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Ruth Azlin
CLUTE, Texas — Ruth Azlin, 93, of Clute, Texas, formerly of Heavener, died Thursday, March 27, 2003, in Clute. She was a member of the First Baptist Church and a resident of Clute for the past 25 years. She was the widow of Charlie Azlin.
Funeral will be 2 p.m. today at Dowden Funeral Home Chapel in Heavener with burial at Hontubby cemetery in Heavener.
She is survived by a daughter, Ann Morris of Patterson, Calif.; three sons, J.C. Azlin of Eddieville, Iowa, and Andy and Charles Azlin, both of Clute; a sister, Vera Azlin; a brother, Carrol Needham; 12 grandchildren and several great-grandchildren.
Leon Goodwin
CAMERON — Leon Goodwin, 62, of Cameron died Saturday, March 29, 2003, in Fort Smith. He was born Dec. 5, 1940, in Cameron. he was an Air Force veteran and was retired from DeLeval.
Funeral will be 1 p.m. Wednesday at Fairhill cemetery Pavilion in Cameron with burial at Fairhill cemetery under the direction of Evans & Miller Funeral Home of Poteau.
He is survived by his wife, Rose; a daughter, Christine Edgell of Seaville, N.J.; a stepdaughter, Sharon Torpila of Hamilton, N.J.; three sons, Michael and Timothy Goodwin, both of Ocean City, N.J., and Kevin Goodwin of Bordentown, N.J.; and nine grandchildren.
Pallbearers will be Roger Mays, Jimmy Hale, Eric Holton, Jackie Lomon, Jimmy Shirley and Troy Baggs.
Lewis Evans
Lewis Evans, 80, of Fort Smith died Thursday, March 27, 2003, in Fort Smith. He was the retired owner of L&L machine works and an Army veteran of World War II and was awarded the Bronze Star and Good Conduct Medal by the Army. He also was a member of the Alma VFW. He was the widower of Peggy Evans.
Graveside service will be 10 a.m. Tuesday at the U.S. National cemetery in Fort Smith under the direction of Edwards Funeral Home of Fort Smith.
He is survived by a daughter, Debbie Evans of Fort Smith; a son, Larry E. Evans of Fort Smith; a sister, Margarette Murray of Picher, Okla.; and two grandchildren.
Memorial contributions may be made to Central Presbyterian Church, 2901 Rogers Ave., Fort Smith, AR 72904, or the Fort Smith Boys and Girls Club, 4905 N. O St., Fort Smith, AR 72904.
Harry Smith
BARLING — Harry Nelson Smith, 77, of Barling died Saturday, March 29, 2003, in a local nursing home. He was born July 5, 1925, in Homestead, Pa. He served in the Merchant Marines during World War II, was a veteran of the Korean and Vietnam wars and retired as a master sergeant after 20 years of service in the Army. He was retired from Universal Packaging and was a member of the Fort Smith Bowling Association for many years and a Baptist.
Memorial service will be 4 p.m. Tuesday at Lewis Funeral Chapel in Fort Smith with burial at the U.S. National cemetery in Fort Smith.
He is survived by two daughters, Tommie Jaros and Vickie Smith, both of Barling; a son, Michael Moffett Sr. of Rudy; a sister, Mary; a brother, Fred Smith of Georgia; a sister, Mary; nine grandchildren and 14 great-grandchildren.
Welton T. Hall
Welton T. Hall, 88, of Fort Smith, formerly of Branch, died Saturday, March 29, 2003, in a Van Buren nursing home. He was born Dec. 8, 1914, in Cecil to Bill and Minnie Hall. He was retired from Berylwood Investment Co. of Somis, Calif., and the Oxnard Union High School District. He was a member of Wesley United Methodist Church in Fort Smith and a member of the Elks Club and the Fraternal Order of the Eagles in Fort Smith.
Funeral will be 2 p.m. Tuesday at Caulksville Cumberland Presbyterian Church with burial at Caulksville cemetery under the direction of Smith Mortuary of Charleston.
He is survived by his loving wife of 68 years, Idell; a daughter, Sandra Newhart of Fort Smith; a granddaughter, Desiree Hill and her husband Steve Hill of Allen, Texas; and a great-grandson, Samuel Hill.
Pallbearers will be David Crumpacker, Tom Apple, Henry Hauser, Kenneth Martin, Steve Hill and David Armbruster.
The family will visit with friends from 6 to 8 p.m. today at the funeral home.
Memorial contributions may be made in lieu of flowers to Cecil Methodist Church, Cecil, AR 72930, or to Caulksville Cumberland Presbyterian Church, Ratcliff, AR 72951.
Maxine Tucker
Maxine Tucker, 63, of Mansfield died Friday, March 28, in a Fort Smith hospital. She was a homemaker, attended God’s Hope Christian Church in Mansfield and was a follower of Jesus Christ.
Funeral will be 10 a.m. today at McConnell Funeral Home Chapel in Greenwood with burial at Hartford Memorial Park under the direction of McConnell Funeral Home of Greenwood.
She is survived by her husband, David Tucker of the home; a daughter, Susan Kelley and husband Skip of Greenwood; lifelong friends, Namon and Mary Nelson of Barber; and numerous nieces and nephews.
The body may be viewed before the service at the funeral home.
Edward H. Douglas
Edward H. Douglas, 82, of Lavaca died Saturday, March 29, 2003. He was a member of the First Baptist Church in Lavaca, a retired mechanic for Sebastian County, an Army veteran of World War II and a member of the DAV, VFW and the American Legion. He was preceded in death by a son, Donnie Douglas; and a daughter, Edna Fay McKay.
Funeral will be 10 a.m. Tuesday at Lavaca First Baptist Church with burial and full 
military honors at Measles cemetery in Lavaca under the direction of Smith Mortuary of Charleston.
He is survived by his wife, Bertha; two stepdaughters, Angie Jones of Fort Smith and Louise Lovell of Cedarville; two stepsons, Bill Pierce of Arizona and Roger Pierce of Fort Smith; two sisters, Johnnie Williams and Joy Hobbs Birchfield, both of Lavaca; 13 grandchildren and 24 great-grandchildren.
Pallbearers will be Mack and Randy Green, Johnny and Steve Helms, Kenny Hobbs and Jack Tate.
Honorary pallbearers will be deacons of Lavaca First Baptist Church.
The family will visit with friends from 6 to 8 p.m. today at the funeral home.
Virgil L. Sellers
There is more laughter in heaven today! Virgil entered the gates on Tuesday, April 8, 2003, his 80th birthday. He owned and operated the Grand Bakery in Fort Smith for 47 years. He was a member of First Baptist Church in Fort Smith and the Belle Point No. 20, Amrita Grotto and the Fort Smith Shrine.
Virgil was born in Fort Smith to Julia and JV Sellers. He was always very proud of the fact that he lived, most of his life, within a mile of his birthplace. He was a graduate of Fort Smith Senior High School in 1942. He was a baker first class on the USS Hornet and USS Tulagi and a baking instructor at the Hawaii Naval Base during World War II. He and his wife, Irene started the Grand Bakery in 1946.
He loved life! His reputation as the champion of practical jokes was well known. Everyone who knew him was, at one time or another, a willing or unwilling participant in one of his pranks. He loved to sing and family events always included music. He cared a great deal about his community, especially the northside of Fort Smith. He loved people and had an innate ability to help those who were hungry or in need. He was a true example of the heart of a Christian through his loving and giving nature. Over the years, he helped many young people turn their lives around to become successful adults. It was a pleasure for him to celebrate life’s milestones, with others, by preparing cakes for showers, birthdays and weddings as well as catering family and local events. He loved to fish, hunt, and ride motorcycles with his grandkids.
Virgil was preceded in death by his parents, one sister, Florence Hess and two brothers, Leon and Walter Sellers. He is survived by his wife, Irene Owen Sellers; two daughters, Marna Bateman of Spokane, Wash., and Lisa Sellers of Fort Smith; son-in-law, John Bateman of Spokane, Wash.; a sister and two brothers of Fort Smith; two grandchildren, Marlisa Obrycki of Spokane, Wash., and Kip Bateman of Coeur d’ Alene, Idaho; five great-grandchildren and many loving caregivers.
Funeral services will be at 10 a.m. today at First Baptist Church in Fort Smith with interment at Forest Park cemetery in Fort Smith under the direction of Edwards Funeral Home of Fort Smith.
Pallbearers will be Charles Carson, Jim Moore, Joe Potts, Bob Ebbing, Mike and Josh Rich, Kip Bateman and Pooh Arounothay.
Memorial contributions may be made to Media Ministry First Baptist Church, 1400 Grand Ave., Fort Smith, AR 72903. This ministry made it possible for Virgil and Irene and countless other to be a part of a worship service.
Cordelia “Dee” Jackson
Cordelia “Dee” Jackson, 84, of Fort Smith died Tuesday, April 8, 2003, in a local hospital. She was a long time member of Evangel Temple Assembly of God where she taught Sunday school for many years. She was a retired cosmetologist-beautician. She was preceded in death by her husband, Carl.
Funeral will be 10 a.m. Friday at Edwards Funeral Home Chapel in Fort Smith with burial at Roselawn cemetery in Fort Smith.
She is survived by one daughter, Teena Riggins and husband, Carl of Fort Smith; one granddaughter, Dr. Sheri J. Boyd and husband, Patrick of Orlando, Fla.; and two great-grandchildren, Jordan Patrick Boyd and Sarah Rose Boyd, also of Orlando, Fla.
Pallbearers will be Patrick Boyd, Todd Colburn, Keith Orr, Brent and Dennis Riggins and Steve Jones.
The family will visit with friends from 6 to 8 p.m. today at the funeral home.
Memorial contributions may be made to Evangel Temple Building Program, P.O. Box 1077, Fort Smith, AR 72902.
Lillian Irene Fondren
Lillian Irene Fondren, 76, of Fort Smith died Tuesday, April 8, 2003, in a local hospital. She was a homemaker. She was preceded in death by her sons, Johnny and Bruce Lankford.
Funeral will be at 2 p.m. Friday at Putman Funeral Home Chapel in Fort Smith with burial at Oak cemetery in Fort Smith.
She is survived by her husband, John of the home; a daughter, Judith Duckworth of Fort Smith; four sons, Thomas Lankford of Muldrow, Richard and Gary Lankford, both of Fort Smith, and David Lankford of California; two sisters, Geraldine Blake of Davenport, Iowa and Mae Simmers of Madrid, Iowa; 14 grandchildren and 21 great-grandchildren.
Pallbearers will be Allen, Archie, Gary and Thomas Lankford and Danny and Charles Fondren.
The family will visit with friends from 6 to 8 p.m. today at the funeral home.
Elsie Hazel Fuller
Elsie Hazel Fuller, age 94, died in an Alma nursing home Wednesday, April 9, 2003. She was born Dec. 25, 1908, in Mansfield. She was a lifelong resident of Sebastian County until moving to Alma two years ago. She was retired from Better Hearing in Fort Smith and had worked as a switchboard operator and newsstand manager at the Goldman Hotel. She was a member of First Christian Church in Fort Smith since 1941. During the last two years, she attended Southside Baptist Church in Alma.
She was preceded in death by her parents, Charlie and Anna Cleaver; a son, Danny Ware Fuller; her beloved twin sister, Delsie Rachel Cleaver; two other sisters, Stella Gasaway and Ibradene Healy; and a niece, Ann Hobbs. She is survived by her daughter, Shirley Coley Fairfield and son-in-law, Steve Fairfield; a daughter-in-law, Nancy Fuller; seven grandchildren, Dee-Ann Harris, Steve and Mike Fairfield, Danny and David Fuller, Allison Bigheart and Lisa Fine; 17 great-grandchildren and one great-great-grandchild.
Funeral services will be at 10 a.m. Saturday at Edwards Van-Alma Funeral Home Chapel in Van Buren with burial at Forest Park cemetery in Fort Smith.
Pallbearers will be Bob Allen, Jay, Wade and Warren Gasaway, Michael Bigheart, Larry Emory and Mac Holleman.
Honorary pallbearers will be Joe Allen, Graham Meadville and Charles, Jack and Gene Gasaway.
The family will visit with friends from 6 to 8 p.m. Friday at the funeral home.
Myrtle Shelton
Myrtle Shelton, 80, of Alma died Wednesday, April 9, 2003, in a local hospital. She was born July 26, 1922, in Needmore. She was a member of New Life United Pentecostal Church in Alma and a homemaker. She was preceded in death by her husband, Doyle Shelton, and a son, Joey Shelton.
Funeral will be 2 p.m. Saturday at Ocker Funeral Home Chapel in Alma with burial at Dyer City cemetery.
She is survived by three daughters, Patricia Bodine of Dyer, Shirley Sampley of Alma and Mattie Sue Stouss of Mountainburg; four sons, James and Jackie Shelton, both of Alma, Jerry Shelton of Mountainburg and Allen Shelton of Van Buren; 37 grandchildren and 62 great-grandchildren.
Pallbearers will be James, Jerry, Jackie, Allen and Steve Shelton and Michael McClain.
Honorary pallbearers will be Robert Strouss, Ronnie Ocker, Sherman Stampley and James Bodine.
Robert Carter
QUINTON, Okla. — Robert “Bob” Carter, 79, of Quinton died Tuesday, April 8, 2003, in Kinta. He served in the Navy during World War II as gunner mate third class, a member of United Methodist Church in Quinton since 1958 and worked in the oil field for 19 years.
Funeral will be at 10:30 a.m. Friday at United Methodist Church in Quinton with burial at Quinton City cemetery under the direction of Mallory Funeral Home of Stigler.
He is survived by a daughter, Sue Henson of Talihina; two sons, Rodney Carter of Cameron and Kent Carter of Mounds, Okla.; three sisters, Ola Floyd, Sharon McKee and Nan Carter, all of Quinton, Okla.; eight grandchildren; and four great-grandchildren.
Pallbearers will be his grandsons.
Debra Varner
MOUNTAINBURG — Debra Ann “Debbie” Varner, 47, of Mountainburg died Monday, April 7, 2003, in Mountainburg. She was born Feb. 15, 1956, in Mena. She was an office manager for Arkansas-Oklahoma Gas Company, a Mary Kay representative and a member of Church of Christ.
Funeral will be at 2 p.m. today at Hatfield Church of Christ with burial at Six-Mile cemetery under the direction of Beasley-Wood Funeral Home of Mena.
She is survived by her husband, Stanley; a son, Christopher Varner of Mountainburg; her mother, Audrey Singleton of Pine Ridge; her father, Billy Dillard of Cocoa Beach, Fla.; a sister, Pamela Oliver of Jacksonville; three brothers, Bill Dillard of Arlington, Texas, William Dillard of Mena and Terry Martin of Hatfield; half brothers, Robbie and Donald Dillard, both of Cocoa Beach, Fla.; and one grandchild.
Pallbearers will be Donnie Johnson, Doug Beck, Pat Holder, Tommy Floyd, Tony and Vernon Ryan, Bobby Strothers and Delbert Parnell.
