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Esther Renfro
Esther Renfro, 89, of Mulberry died Monday, June 30, 2003, in a Van Buren hospital. She was born May 30, 1914, in Mulberry to Idus Beneux and Shara Kirk. She was a homemaker, a member of Mulberry Church of Christ and was preceded in death by her husband, Clarence Renfro.
Funeral will be 10 a.m. Wednesday at Shaffer Funeral Home Chapel in Mulberry with burial at Oak Bower cemetery in Mulberry with the Rev. Jim Boatwright officiating.
She is survived by two daughters and sons-in-law, Maralee and Don Moore and Phyllis and C.G. Fisher, all of Mulberry; five grandchildren, Shayla and Lonnie Roe, Jeff and Becky Moore, LaRhonda and Jack Sisemore, Justin and Gail Fisher and Dennis and Kim Fisher; six great-grandchildren, Jason Sisemore, Jeremy Fisher, Seth Fisher, Cody Fisher, Billie Fisher and Sara Fisher; and two great-great-grandchildren, Addyson Sisemore and Taylor Sisemore.
Pallbearers will be Jeff Moore, Lonnie Roe, Justin Fisher, Dennis Fisher, Jack Sisemore, Jason Sisemore, Jeremy Fisher, Cody Fisher and Seth Fisher.
The family will visit with friends from 6 to 8 p.m. today at the funeral home.
Edith Dell Fisher
Edith Dell Fisher, 81, of Van Buren died Saturday, June 28, 2003, in a local nursing home. She was a member of the First Baptist Church in Fort Smith, Eastern Star, Salvation Army and RSVP and was Past Mighty Chosen One of the Amrita Caldron. She was first runner-up in the Crawford Healthcare Rehab Center Beauty Pageant in 2002. She was the widow of Clint Fisher.
Funeral will be 10 a.m. today at Ocker Funeral Home Memorial Chapel in Van Buren with burial at Gill cemetery in Van Buren.
She is survived by four daughters, Carolyn Plank of Fort Smith, Marilyn McGrew of Van Buren, Glenda Nixon of Mulberry and Dian Loyd of Visalia, Calif.; a sister, Wilma Giro of Van Buren; 13 grandchildren, 22 great-grandchildren and three great-great-grandchildren.
Pallbearers will be Robert and Christopher Muck, Brandon Nichols, Billy and Joshua Noel and Tony Nixon.
Honorary pallbearers will be her great-grandchildren.
David Henry Hamilton
David Henry Hamilton, 47, of Fort Smith died Thursday, June 26, 2003, in his home. He was born March 15, 1956, in Elaine, son of the late Mack and Mary Wanda Evans Hamilton. A graduate of Coal Hill High School, he was an Air Force veteran and an employee of Pradco Co. in Fort Smith. He was preceded in death by his grandparents, Cleta H. Evans and Jasper H. Evans.
Graveside service will be 10 a.m. Wednesday at Hess cemetery in Coal Hill with the Rev. Dan Baker officiating, under the direction of Hardwicke Funeral Home of Clarksville.
He is survived by a partner, Joe Butler of Fort Smith; the mother of his children, Cheryl Hamilton of Wakeeney, Kan.; three daughters and sons-in-law, Crystal and Nicholas Hale, Christie and Kevin Fry, Casey Hamilton, all of Wakeeney, Kan.; a son Cody Hamilton of Coal Hill; two sisters and a brother-in-law, Mary Joe and Gary Meador of Russellville and Judy Lydon of London; three brothers and sisters-in-law, Donnie and Linda Hamilton of London, Douglas and Jonda Hamilton of Clarksville and James Hamilton of Atkins; two grandchildren, Joseph Fry and Shane Hale, both of Wakeeney, Kan.; three nieces; six nephews; two great-nieces; two great-nephews; three cousins and one aunt, Delia Sisk of Coal Hill.
Chester Harold Ward
Chester Harold Ward, 78, of Pocola passed away Thursday, June 26, 2003. He was a dedicated husband, father and union man, and will be deeply missed.
Born in Okmulgee, Okla., he married
Bessie Douglass in 1943. They lived in Norman, Okla., for a time before eventually settling in Southern California, where they raised three boys. After his retirement from Texaco Oil, he and Bessie returned to Oklahoma and built a house in Summerfield. They have lived in Pocola since 1996, and celebrated their 60th wedding anniversary this past March 8.
Chester will be remembered as a pillar of his family, and for his quiet strength, determination, self-reliance and kindness. He was also an avid gardener and had a deep love of the written word.
He was preceded in death by his oldest son, David. He is survived by his wife, Bessie; two sons, Steve Ward of Rock Island and Jeff Ward of Little Rock; one sister, Alice McHughes of Norman, Okla.; two daughters-in-law, Donna and Kay; niece, Kathy Thompson; four grandchildren, four stepgrandchildren and numerous great-grandchildren, relatives and friends.
Graveside service was held Monday, June 30, at Heavener cemetery under the direction of Dowden Funeral Home of Heavener.
In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to Salvation Army of Leflore County, P.O. Box 12600, Oklahoma City, OK 73157-2600.
Jack Woolridge Bland
Jack Woolridge Bland, 97, of Sherman, Texas, formerly of Fort Smith, passed away Sunday, June 29, 2003, in Sherman. He was a retired vice president of operations for Arkansas Oklahoma Gas Company, and a member of South Side Baptist Church.
Memorial service will be 1 p.m. Wednesday, July 2, 2003 at Edwards Funeral Home Chapel in Fort Smith with a private family committal.
He is survived by his wife of 74 years, Mattie E. Bland of Sherman, Texas; two daughters, Jacqueline Mehaffey of Sherman, Texas, and Nancy Lumsden of Tupelo, Miss.; a sister, Frances Shaw of Fort Smith; five grandchildren, Jacqueline Keim of Corvallis, Ore., Christopher Lumsden of Tupelo, Miss., Benjamin Lumsden of Oxford, Miss., Mark Bland Mehaffey of Sherman, Texas, and Michelle Ferguson of Sherman, Texas; six great-grandchildren, Andrew Lumsden of Tupelo, Miss., and Darah Stephens, Madison Ferguson, Michael Mehaffey, Kistina Mehaffey and Laura Yancy, all of Sherman, Texas.
Pallbearers will be Alan Hales, Don Bandy, Bill Phillips, William R. Walker, Curtis Sawyer, Spence Leamons, Gene Boone and Hugh Johnson.
Family will receive friends from 6:30 to 8 p.m. today at the funeral home.
Memorial contributions may be made to South Side Baptist Church General Funds, 2400 Dodson Ave., Fort Smith, AR 72901.
Elizabeth Marie Bugg
Elizabeth Marie Bugg, 97, of Fort Smith died Sunday, June 29, 2003, in a local hospital. She was a member of First United Methodist Church, the Uplifters Sunday school class and Community Rescue Mission. She was preceded in death by her husbands, Raymond Ford and Raymond Bugg.
Funeral arrangements are pending. Burial will be at Forest Park cemetery in Fort Smith under the direction of Edwards Funeral Home of Fort Smith.
She is survived by a son, Robert Raymond Ford and his wife, Kimiyo of Kailua, Hawaii; a stepdaughter, Elizabeth Bugg Edwards of Fort Smith; a grandson, Douglas Ford of London, England; five stepgrandchildren, Delmar “Butch” Edwards III, Judy Edwards and Jim R. Edwards, all of Fort Smith, Luther Ray Hodges Jr. of Oklahoma City and Joe Hodges of Little Rock.
Memorial contributions may be made to First United Methodist Church, 200 N. 15th St., Fort Smith, AR 72901.
Gary Walker
SALLISAW — Gary Dean Walker, 42, of Sallisaw died Sunday, March 30, 2003, in Athens, Texas. He was born Dec. 11, 1960, in Tahlequah, Okla. He was a 1979 graduate of Sallisaw High School and a 1995 graduate of Northeastern State University, an Army National Guard veteran, a physical education teacher and substitute teacher in Sequoyah County and a Protestant.
Funeral will be 2 p.m. Wednesday at Agent Funeral Home Chapel in Sallisaw with burial at Round Mountain cemetery west of Vian.
He is survived by his mother, Vida; three sisters, Deborah and Patricia Walker and Linda Sparks, all of Sallisaw; and a brother, Garren Walker.
Pallbearers will be Mike Brooks, Mark O’Neal, Chris Henley, Victor Kostka, Charles Roberts, George Gummere, Ricky Taylor and Shawn McDonald.
Honorary pallbearers will be family.
The body may be viewed 9 a.m. to 9 p.m. today at the funeral home.
Welton Hall
Welton T. Hall, 88, of Fort Smith, formerly of Branch, died Saturday, March 29, 2003, in a local nursing home. He was born Dec. 8, 1914, in Cecil. He was a retired Berylwood Investment Company in Somis, Calif., and the Oxnard Union High School District, a member of Wesley United Methodist Church in Fort Smith, the Elks Club and Fraternal Order of the Eagles, both in Fort Smith.
Funeral will be 2 p.m. today at Caulksville Cumberland Presbyterian Church with burial at Caulksville cemetery under the direction of Smith Mortuary of Charleston.
He is survived by his wife, Idell; a daughter, Sandra Newhart of Fort Smith; a grandchild and one great-grandchild.
Pallbearers will be David Crumpacker, Tom Apple, Henry Hauser, Kenneth Martin, Steve Hill and David Armbruster.
Memorial contributions may be made to Cecil Methodist Church, Cecil, AR 72930 or Caulksville Cumberland Presbyterian Church, Ratcliff, AR 72951.
Pearly McCullar
MCCURTAIN — Pearly Ray McCullar, 81, of McCurtain died Monday, March 31, 2003, in McCurtain.
Funeral will be 2 p.m. Wednesday at First Assembly of God in McCurtain with burial at Milton cemetery in McCurtain under the direction of Mallory Funeral Home of Stigler.
He is survived by his wife, Charlene; two daughters, Shirley Pritchard and Patsy Blaylock, both of McCurtain; a son, Boyd McCullar of Ozark; a sister, Vera James of Oklahoma City; three brothers, Bandy McCullar of Spiro, Markey McCullar of McCurtain and Pudger McCullar of Kinta; eight grandchildren, 17 great-grandchildren and two great-great-grandchildren.
Pallbearers will be Melvin, Alvin and Kenny Blaylock, Robbie Farmer, Mike Gould and Steven Lovell.
Rabon Donathan
MCCURTAIN — Rabon “Speedy” Donathan, 72, of McCurtain died Sunday, March 30, 2003, in Muskogee, Okla.
Funeral will be 10 a.m. Wednesday at Mallory Funeral Home Chapel in Stigler with burial at Miners cemetery in McCurtain.
He is survived by two daughters, Mara Lyons of Wyoming and Michelle Weddings; a brother, Curtis Donathan of Keota; and one grandchild.
Pallbearers will be Harold Halton, Bill Wayt, Dave Faunce, Carl Bozarth, Harvey Bowen and Royce Calvert.
Morene Smith
BOONEVILLE — Morene Smith, 86, of Booneville died Sunday, March 30, 2003, in Booneville. She was retired from Ace Comb Company in Booneville and a member of First Baptist Church in Booneville. She was the widow of Penn Smith.
Funeral will be 2 p.m. Wednesday at Roberts Funeral Home Chapel in Booneville with burial at Carolan cemetery near Booneville.
She is survived by a daughter, Linda Tabor of McGhee; a son, Rogers Smith of Fayetteville; a sister, Neely Taylor of Arkadelphia; five grandchildren; and 10 great-grandchildren.
The family will visit with friends from 4 to 6 p.m. today at the funeral home.
Rev. Ethan Dodgen
DALLAS — The Rev. Dr. Ethan Willard Dodgen, 98, of Dallas, formerly of Siloam Springs, died Wednesday, March, 6, 2003, in Dallas. He was born Dec. 2, 1904, in Westville, Okla. He was a minister for more than 40 years in Arkansas. He graduated from Hendrix in 1929 and from Perkins Seminary at SMU in 1932, a former minister for First United Methodist Church in Springdale, served as district superintendent for Jonesboro District as well for Fort Smith District.
A memorial service will be 11 a.m. Saturday at First United Methodist Church in Siloam Springs with a private family burial at Elm Springs cemetery under the direction of Wasson Funeral Home of Siloam Springs.
He is survived by his wife, Grace; two daughters, Mary Cochran of Dallas and Sarah Johnson of Vallejo, Calif.; a son, Dr. John Dodgen of San Diego; a sister, Ruby Holcomb of Siloam Springs; nine grandchildren and eight great-grandchildren.
Memorial contributions may be made to United Methodist Committee on Relief, 475 Riverside Dr., Room 330, New York, NY 10115.
Edward Douglas
LAVACA — Edward H. Douglas, 82, of Lavaca died Saturday, March 29, 2003, in Fort Smith. He was born Oct. 19, 1920. He was a World War II Army veteran, a member of the VFW, DAV and American Legion, the First Baptist Church in Lavaca and a retired mechanic for Sebastian County.
Funeral will be 10 a.m. today at Lavaca First Baptist Church with burial 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 Birchfield, both of Lavaca; a brother, James Douglas of Roland; 13 grandchildren and 24 great-grandchildren.
Pallbearers will be Mac and Randy Green, Johnny and Steve Helms, Kenny Hobbs and Jack Tate.
Honorary pallbearers will be deacons of Lavaca First Baptist Church.
D.J. Price
HOWE — D.J. Price, 78, of Howe died Sunday, March 30, 2003, in Poteau. He was born April 22, 1924, in LeFlore. He was a veteran of World War II. He served in the Chemical Warfare Group in England. He was a meat manager of various grocery and supermarkets, a member of Spiro Masonic Lodge and received his 50-year pin at Heavener Masonic Lodge No. 154, was active in Kiamichi area Brotherhood organization, a member of the Eastern Star, a charter member and deacon of Bethel Baptist church, a Sunday school teacher and at church camp.
Funeral will be 10 a.m. Wednesday at Bethel Baptist Church in Wister with burial at Howe cemetery under the direction of Evans & Miller Funeral Home of Poteau.
He is survived by his wife, Annabelle; a daughter, Anna Smith of Poteau; six grandchildren and six great-grandchildren.
Pallbearers will be Lanny Akers, Anthony Ballew, Simon Billy, Rodney Nobles, Dennis Shoup and Sam Walden.
Honorary pallbearers will be the deacons of Bethel Baptist Church and the members of DJ’s Sunday school class.
