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Obituaries Published June 18

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Rickey Lee Cessor

Rickey Lee Cessor, 41, of Hamburg died Tuesday, June 10, 2008, at the Ashley County Medical Center in Crossett. A native of Fountain Hill and a resident of Fountain Hill for many years, he was a resident of Hamburg for the past 15 years and was an automotive mechanic for Ashley Auto Service in Hamburg. He was an avid motorcycle enthusiast and loved fishing.

He is survived by his wife, Yvette Piker Cessor of Hamburg; a daughter, Sandra Kay Cessor of Leavenworth, KS; a step-daughter, Kasey Byrd of Kokomo, Indiana; two step-sons, Ryan Piker and wife Tonya of Hamburg and Stephen Byrd and fiancé Jamie of Kokomo; a sister, Louise Carter of Hamburg; three grandchildren, Emily, William and Kylie; his mother-in-law, Patricia Piker; four sisters-in-law, Patty Nutter and husband Jimmy, Tammy Hatfield and husband Tracy, Teresa Gamblin and husband Glen, and Paula Mashburn, all of Kokomo; two brothers-in-law, Matthew Piker and finance Cat of Kokomo and Chuck Piker and wife Carolyn of Greenville, MS; a niece, Edith Kay Fisher; five nephews, Judd Carter, Vernon Carter and wife Karla, Steven Carter and wife Peggy, Johnny Carter and wife Betty Jo and Chuck Piker, Jr.; and an uncle, Doug Piker. He was preceded in death by his parents, Johnnie Lee & Edith Mae Stanley Cessor; a sister, Sharon Cessor; and his father-in-law, Chuck Piker.

Funeral services were at 2 p.m., Friday, June 13, in the chapel of Jones-Hartshorn Funeral Home with Revs. Warren Finney & Bud Banks officiating. Burial followed at the Norris Hill Cemetery. Pallbearers were Stephen Byrd, Steven Carter, Chuck Piker, Jr., Pete Carter, Dean Smith, Glen Pamplin, Randy Cessor and David Carter. Honorary pallbearers were Donnie Hayes, Charles Carter, Jr., Thomas Tillman and Joe Fred Yates. Memorials may be made to the Arkansas Children's Hospital, P. O. Box 2222, Little Rock, AR 72203. Online guest book at www.jones-hartshorn.com.

Dorothy J. Cone

Dorothy J. Cone, 71, of Crossett died Tuesday, June 10, 2008, at the Baptist Medical Center. Born on April 8, 1937, in Bismarck to the late Grady and Iva Holt Goodman, Mrs. Cone enjoyed reading and loved her pets. She was a teacher in Hot Springs and Little Rock and retired from the Crossett School District after 30 years of service. She was a member of North Crossett First Baptist Church.

Survivors include her husband of 23 years, James Robert Cone; two sons, Jim Cone and wife Shela and Mike Cone and wife Renee', all of Crossett; three daughters, Paula Naff and husband Lee of San Antonio, TX, Janet Ledford and husband Bill of Bryant and Rita Hyatt and husband David of Monticello; three brothers, John Goodman and wife Ruth of Hot Springs, Don Goodman and wife Deronda of Prattsville and Dean Goodman and wife Cindy of Bismarck; ten grandchildren; two great-grandchildren; several nieces and nephews.

Funeral services were at 10 a.m., Saturday, June 14, in the North Crossett First Baptist Church with Bro. Robin Allen officiating. Burial followed at the Crossroads Cemetery under the direction of Jones Funeral Home of Crossett. Pallbearers were Jim Cone, David Hyatt, Mike Cone, Lee Naff, Bill Ledford and Charles Cone, Jr. See online guest book at www.jonesservice.com. Memorials may be made to North Crossett First Baptist Church, 1035 Hwy. 133, Crossett, AR 71635.

Jimmy Carroll Deal

Jimmy Carroll Deal, 67, of Crossett died Thursday, June 12, 2008, at the Baptist Medical Center in Little Rock. Born July 1, 1940, in Ladelle, he was a retired paper mill worker, National Guard veteran of the Cuban Crisis and a member of the South Crossett Missionary Baptist Church.

Survivors include his wife, Carolyn Barham Deal of Crossett; two sons, Gregg Alan Deal and Carroll Lee Deal, both of Ladelle; his mother, Patricia Deal of Monticello; one sister, Patsy Kinchen of Green Hill; two grandchildren, Hailey Deal and Bradley Deal; one nephew, Delaney Kinchen; and two nieces, Jody Courtney and Kelly Brown. He was preceded in death by his father, Ralph Deal; and a grandson, Hunter Deal.

Funeral services were at 3 p.m. Saturday, June 14, in the Stephenson-Dearman Funeral Home chapel in Monticello with Rev. Don Justice officiating. Pallbearers were Gordon Gunn, Leroy Jones, Kevin Martin, J. D. White, George Willoughby and Monroe Coddington. Honorary pallbearers were Darrell Courtney, Ralph Jackson, Gary Crain, Bobby Craig, Deward Martin, Jr., Aubrey Stephenson and Mershal Carpenter.

Burial followed services at the Ladelle Cemetery. Memorials may be made to the South Crossett Missionary Baptist Church building fund.

Virgil Donaldson

Virgil Donaldson, 52, of Crossett died Wednesday, June 11, 2008, at his residence. A native of Warren and a resident of Crossett since 1974, he was a warehouse manager for Gammel's Furniture Store for over 20 years. He served in the Arkansas National Guard and was a member of the South Crossett Missionary Baptist Church.

He is survived by four brothers, Gene, Doyle and Glen Donaldson, all of Crossett, and Charles Donaldson of Hamburg; six sisters, Kathrain Rice Forrest and Alice McLain of Crossett, Carolyn Outlaw of Star City, Sylvia Oliver of Hamburg, Deborah Marter of White Hall and Kathy Phelps of Oak Grove, LA; and a host of nieces and nephews. He was preceded in death by his parents, Clarence V. & Louise (Kitty) Smith Donaldson, and a brother, Delbert William Donaldson.

Grave-side services were at 1 p.m., Saturday, June 14, at the Flat Creek Cemetery with Rev. Bill Elton officiating. Pallbearers were Wade Gammel, Dean Dixon, Kelly McArthur, David Rives, Bill Sawyer, Barry Barnett and Odie McFarland. Funeral arrangements were by Jones-Hartshorn Funeral Home of Hamburg. Online guest book at www.jones-hartshorn.com.

James Gilbert Eppinette

James Gilbert Eppinette, 67, of Bastrop, LA, died Thursday, June 12, 2008, at his home. Born August 11, 1940, in Jones, LA, to Gilbert and Viola McGee Eppinette, he graduated from Bonita High School and retired after 38 years as district manager for American General Insurance Co. He was a member and active deacon of the Harmony Baptist Church and loved to hunt.

Survivors include his wife, Lola Mae Minnie Eppinette; two sons, Allan and wife Dara Eppinette and Heath and wife Fran Eppinette; three grandsons, Seth and wife Vanessa Eppinette and Brandon and Brian Eppinette; two granddaughters, Hannah and Amber Eppinette, all of Sterlington, LA; great-grandchildren Lola James, Cole, Bella and Brie; his mother, Viola Eppinette of Bastrop; and three sisters, Jimmie White and Barbara Haddock of Bastrop and Violet McVay of Ashdown. He was preceded in death by his brothers, Billy Don, Travis Oneal and Stanley Eppinette.

Funeral services were at 3 p.m. Saturday, June 14, in the Harmony Baptist Church in Collinston, LA, with Rev. Allen Eppinette and Bro. Heath Eppinette officiating and nephews as pallbearers. Burial followed services at the Mer Rouge Cemetery. Arrangements were by Cox Funeral Home of Bastrop. See on-line guest book at www.coxfuneral.com.

Ruby Juanita Watkins Gibson

Ruby Juanita Watkins Gibson, 94, of Dermott died Wednesday, June 11, 2008. The third of six children of Robert Sidney and Bessie Barham Watkins, she was born at Brushy Prairie in Ashley County on January 30, 1914.

She and her sister Bell walked to a one-room school house in the woods a mile or more away and lived on a self-sufficient farm where they learned how chores were a harmonious team effort. Her father was county tax assessor, and she gained skills that later served the Gibson family in its political endeavors. She attended Arkansas A&M (UAM) and graduated from State Teachers (UCA) and received a master's degree from the University of Tennessee in 1937. She came to Dermott where she met and married John F. "Mutt" Gibson. She taught home economics at Dermott and Tillar and second grade at Dermott for thirty years and, when her husband was in the senate, worked as a secretary during the legislative sessions.

Juanita was a member of the Daughters of the American Revolution, Colonial Dames, A Dame of the Magna Carta Dames and Barons, the Arkansas Education Association, the American Legion Auxiliary and the Dermott Baptist Church. She was a girls state counselor for many years.

She is survived by two sons, John Frank Gibson, Jr., and wife Renee and Charles Sidney Gibson and wife Sherry; eight grandchildren, Chuck Gibson and wife Gina, Lisa Fischer and husband Kris, Jody Cummins and husband Bud, Jill Gibson Odell, Dan Gibson, Jamie Gibson Kirtley and husband Wes, John Frank Gibson, III, and Caroline Gibson; 18 great-grandchildren and a sister, Olivia Bell Gibbs. She was preceded in death by her husband, Senator John Frank "Mutt" Gibson; two brothers, Marvin and Norwood Watkins; and two sisters, Robbie Goldie Watkins and Barbara Jean Bevers.

Funeral services were at 2 p.m. Sunday, June 15, in the Dermott Baptist Church. Burial followed at the Dermott Cemetery. Brother Jerry Starnes and Pastor Bart Bynum conducted the service. Pallbearers were Bobby Ed Gibbs, William "Sonny" Watkins, Samuel Sidney Watkins, Chuck Gibson, Dan Gibson and John Frank Gibson III. Honorary pallbearers were Gaston Gibson, Bynum Gibson, Clifford Gibson, Don Gibson Naron, Michael Boyd, Andy Gibson, Frankie Gibson and Lee Watkins. Arrangements were by Griffin Funeral Service of McGehee.

Anita Laraine Griffin

Anita Laraine Griffin, 52, of Mabelvale died Tuesday, June 10, 2008. Born August 28, 1955, in Mena to Glen and Margie Lewis, she was a member of the Church of Christ in Mabelvale who met the diagnosis of cancer with courage and prayer. Anita was a registered nurse and clinic manager at UAMS for 14 years.

Survivors are her husband of 28 years, John Griffin; two children, Sarah Griffin of Little Rock and Jason Griffin of Alexander; her mother, Margie Lewis of Mena; two brothers, Randy Lewis and wife June of Big Canoe, GA, and John Lewis and wife Diane of Little Rock; two sisters, Dianne Law and husband Gale and Margaret Overton and husband Myles; her mother-in-law, Virginia Griffin of Fountain Hill; sisters-in-law Martha Bush and husband Tommy and Susan and Lisa Griffin; a brother-in-law, Oliver Griffin and wife Mignon; three nieces Casey Smith, Olivia Overton, and Tasha Yoder; and nine nephews, Scott Lewis, Eric Lewis, Todd, Lewis, Mark Lewis, Matt Law, Blake Griffin, Lance Griffin, Glenn Bush, and Tony Law. She was preceded in death by her father, her grandmother, Pearl Kiser; and aunts Lula May Standridge and Velma Simpson.

Funeral services were at 9:30 a.m. Thursday, June 12, at Mabelvale Church of Christ. Pallbearers were Randy Lewis, John Lewis, Gale Law, Myles Overton, Oliver Griffin, and Tommy Bush. Anita was preceded in death by her father Glen Lewis, grandmother Pearl Kiser, and aunts Lula May Standridge and Velma Simpson.

Memorials may be made to Mabelvale Church of Christ, P.O. Box 345 Mabelvale, AR 72103 or UAMS Oncology Clinic, 4301 West Markham Rd., Little Rock, AR 72205. See online guest book at www.husonfuneralhome.com.

Rev. James B. Johnson

Rev. James B. Johnson, 84, of Marion, IL, died Monday, May 19, 2008, at Fountains Nursing Care Center. Born October 30, 1923, in Carseesco, MS, the son of the late Robert R. and Omelia Burgess Johnson, he married Mimoth L. Strunk on August 18, 1943, in San Francisco, CA, and they shared over 64 years of marriage.

Rev. Johnson served as a Pentecostal minister for over 58 years. He started pastoring in Hamburg and was there for 6 ½ years.

He also pastored Bethel Temple in Belleville, IL; West Frankfort, Galesburg and in Herrin. He was an evangelist for three years, moving to Bastrop, LA, and then Tallulah United Pentecostal Church until November, 1997, when they moved back to Marion to complete his career. He was a member of Johnston City United Pentecostal Church

Survivors include his wife Mimoth Johnson of Marion; a daughter, Joann Bailey and husband Robert of Rockford; a son, James W. Johnson and wife Ester of Herrin; and three grandsons, Robert Bailey of Phoenix, AZ, Anthony Bailey of Rockford, and James Johnson, Jr. of Herrin; and a sister, Mattie Murray of Carbondale. He is preceded in death by two brothers Joseph & Frank Johnson; and two sisters Mary Toney and Rosie Lee Jeffers.

Funeral services were held Thursday, May 22, at Mitchell-Hughes Funeral Home in Marion with Revs. Michael Glasco and Robert Bailey officiating. Burial followed in East Lawn Memorial Gardens. Memorials may be made to First United Pentecostal Church in Johnston City, IL.

Pearlie Lee Johnson

Pearlie Lee Johnson, 73, of Hamburg died Thursday, June 12, 2008, at the Medical Center of South Arkansas in El Dorado. A native of Montrose, but a resident of Hamburg for the past 27 years, she was a homemaker and a member of Emmanuel Temple Church of God in Christ.

She is survived by two sons, David Johnson of Montrose and Malcolm Johnson of Conway; six daughters, Pearlie Johnson of Montrose and Annetha Downs, Patricia Dickerson, Mazie Pitts and husband Larry, Stella Stanley and husband Elijah and Elnora Washington, all of Hamburg; two brothers, Solomon Shelton of Rock Island, IL, and William Shelton of New Mexico, three sisters, Elizabeth Brice & Mary Clark of Lake Providence, LA, & Jean Cornelius of Little Rock; twenty-one grandchildren and nine great-grandchildren.

She was preceded in death by her husband, Charlie Johnson; three sons, Charlie Johnson, Jr., Michael Johnson and Nathan Johnson; her parents, Mark & Elnora Jenkins Shelton; and two brothers, Louis & Joe Shelton.

Services were Monday, June 16, at 11 a.m. at Emmanuel Temple Church of God in Christ with Bishop Danny C. Mays officiating. Pallbearers were Clifford Hawkins, Wayne Pugh, Dan Smith, Chris Mays, Johnny Stanley & Jessie James. Burial followed at the Montrose Cemetery with arrangements by Cromwell Funeral Home of Hamburg. See online guest book at www.cromwellfuneralhome.net.

Stuart Franklin Krause

Stuart Franklin Krause, 33, of Portland died Thursday, June 12, 2008, at the Hospice Home Care Inpatient Center in Little Rock. Mr. Krause was a native of Prince William County, VA; a resident of Portland for the past year and a former resident of Pine Bluff and San Louis Potosi, Mexico. He had phenomenal computer skills which he used while working at Jefferson Regional Medical Center and most recently taught English at the San Louis Potosi University Language Institute in San Louis Potosi.

He was a member of the Portland Baptist Church and met the diagnosis of cancer with courage and prayer.

He is survived by his mother, Winona Wilt Brown of Winters, TX; two sisters, Karmen Pippen and husband Mike of Tuscola, TX, and Bobbie Joe Niedecken of Winters, TX; special friends and mentors Jimmie and Janice Sadler of Portland; three nephews and two nieces. He was preceded in death by his father, Stuart Franklin Kendrick, II.

Grave-side services were at 2 p.m., Monday, June 16, in the Portland Cemetery with Rev. Carl Mason officiating.

In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made to the American Cancer Society, 901 N. University Ave., Little Rock, AR 72207 or Hospice Home Care of Arkansas, 2200 S. Bowman, Little Rock, AR 72211 or the Portland Baptist Church, P. O. Box 86, Portland, AR 71663. Arrangements were by Jones-Hartshorn Funeral Home of Hamburg. Online guest book at www.jones-hartshorn.com.

Sammie Lee "Babe" Mays

Sammie Lee "Babe" Mays, 74, of Hamburg died Saturday, June 14, 2008, at her home. A native of Dermott and a Hamburg resident for 56 years, she was a homemaker and member of the Emmanuel Temple Church of God in Christ.

Survivors include five sons, Bishop Danny C. Mays and wife Carolyn, Supt. Jasper Mays, Jr., and wife Erma, Willie Mays and wife Paula, Eddie Mays and wife Beverly and Phillip Mays and wife Gwen, all of Hamburg; six daughters, Alice Booker of Atlanta, GA, Alma Tolefree and husband Carl of Hamburg, Gloria Jackson and husband L. E. of Nashville, TN, Cora Hicks and husband Roger of El Dorado, Melinda Bess and husband Carl of Ft. Pierce, FL, and Renea Ison of Round Rock, Texas; two sisters, Willie Mae Woods and Hazel Richards, both of Hamburg; 31 grandchildren and 15 great-grandchildren. She was preceded in death by her husband, Jasper Mays, Sr.; one son, Rodney O'Neal Mays; and her parents, Sammy Louis and Carrie Todd Haynes.

Funeral services are planned for 11 a.m. Thursday, June 19, in the Mount Zion Baptist Church with Supt. Frank Anderson and Bishop Danny C. Mays officiating. Pallbearers will be Clifford Hawkins, Wayne Pugh, Glen Stanley, Willie Ashford, Barney Woods and Frank Woods. Burial will follow services at the Johnson Memorial Cemetery.

Visitation will be Wednesday, June 18, from 6-7 p.m. at Cromwell Funeral Home of Hamburg. See online guest book at www.cromwellfuneralhome.net.

Ashley County Cemetery Listings Online

(Latest Changes, February, 2008)

Index to Obituaries Published in First Six Months of 2008

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

Obituaries Published July 16