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Beverly Robinson Butterfield Whitbeck
Beverly Robinson Butterfield Whitbeck died on March 19, 2006 at age 90. She was born in Oklahoma City, OK on September 2, 1915 to Edward Spencer Butterfield and Davidzene Robinson Butterfield. She was baptized and confirmed at St. Paul’s Episcopal Cathedral in Oklahoma City. On December 26, 1938 she was married
to Frank Lynn Whitbeck at St. Paul Episcopal Cathedral and together they had two children, Edward Lynn Whitbeck in 1939 and Frank Butterfield Whitbeck of Little Rock, AR in 1947.
Beverly was pre-deceased by her husband of sixty-four years, Frank Lynn Whitbeck in 2002 and her son Edward Lynn Whitbeck in 1965. She is survived by her son Frank Butterfield Whitbeck, his wife Elisabeth Rowland Whitbeck and their children, Jackson Forbes Whitbeck, Elisabeth Butterfield Whitbeck, Selby Rowland Whitbeck, Richard Wallace Whitbeck and his wife Sarah Shurgar Whitbeck.
Beverly Whitbeck was a solid part of the “Greatest Generation”. After only three years of marriage, her husband volunteered to serve in the Army after the bombing of Pearl Harbor at the outbreak of World War II. Left at home to raise her first child, she volunteered at USO gatherings, helped sell War Bonds and traveled by train cross-country to meet her husband when his Army Troop Ship docked in New York City and San Francisco. After the war she and her husband moved to Little Rock, AR to work with Union Life Insurance Company based in Little Rock, AR.
In 1946 Beverly and Frank learned that their son Edward had Muscular Distrophy. At that time the Little Rock School System had no mission to work with special needs children. Together Beverly and Frank Whitbeck helped shape the future of public schools not only in Little Rock but throughout Arkansas toward a required calling to work with special needs children. Before his death in 1965 from complications of Muscular Distrophy, Edward Whitbeck graduated from Hall High School and UALR, a feat previously unheard of for a child with MD. Beverly was a regular fundraiser for the Jerry Lewis Muscular Distrophy Telethon, the March of Dimes and was a frequent contributor to the Premature Infant Ward of the University of Arkansas for Medical Sciences in Little Rock.
When her husband decided to start his own business in 1955, Beverly did her part. Always a beautiful and gracious hostess at company gatherings, she also helped decorate the business office. At the first office of Pioneer Western Life Insurance Company(American Foundation Life Insurance Company) on Main Street in downtown Little Rock, the architect for a modern “ mid-air staircase” called for a decorative blue rope draped repeatedly from floor to ceiling. Beverly dyed a lengthy rope the requested color of blue in the family’s washing machine, which not only fulfilled the architect’s (Ed Cromwell’s) modern vision but also kept the family in blue clothing for many months.
Beverly was active along with many other parents seeking to peacefully allow integration of the Little Rock Public Schools in 1957. When Little Rock’s high schools were closed in 1958, she helped create and support the Trinity Interim Academy, a private high school based at Trinity Episcopal Cathedral in Little Rock, AR and the predecessor to the current Cathedral School and Episcopal Collegiate School in Little Rock, AR. When the Little Rock Public high schools were reopened in 1959, it was due to the efforts of many parents including Beverly and Frank Whitbeck participating in and supporting STOP(Stop This Outrageous Purge), the Women’s Emergency Committee and numerous other progressive groups influencing public policy to reopen public high schools in Little Rock.
When her husband ran for the Democratic Nomination for Governor of Arkansas in 1968 she became his best advisor. Raised in a politically astute family in Oklahoma City. She could intuitively identify good political help from bad. When the Whitbeck for Governor campaign embraced gun control (after the tragic deaths in 1968 of Martin Luther King and Bobby Kennedy) and recommended a statewide plan of consolidation of public schools (issues that Arkansans still have difficulty facing today) their less than one year venture in politics ended with the loss of the Democratic Party Primary.
In 1995 when the Murray Federal Building in Oklahoma City was destroyed by a truck bomb, the blast shattered the stained glass windows of nearby St.Paul’s Episcopal Cathedral in downtown Oklahoma City. Beverly and her husband Frank were lead participants in an effort to rebuild and restore the damaged portions of the Cathedral. In 1998 when then President Bill Clinton and Hillary Clinton dedicated a memorial to those who died in the Oklahoma City bombing, they invited Beverly and Frank Whitbeck to attend the occasion with them. Whether at St. Paul’s Episcopal Cathedral in Oklahoma City, at Trinity Episcopal Cathedral in Little Rock (where the handicapped access ramp into the Cathedral built by the Whitbecks in the late 1950’s still serves those in need), at St. Michaels’s Episcopal Mission in West Little Rock, or in her later years at Christ Episcopal Church downtown Little Rock, Beverly Whitbeck could always be counted on to help achieve the mission of the church.
Beverly was a member of the Women’s City Club in downtown Little Rock and the Country Club of Little Rock. She and her husband chose Little Rock as their home and helped make it a better place to live and work, providing economic opportunity for many and a progressive political environment for others to follow.
The Whitbeck family would like to acknowledge the skilled care of many at St. Vincent’s Infirmary, especially Dr. Bruce Sanderson, and the loyal care of many in homecare givers, especially Georgia Babbitt, Gayle McKinney and Mary Harris.
A funeral service will be held at Christ Episcopal Church at 2:00 p.m. Thursday, March 23, 2006 by the Reverend Larry Benfield. Burial will follow in Roselawn Memorial Park. In lieu of flowers memorials may be made to the Premature Infant Ward of the University of Arkansas for Medical Sciences, 4301 W. Markham, Little Rock, AR.72205.
Jeannie "Betty" Elizabeth McCasland Williamson
Jeannie “Betty” Elizabeth McCasland Williamson, of Little Rock died Friday, February 3, 2006. She was born in Texarkana, Texas, the daughter of the late Aubrey and Catherine Cuckler McCasland. Betty was a member of the Chancel Choir and Alter Guild at Trinity United Methodist Church and a volunteer of F.O.C.A.L.
She is predeceased by her husband James Robert Williamson who died in 1993, and an aunt Jennie Hatcher. She is survived by a set-son; Frank Micheal Williamson and wife Beth of Dallas, Texas, James Trusten Williamson, Christopher and Amy Feinhals, Mimi and David Bullen, Gretchen Feinhals, Guro and Jay Feinhals, Kenneth and Joely Williamson all of Dallas, Reverend David Moore, Ann and Henri Barri, Clare and Brent Lauer, Johnpaul Jones all of Little Rock, Lara and Trey Garmon of Lansing, Michigan, and Candy and Wayman Dunlap of Vista, California.
There will be a graveside service Monday at 11am at Rose Lawn Memorial Park officiated by the Reverend David Moore and the Reverend David Steele. Following the graveside there will be a memorial service at 1:30pm at Trinity United Methodist Church in Little Rock. Arrangements are under the direction of Ruebel Funeral Home.
Memorials in lieu of flowers should be made to the Trinity United Methodist Church music fund, 1101 North Mississippi Avenue, Little Rock 72207.
Marc E. Wise
Marc Elbert Wise, M.D., age 35, of Little Rock, died January 22, 2006. He was born in Okinawa, Japan the son of Richard Glenn and Lena Shinzato Wise of Fairfax Station, Virginia. Marc graduated from West Springfield High School in Virginia before graduating from the University of California at Irvine, with a degree in Ppsychology, and the California Western University School of law where he received his law degree. He was presently in his second year of residence in anesthesiology at the University of Arkansas for Medical Sciences. Marc was full of Life, and loved being with his wife Julleah, friends and family. He always expressed his love of Little Rock and the people of the community. He enjoyed music, singing and being with his two labs, Ginny and Betsy. His good humor and good character made all that knew him love him.
Marc is survived by his wife, Julleah Charade Montecillo Wise of Little Rock, his father and mother, Richard Glenn and Lena Shinzato Wise of Fairfax Station, Virginia, sister, Candice E. Wise of Fairfax, Virginia, sister in law Rachel Leach and husband Brian of Orange County, California, sister in law Jessah Paul Montecillo of Orange County, his paternal grandmother, Mildred L. Wise of Washington State, paternal aunt Ellaine C. Trumball of Washington State, and four nieces; Alexis, Antonia, Anneliese, and Anna-Marie.
There will a visitation Wednesday evening from 5 to 7pm at the Ruebel Funeral Home. Followed Thursday with a funeral service at Our Lady of Holy Souls Catholic Church officiated by Monsignor David LeSieur. Arrangements are under the direction of Ruebel Funeral Home.
In lieu of flowers memorials should be made to the Marc E. Wise memorial Scholarship Fund for the University of Arkansas for Medical Sciences, 4301 West Markham Street, Little Rock, Arkansas 72205.
Lt. Col. Ralph M. Sudderth, Jr.
Lt. Col. Ralph M. Sudderth, Jr., beloved husband of Emily "Robin" Sudderth died on Sunday, January 12, 2003, at St. Vincent Infirmary. The son of Annie Beam and Ralph M. Sudderth, Sr., he was born in Huntington, West Virginia, on July 19, 192 1. He attended Marshall College. Serving as a bombardier in the 303rd "Hell's Angels" Bomb Group, he flew thirty missions over Germany in a B- 17 and was awarded the Distinguished Flying Cross. In addition, he served in the Office of Special Investigation as a Special Agent and a Detachment Commander both in the United States and overseas. Following his Air Force career, he was an administrator for the Arkansas Crime Commission. Sud, as he was known, was a member of St. Mark's Episcopal Church where he was active in the men's group known as "The Marks Brothers." He is survived by his wife of 57 years; his daughter and son-in-law, Kimball and Mabry Ford of Memphis, Tennessee; his two sons, Ralph Sudderth III and his wife Lorell Young Sudderth of Little Rock, and Dr. Brian F. Sudderth and his wife Lynn Reecer Sudderth of Benton, Arkansas; and two grandchildren Lauren Marie Sudderth and James Manning Sudderth. A memorial service will be held at St. Mark's Episcopal Church at 2 p.m. Wednesday, January 15, 2003, followed by interment in the St. Mark's Columbarium. Arrangements are under the direction of Ruebel Funeral Home. In lieu of flowers, the family requests that memorials be made to St. Mark's Memorial Fund.
Rosemary Moses Sullivan
Rosemary Moses Sullivan, age 73, of Little Rock, died Wednesday, July 9, 2003. She was born in Pine Bluff where she graduated from high school. She attended the University of Arkansas where she was a member of Chi Omega Sorority. Rosemary was also a past active member of The Junior League of Little Rock and a member of Christ Episcopal Church. She is survived by one son Dabbs Sullivan, III and wife Ann of Little Rock, three daughters; Kim Sullivan Fletcher and husband Jeff of Lonoke, Toni Sullivan Diavatopoulos of Fayetteville, Angela Sullivan McSwain and husband John of McKinney, Texas, and 9 grandchildren.
There will be a funeral service Friday at 2:00 p.m. at the Ruebel Funeral Home chapel officiated by The Reverend Larry Benefield. Burial will follow at Graceland cemetery in Pine Bluff. Arrangements are under the direction of Ruebel Funeral Home.
Memorials may be made to Christ Episcopal Church of Little Rock.
Averell Woodruff Reynolds Tate
Averell Woodruff Reynolds Tate, 94, of Little Rock, great-granddaughter of William Edward Woodruff, founder of the Arkansas Gazette, died Saturday, January 25, 2003. She was born in Little Rock to the late Francis Bennett and Eva Woodruff Bell Reynolds. Mrs. Tate was a graduate of Little Rock High School, the University of Arkansas, Fayetteville, and she attended classes at University of Arkansas Little Rock 1979- 2001. She was a very active member of Trinity Episcopal Cathedral, a retired schoolteacher and member of the Aesthetic Club. Many of Mrs. Tate’s historic collection of artifacts being displayed in museums across Arkansas. She lived many years in the Walters-Curran-Bell-House, 615 East Capitol Avenue, now Curran Hall the Little Rock Visitors Center.
She is predeceased by her husband Fred Lemuel Tate and brother Sam Bell Reynolds and survived by daughter Joan Huot and husband Joseph of Lowell, Massachusetts, son Fred Lewis Tate of Pasadena, California, stepson, George Tate of Bozeman, Montana, brother, Francis Bennett Reynolds and wife Mary Jean of Conway, grandchildren; Michael E. Huot and wife Ada of Nashua, New Hampshire, Denise Huot Carlson of Milton, New Hampshire, Brian M. Huot of Lowell, two great-grandchildren, Christina Huot and Katherine Huot of Nashua, and several nieces and nephews.
The family would like to express their thanks and love to Dr. Ann Riggs and staff of Woodland Hills Nursing Center, and Arkansas Hospice.
Phyllis Marie Geis Tolstedt
Phyllis Marie Geis Tolstedt, 80, of Little Rock died Monday, September 29, 2003. She was born in Sioux Falls, SD where she graduated from Washington, High School. In 1954 she married
Howard Hanson and was the first woman licensed Real Estate Broker in South Dakota. She successfully operated Poulos and Hanson Real Estate Co. until her retirement in 1977 when she and Howard moved to Little Rock. He predeceased her in 1985. She and Grandon Tolstedt were married
in January 1995. Phyllis was a member of Our Lady of the Holy Souls Catholic Church.
She is survived by her husband, one son, Phil Hanson and his wife, Georgia of Sioux Falls, SD and two grandchildren, Andrea Thompson and Peter Thompson.
A Mass of Christian Burial will be held on Thursday, October 2 at 10:00 a.m. at Our Lady of the Holy Souls Catholic Church.
Memorials in lieu of flowers may be made to the South Dakota School for the Blind, Toy Library in Aberdeen, SD.
Cremation arrangements are under the direction of Ruebel Funeral Home.
Herbert C. Turner
Herbert C. Turner, 95, of Little Rock, died Friday, July 18, 2003. He was born on October 26, 1907 in Mulberry, AR and was raised in Ft. Smith. In 1941 he married
Pattie Virginia Polk. Herbert worked his entire adult life calling on pharmacies and drug stores across the state of Arkansas, retiring when he was nearly 85. He was ordained a Deacon and an Elder at First Presbyterian Church where he also served as Sunday School Treasurer for many years. He was currently a member of Westover Hills Presbyterian Church.
He was predeceased by his wife Pattie Polk Turner on July 16, 2003. He is survived by his daughter, Betty Glenn and her husband, Carl, a granddaughter, Sharon Boyd and her husband, Patrick, two great-granddaughters, Erin and Ashlyn, and a sister Victoria Carroll of Ft. Smith.
A graveside service for Herbert and his wife will be held at 10:00 a.m. Saturday followed by a memorial service at Westover Hills Presbyterian Church at 11:00 a.m. Arrangements are by Ruebel Funeral Home.
Memorials may be made to Westover Hills Presbyterian Church Music Program or to Arkansas Hospice.
Pattie Virginia Polk Turner
Pattie Virginia Polk Turner, 93 of Little Rock died Wednesday, July, 16, 2003. She was born on May 26, 1910 in Union City, TN and in 1941 she and Herbert C. Turner were married
. Pattie was retired from the florist business having worked for over 40 years for Colonial Flower Shop. She taught Sunday School for many years at First Presbyterian Church and was currently a member of Westover Hills Presbyterian Church where she received an Honorary Lifetime Membership for Presbyterian Women.
She is survived by her husband, a daughter Betty Glenn and her husband Carl, of Little Rock, a granddaughter, Sharon Boyd and her husband Patrick, two great-granddaughters, Erin and Ashlyn Boyd, one sister, Mary Vest of Van Buren, and several nieces and nephews.
A Time of Remembrance and visitation will be held at 7:00 p.m. Friday in the Chapel of Westover Hills Presbyterian Church, followed by a memorial service at 11:00 a.m. Saturday at Westover Hills Presbyterian Church. The burial will take place prior to the service at 10:00 a.m. in Roselawn Memorial Park.
Memorials may be made to Westover Hills Presbyterian Church Music Program or to Arkansas Hospice. Arrangements are by Ruebel Funeral Home.
Margaret (Peg) Jane Davis Williams
Margaret (Peg) Jane Davis Williams died on July 13, 2003 in Little Rock, Arkansas. Peg was born October 30, 1913 on the Davis Farm in Stronghurst, Illinois. She was an elementary school teacher in Decatur, Illinois until she retired in the late 70's. She returned to teaching part time in Little Rock as an ESL tutor.
She was an active member, until her death, in the Second Presbyterian Church of Little Rock. She participated in the hand bell and Church Choir. Along with passion for people and music she enjoyed ballroom dancing.
A Memorial has been established at the Second Presbyterian Church, 600 Pleasant Valley Drive, Little Rock 72227 designated to the Church Choir. A memorial service under the direction of Ruebel Funeral home will be announced at later date.
Anale Newton Yarbrough
Anale Newton Yarbrough, 81, who was Director of Volunteers & Development at Camp Aldersgate from 1983 to 1986, Administrative Assistant in Attorney General Jim Guy Tucker's office from 1972 to 1976, Special Assistant to Congressman Tucker in Washington from 1977 to 1978, Overseas Director for American Field Service in Thailand from 1967 to 1972, a member of the AFS/USA Board of Directors from 1987 to 1990, and served AFS in Arkansas in many volunteer capacities for over thirty years, died of cancer on February 18th 2002 at her home in Little Rock.
Anale Yarbrough was born in Hope and grew up in Hope and Little Rock. She graduated from Little Rock Central High School in 1938 and from Stephens College in Columbia, Missouri in 1940. After years spent in Dallas and in Southeast Asia, she and her husband moved to historic Butterfield Place at the base of Pinnacle Mountain in 1972, where they hosted innumerable gatherings of friends, until they returned to Little Rock in 1998. She was an active member of Pulaski Heights United Methodist Church, a member of Arkansas Press Women and the National Federation of Press Women, and a member of Governor Bill Clinton's Advisory Council on Volunteerism. She was most recently a volunteer at the Clinton Library Archives, senior spooner and spiritual director at the wall constructed at Lee and Ash, and a signer of the Statement of Concern against the war in Iraq which appeared in the Democrat Gazette on February 13th.
Anale Yarbrough was a fifth generation Arkansan. Her parents were Basil E. Newton and Annie Forney Newton of Hope and Little Rock. Her sister, Alice Newton Gray, Director of the Little Rock Public Library, died in 1979. Her husband of 58 years, William C. Yarbrough, died in 1999.
Survivors include two sons, Bill Yarbrough Jr. of Austin Texas and Ken Yarbrough of Flagstaff Arizona, a daughter, Anne Yarbrough of Washington DC, her adopted son Surin Pitsuwan, M.P., of Bangkok Thailand; ten grandchildren and five great-grandchildren.
Friends are invited to a memorial service at Pulaski Heights United Methodist Church on Friday, February 21st, at 10:00 a.m. with a reception at the church afterward. Private burial will follow. In lieu of flowers, a contribution may be made in Anale's memory to American Field Service USA/198 Madison Ave, 8th floor/ New York NY 10016; Camp Aldersgate /2000 Aldersgate Rd/ Little Rock 72205; or to Heifer Project International/ 1015 Louisiana St/ Little Rock 72202. Arrangements are made by Ruebel funeral home.
