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James “Jimmy” Blackwell Jr.
James “Jimmy” Blackwell Jr., 72, of Springdale, entered into rest, Sunday, Feb. 9, 2003, in a Springdale hospital. He was born June 14, 1930, in Etowah County. James was a retired truck driver for International Paper Company, Army veteran of the 
Korean War, and a member of Richland View Regular Baptist Church in Elkins, was preceded in death by his parents, James W. and Maizie Blackwell, one brother, Thomas and one sister, Millie Samples. He is survived by his loving wife of 49 years, Janelle of the home; two sons, Roger D. and wife, Carol of Fort Smith, Ron D. and wife, Toni of Springdale; two sisters, Willie Mae Wallace of Attalla, Ala., and Ruth Ricker of Front Royal, Va.; three brothers, Flavie of Fort Oglethorpe, Ga., Edward Lee of Lafayette, Ga., and Truett of Gaylesville, Ala.; three grandchildren, Josh, Brianna and Matthew Blackwell. Funeral service will be 10 a.m. today at Lewis Funeral Chapel in Fort Smith with burial at Hight cemetery east of Mulberry. Pallbearers will be Josh and Glenn Blackwell, Bobby Walker, Steven Fisher, Robert Samples and Mike Walker.
Gail Stec
Gail Stec, 56, formerly of Fort Smith, died Tuesday, Feb. 4, 2003, in Tulsa. She served as a nurses aide for Sparks Regional Medical Center.
Services are pending at Edwards Funeral Home of Fort Smith.
There are no known survivors.
Rosie Ebone Newman
Rosie Ebone Newman, 91, of Fort Smith, entered into rest Monday, Feb. 10, 2003, in Fort Smith. She was born Jan. 22, 1912, in Hartford. Rosie was a member of Immaculate Conception Catholic Church, Immaculate Conception Auxiliary and the widow of the late, James Arthur Newman Sr. She is survived by one daughter, Mary Evelyn Hildebrant and son-in-law, Doug of El Paso; two sons, Jimmy and daughter-in-law, Marilyn of Fort Smith and Larry and daughter-in-law, Barbara of Van Buren; a sister, Mary Thomas of Fort Smith and a sister-in-law, Nadine Ebone of Fort Smith; 11 grandchildren and 21 great-grandchildren. Pallbearers will be grandchildren, Brian, Jeffrey and Michael Newman, Janet Mattingly, Wendy Newman, Julie Simpson and Mary Lee Scholz. She loved her family dearly. She was the happiest in her flower garden. She enjoyed oil painting and hand work, especially embroidery. Rosary will be 7 p.m. today at Lewis Funeral Chapel in Fort Smith, with Rosary at 10 a.m. Thursday at Immaculate Conception Catholic Church with burial at Holy Cross cemetery in Fort Smith.
In lieu of flowers, the family requests donations be made to The Fountain of Youth Adult Day Care or Immaculate Conception Ladies Auxiliary.
John A. Rogers
John A. Rogers, 83, of Fort Smith died Sunday, Feb. 9, 2003, in Fort Smith. Born in Yell County, John lived in Fort Smith for more than 50 years and was formerly the owner of Modern Laundry and Cleaners with his wife, Clara. He was a Master Mason, a 52-year member of Belle Point Masonic Lodge No. 20 in Fort Smith.
John was a member of the American Bowling Congress for more than 40 years and past president of the Fort Smith Bowling Association. He had been inducted into both the Fort Smith and Arkansas State Bowling Halls of Fame. He bowled one of the earliest perfect “300” scores ever bowled in the Fort Smith Association. To honor his accomplishments, the “John Rogers League” was named in his honor in 1998 at Bowling World.
Funeral will be 2 p.m. Thursday at Edwards Funeral Home Chapel in Fort Smith with burial at Woodlawn cemetery in Fort Smith.
He is survived by his wife of 62 years, Clara; a daughter, Joanett Blackburn of Dallas; a sister, Jewel Woods of Chowchilla, Calif.; a brother, Boyd Rogers of Santa Clara, Calif.; two grandchildren, John and Charles Blackburn; and three great-grandchildren, Chelsea, Brian and Alicia Blackburn.
Pallbearers will be Steve and Dewayne Thompson, Randy Richards, Don Dennis, Jim Olienyk, Jim Plant and Richard Bandy.
Honorary pallbearers will be members of the Fort Smith Bowling Association Board of Directors.
The family will visit with friends from 6:30 to 8 p.m. today at the funeral home.
Oscar G. “Pee Wee” Bynum
Oscar G. “Pee Wee” Bynum, 89, of Fort Smith died Friday, Feb. 7, 2003, in a local hospital. He was born Dec. 1, 1913, in Paris. He was a retired sexton for Oak cemetery in Fort Smith for 37 years, a member of Salvation Army and preceded in death by a daughter, Mary Ruth Sanders.
Graveside service will be 1 p.m. today at Oak cemetery in Fort Smith under the direction of Lewis Funeral Chapel of Fort Smith.
He is survived by his wife, Jewell of the home; a son, Jim Bynum of Jacksonville, Fla.; a stepson, Bobby Carr of Fort Smith; three sisters, Ann Gabbard and Iva Whitehead, both of Fort Smith, and Hattie Mae McClure of Van Buren; 14 grandchildren, several great-grandchildren and several great-great-grandchildren.
Pallbearers will be C.J. Morrison, Eric Humphrey, Cary Carr, Ronnie Cash, Carl Proctor Jr. and Kyle Sam.
Mrs. Mary Sue Sturgeon
Mrs. Mary Sue Sturgeon, 61, of Fort Smith died Saturday, Feb. 8, 2003, in Cleveland. She was a retired instructor of surgical technology at University of Arkansas at Fort Smith, a graduate of Sparks School of Nursing and attended Spradling Baptist Church. Mrs. Sturgeon and her husband, Keith were owners of D&D Gun and Pawn.
Funeral will be 2 p.m. today at Fentress Mortuary Chapel in Fort Smith with burial at Forest Park cemetery in Fort Smith.
She is survived by her husband, Keith Sturgeon of Fort Smith; two daughters, Stephanie Meeks and her husband, Ricky Meeks and Leslie Sturgeon, all of Fort Smith; two sisters, Harlene Green and Jerri Denton, both of Stilwell, Okla.
Pallbearers will be Don Fenwick, Powell Sanders, Ken Hamilton, Larry Thomas, David Grober, Phil Green and Ed Jones.
Memorial contributions may be made to Bost Residential Services, 7701 South Zero St., Fort Smith, AR 72903.
To place an online tribute visit www.mem.com.
Paul Summerhill
Paul Fenley Summerhill, 92, of Van Buren died Monday, Feb. 10, 2003, in a local hospital. He was born Nov. 7, 1910, in Texarkana, Texas. He was an Air Force veteran of World War II where he spent most of his five year tour on the South Pacific Island of New Caledonia, retired from Kelly Air Force Base in San Antonio after 30 years as an aircraft inspector, a member of Van Buren First Assembly of God and an active member of the Alma Senior Inn.
Funeral will be 10 a.m. Thursday at Edwards Van-Alma Funeral Home Chapel in Van Buren with burial at Gracelawn cemetery in Van Buren.
He is survived by his wife, Marjorie; a daughter, Paula Thompson of Broken Arrow, Okla.; a son, David Summerhill of Pettaluma, Calif.; five grandchildren and three great-grandchildren.
Pallbearers will be Mike Guittare, Frank Owens, Merle Crouch, Hubert Heister, Bill B. Brown and Tom Lewallen.
William Holton
POTEAU — William Roy Holton, 89, of Poteau died Monday, Feb. 10, 2003, in Poteau. He was born May 15, 1913, in Hill Town, Okla. He was former co-owner of Holton-McDonald dealership, cattle and horse sales, a member of South Broadway Church of Christ where he served as elder for many years. He was the widower of Florene Holton.
Funeral will be 2 p.m. today at Evans & Miller Funeral Home Chapel of Memories in Poteau. Private family service at Oakland cemetery in Poteau.
He is survived by three daughters, Margaret Blake of Poteau, Freda Barton of Charlotte, N.C., and Nancy Anderson of Durant, Okla.; a son, William Holton Jr. of Houston; two sisters, Florene Houston and Freda Wickham; 10 grandchildren and 12 great-grandchildren.
Jay Harris
Jay Wade Harris, 54, of Fort Smith died Monday, Feb. 10, 2003, in his home. He was born Jan. 24, 1949, in Hibbing, Minn. He was an architect designer and an Army veteran of the Vietname War.
Memorial service will be 2 p.m. Friday at U.S. National cemetery in Fort Smith. Cremation will be under the direction of Lewis Funeral Chapel of Fort Smith.
He is survived by a daughter, Stacy Caldwell of Fort Smith; a son, Chris Harris of Fort Smith; a sister, Ann Ritter of Van Buren; and two grandchildren.
Avis Day
HEATH, Ohio — Avis Laverne Day, 86, of Heath, Ohio, died Saturday, Feb. 8, 2003. She was born July 24, 1916, in Harmony. She was a Baptist Sunday school teacher, a Brownie Troop leader, taught painting and was a volunteer for the Red Cross. She was the widow of Virgil Day.
Funeral will be 11 a.m. today at Henderson, Van Atta & Johnson Newark Chapel in Newark, Ohio, with burial at Cedar Hill cemetery.
She is survived by two daughters, Jerry Powell of Newark, Ohio, and Jacquelyn Shrock of Heath, Ohio; a brother, Audra Cowan of Fort Smith; seven grandchildren and 11 great-grandchildren.
Memorial contributions may be made to Hospice of Central Ohio, 1984-A Coffman Road, Newark, OH 43055.
Lawrence Johnston
MENA — Lawrence P. Johnston, 91, of Mena died Monday, Feb. 10, 2003, in Mena. He was born June 2, 1911, in Mount Etna, Iowa. He was a farmer and was of the Seventh-day Adventist faith. He was the widower of Erma Johnston.
Funeral will be 10 a.m. Friday at Beasley-Wood Funeral Home Chapel in Mena with burial at Pinecrest Memorial Park.
He is survived by two sons, Clive Johnston of Jewell, Iowa, and Doug Johnston of Stafford, Texas; two grandchildren and two great-grandchildren.
The family will visit with friends from 6 to 8 p.m. Thursday at the funeral home.
Matthew Williams
LITTLE ROCK — Matthew Lamont Williams, 41, of Little Rock, formerly of Fort Smith, died Wednesday, Feb. 5, 2003, in Little Rock. He was a graduate of Northside High School Class of 1979, an Army veteran, a student at Philander-Smith College in Little Rock, a Mason and a member of Mount Olive Baptist Church in Little Rock.
Funeral will be noon Thursday at King Solomon Christian Church with burial at U.S. National cemetery in Fort Smith under the direction of Rowell-Parish Mortuary of Fort Smith.
He is survived by six daughters, LaSandra Williams of Little Rock, Joie, Rachel and Sade Williams, all Fort Smith, Britney Williams of Lawton, Okla., and Ebony Williams of Memphis, Tenn.; his mother, Clydia Williams of Little Rock, his father, Matthew Williams Sr. of Fort Smith; two sisters, Nacola Jackson of Fort Smith and Viola Williams of Washington, D.C.; and one grandchild.
Pallbearers will be Chris Allen, Daniel McLaurien, Charles Thompson, Michael Hinkle, Cecil Dotson and Willie Bell.
Honorary pallbearers will be Omega Psi Phi Fraternity.
The family will visit with friends at 2719 North R Street.
J.D. Rogers
MULDROW — J.D. Rogers, 79, of Muldrow died Monday, Feb. 10, 2003, in Fort Smith. He was born May 25, 1923, in Mulberry. He was a retired plant manager for U.S. Forge Craft in Fort Smith, an Army veteran of World War II and a Missionary Baptist.
Funeral will be 10:30 a.m. Thursday at Agent Funeral Home Chapel in Muldrow with burial at U.S. National cemetery in Fort Smith, military honors provided by the American Legion sponsored by DAV and VFW.
He is survived by his wife, Bonnie; two daughters, Carole Orms and Geraldine Maness, both of Muldrow; a sister, Odessa Homolka of Muldrow; a brother, Bob Rogers of Muldrow; five grandchildren and five great-grandchildren.
The body may be viewed 9 a.m. to 9 p.m. today at the funeral home.
Waldo Thomas
Waldo Alwin Thomas, 86, of Fort Smith died Monday, Feb. 10, 2003, in his home. He was a retired machine operator for Colonial Bakery, employed by Weldon, Williams & Lick, an Air Force veteran of World War II and a Christian.
Funeral will be 10 a.m. Thursday at McConnell Funeral Home Chapel in Greenwood with burial at Pleasant Grove cemetery in Abbott.
He is survived by his wife, Margie; a daughter, Tammy Varner of Van Buren; two sons, Phillip and Ronnie Thomas, both of Fort Smith; two stepdaughters, Charlene Boley and Linda McDaniel, both of Van Buren; two stepsons, Terry Guthrie of Van Buren and Dr. Gary Guthrie of Fayetteville; two sisters, Frances Bridges of Fort Smith and Coretta Richards of West Plains, Mo.; a brother, William Thomas of Harrison; 26 grandchildren and 24 great-grandchildren.
Pallbearers will be Bryan and Kris Thomas, Steve Eubanks, Robert Cochran and Curtis and Cody Varner.
The body may be viewed 1 to 9 p.m. today at the funeral home.
Memorial contributions may be made to St. Edward Mercy Hospice, P.O. Box 17000, Fort Smith, AR 72917.
Arthur Bartell
Arthur E. Bartell, 95, of Fort Smith died Sunday, Feb. 9, 2003, in Fort Smith. He was owner-operator of Judsonia Hardware and Variety.
Memorial service will be 10:30 a.m. Saturday at Trinity Episcopal Church in Van Buren under the direction of Fentress Mortuary of Fort Smith.
He is survived by his wife, Annette; two daughters, Pauline Maxwell of Tuolumne, Calif., and Jackie Howard of Bentonville; a son, Art Bartell Jr. of Fort Smith; six grandchildren, nine grandchildren and five great-great-grandchildren.
Memorial contributions may be made to charity of donor’s choice.
