Arkansas Democrat-Gazette

W. Earl Phillips, 76, beloved son, husband, brother, uncle, friend, Episcopalian and Believer entered eternal rest Sunday, June 26th of 2022 in Houston, Texas. He was born December 5, 1945, in Utica, Mississippi to James Dinton Phillips, Sr. and Haley Wilkins Phillips, both originally of Jackson, Mississippi and later of Pine Bluff Arkansas. Preceding him in death were his parents and his father-in-law, John D. Smalling, and his mother-in-law, Bette Goodwin Smalling, both originally of El Dorado, Arkansas and later of Roseville, California. Earl is survived by his wife of 55 years, Barbara Phillips; his brothers, William Charles Phillips of Indianapolis, Indiana and James Dinton Phillips,...

Mahlon Maxie "Mickey" McFatridge, 80, passed away on Friday, June 24, 2022, in Searcy, AR. He was born Saturday, May 9, 1942, in Bassett, AR, to Mahlon George McFatridge and Mary Elizabeth Teeple McFatridge. Mickey married Carolyn Williams on March 27, 1964, and they enjoyed 58 years of marriage. His survivors include his daughter; Beth (Lester) Marter, of Searcy, AR; son, Mark McFatridge ( Krista Brimer), of Searcy, AR; grandchildren, Adrienne (Chad) Lung, of Paragould, AR Brandon (Allison) Stevens, of Ward AR, Carson McFatridge, Zoe McFatridge, of Searcy, AR; great-grandchildren; Halli Lung, Henleigh Lung, of Paragould, AR; Brooks Stevens, Ward, AR; and sisters, Lillian Sexton, Bartlett,...

Lon Joseph Hardin, age 88, passed away peacefully on June 9, 2022, at the Arthur B. Hodges Center in Charleston, WV. He was born November 7, 1933, to the late James Edwin Hardin and Margaret Merle (Fowler) Hardin, in Malvern, Arkansas. He was a 1951 graduate of Malvern High School. He held BBA in Finance from Baylor University and an MBA from the University of Chicago. He was a U.S. Army Specialist-3 during the Korean War. He enjoyed a long career as an Economic Planning and Development Director in local, state and federal posts in Texas, Arkansas, Illinois, West Virginia and Washington, D.C. He retired to his home state from the International Trade Commission of the U.S. Department of...

Margie Ann Weathersby Orr, age 82 of Sevierville, Tennessee, formerly of El Dorado, Arkansas passed away Wednesday, June 8, 2022. Margie was born on June 9, 1939, in Smackover, Arkansas. Early in life, she was led to faith in Christ through her father Owen. She married Jerome Orr on June 16, 1957, in El Dorado, Arkansas. She dearly loved being a mother, playing the organ at church, and teaching school. Together with Jerome, they worked in and owned several radio stations. While Jerome was "on the air," she ran the business side of things and cared for their family. Their work took them to New Mexico, through Texas, and eventually to Louisiana where Margie worked in the LSU Library. Margie...

David Michael Taylor, 84, of Justin Texas, passed away June 4, 2022. Mike was born November 17, 1937 in Little Rock, Arkansas. Retired from Barnsco Fleet and Cabela's Gun Library. He was a Master Mason with the Tyler Lodge and had his pilots license. He enjoyed all things nature, raising catahoulas, bird watching and fishing. Mike graduated in 1955 from Central High School in Little Rock and studied at the University of Arkansas. He served in the National Guard. Mike is preceded in death by his beloved Mam Mama, Med Fields Short and parents Hugh J Taylor and Evelyn Med Short. He is survived by daughters Jessica Taylor Thomason, Dana Taylor Schulz, Scarlett Taylor Brown, Lisa Taylor Howry,...

Carolyn Colley Huber of North Richland Hills, TX passed away on May 28th 2022 in Grapevine, TX. She was born on October 14,1933 in Current View, MO to Mr. and Mrs. R.L. Colley She is survived by her wonderful husband Joe C Huber of 64 years Granddaughters Leslie McGuire and husband Patrick McGuire of Watauga, TX Lauren Le and husband John Le of Oklahoma City, OK Great grandchildren Madison McGuire, Olivia McGuire, Nolan Le, and Emma Le Many cherished nieces, nephews, cousins, extended family, and friends. She is preceded in death by her parents R.L. and Lorene Colley, Twin sister Marilyn C Barre Brothers James M. Colley and Johnny Joe Colley and her loving son Greg Huber. She had a...

Deborah Ebbing Ligon, 88, died peacefully at home in Memphis, TN, surrounded by those who loved her on May 19, 2022. Deborah has left behind her husband and dancing partner of 64 years, Bill Ligon; her children, Freeman Ligon (Debora), Eric Ligon (Leslie), Marilyn Ligon Hughes (Walter), Hollis Ligon, and grandsons, Andrew, Ethan, Joseph, and Nick. Also mourning her death are her brother, Ed Ebbing and his wife, Candy; sisters-in-law, Peggy Ebbing, Martha Culp, and Betty and her husband Buddy Formby; and many nieces, nephews and cousins. While Deborah loved playing tennis and working tirelessly on her yard and home, her greatest joy was caring for her family. A funeral service will be held...

Kathryn Ann Reginelli Johnson, age 90, went to be with our Lord and Savior on May 11, 2022. Born September 26, 1931, to Enrico and Enrica Reginelli, she lived her entire life in Marion. On November 27, 1954, Kathryn married the love of her life, Nat Johnson. She is predeceased by her loving husband and all six siblings. Kathryn is survived by sons, Nat Johnson of Germantown, Boyce Johnson (Leslie Rutledge) and Reggie Johnson (Kim) of Maumelle, six grandchildren and 23 nieces and nephews. Lovingly remembered as "Noni" by her grandchildren Natalie, Megan, Samantha, Brett, Lauren, and Julianna. Kathryn instilled her love for Christ in her family and friends. She was a kind, gentle soul...

Nancy Marie (Mills) Guidry, 77, of Katy, Texas passed away Tuesday, May 3, 2022, in her home surrounded by love. Nancy was born February 27, 1945, in San Antonio, Texas to LeClare and Dorothy Mills. Nancy graduated from Spring Branch High School in Houston, Texas in 1962 and earned a business degree from the University of Texas at Austin in 1967 during a time when there were few women pursuing degrees in business. She was a proud member of the Longhorn marching band and played the bass clarinet. Nancy married Bert Wayne Guidry in 1974 and moved to Rogers, Arkansas. She was a long-time member of the First Church of Christ Scientist, Rogers and member of the First Church of Christ...

John William Kelley, 47 of Jefferson was born December 2, 1974, in Texarkana, Texas and passed away on April 19, 2022. John graduated from Pleasant Grove High School in 1992. Preceded John in death were his grandparents, Thelbert D. Kelley, and wife Jeanette Womble Kelley; O.A. Sawyer and wife Myrdie Lee Anthony Sawyer. John is survived by his father, William Carlton Kelley of Jefferson, Texas, and his mother Rosa Lee Sawyer Caprio and Stepfather Eugene D. Caprio, Jr. of Hot Springs Village, Arkansas; and a special Aunt "Nana" Mary Ellen McClain of Crossett, Arkansas. A private service will be held at a later date with arrangements made by Haggard Funeral Home in Jefferson, Texas.

Mrs. Stephanie "Stevie" Wood Campbell, 38, died Friday, April 15, 2022, at Baptist Memorial Hospital - North Mississippi. The funeral will be Wednesday, April 20, 2022, at 1:00 P.M. at First Presbyterian Church of Oxford with Rev. Barrett Milner officiating. Visitation will be held prior to the service beginning at 11:00 A.M. at the church. Waller Funeral Home is in charge of arrangements. Stevie was a woman of brilliant mind and bold spirit. At the mere age of 6, she traveled abroad for the first time to Paris and London. It was this trip that sparked a passion inside Stevie for travel, opening her mind to other cultures and experiences different than her own. With a wanderlust for...

Jimmy Dariel Jones, 75, of Brownsville, Texas passed away on the 4th of April 2022. Jimmy was born on January 20, 1947 in DeWitt, Arkansas, son of Herman and Lorene Padgett Jones. He later met and married Ruby "Ann" Moore Jones. Jimmy proudly served as a Medical Specialist in the U.S. Army National Guard of Arkansas for thirteen years. He was also a teacher at McRae Schools, a principal at Lonoke Schools, and Superintendent of Schools in St. Charles, Dermott, Hope, and Mena, Arkansas for twenty-three years. He retired to Brownsville, Texas to benear his son Brett Clement and granddaughter, Bernadette Clement. Preceding Jimmy in death were his parents, Herman and Lorene P....

Stephen Maxwell Patterson, age 71, passed away on April 4, 2022 in Naples, Florida surrounded by his family. Steve was the former President, Chief Executive Officer of Leisure Arts, a publishing and direct mail company. Steve served as vice chairman of the board of trustees of Hendrix College and also served on the board of directors of Acxiom Corporation, Worthen Bank and its successor, Bank of America-Arkansas. Steve held a bachelor's degree from Hendrix College and an electrical engineering degree and an MBA from Columbia University. An avid collector, car enthusiast, and hobbyist, Steve lived a life filled with things that he loved. Family was the most important thing to Steve. He was so...

Kitty Bernadine Robertson Ross Holland age 97 formerly of Arkadelphia AR passed away Wednesday, March 9, 2022, in Victoria, TX where she lived the last 15 years with her daughter, Pana. Kitty was the youngest of four girls raised on a large wheat farm in Creston, WA. As a registered nurse in the US Army Nurse Corp during World War II, she met her husband, Dr. Wallis A. Ross. She and Dr. Ross settled and raised their family in Arkadelphia, built a home on Martindale Hill Road and cared for the people of Arkadelphia for many years until his death in 1972. Kitty later married Ernest "Hotsy" Holland and together they operated Holland's House of Fashion. She was an excellent friend to many, a...

Billy Joe Felty, 94, of Paragould, AR went to be with the Lord on Saturday, March 5, 2022. He was formerly of West Memphis, AR and Henderson, AR. Bill is leaving behind a host of family and friends, along with many acquaintances as he led a life of public service. Bill was born on December 28, 1927, in O'Kean, AR to Joseph and Bessie (Allison) Felty. One of nine children, he grew up in a close-knit family in the small farming community of Stanford. He is preceded in death by his beloved wife, Carolyn Joan (Harris) Felty, his parents, his brothers Harold, Bonnie, Vernon, John and Max, sister Wanda Rogers. Bill is survived by his two daughters, Dianne (William) Person, Gail (Jack) Poff....

Roy Alton "Al" Simpson, age 69, of Memphis, TN, died on Thursday, March 3, 2022, at Baptist Memorial Hospital-Memphis. Al was born in Russellville, AR, on May 22, 1952. He was the son of the late Roy Hamilton Simpson and Lois Langford Simpson. He was a graduate of Russellville High School and Arkansas Tech University (Cum Laude) in Physics and Mathematics. Preceding him in death was his sister, Martha Faye Simpson. Survivors are his wife of 44 years, Barbara Moseley Simpson of Memphis, TN; his uncle Nelson Langford, Russellville, AR; his brother-in-law David Moseley (Dana), Russellville, AR; his niece Alana Moseley Graham (Taylor), Cabot, AR; his great nephew Samuel Graham, Cabot, AR; his...

Ralph B. Patterson was born on December 2, 1948 in Little Rock, AR. He was the son of Louise Heiskell Patterson and Hugh B. Patterson, Jr. and the brother of Carrick Patterson (Pat) of Little Rock, AR. His grandparents were Wilhelmina Mann Heiskell and John Netherland Heiskell and Hugh B. Patterson and Martha Patterson. Patterson attended Little Rock public schools through junior high school. For high school, he graduated from St. Alban's School in Washington, D.C. in 1966 where he was a National Merit Scholarship semi-finalist. At St. Albans, he played football, wrestled and was a three-year starting pitcher for the varsity baseball team. He graduated from the University of North Carolina...

Mary Jane Fulmer Bracy was born November 28, 1932, in Little Rock, Arkansas. She passed away February 25, 2022, in Frisco, Texas. Mary was the daughter of Dr. Silas C. Fulmer & Mrs. Ruby G. Rainwater of Little Rock. She graduated from Little Rock High School (1949) & attended 3 years of undergraduate school at the University of Arkansas at Fayetteville before marrying & starting a family. Mary is survived by her daughter, Carol B. Freeman, son-in-law, Steve Freeman, & grandson, William K. (Bud) Brinson II. She enjoyed family, life-long friends, Bas Bleu membership, 20th Century Club & many a bridge game with dear friends. She was a loving mother & grandmother who will...

Bonnie Marie Sallis, 98, of Rock Hill, SC, and formerly of Marianna, AR, passed away on Tuesday, February 22, 2022, at Westminster Health and Rehabilitation Center in Rock Hill. Bonnie Marie Sallis was born to the late Elmers Hayes and Georgia Marie Hayes on December 8, 1923, in Sugar Grove, Ohio. She is preceded in death by her parents; her husband, Edward Christopher Sallis, Sr; her sisters, Jean Hayes Schneiders, and Billie Hayes Foley; and her brother, Buster Hayes. She is survived by her son, Edward Christopher "Kit" Sallis, Jr; her daughter-in-law, Charlotte Chism Sallis; her grandchildren, Ashley Marie Faile (Austin), Christopher Adam Sallis (Laura) and; her great-grandchildren,...

James Robert "Cotton" Hildreth, Major General, USAF (Ret) James Robert "Cotton" Hildreth, 94, passed away peacefully at his home in Spring Hope, NC Tuesday, February 1, 2022 with family by his side. A memorial service will be announced later. Cotton was born May 4, 1927 in Pine Bluff, Arkansas during the Great Mississippi River flood when the Arkansas River crested at 55 feet above flood stage. He was born in the back of an ice wagon because of the flooding and rode that crest of high water through an extraordinary life: He married Beth Baker of Spring Hope, a teacher and beauty queen, served in two wars, flew in the Air Force as a highly decorated fighter pilot, rose to the rank of...

Lois Elizabeth Wilson passed away Friday, January 27, 2022 at Flo & Phil Jones Hospice House in Jonesboro. She was born June 30, 1936 in Gillett, AR to Sarah Elizabeth Howell Coffman and John Baker Nichols. Lois graduated from the University of Arkansas in Fayetteville with a bachelors degree in Business Administration and was a member of Tri- Delta sorority. She was a member of Joiner United Methodist Church. Her passion were flowers and she was a member of the Arkansas Native Plant Society. Lois spent many years as a volunteer at Litcherman Nature Center in Memphis where her love of plants was ignited and she acted as a foster parent to many wildlife babies. Lois is preceded in death...