Obituaries

Feb 13, 2021

It is with great sadness that the family of Vernon Lee shares that he passed away on February 13, 2021 at his home in Dyess.

Vernon was 65 and was born on June 23, 1955.  He was a retired farmer and lived in the Dyess area his entire life.  We guess he loved that gumbo dirt.

Feb 12, 2021

John Franklin Shinall, 67, of Lepanto, Arkansas departed this life Friday, February 12, 2021 in Jonesboro, Arkansas.  He was born on February 14, 1953 in Lepanto to Rueben Greene “Buster” and Jimmie Faye Jones Shinall.

John was a follower of Jesus Christ.  It has been his honor for 35 years to build houses and serve the Lepanto...

Feb 11, 2021

William Wayne “Bill” Craft, 78 of Marked Tree, Arkansas departed this life on February 11, 2021 in Jonesboro, Arkansas.  He was born in Marked Tree, Arkansas on September 18, 1942 to William Wesley and Tessie Irene Coates Craft.

Bill was of the Church of God faith.  He was very civic minded.  He was a former Poinsett County...

Feb 7, 2021

Travis Pitts, 70 of Marked Tree, Arkansas departed this life on February 7, 2021 in Jonesboro, Arkansas.  He was born on July 9, 1950 to Clayberne and Beatrice Simpson Pitts.

Travis retired in 2004 from the City of Memphis where he worked as an electronic Technician for 29 years.  He was a 1968 high school graduate of...

Feb 7, 2021

Bonnie Bell Tanner-Waterford, 83, of Manila, Arkansas departed this life on Sunday, February 7, 2021 in Jonesboro, Arkansas.  She was born on January 16, 1938 in Lepanto, Arkansas to Noah and Mae Brown Cato.

She is preceded in death by her husband: Lester John Tanner Jr., parents, one daughter: Sheila Saint and two brothers: Floyd Cato and...

Feb 3, 2021

Charles Leon Tyler Sr., 74, of Lepanto, Arkansas departed this life on Wednesday, February 3, 2021 in Jonesboro, Arkansas.  He was born on November 20, 1946 in Lepanto, Arkansas to Paul Maxwell and Janice Shepard Tyler.

Charles was a truck driver for 52 years, a radio operator in the army and he received the National Defense Service Metal....

Jan 31, 2021

Patricia Ann Henderson, 66, of Wilson, Arkansas departed this life on Sunday, January 31, 2021 at her home.  She was born on July 28, 1954 in Merigold, Mississippi to Gene and Aileen Knapp Wheeler. Patricia was a member of The Lighthouse Assembly of God in Dyess, Arkansas and she was a retired paraprofessional from Rivercrest School District.

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Jan 21, 2021

Ernest Bradsher Portis

March 20, 1945-January 21, 2021

Ernest Bradsher Portis, farmer, fisherman, hunter, storyteller, husband, father, grandfather, and loyal friend to many, passed away peacefully on January 21, 2021, marking the end of a life fully lived.

The son of J.C. and Evelyn Ann Portis, Ernest was blessed with an idyllic childhood,...

Jan 21, 2021

James Roy Douglas, Sr., 71 of Bryant, Arkansas departed this life on January 21, 2021 at Baptist Medical Center in Little Rock, Arkansas.  He was born on September 22, 1949 in Jonesboro, Arkansas to Fred Durell, Jr.  and Wanda Louise Roach Douglas.

Roy is survived by his wife: Marian Miller Douglas of 47 years, son: James Roy...

Jan 18, 2021

X.L. Ragan, 85, of Marked Tree, Arkansas departed this life Monday, January 18, 2021.  He was born on March 23, 1935 in Parkin, Arkansas to A. G. and Myritle Lee Dunn Ragan.

He worked as a carpenter and was a member of Trinity Baptist Church.  He was a former member of Neiswander Baptist Church and Central Baptist...

Jan 10, 2021

Albert L. Thrasher, Jr., 74, of Marked Tree, Arkansas departed this life on Sunday, January 10, 2021 at NEA Baptist Hospital in Jonesboro, Arkansas. He was born on October 14, 1946 in Marked Tree, Arkansas to Albert L. Sr. and Birtie Gean Thrasher. He was of the Pentecost faith.

Albert is preceded in death by his wife:...

Jan 6, 2021

Karen Stricklin Willis, 56, of Jonesboro, Arkansas departed this life on Wednesday, January 6, 2021 in Jonesboro, Arkansas.  She was born on April 17, 1964 in Harrisburg, Arkansas to Harry Eugene and Maggie Sue Martin Stricklin.

She is preceded in death by her parents, one sister: Sheila Stricklin and two grandsons: Grayson Hill and Evan Wilson.

Jan 6, 2021

It is with a heavy heart that the family of Wanda Sue Teague announces her passing on January 6, 2021 at the age of 85.

Wanda was an amazing cook, avid gardener, and a fantastic seamstress, but above all, she was the most loving Mom, Mamaw and great grandma that a family could have ever prayed for....

Jan 5, 2021

Marilyn Lynn Ashcraft, 71 of Lepanto, Arkansas departed this life on January 5, 2021 at St. Bernards Medical Center in Jonesboro, Arkansas.  She was born on December 9, 1949 in Manila, Arkansas to Herman and Maxine Curry Hall.

Lynn was a member of the First Baptist Church in Lepanto.  She loved fishing, yard work and the kids...

Jan 2, 2021

James Patrick Murphy, 58, of Blytheville, Arkansas departed this life on January 2, 2021 in Blytheville, Arkansas.  He was born on June 21, 1962 in Little Rock, Arkansas to James Benjamin and Doris Ellen Worthy Murphy.  He was a former funeral director and embalmer for Murphy Funeral Home in Lepanto and Marked Tree, Arkansas.

He is preceded...

Dec 29, 2020

Randy Joe Coaker Sr., 64, of Etowah, Arkansas departed this life on Tuesday, December 29, 2020 in Batesville, Arkansas.  He was born on July 17, 1956 in Lepanto, Arkansas to James Elmer Coker and Shirley Kemp Carter.

He is preceded in death by his father: James Coker and step-father: Buford Carter.

Randy is survived by...

Dec 25, 2020

Julie Ann Herrera, 67, of Joiner, Arkansas departed this life on Friday, December 25, 2020 in Jonesboro, Arkansas.  She was born on March 1, 1953 in Biloxi, Mississippi to Bill Welch and Essie Mae “Sissy” Glover Rogers.

She is preceded in death by her father: Bill Welch, step-father: Lloyd B. Rogers, mother: Essie Mae “Sissy” Rogers, brother:...

Dec 23, 2020

Donald Ray “Pete” Tyler, 63, of Lepanto, Arkansas departed this life on Wednesday, December 23, 2020 at his home.  He was born on July 3, 1957 to John Everett and Mary Brown Tyler.  In his early years he enjoyed hunting and fishing, he loved kids, his dogs, his family and spending time with his wife Debbie.  He had a...

Dec 22, 2020

Doris Ann (Jones) Shipman, 62, of Lake City, Arkansas, formerly of Caraway, Arkansas, departed this life Friday, May 7, 2020 in Jonesboro, Arkansas.  She was born on October 2, 1957 to Wilmer and Ethel Drennen Jones.  Doris was a homemaker and loved wrestling, dancing, her kids and grandkids.  She enjoyed time spent with family.

She is preceded...

Dec 19, 2020

Cleton David “Buck” Jones, 89, of Dyess, Arkansas departed this life on Saturday, December 19, 2020 at his home in Dyess.  He was born on February 28, 1931 in Leachville, Arkansas to Sam and Grace Bradley Jones.

He is preceded in death by his wife of 68 years: Willie Bea Kelley Jones, his parents, great grandson: Bradon...