A list of obits from various sources pertaining about your former classmates in case you want to read about them. TO Top
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EDITOR'S NOTE -- You can thank Jim Bell '47 for obituary of Betty Ray Griffith who died May 7, 2008.
MEMPHIS - Betty Ray Griffith, 78, of Memphis, beloved mother of Virginia Griffith ] Fenley, David Leon Griffith IV, Anne Griffith Wes-berry and James Collins Griffith, went to be with the Lord May 7, 2008.
A graduate of the University of Arkansas and alumnus of Chi Omega Sorority, she was preceded in death by her husband, David Leon Griffith III; her parents, James Middleton Ray Sr. and Virginia Collins Ray. A true matriarch of her family, her greatest gifts were her unconditional love, her humor, her tireless desire to help others, her integrity and her joy of living. She retired from Carrier Corporation in Collierville, Tenn. after 25 years of service as director of insurance coordination in human resources.
Raised in Scott, Arkansas, Betty always remained close to childhood and college friends. A widow at 45, she completed the task of supporting and seeing to the care and education of her four children. They are all college graduates and successful in their respective careers and lives.
She was a member of St. John's Episcopal Church. She is survived by one brother, James Middleton Ray, Jr.; her brother-in-law, Harry Griffith; and sisters-in-law, Virginia Weakes and Nancy Tooke. Her beloved grandchildren include James Lewis Fenley III, Da¬vid Collins Fenley, Elizabeth Griffith Fenley, David Leon Griffith V, Taylor Ray Griffith, Connor James Griffith, Fred Cox Wesberry Jr., Annie Davis Wesberry, James Collins Griffith, Jr. and Catherine Nancy Griffith.
Visitation will be from 5-7 p.m.. Friday, May 9 at Memphis Funeral Home. The Funeral service will be at St. John's Episcopal Church at 10 a.m. on Saturday, May 10. All memorials may be sent to St. John's Episcopal Church. Memphis Funeral Home Poplar (901) 725-0100 www.mem-phisfuneralhome.net.
Editor's Note -- You can thank Jim Bell '47 for sending Tony obituary!
CONWAY – Joseph M. “Tony” Koonce, 79, of Conway died Friday, April 25, 2008. Tony was born Sept. 10, 1928, in Little Rock to the late Joe and Mariee (Rogers) Koonce. Mr. Koonce received his Doctorate of Education from Mississippi State University. He was a professor in the Business Department of the University of Central Arkansas in 1993. He loved teaching and cared for each individual student He was a member of Conway's First Baptist Church. His hobby was his family — he loved them dearly.
Tony is survived by his beloved wife of 49 years, Sondra (Sullivan) Koonce; daughter Vanessa Powell and husband Don; grandchildren Caroline, Kelsey and Kipley; and sister-in-law Maryon Wood, all of Conway.
Funeral service will be 10:30 a.m. Monday, April 28, 2008, in the Chapel of Griffin Leggett Funeral Home, 1751 Dave Ward Dr., Conway, Ark., 72034, 501-327-5000. Burial will follow at Pinecrest Memorial Park in Alexander. Visitation will be 2-4 p.m. Sunday at the funeral home. In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made to Gideons International, P.O. Box 397, Conway, Ark. 72033. Online .guest registry is available at www.griffinleggett.com.
Editor's Note -- You can thank Jim Bell '47 for sending Barbara's obituary!
BARBARA JEAN (HESS) TAYLOR, 79, of North Little Rock, Ark., died on Sunday, March 2, 2008. Barbara was born Nov. 29, 1928 to the late Albert John and Mary Chivers Hess.
Barbara was married to the late James Pettigrew Taylor and continued operating his business, "Jim Taylor Sales Company" when he died in 1977 until she retired in 1998. She was previously employed by Southwestern Bell Telephone Company, Arkansas Highway Department and the Lewis Rauton Company.
Mrs. Taylor was an active member of Lakewood United Methodist Church. She served on the Board of Stewards, was the past president of the Lakewood United Methodist Women, and she served on many other committees in the church. She was active in many other local clubs such as the past president of the Crestwood Elementary PTA, member of Oakleaf Garden Club, Crestwood Garden Club, Bas Bleu, and the Lakewood Neighborhood Chairman of the Girl Scouts of America.
Preceding her in death were her parents; her husband, James P. Taylor; one brother, Albert John Hess; and one sister, Ann Signoracci.
She is survived by her children, Jema Jean (Randy) Elms of North Little Rock, Ark.; Marga Jane (Steve) Ratcliff of Little Rock, Ark.; James Russell (Re-nee) Taylor of Searcy, Ark.; sisters, Jane Hart and Margaret Wentworth;grandchildren, Brian (Sarah) Elms;Destiny, Skyler and Caleb Elms; Jennifer (Joe) France; Meagan and Ryan Ratcliff; Brent, Blake and Bradley Taylor; Great-grandchildren, Brianna, Jacob, and Jesse.
Also, Barbara had many nieces, nephews, and a host of friends, who will miss her dearly.
Visitation will be 5-7 p.m., Wednesday, March 5, 2008 at Griffin Leggett-Rest Hills Funeral Home, 7724 Landers Rd., North Little Rock, Ark. 72117 (501) 835-3515.
Funeral service will be 10 a.m. Thursday, March 6, 2008, at Lakewood United Methodist Church, 1922 Topf Rd., North Little Rock, Ark., with interment following in Roselawn Memorial Park Cemetery, 2801 Asher Ave., Little Rock, Ark.72204.
In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made to United Methodist Children's Home, 2002 S. Fillmore St., Little Rock, Ark. (501) 661-0720.
To sign Mrs. Taylor's online guest-book go to www.griffinleggett.com.
Elsie Mears sent me the recent obit for Robert M. 'Bob' Jordan (May '47) which follows: Jim
Hallsville, Texas. Robert Merrill Jordan went to be with the Lord on February 11, 2007, after a long illness. Bob was born August 4, 1929 in Little Rock, AR to William Roy and Edna Ernestine Jordan. He was preceded in death by his first wife, Dixie; a brother, William Roy Jordan II; and a sister, Mary Elizabeth Jordan. He graduated from Central High School in Little Rock, AR, received a Bachelor of Science and a Bachelor of Music Education from Hendrix College. He received a Master's degree in Music Education from North Texas State University. Bob was a music educator in both Arkansas and Texas for more than 45 years, and a published composer. He began his teaching career in 1955 in Rison, AR, later teaching at Oaklawn Junior High in Texarkana, TX., Atlanta High School in Atlanta, TX and 13 years as the head band director at Highland Park High School in Dallas. He concluded his music career as director of bands at Hamshire-Fannett ISD. He is survi ved by his loving family, which includes his wife, Dorothy; daughters, Kathryn Prado and her husband, Danny of Grapevine, TX, and Angela Haynes of Orange, TX, stepchildren, Alan Dorsey and his wife Amy, Melissa Cox and husband, Jimmy, all of Longview, TX., Cynthia Green and husband Troy, of Monroe, LA, Teresa Kacy and husband, Scott of Beaumont, TX; 14 grandchildren; and four great grandchildren. Private memorial services will be held by the family. Bob donated his body to U. T. Southwestern Medical Center in Dallas for medical research. In lieu of flowers, memorial donations may be made to a charity of your choice
Jamesena Bishop Semands, formerly of Houston, Texas, has been reported to have died June 5, 2003. Her obituary read:
Mrs. Semands died Thursday, June 5, 2003 at the Arrington in Columbus, Mississippi. A memorial service will be announced at a later time by Gunter and Peel Funeral Home. Ms. Semands was born May 10, 1929, in Camden, Ark., to the late Worley Johnson and Bobbye Gertrude Powell Bishop. Formerly of Houston, TX, she was a resident of the Arrington. She worked for many years as a registered nurse and was a Methodist. She is survived by her sons, Steve Semands of Charlotte, N.C. and Everett Semands of Grand Junction, Colo. daughter Barbara Lenarduzzi of Starkville: and three grandchildren.
EDITOR'S NOTE -- Here is a link for Virgina White Garble as provided by Frances Bickel Johnson.
Virginia Lee (White) Grable, age 77, of Memphis, Tennessee, formerly of Little Rock, passed away Wednesday night, August 30, 2006 at Baptist Hospital.
She was preceded in death by her father, Ernest Monroe White, mother, Thelma Dean White, brothers, Ernest Melvin White, Bennie White, and Harold Lynn White, and her sister Thelma Dean White. She is survived by her brother Thiel Eugene White of Orange, California, daughters Ann of Middleton, TN, and Kaye of Nashville, TN; sons Jim of Hopkinsville, KY and, Tom of Memphis, TN, eight grandchildren, and a host of nieces and nephews.
Funeral services will be held Tuesday, September 5, 2006 at 11:00 a.m. in the chapel of Griffin Leggett Healey and Roth, 5800 W. 12th, Little Rock, AR (501) 661-9111 with burial following at Pinecrest Memorial Park. Visitation will be held Monday, September 4, 2006 from 6:00 p.m. until 8:00 p.m. at the funeral home.
EDITOR'S NOTE -- Thanks to Jim Bell for sending an obituary of Hazel Love White Williams. The obituary appeared in the Arkansas Democrat-Gazette Newspaper on June 22.
HAZEL LOVE WHITE WILLIAMS, age 76, of Little Rock passed away June 20, 2006. She was born Jan. 31, 1930, in Little Rock, Ark., the daughter of Harris Love White and OIlie Mae (Harris) White. She was married to Orville Williams for 42 years and had two children, Annette and Fred.
She worked as a secretary at Little Rock schools for 18 years and for the state of Arkansas for five years. After retirement she enjoyed spending time visiting at nursing homes and bird watching. She was a lifelong member of Highland Valley United Methodist Church and a member of Highlander Sunday School Class. For the past two years she was a resident of Good Shepherd where she was known by her friends as "Miss Chocolate."
Preceded in death by her husband; her parents; and a sister, Mary Nell White. She is survived by her daughter, Annette Stiffler, and her husband, Tom, of Searcy, Ark.; her son, Fred Williams, and his wife, Susan, of Chapin, S.C.; her grandchildren, Tara Rydl, and her husband, Darold, of Little Rock, Talmon Stiffler and his wife, Ellen, of Fayetteville, and Marc and Megan Williams of Chapin, S.C.; her brother, Joe White, and his wife, Ann, of Edmond, Okla., and a brother-in-law, Gene White of Little Rock.
Funeral services will be held Friday, June 23, 2006, at 2 p.m. in the chapel of Griffin Leggett Healey and Roth, 5800 W. 12th, Little Rock, Ark. (501) 661-9111, with Kurt Boggan officiating. Burial will follow at Pinecrest Memorial Park. Visitation will be held Thursday, June 22, 2006, from 7 p.m. until 9 p.m. at the funeral home. To sign Mrs. William's online guest book, please visit www. griffinleggett.com.
EDITOR'S NOTE -- Thanks to Jim Bell for this obituary received from Anne Jones.
Professor William Randolph Jones, Medieval Historian, died on December 6, 2005 of complications from heart disease, while traveling with his wife, Anne, in Nevada.
Dr. Jones received his B.A., (1951) M.A. (1952) and Ph.D. (1958) degrees from Harvard University and was a member of Phi Beta Kappa. He studied at the University of Paris as a Fellow of the French Government in 1951 and studied as a Fulbright Scholar at Kings College, London University in 1958.
Dr. Jones served in the 111th Counter Intelligence Corps Detachment, United States Army, from 1955 to 1957. While serving in the Army, he received a Certificate of Achievement in Recognition of Meritorious and Outstanding Performance of Duty. Also, he graduated at the head of his class in the CIC Investigations Course of The Army Intelligence School.
Dr. Jones was the author of over forty-five articles and monographs relating to medieval history and was especially interested in intercultural relationships and the relationship between church and state during the Middle Ages. He was a member of many professional organizations and national and international conferences. He was active in the research community and was a founding member of the New England World History Association. He was Vice Chair of the UNESCO Conference on History and Cultural Diversity, held in Dakar, Senegal in 1978. In 1990, he was co-founder of the International Conference group on China and Europe in the Middle Ages as part of the UNESCO Silk Roads Project. During the early part of his career, Professor Jones taught at Georgia State University and Ohio Wesleyan University.
Most of his career was as Professor of History at the University of New Hampshire (UNH) from 1962 to 1996. He served as History Department Chair from 1964 to 1971. Committed to academic excellence, he was director of several summer programs for history teachers and was awarded the UNH Teaching Excellence Award in 1989.z
After his retirement in 1996, Professor Jones was able to indulge his passion for travel by visiting over forty-five countries in Europe, the Middle East, Asia, Africa and Central America. Also, he was able to indulge his second passion, painting. His retirement years were spent at Jekyll Island, Georgia and his final home, which he and his wife built in Tucson, Arizona.
He is survived by his wife, Anne S. Jones; and his adored children, Adam C. Jones and his wife Lorie B. Jones; Mark W. Jones and his wife Suzanne M. Jones; Brantley Powers and her husband, Robert Powers and Anne Marchant and her husband, William Marchant.
Memorial contributions may be made to your favorite charity.
Editor's Note -- Jim Bell got the following obit to Class 47, and provided the Funeral Home address which had the obit & picture of her. Thanks to him for the the link.
Editor's Note -- Jim Bell provided the link so you can read about FRANK GRAVES, Class '47. So, you have Jim to thank for the Website. Every Funeral Home always carries an obit.
Jim Bell writes: The obituary for Anne Jack Baker has not yet appeared in the Arkansas Democrat-Gazette but will, I believe, appear tomorrow (Saturday). However, I am leaving with wife Ruth for a week's vacation in the Yucatan. Elsie Weaver Mears forwarded to me the obituary write-up by Anne's son, Doug Carter, which reads:
"Anna Brooks Jack Baker, 75, of Hot Springs went to be with her Lord and Savior, on Tuesday, June 14, 2005.
She was born on April 14, 1930 in Little Rock to Wilsie Wilmoth and James Jack. She was preceded in death by her daughter, Deborah Anne Tanner; a step-daughter, Diane Wakefield; and two sons, Stanley Allan Carter and Matthew Thompson Carter.
Loving survivors include her husband of 33 years, Daniel P. Baker; one sister and brother-in-law, Martha Jeanne and Jim Wallace of Austin, TX; a sister-in-law Lucy Finegan Jack, of Little Rock; one son and daughter-in-law, Wayne Douglas and Vicki Carter, of Malvern; a daughter-in-law, Shelby Carter of Denver, CO; a son-in-law, Glen Tanner, of Mountain Home, AR; a step-daughter and son-in-law, Patricia and Ron Barclay, of Roseburg, OR; a step-daughter and son-in-law, Jerri and Brian Matthews, of Pinon Hills, CA; Grandchildren Jesse W. Carter, of Malvern; Anna Tanner, of New York, N.Y.; Evan Tanner, of Little Rock; Wayne Douglas Morse, of San Jose, CA. Nieces and nephews, Jill and Daryl Buchanan, of Houston, TX; James and Lisa Wallace, of Houston, TX; James and Susan Jack, of Little Rock; Jane and Phillip Lyon, of North Little Rock; Don and Ruth Ann Jack, of Little Rock, along with many great nieces and nephews.
In order to have friends, you must be one and she had a lengthy list of friends with whom she corresponded consistently throughout her life. She is remembered by many lifelong friends too numerous to mention. She always enjoyed sharing a humorous story, joke or, anecdote and was noted for her upbeat take on life. She was an early riser, and especially enjoyed quiet morning walks around Belvedere.
She grew up in the Hillcrest Area and rode “The Special” streetcar (only for students) every morning to Little Rock High School. She was a member of the Beta Delta Sorority. After high school, she attended Texas State College for Women in Denton, TX. She also attended UALR and UA Fayetteville. Her studies were interrupted when she married and began having babies every March for 3 years running. She was proud of receiving her Associates, in Speech Communication degree in 1982 from Arapaho Community College in Denver, CO, at age 52.
As a graduate of Little Rock “Central” High School, class of ’47 she was fond of attending reunions and rarely missed one. She was also very active in the “1947 “Ladies Lunch Bunch”- high school friends who meet every other month for lunch at a local restaurant.
Other affiliations that she actively and vigorously maintained were the Belvedere Women’s Golf Assn., the Carousel Theater, and the Red Hat Society.
She regularly attended Cumberland Presbyterian Church and she drew special solace, strength and inspiration from reading her bible, each and every morning.
Funeral services will be held at 10 a.m. Monday, June 20th, at Cumberland
Presbyterian Church, in Hot Springs, AR. by pastor Jim Fisk. Her body will be cremated and her ashes will be scattered in Denver, CO so that she can be at rest with her sons, and in Little Rock so that she can rest with her daughter.
In lieu of flowers, memorial donations may be made to your favorite charity, to Cumberland Presbyterian Church in Hot Springs or, to Christian Life Center in Little Rock, AR."
Editor's Note -- Thanks to Jim Bell you are able to read Margie Opal Lunsford (Walker) obit at Griffin Leggett Funeral Home.
BETTY RUSSELL SMITH, age 75, of Little Rock, died Oct. 3, 2004. She was born Feb 21, 1929 at McGehee, Ark., to the late Robert Lee Rose Bowers Russell. She was a member of St. James United Methodist Church of Little Rock.
She is survived by her brother, Ray H. Russell of Little Rock; he son, Hal Smith and wife, Sue of North Little Rock; her daughters Leslie Smith of Heber Springs and Lee Barnett of Greenbrier;and grandchildren and friends.
A memorial service will be held at 2 p.m. on Thursday in the chapel of Ruebel Funeral Home with Rev. Fred Haustein officiating. In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made to the Knobel Cemetery Association, in care of Doris Sellmyer, Knobel,Ark. 72435 or to the St. James United Methodist Church, 321 Pleasant Valley Drive, Little Rock, Ark. 72212. www.ruebelfuneralhome.com
Julie Ellen Crossley Hess, of Charlotte passed away Sunday, April 27, 2003, at Britthaven Nursing Home. She was 73.
Mrs. Hess was born in Little Rock, AR on October 26, 1929, the daughter of the late Joseph Benedict Crossley and Madonna Burnett Crossley. Before retirement, she worked as a salesperson in retail. Julie was the kind of person who always kept people smiling.
Mrs. Hess is survived by her son, Robert G. Hess and wife, Terry, of Matthews and their children, Taylor and Adrienne. She is also survived by a brother, Joe Crossley, of North Little Rock, AR and a brother-in-law, Donald Bratton of Little Rock, AR.
In lieu of flowers, memorial donations may be made to the American Diabetes Association, 1820 E. 7th St., Charlotte, NC 28204, or to Marketplace Community Ministry, 92 Twiss Lane, Hollis, NH 03049.
Lowe Funeral Home is serving the family of Mrs. Hess.
Published in the Charlotte Observer on 4/28/2003.
Funeral home at http://www.legacy.com/charlotte/LegacySubPage2.asp?Page=LifeStory&PersonId=971397
Ruth Dowell Frierson, May '47, died Saturday, February 8th.
The family will receive friends from 5 to 7 pm Tuesday at the North Little Rock Funeral Home, 1921 Main St. (501) 758-1170. Online guest registry is at North Little Rock Funeral Home!.
Funeral service will be 10:30 am Wednesday at the Second Baptist Church in Little Rock. In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made to the Second Baptist Church.
Fred R. Prioleau, 72, of Palm Springs, California passed away on October 21, 2002, in Palm Springs. Born November 24, 1929, in Little Rock, Arkansas to Fred R. and Gladys L. Prioleau. A graduate of Little Rock High School and the University of Arkansas, a member of the Sigma Chi fraternity. He is survived by his sister, Jean Madison, of Memphis and nephew, James Madison, of Cordova. Also survived by four great-nephews. A memorial service will be held at a later date. Interment will be private at Memphis National Cemetery. In lieu of flowers, family requests that donations be made in Fred's name to St. Jude Children's Hospital, P.O. Box 318, Memphis, TN 38101. Wiefels & Son Funeral Directors, Palm Springs, CA (760) 327-1257.