degree, Snowie began her job search. When hearing of an opening for a “colored” teacher in Horatio, Arkansas, she and her father traveled thirty miles by horse and wagon to apply for the job. She was hired by the Horatio school system in 1938 as the only teacher for eight grades at the Cottage Hill School. In 1954, Cottage Hill, along with several other county (colored) schools was consolidated into the Sevier County Training School System in Lockesburg, Arkansas. There she taught grades one through six. In 1968, the Horatio School System was integrated and she became the first African American teacher in the school system. She taught elementary grades, music, and was the librarian until her retirement in 1978.
Snowie married Horatio native, Fred (Tommie) Brown, in 1941 and he preceded her in death in 1997. To this union was born three sons, Thomas E. (Juanita), MM; Dr. Llewellyn D. (Inez); Darrell F.(Angela), JD; and one daughter, Patricia I. Brown-Dixon, MBA. Preceding her in death are: her father and mother, Harvey and Julia (Edwards) Coulter; 12 siblings, Ferd, Aussie, Oscar, Ray, Nellie, Sarah, Logan, Queen, “Punkin” (died in infancy) Charlie, Claudell, and Vestella; many of her beloved in-laws, nieces and nephews. She leaves to mourn her death and to celebrate her life her four children, Thomas, Don, Darrell, and Pat, sister-in-law, Pearl Coulter ; ten( 10) grandchildren and eight (8) great grandchildren, numerous nieces, nephews, cousins, friends, former students, her community and anyone whom she touched in her long, faithful, and giving life. Integral in her life throughout the years were her sister- and brother-in-law Bettie and Andrew Frazier, both deceased; her Horatio/Sevier County Community (Martins, Lowerys, Turners, Bumpuses, Hawkins, Coulters, Powells, Nelsons, Youngs, Collins, Dillahuntys, Basses, Johnsons, Clardys, Counts, Pearsons, Claytons, Smiths, Rev. and Mrs. Walker, and Debra Johnson); her church families at Mt. Phebia and Mt. Zion; her professional family, caregivers, Jeanette Smith, Joy Christman, Sherry Torres, and home nurses. She served on many county, state, community and educational organizations, including the Southwest Arkansas Economic Development Association, the Sevier County Historical Society, the Order of Eastern Star, Superintendent of Sunday School and Treasurer of Mt. Zion United Methodist Church. She was also a member of the Horatio Community Choir, the United Methodist Women, and the Sevier County Fair Commission.
Snowie Bell Coulter Brown was a pioneer, community activist, leader, educator, friend, mother, wife, grandmother, role model, and great grandmother. She often marveled at the tremendous changes she witnessed during her lifetime. From rub boards to automatic washers and dryers, horses and wagons to space shuttles, typewriters to smart phones; and the two-time election of the first Black President of the United States of America. Her frequent admonition to her children was: “if you want to make this a better world, it begins with you being a better person” (A better world begins with you). True to her word, Snowie Coulter Brown, the skinny country girl from Center Point, Arkansas, by her presence, and her actions, helped this world to be a better place.
Well done, my good and faithful servant!
Funeral Services for Mrs. Snowie Brown were held at 2:00 P.M., Sunday, March 24th in the Chandler Funeral Home Chapel, De Queen, with Rev. Dr. Charles McAdoo officiating. Burial will follow in the Sunset Acres Cemetry, Horatio, Arkansas. The family will receive friends at Mt. Zion United Methodist Church, 134 Cottage Hill, Horatio on Saturday, March 23rd from 6:00 to 8:00 P.M.
Donations can be made to the Snowie and Tommie Brown Scholarship fund In C/O UAPB foundation, 1200 North University Drive, Pine Bluff, Arkansas 71601.
Freddy Ray Sappington
Freddy Ray Sappington, age 58, a resident of Grannis Arkansas, died March 21, 2013 in De Queen, Arkansas.
He was born October 23, 1954 in Visalia, California. He lived in Visalia, California where he attended Packwood Grammar School. He then moved to Tulare where he attended Palo Verde Grammar school and Tulare Western High School. In 1990 he moved to Arkansas with his family and worked in the painting and remodeling trades. Fred loved playing his guitar and singing country music. He loved all of God’s beautiful creation; spending hours driving through the back roads and hunting treasures such as crystals and arrow heads. He loved the serenity of being by himself, where he and God would visit. He loved fishing and playing with his 31 dogs. Fred always seemed to be the center of attention at family get togethers, laughing, playing his guitar and singing. He will be greatly missed.
He was preceded in death by his father, Carlee Calvin Sappington; his mother, Mary Jane (Vandergriff) Harlan; a step-father, Bob Harlan; his brother, Lonnie Lee Sappington, his sister, Shirley Jean Paul and her companion Donald Norris.
He is survived by his wife of 39 years, Kathy Sappington; his daughter, Kimberly Bata and her husband, Josh of Iowa Park, Texas; his son, Freddy Sappington, Jr. and his wife, Abby of Grannis, Arkansas; a brother, Pat Sappington and his wife Judy of Scottsdale, Arizona; two sisters; Mary Louise Lafranca of Tulare, California and Robin Jane Manlove and her husband Jack of Murfreesboro, Arkansas; two step-sisters; Sondra Jones and Patricia Harlan, both of Visalia, California. He also leaves behind eight grandchildren, whom he dearly loved, one great grand child on the way, and numerous nieces and nephews. Fred also leaves his most beloved friends, Jessica and Joey Oliver, Curtis and Kathy Reynolds, Debbie Lee and Sonny and Carol Trobaugh.
At Fred’s request, his cremains will be spread at Morro Bay, California in honor of his father.
A private family memorial will be held at a later date.
Please register on-line if you would like to send condolences to the family at www.wilkersonfuneralhomes.com in De Queen, Arkansas.
Ester Flossie Prater Evans
Ester Flossie Prater Evans went home to be with our Lord on March 19, 2013. She was born on February 15, 1925 in Horatio, Arkansas to Alvie & Leona Prater. She was the first born of their ten children.
She married Earnest Evans on October 26, 1940. She and her husband were both Pentecostal Christians. They became proud parents of seven children. She lived in Broken Bow, Oklahoma in McCurtain County most of her life. She was always a totally devoted wife and mother. She dearly loved all children. Besides being a wife, mother, grandmother, great grandmother and homemaker…she was always praised as an excellent cook and really enjoyed putting a meal on the table. She spent many years cooking in various restaurants in Oklahoma and California. Along the way, she also owned several cafes in Oklahoma and California as well. She took a great deal of pride and satisfaction in her ability to tickle the taste buds on someone’s tongue. That always made her smile.
She was a great story teller and taught us so much about family members who lived generations before most of us were born. She was always the bridge between yesterday and today. The stories that she could tell seemed endless. Everything from ghost sightings, to courtships, to tending the chores, to plowing the farm, to moving across the country, to good times and hard times, to jokes that were told to her by her mom and dad and so many other tales of her childhood about her mom, dad, siblings, and many relatives that would have otherwise been lost. We are forever thankful that she took the time to share those memories with all of us. Her sense of humor was in high gear as she recalled most of the stories and often times she could not continue until her laughter settled down just a little. When she spoke of her life, she expressed, “It was such a great one”. Early in her childhood, (since she was the oldest of ten children), she began her role as a caregiver for her younger brothers and sisters. She embraced that responsibility as an older sister and then continued it as a mother of seven children, as a grandmother, as a great grandmother, as an aunt, and as a great aunt. Many of her nephews and nieces loved her dearly and treated her as if she was their mother. She was always willing to help. Her shoulder to lean on, and her advice and opinion were sought by many folks time and time again. She fulfilled her role very well, and always felt blessed to have made someone’s day a little bit better. She truly was all about family…that always was the center of her life and she was very content with her role. She would not have wanted it any other way. She shared and also instilled in us her great hope and her great faith in God. We will be forever thankful for that and all her love that she so freely gave. She leaves her legacy for caring and kindness in our hearts and in our minds. Her passing leaves us with a great void that will forever remain. We are both fortunate and thankful for the opportunity to have been blessed with sharing her life, her dreams, her thoughts, her stories, her faith, and her great enduring love. She was Mom, Mother, Mama, Aunt Ester, Grandma, and Sis. She was dearly loved by a multitude of people. She cherished that love and kept us all in a special part of her heart. We will miss her greatly, but we will always have her with us as we hold her life, her memories, and her love in her special place within our own hearts. Thank you Mother…we love you.
Her passing was preceded by the passing of: Earnest Evans in 2002 (her husband of 62 years), Alvie Prater (father), Leona Prater (mother), Bernice Murray (sister), Kenneth Prater (brother), Virginia Obrien (sister), Joyce Hardy (sister), and Andy Prater (brother).
She is survived by: all her children (three sons and four daughters), and their spouses. Jerry & Carolyn Evans, Rosie & Marvin Thomas, Flossie Fast, Alvie & Josette Evans, Emma & John Hancock, Jess Evans, and Violet & Larry McDonald; thirty grandchildren and many great grandchildren. Four siblings (and their spouses) (two bothers, two sisters, and one sister-in-law) Melvin Prater, Patsy Vancil, Lila & Johnny Highful, Terry & Sarah Prater, Bessie Prater (widow of Kenneth Prater).
The family will receive friends Friday evening from 6 PM - 8 PM at Brumley Funeral Home.
She will be laid to rest in a graveside service at 2 PM, Saturday, March 23, 2013 alongside her husband in Crown Hill Cemetery
in Broken Bow, Oklahoma.
Mattie Faye Knight Myers
Mrs. Mattie Faye Knight Myers, age 91, a resident of De Queen, and former resident of Hawkins, Texas, died Tuesday, March 19th in the Brookewood Nursing Home, De Queen.
She was born to William B. and Lillie Heath Knight in Columbia County, Arkansas, on February 28, 1922. She was a retired beautician, as well as a homemaker, and was a member of the Church of Christ.
Mrs. Meyers was preceded in death by her parents, her six siblings, and in 2005, her husband of over 61 years, Earl William Paul Ayers.
She is survived by one son and daughter-in-law, Paul and Diana Myers of Broken Bow, Okla, A grandson, Timothy, and his wife, Stephanie Myers of Switzerland, and a great-grandchild, Sophia Marie Myers, as well as a number of nieces and nephews.
A private memorial service will be held in Holly Tree Cemetery, Hawkins, Texas. Arrangements are under the direction of Chandler Funeral Home, De Queen, Arkansas.
Gerald Edward Nix
Mr. Gerald Edward Nix, age 63, a resident of De Queen, died Monday, March 18, 2013, in the De Queen Medical Center, De Queen.
He was born to Norman Edward and Mary Evelyn McKee Nix in De Queen, Arkansas, on February 27, 1950. He was a 1968 graduate of Horatio High School and was a retired Radio Announcer for KDQN with many years’ service. He enjoyed volley ball, and bicycling.
He was preceded in death by his parents.
He is survived by one brother and sister-in-law, Alvie and Henrietta Nix of Horatio, one nephew Billy Ray Nix of St. George, Utah, two nieces, Sheila Smith of De Queen, and Cindy Phillips of Broken Bow, Oklahoma, and a number of great-nieces and nephews.
No services are scheduled. Arrangements are under the direction of Chandler Funeral Home, De Queen.
C.L. Nipper
C.L. Nipper, 68 of Watson, OK passed away on March 17, 2013 at his residence in Watson. He was born August 1, 1944 in Watson, OK, the son of Hardy Lee and Clara Ellen (Rhodes) Nipper.
C.L. loved his family and spending special times with them. He was a member of Faith Baptist Church in Watson. He enjoyed playing his guitar and fishing.
C.L. is survived by his wife of 50 years, Belva Ann (Higgins) Nipper of the home; two sons of the home, Douglas Higgins Nipper and Lesley David Nipper; one daughter and son-in-law, Lois and Tim Bowlin of Locksburg, AR; two brothers, Billy Joe Nipper of Watson, OK and Steve Glover and wife, Nelda of Locksburg, AR; four sisters, Orene Jones of De Queen, AR, Corene Page and husband, Earl of Smithville, OK, Janell Cline of Smithville, OK and Norma Harvey of Durant, OK; six grandchildren, Mia, Amanda, Kyle, Cody, Cory and Chris; three great-grandchildren; several nieces, nephews, other relatives and friends.
He was preceded in death by his parents, Hardy Lee Nipper and Clara Ellen (Rhodes) Nipper; four brothers, Tommy, Bobby, Junior and Hoyt Nipper; one sister, Ruby Anderson; infant brother, Leroy Nipper and infant sister, Janet Nipper.
Graveside services will be Wednesday, March 20, 2013 at 2:00 pm at Watson Cemetery, Watson, OK. Tim Bowlin will officiate. Todd Webb, Zane Webb, Kane Webb, Ronnie Johnson, Cody Bowlin and Lucky Matthews will serve as Pallbearers.
Jackie Joe Breit
Jackie Joe Breit, age 71, of Hatfield, died Saturday, March 16, 2013 at his home. He was born on Saturday, February 15, 1942 to George Peter and Zula Mae Neff Breit in Topeka, Kansas.
Jackie served in the United States Army in the 4th Battalion 2nd Regiment in 1959. He loved his wife and their dogs. He enjoyed working on cars and motorcycles. He enjoyed country music. He worked for many years as a road construction worker, a logger and a truck driver. Jackie was a loving husband and friend and will be missed by all who knew him.
Jackie is preceded in death parents and two brothers, Jim and George Breit.
He is survived by his wife, Paulette Breit of Hatfield; several nieces and nephews and a host of other relatives and friends.
A private memorial service will be held at a later date with arrangements entrusted to Bowser Family Funeral Home in Mena.
