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Margaret Groves
Margaret Wilson Patterson Groves, 88, of Fort Smith died Friday, Feb. 22, 2002, in Fort Smith. She was born June 23, 1913, in Carlisle. She was a homemaker and a member of First Baptist Church of Fort Smith for 56 years, First Baptist Church Joy Singers and Berean Sunday school class, a former member of Gideon International Women’s Auxiliary and Ann Wallern Women’s Missionary Circle of First Baptist. She taught the 16-year-old girls’ Sunday school class for more than 20 years and was one of the founding members of Fort Smith Hope Center, a long time member of Arkansas Retarded Citizens Association and a member of the Weight Maintenance Workshop for 30 years. She was the widow of Jack Groves.
Funeral will be 1 p.m. today in Fentress Mortuary Chapel in Fort Smith with burial at Woodlawn Memorial Park cemetery in Fort Smith.
She is survived by a daughter, Carol Ann Clifton of the home; a son, Jack David Groves of Conway; three grandchildren and four great-grandchildren.
Pallbearers will be Jack Sallee, Alan Scott Clifton, Michael Barry Clifton, Michael Isaac Clifton and Jerry Don Green.
Honorary pallbearers will be Claude Groves Sr. and James H. Groves.
Memorial contributions may be made to Women’s Auxiliary of Gideon International, P.O. Box 971, Fort Smith, AR 72902.
Betty Driggers
Betty Driggers, 79, of Fort Smith died Friday, Feb. 22, 2002 in Fort Smith. She was the widow of Ellis Driggers.
Graveside service will be 2 p.m. Tuesday at Macedonia cemetery in Pocola under the direction of Fentress Mortuary of Fort Smith.
She is survived by two sons, Frank Driggers of Arkoma and Chris Driggers of Fort Smith; a sister, Ruth Voss of Patterson, La.; three grandchildren, Dwayne, John and Elizabeth Driggers; and one great-grandchild, Brant Driggers.
The family will visit with friends from 6 to 8 p.m. today at the funeral home.
Eldon Qualls
CHOCTAW, Okla. — Eldon Eugene Qualls, 57, of Choctaw died Saturday, Feb. 23, 2002, in his home. He was born May 20, 1944, in Mulberry. He was the owner and operator of Wes-Tes Oil & Gas Testing Co. and a member of the Masonic Lodge in Mulberry. He attended Life Christian Church.
Funeral will be 11 a.m. Tuesday in Barnes & Johnson Funeral Home in Midwest City, Okla. Graveside service will be 1 p.m. Wednesday at New cemetery in Mulberry.
He is survived by his wife, Twana; a daughter, Debra Abernathy of Choctaw; a son, Terry Qualls of Choctaw; two sisters, Barbara Flickenshild of Claremore, Okla., and Roxann Rodgers of Roland; two brothers, Don of Lavaca and Paul Jerry Qualls of Leesburg, Fla.; and four grandchildren.
The body may be viewed and the family will visit with friends from 6 to 8 p.m. today at the funeral home.
Ila Griffin
ALMA — Ila Pearl Griffin, 89, of Alma died Saturday, Feb. 23, 2002, in a local hospital. She was a homemaker, a member of Trinity Baptist Church in Alma and a member of the Fine Springs Extension HomeMakers’ club in Alma. She had been a dietician for the Alma School System. She was the widow of Clarence Griffin.
Funeral will be 10 a.m. Tuesday in Edwards Van-Alma Funeral Home Chapel in Van Buren with burial at Newberry Cemtery in Alma.
She is survived by a daughter, Wanda Smith of Alma; three grandchildren, Cindy Winborn and Brenda Smith, both of Alma, and Glenda Kimes of Springdale; and eight grandchildren.
Pallbearers will be James and Jay Winborn, Jeff, Scott and Derek Kimes and Cory and Aaron Bray.
Honorary pallbearers will be deacons of Trinity Baptist Church.
Thomas Owens
OZARK — Thomas Edward Owens Sr., 68, of Ozark died Saturday, Feb. 23, 2002, in Ozark. He was a retired waste water operator for the City of Ozark and a retired Franklin County tax assessor, serving from 1965 to 1968 and from 1975 to 1980. He attended Living Water Church in Ozark.
Funeral will be 10 a.m. Tuesday in Shaffer Funeral Home Chapel in Ozark with burial at Highland cemetery in Ozarl.
He is survived by his wife, Bonnie; a daughter, Mary Lynn Dickerson of Ozark; a son, Thomas Owens Jr. of Ozark; three sisters, Margaret Datesman of Rogers, Rosemary Pyle of Fort Smith and Wilma Wendlend of Pueblo, Colo.; a brother, James Owens of Ozark; and two grandchildren.
Pallbearers will be Don, Billy and Darrell O’Neal, Cecil Zolliecoffer, Lonnie Sheppard and Jimmy Collins.
Arthur Ruston
OZARK — Arthur E. Ruston, 74, of Ozark died Saturday, Feb. 23, 2002, in an Ozark nursing home. He was an Army veteran of World War II and was retired from Arkhola Sand & Gravel after 32 years.
Graveside service will be 2 p.m. today at Cecil cemetery in Cecil under the direction of Shaffer Funeral Home of Ozark.
He is survived by a daughter, Alice Mainini of Tahlequah; a stepdaughter, Sue Chiolino of Russellville; a son, David Red Ruston of Ozark; two sisters, Odell Jones of Vicksburg, Miss., and Betty Plugge of Hartman; two grandchildren, Bronson Ruston and Jill Millsap, both of Ozark; and one great-grandchild.
Pallbearers will be Danny Jones, Dale Harris, Bud Turk, Joe McClellan Sr., Jim McClellan and Frank Medlock.
Lucy Lee Moss
Lucy Lee Moss was born to teach. She talked about the time her superintendent sent her to substitute for an elementary teacher. She later asked her mother why he didn’t send a senior girl, and her mother said, “He sent you because you are going to be a teacher.” That was the same answer her superintendent gave her a few days later, when the teacher handed her a check for $2 or $3. Lucy Lee was surprised. When she talked about it, she said that she thought at the time, “How wonderful!” I can do what I love to do and be paid for it.”
After graduating from Vian High School, Lucy Lee taught at Stoney Point, a little country school near Vian that was in session for only two months and then closed so the children could work on the farms. At this time she started college. She graduated from Northeastern State Teachers’ College in 1937, and that fall Lucy Lee began her teaching career in Salina, Okla.; she also taught in Wynona and Lenapah Schools.
On Feb. 6, 1943, Lucy Lee became engaged to Frank Richards. They married
June 27, 1944, and remained together until his death in 1954.
In the fall of 1947 Lucy Lee Richards moved back to Vian so she could take care of her mother. Her mother did not want her to stop the work that she loved and insisted that she apply for a teaching position in Vian. She was hired immediately. She was “Mrs. Richards” during the 30 years she taught first grade here, and she is still “Mrs. Richards” to many of her former students.
Lucy Lee retired from teaching in May of 1977 and married
Henry Harris in June of that year. They both loved to travel, so travel they did — from the East Coast to the West Coast and into Canada. They also loved to sing and were involved in Gospel singing conventions on all levels: national, state, regional and county. During their many miles of traveling, Helen Henning was often their unofficial chauffeur, so when Henry and Lucy Lee were elected president and vice-president of the Oklahoma State Convention Helen had to be their secretary.
Lucy Lee Harris had no children of her own, but she enjoyed teaching and watching other people’s children learn and develop. She also had numerous nieces and nephews who loved her dearly, and she loved them. Several of them preceded her in death, but those of us who remain here on earth remember her as being such a sweet and loving person that children basked in the warmth of her love. Just as she enriched the lives of students, she enriched the lives of her nieces and nephews. Many of them at some point in their lives lived near or with Aunt Lucy Lee and Grandmother Moss. They cherish the memories of the “special times” they spent with Aunt Lucy Lee. One niece expressed the feelings of all of us when she said, “We will miss her presence in our lives, but we will feel her love surrounding us for as long as we each shall live.”
Lucy Lee was born Aug. 1, 1911, to William T. and Lucie Ada Barry Moss in Vian and died Feb. 22, 2002, in Vian at the age of 90. Funeral services will be 2 p.m. Wednesday, Feb. 27, 2002, at the Vian Baptist Church with Rev. Jim Murphy officiating and burial will be in the Vian cemetery under the direction of Mallory Funeral Home in Sallisaw. Pallbearers are Ed Brockman, Don Brockman, John Brockman, K.C. Eubanks, Frank Thorton and Chuck Pierce with honorary pallbearers Monk Holder, Morgan Richards, Gary Seay, Herb Dennis, Norman Siffing, Fred Gossett, Glen Armstrong, Richard Armstrong, Jimmy Armstrong and Robert Jones.
Mr. Dale Timothy Rodgers
Mr. Dale Timothy Rodgers of Mena passed away Friday, Feb. 22, 2002, in his home. He was a retired local businessman and cattle rancher. He was born Aug. 15, 1921, in Oden. His age being 80 years, 6 months and 7 days.
Mr. Rodgers was the son of the late Robert L. Rodgers Sr. and the late Iva Wimberly Rodgers.
He was a lifelong resident of Mena and served in the Army from 1942 to 1945. After coming back to Mena, he and his brother, Vernon, started Rodgers Dry Goods & Grocery which they later sold in 1950. In 1947, he bought the Leach-Hurlburt Lumber Co. and changed the name to Dale Rodgers Lumber Co. He manufactured yellow pine lumber. He operated the mill with his brothers and father. The mill closed in 1993, and today the Wal-Mart Supercenter is located at this location. During the 1960s, he also operated the Rodgers-Killian Lumber Co. in Norman.
He was associated with and owned the majority of the Union Bank of Mena from 1957 to 1969. He later owned the First National Bank in Nashville, Ark., from 1973 to 1978. He also owned the Bank of Waldron from 1977 to 1991.
He started the Northside Shopping Center with C.S. Williams in the early 1970s and later purchased Mr. Williams interest in the shopping center. The Rodgers Family Limited Partnership still operates the shopping center.
In the 1950s, he entered the polled herford cattle business, and later commercial steers and cow/calf pairs. He operated the Dale Rodgers Ranch until his death.
The city of Mena and Polk County have always been very important to him, whether working to provide jobs for the community, a health care facility, a reliable natural gas source or scholarships for local students. In 1950, the Polk County Industrial Board was formed by Mr. Rodgers and several local businessmen. They were instrumental in recruiting and raising money to bring the Renovo Factory to Mena, and also U.S. Electrical Motors. In 1980, he worked very hard to reach an agreement with Arkla Gas Co. that provided a reliable source of natural gas for Polk County. In 1977, Dale and C.S. Williams purchased and donated land for the Mena Medical Center. In recent years, he and members of his family started the Dale Rodgers Family Endowed Scholarships at Rich Mountain Community College. He felt that the access to a good education was vital to a community and was very proud to be able to provide scholarships for local students.
He was a longtime member of the Mena School Board. He also was a past member of the Arkansas Forestry Commission, having been appointed by then-Gov. Dale Bumpers. In 1997, he was chosen the Citizen of the Year by the Chamber of Commerce. He is still currently a member of the Polk County Industrial Board and the First United Methodist Church.
He is survived by three daughters, Carole Martin and husband Otis and Janice Akers and husband Robert, both of Mena, and Sharon Wimberly of Fayetteville; a brother, Robert L. Rodgers Jr. of Mena; six grandchildren, Sam D. Snead and Amy Phelps and husband Chris, all of Mena, Emily Akers of Senatobia, Miss., and Fenn, Kem and Susan Wimberly, all of Fayettteville; and two great grandchildren, Hollee Dale Phelps and Nicholas Robert Phelps, both of Mena.
He was preceded in death by a sister, Mildred L. Hooper and a brother, Vernon Rodgers.
Funeral will be 2 p.m. Tuesday, Feb. 26, in the First United Methodist Church with Pastors Fred Hunter, Gaylon Cope, Jack Smith and Charles Wiles officiating. Interment will be in the Pinecrest Memorial Park under the direction of Hall Funeral Service.
In lieu of flowers, please make donations to the Dale Rodgers Family Scholarship Fund at RMCC, the First United Methodist Church or the Polk County Library.
Gerald W. Maxwell
Gerald W. Maxwell, 72, of Fort Smith died Friday, Feb. 22, 2002, in his home. He was a retired electrician and a disabled veteran of the Korean War.
Funeral will be 1 p.m. today in Ocker Funeral Home Memorial Chapel in Van Buren with burial at the U.S. National cemetery in Fort Smith.
He is survived by two sons, Gary and John, both of Van Buren; five sisters, Lois Hill and Floy Jordan, both of Fort Smith, and Ruth Davis, Shirley Perkins and Connie Maxwell, all of Van Buren; four grandchildren and several great-grandchildren.
He was preceded in death by a brother, Paul.
John T. Mongold
John T. Mongold, 82, of Fort Smith died Friday, Feb. 22, 2002, in a local nursing home. He was a member of Grandview Assembly of God in Natural Dam and a retired employee of Kay Chair Co.
Funeral will be 1 p.m. Tuesday in Ocker Funeral Home Memorial Chapel in Van Buren with burial at Hall cemetery in Natural Dam.
He is survived by his wife, Leona; two daughters, Lillian Brown of Alma and Anna Wagnon of Van Buren; two sisters, Dorothy Freeman of Cedarville and Faye Jones of Prairie Grove; a brother, Tony of Witter; five grandchildren and three great-grandchildren.
Pallbearers will be Jimmie, Leonard, Doyle, Ronald, Donald, Lesley and Bill Jones.
Robert Eugene Hartmeier
Robert Eugene Hartmeier, 67, of Fort Smith died Friday, Feb. 22, 2002 in Fort Smith. He was a member of Immaculate Conception Catholic Church, a retired sales representative for Procter and Gamble, a member of Immaculate Conception Men’s Club and an avid golfer. He was preceded in death by his parents, Louis and Kathryn Hartmeier and two brothers, Louis Hartmeier Jr. amd James Hartmeier.
Rosary service will be 7 p.m. today at Immaculate Conception Catholic Church in Fort Smith. Funeral mass will be 11 a.m. Tuesday at Immaculate Conception with burial at Calvary cemetery in Fort Smith under the direction of Fentress Mortuary in Fort Smith.
He is survived by his wife, Jane; three daughters, Liz Reyenga and husband Stan of Fort Smith, Frances Allosada and husband Reiner of Fort Smith and Susan Hartmeier of Durham, N.C.; two sons, Bob Hartmeier Jr. and wife Jody of Fort Smith and Michael Hartmeier and wife Deanna of Rockwall, Texas; two brothers, B.G. Hartmeier of North Little Rock and Tom Hartmeier of Tulsa; 14 grandchildren and three step-grandchildren.
Pallbearers will be Willie Reyenga, Stephen Reyenga, Bob Hartmeier III, Andy Hartmeier, Billy Loney, Mac McGhee, Jack Danciu, Tom White and Don Hall.
Memorial contributions may be made to Trinity Junior High School, 1205 South Albert Pike Ave., Fort Smith, AR 72903.
Wilma Elizabeth King
Wilma Elizabeth King, 80, of Ozark died Friday, Feb. 22, 2002, in a Clarksville nursing home. She was a member of White Oak Presbyterian Church, received her bachelor’s degree from the College of the Ozarks and her master’s degree from the University of Arkansas, taught school for 27 years, most of those in Ozark, and was a Sunday school teacher for many years and director of the Duncan Center for most of 30 years.
Memorial service will be 10 a.m. today in Shaffer Funeral Home Chapel in Ozark. The body will be cremated under the direction of Shaffer Funeral Home in Ozark.
She is survived by four nieces, Judy Thornton of Clarksville, Jane Hollingshead and Anna Woodruff, both of Tulsa, and Stacey Pomeroy of Owasso; a nephew, Ray Kendall of Huntsville, Ala.; two sisters, Gippa Kendall of DeWitt and Imogene Trichell of Brokan Arrow, Okla.; seven great-nephews, four great-nieces and two great-nephews. She was preceded in death by her parents, Eric King and Vena Collins King, and a sister, Frances Vaught.
The family will visit with friends at Wilma King’s home in Ozark.
Memorial contributions may be made to Duncan cemetery Perpetual Care Fund.
Irene Morris
VIAN — Irene V. Morris, 71, of Vian died Monday, March 11, 2002, in Cookson, Okla. She was born Jan. 21, 1931, in Vian. She was DHS provider for the State of Oklahoma and attended Vian Free Will Baptist Church.
Funeral will be 2 p.m. Thursday in Vian Free Will Baptist Church with burial at Box cemetery north of Vian under the direction of Agent Funeral Home of Sallisaw.
She is survived by her husband, George; a daughter, Linda Baker of Cookson, Okla.; a son, Shane Morris of Racine, Wis.; two sisters, Opal Woodrum of Wichita, Kan., and Gwen Collins of Cookson, Okla.; three brothers, Richard Odell and Robert Smith, both of Vian, and Vernon “Bo” Smith of Bristow, Okla.; and six grandchildren.
Pallbearers will be Trent, Kyle and Bill T. Holt, Bill Sanford, Blue Swon and Jimbo Walters.
The body may be viewed 9 a.m. to 9 p.m. Wednesday at the funeral home.
Peachie Hendricks
CLAREMORE, Okla. — Peachie Hendricks, 95, of Claremore, Okla. died Sunday, March 10, 2002, in Claremore. She was born Oct. 16, 1906, in Marble City. She was a former teacher at Redbird Smith School north of Vian and a homemaker and a member of the Keetoowah Nighthawk Society. She was the widow of Eli Hendricks.
Funeral will be 1 p.m. Thursday in Stokes Smith Ceremonial Grounds northeast of Sallisaw with burial at Redbird Smith cemetery north of Vian under the direction of Agent Funeral Home of Sallisaw.
She is survived by four daughters, Wanna Barton of Cookson, Okla., Emma Jean Wilson and Elizabeth Padgett, both of Claremore, Okla., and Nancy Dobbs of Chelsea, Okla.; five sons, John and Vincent Hendricks, both of Claremore, Okla., Charles Hendricks of Ketchum, Okla., Marcus Hendricks of Tahlequah, Okla., and Eli Hendricks Jr. of Tulsa; a sister, Juanita Smith of Vian; a brother, Fields Smith of Vian; 24 grandchildren, 33 great-grandchildren and nine great-great-grandchildren.
Pallbearers will be firekeepers of Stoke Smith Ceremonial Grounds.
The body may be viewed 1 to 9 p.m. today at the funeral home.
Bill Gann
LAVACA — Bill G. Gann, 67, of Lavaca died Monday, March 11, 2002, in a local hospital. He was born July 31, 1934, in Lavaca. He was a retired hydraulic specialist for O.G.&E. and a member of Lavaca United Methodist Church.
Funeral will be 2 p.m. today in Smith Mortuary Chapel in Charleston with burial at Garden of Memories in Charleston.
He is survived by his wife, S. Gail; two daughters, Myra Keith of Charleston and Marla Granger and of Lavaca; two sisters, Rachel McMaster and Gelene Ray, both of Lavaca; five grandchildren, Mandy Murray, Becky and Derek Keith, Joshua and Jack McRorey.
Pallbearers will be Joshua and Jake McRorey, Derek Keith, Michael Murray, Chris Moore, Andre Sanders, James Maddux and Mitch Lee.
Hezzikiah Ellison
MENA — Hezzikiah Smallwood Ellison, 77, of Mena died Friday, March 8, 2002, in his home. He was born June 11, 1924, in Oden. He was an Army veteran of World War II and a retired brakeman from Southern Pacific Railroad and a member of Grace Bible Church.
Funeral will be 2 p.m. Friday in Hall Funeral Service Memorial Chapel in Mena with burial at Board Camp cemetery.
He is survived by his wife, Mildred; a daughter, Linda Ansley of Anaheim, Calif.; a son, Anthony Ellison of Mena; two sisters, Wilma Russell of Mena and Eunice Mae Huckaby of Duncan, Okla.; a brother, Edwin Ellison of Batesville; and two grandchildren.
