Rickie Avants, 67, of Hazen, Arkansas passed away unexpectedly on March 23, 2020. He was born on March 6, 1953 to Geraldine Perry. He is survived by two sons, Jason Avants of Reno, Nevada and Caleb (Courtney) Holloway of Brasfield, Arkansas. No services will be held at this time. A private memorial will be held at a later date.
Sarah Nell Marshall Grantham slipped peacefully away in her sleep, at her home in Seven Lakes, NC, on March 1, 2020 at the age of 98, just 6 months short of 99, a milestone which she often said she “always thought” she would reach.
Sarah was born on Sept. 8, 1921, in Des Arc, Arkansas, to Owen Dale and Vera Livesay Marshall. She was the granddaughter of Edward O. Livesay and wife, Mattie Wray, and William Parks Marshall and wife, Sarah Alice Showalter Marshall, all of Des Arc, Arkansas. She spent her early years in Fort Smith, Ar., then moved to Little Rock in the mid-1930’s, where she attended high school. She enjoyed playing harp in the award-winning LRHS orchestra. After having worked in various positions, Sarah retired from Arkansas Retirement Services in 1983. In 2007 she moved to Seven Lakes North, North Carolina, to be near her family.
Sarah was a devout Christian and spent her adult life lovingly caring for her intellectually disabled eldest daughter.
A child of the depression, she was a paragon of thriftiness. At the same time, having an artistic flair and always interested in fashion, she was an accomplished seamstress who created beautiful dresses, coats, hats, and other apparel, often from her own patterns. For over 50 years she was an avid genealogist who enjoyed researching and documenting her family tree. From the dawn of the digital age until the end of her life, Sarah embraced “the computer”, surfing the net, emailing, researching genealogy and enjoying all of its other benefits and distractions.
She lived independently in her own home and was sharp-minded till the very end. Sarah had a remarkable memory and could tell stories or recall the details of distant events as if they happened yesterday.
She is survived by three daughters, Sanna Grantham of Robbins, N.C., Mandy Grantham Goodman and husband, John of Seven Lakes, N.C., and Tammy Grantham Boggus and husband, Jon of Live Oak, Florida; five grandchildren, Dr. Mattie Goodman Nicholas and husband, Dr. Peter of Chapel Hill, N.C., the Rev. C.C. Goodman Schroeder and husband, John of Redlands, California; Mr. Cullen Boggus and wife, Allie of Nashville, Tennessee, Mr. Marshall Boggus of Live Oak, Florida, and Miss Livesay Boggus of Syracuse, New York and four great-grandchildren, Ellie and Peter Nicholas, and Owen and Isaac Schroeder.
The funeral service will be held at 2:00 P.M., on March 5, 2020 at West End United Methodist Church in Seven Lakes, North Carolina. Interment will be 11:00 a.m., March 14, 2020 at the Hazen Cemetery in Hazen, Arkansas. In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made to the Lower White River Museum, 2009 Main Street, Des Arc, Arkansas 72040.
Interment arrangements by Westbrook Funeral Home in Hazen, Arkansas.
Danny Ray Williams, 58, of Biscoe, Arkansas went to be with the Lord on Sunday, March 1, 2020 at his home. He was preceded in death by his son, Kerry Williams; his father, Earl Eugene (Gene) Williams, and his granddaughter, Danelle. Danny is survived by his daughters, Celeste Williams and Lea Ladner; his mother, Geneva Mulherin; sisters, Rhonda Watkins and Gail Howard; grandchildren, Kanenn, Bryan, Desearye, Kyle, Kerrigan, and numerous nieces and nephews.
Visitation will be Wednesday, March 4, 2020 from 5:00 to 7:00 P.M., at the Westbrook Funeral Home in Hazen. Funeral services will be 2:00 P.M., Thursday, March 5 at the Harvest Fellowship Pentecostal Church in Lonoke. Burial will be in the Biscoe Cemetery. Arrangements are by Westbrook Funeral Home of Hazen.
Barbara Ann “Babs” (Baldwin) Lisko, 64, of Slovak, peacefully passed away on Thursday, February 20, 2020. Babs was born January 21, 1956 in Little Rock, Arkansas. She was the daughter of Carlee Baldwin and Virginia Nell (Sample) Wood. She was preceded in death by her parents and sisters, Connie (Baldwin) Lopez and Cindy Baldwin Lozano (Bill).
Babs lived her young life in the Hazen and Lonoke areas before moving to California. She graduated from Western High School in Anaheim. She moved back to Little Rock soon after graduation. Babs married Freddie Lisko of Slovak in February of 1979. They have four children, Jennifer Holzhauer (Blake) of Fayetteville, Arkansas, Katie Madden (Matt) of Dyersburg, Tennessee, Brian Lisko (Ellen) of Hazen and Zach Lisko of Florence, Alabama. She has 4 grandchildren, Landon, Emerson, Lucy and Avery; 3 step grandchildren, Clayton, Tyler and Stella all of whom adored their Granny. Babs is also survived by her brother, Dennis Baldwin of Siloam Springs, and Jimmy Harris (Tina) of Shenandoah Junction, West Virginia; several brother-in-laws and sister-in-laws along with many nieces, nephews, and cousins.
Babs was a member of Sts. Cyril & Methodius Catholic Church in Slovak where she was involved with the Altar Society, flower Committee, and Catechism. She was a great cook and a wonderful florist. Babs loved the Lord and her family above all. She will be deeply missed by her family and friends. Anyone that knew her was blessed because she loved so many like her own. There is no doubt that Heaven gained a special angel.
Visitation will be Sunday, February 23, from 4:00 to 6:00 at Sts. Cyril and Methodius Catholic Church in Slovak. Rosary will follow. Funeral services will be Monday, February 24 at 10:00 A.M. at Sts. Cyril & Methodius Catholic Church with burial to follow.
The family would like any memorials to be made to Sts. Cyril & Methodius Catholic Church.
Frances Ervie Scott, 96, of DeValls Bluff was born August 3, 1923 to Garnett and Geneva Fuller Dodson and left this world for her heavenly mansion of February 15, 2020. Frances married the love of her life, Robert C. Scott on August 20, 1941 and they were married for 45 years before his death on April 23, 1987.
Frances is survived by her son, Charles Scott of Plano, Texas; daughter, Irene Wilson and husband, Jimmy of DeValls Bluff, Arkansas; daughter-in-law, Gladys Scott of DeValls Bluff; sisters, Virginia Dunaway and husband, Gerald of Baltimore, Maryland and Barbara Carolyn Bowden of Duncan, Oklahoma; sister-in-law, Carolyn Dodson of Springdale, Arkansas; grandchildren, John Scott of DeValls Bluff, Arkansas, Theresa Monday of Searcy, Arkansas, Brandon Wilson and wife, Jamie of Maumelle, Arkansas, Jeremy Wilson of Stuttgart, Arkansas, Anthony and Haley Wilson of DeValls Bluff, Travis Scott and wife, Quynh of Plano, Texas and Corey Scott of Anna, Texas; 6 great-grandchildren and numerous nieces, nephews, and other relatives and friends.
Frances was preceded in death by her husband; parents; step-dad, Bryan Scott; son, Norman Scott; daughter-in-law, Karen Scott; sisters, Ellen Daughtry and husband, Don; Celeste Bailey; brother, L.H. Dodson and brother-in-law, Loyd Bowden.
Frances was a lifetime member of Hurricane Missionary Baptist Church where she served many years as church clerk and treasurer.
Funeral service will be 10:30 a.m., Saturday, February 22, 2020 at the Hurricane Missionary Baptist Church with service conducted by Bro. Van Saunders under the direction of Westbrook Funeral Home in Hazen, Arkansas.
Visitation will be from 5:00 to 8:00 p.m., Friday, February 21, 2020 at Westbrook Funeral Home in Hazen.
Pallbearers will be Brandon Wilson, Jeremy Wilson, Travis Scott, Aaron Scott, David Brown and Billy Geisler.
I, James Robert Rhodes, III of DeValls Bluff, Arkansas died on February 17, 2020 from Idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis. I was born April 9, 1940, the son of James Robert (JR), Jr. and Regina Rhodes of DeValls Bluff.
I was educated in the DeValls Bluff Schools, graduating in 1958. I continued my education by going to University of Arkansas and getting my accounting degree in 1962. I then entered law school graduating in January of 1965. While at the University, I was a member of Sigma Alpha Epsilon social fraternity, where I met many of my life-long friends.
While in college, I was a member of Schola Cantorum, a choir of 40 people, 36 of them music majors, for four years. In 1962, we were invited to compete in the world’s Polifonic Acapella Choir competition held every 10 years, in Arrezzo, Italy and were the only choir invited from the United States. We won and returned to the United States and sang for President John F. Kennedy at the White House and sang on television’s “Today Show” program from New York.
I was in the Army Reserves for 6 years being a JAG Captain when I resigned.
I practiced law in Little Rock for 37 years with different law firms including Moses, McClellan, Arnold, Owens, and McDermott and my own firm of Ward, Rhodes, Hickey and Garrett from 1976 to 1986. I was assistant U.S. Attorney from 1968 to 1972 and retired in 2002 after serving “of counsel” with Dover and Dixon Law Firm for 16 years and one year with Darren O’Quinn.
I was licensed to practice in all Federal and State Courts, was appointed to serve as Special Justice on Supreme Court of Arkansas by Governor David Pryor. I was President of Arkansas Trial Lawyers for one year and had the pleasure of being in Pulaski County Bar Association “Grid Iron” show from 1966 to 1992, a musical satire, playing many roles including Ed Wright, Judge Bill Kirby, Gary Hart, Fannie Fox, and Jackie Kennedy.
After returning to Prairie County in 2002, I served as District Court Judge for Southern District of Prairie County from 2005 to 2017 with the help of Annette Felts, my chief clerk and a very special person whose friendship I cherished very much.
My hobbies included hunting, fishing, and traveling. I have been fortunate to travel with my wife, Lonna to all seven continents. We hunted and fished on four continents, including safaris to Africa, fishing the jungles of the Amazon, the Artic, and many other places. I met many interesting people, saw many beautiful places, and enjoyed the company of good friends, but nothing was better than hunting ducks in Cache River Bottoms with my friend, Hank Browne and the White River Bottoms with my old friend, Clifton Robinson, now deceased.
I have had many friends in my lifetime and I won’t try to name them all, but Randy McNulty and Gus Vratsinas are special. I also loved the people of Prairie County. If Lonna or I had a problem, there was always someone to help us, such as Freddie and Darlene Rogers, and Chris Cook, and many more.
I am survived by my wife, Lonna, my partner, soul-mate and the love of my life; my son, James Robert Rhodes, IV, of North Little Rock, Arkansas; my daughter, Jennifer Jane Rhodes, her husband, Gus Costantino of San Francisco, California; grandson, James Robert Rhodes, V, of Little Rock, Arkansas and many cousins and nieces. I am predeceased by my parents, J.R. and Regina Rhodes and Paul Jacob Rhodes, my brother.
“I had a real good time.”
The Rhodes family would like to thank Arkansas Hospice and specifically nurse Emily White for providing excellent support and care.
Arrangements by Westbrook Funeral Home, Hazen, Arkansas. Celebration of Life Service to be held at 10:00 a.m., Friday, February 21, 2020, at the Hazen Community Center, 906 East Front Street, Hazen, Arkansas.
Carl Manuel Brooks, 79, of Cabot, passed away Wednesday, February 12, 2020 at his home. Carl was the owner of Western Specialties LLC, a Mason, a member of the Bridge Church in Cabot, and an inventor.
Carl was born in Lee County Arkansas, the youngest son of John and Louise Simpson Brooks.
He was preceded in death by his parents and his first wife, Marilyn.
He is survived by his wife, Ann Brooks; one son, Carl F. Brooks and wife, Diane of Midland, Texas; two daughters, Carla S. Brooks of Fallon, Nevada and Cheryl Hayton and husband, Randy of Sacramento, California; two brothers, John Brooks and wife, Rosanne of Phoenix, Arizona and Peter Brooks and wife, Barbara of Brinkley; two-stepsons, Jordan Wall and wife, Crystal and Marion Wall and wife, Carolyn; ten grandchildren, Vincent Brooks, Laura Owens, David, Lena, Matt Gavin, Tiffany Scheffer, Jaycie Miller, Zach Wall, Beth Waddell and Kelsey Cruce and five great-grandchildren.
Funeral services will be 2:00 P.M., Sunday, February 16, 2020 at the Westbrook Funeral Home Chapel in Hazen. Visitation will be from 1:00 to 2:00 p.m. prior to the service.
Burial will be in the Hazen Cemetery.
James W. Adams of Hazen departed this earth on February 8, 2020. James was born June 13, 1957 to Winford and Ina (Ingle) Adams. He enlisted in the Army in 1975 and served his country faithfully while stationed at Ft. Carson, Colorado. He was employed by B & G Pipeline at the time of his death.
James was preceded in death by his father, Winford Adams, and is survived by his four children: son, Jeff Tabor (Sara), and daughters Tanya Adams and Cynthia Adams of Little Rock and Kimberly Snyder of Hazen; seven grandchildren, Landon and Isabella Tabor, Brooklyn Salers of Little Rock, and Lucas, Colby and Cassidy Martin and Ethan Smith of Hazen. He is also survived by his mother, Ina Adams of Hazen; sisters, Delores Tosh (Pete), Jewel White (Terry), and Marsha Drysdale (Jimmy), all of Hazen and a large family and host of friends. James was a kind man and he will be greatly missed by all that knew him. Visitation will be from 5:00 to 8:00 p.m., Thursday, February 13, 202 at the Westbrook Funeral Home in Hazen. Funeral services will be 2:00 P.M., Friday, February 14 at the Westbrook Funeral Home Chapel in Hazen, with burial with military honors at the Center Point Cemetery near Hazen.
The family would like to thank B & G Pipeline for the tremendous support during this sudden loss.
Geraldine Hall Booe, age 96, of Hazen departed this life on Monday, February 10, 2020.
She was a native of Hazen, born January 6, 1924, to Homer Joseph and Ruby Helen Hall. She was preceded in death by her husband of fifty two years, LeRoy Q. Booe, Sr., her son, Randy Booe, her parents and three brothers; Charles, Everett, and Lamar; and her son-in-law David Duch. She is survived by her children, Maribeth Alexander (Lynn) of Cabot, Dr. Leroy Booe, Jr. (Karen) of Lonoke and Jeri Ruth Duch of Hazen; seven grandchildren, Candace Tomboli (Randy); Trey McMullen (Jennifer); Jason McMullen, Jeremy Booe (Meagan); Zachary Booe; Amber Thomas (Jason); and Cara Hollingshead (Davie); seventeen great-grandchildren; two special nieces, Lanan Hall Lisko and Vicki Hall Horton, and two nephews, Buddy Hall and Charles Hall.
She lived life simply with God and family at the center. She will be remembered by her family as a loving and caring mother and grandmother. During her husband’s lifetime, an open invitation for Sunday dinner extended to all family members and later changing to Sunday afternoon visits with family.
Following high school graduation, she attended Draughon School of Business in Little Rock for two years. She was an active and faithful member of the Hazen First United Methodist Church where she taught a Sunday School class during her children’s early years, and after served as officer in the Fidelity Sunday School Class, Pearl McCain Circle, and thirty years as secretary of the Hazen First United Mthodist Women. She was an elected member of the Prairie County Board of Education for fifteen years (1975-1990), serving as President for two years. She was also the Hazen High School Superintendent’s Secretary for over twenty years.
The family requests no flowers. Memorials may be made to: Hazen First United Methodist Church, P.O. Box 712, Hazen, Ar. 72064 or a charity of your choice.
June Edmondson House, 91, died February 6, 2020, with her family at her side at her home in Lakeway (Austin), Texas. She was born June 15, 1928 in the Hamilton Community of Lonoke County, Arkansas, to the late Baxter and Kate (Buffalo) Edmondson. Surviving a premature birth at only 2 pounds, decades before neonatal care, she was put in a shoebox and placed on the open warm oven door- like something straight out of the Laura Ingalls Wilder books she later taught her second graders.
“Miss June” as students, doctors, and caregivers called her, was a graduate of Carlisle High School and Arkansas State Teachers College (which later became UCA). She was one course shy of completing a master’s degree. Miss June began her 42-year teaching career in the Hamilton School. She was one of the last two teachers to be teaching in the two-room school when it was merged into Carlisle Public Schools. She also taught two years in Hazen Public School.
Miss June was married to Conley House of Hazen, Arkansas for 58 years and they had one daughter, Becky. Teaching multiple generations, with high expectations for both herself and her students, she dressed like their Barbie dolls in trim fashionable dresses and her beloved Andrew Geller pumps, even on the playground.
One of Miss June’s Back to School night projects surprised parents with life-sized paper-mache’ models of their children and was featured in Instructor magazine.
Miss June loved beautiful things- clothes, flowers, paintings and throwing large parties for family and friends. A “hostess with the mostess”, Miss June was recently described on Facebook as “one of the last grand ladies of Prairie County.”
A member of Hazen’s Twentieth Century Club and the local Eastern Star chapter. Miss June was also active in church all her life—initially Hamilton Baptist Church, then First Baptist Church of Hazen, and finally the church of Brookdale Lakeway when she and Conley moved to Austin, Texas in 2010 to be closer to daughter Becky and her family.
Miss June is survived by her daughter, Becky Dewan and son-in-law, Raman Dewan of Austin, Texas; three grandsons, Remington, Richmond, and Raleigh Dewan, all of Dallas, Texas; sister-in-law, Carolyn House Benafield of Hazen; two nieces, Margaret Edmondson Horton (Don) of Jacksonville and Julie Benafield of Hazen; two nephews, Mike Edmondson (Sarah) and Jerry Edmondson (Carol) of Little Rock; two great nieces, Jessica East and Melissa Vance and a great-nephew, Chris Horton. She is predeceased by her husband, Conley, brother, Edward Edmondson, sister, Mary Emma Edmondson, and great-nephews, Mickey and Patrick Edmondson and great-niece Kim Edmondson Saneda.
A memorial service will be held at the First Baptist Church of Hazen, Saturday, February 15, at 2:00 p.m. with visitation starting at 1:00 p.m. Burial will be immediately after at Carlisle Cemetery. Memorials may be made to Carlisle High School Alumni Association Museum, Box 455, Carlisle, Arkansas 72024 or First Baptist Church, 244 North Hazen, Avenue, Hazen, Arkansas 72064