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Evelyn Griffith
RECTOR -- Evelyn Frances Waldron Barker Griffith was born, the youngest of 10 children, to the late Charles and Lilly Wells Waldron on Jan. 29, 1923. She departed this life on Tuesday, Feb. 6, 2007.
Evelyn was a homemaker and very family oriented. She attended Evangelical Methodist Church at Hargrave Corner. She was a devoted caregiver for both her husbands during their illnesses. She also cared for her siblings in their time of need.
She was a devoted mother, always ready to lend a hand when her children or grandchildren needed her for wisdom or advice. She was a wonderful cook and created many recipes that will be passed down for generations, especially her chicken and dressing.
Evelyn was married to the late Iddo Leslie Barker, the father of her children, for 35 years before his death in August 1974.
Later she married Albert Griffith in May of 1976. After 26 years of marriage, he departed this life in September 2002.
She was also preceded in death by a daughter, Cathy Lynn Barker, at the age of 6 years. All her siblings preceded her in death. They were Lottie Thorn, Grace Harber, Andrew Waldron, Gertie Oliver, Jay Waldron, Bertha Lyles, Marie Stallings, Charles Waldron and Clinton Waldron.
She was also preceded in death by a son-in-law, Julian Johnson, and great-grandson, Nicholas Courtial.
She will be missed by her children and their spouses, Joan Johnson of St. Louis, Charles and Judy Barker of Ravenden and Monta and Mike Hedge of Marmaduke; stepchildren and spouses, Melba Jean and Bill New of Florida and James A. and Dollie Griffith of Paragould.
Her grandchildren and their spouses include Dianne Jones Dittmer of Missouri, Julie and Rob Courtial of Carlisle, Ill., Candy and Dennis Bishop of Paragould, Todd and Pam Barker of Piggott, Dawn and Ward Robinson of Rector and Leslie and Keith James of Marion.
Her great-grandchildren are April Johnson, Danny and Vince Jones, Anthony and Courtney Courtial, Brandon Bishop, Colbie and Carly Robinson and Emma Grace James.
She is also survived by a host of special nieces, nephews and friends.
Services will be Friday at 2 p.m. at Irby Funeral Home in Rector with Fred Barker and Kim Bridges officiating.
Visitation will be Thursday evening from 5-9.
Active pallbearers will be Rob Courtial, Ray Matlock, Dennis Bishop, Ward Robinson, Keith James and Brandon Bishop.
Honorary pallbearers will include John Oliver, Jack Lyles, Jim Waldron, Wayne Ingram and David Cagle.
Jean Lawrence
BROOKLAND -- Jean Lawrence, 81, of Brookland died Monday Feb. 5, at St. Bernards Medical Center.
Born in Brookland, she was retired from Frolic Footwear. She was a member of the Pine Log Methodist Church since 1938 and was the pianist.
Survivors include two daughters, Belinda Farley of Brookland and Renta Ellenburg and son-in-law Kenneth Ellenburg of Brookland; one sister, Doris Bishop and husband Bob Bishop of Brookland; sister-in-law, Agnes Morrison of Amherst, Ohio; four grandchildren, Adam Farley of Brookland, Amy Eaves Litt of Los Angeles, Dustin Ellenburg and Kayla Isbell, both of Jonesboro; and 12 great-grandchildren.
She was preceded in death by her husband, Morris Ellis "Pete" Lawerence, Jr., and her parents, Hugh and Beulah Slayton Adams.
Active pallbearers will be Dustin Ellenburg, Zachary Ellenburg, Zackery Isbell, Bobby Bishop, Dale Fisher, Eric Eaves and Jack McCann. Honorary pallbearers will include Wayne Farley, Adam Farley, Dr. Mark Wood, David Rainwater, J.P. Haff, Bill Morrison Jr., Joe Purnell, Edward Nelms, Larry Rogers, Harvey Newcom, Pine Log Methodist Women's Group, Rick Sandborn, Dennis Gilliam, Bob Weese, Ross "Dude" Elder, first floor West nurses and staff of St. Bernards.
Funeral services will be at 10 a.m. Thursday at Pine Log Methodist Church in Brookland. Herschel Richardson will officiate. Visitation will be from 5-7 p.m. today at Roller-Farmers Union Funeral Home. In lieu of flowers memorials may be made to Pine Log Cemetery
Fund, 1414 Clover Circle, Paragould 72450, or Pine Log Methodist Church, P.O. Box 211, Brookland 72417.
Donald Eugene Markum
PIGGOTT -- Donald Eugene Markum, 71, of Piggott, formerly of Holcomb, Mo., died Saturday, Feb. 3, 2007, at NEA Medical Center in Jonesboro.
Mr. Markum was born Feb. 17, 1935, in Black Oak. He was a member of Shady Grove Baptist Church in Piggott and was a retired sales representative.
On April 9, 1966, he married Mary Martin in Memphis. She survives.
Other survivors include one son, Monty Markum of Piggott; three daughters, Holly Searight of Collierville, Tenn., Mary Dawn Tichenor of Hots Camp, Miss. and Martye Nelson of Jonesboro; one sister, Doris Jean Warren of Albuquerque, N.M.; his father, Hubert Markum of Campbell, Mo.; and six grandchildren.
Funeral service will be at 2 p.m. today at Bradshaw Funeral Home in Kennett, Mo., with the Rev. Mike Book officiating. Burial will be in Memorial Gardens in Kennett.
Ed Pierce
JONESBORO -- Ed Pierce, 84, of Jonesboro, died Tuesday, Feb. 6, 2007, in NEA Medical Center.
Arrangements are incomplete and will be announced by Rollers-Farmers Union Funeral Home.
Ben E. Taylor
BATESVILLE -- Ben E. Taylor, 92, of Batesville, formerly of Cave City, died Tuesday, Feb. 6, at the Wood Lawn Nursing Home in Batesville.
He was born Dec. 8, 1914, at Evening Shade to Sam and Leona (Arnold) Taylor.
Funeral services will begin Thursday at 2 p.m. at the Qualls Funeral Home Chapel in Cave City with Eugene Garner officiating. Burial will follow in the Cave City Cemetery
with arrangements by Qualls Funeral Home of Cave City.
Visitation will be from 6-8 p.m. today.
Charles Barrett Taylor
CARAWAY -- Charles Barrett Taylor, 79, of Caraway, died Monday, Feb. 5, at St. Bernards Medical Center.
Born in Caraway on Nov. 18, 1927, he was a retired school mechanic and custodian, a U.S. Army veteran of World War II, member of the American Legion and Masonic Lodge and of the Assembly of God belief.
He was preceded in death by his parents, Josh and Beddie Taylor, and one daughter, Judy Taylor Daughtery.
Survivors include his wife, Fay Brewer Taylor of the home; two sons, Gary Taylor and his wife Debbie and Curtis Taylor and his wife Lisa, all of Caraway; grandchildren, Chrystal Blake and her husband Brad, Garrett Taylor, Kabe Taylor, Lauren Taylor and Caroline Taylor; and one great-grandson, Caden Blake.
A memorial service will be held at 11 a.m. today at Caraway First Baptist Church with the Rev. Rick Stevens officiating.
The family will receive visitors at the Taylor residence at 204 Illinois Ave. in Caraway.
Funeral arrangements are under the direction of Gregg Funeral Home in Monette.
Lasting memorials may be sent to St. Jude Children's Hospital in Memphis.
Helen Thompson
ALICIA -- Helen Mae Thompson, 84, of Alicia, passed away Tuesday, Feb. 6, 2007.
Born Oct. 16, 1922, in Swifton, daughter of T.W. and Myrtle Mitts Helms, she was a homemaker and a member of the Church of Christ.
Mrs. Thompson was united in marriage on Dec. 23, 1938, to Melvin Thompson, who preceded her in death on Nov. 28, 1992. She was also preceded in death by her parents; a daughter, Cheita Lane; a son, Billy Paul Thompson; two sisters; and a brother.
Mrs. Thompson is survived by a son, Roger Thompson of Egypt; five daughters, Jo Anna Mann of Sardis, Miss., Barbara Wingo of Jonesboro, Paulette Richards of Jacksonville, Lynda Brewer of Barnhart, Mo., and Kay Newell of Alicia; 13 grandchildren; 26 great-grandchildren, eight great-great-grandchildren.
Funeral services will be Thursday at 10 a.m. in the Bryan Funeral Home Chapel with L.J. Hogue officiating.
Those serving as active pallbearers will be Chris Brewer, Marty Lane, Kiley Thompson, Joshua Wingo, Melvin Halstead and Clyde Canard. Honorary pallbearers will be Randy Bennett, Larry Horton and Eddie Joe Mann.
Interment will be in the Arnold Cemetery
near Swifton under the direction of the Bryan Funeral Home of Hoxie.
Visitation will be from 5-7 p.m. today.
Remes William Wattigney
MANILA -- Remes William Wattigney, age 66, of Manila, formerly of Ravenden Springs, died Tuesday at Great River Medical Center in Blytheville.
Born in Algiers, La., he had lived in Ravenden Springs for 32 years before making his home in Manila. He was a self-employed welder and of the Catholic faith.
He was preceded in death by his parents, Remes and Catherine Licata Wattigney, and a daughter, Patricia Ann Mapes.
Survivors include his wife, Sheila Wattigney of the home; two sons, Jeremiah Wattigney of Manila and Jonathan Wattigney of Monette; two daughters, Raye Lynn Wiley of Houma, La., and Samantha Simpson of Horn Lake, Miss.; two brothers, Edward Wattigney and Anthony Arnona, both of Louisiana.
He also leaves 10 grandchildren and two great-grandchildren.
Graveside services will be at 2 p.m. in Manila Cemetery
with the Rev. Joseph Pallo and the Rev. Thurmond Holt officiating. Services are under the direction of Howard Funeral Service of Manila.
Joe Ruben Barker Sr.
TRUMANN -- Joe Ruben Barker Sr., 68, of Trumann died Sunday at the VA Hospital in Memphis.
He was born in Harrisburg and had lived most of his life in Trumann. He was a foreman for Singer Company and Baldwin Piano Co., veteran of the U.S. Navy and Vietnam War and member of First Christian Church.
Survivors include his wife, Brenda Powers Barker of the home; a daughter, Tracey Custer of Clearwater, Fla.; two sons, Joe Barker Jr. of Trumann and Jeremy Nathan Barker of Dunedin, Fla.; three sisters, Florence Martin, Maxine Fry and Mary Kathryn Mills, all of Trumann; and three grandchildren.
Graveside services will be Wednesday morning at 10 in Bolivar Cemetery
in Harrisburg with the Rev. Bill Maxwell officiating. Burial will follow under the direction of Thompson Funeral Home of Trumann.
Active pallbearers will be Ricky Rooker, Bobby Condra, Ron Hall, Kenny Thompson, Don Roberts, Junior Drennin, Don Roberts and Jay Hendrix.
Honorary pallbearer will be Dale Teague.
Visitation will be this evening from 5-7 at Thompson Funeral Home.
