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Obituaries Published April 2

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Mary L. Bays

Mary L. Bays, 81, of Hamburg died Thursday, March 27, 2008, at the Golden Living Center in Monticello. A native of Lacey, a resident of Hamburg for the past 12 years and a former resident of Crossett, she was a homemaker and attended the Grace Fellowship Ministries Church in Crossett.

She is survived by a son, Bobby D. Hill and wife Ann of Hamburg; three brothers, John H. Miller and wife Barbara of Monticello, Charles R. Miller and wife Ruth of Crossett and James T. Miller and wife Mary of Russellville; three sisters, Charlene Scogins of Monticello, Reba Fletcher of Crossett and Gloria Green-Lone of Vicksburg, MS; a grandson, Dale Hill of Hamburg; and three great-grandchildren, Amanda Hill of Crossett, Elena Hill of Hamburg and Lee Hill of Longview, TX.

She was preceded in death by her husband, Roy Bays, in 1977; her parents, John H. & Maureese Hackney Miller; and three sisters, Ouida Jordan, Patsy Wisecarver and Carolyn Summerford.

Funeral services were at 10 a.m., Saturday, March 29, in the chapel of Jones-Hartshorn Funeral Home with Revs. Charles Miller, James Miller and Gloria Lone officiating. Burial followed at the Lacey Cemetery. Pallbearers were Robert Fletcher, Glen Fletcher, Kevin Wisecarver, Phil Wisecarver, Enoc Miller and Dewayne Beard. Honorary pallbearers were Willie Wisecarver, Jimbo Green, Doug Green, Dayrl Miller, Bubba Scogins, Jackie Scogins and Johnny Miller. Online guest book at www.jones-hartshorn.com.

Lillie M. Walker Carter

Lillie M. Walker Carter, 70, of Little Rock, who was born January 10, 1938, in Wilmot to Elizabeth "Bessie" Williams and Johnnie H. Walker, Sr., died Monday, March 24, 2008.

She is survived by her mother, Elizabeth "Bessie" Williams of Little Rock; daughters, Genia and Jerry White, Sr., of Little Rock, Phyllis and Darron Kendrick of Texas; a son, Joey Carter; a sister, Dorothy J. and William Laster of California; 12 grandchildren and five great-grandchildren; two uncles; Fred, Sr., and Dorothy and Henry and JoJo Williams; and a host of cousins, nieces, and nephews. She was preceded in death by her husband, Leo L. "Jocko" Carter; and her father.

Funeral services were at 11 a.m. Friday, March 28, at Canaan Missionary Baptist Church in Little Rock with arrangements by Premier Funeral Home of Little Rock.

Willie Fred Graves

Willie Fred Graves, 71, of Crossett died on Sunday, March 30, 2008. Born on March 21, 1937, to Herman and Josie Emma Holland Graves in Fountain Hill, he was a truck driver and a member of Rolfe Chapel Baptist Church.

Survivors include five sons, Ricky Charles Graves, Ronald Herman Graves, Dean Wayne Graves and Bradley Joe Graves, all of Crossett, and Wendall Ray Graves of Bossier City, LA; two daughters, Vickie Lynn Henderson of Texarkana, TX, amd Carolyn Jeanean Coker of Crossett; one sister, Mary Jo Lansdale of Crossett; 17 grandchildren and four great-grandchildren.

He was preceded in death by his parents, one son, Randy Fred Graves; and two brothers, Herman and Ray Graves.

Funeral services were planned for 3 p.m. Tuesday, April 1, in the Rolfe Chapel Baptist Church with Bros. Darryl Hollins and Carlton White officiating. Burial was to follow at the Rolfe Chapel Cemetery under the direction of Jones Funeral Home of Crossett. Pallbearers for the service were to be Ricky Graves, Ronnie Graves, Dean Graves, Wendall Graves, Bradley Graves and Joshua Graves. See the online guest book at www.jonesservice.com.

Memorials may be made to Hospice Home Care, 455 W. Gaines, Monticello, AR 71655.

Richard L. "Ricky" Maxwell

Richard L. "Ricky" Maxwell, 56, of Crossett died Friday, March 28, 2008. Born March 1, 1952, to George L. and Lora Matheny Maxwell in Mobile, Alabama, he was a member of the First United Methodist Church of Crossett where he served on numerous boards and committees, most recently serving as chairman of the Finance Committee. He was a member of the American Institute of Certified Public Accountants, Arkansas Society of CPAs and secretary of the board in 1993 and 1994; Crossett Rotary Club (president in 1992-1993), Crossett Chamber of Commerce (president in 1987), finance chairman of the Crossett Community Scholarship Association, Ashley County Industrial Development Corporation (board member in 1987 and president in 1988), South Arkansas Development Commission (director, 1987-1089), The United Way (president in 1985) and was currently the secretary/treasurer of the Mozart Hunting Club in Desha County.

He is survived by his wife, Jennifer Maxwell; his son, Zachary Scott Maxwell; his stepchildren, Sabrina Leanne Parker, Jacquelyn Nicole Parker, and John Wesley Parker, Jr.; his brother, Reverend George Larry Maxwell and wife Virginia of Homer, Louisiana; his nephew, Dr. Larry Maxwell of Washington, D.C,; and his cousins, Venda Sue White of Crossett and Barbara Jean Boyce of Van Alystin, TX. He was preceded in death by his parents and by his beloved daughter, Amanda Leighe Maxwell.

A graduate of the University of Arkansas at Monticello, Ricky was a certified public accountant. In addition to his family, he left behind his accounting firm's (Richard L. Maxwell and Associates) devoted staff members, Shann Carpenter, Jo Ann Deal, Betsy Gee, Kerri Pennington, Glenda Swan, and new partner Craig Kaminicki.

As an avid outdoorsman, Ricky enjoyed big-game hunting, turkey hunting, fly fishing, and deep-sea fishing. He had a love for nature and a passion for preserving and protecting the environment. He had a strong camaraderie with his hunting and fishing friends.

Funeral service were at 2 p.m. Monday, March 31, in the First United Methodist Church of Crossett with Rev. Bill Williams officiating. Burial followed services, next to his daughter Amanda, at Pinewood Memorial Park under the direction of Jones Funeral Home of Crossett. Pallbearers were Alan Davis, Eddie Holt, Ricky Jones, Tom Streetman, David "Dickie" Watt, and Mike Webb.

Memorials may be made to the Amanda Leighe Maxwell Memorial Scholarship of the Crossett Community Scholarship Fund c/o Crossett Area Chamber of Commerce, or the First United Methodist Church, 500 Main St. Crossett, AR 71635. See online guest book at www.jonesservice.com.

Kenneth B. Mears

Kenneth B. Mears, 61, of Jena, LA, died Sunday, March 30, 2008, at the LaSalle General Hospital. Born to C. M. and Marianna Baker Mears on December 21, 1946, in Monticello, he was a member of the East Jena Baptist Church.

Survivors include his wife, Olga Mears of Jena; his mother, Marianna Mears of Kingwood, TX; one daughter, Cheryl Marie Fishback; three brothers, John C. Mears of Kingwood, Don Mears of Ruston, LA, and George W. Mears of Shreveport, LA; two grandchildren, four step-grandchildren, nine step-great-grandchildren and 13 step-great-great-grandchildren.

Funeral services were planned for 3 p.m. on Tuesday, April 1, in the chapel of Kinner and Stevens Funeral Home of Jena with Revs. Ed Jelks and Johnny Phillips officiating with burial following at the Woodland Cemetery in Jena. Pallbearers were John C., Don S., George W., and Patrick C. Mears, Daniel Dean and John Curry Poland. Honorary pallbearers were Billy Dean, Jarod Smith and Robert Pagell.

On line condolences may be posted at kinner@centurytel.net.

Carolee Nutt Stephens

Carolee Nutt Stephens, 66, of Baton Rouge, LA, died Friday, March 28, 2008, at the Ollie Steel Burden Manor Nursing Home in Baton Rouge. A native of Monroe, LA, a resident of Baton Rouge for the past 40 years and a former resident of Bastrop, LA, she was a homemaker and a member of the Broadmoor Baptist Church.

She is survived by two daughters, Shannon Stephens Thaxton and husband Trey and Stephanie Stephens, all of Baton Rouge; a brother, Harold B. Nutt of Conyers, GA; and two granddaughters, Caroline and Emma Cate Thaxton, both of Baton Rouge. She was preceded in death by her parents, Burnett & Ouida Brymer Nutt.

Grave-side services and burial were at 3 p.m., Sunday, March 30, at the Hamburg Cemetery with Dr. Bobby Pennington officiating. Memorials may be made to the St. Joseph Hospice, 8923 Blue Bonnet Blvd., Baton Rouge, LA 70810. Funeral arrangements were by Jones-Hartshorn Funeral Home of Hamburg. Online guest book at www.jones-hartshorn.com

Allene Brown Watson

Allene Brown Watson, 85, of Crossett died on Friday, March 28, 2008. Born on April 5, 1922, in Beekman, LA, to Colonel Jackson and Edna Mathis Brown, Mrs. Watson was a member of Temple Baptist Church. She was preceded in death by her husband, Travis Watson.

Survivors include one son, Hughen Watson and wife Kim; one daughter, Renee Stokes and husband Ray, all of Crossett; two sisters, Sarah Johnson of Pine Bluff and Norma Brown of West Monroe, LA; five grandchildren, Brent Stokes, Brooke Wooten, Brittney Stokes, Daniel Watson, Chad Watson; and seven great-grandchildren, Victoria and Justin Stokes, Annabeth and Makynlee Watson, Addison Watson, Blaine and Blaire Wooten; and a host of family and friends.

Funeral services were at 2 p.m., Sunday, March 30, in the First Baptist Church of Crossett with Bro. Jeff Smart officiating. Burial followed at Pinewood Memorial Park under the direction of Jones Funeral Home of Crossett.

Memorials may be made to First Baptist Church Building Fund (Multi-Ministry Center), 701 Main St., Crossett, AR 71635; ARDS organization or your favorite charity. See on line guest book at www.jonesservice.com.

Ashley County Cemetery Listings Online

(Latest Changes, February, 2008)

Index to Obituaries Published in First Five Months of 2008

Below is an index to all obituaries published in the Ashley County Ledger in January, February, March, April and May, 2008. The listing is by last name, first name, age, city and date of publication.

Obituaries Published May 28