Miscellaneous obituaries from the Phillips County Progress, Helena, Phillips Co., AR, for the year 1995 Contributed for use in USGenWeb Archives by Barbara Stainback ************************************************************************ USGENWEB ARCHIVES NOTICE: These electronic pages may NOT be reproduced in any format for profit or presentation by any other organization or persons. Persons or organizations desiring to use this material,must obtain the written consent of the contributor, or the legal representative of the submitter, and contact the listed USGenWeb archivist with proof of this consent. The submitter has given permission to the USGenWeb Archives to store the file permanently for free access. http://www.usgwarchives.net ************************************************************************ Copyright 1995 Phillips County Progress. All rights reserved. Reprinted with permission of the Phillips County Progress, D.L. Bailey,editor and publisher. Phillips County Progress631 Oakland Helena, AR 72342 phone 1-870-338-9114 ------------------------------------------------------------------------ JANUARY 4, 1995 PAGE 4 ******************* MRS. IRENE R. KNAPP Funeral service for Mrs. Irene Robertson Fowlkes Knapp of West Helena was conducted Tues. mroning at Roller-Citizens Funeral home. Graveside services were conducted Tues. afternoon at Greenbrier Cemetery in Amory, Miss. The Rev. Rudy Davis and the Rev. Robert Earl Fowlkes officiated. Mrs. Knapp, 72, died Sun. at St. Francis Hospital in Memphis. She was a native of Birmingham, Ala. and a former resident of Elaine and Crawfordsville. She was a retired administrative assistant at Helena Regional Medical Center, and a member of the Second Baptist Church in West Helena. Survivors include a son, Richard A. Knapp of Conway; six daughters, Mrs. Kathleen F. Pender and Mrs. Nellie F. Edwards, both of Memphis; Mrs. Lucille F. Delashmit of Munford, Tenn.; Mrs. Margaret F. Fuller of Austin, Tx.; Mrs. Frances K. Spann of Benton; and Mrs. Grace K. Sansome of Denver, CO.; two sisters, Mrs. Earline Miller of West Memphis and Mrs. Laverne Compton of Memphis; a brother, Clifford Robertson of Wynne,and 11 grandchildren. Pallbearers were Ernest Hardy, Larry Hardy, Robert Delashmit, Glen Delashmit, Bert Spann, Greg Spann, Marvin Morgan, Windon Baker, Esley Johnson, Kenny Calhoon and Charlie Fowlkes. The family requests any memorials be made to the Second Baptist Church. ************************* MRS. BERDIE JACKSON POTTS Graveside service for Mrs. Berdie Jackson Potts of West Helena was conducted Mon. morning at Sunset Memorial Park. The Rev. Ted Witchen officiated. Arrangements were under direction of Roller-Citizens Funeral Home. Mrs. Potts, 94, died Dec. 31 at Helena Regional Medical Center. She was a native of Marvell, a retired Central High School caferteria employee, and a member of the West Helena Baptist Church. Survivors include a granddaughter, Mrs. Berta Faye Kesl of West Helena; 11 great-grandchildren and numerous nieces and nephews. The family requests any memorials be made to the West Helena Baptist Church. ****************** MRS. BEULAH TWITTY Funeral service for Mrs. Beulah Twitty of Elaine was conducted Fri. afternoon at Roller-Citizens Funeral Home Chapel. The Rev. Bill Dennis officiated. Burial was in Maple Hill Cemetery. Mrs. Twitty, 92, died Wed. at Helena Regional Medical Center. She was a native of Modoc, a homemaker, and a member of the Elaine Methodist Church. Surviving are numerous nieces and nephews. Pallbearers were Poindexter Fiser, Fred Major, Gene Johnson, J. H. Quinn Jr., Cecil Turner, and Jerry Johnson. ------------------------------------------------------------------------ MARCH 8, 1995 PAGE 2 ***************** GEORGE W. BLOESCH Funeral service for George W. Bloesch Sr. of West Helena was conducted Sat. afternoon at the Roller Citizens Funeral Home Chapel. The Rev. Sonny Tucker officiated. Burial was in Sunset Memorial Park. Mr. Bloesch, 68, died Thurs. in Baptist Memorial Hospital in Memphis. He was a retired switchman for Southwestern Bell Telephone Company, a member of the West Helena Baptist Church, and a Navy veteran of WW II. He was also a member of the Southwestern Bell Telephone Pioneersand served as an officer in the Communications Workers of America, Local 6504, for many years. Survivors include his widow, Mrs. Helena Bloesch of the home; two sons, George W. Bloesch Jr. of Forrest City and Richard D. Bloesch of North Little Rock; three sisters, Mrs. Alma Ruth Johnston of Helena and Virginia Bloesch and Mrs. Iris Magoffin, both of Memphis; and one grandson. Pallbearers were Wayne Anderson, Marlin Stanford, George Jaco, Doyle Grubbs, Jerry Ketchum, and Pete Western. Honorary pallbearers were Raymond Bryan, Bob Anderson, James Inman, Buddy Waddell, Freddie Spano, Eddie Lee Thomas, Austin Goodman and jJey Grubbs. The family request any memorials be made to the West Helena Baptist Church. --------------------------------------------------------------------------- MARCH 11 & 12, 1995 PAGE 6J ************** AMES H. GODWIN Funeral service for James Harbart "Red" Godwin of West Helena was conducted Fri. afternoon at Roller-Citizens Funeral Home Chapel. The Rev. Burl Lloyd officiated. Burial was in Sunset Memorial Park. Mr. Godwin, 81, died Tues. at Methodist Hospital in Memphis. He was a retired self-employed contractor, a native of Savannah, Tenn. and a member of the Church of God. Survivors include his widow, Mrs. Vivian Godwin of West Helena; two daughters, Mrs. Robbie Staton of West Memphis and Mrs. Barbara Garrett of Greenwood, Ind.; a son, Dale Godwin of Helena; two sisters, Mrs. Imogene Pfaff of Greenfield, Ind and Mrs. Kathryn Jordan of Martinsville, Ind.; three brothers, Arch Godwin of Dyers, Larry Godwin and Murray Godwin, both of Indianapolis, Inc.; a step-daughter, Wynona Weems of Hazen; two stepsons, Jimmy Taylor and Terry Taylor, both of Lonoke, six grandchildren; six step-grandchildren; eight great-grandchildren, and five step-great grandchildren. Pallbearers were Luther Mitchell, Dorris Weems, Jimmy Taylor, Christ Staton, Dale Godwin Jr., and Jimmy Ward. Honorary pallbearers were Bob May, Terry Taylor, and Wade Lederman. ------------------------------------------------------------------------ JULY 15 & 16, 1995 PAGE 2 **************** ALFRED W. NORTON Fuenral service for Alfred William Norton of Jacksonville was conducted Fri. afternoon at Roller-Citizen Funeral Home Chapel. The Rev. Ted Witchen officitated. Burial was in Sunset Memorial Park. Mr. Norton, 43, died Wed. at Rebsaman Hospital in Jacksonville. He was a native of Helena and lived here many years before moving to Jacksonville. Survivors include two brothers, James Norton of Helena and Paul Norton of Pioneer, LA. Pallbeares were Larry Mann, Anthony Pugh, Frank Norton Jr., DwayneNorton, Phillip Johnstone, and Ernest Mallard. ****************** MARGARET L. MULLEN Graveside service for Mrs. Margaret Lee Mullen of Denton, Texas was conducted Sat. morning at Maple Hill Cemetery. The Rev. Thompson Murray officiated. Arrangements were under direction of Roller-Citizens Funeral Home. Mrs. Mullen, 85, died Wed. in Denton. She was a native of Hannibal, Mo. and a former resident of Helena. She was a farmer and member of the First United Methodist Church in Ashdown, Ark. Survivors include a daughter, Mrs. Mary Beth Barton of Denton; a son, Courtney Mullen of Hannival; a sister, Mrs. Loraine Parmley of Hannibal, and two grandchildren. ------------------------------------------------------------------------------- JULY 25 & 26, 1995 PAGE 8 *************************** MRS. FRANCES LOVE STANCLIFF Graveside services for Mrs. Frances Love Stancliff of Helena was conducted Wednesday morning at Maple Hill cemetery. The Rev. Thompson Murray officiated. Arrangements were under direction of Roller-Citizens Funeral Home. Mrs. Stancliff, 70, died Sat. at Crestpark Nursing Home. She was a retired Chicago Mill and Lumber Comp. employee, a member of the West Helena Methodist Church, and a native of Aubrey. Survivors include a son, Henry Ingram of Sierra Vista, Ariz.; two daughters, Mrs. Mary Rose Self of Clinton & Miss Erma Lynne Stancliff of Barton; a sister, Mrs. Willie Mae McPhil, 10 grandchildren and one greatgrandchild. *********************** MRS. FRANCES M. ELOVITZ Funeral services for Mrs. Frances Millstein Elovitz of Horn Lake, Miss., was conducted Fri. afternoon at Twin Oaks Funeral Home Chapel in Southhaven, Miss. Burial was in Twin Oaks Memorial Gardens. Mrs. Elovitz, 48, died July 10 in an automobile accident near Robinsonville, Miss. She was a former Helena resident. She was also owner of Erica's Gift Shop in Horn Lake, a member of the Chamber Commerce, and of the Jewish faith. Survivors include her husband, Dr. Maurice Elovitz of Horn Lake; two daughters, Sarah Johnson of Horn Lake and Elizabeth Pepper of Greenwood, Miss.; a son, Conan Millstein of Korea, and a sister, Nancy Gamen of Rockport, TX. The family requests any memorials be made to ST. Jude Children's Research Hospital in Memphis. ************************* MRS. JOSEPHINE P. MESSINA Funeral service for Mrs. Josephine Presti Messina of Baton Rouge, LA., a former Helena resident, was conducted Mon. in Baton Rouge. Burial was also held there. Mrs. Messina, 95, was a native of Italy but came to Helena some 70 years ago but later moved to Baton Rouge. She was the widow of the late Johnny Messina. Survivors include a daughter, Mrs. Rose Marie Turner of Baton Rouge; two grandchildren; two nephews, Victor Forte and Nunzio Messina, both of Helena; and a niece, Mrs. Rosanne Massey of Helena. ------------------------------------------------------------------------ PHILLIPS COUNTY PROGRESS HELENA, ARKANSAS Sept. 27, 1995 page 3 **************** JUNE C. WALLLACE Graveside service for June C. Bubba Wallace of West Memphis was conducted Fri. afternoon at Central cemetery near Marvell. Rev. Gene Bates officiated. Arrangements were under the direction of Roller-Citizens Funeral Home. Mr. Wallace, a native of Helena and a former resident of West Helena, died Tues. at Crittenden Memorial Hospital in West Memphis. (Sorry a paragraph got torn out here). Survivors include his widow, Mrs. Janie Wallace of West Memphis; two daughters, Mrs. Sylvia Taylor and Miss Tammy Wallace, both of West Memphis; a sister, Sissy Rogers of West Helena, and one grandchild. ------------------------------------------------------------------------------ PHILLIPS COUNTY PROGRESS HELENA, ARKANSAS Sept. 30 & Oct. 1, 1995 Page 2 ******************** Mrs. Lillian Guthrie Funeral service for Lillian Faye Guthrie of West Helena was conducted Thurs. afternoon at Roller-Citizens Chapel. The Rev. Lash Frey and Rev. Kenneth Colvert officiated. burial was at Sunset Memorial Park. Mrs. Guthrie, 62, died Mon. at the Helena Regional medical Center. Survivors include her husband, Howard L. Guthrie, Sr. of West Helena; two daughters, Sharon Guthrie Davis of Jacksonville, FL., Linda Guthrie Cavette of Marvell; one son, Howard Lawrence Guthrie, Jr.; a sister, Wyomia Jenkins of Pineville, MO; three brothers, Mack Reeves of West Helena, John Randolph Reeves of Helena and Martin Reeves of Michigan; four grandchildren; a host of family and friends. Pallbearers were: Robert Hill, Ryan Hill, Vic Richmond, Bob Richmond, Marty Cantwell, Tommy Reeves, Raymond Lake, Dan Dubach and Wayne Jenkins. Honorary pallbearers were: Dr. M.A. McDaniel, Dr. L.J. Pat Bell, Dr. Robert Johnson and Dr. Russell Peterson III. The family requests memorials be sent to the American Cancer Society. ***************** MRS. HATTIE SMITH Funeral service for Mrs. Hattie M. Smith of Thibodaus, LA. was conducted Thur. afternoon at Roller-Citizens Funeral Home Chapel. The Rev. Lee Castle officiated. Burial was in Oddfellows Cemetery. Mrs. Smith, a native of Vaiden, Miss. and a long-time West Helena resident, died Tues. in a Thibodaux nursing home. She had moved to Thibodaux in 1980. Survivors include a son, Hugh Smith of Thibodaux; and a daughter, Peggie Ann Ivy of Pensacola; seven grandchildren; and several great-grandchildren. **************** HARVEY E. WALKER Graveside service for Harvey E. Walker of West Helena was conducted Wed. afternoon at Central Cemetery. The Rev. Ted Witchen officated. Arrangements were under direction of Citizens Funeral Home. Mr. Walker, 57, died Fri. at his home after suffering an apparent heart attach. He was a lifelong resident of Phillips County and an employee of Helena Marine Service. Survivors include his mother, Mrs. Mary Driver of Jonesboro; two sons, Carlon Walker and Frank Walker, both of Jonesboro; a daughter, Mrs. Connit Ortiz of Fort Drum, New York; a brother, Roosevelt Walker of Jonesboro; a half-brother, Larry Driver of West Helena; three half- sisters, Mrs. Linda Mims of Helena, Mrs. Lucy Newcomb of Hot Springs, and Mrs. Mae Holcomb of Jonesboro. -------------------------------------------------------------------------- Phillips County Progress October 4, 1995 page 2 OBITUARIES CHARLES DOWNING,JR. ******************* Graveside service for Charles Downing Jr. of Mellwood was conducted Monday morning at Sunset Memorial Park. Ivan Fletcher officiated. Arrangements were under direction of Roller-Citizens Funeral Home. Mr. Downing, 74, died Fri. at his home. He was a farmer and a native of Plymouth Scott County, Missouri. Survivors include a brother, Al Downing of Hobbs, New Mexico and a number of nieces and nephews. MRS. JANET SCHRANTZ ******************* Memorial service for Janet Johnston Schrantz was conducted Mon. morning at St. John’s Episcopal Church. Rev. Duane Saba officiated. Arrangements were under direction of Roller-Citizens Funeral Home. Mrs. Schrantz, 84, died Fri. at Helena Regional Medical Center. She was a member of St. John’s Episcopal Church, a member of the Helena Library Association and a homemaker. Survivors include her husband, Dr. Myron Schrantz of Helena; two sons, David Schrantz of San Antonio, TX., John Murray Schrantz of Huntington Beach, Calif.; five grandchildren; and two nieces. The family reequests memorials be sent to St. John’s Episcopal Church. ----------------------------------------------------------------------------