The Jonesboro Sun

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...

Memphian Dr. Jerry Lloyd Johnston, 83, a servant of Christ, went to his heavenly home on Feb. 3, 2021. Dr. Johnston was born in Monette, Ark. on November 19, 1937 to Cynthia Alena Johnston and James Albert Johnston. He attended Arkansas State University and earned his dental and pediatric dental degrees from the University of Tennessee College of Dentistry. Between earning his dental and pedodontic degrees, Johnston served as a captain in the U.S. Army stationed in LaRochelle, France where he met his future wife Joan, whose father was also stationed there. The couple settled in Memphis and had three children. Dr. Johnston founded Pediatric Dental Group in Whitehaven in 1968 which expanded...

Harold Minton Smith, Jr., age 79, resident of Oakland, Tennessee, died January 17, 2021. Survivors include his wife, Robin Smith; two sisters, Margie Luster of Jonesboro, AR and Sarah Jane Green of Little Rock, AR; and his brother, Jim Ray (Doreen) of San Angelo, TX.

Michael Lee Slaughter, 53, passed away December 25, 2020 at home in Pontotoc. Michael joined the Navy in 1984, right out of high school, as a sonar technician, later became a Navy Seal as a part of Seal Team 6. After his service in the military he resided in Jonesboro, AR where he married Donna and had two daughters, and worked as an electrician. Survivors include his mother, Merle Plunkett(Larry); his siblings, Ann "Peewee" Compton, Lisa McKlemurry(Carl), Jerry Gean(Teresa), Terry Gean(Teresa), Ricky Gean(Donna), Cynthia Gross(Robert), Lisa Greene, Melissa Blake(Jamie), Jonathan Slaughter, Lawrence Slaughter, and Keith Plunkett; daughters, Destiny and Carissa Slaughter; and his four...

Kenneth Cameron Walden was born on April 5, 1926 and raised by goodly parents in Paragould, Arkansas. He passed away peacefully on Thanksgiving Day, November 26, 2020 in Bountiful Utah. Kenneth was preceded in death by his wife of 67 years Janice Lela Walden (Johnson). Kenneth is survived by his sister Wanda (Raymond) Atwood. He is also survived by a very large posterity including eight children: James Robert (Kathy), Bruce Cameron (Kathy), Douglas Allen (Toni), Maurice Aaron (Deborah), Sue Elana, Ilona Latena, Karla Denese (William) and Kendall McKay (Ellen). Kenneth was very keen on keeping up with his 20 grandchildren, 44 great grandchildren and five great, great grandchildren. Dad...

Elizabeth "Sue" Porterfield, 76, arrived at her heavenly home on November 25, 2020. Her devotion to her family and her firm belief in God supported her in her struggle and ultimately gave her never-ending peace. Sue was born in Memphis to the late William and Dorothy Peeler Bell, on July 6, 1944. Sue was blessed with a large and loving family. She married her best friend and soulmate, the late Donald Garriel Porterfield, on May 9, 1962. Sue raised three devoted children, Randy Porterfield of Searcy, Donna (Donnie) Richmond of Bondsville, and Denise (Mark) Eaton of Searcy. Her children had the pleasure of caring for her in her last years. She was a fun and loving Nan to 4; Corissa Meyer,...

60, passed on November 25, 2020, Memorial Park Funeral Home and Cemetery

Jennie Mae Frost, age 94, died Friday November 13, 2020, under the care of Ogeechee Area Hospice. She was born October 26, 1926, to Bert and Anna Hanouw of rural DeKalb County, Illinois, the youngest of 7 children. She graduated from Somonauk High School in 1944. She married Paul G. Frost December 12, 1947 and they were married for 65 years until his death in 2013. They spent most of their working years in Aurora, Illinois. They moved to the Jonesboro, Arkansas area in 1986 in hopes of escaping the long cold winters but yet able to get back to northern Illinois easily to see family and friends. They never lost touch with friends made throughout the years. Jennie was always busy at...

Phillip Wayne Hill, 80, of Waco, Texas, passed from this life surrounded by his family at Providence Hospital on Wednesday, September 23. He was a proud 1958 graduate of Dixie High School, a 1968 graduate of Arkansas State University. He was employed as an engineer for Emerson Electric in Paragould, Arkansas for over 30 years. He was a faithful member of First Baptist Church Paragould for 50 years serving in many ways including deacon. He enjoyed driving a tractor, fishing, hunting, playing free cell on his computer and spending time with his grandchildren. He was preceded in death by his parents Forrest and Ruby Hill of Lake City, Arkansas and two sisters Juanita Clark of Florida and...

Forrest Norton (Joe) Jenkins of Memphis, Tennessee, passed away September 21, 2020, at the age of 82. Joe died peacefully with his beloved wife Linda by his side. Joe was born in Dyess Colony, Arkansas, on March 19, 1938, to father James Forrest Jenkins and mother Vernice Raye Norton Jenkins. Over the course of his career, Joe served in a range of capacities, including as Chairman and President of the former Citizens Bank in Marion, Arkansas, as well as board chairman and instructor at the Mid-South School of Banking. Additionally, Joe served on the Arkansas Bank Holding Company board. Joe came out of retirement to serve on the Evolve Bank and Trust Board of Directors. While serving on the...

Mildred "Mickey" V. Konzen, age 98, of Marietta, GA, died on September 14, 2020. She was born in Nettleton, AR. She raised her family in South Bend, IN. In retirement, she lived in both Port Richey, FL and Marietta, GA. On October 2, 1943 in Jonesboro, AR, she married Norman J. Konzen who died on December 25, 2008. Mickey was also preceded in death by her son, Daniel S. Konzen of Duluth, GA, and sister, Ann Robinson of Jonesboro, AR. She is survived by her daughter, Kay S. Schwerzler of Windsor, CA, grandson, Christopher Schwerzler of Healdsburg, CA, granddaughter, Stephanie Reiley of Portland, OR, and grandson David Konzen of Marietta, GA. She was a homemaker. While in Jonesboro, she...

Brian Delloyd Kellett, 51, of Memphis, was peacefully released from his broken body on Sunday, September 13, at home, surrounded by his family. He was born in Camden, N. J., the son of Carol and Dr. Gary Kellett. When Brian was four, the family moved to Memphis, which he would be forever proud to call home. Brian was a 1988 graduate of Christian Brothers High School, where he excelled in wrestling, winning 10 first places during his sophomore, junior and senior years, and going to state his senior year. He was also named to the Memphis All Metro Wrestling Team for 1987-88. He earned a bachelor's degree from the University of Missouri in Hotel and Restaurant Management in 1993, where he was...

William Joseph "Bill" Miles, 91, of Waldenburg, AR, died peacefully August 23, 2020, with his loving family at his side. He was born November, 23, 1928 in Des Arc, AR, and grew up in Little Rock. Miles is survived by his wife of 55 years, Carole Scholze Miles; two sons, James Retford Miles of Rogers, AR and William Ernest Miles of Kingston Springs, TN; two daughters, Terri (Mrs. Timothy) Howington of Rogers and Mary (Mrs. Michael) Kennedy of Alvaton, KY; a loved daughter-in-law, Shelly (Mrs. William E.) Miles of Kingston Springs; six grandchildren: Joseph Miles, Anna (Mrs. Tyler) Sanders, Ryan Kennedy, Garrison Kennedy, Julia Kennedy and Joshua Howington, and two great-grandchildren. He was...

Richard Drace Provost Richard Drace Provost, 75 of Marion, Arkansas departed this life on Friday, August 7 at NEA Baptist Memorial Hospital in Jonesboro following a brief illness. He was born December 19, 1944 in Tyronza, Arkansas to W.H. "Dude" Provost and Peggy Drace Provost. His parents preceded him in death. He is survived by his wife of 50 years and 7 months, Betty, one daughter, Beth Provost of Dallas, TX, one son, Brett (Kim) Provost of Jonesboro and one grandson, Drace Provost of Jonesboro. Richard was a 1963 graduate of Marked Tree High School and received his undergraduate degree in journalism from Arkansas State University in 1968. He was a member of First United Methodist...

Velear Barnes Krohn, 84, of Dunedin, Fl., passed away Saturday, June 20th, 2020. She was born in Black Oak Arkansas to David Andrew Barnes and Ethel Vernolia Gillihan. Mrs. Krohn was preceded in death by her parents, and siblings: Frances Lachney, Edna Barnes, Seddie Virginia Turner, Arvin Barnes, Marvin Barnes, and Mary Taylor. Vee is survived by her sisters Ola Allen, Joyce Riley, and Hellen Everett and daughter and son-in-law Vickie and Gerald Carmichael, as well many nieces, nephews, loyal friends, and her beloved canine companion Bella. Even at 84, she was on social media everyday to keep up with family. Velear loved her big extended family, and friends turned family, and especially...

John Burl Barnett Jr., age 88, of Collierville, Tennessee passed away on Sunday May 24, 2020. John was born November 26, 1931 in Marked Tree, AR to the late John Burl Barnett, Sr. and Mary Marvel Barnett. He was retired with the U. S. Air Force, the U. S. Federal Service and was a member of Collierville First Baptist Church. Mr. Barnett is survived by his wife; Maryellen Henderson Barnett, sons; John Burl Barnett, III, Gregory Wade Barnett, Billy Don Barnett, sister; Barbara Ann Whitmire, brothers; Billy Kenneth Barnett, Bobby Joe Barnett, six grandchildren; Natalie Truelove, Justin Barnett, William John Barnett, Meagan Cook, Mia McLane Barnett, Madison Cedars and ten...

Margaret Harrison "Margie" McGuire Hancock of Madisonville, TN, formerly of Jonesboro, AR, passed away on May 15, 2020 at her home following a lengthy illness and brave battle. Margie was born on August 22, 1942 in Sweetwater, TN. She is preceded in death by her parents, Dr. H. M. McGuire and Mrs. Betty McGuire. She is survived by a daughter, Tracey Anderson (husband Terry) of Jonesboro, AR and a son, Scott Hancock (wife Christie) of Fayetteville, AR. She has 4 grandchildren, 2 great grandchildren. She is also survived by her brother, Butch McGuire of Sweetwater, TN and her sister, Dr. Ann McGuire Grooms of Gainesville, FL. Margie is a graduate of the University Of Tennessee School...