Shirley Marie Stine McMullen, 87, was at home surrounded by family when she went peacefully to her Heavenly Home on June 24, 2020. Grace, beauty, kindness and Godliness were the hallmarks of her life and she will be greatly missed.

Shirley was born in Stuttgart, Arkansas, October 8, 1932, to Clyde and Estella Stine. They moved to Des Arc, Arkansas, in 1940 where she graduated high school. She married the love of her life, William Edward (Bill) McMullen in 1950 and they had five beautiful, dearly-loved (Shirley’s words) children: Eddie (Sarah) McMullen, Stina Brown, Denise (Terry) Langston, Shawn (Paul) Holland and Mark (Robin) McMullen. Survivors also include 18 grandchildren and 48 great-grandchildren. In addition, there were many precious nephews and nieces who loved their Aunt Shirley, including her newest, dear nephew, Jim Pfeifer.

She was preceded in death by her husband, parents and siblings Ralph DuBois, Lawrence Stine and Florence Mitchell and her great-granddaughter, Waylin Harris.

A very special thank you goes to our new sisters, Gran’s unselfish, loving caregivers: Sharon Watson, Brenda Jones and Felicia Minor.

For her more than 80 descendants, the highlight of every year was McMullen Thanksgiving with Gran. The traditions she started were followed religiously including making homemade noodles, taking generational pictures in front of her house, hayrides and all the cousins sleeping on the floor together in the den.

Growing up she participated in numerous beauty contests, played basketball and played the piano. For more than 40 years, beginning at the age of 16, Shirley served her church families and other local churches by playing the piano and organ.

Like all farmers’ wives, her life revolved around planting and watering and harvesting. For many years, she took meals to all of the farm workers and served them from the back of her blue Chevrolet station wagon. She also worked on the farm driving tractor trailer trucks. In the 1970’s, her love of children and fashion combined when she opened Little Things from Shirley’s, a children’s store in Hazen.

She always called herself a “Has Been” because she was past Worthy Matron of the Order of Eastern Star, past president of Hazen Band Booster Club and past president of the Twentieth Century Club of Federated Women.

Visitation will be held at 1 p.m. followed by a memorial service at 2 p.m. on Saturday, June 27, at Calvary Baptist Church, 200 W. South Front, Hazen, AR. The family asks that everyone over age 10 wear a mask. In lieu of flowers, memorial gifts may be made to Calvary Baptist Church or St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital.

James Monroe Gammons, age 86, of Hazen, passed away Thursday, June 25, 2020.

He was born in Missouri on January 28, 1934, the son of Albert and Lola Gammons.

James worked on the farm and loved to fix lawn mowers.  

He was preceded in death by his wife, Allyene Gammons; his brother, Clarence Gammons; his parents and a son, Tommy Donnell.

James is survived by three sons, Jim Gammons and wife, Nancy of Illinois, Paul Gammons and wife, Debra of Missouri and Rex Pullium and wife, Peggy of Hazen; one daughter, Carol Kacel and husband, Dave of North Pole, Alaska; his ex-wife, Nancy Louise Gammons and numerous grandchildren, great-grandchildren, nieces and nephews.

Visitation will be from 5:00 to 7:00 P.M., Saturday, June 27, 2020 at Westbrook Funeral Home in Hazen.  Funeral services will be 2:00 P.M., Sunday, at the Center Point Missionary Baptist Church with burial in the Center Point Cemetery.

Lola Imogene Cunningham “Aunt Jean”, age 96, passed away peacefully June 20, 2020 in Stuttgart, Arkansas. She was born in Hazen, Arkansas on September 11, 1923 to Sterling and Nora Cunningham. Jean was preceded in death by her parents, sisters, Clarice White, Mozelle Boothe, Edith Boothe and brother, Calvin Cunningham.

Jean loved people crafts and books. She was unfailingly kind and generous with family, friends, and neighbors. She crocheted constantly. Her hands were rarely still. She shared her love of reading with others and was a lifelong patron of the Hazen Public Library.

Jean retired after working for Arkansas Power and Light for over 30 years. It suited her love of people and her desire to help. Her life and work were a living example of one of her favorite Bible verses “And be kind and compassionate to one another, forgiving one another, just as God also forgave you in Christ.”

Jean is survived by her nieces, Becky Young, Dorothy Holmes, Jeanette Johnson, Pam Sweeden, Sue Leonard, Sandy Williams, and nephews, Dan Boothe, John E. White as well as numerous great nieces and nephews. All of us will be diminished by the loss of her kind and loving presence.

Interment will be at the Hazen Cemetery, Monday, June 22, 2020 at 5:00 P.M. Flowers may be sent to the Westbrook Funeral Home in Hazen.

Donna Lee (Burnett) Kelly of Carlisle entered her “Heavenly Home” on June 19, 2020 at the age of 89 at Chambers Nursing Home. Donna was born September 14, 1930 to Coad and Minta (Sparks) Burnett in Highland, Michigan. She married the love of her life, John Kelly on December 15, 1950. They would have celebrated 70 years of marriage this coming December. She was a member of the New Bethel Missionary Baptist Church in Carlisle. Donna was a very faithful member and loved the Lord that she wanted everyone to know also.

Donna is survived by her husband, John Kelly; one son, Johnny (Sandy) Kelly of Des Arc, Arkansas; two very special granddaughters, Kim (Josh) Simmons of Des Arc and Cody (Allen) McElroy of Hazen; four great-grandchildren that she loved dearly, Jase Simmons, Kylee, Cooper, and Sawyer McElroy that were very great in her eyes, and her loving and caring caregiver, Karen Brewer.

Donna was preceded in death by her parents; her sisters, Eugene Bryant, Gwendolyn Ingle, and her great-grandson, Kyler Coad McElroy.

Visitation will be from 3:00 to 7:00 P.M., Sunday, June 21, 2020 at Westbrook Funeral Home in Hazen. It is requested that everyone please wear a mask.

A graveside service will be held 2:00 P.M., Monday, June 22, 2020 at the Center Point Cemetery.

Kay J. Frederick Brewer, 78 of Crossett, Arkansas (formerly of Tollville), went home to be with the Lord on Wednesday, June 10, 2020 at CHI St. Vincent Infirmary in Little Rock with complications of Covid-19 and cerebrovascular disease. Kay was born in Little Rock to the late Edward D. Frederick and Evelyn M. Clayton Frederick and was preceded in death by her parents and her husband, Alven Brewer. She is survived by her brother, David W. Frederick MD and wife, Cindy of Mount Joy, Pennsylvania and David’s children, Laura Miller, Jennifer Beverly and David E. Frederick; her son, Steve Hamilton of Hazen; grandson, Chad Hamilton and wife, Shada of Crossett, Ar.; three great-granddaughters, Stephanie, Lexie and Shyla and ten great-nieces and nephews.

Kay was a loving and devoted daughter, sister, wife, mother, grandmother, great-grandmother, and friend to many. She was a loyal member of St. Peter’s Episcopal Church in Tollville, Ar. for many years.

Visitation will be from 5:00 to 7:00 p.m., Wednesday, June 17, 2020 at Westbrook Funeral Home in Hazen. Funeral services will be at 10:00 a.m., Thursday, June 18, 2020 at St. Peter’s Episcopal Church in Tollville. Burial will be in Oakland Cemetery in De Valls Bluff. In lieu of flowers, the family requests that memorials be sent to St. Peter’s Episcopal Church, 1432 Ar. Hwy 86, De Valls Bluff, Arkansas 72041.

Christine Juanita (Thomasson) Batchelor was born on August 19, 1955 and went to be with the Lord on June 8, 2020. She spent a majority of her life working with children either at school, boy scouts, vacation Bible School, church camps, room mother and church. Anyone that met her knew her love and kindness. Christy was a woman of strong faith that never wavered. Her kindness and generosity served as an example for all who knew her.

Our beloved mother, grandmother, great-grandmother, sister, aunt and friend will be forever missed, but always in our hearts. She will be deeply missed by her children, David Batchelor and wife, Kristy, Phillip Batchelor and wife, Carla, Michelle Moran and husband, Thomas and Heather Batchelor. She was a loving grandmother to Hannah, Gabrielle, Taylor, Katelynn, Kirstin, Will, Ethan, Andru, Bradlee, Grady, Shasta, Lucas, and Noah; great-grandmother, to Addie. She will be missed by her brothers, Rick Thomasson and wife, Deara and Mike Thomasson and wife, Susie; her sister, Brenda Soel and husband, Al and numerous nieces, nephews, and other family.

She is rejoicing with those that preceded her in death, her parents, Richard and Juanita Thomasson and her daughter, Rebecca Burroughs.

A graveside service will be held 10:00 a.m., Thursday, June 11, 2020 at the Hickory Plains Cemetery.

Bobby L. Ingle departed from this life for his heavenly home on May 30, 2020 at the age of 84. He was employed at the Arkansas Highway Department for 31 years before retiring at the age of 51. He was able to spend the rest of his life on his family farm. His garden was his passion, always working the mules and the plow. To meet Bobby was to love him. His smile and his laugh were contagious; he was everyone’s “Buddy”. His life was very full of his family, passion and love for what he did. He was preceded in death by his parents; three brothers; four sisters and the love of his life, Patricia Carter.

Those left to cherish his memory are his son, Randall Ingle; daughter, Marcia Bramlage; sisters, Dorothy Mertsoc, Fay Spicer, sister-in-law, Ray Ingle and everyone who ever called him pawpaw Bobby and a host of other family and friends.

A graveside service will be held at 11:00 a.m., Monday, June 1, 2020 at the Center Point cemetery. The family requests memorial to the AGFC Foundation.

Mary Jane Smith was born June 27, 1949 in Carlisle, Arkansas to Owen (OJ) and Frances Brown entered into rest May 29, 2020. She was preceded in death by Owen and Frances Brown, Millie Kelly, Mike Brown, Matthew Brown, and Keith Brown, Jr. Jane is survived by brothers, Buddy Brown (Nancy), and Ronnie Brown; nephews, Anthony Brown, Aaron Brown, Billy Brown and Luke Brown (Misty); nieces, Mandy K. Brown, Tabatha Lynn Martin (Matt), Ann Abel (Chuck), and Audrey Brown; cousins, Danny Kelly, (Yvonne), Mark Edge (Sara) as well as a host of great nieces and nephews and family and friends who loved her very much.

Graveside Service will be 2:00 P.M., Friday, June 5, 2020 at the Walter’s Chapel Cemetery. Visitation will be Thursday, June 4, 2020 from 9:00 A.M. to 4:00 P.M. at Westbrook Funeral Home in Hazen. You are requested to wear masks and limit the visitation to no more than 10 in the room at once.

Elmer Floyd, born on October 16, 1933 of Hazen, Arkansas passed away peacefully in his home on May 25, 2020. He enjoyed his last days and lived life to its fullest until he took his last breath on this earth.

Elmer was proceeded in death by his father and mother, Odes and Iva Floyd, his infant brother Oris, his infant sister Edith, his first-born infant child, Sheila, his son, Donnie (Karen) Wiggins and his wife, Frankie Floyd. He is survived by his daughters, Ramona (Richard) Kell of Sandwich, IL, Kelly (Scott) LaVoie of Sandwich, IL, Rebecca (Dennis) Johnson of Des Arc, AR, Vivian Lynette (Michael) Bocage of Elgin, IL and his sons, Randall (Susan) Wiggins of Fayetteville, AR, Rick Wiggins of Hazen, AR and Marty (Rhonda) Griffith of Hazen, AR. From his 8 children, he was blessed with 17 grandchildren and 19 great grandchildren.

He was deeply loved and is survived by his 6 siblings, Faye Galloway of Aurora, IL, Flossie Neighbors of Stuttgart, AR, Betty (James) Tipton of Stuttgart, AR, Shirley (Kenneth) Carnell of Sikeston, MO, Shirrel (Linda) Floyd of Kennett, MO, and his baby sister and partner in crime, Lavada Ingle of Hazen, AR. He had 15 loving nieces and nephews.

Born in a farming community and into a farming family, hard work and good ethics defined Elmer’s character. After working on the family farm with his Grandfather and Father, he left and spent 2 years, mostly in Karlsruhe Germany, proudly serving the United States Army from 1954-1956 until he was honorably discharged.

In 1957 he married Ann Fort and had 3 daughters. In 1969, he married twice widowed Frankie (Neil) (Wiggins) Griffith. Her 4 sons became his and together they had a daughter.

While working hard to care for and raise his family, Elmer worked in the lumber and agricultural industries.

Elmer’s love of God, his church and his family filled his days and his heart. He had a true passion and drive to ensure the cemetery at his church was tended to properly and spent countless hours volunteering his time and services there. He was often spotted helping others, lending a hand at a church social or putting away the chairs after a communal celebration there. Many described Elmer as “one in a million” and “the kindest soul on earth”. He found great joy in the laughter of children and in being of service to others.

Visitation will be held at Westbrook Funeral Home on Thursday May 28th from 9am to 4pm. A restricted number of guests will be allowed in at one time.

There will be a celebration of life for Elmer in the outdoor pavilion at Center Point Baptist Church in Hazen, AR on Friday May 29th at 1pm. Given the COVID-19 pandemic, social distancing will be practiced, and it is requested that all guests wear masks to protect the elders and those with compromised immune systems so that everyone is able to pay their respect safely. Immediate family members are encouraged to sit together but provide a 6-foot distance to others.

In lieu of flowers, the family requests that monetary donations be made in Elmer’s memory to Center Point Cemetery Association, Attention Gail Wallace, 2826 HWY 249 N, Hazen AR 72064.

Janet Sue Hayes, 67, went to be with her Lord May 20, 2020.  Janet was born July 2, 1952 to Reece Henry McGaha and Marjorie Allene Morgan in Russellville, Arkansas.  Janet attended Central High School and the University of Arkansas at Little Rock where she earned a degree in education.  She was a teacher in the Hazen, Arkansas school district for over forty years.  Teaching was her passion.  She touched the lives of the many children she taught through the years.

Janet was preceded in death by her parents.  She is survived by her only son, Aaron Hayes of Little Rock; close family friends, Mike and Shannon Hall of North Little Rock, Arkansas and Kimberly Talbot of Jacksonville, Arkansas.

There will be a graveside service at 11:00 A.M.,  Wednesday, May 27, 2020 at the Hazen Cemetery.  In lieu of flowers, donations to Hazen Elementary School would be appreciated.