The Jonesboro Sun

David Lafayette "Pops" Long, 75, passed away on Saturday, September 10, 2022, at the St. Bernard Medical Center in Jonesboro, Arkansas. He was born December 29, 1946, in Corinth, MS, to Herbert and Eva McBride Long. He was a graduate of the University of Mississippi. He spent his career working in management for a variety of waste companies in Mississippi and Arkansas. He was director of budget and finance for the City of Tupelo for several years. He loved college football and was an avid Ole Miss fan. He will mostly be remembered as a loving and devoted husband, father, and Pops who delighted in his grandson Easton. Services will be at 11 a.m. Thursday, September 15, at the McNeece-Morris...

Sallie Gaydos, 75, passed away on September 1, 2022 in Pleasanton, TX. She was born on July 3, 1947 in Jonesboro, Arkansas to William and Josephine Butler. Sallie was a farmer's wife and worked hard on the family farm for many years. She loved her family and was an amazing wife, mother, and grandmother. Sallie was an avid lover of animals, especially horses and cats. She also loved going to casinos and playing the slots. Sallie is preceded in death by her parents William Butler and Josephine Staudt Butler, and her brother Mark Butler. She is survived by her husband of 53 years Victor Gaydos; daughter Rene Paschall and husband Michael; son Edward Gaydos and wife Brenda Malone; granddaughter...

Malydaln Janet Mitchell, 89, of San Antonio, Texas, went home to be with her Lord on August 25, 2022. She was born on May 14, 1933 in Bruni, Texas to the late James and Edna Jones. Malydaln met and married the love of her life, Bruce Wyman Mitchell in 1948 in San Diego, Texas. She was a proud wife, mother, and grandmother. Malydaln owned and operated a ranch that has been in her family for over 100 years in Loma Alta outside of Tilden, Texas. She realized her dream of having a game ranch with deer management. She gave a loving home to many rescue dogs, loved gardening, animals, and dancing, especially square dancing. To those who knew her best, she was always smiling, laughing, and joking;...

Dr. Bob D. Johnson, 86, of Saltillo, died Monday morning, August 22, 2022, at the North Mississippi Medical Center in Tupelo. He was born June 24, 1936, in Walnut Ridge, Arkansas. A longtime educator, Dr. Johnson earned his Ph.D. in Zoology at Arizona State University, and then taught at Arkansas State University for more than 30 years. He loved his students and created longtime friendships with many of them. After his retirement from ASU, Dr. Johnson became a successful and award-winning cattle breeder. This, again, allowed him the opportunity to work with young people through Future Farmers of America in Northeast Arkansas, and the International Junior Brangus Breeders Association. ...

Christine B. Garren, 61, died on August 19, 2022. Arrangements are being handled by Roller Citizens Funeral Home of West Memphis, Arkansas.

Jay Paxton Marotti was born on September 20, 1988 in Memphis, Tn. He was the son of the late Rosemary Marotti and Randy Marotti. He was welcomed home to a host of loving Aunts, Uncles and cousins. He had one sister Shelby McCuiston Ward, brother in law Chris and one niece Averie Ward. His maternal grandparents were the late Lois Gipson and late Egbert "Pug" Gipson of Stuttgart, AR. His paternal grandparents were the late Mary Marotti and John Marotti of Crawfordsville. He later had a little brother Lucas Marotti. Paxton was a happy and smart young man all through school. He made many life long friends at Bragg Elementary. At West Jr High he won many Math awards and made other life long...

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,...

Shirley Jean (Louy) Lemons, age 82, of Collierville, Tennessee passed away on Thursday, May 12, 2022. Shirley was born September 8, 1939 in Brookland, Arkansas. She is survived by her husband of 63 years, Doyle Lemons; son, Kip Lemons (Andrea) of Collierville; daughter, Kendra Schenkel (David) of Brentwood, Tennessee; brother, Cliff Louy of Jonesboro, Arkansas; sister, Doris McHalffey of Hardy, Arkansas; and grandchildren, Courtney Tarena (Dante), Cody Lemons (Dani), Kayla Fitzhugh (Adam) all of Collierville, and Luke and AnnaClaire Schenkel of Brentwood. She is also survived by five great-grandchildren, Melora and Joey Tarena, Rowan and Rori Fitzhugh, and Lochlan Lemons and friend and...

Jimmie Joe Layton, 85, of West Memphis, Arkansas, passed away May 5, 2022 at Methodist University Hospital in Memphis, TN. He was born to Willard and Nora Mae Fears Layton on August 27, 1936 in Earle, AR. He worked for General Motors in Memphis and was a retired farmer in Togo, AR. He was of the Baptist faith and was a member of the Bellevue Baptist Church in Memphis, TN where he enjoyed serving as an usher in the balcony. Jimmie Joe was very outgoing, loved telling funny stories. He loved talking to both friends and strangers. He was preceded in death by his parents and in-laws Willard and Wilma Wood. Mr. Layton is survived by his wife of 63 years, Edna Lew Layton; sons, Bruce...

Georita Mae Ring Yant, age 79, resident of Oakland, Tennessee and wife of the late Harmon "Sonny" Yant, went to heaven on Monday evening, April 11, 2022 at her home surrounded by family and friends. Georita was born November 25, 1942 in Indianapolis, Indiana, the daughter of the late William Elvin Ring and Nellie Maryann Bohanann Ring. She was married January 14, 1961 to Harmon "Sonny" Yant. She had longed for years to reunite with her husband who called her BEAUTIFUL Lady for 54 years. That loving name means so much because she truly was beautiful both inside and out. Her beauty overflowed as she taught and instilled in each of us what the real meaning of what beauty was. It was about...

Miss Mary Jean Rutherford, 86, departed this life for her eternal home at her residence in Tupelo on Wednesday, March 9, 2022 after a period of declining health. Born April 23, 1935 in Webb City, Missouri to the late John Edward Rutherford and Martha Rose Hare Rutherford, she attended the public schools there and graduated from Webb City High School. After attending the local Junior College in Joplin, she received her BS Degree in Medical Technology from Northwestern University in Chicago. She later earned a MA degree in Education from Drury University in Springfield, Mo. Professor Rutherford spent the remainder of her life either teaching or serving as program manager for Med Tech...

Rex DeWayne Anderson, age 71 passed away on Tuesday, February 15, 2022. Rex was born January 15, 1951 to the late Garland and Maxine Anderson in Jonesboro, Arkansas. Dewayne started in the consumer finance industry in 1972. He established First Metropolitan Financial Services in 1987, which he owned and operated up until the time of his passing. Dewayne achieved the Pilgrim Degree of Merit from the Loyal Order of Moose Fraternity and was a lifetime member. He served on the board of Confluent Strategies and the Tennessee Consumer Finance Association. He attended River City Church in Bartlett. He enjoyed playing golf with his family and friends, as well as attending Memphis Grizzlies and...

Clevie Sue Jones Cowart was a caring wife, mother, Jammaw, sister, and friend. "Sue" passed from this world on December 31, 2021, in Bentonville, AR at the age of 88. Sue was preceded in death by her loving husband, Charles C. Cowart. She is survived by her daughters: Jeanmarie C. Fogleman (J. Barton) of Bella Vista, AR and Karen C. Sanders (Kyle) of Collierville, TN. Also surviving her are her five grandchildren, eight great grandchildren and 1 great great granddaughter. She is also survived by three sisters and two brothers. A gravesite service will be held to celebrate her life at Memphis Funeral Home and Memorial Gardens 3700 N. Germantown Road in Bartlett, Tennessee on January 5th,...

Carole Jane (Scholze) Miles, age 80, passed away Sunday, December 19, 2021, at Greenview Regional Hospital in Bowling Green, Kentucky. The Jonesboro, Arkansas, native was born Wednesday, May 21, 1941, to the late Ernest Scholze and Mary (Rennicke) Scholze. She was preceded in death by her loving husband, William "Bill" "Guy" Joseph Miles and a brother, Herman Scholze. Carole grew up in Jonesboro, Arkansas, where she attended Arkansas State University, earning her degree in Journalism at the top of her class. She became a reporter with Pine Bluff Commercial where she met her loving husband of 55 years. The couple spent years living in Memphis, Tennessee, where their family. They later moved...

Gerald Wayne Sutton of The Villages, FL passed away on December 14th, 2021 at the age of 70 Years. He was born September 7th, 1951 in Poinsett County Arkansas where he grew up Marked Tree. He graduated from Marked Tree High School in 1969. Gerald worked as a farmer most of his his life until he retired in 2020. He was a member of the National Guard. Gerald is preceded in death by his parents John Coy Sutton Sr.and Lou Pugh Sutton, three sisters Nett Goucher, Wanda Morgan, Geba Jackson. He is survived by his wife, Marjorie Hall Sutton, one brother, John Coy Sutton Jr.(Phyllis), two sisters Fonda Condra(Sonny) and Alice Scott(Whitey), Two sons Gerald Sutton Jr. and Jeremy Sutton,...

Blanche Abbott, 89, passed away on November 17, 2021. Blanche was born on June 14, 1932 in Winchester, TN and moved to Nashville, TN as a very young child. She was educated in the Nashville Public Schools and graduated from Hume Fogg High School in 1950. In her early years she worked as a secretary and later as a real estate agent. Homemaking was her primary commitment and the family was her overwhelming love. Blanche was a member of the Faculty Women's Club at MTSU, ASU, and several bridge groups. She was an active gardener and a member of the Craighead County Master Gardeners. She was also a member of First Baptist Church, the Phebian Bible Class, and a volunteer in the St....

Samuel Ray Meador Jr., 31, of Heth, Arkansas was called home to Jesus on September 17, 2021. Samuel was known to his friends and family as Ray, and he was often called "Uncle Ray Ray" by his nieces and nephews. Ray was born on April 23, 1990 in Memphis, Tennessee to Samuel Ray Meador Sr., "Sammy", and Stephanie Crites Meador. He was one of four siblings, and the only one who came out with blonde hair. Ray farmed with his dad, Sammy, on their family's farmland in Heth and the surrounding area. He loved what he did for a living and it ran through his blood. At the age of nine, Ray had planted a successful garden that would even put his dad's garden to shame. He loved hunting and fishing,...

David "Barry" Dowd, 85, passed away Fri, Aug 20, 2021. He was the former head basketball coach of Arlington State College. A celebration of his life will be at Jeter & Son Funeral Home, 2PM, Fri, Aug 27, 2021, with visitation beginning at 12PM. Please see his full obituary at www.jeterandson.com. In lieu of flowers, the family requests memorials be made to the Northeast Arkansas Cancer Society and Northeast Arkansas Humane Society.

William "Bill" Dwain Baugh, 81, of Memphis, Tennessee, departed this life on August 12, 2021. He is survived by many family members and friends. A memorial service will be held at a later date.

Margaret Louise Stella Akers, 86, of Brandon, MS, passed away on Saturday, June 12, 2021, at the University of Mississippi Medical Center in Jackson, MS with family members by her side. A visitation for family and friends will be held at Ott & Lee Funeral Home, Brandon, MS on Thursday, June 17, 2021, from 11:00am to 1:00pm which will be followed by a celebration of life service at 1:00pm officiated by Bro. Jeff Walker in the Ott & Lee Chapel. Pallbearers at the Brandon funeral service will be grandsons Nathaniel "Nate" Akers, Jared Akers, Daniel Gray, Keith Manuel, Bart Crain and Brett Crain. The following day, June 18, 2021, a visitation for family and friends will be held at...

Dudley Hugh Johnston, 89, of Germantown, TN died peacefully on February 4, 2021. He was a 20-year veteran of the U.S. Air Force and a recipient of the Wright Brothers "Master Pilot" award. Dudley was born on March 23, 1931 in Tampa, FL to Joseph and Minnie Johnston. In 1947, he took his first flying lesson in St. Petersburg, FL and began his love of flying. In 1948 he enlisted in the U.S. Air Force. He flew as a fighter pilot, bomber pilot and transport pilot. After retiring from the Air Force in 1968 he flew as a corporate pilot for W.R. Grace, Western Leasing, and FedEx. When he retired from FedEx in 1999 he flew chartered planes for various clients for several years. He is...