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William J. Rowe Sr.
DECATUR, Ga. — Dr. William Johnston Rowe Sr., DDS, of Decatur passed away on Friday, April 18, 2008, following a prolonged illness.
Dr. Rowe, the son of the late Judge and Mrs. Randell Hendricks Rowe Sr., was born at Thomaston, Ga., and reared at Madison, Fla. He attended Emory at Valdosta and was awarded the degree of doctor of dental surgery from Emory University School of Dentistry in 1957. He was a member of Pi Kappa Alpha fraternity and Delta Sigma Delta dental fraternity.
Dr. Rowe served as captain with the United States Army in Korea. Following an honorable discharge he returned to Decatur, where he practiced dentistry for 50 years. He was a member of Clairmont Presbyterian Church and the Decatur Lions Club.
Dr. Rowe was passionate about his profession. He was an active member and past chairman of the Wilmer Eames Dental Study Group and a member of the Hinman Dental Society, the Northern District Dental Society, the Georgia Dental Association, the Academy of General Dentistry and a life member of the American Dental Association.
He was a voracious reader and made knowledge and learning a lifelong priority. He also enjoyed woodworking and music.
Dr. Rowe’s other great love was for his family and his family of patients. He always placed the wants and needs of others before his own and derived great joy from being able to help others achieve their dreams. This example inspired his son to follow in his footsteps in a career of dentistry. His example of selfless service and compassion should serve as a model for the healthcare community.
He is survived by his wife of 43 years, Elizabeth “Betty” Cobb Rowe; a son, William Johnston Rowe Jr., DDS; daughter-in-law, Kristy Roberts Rowe, DDS; a granddaughter, Katherine Grace Rowe of Jonesboro; a brother and sister-in-law, Mr. and Mrs. Randell Hendricks Rowe Jr. of Madison; a mother-in-law, Mrs. J. Everette Cobb of York, Ala.; a brother-in-law and sister-in-law, Dr. and Mrs. Thomas L. Wells of Mobile, Ala.; nieces and nephews, Judge and Mrs. Randell H. Rowe III, Mr. and Mrs. Craig Chadwick, Mr. and Mrs. Charles L.J. Smith and Mr. Thomas L. Wells Jr.; and a host of other wonderful family and dear friends. The family also makes a sincere expression of gratitude to all the nurses, caregivers, and doctors who cared for Dr. Rowe in his time spent in the Intensive Care Unit, 3200 floor and 3600 floor of DeKalb Medical Center.
Memorial services will be held at 11 a.m. Friday in the chapel of A.S. Turner and Sons at Decatur with the Rev. Ron Hieber and the Rev. Megan Johnson officiating.
A family graveside service will be performed at York at a later date.
In lieu of flowers memorials may be made to Clairmont Presbyterian Church, 1994 Clairmont Road, Decatur 30033; or DeKalb Medical Center Foundation, 2701 North Decatur Road, Decatur 30033.
The family will receive friends from 6-8 p.m. Thursday in A.S. Turner and Sons.
Wilma Christopher
HOXIE — Wilma Christopher, 79, of Hoxie, formerly of Clover Bend, passed away Sunday, April 27.
Survivors include his brothers, Loyd Christopher and wife, Jeanie of Alton, Mo., and Lowell Christopher and wife, Barbara of Walnut Ridge; sisters, Genevieve Williams of Hoxie, Linda Spargo and husband, Glendon, of Jonesboro, and Estalea Butler and husband, Gary, of Sulphur, La.; four nephews; six nieces; six great-nephews; and nine great-nieces.
Services will be Wednesday at 10 a.m. Interment will be in Old Lebanon Cemetery
under the direction of Bryan Funeral Home of Hoxie.
Visitation will be this evening from 6-8.
Elleba B. Johnson Clester
BRADFORD — Elleba B. Johnson Clester, 85, of Bradford died Sunday.
She was a member of the Bradford Church of Christ.
She is survived by sons, John Elmer Johnson, Tom Johnson and Dennis Johnson; two daughters, Joe Ann Rogers and Shirley Heintz; one brother, Verl Latting; five sisters, Dean Stroud, Pat Graham, Ottie Kimbrough, Rita King and Vida Hodges; 10 grandchildren; 11 great-grandchildren; and several nieces and nephews.
Funeral services are 2 p.m. Wednesday at Bradford Church of Christ. Interment will be in Heard Cemetery. Arrangements by Jackson’s Newport Funeral Home.
Visitation is tonight, 5-7, at the funeral home.
Lucy M. Hornbeck
HOXIE — Lucy M. Hornbeck, 89, of Hoxie passed away Monday.
She was preceded in death by a brother and sister.
Survivors include a daughter, Lawanda McGinty of Walnut Ridge; a son, Tion Augustine of Gravette; a sister, Mary Ann; and several grandchildren and great-grandchildren.
Graveside services will be Wednesday at 2 p.m. Interment will be at the Trinity Cemetery
at Bono under the direction of the Bryan Funeral Home of Hoxie.
Visitation will be Wednesday from noon-1:30 p.m. at the Bryan Funeral Home.
Rickey Capersio Moore
TRUMANN — Rickey Capersio Moore, 51, of Trumann died April 19, 2008, at St. Bernards Medical Center.
There are no immediate survivors. Emerson Funeral Home is in charge of arrangements.
Jerry Wayne Pettit
POCAHONTAS — Jerry Wayne Pettit, 56, died Friday, April 25, 2008, at his residence and entered eternal life.
He was born Dec. 17, 1951, in Monette. He was of the Pentecostal faith and had worked for the City of Jonesboro.
Survivors include his wife, Belvia Pettit of the home; his mother, Shooee Pettit of Caraway; seven sons, James Rodden of Brookland, Kenneth Gillmore of Little Rock, Richard Rodden of Alton, Ill., David Rodden of Jonesboro, Timothy Pettit, Brandon Pettit and John Pettit, all of Dalton; seven daughters, Susie Carpenter of Etowah, Misty Weston of Ravenden Springs, Amy McQuay, Chrissy Ledbetter, Amber Pettit, Krystal Pettit and Chelsea Pettit, all of Dalton; seven brothers, James Pettit, Marty Pettit, Wade Pettit and Loren Pettit, all of Caraway, Floyd Pettit of Osceola, Rod Pettit and Roger Pettit, both of Jonesboro; two sisters, Janette Nichols of Cooter, Mo., and Linda Wells of Caraway; 21 grandchildren; nine great-grandchildren; and 114 foster children.
He was also preceded in death by his father, Dolphis Pettit, and two daughters, Elizabeth Jackson and Cindy Gilmore.
A celebration of his life will be held today at 2 p.m. at Gregg Funeral Home Chapel in Jonesboro with Huey Meherg, Larry Gandy, Charles Bennett and Calvin Boatart officiating. Burial will follow in Caraway Cemetery.
Honored to serve as pallbearers are his brothers and as honorary pallbearers, David Wells and Ray Nichols.
Ancil Leonard Rice
MANILA — Ancil Leonard Rice, 88, of Manila passed away Saturday, April 26, 2008, at his home.
Born at Manila, he was the son of the late Benjamin and Ida Bell Rice and a lifelong Manila resident. Mr. Rice was a retired road foreman for the Arkansas State Highway Department and member of Blackwater Baptist Church.
In addition to his parents, he was preceded in death by his wife, Mrs. Martha Rice; son, Wayne Rice; and sister, Harriet Schultz.
Survivors include his sons, Donnie Rice of Manila, and Rick Rice and wife, Kathy, of Jefferson City, Tenn.; brothers, J.B. Rice and Murel Rice, both of Manila; sisters, Lorean Hutton of Manila and Edith Nau of Flint, Mich.; four grandchildren; and six great-grandchildren.
Funeral services will be today at 10 a.m. at Howard Funeral Chapel in Manila with the Rev. William Piercy officiating. Burial will follow in Manila Cemetery.
Van Gray Richardson
JONESBORO — Van Gray Richardson, 77, of Jonesboro passed away Sunday, April 27, 2008, at St. Bernards Medical Center.
He was born in Swifton March 19, 1931, to Van Thomas and Julia Richardson. Mr. Richardson was a stationary engineer for the state of Arkansas. He was also a member of Swifton Church of Christ.
Mr. Richardson served proudly in the U.S. Army during the 
Korean War, was a member of the 78th AAA Gun BD and received the Bronze Star and was a lifetime member of the Veterans of Foreign Wars, Post 1991.
He leaves behind his wife, Betty Jane Richardson of the home; son, Van Gray Richardson Jr. of Kansas City, Kan.; stepson, Michael David Baugh of Boulder, Colo.; daughter, Kathy Hinshaw of Kansas City; stepdaughter, Bobbie Gann of Jonesboro; three sisters, Carol Crider of Swifton, Joan Fullerton of Memphis and Frances Crawley of Benton; nine grandchildren; and five great-grandchildren.
He was preceded in death by his parents; infant daughter; stepdaughter, Robin Kay Clem; brother, Robert; and three sisters, Inice, Cora and Clarice.
Graveside funeral services and burial will be held Thursday at Swifton Cemetery, beginning at 11 a.m. with Mac Ballard officiating.
Visitation will be held Wednesday evening from 5-7 at Roller-Farmers Union Funeral Home.
Mary Elizabeth Rowland
PARAGOULD — Mary Elizabeth Rowland passed from this life Sunday, April 27, 2008, at home, surrounded by her family.
She was born July 27, 1931, at Paragould to the late Clyde and Mildred Hester. Mary was a follower of Jesus Christ, a devoted member of East Side Baptist Church, loving wife, mother, grandmother and friend who will be greatly missed.
Survivors include her husband of 51 years, Bill Rowland; a daughter, Elaine Marshall, her husband Bryant and their son Evan; a son, Mark Rowland, his wife Carrie and their daughters, Claire and Rachel. Survivors also include a brother, Mack Hester and wife Anne; two sisters, Barbara Parks and husband Bob and Kay Merchant and husband John, all of Paragould.
A celebration of her life will be held at 10 a.m. Wednesday, at East Side Baptist Church in Paragould with the Revs. Jason Noel and Dennis Scudder officiating. Burial will follow in Finch Baptist Church Cemetery
under the direction of Mitchell Funeral Home of Paragould.
Honored to serve as pallbearers will be Joe Reeves, Kelly Wright, Dale Johnston, Michael Church, Bryan Reddick and Ray Noel.
Visitation will be this evening from 6-8 at the funeral home.
Memorials to East Side Baptist Church Homebound Ministries would be appreciated.
Lola Mae Saffell
March 21, 1926-April 27, 2008
SAFFELL — Lola Mae Saffell, 82, of Saffell died Sunday at White River Medical Center at Batesville.
Survivors include her daughters, Nyoka Vaulner of Magness and Peggy Sullivan and husband Carl of Strawberry; brother, James Mize and wife Ruth of Saffell; sister, Berline Sullivan of Moline, Ill.; four grandchildren; and six great-grandchildren.
Her parents, George and Flora Mize; husband, Dale Saffell; infant son; four brothers; and two sisters preceded her in death.
Services will be Wednesday at 10 a.m. at Qualls Cave City Funeral Home with burial in Godwin Cemetery
at Saffell.
Visitation will be this evening from 6-8.
