Ruby Faupel Harper, born January 7, 1928 in De Valls Bluff passed peacefully in her sleep on September 8, 2021 at the Good Shepherd Nursing and Rehab in Little Rock after a long battle with pneumonia and other illnesses.

A descendent of Allen H. Blankenship who moved to Prairie County in 1877, she was preceded in death by her mother and father, Clara and Herbert Faupel; her sister, Hazel; her four brothers, Russell, Warren, Charles, and Lamar Faupel, and her ex-husband, Robert Lee Harper. She is survived by her son, Dennis Harper and wife, Carol of Fort Bend County, Texas.

She led a memorable life while living in DeValls Bluff, Hazen, and Pulaski County. Many will remember her from her time at the Grand Prairie Herald and her involvement in the First Methodist Church and other community activities in the Hazen area. After moving to Pulaski County, she worked for a civil engineering firm for many years and then became a state employee, retiring from a position in the administration of the state’s school lunch program in 1990. She often enjoyed visiting the parks and historic sites in central Arkansas, with Petit Jean state park as her favorite.

She lived in the Good Shepherd Retirement Community from 2011 until her hospitalization in March, 2020. We would like to express our appreciation for the people there who cared for her during those years; and to the staff at the Nursing & Rehab Center who took good care of her after she moved there in April, 2020.

A graveside service will be held 10:00 A.M., Tuesday, September 14, 2021 at the Hazen Cemetery. Arrangements by Westbrook Funeral Home of Hazen.

Mary Yvonne Skillern Burnett, 88, West Memphis, Arkansas, passed away September 9, 2021.  Yvonne was born March 2, 1933 in Hazen, Arkansas.  She was preceded in death by her parents, John and Etha Haygood; her husbands, Billy Skillern and Junior Burnett and brothers, J.R. (Ada) Haygood and Franklin (Carrie) Haygood.

Yvonne is survived by her sons, Gary Skillern and wife, Patty, Kenneth Skillern and wife, Brenda, and Billy Skillern; seven grandchildren and six great-grandchildren.

Yvonne was an extremely gifted musician.  She touched so many lives with her singing, piano playing and teaching.  She was the pianist at every church the family attended.  Yvonne was a kind and compassionate soul, with tremendous love for God, family, and friends.

A memorial service will be held at the First Baptist Church in West Memphis, Arkansas at 6:00 P.M., on September 14, 2021.  Funeral services will be held at Calvary Baptist Church in Hazen, Arkansas on September 15, 2021 with visitation at 1:00 p.m., and funeral following at 2:00 P.M.. Interment will be in the Center Point Cemetery.

Ivie Calvin “Butch” Park, 77 of Biscoe passed on to his heavenly home on September 9, 2021. He was born December 18, 1943 to Ashely Newt (A.N.) Park and Doris Colleen Buck Park. Butch was a member of the First Baptist Church in DeValls Bluff. He was preceded in death by his parents, Ashley Newt (A.N.) Park and Doris Colleen Buck Park of De Valls Bluff and one great infant niece, Christina Renee Smith of DeValls Bluff.

Survivors include one sister, Linda (Tommy) Schwede of Biscoe; two nieces, Tammy (Daniel) Smith of DeValls Bluff and Tina (Billy) White of Biscoe; two great nephews, Tanner (Taylor) White, Rhett and Bailey of Biscoe and Tyler White of Jonesboro.

Butch touched so many lives with his contagious smile. Butch loved everyone and he never met a stranger. Butch never ran out of hugs, smiles, or candy and always wanted to share with everyone. Butch loved to fish and hunt and most of all he loved Jesus.

Visitation is Sunday, September 12, 2021 from 1:30 to 2:30 followed by the funeral service at 2:30 at the First Baptist Church in DeValls Bluff with burial in Oakland Cemetery in De Valls Bluff.

Bro. Bill Bruce and Bro. Sam Parker will be officiating. Pallbearers are Tanner White, Tyler White, Eddie Parker, Sam Parker, Charlie Schwede, and Billy White. Honorary Pallbearers are Doug Brown, Bruce Wolfe, Shelby Mayes, Matthew Buck, Mike Buck, Charlie Buck, and William “Bug” Buck.

Dr. Sharron Ruth Johnson Leslie, 69 of Fayetteville, Arkansas passed away at her home on Tuesday, August 31, 2021.  She was born on July 10, 1952 in Little Rock, Arkansas to George Washington Johnson, Jr. and Ruth Evelyn (Griffin) Johnson.

She was preceded in death by her father, George Johnson.

Sharron is survived by her son, Blaine Leslie and wife, Ashley of Cave Springs, Arkansas and her grandchildren, Nathan and Olivia, and her daughter Megan Leslie of Fayetteville, Ar..  She is also survived by her mother Ruth Johnson of Hot Springs and her sister and brother-in-law, Evelyn and Mitch Golleher of Hot Springs and a loving niece and nephews.

Sharron loved her extended family of friends and patients that she cared for over the years.  She loved the children she cared for while practicing in Harrison, Arkansas.  

Funeral Arrangements will be announced at a later date.

Benny Ray Swift, 60, of Griffthville, passed away September 2, 2021.  He was born July 31, 1961 in Marianna, Arkansas.  Benny was a graduate of Hazen High School and a carpenter.

He was preceded in death by his mother, Patsy.  Benny is survived by one brother, Robbie Swift and wife, Peggy of Hazen; sister, Delores Jackson of Scott, Arkansas; niece, Patricia Jean McCollum of Ash Flat, Arkansas and two aunts, Irene Doles and Diane Rifey.

A graveside service will be held 11:00 A.M., Tuesday, September 7, 2021 at the Hazen Cemetery in Hazen, Arkansas.  Arrangements are by Westbrook Funeral Home of Hazen.

Marsha Bowman Linam, 55 of Hazen, Arkansas, passed away peacefully on Wednesday, August 25, with family by her side. 

A memorial service celebrating her life will be held Monday, August 30 at 11:00 a.m. at Immanuel Baptist Church, Little Rock, Arkansas. Visitation will be held prior to the memorial service at 10:00 a.m. at Immanuel Baptist Church.  Burial will be at the CenterPoint Cemetery in Hazen, Arkansas at 3:00 p.m. Arrangements are being handled by Westbrook Funeral Home in Hazen, Arkansas. 

Marsha was born in Jonesboro, Arkansas on October 4, 1965. 

She was a member of Immanuel Baptist Church for 54 years.  She loved working in the nursery as her ministry. 

Marsha was full of life and loved people.  She was always for the underdog, willing to give whatever she had to help.  She could be your best friend, your fierce defender and provide you with a hug that would envelop you with warmth and love.  She could give you a look that could stop you in your tracks and communicate you had better “get right.”  She loved anything Arkansas Razorback.  She always had an opinion.  Her greatest legacy will be how she loved her family and friends.  If you ever said, “I love you”, her response would always be “I love you MORE!”

Marsha is survived by her husband, Jeff Linam, her mother, Jerri Comer, her children, Katherine Segalla Griffinand her husband Jeff Griffin, son, Alex Segalla, her stepchildren, Jessica Linam and Jeffrey Linam, her grandchildren, Gabriel Griffin, Savannah Gipson, and Kaylee Robinson, her siblings and their spouses, Donna Bowman, Steve and Barbara Bowman, Beverly Comer, Steve Comer and Toni Wynn, and Jim and Nona Comer. Her nieces and nephews, Melissa Bowman Vance, Beau Alexander Vance, Heather Anderson, Autumn Hallock, Lauryn Comer, Nicholas Comer, John Ekenseair and Virginia Ekenseair and her best friend Karen Morgan Rial.

Marsha is preceded in death by her father, Charles H. Bowman and her much loved stepfather Reubin Comer, and stepbrother, Bobby Comer.

In lieu of flowers memorial donations may be given to Immanuel Baptist Church to the Nursery Ministry or Food Pantry.

The service will be streamed live at

https://www.facebook.com/donna.bowman.1426

Barbara Delane Vick age 68, of Hazen, went to her heavenly home on August 24, 2021.  She was born on December 6, 1952 in Monroe, Arkansas to Lemuel and Lillie Faulkner.  She was the youngest of 6 children; often referred to as the baby.  She was preceded in death by her loving parents; one brother, and two sisters.

Barbara is survived by her husband of almost 49 years, Connie of Hazen; one son, Cory of Hazen; one daughter, Molly (Jeremy) Sayger of DeValls Bluff and three granddaughters, Destiny, Lillian and Abbygail; two sisters, Helen Baldwin of Brinkley and Revenna Jobe of Rosebud, Arkansas and a host of nieces and nephews.

She was a 1971 graduate of Brinkley High School where she was selected to be in the All State Choir.  Her love and god given talent of singing continued on where she was a member of Calvary Baptist church Choir and the Quartet.

Barbara also had a love for all things crafts, which she used in her 36 years of being a florist, where she was known for her beautiful arrangements.

Barbara also loved to sew different projects which included many quilts for her granddaughters, table runners, and later on masks.  She even sewed a few pageant dresses.

Her love of helping others led to Barbara becoming a licensed Practical Nurse where she would serve for several years.

Services for Barbara Delane Vick are set for visitation at Westbrook Funeral Home on Friday, August 27, 2021 from 5:00 to 7:00 p.m. The funeral service will be held at 10:00 a.m. on Saturday, August 28, 2021 at the Calvary Baptist church in Hazen.

The burial will be in the Pleasant Valley Cemetery near Brinkley, Arkansas.

On August 22, 2021, Winston “Toby” Whitcomb of Little Rock, AR went to his heavenly reward after a courageous battle with incurable cancer. Toby was born February 28, 1957. He attended Mabelvale United Methodist Church. He was a Freemason and Past Master of Atkins, Arkansas Masonic Lodge #172.

He is preceded in death by his father, H.M. Whitcomb Jr. of Mayflower.

He is survived by his mother, Jeanne Moory, his brother H.M. “Boomer” Whitcomb III, four sons: Winston Whitcomb, Aaron Whitcomb, Patrick Whitcomb and Colin Whitcomb; and seven dearly beloved grandchildren.

Burial will be at Hazen Cemetery in Hazen, AR. Due to covid restrictions, a memorial service will be conducted at a later date.

Memorials may be made to Mabelvale United Methodist Church, Mabelvale, AR.

Robert J. Black, Jr. of Hazen, Arkansas passed away Thursday, August 12, 2021 at the age of 74 surrounded by those he loved the most.  Robert was born and raised in Jonesboro, Arkansas.  He was preceded in death by his parents, Robert “Polly” Black and Wilma Black and his sister, Carolyne Hunnicutt.

Robert is survived by his best friend and wife of 52 years, Dee Mathis Black, and their three children, Kristy (Doug) Grunwald, Jenny (Jason) Simmons, and Robert III (Abby) Black and the pride and joys of his life, his six grandchildren, Elleson and Molly Grunwald, Owen and Ethan Simmons and Wyatt and Will Black; his sister, Thea (Black) Mathis, as well as many special nieces and nephews, cousins, and a very dear Aunt, Lola Mae Ladd and his best friend of 62 years and brother-in-law, Mike Owen.

Robert attended Jonesboro schools and enjoyed playing sports which developed into his first career along side his Dad refereeing basketball, baseball and football games.  Robert graduated from Arkansas State University and had a career of 30 years in electrical sales with ITE, General Electric and Eaton.  He retired to Hazen, Arkansas to spend his time hunting.  In 2005, he purchased the Hazen True Value Hardware store.  Robert enjoyed supporting the community and attending as many Hornet Sporting events as possible, but his favorite place to spend his days were on his tractor and on his porch sitting beside his wife watching the one of kind sunsets that can only be seen looking across his prairie.

A memorial service will be held at 2:00 p.m., Saturday, August 21, 2021 at Hazen United Methodist Church.  Burial will be private.  In lieu of flowers the family would appreciate memorials to be sent to: Hazen Baseball Association c/o Jenny Simmons, P.O. Box 544 Hazen, Ar. 72064 and/or Hazen United Methodist Church, P.O. Box 712 Hazen, Ar. 72064.

John Mack Daniels, 87, of Carlisle, a U.S. Navy Veteran went home to be with his Lord, Tuesday, August 10, 2021.  Born February 8, 1934 in Lonoke County’s Hamilton community, Mack was the 4th child of the late JC “Doc” and Ethel Daniels.

Mack was preceded in death by his parents, his brothers, Dan Daniels of North Little Rock and Jack Daniels of Sherwood; three sisters, Marilyn Parker and Bonita Huey of Carlisle and Kay Hill of Sherwood.  Also, “the best dog I ever had” was his beloved Grizzly.

He is survived by his wife of 57 years, Kathy Daniels; two sons, Clint Daniels (wife-Cathy) of Rosemark, Tennessee and Wess Daniels (wife- Katherine) of Benton; four grandchildren, Garrett Daniels of Antioch, Tennessee, Caroline Henderson of San Antonio, Texas, Hayden Smith and Grace Daniels of Benton and one great-granddaughter, Harper Henderson of San Antonio, Texas, and a dog, Poco.

A graduate from Carlisle High School, he served in the Navy, trained as a machinist, acquired a diesel mechanic degree from Oklahoma State Tech, and became an oil rig driver in New Mexico and Colorado.  He then bought a service station in North Little Rock on Broadway as the local mechanic.  Later, Mack worked for Jacuzzi and then Remington as a machinist, with his last job being a rural mail carrier in Carlisle for 18 years.

Mack retired but continued to be busy with his favorite hobbies fishing, hunting, estate sales, and anything sports.  Self-proclaimed “jack of all trades, but master of none,” hardly ever a day went by when he wasn’t busy in his shop where you would find him working on projects or creating space for newfound treasures.  In addition, he was a talented craftsman, known regionally as an accomplished duck call maker, using skills and a craftsman’s eye to turn working pieces of art.  Today his work is on display in the Museum of the Arkansas Grand Prairie under the name Two Prairie Bayou, a nod to his childhood farm.

Mack loved spending time with his family and friends.  He filled his days playing golf with his brothers, talking sports with his sons, and playing numerous rounds of Chickenfoot or Pitch.  In addition, he was proud to have hosted the 4th of July party where everyone was welcome for 27 years.

Visitation will be Friday, August 13, 2021 from 5:00 to 7:00 P.M., at Westbrook Funeral Home in Hazen.  Services will be 10:00 A.M., Saturday, August 14 at the Hamilton Baptist Church  South of Carlisle.  Interment will be in the Hamilton Cemetery.