Pulaski Co., Ark. obits, Aug. 1997

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Arkansas Democrat-Gazette Obits
August 29, 1997

OBITUARIES - Pulaski County

DENNIS MELVIN BABB JR., 64, of North Little Rock died Sunday, September 
28, 1997. He was a member of Immaculate Conception Catholic Church, a U.S. Navy 
veteran of the Korean War and employed as a barber with Patrick's Barber Shop 
in Little Rock. Funeral services will be held 10 a.m. Tuesday at St. Patrick's 
Catholic Church. Burial will be in Little Rock National Cemetery. Survivors 
include his wife, Jean E. Babb; four sons, Marc Babb of Dallas, Texas, Shawn 
Babb of San Antonio, Texas, Timothy Babb of Coggins, Iowa, and Dennis Babb III 
of Conway; mother, Doris Babb of North Little Rock; two brothers; three 
sisters; eight grandchildren and one great-grandchild. Rosary will be said 7 
p.m. today at the North Little Rock Funeral Home Chapel, 1921 Main, 758-1170.


VESTAL N. KISSIRE, 71, of North Little Rock, Arkansas, retired owner/operator 
of Homer's Shoe Repair Shop in North Little Rock for over 40 years, passed away 
Saturday, September 27, 1997, at home after a long bout with cancer. He was 
born and raised in Morrilton, Arkansas, before moving to North Little Rock 
where he ran his business and raised his family. He was a member of Crescent 
Masonic Lodge #403 of North Little Rock and a member of the Scottish Rite (32nd 
degree). Survivors include his wife of 51 years, Opal Miller Kissire; four 
children, Weldon Kissire of North Little Rock, Worren Kissire and Wanda Vorsas, 
both of Little Rock, and Wesley Kissire of Cabot; two grandchildren, Kevin 
Kissire of Denver, Colorado, and Nikki Kissire of Cabot; and one 
great-grandchild, Kira Kissire of Denver, Colorado. Funeral service 10 a.m. 
Wednesday, October 1 at Harris Chapel by Bro. Bob Batson followed by a Masonic 
graveside service at Elmwood Cemetery. Arrangements by Harris Funeral Home of 
Morrilton.


JOHN DAVID LEGGETT, 39, of Little Rock died September 27, 1997. David was a 
Funeral Director and worked at Griffin Leggett Healey & Roth for over 20 years. 
He was very active in community activities. He was a member of Lakeside Country 
Club, Arkansas Embalmer and Funeral Director Association, Chamber of Commerce, 
life member of Leadership Institute Alumni Association, C.A.R.T.I., A.C.R.C., 
National Conference of Christians and Jews, and Little Rock Air Force Base 
Community Council. Survivors are his wife, Kena Sue Rollans Leggett of Little 
Rock; daughter, Lindsay Ruth Leggett of Little Rock; parents, J. Harry and Joan 
Earls Leggett Jr. of Little Rock; grandmother, Hazel Earls of Blytheville, 
Arkansas; and brothers, Dr. Jim Leggett of Seattle Washington, Brad Leggett of 
Little Rock, and Jeb Leggett of Mount Vernon. Funeral service will be Tuesday, 
Sept. 30, 1997, at 1 p.m. at Griffin Leggett Healey & Roth Chapel, 5800 W. 
12th, Little Rock, 661-9111. Officiated by Dr. Jack A. Wilson. Pallbearers will 
be staff at Griffin Leggett Healey & Roth. Burial will be at Rest Hills 
Cemetery. Memorials may be made to one's favorite charity.


RAYMOND J. LIPIN, M.D., 84, of Little Rock died Saturday. He was retired 
director of the V.A. Medical Center in Baltimore, Maryland, and was former 
Chief of Surgery at Little Rock V.A. Hospital. A veteran of WWII, he was a 
member of Christ the King Catholic Church. Survivors are his wife, Leonore; 
four sons, Raymond J. Lipin Jr., John M. Lipin, Thomas E. Lipin and Edward V. 
Lipin; two daughters, Carol Speyerer and Rita J. Lipin; brother, Alfred I. 
Lipin and 11 grandchildren. Funeral Mass will be 10 a.m. Wednesday at Christ 
the King Catholic Church. Interment will follow in Calvary Cemetery. A vigil 
service will be held 7 p.m. Tuesday at Griffin Leggett Healey & Roth, 5800 W. 
12th, Little Rock, 661-9111. Memorials may be made to Christ the King School.


MISS LaTONY McGEE, age 26 of Little Rock died Friday. Survivors are her 
parents, Marvin Williams and Linda McGee; one brother, Billy Ray McGee; her 
grandparents Mr. and Mrs. Arthur Williams Jr.; her stepmother, Rosemary 
Williams. Arrangements are by Watson-Northcrest. 375-5303.


JACQUELINE GEISTER ROGERS, age 64, of North Little Rock died Friday, September 
26. She was the widow of Gerald Rogers. She was Assembly of God by faith. She 
is survived by three sons, Michael Dougan of Little Rock, Lonnie Hadlock of 
Tacoma, Washington, and Terry Rogers of Tuckerman, Arkansas; two daughters, 
Belinda Morris of Sherwood and Kimberlie Johnston of North Little Rock; two 
sisters, Jewell Hadlock of Tacoma, Washington, and Janiece Gyles of Stockton, 
California; 10 grandchildren and one great-grandson. Funeral services will be 
on Tuesday at 1 p.m. in Roller-Owens Funeral Home chapel with Rev. Joe Holiday 
officiating. Interment will be in Fairplay Cemetery, Traskwood, Arkansas. The 
family will receive friends today from 6-8 p.m. at the funeral home.


OBITUARIES - Arkansas outside Pulaski County

ASH FLAT (SHARP COUNTY)-- Edward James Abbey, 74, of Ash Flat, died Friday at 
St. Vincent's. Funeral Mass today at 10 a.m. at St. Mary of the Mount Catholic 
Church in Horseshoe Bend, with burial in Roselawn Cemetery in Saginaw, 
Michigan. Visitation was Sunday from 6 to 8 p.m. Arrangements by Horseshoe Bend 
Memorial Chapel.

BENTON (SALINE COUNTY)-- William "Bill" Walton, 37, of Benton, died Saturday, 
September 27, 1997. Survivors include his mother and two sisters. Services will 
be 3 p.m. Tuesday at the First Baptist Church with Rev. Greg Kirksey 
officiating. Visitation will be 5 to 7 p.m. today at Roller-Ballard Funeral 
Home, Benton.

CENTER RIDGE (CONWAY COUNTY)-- Marvin Williams, 77, of Center Ridge, Arkansas, 
died September 27, 1997. Mr. Williams was a World War II Army Veteran and was 
retired from Crompton Mills. Funeral service 1 p.m. today, September 29 at 
Center Ridge Church of Christ. Burial at Pleasant Hill Cemetery by Harris 
Funeral Home of Morrilton.

CROCKETT'S BLUFF (ARKANSAS COUNTY)-- Mrs. Lillian Smith Phillips, 92, of 
Crockett's Bluff, died Friday, September 26, 1997, in DeWitt City Hospital. A 
retired teacher, she was the widow of Jarvis Phillips. Survivors include two 
sons: Frillie Phillips of Crockett's Bluff, Arkansas; Jarris Phillips of Pine 
Bluff, Arkansas; four daughters: Lillie Smith of Chicago, Illinois; Dr. Arcenia 
London of Syracuse, New York; Lula Brooks, Gracie Carter, both of Little Rock, 
Arkansas; three sisters: Elizabeth Montgomery, Cardalene Smith, Vera Smith; 
three brothers: Martin Smith, Joseph Smith, Wallace Smith; and a host of 
grandchildren, great-grandchildren and great-great-grandchildren. Funeral 
service will be held on Wednesday, Oct. 1, 1997, at 12 noon at St. Olive 
Missionary Baptist Church. Interment will follow in St. Olive Cemetery in 
Crockett's Bluff, Arkansas. By J.W. Relerford and Son Funeral Home of 
Stuttgart, Arkansas.

ENGLAND (LONOKE COUNTY)-- Opal S. Haley, 72, of England, died Saturday, 
September 27, 1997. She was the daughter of the late Ira and Goldye Skipper. 
She is survived by her husband, Hollis Haley; daughters, Deborah Holmes of 
Garland, Texas, Holly Haley of Conway, Arkansas, and Janis Allegro of Dallas, 
Texas. Other survivors include her two sisters, Margaret Bolls and Bea Thurman 
of Carlisle; one brother H.C. Skipper of England and three grandchildren. Opal 
was a member of the First United Methodist Church of England, Arkansas. 
Graveside services will be held at Mulberry Cemetery today, September 29 at 10 
a.m. followed by a memorial service at England Methodist Church at 11 a.m. 
Memorials may be made to the United Methodist Women Missions Fund at England.

GASSVILLE (BAXTER COUNTY)-- Shirl Whitaker, age 54, of Gassville, died Friday. 
Services: 2 p.m. today, Roller Funeral Home Chapel; interment: Walnut Hill 
Cemetery. Survivors: son, Jimmy Whitaker; daughters, Deanna Whitaker, Rhonda 
Wilson; sisters, Pat Forbus, Barbara Queen, Sue Wilson; brother, Morris 
Anderson; grandson, Gary Ray Wilson.

HAMBURG (ASHLEY COUNTY)-- William Tab Harrod, 35, of Hamburg died Saturday at 
the Baptist Medical Center in Little Rock. He was a native of Lake Village, a 
resident of Hamburg for most of his life and a former resident of Arkadelphia. 
He was a rice, soybean and oat farmer, the Hamburg Fire Chief and a former 
Captain of the Hamburg Rescue Unit. He graduated from Hamburg High School in 
1980, where he was president of his senior class. He was a member of the First 
Baptist Church and he is preceded in death by his maternal grandparents, Lloyd 
and Margaret Engelkes and his paternal grandparents, H.E. and Annie Hining 
Harrod. He is survived by his wife, Terri LaGrone Harrod; three sons, Brent, 
Brandon and Hayden Harrod; his parents, Hamburg Mayor Boyce and Bonnie Engelkes 
Harrod, all of Hamburg; two sisters, Amy Shockey of Monticello and LeAnne 
Krillenberger of Little Rock. Funeral services are 2 p.m. today at the First 
Baptist Church. Interment will be in the Hamburg Cemetery under the direction 
of Jones Funeral Home of Hamburg. Memorials may be made to the First Baptist 
Church, P.O. Box 352, Hamburg, Ark., 71646 or to the Hamburg High School 
Scholarship Fund, c/o Mrs. Dot Higginbotham, 518 South Main, Hamburg, Ark., 
71646.

HAMBURG (ASHLEY COUNTY)-- Mrs. Zettie Doss Hennington, 85, of Hamburg died 
Sunday at the Ashley Memorial Hospital in Crossett. Mrs. Hennington was a 
native and lifelong resident of Hamburg and Ashley County; a homemaker and a 
Baptist. She was preceded in death by her husband, Gordon Hennington Sr. in 
1976; a son, Ernest Gene Hennington in 1983; a daughter, Wanda Nutt in 1988, 
and a grandson, Ted Stuart Hennington Sr. in 1983. She is survived by a son, 
Gordon Hennington, Jr., of Hamburg; two daughters, Onnie Magar of Las Vegas, 
Nev., and Shirley Pennington of Hamburg; two brothers, Carl L. Doss of 
Kerrville, Texas, and M.B. Doss of Laughlin, Nev.; a sister, Trudy Tully of 
Benton; 12 grandchildren and 20 great-grandchildren. Visitation will be after 6 
p.m. today at the funeral home. Graveside funeral services and interment are 11 
a.m., Tuesday in the Hamburg Cemetery. Funeral arrangements are under the 
direction of Jones Funeral Home of Hamburg. Memorials may be made to the 
Helping Hands, 1153 Ashley 73 N., Hamburg, Ark., 71646.

HARRISON (BOONE COUNTY)-- Fannie Lou Coffman, 96, of Harrison died Sunday, 
Sept. 28, 1997, at North Arkansas Medical Center. Funeral is 2 p.m. Tuesday, 
Sept. 30, at First Baptist Church with Dr. Jim Perkins officiating. Burial is 
in Maplewood Cemetery under the direction of Holt Memorial Chapel. Open 
visitation at the funeral home. Memorials may be made to the Twentieth Century 
Club, #2 Liberty Cove or to First Baptist Church. She was born August 2, 1901, 
at Harrison, the seventh of the 10 children of Perry Clinton and Allie Gilmore 
Maggard. She joined First Baptist Church of Harrison in 1916 and was the member 
with the longest continuous membership of that church. She married Frank L. 
Coffman on Nov. 13, 1920. In 1929, she joined the Twentieth Century Club of 
Harrison and held the longest membership in that club. She was honored by the 
General Federation of Women's Clubs of Arkansas for the length of her 
membership. She had been WMU President several times and for many years was a 
Sunday school teacher of all ages at First Baptist of Harrison. She was a 
member of The Dorcas Class, WMU, and the Twentieth Century Club. She was 
preceded in death by her husband, Frank Coffman Sr. and her nine brothers and 
sisters. She is survived by a son, Frank L. Coffman Jr. and a daughter, Carolyn 
Savells both of Harrison; four grandchildren, Cathy Brandt, Cynthia Morris and 
Ken Savells of Harrison and Nancy Wright of Marietta, Georgia, 10 
great-grandchildren and one great-great-grandchild. Pallbearers will be John 
Paul Hammerschmidt, Dave Heuer, Robert Kent, Roger Logan, Jim Parker, Willard 
Phillips, Floyd Smith and Mike Smith. Honorary pallbearers are Harley Myles, 
Kathryn Anderson, Peggy Bell, Jackie Coffman, Lula Belle Matlock, Charlotte 
Marvel, Nola Newberry, Dorcas Class and Twentieth Century Club.

HOPE (HEMPSTEAD COUNTY)-- Lorece Davis Ermo, 76, of Hope, Ark., passed from 
this life on Sunday, Sept. 28 at St. Michael Hospital in Texarkana, Texas. 
Services will be Tuesday, Sept. 30, 2 p.m. in the Herndon Funeral Home Chapel. 
Burial in Memory Gardens Cemetery by Herndon Funeral Home, Hope, Ark.

JUDSONIA (WHITE COUNTY)-- Lloyd Carlin Brawley, 66, died Saturday. Survivors: 
wife,Virginia. Sons, Lloyd Jr., Steve, Marty, Joseph. Daughter, Auneen Parrett. 
Two step-sons, one step-daughter. Four sisters, six grandchildren, six 
step-grandchildren. Services: today, 2 p.m., Powell Funeral Chapel. Burial: 
Pennington Cemetery near Amagon by Powell Funeral Home.

KEO (LONOKE COUNTY)-- Jeff W. Carter, age 67, of Keo, Arkansas died Friday, 
September 26.He was born November 6, 1929 in McCrory Arkansas. He was a retired 
truck driver and a Navy veteran. Survivors are four sons: John Carter, Wright, 
Ark.; Jeff Carter, Jr., Helena, Ark.; Joe Carter and Don Carter, both of Keo, 
Ark.; one daughter: Janna Hayes, Conway; his mother: Jessie Carter Collins, 
West Memphis, Ark.; one brother: Doyle Carter, Marion, Ark.; nine 
grandchildren. He was preceded in death by his father, Jeff Carter, Sr. and one 
brother, George Earl Carter. Funeral Services will be 2 p.m. today in the 
chapel at Wilson-Stephens Funeral Home in England. Burial will be at Keo 
Cemetery.

MALVERN (HOT SPRINGS COUNTY)-- Jody Messec, 38, of Malvern died Friday, 
September 26. 1997.Survivors are his two daughters, mother, father, one 
brother, three sisters, one grandson, grandmother. Memorial Services under 
direction of Atkinson Funeral Home will be held at 2:30 p.m. Tuesday, Sept. 30 
in the Chapel of Atkinson Funeral Home.

MARIANNA (LEE COUNTY)-- Thomas Lee Ripper, age 81, of Marianna died Sunday. He 
was aretired owner/operator of Dorsett & Ripper Service Station and a member of 
First Christian Church. He leaves his wife, Helen; two sons, William Thomas and 
Lee along with two daughters, Rosemary Harper and Faye Lyons. Services are 11 
a.m. Tuesday at First Christian Church in Marianna by Roller-Citizens.

MENA (POLK COUNTY)-- Agnes Ann Gigilotti, age 70, resident of Mena, died 
Saturday,September 27, 1997 at the Mena Medical Center. Ms. Gigilotti was sent 
for cremation. Beasley-Wood Funeral Home of Mena in charge of arrangements.

PARON (SALINE COUNTY)-- Madison Wilson Sr., 85, of Paron, Ark., passed from 
this lifeSaturday, Sept. 27, at Paron. Funeral services will be today, Sept. 
29, at 2 p.m. in the Herndon Funeral Home Chapel. Burial in Washington Cemetery 
by Herndon Funeral Home of Hope.

PIGGOTT (CLAY COUNTY)-- Larry Langley, 54, of Piggott, Arkansas passed away 
Sept. 28,1997. He is survived by wife; three children; father and mother. 
Services Tuesday, September 30, 1997, at 2 p.m. in New Hope Baptist Church, 
Pollard, Ark. Hoggard & Sons Funeral Home of Piggott, Arkansas. Viewing today 6 
p.m.

PIGGOTT (CLAY COUNTY)-- Delora Tidwell, 90, of Piggott, Arkansas passed away 
Sept. 27,1997. She is survived by two sons, Bob Tidwell and Roy Tidwell. 
Services Tuesday, September 30, 1997, at 11 a.m. in Thornton Street Church of 
Christ, Piggott, Ark. Hoggard & Sons Funeral Home of Piggott, Arkansas. Viewing 
today 6 p.m.

PINE BLUFF (JEFFERSON COUNTY)-- Melvin L. Sanderson, 56, Pine Bluff, native of 
Little Rock,attended Temple B'Nai Israel, died Friday. Preceded by his parents, 
Milton Lawrence Sanderson, Dorothy Lee Mayer Sanderson. Survivors: brother, 
David Sanderson; sister, Mildred Olstein; several nieces and nephews. Graveside 
services today, 2 p.m., Oakland Cemetery by Ralph Robinson & Son.

POTTSVILLE (POPE COUNTY)-- W.L. "Cowboy" Ferguson, age 83 of Pottsville, died 
SaturdaySeptember 27, 1997 at Legacy Lodge Nursing Home. Funeral service will 
be 2 p.m. Tuesday, September 30, 1997 at the Humphrey Chapel. Burial will be at 
the Pisgah Cemetery under the direction of Humphrey Funeral Service.

RUSSELLVILLE (POPE COUNTY)-- Audra McAlister Page, age 89, of Russellville, 
diedSaturday, September 27, 1997, at Stella Manor Nursing Center. She was the 
widow of the late Bert Page, Sr. She is survived by a son, Bert Page, Jr. and a 
daughter, Anna Jane Fields, both of Russellville; five grandchildren, nine 
great-grandchildren and two brothers. Funeral service will be 4 p.m. Tuesday, 
September 30, 1997 at Humphrey Chapel. Burial will be at Owens Cemetery near 
Dover under the direction of Humphrey Funeral Service.

SHANNON HILLS (SALINE COUNTY)-- Serena Emma Duke, 91, of Shannon Hills, passed 
awaySeptember 27, 1997. She was a retired draftsman and a member of the Church 
of the Nazarene. Her survivors include one daughter, Betty J. Cooke and her 
husband William of Shannon Hills and four grandchildren. Mrs. Duke's remains 
are being donated to Department of Anatomy, UAMS. In lieu of flowers, memorials 
may be made to Arkansas Children's Hospital. Arrangements by Griffin Leggett 
Healey & Roth, 5800 W. 12th , Little Rock, 661-9111.

STUTTGART (ARKANSAS COUNTY)-- Melba Louise Bounds Simpson, age 79, of 
Stuttgart, diedFriday, Sept. 26, 1997. She was a housewife and a Methodist. 
Survivors are her husband, Buford, her mother and three brothers. Services were 
2 p.m. Sunday at Turpin Funeral Home Chapel with burial in Bayou Meto Cemetery 
by Turpin Funeral Home.

WIDEMAN (IZARD COUNTY)-- James Ewell McCurley, 89, passed away on September 26 
at hishome. Graveside service will be today 10 a.m. at the Flat Rock Cemetery 
in Calico Rock under the direction of the Eddie Howard Funeral Home in Calico 
Rock.


DALLAS -- Carolyn Knight, 73, of Dallas, formerly of Little Rock died 
Friday, September 26 in Dallas, Texas. Born January 26, 1924 in Little Rock to 
the late Jay and Marietta Jones. She was an active volunteer at Presbyterian 
Hospital and a member of the Assistance League of Dallas. She attended Highland 
Park United Methodist Church in Dallas. She graduated from Stephens College, 
Northwestern University and North Texas State University where she received her 
master's degree. She is survived by her daughter, Vickie Knight of Los Angeles, 
Calif. and her brothers, Dr. Robin Jones of Little Rock and Jay Jones also of 
Little Rock, who is now serving in the U.S. Peace Corps in Jamaica. Graveside 
Services will be held on Wednesday, 10 a.m. at Roselawn Memorial Park. For her 
love of animals, the family request that donations be made to the Humane 
Society of your choice. Direction of Services by Ruebel Funeral Home.

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