Archive
August 3rd, 2011
Mark Devoe Jackson, 83, of Haskell, went to join his Heavenly Father on August 1. He was born on May 31, 1928 to the late Howell and Lillian Jackson in McJester.  He was also preceded in death by an infant son, Mark Edwin Jackson and brothers, James and Boyce Jackson.Â
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August 2nd
By
Special to the Courier
The Bryant 14-Year-Old All Stars defeated Kenner, La., last year’s regional champs, to advance to the quarterfinals of the Southwest Regional Tournament in Lake Jackson, Texas. Bryant faced Harrison, Ark., Monday night and lost 9-2, which means Bryant finishes the tournament in fourth place. The Harrison All-Stars were crowned the Arkansas State Champs earlier this year.
Bryant lost to Harrison in the first game of the series and rallied to defeated Oak Grove 8-4 (winning pitcher Jacob Ward) and Kenner, La. (winning pitcher Devin Dupree.)
George Edward “Ed” Talbert, 86, of Benton, died Sunday, July 31, 2011 at Saline Memorial Hospice in Bryant. He was born August 24, 1924 to Walter Edward and Bertha Inez (Sorrells) Talbert. He retired from Southwestern Bell telephone company in 1986 after 39 years of service. He was a member of Lifeline Baptist Church, The Gideons International, and was a Mason. He was a Navy veteran having served in WWII and the Korean War; sailing around the world twice.
He was preceded in death by his first wife Norma Jean (Smith) Talbert, the mother of his children.
August 1st
Dolores Nan or Dea’ Richards
Dolores “Nan or Dea” Richards, 80, of Benton passed away on July 31 at her home. She was born April 12, 1931, in Benton. Dolores was a floral designer having owned and worked in florist shops in Benton and Little Rock, a housewife and of the Baptist faith. She was preceded in death by her parents, Thomas and Lorena Raney, her husband of 52 years, Mike Richards, and a grandson, Kelley Richards Chandler.
Madell Griffin Townsend, 84, of Traskwood, passed away Thursday, July 28. She was born March 6, 1927 to the late Frank Royal and Cynthia Rilla Howie Royal in Mer Rouge, Louisiana.
 In addition to her parents, she was preceded in death by her husband, Gilbert Griffin, two brothers, Aubrey Royal and Verbal Royal and three sisters, Ina Mae Luker, Muriel Williamson, and Louise Huffman.
Cora Mae Vickers Bull Powell
Cora Mae Vickers Bull Powell of Alexander, passed on July 28, at Saline Memorial Hospital Hospice House in Bryant. She was born on October 5, 1921 in Buckner, to Knutchee and Ruby Teague Vickers. She was preceded in death by her parents, her beloved daughter, Janice Lou Bull Brown, two spouses, Leroy Arnold Bull and Herman Powell, a brother, Riley Vickers and a sister, Maxine Coleman.
July 29th
With August just around the corner, that means only one thing — football season is a little more than a month away. With the first game scheduled for Sept. 2, it won’t be long now until Friday nights become the busiest night of my week.
While I love football and every pulse pounding hit that comes with it, the pressure of trying to maintain fair and balanced coverage is always a huge obstacle.
Lois Carolyn Johnson, 75, of Tulsa, Okla., formerly of Benton, passed away Sunday, July 24. She was born in Benton to the late Rev. Daniel Johnson and Mary Nelson.
Her survivors include sons, Kenneth Sutton of Chicago, Ill. and Thomas Sutton of Searcy; daughters, Barbara Benefield of Davis, Cali. and Arletria Sutton of North Little Rock; brothers, Frederick Johnson, Sr. of Hot Springs and Bennie Nelson of Wichita, Kan.; sisters, Mary Harris of Evanston, Il. and Geneva Ailsworth of Benton; 17 grandchildren and 16 great-grandchildren.
Charles Fredrick Kennedy, 84, of Little Rock died Wednesday, July 27. He was born on October 5, 1926, and was preceded in death by his son, Bill Kennedy.
Before attending college, Charles served four years in the Marines during World War II. After graduating from Henderson State Teachers College, he coached in Stuttgart and Bauxite before moving to Little Rock with his family in 1959. He remained there until his retirement from Little Rock Public School District in 1987.
Best known as “Coach,” Charles spent all but two years of his 30-year coaching career at the junior high level.
Shon Zachary Smith, 18, of Sheridan died Monday, July 25. He was born March 16, 1993, in Little Rock to Charles “Chuck” Smith and Misty Alynn Schultz. Shon attended Glen Rose High School and also Little Creek Baptist Church. He enjoyed hunting, fishing and anything that involved the outdoors. Shon also enjoyed skateboarding and playing his Xbox. He always had a smile on his face and loved making people laugh.
